Category Archives: Plants

We all need a shoulder to lean on, maybe even cry on in hard times. I recommend Someone who has really broad shoulders. He is experienced at helping people in crisis. He is always available; never too busy. He invites us to call on Him for help. He has promised to be there for us in our time of need. We don't need to do it on our own.

Bergen, John, and Eloise Bergen. Forgiveness in the Face of Terror. Century Archive, 2009.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10 ESV

I wanted to share a few photos taken in my garden this summer. The flowers may seem ordinary, but when viewed up close, their intricate beauty inspires a sense of awe and gratitude to the One who gave us such simple things to enjoy.

At a time when everything seems more complicated than ever and on the verge of falling apart, it is simply the real Truth that brings me back to the peace I’m seeking.

Jesus said to him, “I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

John 14:6 AMP

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence or anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Philippians 4:7-9 NASB

Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always].

Colossians 3:15 AMP

Then Jesus said, Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28 NLT

I am leaving you with a gift–peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

John 14:27 NLT

You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call on you.

Psalm 86:5 NLT

While visiting Arizona in early April I was delighted to enjoy the green, spring-like desert. I know from experience that the Arizona desert is not normally this green, making the view a real treat.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

Psalm 28:7 NIV

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 107:1 NIV

I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.

Psalm 34:1 NIV

We will tell the next generation

the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,

his power,

and the wonders he has done.

Psalm 78:4 NIV

Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷ rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!

Philippians 2:6-8 NIV

For by grace you have been saved through faith.

And this is not your own doing;

it is the gift of God.

Ephesians 2:8 ESV

…Like the rose that comes alive every spring,

You are so faithful. Lord, You are faithful…

…I see the cross and the price You had to pay,

I see the blood that washed my sins away.

In the midst of the storm,

Through the wind and the waves,

You’ll still be faithful, You’ll still be faithful,

When the stars refuse to shine and time is no more,

You’ll still be faithful,

You’ll still be faithful, Lord.

Lyrics taken from “You are so Faithful” by Bob Fitts

I’m so thankful for good memories, ones that warm my heart and remind me that God has been good to me. These pictures bring a smile to my face so thought I’d share them with you.

This one reminds me of all the work and love that I put into my garden. I love spending time getting my hands dirty, planting the new seedlings, and watching it grow. I look forward every spring to doing it all over again and seeing the fruit of my labor.

This one reminds me of summers gone by, over 12 years ago, when the boys were young and I still carried my youngest around on my hip. Those days were busy, trying to keep two little boys out of trouble, but they were precious years too.

My family rented two tandem bicycles and rode them around Stanley Park in Vancouver. Having locked up our bikes, we also ventured inland on foot to walk around Beaver Lake where I took these pictures.

If you’re asking, I rode on the back of the bike and just held on for my life. But when I stopped being afraid of crashing, I found I had a great view riding the seawall bike path.

This is my favorite season, watching everything come back to life and green up once again.

I was surprised to find that this is actually the second dogwood photo I have posted.

Before: This first photo was taken in 2010. I was trying out my macro setting on the camera and was enjoying how much detail I could capture in the weeds and yet how blurry I could get the background.

 

After: This is my new favorite recent picture. It was taken at Lincoln Brick Park back in January 2013 when we got out to enjoy above freezing temperatures and some fresh air. I love how much detail there is and how warm the colors are.

Again, I used the macro setting in the this shot. I like how I used the treeline in the second one and how it’s much brighter as well. I would say that you can see a big improvement in my technique.

This one was taken from my own back yard. I sat and watched the father and mother birds bringing food to the nest inside a hollowed out part of the tree. Earlier in the spring I got to see them working to build the nest that is now filled with hungry babies. This picture is of the father who is carrying some red berries, just before going into the nest.

If I had to pick a favorite season I would have to choose spring. Each season is unique in it’s own way but there is
something special about spring. The return of the birds and blossoming of flowers reminds me of the renewed hope that
we have every day. Every day is a clean slate and we have a choice of what we are going to do with it.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It’s what sunflowers do.” -Helen Keller

One of my top most favorite flowers since high school has been daisies. They grow wild all over the place but their simplicity and bright yellow centers make me smile.

I like the translucency of the petals in this picture.

When I look at all these tiny corn plants I think of all the work the farmer has already done to prepare the soil for these little guys. For one hope filled farmer this is his “field of dreams.” What is yours?

I have wanted to take this photo for some time now. I love the way the plant in the foreground is perfectly in focus and then as you go down the row it almost looks as if the row extends forever.

I love using the super macro setting to capture intricate detail seen in creation.

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Romans 1:20