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Have you ever had a day that you thought you were sinking? Sinking in worry, or fear, anxiety or
panic. It’s not a good feeling to think you have no control over things in your life. I believe that in our society today we are encouraged to try and get everything under control, to be on top of all our circumstances. When something happens that makes us feel out of control we have a strong emotional reaction. Let me play out a couple of scenarios for you;

1. You’ve just had a great day at work, your boss told you he didn’t know how the company could do it without you. He assures you that a good raise is coming. He say’s you’ve been working too hard, take a long weekend, and recharge your batteries. When you get home your wife and children are thrilled to see you and they are looking forward to having you with them for that well deserved long weekend.

1. Work was a bear today, everyone was unhappy and more than few people made you feel like a big part of the problem, is you. Your boss jumped down your throat about a late report and
he insisted you needed to stay in the office until your work was caught up. You have to call your
wife and break the news that the planned weekend away with the family has to be put on hold.

O.K. how do you feel in both of these instances? Of course you would prefer number 1, who wouldn’t. Both of these examples are about “happiness” based on current circumstances.
Peace is something we can feel when circumstances don’t matter. Think about it, haven’t we all had both of these experiences? If your security is in a relationship with Jesus, you can weather the number two moments in life. Is it pleasant? No, but even in the second example, if you think about it, the situation is only temporary, your boss will get in a better mood, you will still have time with family. Even if your family is disappointed they still love you and will understand. You still have a job and things will certainly be better tomorrow.

The problem is control. The truth of the matter is we have very little control over the circumstances in our lives. Yes, we can affect some outcomes, but many others will be up to someone else in our lives. The answer is easy, give your life to God and trust Him with it. It may sound like way to simple a solution, but trust me I’ve tried all the ways I can think of, to stay happy, I’ve never have been able to do it. Peace however comes every day when you know you can trust Him with the circumstances in your life, and trust that He can bring you through them. A victorious life is possible with Him, I’ve found it impossible without Him.

Why keep fighting to stay on top the water in the torrent of storms in life. You don’t have to. Reach up and let Him pull you into the boat. After all He is the only one that can calm the storms
in you and I.

blessings,

the pilgrim

O.K. I know what your’re thinking, it’s “Gluttony Week” on the blog….. No actually, Jason Stewart and I checked out a neat Bar-B-Que place in Eureka Springs, and of course I got the burger, which was o.k. but I found it an excellent opportunity to stretch my photographic legs and try to piece together a little story. First, this was all done with minimal equipment. The lens range was from 24mm to 100mm, and the camera was Nikon’s little Coolpix P300. I’m finding it really fun to walk around with such a tiny camera and see just what you can catch! Enjoy.

Vision is a gift from God, the ability to see beyond the obvious. The better vision, is the ability God gives us to see beyond the obvious with people. Working with Jason & Terrence the weekend in Eureka Springs was reminder of how valuable friends are in our lives. For years, working for Nikon, I’ve had to go to big cities, every year to work photo shows. Some are not so bad, but the one in New York, I dread all year long, but it’s part of the job, so I do it. Knowing I will get to spend time with great friends like Jason makes it worth while. In Las Vegas back earlier this year, (another one of my least favorite destinations), I had the honor of going out for an evening of shooting with Jason and Paul Van Allen, another of my favorite Nikon sons, (they all think of me as a father or grandfather figure, being the oldest member of our department.) We had a great time shooting together, and having another great burger at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville. I’ve long admired Paul and Jason’s skill as a teachers, and shooters, but even more for their kindness and compassion for others. If I were a treasure hunter, I could stop looking, I’ve found true treasure, in friends like these.

Thank you Father for such a rich blessing as friends like, Terrence, Jason and Paul. Amen

the pilgrim

*Photo Note: All images with Coolpix P300.

Today, let’s lighten up and have some fun. For many years I’ve been on a journey, a journey to find my place in God’s plan. Then again that’s a serious journey and we all have to have lesser missions. Many years ago when I started traveling extensively across the U.S. (For 11 years while running every GAPW event I drove 70,000 plus miles per year). To have something to look forward on all those days away from home I decided to start a joyous journey to find the perfect cheeseburger. O.K. it doesn’t rise to the level of seeking God, but hey it’s something to do to pass the time on the road.

I came up with a 5 pickle scale for my burgers. First, I’ve never and will not likely ever give 5 pickles. So far the highest rated burger was from Milt’s Stop & Eat it in Moab, Utah. That sweetheart got 4.75 pickles! To be a near perfect burger, for me, I have a simple formula.

1. The burger must be made from hand formed hamburger meat, not lean ground beef. It’s the fat in the meat that makes it juicy, by hand forming the meat is not to compressed and the juices will stay in.
2. The meat must be not cooked anymore than Medium to very slightly Medium Well. Overcooking meat dries it out and ruins the burger. *Look members of the Health Department
it’s not what you wanted to hear, but this is about taste, not disease prevention….
1. The seasoning is very important and most burger makers have their own secret ingredients but it almost always has salt (sea salt), pepper and garlic, you’ll know it when you taste it.
2. The buns should be buttered and toasted.
3. The toppings should be nothing but mayo, mustard, ketchup, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and American cheese. Pickle on the side is kosher. Chilli is for a bowl, mushrooms for steaks, etc etc. Hey I’m a purest, mine are American Cheese and Mayo only (Hellmann’s real mayo is the best).
4. Acceptable sides would be onion rings or french fries.

The Cheeseburger is an American creation, at least four restaraunts claim to have made the first one, and no one seems to be able to sort out who is right.

So far, in my search, here are some of the very best I’ve found in descending order by score:

Milt’s Stop n’ Eat – Moab, Utah 4.75

Hut’s in Austin Texas 4.7
Pappa’s Burgers in Houston Texas 4.7

Rotiers in Nashville, TN 4.65
Cheeburger, Cheeburger in Sanibel Island Florida 4.65
Billy’s Big Burgers in Jackson Wyoming 4.65

The Depot in Corbin, Kentucky 4.6
Ruby Tuesday in London, Kentucky 4.6

Steak n’ Shake (any good one, and most are) Frisco Burger with Am. Cheese and Mayo only 4.5
Hamburger Heaven in Palm Beach, Florida 4.5
Bobcat Bite, Santa Fe, New Mexico 4.5
Margaritaville, Key West, Florida 4.5

Fuddruckers (most locations) 4.4
W.W. Cousins in Louisville, Kentucky 4.3

Anything else is just what you eat when hunger over rides a great burger!

The reigning Champion, Milt’s Stop n’ Eat in Moab, Utah……..

My Pastor, Tim Thompson, delivered a wonderful message yesterday morning, The Smile of God. It was so good I wanted to paraphrase it for you. He opened with a great quote that should
open a few folks eyes about religion; “Religion is a man sitting in a church thinking about fishing,
spirituality is a man out fishing, thinking about God.” God’s heart is touched by your compassion and your commitment, your authenticity. Is your love for God real?

The Smile of God is the goal of our lives. Since pleasing God is the first purpose of our lives, your most important task is the discovery of how to do that. Worship is the act of pleasing God, surrender and approaching Him in the spirit, (honesty and openness). Worship is when we love God supremely, trust Him completely, obey Him whole heartedly, and thank Him continually.

God is not pleased with wrong motives, He is pleased with a deep desire to know and do His will.
We must truly trust Him if we hope to please Him. Another dear Christian brother, Dr. Charles Stanley, one asked me, “Do you know how to make God smile?” His answer was, “Tell Him your plans……” Relying on God means knowing He already has a plan for your life, and that He wants you to rest in the knowledge that it is what is best for you. Can we trust God with our futures? If we can’t, there is no where else to turn.

the pilgrim

*Photo Note: D7000, 24-120 AFs-VR and processed in Nik Silver Efex Pro 2.