Chicago’s Cloud Gate: a.k.a. “The Bean”

CAROLYN’S COMPOSITIONS

CHICAGO’S CLOUD GATE (A.K.A. “THE BEAN”)

     Its simplicity belies its worth as a captivating sculpture.

     Yet, it holds intrigue, especially for photographers—which I fancy myself to be part of the time. This intrigue kept me captive on a cold, breezy, overcast early March day in Chicago, as I explored the massive silver structure with its circus-like reflections of the people and the city buildings. I had to wonder if the creator of this masterpiece knew the sculpture would entice so many persons, that it would become a destination point in the midst of the city.

     My husband Monte and I decided to spend several hours deep in the city of Chicago before we left the area to return to our Southwestern Pennsylvania home. We had come to the area for the Big Ten wrestling meet (Monte) and to meet and visit with my newly discovered sister, Darlene, both north of the city.

     Our daughter Sandy had visited the city the past July, and told us we needed to visit “the bean,” a mammoth silver sculpture on the north east side of Millennium Park. Sandy was right—I was drawn to the sculpture with my camera. I walked around it, looked at its different reflections, and shot as many views as I could in the time I was allowed. Where the sculpture met the graying sky, it became one with it. I wondered if the photographs would lose the shape of the sculpture due to the overcast conditions. I shot a couple of photographs of us reflected in The Bean. 

 

 

Self-portrait reflected in Cloud Gate, a Chicago sculpture

 

     “Aren’t you ready to leave yet? There’s more to see in the city. It’s cold,” Monte kept saying as I shoved his comments aside with my “trigger happy” finger. Snap. Snap. I was glad I had

Lenten Study: 7 Deadly Sins—Greed #4: What Profit Do You Seek?

CAROLYN’S COMPOSITIONS

LENTEN STUDY: 7 DEADLY SINS

GREED #4: WHAT PROFIT DO YOU SEEK?

MONTE W. HOLLAND

INTRODUCTION

     The following study is a journey through Lent, the forty-day pre-Easter season (which excludes Sundays).  Easter’s date, determined by the time of the first full moon after the Spring equinox, is very late this year.

     Traditionally, many Christians use Lent for self-examination and a renewal of their commitment to their faith.

     This year I  chose to do a devotional study on aspects of the Seven Deadly Sins, sins identified by very early Christians as key behaviors separating man from God and God’s will. The seven sins are not listed together in the Bible—each is, however, spoken about in various Scripture sites.

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THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS:

GREED, ENVY, ANGER, LUST, GLUTTONY, SLOTH and PRIDE. 

THE ASPECTS OF THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS ARE:

#1 Breaking the Mosaic Law

#2 Defying God or rebelling against God

#3 Acts of violence to others

#4 Failing to make proper sacrifices or worship

#5 Not living up to or reflecting God’s glory (not living as one created in God’s image)

GREED #4

WHAT PROFIT DO YOU SEEK?

SCRIPTURE:  ¹⁷ Warn the rich people of this world not to be proud or to trust in wealth that is easily lost. Tell them to have faith in God, who is rich and blesses us with everything we need to enjoy life. ¹⁸ Instruct them to do as many good deeds as they can and to help everyone. Remind the rich to be generous and share what they have. ¹⁹ This will lay a solid foundation for the future, so they will know what true life is like. (1 Timothy 6:17-19 (CEV))

³¹ And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. ³² And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. ³³ But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savorest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men. ³⁴ And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. ³⁵ For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. ³⁶ For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? ³⁷ Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? ³⁸ Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. (Mark 8:31-38 (KJV))

 DEVOTION: Profit!

     We all have a profit motive. Before entering into a new venture, we often ask How much profit will there be in this for me? The answer often comes back: You have to take a risk if you want to make money. There is no guarantee of profit.

     I don’t like to take too many chances. And yet the economy is in the shape it is in because too many people took dangerous chances—to get rich. Paul has a totally different outlook when speaking about rich people (and basically we are them) who have plenty on their tables. He reminds them to have faith, do as many good deeds as you can, and help everyone. And he goes on to tell them to be generous and share what they have. Paul also tells them why: these good deeds are

Lenten Study: 7 Deadly Sins—Sloth #4: Are We Sowing Seeds?

CAROLYN’S COMPOSITIONS

LENTEN STUDY: 7 DEADLY SINS

SLOTH #4:  ARE WE SOWING SEEDS?

MONTE W. HOLLAND

INTRODUCTION

     The following study is a journey through Lent, the forty-day pre-Easter season (which excludes Sundays).  Easter’s date, determined by the time of the first full moon after the Spring equinox, is very late this year.

     Traditionally, many Christians use Lent for self-examination and a renewal of their commitment to their faith.

     This year I  chose to do a devotional study on aspects of the Seven Deadly Sins, sins identified by very early Christians as key behaviors separating man from God and God’s will. The seven sins are not listed together in the Bible—each is, however, spoken about in various Scripture sites.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS:

GREED, ENVY, ANGER, LUST, GLUTTONY, SLOTH and PRIDE.

THE ASPECTS OF THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS ARE:

#1 Breaking the Mosaic Law

#2 Defying God or rebelling against God

#3 Acts of violence to others

#4 Failing to make proper sacrifices or worship

#5 Not living up to or reflecting God’s glory (not living as one created in God’s image)

SLOTH #4

ARE WE SOWING SEEDS?

SCRIPTURE: When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” The LORD has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.

Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the watercourses in the Negeb. May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves. (Psalm 126)

Let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)

DEVOTION: The sin sloth has its opposite: virtue, zeal.

     Zeal is a very energetic word. A zealous person is often perceived as a leader who very visibly energizes the crowd around him into action. I often associate zeal with a short time. A quarterback with zeal leads his football team to a winning touchdown in the last two minutes of the game. Campaign workers with a show of zeal energize the voters in the closing hours before the election.

     Yet, in today’s scripture lesson, we see zeal in a different way. It is still the antidote to sloth, the failure to offer continuing and appropriate attention to God’s work. However, this zeal functions in the

Lenten Study: 7 Deadly Sins—Gluttony #4: In Whom Do You Trust?

CAROLYN’S COMPOSITIONS

LENTEN STUDY: 7 DEADLY SINS

GLUTTONY #4:

IN WHOM DO YOU TRUST?

MONTE W. HOLLAND

INTRODUCTION

     The following study is a journey through Lent, the forty-day pre-Easter season (which excludes Sundays).  Easter’s date, determined by the time of the first full moon after the Spring equinox, is very late this year.

     Traditionally, many Christians use Lent for self-examination and a renewal of their commitment to their faith.

     This year I  chose to do a devotional study on aspects of the Seven Deadly Sins, sins identified by very early Christians as key behaviors separating man from God and God’s will. The seven sins are not listed together in the Bible—each is, however, spoken about in various Scripture sites.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS:

GREED, ENVY, ANGER, LUST, GLUTTONY, SLOTH and PRIDE.

THE ASPECTS OF THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS ARE:

#1 Breaking the Mosaic Law

#2 Defying God or rebelling against God

#3 Acts of violence to others

#4 Failing to make proper sacrifices or worship

#5 Not living up to or reflecting God’s glory (not living as one created in God’s image)

GLUTTONY #4

IN WHOM DO YOU TRUST?

SCRIPTURE: ⁴¹ Jesus was sitting in the temple near the offering box and watching people put in their gifts. He noticed that many rich people were giving a lot of money. ⁴² Finally, a poor widow came up and put in two coins worth only a few pennies. ⁴³ Jesus told his disciples to gather around him. Then he said: I tell you that this poor widow has put in more than all the others. ⁴⁴ Everyone else gave what they didn’t need. But she is very poor and gave everything she had. Now she doesn’t have a cent to live on. (Mark 12:41-44 (CEV))

Do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. (Luke 12:29 (NRSV))

DEVOTION: Have you seen signs about trust? One sign states We can’t give you credit. We trust Jesus, but all others pay cash. My favorite sign is at the car repair shop: When you die, call us to be your pall bearers, since we have had to carry this far.

     Trust is in short supply today. Airports must scan our bags and bodies for dangerous items. House and car doors remain locked most of the time. Credit checks are routine. An ID card is essential to many transactions.

     Could the poor widow make it in today’s world? I would like to think so. She probably could pick up an odd job or two without references and an ID card. She might have to

Lenten Study: 7 Deadly Sins—Lust #4: Continual Preparation

CAROLYN’S COMPOSITIONS

LENTEN STUDY: 7 DEADLY SINS

LUST #4: CONTINUAL PREPARATION

MONTE W. HOLLAND

INTRODUCTION

     The following study is a journey through Lent, the forty-day pre-Easter season (which excludes Sundays).  Easter’s date, determined by the time of the first full moon after the Spring equinox, is very late this year.

     Traditionally, many Christians use Lent for self-examination and a renewal of their commitment to their faith.

     This year I  chose to do a devotional study on aspects of the Seven Deadly Sins, sins identified by very early Christians as key behaviors separating man from God and God’s will. The seven sins are not listed together in the Bible—each is, however, spoken about in various Scripture sites.

~~~~~~~~~~~ 

THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS:

GREED, ENVY, ANGER, LUST, GLUTTONY, SLOTH and PRIDE.

THE ASPECTS OF THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS ARE:

#1 Breaking the Mosaic Law

#2 Defying God or rebelling against God

#3 Acts of violence to others

#4 Failing to make proper sacrifices or worship

#5 Not living up to or reflecting God’s glory (not living as one created in God’s image)

LUST #4

CONTINUAL PREPARATION

SCRIPTURE: ²⁴ You know that many runners enter a race, and only one of them wins the prize. So run to win! ²⁵ Athletes work hard to win a crown that cannot last, but we do it for a crown that will last forever. ²⁶ I don’t run without a goal. And I don’t box by beating my fists in the air. ²⁷ I keep my body under control and make it my slave, so I won’t lose out after telling the good news to others. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (CEV))

DEVOTION:  We commend persons for making sacrifices. Athletes are often cited as role models for physical discipline and commitment. To be the very best in this age of high-tech sports preparation, the naturally gifted athlete cannot walk in off the street and win the prize unless he firsts prepares and sacrifices.

     In my earlier years I competed in

The Church Role in Child Abuse Issues

CAROLYN’S COMPOSITIONS

THE CHURCH ROLE IN CHILD ABUSE ISSUES

With The Rev. Monte W. Holland

     The trend of modern times is toward specialization in dealing with life issues. If there is a physical ailment, go to the health care professional, and further, to a specialist in the specific type of ailment that is exhibited. If there is a spiritual problem, go to a pastor or pastoral counselor. If there is a family problem, go to a family counselor or therapist.

     This has its advantages in many cases, because the expert has a deeper knowledge of in a very small issue. Yet there are disadvantages. Many physical and relationship problems cannot be boxed into a narrow category. What ails one segment either emanates from or affects another segment. It can take a well-rounded, multi-knowledgeable person to see the interconnections and resolve the issues. Secondly, persons are often reluctant, or financially unable, to go to the specialized person for help—at least over the long term. Thus, the generalist has a strong role to play in resolving many family issues.

     The first line of encounter with family problems is the lay person—a friend and/or a neighbor. The church’s first role in dealing with a troubled family or individual is one of preparing

Ocean Views: The New England Coast

 CAROLYN’S COMPOSITIONS

OCEAN VIEWS

THE NEW ENGLAND COAST

Photography

 

     There is nothing more soothing than sitting on the rocks at Wallis Sands Beach in Rye, New Hampshire, and watching the waves roll in. These are the same rocks from which my grandmother, May Isabelle (Mable) Briskay, supervised my sister and I as we played on the beach, caught crabs from pools of saltwater, climbed the rocks, and challenged the waves.

     Last week the subject presented by the WordPress weekly photo challenge was ocean. Granted, I cannot get to the ocean to meet the challenge. However, my photo archives are filled with pictures I’ve taken on my visits to the New England coast—where I was born and spent half of my childhood. The camera is a tool by which I save the images of waves rolling in and crashing before the water reverses direction and returns to the sea.

     I posted three photos on www.carolyncholland2011.wordpress.com (Weekly Photo Challenge: Ocean), where I am meeting the challenge to do a post every day. Below are additional photos.

A wave surrounds Googin's Rocks at Old Orchard Beach, Maine

 

Lenten Study: 7 Deadly Sins—Anger#3: I Would Never Get That Angry, Would I?

LENTEN STUDY: 7 DEADLY SINS

ANGER #3:

I WOULD NEVER GET THAT ANGRY, WOULD I?

MONTE W. HOLLAND

 INTRODUCTION

     The following study is a journey through Lent, the forty-day pre-Easter season (which excludes Sundays).  Easter’s date, determined by the time of the first full moon after the Spring equinox, is very late this year.

     Traditionally, many Christians use Lent for self-examination and a renewal of their commitment to their faith.

     This year I  chose to do a devotional study on aspects of the Seven Deadly Sins, sins identified by very early Christians as key behaviors separating man from God and God’s will. The seven sins are not listed together in the Bible—each is, however, spoken about in various Scripture sites.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS:

GREED, ENVY, ANGER, LUST, GLUTTONY, SLOTH and PRIDE.

THE ASPECTS OF THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS ARE:

#1 Breaking the Mosaic Law

#2 Defying God or rebelling against God

#3 Acts of violence to others

#4 Failing to make proper sacrifices or worship

#5 Not living up to or reflecting God’s glory (not living as one created in God’s image)

ANGER #3

 I WOULD NEVER GET THAT ANGRY, WOULD I?

SCRIPTURE:  James 1:19-27 ¹⁹ My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰ for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. ²¹ Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. ²² Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ²³ Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴ and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵ But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. ²⁶ If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. ²⁷ Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (CEV)

DEVOTION: It takes discipline to succeed in sports. Long gone are the days of little training, heavy drinking, and relying on pure physical talent. There are too many talented, hard-working athletes out there ready to take the place of those without commitment.

     Discipline in sports goes beyond training. Discipline on the field is essential also. Athletes are tested by

A Theological Perspective on Child Abuse

CAROLYN’S COMPOSITIONS

A THEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE ON CHILD ABUSE

With The Rev. Monte W. Holland

     Some important questions arise when speaking of theology and violence, abuse of children, spouses, family and friends. Below is an attempt to answer some of them.

• Children must be MADE to OBEY (their parents, their caretakers), right?

Obedience IS important. Ephesians 6:1-4 and Colossians 3:20-21 instruct children to be obedient. But this directive does not stop there. It goes on to instruct PARENTS not to PROVOKE their children (to wrath). Implied is a mutual RESPECT: respect that begets respect. “Nobody ever hates his own flesh, but rather nourishes and cherishes it just as Christ does for the church…” (Ephesians 5:29) Our children are born out of our love, part of a continuation of our flesh. We should not treat them with hate or hateful actions.

• Does not the Bible state that to spare the rod is to spoil the child? (Proverbs 13:24)

     Nowhere in the New Testament—the “new law”—is abuse justified. Rather, the opposite is expected, that you love one another as I have loved you. (John 15:12) The Great Commandment directs us You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-40) Our family members—our spouse, our children, and sometimes our parents—are our

Lenten Study: 7 Deadly Sins—Envy #4: God Is Where You Are

CAROLYN’S COMPOSITIONS

LENTEN STUDY: 7 DEADLY SINS

ENVY #4: GOD IS WHERE YOU ARE

MONTE W. HOLLAND

 INTRODUCTION

     The following study is a journey through Lent, the forty-day pre-Easter season (which excludes Sundays).  Easter’s date, determined by the time of the first full moon after the Spring equinox, is very late this year.

     Traditionally, many Christians use Lent for self-examination and a renewal of their commitment to their faith.

     This year I  chose to do a devotional study on aspects of the Seven Deadly Sins, sins identified by very early Christians as key behaviors separating man from God and God’s will. The seven sins are not listed together in the Bible—each is, however, spoken about in various Scripture sites.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS:

GREED, ENVY, ANGER, LUST, GLUTTONY, SLOTH and PRIDE.

THE ASPECTS OF THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS ARE:

#1 Breaking the Mosaic Law

#2 Defying God or rebelling against God

#3 Acts of violence to others

#4 Failing to make proper sacrifices or worship

#5 Not living up to or reflecting God’s glory (not living as one created in God’s image)

ENVY #4

GOD IS WHERE YOU ARE

SCRIPTURE: ⁴ that the LORD All-Powerful, the God of Israel, had said: I had you taken from Jerusalem to Babylonia. Now I tell you ⁵ to settle there and build houses. Plant gardens and eat what you grow in them.⁶ Get married and have children, then help your sons find wives and help your daughters find husbands, so they can have children as well. I want your numbers to grow, not to get smaller. ⁷ Pray for peace in Babylonia and work hard to make it prosperous. The more successful that nation is, the better off you will be. ⁷ Pray for peace in Babylonia and work hard to make it prosperous. The more successful that nation is, the better off you will be. (Jeremiah 29:4-7 (CEV))

For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one. (Job 5:2 (KJV))

²⁶ He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. (Proverbs 28:26 (KJV)

DEVOTION:  There are lots of statements about fools: A fool and his money are soon parted; Fools walk in where angels fear to tread.

     Foolishness isn’t a prized possession. Why do we have April Fool’s Day? Maybe it was created in order to