Photos

Sequoia 1Seventy miles above the earth’s surface, a satellite captures the image of a single majestic sequoia tree, rising 300 feet above the barren wasteland that once was California.

Okay, just kidding.

About California, anyway.

It really is a sequoia tree.

Not 300 feet tall, yet.

More like 3 inches. [click to continue…]

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Shoes on the Altar

Update:  You can see the video here:

Love where you live.

That’s the theme at our church for the next few weeks.

There are lots of planned ways to do that over the next few weeks, and it’s fun to be a part of that.  But the goal, as Pastor Alan explained yesterday, is to help us get to the point where we do it in the moment.  Don’t just plan to love where you live sometime next week.  Love where you live in this moment.

His inspiration, in part:  Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan.

Alan said he’d been reading that story over and over, and was impressed by the fact that the Samaritan loved his neighbor in the immediate.  He didn’t say, “Hey, if you’re still in the ditch when I come back through I’ll stop and help you.”  He helped him as soon as he encountered the need.

I loved it.  He said it kinda funny, so I laughed, but totally agreed with the point.

Then came the curve ball. [click to continue…]

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

When Epic Failure Becomes Matchless Beauty

by Andy Wood on April 8, 2015

in 100 Words, Photos

IMG_6744

This is an epic photographic failure.

A tight shot of these delightful flowers on a sunny spring day became anything but.

The shutter fired way too fast; the results were embarrassing.

Dark.

Dreary.

A disaster.

Hello “delete” button.

But then my photo failure, in the domain of editing software, became something completely different. [click to continue…]

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

IMG_6724

When was the last time you literally felt the tension or stress melt off of you?

How long has it been since you were so relaxed, breathing felt optional?

Where do you go to remember who you are, or reconnect – not just spiritually, but emotionally and physically also?

What would it look like for you if you suddenly found yourself surprised by peace?

All that and more has a single answer for me:  Friday.  That was the day we interrupted our regularly-schedule life and made the two-hour drive to the farm.  Know why?  Don’t laugh…

I wanted to see the flowers. [click to continue…]

{ Comments on this entry are closed }


Camel 3

Know what day this is?

Isday.

Sorry if you’re stuck on Wasday, hollering “Mayday!” muttering about Humpday, or dreaming of Someday.

Today is Isday.

It may be a good idea to redirect your focus. [click to continue…]

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Slow Lane

Driver ahead has precious cargo.

He’s creeping along the slow lane with a new mattress and box spring strapped to his little trailer.

Any other day, I’d whiz by without a second thought.

But not today.

My cargo’s precious, too… a top-heavy banana pudding, topped with meringue, perched precariously in the back seat.

So I fall in line and follow… slowly.

Some things were meant for the slow lane, and only fools try to hurry them. [click to continue…]

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

One Stop Shopping

by Andy Wood on October 17, 2014

in 100 Words, Photos

Spirit store 2

Here it is!

Mobile’s answer to one-stop shopping.

While you’re picking up your Tommee Tippee Back to Nature bottle warmer (currently on sale at you-gotta-be-kidding-me prices), you can also check out some fake blood or a Walking Dead costume next door.

We’re talking odd couple convenience, friends. [click to continue…]

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Frozen in Time

by Andy Wood on September 22, 2014

in 100 Words, Ability, Life Currency, Photos

Clock

The clock in my office, as you can see, says it’s 8:24.

Come back in an hour, it’ll say the same thing.

All day, every day, 8:24.

What the picture doesn’t show is that the battery isn’t dead.

The clock ticks.

The pendulum swings.

Regardless, the results are the same. [click to continue…]

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Spider

All Your works shall give thanks to You, O Lord… Psalm 145:10

This is a work of God.

This little guy has lived at my house longer than I have.

Throughout the summer he’s maintained this exquisite work of art, despite several collisions with humans.

He’s not alone.

He joins with all creation, using their gifts and design, worshipping their Creator.

And on days like this, I get to have a front-row seat.

Blue jays, cardinals and mockingbirds call to each other nearby. [click to continue…]

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Callings

by Andy Wood on June 30, 2014

in 100 Words, Photos

callings 7

Callings spur on much of our lives, and can come from many sources.

callings 4

Some people are called by deeply held values, such as liberty and country. [click to continue…]

{ Comments on this entry are closed }