Monday Video–Human Dummy

If any of you have ever aspired to be a human ventriloquist dummy, here is what your experience would be.

Enjoy.

Sunday Reflection–Trust

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

The psalmist used the word ‘batach’ for trust and it literally means to search for a refuge.  In the New Testament Jesus said,

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.“ (John 14:1-2)

The Greek here for trust is ‘pisteuo’ which literally means to have faith in, to entrust.  On a more worldly note, Walter Anderson, a painter from the first part of the 20th century said,

“We’re never so vulnerable than when we trust someone – but paradoxically, if we cannot trust, neither can we find love nor joy.”

Search for refuge, have faith in, entrust, being vulnerable – it seems to me that all three are saying very similar things.  When we trust, truly trust, we open ourselves to something or that someone – we become vulnerable which means we may be hurt if the thing or person lets us down.

When I board an airplane, I’m putting my trust in the skills and experiences of the pilot and co-pilot.  Needless to say I’m pretty vulnerable if they let me down (literally).

For 49 years, 6 years of dating and 43 years of marriage, I have put my trust in Betty.  Not being perfect, there have been times she has let me down – very rarely – just as I have let her down in those times when I came up short – usually more often.  Yet, the goal of our lifetime commitment to each other has helped us both get past those few times.  As a result our trust continues to grow along with our corresponding love for and joy in each other.

On a larger scale, putting our trust in God makes us the most vulnerable.  We turn away from the things of the world to trust in Jesus to turn toward eternal things.  This kind of trust often has a cost as family and friends often don’t understand what we have done.  Yet, this ultimate trust brings the greatest love and the greatest joy we can ever know.

Over the years I have learned that my relationship with Sugar, my Rocky Mountain Horse mare, is a lot like my relationship with Betty and with God.  We have learned and are still learning to trust each other.  It has taken time and patience on both our sides as we have both made mistakes – but it has been worth it.  When we are in sync, truly trusting each other, we find great joy in each other.

Here’s an example of extreme trust between a rider and her horse.  The young girl’s name is Beka and her horse’s name is Stormy.  They are riding in the qualifying round of the Extreme Cowboy Race at the Equine Affaire in Columbus, Ohio in April, 2010.

Watch as they go through the various challenges and pay special attention to the announcer just past the three minute mark to understand how trust plays such a big part in their relationship and how that trust brings love and joy to both of them.

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In case you didn’t catch it Stormy is completely blind – talk about trust.  I have much to learn.

(PS: Go Steelers – but I won’t be disappointed if Green Bay wins.)

A Few More Snow Pictures

Here are a few more snow pictures of some of our animals during our snowy cold days.

Our hawk came back on Thursday and sat on the ground for the first time.  Usually he sits on the seed holder or on the wall or on the bush.  He sat there for a long time.

Then he flew off.


The last picture is Morgunn catching some ZZZZs as he warms in the morning sun after a cold night.

Friday Funny–Do You Believe in UFOs?

This is not funny, but a little weird. Normally, I’m pretty skeptical about UFO reports.  However, on January 28 three different people – one of them a woman from Mississippi who was visiting Jerusalem - shot videos of the same thing.

The video starts with just one of the videos and adds the other two.  Watch as a ‘light’ hovers over the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, then it drops down to just above it and then rises extremely fast.

Maybe Maulder was right – the truth is out there.

Sunshine and Blue Sky

Finally, the snow has moved out and we have our New Mexico sunshine and blue sky back.  It’s still cold as a well digger’s belt buckle, but the sun and blue skies help.

Bunnies, Birds and Brrrrrrrr!

Another cold, snowy day.

If the snow and cold are getting to you here’s one way to stay warm – go head-banging heavy metal.

Hungry Visitor on a Snowy Day

We had our resident hawk check out our courtyard this snowy morning.  I suspect he/she is pretty hungry.