Do you have days when you feel discouraged.
Your family is not there.
Your friends do not care.
No one understands the pain you feel in the depths of your soul.
God understands.
November 8, 2010
May 3, 2010
Beautiful California Poppies
California Poppies are one of my favorite wildflowers. Ranging in shades of yellow and gold, the flowers open in midday sun and close at night and on cloudy days.
Poppies grow easily in gardens, open fields and alongside roads and freeways. They even grow well in poor soil.
The golden Poppy is befitting as a symbol of the Golden State of California and has been chosen to be the California State Flower. A holiday has been designated for the Poppy on April 6 as "California Poppy Day"
Native Americans cooked the California Poppy plant in oil to produce hair tonic. The sap of the Poppy was used as relief for toothache and applied to open sores. The plant was also used as a sedative to help children sleep. Although the California Poppy is related to opium, it does not have the same effect as the opium poppy. The California Poppy stabilizes the psychological orientation of the user instead of disrupting it.
These vast open fields of Poppies were photographed at Lancaster, California. As the sun climbed high overhead, the Poppies began to open, smile and nod in the cool breeze.
Just as a Poppy flower unfolds its smooth silky petals to greet the warm rays of the sun, we too, can open our hearts to receive God's unfailing love.
Poppies grow easily in gardens, open fields and alongside roads and freeways. They even grow well in poor soil.
The golden Poppy is befitting as a symbol of the Golden State of California and has been chosen to be the California State Flower. A holiday has been designated for the Poppy on April 6 as "California Poppy Day"
Native Americans cooked the California Poppy plant in oil to produce hair tonic. The sap of the Poppy was used as relief for toothache and applied to open sores. The plant was also used as a sedative to help children sleep. Although the California Poppy is related to opium, it does not have the same effect as the opium poppy. The California Poppy stabilizes the psychological orientation of the user instead of disrupting it.
These vast open fields of Poppies were photographed at Lancaster, California. As the sun climbed high overhead, the Poppies began to open, smile and nod in the cool breeze.
Just as a Poppy flower unfolds its smooth silky petals to greet the warm rays of the sun, we too, can open our hearts to receive God's unfailing love.
February 23, 2010
We Have an Anchor
Will your anchor hold in the storms of life
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift and the cables strain
Will your anchor drift, or firm remain?
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift and the cables strain
Will your anchor drift, or firm remain?
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior's love
It is safely moored,'twill the storm withstand
For 'tis well secured by the Savior's hand
by William James Kirkpatrick
December 24, 2009
The first Christmas
And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7
November 8, 2009
August 19, 2009
Light
And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
And God saw the light, that it was good. Genesis 1:3,4
August 17, 2009
Ladders
Mesas outline the barren hot desert outside Albuquerque
60 miles west of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is an ancient little village of Acoma, also known as "Sky City". This 12th century Native American pueblo, nestled on top of a 367-foot sandstone mesa, is believed to be the oldest continuously inhabited community in the United States. Archaelogists date the occupation of Acoma back to A.D. 1150
Click on picture to see Sky City of Acoma
Today only a few families live on the mesa. Life is very primitive. There is no electricity, plumbing or running water. Natural cisterns on the mesa trap rain water which provides drinking water for the village.
The one and only tree in the village
Outdoor bread oven
San Esteban del Rey adobe church built in 1629
The rickety old ladder
Enchanted Mesa in the distance where the Acoma people used to live
Traditionally, the outer walls of the pueblo homes had no windows or doors on the ground level. Access to the interiors was by ladders to the trap doors of their flat roofs. The ladders could then be pulled up if an enemy should attack.
In the picture below the ornate bar near the top across the 3 poles of the ladder represents a cloud through which the pointed ends of the poles pierce to help bring rain.
This white tapered ladder reaching up to the sky reminds me of another ladder. Jacob dreamed of a ladder from earth reaching up to heaven. And in his dream, angels were ascending and descending the ladder. At the top of the ladder was Jesus Who promised Jacob that He would always be with him and take care of him. Genesis 28:12-22
We too, can claim that promise today. God will be with us and take care of us just as He did for Jacob.
60 miles west of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is an ancient little village of Acoma, also known as "Sky City". This 12th century Native American pueblo, nestled on top of a 367-foot sandstone mesa, is believed to be the oldest continuously inhabited community in the United States. Archaelogists date the occupation of Acoma back to A.D. 1150
Click on picture to see Sky City of Acoma
Today only a few families live on the mesa. Life is very primitive. There is no electricity, plumbing or running water. Natural cisterns on the mesa trap rain water which provides drinking water for the village.
The one and only tree in the village
Outdoor bread oven
San Esteban del Rey adobe church built in 1629
The rickety old ladder
Enchanted Mesa in the distance where the Acoma people used to live
Traditionally, the outer walls of the pueblo homes had no windows or doors on the ground level. Access to the interiors was by ladders to the trap doors of their flat roofs. The ladders could then be pulled up if an enemy should attack.
In the picture below the ornate bar near the top across the 3 poles of the ladder represents a cloud through which the pointed ends of the poles pierce to help bring rain.
This white tapered ladder reaching up to the sky reminds me of another ladder. Jacob dreamed of a ladder from earth reaching up to heaven. And in his dream, angels were ascending and descending the ladder. At the top of the ladder was Jesus Who promised Jacob that He would always be with him and take care of him. Genesis 28:12-22
We too, can claim that promise today. God will be with us and take care of us just as He did for Jacob.
August 10, 2009
Stained Windows
I love stained glass windows and enjoy seeing them especially in churches and cathedrals.
Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France
Stained glass windows are made of individual pieces of colored glass which do not mean much in itself until they are pieced together to form a pattern. Sometimes painted details are added to the design. When light is captured by the stained glass, the intricate pattern glows into a beautiful illuminated piece of art.
Rose window (c. 1250) of Notre Dame Cathedral
The center circle of the rose window above depicts the Virgin and Child, surrounded by figures of prophets. Second circle shows 32 Old Testament kings. Outer circle depicts 32 high priests and patriarchs.
Below are photos I have taken of stained glass windows at Die Gedachtniskirche der Protestation of Speyer, Germany. This Protestant church was built in memory of the protest that took place at the "Diet of Speyer" in 1529.
Click on each picture to see the intricate details.
Jesus blesses the children (Mark 10:13-16)
Jesus visits Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42)
Conversion of Paul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-8)
Christ's resurrection (Matthew 28:1-7)
Martin Luther nails 95 theses on church door(Wittenburg,1517)
Roman centurion in Capernaum (Luke 7:1-10)
Abraham offers Isaac as sacrifice (Genesis 22:1-18)
The stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:54-60)
May God's love shine through the stained glass windows of our lives and may we always reflect the beauty of His character
July 23, 2009
Regent's Park
If you've ever wondered what to do in London why not visit The Regent's Park? This beautiful place has 410 acres of spacious green lawns, lakes filled with ducks and swans, water fountains, lush gardens and gorgeous flowers everywhere. Always so very relaxing and inspiring to visit, it is a perfect place for a Sabbath afternoon walk.
A Royal Welcome
Fountain of Flowers
Yellow and Purple Petunias
Blue Lobelia
Black Swan
The Rose Garden
Beautiful Pink Rosebud
July 19, 2009
Beyond the Sunset
Beyond the sunset, O blissful morning,
When with our Savior heav'n is begun;
Earth's toiling ended, O glorious dawning,
Beyond the sunset when day is done.
Beyond the sunset, no clouds will gather,
No storms will threaten, no fears annoy;
O day of gladness, O day unending,
Beyond the sunset eternal joy!
Beyond the sunset, a hand will guide me
To God the Father whom I adore;
His glorious presence, His words of welcome,
Will be my portion on that fair shore.
Beyond the sunset, O glad reunion,
With our dear loved ones who've gone before;
In that fair homeland we'll know no parting,
Beyond the sunset forever more!
Virgil P. Brock
July 14, 2009
May 13, 2009
Not too late for Spring 2009
It's the middle of May and the weather has turned warm. There has been no rain for weeks. Are there wildflowers left? The answer is a definite YES!
Tall yellow lupines
Red Ribbons or Lovely Clarkia (Clarkia Concinna)
Mariposa Lily, Mariposa Tulip or Butterfly Tulip
Seeds ready for a whiff of breeze
Swallows picking up mud
Penstemon
Yellow Fairy Lantern (Diogenes Lantern)
Pink Clarkia?
Tall yellow lupines
Red Ribbons or Lovely Clarkia (Clarkia Concinna)
Mariposa Lily, Mariposa Tulip or Butterfly Tulip
Seeds ready for a whiff of breeze
Swallows picking up mud
Penstemon
Yellow Fairy Lantern (Diogenes Lantern)
Pink Clarkia?
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