The Vultures Eye

I told this story to a friend two years ago. It went like this. It was Friday, October 9th, 2009 and Melanie had come home, the end of her two week notice at Cancer Care of North Florida. She was not feeling well. She had a doctors appointment with Dr Randolph, of which I went with her, feeling bad for her and guilty of my own neglect of her. She thought she had a kidney stone, so she was sent for a CAT Scan at Lake Shore. By happen stance, the technician scanned up to her lungs, which showed her lower lungs filled with fluid. We went back to Dr Randolph, then back for blood work. We went home and Melanie spent the evening and all day Saturday in bed. On Sunday morning, Dr Randolph called and said we need to go to the hospital, to admit her for a culture in her blood. From Lake Shore, looking out Melanies window, I got my first glimpse of the vulture. He was flying low and circling. By that evening, Melanie had gone from the floor to ICU and continued to have trouble breathing. She was put on a full ventilator and calls were made to area hospitals.  All hospitals in the area were full except one bed in Orlando, if we left now, or wait tomorrow for the possibility of a bed opening in Shands, Gainesville. We opted to go at 3am to Orlando, via ambulance since a heavy fog kept the helicopter grounded.
I went home, packed and met Melanies parents in Williston the next morning, arriving in Orlando in the early afternoon. We learned from the doctors that Melanie had Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Swine Flu or H1N1. She was placed in isolation. Another doctor came and said Melanie qualified for a clinical trial for treating H1N1 with an oscillating ventilator. We gave permission and waited to see if she was selected. Several anxious hours passed and they said she was a candidate and was moved to the ICU floor, Bed 9. It was from this room I again saw the vulture soaring outside.
And thus, for the next two months until Thanksgiving eve, I sat with Melanie and prayed and looked so often out that little window to see the vulture soaring.
Once, while trying to get back to Orlando via the Ocala National Forest where I was staying over with a friend, I became lost. Nearly out of gas, and near despair, praying, suddenly, a vulture soared overhead. And right after that, over the hill, a tiny one pump gas station and directions to my destination!
Melanie, on Thanksgiving eve, was transported to Gainesville, Select Speciality Hospital to wean off the ventilator and rehab. It was a miracle healing of her body which went through so much trauma and near failure in all her vital organs over the course of the time in Orlando. From Select she spent time in Woodlands Rehab, returning home finally in January, where she continues to have lingering affects two years later. She now works full-time at North Florida Regional Cancer Center in Radiation Oncology.
This finally, is the short version of the above: When we were at Lake Shore, I prayer, a cry went out! We need an angel! We need an eagle to go for us! Will someone step forward to minister? No mighty eagle or angel came forward. Finally, from the back, the lowly, despised vulture stepped forward and said, Here I am, I will go! And thus, the harbinger of death was sent upon a mission of life!
What had been a symbol of death and despair for me was a sign of hope and life. I welcomed daily the vulture that became a symbol of Gods ever presence with us!

Bring Ye All

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse. Malachi 3:10

"There is no portion of money that is our money, and the rest God's money. It is all His. He made it all, gives it all, and He has simply trusted it to us for His service." Rev Theodore Monod.

As for the pure, his work is right. Proverbs 21:8

"Right works spring from pure hearts and pure motives." from Daily Holiness Scripture Texts by E.I.D.Pepper

Sarah's Wedding

The importance of pre-visualization. It is always a good practice when entering the realm of wedding photography, due to time constraints and untold variables, to go in with a specific set of shots in mind. In traveling over to the Howell's with Melanie this past Saturday evening, as Melanie drove, I thought of specific shots I would like to attempt. This was one, with Sarah's hands reaching for her sisters, in a sort of Michelangelo , The creation of man type composition. Originally, I visualized the entire family holding their hands toward her, in a letting go symbolism. As it turns out, this was the only pre-visualized shot I took. The taking of photographs of Sarah and Braxton with various combinations of family took the time.
On hindsight, I had wanted to take more creative photographs of Sarah and Braxton swirling and other such low angle blurred and specific focus compositions. It is a good rule if possible, to set up a time a day beforehand, or earlier on wedding day to take such photographs, or practice them at home, to be sure you get the effect you are after.
Noted photographer Jay Maisel said, "Try and go out empty and let your images fill you up."
I fear in wedding photography, if you go out with this in mind, you will more than likely return empty. Try and go out with an open mind and no pre-conceptions, but with some pre-visualizations. That way, at least you will return with at least that one image.

he that endureth

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation. James 1:12.

"If there is one fact or doctrine or promise in the Bible which has produced no practical effect upon your temper or conduct, be assured that you do not truly believe it." Payson

Edward Payson(1783-1827) American Congregational preacher, was born on 25 July 1783 at Rindge, New Hampshire, where his father, Seth Payson(1758-1820), was pastor of the Congregational Church. His uncle, Phillips Payson(1736-1801), pastor of a church in Chelsea, Mass., was a physicist and astronomer.
Edward Payson graduated at Harvard in 1803, was then principal of a school at Portland, Maine, and in 1807 became a junior pastor of the Congregational Church in Portland, where he remained, after 1811, as senior pastor, until his death on 22 October 1827.

As a side note to Mizpah, which is taking the scriptures and quotes from the 1882 book by Charles Cullis, today I would like to recognize my mothers 83rd birthday.

Continue in Love

Mizpah for October 4th, 2011


Continue ye in My love. John 15:9

"In the love of Christ His followers have ever found great joy. It is their light, the day-star dawning in their hearts, the renewing of their inward man, their joy of faith, the believing that makes them rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory." Bushnell.

Our conversation is in heaven. Phil.3:20

Heavenly living! Heavenly speech! Heavenly-mindedness! Heaven begun below! A heaven to go to heaven in!
from the book Daily Holiness Scripture Text

Reverend Horace Bushnell at his death in 1876 was the pastor of Hartford's North Congregational Church. He was a leading American theologian in the 19th century and the author of twelve books. He was a true renaissance man, with interests-and genuine expertise-in many pursuits. He was an avid newspaper reader, followed politics with a passion, and expressed his opinions freely.
He was born in Bantam, Conn. on April 14, 1802 and raised on his family's farm. He led a rugged farmers life, working 14-hour days. Though of little means or social standing, his family always wanted him to become a minister. At the age of 21, he enrolled at Yale, where he spent the next 10 years, earning four degrees.
Since his early years, he had a love and appreciation for nature. Bushnell believed that man, nature and God are tied together in an organic whole. He said people influence each other in ways they don't really realize, just by going about their daily lives.

Birthdays beyond Eighty

This Wednesday, October 5th is Meme Clara Jean Orander Stokes birthday. She will be a spry eighty-three years young.
This poem is for Meme Clara. Meme continues to rehab from a broken leg this past July 4th at Baya Pointe. If you would like to send her a birthday greeting, send it to: Clara Stokes 303 SE Tevis Av. Lake City, Florida 32025

Oh mamma how can this be you are beyond eighty!
Why just yesterday you rocked me as a baby!
And in the Sopchoppy River swam in that black suit!
I am sure at the objection of ole Preacher Luke!
And can we not still hear your Valedictory address?
From Crumpler to Northfork we knew all along you were blessed.
Oh Mamma! Tell me you are not beyond eighty!
There was so much you dreamed to see.
Content to faithfully serve as a Pastors wife.
Tis' you we knew it was who held the true spiritual life,
Always serving never an unkind word for any.
And believe me, you have every reason a plenty!
Teaching school to make ends meet,
Keeping the home tidy and neat,
Then teaching Sunday school and visiting the sick,
Taking a batch of your fudge and on the bed table slip.
Yes, I checked the family Bible and we think it's your birthday.
We are not sure because that doctor drank a bit and got
you here quite early!
So if it is so, and you are really past eighty,
In honor of ole doc, let's have us a round
on this your eighty-third birthday?

Morning Manna

Several weeks ago in mid September, this was my morning manna, my morning glory, my morning meditation. I would be up as the sun rose through the pines in the back yard, steadily illuminating the hummingbird feeder, the room and all the surrounding grounds. It was usually the determiner of my day. Not currently working, after meditating(with coffee of course) and musing in the word, all the time looking out toward the rising sun. If the morning was particularly foggy, I would usually head out in search of photographs, usually South toward Providence and the rolling hills, which I liken to about as close to Kentucky as I shall ever come.
If the day was full of clouds, I would head North West, toward White Springs and the Suwannee River, usually Bell Springs Tract.
But, there were other days, more often than not, that I would just stay home and watch the hummingbirds feed and fight for the feeder. This season, though I did capture several pleasing photographs, the main joy was simply being here and being able to observe.
Today, to go along with the Mizpah, I am meditating upon Precious Ones. Last evening and the last two weeks have been particularly difficult times for me. Last evening it culminated with one Precious saying, Get out of my life! Last week it again reared its ugly head with another two essentially saying, Get out of our lives! How does one heal from such rejection?
Thus, scripture was comforting today.
"Come to Him. He is the living Stone whom men rejected but God selected as precious. And let yourselves be built as living stones into a spiritual temple, to be holy priests who bring spiritual sacrifices that God gladly accepts through Jesus Christ. The Bible says: I am laying in Zion a Cornerstone, chosen and precious, and if you believe in Him, you'll never be disappointed. He is precious to you who believe, but to those who do not believe He is the Stone which, rejected by the builders, has become the Cornerstone, a Stone they stumble over and a Rock they fall over. When they disobey the Word, they stumble over it; that's the end appointed for them.
But you are a chosen people, priests of a King, a holy nation, a people saved to be His own and to tell of the wonderful deeds of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were no people, but now you are God's people. Once you had received no mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Dear friends, I urge you, as guests and strangers in this world: Refuse to do what the body wants, because it appetites fight against the soul. Live a noble life among the people of the world, that instead of accusing you of doing wrong, they may see the good you do and glorify God when He visits them. I Peter 2:4-12.

Jordon to be baptized

This Sunday Pappa Gerald and Billie Earl Hethcoat, Uncle Mike and Jackie Johnson attended Grace Church, coming up from Williston, missing their church at Bronson First Baptist, thinking Jordon was to be baptized today. They had missed the phone message Melanie had left with them, saying the baptism date will be this coming Sunday instead, at !0:30AM at Grace Church, Lake City, Russell Taylor the pastor baptizing him and Cassandra Howell.
Jordon, seen here holding Nathaniel, his brother Landon's son, has grown in the knowledge of God and we are most humbled that he is stepping forward in public confession of his becoming a disciple of Christ. Brandon Elixson, his college and career teacher, has been a large influence upon him, and in the true love of the brethren, and the willingness to disciple and mentor, has taken Jordon under his wing, to take the time to spend with him and help him through the most difficult time when Satan comes to steal the planted seed.

To Nathaniel Manoa Stokes

My little Nathaniel, I fear that as my days are but few,
You may never know this old man who once so dearly loved you.
You shall not recall the times we walked through the yard,
You reaching for leaves, holding them hard in your infant hands.
How we strolled up and down the street to distant lands,
though always in sight of home.
How we loved to pretend we roamed!
You and I would splash in the pool,
You were never afraid with me holding you.
As a photographer, all the images of you were mostly taken by me,
And yes, in many I hope that bond we had you can see.
I knew all the while time was short for my ole heart,
That is why it tore so deeply the selfishness to keep us apart.
So if you ever wonder where your urge to fly, or that imagination
unbounded arises,
Know it was nurtured very early by me as we watched the angels
parade across the evening skies
I could have been a really grand father to you
And it saddens me knowing how quickly in this life we are running through.
Someday long away yet tomorrow by the clock of eternity
You shall be standing beside the crib of your first grand
And when that old heart warms, you will fly back to our time
Though fleeting, and urgently understand....

He is precious

Unto you therefore which believe, He is precious. I Peter 2:7

"The Lord takes up none but the forsaken; makes none healthy but the sick; gives sight to none but the blind; makes none alive but the dead; sanctifies none but sinners; and to all these He is precious." Luther

Mizpah for October 3rd.

this hope

Every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure. I John 3:3

"Many persons think they are seeking "holiness" when in fact they are seeking the "loaves and fishes". To be holy is to be like Christ, who, as the Captain of our salvation, was made perfect through suffering." Prof. Upham


Thomas Cogswell Upham(1799-1872) dominated American academic psychology in the mid-19th century. His popular and extremely successful textbooks brought prestige and funds to Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine. His personality, shy, bookish, conscientious and, self-effacing to ta fault, contributed to the stereotype of a dutiful academic, quietly teaching and publishing in a university career spanning many decades. Yet at the same time one has to recognize the extraordinary activity of Upham, not in the sense of an obvious, frenetic energy, but in his ability to accomplish so much, through persistence and diligence, in so many fields. Besides his long and distinguished academic career, Upham was an accomplished poet, a recognized leader in the New England anti-war and abolition movements, and if we may characterize his involvement with the "holiness movement" in such terms, a religious reformer.
Upham passed away the same year he published his poetry book, Christ in the Soul, following a stroke. His last coherent words reportedly were: "My soul....is with God"(1872)

Mizpah for October 1st

He shall increase you more and more. Psalm 115:14

Ever more and more bestowing
Love and joy in riper glowing,
Faith increasing, graces growing,
Such His promises to you;
He is faithful, He is true.
Frances Ridley Havergal

Havergal(1836-1879) was an English poet and hymn writer. Take my life and let it be and Thy life for me( also known as I gave my Life for Thee) are two of her best known hymns. Her tombstone in Astley, Worcestershire, England, reads, The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin. 1John1:7 Daughter of hymnist William Havergal, Frances was a bright but short lived candle in English hymnody. She was baptized by hymnist John Cawood. She was reading by age four, and began writing verse at age seven. She learned Latin, Greek and Hebrew, and memorized the Psalms, the book of Isaiah, and most of the New Testament.

Today we use the Howell family photograph in honor of Sarah(second row, first girl on left) who is getting married this evening.
The verse is most appropriate for the Howell family, who not only will increase in their family size, but have been increasing more and more in spiritual bounties.