Mesquite Burl on West Texas Juniper Base H 18", W 10", D 10"

Photo by Mel Schockner

Sky Dance

A montage of movements created to capture some of the grace and daring seen in the spectacular courtship dance of one of North America's most striking birds, the Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher. 
The male bird flies to a height of 100 feet and does a series of "V" dives.  The dance is culminated by the male hovering 3 ft off the ground for 15-20 seconds.  The birds and movement are carved out of a single piece of pure bird's eye Mesquite burl, and mounted on a rich piece of West Texas juniper.

 This sculpture won second place for interpretive sculpture in the world class 2010 Ward World Championship Wildfowl Competition. The largest bird carving competition in the world.

Sky Dance

When You say that You dance over me
what is it that You mean?
You rejoice with shouts of joy
yet the dance is never seen.

At least not by my eyes it's not
and those shouts don't reach my ears,
my eyes are on the storm clouds
my ears listening to my fears.

Yet I know You are a Warrior
One who delights to save
and I know that You have conquered
sin, hell, and the grave.

So I ask for grace to trust you,
to join You in the sky,
as I run here through the battle,
help me thank you, not ask why.

For, if my eyes are truly fixed on You,
I won't miss Your dance above,
if I'm resting in Your faithfulness,
You'll restore me with Your love.

J. Christopher White

'The Lord your God is in your midst a warrior Who saves
He will dance over you with singing
He will renew you in His love
He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.'
Zephaniah 3:17