Overspray

I find that in landscape photography, there are fixed objects and lines that give permanence and stability to a photograph. Leading lines are commonly sought. There are also changing elements, like water and sky. It’s fun to play with these elements in picturing a story.

This photograph uses the shoreline and mountain silhouette for stability and the wave, sky, and person walking on the shore in the lower right for movement and human interest. I also like the cloud spots in the upper left. My imagination sees a connection between the splashing wave and the random cloud pattern.

I remember learning to color as a kid. I was taught to stay within the lines and make harmonious, full strokes with the crayons. We were rewarded with the best of show being posted on the door of the fridge signed by the artist. Paintings by the numbers followed with the same instructions and rewards.

This illustrates the nature of my conservative, Republican-voting, lily-white, Southern family that had to have shoes shined, baths taken, and everything in place before Friday sunset to “guard the edges of the Sabbath.” This training served me well to succeed in the academic world and successfully negotiate the waves of wildness that tempt our ways.

In my older, more mature years, I’m sensing a drive from another side of my brain. I’ve felt handicapped emotionally and an artistic urge that had been shackled by having to focus on staying within the lines and being a “good boy.”  I don’t mean to disparage the importance of focus, control, and rules, but I suggest that developing both sides of the brain might be a better balance.

Now, I’m seeing the beauty of holiness and the wholeness of beauty better. It’s okay and healthy for big, old boys to cry. It’s good to feel the spectrum of emotions and enjoy the ride that God provides. I now see AND feel the words and stories of Jesus AND experience God’s love that guided Jesus to live AND die to save. I used to try to tell stories with words. Now, I’m seeing and feeling stories in pictures. It’s a combination of lyrics and a tune. It’s a head and heart thing. It’s okay to color outside the lines if it serves a higher purpose.

How about you? Where are you in your journey?

—Larry Smith

Inside-Out

We have a vine, a Virginia Creeper, that grows rapidly on the stone tower of our house. It’s hard to control and often covers the window screen of my study before I can trim it and put it in its place. I actually like the effect, or at least, I use that excuse to take the pressure off my landscape maintenance responsibilities.

The colors of the leaves glow beautifully when seen from the inside. The details of the vine and the pattern created intrigue me. It’s a different view than seeing it from the outside. I see the living vibrancy of the plant and feel a connection to it in some strange way; this is an inside-out view.

We read that man looks on the outside, but God looks at the heart; this is an inside-out view. Don’t criticize someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes; this is an inside-out view. Empathy is an inside-out connection: seeing, feeling and living as another.

I challenge you to get into the lives of those in your world. See things from their perspective. Feel their emotions of joy, happiness, fear, and sadness; and risk experiencing emotions you have never felt before. Let it grow on you, and don’t be so quick to cut but long-suffering to heal.

In John 15-17, Jesus uses the vine as an illustration of our relationship with Him. He is the vine, and we are the branches. He wants an intimate connection with us as He has an intimate connection with God. He wants us to have an intimate connection with each other. You in me, I in you; we are all connected. That’s an inside-out view and a through and through family connection.

—Larry Smith

Begin Slowly Building Your Resilience Bank Account

Maddaus’ idea of a resilience bank account is gradually building into your life regular practices that promote resilience and provide a fallback when life gets tough. Though it would obviously be nice to have a fat account already, he says it’s never too late to start. The areas he specifically advocates focusing on are sleep, nutrition, exercise, meditation, self-compassion, gratitude, connection, and saying no.

“Start really small and work your way up,” he says. “If you do a little bit every day, it starts to add up and you get momentum, and even if you miss a day, then start again. We have to be gentle with ourselves and keep on, begin again.”

From https://elemental.medium.com/your-surge-capacity-is-depleted-it-s-why-you-feel-awful-de285d542f4c

And we add prayer, reading your Bible, and faith community connection. Keep on communicating!

—Pastor Chris

Burned Out

Wildfires have become more frequent and devastating. Global warming, decreased rainfall and lowering of water tables, increase in population are a few of the reasons. Today there are 30 significant wildfires burning in California, some in the Central Coast. 

This is a picture of a charred hill of this years Avila/Shell Beach fire. It looks awfully bleak. But let’s look ahead to the future and visualize the spring flowers and new growth that we know will occur in time. There is an opportunity for a new, beautiful landscape. We saw it this spring just south of Santa Barbara where devastation from their previous fire turned into a beautiful floral garden. 

Can we apply this to our lives? Can good things spring forth from being burned out? I have felt burned out recently from overwhelming good demands on my time and energy. I’ve thrown in the towel on some things. I just can’t do it all. I’ve also felt the pain of loss: families struggling to keep afloat with finances, basic needs and even food, and of course illness. 

So, I’ve taken some deep breaths and talked to God about it. I sense He’s tired of it also. A lot of things need cleaning up. It’s happening. Ouch! I sense an urgency as never before in my short (that’s debatable) lifetime. The disciples and early spirit-filled people also felt that. But, it’s different now. 

The rapidity of change is unprecedented. Instant worldwide communication and connectedness is here. We are reaching for Mars and the stars. Could heaven’s gate be just ahead? I admit my senility and fragility, but I can’t help sharing my thoughts, feelings and the burning desire to be with God’s, and my, family. We will be safe in the fire. We may feel burned out at times, but not burned up. 

Spring is coming. Let us spring forth in joy looking forward to the soon second coming of Jesus, the greatest renewal I can imagine. Be well, my friends, safe in the arms of Jesus. 

—Larry Smith

Never Alone

We can feel alone in our biggest fights but the reality is we are never alone. We may not see our support or always feel God’s presence. These are opportunities to learn with training wheels how to walk by faith and not sight. We are not forsaken.

Our character is being developed so we can be a better friend and over—new and improved. Pure gold must be tried in the fire. It is not pretty and can be pretty awful. But the result can be spectacular and we can be awe-filled. 

We are not alone. Noah, Moses, Gideon, Joseph and even Jesus had feelings of abandonment by God. It is a common, if not necessary, feeling. We are creature and not a creator God. Repeated successes tempt us to forget that and we act as if we are the one to be credited, not God. Struggles are for our good so we can be used by God and His glory can be seen through our lives. Humility is essential. We must also be proud of our Father. 

So, when we’re feeling all alone let‘s look around and see the multitude of wonderful friends that can identify with our struggles. Let’s see God through them. Let’s look back at how God has blessed us in the past and come to reasonable and confident conclusions about the present. This is not a DIY project. Let us come together in mutual support as we all draw closer to God. We are not alone. 

—Larry Smith

Walking on Water

When you feel like you’re at a dead end and fear sets in, psychologists tell us there is a fight-or-flight response. The theory was described by Walter Bradford Cannon based on his animal research and observations. But we are more than animals. We are also spirits created in the image of God.

Acute fear can protect us, and chronic fear can destroy us. The scriptures are full of messages from God, Jesus, and the angels from the Genesis story of Abraham’s journey to the apostle John’s visions in Revelation, telling us to “fear not.” Why should we not fear?

Jesus was aware of the destructive nature of fear and shared the antidote for it with Mary, Joseph, the disciples, and us. Fear not because He has overcome our reasons for fearing. He has conquered them. We can trust in Him. The body can be destroyed but not the spirit. We too must see beyond the grave.

We too can live a life of hope. We too can be conquers and not be victims. We too can walk on water if we keep our eyes on Jesus. Ellen White wrote, "we have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history."

Friends, let’s remember to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and not look at our own reflection. He is our antidote for fear. Let us choose to live in Him and not die from a shot of booze. We too can walk on water. 

—Larry Smith

I Hear Music

This picture was taken this spring in the hills to the west of See Canyon under the power lines from Diablo Nuclear Power Plant. It was a gorgeous sunset, and I could hear the faint buzzing of the high tension lines. My thoughts went toward heavenly music as I photographed the silhouetted lines against the colorful palette of the clouded sky.

Some folks learn best visually. For some, it’s through an emotional moment. For some, it’s through sound or music. God is not limited in His ways, time, or place to have a relationship with us. He meets us where we are. That’s what friends do. He does not force us beyond our will but showers us with love unbounded.

My soul is often touched by the things I see in so many situations. Music has also been an open avenue to my heart. I melt under the combination of words, visual beauty, touch, and heavenly music. Sitting in the pew next to my wife in the company of friends, listening to inspiring words, and singing together often push me to joyous weeping. I am speechless and cannot contain it all. My cup surely runneth over.

The current pandemic and social distancing has put my emotions back in the ICU. Zoom doesn’t cut it, and phone calls fall short. I feel like I’m confined to a space suit in an alien environment. I pray to God, who uses you to embrace me with His love, that it will end soon.  I see Him in your eyes. I miss you. An enemy has put us in this emergency situation. Lord, come quickly. In the meantime, open up ways to unite my family once again. Can you identify?

—Larry Smith

Patterns

This capture of the Los Osos Valley at sunset with its golden glow emphasizes the rock formation in the foreground and Hollister Peak in the background. Notice how they have a similar outline. It’s like they share a common pattern of different proportions. 

I remember the “good old days” when dressmaking was a skill mothers frequently used. My mother went to the fabric store, looked through the catalog, and selected the dress and size she wanted. The clerk would then go to a file and pull out the chosen pattern. Off we’d go with the fabric and pattern to make the dress. 

The thin paper pattern was pinned to the fabric in an efficient way. Cutouts were carefully made and sewn together, and Mom was the proud owner of a new dress. I was even allowed to develop my skills of removing pins, picking up scraps and occasionally cutting out a simple pattern, including the darts. 

Freedom is sacred to God, but He has given us a pattern in the form of Jesus. We are each unique fabric, and we can choose our style, or we can wing it and hope for the best. I can remember one freelance shirt that never fit quite right. It had an awkward pull at the sleeve, and the collar was skewed a bit to the left.  It was short-lived, and I was relieved and re-sleeved. 

I propose that the basic pattern of Jesus is essential to our full potential. We are blessed when we purpose to follow the pattern. That’s just how we were made by the Creator. Jesus said, “The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel” (John‬ ‭5:19-20).‬ ‭How much more do we need a pattern so we can love better and be authentic!

That we may marvel! If we follow the pattern of Jesus, others will also marvel and be blessed. We can be the fiberoptic cable to connect others to Jesus. We don’t glorify the cables in our house; we glory in the images they project. Let us focus on the pattern and be honored to lift Him up.

—Larry Smith

Focus

There are so many things in life competing for our attention. We are constantly bombarded by advertising to buy things or ideas to make us feel better, look younger, have more fun, be rich, or make the advertiser rich at our expense. It’s hard to focus. 

We want to have it all until we discover that these things are fool’s gold, things that look good at first glance but do not withstand the test of time or close inspection. We need a triage technique to extract the best and leave the rest. Our capacities vary, but we all have our limits. 

I wanted to emphasize the butterfly in the picture above. I could have made the surrounding flowers in focus but chose to edit them out of focus so the eye would be drawn to the subject of the butterfly. Sure, the flowers are attractive, but I didn’t want them to overwhelm. If the intent were to showcase the flowers, the blur would have been reversed. 

By beholding, we become changed. We need to be clear about the intentions and purposes of our lives and weed out those things that choke the good. A weed is defined as a plant that is not valued where it is growing and is usually of vigorous growth. Let us be good gardeners of the heart, soul, and mind. 

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians‬ ‭4:8‬

—Larry Smith

Remember When? Part 9

The People (Segment V)

The SLO church was at the far south quadrant of the Central California Conference. The pastors assigned the district were responsible for the King City  (occasional pastoral visits), Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Arroyo Grande, Santa Maria and Lompoc churches. It was therefore essential for the lay people, usually one of the elders, to share preaching and other pastoral activities. Elder Lester (Les) Melendy was the first pastor I remember. What I recall is that he had personally made a motor scooter that he used to ride from church to church.  He was a friendly man who became friends with my dad, often driving up to the water company sitting on his motor scooter, that I wanted to ride! but never did.  

Elmer Bracket was a long-time family friend. He worked as a laboratory technician in one of the area hospitals. He did not live in SLO but visited often.  He played the clarinet for church when he spent the weekend and was a licensed barber.  On various nights, several of the men, including Elder Melendy, would come to our house and Elmer would cut hair.  My dad learned to cut hair from watching Elmer shear the men and benefiting from Elmer’s hands-on instruction. 

The summer of 1957 Elmer and his wife lived in a San Francisco apartment.  That summer presented a dilemma: he was scheduled to keep Jim, his son.  What to do?  A thought of a solutions. At the conclusion of my sophomore high school year Elmer dropped by our Soquel house with an unusual opportunity:  He asked my Dad if “Larry” would be interested in spending the summer with Jim and the two of them attend Mohler’s Barber College where Elmer earned his barber’s license. Some of the same personnel were teaching at the college and would allow us to boys to enroll.  Why not? This venture introduced me to a life few witness. Mohler’s was in the middle of SF’s Skid Road. Our clients? The down and outs. The alcoholics. The druggies. The Shills. The Fences (those who sold stolen property.) And every now-and-again, an interesting, sane individual stopped in for a 50 cent, or Free, haircut and a 50 cent shave. Perhaps there will be occasion to share some of the summer experience.  I did not stay long enough to be a licensed barber, but I did make a few bucks cutting guys hair at MBA and PUC.  

Elder Clyde Bradley is the next pastor I remember. He baptized Daren Miller, Larry Richards and me on a Sabbath afternoon at the Santa Maria church. SLO church, by then meeting at the Orcutt Rd. property, had no baptistry.  Army barracks did not include such niceties as a baptismal tank. 

At some point, the SDA district of churches was dismantled and SLO was assigned its own pastor.  The names of those who came to minister to our congregation lie somewhere deep within my memory and resist resurrection.  The task of reconstruction a Whose Who of SLO pastors is hereby bestowed upon another.  

This concludes the Remember When? series.  There is more that might be said but enough is enough.  

I will not swear on our Family Bible that all of the above matters and events related in the series previous occurred exactly as stated. Memory is a fragile thing and easily made to fit what we want to have fit. What I can say is that to the best of my ability I eschewed fabricating events and as Mark Twain once said, “I told the truth, mostly.”  It is the mostlies (sic) that threaten ambush. Thank you, kind reader, for extending forgiveness when the mostly is not as most as it oughta be.  

Stay well and flee anything associated with virus.

—Larry Downing

Remember When? Part 8

The People Segment IV

In the 1940s and 50s in the SLO SDA church, I can’t think of any, aside from Edward Schultz, MD  and Elvin Wical, MD, who had advanced degrees. There were no dentists. Few people had graduated from college. H. O. Swarthout, MD, SLO County Director of Public Health, did his turn to fill the SLO sermon slot, but he was a member at Arroyo Grande. Dr. Swarthout was noteworthy as author off the book the Modern Medical Counselor, sold in the Book and Bible house and by colporteurs as well as other books and articles in SDA journals. This book was part of the SDA home library.  It was the “go to” authority for common ailments. As a kid I recall Dr. Swarthout’s sermons were more interesting than most we heard.  I looked forward to church when I learned he would preach.

Dr. Schultz had an office in the house across from the Morro Bay park where the annual art and craft show is held. He occupied the west end; he and his wife lived at the other end. His wife, May, was an excellent Sabbath School teacher. Her care for us kids left a lasting impression on our young lives.  Her parents, Elder and Mrs. Stuyvesant, shared the house. Elder Stuyvesant had been a Salvation Army officer before becoming an Adventist and later a pastor. When in the SA he played the valve trombone in the SA band.  On occasion he played his horn for special music.  

  The story that circulated around the church for years related to the Grand Opening of Dr. Schultz’ office.  The newly arrived couple arrived in Morro Bay and decided to take a walk on one of the near-by trails were they saw bright red plants.  Mrs. Schultz gathered up an armful to bring back and include in the floral arrangements that beatified the new office. Big mistake! She had harvested poison oak. Dr. Schultz did not open his office as scheduled. Did this event actually happen? I do not know.  What I do know is that I listened to numerous people, including my parents, relate with considerable humor, the new doc and the Open House poison oak bouquet event.

My family moved to SLO from Salinas in 1944 when Dad took over management of Crystal Springs Water Company. The next year he exercised the option to purchase the company.  Dad, along with Russel Easter, Doc Freeman and Dr. Schultz were the mainstay of the elder group. When the congregation met at the Buchon location, the elders walked onto the platform from a side room, knelt for a time, rose and the congregation sang the Doxology.  The elders sat on chairs facing the congregation until the benediction.  

When Russel was an elder, we watched to see how long it took him to nod off.  I have recollection of people timing him to see how long it took to enter Dream Land.  If it was a record, we heard about it.  When Dr. Schultz was at the front, we watched to see if his hand creeped up and inside his inside coat pocket.  Word was that when Doc Schultz turned off his hearing aid, it was a clue the sermon was a drag. So here you have it, church in the olden days had all manner of interesting attractions to occupy reluctant younger parishioners.

There came a time when SLO went for some months without a pastor.  Several of the men huddled and decided to go to the Conference to inform the officers that from that day on the SLO tithe would be deposited in a bank account where it would remain until a pastor arrived.  The men climbed aboard Jan Davidian’s DDS, twin-engine Piper airplane, flew up to San Jose where the Conference office was then located, and presented their decision to the conference administrators.  A pastor was soon appointed to the SLO parish.  The Conference perhaps learned not to take SLO people for granted.  

—Larry Downing

Light of the World

We are all uniquely different but reflect a common light. Our kitchen window faces west, and every afternoon, the foliage is transformed into glowing, green candles as the sun illuminates the plants.

It’s an awesome sight! I’m reminded that we were designed to reflect the Light of the World as He shines on us and most brilliantly through us. Light shining on us can be beautifully reflected, but light shining through us is spectacular. That’s how we can be a spectacle to a world that often struggles in darkness. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew‬ ‭5:16‬)‭.

Let’s reach out today to someone in our world and joyfully glow in sharing an uplifting light. Let it be in word and deed. May it be music to the ears and soothing balm to the wounded souls. 

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John‬ ‭8:12‬)

“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” (John‬ ‭12:32‬)

—Larry Smith

Congregation

Today, we are conflicted between physical distancing and congregating. On one hand, we are told to protect others and ourselves by staying at least six feet apart, wearing a mask, not singing or talking loudly, and staying in small groups. On the other hand, our backgrounds, social nature, and example of Jesus tell us to reach out and touch, speak up for those who do not have a voice, and care for those who could use our help.

So what are we to do as Christians? How can we honor the best of all worlds? I propose that the current pandemic is an emergency, and emergencies call for measures outside of our established routines. The umbrella that we must live under is love for God with our whole heart, soul, and mind, and for our neighbors as ourselves. Do not be afraid. Do not be afraid to live life by the basics and tweak the details as appropriate to save in concert with the Savior.

We must render unto government authorities the things required and all things unto God.  God reigns where conflicts occur in our conscience. Truth as we see it wins over falsehood. We will and should  disagree, but we must come together for the common good. We may not be able to congregate now, but we must act as a congregation shaped by the emergency.

We are blessed to live in a time when we can communicate with a very advanced form of smoke signals—although some Zoom sessions seem to go up in smoke of errors. We are cursed as creatures of the ground and blessed as the children of God.

We are each unique and in unique situations. Let us use this opportunity to see ourselves and God in a new light and benefit from the current perspective. Lights shine brightest in darkness. Let’s let our congregation of goodness, love, time, and talent come together as never before in blessings galore.

—Larry Smith

Never Alone

I like photographing things that stand out—subjects that easily catch the eye. Sometimes, it’s a lone tree on a hill. Sometimes it’s a person on a walk, an animal on a trot, or an unusual rock. 

Have you ever felt like you were all alone against the world? Your ideas were considered strange, and your mind seemed deranged. Your friends seem to have lost their friendliness, and your opposition stands firm. It is even possible to feel lonely in a parade when you don’t identify with those in the crowd. 

You are not alone in feeling that way. Close friends and companions who let their hair down and bare their souls will identify. The scriptures are full of spiritual giants who felt abandoned by fellow humans and God. Think of Moses, David, Jonah, and even Jesus in Gethsemane and at the Cross. The disciples couldn’t stay awake in the garden, and God seemed to have forsaken Him on the cross: “and about three o'clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani? that is, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew‬ ‭27:46‬).

Feeling alone does not mean you are lacking faith or are defective in some way. It just means you are alone—a wonderfully emotional, warm-fuzzy person who needs companionship. Those qualities do well in Heaven. Perhaps you have a heart of flesh and not of stone. Perhaps you are thinking of others and are not self-centered. Perhaps it is a strength and not a weakness. 

I am blessed with a busy and buzzing family, an active mind, and a hobby that requires some quiet time. So, I’m not a good, well-balanced one to feel loneliness, but I think I get it. My time will come. Maybe yours will too, or maybe you’ve already been blessed to know what it’s like. If so, you are qualified to be a caregiver. Thanks for sharing your gift.

—Larry Smith

Remember When? Part 7

The People Segment III

Russell and Adele Easter lived on Orcutt Road about a quarter of a mile East of where Orcutt Road crosses the railroad tracks. A barn on the Easter property served multiple purposes including construction of wire chicken cages. At some point Russell assembled Ozone generators for an Adventist man with a Russian-sounding last name who lived in the San Joaquin Valley. The ozone generator had a box-like base with a removable set of 5 or 6 glass tubes resting on top.  When the machine was turned on, the tubes produced a buzz and a flickering blue light filled the tubes. The smell of ozone wafted about the machine and through the room.  A gentle touch on the tubes gave one what felt like a mild electrical shock. Claims were made the gadget could cure all manner of ailments, including cancer. The inventor, more than once, brought the machine to the Soquel camp meeting where many fellow believers were suckered into purchasing the miracle cure-all.   

The FDA took a dim view of the product-claims and its promotion as a curative contraption. Charges were filed against the inventor with the result that he was sentenced to spend time in a federal prison.  I have one of the machines that was left in a house on Crystal Springs property.  I have not turned it on. 

The Easters eventually developed the land east of their house into a trailer park that, upon their death, became the property of the Central California Conference. The Easters had no children.

One of the unique individuals who attended church was the Blue Man.  I do not recall his name. My mother explained that he had ingested colloidal silver and it had turned him blue, which colloidal silver will do.   

Red-headed Inella Cornwall, as was Doc Freeman, was married to a non-Adventist. This did not deter her from becoming very active in the church.  She made a positive influence on many people’s lives.

Mr. Gray was a large man who walked with a cane.  He and my mother were talking and the subject of food and food purchases came up.  He told her that since he became an Adventist he found it tiresome and troublesome to pick the pork out of the pork and beans can.  My mother explained to him that it is possible to buy plain beans in a can.  This information was a bolt from blue and most have made life a bit less complicated.

Churches attract all manner of people.  One man who attended church built what he intended to be a knock-off “Noah’s” ark, only a smaller edition.  It stayed in the back yard of the house, the house where Judy Hiat later lived, long after the guy left town.  I do not know the good ships eventual fate.  Water was not part of the exit process, although he did work for a time at Crystal Springs Water, as did numerous other church members.

Miss Bartlett, the church treasurer, had a house on Buchon Street two or three blocks east of the  church.  I made it a practice that whenever I eceived money, I put 10% of the amount in a tithe envelope and deposited the envelope in the offering plate.  Miss Bartlett would write a receipt and give it to me the next Sabbath. The amount was small, 2, 4, 8 or perhaps 10 cents.  Dad suggested I wait until more funds had accumulated.  Miss Bartlett responded that I should not change my habit. She did not mind making out a receipt for small amounts.  Paying tithe, she opined, was a good practice for a young donor.

—Larry Downing

Mustard and Mountains

Faith is wonderful, and we ask God to give us more. Matthew 6 is a chapter of Jesus’ quotes I love, including a popular version of “The Lord’s Prayer.” It also includes Jesus’ comment, “O ye of little faith,” in regards to our worrying about food and clothes. 

In Chapter 10, Jesus speaks well of the centurion who requested He heal his servant by just speaking the word, which didn’t require a visit. Jesus said He had not seen such great faith, not even in Israel. Elsewhere, Peter walked on water, then turned and sank as Jesus commented on his little faith. There are several other instances where large and small measures of faith are mentioned in conjunction with healing. 

But how do you measure faith? If you can move mountains and do the impossible with a mustard seed amount, it’s obviously not a matter of size. I like the working definition of faith as trust. For me, it’s trust in Jesus. How do you measure degrees of trust? Is there incomplete trust? 

I submit that trust is like pregnancy. You either have it or you don’t. You can’t be partially pregnant. Pregnancy is usually about nine months 24/7. When you’re trusting, you either do or you don’t, but unlike pregnancy, you can give faith up by choice. Times of trusting God and times of trusting self are recorded for most, if not all, Bible characters. It is the human condition to embrace both with the option of learning and loving to spend more and more time with Jesus.That’s how we increase our faith—learning to trust him even when we don’t get our way or when Jesus doesn’t get His. That’s how we can move mountains and do the impossible. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a 24/7 faith that would make the transition from Earth to Heaven just one more step toward home? Trust in Jesus one of the things that will qualify our entry. There will be no more night there because the Sun of Jesus will always be shining on us, and time will be no more. Then, God will get His way, and we will get ours. Let’s plan to meet there.

Tops

We are driven to climb to the top of everything, to do our best and survey the rest below. Gold medals, blue ribbons, trophies, and first place prizes are ours. We bask in applause from those left behind. We strive to be tops.

The Son of Man came to serve and not be served. Born in a lowly manger, He was lifted up on a cross atop hill Golgotha. He gave His all and paid our debt so we could have it all, from streets of gold to a crown of glory: symbols of perfected love. He changed the world. He stands as the pivot of history as we reckon time—BC or AD.

So, what should be our quest, knowing those who would be first will be last, and those who would be last will be first? There was only one Mother Teresa. There is only one you. There is only one me. “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.” ‭John 15:13 There is a clarion call today to serve. There is so much pain and division calling for the salve of love.

We are not called to die but to live. We are called to love others as ourselves. We are called to wear masks to save others and ourselves from disease, disability, and death. We are called to physically distance and come together in spirit, following the Leader of compassion who came to serve and not be served. “Love one another as I have loved you.” 

This is the mountain that we will climb today. We will find places where the path is rough, twisted, and steep. We will find winds of delusion and fogs of confusion. We will be tempted to turn back and save ourselves. But we must look up and keep up. The Spirit will lead us to the top. “Choose you this day.” Joshua 24:15

—Larry Smith

The Curve

Life is not always as we expect. Just when we think we have it figured out, it changes. Frustration and disappointment set in. It seems like every week is now packed with a year’s worth of events, and we can’t keep up. We’re tempted to give up.

They say we were never promised a rose garden. Well, I submit we actually were. It’s just not one with thornless roses that never need watering, weeding, and fertilizing. 

Do you recall these words from scripture: “Be not dismayed,” “my peace I give you,” “my yoke is easy,” “the joy of the Lord,” “blessed assurance,” “sweet Savior,” “crown of glory,” “streets of gold,” “no suffering, pain, or death,” “Heaven”? There will be no utility bills and no need for credit cards or bank accounts. Everything will be free—Well, it won’t actually be free; somebody else will have paid it all for us.

All journeys have hills, valleys, twists, and turns as well as viewpoints, rest stops, and service stations. Travel inconveniences become pale memories at journey’s end or after a good night’s rest.

May I encourage you to remember we WERE promised a rose garden with the Rose of Sharon as our chauffeur from beginning to end. Let’s take a deep breath, inhale the perfume, and focus on the joy set before us. Enjoy the view.  Enjoy the ride. Use your telephoto lens to see the future and enlarge the good things. Crop the pictures according to your inspiration. All pictures need some editing.

“Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face” (Psalm‬ ‭5:8‬).

Follow the Sun

None of us are born leaders. Babies are totally dependent on parents for survival and growth. We become followers as we grow and can become influential leaders if we are chosen and if we accept the challenges. As creatures, we must recognize our Creator and our calling.

We can learn to walk by faith and keep our face turned toward the Son. We are precious, fragile creatures of clay that become sturdier as we are cured by staying in His presence. There is work to do. God will do His to enable us to do ours.

We are social creatures, and God has given us friends and companions in our life’s journey. Let us not self-implode but extend our hands to those in our circles of intimacy—family, friends, and strangers. We are given as we give. We are forgiven as we forgive. Let us get together as we are able and in spirit always.

We are blessed to live in these exciting hours of Earth’s history when technology allows us to write, talk, and Zoom almost anywhere, anytime in the world and space. Rise and shine. Our salvation is here, and more of Heaven is just ahead. Hold the hands of those in your world, and follow the Son.

—Larry Smith

Signs in the Sky

The sunset clouds passing over my place one night this week looked like a series of characters in an unfamiliar language—signs in the sky. Mankind has been focused on communicating with intelligent life in space while we grapple with communicating meaningfully with each other here on Earth.

Recently published research from the University of Sheffield has found that the chance of finding Earth-like planets in their early stages of formation is much higher than previously thought. They conclude that there is a possibility of a handful of such planets, but that are light years away.

I’m reminded of Jesus’s comments in Matthew 16 about His generation’s reading weather signs in the sky but not being able to read the signs of the times. Could that apply to us also? Do we grapple with dabbling in space while failing to realize the age in which we live—the age of His second coming? Do we major in minors and minor in majors?

—Larry Smith