29July2012 Quickshot: Rascal

We would like to apologize to the deer for accusing them of being the sole detriment of our garden.  Apparently this fox has been part of the problem as well.  We hate losing produce but this is a pretty neat shot.

29July2012 Quickshot: H2-uh-O

Mama G hooked us up with some fine water pistols this morning.  We were supposed to use them to chase the robins that have been terrorizing her yard.  As you can see other creatures were targeted.  In the middle of our water battle God decided we all needed to be a little more wet.  Fun times with h20.

25July2012 Before & After III (Sensing a Pattern?)

Before

After

23July2012 Souk Amreeka

We really enjoy visiting local farmers' markets.  It feels just like we're back in the Middle East, except for all the white people walking around, everyone speaking English, the high prices....okay maybe not "just like" but there is a Middle Eastern flavor.

22July2012 Before/After II

Before

After

19July2012 Considerations & Conviction

I dig Abraham! Is it okay to say that?

His story spans three of the world's major religions, Judaism, Islam and Christianity.  Abraham is indeed a hero of the faith.  What endears him to me is, regardless of his iconic status, Abraham still made mistakes.  For example, twice Abraham lied to Pharaoh, saying his wife, Sarah, was his sister (see Genesis 12 & 20).  In spite of his failings Abraham was called a "friend of God."
In a recent study of Paul's letter to Rome I stumbled upon another reason to like Abraham.  In chapter four Paul says, Abraham "... believed, hoping against hope, so that he became the father of many nations according to what had been spoken." How did he do that? Check out the next few verses:

He considered his own body to be already dead (since he was about 100 years old) and the deadness of Sarah's womb, without weakening in the faith. He did not waver in unbelief at God's promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,

So Abraham considered a couple things.
1. He was old, 100 years old.
2. His wife was barren.  Infertile her whole life...barren. 

But don't miss the last part.  Even after his consideration of very real, physical obstacles Abraham didn't waiver.  He held to his conviction. God has promised him and He was faithful. 
How very appropriate to us today.  God's promises are true but there are always things, situations, circumstances in our lives that seem insurmountable.  It's okay, normal even, to think through, read "consider," these things just don't waiver.  Stick to your conviction.  Our Father is not a promise breaker.  Praise Him!  Thanks Abraham for the reminder.

16July2012 Before/After

BEFORE

AFTER

9July2012 Quickshot: P's Favs

Here are 6 of P's favorite people and the reason he's been in a funk lately.  While they were in KY he was going through terrible withdrawals. 

8July2012 Quickshot: Thou Shalt Not Steal

Here's a shot of one of our garden thieves.  They're cute but extremely hard on our produce.

8July2012 Healing of the nations

Rev. 22:2 "...in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."

5July2012 Ex-Refugee

I have the honor of interacting with refugees on a daily basis.  They flee from countries we see on the news every day, places like Somalia, Cuba, Iran or Nepal, and they do it for the same reason millions before them have come, freedom.  Last week I was speaking to a friend from one of these places and I asked him if he would consider moving back to his birthplace in the future, after the conflict there subsided.  His emphatic, "No!" surprised me so I questioned him further.  "I am American now.  I am not a refugee anymore.  This is my home." was his response.  How can you argue with that?

This conversation brought to mind a question I've been contemplating the last couple days.  When does a refugee cease being a refugee?  Maybe the conclusion I've come to is simplistic but here's what I've come up with.  When a refugee gets home they're no longer a refugee.  I can't wait!