Skatepunks, Perseverance, and "I Refuse To Do Nothing"

I was unknowingly led to another world, hidden within the walls of a non-descript warehouse. My son was turning 10, so we took him, along with his 8 yr. old buddy & 3 really, cool teenagers to No-Name Sk8park. The boys immediately headed out to ride while I set up cupcakes & other birthday trimmings. Looking out from the viewing area, I was absolutely mesmerized! There were ramps & verts, grinding rails & halfpipes, even a waterfall & a bowl. (I knew little of these things prior to that day). I saw a warehouse full of mostly young people, in constant motion on sk8boards, roller-blades, scooters & BMX bikes.

I headed down to the floor & was in absolute awe. A teen zoomed past me with an "in your face" t-shirt which read: "I refuse to do nothing!" Most adults didn't get it. I said, "Look at these guys! You can see by their size they aren't couch-potatoes! They're all lean & active. They're don't give in to doing nothing. They always do something!" Later in the day, it was like standing in the middle of a highway at rush-hour, so I huddled next to a padded support beam. Throughout the day, I watched grown men enter this world with a board or a bike. The way they carried themselves made it obvious they are professionals who spend their week in a suit pushing papers or punching keys. I engaged a couple in conversation. Their eyes would gleam & sparkle, as they let me in on their dirty, little secret. It was a good work-out, a way to stay young & a way to keep "playing". Awesome!

There is something else that goes on in this predominantly, male world...active learning...& the primary lesson is perseverance! My son will spend hours in the driveway perfecting his ollie, his nollie, kick-flips & all manner of things I don't really understand. At the park, I watched boys & men alike roll down an incline, make a jump, land on their face & get back up to try again. Bruised & sometimes bloodied, they might repeat the process for hours until they mastered the goal for which they had set out. The Bible speaks often about perseverance. Sometimes translated as "patience", it is valued in our Christian walk. Scripture swirled in my head throughout the day as I watched this played out. Romans 5:3-5 states,"We also glory in suffering, for suffering produces perseverance, and perseverance character; and character hope." These skatepunks which are so often scorned are building character which produces hope, and "hope does not disappoint..." Perhaps the next time you see a sk8punk (or even a businessman with a spark in his eye) you will see them in a different light.

"Who Gets To Decide Normal?"

Although it is, "backwards", I simply love this image. That one tree in focus gives it a unique depth which really makes me pause & think. It is a strange perspective & for weeks I have pondered why it so appeals to me. So many people would see it as "wrong".
Individual learning styles is a particular soap-box of mine. The traditional method of education is for the student to sit quietly & take in information. You only have to glance at the drop-out & adjudication rates (particularly of men) to see this is not the way everyone learns. Most of my student-artists are global & they wrestle with trying to be forced into the world's linear "box". Being a global learner makes me good at teaching art, but most principals are analytic, so I can sympathize. I often tell my kids, "Analytics run the world. Globals make it fun. We need each other." Having just spent 2 days testing & teaching my students on their own learning styles I was delighted to hear Cynthia Tobious speaking about this on the radio. I was captivated when she began to talk about long nights of helping a child with homework. This week, we spent countless hours on 4th grade math.
Cynthia's mother was a concrete, sequential who always wanted things done 1-2-3. She, however is wired as a random, global learner. In her wonderful, supportive tone she recalled saying to her mom, "I understand these things need to be done. I love you & I won't let you down, but why can't they be done 3-1-2?" When the parent or teacher is wired differently than the kid, they often need to let go of the "how" it gets done & focus on helping the student find their own best way to accomplish the task. The ultimate goal is to assist the kid to be independent & learn within the style in which they were created. Cynthia could have been quoting me when she said, "I personally don't do things 1-2-3, but I can. If I concentrate on doing it your way, I may accomplish the task but that doesn't mean I will have learned what I was supposed to have learned. It simply means I did it your way."
We really do seem to live in a linear, analytic world. If half of us are wired as random, globals why are we cast down as doing it wrong? I absolutely LOVE her closing words, "Who gets to decide normal"?

Peace For The Pause

I drove along to work, distracted by a stack of ungraded papers & a head full of lesson plans. I was contemplating how to juggle housekeeping, 4th grade math, work & a sick husband & hadn't realized how slow we were travelling. The break lights in front of me came on as we approached the green light that was within reach of my arriving to work on time. I thought to myself, "If she would just use the pedal on the right, we could make that light." Instead, she came to a stop & started adjusting something in her back seat....sigh... I saw the toddler making demands on her as she carefully put the blanket back on the baby next to him. "Now, there is someone with a lot to juggle!" I relaxed a bit & used the time to say a prayer.

Having slowed my pace & rid myself of my own distractions, I enjoyed the last few minutes in my journey. As I crested the hill, I saw how the morning light lit up the bare forest which was shrouded in mist from the river. My eyes were entranced by the dazzling lights reflected by the morning's frost. Serenity overcame me as I thanked God for His beautiful, morning work. I was more at peace for the pause & my day sailed along smoothly as I recalled the amazing artistry I had very nearly missed. Sometimes, "Be still,"means to listen & sometimes to look.

Cheap Grace & Pound Puppies

Some time ago, I began a study which talked about cheap grace & costly grace. In cheap grace, one acknowledges he is a sinner, asks Christ into his life & is secure that he is forgiven. He accepts that Jesus died for him & freely receives the accompanying forgiveness & mercy. Knowing he is saved through grace & not by works, he continues to live his life as he so chooses. Costly grace is different. It costs someone his life. The same repentance, acquiescence & acceptance occurs, but there is a change in all aspects of his life. He cedes his himself to the Word of God which has been written on his heart. He does not continue to do as he pleases, rather he gives in to the will of God in all of his daily words & deeds. I once asked a stranger if he were a Christian & he replied, "Of course. Isn't everyone?" I think perhaps that is an example of cheap grace. Doing the right thing when I really don't want to...I think that is costly grace. I read that we will be rewarded with "treasures in heaven", but I don't think we will get a pile of jewels. Giving our lives to Him after He gave His for us, I believe the prize will be hearing His actual words, "Well done."

Where do the puppies come into all this? Well, nearly every pet I have owned has been a "rescue". I sometimes watch a show where officers rescue pets from deplorable conditions & find them loving homes. One day, my son & I were watching as the cops removed a dieing animal that had been left to fend for himself in a back yard. The family seemed genuinely broken-hearted, though the dog was emaciated, infested with fleas & had infected sores all over it's little body. He was dieing from neglect, yet he wagged his tail, rubbed against them & offered love to everyone. A lot of people want the unconditional love of a pet, but they don't accept the responsibility.
That neglected puppy reminded me of our Saviour who was shamed & bruised, beaten & left to die. Knowing that we will let Him down, He loves us & died for us. Those owners remind me of us... how often do we accept "cheap grace"? We want all the forgiveness & love, the grace & the mercy, but we neglect the relationship & the Word which He has written on our hearts... Cheap grace & puppies

Removing the Stygma

We are working with an amazing man who brings enlightenment about clinical depression, bi-polar disorders & mania. There is a vast difference between situational depression & brain altering, chemical conditions. Well-meaning people often suggest prayer & scripture reading, telling people, "everything will be all right" if they just draw closer to God. Many already do so & this only worsens their plight. After reading his manuscript, I am left with a sense of hope & understanding. People who suffer such conditions are all too aware that this temporal plane is but a surface thing. They know that we fight a spiritual battle with powers & principalities of "the Darkness of this present age", for they live & battle in it, while the rest struggle with day-to-day living.
Looking over a flier for an upcoming workshop, "Disciples in Hope", I immediately saw the reverse acronym, "H.I.D." & penned the following notes:
"Disciples in Hope" brings an awareness of depression which was once hidden as an untapped resource by which we can learn a closer communion with God & the Holy Spirit.~ It's task is to dispel myths & taboos of such medical conditions & remove the associated stygmas. The goal is to dispel condemnation by self & others for those affected. The Bible explicitly states, "... we do not wrestle with flesh & blood", but that ours IS a spiritual battle~ We ARE in spiritual warfare & no one better understands this than those with clinical depression, mania &/or bi-polar disorders. Our task is to eradicate the notion of these as an "illness" & to enable all to see an avenue to better know & serve our Lord & Saviour.

Surrender to Strong

I was delayed in going to Bible study the other night...just for a minute, which proved to be yet another Divine orchestration. For the moment's delay, allowed me to hear lyrics I had not heard before..."no more tears for alibis....surrender to strong". In recent years, having been beaten down by life & circumstances my spirit caved in to "tears as alibis". I didn't walk around weeping, but my soul was in such a place. As I prayed the lyrics on the way to Bible study, I did not fully realize how fortuitous they were.

In our readings of the evening, we talked about disciplining ones' self in the Word, prayer & in listening. I shared how much of my life had shadowed out of control, my time with God had slowly eroded & there should be no surprise things had become difficult for me. I added that I am presently striving to be "intentional & deliberate" in spending time with God. The next morning, I arose early & read the Bible first thing...putting all else aside. By the time I returned home, the devil had pulled out all the old demons. Recognizing this is a spiritual attack, I took my petitions to my husband who also shared with our prayer team. A wonderful opportunity presented itself & we shared a wonderful Bible study with our son on Matthew 25, "whatsoever you do unto the least of these, you do unto me."

This morning, I was led to read the Book of John, where I found a wonderful passage that simply leapt out at me. "For His fullness we have all received, & grace for grace" (John 1:16). As I resolve to dedicate myself to God's Word first thing, He strengthens me for the day & the potential battles ahead, reminding me of my blessings & encouraging me. He also reminds me to be humble..."grace for grace"....not only grace to those who extend it, but to love those who do not do the same, reminding me He is in "the least of these".

Shots in the Dark

Most of the captured images that I really like lately are not very good. This is one of them. I like the contrast between the warmth of the light on the cold snow & the starkness of the iced-over rose vines. I like the movement in the picture & how the eye travels around within the frame. I am especially drawn to the cold lines in the rose. I find them intriguing.

When I was a kid, momma brought out special, holiday books. A favorite of mine was called, "The Littlest Snowmman." I don't remember the twists & turns of the plot, but I vividly remember the picture on the last page. The little snowman was atop the town's, huge Christmas tree & had cast a rainbow of colors all around the town square. It looked like a snowcone rainbow. I knew it was fiction, but it captivated me to imagine the "impossible." This year my husband draped colored lights along our back retaining wall, below the bedroom end of the deck. When the snow came, I saw this image & was taken at once to the magical ending of that book....God has a way of storing our memories & dreams & bringing back little slices we may have once forgotten. I am reminded of Jesus' words in Matthew 10 as He explains how the Father delights in giving His children the desires of their heart. God so often answers the unspoken requests...the ones so tiny we would not think to ask, or even know to ask.

I spend countless hours gazing over my deck. The lake is to my right, the forest ahead & this scene is to my left. It is here I do a lot of reflecting, mental wrestling & praying. Early this morning, as I stared at the lights over the pool I was deliberating over a particular issue & wondered if I should speak to the person about it. "Whose advice should I seek on this?"...

Suddenly my focus narrowed & I saw in the lights something I have missed for years.... an arrow pointing up...."Ask Him". WOW !!! Rarely do I receive such a rapid & literal answer to my questioning.... & so I take the time to speak with God about this & await HIS reply....

Brightening The Gray Times

As a child growing up in MD I hated that the harsh, cold weather started weeks before winter officially began. Here in SC, winter weather doesn't typically commence until the actual solstice. Christmas lights are displayed way ahead of time, then quickly removed them as the bleakest time of year begins. Ours go up only days before the holiday in celebration of our Lord's birth & remain up to warm this dark time of year. (Ok,we keep a lot of white ones up year-round for pool & "deck-time"). In this somber, bare time of year I love their soft glow & warmth.

For the most part, people around here have stayed off the icy roads & I have relished in the silent calm of life without vehicular groans. I was recently out shooting on a windy night in sub-freezing temperatures. As I stood in the road well past midnight, I found it odd to hear a car crunching along in the night. He slowly made his way passed & I wondered if anyone had clued our new neighbor in on my tendency to wander around with my camera at strange hours. In any case, my favorite blessing of winter lights comes when they are enveloped in snow or ice.

This is kind of a "cold shot", but it was taken just about the time the neighbor drove past. I had been out awhile & my camera kept clouding up, but it is a particular favorite of my husband.

The Parable of the Wren

Generations of wrens have begun their lives in & around our home. Each year, we watch as a momma nests & feeds her young seemingly without care or concern over our presence. Several times, we have been fortunate to be there for the first flying lessons. She teaches them to fear people, though is rather cavalier about us herself. I have learned what different songs & sounds mean as she instructs them for their independent lives. Wrens are a genuine parable for me. They are nearly the tiniest bird, yet have the largest & I think, most glorious of voice in creation. Wrens always remind me to stop what I am doing & PRAISE!

Our snow-day movie festival was interrupted by her forest song carrying all the way into our home. I grabbed my camera & joined her at the kitchen window. The images are shot funny as I had to maneuver around the window muntons, but feel soooo blessed to have captured these close shots! That's my little Praise-Warrior !!

In Contrast

Our world has been lovely with a thick covering of snow. In our neighborhood alone, samplings show anywhere from 7-10 inches. I purposefully ventured forth several days to capture images of this fleeting beauty & was deeply appreciative of it. There lacked a magic to truly captivate me or strike awe within my spirit. I've gotten some decent shots, but wondered if I'd lost my touch through lack of use, or if I am gently being re-directed by the Hand of God. A lot of things in my life have felt that way lately.

On the 3rd morning the sun at last emerged & the sky once more radiated it's brilliant, Carolina Blue. The snowy covering positively glistened & my shutter flashed wildly with enthusiasm. My pictures had lacked contrast...something I teach on a regular basis. It is the dynamic quality which makes an image (or a spirit) sparkle or, "pop". Again God used visual metaphor to instruct His child on one of life's simplest of lessons. Without the valleys, we wouldn't appreciate the peaks. Without the times of Shadow, we can't fully embrace the joy of His Light.

Once I had persevered through the grey, I could more fully experience the beauty of the world around me. The moods of daily living often do the same for me. I can be surrounded by beauty, appreciate, even revel in it. God can envelope me with it, but I often fall into a bliss which lacks glory or magic. I settle into a contented, going-through-the-motions existence. True life with all it's dazzle, awe & splendor comes only through entering into a purposeful & conscious relationship with Christ. It is there I must focus myself...first at the foot of the cross. Acknowledging Christ lives in me is a great beginning, but I have to allow Him to live & work through me. Only then will everything fall into place. Days later, I am back at the notion of purposefully entering into time with my Lord to hear His still, small voice.

Winter Birds

One sign of winter for me is the return of the seagulls for their winter retreat at our inland lake. They are here now, soaring aloft as my routine neighbors the cardinals shine brilliantly. Crows walk about on the frozen, lake surface & I greet their relatively new presence in our forest with mixed feelings. I am not a wildlife photographer & my lens lacks the quality to obtain truly close shots, but the thrill of the hunt captivates & inspires me.

In preparing for the storm, I set out black sunflower seeds for my feathered friends. A family of 6 arrived early & I am still trying to figure out who they are or from where they are from. Once the snow had fallen, they were delighted to feast at my kitchen window. They are shy, but daring & seemed to quickly realize I pose no threat. This is not my closest shot, but I love the clarity of feathers contrasted against the fluffy snow.

Once the summer flowers went to seed, my goldfinch feeder went untended. When the snow piled up outside I hung over my deck watching a half dozen vieing for thistle from it. I got some shots with as many as 5 goldfinches on the feeder. Eventually the birds found the sunflower seeds & sat boldly on my rose bush, taking turns at the feeder which hangs at my kitchen window.

I relish the faces of these tiny ones, which are usually but warm-weather friends.

As I lean over my counter & peer through my lens, they are less than 2 feet from me. They often turn my way & seem to eye ME curiously.

This is my favorite shot. When it is enlarged the bird alongside the rose leaves jumps out crystal clear against the winter forest scene.

Cleansing Blanket or Hardened Shell?

So much for being “intentional & deliberate!” A thick blanket of snow brought much of the South to a screeching halt. It did much the same for me & mine. I spent some much needed family time “chillaxin’”. I also cooked & baked, baked & cooked…then baked some more. Of course I was out shooting the beauty & was naturally drawn to the oaks. As I captured image after image I contemplated my last post. I couldn’t help but see the parallel between the snow over the darkness of the oaks & our sins being covered by the cleansing redemption of Christ.

The weather turned to freezing drizzle & freezing fog, which left a thick layer of ice over the soft, fluffy snow. I saw another perspective on this. Many accept the forgiveness of Christ & His cleansing, but often lock it away to keep for themselves. It looks pretty, but on closer inspection it is trapped inside a hardened crust, a protective layer. Time & time again God keeps renewing me, yet I wonder how often do I allow it to get crusted over…? It is easy to hold on tightly to the things not of this world, while I remain in this world. Perhaps I wouldn't need so much renewing if I would be more generous with the faith & forgiveness I've been given.

Strength & Light

I have come to love winter as "The Season of Lines", for this is when branches are fully exposed. Throughout the year, much of our Creator-God's artistry is masked by foliage. Sadly, temperatures of winter keep most from truly pausing to enjoy this beautiful handiwork. Oak trees are a particular favorite of mine. They are long-lived & when properly used in building, actually turn to something like stone. We found a 5th generation jeweler to carve & cast our wedding rings, who told us oaks symbolize strength & longevity. A reader of runes, she added "It takes 3 to make a solid marriage: the man, the woman & God". This is why our rings have 3 White Oak leaves. My engagement ring is a delicately sculpted branch.

In this Season of Lines, I particularly savor the shape, line & overall form of the oaks. They grow into gorgeous sculptures,showing decades of weathering which younger trees have not endured. Lately I have been pondering the metaphor between the hidden structure of trees & our inner selves. While driving home one day, my eye was drawn to this awesome pair. I turned my van around & paused to capture this image at a busy intersection. I was struck that one is in the light, while the other is cast in shadow. Closer inspection shows the one in greater light is larger, while the shaded one's growth is further hindered by a layer of parasitic moss. No matter the outer facade we wear, if our structure is shaded our entire form may become cast into darkness. We are helpless to keep the stuff of this world from overtaking our inner self. We all must be vigilant..."intentional & deliberate"... to maintain our relationship with God to ensure our structural support is in His Almighty Light. It is only then we can be prepared to heed His call & fully enter into the Purpose for which we are called.

Snow in the Pines

When the words, "Snow" or "Ice" are mentioned on the airwaves in MD everyone rushes out to buy milk & bread. In South Carolina, toilet paper & beer are added to the list. I recall a family having moved here from sunny California asking about the toilet paper. I simply replied, "It doesn't matter if you need it, it's just how it's done. It's part of the preparation & excitement". In MD, everyone waits expectantly to find out if they will "have to go out in this mess". Down South everything closes. With the exception of "essential personnel," God has seemingly declared a free day. Everyone stays in to enjoy the beauty He has created, along with the pleasures of home & family.

It snowed throughout the day on Christmas & on through the night, with little accumulation. The next day was Sunday & we weren't about to miss our time worshiping with God's family in His "Living Room". Few cars were out & the sights were glorious !!! (These shots were taken as Tom drove, using the "behind glass" camera setting.)Those who braved the drive & ventured forth to God's House were richly rewarded by seeing the endless beauty He had washed over the landscape.

As we crossed the bridge passed the lake, my breath was taken away by the unity of snow on the pines & the amount of white in the water which fell across the dam. As a member of the parking lot greeter team, I needed to be there early so chose not to stop. By the time we returned, the sun had melted much of the snow from the trees, which increased the amount of cascading water. I captured the remnants of what will remain a picture for the film of the soul.

Compartmentalizing & Focus

Being a right-brain, global makes me a good art teacher. It enables me to assist dozens of individual needs at one time, while keeping track of the over-arching goals, clean-up process & (hopefully) time constraints. I can simultaneously prepare supper, help with 4th grade homework, run the laundry, clean the dishes & grade papers.
I recently had a mountain of food prepared for an 80's party, only to learn that my family would be delayed. Deciding to wait for them, I set about to find my "New Year's Journal", which I have kept for well over a decade. Although I only read & write in it once a year, I usually keep it handy. A year ago, much of our home was boxed & packed away in a hurry & flurry, then crammed into our bedroom where it remained a looming, seemingly living mass. (I'm talking everything from books & baubles to kitchen & living room items... "essentials" as well as things I didn't recall that I still had). When the journal wasn't in it's usual place, I thought, "Surely, it must be in... there...." I thought I'd just have a look around...maybe do that 5 minute, Fly-Lady thing.
After 2 hours "working in the bedroom", my kitchen tupperware cabinet was organized, along with my bathhroom linens, my son's loft space, my mother-in-law's cedar chest... 2 bookshelves & even my closet !! Before I knew it, our bedroom had become a liveable space. Even my summer things were ready to be packed away into the attic. I never did find the journal, but I was thrilled to be standing in a clean room, clad in authentic 80's garb which I hadn't even remotely thought I would find. (Not only did I uncover it, but it actually fit !!! )
I have come to realize that being intentional & deliberate is going to take a lot of focus & editing. More difficult still, it is going to require a lot of compartmentalizing. I have added to my list of aspirations, a new "growing edge": to focus & prioritize. Still...I must remain open to the little surprises that spontaneity may bring... like the London to U.S. boarding pass tucked in the back pocket of those jeans !
(After the party, when I'd laundered the jeans, I put it right back where it had been all those years!)

Crumbling & Overgrown

Somewhere along my way, I lost touch with my own life...my drives, my goals. Oh, I carried out my work & was mother to my child, but I was going through the motions. I loved the idea of my life, but there was no passion anywhere. I had no drive to do the things I love...My interests lay somewhere behind a deep fog & a miry mush. Life seemed without purpose or meaning, promise or hope...& I had no idea how I got there.
I arose New Year's morning to purposefully seek the Lords' wisdom & Presence. As I settled myself outside, the word whispered to me was, "sloth"...so short & low I could have easily missed it. I looked up every reference & every tense of the word.
Proverbs 19:15 said, "Slothfulness casts one into a deep sleep" & that was exactly what happened to me! I felt the writer of thousands of years ago had been peering into the window of my inner world & realized just how how applicable the Bible remains to this day.
Proverbs 24:30-34 describes "the vineyard of the slothful" as overgrown with tangles & nettles, it's walls crumbling. After gazing upon this scene, Solomon writes in verse 32, "...I considered it well. I looked on it & received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest; so your poverty will come like a prowler & your want like an armed man."
I had remained in my comfort zone, following the same paths & patterns...going through the motions in every aspect of my life & not doing much of anything with any intent. Without being aware of what was happening, everything in my worlds started to slip away from me. I began to feel out of control & helpless.
Allowing my morning time with God to slip away had started me a on a journey of decay & I set about to reconnect. The journalling process brought me to my need to be intentional & deliberate in all that I do. I asked God for help & He led me to tiny scriptures buried away. They showed me the cause & the results & that I am not alone.

Shhhh....Listen !

Tom & I met with a friend recently who showed us a painting of a street corner... another view of this street corner in fact. Greg shared how the artist's inclusion of the hand reminded him of the original meaning for "Be still." His voice lowered as he whispered, "Shhh...shut up...listen...& know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)
A few days later, as I wrote out my aspirations for the New Year I had some major, "Aha-Moments." In many areas, my life seemed to have lost purpose & meaning... had lost it's luster & I my drive. A lot of things started to gel as I wrote. I had ceased to be deliberate & intentional. Even my time with God had become something of a hastily scrawled sticky note. Though I continued to "watch", I had stopped being "still"...I had stopped listening.
I prayed in earnest for God to help me listen & one word murmured passed... Wondering if it was simply my randomness of thought, I quickly set about looking it up in God's Word.... as I dug deeper & deeper, I knew that He had granted my petition. He also confirmed that being deliberate & intentional need to be an umbrella over all of my goals.
That afternoon, I drove to the intersection in the painting, wondering if I could capture the right angle on the sign. I decided to shoot every one of them to see which was "mine". When He graced the the 2nd with a rainbow I immediately knew which one He had chosen for me. Had I not been "deliberate & intentional", I would have missed the color & that is exactly what had happened in my life! How warm & hilarious God is !!!!!

New Year, New Blog

For many months I have tried unsuccessfully to remove my blog from facebook & have decided to start a new one. I am uncertain how this will play out...Will the original simply fade away ?... Will it remain a light-hearted place of warm moments recalled & natural observations, while this one is the deeper, more personal stuff? I am unsure. What I write is open for inspection & introspection, but not everyone on FB will pause to look deeper & wrestle with me. This is a place for deliberate introspection & is open to anyone who will take the time to travel with me in my spiritual journey.