oday I’m reverting to the “default” (and curiously popular) “Four Photos” format for my Friday posting. My “rules” for these posts are simple:

1. I must use images that are already sitting on my iPhone
2. I can’t deliberately shoot pictures with this kind of post in mind
3. I’m not allowed to go searching for a photo to support a point, but instead I have to let the photo guide my writing

JUXTAPOSITION: With that said, my first image (above) is from Tuesday evening. Rebekah and I went out on late “gotta-squeeze-one-in” date directly after a meeting at church. The light at Brandon Boulevard and Parsons Avenue held us up, and we noticed the rich colors in the sky, looking west down Highway 60.

My initial reaction was, “This would be beautiful without the cars and buildings.” But then, almost immediately, I was struck by the industrial-chic beauty of steel, concrete, city-scape, streetlight, and even telephone cable strung across the sunset. It was the juxtaposition of real life with God’s creative hand.

And I was moved.

CARPE DIEM: Next is this download from Naomi’s facebook page (“saved” on my iPhone). Thursday she and Craig took David to the consignment shop and they found his first trike.

The idea started out as a birthday present for October 16, but you know they couldn’t wait. To me, the image says this: “Hi, Grandaddy! Wanna go for a ride? I’d like to see you try to keep up!”

I’m thinking my grandson has some serious carpe diem going on. He’s already seized more than his fair share of days and he’s not even a year old yet.

I love his attitude. In a world where “I can’t,” “It’ll never work!” and “It’s not my responsibility!” seem to be the mantra-de-jour for far too many people, I’m praying for more day-seizing, an upturn in spirit, and a huge increase in David Henrys.

Show us the way, kiddo, I’m right behind you!

BLOOM: Lastly, this is one of our Amazon Rain Trees. It’s not the best of photographs, but the tree gets its point across.

The tree’s point, of course, is the bright yellow bloom. It works hard all year long, grows like crazy, then puts out this vibrant splash of color that lasts, tops, a couple of weeks.

Bees swarm; pollen gets moved around; reproduction is guaranteed, and then the bloom falls off (after a few days of scintillating red). But none of that is going to happen absent the spectacular exhibition of color.

I look at the Amazon Rain Tree and I realize how important it is to shine.

MANDATE TO SHINE: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

That’s all – DEREK