By name

I am off to Colorado for the week, and hope to see this one that I know by name. She let me hand feed her peanuts last fall. Her name is 'Light.' I believe that she will come to me again. I know before I go there that God has such wonderful things planned for us to see. I can't wait to share them with you next week!
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God summons us by name, also:
For the sake of Jacob my servant, of Israel my chosen,
I summon you by name and bestow on you a title of honor, though you do not acknowledge me,
I am the Lord, and there is no other. Isaiah 45:4-5

Need directions?

We went to visit friends last night and were able to enjoy their wonderful backyard. At the time of the setting sun I found an opening through the trees that put this weather vane in front of the beautiful sky. It seemed to resonate, "If you need directions, look up!"

It seems that so many in my family are looking for direction in job searches and changes. Applying, changing jobs, and waiting for interviews can be openings to a whittling away of our confidence. But God tells us He has a future and a hope for us. He made each of us with gifts to accomplish works for His glory. When we get discouraged, we need all the more to lean in with faith and believe that God is doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves by leaning into our own understanding.

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Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.
Proverbs 3:5-8

Framed by the Moon

My friend and I often call each other at sunset to tell the other if there is a promising sky. Tonight the clouds disappeared but the moon was in full glory. The moon catches fire and frames a bird catching a ride on a current of wind that blows by His command. Amazing God!!!!

Leaping Lizards

When I was photographing these guys, they were literally leaping from one plant to another. I found myself giggling, and found other people looking at me strangely. They were seeing the flowers in the garden, but missing the great Cirque de Soleil performance! I could have stayed for hours just watching them skitter and try to hide in the green leaves.
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Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Ps. 37:4

Trust

I heard it and knew it was very close above me. I would have to forego the luxury of looking for it with the naked eye. I would have to just point the camera up and shoot. If I had any chance at all of getting it before it flew away, I would have to TRUST.
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...in quietness and trust is your strength...
Isaiah 30:15

Spring Forth

I knew shortly after waking that I needed to go down to the gardens and see what was happening with the dance of creatures drawn to the flowers as well. I was not disappointed. The secret is to be patient, letting your senses fill up with what seems to be hidden but will be revealed to those who wait on the Lord. The colors and smells literally filled me with praise, and the pictures have been remembered in my heart as well as by the camera.

It amazes me how a small flower or bee establishes His glory just as much as a mountain or sunset. No wonder even the rocks cry out!
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Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps. Psalm 86:10-13

Wait and Watch

As often is the case with photography, I go in search of a specific thing and end up with a shot of something unexpected and quite beautiful. I went out last night for what seemed a promising sunset. It fizzled without much of a show at the expected time. But when I turned to walk home, I got the star of the night...the moon.

Even when things are dark and seem to be fruitless and ended, we need to persevere in waiting and watching. He gives more than we expect and need, HIS BEST.

Give thanks to the Lord...
His love endures forever...
who made the great lights~
the sun to govern the day,
the moon and stars to govern the night...
His love endures forever.
from Psalm 136

Power Source

Last evening I saw the potential for a wonderful sunset, so scurried down to Missy Lane. I was frustrated with most of the openings to the sky, because power lines appeared in most of the views. In the middle of my 'attitude' I heard God say, "Work with me, here! My message for you is about POWER!"

I started thinking about what POWER had to do with the three electricity carrying poles in the picture. It started to be revealed as I thought about stages of spiritual growth my life. As a child and young adult, I felt that everything I accomplished was due to my hard work. Then I hit the wall, through many humbling circumstances, realizing that God often did for me what I could not do for myself. I became much less self-centered and started letting God grow in me a humble heart. As I have grown in the Lord, I now realize that the power in me is given to accomplish those things which are my assignments to pursue for HIS glory. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Those power lines were constructed by human beings because of the creative intelligence with which He designed us. The power source for our electricity, which provides power and light, is none other than the LIGHT and POWER source of all creation. Those poles disrupting the sunset just reminded me that He is the true power and light, and manifests the strength in me to carry out his purpose for my life. His power runs through my body, mind, and spirit to accomplish the future and hope he designed especially for me.


He strengthens us with ALL POWER according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom OF LIGHT. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness, and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Col. 1:11-14

Joy Comes

Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.
Psalm 30:5

However long the night is in your circumstance of grief, the joy is on its way. God gives us songs in the night. He sings over us. If we weep, he collects our tears.

The morning is coming. Listen to His songs. The joy of the Lord is our strength.

Little Flock

These two precious ones I know by name. They are mother and daughter. I have seen them almost every year when I visit Evergreen mountain.

I first met 'Little' (I named her) on the last morning of my annual autumn trip to Colorado. I was up early reading scripture while my friend was still sleeping. I was trying to drink in every bit of beauty from the mountain before leaving for the airport, and thanking God for the wonderful opportunity to get away to such a peaceful place. From the first day of my arrival my friend kept telling me that God had something really special for me. As I would see each incredible landscape or creature, she would reply, "Good, but that's not it!" I began to think we had not correctly identified the thing, or had missed it. Time was running out before the morning departure for home.

I was sitting in the big arm chair early in the morning with 'Boo' and 'Isabella' kitties nestled in at my side. I got the feeling that something besides them was watching me. I looked up to see 'Little' staring at me through the picture window. How did I know that this was the special gift God had for me? The scripture I was reading when I looked up was:

"Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Luke 12:32

Hence, she was named 'Little." The one feeding with her in the picture is her daughter, 'Amber.' The deer that come to visit are now known as the 'Flocks.' Each one is quite different and has been named by my friends. I look forward especially to seeing these two at the end of this month when I go to visit the mountain and all the wonderful creatures (human and wildlife) that I so love.

I wanted to send this out as a blessing to mothers today.

How God clothes the field

If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you. Luke 12:28
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I don't think this scripture is talking about the label on our jeans. I think it is talking about the owner of our hearts. As we walk out our lives, our radiance begins to reflect His attributes. We simultaneously wear the jewels of humility and victory. We walked hand in hand with the One who gave them to us. He walked with us on the paths to acquiring these treasures, worth more than silver or gold. We are adorned with the riches of the King!

Whose waters never fail

This was one of my favorite photos from the Hill Country. Water spilling over walls and rocks is so soothing and refreshing to my spirit. When I feel wounded and dried up, I know that His waters never fail. It helps me to receive that truth in my heart if I imagine myself standing under a waterfall, or walking alongside a rushing creek.
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The Lord will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs
in a sun-scorched land,
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
Isaiah 58:11

The desert will be glad...

I don't always catch the blooming of cacti in Texas, but was delighted this spring to see blooms in yellow, peach, and bright pink. I just saw the yellow ones today on an afternoon hike. They especially symbolize to me a rejoicing after a difficult or dry time; a new season of joy following a trial in the wilderness.
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The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom...
Isaiah 35:1

Strengthen the feeble hands,
steady the knees that give way;
say to those with fearful hearts,
"Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come."
Isaiah 35:3-4

The Path of Life

The very valleys of our lives often form our future ministries. Because we have gained wisdom, faith, and compassion from our experiences, we have something to offer of hope to those that come for comfort and guidance in similar situations.

I loved this road in the hill country. I was very pressed by the Holy Spirit to go off the main road on to this one. There seemed to be very few wildflowers, so I was confused about what I was supposed to see...until this dip and high road on the other side came into view. If we could see the whole picture when we are at the low point in the road, we would be able to see the highway He has for us on the other side.

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16:11