My dear Readers–my dear Friends–my dear Partners in Life’s Great Adventure:
It’s been nearly a year, since we last gathered (by means of The Saluda Standard-Sentinel) to study God’s Word.
And, I have missed our time together:
Part 1–Happy Return!
As I select subject(s) and text(s), and consider what I see God Teaching us, it’s almost as though I am with those who will read what I write. I hope and pray that my efforts are helpful to all who read my column: As I begin to work on an article for the column, I pray that my efforts will be helpful to others–that I will not simply take up space in The Sentinel, or take up the time of my readers.
Numerous readers have confirmed that God’s Answer to that Prayer is: “Yes.”
In August 2016, I called The Sentinel, to inform them that I would be unable to send an article for my column, because I had been too sick to get to my computer.
The following week, I called, to inform The Sentinel that I was in the hospital.
My two weeks at Self Regional Healthcare began a new chapter in my Adventure Through Life with God.
I have witnessed–I have personally experienced–Miraculous Healing, Divine Peace, and the love and respect one expects primarily from Family and Friends.
At long last, I have recovered sufficiently, that I do not anticipate a setback that would interrupt my writing.
Obviously, I have no knowledge of the Future, and depend on The Lord (which, of course, is a way of defining Walking in the Spirit/Living by Faith).
Over the next months, I hope to share with you some of the details of my Adventure with God: in the hope that I may encourage some who may be facing their own David-Goliath challenges–and, that I may inspire all to Trust and Obey our Wonderful, Gracious Lord, Who Identified Himself to Moses in this way:
5 “Then He said, ‘Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.’
6 “Moreover He said, ‘I am the God of your father–the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.”
(Exodus 3:5-6, NKJV)
October 7, 2016 (for Saluda Standard-Sentinel Column: Weekly Meditations from The Saluda County Ministerial Association.)
Part 2–Pixels
Pixel is a contraction of the words Picture and Element: A Pixel is a Picture Element.
The relationship between Pictures and Pixels is similar to the relationship between our bodies and our cells.
Digital cameras are rated in several ways: One of the most important, to many buyers, is: the overall maximum number of mega (millions of) Pixels that the camera can possibly produce in a photograph.
Digital televisions are also rated in several ways: One of the most important, to many buyers, is: the number of vertical columns and horizontal rows of Pixels in an on-screen image.
This measure of pixels, is the camera or display device’s Resolution.
Digital cameras have reached (at least) 30 megapixels. Cameras in mobile phones are rapidly approaching that level.
A standard high definition television has 1920 columns, and 1080 rows, of Pixels: Such a television has an image rating of over 2 mega (millions of) pixels. Televisions with twice that number of columns and rows are rapidly becoming the new Standard, as the high-end rapidly increases.
Traditionally, cameras that took still images needed higher resolutions, for at least 2 reasons:
- Still images might be greatly enlarged.
- Still images may be scrutinized, more than images projected at 24 frames per second (for film), or 30 frames per second (for video).
As more and more motion pictures are being recorded and projected digitally, digital motion picture technology is keeping pace with digital still photograph technology.
Technology is constantly increasing. So, megapixel ratings are constantly increasing. What was recently the high-end of technology, is now Standard. What was recently Standard, is becoming obsolete.
June18, 2017 (for Saluda Standard-Sentinel Column: Weekly Meditations from The Saluda County Ministerial Association.)
Part 3–Dots
Images displayed on television screens, or printed in books and magazines, are actually made up of many tiny dots (Pixels).
A standard default for computer graphics programs is: 72 dpi. This means that for ever inch (horizontally, or vertically) there will be a line of 72 dots (72 pixels). Some printers can print at 300 dots per inch (or more).
As technology improves, the possible number of dots (Pixels) increases, and the necessary size of the display decreases. Resolutions that were once available only on large high-end video monitors, are now available on (much smaller) mobile phone screens.
The result of this innovation, is that dots (Pixels) are becoming smaller and smaller–and, more tightly fit together.
The dots become visible on a TV, if you get close enough to the screen. For many images printed in books and magazines, the dots are only visible with the help of a magnifying lens.
Ordinarily, we see the complete image–not the dots (because the dots are so very much smaller than we are).
But, imagine that you could become the size of an ant. In relation to your ant-size, the size of those tiny (almost microscopic) dots, would seem much larger than they do now. Dots that you normally could barely distinguish, would suddenly appear to be a foot across.
Now, imagine that you could become the size of one of those tiny dots. Each dot would seem to be 4, 5, or even 6 feet across (depending on your height).
You would see the dots much more clearly; but, the overall image would be so large (in relation to your dot-size) that you probably could not see the entire image.
Interesting: If you can see the Whole Picture, you probably cannot see–do not focus on–the individual dots: Pixels (Elements that make up the Picture). But, if you can see the individual dots, then, you probably cannot see the Whole Picture.
June 25, 2017 (forSaluda Standard-Sentinel Column: Weekly Meditations from The Saluda County Ministerial Association.)
Part 4–Colors
I once took a close-up photograph of my face, then, used computer software to magnify the image 6400 times. What I saw amazed me:
My complexion is, I suppose, a sort of medium brown. But, in the enlarged image, I could see the individual dots (Pixels). To my surprise, they were not all medium brown. In fact, some of them were shades of blue.
I realized the varying shades of brown in my complexion, were being represented in the image by a number of different colors. Because the dots (Pixels) that made up the image were so small, I could not distinguish them–without magnification: I could only observe the result of their being closely positioned beside each other.
For several years, I have been photographing most anything that I find interesting.
Among my favorite subjects, is Sunset. I love photographing sunsets–especially when there are clouds to reflect the various colors.
An adjustable aperture (opening) in a lens, allows me to increase the amount of light entering the lens–when the overall level of light is low (as at dusk). I can also decrease the amount of light entering the lens–when the overall level of light is high. I discovered that I could photograph the sun, itself, by closing down the lens’ aperture. The result is that the entire sky appears dark–sometimes, even black. And, the sun appears to be at a light-level that the camera, and I, can look at–hopefully, without any damage.
I also discovered something else: When the sky appears mostly dark–but, there is light in certain parts of the photo (especially, because of sunlight spilling through openings in the clouds), if I crop (reshape) the image, to eliminate the light spots, the overall image appears darker. The same image seems to change–just because I removed part of it.
I haven’t changed the actual conditions of the sky, at the time I took the photo. I haven’t darkened the colors of the photo. I’ve simply prevented myself from seeing certain parts of the overall picture. But, this action causes the part that I can still see, to appear to have changed.
June 29, 2017 (for Saluda Standard-Sentinel Column: Weekly Meditations from The Saluda County Ministerial Association.)
Part 5–Double Appointment
One day in September 2016, I left a medical appointment (my first CT-PET Scan, I think) and met my sister, Cheryl, in the Waiting Room. As we left, a man looked up and said to me, “Romans 8:28.”
I Responded, with either: “Amen,” or “Thank you”–I don’t remember which.
The man and I had no further communication. But, his message was not only timely: I believe it was Divinely Appointed.
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
(Romans 8:28, NKJV)
Not only do all things work together for good, but God Tells us that He Causes them to work together for good–so, we can be certain: we can “know” that it will happen.
Easy to say, when things are going well–when challenging things are happening in someone else’s life.
But, what about when challenging things are happening in one’s own life?
Sure, Romans 8:28 sounds good. In fact, it sounds Great. But, if it’s not True–if it’s not Real–then it’s worse than worthless.
But, if it is True…
July 08, 2017 (for Saluda Standard-Sentinel Column: Weekly Meditations from The Saluda County Ministerial Association.)
Part 6–Point of View
I literally spent the 2nd half of August 2016 in the Hospital–Self Regional Healthcare, in Greenwood, SC, to be exact.
Everyone treated me as though I were family.
But, some of the things they had to do were painfully challenging.
When they would tell me it would be painful, my response was, “Do what you have to–and, I’ll try to keep up.” (I would try not to cry out, flinch, or otherwise make their task more difficult than it had to be.)
But, I’ve come to see that it isn’t only the Medical Personnel with whom I’m trying to keep up.
I’m trying to keep up with God–as He Takes me through this Adventure.
More and more, I’m discovering that my entire life is one ongoing Adventure–with God.
As my Shepherd, His Responsibility is to Lead: to Plan, Guide, Provide and Protect.
As His lamb, my Responsibility is to Follow: to Trust and Obey.
God Shares the many Adventures Recounted in Scripture: warts and all.
I’m sharing my Adventure in the same way–in the hope that reading about my Adventure will Encourage and otherwise help someone else, on their Adventure.
July 08, 2017 (for Saluda Standard-Sentinel Column: Weekly Meditations from The Saluda County Ministerial Association.)
Part 7–Grain
Before the Digital Age, still and motion picture photography depended on film, and paper (or other print material) being coated with a photosensitive emulsion (a substance containing light-sensitive particles). (Photographers used glass negatives, called photographic plates, before the development of film.)
When exposed to light, these particles change in appearance. So long as they continue to be exposed to light, the particles continue to change, until they darken, and ultimately, turn black.
By immersing the film in certain chemicals, the altered appearance of the particles can be “developed” (brought out, made visible) and, then, “fixed,” (locked at a certain level of light exposure).
By shining light through the developed film, the photographer can project the image onto a screen, or onto photographic paper (or other material coated with the light-sensitive particles).
The particles produce an optical textured effect known as “grain.”
The image can be enlarged, but if it is enlarged too much, the result will be a distorted (“grainy”) image.
Adjusting the camera, in order to photograph a scene that is too dark for the film’s capability, can also produce a “grainy” image.
Enlarging a digital image too much, as was the case with my “selfie,” produces a distortion similar to graininess, called “pixelation.”
Digital images that encounter issues during transmission, can have missing portions (“pixelation”).
A similar distortion can occur in a person’s life:
Just as distortion of pixels or grain can distort the entire image, distortions of events can distort our entire view of: life, our relationship with God, our relationships with other people, our job, etc.
07.22.17
July 22, 2017 (for Saluda Standard-Sentinel Column: Weekly Meditations from The Saluda County Ministerial Association.)
Part 8–Enlargement
A person’s life consists of many things: There are birthdays, deaths, joys, sorrows, sickness, etc.
Sometimes, we focus on a particular occurrence to such an extent, that we “enlarge” it: We can enlarge an event to such a point, that we distort it in our minds: We imagine it to be larger (more important, more exciting, more tragic, etc,) than it actually is.
There’s an old saying, “You’re making a mountain out of a mole-hill.” Sometimes, we do that, often without realizing what we’re doing.
Just as the grain in a non-digital photograph, the pixels in a digital photograph, the dots in a published image, are most effective when viewed at the right size, so the events and occurrences of our lives are best understood, when viewed at the right size.
How do we prevent something exciting or tragic from becoming distorted? How do we keep things in their proper perspective?
Romans 8:28 informs us that: “...we know that all things to work together for good, to those who love God, to those who are the called, according to His purpose.” (NKJV)
If we believe God, when He Says He Loves us, then, we have to believe that whatever He Allows us to go through is somehow going to contribute to our “good.”
That’s easy, when the thing that’s happening is something we desire. But, what about the things we seek to avoid, or avoid thinking about? What about the uncomfortable things? What about the painful things?
How do we keep those from drowning out God’s Voice, as He Speaks to us in Romans 8:28, and elsewhere in Scripture?
First, I have to ask myself a question: “Do I really believe God?” It’s so easy to give lip service to faith. But, real Faith is Trust. Do I Trust God, that He really does Love me? Do I Trust Him, that He really does Have the Wisdom and Power to See to it that I get what’s best for me? Do I have that Confidence in Him?
Or, is it just words?
Until I’ve honestly asked and answered this question, I’ll always think too much of the high points of life, and struggle more than I have to, with the low points.
This doesn’t mean that the challenges will go away. God didn’t say that everything will feel good. He Said that He Will Cause Everything to Contribute to my Good.
July 22, 2017 (for Saluda Standard-Sentinel Column: Weekly Meditations from The Saluda County Ministerial Association.)
Part 9–Composite
In photography, a Composite is a group of two or more images, deliberately combined, to form a new image.
Let’s take what we’ve considered, so far, and Composite (combine) the various components into a fuller understanding of Romans 8:28:
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
(Romans 8:28, NKJV)
The light-sensitive particles that produce grain (and the image) in analog photography, the pixels (picture elements) in digital photography and digital image display, and the dots that produce images in publications, all perform the same function: They serve as tiny portions of a larger image.
Viewing any of them too closely, or with too much magnification, makes them more distinguishable, but, also distorts (or even obscures) the overall image.
These picture elements can employ colors that are not readily visible in the image’s source. But, by placing the correct colors in the correct relationship to each other, an accurate representation of the source can be produced–even though some of the colors may seem to be out-of-place (when magnified).
In each of our lives, there are millions–perhaps, billions–of elements. These may be thoughts, words, deeds, events, etc.
When we look at these picture elements too closely, we remove them from their context, and thereby distort their significance.
I may experience something that feels wonderful–or, something that feels horrible.
But, I must not attempt to understand any of these “somethings,” on its own. Each of them is an element in the overall picture of my life.
Like Job, I may never know (in this Life) why certain things happen to me. But, my ignorance (lack of knowledge) does not prevent the element from serving some significant role in my life.
I can learn things through uncomfortable situations, that I could never otherwise learn. I can grow and develop in ways that might (and sometimes, would) otherwise be impossible.
Someone might say, “I’d rather not learn anything that requires me (or a loved-one) to suffer.”
But, this position assumes my qualification to sit on the Throne of Heaven–as God!
If I truly belong to Him (as I claim–as I profess) then, I must embrace His Absolute Right to Determine what is best for me: no matter how something may feel.
If I insist that only what I understand and desire can be Good–and Right–and Necessary–then, I am claiming God’s Throne. If I challenge God’s Right to Be God, then, I am not a faithful servant, but, instead, I am a traitor–a rebel–a contender for His Throne.
It really is that simple:
Like it, or not: Either The Lord is God, or else, I am.
There is no third option. There can be no third option.
August 06, 2017 (for Saluda Standard-Sentinel Column: Weekly Meditations from The Saluda County Ministerial Association.)
Part 10–Faith
An old story tells us that a Sunday School teacher once asked her students, “What is Faith?”
A little boy in the class answered: “Faith is believing what you know ain’t so.”
Many people mistakenly believe this anti-definition of Faith.
Many believe there is a tension–a struggle–between Fact and Faith. Nothing could possibly be farther from the Truth:
Faith is not an exercise in foolishness, in which a person puts his brain in his pocket, and pretends.
Faith is not a blind leap into the dark–in the baseless hope that someone, somewhere, will somehow be there to catch me.
Faith is not the polar opposite of logic–or, science–or, rational thought–or, common sense.
Now, sometimes, faith will go against what seems to be science, rational thought, or common sense.
But, true Faith never contradicts logic.
Here is the Biblical Definition of True, Living Faith:
Faith is choosing to believe that someone or something with a proven track record of reliability and trustworthiness: is in fact, reliably trustworthy.
Faith in God is a choice to Trust God–not because Mom and Dad say so–not because Sunday School Teacher says so–not because Preacher says so.
Faith in God is a choice to Trust God: Because God Has Proven, over and over, that He Can be Trusted.
The Apostle John wrote:
“We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.”
(1 John 5:19 NKJV)
John is telling us that Satan (the Wicked One) has influence over the way many people think. Some of these people have believed and taught things that pollute logic, science, rational thought, and common sense.
So, when God Is obviously Declaring Something in Scripture (The Holy Bible), and when that Declaration seems to be in conflict with logic, common sense, etc, we need to question and examine what we are perceiving as logic–rather than rejecting The Bible.
But, many influential people will insist that The Bible is the problem: They see things this way because they reject God’s Right to Run their lives. They think God should mind His own business, & only come out of the closet or trunk, when summoned–to serve their desires.
Many of them would insist that they are devout Christians (followers of Jesus Christ). But, when it comes to the Throne of their lives, they feel that they are better qualified to rule, than He Is.
May God Bless you.
May He Bless America.
And, while He’s at it, may He Continue to Bless me, too.
His servant
and yours,
Faris
Rev. Homer Faris Abney
B’réan Fellowship & Communications
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
August 06, 2017 (for Saluda Standard-Sentinel Column: Weekly Meditations from The Saluda County Ministerial Association.)