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posted by Robert on 03/18/09

No other person in history has sung to more people than George Beverly Shea. Known as "America’s Beloved Gospel Singer," his unmistakable rich baritone voice has proclaimed the Gospel message in song to over 200 million people around the globe! In crusade after crusade, his passionate solo would set the tone for Billy Graham’s salvation message. Billy Graham once said that he felt the song was more powerful than the sermon.

Last month, Bey Shea celebrated his 100th birthday! Knowing how God has used him so powerfully over the last century, I counted it an incredible privilege to be able to spend some time with him and his wife yesterday at their beautiful home in the hills of North Carolina.

At 100 years old, I was surprised at Mr. Shea’s agility, quick wit, and ability to recall dates, names, and specific details from the past. He was overflowing with fun recollections from big crusades, memories of famous people, and touching stories of hymn histories. It was thrilling to hear him share firsthand how the Lord had orchestrated the writing of such favorites as The Wonder of It All and I’d Rather Have Jesus.

His life was overflowing with music! He showed us four organs in his home, including a big pipe organ. The pipes were down in the basement and filled the house with music as he played. He even played a little pump organ for us!

In the Shea living room was a 1934 Steinway grand piano that Bev Shea’s father had purchased for something like $19. It still sounded great and I enjoyed playing How Great Thou Art, a favorite hymn of mine that first received widespread popularity after Bev Shea sang it at a London Crusade.

After spending a memorable day together, it was clear to me that even at 100 years old, Mr. Shea is still as fascinated with "the wonder of it all" as when he first penned these words back in 1955:

There’s the wonder of sunset at evening,
The wonder as sunrise I see;
But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul
Is the wonder that God loves me.

10 Comments » | posted in Historical Glimpses

posted by Robert on 03/16/09

A while back I heard a poignant story from an elderly gentleman who had spent many long winters in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He said that these events really had taken place and that he had seen them with his own eyes. The story touched my heart and I have not been able to forget it. Let me try to relate what happened to you as best as I can recollect . . .

~

Many years ago two brothers lived in the quaint little town of Eagle River, situated near the Wisconsin border next to miles and miles of untamed wilderness in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. These boys grew up in a little house near the railroad tracks, just a stone’s throw away from the Eagle River depot.

The younger fellow, being somewhat limited in his mental abilities, adored his older brother, who loved and accepted him just the way that he was. Thus it was a heartbreaking moment when his older brother boarded a train and went off to fight in the war.

Day after day the young man would go down to the railroad tracks, patiently waiting for his older brother to return home. Weeks and then months slowly ticked past. Every day from morning until night, rain or shine, you could see him standing there beside the tracks . . . waiting. Winter arrived, and with it came the icy winds and blasting snow. And still he stood there, bundled against the cold, waiting for his brother to return home.

Months melted into years. Year after year, those who regularly passed through the town knew they would still be able to find the younger brother standing there beside the tracks, patiently waiting for his brother to come home. With his mental limitations, he could not comprehend that his brother would never return. He had been killed in action.

We are also waiting. Motivated by love, just like the younger brother, we are awaiting the return of our Father’s only begotten Son. But our hope is not in vain. We have no fear that he will not return. We are awaiting a risen Savior!

“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” (Matthew 24:42).

3 Comments » | posted in Tidbits

posted by Robert on 03/6/09

“You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving . . . . You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.” - Adrian Rodgers

6 Comments » | posted in Politics

posted by James on 03/2/09

I know I’m already two months and one day late. But after a lot of thought and a good conversation over dinner with a “real” photographer the other day, I have decided it would be beneficial to start posting a “Picture of the Month.” The purpose behind this is fourfold: First, it allows open discussion for your critique and comments; critique is to a photographer as water is to a plant. Second, it allows me to share my personal experience and stories behind each image. Third, it serves as a motivation for me to keep shooting and exercise my photography skills. And lastly, it is fertile soil for creatively making analogies; often a picture is only as good as it is able to portray a concept of truth.

Frozen Reflections

Have you ever seen trees standing in frozen flood-water? It’s peculiarity was one reason I decided to take this picture that cold, Friday evening after work last month. The light was fading, so I quickly set up the tripod and camera close to the waters edge. Heavy snowfall was in the forecast for that very night and the warmth of spring would come soon after that; I knew this might be the last chance I had to capture this strange occurrence.

Time moves on. Opportunities come and go. Reflections of the past are frozen. Shoot now, for the night is coming! (John 9:4)

6 Comments » | posted in Photography