Commonplace

What did Sally Quinn's article have to do with faith? It seemed more like a sexist slam on women who choose to work and raise a family. I couldn't connect what her rant about the Southern Baptists not allowing women to be ordained had to do with Sarah Palin, who is not a Southern Baptist. By the way, the Assemblies of God has ordained women from its beginning.

First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.

- Martin Niemöller

Andy at Think Christian writes: "Earlier this month the famous Soviet dissident and writer Alexander Solzhenitsyn passed away. I realize that this is officially Old News (it’s been three whole weeks!), but I want to chat for a moment about this great—you might even say prophetic—man, and hear your thoughts about his life and writings." To read more, click here.

Anne and I went to the Potter Park Zoo yesterday. This little red panda was sleeping. When he opened his eyes, he stared at us for quite a while. Then he started sticking his tongue out at me. I thought maybe he would lick his fur or something, but just kind of waved his tongue up and down. It was more of a playful look, a catch-me-if-you-can pose. He definitely was one of the top shots of the day.

We walked on the River Walk Trail from Clippert Street to the zoo. Last week we walked from the Turner-Dodge House through Old Town and the center of Lansing all the way to the fork where the Red Cedar River meets the Grand River. We had great weather both days, though yesterday was cooler with less humidity.

Medal Standings by Country

Collin Hansen gets the scoop on the public meeting between Obama and McCain hosted by Rick Warren at Saddleback.

What does Shane Claiborne have to say about mean people? Read it here.

David Gibbons has some interesting insights on the implications of cultural shifts as became apparent at the Beijing Olympics. Read more about it in this blog post called Olympic Shifts.

JOH 17:21-23 [I pray]that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.
The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.

"Indeed, when men and women of diverse backgrounds walk together as one in Christ, they uniquely reflect the Father's love on earth as it is in heaven."
- Mark DeYmaz

I must train my inner ear to listen,
truly listen.
I hear so much and read so much,
but do I truly listen?
This is my prayer, that with many words
cycloning through my mind, I will
snatch the right words, and
truly listen.

"I believe that the single greatest movement of the Holy Spirit in this century will be the integration of the church."
- Mark Deymaz

After watching this video, I've thought I should begin my own solo career. You have to wait a little bit through the girl's song and the pianist's talk to hear this man sing.

Here's a cartoon called Fish Food.

Our Youth Group made the Lansing State Journal yesterday. Make sure to click on the photo gallery next to the article to see six pictures.

Brant Point, at Nantucket

Our family had a great time on Nantucket Island, which is off the coast of Cape Cod. Why Nantucket of all places? Well, I had been there a couple of times, and the visit never seemed long enough. I went on the ferry in the morning and came back on the evening ferry. I remember thinking: I sure would love to spend more time on this island and really get to know it. I have always been fascinated with islands and island life, and this was a chance to get a snapshot view of what it is like. When you spend a week at a place you really get a feel for it and have a lot more time to learn things about its history and culture.


Sweet Briar Cottage, Hummock Pond Road

This is where we stayed for the week we were there. It was a tiny little cottage with two bedrooms and a futon in the living room. I leave it up to you to guess who slept on the futon. We cooked our meals at the cottage. I even helped with dishes. Let it be known, that even at home I rinse my own plate off after eating. So even though I have a disdain for washing dishes, I do have that soft spot for Anne.

We bought Ben & Jerry's ice cream, which was on sale at the Grand Union grocery store downtown. It was so much cheaper than $4.50 for a regular cone elsewhere, plus it was on sale, which made it even sweeter and creamier. Part of the house rules was to water the flowers out front twice a day. And oh, gas on the island cost $4.98 for regular. We don't plan on moving there, since a small cottage starts at $599,000. You can only imagine what the one below is worth, directly on the harbor. Uhh, no you can't . . .



We had a seven-day pass on the NRTA shuttle. We went from one part of the island to the other on the bus to get a scope on the place we were staying. On Monday, we rented bikes and rode around the island. At one point we passed the cemetery on Hummock Pond Road and Anne commented, "That must be there for the people who couldn't make it up this hill?" On Tuesday, while the ladies went shopping, Brendon and I rented scooters and rode all the way out to 'Sconset (short for Siasconset). The island is 14 miles by 3 1/2 miles, about 30 miles off the coast of Massachusetts.


Nantucket Harbor

Being shuttled around was fun, too, because there were so many internationals using the NRTA. On the bus one day there was this mass conversation going on. It seems like we were always talking to someone or overhearing conversations going on between other passengers. Anyway, one lady called the island "quaint," and a young person said, "Quaint? Who uses that word?"

She answered, "Can you think of better word?"

"Uh, no, I guess you're right. It's quaint."



By the way, our visit to the Whaling Museum was highlight of Brendon's week. I am still trying to figure out why my family did not want to join me for the fifty-minute presentation on the history of scrimshaw. Maybe you can ask them when you see them. Hmm! Some things I'll never know. :-)

If you're interested, you can see more photos over at my Facebook. I am adding a few every couple of days over there.

Be so poor in your own spirit that there will be nothing left on which you are leaning or taking rest, and be always desiring more grace and love and always seeking the spiritual presence of Jesus.
- Walter Hilton

"A passionate tumultuous age will overthrow everything, pull everything down, but a revolutionary age that is at the same time reflective and passionless leaves everything standing but cunningly empties it of significance."
- Søren Kierkegaard

I'd never seen a lily up this close. Look at the pattern near the center. It always amazes me how God has put such intricate design in things that most of us will never see. He takes great pleasure in beauty for its own sake.

If we have never had the experience of taking our commonplace religious shoes off our commonplace religious feet, and getting rid of all the undue familiarity with which we approach God, it is questionable whether we have ever stood in His presence. The people who are flippant and familiar are those who have never yet been introduced to Jesus Christ. After the amazing delight and liberty of realizing what Jesus Christ does, comes the impenetrable darkness of realizing Who He is.
- Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

This is from the front of our house. I am fascinated by the chocolate leaves of the Nine Bark bush. I like this shot, because it shows buds, buds opening, and full blossoms with the contrast of the dark leaves. When the whole bush is in bloom, it's something to see.

This is one of the answers I read in Christianity Today's interview with Tim Keller:

Q: You reject marketing apologetics like, "Christianity is better than the alternatives, so choose Christianity." Why?

A: Marketing is about felt needs. You find the need and then you say Christianity will meet that need. You have to adapt to people's questions. And if people are asking a question, you want to show how Jesus is the answer. But at a certain point, you have to go past their question to the others things that Christianity says. Otherwise you're just scratching where they itch. So marketing is showing how Christianity meets the needs, and I think the gospel is showing how Christianity is the truth.

C. S. Lewis said not to believe in Christianity because it's relevant or exciting or personally satisfying. Believe it because it's true. And if it's true, it eventually will be relevant, exciting, and personally satisfying. But there will be many times in which it's not relevant, exciting, and personally satisfying. To be a Christian is going to be very hard. So unless you come to it simply because it's really the truth, you really won't live the Christian life, and you won't get to the excitement, the relevance, and all that other stuff.

This is what all the fuss was about. Five cygnets.

This is one unhappy swan. He is actually mad, because the guy below kept invading his space. It is amazing the speed of these guys when they're mad and in hot pursuit of an invader. The other guy got away and came in for a safe landing. I'm not which one is preening on the water's edge (number 3). He's either the one that's proud he got away or the one that's proud he drove the other one away. Either way, they are proud birds.

There was so much swan activity on the lake yesterday. They were flying around, invading each other's space, and generally being obnoxious to one another. All the while the mother's are sitting on their nests giving the little guys a respite from all the flurry and fury.

I pray for faith, I long to trust;
I listen with my heart and hear
A voice without a sound: "Be just,
Be true, be merciful, revere
The Word within: God is near!"

I fear no more. The clouded face
Of Nature smiles; through all her things
Of time and space and sense I trace
The moving of the Spirit's wings,
And hear the song of hope she sings.

- from Revelation, by John Greenleaf Whittier

Every day something new!

He is there, waiting to be wanted.
- Walter Hilton

I remember picking these when I was a kid, bunches of them, and blowing them into the wind. This one blew me away. I never looked at one so closely. The detail and beauty is something else. A few more days and it will be gone, but I am amazed at the attention God has given to things that may be seen my no one. There are fish in the depths of the ocean that will live their whole lives never seen by a human being.

God sees them. They are there for His enjoyment. He sees me, too. I hope He enjoys what He sees. I think He does. If He gives this much attention to a dandelion, I know He's working on me.

When the light is right, these blossoms really come alive. I am my best, too, when Christ's light is shining on me, in me, and around me.

"For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:6

How this ended up with a black background I do not know, but I am glad. It was still quite light out when I walked through the woods.

I took this one at my parents' house. They have a rhododendron bush right by the front steps. It just so happened the bee was busy at the time I was photographing the blossoms. It's great to capture moments like these.

This lichen was growing on a dead tree. I took the shot while walking through Padgett Park a couple of days ago. I went by tonight to get a couple of shots under a little different lighting and something had stepped on it. I'm glad I got it when I did. Seize the moment.

This tulip had not yet opened. I took the shot in the early evening, and the light seemed just right. It almost looks like a rose.

Anne and I were on our way back from Springfield, Missouri last Monday. We were there for the tenth birthday celebration for Save Europe's Children. On the way down we stopped in St. Louis to see the arch. The eastern redbuds were in full bloom.

I was fascinated by these clusters of blossoms which popped right out of the trunks or large branches. Creation teaches us a wonderful lesson here. You usually think that the trunk and large branches are the roughest, toughest parts of the tree. And right out of these roughest places these little corsages of beauty seem to pop out with no difficulty.

It's a good lesson. Out of the roughest places you face in life, God can bring surprising bursts of joy, satisfaction, and beauty. At the moment it may seem hard, but wait, God has something else in mind for that rough place.

Grudges are clots in the arteries leading to a happy heart.
-Frank Tyger

Fear is the darkroom where the devil takes you to develop your negatives.
-Unknown

OK, Greater Lansingites, anyone know where this was taken?

It is in the knowledge and sight of God principally that the soul has its bliss, and that the more he is known the better will he be loved.
- Walter Hilton

This is the first crocus of spring, the first flower of the season in our yard. Let the yard work begin, 'cuz spring is really here.

Whew! The day is almost over and Anne hasn't got me yet. She tried this morning but failed. Last year she tied a rubber band around the vegetable sprayer, and when I turned on the faucet to get a glass of water, my shirt was soaked. Yes, watch out for Anne on April 1. Every other day of the year she is so sweet, but oooooh, on April 1, we all like to keep our distance.

"This has always been one of my favourite spots. often, as I stood here of a quiet evening, the sea intoning its song with deep but calm solemnity, my eye catching not a single sail on the vast surface, and only the sea framed the sky and the sky the sea, and when, too, the busy hum of life grew silent and the birds sang their vespers . . ."
- Kierkegaard

"So throw away all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation garden of your life."
James 1:21, The Message

Anne and I had a Monday date in Grand Rapids. We went to the Frederik H. Meijer Gardens. It was really nice. We'd been there a few years back. They have added a lot to it. Here are just a few pics from the trip.

Sometimes God draws a straight line with a crooked stick.
-Larry Osborne, as seen in Outreach Magazine.

What a great program. We are thankful for everyone that participated in this fine performance. The name of it was I've Seen Jesus. You can view more pictures on the church website.

If you walk near sundown, you never know how the ordinary can become exceptional. I wonder how many times we accept the ordinary without looking for the extraordinary.

An adventure is an inconvenience rightly considered.
- G. K. Chesterton

(Click on picture for larger image.)

If you really want to know what it is you love, consider what it is you are most thinking about. For where you love is, there your eye will be turned, your pleasure found, and your heart preoccupied. If you love God very much, you will take your pleasure in thinking a great deal about him. If you love him only a little, you will only think about him a little of the time.
- Walter Hilton

So contented, staring at the approaching surf. I, also, love staring at the water with my feet at water's edge.
(Click on photo for larger image.)

Did this one know how to pose, or what? There is so much beauty that goes unnoticed in God's great world. I started to take His word seriously when He said, "Consider the lily . . . consider the birds," and I have found that there is so much that exists simply for His pleasure, His glory, His enjoyment. And they have this subtle trust, this sense of solid knowing what they are about and why they're here. They don't even have to think about it a whole lot, they just are!

This little guy doesn't suffer from lack of confidence. He may be one of God's smaller creatures, but he knows who he is. What a great bird. (Click on the pic to view larger image.)

Amanda and I spent a week with my parents in Florida. I enjoyed taking lots of photographs. This one was taken at the south pier in St. Petersburg where we went fishing. I think I spent more time photographing than I did fishing. I did catch four trout and one mackerel, but I caught a few hundred great shots of gulls, egrets, pelicans, pigeons, etc. These creatures are so fascinating. Through photography I really take time to focus on things that normally wouldn't take much of my time or thought. Here's one of my favorites. (Click on the pic to view larger image.)