iheartblack&white

Rhino

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 01:51:50 -0800

Rhino carving I picked up in Africa.

Light

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 01:51:47 -0800

I took this with a simple 6 megapixel digital camera while in Nigeria, Africa. This is a very commonly used kerosene/oil lamp throughout Nigeria. It was during a local church dedication way back in the bush. The red dirt you see is actually the floor of the buiding, yet to be laid over with concrete. A dark, but memorable night. The narrow road surrounded by a vast expanse of trees was so bumpy (no, hilly) I was afraid we weren't going to make it out. ;)

Full - uncropped

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 00:34:46 -0800

Uncropped. I think it gives a different perspective one can appreciate.

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 00:34:37 -0800

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 00:34:28 -0800

Turn

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 23:54:08 -0800

Nigeria

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 23:54:02 -0800

On the way to a conference where 5.5 million people attended.
There were people literally as far as your eye could see. Breathtaking.

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 23:53:57 -0800

It's comin'

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 23:46:13 -0800

Without me

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 23:46:03 -0800

The One - A Short Story

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 00:13:06 -0700

Picture it. It's quiet. You're in a dark place and this is the only Light that's left. You're drawn to it and you huddle beneath it feeling secure. The problem is, whatever is after you is drawn to it too. You pray for fogiveness, and then the rapture. You hear footsteps close by and they stop.

Drink

Sun, 10 Jun 2007 23:49:41 -0700

Yes, that's what it's all about (?)

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 23:18:45 -0700

Walk On, Adam

Sun, 02 Dec 2007 20:05:50 -0800

(Three Weeks Later): Last night, the night of the day I posted my first blog about Adam called 'Adventure', I was downtown again on the Sixteenth Street Mall hanging out with some friends. I stepped into Virgin records to keep warm as it was a chilly night. Some more friends spotted me inside and came in and we started to talk story. Little to my expectation a friend excitedly burst out, "Dude, guess who I saw??" I was shocked by his excitement. "Um....who?" I thought to myself before voicing it aloud. "That dude walking across the US! I was driving on south on I-25 and just when I was coming up on Lincoln Avenue there he was walking on the side of the highway." We were all profoundly affected by this young man, so much so that after 4 weeks we were still excited to talk about our chance encounter with him. I can say that he reminded me the most in such a short time of my hero Jesus than anyone else. Adam made it to Boulder I assumed, and now three weeks later was going South to the Springs just as he said he would. I asked my friend if Adam still had his coat with him and he said no, just the sweatshirt he was wearing that night under the coat. I wouldn't be surprised if he gave it to someone in need. I was both surprised at the news and grateful that he was still alright. Okay, I'll be honest. I was ecstatic. I had been praying for him. I wonder when I will next hear of him or see him. It was Henry David Thoreau who said: "I went into the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." Though Adam did not go into the woods like Thoreau himself, he is discovering what it means to live, truly live under the roof of Heaven with the provision of the table's Head as his source. He is learning a lot of things we only hunger for but I believe we will fall short of in this life lacking such opportunity as he has taken hold of. I thank God he is alright and thought you should know. Keep praying, it's working.

Adventure

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 14:19:04 -0800

Would you disconnect from Society and live on basic necessities? (Okay your camera could be considered basic in this case) Would you leave everything behind and walk out on a great adventure into the unknown to discover that life has more to offer in its simplicity than our Starbucks coffees (I'm writing this in Starbucks as we speak), our fancy cars, oversized homes, comforts and other attachments? I've been asking myself this question more and more lately. I know someone who has. His name is Adam. He is currently walking across the US. Starting from New York, his final destination is Los Angeles. Whether you have spiritual beliefs or not, it's something you have to stop and contemplate over. He believed God told him to as he was deciding whether to go to college or get a job. Three months into his 'journey', as he calls it, he was in Denver. I met him here on a chilly night on the 16th Street Mall in front of a McDonald's. We hung out in that McDonald's for 3 hours, just he and I. Never before have I had such a great time in McDonald's as Adam told me about his journey. It turned into an interview I felt so blessed to be privy to. He is easily one of the happiest people I have ever met with the little he had (just his clothes and no money), even with his long beard and hair, and not to mention long nails. :) Sure that is a bit unattractive to some. But see what I saw. A peace that is uncommon. Here is a man, a young man of only 18 years of age with an unforgettable and contagious smile, walking thousands of miles across the US with this God he believes in. This God is Jesus Christ. No gripes, no complaints. Just pure contentment. A true Christian in my estimation. Adam, at 18 years of age, was brought to a point of decision in his life and he grabbed the opportunity by the bullhorns and rode it out. It's not that he didn't have any doubt because he did. He is still alive after 3 months, not panhandling from anyone along the way. He sleeps under overpasses or wherever he can, befriends other homeless people and the scum of the earth as he shows them great love with acts of great kindness. All I can say is that night I was in awe of such a profound experience. I was grateful. Why? I had hoped to come across such an adventurer, living on nothing but dependency on the Most High God. I had even prayed before that night saying, "But God, what are the chances of that happening. What are the chances of me meeting someone on such a journey? "Hmmm, well," God seemed to say to me that night tapping me on the shoulder as I looked into Adams eyes, "the chances are pretty good when you seriously seek it from Me." I realize I am treading on a touchy subject for some, but with my own experience in life, this nothing but confirms that hunger inside me to "walk on water" so to speak. I wonder what is ahead. I wonder. Think about it, at that point of decision, what would you do? Do you have an invitation to walk into an adventure? Whatever it is, small or great, pray and prepare. Think it over but don't take too long. Then walk! and when you can tell me what you find. God be with you.... Tony P.S. Pray for Adam