For full disclosure, I need to share upfront: (1) yes, I used a little filter on this one and (2) I snapped this photo without their knowledge.  

This image means a great deal to me as it captures my father and my brother on March 23, 2022. They had just attended the funeral of their sister and decided to visit the graves of their mother and father. These two brothers are the last from our family of that generation.

Why the title "Ready"?  Both of them lived wildly in their younger days and would tell you they wish they could change much of their past.  Oh, the crazy stories they could tell! That lifestyle, however, was transformed by the grace of Jesus and through God's Word. Now, as they are advancing in years, they  are ready to meet the One who made them, changed them, and continues to sustain them.

The photo pondered some self-reflection that I'll put before you with one question - regardless of your age, are you - like them - ready to stand before God?

While taking our family photos, my attention shifted to this little spider.  It is amazing how it demonstrated their private craft in a rather public fashion.

As I thought about the spider's web, I was struck by the meaning for leaders.  We have all heard this statement - who you are when nobody is watching is who you really are.  In other words, everything done in private WILL make its way into the public eye (one way or another).  

I stumbled upon a treat today. 

We decided to visit the Alamance Battleground as the location for our family pictures.  Upon arrival, we noticed volunteers dressed in period garb and our kids had a wonderful time listening to tales from 250 years ago.  At one of those presentations, my mind drifted and my eyes captured this moment - "Through the Open Doors of History."

I snapped a photo - from the present into the past - of the breeze-inducing openness of the Allen House (originally in Snow Camp, circa 1780).  History is just like this photo. 

We need a willingness to look through the doors of history so that we can learn how to live in the present.  The look-learn-live cycle requires pause and reflection but, trust me, those moments are worth it.

What do you need to look through today so that you can be a better you tomorrow? 

This.  This is the place of vision.

As the massive eruption on May 18, 1980 unfolded, David Johnston - a 30 year old volcanologist - had mere seconds to live.  He was camped on this ridge to observe and his final words were:  "Vancouver! Vancouver! This is it!"

When you visit the observatory that bear's David's name, you will observe a hurting history, a healing present, and an unknown future.  While here and reflecting, you are surrounded with an incredible and divergent atmosphere that includes beauty, scars, change, tragedy, healing, emotion, life, death, peace, hope, beginning, ending, dreams, and legacy. 

​​Look back at that list of words one more time.  Each and every one conjures imagery of vision.  A vision may affect each person differently, but the common ground is that everyone will be touched by vision.

What is in this picture?  You could say sand, bricks, storm damage, or many other things; however those are only partially right.  The correct answer is this - these bricks are part of the original foundation for the Cape Hatteras lighthouse that were left behind when, in 1999, it was moved away from the sea.

So what?  You see, the day I took this photo was THE ONLY day this foundational remnant was able to be seen.  I returned 4 or 5 more instances, and at different times, but it was unable to be located - the tides buried it and who knows when it will re-emerge again.  That experience left an impression on me (something we talk about but fail to implement regularly):  the need to live in the moment.  We are defined by our moments!

This is one of my favorite pictures from my recent trip to the Outer Banks here in North Carolina.  I stood nearby and took at least 100 photos of wave after wave striking this jetty near the old Cape Hatteras Lighthouse location.  Several of these were installed to prevent erosion and, thereby, protect the Cape Hatteras light (until it was moved in 1999). 

They jettys have endured so much and continue to do so even now.  You can see how this man-made shield has worn.  You can imagine the forces it has endured from powerful hurricanes to the daily tidal changes.  You can see the spray on this side of the structure after impact.  The imagery is evocative!

I am not going to tell you the story of this modern-day shipwreck, but google "Ocean Pursuit shipwreck" and you'll find it.  The ship ran aground in March 2020 and has been left to the elements.  This photo, taken April 2021, shows the condition of the vessel - buried under tons of sand.

As I photographed and researched the ship, my thoughts turned to how this happened.  When the vessel ran aground, it was allowed to remain there and drift with the daily tides and ride the storms.  That tendency to drift instead of intentionally taking action resulted in it being buried. 

I love lighthouses and took so many pictures of Bodie, Ocracoke, and Hatteras.  This day produced child-like glee for me as I was trying to get a sunset with the Hatteras light in it.  Mother Nature did not cooperate with the clouds and I was disappointed.  Then, IT happened - for the first time in my life, I saw the Cape Hatteras light in action.  This photo was my favorite and it got me to thinking.

​​All my photos were of a structure - nothing wrong with that - but we, far too often, focus on structure.  Yes, that structure (much like the lighthouse) has withstood many storms BUT simply standing is not enough.  The purpose of a lighthouse only becomes clear in the dark.  To you I say this - know your purpose and shine when others need it.

The title originates from the fact that I had sat down from an exhausting set of "pistons" with that dumbbell.  As I sat there, something hit me.  Look at the photo - what do you see?  While under duress, I saw this immediately in color but going to black and white makes it more distinguishable.  See it yet?  Note the 2 shadows:  one from the dumbbell and the other from a light pole not in the frame.  

I do not know where I heard this years ago but it went something like this:  "you cannot have a shadow unless there is light."  That statement really puts things in perspective for our lives and leadership.  Shadows and light exist everywhere; so, ask yourself which one you look for the most in life.  If we are honest, we focus far too much on the shadows and miss the brilliance of the light.  Whenever you are facing a tough time and see a dark shadow, remember the shadow only exists because light has created it.

Simply put, do not fear the shadow but, instead, find the light.

This basketball goal forced some philosophical reflection as I faced reality today.  That lesson is condensed into one statement - our ever-increasing age is not something to be lamented but, rather, should be celebrated. 

Far too often, we grieve getting older because we can no longer do the things of our youth (e.g. play basketball at the same level).  We should change our perspective about age and embrace it.  Yes, we lose the ability to do certain things from our past, BUT we gain a right perspective that those things never really mattered anyway.  With each passing year, age reveals what is most important about life.  Are you getting it?