Calladium leaf, Billy Graham Library grounds, Charlotte, NC

 

The leaf pictured above has long since withered and died, and so will I. The photo was taken on the grounds of the Billy Graham Library, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mr. Graham died recently. He will be buried on the Library grounds, beside his late wife.

Graham had his faults -- who doesn't? -- but he was apparently a humble, Christ-honoring man. I have profited from reading his books, and some of my family attended two of his rallies, back when he was holding them.

The photo was taken June 8, 2009. It should serve as a link to a larger version. Thanks for looking!

Memorial stones

There are several examples of stones used as memorials of God's work, or as promises to follow God, in the Old Testament. Here are some of them:

Genesis 27:22 and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God's house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you.” (All scripture is ESV. Jacob is speaking in this verse.)

Genesis 31:45 So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar.

Genesis 35:14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he had spoken with him, a pillar of stone. He poured out a drink offering on it and poured oil on it.

Exodus 28:12 And you shall set the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, as stones of remembrance for the sons of Israel. And Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord on his two shoulders for remembrance.

Joshua 4 includes the story of how the Israelites brought twelve stones from the bottom of the Jordan River, and also set up twelve stones on the river bottom.

In Joshua 24, Joshua re-establishes the covenant with the Israelites, and sets up a stone as a memorial.

1 Samuel 7:12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the Lord has helped us.”

Thanks for reading.