Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Quiet evening out.

I am having a quiet evening out. Sort of. I took oldest daughter and friends to the pentatonix concert. Then went and browsed the book store for awhile before having a bite of supper in the food court and reading the kindle for awhile. Now I am waiting for the concert to end in the Kroger shopping center across from the concert venue. Forgive any typing weirdness. I am composing this on my phone.
I am sitting here listening to the radio and thinking. I have stopped listening to talk radio because it was making me too angry. I am trying to listen to uplifting music now. Usually the fish or K-love.
I did take a few pictures from the parking garage at the mall earlier. The upper level was clear and I thought it would make some interesting pictures.


I don't think they are my best and I didn't want to be the only person there for long but it was nice to try. 
Anyway, just a few evening thoughts. And it is a challenge to write a lot of on the phone. 

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

It is so clear that everything is hazy

There are numerous wildfires burning across the SouthEast.  The smoke is spreading down across Georgia as far south as Macon.  It is very irritating to the throat mostly and everyone is urged to stay indoors because the air is considered unhealthy.  There is another chance of rain this weekend, but it is fairly small, not more than 20% according to the latest forecast I saw today.  Saturday was a nice day, the wind was out of the west instead of coming down out of the north and East so the skies and air were clear.    From the last report  the fires are considerably more contained which is good, but firefighters  have not been able to put them out.  The drought in this area is fairly severe and we need the rain badly.

I should count the blessings that all we have to deal with here is smoke and irritation.  The fires themselves are not a danger to us here.   But I need to remember those who are in the path in my prayers.
The view from the office today.


The smoke hangs in the air and I noticed this afternoon at work the sun was visibly dimmer. It was some better in Oakwood than in Gainesville when I left.

 I don't have much clever or insightful to share tonight.

Thank you for reading, and may the Lord bless and watch over you.

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

And.... we have a winner...

In what was a surprise to almost EveryOne, Donald Trump is President-Elect and will be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States.  He was not my first, or second or even third choice as president, but he is who was elected.  I am trying not to worry.  Instead I should remember that God is in control.  It is his will for this country.   But he has brought to the front, the very worst elements of the Republican Fringe.  The idealogical left takes this as the final proof that the right is in fact the very worst of racist, misogynist, homophobic, islamophobic and simply the worst of humanity.  Christians and conservatives need to step up, and repudiate these views vocally and with conviction and strength.   We also must reach out in love to these groups that feel their very lives are now in danger.  The Church must in fact take the lead in standing strong morally but never forget that We must do all things in Love.  Paul warned about this.  Speaking with the authority of the Lord is useless unless we do so in Love.  

I implore the readers to lift up Trump, Pence and all our leaders in prayer.  Pray that they will receive wisdom from the Lord and they will be humble with the responsibility we the people have vested in them. The election this year was so very divisive and we need to remember that the people who are on the other side of the aisle are NOT are moral and mortal enemies.  They may be wrong morally and misguided, but for the most part they believe they are fighting for what they believe is right as well.  They are fellow humans, loved by the Lord, and are no better or worse than us.  We are all sinners all in need of grace.  It is incumbent upon us to show them the grace that the Lord Jesus has shown us and to remember that we too are human and fallible.  We are not perfect and can be wrong.  We need to be willing to accept rebuke when we are wrong and seek to make it right when we have wronged another.

Remember that no matter if you approve of who is the president or not, God is in control and his Perfect will shall be completed.  Lift up our nation and its leaders in prayer.   Keep the faith,  look toward the hope, and act in Love.