Secondhand Spirituality

Come near to God, and God will come near to you. James 4:8

Some of us have tried to have a daily quiet time and have not been successful. Others of us have a hard time concentrating. And all of us are busy. So rather than spend time with God, listening for his voice, we'll let others spend time with him and then benefit from their experience. Let them tell us what God is saying. After all, isn't that why we pay preachers? …

If that is your approach, if your spiritual experiences are secondhand and not firsthand, I'd like to challenge you with this thought: Do you do that with others parts of your life? …

You don't do that with vacations… You don't do that with romance… You don't let someone eat on your behalf, do you? [There are] certain things no one can do for you.

And one of those is spending time with God.

Max Lucado - Just Like Jesus

Hooker Falls in the Autumn

John 4:14 "but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst...”

God is Thinking About You

Psalm 139:17-18
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!

"The Bible identifies God as our heavenly Father. He isn't a father who is too busy with His work that He doesn't have time for you. You are God's work. You are what He thinks about all day long. Since before the world was created, God knew and loved you. As you go about your hectic schedule today, take a little time to think about God - He is thinking about you."

"God is in the Small Stuff"

Lyrid Meteor Showers

For those who enjoy watching the sky at night...  God's Lightshow!

The Lyrid Meteor Showers are this week.

The Lyrid meteor shower is not one of the strongest of the annual meteor showers, but it can be enjoyable to those meteor observers thirsting for something after over three and a half months of weak meteor activity.

The Lyrids generally begin on April 16 and end on April 26, with maximum generally occurring during the night of April 21/22. At maximum, hourly rates can reach about 10 meteors per hour. The Lyrids are particularly interesting for two reason. First, observations have been identified back to at least 2600 years, which is longer than any other meteor shower. Second, the meteor shower occasionally experiences an outburst of about 100 meteors per hour and the reason is basically unknown.

There are other, weaker meteor showers going on around the same time as the Lyrids. The Lyrids move rather fast. When you see a meteor, mentally trace it backwards. If you end up at the constellation Lyra then you have probably seen a Lyrid meteor! If you are not sure where Lyra is in the sky, the following charts will help you find it from both the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere:

One Nation Under God

Beautiful Bald Eagle and the American Flag

National Day of Prayer is Under Attack

Comment and leave your suggestions here.

National Day of Prayer declared unconstitutional

The National Day of Prayer is UNDER ATTACK!

What are you going to do about it??

April 17, 2010
National Day of Prayer declared unconstitutional
Phil Boehmke

On Thursday, American Patriots from all across our nation gathered together in a celebration of national unity in defense of our freedom. As we exercised our God given rights under the protection of the First Amendment to our Constitution, a terrible injustice was being perpetrated in Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.


A Wisconsin federal judge on Thursday found the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional, saying it violates the First Amendment prohibition against laws respecting an establishment of religion.

The decision by U.S. District Judge Barbara B. Crabb of the Western District of Wisconsin was a victory for the Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation.


Crabb, a Jimmy Carter appointee claims that since the purpose of the National Day of Prayer is to "encourage" all Americans to pray, it is unconstitutional. The operative word here is "ecourage," this is not a mandate or even a request from the government, it is merely encouragement.

The federal government and our 50 states all have spent valuable resources to encourage us all to refrain from using tobacco products and in fact they actively encourage us to quit smoking through onerous taxation. Mrs. Obama is encouraging us all (especially the children) to eat healthier foods and exercise. There are a myriad of ways in which our government acts through advertising, regulation and taxation to encourage us to live in the manner that they feel is best.

The First Amendment states that, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibition the free exercise thereof..." and as the National Day of Prayer carries no mandate and no penalty and does not exclude any religious belief (or lack thereof) it could hardly be in conflict with the constitution.


Jordan Sekulow of the American Center for Law and Justice, which filed an amices brief in the case on behalf of 31 members of Congress, said he was confident the decision would be overturned on appeal.

"This is one district court judge," said Sekulow, an attorney with the public interest law firm founded by evangelist Pat Robertson. "It's not like it's happening all over the country. In no way do we think this is the mainstream of judicial thinking in the United States."


If the loyal Americans that I had the great pleasure of joining with in friendship during the Crystal Lake, Illinois Tea Party had been aware of Ms. Crabb's outrageous decision it is safe to say that they would have aroused her anger...by praying for her!


Phil Boehmke

Article Link

The Only Path

I am the way, and the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me. —Joh_14:6

Tolerance. A prized virtue today. The ability to be understanding of those with whom you differ is a sign of sophistication. Jesus, too, was a champion of tolerance:

• Tolerant of the disciples when they doubted.

• Tolerant of the crowds when they misunderstood.

• Tolerant of us when we fall.

But there is one area where Jesus was intolerant. There was one area where he was unindulgent and dogmatic…

As far as he was concerned, when it comes to salvation, there aren't several roads … there is only one road… There aren't several paths … there is only one path. And that path is Jesus himself.

That is why it is so hard for people to believe in Jesus. It's much easier to consider him one of several options rather than the option. But such a philosophy is no option.

Max Lucado - A Gentle Thunder

Love Hung on a Cross

God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life. —Joh_3:16


He looked around the hill and foresaw a scene. Three figures hung on three crosses. Arms spread. Heads fallen forward. They moaned with the wind.

Men clad in soldier's garb sat on the ground near the trio…

Women clad in sorrow huddled at the foot of the hill, … faces tear-streaked.

All heaven stood to fight. All nature rose to rescue. All eternity poised to protect. But the Creator gave no command.

"It must be done …" he said, and withdrew.

The angel spoke again. "It would be less painful …"

The Creator interrupted softly. "But it wouldn't be love."

Max Lucado - In the Eye of the Storm

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Mother's Day Gift Ideas: Tote Bags, Aprons, Ceramic Tiles, Keepsake Boxes, Mouse Pads, Coasters, Coffee Mugs, T-Shirts, Framed Art, Canvas Gallery Wraps

http://jillwlang.smugmug.com/Galleries/Scripture-Quotes

National Day of Prayer

Thursday May 6, 2010

Mark Your Calendar

We need it now more than ever!

National Day of Prayer Website

http://www.ndptf.org/

Tipped Scales

Christ's love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. —Eph_3:19
It wasn't right that spikes pierced the hands that formed the earth. And it wasn't right that the Son of God was forced to hear the silence of God.
It wasn't right, but it happened.

For while Jesus was on the cross, God sat on his hands. He turned his back. He ignored the screams of the innocent.

He sat in silence while the sins of the world were placed upon his Son. And he did nothing while a cry a million times bloodier than John's echoed in the black sky: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

Was it right? No.
Was it fair? No.
Was it love? Yes.

The Applause of Heaven - Max Lucado

The Debt is Paid

Though your sins are like scarlet, they can be as white as snow. Though your sins are deep red, they can be white like wool. —Isa_1:18

When Jesus told us to pray for forgiveness of our debts as we forgive our own debtors, he knew who would be the one to pay the debt. As he would hang on the cross he would say, "It is finished"… the debt is paid!

There are some facts that will never change. One fact is that you are forgiven. If you are in Christ, when he sees you, your sins are covered—he doesn't see them. He sees you better than you see yourself. And that is a glorious fact of your life.

Max Lucado "Walking with the Savior"

Autumn Path

Hosea 14:9

"For the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them"

Divine Design

Teenagers quickly learn that it is easier to ask forgiveness than to ask permission.  We often take the same approach with God.  We make plans for what we want, and we leave God out of the planning process.  Then we involve God by asking Him to "bless" what we have already decided to do.  Don't treat God like a magic wand that you wave over your plans.  Involve Him at the very beginning.

I know I'm guilty of this and it really hits home for me.

Pro 3:5-6
(5) Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;

(6) In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

God is in the Small Stuff - By Bruce & Stan (Devotional)

Steps to Peace With God

Step 1: God's Purpose: Peace and Life

God loves you and wants you to experience peace and life—abundant and eternal.

The Bible says ...

"We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." —Romans 5:1 (NIV)

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." —John 3:16 (NIV)

"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." —John 10:10 (NIV)

Step 2: The Problem: Our Separation

God created us in His own image to have an abundant life. He did not make us as robots to automatically love and obey Him. God gave us a will and a freedom of choice.
We chose to disobey God and go our own willful way. We still make this choice today. This results in separation from God

The Bible says ...

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." —Romans 3:23 (NIV)

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." —Romans 6:23 (NIV)

Our Attempts to Reach God

People have tried in many ways to bridge this gap between themselves and God ...

The Bible says ...

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." —Proverbs 14:12 (NIV)

"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear." —Isaiah 59:2 (NIV)

No bridge reaches God ... except one.

Step 3: God's Bridge: The Cross

Jesus Christ died on the Cross and rose from the grave. He paid the penalty for our sin and bridged the gap between God and people.

The Bible says ...

"For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ."
—1 Timothy 2:5 (NIV)

"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God."
—1 Peter 3:18 (NIV)

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
—Romans 5:8 (NIV)

God has provided the only way. Each person must make a choice.

Step 4: Our Response: Receive Christ

We must trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and receive Him by personal invitation.

The Bible says ...

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will
come in and eat with him, and he with me."
—Revelation 3:20 (NIV)

"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to
become children of God."
—John 1:12 (NIV)

"That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised
Him from the dead, you will be saved."
—Romans 10:9 (NIV)
Where are you?

Will you receive Jesus Christ right now?

Here is how you can receive Christ:
1. Admit your need (I am a sinner).
2. Be willing to turn from your sins (repent).
3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and rose from the grave.
4. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit.
(Receive Him as Lord and Savior.)

Resource: Billy Graham Website

He is Risen!

Happy Easter!

Luke 24:1-8

Luk 24:1-8
(1) Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.
(2) But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.
(3) Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
(4) And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments.
(5) Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?
(6) He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee,
(7) saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.' "
(8) And they remembered His words.

Also read Matthew 28:1-6, Mark 16:1-6, John 20 & 21

The Cross

Wishing everyone a blessed holiday!

Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant

The Holy of Holies

Another Old Testament prophet's predictions on Jesus' sufferings at the cross.

Start with Isaish 52:13 and read through chapter 53.

Isa 52:13-53:12
(13) Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently; He shall be exalted and extolled and be very high.
(14) Just as many were astonished at you, So His visage was marred more than any man, And His form more than the sons of men;
(15) So shall He sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths at Him; For what had not been told them they shall see, And what they had not heard they shall consider.
(1) Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
(2) For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him.
(3) He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
(4) Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.
(5) But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
(6) All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
(7) He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.
(8) He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken.
(9) And they made His grave with the wicked— But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth.
(10) Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.
(11) He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities.
(12) Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.

The accuracy is amazing!

The Cloak of Humanity

The Cloak of Humanity

Jesus took Peter, James, and John with him, and he began to be very sad and troubled. Mark 14:33

"During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death" (Heb_5:7 ).
My, what a portrait! Jesus is in pain. Jesus is on the stage of fear. Jesus is cloaked, not in sainthood, but in humanity.
The next time the fog finds you, you might do well to remember Jesus in the garden. The next time you think that no one understands, reread the fourteenth chapter of Mark. The next time your self-pity convinces you that no one cares, pay a visit to Gethsemane. And the next time you wonder if God really perceives the pain that prevails on this dusty planet, listen to him pleading among the twisted trees.

No Wonder They Call Him the Savior

Max Lucado

The Good Shepherd

John 10:11

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep."

Psalm 22 - A Prophecy at the Cross

A Prophecy of Christ at the Cross.

Psalm 22 prophecies the suffering Jesus had at the cross. It describes the spiritual, emotional and physical agony He experienced that day.

(Psa 22:1) My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning?

(Psa 22:7) All those who see Me ridicule Me; They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,

(Psa 22:8) "He trusted in the LORD, let Him rescue Him; Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!"

(Psa 22:13) They gape at Me with their mouths, Like a raging and roaring lion.

(Psa 22:14) I am poured out like water, And all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It has melted within Me.

(Psa 22:15) My strength is dried up like a potsherd, And My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death.

(Psa 22:16) For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet;

(Psa 22:17) I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me.

(Psa 22:18) They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.

Just a few verses and I encourage you to read the whole chapter this week.

One Incredible Plan

One Incredible Plan

He humbled himself and was fully obedient to God, even when that caused his death—death on a cross. —Php_2:8
When human hands fastened the divine hands to a cross with spikes, it wasn't the soldiers who held the hands of Jesus steady. It was God who held them steady. Those same hands that formed the oceans and built the mountains. Those same hands that designed the dawn and crafted each cloud. Those same hands that blueprinted one incredible plan for you and me.
Take a stroll out to the hill. Out to Calvary. Out to the cross where, with holy blood, the hand that placed you on the planet wrote the promise, "God would give up his only Son before he'd give up on you."

Six Hours One Friday

Max Lucado

Monday and Tuesday of the Holy Week

Events of Monday and Tuesday

Matthew 22, 23 - Jesus continues to teach in parables and continues to answer the questions of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Passover

Passover is being celebrated March 29 - April 6, 2010.

Wishing you a Happy Passover!

Pink Dogwood Blooms

Luke 24:6

"He is not here, but is risen."

They Didn't Know the Time of His Visitation

Jesus weeps over Jerusalem.

Luk 19:41-44
(41) Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it,
(42) saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.
(43) For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side,
(44) and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation."

He was to be crucified at the end of the 69th week of Daniel or 483 years after the command to rebuild Jerusalem at the end of the Babylonian captivity.

This is a mathmatical prophecy in Daniel! He gives Israel the exact number of years when the Mashiyach Nagid (the Annointed One) would appear. The exact days are 173,880. (483 yrs times 360 days.) If they had known Daniel, then they would have "known the time of your visitation".

Dan 9:24-27
(24) "Seventy weeks are determined For your people and for your holy city, To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness, To seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy.
(25) "Know therefore and understand, That from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem Until Messiah the Prince, There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; The street shall be built again, and the wall, Even in troublesome times.
(26) "And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; And the people of the prince who is to come Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, And till the end of the war desolations are determined.
(27) Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate."

Palm Sunday

Today is Palm Sunday. This event marks the beginning of the last week of Jesus' life.

Luk 19:29-44
(29) And it came to pass, when He drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mountain called Olivet, that He sent two of His disciples,
(30) saying, "Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose it and bring it here.
(31) And if anyone asks you, 'Why are you loosing it?' thus you shall say to him, 'Because the Lord has need of it.' "
(32) So those who were sent went their way and found it just as He had said to them.
(33) But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, "Why are you loosing the colt?"
(34) And they said, "The Lord has need of him."
(35) Then they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him.
(36) And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road.
(37) Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen,
(38) saying: " 'BLESSED IS THE KING WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!' Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"
(39) And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples."
(40) But He answered and said to them, "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out."
(41) Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it,
(42) saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.
(43) For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side,
(44) and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation."

Prophecy fulfilled in Zechariah.

Zec 9:9
(9) "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.

The Carpenter's Journey

Great book on the events of Jesus at the Cross.

The Empty Tomb and Cross

The Cross, The Empty Tomb and The Resurrection!

John 14:19

"Because I live, you will also live."

See more Easter photos.

Purple Orchids

Beautiful purple orchids! This is an oil painting from the original photo.

2 Corinthians 5:7
"We walk by faith, not by sight"





See the entire Scripture Gallery

Walk by Faith

The Bible encourages us to walk consistantly with the Lord even when it's difficult.

2 Corinthians 5:7

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

The Message Version

It's what we trust in but don't yet see that keeps us going.

God Bless America

Purchase Patriotic t-shirts through SmugMug.

God Help...

God help this country.

Kill the Bill!

Don't let them take over our Healthcare!

Contact your representatives today!

Footprints in the Sand

The famous poem about how God is with us even if we can't visibly see Him.

One night a man had a dream.
He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand:
one belonging to him, and the other to the LORD.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of his life
there was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened
at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.

This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it:
"LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you,
you'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life,
there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me."

The LORD replied:
"My son, my precious child,
I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you."

Margaret Fishback Powers

Patriotic Photos - American Flag & Bald Eagle

Here's one of my American USA Flag and Bald Eagle photos.  This is perfect to use for all your patriotic designs!

See the Flag gallery.

Behold His Mercy!

Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ. —Eph 4:32

"[Jesus] wraps a servant's girdle around his waist, takes up the basin, and kneels before one of the disciples. He unlaces a sandal and gently lifts the foot and places it in the basin, covers it with water, and begins to bathe it. One by one, one grimy foot after another, Jesus works his way down the row…
You can be sure Jesus knows the future of these feet he is washing. These twenty-four feet will not spend the next day following their master, defending his cause. These feet will dash for cover at the flash of a Roman sword. Only one pair of feet won't abandon him in the garden. One disciple won't desert him at Gethsemane—Judas won't even make it that far! …
Behold the gift Jesus gives his followers! He knows what these men are about to do… And when they do, he wants them to remember how his knees knelt before them and he washed their feet. He wants them to realize those feet are still clean… He forgave their sin before they even committed it. He offered mercy before they even sought it."

Max Lucado
Just Like Jesus

Easter Lily and Cross

Easter Lily and The Cross

This image is downloadable for websites, graphic designs, bulletins, etc.




Thanks for your support!

How Does God Want Us to Live?

Deu 6:5-7

(5) You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

(6) "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.

(7) You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

NKJV

Deu 6:5-7 Love GOD, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that's in you, love him with all you've got! (6) Write these commandments that I've given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you (7) and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night.

The Message

Contact Congress Today!

Contact Congress Today and All Week!!

A Close Walk with the Lord

Isaiah 2:3

NKJV

Many people shall come and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

The Message

Many people shall come and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Spring Crocus Blooms

"The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day He created Spring."

Bern Williams
White and Purple Crocus Blooms - Welcome Spring!

Manna-fest Episodes

Watch Perry Stone Manna-fest episodes.

Great prophecy and current events shows!

What God Requires of Man

Micah 6:8

NKJV

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?"

The Message

"But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do, what GOD is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don't take yourself too seriously-- take God seriously."

Walking with the Lord

Walking close with the Lord is an important part of life.

"Come and let us walk in the light of the LORD."

Isaiah 2:5

Amazed

"The more I study nature, the more I am amazed at the Creator."

Louis Pasteur

No Religion Necessary

"If your religion is just a bunch of dos and don'ts, then God isn't interested in it. God wants your genuine faith, not your meaningless rituals. He wants you to respond to Him out of love, not out of compulsion or guilt or habit. He wants you to enjoy the freedom of faith without dreading rigid rules."

From the book "One-Minute Meditations"

Dogwood Easter Cards

White dogwood blooms Easter cards are available through Shutterfly.

Thanks for your support!

Within Us

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Pretty in Pink

Pink Dogwood Blooms

The Legend of the Dogwood

The Legend of the Dogwood

"In Jesus' time, the dogwood grew To a stately size and a lovely hue. 'Twas strong & firm it's branches interwoven For the cross of Christ its timbers were chosen.

Seeing the distress at this use of their wood Christ made a promise which still holds good: "Never again shall the dogwood grow Large enough to be used so Slender & twisted, it shall be With blossoms like the cross for all to see.

As blood stains the petals marked in brown The blossom's center wears a thorny crown. All who see it will remember me Crucified on a cross from the dogwood tree.

Cherished and protected this tree shall be A reminder to all of my agony."

~ Author Unknown ~

White Dogwood Blooms

Beautiful white blooms from the Dogwood tree. I'm looking forward to Spring!

Luke 24:6

"He is not here, but is risen."

Easter Cards - Empty Tomb

Empty Tomb Photo - Luke 24:6

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Shutterfly Sale through March - Buy $50.00 and get 20% off!

Contact Congress Today!

Congress

Use this link to contact your local, state and federal reps.

e-Sword Bible Study Software

Download this software program for free! (They do accept donations.) This is great software that I use all the time.

The Soul

Matthew 16:26

(NKJV) For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

(MSG) What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?

Bible Knowledge Commentary

"If it were possible for an individual, in preserving his own life, to gain the whole world, but in the process lose his soul, of what value then would be the possessions of the world? True discipleship involves following Christ and doing His will, wherever that path might lead."

Only One Thing Counts

No one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love him. —1Co_2:9

"Think about the day Christ comes. There you are in the great circle of the redeemed… Though you are one of a throng, it's as if you and Jesus are all alone…

I'm speculating now, but I wonder if Christ might say these words to you: "I'm so proud that you let me use you. Because of you, others are here today. Would you like to meet them?"

At that point Jesus might turn to the crowd and invite them… One by one, they begin to step out and walk forward.

The first is your neighbor, a crusty old sort who lived next door. To be frank, you didn't expect to see him. "You never knew I was watching," he explains, "but I was. And because of you, I am here." …

It's not long before you and your Savior are encircled by the delightful collection of souls you've touched. Some you know, most you don't, but for each you feel the same… You feel what Paul felt …" "I'm so proud of your faith" (see 1Th_2:19 ).

Max Lucado
Grace for the Moment

The Empty Tomb

Easter is fast approaching. It's on April 4th this year.

You can download the jpeg file and use for your graphic designs, websites, church bulletins, etc.

Signs of His Coming

Matthew 24:3-8

3) Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"
(4) And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you
(5) For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.
(6) And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
(7) For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.
(8) All these are the beginning of sorrows.

The beginning of Birth Pains. As a woman labors, the pains grow quicker together and more intense.

Roar and Fury of the Sea

Luke 21:25

"And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;"

Prayers up for the people involved!

Psalm 91:1

The Message Version

You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow,
Say this: "God, you're my refuge.
I trust in you and I'm safe!"

Psalm 91:1

Psa 91:1

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Wintery scene with old barns and silos.

Beautiful Autumn in the Mountains

Psalm 37:4

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Blue Ridge Parkway

1935 - 2010

Celebrating 75 years!

Happy Birthday, Parkway!

Daniel Series

End Times Prophecy

Daniel... the ultimate power, sovereignty and faithfulness of God.

Calvary Church is having a series of messages from the book of Daniel.  You can get their podcasts here.

When You Need Guidance

Proverbs 3:5-6

(5) Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
(6) In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

NCV New Century Version

Alexander Haig

RIP, Alexander Haig.  Thanks for your service to our country.

Must Read This Book

For those who are interested in Bible prophecy and the United States, this is a MUST read book!

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Also available are note cards, mouse pads, coffee mugs, magnets, jigsaw puzzles, desk organizers and keepsake boxes.

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Proverbs 3:5 - Trust God

Don't assume you know it all.

"Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on your own.

Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track."

The Message Bible version

Winter Tree Branches

Proverbs 2:6

Only the Lord gives wisdom; He gives knowledge and understanding.

God is Love

This passage is from The Message Bible.

7-10My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn't know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can't know him if you don't love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they've done to our relationship with God.
11-12My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other. No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us—perfect love!

13-16This is how we know we're living steadily and deeply in him, and he in us: He's given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit. Also, we've seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father sent his Son as Savior of the world. Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God's Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we've embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God.

Happy Valentine's Day!

God is Love!

1Jn 4:7-21
(7) Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
(8) He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
(9) In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
(10) In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
(11) Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
(12) No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.
(13) By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.
(14) And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world.
(15) Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
(16) And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
(17) Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.
(18) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
(19) We love Him because He first loved us.
(20) If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?
(21) And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

Psalm 34:4 in Photo

Tree stump with lush ferns and pretty flowers.

Psalm 34:4

Psalm 34

God delivers those who hold fast to their faith.

Psa 34:1-22
(1) A Psalm of David When He Pretended Madness Before Abimelech, Who Drove Him Away, and He Departed. I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
(2) My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
(3) Oh, magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.
(4) I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.
(5) They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed.
(6) This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles.
(7) The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.
(8) Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
(9) Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.
(10) The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.
(11) Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
(12) Who is the man who desires life, And loves many days, that he may see good?
(13) Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit.
(14) Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.
(15) The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry.
(16) The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
(17) The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles.
(18) The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
(19) Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.
(20) He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken.
(21) Evil shall slay the wicked, And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.
(22) The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.

Psalm 34:4

"I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears."

Barnes Commentary:

Psa 34:4
I sought the Lord, and he heard me - That is, on the occasion referred to in the psalm, when he was exposed to the persecutions of Saul, and when he sought refuge in the country of Abimelech or Achish: 1Sa_21:1-15. The idea is, that at that time he did not confide in his own wisdom, or trust to any devices of his own, but that he sought the protection and guidance of God, alike when he fled to Gath, and when he fled from Gath.
And delivered me from all my fears - From all that he apprehended from Saul, and again from all that he dreaded when he found that Abimelech would not harbor him, but drove him from him.

Ocracoke Lighthouse

The top of Ocracoke Lighthouse in the Outer Banks of NC.

Psalm 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Empty Tomb

Easter is April 4th this year. I've got quite a few Empty Tomb photos available for your designs.

Thanks for your support!

Cast Your Burden Upon the Lord

Oswald Chambers

"Cast thy burden upon the Lord." Psalm 55:22

We must distinguish between the burden-bearing that is right and the burden-bearing that is wrong. We ought never to bear the burden of sin or of doubt, but there are burdens placed on us by God which He does not intend to lift off, He wants us to roll them back on Him. "Cast that He hath given thee upon the Lord." (R.V. marg.) If we undertake work for God and get out of touch with Him, the sense of responsibility will be overwhelmingly crushing; but if we roll back on God that which He has put upon us, He takes away the sense of responsibility by bringing in the realization of Himself.

Many workers have gone out with high courage and fine impulses, but with no intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ, and before long they are crushed. They do not know what to do with the burden, it produces weariness, and people say - "What an embittered end to such a beginning!"

"Roll thy burden upon the Lord" - you have been bearing it all; deliberately put one end on the shoulders of God. "The government shall be upon His shoulder." Commit to God "that He hath given thee"; not fling it off, but put it over on to Him and yourself with it, and the burden is lightened by the sense of companionship. Never disassociate yourself from the burden.

My Utmost for His Highest

God's Promises

Psalm 55:22

Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you.

Winter Storms

Waiting on a winter storm to arrive! Perfect for "being still" and staying home.

(Scene from our small snow storm last year.)

Waterfall in Autumn

Psalm 46:10

Glen Falls in North Carolina

The Message Version of Psalm 46:10

"Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything."

Psalm 46:10

God Protects His People

God's strength provides security, protection from harm, peace for His people.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Psalm 46:10

"Cease striving and know that I am God;..."

Psalm 46:10

A bench for resting at Daniel Stowe Gardens in Belmont, NC.

Psalm 46:10

"Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."

King James Version

This scripture is a favorite to many. I'll be sharing some of the different Bible versions this week along with some photography.

Butterflies in Scripture

"Butterflies in Scripture"

This is the most popular request I get from my customers. While there are not any verses in the Bible that mention butterflies, we often think they represent....

Joy
Change
Spirit, Spiritual Rebirth
Soul
Transforming
Springtime
Born Again
Immortality
Freedom

Feel free to add your comments of what they represent to you.

I'll have more butterfly photos during the year!

Born Again

1 Peter 1:23

"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever."

New Creation

2 Corinthians 5:17

"Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."

Monarch butterfly on yellow orchids.

Here's a slideshow of my work.

I make my living in photography and enjoy creating "Scripture in Photography". Your support is very much appreciated!

John 3:3

Born Again

Excerpts from Max Lucado's Devotional Bible

"The first birth was for earthly life; the second one is for eternal life. The first time we received a physical heart; the second time we receive a spiritual heart. The first birth enabled us to have life on earth. The second birth enables us to have life eternal."

Monarch Butterfly on Orange Zinnia

John 3:3 “...unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

Hooker Falls in Autumn

John 4:14 “...but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst...”
 

Bodie Island Lighthouse in the NC Outer Banks

Psalm 119:105

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

Yes, I'm still alive!

I started a Charlotte Skyline Collection.
Check out my NEW Charlotte Page.

Red Poppies... this isn't a photo.
It's my first digital drawing.

Hope everyone had a good New Year!
I'll be visiting blogs this week... trying to catch up.
Been out of pocket lately.