Freedom?

What is it? I want to hear your thoughts! No dictionary definitions please…

Are you fearless?

Charles is Fearless!

You know, there was no way I was getting on that roller-coaster with my son, but I have to say, it was a delight to see that face. Delight, not terror. Joy, not fear. I wonder if I can be fearless like that about life. Okay, I can’t ride a roller-coaster, that’s not ever happening again, I can’t even look up at one without getting weak in the knees… but I can be fearless about the things that matter. Filled with faith in God’s provision, not fear that everything will go wrong… stuff like that.

Be fearless… and laugh loud, too, it helps, as you can see.

Why do we complain about the weather?

As I type this, it’s drizzling and dreary in Western PA where I live, and no doubt many are right now complaining that they can’t do this or that because of the weather. Or just generally allowing the weather to dictate their feelings.

We complain when it’s too hot.

When it’s too cold.

When it rains.

When it doesn’t.

When it snows.

When it doesn’t.

Today, just celebrate whatever weather comes your way. Almost all of it is pretty great in one way or another.

All the Eagle Feathers in the World

I was at a pow wow yesterday…

I’m sure this man is probably just an ordinary guy like you or me during the week and when not in full ceremonial dress, but this particular weekend, regaled in what can only be described as “all the eagle feathers in the world”, he looked magnificent, he danced magnificent, and showed such pride in his heritage and such a noble bearing that he could have been a king for all I knew.

You can’t see his face, really, but he can see you. The children were amazed, and any grown-ups who could admit it were amazed. If you’re looking for a life lesson, I don’t have one today, I’m just amazed, and you should be, too. He’d only let me snap one quick picture. He was saying no to everybody else, but for all I knew, maybe he just knew I was going to splash his image out on the internet.

Greatest Day

We all have those “greatest days”. Not just one (if you’re fortunate), but many through your life. Monday was one of my top 3 for sure. My wife and I adopted a child. He had been in our home as a foster child for about 20 months, and now he’s legally my son.

As the judge questioned us to make sure we understood it was permanent, I got so choked up with the wonder of it all that the bailiff needed to hand me a tissue. It was perhaps the most intense emotion I’ve felt in my life.

It made me wonder how the Father felt when Christ came to him after the resurrection and said, about those who wold follow him… “They’re all with me, now. They’ve been adopted into the family. I paid the price.”

I have a teeny inkling of how it felt to hear that…

Examine Yourself?

Are you doing the things you should?

Are you believing the things you should?

Are you sure they’re true?

When was the last time you checked?

And if you are sure, who are you telling?

Who did you tell today?

Get Out There

I know of a lot of musicians who’ve never played outside their bedroom or basement, but could. Some of these guys have dizzying arrays of guitars and gear. I’m talking about well into five figures sometimes, and occasionally six. They really enjoy their “hobby” but don’t interact with other musicians at all. Me… I’d rather be in a band than just about anything. I’d rather share music with people than just about anything.

Head on over to a photography forum and you will occasionally be hit with somebody who’s more of a camera collector than a photographer. They get a new camera or lens, take it into their basement studio, and shoot test charts like this all day long. No pretty pictures of flowers or kids or birds or sunsets. I’m no real photographer, I have to take a hundred pictures to get one I like (thank God for digital, where I can do that without spending money), but I do like to take pictures of real things.

I wonder if my Christian life is like this. There’s nothing wrong with Bible reading and study, in fact, I think you should engage in it every single day. Loads of prayer, too. But when all of our study and knowledge and prayer keeps us in the theoretical all the time, what good is it? And let’s be honest, how much fun is that really… in the long run>

So get out there.

Do something.

Take a picture.

Play a song.

Make some noise.

Live your faith.