Hundreds and Hundreds of Sparrows

My girl-friend Jacqui and I went to supper together tonight, and then on to an art show at the Holland Street Gallery in Bellville.  Bellville is the charming little town of about 4,000 where I live.  They have a square that is much the same as it was over a century ago.  Some buildings are even over two hundred years old.

The art work is first class in this little gallery.  I was just blown away by the artists who were displaying tonight.   Amazing work that reflected such talent.  The photos I took cannot  do the work justice.

 I was thinking about Baby Rose all during the evening, and I shared her story with several people talking about how the consensus had been she would be forgotten and lost in the system, and there was not much hope of a great outcome.  I talked with each person about the Bible verse I had used which speaks of two sparrows selling for a penny, and when one falls that God takes note.  That scripture goes on to say how much more valuable we are than two sparrows to God.  Despite how well received the story was by each person I spoke with, as I left the art show doubt was playing around in my mind.  Thoughts like, "what are you thinking, the world will not get behind one little baby."  Then, "this is just making you look foolish, and you don't need any help with that."

As I crossed the street and entered the Wells Fargo parking lot, I noticed people looking up and when I did too, hundreds and hundreds of sparrows filled the air.  They were collecting in tw0 of three trees, and the sounds of their chirping together were  really loud.  Many birds commonly collectively roost, but I have never heard of or observed it among sparrows, certainly not in Texas.  As more people exited the building, or arrived in the parking lot, their attention was immediately drawn to the strange bird behavior, and everyone commented as I photographed the birds, then took video.

For me the behavior was a perfectly clear message from God to "keep telling the world the story of Rose, I love her, and she is worth so much to me, more than thousands and thousands of sparrows."

Here is a very short clip from the video I made so you can get the picture of how many sparrows were crossing the sky and landing in two trees under which I had parked my truck to go to the art show.  I will never forget this phenomenon, or Rose, and the message she has brought to my heart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5Bwr4g8F2s

I Like To See Credentials, Education, and Experience in the U.N.'s Diplomats

Well, personally I think Angie should stay home and take care of all those kids... that's what I did.  Not to mention, Americans who run around the Middle East giving out advice can impact my own life, and the lives of those innocent people of the Middle East.  Surely, those who make cheap and vile movies do, as we have seen with the unprecedented violence and anti-Americanism that is sweeping the Middle East since You Tube allowed the posting of that cheap and vile movie produced by a single disturbed American.  Individual Americans can effect the lives of so many, so great care should be given to each of our individual actions to first do no harm.

Angelina Jolie is traveling through the Mid East, especially those countries which border Syria, asking that nations will keep their borders open for refugees.  One of the first things that comes to my mind is, well since she is a person of such wealth, and the citizens of these countries live in such poverty, and their countries do not have unlimited resources, perhaps she should pitch in some of her own wealth to support the care and feeding of those fleeing Syria.

I feel compelled as well to point out the security risk that arises when a country opens its' borders as the oppressed of one nation spill into the next.  Terrorists are likely to move across with them, and begin subversion activities in that nation as well.  Care must be taken not to un-stabilize countries which have at least some security.

Angie stated:
  
"The most important thing is cooperation from the countries on the (Syrian) border ... and to make sure these borders in all countries stay open," Jolie told Australian Herald Sun reporters at the Domiz refugee camp.
"I've been of course very encouraged to be here and hear the government speak of continuing this wonderful, life-saving open border policy." 

I would beg to differ Angie... and I hate to point it out, but the life style you have lived isn't necessarily one that is greatly admired in the Middle East, whether you are a "movie star" or not.  In light of the current reputation of the film making industry in the United States, you should take great care in what you say and do...  That is coming from a person who has a dog in this hunt.