Photography, Faith and the Art of Seeing #19
 
This year Ready for the Road Ahead is taking on a new direction.  It is one that follows the grand theme of sight in all aspects which runs throughout Scripture.  My weekly writings will be excerpts from a book of the same name which should be published (Lord willing) later this year.

            While a tripod may not be human it is certainly one of the photographer’s best friends.  Laurence Noah, a photography blogger, listed 10 useful purposes for this trusty photographic side-kick which included things like holding the camera steady during long exposure shots and landscapes.  I would add two more from my own experience.  The tripod is oftentimes more sure and steady than even the most rock solid hand-held shot, and when you attach a remote shutter to your camera the tripod allows you to step away from it so that you can capture elusive subjects like birds.  It may not be as devoted as a human friend can be, but it’s just as dependable.

            If you’re looking for the qualities and traits of a good friend on the internet you won’t have trouble finding them.  Lists contain anywhere from 7 to 44 different characteristics with traits such as trustworthy, honest, a good listener, supportive in good and bad times, able to find humor in life and the ability to express empathy in times of need.  Sadly, the man who needed friends the most in his time of trouble, Job, had so-called friends who sorely lacked in many of these areas.  Chapter 2 of Job opens with the arrival of three of Job’s friends who have supposedly come to offer him support after calamity has struck.  If these three had truly come to offer sympathy and comfort, it was never recorded!  The long-winded speeches of Job’s friends in chapters 3 through 37 contain perfectly logical arguments constructed to prove the common belief that suffering equaled sin.  Rather than comfort their words were literally salt poured on Job’s open wounds.  But instead of accepting the usual explanation, “you’re getting what you deserve”, Job demonstrates that suffering actually reveals how truly godly one is as they bear the unbearable and seek the comfort of God in the midst of their trial.

            Other Bible passages have some things to say about friendship too.  Some of the most telling verses about what makes someone a good friend come out of the Book of Proverbs.   Proverbs informs us that a friend loves at all times (17:17), watches what they say (7:4; 16:28), is not a “fair weather friend” but sticks “closer than a brother” (18:24), speaks the truth in love (27:6) rather than using the flattery of a deceptive enemy, offers “sweet” counsel in their words (27:9), comes to your aid because they want to not because they have to (27:10) and doesn’t make a show of themselves (27:14).  Two other verses stand out in the New Testament.  Jesus described how a friend responds when there is a persistent need in your life (Lk. 11:5-8) and taught that the greatest form of friendship is the setting aside of one’s own needs for that of another (Jn. 15:13).

            Perhaps the most tumultuous time in a person’s life is the early teen years.  The choice of one’s friends in those hormonally charged years is truly critical.  The right kind of friends make you feel like you matter in spite of what goes on in school or at home.  The wrong friends tend to encourage poor choices and get you into trouble.  Unfortunately you have to learn the difference between these two the hard way.   At least I did!  But the Lord in His providence allowed me to realize my poor choice in one particular “friend” before it was too late.  “Mary” came from a broken home and was often left to her own devices.  Now many years later I can see that her behavior was probably a cry for help.  But I got sucked into that behavior for a short time and I’m not proud to say, followed her exactly UNTIL we were almost caught.  It scared me so much that I finally listened to my conscience and stopped.  The friendship died almost immediately when Mary saw that I would no longer participate with her.   If Mary was a tripod she was a cheap, shoddy, knock-off of one of the top brands.  She initially gave the impression of being a friend but the materials by which she was made were unreliable and substandard.

            Although she was not a good friend she taught me an invaluable lesson on the traits and qualities of someone who is.  Job’s friends fell short of the Biblical model of friendship in every way just like Mary did.  But they also teach us about what to look for in true friends just like Mary taught me.  The tripod is a good illustration for what a true friend does.  Its sturdy design and the abilities it has to improve one’s pictures reminds us that true friends are a great support and help us to be what God truly intends for us to be.  So if you’re in the market for a true friend, think “tripod”!

Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.

https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

Ready for the Road Ahead ~ Photography, Faith and the Art of Seeing #18
 
This year Ready for the Road Ahead is taking on a new direction.  It is one that follows the grand theme of sight in all aspects which runs throughout Scripture.  My weekly writings will be excerpts from a book of the same name which should be published (Lord willing) later this year.

            When I was a little girl the only thing I liked about going to the dentist’s office were the magazines which he had in the waiting room.  At the back of every issue was a “Hidden Picture” puzzle.  These graphic illustrations depicted a scene which at first glance seemed to be a fairly ordinary picture.  But hidden within those scenes were a collection of objects that were cleverly blended into the picture such as a toothbrush, a flower or a hammer.  A pictoral list would be posted underneath the picture and it was fun to search for the hidden items by studying the list and then carefully looking at every inch of that picture! I think those puzzles may have developed my photographic eye long before I even picked up a camera simply by making me take a long look at the picture before me.  Sometimes seeing God at work in our lives is like searching for those hidden pictures.  He is hidden in the picture of our life and we have to look very carefully to find Him.

            Seeing God at work in the events of the Book of Esther is one of the Bible’s greatest hidden pictures.  Many have noted that it hardly contains anything “religious” at all with the exception of fasting (Est. 4:15-17).  On the other hand the “Hidden God” of Esther also seems deliberate.  Esther falls in the literary genre of wisdom literature which teaches a spiritual truth through parables, repetition, word patterns and you guessed it, hidden pictures in the words!  Such is the case in Esther’s poetic invitation asking the king and Haman to a luncheon in her palatial suite (Est. 5:8).  Sadly you cannot see it in English, but in Hebrew when the lines of Esther’s request are lined up properly one can easily see the four Hebrew letters that compose the name Yahweh.  It’s literary hint that God is at work in the Persian Empire in spite of the evil intentions of Haman.  When Haman’s plot to destroy the Jews is discovered by Mordecai, he literally mourns over the coming destruction of the Jewish people outside the palace gate.  The Persian Court looked down upon any display of negative emotions within the palace, but word reaches Esther that Mordecai is putting on quite a display.  A dialogue ensues between the two which ends with a challenge from Mordecai which also contains a guarded reference to the Lord (Est. 4:1-13).  Mordecai’s use of “another place” is used at other times and in other sources to attribute something to a Divine Being (Est. 4:1-13).

            I would like to say I’ve mastered the ability to see with eyes of faith in any given situation.  I would also like to say there is a formula, a quick “how to” process that will enable you to see as some of those aforementioned heroes saw their situations.  But I can’t.  Just as it takes time to develop the ability to see pictures in uncommon or less than perfect situations, it takes time to recognize when God is working in the background to bring about His prefect will (Phil. 4:11-13). 

            I’m not sure who first discovered the Great Horned Owl and her nest in the Sycamore tree.  I certainly wouldn’t have looked for an owl nest in a tree by a parking lot but it when you looked at the tree it was obvious why it was chosen.  Someone really knew what to look for because Mrs. O really blended in with the tree bark.  When it comes to my faith I’d like to be that kind of tracker.  I’d like to be able to look at issues and circumstances in my life and say, “Oh, that’s the Lord doing this,” or, “That’s the Lord doing that”.  But more often than not I struggle to see what God is doing until well after the event is over.  For those tracking the work of God in the days of Esther it may have seemed to be a tricky job for a while.  He appeared to be hidden from view in everything just like His name is hidden in Esther’s book.  Haman and his supporters appeared to have the upper hand.  They even manipulated the king into making a disastrous decree against the Jewish people (Est. 3:7-15).  However God had the component of deliverance from that decree hidden away in the king’s harem (of all places!) and in His perfect timing deliverance was attained (Est. 8:1-17).  Our lives will always seem to be filled with hidden pictures, those places where God is at work but we can’t see Him.  Our faith will be stretched as we cling to “the assurance of things hoped for; the conviction of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1).  But like those picture puzzles in the magazines at the dentist’s office, the challenge of discovering where He is at work is a fun exercise in learning to see.

Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre
 

Ready for the Road Ahead ~ Photography, Faith and the Art of Seeing 17
 
This year Ready for the Road Ahead is taking on a new direction.  It is one that follows the grand theme of sight in all aspects which runs throughout Scripture.  My weekly writings will be excerpts from a book of the same name which should be published (Lord willing) later this year.
 
            I do not consider myself a portrait photographer but every now and then I will see a person and their face will capture my attention and I in turn capture them in my camera.  I was wandering around the farmer’s market one Saturday and discovered some young musicians playing a lovely classical piece.  While all of them were very talented one girl was fascinating to watch.  I didn’t want to be obvious but I had to get a picture of her.  While I would not put myself in the company of photographers like Steve McCurry or Dorothea Lange, I was pleased with the result of my inconspicuous attempt at portraiture.

            If photographers were around in the days of the Bible I wonder what the portraits of the people written about would look like?  While we do not have physical images to hold in our hands or view on the wall, we do have word pictures recorded for us across its pages.  I think that one of the most compelling portraits might be that of Nehemiah who served as the cupbearer in the court of King Artaxerxes I (464-424 B. C.).  Persian monarchs were known to turn a blind eye to any misery, disaster, sorrow or pain in the people surrounding them.  The first aspect of Nehemiah’s portrait that we see is his demeanor and love towards Jerusalem. News had reached Nehemiah of the poor conditions in the city.  Nehemiah was heartbroken and spent many days fasting and praying before the Lord seeking an answer to the situation (some have estimated this was a period of about four months!).  Nehemiah cannot hide his sorrow and when the king sees it, he fears he has broken protocol and will be punished for it (Neh. 2:2).

            A second aspect of Nehemiah’s portrait emerges as he begins the daunting task of rebuilding the wall.  He inspires the people with the testimony of how he came to Jerusalem (2:11-20) and to further the actual completion of the wall Nehemiah divides it into sections assigning them to the people who live closest to each part that needs repair (Neh. 3).  Nehemiah’s enemies do their best to undermine and stop the work so to further insure the wall is completed Nehemiah arms the workers with weapons so that if they are attacked they will be able to defend themselves (Neh. 4:21-23).  Nehemiah is decisive, thorough and aggressive in both the construction of the wall and spiritual reforms.   The third aspect of Nehemiah’s portrait is his devotion.  When a problem arises he is immediately in prayer (Neh. 1:5-11; 2:4; 4:4-5; 6:9, 14).  He set a personal example of the commitment he demanded (5:14-18).  When one is this devoted it is a guarantee that opposition will arise.  It did for Nehemiah in the form of three powerful men: Sanballat, the governor of Samaria, Tobiah the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arab. They were three powerful opponents but they were no match for the devotion of one man who was intent on pleasing God (Neh. 5:19; 13:14, 22, 31).

            Nehemiah’s portrait may not have been captured on film but the words used to describe him have the same effect.  Wherever we “see” him in Scripture, whether it’s in the court of Artaxerxes or examining the progress of the wall in Jerusalem, we see the same attributes over and over again: a love for God and for Jerusalem, a passion to wholly serve a Holy God, bold and aggressive leadership that gets the job done and stares down opponents, and a solid foundation of prayer to stay the course and complete the task at hand.  After learning about Nehemiah it would be easy to think we’re exempt from living in the same fashion because we don’t find ourselves in a similar situation.  But would thinking that Nehemiah’s story is just a collection of historical facts and not applicable to us be true?  I don’t think so. 

            The Bible often reminds us that we live as aliens and sojourners in this world, that it is not our home and our citizenship is in heaven (Ps. 39:12; Jn. 18 :36; 2 Cor. 5:1; Phil. 3:20; 1 Pet. 2:11).  We are also told that Jesus, God’s Son, has sent us into this world with a message (Mt. 10:16; 28:18-20; Lk. 10:3; Jn. 20:21; Acts 1:8; 5:32; 2 Cor. 5:20; Eph. 1:13-14; 1 Jn. 1:5) but that we will be met with opposition in spite of the Good News we have to share (Mk. 10:28-30; Jn. 15:19; Eph. 6:12; 2 Tim. 3:1, 13).  Although we may face opposition and even persecution from the enemies of the Cross, God has equipped us with the Holy Spirit so that we can accomplish all the tasks He has called us to do (Jn. 14:16, 25-27; Phil. 4:11-13; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).  How we go about living for Christ and sharing the Good News is not only a testimony to Christ at work in us, but also inspirational to those who need to hear the message or be encouraged by our personal story (Eph. 2:1-10; Phil. 2:14-16; Heb. 12:1-2).  The evidence is compelling.  You and I face the same challenges as Nehemiah even though we are in a different time and place.  So, what does my portrait say about me?   What does yours say about you?
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.

https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

Ready for the Road Ahead ~ Photography, Faith and the Art of Seeing 16

This year Ready for the Road Ahead is taking on a new direction.  It is one that follows the grand theme of sight in all aspects which runs throughout Scripture.  My weekly writings will be excerpts from a book of the same name which should be published (Lord willing) later this year.
 
            My grandparents named the house “Pandy”.  I thought it was one of the most magical places on earth.  It was elegant, hidden behind a row of Boxwoods and Cedars, lushly green, refined and even mysterious.  On one of our visits I found myself alone upstairs staring at the attic door.  Did I dare go up the stairs?  It was a dark passageway but I could see light at the top of the stairs from an attic window.  I took a few tentative steps- just enough to get a glimpse of the room.  I never forgot how intriguing it looked but I never tried to go up there again either.  That little adventure always seemed to be indicative of my Hoster-Jones heritage.  I didn’t know much about it other than the stories I was told and even then it was hard to verify if those stories were accurate.  It wasn’t until my adulthood that I had a more concrete connection to my mother’s forbearers.  My aunt called to ask if I could come help her close up the house.  There was a massive amount of paperwork to sort through and years’ worth of “stuff” to send off to new homes.  One day my aunt sent me up into the attic with the instructions, “Go through the pictures and whatever else is up there and take what you want.  I don’t want any of it.”  When I look through those pictures now, I’m struck by the fact that they record a lineage I know very little about. 

            When your family history is disjointed like mine, there are all kinds of unanswered questions.  In the days of Ezra one’s genealogy was important in determining family lines.  Although it may not seem important to us, the detailed genealogies in the beginning of Chronicles are tied into a promise that has eternal implications and it begins all the way back in the early chapters of Genesis.  After the Fall of man God states that there will be one particular encounter where the offspring of Eve will be wounded by the serpent but that her descendant will crush the head of the serpent literally killing him (Gen. 3:15).  The promise becomes more in focus with the words spoken by Jacob to Judah on his deathbed (Gen. 49:8-12, especially v. 10).  Hidden among all those names in the second chapter of Chronicles is the descendant that fulfills Jacob’s prophecy and God’s promise- David (1 Chr. 2:13).  But the promise goes further when Nathan the prophet tells David that God has said, “Your house and your kingdom will endure before Me; your throne will be established forever.” (2 Sam. 7:16).  We all know that no person can live forever.  We all experience the death of someone we love at some point in life.  So how can this be?  Is there really a descendant of David who has done this?  We find the answer in a genealogy and specifically the genealogy of Jesus Christ.  Both Matthew (Mt. 1:1-17) and Luke (Lk. 3:23-37) note Jesus’ genetic connections to Judah and David (Mt. 1:2, 6, 16; Lk. 3:23, 31, 33).  But earthly lineage does not a fulfilled promise make.  No instead it is something that must done and witnessed.  It must be seen as clearly as a set of steps in the noon-day sun not like the black and dusty stairwell of Pandy.  And it was!

            The aftermath of the crucifixion was a terrible time for the disciples and those who loved and followed Jesus.  While they had listened to His words and believed Him they did not fully comprehend what they meant (Mt. 12:38-41; 16:1-4; Lk. 29-32) so it was with heavy hearts they went to the tomb after the holy days had passed in order to complete Jesus’ burial (Lk. 24:1-12).  But instead of seeing what they expected to see- a physical body needing its final preparations- they were greeted by “two men whose garments gleamed like lightning”.  “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” they were questioned.  “He is not here.  He is risen!”  Jesus had told Pilate His kingdom was not of this world (Jn. 18:36).  His resurrection proved He was the descendant of David and Judah who had come to reign eternally (Heb. 1:1-12- see vv. 8, 12).

            I do know some of my ancestry through my mother.  Like those first lines of Chronicles I can recite my parentage- at least for a few generations.  Judah’s ancestry was extremely accurate and thorough.  My family line is probably only important to me but the names of Judah’s offspring were written down for all eternity because all eternity rested on a future descendant promised by God through Jacob to Judah within Jacob’s deathbed blessing.   There are thousands of names written in the Bible.  They stand as a testimony that the Bible is about real people in real places but as it is with human flesh most of their lines of ancestry will come to an end.  When all is said and done only one lineage remains intact for all eternity and truly that is the only one that matters.

Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

Ready for the Road Ahead ~ Photography, Faith, and the Art of Seeing 15
 
This year Ready for the Road Ahead is taking on a new direction.  It is one that follows the grand theme of sight in all aspects which runs throughout Scripture.  My weekly writings will be excerpts from a book of the same name which should be published (Lord willing) later this year.
 
            They say a picture’s worth a thousand words.  But the spoken words of one generation to the next were even more important in the Bible.  There are numerous records of fathers’ last words to their sons and leaders sharing their final thoughts with their people such as Jacob’s departing words to his 12 sons (Gen. 49) and Moses’ farewell speech at the border of the Promised Land (Ex. 33:1-34:8).  The Book of Proverbs also contains many admonitions to sons to continue to follow their father’s instructions and the Lord’s commands (Pr. 1:8, 10, 15; 2:1; 3:1;11:4; 4:10, 20; 5:1, 7; 6: 1, 3, 20 and more!).  If you were to survey most parents I’m sure the reason for this would be evident.  No parent wants to see their children make the same mistakes they did.  They hope that what they learned from those mistakes will be put to good use by their children.  They also want to see their children avoid the fall-out from their mistakes a sentiment expressed by the Lord Himself when He brought the Law to Moses (Ex. 34:6-7). 

            When you look at the monarchy in the Book of Kings it becomes very apparent as to how important this is and it makes the words of wisdom passed on from David to Solomon even more powerful- a picture whose thousands words are worth as many ounces of gold when it comes to passing on lessons learned from life to the next generation (Prov. 25:11).  Iain Provan said it this way, “The Book of Kings is not only a narrative about the past.  It is also a narrative that seeks to teach its readers a number of things about God and His ways.  That is, the Book of Kings tells us about Israel’s past, not so that we should become better informed about it in some abstract intellectually detached way, but so that we should learn from it (Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11).”  Simply put David’s words (and many others’ as well) seem not only to be recorded for Solomon but for us too. 

            It is interesting to note that as David imparts his final words to Solomon he draws heavily upon the Lord’s admonition to Joshua when he assumes the mantle of leadership from Moses ( Be strong: 1 Kin. 2:2; Jos. 1:6-7, 9; Follow the Lord: 2 Kin. 2:3; Jos. 1:7; A total commitment: 2 Kin. 2:4; Jos. 1:3).   The reason for doing so is so that Solomon will prosper as king and the Lord will keep His promise to David (2 Kin. 2:3-4; Jos. 1:3; Dt. 9:5; 29:9; 2 Sam. 7:11-16).  In short David’s final words to Solomon can be divided into three segments:  What to do (vv. 1-3); Why you must do it (v. 4); and some personal requests concerning people who either helped David or opposed him during his tenure as king (vv. 5-9).  David’s “thousand words” are a picture of a life well-lived because it is completely lived for the Lord.

            I often think of my father in this respect.  He wasn’t one to specifically talk about living God’s way but you could see it in everything he did.  The week before my father died I was able to spend a lot of time with him.  Parkinson’s Disease had slowly taken over his earthly body but the father I knew and loved was still housed in that “war-torn” shell.  He slept a lot and speaking sapped him of strength so I let him rest.  I spent a lot of time remembering the things we had done together and many of the things he had done for me like building a doll house from a picture in a toy catalog, traveling to West Virginia to check out colleges because that’s where I wanted to go and the way he had stood by my mother when she struggled with alcoholism. There are many final addresses out there in cyber-world but most of us will not remember people by what they said, rather we will remember them by what they did.  David recognized that words only have authenticity if they are lived out in our lives.   In other words, our words must match the picture- that is they must agree with what people see.  My father’s words matched his picture.

            The questions before me today is, “How do I want to be remembered?    What do I want my picture to look like?”  I want my thousand words to be a reflection of Christ and a tribute to both Him and the earthly father who exemplified His love.  I want to take David’s admonitions to Solomon and apply them to my own life as I live in a way that is pleasing to the Lord.  I want my picture to be like that of my father’s; one whose words picture humor, ingenuity, unselfish love, perseverance, grace in the midst of disappointment and struggle.  I want to walk alongside the great heroes of the Faith in Hebrews 11 when I am remembered by my family and those who follow after me.  And with the Lord’s help that is exactly what my picture will say (Rom. 8:26-29; Phil. 4:13).
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.

https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

Ready for the Road Ahead ~ Photography, Faith and the Art of Seeing 14
 
This year Ready for the Road Ahead is taking on a new direction.  It is one that follows the grand theme of sight in all aspects which runs throughout Scripture.  My weekly writings will be excerpts from a book of the same name which should be published (Lord willing) later this year.
 
            Genes, like history, have a fascinating way of repeating themselves.  I am often reminded of this when I comb through the pictures of my family.  I had taken a picture of my grandson Micah playing out in the yard with a soccer ball.  He loves to boot it around and run after it to kick it once again.  I caught a shot of him lined up to connect with his target and something about his posture triggered a memory.  When I got home I pulled out a picture of his father Christopher doing the same thing and (you guessed it) they looked identical!  I’ve seen this played out dozens of times and not just in regards to fathers and sons.  It happens with sisters, daughters, mothers, aunts, uncles and ancestors too.  I’m not sure how these things get recorded and codified into our genetic make-up but I know it’s there because I’ve seen it in my photos.  The Bible recognizes patterns are a part of life too (Ps. 19:1-6; Ecc. 3:1-2).  But perhaps even more important are the patterns set forth within in families.  

            As the Bible moves from the period of the Judges to the time of settlement several figures and their sons emerge in the center of the story who are the epitome of pattern makers and pattern breakers.  The first two figures are Eli the High Priest and Samuel, the last judge of Israel.  While Samuel was imposing and a force to be reckoned with Eli was a weak and ineffective High Priest but neither of them produced sons that were worthy to carry on the office of their father.  Highlights of Eli’s story can be found here: 1 Sam. 1:1-20; 2:12-36; 4:1-11 and Samuel’s can be found here: 1 Sam. 3:1-21; 8:1-5.  Two fathers, two similar patterns; sadly each ending in death.  The morally corrupt condition of Samuel’s sons actually helps to perpetuate the people’s desire for a king.  But a king is no guarantee that your leadership will be better.  In fact Saul and David prove an interesting point.  Saul was the popular choice of the people but his character traits were questionable (1 Sam. 9:1-2; 10:20-24).  David was popular as well and had a stronger moral fiber within (1 Sam. 16:12; 17:33-36;42; Ps. 108:1; 138:1).  One would think David’s children would follow a pattern of greatness like David and Saul’s children would follow the disappointing pattern of their father Saul.  If we were to apply the statistics of today, we’d be correct. But that is not what happened!  David’s children were a mess.  One of David’s sons even tried to murder his father and take the throne (2 Sam. 15:18; 16:5-12).  Somewhere in their genetic code David’s “heart” was lost on his children.  That was not the case with Saul’s son Jonathan.  If anything he is the complete opposite of his father.  He was loyal, smart and faithful not only to his friend, the future king, David (1 Sam. 18:1-5) but also to his father even when Saul was plotting to destroy David.  In the end Jonathan gave his life in service to his father, who also died in the same battle (1 Sam. 31:1-6), foreshadowing in a small way another Son who would also give His life in service to His Father (Jn. 8:28; Gal. 1:4; Phil. 2:8).

            Sometimes I look at a photo and feel the pattern is appealing, but every once and a while I see a pattern in a photo I’m creating and think, “This pattern needs to be broken”.   Breaking an artistic pattern is as simple as turning one object a different way or playing with the size, shape, color or lines of our subject.   Breaking life patterns requires us to first recognize the unhealthy pattern and then determine how to change it.  Thankfully we can look at a Biblical person like Jonathan and see that this kind of change is possible.  Perhaps even more convincing is the succession of kings in Judah.  Take a look at these 4 generations and see what you think (2 Kin. 18-21; 21:1-18, 19-26; 22:1-23:27).

            I think it’s sad that many believers never read the Old Testament.  It is filled with stories like this that offer such hope.  You may have a pattern in your life that you’re under the impression you’re destined to follow.  But Josiah would tell you that is not the case!  If we are seeing life through the viewfinder of faith, we know it is completely possible to break a pattern.  There is a Helper who has all the tools we need to do so (Jn. 14:6, 26) and thanks to Him we are a completely new person (2 Cor. 5:17).  Christ is in the business of pattern breaking.  Just ask the Samaritan woman or the woman caught in adultery how Christ can change a life sunk in an unhealthy pattern (Jn. 4:1-42; 8:1-11).  Christ completely changed their individual patterns.  He will do the same for you if you let Him (Rev. 21:5).

Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.

https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

Ready for the Road Ahead ~ Photography, Faith and the Art of Seeing 13
 
This year Ready for the Road Ahead is taking on a new direction.  It is one that follows the grand theme of sight in all aspects which runs throughout Scripture.  My weekly writings will be excerpts from a book of the same name which should be published (Lord willing) later this year.
 
            Jeff and I were attending a wedding where the reception was being held in a beautiful ballroom.  As is the custom after the meal the bride and groom took to the dance floor to share their first dance as husband and wife.  The guests were invited to form a circle around and on a whim I grabbed my camera and brought it to the dance floor.  I watched the wedding photographer find a low spot with a nice angle and snapped a quick picture of the scene.  It was easy to see all the love surrounding the couple on their special day.

            It could be argued that the Book of Ruth is one of the Bible’s grandest love stories.  Ruth’s love is shown in her willingness to follow Naomi back to Bethlehem.  It would have been acceptable for her to do as Orpah did and return to her family.  In spite of the fact that she will be considered an outsider in Bethlehem Ruth chooses to accompany Naomi.  This was a monumental sacrifice.  Staying with her family offered Ruth some security.  Naomi could guarantee none of that.  But in what are probably some of the most beautiful words of love in the Bible Ruth declares her intent to stay with Naomi (Ruth 1:16-17).  That sacrificial love leads her to gleaning in a field where she catches the attention of Boaz.  Ruth’s sacrificial devotion is rewarded with the same kind of love from Boaz who seeks to marry Ruth after settling a debt issue with the relative who has “first rights” to Elimelech’s land (Lev. 25: 25, 48-49).  In a sense Boaz sacrifices himself for Ruth in that a son from their union will carry on Elimelech’s name and not his own.

            I believe that Ruth, Boaz and Naomi were real people in a real place at a real time.  This story is not just some fairy tale like Cinderella or Snow White.  It really happened.  I also believe that the story of Ruth is a “type”, in essence a Biblical story that mirrors a spiritual truth and foreshadows something even greater.  In this way the real people symbolize a character or attribute of God Himself or humanity or both.  Ruth and Boaz both demonstrate the character and attributes of God in the way that they demonstrate self-sacrificing love.  Ruth pledges herself to Naomi and claims her people and her God to be the same as Naomi’s.  What better picture of Christ than this?  John 1:14 says The Word, that is Christ, became flesh and dwelled with us.  He became one of His people so that we could be His people (John 1:9-13).  Boaz also demonstrated the self-sacrificing love of Christ by giving himself and his resources to her in marriage.  Philippians 2: 5-11 tells us that Christ took on the form of humanity, forsaking His glory in order to be counted as one of us. He didn’t have to do that.  Jesus could have refused to go to the Cross but for the love of us, He gave up His life so that we might live (Jn. 10:11-15; 15:12-13; 1 Jn. 3:16). 

            But what about Naomi?  Who does she represent in this story?  I believe she is a picture of you and me.  We often base our general feelings about life on what we see just as Naomi did.  And we are no different in only seeing what we lack or seeking solutions from our own experience rather than trusting in God.  Like Naomi we are prone to not seeing God at work in our circumstances.  She never saw His guidance and protection which also used the conventions of the day to bring her and Ruth in contact with Boaz.  She didn’t see any of that until she held that grandchild in her arms.  Then she saw what the Lord had been doing all along.  How often do we do the same?  We are so focused on what we do have or what we don’t have that we fail to recognize the all-encompassing love of God (Jn. 3:16-17).  

            I have heard many stories over the years of couples who knew from the first glance that they had found “the one” they would marry.  That was not necessarily the case for Jeff and I but I do remember once during our friendship in high school thinking, “I wouldn’t mind spending the rest of my life with him”.  There was a lot of time that passed between that fleeting thought and the reality of our wedding day but it’s as close to “love at first sight” that I can get in my own love story.  The Bible tells me there is an even greater love story that has taken place between God and His creation and the central figure is Christ.  When Christ saw you and I it was love at first sight and He went to great lengths to make sure we’d be together forever (Eph. 5:1-2; 1 Thes. 4:16-17).

Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

Ready for the Road Ahead- Photography, Faith and the Art of Seeing 12
 
This year Ready for the Road Ahead is taking on a new direction.  It is one that follows the grand theme of sight in all aspects which runs throughout Scripture.  My weekly writings will be excerpts from a book of the same name which should be published (Lord willing) later this year.
 
            Although it sounds strange there is a certain amount of seeing that goes on with one’s equipment even before the picture is taken.  You have to see that it’s well-maintained and properly cared for so that when your finger hits the shutter the camera takes the picture the way you want it to.  Camera manufacturers will tell you the best way to do this.  However if you decide not to follow their instructions the resulting effects are on your shoulders if the camera breaks down.  You can complain all you want, but no manufacturer will honor the warranty if you’re the one who caused the problem.  Thankfully God is much more gracious in these matters and the Book of Judges is a prime example of that.

            If there ever was a life that was filled with all the wrong choices it could be argued that Samson holds the title.  When he was born his mother dedicated him to the Lord but as a young adult Samson headed in the completely opposite direction.  He was compulsive, impetuous, quick-tempered and lustful.  The only thread of obedience to God’s law he continued to follow was the Nazarite requirement of not cutting his hair (Num. 6:1-8).  But all that changed when he became enamored with a woman named Delilah.  Delilah eventually discovered that the key to Samson’s amazing strength was his hair (although it was merely a symbol of the power God bestowed upon him).  Delilah figured out a way to cut Samson’s hair without him knowing it and rendered Samson powerless against his foes.  They gouged out Samson’s eyes and threw him in prison.  After all those years of following after whatever he saw Samson could no longer see anything.  Apparently his captors were quite smug about their victory and never bothered to keep that hair trimmed while they held him captive.  I believe two things happened while Samson was their prisoner.  The first and most natural event was that his hair grew back.  But the second and more important was most likely a great deal of personal reflection.  In that dank and disgusting prison of captivity God birthed a new passion in Samson.  Not the passions that drove Samson for the bulk of his life, but a passion to restore and bring honor to God’s Name through his life.  His final prayer before “bringing down the house” was that his sight be avenged.  It carries a double meaning of both physical and spiritual sight and God honors his request (Jud. 13-16).  The men who took away Samson’s sight lose theirs as well (as well as their lives) and in the final act of his life Samson causes his enemies to see that God is the ultimate Judge.

            Even though everything eventually breaks down according to the Law of Entropy and life seems to have some sort of natural planned obsolescence, nature also proves that life can spring forth out of decay.  I’m always fascinated with what ends up growing out of the wood which has been cut and stacked for our wood burning stove.  One would think that since it’s no longer attached to a living tree it would have no value other than to use as fuel.  But somehow little spores and sprouts manage to gain some nutrients from those logs and if I’m inspecting the wood for a photo opportunity I can often find little mushrooms or plants popping up in the softer spots.  To me they become a symbol of how God can cause growth in those times when I recognize my poor eyesight has put me in a spot of death and decay.  Just like the people in the Book of Judges I have done things in the way I think is right but it’s only brought me to a place of oppression (Jud. 16:5).  I cry out to the Lord for help.  The Great Deliverer answers me by pushing up a new sprout out of that soft spot.  Like the prolific psalmist David I could name countless times the Lord has done this.  He is compassionate beyond measure (Ps. 18; 28; 34; 40 and more!).

            When I look at those little plants pushing their way up through the decaying wood on my wood pile and think about the transformation in the life of Samson I’m encouraged.  My vision may be impaired from time to time as seen by my poor choices, but my God is also loving and forgiving.  I know that He can take those places of decay and death and bring them to life because I’ve seen Him do it numerous times before.  No matter how many times I’ve failed He never has.  His warranty of forgiveness and compassion is everlasting.  I’ll take that kind of warranty any time (Rom. 6:15-19; 17:21-25; 1 Cor. 15:50-57; 2 Cor. 14-16; Rev. 21:5-7)!
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.

https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

Ready for the Road Ahead ~ Photography, Faith and the Art of Seeing 11
 
This year Ready for the Road Ahead is taking on a new direction.  It is one that follows the grand theme of sight in all aspects which runs throughout Scripture.  My weekly writings will be excerpts from a book of the same name which should be published (Lord willing) later this year.
 
            I’ve been blessed to travel to Israel three times.  I traveled there to study the land of the Bible which truly was a gift from God.  On my first trip I earned the distinction of the student who took the most pictures- EVER!  I was still using my 35mm SLR camera then and brought home 36 rolls of pictures!  When the opportunity came up to return to Israel during my seminary studies I decided it was to my advantage to look into a simple digital camera.  I had heard that digital cameras could hold hundreds of pictures.  So I invested in an inexpensive Sony Cybershot and a memory card that I was told could hold up to 7,000 pictures.  But, as is typical of a lot of us, I never really bothered to read the manual that came with the camera.  All I wanted to know was which button to push to record the picture!  I had originally thought I’d just bring the Cybershot on my trip, but gut instinct had me packing my SLR camera and a few rolls of film “just in case”.  It’s a good thing I did.  After about 30 pictures, the Cybershot informed me the memory stick was “full”.  What?!  I remember sitting on the tour bus looking at the camera and thinking that this dilemma was a complete mystery.  Why I decided to leave the manual home is beyond me.  Because of that poor decision I had no way of figuring out what the issue was until I returned home and the review screen was so small I was afraid to erase any pictures I’d taken for fear of deleting something important.  But the camera refused to take any more pictures unless I deleted something.  It wasn’t until I returned home that I learned of my erroneous assumption.  Who knew that if I wanted thousands of digital pictures I needed to adjust the way the camera recorded them?  I had a lot to learn about digital photography and lesson #1 was always read the camera manual!
  
          The Book of Leviticus contains many of God’s “rules” but instead of being a master list of all the things we should and shouldn’t do, it is more like an instruction manual that aids us in getting the best out life.  God’s manual emphasizes 6 principles that illustrate our relationship with Him.  The first is that God is righteous and He requires restitution for wrong thus the sacrificial system was inaugurated to accomplish this (Lev. 1-10).  That system became obsolete with Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross (Heb. 7:27; 9:11-14).  The second principle is that a perfect and holy God cannot be recklessly approached by imperfect people without the sacrificial shedding of blood (Lev. 11-15).  Thanks to Christ, who acts as our Mediator, we can now approach God without fear through His blood which was shed on the cross (Heb. 10:19-22).  The third is that Israel’s covenant relationship with God had to be renewed on a yearly basis since the blood of animals was only a temporary solution to the eternal problem of sin.  The Day of Atonement was designated as that day (Lev. 16-17).  Christ offered a permanent solution to the eternal problem of sin to all who believe in the atoning work of His death on the cross (Rom. 3:21-25; Heb. 2:14-17; 9:23-28; 1 Jn. 2:1-2; 4:10).  Fourth, God is holy, therefore the way we live in covenant with Him must reflect that (Lev. 18-22; 27).  Jesus said our obedience to God’s instructions truly demonstrate how much we love Him and the Father (Jn. 14: 15, 21, 23) and James took note that if obedience was not evident in a person’s life their faith was most likely dead (Js. 2:18-26).  The fifth principle recognizes that God and only God is to be worshipped and recognized as the One who is active in human history (Lev. 23-25) a fact recounted in numerous psalms and many of the sermons in the Book of Acts (Ps. 68; 78; 105; 106; 111; 114; 135; 136; 149; Acts 2:14-36; 7:2-54; 13: 13-43).  And finally, obedience to God’s Law (i.e. rules) bring blessings to His covenant people (Lev. 26).   Blessing from a life of obedience is not a form of bribery that God uses to entice people to obey Him but a demonstration of God’s eagerness to bestow good things on those who love Him (Lev. 25: 18-19; Dt. 4: 30-31; 6:3; 11:26-28; 28:30).  Disobedience not only deprives God of this pleasure but inevitably causes pain and suffering on the part of the believer who strays off God’s path (Gal. 5: 16-25).  When I see those early pictures taken in Israel on the Cybershot they are vibrant and rich but I would have had so many more if I’d read the instructions.  They have become a great reminder that it’s even more important to read God’s manual too.

Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

Ready for the Road Ahead ~ Photography, Faith and the Art of Seeing 10
 
This year Ready for the Road Ahead is taking on a new direction.  It is one that follows the grand theme of sight in all aspects which runs throughout Scripture.  My weekly writings will be excerpts from a book of the same name which should be published (Lord willing) later this year.
 
            I confess there are times when I take pictures that are bad.  Really!  They’re out of focus, the horizon is tilted, the composition is poor and it’s usually due to the fact that I took the picture too quickly without paying attention to the details.  Most of the time I delete them.  But every now and then I like to challenge myself to make something out of one of those horrible shots.  This involves lots of time playing in my photo processing program until the finished product looks nothing like what it started out as.  Sometimes I will share the results with other photographers and ask, “What do you think you’re looking at?”  Not too many are able to figure it out.  It never appears to look exactly like what it was but these fun adventures in photo processing have taught me that life can look that way too and the Bible is full of stories that prove it.
   
         The ancient city of Jericho had a long-standing history by the time the people of Israel began the conquest of the Promised Land.  Due to its strategic location, this walled city was destroyed and rebuilt several times before Joshua and his army set eyes on it.  By Joshua’s time the “wall” was actually a double wall.  You can still see the remains of this massive defense system when you visit Israel today.  It takes a little doing, but using your imagination one can see how formidable Jericho must have looked to the people of Israel.  They had spent the last 40 years wandering around the wilderness area on the other side of the Jordan River.  Word comes from the Lord on how to take the city but I’m sure a few eyebrows were raised when it was revealed that the plan involved only shofars and walking!  But archaeology proves what the Bible claims- the wall came down.  It really came down!  Interestingly, one section remained intact.  Now I wondered why that happened?!  (Jos. 6:1-27).

            A similar situation arose during the ministry of Jesus (Jn. 11:1-44).  Jesus had been on the road ministering to and healing the sick.  While he was away his friend and follower Lazarus of Bethany had taken ill and died.  A message for Jesus to come and heal Lazarus had not reached Jesus in time so that when the Lord arrived in Bethany the days of mourning were almost over.  Lazarus’ sisters greeted Jesus in their typically opposite fashion but both took note that if Jesus had arrived earlier Lazarus may not have died.  Neither sister knew Jesus’ understanding of his friend’s death.  But Jesus had already told his disciples the reason.  “This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of Man may be glorified in it” (Jn. 11:4).  The scene moves to the graveside where all the mourners and family believe Jesus has come to express His sorrow but instead Jesus asks them, “What are you looking at?” (only in “my” verison!).  The tomb is not an ending; it is merely a testimony to the One who has power over life and death.

            Life is full of “Jerichos”; those double-walled times when whatever we face seems insurmountable.  I find myself standing and staring at them just as I did when I actually stood in Jericho looking at that famous wall.  They seem massive and well-built, and I am a little rag-tag army who has spent most of her life roaming in the wilderness.  But just as archaeology has supported the Biblical account of Jericho’s fall, past events in my life prove that God is more than able to see that those walls will come down.  It is inevitable that life will also bring you to a tomb.  It may appear that “the picture:” is bad or a dream is dead, but when Jesus puts it into the photo processing program, you’ll be amazed by what He turns out.  The Bible is filled with people who saw God do amazing things in the face of insurmountable obstacles.  Here are just a few:  Ex. 14:5-31; 2 Ki. 6:8-23; Mt. 14: 13-21; 17:24-27; Lk. 7:11-17.  There was no greater obstacle than the one Jesus faced in conquering sin and death.  But the Resurrection proves He was able to overcome what seemed to be impossible (Jn. 20:1-18).  There is no Jericho that God cannot break through.  There is no tomb that can stop Him.  If you are facing “a wall” in your life right now or “a tomb”, take heart!  Thanks to Jesus, that wall is going down and the tomb is an event in your life designed to glorify Jesus!  So, what are you looking at?

Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre