“O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; my soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”  Psalm 63:1                                    

“For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”  Romans 6:14    Free to fly. Free to soar. Free to be…God’s grace gives me wings and His love takes me to heights unknown!!

“As you therefore have recieved Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.”  Colossians 2:6&7                                       If we are rooted in Christ we will bloom wherever He plants us!

“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things that are mighty; and the base things which are despised God has chosen, and the things that are not, to bring to nothing the things that are.”  1 Corithians 1:27&28                                                                                              All God’s creatures great and small can teach us without saying a word at all. Whether it is in the colorful design of the butterfly’s wings or the grace of a deer as it leaps and runs we see God’s care for even the slightest of these. And if God’s love for them is as such how much greater is His love for you and me?

I can’t sleep. Too much on my mind. I feel like i might explode! So many ideas, so many thoughts, i cannot think straight. Yet one recurring thought: Let it be! Such a simple phrase-three little words. But there is so much meaning in each. Three little words You are speaking to me. “Stop,” You say. “Stop trying to do your thing your way; let go and let it be. Give it all to ME.”   “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11) Oh Lord, help me to believe even when i cannot see. Your plans for me are perfect. They are so far beyond any thought and any plan of my own! I don’t have to minipulate and control. All i have to do is trust and get out of the way. You ARE doing a good work in me and that is so good to know because i just can’t do it on my own. Thank You, Father, for this sleepless night, for You have taught me so much in it.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6&7                                                  To thank God for the rain in the midst of the storm is not an easy thing to do but in those dark hours when i do He fills me with the peace only the Father can. In His arms i am safe and secure. He is my fortress against the driving winds and raging showers. These are the things i too easiy forget during the sunny, warm days when there are no clouds in sight. No, it isn’t easy to thank God for the storms in life but it is necessary because it is in the storm that i grow as i draw closer to Him and He refreshes me. That is something to be very grateful for.

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things.”  Philippians 4:8                                                                                                                                             Help me, Lord, today with its distractions and worries to keep my eyes on You. In You are all things true and noble. You are just and You are pure. You are lovely, true beauty belongs to You. You are all together good and virtuous. You are worthy of all praise, all glory and all honor! I meditate on Your Word and i am filled with joy ! Your Word sustains me and fills me with peace in a troubled world. In a dry and weary land You give me Living Water for my thirst and the Bread of Life that i might live. Your grace is sufficient! You are all i need and i look to You in expectation, Heavenly Father.

“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.”  Psalm 51:1&2            

Behold, the tiny, delicate butterfly. On colorful wings it soars. Up and down, round and round it goes. Never does it seem to tire. The butterflies flight seems flawless and without care. Trying to keep up with this beautiful creature is no easy feat and makes anyone who attempts this feat appear quite mad. And such was the case for yours truly as i took camera in hand and pursued this butterfly throughout my backyard. From back to front i went and back again. Over rocks and grass and through the driveway i crept only to turn quickly on my heels to change directions with the butterfly. After many close calls i still had no picture. Never let it be said that the butterfly is a vain creature! Who knows how long this went on til finally i prayed, “God, help me to get a picture of this butterfly.” I realize this was probably a silly request compared to so many prayers that were being lifted up at that moment but i really wanted this and people were probably starting to wonder about the crazy lady tip-toeing circles in her yard! Well, God gave me my shot anyway. And here is the picture now, a good reminder that God hears and answers all prayers even the ones that seem so small and insignificant to us. I’d like to think that maybe i gave Him a good laugh too.

While it has been a busy two weeks since i have drawn or painted i have still been using my God-given creativity. He has given me another outlet that i have eagerly explored over the last month or two-photography! This has become such a passion for me that Jeremy bought me a new camera. There is very little around here that i haven’t shot yet but just give me time!                                                                        Among the many things i love about photography is being outside where i feel so close to God. As i am admiring creation i am praising the Creator. The camera captures what i cannot always adequately describe and even affords me a view i cannot get with the naked eye. Photography is also inspiring more creativity within me. It is inspiring me to paint again and to start a new “creative” blog…more on that later. There are other inspirations where that all comes from and i will discuss that at greater length later as well. Patience never has been one of my greater virtues but through photography, God is teaching me patience too. Try taking a picture of a butterfly and other unwilling subjects and you will see what i mean! I believe this will make me a better artist. Praise God for His creativity in teaching His children!                                                There is still much more to learn about this new found hobby-so much  more than i already know-but with God’s guidance and a little help from my friends (Lisa, are you reading this?) i know it can be done.