There was a plethora of mortals promenading about. Several number of the mob, including yours truly, retaining serious photographic equipage, awaited just the right instant to apprehend the notable setting, but not until every last one of the lackadaisical sightseers had receded were we able to acquire the prominent, albeit self-explanatory industry. This little reprieve of an unblemished opening barely lasted half a minute before a myriad of brightly colored expeditionists emerged into our axis. The legion of audible clicking tones, ceased as quickly as they had commenced and was superseded by a few soft murmurs of letdown. Having achieved my intention, I retired from my position to seek the next anatomy of particulars that might catch my oculus windows.
While in Virginia a couple of weeks ago, I was able to visit the famous Mabry Mill.
There was a plethora of mortals promenading about. Several number of the mob, including yours truly, retaining serious photographic equipage, awaited just the right instant to apprehend the notable setting, but not until every last one of the lackadaisical sightseers had receded were we able to acquire the prominent, albeit self-explanatory industry. This little reprieve of an unblemished opening barely lasted half a minute before a myriad of brightly colored expeditionists emerged into our axis. The legion of audible clicking tones, ceased as quickly as they had commenced and was superseded by a few soft murmurs of letdown. Having achieved my intention, I retired from my position to seek the next anatomy of particulars that might catch my oculus windows.
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In a recent weekend adventure, I had the chance to visit the historic churches of Buffalo Mountain in the Virginia Blue Ridge. I learned a bit about the man responsible for these works of art from my friend Deanna who showed me around. Bob Childress grew up a mountain man with mountain habits. He drank and fought ambush-style with rocks and pistols. Then Bob changed. God got a hold of him at a revival service and Bob went on to go to seminary in Richmond, VA. He then returned to Buffalo Mountain to preach. With the help of reforming bootleggers and other mountain folk, Bob Childress built six small churches out of stone from the mountain. Bob eventually had seven children, one of whom followed in his father's footsteps and succeeded Bob as pastor. More information about Bob Childress can be found in his biography, "The Man that Moved a Mountain." Lost a dear old friend today. The backyard just won't be the same without good 'ol L.B. Sunday is one of my favorite days of the week. It's a day that different from my week-day schedule. Sunday is the day set aside to worship God, deepen your relationship with Him, and fellowship with like-minded friends.
Recently, Pastor started a series of messages on the life of Aaron. And as usual his messages are always exactly on target. The message a couple of weeks ago was no exception. Here are some of my notes. The scripture passage was Exodus 5:1-21. At the end of chapter four of Exodus, Moses and Aaron have gathered the elders of Israel together to proclaim and rejoice over the fact that God has seen their suffering and is going to deliver them. Twenty-four hours later chapter 5 begins. Moses and Aaron are in the presence of Pharaoh asking to go into the wilderness to have a feast because God had commanded it. Mockingly, Pharaoh replies, "Who is the Lord, that I should obey Him? I know not the LORD, and I will not let Israel go!" Wow! Moses and Aaron have only been acting on God's command for a few hours before they meet a major road block. God has a call of duty for each one of us. We do not have the war plan, but God does! The Israelites were right where God wanted them to be. Right where God puts you may not be safe, predictable, and successful. God does not plan like we do. In fact, where God wants you could be dangerous, chaotic, unpredictable, and even fatal. Right where God wants you may be the exact opposite or nothing like you expect or what you have been told it will be like. Tony Snow, former White House press secretary and dedicated Christian, said when asked why he thought God allowed him to get cancer, "God likes to go off road!" God does not reveal all his plans. We are to trust God, period. There is a plan, but it's God's plan! There are three main things that will happen when you where God wants you. 1. God will be mocked. Pharaoh tells Moses and Aaron, " Who is this God and why should I obey him?!" Not only will the lost mock the Lord, but God is also mocked in our churches. Yes, God is mocked in the church. How? Through disobedience. People want to learn God's Word, but not live it. 2. Things will get worse. Things got worse for the Israelites even when they and Moses and Aaron were where God wanted them to be. In verses 5-8 of chapter 5 of Exodus, Pharaoh had commanded that the Israelite laborers not be given any straw with which to make bricks. They had to gather it themselves while still keeping up with their original quota of bricks. ~When things get hard and harder, we are tempted to think that God is not working. This is a wrong assumption. For example, look at the life of Joseph. Joseph was wrongly accused of fornication with his boss's wife and thrown in jail. Joseph stayed in jail for several years, yet Joseph continued to be faithful to God. As a result Joseph is eventually made Vice President of Egypt. Joseph was right where God wanted him and God was working the whole time. ~ When things get hard and harder, we also tend to assume that God has abandoned us or that we have done something wrong. Look at the life of Job. When life for Job got dark and scary, his friends said, "Up, you have done something wrong, brother!" But no! God was working behind the scene! Worse can be a sign that God is working! In the 1800's, before the invention of refrigeration, the seafood industry decided they wanted to transport fresh North Atlantic Cod from Boston to San Fransisco. Back then, it would have taken months to transport by ship. So they packed the fish in ice and set sail. But the voyage was a failure because the fish were not anywhere near fit to eat when they reached San Fransisco. So, they decided to try again. This time they put the Cod in holding tanks filled with water to make the journey. However, when the Cod reached San Fransisco, they were pasty and tasteless because the fish did not move around much on the trip. A third trip was arranged. This time, they decided to put several catfish, cod's natural enemy, in the holding tanks. When the ship reached San Fransisco, the cod were healthy and robust because they had had to stay alert and move around to avoid the enemy. God puts "catfish" in our "tank" to shape us.The "catfish" in your life are doing something for you that you don't even understand. Those "catfish" in your life are keeping you fit for what God wants to do in you and through you. 3. You should not be surprised if you get blamed for something. Verses 20 and 21 of chapter 5. The Israelites blamed Moses and Aaron for the harder circumstances. "And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh: And they said unto them, The LORD look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us." The Israelites said, "Moses and Aaron, it's all your fault. You have just made things worse." These things will happen. God being mocked. Circumstances getting worse. You being blamed. So, what are you going to do with them? How are you going to respond when God gets mocked, things get worse, and you get blamed? Well, what is the right response? Trust in the LORD with all thine heart and lean not unto your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways. Proverbs 3:5-6. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I hope this has encouraged you as it has encouraged me. Till next time! I have been painfully remiss in not posting more often. But, for a while there was not a whole lot to post and then things got busy.
This spring, I got to do a couple of senior shoots. They pushed me out of my comfort zone, but they were all a blast! Here in the south, there is this thing that is a novelty because it is so rare. It only comes when it is cold outside, and though it doesn't usually stay very long, it often makes national headlines. So, without more ado, I introduce to you...drum roll. please.... the tiny, exquisite, snowflake!
Pastor said something recently that really stood out to me. He said, "Our ability to express gratitude, is what sets us apart from animals." We have so much to be grateful for, and to be able to express gratefulness should be a privilege! Here are some lines of verse that were written many, many years ago, but still ring true. I Love My God
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Ashley Johnston
Sharing God's glory through the eye of a camera. Archives
November 2016
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