The Violent Bear It Away

For some unknown reason, when I saw these pictures Matt took of a robin bathing itself in our bird-bath I couldn't help but think of the book, The Violent Bear It Away, by Flannery O'Connor.
Maybe it was the violent way the robin splashed about cleaning itself, but for some reason I was reminded of Francis Tarwater (the story's protagonist) who believed his prophetic destiny was to baptize his cousin, Bishop. While performing this act Francis remembers the words of baptism too late and drowns Bishop. Strange thought process I know, but a great book reminding me (albeit, somewhat morbidly) that God's grace comes in even in the violent and secular.
Some of the pictures are down right comical.

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be."...This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness." The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness--for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delievered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
Romans 4: 18 - 25