Thursday, June 7, 2012

Changeable…

Things started off hot and sassy this week with temperatures in the 90s.  I finally got some reasonable pictures of our neighbor’s poppies…they really are to die for.  These are some of the biggest I’ve ever seen and in the bright sun they seem like they are just too bright to be from this planet.  Following the heat came some cold fronts that took us from sun and heat to clouds and temperatures 20 degrees cooler.  I actually was relieved for the cooler weather because I like to walk…and that just isn’t much fun with temperatures that hover just below 100 degrees.  I expected a lot of action with these storms  and as you know I enjoy taking pictures of violent weather.  My wife doesn’t much trust me when these storms come along…especially when it comes to going for a walk…I ride the wild side and go out even when it looks iffy out there.  My son was with me when this thing came our way.  The distant lightning came along and I found myself wondering (again) if this was such a good idea.  We made it home as the rain started to really come down.  Surprisingly or not as bad as this looked it was mostly bluster.  I would have thought we’d at least get some hail but it was not much more than interesting to look at and wind with some rain.  Almost two years ago now we were sitting in the garage on a hot Father’s Day thinking it was another day when a storm came along with golf ball size hail and a tornado that ruined our Metra on the fair grounds.  Once those things happen you don’t look at the sky the same way.  Any storm holds potential dangers.  There’s sort of a loss of innocence in that.  What didn’t bring fear now has a tendency to do just that.  I sense a total reflection of where our country and the world is today.  The elections in Wisconsin is having ripples that are still being felt.  I watch the effect on friends liberal and conservative alike and wonder what we’re coming to.  If if has been this wild over that…what is to come with the national election?  I know this:  Perfect love casts out all fear.  Fear is directly opposing faith.  Seeing the state of things where now it’s not just Jeffery Dahmer once in my life time I heard of that not just killed but ate his victims but now there are several cases of cannibalism and an continuing case of dismemberment where body parts were sent to a school in Canada.  I see all this and see my kids growing up in a world that I can’t even understand any more.  It’s easy to let the cold grip of fear take hold but you know what?  Life is a choice and the faith you keep isn’t just for you but for others.  Don’t be selfish with it.  Things can look pretty darkbut there’s no light like the one that faith brings!

22 comments:

  1. You are so right Joe. My kids were fairly safe from so many frightening things when they were growing up. Not so anymore. We all do have to keep the faith.

    The poppies are beautiful. I don't think I have ever seen fringed ones like that.

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    1. You know Beth, I was just talking to my kids about when I was a boy...running around all day until sunset playing with neighborhood kids...never thinking it was dangerous...a far different world now...I think I'll take the beauty of the poppies any day!

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  2. Nothing like old Vlad to bring back memories of the good old days huh John? Fighting the kind of enemies we are these days I don't think they'd mind impaling us all. The spirit behind such evil never really leaves it just uses some different people. The bright side for me is that the light always wins but we must chose to walk in it.

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  3. Hi Joe,

    Lovely Poppies. Yes you are right, it is a very frightening and confusing world. But Hey we fight from victory not to victory and in Our Almighty God, must we put our trust. I am not finding it at all easy at the moment, but I know He walks alongside me and my hand is reaching for his.

    God Bless - Nita

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    1. I surely do agree with you my dear friend. I don't know how anyone can function without the hope only God can provide. It's blessed indeed to know we are not without hope or God in this world.

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  4. Wpw I sure see where your poppies out there are so much different from ours here in Michigan,those are gorgeous. If I were out in that weather I think I would be nervous too. Those are awesome shots. I heard they had a tornado close to the Denver airport. Hail and lots of it. We will get heat but not sure about storms, it sure is a wild summer for all things I am thinking. Take care :)

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    1. I'm with you CarolDee, I was just talking to someone today saying they had never seen weather like this. We are coming up on our two year anniversary for the terrible Father's Day tornado...it makes one think. I intend to walk again today and it's unstable out there...I expect I will have camera in hand once again.

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  5. Awesome photos of the storm,,no wonder she is scared when you are out in those with only a camera. Scary skies,heard a big storm with hail and tornadoes hit near Denver too. Your Poppies are sure different than ones here. They are more the red oriental kind where ours are orange. Take care :)

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  6. The world is getting worse and worse. But the Bible has said it would. Very sad to see. As far as the weather goes, it's been very rainy and cool here lately. At work they call it Junuary.

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    1. For sure this is the fulfillment of what the Bible clearly states about the last days my friend however I wonder if what we think is so awful now is nothing compared to what's coming...are we close or will we have some more time...who can say but God? We have a cool down that's supposed to come as of tomorrow...no, I'm not at all happy about that.

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  7. It really is a scary world out there now. It seems tolerance, patience and even just human kindness is on a downhill slide. The "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is forgotten by way too many.

    Those were some pictures. Glad it was more bluster than anything.

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    1. My dear friend, I think of the Bible where it says that in the last days men's hearts will fail them for fright. I know that through these times there's also a grace to meet the times we find ourselves in...I keep reminding myself of that at any rate. Today may provide another storm...we'll see what it has in it!

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  8. Like the pics of the poppies, great pics.

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    1. Thanks my friend, are you actually back from your trip now?

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  9. it seems that we have mousson weather here in Belgium They call it like that cos of the extreme wind and rain and one day in between with higher temp and sun.
    I dont like this weather Joe..Im born in wrong place.
    I agree with ur wify...no walks without being sure u come home in one piece. ahev a nice weekend.Joe
    Huggs from Windy Belgium

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    1. Up and down seems to be the cycle lately. It really cooled off for us last night and that will extend for a few days at least. Extreme weather hasn't really caused trouble for us thus far though like you I can't say I like the massive temperature shifts. I'll try to stay safe...but I won't make any guarantees ;)

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  10. You know how *I* feel about the state of things the past several years into the now of things. It is a world that seems to be getting more and more out of control. Discipline in most matters seem to have disappeared or is on the way to that state. Acceptance of the unspeakable is becoming common.

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    1. The Bible says where sin does abound grace does much more there abound. It may take an great effort than ever before to find that grace but I do believe it's there. I find these things coming to me more lately as the weight of this world tries to wear me down. I am exceedingly grateful for faith.

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  11. Just popping in to say hello Joe,and see what is new. I just want to say I enjoyed looking at your photos. The poppies are so vivid and Beautiful, and you captured them well. I also love the photos you took of the storm clouds.

    Yes, Jesus said, there would be trouble in this world. That comes as no surprise. It is not easy but thank God, He is in control and supplies us with His Grace each day as it comes, and Hope for a Brighter tomorrow. After the rain comes the Rainbow. we must hold on to the Promises of God, and Trust Him even during the storms of this life. It is not easy, but with God's help we will make it through the storms of life, to the other side and enjoy Life Eternal. God Bless You Joe as you keep, and share the Faith.
    Have a Blessed week.
    Dianne :)

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    1. I've had a real sense of trouble spiritually lately and I'm not exactly sure of the source. I've been following world events and they are certainly troubling...and the US...well, best not to get me started with that. More and more I have learned to appreciate the peace that passes understanding. Bless you my friend.

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  12. Well I think I fixed my commenting problem. At least for now. I reset to allow 3rd party cookies. So far so good just commented on about 5 people that I couldn't comment before. Now if I can just get my desktop hotmail to be consistant updating with my hotmail account. I works fine for my other e-mail, just always get an error for the hotmail. Goes a days not working then suddenly it works. Anyway so nice to be able to comment again for now. You do have some amazing cloud formation around your place. Have a wonderful week. Hugs Carrie

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    1. Glad you have some things working out for you with the Internet. I have had some trouble commenting here on occasion...by here I mean on Blogger with other people's blogs but that doesn't seem to be a consistent problem thankfully. We had a breathtaking sunset last night but I had no camera...only my i-touch. I posted those shots but I don't think anyone noticed...too bad they were amazing! It's great to have you able to comment Carrie, I really have missed you!

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