Inspired by . . . a slow rebirth

After the beautiful weather we've had these last couple of weeks, we are now back to much cooler temperatures and grey skies. Despite the laughing faces of the daffodils and the appearance of other spring flowers here in the southern states, parts of the north are still buried under several feet of snow. 

Time marches on, straight into April regardless of how much snow remains piled outside the windowpanes or the nip in the early morning air that causes the daffodils to bow their sunny heads.

As Jesus walked the dusty road to the reality of Good Friday, I wonder if He felt caught in the fabric of Time. Able, yet unwilling to stop His ascent to the cross, did the web of Time seek to pull and bind Him fast to things of this world?

We look forward to the end because we know that Sunday is coming. My friend so did He.

And yet, while He went willingly, even joyfully to the cross I can hardly believe that He welcomed the pain and suffering. 

This is the lesson of Lent. A time for us to identify and dwell with Him in the suffering. A time to tend and nurture the tiny sprouts of our faith. Faith that is never quite as strong as we believe it to be.

Some years the weather helps us along, giving us just small glimpses of the hope that is to come. For even creation groans against the constraining fabric of Time.

Each year we have this opportunity to join our Lord in the slow ascent to the cross. A time to pull back and match our stride to His. To soak up His presence, setting aside our own desires for a time so we can focus more fully on Him, without distraction.

Between the dormancy of winter and the blooms of spring, growth happens in the dark, shelter of the soil. So, too, God changes us from the inside out.

And He who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." (Rev 21:5)

If your faith is feeling a bit tattered and torn, pause a moment, fall into step with Him. Take this time, as we wait for the weather to catch up with the calendar, to delight in His presence.

Allow the light of His word to prepare your faith to bloom.

Shalom,

Inspired by . . . Winter's Blessing

The long wait of winter. The patience of spring.

Why endure? and not just endure but find JOY and contentment in the waiting?

What is the blessing of winter? Of any dark, long season of waiting?

New Life.

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Cor 5:17 NKJV)

*** 

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3 NKJV)

Just as when we are born from our mother's womb, we continue to grow and mature after our spiritual birth as well.

Saved. Redeemed. Sanctified. Justified. Love. Faith.

These are all active verbs, working in the life of a believer.

God does not save us and then leave us alone. Beyond the amazing and incomprehensible saving grace of Christ's redemption is a relationship with the God of all creation. [click to tweet] A relationship that deepens as we pursue Him, even as He is pursuing us.

These seasons of waiting on God, often without understanding and sometimes with much pruning, are typically viewed as unfavorable trials.

Our culture has taught us that restfulness and waiting are negative and unproductive activities.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,So are My ways higher than your ways,And My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

However, in God's economy, rest is actually a command and waiting increases our faith and reaps a blessing.

While it's true that this world is not our home, God has so much more for us than just stoic endurance here on earth. [click to tweet]

Faith is forged in the silence of our spiritually dry seasons. When we walk as those who are blind and cling fiercely to the hand of the only One Who knows the way.

Our dependence on Him is no crutch. Rather, like the lost puzzle piece, it completes that part of our souls that hunger and yearn for something more.

And in His perfect timing, we emerge like diamonds reflecting His love in the summer sun.

Blessings,

Sharing inspiration here:
#TellHisStory, Faith On Fire, Grace & Truth,
Inspire Me Monday, #HeartEncouragement,
Thoughtful Thursdays, #w2wwordfilledwednesday,
Sitting Among Friends, #Glimpsesofhisbeauty
Counting My Blessings, Grace Moments,
#DanceWithJesus; Imparting Grace

Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 12:52


Better late than never, I hope. It's been a crazy busy week.

The big news around here is nesting and bathing!

The wrens are determined little folk. But make poor nesting choices. Perhaps that is why the males build multiple nests before the pair makes a final selection.

They are attracted to any and all equipment on our property. The bed liner on our pickup has four holes, one on each corner. This year they nearly had the nest complete before I caught them. I had to put rocks in the hole until my Dreamer and I could come up with a better solution. He needs to keep the holes accessible in case he has to tie something in the bed, so filling them in isn't an option.

They get an A+ for determination. The pair spent a long time pecking at the rock and talking to each other about how to gain access to their nest!

The other big news is the new water fountain, ahem, birdbath. I bought one that I hoped would attract the hummingbirds. It's working!  I haven't been able to catch the hummers on film yet but the lesser goldfinches are loving it, too! I need to add a few more river rocks to give them places to perch.

There are signs of spring inside and out. I'm enjoying a bouquet of tulips and had some photoshop fun to show them off. Enjoy!

What are you seeing through your lens this week?

Have a wonder-filled week, friends!

PS "on film" did you catch that? A nearly archaic term. In another ten years, kids will be Googling what it means!

Sharing inspiration here:
Nature Notes, Through My Lens, Bird D’pot,
Saturday’s Critters, Life thru the Lens,
Wild Bird Wednesday, Our World Tuesday,
Community Global, Photo Friday, Little Things Thursday

Inspired by . . . Winter's Growth

I thought it might be a little difficult to continue writing about Winter once Spring started to make her appearance. But then, two noreasters blew through the eastern states and this morning I woke up to 32 degrees and frosty windows! I know that many of you have snow for the first time all winter.

Spring can be a tease and Winter a hard taskmaster. We can experience similar seasons in our spiritual lives. Just when we think we're ready to zoom and bloom, God tells us to slow down and wait.

Unlike snow and ice that gives no thought to what it might destroy in its wake, God's timing is always perfect - - seeking only our good. Rather than be frustrated when God asks us to wait, we should view the time as an opportunity for growing in faith and seeking deeper communion with Him. [click to tweet]

Our culture has taught against this but waiting is a gift, an opportunity to invest our "talents" wisely until the Lord returns. (Matthew 25:18-30)

My flower beds don't look like much right now; brown dirt and dead leaves. 

It's only when I rake away the dead leaves that I can see the growth underneath. During the long wait of winter, the perennials have rested, dormant, waiting. Their growth hidden beneath the ground and decaying leaves.

Our spiritual growth can be like that sometimes. We don't always realize how God is equipping us until the challenge (good or bad) appears. In my own life, I've found that God is often working most profoundly during those times when I feel the weakest - - when I am most unaware. Those slow and restful walks down from the mountaintop experiences prepare us to cross the valleys below. [click to tweet]

It is important to remember that the valleys are not always dry, harsh places of pain and wandering. Often they are valleys of vision. A place where God speaks to us and gives us words and works to share with others. (Eze 3:22) Sometimes they are valleys of strength where God provides rest and refreshment. (Psalm 84:6-7)

No matter which valley you find yourself traveling in today, I hope that this season of spring with its tender shoots of new growth will be a reminder to you that God is working. He's working quietly in our lives and in the world around us. 

His work is a redeeming work of mercy and grace. A work of rendering broken hearts and making them whole again; preparing them to walk in another valley one day. It is a valley wide and deep with little bands of pilgrims scattered here and there. All of them walking beside the river of the water of life. A river that shines as bright as a crystal flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb. (Rev 22)

I hope to see you there.

Shalom,

The Winter Series:

Winter's Wisdom

Winter's Bite

Winter's Chill

Winter's Discipline

Sharing inspiration here:
#TellHisStory, Faith On Fire, Grace & Truth,
Inspire Me Monday, #HeartEncouragement,
Thoughtful Thursdays, #w2wwordfilledwednesday,
Sitting Among Friends, #Glimpsesofhisbeauty
Counting My Blessings, Grace Moments,
#DanceWithJesus; Imparting Grace

Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 10:52

The temperatures are edging toward tolerable (for me) and the sun shone a bit more frequently this past week. 

I see more butterflies every day and other insects are on the move as well (though not all are welcome).

Orange Sulphur Butterfly

The pear tree blossoms are already gone by. They didn't last long this year. I hope the bees had their fill!

Speaking of bees, the birds and the bees, that is . . . the nesting craziness has begun!

I was busy this week cleaning out birdhouses and putting the hummingbird feeders out for the first time this year. (no hummer sightings yet!)

The Texas house may have some new tenants. I think they're still measuring for furniture.

Black-crested Titmouse

It's fun to watch the birds pair up. Our cardinal family fed together all winter but some species, like the Carolina Wrens, the Eastern Phoebes, and even the Gold-fronted Woodpeckers seem to pair up only during the nesting season. I'm glad to see them all together again!

Northern Cardial (male and female)

There was a pair of Meadowlarks out front this morning but I didn't get any clear photos. Hopefully, more will be arriving soon on their treck southward. Noticably absent lately have been the mockingbirds. We almost always have one or two in residence but I haven't seen much of them this winter. They should be busy building nests this time of year. 

My front porch got a good cleaning this weekend and I brought my potted plants out of their winter enclosure. It is so good to have them out on the porch again! 

I also cleaned out my flower beds and I'll be heading to the nursery this week for more plants. 

There is always the possibility of a late frost here in the Hill Country but I simply can't wait any longer! My perennials are already starting to sprout, so I'm not the only one who is ready to get growing!

I learned recently that every coral in the sea spawns, all at the same time, every year after the first full moon in November. Who knew?

It makes me wonder what marvels might have been set in motion by last week's full moon.

We had clouds Thursday night but I caught this beauty on the 2nd. I know they all look the same but I never tire of taking pictures of the moon!

What activties mark the change of seasons for you? What are you seeing through your lens this week?

Have a wonder-filled week, friends,

Sharing inspiration here:
Nature Notes, Through My Lens, Bird D’pot,
Saturday’s Critters, Life thru the Lens,
Wild Bird Wednesday, Our World Tuesday,
Community Global, Photo Friday, Little Things Thursday

Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 9:52

Praise Him, sun and moon, praise Him, all you shining stars! (Psa 148:3)

The waxing gibbous moon is doing a good job of drawing attention to my favorite constellation this month; Orion and its Nebula where stars are born. Shift your gaze slightly northwest and you'll have no trouble seeing the Pleiades Star Cluster. Even through binoculars, it is a wondrous thing to behold!

February is the only month this year that doesn't host a full moon. Instead, March will host two full moons, the second of which will be the second (and last) blue moon of 2018!

When enveloped by the heavy scent of this year's pear blossoms it is hard to believe that we are but a mere speck in the universe.

Even if we could count all the bees in the world and all the sand on the seashore we still wouldn't reach the number of stars in the sky. 

Looking up into the night sky can make us feel very small and insignificant indeed. The truth is, we may be small but we are far from insignificant.

We can delight in our surroundings because the earth and everything in it is proof of God's love for us. We are significant because we matter to Him.

10,000 species of birds? 20,000 species of butterflies? Surely, five or six hundred would have been enough. Our Creator God delights in His creation and we are the apple of His eye! 

American Lady Butterfly

Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings, (Psa 17:8)

Pipevine Swallowtail Butterflies

If we listen and observe, God will use nature to reveal things about Himself.

For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.  (Rom 1:20)

Eastern Bluebird

As our hearts awaken to the truth of God's presence we gradually become aware of the great chasm of sin that separates us from Him.

For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Rom 3:22-23)

God in His great love, before time began, had already prepared a way for us to return to Him. 

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.  (Joh 3:16)

Jesus Christ died to pay our debt and His blood washes us clean from the stain of sin.

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

Carolina Wren

The gift of life, freely given to His beloved children. Given to you.

It doesn't matter what you've done, what you've said or how many times you've rejected God. The past is behind. Today, if you come to Him, He will receive you.

Today. Now. Is all that matters.

Will you open your heart to Him? Admit your sins. Turn away from them, turn to Jesus and confess Him as Lord?

"Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts."  (Heb 4:7)

Blessings, 

How to Know Jesus

Sharing inspiration here:
Nature Notes, Through My Lens, Bird D’pot,
Saturday’s Critters, Life thru the Lens,
Wild Bird Wednesday, Our World Tuesday,
Community Global, Photo Friday, Little Things Thursday

Inspired by . . . a curious harmony

A cold front came in last night. The clouds are low and plentiful today, casting long gray shadows through the cottage windows.

Time seems suspended. Still.

There is a curious harmony at work in these days. While there has been a physical shift in my world out of necessity, there has also been a spiritual one.

At first, I couldn't name it. This change. So foreign it was to my being.

The striving is gone.

I no longer feel the drive to be pro-active in my faith. Rather, my spirit is content to wait and simply respond to His promptings, His leading. 

It has been a subtle shift. My life hasn't stopped being crazy.

But I have stopped being crazy.

A simple pause, ever so slight, in the middle of whatever, to acknowledge His presense. Breath prayers. A nod to His majesty. I'm learning, slowly, to pray without ceasing.

I have so far to go. Yet I already feel like a new person inside an old skin. 

As we enter the second week of Lent I feel deeply embeded in the darkness. Not a scary evil darkness. No, evil cannot dwell with our Lord. There is nothing to fear from the darkness of the Lenten season. Christ has gone before us. We have nothing to fear by following.

I have not given up for Lent. Rather I have added. Added more of Him into my every day. In walking with Jesus in His last days, as He made His way to Jerusalem, teaching and healing along the way, we have the gift of hindsight. We know what He knew.

He was walking to the cross.

This juxtaposition - the light that surrounded Him as He taught and healed even as the darkness of death overshadowed Him - this, too, is our reality.

As the days get longer, the trees and flowers burst forth with new life, we walk with Jesus into darkness. 

We do this in a spiritual sense, but we also know the reality of physical death. At some point our earthly bodies stop growing and begin dying. For some, the pain of this reality comes sooner than others.

So even as we go about our lives, living loud and joyous, we are walking into darkness. 

I don't say this to be macabre. But rather to point you to HOPE. 

For if we never acknowledge the reality of death, we won't live our lives in the fullness of the hope we have in Christ. [click to tweet]

We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (Rom 6:4)

We can walk by faith, I believe, because we know how the story ends.

Just as the grave could not hold our Lord, neither will it hold us.

Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1Co 15:51-57)

This is the hope we have that when our earthly life is done, we shall live eternally with Him. This is why we should take these seven weeks of the year to remember His death.

To remember His life. To meld it closely with our own. Because our lives are not always loud and joyous. Sometimes they are dark and silent.

And we need to know how to stand in the dark and silent times.

We can stand, even walk victorious through them . . . because of Him.

Shalom,

Sharing inspiration here:
Testimony Tuesday, #TellHisStory,
Thought Provoking Thursday, Grace & Truth,
Inspire Me Monday, RaRa Link Up, Intentional Tuesday,
#WordswithWinter, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursdays,
Encourage Me Monday, Wholehearted Wednesday,
Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,
#GiveMeGrace, Sitting Among Friends, #Glimpsesofhisbeauty
Counting My Blessings, Grace Moments

Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 08:52

We had a severe thunderstorm last night. The kind that has you lying in bed thinking about where the lightning might strike and roof tiles hurtling through the air. It was impossible to sleep, the rain was lashing the west side of the house hard enough to peel paint. I imagined awakening to trees stripped of their leaves and most of their limbs, standing like naked sentinels. But they are made of sterner stuff than my imagination. We had no visible damage and, best of all, there were raindrops to photograph.

I don't have a macro lens, so it's a bit tricky. But I did get one or two worthy shots.

As promised in last week's post, the pear tree is in its dress whites this week. I wish I could share the scent with you {sigh}.

If I wasn't such a ninny I would string up a hammock and sleep under its boughs. I would dream of Narnia in the springtime and the bees and butterflies would bring me nectar for food.

Trees are so much wiser than we humans. They are older and remember things we never knew. They know things about the earth that we should have kept sacred but instead, have chosen to forget.

The great, bending oaks and still-naked hackberry don't judge the pear for flaunting its spring finery. They know God made each according to its kind.

They are wise enough to see that the individual, unique and special, is still part of the whole.

Since the pear tree and the butterflies, and the south Texas weather are determined to be more like spring than winter, the #shadesofwinter challenge is becoming more challenging by the week.

This week's prompt is #winterathome and Lisa, Kristy and the other participants have posted some lovely, snowy examples!

As I pondered this prompt and what winter at home looks like for me I kept coming back to the one thing that is constant in my home during the winter. The poinsettia.

I buy one as soon as they're in the stores and their red and dark green leaves brighten my home well into spring. Despite the fact that poinsettias are a tropical plant, they symbolize winter at home to me.

What symbolizes winter at home to you?

Blessings,

Sharing inspiration here:
Nature Notes, Through My Lens,
Life thru the Lens, Our World Tuesday,
Community Global, Photo Friday, Little Things Thursday

Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 07:52

“A flower blossoms for its own joy.” 

― Oscar Wilde

If this is true, it may explain why our pear tree always blooms in February. It simply cannot help itself. Every year, at the first hint of warm weather the buds appear.

Enticing beads of hope that encourage a heart already yearning hard for spring!

The stamens reach high above the petals, beckoning pollinators of all shapes and sizes. Soon the butterflies will come and my heart will be full.

We planted a new tree on this hill this past year. A Redbud. I was surprised to see it budding out as well.

Another week and its buds will be open. A blaze of cranberry against a sea of green.

Maybe it's the full moon wooing the trees into bud?

Was Friday night's eclipse visible where you were? The snow moon was beautiful, but alas my eye could discern no shadow.

I'm joining Lisa, Kristy, and friends again this week for the #shadesofwinter challenge. This week's prompt is #warmup so I had a bit of fun with some still life shots.

I'm not nearly as talented as the other party goers, so be sure to visit!

You can never get a cup of tea large enough, 
or a book long enough to suit me." C.S. Lewis

Do you follow me on Instagram? I usually post an image every day with a short devotional. I'd love to interact with you there!

What are you seeing through your lens this week?

Blessings,

Sharing inspiration here:
Nature Notes, Through My Lens, Life thru the Lens,
Wild Bird Wednesday, Our World Tuesday,
Community Global, Photo Friday, Little Things Thursday