Blind Faith

Sometimes the phrase “Blind Faith” can have negative connotations. It can imply having faith in something false, misleading, or deceptive. Not so for Fanny Crosby, beloved author of more than 8,000 hymns in her rich lifetime. Fanny was blind, but had a clear vision of our Lord, and was used mightily by Him.

I’d like to share some lines from three of her best known hymns that illustrate how her spiritual eyesight was not at all impaired by her physical blindness. 

In “Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It” she says with confidence:

“I know I shall see in His beauty The King in whose law I delight.”

In “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross” she says:

“There the Bright and Morning Star sheds its beams around me” and

“Near the cross! O Lamb of God, bring its scenes before me,” and

“Near the cross I’ll watch and wait, hoping, trusting ever.”

To me, the most striking example is found in “To God Be the Glory.”

She proclaims for all believers:

“But purer, and higher, and greater will be

Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.”

As an adult, Fanny Crosby chided someone who felt sorry for her:
“Had it been up to me, I would have asked to have been born blind. This way, Jesus will be the first face I ever see.”

Lord, grant me the strong faith and clear vision

of this blind saint!

From Ada's Loop to the Bridge to Nowhere

Most of you know all about the Sandhills Farm Life

Nature Trail, which a hardy group of students helped

me inaugurate in 1985-86. Well now, there are some

pretty cool trails at the Loyd home, on some of the

most historic land near Pinehurst.

Thanks to the unending creative brainwork of our

daughters, Jennifer and Amanda, we now have some

explanatory signs on our home nature trails. These

signs are not educational, but involve some anecdotes.

So come along for a brief tour.

As you approach the trails, you'll see a
humble, slightly crooked cedar tree. We
call trees like that "Charlie Brown" trees.
About four decades ago, Judy and I found
a Christmas tree on this very property, long
before we lived here. So this tree, which I 
pledge NEVER to cut, is representative of
that memory.

Judy and I plan to put a couple of ornaments
on this little tree in the woods when Christmas comes.

Fifty yards to the east is a most unusual pine tree
that we've dubbed "Captain Hook." It's actually the
monstrous ROOT that gives it this moniker. Take a look.

Don't trip over Captain Hook!

Here you can see the giant tree AND its root.

Heading back toward the stream (Joe's Fork),
you'll see a sign for a side trail. It loops back to
the Loyd Christmas tree. It is named for Judy's
dear grandmother, Ada Wilhoit McKenzie, who
lived on this land all her adult life.

There are beautiful ferns, arums, and shrubs
all along Ada's loop.

Big Mama is one of the largest pine trees
in the forest, probably over 100 years old.

I can not nearly reach all around this tree.

Back on the main trail, you can't miss Medusa,
a unique Maple tree.

If you walk around the tree, you'll see Medusa's 
not-so-lovely face, and meet her petrifying gaze.

Medusa was actually named for her snake-like tangle
of roots.

If you get past Medusa without getting "stoned",
there are more sights to behold.

At sometime in the past, this dogwood tree was bowed,
probably by a storm. But it lives on, and has formed a
rainbow-shaped seat.

Near the Rainbow Bridge is this beautiful specimen
of Royal Fern, one of the less common varieties.


Many, many thanks to Jennifer and Amanda for
enhancing the trail experience for us and all of 
our hiking companions!