Be still and know that I am God

I was going through some old photos, and when looking through some of these, I am reminded that for me, deer hunting isn't all about the deer.  This blog could probably be named "Why I Hunt" because I love to deer hunt but more I love to spend time in God's creation, and have witnessed some really specatcular views while spending endless hours in a tree. Some of these have been some of the best moments of my life.  See some of the views I have captured below.  Most of these were not taken with a quality camera, but I think you will see what I am  talking about. See what you are missing?

More importantly, as life continually becomes more and more hectic, I am challenged daily by the lyrics from Rush of Fools and Psalm 46:10 "be still and know that I am God".  Pictures like this remind me of the types of things God is trying to show us, but we stay way too busy to experience his magnificence. Instead of "Why I Hunt", I am thinking more on the lines of "Why I Live" and I am soberly reminded in the moments like below, that it's not for the busyness.

What are you missing out on because you are too busy?

Losing Pants in Public = Epic Fail

Tuesday started off like a normal day...after a very long night of work and life's issues, I finally made it to the couch, and after a few hours drug myself off the couch into the shower and back to the thesis lab.

A couple hours went by, went and met some friends for lunch, then had to run some errands.  One of which was waiting on someone to scan some documents in for my thesis project.  As I was standing there I felt a pop, about mid-waist, that only means one thing: I just popped a button.  No big deal right? However...in my hurries, I had disregarded a belt. Once again, no big deal, still have a zipper, right?.....well... APPARENTLY I had not zipped my zipper...so right there in a split second I BARELY caught my shorts from falling down. And of course, about this time the man is asking me for my jump drive. And, his big German Sheppard saw the whole event and started barking (I think it was laughing) causing even more attention. So, I tactfully turned my back to the security camera, and when the workers weren't looking, buttoned back up...no time for the zipper, though, but my pride was so crushed at this moment, I was just happy to be walking out with my shorts around my waste and not my feet. When I got to the truck...I had a nice little laugh to myself. It was almost like God knew I could use a "laugh" to break this hard shell I was operating in. (Now I am left wondering if anyone will be posting it on YouTube in a few days....)

Just wondering if anyone can relate? What is YOUR most embarrassing moment? Come on now...be honest!!! You might make me feel better. Even if it is anonymous....

PDA in Church

So, as any typical Sunday for many people, this past Sunday I slept through the early service and ended up going to the late service.  I worked my way around and found a seat since I was a little late, but finally got situated and began to worship. However, I was quite distracted by some, maybe 15 or 16 year old's in front of me...well let's just say they were exercising a Public Display of Affection.  Not in a really bad way...just one that really got me on the "judgement" bandwagon. I am probably the world's #1 Anti-PDA person....ESPECIALLY in church...

The rest of the service while Rusty was talking about Moses dealing with the stupidity of his people, and their inappropriateness, I was thinking the same about PDA in church, and how gross it is, uncalled for, etc....

Time came for the end of the service and I gave a "Here we go again" sigh as we started to stand and sing.  I notice them once again holding hands. Something caught my eye though, I looked and noticed it was actually an entire family, and well, they were ALL holding hands, all 6 or 7 of them. It was a beautiful picture.

I can't get the image out of my mind. So often we as the body of Christ are disconnected. Abrasive. Private. Frankly, stuck up. We lack PDA. Not in a sense of affection for one another romantically. But this family displayed a sense of togetherness. Unity in worship. For one another and their God.  For this moment, they put aside whatever typically separates people in worship.  Their (the family, not the couple) PDA became a display of their affection to God. They displayed an attitude.

I haven't completed this thought, and am still trying to figure out why this struck me so hard, but I keep wondering what the body of Christ would be like if we came together and had a sense of PDA. What if we, as one body, had a higher level of public display of affection for the loving bond we share with our Savior? With one another through the love of Christ? What if we had a greater PDA for the lost Sheep? Think it would make a difference? What would our whorship be like with that same sense of unity? I'd love to hear any thoughts you have!