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Happy Easter!

My blogging journey is complete today.  Went to church and was able to have the whole family.  What a blessing.  This picture sums up the day...Faith and Family...

"The next day, the one after Preparation Day"

That's from Matthew 27.  Not much is said about the day after the Crucifixion.  I imagine this picture of the clouds would sum up the feelings of the early followers.  Christ said he would rise again.  The glimmer of blue behind the wall of grey here (to me) symbolizes how things looked.  Sad and grim but with a glimmer of hope for things to come...

 



Good Friday

I'm never sure what God is going to reveal to me or what it might mean.  Today I was fortunate to get a fairly decent picture of a male Northern Cardinal in a tree.  A common bird and a welcome bird for the color and song they provide.  I find it hard to get close so today was a good day.  But what meaning would this provide beyond enjoying His creation.

Later in the day I was reading through my bird book and went to the Cardinal page.  The name comes from the Latin word cardinalis meaning "important".  And there it was.  This is a very important day in the Christian faith.  Thank you Lord for reminding me of this.

 



What intricate detail goes into God's beauty

Tulips are a common sight this time of year.  The folks in Pella would like them to slow down and bloom in early May but that is out of our hands.   This flower is in front of my house.  Tulips are beautiful but upon closer inspection, look at the handiwork of our Creator!

 



Seems like a small thing

But this apparent act of kindness caught my eye this morning.  I'm assuming someone hung these keys up near where they found them hoping the owner would look in that area.

 



Day One

Today I started a new job.  Same profession I've been in since 2002 but I just left a job I was in for almost eight years.  And I'm moving from the workplace to being home-based.  We are so thankful for this opportunity and are trusting God in this new journey.  Nature is often where I see God and on my walk this morning, a Great Blue Heron flew over.  They are a large bird and impressive to see and to me it was a sign that this was going to be a good day.  It was too dark this morning for a picture (and too sudden) but here is my new workspace at home...

 

Thank you Lord for your Creation and the four seasons

Seeing blooms like this make you appreciate spring and the fact we have four seasons...

 



"Two Turtle Doves..."

Here is a pair of Mourning Doves on my house this morning.  Also known as turtle doves...so right there is a link to a Christmas song.  But doves are huge symbols in the Jewish and Christian faith.  Symbols of peace, fertility, the Holy Spirit...the list goes on.

Sadly, they are also the most hunted bird/animal in the country.  I liked seeing this pair on my house this morning.  They typically mate for life.  I hope to enjoy them again...

 



Changing colors for the season

Seeing a Goldfinch always makes me think of God.  It's the color.  Males are not always a brilliant yellow.  But it's that time of year when their coloring changes and today I was fortunate enough to see that...

 



Thank you Lord for another day and opportunity

That's one of the phrases I say everyday right after I open my eyes.  And here are the sights in the morning that have us giving thanks...

 



Thank you for squirrels

As I've mentioned, I like squirrels...especially how curious they are.  This one made me smile today and I thank God for that.

 



I don't always get to see things the way I would like to

For me, seeing certain birds is God's way of revealing His presence.  There are just some I'm more excited to see than others.  Lately, I have been more concerned with getting a good picture than just enjoying the moment.  Today was like that.  I saw two Northern Flickers.  Not unusual to see but also not like seeing Robins.  They catch your eye.  Here is a picture of what I saw.  Because I keep a photo blog of what I see from my backyard, I wished I could have had a better shot.  But I had the experience of watching them on the ground, flying up to a branch...that is the gift I got today.  I need to work harder on that being enough.

 



Caring for each other

This isn't the clearest picture but it was early this morning.  Two deer licking each other around the head and neck.  Apparently it's common behavior.  How awesome to know animals care for each other that way.  Our God is an awesome God!

 



The end of a matter is better than its beginning...

Ecclesiastes 7:8 (partial)

The end of a matter is better than its beginning...

Today was my last day working for Wells Fargo.  Almost eight years.  God is faithful and I'm excited for my next chapter.

 



Shelter me

I saw this bird (Northern Flicker) clinging to a tree during the rain.  It wasn't moving so it struck me it was just seeking shelter like we all do.  God provides for every living thing...

 



Just wait

Life can look like this at times.  We need to wait to see what God can do.  This tree in a month will be the prettiest on the street...

 



Bright spot on a dreary day

God can be a bright spot on a dreary day and that can come in many forms.  Today it was watching this Northern Cardinal in a bush...

 



God has a plan

God has a plan for everything.  A sure sign of spring is seeing earthworms.  Unless you're a fisherman or a Robin, you're probably not excited to see them.  But beyond being food for something else, they provide a real benefit and gardeners know this...

 



Benefits of earthworms. By their activity in the soil, earthworms offer many benefits: increased nutrient availability, better drainage, and a more stable soil structure, all of which help improve farm productivity. Worms feed on plant debris (dead roots, leaves, grasses, manure) and soil.

God makes me smile

Yes, Canada Geese are everywhere but they still catch my eye and this pair made me smile today...

 



God is good

We've been praying and waiting for news on a job opportunity and the call came today.  Not signed off yet but the verbal offer was extended.

1 Thessalonians 5:18  

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

 

Our prayer was "Your will Lord".

 



Thank God for squirrels

I like to take pictures of squirrels.  I find them interesting to watch.  Not everyone feels that way.  This one caught my eye today.  What a vantage point!





I found this online...

Thank God for squirrels There are reasons I found in the Bible why God made squirrels for people to love rather than to hate. Although squirrels aren't mentioned in the Bible, some biblical references may apply to squirrels. Genesis 1:25 said that after God created the animals, He called them good. Amos 5:15 tells you to hate what's evil and to love good. Therefore animals, including squirrels, are good in God's eyes, and He is pleased with people who love them. Jesus probably loved squirrels because he has always been around people who are neglected and disliked, and he loved and forgave those people. Squirrels are often neglected and disliked, so we can be certain he loves them as well.

New houses in the neighborhood

These two nesting boxes (likely bluebird houses) just went up two doors down.  They made me smile as I anticipate what will move in so I can watch and enjoy God's creations.

 



Old creek bed

For some reason I'm drawn to this old creek bed near my house.  The creek feeds into a river.  But many years ago, man re-routed the creek so it would be easier to build an interstate.  On each side of a road I drive on often, I like to see water or ice fill up the portion of the creek that was cut off.  It was a source of life and transportation at one time.  And it was natural as God intended.  So God is revealed to me in this simple picture.

 

 

Deuteronomy 8:7

"For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills;

Morning has broken...

Morning has broken like the first morning,
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird.
Praise for the singing,
Praise for the morning,
Praise for them springing fresh from the world.



Don't forget to praise God

I take my Ipod in my car and enjoy different playlists that I put together.  Today what I was choosing wasn't doing it for me and I thought "hey I've got my Faith playlists".  I'm sorry to admit that I overlook working this type of praise into my day.

 



More signs of Spring

Not the first plant to pop up this year but while getting the mail I noticed that peonies are starting to pop up.  They caught my eye and made me happy.  The small wonders of His creation...





God is in control

Our earthly calendar told us it was the first day of Spring yesterday and it was 70 degrees.  Today, we had rain, sun and snow of all things.  This was a reminder that God is in control.



Pray for others

Many of my God moments happen when I'm out walking our dog.  This morning I was thinking to myself "what am I going to see today?"  For a moment I felt bad that I expect something to leap out at me every day and if it doesn't, that I'm somehow not looking hard enough.

I looked up the street and saw a Jeep driving the wrong way toward me but in a flex lane so not quite in traffic.  He stopped right across from me and a man hopped out and opened the back window to this very nice 4-door Jeep.  It was trash pickup day and he proceeded to go through the blue recycling container and I heard cans and glass.  He was going around looking for cans and bottles to redeem.  And I thought to myself, "I'm doing okay".  I don't know his story but I can tell he is doing something he'd rather not be doing.  I was reminded you just don't know what other people are dealing with. 

God wants us to pray for others and we need to remember to include people we don't know.  Pray for people in all circumstances and to give thanks for everything.  Today I was thankful.

 



A reminder to take a moment of reflection each day

We have an opportunity to see the world in everyday ordinary places.  Like a reflection in a window.  This can serve as a reminder to see and appreciate the world around us.



I love watching birds and photographing them

I put out a bird feeder mostly to draw them in so I can photograph them.  Birds more than animals give us a daily opportunity to see the variety of His creation.  So I get great joy when I can capture more than one type of bird on the feeder. Today was one of those days. 



God makes me laugh

I love watching squirrels.  They are entertaining.  Seeing a moment like this on my walk this morning makes me laugh and God created it all!



Covenant of the rainbow

Some days I'm thinking what will God reveal to me and when?  What will catch my eye.  This morning I was in my backyard looking East to see the colors in the morning sky.  I turned around and to my amazement was a full rainbow!  Surprising as it hadn't rained or snowed.  And this was not a sundog.



Genesis 9:13
I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.

The love of children

We celebrated our dog Russell's 10th birthday today.  The love I see between Russ and our grandkids Maddy and Jake is evident here.  God has blessed us for sure...



Deer crossing

Nothing too profound to offer here.  The picture doesn't do the image justice.  The sun coming up and a White-tailed doe crossing through the early morning glow.  I would call that a God moment.



Simple beauty and quiet

It snowed overnight and I could tell it was going to be the type of snow that would look pretty on the trees so I couldn't wait to get up and go outside and look out into the woods behind our house.  And I was not disappointed.  The trees this time of year are bare and many have been cut down by my neighbor.  And I have a chain link fence as a barrier between my yard and the woods.  But the snow was the icing on the cake...the bow on the package.  There was simple beauty.  And I love the quiet in the morning after it snows.  God was there in that moment.  And to capture that, here is a picture in black and white...



Sunday dinner

In this case it was more of a breakfast with French toast and bacon.  Our family was together in church today for the first time in awhile.  Our granddaughter Maddy is away at college so this was a special day and we got together at our house afterward and just had a nice day.  I see God in the midst of this and am thankful.



Patterns

 

Snowflakes all have a different pattern.  This morning, I saw similar but different patterns made by the snow that fell overnight.  And I thought of Romans 12:2.  I don't consider what I saw a "pattern of this world".  It's a pattern that God created and it reminds me that He is in control and we need to believe in something bigger than this world.



Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.



I see God in my dog

My dog is always around, always watching me or looking for me.  And content to just be with me.  He's always happy to see me when I come home and he wants nothing more than to go on a walk with me.  He has unconditional love and brings us joy.  I can tell him to go away and yet he still wants to come back and just be near me.  He senses if I'm hurt or am stressed and offers me comfort.  And because of him, we've met some pretty wonderful people in our neighborhood.  In fact, a woman we met on our walks called my wife sobbing this morning telling us her granddaughter had died.  This woman is one of the few people we trust to watch our dog. A connection of faith through our Standard Poodle.

Like a said, I see God in my dog Russell and I thank God for the joy he brings to us.

Close to God

I was standing about 10 feet from the feeder and had know expectation of birds coming to it while I was there but I captured this Black-capped Chickadee and it's such a thrill to be that close and have an image to share with others.  It makes me feel close to God.

Magnificent colors

Every time I see an American Goldfinch I think of God and what he created.  I would say the same thing about Eastern Bluebirds.  I saw this male today and the light wasn't the best but it "caught my eye" which to me is another way of saying it was "revealed".

"When through the woods..."

How Great Thou Art (Second Stanza)

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze;
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee; How great Thou art!
How great Thou art! Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee;
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

 

This evening four White-tailed doe deer walked through the woods toward my back fence.  The sun hit them in a way the brought their colors out.  It's as if God walked toward the fence and showed Himself through His creation.  Beautiful creatures.

 

It's in the details

God reveals Himself in so many places.  For me, it's in the small details like these thorns on a Honey Locust tree...

The Promise of a New Day

I've taken many sunrise pictures from this spot on my morning walk.  I never take them for granted in fact I went back to this spot because I could see what was "on the horizon".

 

 

As I look at the picture closer, there is a flock of Canada Geese.  Another reason to be in awe.

Sadness and beauty

I saw this striped skunk in the middle of the road this morning.  Yes, there is a song about that.

My immediate feeling was of sadness that such a beautiful creature died because we invented cars.  And for those feelings, I thank God for that sadness.  Not that it happened but because of how I felt.
My second reaction was to turn the car around and get a closer look simply to appreciate the beauty of one of His creations.

 Genesis 1:28, “Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”