You just never know!

Sometimes photographs surprise you! When I took the picture I did not see the heron! It looks like the bird is perched on man's paddle! To bad we don't take the time to reflect on our lives and discover the ways God has blessed us.

For those who grieve

A member of my congregation in Orlando sent me a sympathy card with this quote: "Death is not extinguishing the Light. It is putting out the lamp because the dawn has come." I miss you Ellie Lytle, my best friend of 26 years. But I still feel the joy and love from your life.

Our Creator

Look closely at this tortoise's shell. Marvel at God's creative genius!

LOOKING AHEAD

Paul says in his letter to the Philippians, "...forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."  Here is a young man named Kyle, who I met today at Wekiva State Park. I promised him I would put his picture on my blog! Indeed he is moving ahead to meet the cool water in the Wekiva springs. The water in the spring is always 72 degrees year round. 

  

FINDING DIRECTION

Where do you turn for insight and direction for life? Self Help books ... Daytime TV ... friends ...??? There is only one reliable place to start.... your Creator and Lord of the universe- Jesus Christ, who is the light of the world. The all knowing, all powerful, everywhere at the same time... yes God should be your search engine for light, wisdom and direction. {Not so much daytime TV!}



Light house on Mackinaw Island, MI

Doing Good!

It is easy for us to get lost in trying to make the world a better place: feeding the hungry, caring for the poor, befriending the lonely, working for justice for those battered by the systems of our culture. All are necessary callings from God to Christ's disciples. But lets not lose sight of this crucial fact, doing good works does not cause God to love us more or less. Our salvation comes from God's grace not our good works. Check yourself - are you involved in God's work to gain love or to show your gratitude for God's love? The latter is indeed the best answer! Here are grateful Presbyterians picking and bagging fruit for hungry families in Central Florida.

DEAD OR ALIVE?

Is this lion alive or dead? What affect does sin have on our lives? It corrodes and mutilates God's original specifications in us. We are as good as dead, unless we turn to Christ and accept the gift of LIFE!  And yes this lion is very dead and stuffed at Gander Mountain in West Virginia! Choose life in Christ.

OPPOSITION

When Paul was in Ephesus, he not only encountered a pagan culture that worshiped the goddess, Artemis, but also faced political opposition from the silversmiths. They were livid over their financial loss of income due to former pagans turning to faith in Christ. That meant they were not buying silver shrines of their goddess. These tradesman worked the crowds up into a riot that spilled out into the  outdoor theater. Companions of Paul were dragged into the theater with threats to their lives. Today the Christian message still meets with opposition and persecution from many angles. Paul's prayer in the first chapter of Ephesians asks God to open our eyes to know the "incomparably great power for us who believe". That power was revealed in Paul's ministry and is available to us as we face opposition. Here is the theater in Ephesus:

MISSING A FRIEND

To those around the globe who follow this blog: Please forgive my lack of daily postings. More than a week ago my best friend for 26 years died un-expectantly in her Memphis, TN home. Although she has struggled with ill heath for the past 3 years, no one expected her death. Shock and anger has turned to sadness at our loss, but rejoicing that her suffering is past. I am confident that Jesus held her in those final moments and he has taken her home to glory in God's presence!  Starting tomorrow I will resume my daily posts based on the Bible's book of Ephesians. Thanks for your patience and faithfulness!

Here is my friend, Ellie ...taken on one of our many travel adventures.

energy for life

I think this old cartoon speaks for itself! We all could use a little more energy to meet the demands of family life. Ephesians 1:18-19 ...my our eyes see the strength of Christ that is ours ...

EVIL

I was walking in a Wisconsin park when this reddish color caught my eye. It was striking and plentiful. But upon closer examination the reality sunk in ... this was some kind of fungus that was eating away at the tree's leaf system. Although bold and pleasing to the eye, this growth was deadly. Evil carries a similar trait. It can look pleasing to the eye, but evil always seeks to destroy. Don't be fooled by outward adornment. Always choose life....always choose goodness ... always choose love that benefits others. Your life will be better for it!

 

THE MARK

The Washington Monument punctuates the landscape of Washington DC. It was an overcast day when I took this picture, but regardless this unique structure overshadows and marks all else in our nation's capital. In Ephesians 1:13-14 God tells us that those who believe that Christ has claimed them as his own, are marked by the Holy Spirit. This is an invisible mark, but regardless a mark that lasts for eternity. The Holy Spirit takes up residence within us to guide, heal, reassure us of God's love, grant us strength to face all of life's challenges and reshape us in God's image. God's mark punctuates our lives ...sets us a part to point people to Christ in the same way this national monument points people to our nation's heritage.