While at Lake Ontario, spending lots of time outside writing and communing with the Lord and His beautiful creation, there were two monarch butterflies that kept me company flying around. I take lots of pictures of nature because it’s so beautiful and I want to remember it forever. I was proud that when I finally decided to take a picture of the butterflies, I successfully got a few. A few days later, another opportunity came along for taking pictures, which inspired this reflection. Continue reading “BUTTERFLIES”
Tag: beauty
DESERT TIMES
Hello, my fellow pilgrims! Today is day 3 of our Holy Land pilgrimage. As we journey along, I continue to pray the places and scriptures come alive so you personally experience the fifth gospel. A gentle reminder to pause for a few minutes to think about and answer the reflection questions you will find along the way. Enjoy today’s sights, my dear reader~
Our first stop today takes us to the Jordan River, where Jesus’ public ministry began when he was 30 years old. Jesus was baptized by His cousin, John the Baptist, whose mission was to call people to repentance in preparation for Jesus’ coming. John baptized people in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins and repented. Continue reading “DESERT TIMES”
THE BEAUTY OF THE SUN
Have you ever looked at the sun when it is shining so gloriously and been so mesmerized by the sight?
Sunrise over Virginia Beach (my all time favorite picture!)
If you know me at all, you probably know that happens to me almost everyday that the sun is shining! Yes, I am forever taking pictures of the sun because it is just so beautiful and reminds me of the presence of the SON in our lives.
Continue reading “THE BEAUTY OF THE SUN”
THE SUN
For me, the SUN is a shining reminder of Jesus, the “SON”, in our lives.
If you have ever seen the sun rise
from behind the hills and mountains,
You may have been blessed
by the sparkling red and yellow rays that fill the sky.
Sunrise at the Swiss Alps–Photo courtesy of Bekah.
Just gazing on this beautiful sight,
reminds us how much beauty is in creation–
both inanimate and living,
There is a breathtaking awesomeness in the sight.
So may all your enemies perish, O Lord! But may they who love you be like the sun when it rises in its strength. Then the land had peace forty years. –Judges 5:31 (NIV)
During the day, see the sun brighten the earth
and penetrate so deeply and warmly.
I so enjoy being immersed in the warmth of the sun
as its rays are radiating so intensely.
A sign and symbol of all the love God gives us
through His “Son”, Jesus.
Jesus’ love for us is deeply rooted in us
and rises to brighten the lives of others.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless. –Psalm 84:11 (NIV)
In the evening, see the sun setting over the ocean waters–
such a tranquil and serene view.
This sight restores our soul
letting us know God is in control
and He is filling us with His peace and love.
From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. –Psalm 113:3 (NIV)
BEING FREE
PHOTO CREDIT BY INGRID TAYLAR UNDER CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE (CC BY 2.0). WORDS ADDED BY HOPETOINSPIREYOU.WORDPRESS.COM
As I gazed up into the bright, sun-lit sky on a clear, cloudless day, I saw a bird soaring gently through the air. I saw such beauty in the sight. I first thought how God created the birds of the sky to soar with such free-ness.
Wouldn’t it be neat if we could be like the birds and spend our time singing and flying far throughout God’s creation—just living moment by moment?
As I continued to think about the birds, I couldn’t help but think, maybe God was showing me this bird to remind me to be more like them—
**not worry about tomorrow,
**simply live one moment at a time,
**rest in His love and care.
He will be our strength and provide all we need when we need it.
As we grow more and more in faith and trust, we will be more like the birds—our spirits will soar freely with Him—free of the tensions and worries of this world.
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” –Matthew 6:26-27 (NIV)