a different viewEach year I eagerly await the transformation of one tree in my yard. I never catch the colors the same, especially waiting for a sunny day to take photos. Last week the glorious reds were gaining on the greens, now an abundance of golden hues.
All of creation changes so differently. Plants, creatures, people and weather! Definitely something we can be grateful for and other times, steadiness would be good Lord!
I think that is why I find great comfort that God is never changing. The only thing that can always be sure for us. The Creator of all.
I beautiful day of sunshine and simplicity. Magnifying the Great I AM!
A lyric from years ago comes to mind…. “Just one touch from The King – changes everything!”
Godfrey Birtill (I was used to Old Man Worship Band singing :D)
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
planted in the house of the Lord,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green,
proclaiming, “The Lord is upright;
he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”
Psalm 92:12-15 NIV
CreeksideSome weeks I create more “drafts” then I do posts. This was one where I found great words, more questions and continue to seek wisdom. It makes this painting call to me as a resting place…
God has a constantly flowing river whose sparkling streams bring joy and delight to his people!
His river flows right through the city of God-Most-High, into his holy dwelling place. God is in the midst of his city, secure and never shaken. At daybreak his help will be seen, with the appearing of the dawn.
When the nations are in uproar, with their tottering kingdoms, God simply raises his voice
and the earth begins to disintegrate before him!
Here he comes!
The Commander!
The mighty Lord of Angel-Armies is on our side!
The God of Jacob fights for us!
Psalm 46:4-7 The Passion Translation
warning – bridge outWe often get so focused on the bumps in the road in this worldly life, we forget there is a bigger picture. It’s not about what we do – it is about who (whose) we are.
The good news – and there always is good news!!
Death is not our destruction.
For many the goal is to have quality health, amazing family, and faith in “something.” And most will admit it hasn’t worked so well. If a great “worldly” life is the plan – are we really doing what we were created for?
Answering the call of our Lord, you can expect to have some bumps. Maybe that’s what scares some from stepping out…
I started writing this in June…so many thoughts along the way…
“Fear not” and “Do not be afraid” are mentioned 365 times in the Bible. I feel if we were living from that perspective with love, peace and joy, we’ll see problems as great possibilities!
All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it’s not only around us; it’s within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We’re also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don’t see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.
Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
Romans 8:22-28
In the Distance IIIYou may have noticed I don’t keep up with the news in a timely manner. I did get to see the blood moon on Sunday. Our clouds parted like a curtain to let us enjoy the show. I left the fabulous photography to those with extreme equipment but even two days later, I can still picture it in my mind.
What things do you remember each day?
We all have rough sections in the journey but there are bright spots we need to hold onto. God moments that bring an “ahhh” of refreshing. Those are the times we need to keep in the forefront as we press on through this thing called life.
The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;
where morning dawns, where evening fades,
you call forth songs of joy.
Psalm 65:8
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
Several weeks ago I had the word beloved keep playing in my mind and saying it needed to be painted.
How do you paint BELOVED?
With the blank canvas in front of me and not knowing what was to come, I painted the phrase “He calls you beloved.” Now how do you get the rest of the paint on the canvas? You paint over it and do it again.
I think we often forget that WE ARE HIS BELOVED. It may be inside but we don’t see it enough so we need to put it on the outside too.
Maybe it’s time for a beloved sticker on your mirror, your war room wall (good movie!), or on your computer. Could be why a young woman has it tattooed on her forearm.
The world will never give us the best picture of ourselves. It seeks to point out flaws and sell cover-ups.
Listen to what He says about you – that is the real truth!
God designed you so beautifully and HE calls you BELOVED!!
dark
dreary
shade
refuge
rain
daydreaming
imagination
wonder/awe
(What are they becoming now?)
A friend of mine does not like clouds in sunsets. I actually prefer them. They absorb and display colors. They let the sun play hide and seek.
God is so creative! Art classes gave such a new lens to seeing His wonders.
I started this painting during a worship service and thought how they are often referred to with the rainbow and covenant of God and then as His traveling tent!
By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. Ex 13:21-22
And now His creative Spirit resides inside each of us! That is even more awe inspiring!
Such wonder in the clouds…next time maybe I hide a giraffe in there too!
LinesA verse came to mind as I was editing the image…
“the lines have fallen in pleasant places”
I had to look it up since my internal library did not carry the reference.
Psalm 16:6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.
And the full Psalm is more beautiful than any painting could be!!!
Enjoy…
The Message Bible
Keep me safe, O God,
I’ve run for dear life to you.
I say to God, “Be my Lord!”
Without you, nothing makes sense.
And these God-chosen lives all around—
what splendid friends they make!
Don’t just go shopping for a god.
Gods are not for sale.
I swear I’ll never treat god-names
like brand-names.
My choice is you, God, first and only.
And now I find I’m your choice!
You set me up with a house and yard.
And then you made me your heir!
The wise counsel God gives when I’m awake
is confirmed by my sleeping heart.
Day and night I’ll stick with God;
I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go.
I’m happy from the inside out,
and from the outside in, I’m firmly formed.
You canceled my ticket to hell—
that’s not my destination!
Now you’ve got my feet on the life path,
all radiant from the shining of your face.
Ever since you took my hand,
I’m on the right way.
The Passion Translation
Keep me safe, O mighty God,
I run for dear life to you, my Safe Place.
So I say to the Lord God,
You are my Maker, my Mediator, and my Master.
You don’t need my “goodness,”
For I have none apart from you.
And he said to me, “My holy lovers are wonderful,
My majestic ones, my glorious ones,
Fulfilling all my desires.
Yet, there are those who yield to their weakness,
And they will have troubles and sorrows unending.
I never gather with such ones,
Nor give them honor in any way.”
Lord, I have chosen you alone as my inheritance.
You are my prize, my pleasure, and my portion.
I leave my destiny and its timing in your hands.
Your pleasant path leads me to pleasant places.
I’m overwhelmed by the privileges
That come with following you,
For you have given me the best!
The way you counsel and correct me
Makes me praise you more;
For your whispers in the night give me wisdom,
Showing me what to do next.
Because you are close to me and always available,
My confidence will never be shaken,
For I experience your wrap-around presence every moment.
My heart and soul explode with joy – full of glory!
Even my body will rest confident and secure.
For you will not abandon me to the realm of death
Nor will you allow your Holy One to experience corruption.
For you bring me a continual revelation of resurrection life,
The path to the bliss
That brings me face-to-face with you.
here fishiesApril was traveling with Mom again to see my brother in Kona, Hawaii. I know, rough life you may say. There is always more to every story…and a purpose under heaven. (Ecc 3:1)
One of our God connections was while we were capturing a sunset and I commented to a woman with a great camera. She and I started sharing our very similar stories and we invited her to join us on other days. Debby Smit is a fabulous photographer from Canada who gave up all that was familiar to be a YWAM volunteer and go where God leads and needs.
I was blessed to be able to host her in my home last night as she drives through the US to do a West Coast journey with YWAM Ships. We even caught another sunset together at Holland Beach.
He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. 2 Timothy 1:9 NIV
leaning in
One of her heart passions was to work on a cruise ship – God is making that happen in a different way than imagined. One of mine was to be an artist.
40’s, 50’s, 60’s – it’s never too late. He wants to give us the desires of our heart. (Psalm 37:4)
I feel we all have a GOD seed planted long ago to be used for His glory!
Please join me praying for God’s provision, safety and more holy connections for Debby as she heads this week to her next God assignment.
BE BOLD WITH GOD’S GIFTS
And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed—keep that ablaze! God doesn’t want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible. (Sensible vs self-discipline seem very different to me!)
So don’t be embarrassed to speak up for our Master or for me, his prisoner. Take your share of suffering for the Message along with the rest of us. We can only keep on going, after all, by the power of God, who first saved us and then called us to this holy work. We had nothing to do with it. It was all his idea, a gift prepared for us in Jesus long before we knew anything about it. But we know it now. Since the appearance of our Savior, nothing could be plainer: death defeated, life vindicated in a steady blaze of light, all through the work of Jesus.
This is the Message I’ve been set apart to proclaim as preacher, emissary, and teacher. It’s also the cause of all this trouble I’m in. But I have no regrets. I couldn’t be more sure of my ground—the One I’ve trusted in can take care of what he’s trusted me to do right to the end.
So keep at your work, this faith and love rooted in Christ, exactly as I set it out for you. It’s as sound as the day you first heard it from me. Guard this precious thing placed in your custody by the Holy Spirit who works in us.
2 Timothy 1:6-14 MSG
It's not really about me... 