[The Mayor]

May 13, 2008

Reframing The Picture

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READ: Deuteronomy 32:7-12

As an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreading out its wings, . . . so the Lord alone led [Jacob]. —Deuteronomy 32:11-12

For 3 months I had a ringside seat— or should I say a bird’s-eye view— of God’s amazing handiwork. Ninety feet above the floor of Norfolk Botanical Garden, workers installed a webcam focused on the nest of a family of bald eagles, and online viewers were allowed to watch.

When the eggs hatched, Mama and Papa Eagle were attentive to their offspring, taking turns hunting for food and guarding the nest. But one day when the eaglets still looked like fuzzballs with beaks, both parents disappeared. I worried that harm had come to them.

My concern was unfounded. The webcam operator enlarged the camera angle, and there was Mama Eagle perched on a nearby branch.

As I pondered this “reframed” picture, I thought of times when I have feared that God had abandoned me. The view in the forest heights of Virginia reminded me that my vision is limited. I see only a small part of the entire scene.

Moses used eagle imagery to describe God. As eagles carry their young, God carries His people (Deut. 32:11-12). Despite how it may seem, the Lord “is not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:27). This is true even when we feel abandoned.

Under His wings I am safely abiding;
Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,
Still I can trust Him—I know He will keep me;
He has redeemed me and I am His child. —Cushing

Because the Lord is watching over us, we don’t have to fear the dangers around us.

Bible in One Year: 2 Samuel 13–15; Proverbs 15:12-21

[Jet Jaguar]

IN!

[PROCON]

In!

[laurenmarlowe]

United States Marine Corps Band~National Anthem

[laurenmarlowe]

SOUTH CHINA SEA (May 12, 2008) Cargo handlers aboard the USS Essex (LHD 2) conduct cargo hook training with a CH-46E Sea Knight assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 265. The Essex Expeditionary Strike Group is steaming to support a potential humanitarian assistance mission in the wake of Cyclone Nargis. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kari R. Bergman (Released)

SOUTH CHINA SEA (May 10, 2008) Marine Cpl. Thomas Lunger, assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), helps heave-in line during a replenishment at sea with the Military Sealift Command underway replenishment oiler USNS Walter S. Diehl (T-AO 193). Harpers Ferry is part of the Essex Expeditionary Strike Group, which is steaming to support a potential humanitarian assistance/disaster relief tasking in the wake of Cyclone Nargis. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael D. Kennedy (Released)

DARLINGTON, S.C. (May 9, 2008) Crew members of the No. 88 Navy Chevrolet Monte Carlo work frantically during a pit stop midway through the Diamond Hill Plywood 200 at Darlington Raceway. The No. 88, owned by JR Motorsports, is part of the NASCAR Nationwide Series, and finished 15th in the race. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Curtis K. Biasi (Released)

[SandRat]

Late....

[HiJinx]

That is some beautiful country dere, sure enough...

That one pic looks like the USCG trainer, Eagle.

[Izzy Dunne]

I live about 45 minutes from Brunswick.

[mylife]

Ahh NAS Brunswick...

I received paychecks from there the first time I vacationed in Maine

[Kathy in Alaska]

Road Trip ~ NAS Brunswick, Maine

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[SandRat]

Under Attack Troops Surrender

U.S. Army Master Sgt. Fernando Villalobos, from the 978th Military Police Company, passes out Iraqi flags and toys to children in Al Mukayshifah, Iraq, during a foot patrol. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Kevin Washington.

[MeekMom]

Cool pics! Thanks for tonight’s thread Lauren. :)
((hugs))

[Tanniker Smith]

Good evening, Lauren!
Good evening, everyone!

[BIGLOOK]

Aloha Lauren!

Thanks for the tour to Brunswick. Can't get too much of Naval Air Stations......


(That's a lie, of course.)

[Kathy in Alaska]

A PRAYER OF PROTECTION

The light of God surround you
The love of God enfold you
The power of God protect you
The presence of God watch over you
Wherever you are, God is,
And all is well.
Amen.

BLESS THIS HOUSE

 Bless this house O Lord we pray; Make it safe by night and day; 
Bless these walls so firm and stout, Keeping want and trouble out:
Bless the roof and chimneys tall, Let thy peace lie over all;
Bless this door, that it may prove ever open to joy and love.
Bless these windows shining bright, Letting in God's heav'nly light;
Bless the hearth a'blazing there, with smoke ascending like a prayer;
Bless the folk who dwell within, keep them pure and free from sin;
Bless us all that we may be Fit O Lord to dwell with thee;
Bless us all that one day we May dwell O Lord with thee. 

(Click on graphics for music)

A PRAYER OF PROTECTION

The light of God surround you
The love of God enfold you
The power of God protect you
The presence of God watch over you
Wherever you are, God is,
And all is well.
Amen.

BLESS THIS HOUSE

 Bless this house O Lord we pray; Make it safe by night and day; 
Bless these walls so firm and stout, Keeping want and trouble out:
Bless the roof and chimneys tall, Let thy peace lie over all;
Bless this door, that it may prove ever open to joy and love.
Bless these windows shining bright, Letting in God's heav'nly light;
Bless the hearth a'blazing there, with smoke ascending like a prayer;
Bless the folk who dwell within, keep them pure and free from sin;
Bless us all that we may be Fit O Lord to dwell with thee;
Bless us all that one day we May dwell O Lord with thee. 

(Click on graphics for music)

[DeusExMachina05]

BNAS, my dad was stationed there in the mid 1960’s flying in a P2V squadron of subhunters. The proped plane in your pic is of that model.
He met my mom (a Mainer) while there and I was the result.
The base is scheduled to close in a few years. A damed shame if you ask me.

[AZamericonnie]

Supporting our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen
at more than 1,000 places across the U. S. and around the world.

~Tribute to Our Troops~

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Families, for your service to our country.

Thanks, Sonora, for the perfect woohoo.

John Conlee ~ They Also Serve

[gpapa]

This Day in U.S. Military History May 13

1863 - Union General Ulysses S. Grant advances toward the Mississippi capital of Jackson during his bold and daring drive to take Vicksburg, the last Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River.

In April, Grant had moved his troops down the Mississippi River and around the Vicksburg defenses, landing south of the city before moving east into the interior of Mississippi. He intended to approach Vicksburg from the east to avoid the strong Confederate defenses on the riverfront. Grant, however, had to contend with two Rebel forces. John C. Pemberton had an army defending Vicksburg, and Joseph Johnston was mustering troops in Jackson, 40 miles east of Vicksburg. Grant's advance placed him between the two Southern commands. He planned to strike Johnston in Jackson, defeat him, and then focus on Vicksburg when the threat to his rear was eliminated. On May 12, Grant's troops encountered a Rebel force at Raymond, Mississippi, which they easily defeated. The following day, he divided his force at Raymond, just 15 miles from Jackson, and sent two corps under William T. Sherman and James McPherson to drive the Confederates under Johnston out of Jackson, which they did by May 14. Grant also sent John McClernand's corps west to close in on Pemberton in Vicksburg. A few days later, on May 16, Grant defeated Pemberton at Champion's Hill and drove the Rebels back into Vicksburg. With the threat from the east neutralized, Grant sealed Vicksburg shut and laid siege to the city. Vicksburg surrendered on July 4, and the Confederacy was severed in two.

[luvie]

Brunswick, ME is a lovely village and I enjoyed my visit there, but I don’t even remember hearing about this navy base. DUH!

There was just so much to see and do, but I hate that I missed it!

God bless ALL our heroes!