Tag Archives: Sunrise

God in all things, Scenery

The Deep

This photo was taken a year ago in Jamaica. I’ve seen sun rays coming through the clouds many times before, but never such a focused beam in the distance.

The ocean can seem overwhelming in its vastness. Full of mystery. A reminder of how small and fragile we are. Yet some see only challenges to be overcome.

You call me out upon the waters

The great unknown where feet may fail

And there I find You in the mystery

In oceans deep

My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name

For I am Yours and You are mine

(Hillsong United, Oceans)

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God in all things, Scenery

Glory

The heavens declare the glory of God; the firmament proclaims the works of his hands. Day unto day pours forth speech; night unto night whispers knowledge. There is no speech, no words; their voice is not heard; A report goes forth through all the earth, their messages, to the ends of the world. He has pitched in them a tent for the sun; it comes forth like a bridegroom from his canopy, and like a hero joyfully runs its course. From one end of the heavens it comes forth; its course runs through to the other; nothing escapes its heat. Psalms 19:2-7

(Photo: Bozeman, Montana)

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God in all things, reflection, Scenery, Seeing God

Everyday Experiences

I’m sure I will be mostly posting photos from our trip to Yellowstone over the next few weeks. So today, I wanted to post a photo taken nearby. This one is at Sugarcreek Park this morning.

It is fairly easy to see God in a place like Yellowstone. It isn’t always as easy to see God in our every day experiences. Or in people we see regularly, like family, friends, or coworkers. I guess that is another way of saying we often take for granted the people and things around us.

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reflection, Scenery

Peace

This is another photo from this week at Kiawah. When I look at it, the word that comes to my mind is “peace.” Certainly, this is a peaceful scene but it goes beyond that for me. It connects me with many happy memories from past vacations here.

Peace is so much more than the absence of conflict. It is more like an experience of true contentment.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”

John 14:27

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reflection, Scenery

Calling

This photo was taken earlier this week at Kiawah. It was not the first time I had seen so many birds gathered at this particular spot. There is nothing obviously different about this spot, as far as I can tell. Which makes me wonder why all these birds have gather here. Something must be attracting them.

In our lives, there is something similar which I would label a “calling.” God often leads us by placing desires in our hearts. These desires may make no “sense” from a worldly perspective. But they lead to fulfillment as we recognize the unique set of gifts/talents we have been given.

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reflection, Scenery

The Wind

This photo was taken on our last morning in Jamaica. This spot is one of my favorites at Galina Breeze, especially to watch the sunrise. We had a couple of days with beautiful sunrises, then 3 or 4 in a row that were very cloudy (ie, you couldn’t even see the sun rise). On our last day, I remember looking out our window and commenting to my wife that it should be a good sunrise because there were no clouds overhead. When we got down to the “beach”, there was this dense haze on the horizon. I can’t remember ever seeing so much haze there before.

After we got home, I began wondering if the haziness had anything to do with the winds. Every morning, it had been unusually windy. So much, that it was actually comfortable (whereas I usually sweat through breakfast). A quick internet search found that the source of the haze was …(dramatic pause)… dust from Africa. Blowing across the Atlantic sea into the Caribbean.

I certainly didn’t need a reminder of the power of the wind, but it was a nice reminder of the positive effects of the wind. God’s spirit is described as wind many times in the Bible. I like to think of the Holy Spirit as a cooling breeze. Refreshing.

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