Silent Strength

Earlier this week, I was drawn to the silent strength of this group of white birch trees. Though the sky loomed with scowling clouds, the trees stood firm as they have for so many years.

It made me think of how God is always with me and how He can give me a kind of silent strength not so much unlike the birch trees. Like the Psalmist sang in Psalm 112: 6-8 , it's the kind of strength that enables me to endure the trials and tribulations of everyday life.

God is so good and so merciful. He is so willing to take care of my needs. I need to follow the Psalmist's advice in the beginning of the chapter. "Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in His commands."

On the Edge

^{From the edge, I take in the majestic warmth of color, shapes, textures, and sounds} 

                                                       ^{and I realize that God has brought me here to spread my wings}

                                                                                                  ^and 

                      ^FLY          

                                                                                     

  Isaiah 40:29-31
He gives strength to the weary
   and increases the power of the weak.
 Even youths grow tired and weary,
   and young men stumble and fall;
 but those who hope in the LORD
   will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
   they will run and not grow weary,
   they will walk and not be faint. 

Calm Before the Storm

Be still my heart, heavy, leaden air before the storm.

Heart pounding, smothered breath, fight or flight.

 Terror, loneliness startle me as if early morn.

Till I look to my Comforter and Father and Son.

  
Heart takes a metronome beat.
He comforts me so calmly.
Whatever will be, will be.
Worry relents. Peace for me
No more fear will defeat me.

Regardless of the situation, I have learned to look to God for my comfort and strength. When every thing around me seems so wrong, I am comforted by the promises found in God's word. As the Psalmist proclaims, God knew the types of woes his people would face

Control

I'm back after a short hiatus.... sometimes, you just have to take a break. This beautiful scene helped realign me to a good frame of mynd.

As you probably know, I love waterfalls. This particular fall about a half hour from home is the perfect place to get an attitude adjustment. It reminds me that I have NO CONTROL over what is going on around me.... yet through all the chaos, misery, adversity, and pain there is one constant force that is comfortably predictable.

By predictable I mean it is a force I can put my trust in. Our triune God is the only omnipotent power in the universe. He is in control even when things seem impossible or unbearable. Job summarizes in Job 21 "Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain by praying to him?"

Never Alone

When I saw this beached rowboat, I was drawn to it. Initially, it appeared painfully empty, abandoned and alone on the shore. Then I realized that this is just a season in this boat's life. At times, it surely weathered rough waves and rejoiced in the catch of the day. Bouncing along the waves, whether it had passengers did not matter. What mattered was that it was never alone as the lighthouse always watched over it. This makes me think of my life. Youth is fresh like the smell of the newly cut wood that was fashioned into this boat. Maturity clothes a person like the paint that covered the boat. Self-confidence is gained along the way just like the boat gained worthiness with each trip. Stress and troubles leave a mark on a person's soul just as this boat shows the wear of its travels. Life may lead one from shore to shore but two things remain constant. The essence of the boat does not change with locale. Just as the lighthouse watches over this and other boats, God is always there. As the Psalmist said, God's word is an every ready beacon that shows the way.

Wild Thimbleberries

Someone very dear to me questioned me about my last post. It made me realize how much I appreciate her and made me think how much God must value us. This photo of wild thimbleberries illustrates this for me. We are all exquisite creatures created by God. Each one of us is at a different point of maturity. The stage we are in varies from being just the right ripeness to leave a smile on someone's face to unripe and basically unapproachable and full of bitterness. It makes me think of the guidance and encouragement Paul gave to the Galatians to explain Christian character and justification by faith. 

Never Meant To Belong

After a long week like this one, I feel so melancholy and really question whether I belong here. It makes me think of this wildflower that I have spotted near many waterfalls. Just like all wildflowers, God provides the right environment for them to flourish.

At times it seems like I am suffocating; like I need to be next to a waterfall. It is as if my very existence is what it would be like if a cymbal were clashing during a lovely violin solo  

I will just have to trust what the bible says...God knows what's best... He knows the struggles and worries that trouble me...  He is in control.

Monday Madness or Meditation?

Another Monday of madness! But, instead of letting it stress me out and bring me down, I choose to meditate on the positive things in my life.... like the enjoyable things I did over the weekend.

This peaceful, serene waterfall is a short hike from home .... it's a huge blessing it to be able to "getaway" briefly from the stress of life.
Moments like these remind me that it is my choice to think good thoughts and not let the bad things get to me.

It must be what the disciple Paul meant when he encouraged the church members in Philippi to focus on good and positive things. 

Freedom is ......

Watching my son do stunts like this skateboard jump makes me think about what it means to be free.... the freedom felt from a couple of airborne seconds is liberating but not as much as the freedom that comes from the peace of mind in knowing that Jesus has overcome the sting of death for those who believe. 
Hebrews 2:14-15

Tossed about by the waves...

Tossed about by the waves, this log has been beaten by many waves. Each one wearing off the tough outer bark to reveal a smooth and beautifully unique creation.
This makes me think of my life and the many trials that I have endured, especially during the past year. God allowed the trials and He gave me the strength to endure them. Do I fully understand this? Nope. but I do understand how much God loves me. Like the Psalmist said "For you, God, tested us;  you refined us like silver."

Never-ending Monday...

Whenever it seems like it's a never-ending Monday, I need to kick back and relax and stop worrying. Watching my puppy thoroughly enjoy wind surfing out of my car window reminds me of this. Worry less and enjoy life. God allows hectic and bad days like these to help us appreciate the good things in life and to help us realize how much we need Him. 

So if you're feeling overwhelmed and worrisome, remember, you don't have to carry the burden of anxiety. Take time to "feel the wind in your hair".

Think you see the whole picture?

Just when you think you see the whole picture of a situation, think again. What reminds me of this is this image of a wildflower that I came across the other day.
When I opened it in Photoshop, the tiny details of a plant visitor became apparent. What an awesome reminder that even if I think that I see the whole picture, there is always a tiny detail hidden from my perspective.

Finally found the right frame

From now on, I will be posting images from my perspective and relating how they impact my life.