Categories
Noteworthy Events

Website Reformation

Bronze-Luther-Statue

On October 31st the Lenoir-Rhynes’ Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary unveiled a bronze statue of Mr. Luther to celebrate this year’s anniversary of the Reformation. It depicts him singing hymns to his wife and child (their statue is in the commissioning stage). It is a beautiful sculpture full of a symbolism associated with Luther. Like him or not, he has had a profound influence on our history, culture, and individual lives. Life would not be as we know it today if it were not for him, and others like him, who brought about the Reformation.

We recently “reformed” our site to a new format. Although we don’t expect it will change anyone’s life or have a profound influence on our culture, we hope you like the new look. Enjoy the images in our portfolio. Feel free to make comments, to “Like” us on your social sites, and to share us with your friends in other ways.

Numerous clients have enjoyed our previous design for many years. It can retire knowing that it served us well and “died with its boots on.”
AID-ad-desktop

Categories
Lessons From Nature

Butterflies

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Caught these two “love bugs” in my back yard enjoying the flowers. I like butterflies because they remind me of the ongoing transformation God is doing in my life. They remind me of 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

Categories
Family Life & Health

Fall Family Fun

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This past weekend we enjoyed a short family visit to Looking Glass Rock just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is always a challenge for us to get away like this due to our differing busy schedules. So this was a special time for us.

We always enjoy the ride to the mountains. There is always the anticipation of when we will first get a glimpse of the mountains in the distance. When it happens there is always a sense of relief . . . as if we got a glimpse of home. When we get there we always wonder why it has taken us so long to come back . . . and even why we are not living here? It’s like returning to Narnia and breathing air that rejuvenates you and makes you feel healthy and strong.

Evening Dinner Portrait

We enjoyed a nice evening meal outside a cafe at the base of the mountains, drove up to the parkway after dark, and then hiked to the top of one mountain. We had hoped to pitch a tent and spend the night, but it was so windy that we couldn’t. I lost my hat and almost lost my glasses. We hiked back down to our vehicle, drove to find a secluded place, got our ground cover and sleeping bags out . . . and then we laid back and marveled at the numerous stars that we normally cannot see.

Sleeping Under The Stars

We awoke to the sound of hunting dogs and found out they were tracking black bears! After getting over the idea of being “bear bait”, we ate breakfast, watched a glorious sunrise, and began our trek exploring the vistas along the parkway. We eventually reached our destination of Looking Glass Rock. After a challenging hike, we were rewarded with the amazing view seen below.

View From Looking Glass Rock, NC

The image doesn’t reveal just how intimidated you feel at that location. The gigantic rock surface drops off in front of you to such a degree, your first instinct is to either sit down or back up! That is what the group in front of us did. You realize anew how small you are and how vulnerable. After a few moments, you get a little more comfortable and daring like the people in the distance. You secretly wish you were an eagle so you could freely play in the scene before you.

We were like horses returning to the stables on the hike down. The descending incline just kept pulling us along. The youngest among us kept having to stop to wait for Mary Anne and I to catch up. Our dog, Pippin, seemed to have endless energy and enthusiasm. He was asleep within 5 minutes after we returned to our vehicle.

Rest In Woods Portrait

Such adventures are always too short, but we are truly thankful for them. Now we are back to our normal world and busy schedules. We are looking forward to our next adventure.

Categories
Lessons From Nature

Lunar Eclipse

Lunar-Eclipse

Susanna and I got up this morning to catch a glimpse of the moon’s performance. Our view was somewhat hampered by the inner city lights and our location in a small field lined with towering trees. Nevertheless, we enjoyed the experience and the beauty of such a spectacular event.

Lunar eclipses remind me of my relationship with God. The moon revolves around the earth and routinely passes under its shadow. It’s central focus is the earth. It is bound to the earth’s magnetic pull. I am bound to God in a similar way. He created me, sustains me, and causes me to focus on Him. I cannot escape Him. He is meant to be the center of my life . . . and whenever I truly am under His shadow, I reflect the glory of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.