Not Everything Is As It Seems

Fools Gold 3
Originally uploaded by mike52ad

The glitter of this rock captures the ambient light and we see a nugget of pure gold weight about one ounce, value as of 3/31/10, $1,114.00. But glitter as it might what is glittering so bright is an ounce of iron pyrite, fools gold, worth about $1.00 retail.

What we hear about the Catholic Church is of similar ilk. True, some renegades did the unthinkable and molested children and they should have been punished for it. True, some leaders kept it secret and that too was wrong.

But what people are trying to do, with the help of Satan is to discredit the Church completely. This they cannot do for the Church derives its holiness not from its leaders or members but from Christ himself. The devil knows that he has to defeat the Church in these last days or he will be forever defeated. Alas, Christ's victory has already been won. He has promised that the Church will be protected by the Holy Spirit until the end of time.

So I advise enemies of the Church to stifle their glee becasue the Church that Christ founded and protects will not be so easily disposed of.

Skeleton

Skeleton
Originally uploaded by mike52ad

Norhing is permanent. All too soon blue skys turn gray and life's fragile hold is shaken loose and all that remains is dry bleached bones. Will the winter never end? Will the sun never heat the fertile ground so that life once again flows into ancient bones?

Winter too has invaded my very soul. There seems to be no hope or happiness and I pray that the Lord send the sun to warm me. I crave but a word of comfort, a touch of healing, a small display of His love for me as I sit here. I am tired, my bones ache.

My dear Lord, I know you carry much for me. I know you suffered greatly for me. Sweet Jesus, touch me, heal me, I am in distress and need you so much, come to me my aid. But my dear friend, if what I am feeling is to be endured to the betterment of my soul, then I accept it as a gift. Amen

Pebbles in The Sand

Pebbles in The Sand
Originally uploaded by mike52ad

The wind blew and uncovered these rocks in the sand. It used brute force to expose beauty.

I am so tired. I try hard and get absolutely nowhere. No matter what I do or say, it doesn't seem to matter. My photographs are not looked at, my words are not read. I feel as if I am in the midst of a desert and even if I yell at the top of my voice, it goes unheard by anyone.

I am so tired of trying so hard. I see others and things just seem to fall their way. I understand that I am better off than 98% of the world and I thank God for his mercy to me. Sometimes I wish though that something would happen that would prove that my work has meaning, my pictures add to the beauty of the earth, that my words have moved someone. I do not ask for riches or power, just acknowledgement that I am and that I matter.

Start Every Day with Breakfast

Start Every Day with Breakfast
Originally uploaded by mike52ad

A Plain and Simple Breakfast should start each day. When I was younger, it would have been AlphaBits Cereal (the only sugary cereal my mother would allow) or yuk Cherios - for me they taste like cardboard - or the ever popular Malt-O-Meal or Farina. Actuall I've always liked hot cereals. When I got older, I might grab a set of Pop Tarts - one of the most sugar laden breakfasts in the world - mom's read the package - you're killing your kids! Then as an young adult, breakfast would be coffee and sometimes a sweetroll - Today I start my day with the assortment of pills you see above. Once you hit 50 you are rewarded with more medications. Actually most of what you are seeing above are vitiamins, and a couple of aspirin. But there are some serious meds in there as well. Anyway, since I am watching what I eat, I wonder if these pills add any calories to my diet?

Winter Beach

Winter Beach
Originally uploaded by mike52ad

WInter holds the land in its icy grip,
Frost on frost, snow on snow,
Cold days and colder nights
Yet the fire of God's love glows brightly
Our hearts are warmed by his dignity,
Life pauses under ice and snow
Waiting to be revived by the
Sun's warm glow.