I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. – Ecclesiastes 3:10-11

Yesterday’s post was pretty much all words. Lots of words and serious too. But also deeply important. So I want to start by encouraging you to go back and take a look. Read the post and then share it with your friends. That’s how important I believe it is. Here’s the link – “Getting the Message Right” – For someone who is confused about faith, I can promise it’s going to help.

Life in Pictures:

Today revolves around the pictures. It’s a little easier to digest. I have picked my favorites from the week and assembled them in a slideshow.

1. – First, springtime around Wake Forest has been spectacular this year. We have enjoyed cooler temperatures and some good rains, and the result has been an epic harvest of color. The leaves, the flowers, the buds – new growth every single day. New life and re-creation illustrated in a wash of a hundred shades of green.

My latest photograph of the front yard tells the story perfectly. I was unloading my parents’ groceries and looked back toward our house and it looked completely different from the day before.

2. – Then, Scout Labradoodle has taken to asking to be let out then finding a good spot on the grass to settle in and simply sniff the fresh air, laden with all the scents she has stopped chasing down but still enjoys.

It’s part of her comfort care in the slowing down part of her life. Good food, allergy shots, muscle relaxers, opioids… and a good spot on the lawn.

3. – Later in the afternoon, my parents took dad’s new walker out for a spin around the cul-de-sac. Getting around is a challenge, but I am proud of his commitment to making it work as best he can.

4. –  Sunday morning, I captured this photograph in Rebekah’s study at church. One end of her office is dedicated to the professional portion of her extensive library.

I love the way the light seems to emanate out from the books. We have – all of us – so much to learn, no matter how many years we’ve been reading and praying and listening and seeking knowledge. It’s as if the books are saying, “search us, plumb the depths of our ideas, then search some more…”

Faith is too big of an idea to be consigned to easy answers, glib catch-phrases, and tired platitudes. We can peer deeply into space; we can take apart elements and molecules and atoms and still discover there is more to know; we can seek the mind of God and unravel the mysteries of the ages; we can listen to the ponderings of sages and philosophers; we can read the classic novels and become acquainted with the great poets and playwrights of antiquity … and still we will have so much more to discover.

5. – Finally, tracking something down for my niece, I ran across an awesome black-and-white image of my dad as a teenager in the mid-1940’s. He’s the one seated at the front left. No commentary, just enjoy.

So enjoy these five photographs, and be inspired to open your minds and hearts for deeper and more complete understanding.

“I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.” – Ecclesiastes 3:10-11

Peace, and more peace – DEREK