My Morning Juice

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Some mornings go easier than others. Some are just downright difficult to get out of bed. Therefore, I love my morning juice, coffee.

Nothing picks me up more than having a few cups of refreshing black coffee. I love my Starbucks House Blend. It has a great taste and just enough caffeine to help me make it through the morning.

I had to make a shot of it. This one came to me that if the coffee beans spilled out of the cup, they could pour out to spell "coffee." The photo turned out just the way I pictured it in my mind.

So, won't you enjoy a cup of coffee with me?

Progress

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Time marches on. Think about how far we've come, technologically, in the past 100 years. 50 years. Things that were "state of the art" just a few years ago, now seem archaic.

I have two daughters, both born in the mid 90s. When I talk about a time when I was my dad's remote for the TV, or before microwaves, not to mention 8-track tapes, I get very odd stares. Those things, which were such a luxury to me when I was a child, now are taken for granted. Imagine, in a few years, people will be saying, "An iPod? Wow! How did you survive?"

Technology is not bad, though. We need to to make our lives easier. It extends our lives, makes them easier, and even helps us reach and interact with the world better than ever before. We just don't need to forget those "days gone by." We should build on them and remember what they taught us about ourselves and our world.

Love

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My 18th wedding anniversary is coming up in just a little over a week. I think back over the last 18 years and realize, it hasn't always been easy. Yet, my wife and I are more in love today than we were on that day in 1989. Why?

I believe it's all those trials and tribulations we've gone through. It's easy to stay in love when things are going great. Those times are easy to hold each other and have those stars in your eyes. But, that's not what real love is all about.

When you go through financial difficulties, illnesses, job losses, all the tough times that this life throws at you, that's when you know if someone will be there forever. Those are the times when you realize just how much someone loves you, and how much you love them.

Today, it seems that so many people are not staying with one another through the tough times. Those times come and they think to themselves, "I didn't sign up for this." They decide it's not worth it. Was it really ever love?

Love is more than a happy feeling we get. Love is more than a desire to jump into bed. Love is more than infatuation and lust. Love is realizing that this person is more important to you than having a good time, all the time. It's about being there for someone and them being there for you.

Pastor JR

Serenity

Some years back we took a vacation to visit family in the Pacific Northwest. My uncle was an avid hiker. He worked third shift and would get off work in the mornings. To unwind he would find a trail through the mountains and hike. Going through the forests, climbing higher and higher really helped him clear his mind.

So, one morning he took us with him on his hike. We found this little trail and started up. By the time we got to the top, the temperature had dropped about 20-25 degrees. We had gone from a moderate morning to snow about mid-thigh deep. At the very top of the trail was an ice covered crater lake. It was a beautiful hike. The trees were so huge that they inspired pure awe. To see them fallen, really made you think about the whole "if a tree falls and no one hears, does it make a noise" question. The size of some of them, I'm sure they made a sound even if no one was there to hear!

At one point, we crossed a little wooden bridge. After crossing, we stopped to take a short breather. I looked back at the bridge. The scene spoke to me of serenity.

Life might get to be quite the madhouse, but somewhere there is a bridge that takes us from that to peace. Each of us need to find that bridge, mark it on our maps of life, and cross it often. It may be the only thing that keeps us sane.

Have Fun and Safe Blogging
Pastor JR

Relaxing Mornings

I thought I would take this blog in a slightly different direction. Since I already post my thoughts and observations in my other blogs, I'll make this one a photo blog. Periodically, I'll post a photo and give some thoughts on that photo. Since I love taking pictures, it will give some insight into me through my eyes and mind.

(clicking photo will take you to my portfolio)

When I took this photo, I was on a retreat with some international students. We went to a little farm in the country for a camping trip. There was a small lake and we had a great time fishing, swimming, playing volleyball, cooking out, etc. I generally wake up early in the morning, and I decided to grab my camera and see what the countryside would provide for me. As I looked up the hill, I saw the sun starting to come up over the hill, behind the barn. I grabbed a few shots and this one stood out.

I love the country. It's so peaceful and quiet, especially in the mornings. The sun, dew and fog created just enough of a "dreamy" state when looking at the barn, it reminded me that we can take a few moments in our lives to slow down and just take in what's around us. We can allow ourselves to get swept away from the hustle and bustle of life and just slow down to a time when life was more than 9 to 5 and bills. Life was about taking time to enjoy every moment, every breath.

Have Fun and Safe Blogging
Pastor JR