www.toddbryant.com

Cloud Gate aka “The Bean" is a public sculpture by Indian-born British artist Anish Kapoor, that is the centerpiece of AT&T Plaza at Millennium Park in the Loop community area of Chicago, Illinois.  

Amy encouraged me to go visit while I was here, so this afternoon I raced around downtown to see the sites and to find the bean.  It was such a great day at Microsoft Ignite, followed by visiting these sites, and a great dinner with Chris.  

Take a look at my photos from this afternoon.

Prayers going up for TeeTee and her kids tonight.

ט Teth

65 Do good to your servant

    according to your word, Lord.

66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment,

    for I trust your commands.

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,

    but now I obey your word.

68 You are good, and what you do is good;

    teach me your decrees.

69 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,

    I keep your precepts with all my heart.

70 Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,

    but I delight in your law.

71 It was good for me to be afflicted

    so that I might learn your decrees.

72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me

    than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.

י Yodh

73 Your hands made me and formed me;

    give me understanding to learn your commands.

74 May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,

    for I have put my hope in your word.

75 I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous,

    and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

76 May your unfailing love be my comfort,

    according to your promise to your servant.

77 Let your compassion come to me that I may live,

    for your law is my delight.

78 May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;

    but I will meditate on your precepts.

79 May those who fear you turn to me,

    those who understand your statutes.

80 May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees,

    that I may not be put to shame.

John 15:1-11 (NIV)

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.