June Caedmon's Blog, page 73
May 25, 2014
Inspired by . . . after the rain
Inspired by . . . after the rain
Lord, thank You for the rain You showered upon us today.
The little Lark Sparrows didn't waste any time getting back to their dinner ritual. Did you know that Lark Sparrows walk along the ground, rather than hop like other sparrows? They only hop when trying to attract a mate.
He does great things that we cannot understand and miracles that we cannot count.
He gives rain to the earth and sends water to the fields. Job 5:9-10
This House Finch was pretty wet. Oops! Not anymore, lol! {both images textured with Kim's kk_rainyday}
I happened to be outside when the rain stopped and was able to observe some bird behavior I had never seen before. This Lesser Goldfinch "Texas Form" {meaning he has a solid black back} flew into this crepe myrtle tree and began drinking the water that had collected on the leaves!
The insects are out after the rain, too, and that meant supper for these Scissor-tails!
They kept flying back to the nest, which tells me their babies might have hatched. I'll be stalking the nest for the next week or so – fingers crossed for some baby pictures!
He covers the sky with clouds. He provides rain for the ground. He makes grass grow on the mountains. Psalm 147:8
There was a lot of activity at the hummingbird feeder! This poor female black-chinned hummingbird was under constant attack! {That white line in the picture is a rain drop!} Not much deters these little guys from feeding. I've watched them at the feeder when they could barely hold their own against the wind and rain.
We all face storms in life.
How do you handle life's storms?
Do you face them head-on like the hummingbird?
Or do you take cover like the sparrows and wait for the storm to pass?
"Therefore, everyone who hears what I say and obeys it will be like a wise person who built a house on rock.
Rain poured, and floods came. Winds blew and beat against that house. But it did not collapse, because its foundation was on rock.
"Everyone who hears what I say but doesn't obey it will be like a foolish person who built a house on sand.
Rain poured, and floods came. Winds blew and struck that house. It collapsed, and the result was a total disaster." Matt 7:24-27
Blessings,
Sharing inspiration here:
May 23, 2014
Inspired by . . . old book–new book
Inspired by . . . old book – new book
Shh . . . don't tell . . . . Jonathon Graham here, hijacking June's blog again, to share some words about old books and new books!
I love the smell of books. Don't you?
Old books, especially, seem to have a mysterious scent about them. It's interesting to think about all the different people who might have held the book, what they thought when reading it, how it impacted their lives. Hmm, I might suggest to June that she write a book about the journey of a book one day, lol!
I have a fair-sized collection of books. Nothing extraordinarily valuable in the eyes of the world. But each book that I've kept, I've kept because it has value to me.
My wife and I have limited space in our little bungalow, so most of my collection is currently boxed, awaiting the day when I'm able to shelf them again.
Since moving to the bungalow a few years ago, I've been purchasing most of my books in eBook format. One of the things I really like about eBooks is that, if I have my cell phone with me, I have access to my library! Now when I'm waiting at the doctor's office, or other similar appointments, I can catch up on my reading!
I must admit, though, I do miss holding a book in my hands and turning the pages.
So why am I talking about books anyway? Well, because I have some exciting news to share with all of you!
Starflower has just been released in eBook format!
I know a lot of you prefer eBooks, and June and I are so thankful to be able to offer Starflower to you in this format!
Even more exciting, for those of you who still like holding a book in your hand, when you purchase the print copy of either Heart's Desire, or Starflower, you can get the eBook version for free!
For those of you new to eBook reading, you don't have to purchase a Kindle to read these books. The eBooks can be downloaded onto your personal computer, or your smart phone. This also applies to those of you who have ipad, tablet, or nook. You can still read eBooks purchased from Amazon on your personal computer!
Oh, and one more thing before I go – and June would definitely NOT want you to know about this – so don't breathe a word!
Her birthday is next month!
And I happen to know that she has some special gifts lined up for YOU during her birthday week!
So stay tuned!
Well, I'm off to hijack her Twitter and Facebook accounts!
Be Blessed,
Jonathan
PS – For those of you wondering about June's new book, No Tomorrow: it wasn't released last month as expected, but we have some exciting news about this title, coming soon!
May 21, 2014
Inspired by . . . taking a moment
Inspired by . . . taking a moment
Take a moment just to breathe in God's presence today.
Set aside your needs and wants; petty or significant, or somewhere in between.
Just rest . . .
. . . in His presence for a moment.
And
feel
the
JOY
only
He
can
give.
Blessings,
Sharing inspiration here:
May 20, 2014
Inspired by . . . the body of the moon
Inspired by . . . the body of the moon
When I saw Kim's prompt for this week – black and white – I knew immediately that I wanted to share some more of my moon shots with you. Being a novice, it didn't occur to me that the images would be difficult to use with textures.
I am definitely a purest when it comes to the moon!
This one is straight out of the camera (SOOC), except for the quote, by Frederick L. Knowles, of course. This quote would be perfect with a time-lapse image of the moon descending the sky. But, alas, that is far beyond my skill set! But one can dream. . . and that is what the night is for after all!
Textured with Kim's Stamped_Softly
SOOC
“It is a beautiful and delightful sight to behold the body of the Moon.”
― Galileo Galilei, The Starry Messenger, Venice 1610: "From Doubt to Astonishment"
Galileo inspires me to remember that our perspective is often limited.
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,
neither have entered into the heart of man,
the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. 1Cor 2:9
Blessings,
Sharing inspiration here:
May 15, 2014
Inspired by . . . the planting
Inspired by . . . the planting
My mom and I spent a lovely Mother's Day together at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens.
A lot of time, planning and care went into deciding where each and every tree, plant, and flower would be planted. The results are extraordinarily beautiful!
By Your power You forced nations out of the land,
but You planted our ancestors there. Psalm 44:2
God went to a lot of trouble to plant the Israelites in the Promiseland. It was a land flowing with milk and honey – literally!
Where are you planted?
God has a purpose and plan for you. Right where you are.
He had a purpose and plan for His people. But all the Israelites could see were giants.
Despite everything they had seen God do {the parting of the red sea is just one example of the miracles they had witnessed} the current generation didn't have enough faith to cross into the land God had prepared for them.
So God gave them forty years of wandering in the desert to think about it.
Are you wandering in a desert place?
Maybe God is growing your faith.
The next time around the new generation was ready. But just as they were preparing for battle, God told them to wait.
God, Himself, cleared the ground before them to insure that they would not be planted among noxious weeds {pagans}.
Are you in a season of waiting?
Maybe God is clearing a path for you.
We all experience different seasons in our lives. The landscape of our life changes as we navigate the path.
Dry deserts, exhilarating mountain-tops, dark valleys, and calm meadows. More than likely you've experienced each one, a time or two. Or three, or four.
God has a purpose in each place.
The key to navigating successfully, whether you're in a dark valley or a calm meadow, is to remain focused on the Truth.
"...remember, remember, remember the signs. Say them to yourself when you wake in the morning
and when you lie down at night, and when you wake in the middle of the night.
The signs which you have learned here will not look at all as you expect them to look {there}... That is
why it is important to know them by heart and pay no attention to appearances.
Remember the signs and believe the signs."
C.S. Lewis, The Silver Chair
The Truth will always guide you, will always keep you on the correct path.
His word is our food - - the Bread of Life.
As fertilizer is to a plant, we will continue to grow and be nourished,
regardless of which landscape we find ourselves in,
if we remain in His word.
Blessings,
Sharing inspiration here:
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May 13, 2014
Inspired by . . . yellow
Inspired by . . . yellow
A few weeks ago I was out chasing birds of a different feather across the sky!
The Bluebonnet Airshow was a lot of fun, and I thought my shots of this yellow bi-wing would be a perfect match for Kim's theme this week!
This one is fun – the pilot was sitting in the rear cockpit so it looks like not one is flying the plane!
Most of my shots came out like this . . . .
But I did get a few good shots – and found some fun aviation quotes to share with you, too!
In flying I have learned that carelessness and overconfidence are
usually far more dangerous than deliberately accepted risks.
- Wilbur Wright in a letter to his father, September 1900
SOOC
Quote by Amelia Earhart
There are only two emotions in a plane: boredom and terror. ~Orson Welles
Always try to keep the number of landings you make
equal the number of take-offs you've made.
Keep lookin' up!
Blessings,
All images (except SOOC) textured with Kim's simple1 / simple2 texture set.
Sharing inspiration here:
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May 8, 2014
Inspired by . . . rain
Inspired by . . . rain
He makes His sun rise on people whether they are good or evil.
He lets rain fall on them whether they are just or unjust. Matt 5:45
Do you find this to be a hard truth to accept?
I do at times.
In our human minds we have determined that if we do good we should be rewarded.
But what is good?
If you love those who love you, do you deserve a reward? Even the tax collectors do that!
Are you doing anything remarkable if you welcome only your friends? Everyone does that!
That is why you must be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matt 5:46-48
God's ways are not our ways, and some of His ways are hard to understand. But we can understand through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit.
I believe having a right understanding helps us to attain JOY, and peace.
I want to share part of Psalm 73 with you today. It is a little long, but I hope it will speak to your heart.
We are not the first to struggle and question these things...
I've received no reward for keeping my life pure and washing my hands of any blame.
I'm plagued with problems all day long, and every morning my punishment begins again.
If I had said, "I will continue to talk like that," I would have betrayed God's people.
But when I tried to understand this, it was too difficult for me.
Only when I came into God's holy place did I finally understand what would happen to them.
You put them in slippery places and make them fall into ruin.
They are suddenly destroyed. They are completely swept away by terror!
As someone gets rid of a dream when he wakes up, so You, O Lord, get rid of the thought of them when You wake up.
When my heart was filled with bitterness and my mind was seized with envy,
I was stupid, and I did not understand. I was like a dumb animal in Your presence.
Yet, I am always with You. You hold on to my right hand.
With Your advice you guide me, and in the end You will take me to glory.
As long as I have You, I don't need anyone else in heaven or on earth.
My body and mind may waste away, but God remains the foundation of my life and my inheritance forever.
Without a doubt, those who are far from You will die. You destroy all who are unfaithful to You.
Being united with God is my highest good. I have made the Almighty LORD my refuge so that I may report everything that He has done.
Blessings,
Sharing inspiration here:
May 5, 2014
Inspired by . . . ask
Inspired by . . . ask
Cedar Wax Wings {Bombycilla cedrorum} are one of my favorite birds. They winter in Texas {and most other southern states} but I've only had the pleasure of seeing them 3x in the last seven years. Both times were during the spring when {I assume} they are on their way back to their summer mating grounds in Canada.
The 2nd time I saw them was about a month ago. I was drawn to my window one afternoon by their distinct trilling sounds. They almost always travel in large flocks and this was no exception. They swooped in, filling the top of one of our oak trees. We have no berry trees on our property {something I intend to rectify} so they were certainly just passing through. I didn't even bother to go for my camera. I knew my little Kodak point-and-shoot would never capture them. Oh, how I wished my new camera had arrived!
It was a hope of my heart, not a formal prayer per se, but still a prayer, that I could one day capture these beautiful birds to share with you all.
A couple of weeks later my new camera did arrive, and if you've been here before you might know that – I'm thrilled with it!
A few days later I was sitting on my front porch . . .
. . . you'll never guess what flew in. There were only a couple of them. Very unusual. I almost didn't believe my eyes.
It was so like the Giver of all good gifts. So like our God to bless me in this way.
"Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you.
Everyone who asks will receive. The one who searches will find, and for the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
"If your child asks you for bread, would any of you give him a stone?
Or if your child asks for a fish, would you give him a snake?
Even though you're evil, you know how to give good gifts to your children.
So how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him?
Matt 7:7-11
I read something recently from Alistair Begg:
"It's helpful to remember that prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance to answer our requests, but laying hold of God's willingness."
Is there something you need from God? Are you waiting on Him to accomplish something in your life?
How important is it to you? Maybe you need to show God you're serious. Or maybe there is something you need to sacrifice first.
FAST
Has God asked something of you? Maybe there is something you need to do for Him first.
OBEY
Is there unrepentant sin in your life? Maybe you need to kneel at the alter.
REPENT
"Who do you say that I am?"
Do you have faith that God will do what He says He will do?
BELIEVE
Or maybe, just maybe, all you need to do is:
ASK
"Whether we like it or not, asking is the rule of the kingdom.
If you may have everything by asking in His Name, or nothing
without asking, I beg you to see how absolutely vital
prayer is." ~ Charles Spurgeon
Blessings,
Sharing inspiration here:
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May 1, 2014
Inspired by . . . nature
Inspired by . . . nature
Inspired by . . . nature . . . inspired by . . . art . . . inspired by . . . nature . . . inspired by . . . art . . . inspired by . . . nature
What do you see . . .
When you look at a flower?
This is what I see:
Ballerinas!
It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.
- Henry David Thoreau
Inviting you to take a second look
at what you're looking at today.
You may be surprised what you see.
Have a wonder-filled day,
Special thanks to Bonnie. Without her beautiful textures, these images would not exist. Thank you.
Sharing inspiration here:
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April 29, 2014
Inspired by . . . rest
Inspired by . . . rest
We've had so much wind here these last few weeks my poor plants are feeling tattered and {I'm sure} thinking they were better off back at the nursery! How can they grow, and bloom, and become all they were meant to be when they're constantly assaulted and beaten down by these winds?
Does this sound a bit like your life?
Do you want to "bloom where you're planted" only to find that you're constantly battered by the storms of life? Going from one crisis to the next, barely keeping your head above water?
There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. Hebrews 4:9
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matt 11:28
It requires all the energy that the plant has to produce a bloom. To do so it must be connected to the Source. The stalk, the vine, the root, whatever the case may be.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:5
In order for you to bloom – I mean really bloom, you must be connected to Him. Part of being connected to Him is resting in Him. When we come to Him and willingly give up our burdens – and rest – that is when He {re} fills us up with the life-giving, life-saving stuff we need to bloom and bless!
Here's one thing I know for sure; Jesus will not come to you and wrestle those burdens away. He will not come and demand them from you.
You must come to Him. And willingly give - that which you really don't want anyway, but may have become a little too comfortable with?
It's time.
You know what you need to do.
Blessings,
Sharing inspiration here:
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