Lightkeeper's Journal

Christmas Lights and Faith

 

The Jones Family Christmas Lights 

Santa Claus, Georgia

 

Photography and Article by Norma Beaird

 

 

We had been dining out and doing a little Christmas shopping.  After we left an antiques store, we decided to ride to Santa Claus, Georgia to see the Christmas lights.  With a name like Santa Claus, there had to be some beautiful lights!  We drove through the subdivision and admired the festive blues, greens and reds. Then, as we turned onto one of the last streets of our tour, we were mesmerized by the most awesome sight.  

 

Words of "Faith", "Peace" and "Believe" were dotted across the well-manicured lawn.  We had the pleasure of meeting the designers of this most glorious Christmas display.  Charlie and Susan Jones, residents of Santa Claus, came out to greet us and tell us about their magnificent creation.  Charlie builds the unique scenes and words while Susan designs the placement in the yard.  Susan said that they prefer something a little different; and, I must say, that this was wonderfully different and inspirational at the same time!

 

Festive, colorful and spectacular, revealing the true spirit of the season....

 

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 

 

 Luke 2:14

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

 

 

 

Copyright 2015, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.  

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Merry Christmas Everyone......

From Rocky, the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Chip, the Chipping Sparrow!

 

 

 

Copyright 2015, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.  

The Old Louisville Wagon Train

 

Photography and Story by Norma Beaird

 

The Old Louisville Wagon Train is an annual tradition that was started by Wagon Master Wayne Hooks. This is a 5-day wagon train that winds through the backroads of rural Georgia, beginning in Ailey and ending in Louisville.  We were at T. A. Blocker's General Store in Montgomery County when we saw the beautiful horses and their friendly riders trotting into the pasture behind the store.  We had a camera with us and we quickly took the opportunity to meet these fine folks and photograph the riders and their horses.   Some were riding during the day and some were camping overnight with The Old Louisville Wagon Train.  

The wagon train brings together good country folks and the tradition of riding horses and traveling together down red dirt roads.  This new tradition of riding, camping and cooking creates interesting stories and a delightful dose of nostalgia.  The good 'ole days have come to town! 

Wagon Master Wayne Hooks and his horse! 

Mr. Gary Blocker, owner of T. A Blocker's General Store, allows the wagon train to bring their horses and park for a while in the pasture behind his popular Montgomery County business.  Mr. Blocker's store has been selling goods to the community since the 1930's.  Today, he sells hats, western wear, cowboy boots and work boots.  In this store, you will find shelves of old pictures and antiques from days gone by.  To walk into his store is to travel into a bygone era.  It's an old-fashioned country store with old-fashioned customer service, courtesy of Mr. Blocker and his knowledgeable staff.  

T. A. Blocker's General Store - Georgia Highway 29 - Montgomery County

 

Mr. Gary Blocker, owner of T. A. Blocker's General Store

 

Merry Christmas from The Old Louisville Wagon Train! 

 

 

 

Copyright 2015, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.

God and the Cloud

 

 

Photography and Article by Curtis Beaird

 

Exodus 13:17-22

17 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:

18 But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.

19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.

20 And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.

21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:

22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.

 

Thankfully, we can count on God’s leadership. Not only does he make a way. He also shows us the way.
And, that way can be surprising.

When “Pharaoh let the people go” in Exodus 13:17, the scripture tells us that God “led them” in the direction they should go.  However, He led them home not by the shortest route, He led them by the safest route.  He chose the longer route “by way of the wilderness” rather than “the way of the Philistines” for a kind and generous reason.

God is not only considerate of his children, He knows us well.  Sometimes, when the tired and weary meet enough resistance, they change their mind and return to a former misery.  This was the case with the recently freed Hebrews.  God was concerned that “when they see war, they may change their mind and return to Egypt.”  The way of the Philistines, while a shorter route, meant a battle the Hebrews were not prepared to face.  The way of the wilderness, while longer, was the safest route and the one that their caring God chose.

His leadership was unmistakable. Its evidence was something that everyone could see; and, was understandable to all.   God chose to be present in a cloud, a garden-variety everyday cloud.

“And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud to lead them in the way…..He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day….from before the people.” Exodus 13:21, 22.

Thankfully, we can count on God’s leadership. Not only does he make a way, he also shows us the way.

Note: I was thinking that I needed an appropriate picture to demonstrate this blog post; and, when I walked outside, the above picture is what I saw.

 

 

Copyright 2015, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.