Creation Speaks of the Glory

Sunrise on lower Palouse hills, Snake River in distance

"All of your works will thank you, LORD,
and your faithful followers will praise you.
They will speak of the glory of your kingdom;
they will give examples of your power.
They will tell about your mighty deeds
and about the majesty and glory of your reign."

Psalm 145:10-12 (NLT)

Glory in Jesus in Service

Sailboat in Puget Sound

Even before the dreaded word 'cancer' was declared, my sister Patty was at Mom's side serving.  On weekends, when the extended family gathered to enjoy each other's company, Patty served us all (often with great meals from the kitchen).  And in the final days, Patty stepped up to serve in ways that can be best described as Christ-like.

Patty, thank you for your tireless service to Mom.  And for your continuing service to Dad.  You are an amazing woman of God and I appreciate all that you have done.  Thank you also to your beautiful family for stepping up and filling in so that you could be at Mom's side regularly.  May God bless you and your family richly in the weeks and months to come.

"Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God." 
Romans 15:17 (NIV)

Sing to the Glory of His Name

 Humpback Mountain, with Mount Rainier in distance

 

From the first we learned of Mom's cancer, my brother Geoffrey heard God's voice telling to praise Him in the storm.  During her final breaths here on this earth, Geoffrey was at Mom's side singing hymns of praise and Heaven to her.

Geoffrey, I respect and appreciate the man of God that you are.  Thank you for the personal sacrifices you and your family made to be with Mom as much as you possibly could in these past few months.  I love you brother.

"Shout for joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious."
Psalm 66:1, 2 (NIV)

Godspeed John Glenn

When John Glenn returned from space on Space Shuttle Discovery, he and the rest of the STS-95 crew were honored in a parade in Cocoa Beach, Florida.  After the parade I was able to attend a press conference with the crew.  While the news crews set up their cameras, the astronauts sat patiently at their press table.  I saw an opportunity...and I took it!  I walked to the end of the conference table, nealt beside the Senator and asked, "Mr. Glenn.  Would you autography my pilot logbook?"  He replied, "I would be glad to."  The moment was brief, but this is a lifetime memory for me. 

"God loves the pure-hearted and well-spoken; good leaders also delight in their friendship."
Proverbs 22:11 (The Message)

Friendship 7

It was 50 years ago today...February 20, 1962.  John Glenn became the first American to orbit the earth in Friendship 7.




"Godspeed John Glenn!"

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Sunset on Palouse

Sunset on Palouse country near Colfax, Washington

Sunrise...Sunset

Part 3

Have you ever been to a wedding that was a bit awkward?  Maybe a shotgun was standing by.  Or some other odd family dynamic that just made the 'special' seem, well...not so special.  Yet there was this one couple that was crying.  A husband and wife in the audience that just couldn't hold their tears.  Their response to the wedding singer's rendition of the Fiddler on the Roof melody, Sunrise, Sunset, is as though the wedding were special in every way.  This post is based on true events.  Mom & Dad easily have their heart strings tugged by this song. 

"From sunrise to sunset My name will be great among the nations. Special perfume will be given to My name everywhere, and a grain gift that is pure. For My name will be great among the nations,” says the Lord of All."
Malachi 1:11 (New Life Version)

Encouraging Words, Sunset on Bateman Island

Sunset on Bateman Island, Columbia River, Richland

Sunrise...Sunset

Part 2

Words of encouragement are most meaningful to Mom.  She daily sorts and rereads the stacks of cards and letters so many special people have written.  Each card, letter, and note is important and heart warming to her.  Thank you for writing to her.

"That's how God's Word vaults across the skies from sunrise to sunset, Melting ice, scorching deserts, warming hearts to faith."
Psalm 19:6 (The Message)

Sunrise...Sunset

Among my longest lasting memories is our tradition of announcing "God has his paint brush out!"  With that announcement, everyone scrambles to the window or out onto the porch for a spectacular view of a colorful sunset. 

Life is like a day.  How beautiful a newborn sleeping.  And at the other end of life, the sweetness of a Grandmother's voice and touch.  How peaceful is the rising of the sun on the earth.  The setting of the sun brings us joy and prompts us to praise God for all that He has done.

Sunrise on Columbia River, Snake River in distance



This series, "Sunrise...Sunset," is dedcated to Mom, who is in the sunset of life.  And I will tell you that "God has his paint brush out" on Betty Wyatt's life right now.

"As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is his love to those who fear him. And as far as sunrise is from sunset, he has separated us from our sins."
Psalm 103: 11-12 (The Message)

Upside-Down

Life is a bit upside-down these days.  Sure felt for the guy who flipped the rental Skyhawk at the airport the other day.  Photo-story.  Glad he walked away from that one.

Thankfully I don't have any aerial photos taken upside-down.  But I have been in those situations when, without warning, conditions change rapidly.  For example, attempting to land when a strong low pressure front is moving through is no fun.  Isn't it odd that the "low pressure" systems create the "high pressure" environment in the cockpit?

"Without warning your life can turn upside down,
and who knows how or when it might happen?"
Proverbs 24:21 (The Message)

Mountains & Hills

This print garners some of the most attention at my art exhibits. The row of mountains, from front to back, are Little Badger, Badger, Candy, Red, & Rattlesnake. Many people in the Tri-Cities have been awestruck by this perspective, not realizing all of these years that they aligned like this.

This photo was taken in the Fall 2010.  To see the Spring 2011 version, which also happens to be the cover photo for my 2012 calendar, click over to my other blog, Loftics.blogspot.com.

"All your salvation wonders are on display in your trophy room. Earth-Tamer, Ocean-Pourer, Mountain-Maker, Hill-Dresser,...Far and wide they'll come to a stop, they'll stare in awe, in wonder... "Come and worship."
Psalm 65 (The Message)