Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 26:52

Summer has wrapped me in her warm embrace and I'm hugging back.

We topped 100 degrees on the solstice, a nod to my previous home state of Arizona. But Texas is never harsh for long and the heat was quickly followed by glorious days where the temps hovered in the 80's and there is enough sky candy to convince you to lay on your back and risk being stung alive.

Today is one of those days. But I'm content to watch the clouds meander by from the safety of my front porch.

I was surprised to see that I've taken over 300 photos this month. I'd have to post a daily blog to be able to share them all!

These first images are from the beautiful River Road Park in Boerne, Texas. I've been trying to get there during the golden hour for months!

These Egyptian Geese are beautiful but not native to Texas (or even North America). They are actually not a goose at all but a Shelduck, which is a cross between a goose and a duck. 

It was challenging to get a clear shot of this Muscovy mama and her four ducklings. They were so fast!

The turtles are pretty fast too, but I managed to catch one or two. I think they look so old and wise, don't you?

I would like some confirmation on this ID, but I believe this is a juvenile yellow-crowned night-heron. The adults look completely different!

Back at home, I had a rare visitor. The Ladder-backed Woodpecker.  I really didn't get a good picture of him, they are small and fast!

He has a bright red cap which you can't see very well in these pictures.

My friends (not) the deer are still coming by to enjoy the bounty of my flower beds. I find their behavior to be downright impertinent.

A funny thing occurred to me as I was looking through these next images; some people turn on their sprinklers for their kids to play in during the summer.  We turn them on for the birds :)

How are you staying cool this summer?

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 . . .  Marana tha!

Last night I sat on the porch and watched as the sun drew the covers up over her head. Just before the stars tucked her in the clouds in the eastern sky lit with a soft glow. The earth held its breath and for just a moment I wondered if it were He.

And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. (Mar 13:26)

There was no fear or hesitation, which surprised me. Rather I was hopeful, expectant. I leaned into the moment and wished it were so! Maybe truly wished it for the first time.

We say, "Come, Lord Jesus." But do we really mean it? deep in our heart. Are we really ready to let go of everything we hold dear in this life? For Him.

His coming will change the world. Again. Just as it did the first time.

Are we really ready for that to happen?

Whatever your answer is, don't be ashamed. Your loving Heavenly Father understands your heart. He knows where you're at, (as they say in TX!) and He knows where He's taking you.

Not all of us are ready. And that's okay. 

Do the work of seeking Him. Obey His word and the Holy Spirit will do the work of changing you. Sanctifying you. Making you whole and holy. Making you ready.

For Him.

Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus. We wait expectantly for You - our lamps burning brightly with the oil of obedient love.

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

My love be with you all in Christ Jesus.

Amen,

Sharing inspiration here:
Small Wonders, 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

Inspired by . . . butterfly clouds

 

 

I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen,

not only because I see it, but because by it

I see everything else.

C.S. Lewis

 

Shalom,

 

 

 

 

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#GiveMeGrace

Inspired by . . . the cloud gazer

 

Yesterday was a gift.

After spending the previous day making birthday cakes for my grand-twins {which I’ll share more about in an upcoming post} I was blessed to have most of the day yesterday to recover. Which meant, in part, spending the day on my front porch cloud-gazing. I’m not one to be idle, so this is a pastime in which I do not often engage. The body, however, over-rules the mind at times, and bending over a table decorating flowers and sharks, well, let’s just say my back was talking louder than my to-do list!

 

 Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of His tabernacle? Job 36:29

 

It occurred to me at some point during the afternoon that I’ve always been a cloud-gazer. I have several distinct memories from my childhood of azure skies filled with large, billowy white clouds. I can remembering seeing a Chinese dragon over Newbury, Vermont one hot summer day after hiking to the overlook above the town with my family. I also have a clear memory of billowing clouds forming a backdrop to two jet airliners that were headed directly toward each other over Harvey’s Lake one brilliant summer day. Of course the adults on the boat with me knew that the planes were not traveling at the same altitude, but I still cringed when their paths intersected in the sky. {and this was pre-9-11}

 It seems I have a tendency to look upward.

 

Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of Him which is perfect in knowledge? Job 37:16

 

It’s funny what you remember, isn’t it? As I get older, I seem to be remembering more of the past and less of the present, lol!

I find I am more apt to stay with a memory and play it through than I used to be. Some memories have become  safer over time.

I’m learning a lot about myself.

For instance, God is showing me how He has used circumstances and people in my life to shape me into the, still, less-than-perfect, cracked jar of clay that I am today.

I hold more water than I used to. Or, better said, more of His spirit.

 

Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him:

and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen. Rev 1:7

 

 

I still have a long way to go.

 

Blessings,

 

Note: The, always inspiring, Sharon at Sharon Sharing God shared a profound and beautiful post about being sculpted earlier this month. You can read it here.

 

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Inspired by . . . His ways

 

 

 

 

“In me there is darkness,

But with You there is light;

I am lonely, but You do not leave me;

I am feeble in heart, but with You there is help;

I am restless, but with You there is peace.

In me there is bitterness, but with You there is patience;

I do not understand Your ways,

But You know the way for me.”

“Lord Jesus Christ,

You were poor

And in distress, a captive and forsaken as I am.

You know all man’s troubles;

You abide with me

When all men fail me;

You remember and seek me;

It is Your will that I should know You

And turn to You.

Lord, I hear Your call and follow;

Help me.”

~Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison

 

Shalom,

 

 

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Inspired by. . . clouds

 

When Bonnie announced this month's theme {sky} I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I've always loved clouds. They stir my imagination and encourage me {somehow} to think of things above.

Living in Vermont, I remember many lazy summer days spent sprawled on the grass, gazing up at the billows of puffy white overhead. Finding pictures in the clouds.

When I moved to Arizona, well, let's just say, you stop taking clouds for granted. There aren't any 99% of time.

Now that I'm {home} in Texas, it seems like the perfect mix. Especially this time of year.

I don't sprawl on the grass anymore {smile}, but I still look for pictures in the clouds.

 

Can you see the angel?

 

During the past month, as I was taking pictures of clouds, there were days when I would head outside with my camera only to find a cloudless sky. It was rather disappointing, but it made me appreciate the clouds all the more when they did reappear in the sky.

 

Can you see her now?

 

I've been thinking about the things and the people that are in my life every day.  Big things like my family, water, food. And little things like my hairbrush, my favorite lavender lotion, fancy clothes. It is so very easy to take these things for granted.

So I've been asking myself: What/who am I taking for granted? am I so focused on the things I want or don't have that I miss out on the things I do?

What is my attitude toward the things I have? Am I thankful? appreciative? caring? or do I have a sense of entitlement – after all I deserve these things, etc.

I have found that when I take things for granted, they become ordinary, boring, worn. I lose the JOY and excitement that the person or thing brought to my life.

However, I have also found that when I cultivate an attitude of gratitude, and intentionally seek to be thankful for everything in my life, even the ordinary, everyday things, something magical happens. There is another dimension to living.

 

"in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thes 5:18

 

I challenge you to experience that other dimension.

 

Have a wonder-filled day,

 

 

Images used to create the images above:

Bonnie's dream wonder and ornate linen textures.

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