I'll always be the one that is different. This is not always bad. It is actually good. Others may not agree because the norm does not have the patience for those who aren't like them—those who don't fit the mold of their idea of intellect, looks, or processing.

I was born different, but even if I wasn't, I am. I am not of this world. 

When I was six, I heard this verse.

1 John 4:4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

It's good to be different, to have our own thoughts and ideas, a simple childlike faith that trusts what matters. To be different is to respect, to be kind, to see good in everyone, to help, to cry for those lifted in prayer. Being different is knowing that our worthiness comes from Christ, who hung on a cross to redeem us. Jesus was different. He was not of the world, yet he loved the people enough to bear our worldly ways.

It's good to be different!

Throughout the day, we hear the male Cardinal banging against the window.

We often find ourselves banging our heads against the wall. We can learn from the Cardinal. 

In spring, all birds are staking out territories. ... When a cardinal happens to see its reflection in your window or car mirror, it sees another bird – and that's just not allowed! 

Windows and mirrors are reflective, even the one in our mind. We see our problems; Satan makes sure of that! It doesn't change the situation to beat ourselves up. 

A Cardinal does not hit the window repeatedly with its head, but with its feet. Feet in action over mind games. When we are in a place in life that is difficult, we must become action bearers, helping, and doing for others. The mind plays games; serving others is the real joy.

The Cardinal is claiming his area for his lady and babies. He is protective. We need to be protective of the relationships God has called us to, the ministry He leads us in. In Revelation 3:16, we read about being either hot or cold, not lukewarm. 

The Cardinal is passionate about protecting his family. He is always watching. When you see her or babies, he is close by watching.

This is how God is, always watching, always ready to protect. We must simply seek him. Don't over complicate things. Have childlike faith and trust.

Today I was having a conversation with a longtime business owner, and we were talking about the word, pivot. Since COVID19 began, the businesses that have found the best success created a pivot, a turn, a new focus, and created a new way of getting their products in the hands of the consumer.

Turning away from what will no longer work and focusing on what we need to do to survive has been good for us. Some real blessings have come from this ordeal. We are resilient. We may get knocked about in the sea of uncertainty, but we find a way to protect our ship.

When something isn't working for us in our lives. Pivot! Turn from it into the one who calms the seas.

Mark 4:35-41,

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down, and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Ephesians 6:10-18

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

The Grackle is a beautiful bird. Its song is similar to other birds as it mimics the sounds around it. The Grackle waits patiently to eat after others are at the end of their feeding times. They eat many things from nuts to fruits to fish to insects, including ants. They are a fairly new bird in the history o birds, called an "Americas" bird. There is a group though that prefers them as the State Bird of Texas instead of the current Mockingbird.

They are criticized for the mess they leave. Many do not like their direct yellow-green beaded eyes. I don't think we can deny they are beautifully created with fabulous feathers. To most, they look black. When you take time to look more closely, they are blue with iridescent shimmer in the sunshine. They are a beautiful bird.

In architecture, each of the small, rectangular blocks -- think of a row of teeth -- under the bed-molding of the cornice in the Ionic, Corinthian, Composite, and sometimes Doric, designs. In woodworking, smaller in scale, but with a similar location, just below the cornice. In the 18th-century, from Greek, Roman, and Renaissance sources, Robert Adam (1728-1792), the Scottish architect and furniture designer, introduces over 100 ornaments, including the dentil, to furniture design. However, Charles Hayward claims that dentils are a feature of the Jacobean design, which makes dentils in use in Britain between 1603 and 1660.

When we built our home back in the 1990s, I knew I wanted dentil molding (think of big teeth). I had to be out of town when they got to this phase of construction. When I returned, I found that they had hand-cut over 700 pieces of perfectly matched in size squares to create one of my favorite artisan aspects of our home, the crown molding.

Our open area from front to back & around back to the front again brings a smile to my face when I think about the wonderful men who created this beauty. You can buy this molding already formed, but it isn't the same. 

There is a depth of feeling and emotion released from the artisans represented in each square. Every square is glued, and one single nail holds it in place.

A dentil pattern is generally between two moldings and intended for decorative effect by the alternation of light.

As I look at each small square around our living area, I am thankful that I am free to live for Christ. We are called as disciples to reach the people in the Name of Jesus. Think of each square as representing those that God has called us to touch in some way. There are over 700 represented here. How are we doing?

In Matthew 4:16-20, we read ...

Jesus Calls His First (and us as) Disciples

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once, they left their nets and followed him.

Are we willing?

He bore the nail for each one of us. A beautiful reflection of Light!!!

The definition of discard is something that is found to no longer be useful or desirable. I believe that there are times in our lives where we feel like we are no longer useful. It is important to feel valued in our lives. Our worthiness comes from Christ, and this is our foundation. We must be sure it is strong because many people live lives where they are never encouraged or are not included. I don't feel this is intentional. I think it becomes easy to ignore. It is hard to include others into the equation of relationships. We are too busy to see that there is brokenness all around us.

Did any of you traveling down Olton Road see the cap that was stuck in traffic? This week as I went to and fro...wherever that was, I noticed this cap. When I first saw it in the north lane, it was flat and dirty. Then, throughout the week, it was in different places along the stretch of Olton Road between Ennis and the Interstate. 

This morning, I noticed it again. It was at the intersection of Grandview Drive and Olton Road. As I looked down at it, I thought that the hat simply needed to get picked up. I got out and picked it up. It was filthy and looked tired.

I took it home, sanitized it, washed it, and let it dry. That's all it needed was someone to care. Now, it is ready to go to one of our non-profit downtown resale stores to get to a new home to feel valued with a purpose!

Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Romans 15.7

Back in the days, 1975, a wedding! Carlos McLeod, the guys and the bride. Forty-five years sneaking up on us!!!

The thing I do is take pictures. I take pictures because of a deep-rooted desire to worship God through his creation. I want to see the beauty in everything and everyone. In nature, you know the artist alive. God blesses me every day with the colors of the world where I live. I want to inspire others to do the same, slow down, take the time to revel in the love of God through the garden he has planted all around us.

I have witnessed so many doing this, especially the last couple of months. Even when you don't take pictures, notice things, look for things that allow worship. Today, friend, Joe Barerra, alerted me to an owl. God caught his attention, and he recognized the beauty and shared it.

What a conversation this owl and I had!

When I was little, I wanted to be just like you. You had such a pretty smile. You had long flowing hair. You had lots of friends. You were smart. The teachers liked you. I watched every one of you, but I did not understand why I could not be like you.

As I got older, I wanted to be just like you. You had such a pretty smile. You had long flowing hair. You had lots of friends. You were smart. The teachers liked you. You were popular. You talked about boys. I watched every one of you. I did not understand why I could not be like you.

I grew in my faith. I uncovered the truth of my Aspergers' exceptionality. As I have gotten older, I have grown to appreciate myself in God's design. I still watch you. You have such a pretty smile. You have long flowing hair. You have lots of friends. You are smart. Everyone likes you. You are so Godly. Your family is beautiful. I watch every one of you. I do understand why I can't be like you, and I am happy in Jesus. I see goodness in each of you. I'm excited for you, proud of you, and want to encourage you to remain strong in the blessings of friendships.

God has richly blessed me with precious people that ebb and flow through my journey. If you are one, thank you.