Lightkeeper's Journal

Thriving in the Midst of Chaos

 

A rather frightening storm cloud just minutes before a rainstorm in Statesboro, Georgia...

 

Photography and Article by Curtis Beaird

 

A shrill voice, always loud, always assaulting, can tear away at the fabric of our soul. Shouting has become the order of the day. From the news media to politicians, the soft answer that turns away wrath is a voice seldom heard. Instead, harsh words that stir up anger are everywhere, read and heard.

Insults abound. Accusations fly freely. Barbed speech that “tells it like it is” is welcomed and applauded. The more absurd the attacks, the better we like it.

We are an angry people betrayed by the idols of our day.

Bring out the wrecking ball, we are mad.

But, there is a price we pay for indulging our rage. A soul-numbing withdrawal that leads us into our version of anger and calculated retaliation, even if the urge to slap back is never acted out. We seethe in silence.

The most serious loss, especially to a believer, is the knowledge and awareness of what the Apostle Paul called a “good work” begun by God in us. Paul put it this way to his Philippian friends, "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ..." Philippians 1:6

If we allow ourselves to follow the ways of a world bent on retaliation and aggression, we risk forgetting to attend to the “good work" that the spirit of God began in us. Anger, rage and wrath silences the Spirit of God. Our own frustration, aggravation and irritation can overwhelm the knowledge of the good that God has placed in us. The world is seductive. It gleefully and gladly leads us away from the highest and best work that God has for us to do.

Basically, God has a habit of speaking to us in the same way He spoke to Elijah “in a still small voice”. Allowing ourselves to be overwhelmed by the blaring sounds of constant conflict, both within our spirit and from the colliding worlds outside of us, can insulate us from God’s longing to perform the work He began in us.

While there is no escaping the conflict that rages about us; nor should we want to, we do have the choice of focus. We do have the choice of the voice we listen to. We do have the capacity to determine our response. It is not a matter of avoiding the fray, it is a matter of following Paul’s example; and in generosity, speaking the truth into the darkness generated by a noisy world that knows only how to consume.

The Knox Bible translates the “good work in us” as a God-inspired generosity. Paying attention to the good that God seeks to develop in us, we are free to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a world that knows only wars and rumors of wars until Christ’s return.

 

 

 

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

 

Jesus...His Words in Red

 

 

Acts 1: 8 - 11

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

9 And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight.

10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.

We pray that you and your family, your friends and neighbors experience abundant blessings as we celebrate the glorious beauty of Easter Sunday, giving praises to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Friend and soon coming King.   We pray that you have experienced the saving power of His work on the cross, clinging to the eternal hope of salvation, the promises of His Word and the power of His Holy Name.

Glory to God in the Highest  

 

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.

 

 

 

Photography by Curtis and Norma Beaird

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

A Harvest of Blessings

 

Spectacular cloud formations over a cotton field in rural Georgia

 

Photography and Article by Norma Beaird

 

We were driving down a long country road with beautiful cotton fields, green pastures, ponds, pine trees, cattle and their buddies, the Cattle Egrets.  The clouds were particularly fascinating over the perfect rows of planted cotton.  Gazing at the vibrant blue skies and green fields becomes an important teaching experience, especially when you think about the physical and spiritual aspects of fields and farms.  

The Bible constantly refers to planting and harvesting; sowing and reaping.  Whenever I see a cotton or wheat field, I am reminded of verses in the Bible about sowing and reaping, such as:  

Galatians 6: 7 - 9

⁷ Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

⁸ For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

⁹ And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

These three verses in Galatians are a reminder to everyone of the importance of love, generosity, kindness, patience and honesty.  It is important to love people, to treat them with generosity and kindness, to be patient with those who have different opinions and to be honest in our business transactions.  It is important to lead a life of holiness before God.  

We must not sow to the flesh for the sake of greed, power or material gain.  Sowing the seeds of honesty, generosity and holiness will reap a harvest of blessings.  Love, kindness and patience will influence friends and confuse an enemy.  Corruption and dishonesty, hate and selfishness will result in a spiritual crop failure.  

2 Corinthians 9:6

⁶ But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Whenever I see crops harvested in the fall, at times I am reminded of a spiritual harvest of souls.   The Bible reminds us that their are lost souls who need to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who need to know the peace of forgiveness and the freedom from sin.  Planting the seeds of the Gospel will yield changed people, transformed through the redemptive power of God's unconditional love.

God's grace is sufficient for every care and every burden that we may bear.  May we be continually reminded of the love of God and His desire for those who are lost and hurting to find the serenity of salvation.  May we find faith and hope in the promises of God's Word.  

Luke 10: 1 - 12 

1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before His face into every city and place, whither He himself would come.

² Therefore said He unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth labourers into His harvest.

³ Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.

⁴ Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.

⁵ And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.

⁶ And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.

⁷ And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

⁸ And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:

⁹ And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

¹⁰ But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,

¹¹ Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

¹² But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.

 

Margaret Allison & The Angelic Gospel Singers

"You Reap What You Sow"

 

 

 

 All scriptures are from the King James Version of the Bible.

Copyright 2014, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.  

 

Jesus, Birds & Gospel Music

 

Northern Rough-Winged Swallows

Photographed at Little Ocmulgee State Park in Helena, Georgia

 

Article and Photography by Norma Beaird

 

Happy July 4th!  In many parts of the United States, today is a celebration of freedom, a celebration of flags, food and fireworks!  People everywhere will enjoy barbecue chicken and steaks on the grill.  Children will play in the backyard and adults will enjoy relaxing on their deck or front porch.  In some towns, there will be parades, festivals and concerts.  In other places, families will enjoy their yearly vacation in the mountains, at a campground or the beach. 

Physical celebrations are great, but spiritual celebrations are life-changing.  

Even though the flag is our symbol of freedom, true freedom comes from Jesus Christ.  Winning a battle or a war may give a country freedom from the bondage of an oppressive government.  Jesus fought our spiritual battle by giving His life on the cross of Calvary.  The life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ ensures that we can have freedom from sin and the bondage of spiritual oppression.  Salvation is a gift of living water in the desert of despair.  Ultimately, salvation gives us eternal life.  

The Bible says in John 8:36:

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

When we photograph birds, we are constantly reminded of the love of God and the freedom that He has given to us.  As God gave birds the wings to fly, the Lord has given us spiritual wings through His work on the cross. If we will repent of our sins and confess Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we can spiritually spread our wings and fly away from the burden of heaviness that so easily weights us down.  When Jesus gives us freedom, our lives become more productive and our hearts more receptive.  

Spiritual chaos is traded for heavenly peace. 

When a person becomes a Christian, they will find that every day is a spiritual journey.  Each day is a blessing from God.  Every day, we have the opportunity to shine a light into a world of darkness.

We must fill our heart and mind with the inspiration of the Word of God.  Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost.  When we become followers of Jesus Christ, each day we must work on our spiritual building.  We must seek to grow and learn.  We must seek to love and edify others through our relationship with Jesus.

As this BlueGrass Gospel song says, we're working on a building....... 

Featuring The Maharreys singing and playing "Working on a Building"!

 

 

 

Copyright 2014, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved. 

   

Happy New Year

 

Male Northern Cardinal

 

Philippians 3:14

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

 

Photography by Curtis and Norma Beaird

 

Great Egret catching a fish

 

Male House Finch

 

Great Blue Heron

 

  

Copyright 2014, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.

Change......For Sure

 

 

Article and Photography by Curtis Beaird

 

If clouds define anything, they define change.

Their shape-shifting is a fascination.

On first sitting, they appear full and fleecy. 

 

 

Without notice, they shift and move.

 

 

Without fanfare, they diminish and fade.

 

If clouds define anything, they define change.

Going, going......

Change, we are told, is the only constant.

Really?

Forming. Fading. Reforming. Disappearing.

Blown by the wind. Dissipated by the heat.

Really?

Who captains a ship crossing the Atlantic without knowledge of the North Star?

 Which ship's captain leaves port without a compass?

Can we manage our lives with any less of a guide?

 

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

Hebrews 13:8

 

 

Copyright 2013, Curtis Beaird.  All rights reserved.  

Where No Cabins Fall

Photography by Curtis Beaird

 

The following song so appropriately describes the photographs in this post.

Sometimes a song and a Bible verse says it best.

 

Psalm 37: 16 - 17

¹⁶ A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.

¹⁷ For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the Lord upholdeth the righteous.

 

Proverbs 28: 18 - 23

¹⁸ Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved:

but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

¹⁹ He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread:

but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

²⁰ A faithful man shall abound with blessings:

but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

²¹ To have respect of persons is not good:

for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.

²² He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye,

and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

²³ He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour

than he that flattereth with the tongue.

 

 

Matthew 6: 19 - 21

¹⁹ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,

where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

²⁰ But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,

where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt,

and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

²¹ For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

 

Luke 18: 22 - 25

²² Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him,

Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor,

and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

²³ And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

²⁴ And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful,

he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

²⁵ For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye,

than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

 

 

All scripture is King James Version

Copyright 2013, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.  

Prayer.......The Heart's Deepest Longing

 

Article by Curtis Beaird

Photography by Norma W. Beaird

 

Pray, prayer, praying.   Deep in our soul, we hear it.   A faint voice on the other side of silence calls.  It is a voice that nudges us toward answering; but, we think we must first try to figure out how to pray.  That is a predictable response.   

One of Jesus disciples seeing Him pray said,   

"Lord, teach us to pray...…" Luke 11:1

Our need to talk to God is great.  It is native to us.   An approachable God who cares is assumed within our desire to pray.   Like the genetics that gives us our eye color, our spirit recognizes The Voice.  It is both a familiar and persistent voice.  We recognize the sound as a compelling invitation. 

But, how?   How do I respond?   How do I pray? 

The attractive possibility that the God who spoke the sun, the moon and the stars into existence might hear and respond to us, sends us, unlike the disciple quoted earlier, scrabbling for The Three Keys, The Seven Steps, The Best Method or The Four Secrets of Prayer.

Huh?  Where did all of that come from?  What are all these steps, keys and methods about?  There is a great gulf fixed between something called The Seven Secrets of Prayer and Jesus’ clear response to his disciples simple request, “Lord teach us to pray."

Instead of life-giving prayer......   Instead of the ebb and flow of the living relationship expressed in conversation with God, we’ve hooked our hopes to a method or a system of praying that soon wears thin. 

Unwittingly, we turn prayer, a conversation with God about the core needs of living our lives, into a problem to solve or a system to understand and explain.   A series of convoluted steps replaces Jesus simple beginning, "Our Father which art in heaven."

The Father with the Holy name.  The One with the will and capacity to create the delicate lily, a child’s smile and a kingdom worthy of Heaven, and necessary to earth, can be spoken to. He can be addressed directly.   So, speak to Him.  “Our Father…...”    Instead, we fumble with getting the steps right.    Result?   Our prayer becomes routine.

Our effort to manage the latest prayer method replaces the simple and most basic request, “Give us this day our daily bread.”   While our table may be full, our spirits are famished.   Our need for the bread of life is as great as our need for an improved diet.   Tinkering with a system of prayer focuses our attention away from the God that cares enough about us to know our needs before we ask.”   Result?   Prayer becomes boring. 

Our effort to decode some book on the secrets of prayer leads us to miss the obvious.   There are no secrets.  Jesus’ model, “Forgive us our sins…..”   is about as straight forward as it gets.   Guilt is debilitating and confining.  

The pain pushes us to seek the freedom of forgiveness.  

According to Jesus, four words forms the basic request,

   “Forgive us our sins…..”  

However, if we lose ourselves wandering around in the fog of prayer secrets, we miss the gift we seek  - forgiveness.   Result?   Prayer becomes a doubtful practice. 

The effort involved in fiddling with the Keys to Prayer leads us away from a pair of clear requests that Jesus instructs us to make of God the Father. 

1.  "Lead us not into temptation..…” 

2.  “Deliver us from evil..…” 

Jesus knew temptation and evil were both a demanding presence.   They will rip life apart.  He clearly teaches that we can ask to be lead away from temptation and freely request to be delivered from evil.  If we spend prayer time sorting through a set of prayer keys, we can miss the leading and the deliverance.   The result is simple.   We quit praying.

The best teacher on prayer is Jesus.

Follow His lead and the the response to the request.   “Lord teach us to pray”  is but a few words in length and accessible to all. It sounds like this:

Our Father which art in heaven ........hallowed be Thy Name.

 

Matthew 6: 7 - 13

King James Version

⁷ But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

⁸ Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

⁹ After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

¹⁰ Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread.

¹² And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

¹³ And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

 

Copyright 2013, Curtis Beaird.  All rights reserved. 

When My Savior Rescued Me

Matthew 14: 30 - 31

³⁰ But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink,

he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

³¹ And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him,

O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

 

Poem by  Norma W. Beaird

Photography by Curtis and Norma Beaird

 

On troubled seas, my life was dying,

And in my heart, my soul was crying,

Deliver me, dear Lord, from this cruel world of sin.

But in the lifeboat of salvation,

I felt the calmness of the water,

And now with Jesus as my Captain,

I’ll sail on through the rain and wind.

 

  Now when the storms of life are tossing,

And you feel that you are drowning,

Please don’t despair, for He’s the Master of the sea.

And when the winds of hell surround you,

And your sails are tearing faster,

Grab the lifeline of the One Who died for me.

 For when the waves had crashed against me,

And all I felt was constant pain,

He was the Anchor when the storms came,

And my shelter in the rain.

Although it’s clear that I’m not perfect,

For anyone can clearly see,

The arms of God were stretched wide open,

When my Savior rescued me.

 

Copyright 2002, Norma W. Beaird.  All rights reserved.

 

Peace on Earth

 

Luke 2:14

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

By: Norma W. Beaird

The holidays, a manger scene, bring thoughts of “Peace on earth”,
A phrase proclaimed by angels giving news of Jesus’ birth.

God’s messengers declared His peace to shepherds in the fields,
Then Christ spoke peace unto the waves when He said, “Peace be still”.

So why must people live in fear, devoid of hope and faith,
For God desires we live in peace, to trust Him and obey.

So friend, if you are troubled with the cares this life may bring,
Let Jesus give you endless peace and joyful songs to sing.

For storm clouds gather in our minds, but faith will send us light,
God’s perfect peace will shelter us and calm the stormy nights.

For peace will not be found in worldly treasures or possessions,
If only youth would teach us of this most important lesson.

When we open a Christmas card declaring “Peace on Earth”,
It means much more than shepherds and those three inspiring words.

Sweet peace arrived one Christmas night, born in a humble manger,
For Jesus came to break the chains of fear, despair and anger.

This world will try to give you peace, but there’s no substitution,
Salvation born in Bethlehem brought quiet revolution.

So if you’re overwhelmed with pain, the guilt of sin or hurt,
Seek Jesus as the Answer and discover “Peace on Earth”.

 

 

Copyright 2003 - Revised 2012, Norma W. Beaird.  All rights reserved.