Author Archives: Chuck Spindler

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About Chuck Spindler

I am a retired pastor after serving in the same church for 30 years in Creston, Iowa. Adjusting to widowhood and retirement in the same year has been rough, but I'm traveling more, visiting my kids and grandchildren, and enjoying my photography hobby (www.cspindlerphoto.com).

Weekly Photo Challenge: Focus

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Weekly Photo Challenge: Focus by Cheri Lucas Rowlands on August 23, 2013

For this challenge, get out there and take a picture demonstrating the concept of focus. 

  • Snap a photo of something or someone in focus, against a blurred background.
  • Share a panorama or landscape in sharp focus, in which you can see details far away.
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Shallow depth of field – corn stalks in the foreground

I live in an agricultural area with corn and soybean fields almost within a stones throw of my home. One of my church members, who sells crop insurance, recently asked me to take a few pictures of corn for his website. The scene, just down the road from my church featured a seed company’s test plots with the local grain elevator in the background.

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Greater depth of field – Grain Elevator in focus

Thanks for coming by to see my photographic take on “focus.”

Now let me give a spiritual take on the topic. As harvest is just around the corner, and the grain elevators will have semi-trucks lined up to store the farmers’ bounty, I think of Jesus’ parable (Luke 12:13-21) of a rich farmer who had a great harvest. He decided to build bigger barns and to selfishly live off of the fruits of his labor “for many years” with no concern for God and others (the repeated use of the pronouns “I” and “my” give evidence of his self-ward focus). The Father’s response was:

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’ 21 “That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:20-21 (HCSB)

At times, it is difficult for us to have anything other than a self-ward focus – a shallow depth of field – especially in the midst of life’s difficulties. However, we must remember the temporary nature of this life and focus on the greater depth of field – the eternal.

These green fields will soon be reduced to the rubble of decaying stalks – in the same way we see our earthly bodies deteriorate over time. However, if our focus is toward God’s call and obedience to His purposes, we will be accumulating treasure in heaven.

16 Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. 17 For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. 18 So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

(2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

So, is your life focus on a shallow depth of field (selfish) or a greater depth of field (eternal)?

Weekly Photo Challenge: Carefree (Take 2)

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Today ended a week-long visit of my two granddaughters and their mom  (#1 daughter) and dad. While the parents packed the car (of mostly preschool paraphernalia), I had the opportunity to meander around the yard with the 15-month old granddaughter, examining flowers and crab apple tree fruit. Some final “carefree” moments before getting back into our normal routine.Carefreehttp://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/08/16/photo-challenge-carefree/

Weekly Photo Challenge: Carefree

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Weekly Photo Challenge: Carefree by Sheri on August 16, 2013

In a new post specifically for this challenge, share a photo that means CAREFREE to you!

Having gone to the Iowa State Fair twice this past week, I would have to say that it is the epitome of the word “carefree.” This eleven-day event in August typically draws about a million visitors, who meander through the displays of 4-H (Head, Heart, Hands, Health) and FFA (Future Farmers of America) projects*, eat food on a stick, wait in line to see the Butter Cow, spend time on the midway rides or take a leisurely trip from one side of the fair to the other on the Sky Glider. There is no better way to end summer in Iowa than to attend the Iowa State Fair.

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Sky Glider at the Iowa State Fair, Des Moines, Iowa, USA

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*I must say that for many fair attendees, it is anything but “carefree.” For example, the youth, who take part in 4-H and FFA, spend many hours in preparation for almost the entire year for the honor of showing a project or livestock at the Iowa State Fair. Their dedication is admirable!

Weekly Photo Challenge: One Shot, Two Ways

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For this challenge, capture two images — a horizontal and a vertical version — of the same scene or subject. There are no concrete “rules” here, but a) it should be evident that both shots are of the same place/location or person/thing, and b) your photographs should ideally have been taken during the same shoot. – by Cheri Lucas Rowlands on August 9, 2013.

The first pictures were taken as I was traveling near my home in Iowa last Spring. The blur of wild blue phlox in my peripheral view caused me to turn around for a few photos. But the rusting gate and topless grain silo in the background captured my interest, wondering how many times that silo had been filled with corn, or imaging a farmer’s child jumping off the tractor to open the gate for his father as he brought in a full grain wagon from the harvest.

The next shots are of the garden angel and petunias growing there. The angel was given to my wife as a memorial at the time of her mother’s death. She loves her perennial garden with a splash of annual colors and the comfort of her mother’s memory in its midst.

Looking forward to the scene soon!

In slideshow format with a few more to meet the challenge.

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Weekly Photo Challenge: Foreshadow

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WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge: Foreshadow:  – from Krista

100E0458The joy of being a grandparent is seeing the budding of a new generation. With two granddaughters and another on the way, we enjoy watching the cycle of life repeat itself. As much as babies and toddlers depend upon adults, it is always fascinating to see how intrigued they are by one another.

100E0460 My foreshadow pictures are of my granddaughter and friend, who adore one another. In fact, Daniel, a year older than Georgia and living about three hours away, tells his mother that he misses her. Their mothers joke about them being married one day, with Daniel’s mom wanting to work out a betrothal agreement. Will they? Time will tell, but I hope these pictures represent the foreshadowing of a loving marriage to come in both of their futures.

6 “But at the beginning of creation, God ‘made them male and female.’ (Genesis 1:27) 7 ‘That’s why a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife. 8 The two of them will become one.’ (Genesis 2:24) They are no longer two, but one. 9 So a man must not separate what God has joined together.”    Mark 10:6-9 (NIRV)

Weekly Photo Challenge: Masterpiece

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Masterpiece. No matter where you are (and where you’ve been), I’m certain you’ve stumbled upon something extraordinary: a place that blows your mind; a work of art or object that speaks to you; or even a location or scene that’s special, unusual, or even magical in some way. – Cheri Lucas Rowlands

My choice of a masterpiece was almost missed. Nestled in a neighborhood, on a hill, overlooking Plymouth Bay, stands the National Monument to the Forefathers. My brother-in-law suggested that we see it, otherwise I might have overlooked it on my trip to Plymouth last Spring. I’m glad I didn’t!

National Monument to the Forefathers

National Monument to the Forefathers – Plymouth, Massachusetts

Standing at 81 feet (24.69 meters), the sometimes called “Forefathers Monument” is the largest, free-standing, granite monument in the world. Primary designer and sculptor, Hammatt Billings of Boston, originally planned the monument to stand at 150 feet (just one foot shorter than the statue of Liberty). However, a reduction in height occurred due to a shortage of funds during the Civil War.

"...for the cause of civil and religious liberty."

“…for the cause of civil and religious liberty.”

Standing atop the monument, “Faith” holds a Bible in one hand and points heavenward with the other. This part of the monument is 36-feet-tall and weighs 180 tons itself. Four buttresses, each with a 15-foot-tall figure, jut out below. These represent the virtues of Liberty, Morality, Law, and Education, all core values of the Pilgrims, who settled in Plymouth in 1620. Bas-relief sculptures are found beneath the four figures, depicting scenes such as the Pilgrims departing England, landing on the shores of Plymouth and encountering Native Americans.

In addition to the dedication panel (see right), three other panels feature the names of the Mayflower passengers and a quote of William Bradford, Governor of Plymouth Colony (see below).

Bradbury Quote

“Thus out of small beginnings greater things have been produced by His hand that made all things of nothing and give being to all things that are…Let the glorious name of Jehovah have all the praise” – Governor William Bradford

As “Faith” has such a prominent place in this masterpiece, I’m reminded what the writer of the Book of Hebrews in the Bible said about faith:

1 Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. 2 For our ancestors won God’s approval by it. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by God’s command, so that what is seen has been made from things that are not visible. 4 By faith Abel offered to God a better  sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was approved as a righteous man, because God approved his gifts, and even though he is dead, he still speaks through his faith. 5 By faith Enoch was taken away so he did not experience death, and he was not to be found because God took him away. For prior to his removal he was approved, since he had pleased God. 6 Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:1-6 HCSB).

Just as the Hebrew forefathers won God’s approval for their exercise of faith in Him (v. 3), our country’s forefathers won the approval of God for their faith.

Bas-relief of Pilgrims Arriving at Plymouth

Bas-relief of Pilgrims Arriving at Plymouth

Had it not been threatening rain, I would have enjoyed lingering longer at the monument. Our brief time there seemed more poignant because of the timing of our visit – the week of the Boston Marathon bombing – and Plymouth’s closeness to Boston. The freedoms we have in the United States did not come easily. Due to forces within and without, there is an erosion of some of those freedoms. We cannot take our civil and religious liberties lightly, knowing the great sacrifice demonstrated by our forefathers to secure them. However, my faith in the same God that the Pilgrims trusted by faith gives me an abiding, eternal security that no government can truly offer and no person can take away.

Survivor Spotlight: Nan Snow and Lee Spindler

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Proud of my big sis, Lee, and the courageous survivor and advocate for breast cancer research and detection she has been. Also, I am grateful for her special cadre of survivors, like Nan Snow, who wrote the following blog posted on the Komen Arkansas Blog!

Survivor Spotlight: Nan Snow and Lee Spindler.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Fresh

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Weekly Photo Challenge for 7/19/13: Fresh – The definition for fresh has a bit of a fork in it – it’s a state (new, recent, previously unknown) and it’s a taste or sensation (cool, sweet, invigorating, refreshing).

With the introduction of this week’s topic, I was not sure what to pursue. However, a couple of items just showed up in my home that seem to fit: fresh flowers and fresh sweet corn.

My wife experienced a slight mishap this past week, requiring “Good Samaritans” to come to her aid. Then, her dear friend arrived at our home this morning with a half-dozen roses. These fresh-cut flowers brightened her day! Grateful for the kindness of friends and strangers to bring aid and refreshment in the midst of pain.Fresh FlowersOne of the tasty parts of summer is fresh produce, and there is nothing that compares to Iowa sweet corn. It is just now coming into season and it is good!

Fresh Iowa Sweet CornIt will be fun to look for some other examples of “fresh” this week.

Weekly Photo Challenge: The Golden Hour

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The “Golden Hour Challenge” is to capture that shot in the first or last hour of sunlight. This picture captured my sister combing the beach at sunset on the Florida Gulf Coast.Karen on Beach

1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of His hands.2 Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge.3 There is no speech; there are no words; their voice is not heard.4 Their message has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun. 5 It is like a groom coming from the bridal chamber; it rejoices like an athlete running a course. 6 It rises from one end of the heavens and circles to their other end; nothing is hidden from its heat. (Psalm 19:1-6, HCSB)

The Seasons of Life

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I started this blog primarily for my church members, giving some extra “points to ponder” from the previous Sunday’s message. My commitment to a weekly post has waned somewhat due to other responsibilities, but I’m sure I’ll get back to some normality and better use my time (I hope).

When setting up this blog in January of 2012, there were several immediate decisions – style, widgets and headers. I wanted the header picture to represent rural Iowa and not someone else’s stock photo. The photo that came to mind was taken on July 5, 2011, as we returned to Creston after celebrating the Fourth with our kids in Arkansas. About eleven miles east of Creston, we saw a beautiful sunset and found a little gravel road on which to turn and take a few pictures. The sunset pictures were not outstanding, but the Redwood Avenue picture with its dip and rise through the rolling hills of southern Iowa caught my attention. It captured the simple beauty of rural Iowa and a sense of the journey on which we find ourselves as Christian sojourners – with ups and downs in this life, but ultimately upward!

Redwood Ave, Rural Union Co. IA, July 5, 2011

Redwood Ave, Rural Union Co. IA, July 5, 2011

As the seasons began to change, I thought there was a need for a change in header, as well. While missing the opportunity to take a Spring picture in 2012, I remembered to get out in the Fall and capture this picture:

Redwood Avenue, Rural Union County, IA, September 28, 2012

Redwood Avenue, Rural Union County, IA, September 28, 2012

I almost let the Winter of 2012-13 slip away before I got the required snow-covered picture (little did I know that we would have snow on May 2).

Redwood Avenue, Rural Union County, IA - March 2, 2013

Redwood Avenue, Rural Union County, IA – March 2, 2013

The final piece of the four seasons of Redwood Avenue came a few weeks ago. While hoping to have a setting sun as in the other picture, I settled for an overcast evening to get this final shot:

Redwood Avenue, Rural Union County, IA - May 29, 2013

Redwood Avenue, Rural Union County, IA – May 29, 2013

After almost 19 years in Iowa, my appreciation for the unique character of the four seasons never diminishes. The cycle of life that God has programmed into His creation – from the sprouting forth of new life in Spring to the seeming cessation of life that comes in Winter – bring special blessings in every stage. Each season brings it own hardships and joys, much as every season of life.

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Catch the “Snow Wave” – December 20, 2012

As we go through each season of the year and life, we run the risk falling into one of two traps: focusing on the difficulties of the current season or longing for the joys of the next. In doing so, we fail to appreciate the unique benefits or growth opportunities found in the present moment. For instance, while I can be extremely weary of still shoveling snow in April, there is an incredible sense of wonder when you take the time to appreciate the quietness of snowfall, to look at the unique pattern of an individual snowflake or to see the unusual shapes of snow drifts.

Wild Phlox with Pentax K-x water color filter. (Spring 2013)

Wild Phlox with Pentax K-x water color filter. (Spring 2013)

While each season of life has its difficulties and disappointments, there is truth in the saying that “God never wastes a hurt.” It is important that we look for God’s grace (power) in that trial or hardship, which will in turn equip us to share that grace with a “fellow struggler” in the future.

3 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, HCSB)

Whether you find yourself as a single adult, wanting to be married, or a senior adult, struggling with the effects of old age, there is something in your current “season of life” to embrace that is exquisite and edifying. May we learn to live with the type of contentment the Apostle Paul expressed: “In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content” (Philippians 4:12, HCSB).

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YOUR RESPONSE:

What are some of the “happenings” in your stage of life that you have embraced for the good that God may have for you and others, even though it could be viewed by some as a hardship?

God often gives a verse from His Word that can be especially helpful during some of the difficult seasons of life. What is that verse for you and how did God use it?