a broader view Thursday, April 30, 2009 | 3

Okay, here is a broader view of those same flowers from last post, and I want to explain about this picture. A few years ago, there was a man who had the vision of people putting up crosses in their yard for Christmas. He started making metal cross forms and gave them away to anyone who wanted them; the only rule was you had to keep the cross up and lit until Easter. It was really neat to see as there were crosses in every neighborhood and all over town. You can see the bottom part of Sam and Sue's cross in this picture. They leave theirs up year round as a testament to how amazing God is.

You rock, God! (you too, Sam and Sue)

It's 10pm. Do you know where your flowers are? Tuesday, April 28, 2009 | 3

Okay, for the record, these aren't my flowers. This is from the yard of my friends, Sam and Sue. They always have the greatest looking yard, so Alison and I snuck down the street to their house and took a few pictures tonight.

I saw a shooting star tonight Tuesday, April 07, 2009 | 5

It was kinda late tonight when I saw it. I was driving home on one of my favorite types of nights. Temperatures in the 40s. Deserted streets. Very peaceful and energizing to me. I'm listening to some great music and pulling away from a stop sign when it streaks across the sky in front of me and lasts a whole two seconds.

It was beautiful.

I get all kinds of mixed emotions when I see a shooting star, because it brings back many memories of when I've seen other shooting stars. Suffice to say, I love seeing shooting stars, and tonight this shooting star made me think of this picture. Let me tell you about it.

I was sitting in the Seattle airport about 11 months ago waiting for a flight home. While Alison was buying birthday presents in one of the stores, I sat down on a bench and watched people walk by. I always find myself doing this when I am alone in a public place. And I love praying for the people walking by me. Before long, the camera is out and I am randomly taking shots from between my knees. I wanted crooked pictures without knowing what was in the frame (or even in focus).

I know absolutely nothing about these three men other than we were all in the Seattle airport on May 6, 2008. I don't know where they came from or where they were going. But, 11 months later, I still enjoy praying for them and the shooting star was a reminder of how short life is and how important it is to be the "light of the world" that helps show how incredibly great God is.

Want to know the really cool part about seeing a shooting star tonight? I was listening to Mainstay when I saw it. And my favorite Mainstay song is called Stars are Singing. My immediate prayer was, "Thanks for bring that all together tonight, God!"

Under open skies I leave the day behind
Wonder in my eyes, the world feels so alive
I just speak Your name and my heart seems to change
God of truth and grace, I can only praise You

And the stars are singing out
the glory of Your wondrous love
Heaven's reaching down
to show me all that You have done for me

Healer of my heart, come burn away the dark
Under soft twilight, I can hear your voice tonight

Your name is higher than the Heavens
Your glory fills a million skies
Your heart is reaching down from heaven
and my soul cries out to You