Monday thoughts

After endless hours of watching the devastation from the earthquake in Japan, I’ve had a moment of clarity. First I feel so deeply for those families that have lost loved ones in this natural disaster.
Secondly, I work for a Japanese company and it causes one to wonder what long term affect all of this will have on my company. Beyond all the speculation, life is, what it is. That led to the thought of what do I know for sure? Let me make a list;

1. I know that God is in “complete” control of my life and I can trust Him implicitly………
2. I know I love my wife, my family, my friends, and my associates. My love, respect, and
affection for them is not affected by natural or unnatural disasters.
1. I have been blessed with a great life, filled with great people, wonderful experiences, more
comfort than I deserve, and the assurance of an unshakeable faith.
1. I know that I love being a photographer, working, and being friends with other photographers.
2. I know that I’m not sure of very much else.

So the bottom line is that when you see the devastation in Japan and realize that life went from perfectly normal to turned upside down in a matter of seconds, you realize how fragile life is. We have no guarantees, save for the ones I listed above.

For me that is why faith and family must come first. Why would I build my life around anything that offers no substance. Riches and fame cannot buy peace, joy, or love.

Matthew 6: 25-34

25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
 28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
 31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
 34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
I am just as tempted to fret and worry about the state of the economy, the condition of our world,
and my own fears and anxieties as anyone else, but for me I have an anchor that is wedged into solid rock, and though the winds will blow and the storms will rage, I know I have a greater hope in Him.

the pilgrim

Speaking of Solomon’s clothes and the flowers of the fields, I shot some neat stuff in the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens while doing and event for Nikon this past weekend. Here are some of the images from that weekend shoot.

God’s Colors