But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit Galatians 5:22-25

I think today was a "test" day.

Ever have one of those when it seems almost everything is testing your resolve-- testing to see if you live what you say.

Hey there--Are you going to let the fruits of the Spirit--love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control--rule in your life today?

Just one instance... the company we have our Internet service through has been 'correcting' a billing error for almost two months now--and it's still not fixed. I have a long list of of names and ID numbers of customer service supervisors who assure me that they are taking care of making sure the billing is properly credited for services they over-billed us on. Each one assures they are making the correction and yet it is still not corrected. It would probably be easier to resolve if the company had a central customer center, but no... I've talked to these agents in various parts of the world--Panama, the Philippines, the Caribbean, etc. It's almost impossible to get an American, and when I've asked to be connected to one, I'm told that it's all by chance who you get, and so I'd have to hang up and call back and hopefully get someone I want to talk to.

This is just one example -the businesses I've had to deal with today all had areas of incompetence and not- so- good customer service. Arrgh! Boy did I exercise long-suffering (patience) today. And kindness. And self-control. :)

And then that ever-lurking-in-the-shadows enemy Discouragement kept hanging around trying to impede progress. Seems like at every turn he was laying in my path, trying to trip me up. I had to just keep stepping over him and demanding he move on. What a pain he was! He can be cruel and relentless. The words he screams are harsh and negative. At one point he almost had me close to tears. I made myself be faithful to continue on, despite him.

I did get my Sister Love (above) portrait painted today.

On Building Drought Tolerance- The words you speak.

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

We live in a world of gross darkness which constantly pulsates fear and negativity into the atmosphere. Not surprising since the Prince of this world (satan) is one whose mission is to kill, steal, and destroy, as Jesus says in John 10:10 . Jesus himself came to give life, and to give it more abundantly.

Another key to building drought-tolerance is not just meditating on the word of God, but speaking it into the situations that challenge us. God has given us immense power in words. There are many scriptures that speak of the power of the tongue and its effect.

For example- Proverbs 18:20-21

A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth;
From the produce of his lips he shall be filled.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Jesus says in Matthew 12:34-37

"For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

When going through tough times, the temptation is always there to complain " Why is this happening to ME!' And even when times aren't so tough, we're tempted to speak what we see or feel.

"I just don't know how I'm going to make it. Things are so hard right now and I don't see anyway out."
Now granted, that may be a fact, but focus more on truth.
The fact may be that you don't know how you're going to make, but by focusing on and speaking the truth which is God's word, that is sharper than any two-edge sword, the power of His word is released to work on your behalf.

"My God shall supply all your need according to his riches and glory in Christ Jesus. " Philippians 4:19
"God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1

There are many promises of God that meet any situation we may face.

Yes, undeniably the economy is in the tank.
Yes, times are difficult. People are losing their jobs. Businesses are going under.
Yes, you may have to make your money stretch more while paying higher prices for necessities.
Yes, many believers are in spots where only divine intervention is going to be their salvation.

But where others speak with fear, we can speak out words of hope for ourselves, and to them.

I love the way David does things. He faced many hard times, and he cried out to God with many hard questions.

How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?
² How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
³ Consider and hear me, O LORD my God; Enlighten my eyes, Lest I sleep the sleep of death;
⁴ Lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him”; Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
⁵ But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
⁶ I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.
Psalm 13

Ever felt like David? Like God has just forgotten you and your troubles? Though David starts off on a sorrowful, weary note, he doesn't end there. Though the fact was that it seemed his enemies were prevailing against him (our enemies today can be financial problems, health problems, rebellious children, unfair employers, back-biting people), he remembered how God had always come through for him and that's the note he ended on. Speaking the truth of the trustfulness and mercy of God.

So instead of just saying the facts, let's speak out the truth.

Looking Ahead

The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.
Isaiah 40:8

For I am the LORD, I do not change Malachi 3:6

Well, it's almost the end of the month. I had started this blog as a challenge to myself to write everyday for 30 days, but I'm sensing to continue on through August ( and who knows...maybe even beyond that) with the focus being on miracles in the Bible. Focusing on the awesome things God has done in the past, helps builds faith to look to Him to do awesome things now. And who out there couldn't use a miracle or two, especially nowadays?

The way things are going in the world, we may need to rely on miraculous intervention from the Lord more often than we think.

So I'll start that in a few days. I still have a couple of more thoughts on keys to building drought tolerance.

So if you're interested in energizing your faith to believe God even more for the miraculous in your life, stick around! :)

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4

Well, I see I have several posts that I wrote this past week but neglected to publish, so I'm publishing them now.

This past week has been hectic with good times and sad moments.

For some reason, that Precious Moments figurine with the boy, dog and fallen ice cream cone comes to mind, that says Praise the Lord anyhow.

Hmm, I haven't thought about Precious Moments in ages, not probably since my girls were younger when they had Precious Moments bibles, wall hangings, coloring books, etc. That seems to be such a long time ago.

Well, whatever. Perhaps I just needed that reminder to praise the Lord anyhow!

The Lord is Good

Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.
Psalm 100

Life happens. Bad things happen to good people. Life is not fair.

And at times there are just no answers. At least, not on this side of heaven.

But God is good. And when dealing with things that don't make sense, we have to remember that.

That God is good, no matter what the circumstances try to dictate.

When you can't see His hand, trust His heart.

Every good gift and every perfect gift
is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning
James 1:17

I admit it. I skipped a day of posting. Actually, I was gone to spend time with friends from college that I hadn't seen in ages and it made for a full day. Left early in the day, and was after midnight before I made it home.

One of my 'BFF's' from my college days was out here visiting from Ohio, where she had moved 20 years ago after getting married. She was out here on a sad note--her sister had passed away and then several days later, her niece (her sister's daughter). Tragic. I was well acquainted with them both.

The double funeral was last week, so yesterday we got together with three other friends from back in the day, and we spent time hanging out in Marina Del Ray. It was a two-hour drive for me, yet it was refreshing to be near the water.

My photo today is of the box of baked goods I took to share. :)

Anyway, upon checking email this morning, I received another shock. A good friend of mine, business associate, a brother in the Lord, formerly of the same church, a husband and father of 3--had died of a heart attack while out on a walk. I'm in disbelief. This is the 4th person that I've known personally, to die within the last couple of weeks.

Building Drought Tolerance- Meditating on the Word

Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7-9

For some reason, I gravitate to the Old Testament which is full of action, excitement, and astounding miracles showing God's mighty hand at work. Not to say the New Testament isn't just as exciting. I just enjoy studying the characters and events of the Old Testament--thundering prophets, warrior women--everyday people who did mighty things through trusting El Elyon--the most high God.

One of my favorite books (and people) is Joshua. Joshua- one of the original twelve spies who went to spy out Canaan-the Promised Land (Numbers 13). A man with vision who was ready to take on the giants in the land. He and Caleb were the only two of the twelve, who didn't look at how big the problems were. They knew their God was bigger and that He would help them take the land. Unfortunately, due to the unbelief of the ten who gave a bad report and who didn't believe they could conquer the land, and the multitude followed the bad report, they were sentenced to wander in the wilderness for 40 years.

In the first chapter of Joshua, God is giving him instructions, as he is now the leader. In essence God told him to

• be strong
• be courageous
• be focused
• meditate on the Word (Book of the Law) day and night

and by doing these things that Joshua would prosper and have good success.
Interesting that God would have to command him to be strong and of good courage.
Apparently taking their God-ordained land was going to be something that could cause fear. Ever felt shaky when advancing on what you know God has told you to do? Ran up against strong opposition? Fully accomplishing the will of God and apprehending your purpose and destiny is definitely not a cakewalk. It is a battle.

One key God gave Joshua was to meditate on the Word day and night. This translation of this word meditate means 'to groan, growl, utter, muse, mutter, meditate, devise, plot, speak.'
This does not give the picture of reading and just serenely thinking about what you read. This denotes action-- groaning and growling comes from deep within. Taking it deep, pondering it, going over it throughout the day, speaking it out to yourself,making it a part of you. Hiding it in your heart (Psalm 119:11)

So how is this put in practice. For example, let's take our current state affairs in our country... better yet, the world. There is a global economic crisis which is affecting an unprecedented number of people. Just looking at my household-- I'm self-employed and my business depends on others buying my services. As people are curtailing their spending and delaying purchases, this adversely affects me. Sales are down, therefore there is less money. My spouse works for the State government. His job is requiring employees have 2 -3 furlough days per month. Which means they still work but don't get paid.

These are things that we have no control over. So we need to know what God says in His word about situations like this.

A couple of scriptures that are a part of my very being for financial issues (from meditating on them) are Philippians 4:19 - My God shall supply all your need according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus, and the scriptures in Malachi 3:8-12 which speaks of the blessings God provides to those who tithe. So when a bill comes that I don't have the money for at the moment, I hold it up to the Lord, and speak the promise that 'all my needs are met' according to His word, and that as a tither I am blessed.. God invites us to put Him in remembrance of His word. (Isaiah 43:16).

Additionally, as the word becomes a part of us through meditating on it, our faith is strengthened.

On Being Drought Tolerant

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord
and whose hope is in the Lord
For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters
Which spreads out it roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes
But its leaf will be green
And will not anxious in the year of drought
Nor will cease from yielding fruit
Jeremiah 17:7-8


To successfully landscape in a desert region, it pays to know what plants are drought tolerant/resistant. In essence, what will thrive even when there's little or no water.

One of my favorites that I have growing in my garden is lavender. This hardy, bushy plant has a pleasant fragrance, and is good for medicinal and cooking uses. Because it's located in an area of the yard that doesn't get visited regularly, it has at times been subject to neglect, yet it keeps thriving.

The scripture above from Jeremiah describes a drought-tolerant person. This is a person who is not anxious when times are tough, and in addition, continues to have fruitfulness in their life, even when going through hard, dry times.

What is the key? Their hope is in the Lord, and not in the circumstances around them. They trust in the Lord. That trust in the Lord makes you like a tree planted by the river with roots being perpetually replenished with fresh waters. So no matter how much heat is on, your 'leaf will be green.' Not dried up, not withered away, not dead. Green, growing, and producing.

Trust in the Lord. Put hope in the Lord.

To be able to trust in the Lord, just as with any other person, you must know Him to be trustworthy. And you know Him to be trustworthy, first, by knowing Him through His word.
To be a person who is able to be steadfast in the midst of adverse circumstances, you must be intimately acquainted with God's word, and put your faith in what He says.

Psalm 1 also speaks of being like a tree planted by rivers of waters:

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful
But his delight is in the law of the Lord
And in His law he meditates day and night
He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of waters
That brings forth its fruit in its season
Whose leaf also shall not wither
And whatsoever he does shall prosper (Vs 1-3)

So, one of the keys to being a drought-tolerant person is to trust God, which is learned by spending time with Him, daily, reading His word. But it's not just the reading...we must meditate on it. We'll talk about that tomorrow.

Running Towards the Giant

As the deer pants
for the water brooks,

So pants my soul for You, O God.
My soul thirsts for God,
for the living God.
Psalm 42: 1,2

As I'm still working with my art program, my image today is a chalk rendition of a portrait of my daughter who is also a creative artist. Guess it runs in the family. :)

For a few hours this morning there was respite from the heat, so I spent some time clearing the area where I'm going to plant sunflower seeds tomorrow. Because of the overcast and coolness, I was almost fooled into thinking it was going to be a cooler day, but t'was not to be. The temperature peaked at about 101, and it's expected to be hot for the rest of the week due to "strong upper-level high pressure over the desert southwest."

Arrgh. I do not like hot weather, but I won't complain as it could be worse. I have friends who live in hotter places, such as Needles and Arizona. A couple of years ago, returning from a trip to Colorado, we drove through Needles in the evening and it was 90 degrees-- at night. Whew!

Who is your favorite Bible person (besides Jesus?) Do we choose our favorite(s) because we can somehow relate to them? For myself, I think that's so. I have several prime favorites. My first is David--a man after God's own heart. What I love about David is his passion for God, which is evident in the psalms that he wrote. Also, David was an ardent worshiper of God, and a warrior.
One of my favorite moments in his life, is the face-off with Goliath. Not so much that he took him down, but his confidence in God that he, David, was going to be the victor.

In 1 Samuel 17:45 David says to Goliath "you come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied." Wow. Using the power of the name of God. That same power we have today in the blood and name of Jesus.

The next part that shouts volumes to me is in verse 48 where it says that David 'ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.' David ran towards Goliath. He ran towards the problem, he didn't wait for the problem to gain ground on him. Selah.

And talk about a person who did not give up! David suffered much on his way to fulfilling his God-ordained destiny as king of Israel. He spent some 13-15 years as a fugitive, living in the desert, before he actually became king. Seems like the greater the call on your life, and the impact that will be made for God, the greater the battle to achieve it.

Thank God that He is always there to cause us triumph in Christ. If we just don't give up.

God is a Multiplier

Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.
So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.
Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God's building....1 Cor 3:5-9

Today's image is an abstract of one of our pumpkin plants in our little pumpkin patch. We're waiting for the flowers to show up, which, when pollinated, produce the fruit.

Last season was our first attempt at growing pumpkins, and we did get a few. This year we have about a total of 75 plants so we'll see what happens. And all of these plants came from the seeds of one little pumpkin. Amazing how in one piece of fruit you have the capability for reproduction many times over. God is not about addition...He's definitely into multiplication. And He has given us that same capability.

Imagine...you touch one life for the Lord, and how many more lives are touched because of that? Not many of us can see the immediate results as what you see at great evangelistic outreaches such as the Harvest or Billy Graham crusades. But a difference is being made, nonetheless. Just think, whoever made an impact in the lives of people such as Greg Laurie and Billy Graham, is a part of their making an impact in the lives of the people they touch. The person who made an impact in your life for Jesus, also shares in what you do for the Lord.

When we're each faithful to what God has called us to do, God will see to the increase, beyond what we can ever imagine.

The Heat is On!

This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

Hot day! You get a clue of what it's going to be like when at 7 a.m. it's already heating up. The past couple of evenings haven't had the customary cool breeze blowing, so the nights have been stifling as well.

Also was a busy day, as I worked on pieces of the puzzle of where I'm headed as it's heating up in that area also. Interesting things are coming about, and I know God is moving though I don't know exactly what He's doing. Feels like I'm in line for a "suddenly."

I did take some time this evening to re-acquaint myself with my Corel Painter program. It's been a while since I've used it, and I'm just thanking God that with minimal review I was able to at least regain the little knowledge that I did have on using it.

Thus, I was able to create my piece for today, using an image I took of one of my garden roses.
This is my original image. I enjoyed putting this together and I may have something new along these lines tomorrow. I haven't forgot about my wind-blown leaves from an earlier post. I'm still mulling over the possibilities for that one.

Blossoming Through Hard Places

I will love You, O LORD, my strength.
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies.
Psalm 18:1-3

Sand Blazing Star desert wildflower

God is Ever Faithful

Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
“ The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
“ Therefore I hope in Him!”
Lamentations 3:22-24

An interesting place to visit here in the desert is Joshua Tree National Park, especially when the wildflowers are blooming.
In the midst of of this thirsty, arid territory, wildflower treasures dot the monochromatic landscape with their colorful blooms during the Spring.

As God's creation speaks of Him, I believe He also leaves us messages within it. Let's look at wildflowers, for example.

One of the flowers you'll find in washes and sandy slopes are the Canterbury Bells, which are a symbol for constancy. Constancy is a state of unchanging- being steadfast and faithful. A message of God's faithfulness even in the midst of hard and dry places. And in turn, a message to us as well to remain steadfast in the midst of trials and difficulties.

Isn't it wonderful to know that God is unchanging and that He is steadfast and faithful? In the midst of hard times, as we put our trust and hope in Him, He will bring us through.

For the Lord will comfort Zion
He will comfort all her waste places
He will make her wilderness like Eden,
And her desert like the garden of the Lord
Joy and gladness will be found in it,
Thanksgiving and the voice of melody
Isaiah 51:3

I just finished writing up an interview I had with Lesli Westfall, a woman who has an online Christian ministry for women struggling with infertility. Dancing Upon Barren Land--Spiritual Nourishment for the Infertility Road has the mission to "inspire belief through Jesus Christ that there is an expected end to the road of barrenness. The monthly disappointments can be turned into God appointments, bringing joy and peace along the journey, as well as offering tools to family members, friends and ministry leaders to support the fertility-challenged, the women traveling to the destination of motherhood".

The site has some great scriptural prayers that address some of the same issues that can crop up when in a desert experience of any kind. Fear, anger, jealousy/envy, disappointment, needing direction, feeling anxious, feeling like God has forgotten you...Though the prayers specifically use the word "fertility" you can easily exchange for words that address your own personal issue.

The site is beautiful, so stop by and take a look. And if you know someone who could benefit from what is offered, please pass the info along.

Dancing on Barren Land--Spiritual Nourishment for the Infertility Road

More new things,,,

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19

A few posts back, I had photographed a bowl of cherries.
I don' t know what the deal is with me and cherries these days. I usually don't eat cherries because of the pits, and cherries are okay, but not my favorite fruit. But for some reason, I've been eating cherries lately.
And then today I took it a step further and decided to make a cherry cobbler. Now I've made cherry cobbler before, but that was using canned pie filling mix. Today I pitted 4 cups of cherries. It took a while because I don't have one of those gadgets to pit them with. I'm still debating if I'm going to bake the cobbler tonight or just wait til tomorrow.

Hmm, maybe these new things are a reminder to me to do as the scripture above says--don't dwell on the past and look forward to the new thing God is doing in my life. I like how in the scripture God declares he is making a way in the desert. Yeah!

My friend, JoJo Tabares, the communication expert, has posted a challenge on her blog to describe yourself in three words. Threeeee words, Let's see . Creative, compassionate... I need another one. I'm going to ask the spouse to describe me. This will be interesting...

On trying new things and being grateful

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:15-17

I'm trying new things. Abstract type art is not something I've ever been interested in, but I decided to try to create something along those lines because it's something to stretch myself beyond what's familiar. Thus my image for today.

What I did was photograph a rose that was hanging on to its last few petals to see if I could create something beautiful out of something that was beautiful no more. Here is the original photograph.
The abstract above is just a beginning step. When I have a little more time, I'll play around with it some more to see what I come up with.

Hey, did you know that most likely you're considered "affluent?" How so, you say?

I’m re-reading a book called “Raising Self-Reliant Children in a Self-Indulgent World – Seven Building Blocks for Developing Capable Young People.”

In the second chapter, there’s a section where four questions are posed to see if you meet the criteria for being a person of affluence. (Definition of affluence: A plentiful supply of material goods; wealth. A great quantity; an abundance.)

These questions are:

1. Do you have more than one pair of shoes?
2. Do you have more than one choice about what you will eat for each meal?
3. Do you have access to your own means of transportation?
4. Do you have more than one set of underwear?

The authors state that if you can answer “Yes” to three or more of these questions, then by overall standards of the world, you are affluent. They further state that fewer than 10 percent of all people who have ever lived have been able to answer “yes” to three or more questions at any one time in their lives.

Wow. I found that amazing—especially the fewer than 10 percent who have ever lived. . Even in the midst of difficult times, many of us are still “affluent.” This helps me, personally, to be even more grateful.

So how about you–do you meet the criteria for affluence?

Oh Lord, How Excellent is Your Name in All The Earth!

Summer is really here. Today was a HOT day. It's nearing midnight as I write this, and it's close to 80 degrees out. The night sky has been interesting. In this image the cloud in front of the moon looks to me like an outstrected hand.

The awesomeness of creation at times just overwhelms me. And I wonder--how can anyone really believe that all of this order just came about randomly from chaos? How can anyone doubt there is a God?

For tonight, I'm just sharing one of my favorite Psalms... Psalm 8 (NKJV)

¹ O LORD, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth,
Who have set Your glory above the heavens!

² Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants
You have ordained strength,
Because of Your enemies,
That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.

³ When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,

⁴ What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?

⁵ For You have made him a little lower than the angels,
And You have crowned him with glory and honor.

⁶ You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet,

⁷ All sheep and oxen—
Even the beasts of the field,

⁸ The birds of the air,
And the fish of the sea
That pass through the paths of the seas.

⁹ O LORD, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth!

No limit on Resources

It shall come to pass
That before they call, I will answer;
And while they are still speaking, I will hear.
Isaiah 65:4

What is that a photo?! I know it's kinda weird looking. I'm actually taking a risk by posting that. I do have some 'normal' or rather easily identifiable photographs taken for this day, but decided to post this one as it's posing a challenge to me. For a while now, I've been collecting different images that I can use in someway as parts of designs, and this is a photo of the leaves of a tree blowing in the wind. I don't know yet how I'm going to use it, but I'm going to do something with it and post whatever I create with it, within a week. So I'm making myself accountable!

In looking at our current global economic crisis, I'm also looking at the hard economic times in biblical days to see how God provided for His people then. So today, I was looking at the prophet Elijah in 1 Kings 17. Elijah appears on the scene and declares there will be no rain until God says so. For an agrarian society, that's a pronunciation of doom. Without rain, there are no crops, and the economy then revolved around agriculture.

Elijah becomes a man on the run but God has already prepared a place for him to hang out. God told him to go hide by the Brook Cherith, which becomes Elijah's place of provision for the time being. God commands ravens to bring Elijah his food twice a day, and Elijah has his own water supply with the brook. But after a time the brook dries up because there has been no rain in the land (v7).

Now I thought that interesting...God supernaturally provides Elijah's food, but the brook still dries up because there is no rain. Couldn't God have supernaturally sustained the water supply as well?

Of course He could have, but the rest of the story shows me a couple of things I found interesting. God tells Elijah to "Arise and go to Zarephath...and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you" (v9)

Elijah obeys and sure enough--when he came into the city he saw a widow who was gathering sticks. However this woman was down to her last bit of flour and oil and she was going to cook the last meal for she and her son, and then just die. She didn't have any more resources...she thought. And in the rest of the story, we find that by her doing what the prophet told her to do that the flour and the oil did not run out-- therefore she and Elijah and her household ate for many days.

Now the scripture tells us that God had in someway let the widow know He was sending someone for her to provide for. So that had to mean He was going to provide for her as well. But she got down to her last meal before the answer showed up.

Also, though God could have supernaturally provided water for Elijah, he didn't. Elijah, though a righteous person who was in the will of God, was affected by the drought just like everyone else. He had a resource that dried up and he had to move on. But God had a place for him to go. And he became the answer for someone else. It's like he and the widow formed a joint venture that benefited them both.

As I'm thinking about this series of events, it's another example of how God provides for us when we trust Him. Lets me know that it doesn't matter if the resources I've depended on in the past have dried up. He still has provision elsewhere, and when I'm willing to get out of my comfort zone and move on when He tells me, it can mean not only a blessing for me, but for someone else as well.

Life Is...Isn't.?

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
who daily bears our burdens. Selah

Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death. Psalm 68:19-20 (NIV)

I've, at times, wondered why the phrase "Life is like a bowl of cherries" was used to explain idea conditions, especially since eating cherries isn't the most idea experience with the pits you have to deal with.

Perhaps that is what makes life like a bowl of cherries--it's sweet, but with pits.

Anyhoo, I bought cherries today at my local Stater Brothers, and they are really good and sweet. Thus, the photo of the day. And as I'm eating these luscious cherries and spitting out the pits, I'm pondering the subject of salvation.

What do you think of when you hear the word salvation? Probably the main thing that comes to mind is that salvation is being saved from sin and the penalties of it, through repentance and profession of faith in, and living for, Jesus Christ. So true, as that's the beginning, and yet salvation extends on to encompass much more. We have so much more to be saved from--well, at least I do. The effects of wrong patterns of thinking, negative experiences, childhood issues, past wrong decisions... to name a few issues that can affect us.

Just for an example--let's take me having a natural inclination to have a sharp tongue. It's in the blood--people in my family tend to be quick with words and satire. I grew up with a sharp wit and quick tongue,which could be funny, yet that sharpness could turn into biting sarcasm, without me intending it to be so. Also, the sharpness would be there, unintentionally, when giving correction to a child or subordinate in the work environment.
If I wanted to be a late night comedian, I suppose that would be an asset...but in God's book, it's not.

The first eleven verses of James 3, talks about the irreversible damage that can be caused by the tongue. The tongue is described as 'a fire, a world of iniquity', ' unruly evil, full of deadly poison', 'it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.'

Uh oh. Well, I could have told myself that I could just be very careful and watch my mouth...which is good. But it wasn't enough. This was a part of me. Some people may suggest some form of retraining myself, but that's depending on a man-made function which doesn't always work. I had to first of all face the fact that I needed 'salvation' from this problem, and that I needed God to help me. And that's where the person of the Holy Spirit comes in, because He is our helper. It would be arrogance on our part if we thought we could handle all of our issues on our own, in the sense of doing what is pleasing to God, without His help.

In following Jesus' example to fight with the Word (which is living and powerful- Hebrews 4:12)
I found myself a verse to confess over myself, while asking the Holy Spirit to make me aware when I was about to say something that would not be pleasing to God. I used the scripture about the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31, that says in verse 26 "She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness."

For a period of time, each day I would say about myself--I open my mouth with skillful and godly wisdom and on my tongue is the law of kindness giving counsel and instruction(Amplified Bible version). In dealing with situations where the temptation was there to 'go off', especially with dealing with a rebellious child that was under my care for a number of year-- the Holy Spirit would do His job to remind me that this was one of those situations, and I would take my stance ahead of time that 'the law of kindness would be on my tongue.'

I took the salvation that was offered me, through submitting totally to the Lord in this, and with this particular situation, I know God saved this relationship from 'death.'

How reassuring it is to me that God continuously offers salvation to us, in so many areas!

Casting Cares

Cast your burden on the LORD,
And He shall sustain you;
He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.
Psalm 55:22

Today was one of those days.
A day where I felt agitated and restless in my spirit, and I didn't know why. Something was bothering me, but I didn't know what. It made me feel grouchy. I was not only irritable, but irritating. And no, I don't suffer with PMS.

It came, it seems, out of nowhere. And then I found myself starting to worry about things that I have been trusting God with... I don't have prospects for work at the moment...what are we going to do for money next month...what if the things I'm working on now don't work...what if God doesn't come through...

So before it got too crazy, I knew I needed some 'me-alone-with-God-time.' I needed to just get alone with the Lord and have Him help me sort out what the deal was. So I retreated to my bedroom for about an hour just to sit in the presence of God, and to listen.

And in that quiet time, I began to see that, basically, it was the cares of life that were bothering me. It wasn't any one big thing or things, it was the culmination of little things--listening to the tragedies of the day on the news; hearing disappointing news about an extended family member; trying to still sort out an error that a company has been lagging on for over 3 months now, and so on-- the little foxes that spoil the vine... Song of Solomon 2:15

I took time right then to address each issue, pray about it, and then give it to the Lord. The issues are still there-- it's in the casting of the burden, the weight of them-over to the Lord, then He can give the support needed, as He is being allowed to give the support. In other words, when I give my cares to the Lord, He takes the burden, the weight of it from me, and I'm in a better position to trust Him and not be moved from what I'm believing Him to do for me.

And God is so good even in the little things. The day was pretty much done and I still hadn't gotten my shot for the day, and He painted the sky this evening...just for me. :)

The Evolution of a Thought

Call to Me, and I will answer you,
and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3

Today I got to face the challenge of declaring my independence from self-imposed limitations as mentioned in my July 4th post.

I write a bi-weekly amateur photography column for an online magazine that publishes on Fridays. Deadline is Monday evening, so here it was, Tuesday morning, and I didn't have my column done. I hadn't even started it.

I've had a very busy last couple of weeks and though I had been going through ideas to begin a new series of photo lessons, nothing was clicking (pardon the pun). Nothing.

I could have given in to the writer's block, and I would have been forgiven for missing my column this one time. However, while considering throwing in the towel, just this one time, I felt a still small voice whispering- "don't give in to your self-imposed limitations." Arrgh! Okay. Now what? The editor had given me an extension til the afternoon. I needed something quick.

So, I asked the Lord to give me something to write on. Going on His promise from James 1:5-7 which says " If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;" (NKJ). Lord, I need your wisdom to get this done!

Then I had a thought--photograph that bag of potatoes you bought yesterday. Didn't have a clue what was next, but I got the bag of potatoes and put them on the wooden swing on my front porch and photographed them. Not much to look at...just a 5-lb bag of red potatoes which were going to be part of chicken stew I was making for dinner.

Then decided to take some potatoes out of the bag to photograph. So I brought them back inside, and began arranging potatoes on my kitchen counter and taking shots of them at different angles, using the window light in the kitchen.

And then something clicked. From there, one by one, I started adding the rest of the ingredients for the chicken stew and before I knew it, I not only had a sample still life image, but also a creative exercise to share with my readers, in giving them tips on how to enhance their own creativity by allowing a thought to evolve.

What I learned and am sharing with you:
Don't allow self-imposed limitations to limit you. If you've run out of your own ideas, thoughts, ways to do something, etc, and you need a solution... Ask the Lord! He promises to give wisdom to whomever asks Him, but you must ask believing He will answer.

Next, when you get a small thought, go with it no matter how obscure and insignificant it may seem. I'm reminded of the story of Naaman the leper, in 2Kings Chapter 5 who went to see the prophet Elisha for healing. Elisha sent him word to go wash in the Jordan river 7 times. In his pride, Naaman almost didn't do it because what came from God seemed ridiculous. And he almost missed getting healed.

So, don't discard that seemingly obscure thought that may come when you ask God for wisdom. It could be the door to something more than you ever thought possible.

An Idea That Evolved

O give thanks unto the Lord
His mercy endures forever
To Him who made great lights...
The sun to rule by day...
The moon and stars to rule by night,
For His mercy endures forever.

Psalm 136:1,7-9

One good thing about living in the desert, at least where I am, is that there's little light pollution. Therefore, starry nights are a common treat.

My image for today, (or rather tonight) is of the moon filtering through some trees. I probably should photograph the moon tomorrow night, as that is when it's supposed to be a real full moon. Looks pretty full to me tonight, but I guess there is a difference. I've always liked watching the night skies when there's something to see. For years I've been saying I'm going to get a telescope and use it to photograph the moon and stars. Perhaps this will be the year! LOL

I like this verse in Psalms. It's a good reminder to be thankful unto the Lord, for He is good. And He is merciful. Admittedly, there are some things in life that just don't make sense; and there is unfairness and bad things do happen. Yet that does not negate the fact that God is good. And that we can depend on His goodness to carry us through the trials and tribulations of life.

Yesterday I was talking about it how seems, for me, that many of the ideas I get from the Lord go through an evolving, sometimes taking years.

For example, back in the late 80's I decided I would like to make photo plaques with scriptures and inspirational sayings on them. So I teamed up with a friend who knew calligraphy, and she would do the writing on parchment paper, and I would do the photographs. We then would decoupage those onto the stained wooden plaques. We started off selling them at a church conference, and to family and friends. The venture was very short-lived. My business partner ran into some problems in her personal life, and then had a serious illness. We ceased production as I couldn't find anyone to take her place, and I didn't know calligraphy and didn't have the time to learn it. PC's were not the norm at that time.

Today, with the skills I've learned over the years in graphic design and in the use of PhotoShop, I create my own inspirational posters, cards, etc., with relative ease.

God doesn't waste anything in our lives, if we allow Him to take those things and use them for our own good, and the good of others.

If you have a dream from sometime ago that maybe you've abandoned, perhaps it's time to give it new meaning. Doesn't hurt to ask God and find out.

The Evolution of Ideas

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways, my ways," says the Lord
"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

Today's image is entitled "Waltzing Roses." Don't you think these roses look like they're in movement? Like they're dancing together.

I had a great idea today! And I know it's a'God-idea'. And the reason I know is because it's part of an idea I've had for a while now, say about 15 years, and now it has evolved into maturity.

That's the way, it seems, ideas work for me. They evolve. Seems like, usually, when God gives me an idea or gives me something to do or work on, it takes a while for it to come into full manifestation. (No, most of them don't take 15 years!). I will admit, this has been the cause of a lot of frustration throughout my life. Especially when I know it's something that has come from the Lord, and I'm the type of person to get things going! No grass growing under my feet!

I hear other believers say how God has given them an idea, they do it, and it works fantastically! They have this huge success, make all kinds of money, etc, etc,. And what He gives me...most of the time--it takes time.

Most of these ideas that I'm talking about have to do with creating new products, developing workshops, writing, music---things in the creative arena. So what I do is I write them all down in a special book I keep just for my creative ventures. I continue to work on them until I have developed them as fully as I can, and then I return to them when it's time. All the while, I am saying to the Lord--'okay, whenever you say go....'

In that frustration that used to plague me, I almost said at one time that I didn't want ideas any more if all they did was sit there. I backtracked on that thought (read: repented) really quick, because to take that kind of stance blocks creative flow.

I don't know why things work that way for me. But that's the way creative development works for me, most of the time, and I've learned to just flow with it and trust the Lord that He will bring things to pass.

I used to asked the Lord "Why don't you give me some instant success thing like you did so-and-so? Why did you make it where with me, things have to take time to develop?" Yeah, guess you could parallel me to this scripture in Romans 9:20

"But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” Does not the potter have power over the clay..."

Ouch.

So I stopped asking "Why me like this?" and I've just learned to flow with it. One thing I've learned is sometimes the things I get ideas for are stepping stones to even greater ideas. Or I have them already developed for a more opportune time.

So to keep this from being a ridiculously long post, I'll give an example of that tomorrow.

Declaration of Independence

I spent a little time in the late afternoon chasing this elusive butterfly. He (or she?) had some interesting, tangerine-colored markings. The butterfly was not interested in posing correctly so I could capture an image of him in his full glory. Nah, he preferred to stay partially hidden between the leaves.

Not too much you can do in situations like this, except wait. One touch on the leaf, trying to push it aside, and the butterfly would be gone. So, this was as good as it got.

Today is Independence Day! And today, as I've done in the past, I asked the Lord "Is there some area in my life where I need to declare my independence?"
And, I did hear something that I have heard in the past..."Let go of your self-imposed limitations."

Okaaaay. I see I still need to be mindful of that area. Limitations, for me, start in my thinking. I'm actually quite creative, and I enjoy finding creative solutions for challenges. But I must need to stretch some more.

Soooo, I'm asking the Lord to show me where, and let me know when, I'm imposing limitations. And when He does, I'll be sure to share.

Searching for the Open Door

Show me your ways, O Lord;
Teach me your paths
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For you are the God of my salvation
Psalm 25:4,5

I tried a door, and it didn't open. And so, unless God says otherwise, I'm moving past it.

I had applied for a full-time job with a well-known organization whose purpose aligns with my life's purpose; and I see now that the position is no longer available, and I'm not the one who got the job.

How can someone who has their own business ventures even think of going to work full-time for someone else?

When I put in a prayer request to my Master Mind group, asking them to pray with me, to have God's guidance and wisdom in pursuing this job, one of them asked me --'Do you really want a full-time job with all the things you already do? Is it a position that will allow you to still pursue your other interests?'--

The answer to both questions is NO. I don't really want a full time job with all I already do; and the position would be time-consuming where I would have to lay my other interests aside, or find someone else who could carry them.

Yet, I don't have a problem or an issue, if the Lord has me take such a path for a season and His reason.

I know some people would say they would never consider going back to working a regular job once they started their own business...they would just keep pressing at it to make their ventures work, or they'll find another avenue. And that's all well. That kind of grit and determination has fueled some to break down doors to get to where they want to go.

However, I choose to be flexible. "Lord, if you say I need to be working somewhere for someone else for a period of time, then so be it." I know that I'm called to be an innovative and creative, entrepreneur. But I also understand seasons of life, and I understand there may be a season where I need to make such an adjustment.

Actually, 1990 was the last time I held a regular job--you know-- the 40-hour day job with benefits, seniority, and a paycheck every two weeks. I was actually pretty comfortable. I had this dependable income, and also had my photography business on the side, which brought in even more income.

And then I heard the Lord tell me it was time to leave where I was and open my photography business full-time. Yes! Now life was going to get even better!

There I was--standing on the brink of something wonderful! As a dedicated, die-hard follower of Jesus Christ, a person of prayer and faith, one who had seen God's miraculous hand work for me in difficult situations I had on that day-job--I just knew I was stepping into my own Promised land flowing with milk and honey. Yes, I knew there would be the struggles to get things established, but eventually everything would be in place and set up to be wonderful and everything I expected. I knew that because I was already connected with others who had set up like businesses.

And besides, GOD had called me to take the leap! It was His ideal. It was something I had been praying about for years, and believing Him to open the door at the right time, and I had patiently waited and my time had come!

Now it was the time, and yes, God called me to take that leap of faith. So surely things were going to all work out.

And yet.

It didn't wind up being this wonderful, glorious thing I had envisioned. It's been a wild ride and I have loved and still love what I do, and wouldn't trade any of the experiences for the comfort I had before. But it has not been easy.

From that point on, back in 1990 when I took that leap, I landed in the midst of a battle that is continuing to this day.

Will explain more later.

What is it about the desert?

O taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
Psalm 34:8

A trip to the backyard arbor this morning yielded a nice surprise, as the arbor is just laden with bunches of grapes. This is the most growth I've seen from this grapevine, and I have to attribute that to the pruning it was given earlier this year.

We probably have another couple of months before the grapes are ready to harvest. I don't know what kind of grapes they are, but when they ripen, they are still small, but quite sweet.

This morning, I made some notes in my journal while pondering the question "what is it about the desert that is spiritually significant?" So many times when we hear about Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt, we think of them traveling straight to the Promised Land. Not so.

In Exodus 3:18 and 5:1, God instructs Moses to tell Pharoah to let His people go, so that they could sacrifice to the Lord in the wilderness (desert). So God was requiring that they go through the desert first, and that they spend time with Him there.

Before Jesus started His earthly ministry, he was in the desert for 40 days...sacrificing through fasting, and no doubt in an encounter with His heavenly Father.

What is it about the desert? Why is it that the desert route is the only way to the Promised Land? Why this place that can prove to be precarious because of the challenges it presents?

In the desert, it can seem that God has left you to your own devices and without resources in a hot, dry, thirsty place.
The desert is the place where you can become bitter about having to even deal with it.
It's a place where dreams can wither and die if you don't stay focused on the Lord and what He has promised you.

The desert is the place where, stripped of your own self-sufficiency and your reliance on your own natural gifts, talents, and resources to make your way--you can learn to depend on, and trust God more, as your only source.

The desert is the place where you can have a face-to-face encounter with God, and come out of it triumphantly with power, just as Jesus did.

The Power of the Cut

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine dresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes that it may bear more fruit"...John 15:1

The image for today is of this rose bush that I planted a while ago. We're waiting for new buds and blossoms to appear, so right now it's just leaves and thorns because we've already picked it's bounty.

I planted this rose bush about six years ago. I nurtured it and fed it organic rose food, but until last year, I had never pruned it. And it produced a couple of blossoms here and there that were pretty to look at, but they never lasted long.

Early last year, at the advice of a friend who is an avid gardener, I cut it back a little, and it produced a few buds more than usual. And I was so happy to get a few more roses--but they were small and still didn't last long.

Then, at the end of the year, dear husband who had just completed his Master Gardener's class, told me he wanted to prune my rose bush, and I agreed. He said he was going to really cut it back, and I said, that was fine. However, I wasn't prepared for the shock of seeing my rose bush cut back to a nub, a stump, a bare stalk! He seemed apologetic, saying that it even had some diseased areas , but he assured me it would grow back in better shape.

Well, he was right! I was surprised at what transpired this past April, when the rose bush, (much smaller than it was before), produced a bounty of deeper-colored, big-headed, sweet-smelling blossoms that I had never seen before. (photo to the right)

I was awed! I'll have to find and post the photos I took of my meager roses before the big cut, so you can really see the difference.

So all my years of nurturing and feeding it the best food possible, still did not produce the results that the cut did.

The roses made me think of the scripture in John (above) which talks about God pruning--giving the big cut--that makes us produce more fruit.

Arrgh! The pain of it! Who wants to be cut back, pruned? No doubt requiring the cutting away of some things that are comfortable and familiar.

God allows us to choose. So I'm choosing to submit to the Lord, allowing Him to prune areas of my life that need it. Asking Him to show me where changes need to be made, where things that are not necessarily wrong, but are hindrances, that need to be cast aside (Hebrews 12:1). And also asking Him for the grace to just do it!

However painful it may be, when I look at the choice between big, beautiful, perfume-laden blossoms, and the meager ones I had before, I've decided the sacrifice is worth the reward. if God's pruning will produce results like this, where I'll be more fruitful, more beautiful and giving off that fragrance that He loves, prune me! Though it may be painful, as He cuts away those dead, non-productive areas of my life, I want to experience the power of the cut!


ADDENDUM: I did find an image of what the roses looked like before. This is one of the few that appeared on the bush last year, and this was as big they got.