Why Waste time and Energy on Worry?

Therefore do not worry about tommorrow for tommorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

Easter 2008 Southwest Asia Worship Service

Worshiping the Risen Lord in a far away country.... What a joy and celebration in the midst of a suffering land.

In some powerful way, this kind of event pushes back the felt darkness that has existed for so long in a part of the world rarely encountered by Americans.


He is Risen! He isRisen INDEED! So, what are the options?

That is the question that must be answered every time the Resurrection of our Living Lord comes to mind. What does that event in history mean for my life and my daily travels?

Central Asian Village - From the Air

What can I say? I am simply away from home, doing my duty, for the next year. I pray that I will be up to the task, to honor God. I took a photo of a small village just before landing. It is amazing how people fill the country side here . It is not urban. It is a rural country, with signs of life observed in places that are quite surprising, such as on mountain sides with only goat trails connecting. Amazing to behold.

The Library of Congress

So, what do we do with only two hours to visit the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.? If there is anything that frustrates me more, it is not having enough time to enjoy visiting a place like this. We walked around a little and took in a few of the sights, but there was so much more to do and to see.... The facility is cared for scrupulously and serves as a center of cultural learning. Written on the ceiling of a rotunda is a quote, "A LITTLE LEARNING IS A DANGEROUS THING DRINK DEEP OR TASTE NOT OF THE PIERIAN SPRING." We drank very little from that spring.

What Price is Paid?

What price is paid for the freedom to blog, to visit libraries, to worship one's god, or to walk without absolute terror of surprise death in a mall? That is a question to ponder.

I took this photo a few months back and put it into a "photo album." At first glance, one might say that the photo hearkens to an earlier era, because it is a Sepia print. Yet, don't be fooled; this photo is only a few months old. Many such photos are being taken daily as American men and women give their lives sacrificially accross the globe. Families and friends stand comforting one another as departing words try to help broken hearts; then the remains are placed under the soft earth. The nation should ever be thankful for their service and dedication. TAPS is an organization designed to assist family members in grief over such loss. I highly recommend it.

Why Celebrate Freedom?

I thank God for life, liberty and hapiness - a free nation's gift to its citizens. I am also thankful for those who choose to defend this freedom, often paying a price that most would not.

Wren Cross Controversey? What's up?

The Wren Cross controversy at
William and Mary has quickly been resolved, apparently.

I took this photo a few days ago as a reminder of the power of media pressure. I wanted to take the shot before they put the cross back, this time behind a glass door. My opinion of the fracas revolves around the concept of symbol and substance. I would rather see a vibrant community of faith on this campus, influencing men and women to walk with Christ and turn from a life leading to nothingness and tragedy, than win a mere symbolic battle. After all, the cross as a symbol can mean many things and has, for many people. Building a community of faith is what matters most. Such substance will always trump the symbolic. The symbolic is nice to have, but it is not always a sign of health. Indeed, God can do great works without the trappings of traditional Christian symbols. In truth, the creation of new symbols is often a sign of renewal. What new symbols are out there today in the Christian community?