Page 152 was the dreaded “travel home from vacation” day.  While I don’t really like to see our time away come to an end, I do enjoy being home so it really wasn’t all that dreaded. 🙂  I was awake early again for some final sunrise photos over the water and a last walk along the gulf beach for this trip.  Then it was time to try to make everything fit back into the suitcases and pack up the car — double and triple checking everywhere to make sure we didn’t leave anything behind.  

We had a little time between check-out and needing to be at the airport so we made a quick stop for our traditional “last day of vacation” photo and then went to a county park to walk and take some photos.  Today’s photo is of a young alligator that was one of several we saw at the park.  As I watched them, and then saw one of the adult alligators swimming out in the lake, I thought about how much they change as they grow.  Stories abound of people who find them as babies and think they are cute, so they take them home only to abandon them in public waters somewhere when they grow and mature and the cuteness turns to dangerous.  That’s often how sin takes hold in our life.  We start with what seems like just a small thing, that at the time appears cute.  But as it grows and matures, it is no longer cute at all but rather it becomes a sin that can completely devour us unless we remove it from our presence.

After our visit to the park, we ate lunch then headed to the airport where we began the process of checking our bags, going through security, and waiting for the flight.  While there are plenty of things that could easily frustrate a person on either side of the counter through that entire process, choosing a pleasant attitude sees to be the most productive for all involved.  As in our trip to begin our vacation, this return process seemed to go as smoothly as expected and we were boarding the plane without waiting very long at any point in the process.  The flight home had a brief “bumpy” time, but overall was smooth and did what was expected — got us from point A to point B safely and in an appropriate amount of time.  I believe life is a similar journey as we choose to live in Christ.  Choosing a pleasant attitude, or as Paul puts it, “learning to be content in all circumstances”, goes a long way toward making the journey enjoyable for all involved.  Yes, there may be some “bumpy” spots in life, but the goal is to reach our eternal home safely and at “just the right time”.

As I reflect on the day, here are some thoughts/lessons that stand out to me:

• The same God that calls us to rest also calls us to work.  The key is to find a healthy balance between the two.
• While I may enjoy this journey on earth, I realize that one day it will end.  But that’s okay because I also long to be home with God.
• Bad behavior that is laughed at as “cute” in a two year old quickly becomes obnoxious behavior when it persists into adult life.
• It is easier to remove temptations form our life when they are thoughts — before they mature and give birth to sin which desires to devour us.
• Our attitude is a major component as to what kind of journey we will have on this earth.  
• Our attitude is influenced by many things but in the end, we choose what attitude we will have.
• The journey won’t always be as smooth as you would like and may even take some detours but when you keep your mind fixed on your destination, you learn to accept the journey for what it is.

Page 151 was a relaxing day following Susan’s massive seizure the evening before.  I don’t think any of us slept well, but I was still up early to go out and photograph a beautiful sunrise and some early morning scenes.  Susan woke up happy and doing well, so we headed back to Fort De Soto Park to walk the pier, that we didn’t make it to the evening before, and look for dolphin.  We found one that was playing around the pier and having fun with the fishermen.  Those fishing for large fish would use small fish as bait, and the dolphin would grab it and pull it under the pier before slipping the fish off the line for himself and leaving the fisherman with an empty hook.  Others would come up in boats and cast nets to catch “bait fish” . . . the same fish that the dolphin was there to eat. 🙂  If those casting the net weren’t paying attention, and sometimes even if they were, the dolphin would take advantage of someone collecting a group of fish together and have his meal along with the bottom of the net. 🙂

We spent the rest of the morning watching the dolphin while enjoying the beautiful weather on the pier.  As lunch time approached, we left the park and stopped for some more of the “cookie tray” seafood platters.  After our seafood feast, we rested for a while before MJ headed to the beach and Susan and I eventually made our way to the pool.  By evening, we decided to head back to Fort De Soto for the sunset as it would be a different scene than what we’ve been photographing at the beach across the street.  There was still a dolphin out playing with the fishermen and the sunset was stunning as it dropped into the gulf.  While we were watching and photographing the sunset, a man hooked a small fish on his line and asked if Susan wanted to reel it in so she could catch a fish.  She agreed to do that and then wanted to hold the fish once it was in. 🙂

We did some photographing of the pier after the sun set, and eventually decided that our last night of this vacation would have to end sometime so we headed back to our room.  We each started through the photos we had taken throughout the day before eventually deciding it was time to sleep and the rest of the photos would have to wait until we make it home.

As I reflect on the day, here are some thoughts/lessons that stand out to me:

• Sometimes you need to rest and sometimes you need to just keep going.  Wisdom is knowing correctly which time you are currently at. 
• When plans don’t work out, it is good to evaluate whether it was a good plan at the wrong time or simply a bad plan.  If it was a good plan, keep looking for the right time.  If it was a bad plan, discard it and move on.
• Just as in fishing for fish, when fishing for men it is good to be aware of the dangers that exist before you cast your net.
• It is much easier to be content when you are helping others find enjoyment.
• If you’re letting your light shine, don’t worry too much about the darkness.  Your light will appear brighter when surrounded by darkness than it does when surrounded by light.

Wow, what a day!  Page 150 began with a peaceful and relaxing morning and eventually ended with sort of a return to that, but the in between was filled with excitement — both the good kind and the not so welcome excitement.  Today’s photo of the day is a reminder that sometimes you just have to dive in head first and pray for the best.  Now granted, it helps if you know what you’re doing or at least what you expect to accomplish.  This pelican was fishing and his diving in head first was intentional and for a purpose . . . he wanted a meal! 🙂  

The morning began somewhat cloudy so I went back to sleep for a little while after seeing that the sunrise wouldn’t be visible . . . at least not in the way I wanted to photograph.  I did go out a and shoot a few early morning photos after the sun had made an appearance an hour or so after the official sunrise time.  It was peaceful and beautiful and I didn’t have to worry about people walking into my photos . . . there weren’t any out!  Eventually we decided to head up the road a ways to see about taking a boat ride out to look for dolphins.  We had lunch and then went out for a very enjoyable ride on Little Toot — a wonderful little tugboat that we’ve been out on in years past and always enjoyed the trip.  This trip was no exception as we had a great ride and took some good dolphin photos from the boat.

After our exciting boat trip, we headed to the beach to relax and swim in the very warm gulf water.  As evening approached, we decided to head down to Fort De Soto Park to see if we could find some dolphin playing around the pier.  Our first stop at the park was on a loop with a view of the Sunshine Skyway.  We stopped and took a few photos of the bridge and a variety of birds that had gathered.  As we left there and headed to the pier area a minute away, Susan had a seizure that turned into one of her big ones.  This excitement wasn’t the welcome kind as her post-seizure state from these major ones looks rather wild and out of control.  It looks that way because that is exactly what it is.  After fighting to come back from the seizure for half an hour or so, and a visit by a park ranger, Susan was calm enough to get her into the car and head back to the room.  On the way back, a little over an hour after the seizure began, she eventually reached the calm and sorrowful stage and was happy to rest peacefully on the couch when we got to the room.  As she settled in for a good rest, I headed over to walk the beach with my camera where I could finish the day and unwind.  

As I reflect on the day, here are some thoughts/lessons that stand out to me:

• Excitement comes in many forms.
• Diving in head first can get you what you want, but it can also get you killed.  It is wise to known the what, why, and how of your diving before you simply jump in.
• Even when the view isn’t what you want, it is still possible to see beauty if you look for it.
• I enjoy adventure, but I tend to go with what I know and have already tried than to take a chance on something new.
• There is great beauty in watching God’s creation swim alongside you boat and playfully leap out of the water.
• You don’t know what tomorrow will bring, let alone what the next moment will hold for you.  Make the most of every opportunity.
• Their are often many unpleasant storms in life but after the storm is over, no matter how long it takes, there will be peace and rest.

Page 148 ended up being a long day, so it is another page that I’m writing the next morning.  We were up early for a 2 1/2 hour drive to go to church with an aunt and uncle then visit with them for part of the afternoon.  It was a good worship gathering and Susan was happy to sing, take communion, and give an offering as part of her worship.  She loves “going to church” and she loves being able to give.  As in many areas of her life, it is another example of what I believe Jesus meant when He said we must become as little children to inherit the kingdom of God.  It is difficult for most people to give when they don’t think they have anything to give or they don’t trust that they will have anything for themselves later if they give now.  Susan wants to give and trusts fully that she will continue to be cared for.  While testing God is generally not a good thing, giving is one area that God told His people to test Him in.  But I really think it becomes more of a test of us than of God.  To give cheerfully and generously, and joyfully will reveal a trust in God, and His provision and care, that cannot be shaken by circumstances.

The sermon for the morning concluded a series the preacher was doing for the month of May using different women of the Bible.  Today’s application was focused around learning from the wife of Pilate.  While there is not a lot known about her, we read in scripture that she tried to convince her husband to have nothing to do with the condemning of the innocent man, Jesus.  Because her concern was the result of a dream in which she “suffered a great deal”, the sermon focused on visions and dreams in regard to our listening to God.  As we looked at scripture, the  bottom line for the church age is that God’s Word is authoritative and the final answer.  God  has put His Spirit in us and His desire is for mankind to be in relationship with Him, so we ought to expect communication to take place in one manner or another.  Whether He speaks to you or I in visions and dreams, or not, His communication will always be consistent with Scripture.  

After the church service, we had lunch and then visited for a while before we said goodbye and headed for the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse on the Atlantic Ocean.  It was a beautiful lighthouse complex and the lighthouse itself was open to be able to climb the stairs to the top and look out over the ocean.  When I think about the construction of this lighthouse, which was completed in 1887, I marvel at the ingenuity of mankind.  Several lives were lost in the construction process, yet they continued knowing that many others would be saved as a result of the lighthouse.  For me, that thought was a good application to the prayer guide I wrote for this week about sacrificial service.  God calls us to follow the example of Jesus who gave up everything so that others, you and I, could be saved.

As I reflect on the day, here are some thoughts/lessons that stand out to me:

• Meeting around the Lord’s Table for remembrance and worship ought to feel like family no matter where you are.
• Giving can be joyful when you trust your Father to provide even that which you are giving.
• Faith can be seen in action by watching a child who is loved and cared for.
• God can use a variety of means to warn us that we are headed for trouble.  
• God’s Word should be our straight edge that we align everything to.
• Sacrificial service ought to be the way of life for a Christian.
• We will begin to make a kingdom difference when we live like Jesus and are willing to lay down our lives so that others would be saved.

Today’s page began early as I woke up to the sounds of Susan having a seizure sometime in the wee hours of the morning.  While it lasted for a while, it wasn’t major — at least as far as her seizures go.  Once she was through the seizure and back asleep, I went back to sleep for a little while but still made it up to catch the sunrise and some early morning photos.  Eventually we were all awake at the same time and went for a walk which included a lunch stop at Subway.  

The afternoon was spent at the beach with the help of a wonderful beach umbrella.  Susan and I were both able to get some rest under the shade of the umbrella.  I don’t mind getting a good tan, but age has brought a wisdom that realizes the top of my feet will burn if I don’t protect them from the sun.  So while Susan laid under the umbrella, I sat at the edge so I could soak in the sun’s rays while keeping my feet shaded.  I did venture away from the umbrella at times so I could fly my kite, swim in the gulf, and shoot some photos of the waves as they rolled into shore.  Eventually we left the beach so I could grill some chicken for dinner before returning to the beach for the sunset.  But the umbrella picture stuck with me as I thought about the protection that God offers to us through the instruction of His Word and the counsel of His Spirit.  

As I reflect on the day, here are some thoughts/lessons that stand out to me:

• I’m sure seizures take a toll on the person having them, but they also take a toll on those who care.
• Some days I think I need a reset button for my internal clock but God rewarded me with great beauty by getting up at my regular time this morning.
• God has given me a reset button for my mind — it’s called prayer and His Word.  I need to use it more often.
• Just as the body need good nutrition to fuel its intended purposes, so the soul needs spiritual nutrition to fuel its intended purposes.
• Sometimes we get burnt in our spirit because we choose to walk away from the protection of God’s Word and the counsel of His Spirit.
• A maturing Christian realizes the benefit of dwelling under the umbrella of God’s presence.
• Experience doesn’t always lead to wisdom.  Our application of the experience tells whether it produced wisdom or not.

Page 146 began with some sunrise photos then we headed out in search of some dolphin to photograph.  We have usually found them to be rather playful under the pier at the Fort De Soto park, so we made the drive down to see what we could find.  Unfortunately, we found no sign of dolphin at the park nor in the waterways leading up to, and surrounding, the park.  There was, however, plenty to photograph and enjoy during our visit.  It seems the cold front that brought the high winds and storms on Wednesday stirred up the water so that it is still full of suspended sand and dirt, keeping the dolphin more mobile as they search for food.  

After visiting the park, we stopped at a “beach store” so I could buy a kite to fly on the beach.  There is usually enough of a breeze coming in off the water to put a kite in the air and relax as it soars overhead.  After a very good seafood lunch, they brought the seafood combo platter out on a half-sheet cookie tray, we went to the beach where I was able to literally go fly a kite. 🙂  Eventually we took a break from the beach and went swimming in the pool before grilling hamburgers for dinner.  Hearing Christians tear down the authority of God’s Word as not being applicable, or not being understood correctly, made more sense as I watched the posted rules at the pool being disregarded and heard a child explaining to her mom why the rules didn’t apply to what she was doing.  Eventually a group of women showed up with speech that was entirely inappropriate for any setting, but being surrounded by children and adults didn’t seem to bother them.

Today’s photo kind of fits that mindset.  I found the birds standing on top of the sign to be interesting, but more telling of our culture is that the sign sets the boundaries for where swimming is allowed in the park.  Not that it made a lot of difference as there were people swimming all along the shoreline in either direction from the sign.  The first temptation to mankind was the serpent asking, “Did God really say?”.  The enemy continues to use that same question because it works so well.  As a culture we believe we are so much smarter than any generation prior to us, so we “know” God really didn’t say what the generations before us have believed He said.  Yes, it is possible to become Pharisaical in regards to legalism being the way to God, but it is also just as dangerous to empty the Word of God of its power which is the only way to be saved.  The same Jesus that said, “Your sins are forgiven.” also said, “If you love me, you will keep my commands.”  Perhaps we would do well to pay more attention to the little things that lead us into a lifestyle of disobedience before we find our self disobeying the “weightier matters”.

As I reflect on the day, here are some thoughts/lessons that stand out to me:

• Just because something worked in the past, doesn’t mean it will work today — but it might, so it still may be worth trying.
• When circumstances change so that what you are trying doesn’t work, it is time to find out what does work.
• Sometimes we all need to just “go fly a kite”.  Find something that is enjoyable and relaxing and just take the time to do it.
• Little things matter because they reveal our heart.
• Disobedience can easily become a lifestyle if we don’t put effort into taking every thought captive to the Word of God.
• Choosing to obey ought to be a response of love toward a God who first loved us.

Page 145 was a great family day that was full of good things right up to the end, so I’m writing this page the next morning. 🙂  The day began with the sky full of clouds and a steady breeze coming off the water.  We spent the morning at a county park and a botanical garden where, between the two, there were plenty of photo opportunities — including the photo that made today’s page.  While we were out, the clouds cleared and the sun came out to brighten the day.  We came back “home” for lunch and then finally made it to the pool.  After we had soaked in a fair amount of sun, we headed out for a late afternoon walk which resulted in ice cream for dinner.  Our evening was spent relaxing at the beach as we photographed the setting sun.  It is nice that we have a common hobby.  One of the ladies around us, who was also taking photos, commented that it looked like we had a competition going.  I told her, “no, just both of us doing something we enjoy.”  After the sun had set, it was back to the room to go through the 400 photos I had taken during the day.  My basic photo editing doesn’t work on the computer I have with me, so it was just time spent enjoying them as I browsed through looking for favorites and ideas for future photos.

Today’s photo was taken at the botanical gardens and it reminds me of how easy it is for things to bug me.  There are a lot of things in life that have the ability to “get under our skin” and bug us if we allow them to.  Yet many of those same things can help us to grow and become more effective in our walk with God if we would only learn from them.  Insects are not a favorite creature of mine, unless they’re butterflies, as a good number of them “bug” me.  Yet as I look at the beauty of the intricate detail captured in this photo, it serves to remind me of the beauty that God can make out of the things in life that tend to bug me.  Perhaps all of us need to pause and consider what God is working on whenever something bugs us.

As I reflect on the day, here are some thoughts/lessons that stand out to me:

• A famous line says, “there’s no place like home.”  Yet, experience tells me there are many places like home if I have my family with me.
• The writer of Romans says that mankind is without excuse when it comes to knowing God exists.  An observant walk through nature would say the same thing.
• The value of experiencing life together is not defined by the monetary cost.
• Family walks are great.  Family walks that result in an ice cream stop are even better!
• It is possible to put forth your best effort and constantly try to improve without being in competition with someone else.
• Always look for God’s work and beauty . . . even in the things that bug you.