Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Be still...


God entered the world as a baby.

Yet, were someone to chance upon the sheep stable on the outskirts of Bethlehem that morning, what a peculiar scene they would behold.

The stable stinks like all stables do. The stench of urine, dung, and sheep reeks pungently in the air. The ground is hard, the hay scarce. Cobwebs cling to the ceiling and a mouse scurries across the dirt floor.

A more lowly place of birth could not exist.

Off to one side sit a group of shepherds. They sit silently on the floor; perhaps perplexed, perhaps in awe, no doubt in amazement. Their night watch had been interrupted by an explosion of light from heaven and a symphony of angels. God goes to those who have time to hear him—so on this cloudless night he went to simple shepherds.

Near the young mother sits the weary father. If anyone is dozing, he is. He can’t remember the last time he sat down. And now that the excitement has subsided a bit, now that Mary and the baby are comfortable, he leans against the wall of the stable and feels his eyes grow heavy. He still hasn’t figured it all out. The mystery of the event puzzles him. But he hasn’t the energy to wrestle with the questions. What’s important is that the baby is fine and that Mary is safe. As sleep comes he remembers the name the angel told him to use … Jesus. “We will call him Jesus.”

Wide awake is Mary. My, how young she looks! Her head rests on the soft leather of Joseph’s saddle. The pain has been eclipsed by wonder. She looks into the face of the baby. Her son. Her Lord. His Majesty. At this point in history, the human being who best understands who God is and what he is doing is a teenage girl in a smelly stable. She can’t take her eyes off him. Somehow Mary knows she is holding God. So this is he. She remembers the words of the angel. “His kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1:33)

He looks like anything but a king. His face is prunish and red. His cry, though strong and healthy, is still the helpless and piercing cry of a baby. And he is absolutely dependent upon Mary for his well-being.

Majesty in the midst of the mundane. Holiness in the filth of sheep manure and sweat. Divinity entering the world on the floor of a stable, through the womb of a teenager and in the presence of a carpenter.

She touches the face of the infant-God. How long was your journey!

This baby had overlooked the universe. These rags keeping him warm were the robes of eternity. His golden throne room had been abandoned in favor of a dirty sheep pen. And worshiping angels had been replaced with kind but bewildered shepherds.

Meanwhile, the city hums. The merchants are unaware that God has visited their planet. The innkeeper would never believe that he had just sent God into the cold. And the people would scoff at anyone who told them the Messiah lay in the arms of a teenager on the outskirts of their village. They were all too busy to consider the possibility.

Those who missed His Majesty’s arrival that night missed it not because of evil acts or malice; no, they missed it because they simply weren’t looking.

Little has changed in the last two thousand years, has it?

(author - Max Lucado)




Monday, November 17, 2008

Family

Love the Lord your God with all your

heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.


These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.



Impress them on your children.



Talk about them when you sit at home...


and when you walk along the road.

Dt 6:5-7


Thursday, October 23, 2008

Capture Me...

Giving the gift of a memory is one that will last a lifetime!


Contact us now to book your session in time for the Holidays!

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Recession?

"Every good and perfect gift is from above."
James 1:17


By now all of us have begun to feel the effects of our frail economy. Whether our grocery bill is larger, gas tank is empty, or our pockets just fill a little lighter...all of our "comfort zones" are being challenged.

My first response is to cut back on the "extras", travel less, and stick to the budget. I get confused and sometimes irritated with the political process of a "bail" out plan. Regardless of your stance on this issue...I think we would all agree on the importance of one thing.

Our comfort, our well being, and our security comes from God.

We serve the same God who calmed storms, parted the red sea, and even helped our great nation survive the 1930's.

I challenge each of us to get on our knees before the great provider and pray for our country, our leaders, and those less fortune around us. Then ask God to help you be aware of how you can play a part in encouraging those around you.

We serve a stable God in an unstable time. People look to us to have faith that God will provide. Our attitude should be reflective of the security we have in Christ.

"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gifts!"
2 Cor 9:15

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Lucky...


Just thinking today about how lucky I am.

So much going on in the world and God allows me to have these
two guys in my life.



I am blessed.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Briley Grace




A new baby is like the beginning of all things...
hope and a dream of possibilities.
(author unknown)



Congratulations to a beautiful couple on thier beautiful baby girl!

I can't wait to watch her grow, explore, and be loved by those around her.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Thanks be to God...


"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gifts..."
2 Corinthians 9:15


"Every good and perfect gift is from above."
James 1:17



"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord..."
Jeremiah 29:11



I had so much fun shooting with this adorable family! I am amazed each day at how much they are loved and how much they love in return!


Such blessings leave me speachless...