O all you who walk by on the road, pay attention and see if there be any sorrow like my sorrow.

“O all you who walk by on the road, pay attention and see if there be any sorrow like my sorrow.” The other day after ICEC I was walking on the amazing Charles Bridge in Prague. This scene really captured my heart during this Lenten season. I seemed to be the only one that stopped to take it in. Note the words on the pedestal.

Hiking Seven Bridges Trail

We love hiking the trails around our city. Seven Bridges is a good one. This is a sketch of Bridge 5. Can anyone see the face in the rock formation?

My Unstringing The Bow YouTube playlist for weary leaders

My List of Songs for the Weary Leader

Sketching in Basel Kunstmuseum, CH

Sketching in Riquewihr, FR

Sketching in Equisheim, FR

Rocks on the Summit

Hiking in Colorado Springs. The top of "Mt Emma"

My Unstringing the Bow Spotify Playlist

A collection of songs for the weary and tired leader. The includes encouraging worship, soothing jazz and relaxing classical. May you find rest in HIM, the giver of all good gifts.

Quick Trail Sketch

Lately hiking has become my number one way to stay @unstringingthebow. Yet, I have been missing my sketching habit of former days. After hiking today in redrockcanyon I came back home and made this quick sketch to help remember this wonderful day in nature. 

On Journaling

I've been journaling since the late 70s, but consistently and daily since 1989 (one journal per year) and off and on before that. It's hard to believe that I've gotten this far in the practice. Mostly my journals are a record of what happened each and every day. Some of it is imminently boring but then it also covers important milestones and events in my life and in the life of our family. And it covers some aspects of my walk with God through the good times, and the tough times. They really are a clear reminder of God's care and goodness over many years. 

For me, the practice of journaling is like a brain-dump for each day or like uploading the files in my head to a server (one comprised of ink on paper) for safekeeping. After I write each day's entry it means I can close the book on that day, call it done, and then look for what the Lord has for me on the next day.    

This photo may look intimidating to the one that wants to start journaling, or has attempted to start. I would simply say "start, today" and again if necessary. And oh, never forget that boring is just fine!

If the house ever catches fire, my journals are the things I will grab first (after my wife is counted as safe of course).   

 

Cease Striving...

The Starbucks Napkin

Was able to get in some unstringing the Bow sketching in today.

Some quick pencil sketches from Prague

Prague is a great city for sketching. So many things to see and do. As usual, I will add ink to these sketches later. 

Still life. The gambel Oak.

Just some doodles during a meeting (not 2013)

Gold Camp Road Rock Tunnel

This was a challenge. I loved the scene, but it was challenge to draw the cut rock. As I made this I kept thinking of the strong men who somehow cut out that hole!! Wow.Dedication. Believe it or not, all those lines were a great way to relax - to "unstring the bow".

Two Buddies

We had breakfast at Ivywild in Colorado Springs - at the Old School Bakery. I loved sketching these two buddies have a great breakfast and a nice visit.

Sermon Sketch

It's been a while since I've made a sermon sketch. This morning I approached today's service with intentionality to "see" the message. This is the result of that message by Pastor Glenn Packiam at New Life Downtown.

Sketching Anderson University

I love church steeples like these...it was a beautiful day to make a sketch.