I'm a Hack at Photography

I'm no Mike Adams but I wanted to show you some pics I've taken with my camera phone. I've never been one to take a lot of pictures but the convenience of having somewhat of a camera with me all the time allows me to take a shot when I see something interesting.











Good Friday Art Display on Broad Street, Augusta, GA (Various sins listed on the cross)












Sign at St. Edwards Church in Murphy Village, SC















I stopped to fill up my motorcycle in Calhoun Falls, SC. This was posted over the john in the convenience store. I thought it was funny. Calhoun Falls (CF) is obviously a small town.

What it Takes to Survive

I subscribe to National Geographic's Adventure magazine. My friend and fashion critic, Walt Tanner, once asked me sarcastically why I subscribe to it since it is mainly for outdoorsy adventuresome types like hikers, mountain bikers, climbers, bungee jumpers, etc. It's simple why I like it. Great photography. And because of my love for travel, NG Adventure interests me because it covers all sorts of places on the globe. I skip over articles like "What Mountain Boot Should I Wear Today?" "Important Facts About Sterno" and "Top 10 Camping Tents of the Year."

An article in the latest addition (May 2008) caught my attention. In "Ties That Bind" by Laurence Gonzales it is cited that an important and recurring theme in survival stories is that being connected to loving people can help you survive. Gonzales tells several stories of wilderness survivors whose motivation and determination to be with their loved ones again was just what they needed to make it through almost impossible odds. (You can read the entire article here.)

Vito Seskunas, 53, was five miles into a solo backcountry ski trip in Grand Teton National Park when he broke his leg. It was a bad break. He knew he needed medical attention and he also knew that no one would find him. He scooted out of the snowy woods in a seated position. It took him 3 days. He said that as he worked his way through the snow for 14 hours a day he thought of how much he loved his wife, family, friends, and life in general. He was determined to dance and play with his pets again. He scooted in sets of one hundred. Each set was dedicated to someone or something he loved.

Gonzales also wrote that we thrive on group connections. We are designed to function not alone but together. "You would think that survival would be a very selfish process, but it's not. It's much more about how embedded in a family or a community we are. People who are more socially connected have a better chance of surviving. We live when we have something to live for."

It's another reminder to me that we are not created to be alone, nor are we created for ourselves. We are created to live together in love and harmony with those around us. When we all realize that, we will have peace. "The more we strengthen those bonds," Gonzales writes, "the better we'll be at facing adversity when it comes. And it always comes."

You can't be a Lone Ranger Christian. You must do life together with other fellow Christ-followers. It's the only way to survive.

Don't Try This at Church

A bad idea for a fundraiser:

Priest disappears on wild balloon ride

Stop and Hear the Music

I posted about Joshua Bell a few weeks ago (Don't Miss the Concert). A friend of mine, Ken Adams, (www.walkingasjesuswalked.blogspot.com)informed me that it is on youtube.com.

The Masters and Heaven

I spent yesterday at the Augusta National watching the first round of the Masters Tournament. I've been going there since I was in junior high school and, to tell you the truth, it doesn't excite me that much anymore. I play a little golf (bogey golf) and enjoy it but as I get a little older the Masters becomes a lot of been there, done that. I've seen some great players over the years. I've watched some incredible shots. My greatest Masters memory is following Jack Nicklaus on every hole of the third round when he made his memorable march toward his record 6th green jacket in 1986.

My favorite thing to do these days is to take a rookie with me to the tournament. I do get a thrill taking golf fans who have never been to the National. Yesterday, I took a ministry partner with me who is a big fan and he really appreciated the course, the players, and the execution of the shots that they made. My friend is a Kingdom worker in Asia - in a country where you must have "Creative Access" in order to work. So for him to happen to be in the States during the week of the Masters was quite convenient for him.

As I stood and watched the tournament, I thought about how the Augusta National is like heaven to a golf fan. I also noted some similarities between the Masters and Heaven. Things like:

• Everyone quietly focused on each move the golfers made.
• Roars of praise when a great shot was executed.
• Collective woes when a shot was not so good.
• Courtesy, hospitality, and smiles are everywhere.
• The beauty of creation surrounding everyone.
• Everyone seemed to be just glad to be there.

I think heaven will have some of the same traits. We will stand in awe of our Lord focusing completely on him. We will shout praises for his amazing grace, incredible love, and unending mercy. We will share compassion for each other with a selfless love. There will be smiles, joy, and great happiness in heaven. The beauty of heaven is unimaginable. Heck, we will walk on streets of gold! 'Nuff said about that. And, of course, like the Masters, everyone will be glad to be in heaven.

The Augusta National may not be a great example of what heaven will be like but it at least caused me to smile and wonder at how amazing heaven will really be. I mean, if some people think a little golf course in Augusta, GA is heaven - how much more will it really be when we get there! It is indescribable, I'm sure.