All the good in my life…….

Last night I was honored to be the guest artist of the month of the Knox Arts & Humanities Council at Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky. The celebration for those that attended was my newest book, America From 500 Feet II. The celebration for me was that all the good in my life is from Him. I never get the opportunity to share the story behind my two America From 500 Feet books that I’m not reminded how God was in both projects and in all of my life, step by step.

I’ve often been asked how this whole “faith thing” applies to everyday living? Simple, thirty five years ago when I faced death from cancer, I came to the stark realization that God wanted more from me than attending church on Sunday. In that experience I came to know, deep in my heart, that God wanted me to surrender my entire life to Him. My family, my friends, my photography, and every moment of my life. Only when I surrendered it all to Him was He able to bless my entire life. Think about it, if you were a father and your son or daughter needed your help, but refused to obey your rules, and surrender to your better judgement, you would actually harm them if you rewarded them with your blessings, even while they were in disobedience to you. God loves us so much, that He will not harm us by rewarding our disobedience.

It is only after we give it all to Him, that He can bless it all. As always, this entry is not about me, it’s about Him. If you have a deep hunger for your life to be all it could be, for your joy to be rich, and your peace continuos, even in the difficult times, there is but one answer, surrender!

Surrender is nothing more than admitting all your guilt and shame, and throwing yourself on the mercy of the court. Fortunately, the judge, our Heavenly Father, has been waiting for just that moment, and is quick to forgive, forget, and transform your life into what it was always intended to be.

Psalm 16 (New Living Translation)
A psalm of David.
 1 Keep me safe, O God,
      for I have come to you for refuge.
 2 I said to the Lord, “You are my Master!
      Every good thing I have comes from you.”
 3 The godly people in the land
      are my true heroes!
      I take pleasure in them!
 4 Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods.
      I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood
      or even speak the names of their gods.
 5 Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.
      You guard all that is mine.
 6 The land you have given me is a pleasant land.
      What a wonderful inheritance!
 7 I will bless the Lord who guides me;
      even at night my heart instructs me.
 8 I know the Lord is always with me.
      I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
 9 No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.
      My body rests in safety.
 10 For you will not leave my soul among the dead
      or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.
 11 You will show me the way of life,
      granting me the joy of your presence
      and the pleasures of living with you forever.

Are you tired and weary from fighting the battles of life? Maybe it’s time to trust Him with all your cares and concerns, and start to enjoy all the good He has waiting for you. Knock and He will answer. Why wait, why suffer any longer, He’s standing at the door.

the pilgrim