Ever felt like you were behind this?

Photo of the Day: Petra

One of my shots from the ancient city of Petra, in Jordan.

#3: Tree-Climbing Goats of Morocco

#3 of my most viewed photos on Flickr. In Morocco (this is outside of Agadir) goats climb argan trees, a main source of income for locals. The argan trees are hardy and grow where little else will, becoming the only food available for goat herds. The argan berries can't be reached from the ground so the goats have adapted, learning to climb and easily balance on thin limbs in order to reach the fruit. A post-digestion gathering process eventually leads to argan oil which is sold for health and beauty. Amazing to see.

#9: Tower of Belém

#9 of my most viewed photos on Flickr. The Torre de Belém was erected in 1515 to guard Lisbon Harbor.

#10: Sarah Palin, Springfield, Missouri, Bass Pro Shop

#10 of my most viewed photos on Flickr.

#11: Norwegian Gem in Las Palmas, Grand Canaria

#11 of my most viewed photos on Flickr. Norwegian Gem in Las Palmas, Grand Canaria, Canary Islands.

#14: Fortress of Hissar

#14 of my most viewed photos on Flickr. Fortress of Hissar (or Hisor, Gissar), Tajikistan. Ancient fort complex near modern Hissar with uncertain history.

#16: Nomads With Camels, Burkina Faso

#16 of my most viewed photos on Flickr.

#21: Evangelical Theological Seminary in Kiev, Ukraine

#21 of my most viewed photos on Flickr. Evangelical Theological Seminary in Kiev, Ukraine.

#22: Doris

In the garden at Marian’s Guesthouse, Dushanbe, Tajikistan. #22 of my most viewed photos on Flickr.

#25: Jordanian Woman in Niqab

Amman, Jordan. #25 of my most viewed photos on Flickr.

#28: King in Our Garden

#28 of my most viewed photos on Flickr. Our neighbor cat King peers in at our cat.

#32: St. John's Church, Indianapolis, Indiana

#32 of my most viewed photos on Flickr.

#36: Elk Statue, Phoenix

#36 of my most viewed photos on Flickr. This gorgeous statue stands in front of Cabela's in Phoenix, Arizona.

#38: St. Mary's Catholic Church, Indianapolis, Indiana

#38 of my most viewed photos on Flickr.

#39: Valentine's Cat

#39 of my most viewed photos on Flickr. Valentine's Day is coming.

Fame on LinkedIn

I have arrived. I received this in an email: "You have one of the top 10% most viewed LinkedIn profiles for 2012." Wow! Coupled with their statement that "LinkedIn now has 200 million members," that means I am in the top 20 million! Be still my beating heart.

#43: Mars Hill, Athens

#43 of my most viewed photos on Flickr. This is Mars Hill, or the Areopagus, where the apostle Paul preached the sermon on the unknown God in the book of Acts:

"Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, 'Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, “For we are also His offspring.’ Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.'" Acts 17:22-31, NKJV

#44: Sarah Palin

#44 of my most viewed photos on Flickr. Sarah Palin Rally at Bass Pro Shop in Springfield, Missouri, October 24, 2008.

Kirby VanBurch Signs for Theater on Branson Strip

Peggy w/ Kirby VanBurch & Bambi VanBurch

(Branson MO ~ Tuesday, February 5, 2013) Kirby VanBurch, internationally renowned entertainer and illusionist, announced today that he has signed for permanent residency at a theater on Branson’s world famous West 76 Highway, fondly known as “the strip”. Kirby VanBurch has played at multiple different theaters throughout his 20 plus year career in Branson.  Kirby says, “I’ve long joked about being one of the only entertainers in Branson actually touring Branson; so to be able to say that I’ve found my permanent home is really exciting; especially as me and the cats are ready to settle down.”  Kirby’s new home at 1835 W 76 Country Boulevard will be renamed the Kirby VanBurch Theatre.

Peggy with Bambi VanBurch and Captain the Kangaroo
“This theater is perfect for my show.  I like to have an intimate setting with my audiences so I can interact with them.” VanBurch adds, “This Theater has the space to allow me to do up close and personal magic and at the same time pull off some big illusions.”  The new Kirby VanBurch Theatre (formerly known as Music City Centre) will also be home to Kirby’s famous Big Cats as well as his other furry (and not so furry) friends. “We’re in the process of doing some remodeling on the stage and should be able to open for shows on March 15 at 8:00pm,” says Kirby. “Along with the remodel we’re adapting the illusions to the new stage.  Luckily, we’re quite familiar with the theater as Bambi was signed to do her own show there for three months in 2009 and we created special illusions for her for that run.  Of course she’ll be featured in my show again this year.”

Bambi at her premiere at Music City in 2009, which we attended
Tickets are on sale now for the 2013 season and may be purchased by calling the theater at 417-544-9075.  For more information about Kirby VanBurch, his show, and the theater go to KirbyVanBurch.com

About Kirby VanBurch: Kirby VanBurch, called the “Prince of Magic” by the Princess of Thailand, voted World’s Best Illusionist by the World Magic Awards, named Entertainer of the Year and Magician of the Year (multiple times) by the International Magicians Society has been called one of “America’s Best Magic Shows” by the Travel Channel. His show in Branson has been a top selling show for over 20 years and features exotic animals including Royal white tigers, mind-reading, assistants cut in half, up close and personal sleight of hand, and much more.  Also starring in the Kirby VanBurch Show is Bambi VanBurch, the Princess of Magic and the most awarded female magician of the decade. To learn more about Kirby’s show go to KirbyVanBurch.com.
  

Eagles and Babies

Yesterday in Missouri a farmer found a wounded bald eagle on his property. The eagle had been shot and later died from its wounds despite efforts by wildlife officials. They are now searching for the culprit who could receive up to a $250,000 fine and two years in prison. While I am a nature lover and this absolutely appalled me when I heard it early this morning, I found I couldn’t help but think about a tragic irony. There are multitudes of people who feel the same way I do about the unlawful death of that protected bald eagle, but celebrate those who perform abortions—or keep them legal. They “nobly” call it pro-choice. I call it spiritual insanity. God calls it sin.

#47: Western Tanager, Breeding Male

#47 of my most viewed photos on Flickr. The gorgeous Piranga ludoviciana, shot in Portland, Oregon, on the Columbia River.

Remembering James Blackwood

Yesterday marked 11 years since we lost, and the heavenly choir gained, Mr. Gospel Music, James Blackwood Sr. I was privileged to know him the last few years of his life. James Jr., Jimmy, has been a friend since he first sang for the church I pastored in Davis, California, in the 1980s. Pictured: a vintage Blackwood Brothers Quartet album and a shot I took of father and son in Tennessee. Also provided, links to a tribute I wrote when James passed, and a longer cover feature written during his lifetime. The Blackwoods: A gospel music tradition James Blackwood: End of an era?

It's Time to Go Niners!

They made it close.

It's Groundhog Day

Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow at Gobbler's Knob, PA, this morning. Why that means we will have an early spring in Missouri, I know not. The groundhog in this photo would know better. He lives along a nearby trail we walk. Didn't see him today, but he would have seen his shadow, which means more winter for Springfield. (Doesn't it seem it should be the other way around?)

#48: Sundown, Drummond Lake

#48 of my most viewed photos on Flickr. Sundown on Drummond Lake in Springfield, Missouri.