I Found Him...Fog

An eerie fog crept over the creek rendering it virtually unpassable. Boaters simply could not see through the fog to navigate their boats. Buoys, landmarks, and other means of determining a direction were not visible. Potential dangers and obstacles, posing significant risks lurked in the fog.

I suspect that many of us find ourselves stuck in the “fog” from time to time. We cannot see a direction for our lives or understand God’s plan for us. We cannot see obstacles that the devil presents. We are lost!

The Bible has many references to such a state. Luke 15:24 (NIV), for example, referring to the parable of the lost son, says “For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and found…”.

Just as it is dangerous to navigate a boat in the heavy fog, it is also dangerous navigating our lives without direction. What a comfort it is to know that “The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost”. Luke 19:10 (NIV).

Just as God eventually lifted the fog from the creek, so can He lift us out of our personal “fogs”. The prophet Isaiah says it well in Isaiah 48:17 (NIV) “I am the Lord your God…who directs you in the way you should go”. When you find yourself lost, without direction, in a “fog”; look to the Lord for direction. He is waiting for you!

I Found Him…in a dreary fog over the creek.

I Found Him-Sunrise at OBX

A beautiful sunrise at the North Carolina Outer Banks offers new opportunities, new adventures, second chances, and the excitement for another day. Here it seems to hide behind a strand of sea oats

All of us at times allow “sea oats” to grow in our lives, blocking the opportunities that God provides to those who focus on him. Paul explains in Titus 3:3-4 (NIV) “At one time we were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us…”. We oftentimes get hung up in the weeds in our hectic lives and fail to slow down long enough to realize what God is indeed offering to those who put God first. There is a beautiful sunrise for those who step out of the weeds and look.

John assures us in 1 John 5:3-4 (NIV) “This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world…” Certainly John is not saying that our burdens are light, but that the Holy Spirit dwells in believers and gives them strength.

Put your trust in God; submit to Him in everything, remove the weeds. A beautiful new day awaits.

I Found Him…during a spectacular sunrise at the Outer Banks.

Cotton Boll

Raw cotton undergoes an amazing transformation process. The cotton bolls (outer casing) and seeds are removed at a cotton gin; fibers are then combed to remove impurities; followed by “pulling” it into thin strands and “spun” into yarn. Finally, the cotton is woven into a fabric which will eventually be apparel, bedding, rope, and others.

We too can be transformed if we allow God to take control of the process. Paul says in Philippians 3:21 (NIV) “who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body”.

Many people believe that they can handle life on their own, that they do not need God, they do not see a need to be transformed. These people simply conform to society and struggle to find meaning and purpose in their lives. They simply do not understand the power of the love of Christ. Paul instructs us, however, in Romans 12:2 (NIV): “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”.

So just as raw cotton is not very useful until processed; we too need “processing”. Allow God into your lives; allow Him to transform you so that you too may enjoy the peace, comfort, and joy of living a life based on faith. The end product is indeed beautiful.

I Found Him…in a cotton field ready for harvesting.

I Found Him...Deteriorating House

A once beautiful house deteriorates due to a lack of routine maintenance. Left unprotected, the house simply cannot withstand the beatings that it takes from rain, wind, sunlight and other forces. Unless something is done, it will fall into a state whereby it cannot be recovered. It needs to be revived!

Is this not like many of us who are static in our faith? A “walk” with Jesus implies constant movement. We too need “maintenance” to keep from deteriorating spiritually. Church attendance, Bible study, participation in Christian small groups, seeking out and helping those in need, prayer, and striving to live like Jesus provide maintenance to our lives.

John says in 2 John 4 (NIV) “It has given me great joy to find some of you walking in the truth, just as the Father has commanded us”. The action word “walking” implies that we need to continuously move, grow, and strive to be Christ-like. Being revived often ensures that the devil does not eat away at our defenses. As we seek to obey God, we are revived. Psalms 19:7 (NIV) assures us: “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving our soul”. By praying the prayer written in Psalms 85:6 “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you”; we set our minds to moving toward Him. Never static, but constantly striving to grow closer to God revives us daily.

I Found Him…in a beautiful, but abandoned and deteriorating house.

I Found Him...Squirrel Jumping

I stood early one morning in a field in the NC mountains where elk had been known to feed hoping to photograph one. While I waited on this wonderfully cool August morning, I saw a wild turkey in the tall grass, a bee feverishly working on abundant wild flowers, and a couple of playful squirrels running back and forth on an old fence. Yet I stood there frustrated because I had not seen an elk. What a wasted morning, I thought. It finally hit me that I was missing great opportunities because I was too focused on photographing an elk. I really should have embraced the moment.

            God wants us to not just live, but to live life fully with joy every day. Jesus says in John 10:10 (NIV) “…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full”.

            Many are so focused on the daily chores of life that they do not see or experience the beautiful joys that God presents along the way. We are too busy; always waiting for “an elk”, our vacation, the next holiday, retirement, or whatever to enjoy life. God wants us to appreciate, love, and embrace the journey. The Bible says in Proverbs 17:22 that “a happy heart is good medicine ….” 

            So slow down, breathe deeply, laugh, love, and serve God by appreciating each day; embracing each blessing received from God.  

            I Found Him…watching a squirrel play along an old wooden fence.

I Found Him-Clary Sage

Travelers through northeastern North Carolina are amazed to see beautiful tall spears of lavender and white flowers filling the rural landscape. The oil from this unusual crop, clary sage, allows perfume, cologne and other fragrances to last longer. Except for this one corner in northeastern North Carolina, clary sage is grown only in France and China. Since it is used for perfume, my preconceived idea of its fragrance was shattered when I broke off a flower and smelled it. In addition to being almost repulsive, I could not get the aroma off of my hands. It was not what I expected at all!

Jesus warns us many times that some people are not what they appear. In Matthew 7:15 (NIV) for example, Jesus says to “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves”. And in 2 Peter 2:1, Simon Peter says “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you…”.

David described our challenge in his prayer in Psalms 26:4-5: “I do not sit with deceitful men, nor do I consort with hypocrites. I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked”.

Be careful, things are not always as they appear. Trust that God will help you see through hypocrisy and lead you to a life that is truly God centered.

I Found Him…in a gorgeous field of foul smelling clary sage.

I Found Him...

            The farmer that planted these beautiful sunflowers planted them in three different sections. Those in the first section are wilting away; the second (from which this picture was taken) are now in full bloom and standing tall; the third are just now beginning to bloom. This simply is the natural cycle of flowers.

            This analogy is used in the Bible to impress upon us the steadfastness of God’s love; that it is not cyclical but stands tall, always. 1 Peter 1:24-25 (NIV) says “All men are like grass, and their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever”.

            What comfort that provides in these rapidly changing times. Cultures change, views of the world change, worldly views of morals change; but the word of the Lord does not. It remains our lighthouse, our beacon of light, our compass. New norms stand tall for a while but eventually fade, replaced by a new generation of “truths”. Truly, though, there is only one set of truths, which never withers, never falls. The word of the Lord stands tall.

            Psalms 103:14-18 (Living Bible) says it well: “For He knows we are but dust, and that our days are few and brief, like grass, like flowers, blown by the wind and gone forever. But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting, to those who reverence Him…”

            I Found Him…in a glorious field of sunflowers.

I Found Him-Old Deserted Car

An old car sits, static, no longer moving forward, no longer moving at all. So weeds start to grow in and around it and eventually even trees, rendering this car dead for evermore.

            We too need to keep moving; moving in our faith journey. As we stop attending church, stop Bible studies, stop praying, and stop worshipping, we too become static allowing the “weeds” of the devil to take root. Eventually, we allow the devil to grow in us to the point that we too are dead—maybe not physically, but spiritually.

            In his letter to the Philippians, Paul encourages the people to continue to move forward, not to stop. Philippians 2:12-14 (NIV) “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing…”.

            Our faith journey is a never-ending one that needs continual maintenance. Someone obviously gave up on this old car and discontinued all maintenance. We cannot let this happen to us. Associating with believers, attending small group sessions, performing acts of kindness, and striving to live a Godly life helps us to move forward, not become static or indifferent to God’s will. It helps us to live and to grow in faith.

            I Found Him…in an old deserted car.

I Found Him-Woodpecker

            Pileated woodpeckers feed their nestlings insects, fruits, and nuts; usually by regurgitation. These hungry nestlings cry out and in this case the father responds appropriately.

            There are countless people in our communities who also are “crying out”; hungry, sick, depressed, lonely, lost, hopeless, and faithless. Are we, as God’s people, responding appropriately?

            Jesus said to the righteous in Matthew 25:35-37 (NIV) “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me”. His puzzled audience asked when they had done this for Him; and Jesus answered (Matthew 25:40) “ …whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me”.

            The nestlings in this image were not readily seen. I sat below their nest for a long time before they peeked out and started crying for food. Had a good friend not informed me of their presence, I never would have seen them. I suspect that if we are not intentionally looking, we also will miss opportunities to help those in our communities.

            Let’s find those in need and act appropriately; and look at these people not with pity, but as if each one of them is Jesus Himself.

            I Found Him…watching hungry woodpeckers cry out.

I Found Him-Dandelion

The puff ball of a common dandelion consists of a large number of fruit called achenes. The disk-like extensions of the seed act like parachutes, allowing the wind to fly them up to five miles before landing.

In this picture, a couple of seeds are breaking away from the puff ball, venturing out on their own. This image invokes several contrasting thoughts; one of which reminds me of the parable of the Lost Sheep. Matthew 18:12 (NIV) “…a man owns a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?”

The “Lost Sheep” in this parable of Jesus refers to believers who have wandered away from God.  Although only God knows what is in another’s heart, it is our responsibility to seek out, care for, and encourage those not following Christ. As we find these “seeds that fly away from the puff ball”, God uses us to invite, encourage, and guide them back into a relationship with Him. It is through their repentance and reconciliation with God that they can live for His Glory and reap the joy of God’s love.

And also with you. As you feel yourself straying from God, seek help and comfort from Christians willing to wrap you in God’s love. Accept their invitations, change your direction, and say yes to God.

I Found Him, as a couple of seeds left a dandelion puff ball.

Easter

“Up from the grave He arose,

With a mighty triumph o’er His foes;

He arose a victor from the dark domain, and He lives forever, with His saints to reign.

He arose!

He arose!

Hallelujah! Christ arose!”

Words & Music: Robert Lowry 1874

Sand on Pine Needle

            It is probably not a very good image if the photographer has to explain what it is, but I suspect that some explanation is needed here. Look closely to see tiny grains of sand on the tip of a pine needle. Looking from this vantage point allows for a very different perspective.

            Consider the magnitude of the words of King David in Psalms 139:17-18: “How precious are your thoughts about me, O god. They cannot be numbered! I cannot even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me”. We cannot truly articulate or conceptualize the love that God has for us; more than ALL of the tiny grains of sand on earth.

            Yes, God sees our imperfections, but He still has that many good thoughts about each of us. Why? Because we are His, He created us, and He has plans for us. He continuously works to transform us. His unconditional love is not based on our good works. Through faith, and our desire to please Him, we naturally find ways to serve Him with good deeds and behavior.

            So when you see a miniscule grain of sand, consider that to be a sign of God having a good thought of you. Imagine an entire beach. Know that God loves you immeasurably; and that you are never alone.

            I Found Him…on a grain of sand at the tip of a fallen pine needle.

I Found Him...Ten Turkey Vultures

I woke to this scene on a cold foggy morning this week; ten turkey vultures, highly visible against the grey sky. My first thought was that I hope that they do not know something that I don’t know and that they were waiting for me.  After clearing my head of that thought, I recalled Jesus referring to vultures as He described His return.

Jesus warns His disciples in Matthew 24:4 (NIV) “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ’, and will deceive many”. Jesus continues in verses 27-28 “For as lighting that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather”. Many believe that these verses emphasize that when Jesus returns, it will be obvious—as obvious as these vultures in a tree.

            So, be wary of preachers and the like claiming to predict the return of Christ. These folks are vultures. When He returns, you will know; it will be as obvious as lightning in the sky and vultures gathering in a tree. Be aware of the signs of His return, but do not let that distract you from joyfully anticipating it. Act faithfully every day as if Jesus is returning today; and live in total confidence that you are ready.

I Found Him…as vultures boldly perched in a nearby tree.

House in Ruins

Ruins of an old farm house stand rotting at the edge of the field that undoubtedly generations of farmers once tended. What happened to this family or why this once thriving home was abandoned is unknown to me. Certainly many factors, both preventable and not, caused the demise of this house.

            The same can be said of people. Some seem to fall into the ruins of greed, jealousy, hate, and materialism. Paul explains inTitus1:10-11 (NIV) “For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, …. they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain.”

            We all know people, preachers, politicians, and others who claim to be Christians, but whose actions shout a different story. They actually do harm in the name of Christianity. Paul warns these hypocrites in 1Timothy 1:4-7 “…These promote controversies rather than God’s work—which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscious and sincere faith. Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm”.

            False teachers and their followers are living on unsound foundations. Those who truly strive to know God, center their lives around Him, and work to please Him; prevail.

            I Found Him…in an old, abandoned farm house.

Live Oak Tree

           A massive Live Oak tree silently endures and thrives, generation after generation. This one, on private property in rural Hyde County, NC, has survived countless hurricanes that ravaged this coastal area and has even lived through a fire. It is estimated to be 475+/- years old.

            As impressive as this ancient tree is, it pales in comparison to what Christians have endured (and survived) for more than 2,000 years. Paul instructs a young preacher, Timothy, to endure. He says in 2 Timothy 2: 9-10 (NIV) “This is my gospel for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. Therefore, I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.” He further states in verse 12 “if we endure, we will also reign with Him”.

            Just as the root system of this massive tree must be unbelievably strong, so is the foundation that is God. 2 Timothy 2:19 (NIV) “Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm…” What hope Paul gives us! God withstands all problems, issues, hurdles, events; EVERYTHING that we face. His foundation is unbreakable. For us to build on that foundation requires one main ingredient: FAITH. It is through faith in Jesus Christ that we turn away from our worldly focus and indeed live for Him, enduring and thriving forever.

         I Found Him…while admiring a gigantic old Oak tree.

I Found Him...Mary

In the small town of Nazareth, an ordinary teenage girl, Mary, was approached by an angel, Gabriel, saying “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High…” (Luke 1:31-32). Disturbed and troubled, she replied “How will this be since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34 NIV). The angel explained that nothing is impossible with God and that the son will be the Son of God. Mary answered: “I am the Lord’s servant, may your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38 NIV).

This ordinary teenager from a tiny village was indeed extraordinary.

First, she understood God’s nature and was able to accept His Grace (“You are highly favored”) even though she knew that she was undeserving. Second, she was extraordinary because she was able to believe the unbelievable. She did not know how or why this virgin conception would occur, she simply had FAITH that it would. Third, Mary was willing to say “Yes” to God. (“May your words to me be fulfilled”).

God sent us a model to emulate-Mary. Will we accept His Grace, His forgiveness, and build a relationship with Him, even though we are undeserving? Will we believe the unbelievable? Will we say YES to God?

The Nike commercial years ago urged us to “Be like Mike”. Instead, we should “Be like Mary”.

            I Found Him…admiring a stature of Mary holding the Christ Child.

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! Today many take time to truly thank God for their food as well as their abundance of blessings; families, friends, community, church, and other God given gifts.   

            Most reading this have comfortable homes, nice clothes, reliable cars, clean water and plenty of food. We often take these blessings for granted. We forget that many in our community do not share these same conveniences. We eat without thinking of the hungry. We turn on the heat without thinking of those with no heat or even homes. We complain about undergoing chemotherapy without thinking of those who have untreatable cancer.

            It is easy for us to forget how blessed we are, particularly on the 364 days of the year that are not Thanksgiving Day. Our challenge is to maintain an “Attitude of Gratitude” EVERYDAY and every waking hour. We are called to do so. Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”. Psalms 95:2 says: “Let us come before Him with thanksgiving, and extol Him with music and song”. Psalms 100:4 “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name”.

            By constantly praising and thanking God, all day and every day, we become closer to Him. As we grow closer to God, He changes our perspective, changes our attitude, and fills us with joy.

            I Found Him …in a little girl’s smile.

I Found Him...Antique Barn

            This 1920’s antique barn in eastern Beaufort County, NC still proudly stands and remains functional. Its wide planks, a rarity today, serve the building well just as it did almost one hundred years ago. The owner’s grandfather built the barn which now has been repurposed into a gift shop. In addition, the owner hand-makes absolutely beautiful wreaths from materials grown on the property; each one made to order by people who simply have heard about her and her products. Her success is not caused by a glitzy exterior in a mammoth shopping center, but instead by word-of-mouth proclaiming her beautiful work.

            Is this not similar to Jesus’ style of spreading the gospel? Even though He was God Himself walking the earth, He did not build ostentatious cathedrals for people to hear Him preach. He relied on word-of-mouth as He journeyed from town to town proclaiming the radical new thoughts that defined His ministry. He did not even ride into town on big beautiful horses, but instead on the backs of donkeys.   

            He, just like His message, emphasized that it is not the exterior that matters, but what is on the inside, in one’s heart. Jesus says in Matthew 5:8 (NIV) “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God”.

            He calls us to “repurpose” our lives (just like this barn), change what is on the inside, and spread the word to all.

I Found Him…in an unassuming antique barn.

I Found Him...Tankard's Chapel

            No longer in use, Tankard’s Chapel in Beaufort County, NC is a well-maintained reminder of countless small rural church structures that have closed. Some congregations have moved to newer or bigger facilities, but more have simply died along with their aging membership. Each has its own story, but ultimately these churches lost their relevancy in the community.

            Churches today, large and small, rural and urban face huge challenges. Attendance is in decline as generations are moving away from God, or at least from organized religion. Why? Many people much more scholarly and learned than me have tackled this question. One possible answer is that we are focused inwardly on members and the facilities; but not so much on the community. If your church closed today, how would it affect the COMMUNITY? For too many churches the answer is not much or virtually not at all.

            When Jesus began to build His “church”, He recruited ordinary men to GO with Him. Matthew 4:19 (NIV) says “Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men”. His evangelistic approach was intended to GO to where the people are; an outwardly focus. He said to “go and make disciples of all nations…” Matthew 28:19. Imagine churches moving outside of their walls showing the lost, hungry and hurting what the love of Jesus Christ really means to THEM. I suspect that empty pews will be filled as the church becomes relevant.

I Found Him…in a beautiful historic empty church.

I Found Him...Bluebird Home

Just two days after erecting this bird house in the back yard, an eastern bluebird claimed it for his own. Together with his mate, they feverously built a comfortable nest inside in preparation for the soon to be house full of nestlings. They appear to be very happy with their newly found home.

The psalmist in Psalm 84 appears to be envious of the birds who have found a home. Verse 3 (NIV) states “Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young—a place near Your altar, O Lord Almighty, my King and my God”.

 Just as this psalmist, we too can learn from the actions of a sparrow, swallow, or a bluebird. The bluebird found a house because he looked for it; and he found a house that was all ready for him and his mate; they simply needed to claim it as their own and add the pine straw to meet their needs. We too have a beautiful home ready for us, a home with Jesus Christ. By claiming Him, through faith, we can make Him our very own. We can find peace, protection, freedom from care and sorrow, and pure joy at the altar of God; by looking for it and accepting Him. “Blessed are those that dwell in Your house…” Psalm 84:4 (NIV).

I Found Him…watching bluebirds claim their home and prepare it as their own.