Title: A Safe Place

    In 1956 Jacques Lowe photographed Robert F. Kennedy.  Kennedy's father, Joseph, was so impressed with Lowe that he asked him to photograph John F. Kennedy and his wife.

       Three years later, Lowe became the official photographer of Kennedy's presidential campaign, and after Kennedy was elected, Lowe became his personal photographer.

        Lowe was a very meticulous photographer. He had an estimated 40,000 negatives of images of John F. Kennedy and his family, though only 300-400 photographs were made public. While he was alive, Lowe watchfully monitored the use of his pictures. When a publication or museum wanted prints, he personally took the negatives to the lab for printing. When the job was done, he retrieved them himself.

        Lowe's daughter, Thomasina, said, "He was being more prudent than most. He really believed they were as safe as they could ever be,'' she said. "He chose to have them there because he was six blocks away from them and he felt psychologically [as if] they were under his bed.''

        All 40,000 negatives were kept in a safe-deposit vault at the JP Morgan Chase bank branch at 5 World Trade Center, a nine-story building that was heavily damaged in the September 11 attacks. A team of engineers, a 100-ton crane, forklifts, ironworkers, and dump trucks were brought in as part of a plan to move the vault from the second floor. But workers found major fire damage in the vault area; ashes filled the safe-deposit boxes. The only thing that would have survived was metal or stone.

        September 11 serves as an important reminder of (Matthew 6:19-21). Nothing on this earth is permanent and the riches stored for the future are fleeting. Only treasure in heaven will ever survive.

     Citation: Aaron Goerner, New Hartford, New York; source: Frank Eltman, "Nation: John F. Kennedy Negatives Feared Lost in Trade Center," The Nando Times retrieved from https://www.nando.net/nation/story/188460p-1825636c.html, 6-19-03.

     Scripture Text: Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 12:34; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18; 1 Timothy 6:18-19; James 5:1-3

Other Topic/Subtopic/Index:  

Eternal Life/2157

Riches/Fleeting and Uncertain/2809

Title: Imobilized by Security

 Submitted by: Rev  Tony Darnell Email address: roundkick2@aol.com

        Having once purchased a 10' fishing boat, I took it to the private farm pond of one of my local church members. I had carefully crafted my own boat anchor from some large bars of lead and nylon rope. When I had paddled to the center of the pond, I dropped the anchor. Some time later, when I decided to try a different fishing spot, I pulled on the rope to draw up the anchor. Instantly, I became aware of a serious problem. The anchor I had crafted was far too heavy and had sunk deep into the muddy bottom of the pond. No matter how hard I pulled, I was unable to get free.

        Sometimes, our relationship to our church family is much like this situation. We are encouraged by the bible to anchor ourselves in the security of fellowshipping with other believers. While this is a good and healthy Christian practice, we must be equally careful not to become so secure as to be immobilized. There is a time to fellowship with other believers and a time to "go ye into all the world." Be careful never to allow yourself to be immobilized by your security.

Other Topic/Subtopic/Index:  

Apathy

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