Loud Inaudible Us

Posted on by Gary Fultz

After some hints, pushing, prodding and blatantly outright suggestions (yes, I exaggerate) I have taken Ted Martins advice from several comments on my comments section and put some of my photos on a free share website. Yes, they are free and you can use them for your blogs or thankyou cards or whatever, however and whenever you use pictures. Thanks Ted for the push. View Teds site here https://rhetoricandhomiletics.org/

What we pass on to the next generation and others around us matters

I don’t know what process you use for giving away free stuff but I’m willing to think you like to receive free stuff. I just hope my pictures are useful to someone besides me.

I noticed that many bloggers that I read use Unsplash for downloading free pictures and chose that site to set up an account and share. As I type this my 16 pictures have 9,528 views and 137 downloads in October. You can look at my very limited selection of free photos and then go on to search from the thousands of great photos at https://unsplash.com/@garyfultz

I’ll download more as Unsplash begins to trust me with downloads according to their specs. I sometimes ask and am asked “why give?”

My stuff

I may not have much from a worldly point of view, but I am very wealthy and gaining daily. When I die I stand to inherit a whole lot of free stuff given freely by my Father, but, that means nothing if it does not show up, in some way, shape or form as a voice to the little corner of the present world I touch.

Christmas and gift giving and receiving is so exciting

I see an inaudible voice in sharing photo’s. I watch inaudible parent child language. I see inaudible marriage interchange. I even see inaudible messages in blogs between the lines and so do you. Let’s face it, our inaudible messages through all the mediums at our disposal speak so loud no one can hear what we are saying.

All this to pray “May my photos speak inaudibly Gods voice to the world.”

The Son changes everything

A note of encouragement: Only God can manage our loud inaudible voice to the world around us, if we let Him. However, Speaking of Gods inaudibles like nature and his workings in us, God’s audible Word changes us. Where God uses the inaudibles of people, life and nature to get our attention, He uses his audible, eternal and perfect WORD to change inaudible us.

After 6 days in the wilderness…we all need to change

” In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” John 1:1-5

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

Gary

Bad Investment

Posted on by Gary Fultz

Life’s stakes are high. Daryl Maddens Poem hits it well.

Two voices in your head
Struggle for control
The loud voice of the ego
The whisper of the soul….. Read more here at Daryl’s blog

 It’s so human to buy a lot of ego stock for the short term and hold, sometimes into eternity, as if we can control the dividends

This morning I saw and captured a whole garden in a dew drop. Think what God can make of us when we trust Him

Instead, Invest here: “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.” 1 Peter 5:6

Think of the solid foundation from which we speak. If you believe and know Jesus, you have been forgiven, made whole, and have been made absolutely perfect (way more than a dew drop) before God. “For He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” 2corinthians 5:21

Long Term Thinking: Eternity (see you there?)

Running with the Steers

Posted on by Gary Fultz

I got run over by a 1600 pound steer. It’s true. Not as glamorous a story as Grandma and the reindeer but this steer was 5 times as big as any reindeer. I’m quite sure no song like “Grandma got run over by a reindeer” will come of it either. I’m OK, thanks for asking. The hooves missed me after a good head butt to send me flying and then run over the top of me.

I had agreed to drive two hours to bring a steer to market for a brother. It was an easy job. Just drive the rig, back up the trailer and let the steer out into the chute. Easy. Two experienced professionals took it from there after backing the trailer tight with the open chute door. They opened the trailer door. The steer ran out of the trailer and up the chute a few feet while the professionals closed the trailer door and shut the chute gate.

All of this looked easy. I was ready to walk away, get in the truck and drive away. As I innocently stood at the mouth of the closed gate, the big angry steer charged at one of the attendants. The steer hit the side of the chute and made an opening at the end of the gate. One moment I was standing in front of where the gate closes and the next moment, I was in front of the opening. The massive animal saw the small opening and charged right through. His big head caught me in the chest and tossed me into a perfect back flip. I landed a skidding bellyflop onto the gravel driveway. I imagined my guardian angel and a couple other angels just watching and holding up signs…they were giving me a straight 10! Then the massive steer ran over the top of me, hooves pounding on each side of my face. Thankfully no hooves mashed me. Physically speaking, I felt f.f.f.fine.

My body was sore in places where I didn’t even know I had places. Some odd memories were coming to me. I now believe those who tell about their whole life flashing before them in less than a second during a near death experience. As I was flying through the air, I remember pieces of my disjointed thoughts, “I’m never traveling to Pamplona to run with the bulls”. Something did not feel right thinking of communion in church…”this is my body broken for you…” my mind fragmented more than my body. I vividly remember dads voice saying, “this is a teachable character moment son”. Mom’s voice said “oh my!” I thought…nothing, just flashes of life and lots of accidents and “oh, this is going to hurt!”

At days end. Evaluating life might be a good thing.

Some changes have taken place. mostly in my heart and mind. living, dying, accidents or just an odd happening does so instantly. I mean, what unforeseeable accident happens slowly? I’ve been shying away from parts of my morning prayer, mostly where I pray “well Lord, what do you have for me today?” this is my version of “thy will be done” when quoting the Lord’s Prayer. I am very open to praying differently if you have other ideas. I find myself talking to God like Moses at the burning bush; “here I am Lord, please send Aaron.” I’m quite sure my default prayers should include needing more wisdom. Maybe I should think carefully about standing in front of doors that life can smash through and affect not only me but future generations. I also realized I wanted to be the kind of person the world would truly miss and God would want me to be, should the next accident that comes my way send me into eternity.

Both Dad and mom used to talk about the unseen character of one’s life. They were firm believers in using almost anything for teachable character moments in developing seven children’s worth of character growth. They used those times that came upon us suddenly to show us the kind of person we really were. When someone hits their thumb with a hammer while pounding in a nail, true character seems to show itself. When we were wrongly accused, our character was on display. When we were given too much change back after a purchase, we were sent back into the store. All of us siblings have plenty of teachable character moment stories.

With this steer incident, God got my attention. Some old song lyrics came to mind. “Nothing can happen to me today. Nothing good, nothing bad. Nothing can happen to me today without passing through the fathers hand.” So, what does it take for God to get your attention? Trust me, in life, at any time, God allows some extreme attention getters. Actually…don’t trust me. I have my own trust issues which at least partial explains God’s attempt at a teachable character moment for me. Yes, God can make something good come from a rogue steer and me standing where I shouldn’t.

Gary

Always Amazed

Posted on by Gary Fultz

I’ve been waiting for the perfect time to take spring pictures, knowing the best time is when I can. When I will. When I do. Like all important things.

This morning I walked out the front door with the camera and started taking pictures of whatever seems to tickle my fancy and seems poised for the occasion. 

I was reminded how absolutely amazing life is. The beauty of living things has such a stark contrast to what is dead. 

 
From the Chickadee gathering nest material, the blades of grass moving with a breeze,  to the flowers I didn’t identify, the yard was alive. Amazing how I just take this all for granted and it’s right outside the house.

Did you notice all the dead stuff?      I didn’t either.

This is an illustration of eternity you know. When someone or something dies they are gone and the signs they ever lived begin to fade away. 

I found a very symbolic picture of death, old growth and new growth. It’s always challenging to me when I see the new growth on the ends of trees especially. It makes me ask “am I growing?” Mentally, physically, socially and spiritually, “am I growing?”

old seed cone new growth eml
The old spruce cone is dead, decaying. Seeds inside still. See this years new growth? soft, silky while the old growth is stiff and prickly. “Am I alive?  growing?”

 Consider what Jesus said about life and death:  And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 1 John 5:11-12

This is why it’s important to know Jesus. Don’t wait for the best time to believe and be a follower of Jesus. To be alive and not dead is everything. I took all these pictures today and I am amazed. Again.

By the way, my wife will let me mow the grass in a month or so and it will look like a well manicured lawn again…The flowers will grow back (that’s what I tell her).

Gary

I Noticed

Posted on by Gary Fultz

I saw it coming out of the wind and rain. A sign. An opening in the clouds appeared.

A ray. Slim, tentative, gathering other rays. to speak through the opening. Speak to me?

Just a word for the dark, rainy, windy, angry day. Just a word for the good, bad, sometimes great, beautiful, gloomy, nearing the end game of life.

Just a word gathering past the finale coming from the sun. Just a word coming from the Son. God cares. He really does you know. When you notice, you can feel it inside. It’s bone deep and heart felt.

HOPE

sunlight through clouds 2eml
Picture taken as the storm seemed to be abating this afternoon by GaryFultz

Big storm, small Rays, big sun (Son)

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.  We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed 2Corinthians 4:7-9

 Sometimes we need the storm to notice the Son. May your clouds part, if only for a small a ray of hope. Remember where those rays come from!

Signiture

Love language to a thorn

Posted on by Gary Fultz

 Crimson thorns adorned in the whitest new snow. God delights in poking us with natures natural symbolisms.

thorns against winter 2eml
Menacing crimson thorns in our front yard. No match for snowflakes!

I often wonder why Jesus took a crown of thorns. I wonder why he took thorny me. 

I marvel at the symbolism of the picture. The thorns are no match for the Christ who died for us with a crown of thorns. Then begins the inside work on our thorny heart and washes us whiter than snow.

Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. (Isaiah 118)

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

Gary

When The Dust Settles

Posted on by Gary Fultz
Aug 2 sun eml

My thoughts as we put the urn of Dad’s ashes into the ground. Seems like a few days ago…

There is nothing worse, absolutely nothing worse than waking up in eternity and finding out you were wrong.

John 14:6 : Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 10:9 I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture.

John 11:25: Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies.

I don’t know about you but I’m putting all my marbles on the one, the only one who didn’t stay dead.

Please don’t die forever!    

Gary

Pushy Discipleship

Posted on by Gary Fultz

Dad was known for his basketball coaching for many years.  On occasion, he would say or do some unconventional things throughout his life to push people to grow in all areas of their life. Many young men looked up to him, on and off the court. He was “coach.” I, being one of his 7 children, sometimes find myself doing similar things.

After dad’s memorial service…I sent a text to James a fellow basketball player on Friday nights. Basketball evenings were played almost every week in the old clubhouse behind the church. With a lot of help, dad had moved an old barn and converted it into an all-season place to play basketball for three generations of fun. James was my generation. We were “clubhouse kids.”

James, I kind of pulled a fast one on you. I put gobs of thank you cards in the church mail boxs. I saw you did not have a mailbox so I took dads mailbox ID paper out of his box, turned it over and wrote your name on it and put it into a box where your name should be. So… you are now taking dads place at church, and you have a mailbox. I told Pastor what I did as well. Anyway, all you have to do to take dads place is sit each morning with a cup of coffee at home with an open bible for a few words from God. Communicate with God about whatever is on your mind. The Holy Spirit will do the rest…No pressure. You meant a lot to dad so consider this dads last basketball move. Now you have the ball.����

Maybe this is not taught in discipleship class but just maybe the spiritual war zone for lives has too many sheathed swords on the Lords side. I’m all for being a little pushy sometimes if that’s what it takes.

And yes, I received the “Thanks a lot Gary…Your dad sure meant a lot to me! James

Gary

 

Dying

Posted on by Gary Fultz
Dad and Mom 62 years eml

They didn’t make it another year together. Since then, Dad has been dying. Slowly. Dad said it best when mom died, it’s like two immensely strong trees grown together and ripped apart in one of life’s storms.

I mourn for mom in passing. I mourn for dad as important things in his life fall away. He might not fish or hunt again and I mourn. Walking the woods and hunting together is past and I mourn. Eating food is hard and firing up the grill or smoker for dad has lost it’s enjoyment. I mourn that. Enjoyment itself seems to be passing like a salmon arriving at its birthplace to lay eggs and die. There is no more will to fight the currents.

The hardest thing for me is the wilting of relationship. It’s not just dad’s fault. We are turning our heads away from each other viewing the tasks of living another day, week, month and maybe he will make it to Christmas. There is a shadow, a dark cloud in the way of talking deeply with one another and I mourn. Dad has turned his head toward eternity. He is like a farm horse headed to the barn at the end of a long workday. There’s no stopping that horse for anything and it can’t wait to get home to the barn. I’m not ready for that.

Today, I’ll get in the car and drive a few hours to see dad. It’s possible he may have much or little time left. I may have many or few visits left. I don’t know. All I know is that Dad is dying in dozens of ways, and that’s hard. I mourn.

I do take comfort in the fact that dad see’s eternity and there is light. Dad thinks eternities door is cracked open enough for light to spill out. He can almost look inside. He seems to be parked by the door while I want to take him for another boat ride and throw a few casts for fish while we talk. Oh, he can still do that physically but it’s not the same. He wants to see Jesus and hug mom again. I want him to hug me. So yes, I mourn.

This morning, as I drove to see dad, I gave him to God. I let a piece of me die. Oh, he won’t die forever. He is God’s you know. He knows. He always belonged to God as long as I have known him. I will just miss him. After another weekend visit, I will give dad a hug, say “bye for now dad”, you know just in case I need to wait for eternity to see him again.

dads sunset eml

I stand in dads yard and watch the sun set. What symbolism for my grief as well as my hope beyond this life. Tears come as I quietly whisper “bye for now dad”.

Gary