this tattered old town

in and around
this tattered old town
nestled in the state
of my mind
taking a stroll
on the pathways
through my soul
standing on the corner
i see memories
of younger days
melodies of different ways
on a street named regret
at the corner of joy
looking for an answer or two
reaching for something true
since i was a boy
acceptance
forgiveness
and gratitude
my heart yearns
for something more
than the sum total
of my days
so i set my gaze
on things above
the unseen real
unfailing love
and i wait
and choose to be still
as the sun
settles down
on this old tattered town
i welcome
the end of this day
knowing it is the only way
to a new dawn
another pathway
hidden in the Light
safe in Him
i rise
i am safe in Him
i’ll rise

all around me

the last goodbye is coming soon
at least sooner than i every knew
trusting that the Light behind me
will be above me
beneath me
before me
all around me

still walking on this road with you
still leaving shadows behind
don’t want to be swallowed up
by all the wrong
the things i said
the things i’ve done
in Your love
those shadows flee
they are gone
in the Light of Your love

this life is long
and yet we know
the yesterdays are longer still
a line called life
stretches behind me
so i'm making a new yesterday
today

looking before me along the way
faith and hope and love will stay
so let me walk along this road
to the Light
in the Light
this burden is light
with You
behind me
above me
beneath me
before me
inside me
all around
me

golden end

golden end

Can’t think of a better way to end a day…..

by a st lucia road

by a st lucia road

I enjoyed taking a 2.5 mile walk on my recent trip to St. Lucia, mostly because it was much easier than taking the 2.5 mile run! The volcanic island of Saint Lucia is more mountainous than many other Caribbean islands, so you are almost constantly going up or down, making running a bit more challenging that running here in the plains of the Mid West.

cross the bridge

5 mile bridge again

cross the bridge

or stay right here

i’m scared

i’m not so sure

if I can

cross the bridge

i’m okay

right here

right now

what if

i mean

what if

i cross

the bridge

take my hand

lets go

 

 

 

gotta love the Midwest

This is a short walk from my home. I am originally from New York, so, it took me along time to get over not living near an ocean (actually, I am still not over that!), not being able to bum around Manhattan, and, no mountains. It is VERY flat around here, however, over time, I have come top appreciate the 360 degree horizon, beautiful skies. This is the first of two shots taken moments apart that are examples of beautiful skies.
This is a short walk from my home. I am originally from New York, so, it took me a long time to get over not living near an ocean (actually, I am still not over that!), not being able to bum around Manhattan, and, no mountains. It is VERY flat around here. However, over time, I have come to appreciate the 360 degree horizon and the beautiful skies. This is the first of two shots taken moments apart that are examples of beautiful skies.

5 Mile Bridge

1wet134t

Before I post a couple of portraits I wanted to share another shot of what has become a favorite spot of mine to photograph. I have posted other images of 5 Mile Bridge here, and  here. I have been riding my bicycle quite a bit this year, and this bridge is about 14 miles from my house. This bridge – and the barns nearby – is special to me. I love the sense of history and forgotten tales that I find here. The old barns particularly point back to days when the prairies were a little younger, and life a bit simpler. I use this bridge to remind me that I have committed to pray for a family, so, it has become a kind of sanctuary on my journey. Finally, it’s the whole process of riding that I just love: seeing the country go by, the wonder of how a familiar place can take on such varying characteristics and feel so different as the weather and seasons change, and yet remain familiar, and therefore somewhat comforting, each time I visit. And that’s enough of my musings for today…