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

Fall 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

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.

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

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

Water Fountain

Yellow and Purple Petunias

Blue Lobelia

Black Swan

The Rose Garden

Beautiful Pink Rosebud

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

Grand Canyon, Petrified and Painted

The Beautiful Grand Canyon


Painted Desert

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?

Spring in the Country, 2009

Horses in Pope Valley




Bear Valley corral of Tidy Tips




Clouds float above the fertile green valley




Bear Valley in vivid colors