"Christmas Card" (Cedar Wax Wing group)

This one was our Christmas card this year.  I took this one last year with my film camera.  Everything was perfect... blue sky...  red berries.... frost & snow on the branches....  but I had to use 800 film because I didn't have anything else.  I waited paitently (or maybe impaitently) this year for them to return so I could photograph them with my digital camera.....  I got some good ones (see below)... but the conditions have never been quite the same. as they were in this photo..  still waiting....

"Fly By" (Cedar Wax Wing group)

This one is called "fly by". While taking these photos I just stood still and sometimes the whole flock would cover the tree. Beautiful birds, amazing to watch!

"Catch" (Cedar Wax Wing group)

I Call this one "Catch". Amazing that I happened to catch this shot...  I didn't even realize that they threw the berries into the air until I saw this photo

Balancing Act (Cedar Wax Wing group)

I call this one "Balancing Act".  This is a Cedar Wax Wing. They pluck the berries off the branches, then throw them into the air and catch them. 

More "Reflections"

“Reflecting God”

“Reflecting God” is a common Christian term.  I wonder what kind of a “reflection” we give to others. So many people I know cringe when they hear “Christian”.  They have had such bad experiences with “Christians” judging them.  I even have one good friend who has nightmares about being pursued by an over zealous “Christian”.  Is this really what “Reflecting God” is supposed to look like? The Bible says “judge not lest you be judged” (Matthew 7:1).  As I was meditating on what it means to “Reflect God” I thought of the greatest commandment….  Jesus said  “Love” ….  Love your God; Love your neighbor…..  (Matthew 22:36-40).  The Bible also says God is LOVE…   I have come to the conclusion that we are very safe to “Reflect” the Love of God. Can you imagine how beautiful that would be?

"Reflections"

"Reflections"

1 Corinthians 13:12

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

Reflections are very cool, but you just can't see things as clearly as they really are. I hate not being able to see clearly.  I wear contacts, and when I am not wearing them everything is a blur.  I think it is funny I even have dreams that I can't see....  actually they are more like nightmares if I am trying to escape from a boogie man and can't see well enough to flee. 

I love that one day we will see clearly....  we will no longer need to walk by faith.... but we will see clearly all those things that we just can't quite figure out.....  they will be made clear to us.  I love that!  but until then we will trust in the Lord with all our heart, and walk by "Faith" not by "Sight".

Lesson from the trees

Lesson from the trees

Did you ever notice that the trees willing let God do an inner work in them?  Not that they have a choice I guess, but we do, and most often we choose not to rest and let him work. In the trees he renews them from the inside out as they abide in Him. He works to strengthen them for the season of producing fruit.  They abide while He strengthens their roots to stand firm against the winds and storms in their life. They rest and abide while on the outside they seem to be doing nothing.  They look so stark and bare and lifeless.  But on the inside God is doing a mighty work preparing them for the season ahead of them. Like with the trees God knows the seasons that will come.  How often do we rest, really rest in His work? How often do we seek to merely abide?  To set all of our worldly striving aside, to seek to only sit at His feet.  To seek his will for our lives instead of thinking we know what we should be doing to please him.  Are we too busy with our self proclaimed works for God? Are we so busy that we can’t take the time to seek His will for our life, our day? What if God has a big plan for our lives and we are too busy to hear about it.  What if we are really missing God’s marvelous plan for us because we won’t stop, sit and listen.  I heard a good plan for 2012  “Make a  not-to-do list”.  Taking the time to cut everything out of your schedule that God has not called you to do.  Humm….  Now that is a thought!