Beauty

I was delighted to find my miniature tulips in bloom this week. 

The lovely purplish-pink color stirs joy in my soul.

The contrast with the green is simply gorgeous.

I hope this photo brings you hope 

and reminds you of the beauty of God's creation.

Happy Spring!

 

Nature is a Witness

Autumn is a wonderful time of year. 

Cooler temperatures and changing colors

remind me to step outside and enjoy the beauty of God's creation.

Orange and teal pumpkins, purple and yellow blooms, reds, golds, and oranges

on the trees and in the sky trumpet the glorious hues of fall. 

Nature is a witness to the amazing miracles of God.

 

Dance With God

Genesis 1:3-5
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

Glory filled the sky.

The best thing I can say about my week at Goodlit Writers Retreat is—God blessed me with a gift. An unexpected—I can't believe I'm here gift. Surrounded by other people who strive to write for God, I witnessed the beauty of minds and hearts opening up and pouring out. Folks from all over the country met in the quintessential small town of Stanford, Kentucky, to better understand the purpose of God's calling to write.

The different backgrounds and experiences meshed together to form a group who, like me, wanted to obey and follow the journey God is leading us on.

On Tuesday evening, Angela and Jess, hosts for the week, invited us to their beautiful farm. For me, a country girl at heart, the trip filled me with joy. After a delicious Kentucky dinner, Jess drove the tractor and pulled us on a wagon (with upholstered seats) to the top of a grass-covered hill and we watched the sunset. As the light and coming darkness played together, the pinks and pale blues turned to glorious red and deep navy. Just before night fell, the sky reminded me how when people come together to create or work, or live as a family, God can bring harmony to the dance.

In whatever I do, I pray God joins me as I pursue my dreams. He's the one who placed them on my heart and poured the talent and skills into me. Angela owns a beautiful soap store in town, Kentucky Soaps and Such. When we toured the production area, this quote was painted on the wall. "Lord, let our workspace, whatever that looks like, be our worship place." When we bring the work we do before the Lord and ask Him to partner with us, we couple with Him and bring Him glory.

Watch a sunset and let the beauty fill you with joy and a desire to dance with God.

Natural Beauty

This eastern tiger swallowtail swooped
around the purple coneflowers,
when I was watering plants the other day.

Imagine, the same God who created people, 
crafted this beautiful creature
who floats from flower to flower
and provides a way for pollen to move
where it needs to,
and we get to enjoy the show.

Thank you God for the beauty you've given us.

What natural beauty have you spotted lately?

Seek the Beauty

Walking in the woods this time of year, I don't see much color. 

There's an occasional dart of red from a cardinal 

or some orange bittersweet buds still hanging around, 

but without snow, brown covers the canvas. 

Tim and I walked a path at the local park not long ago 

and this bright orange fungi grabbed my attention. 

I love discovering beauty in the every day. 

Some people may not think fungus is pretty, 

but this particular one looked like flower petals growing from wood.

When you're out and about or even at home seek beauty in every day.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. 

He has also set eternity in the human heart; 

yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

-Ephesians 3:11

 

Work of Heart

I enjoy growing herbs and flowers in my tiny garden.

One of my favorite flowers that greets me each spring is the columbine.

I planted purple, white, and blue, and I plan to add pink.

They're all unique, and each one adds beauty to my little plot.

Each person is a work of heart, like the flowers.

God creates us in the womb and breathes life into us.

Each person is unique and has the potential to add beauty to the world.

 

See the Soul

Last week I posted a photo of the lily-of-the-valley,

still green, without full blooms.

A few days later, I caught this picture of the beautiful white bells.

What if I'd only noticed this sweet plant in all its glory, 

with bells on and beautiful.

I would have missed the wonderment of the stages of growth.

I love the words "If only we saw souls." 

I would see the heart of the person,

the stages of growth, or the need for encouragement.

I'd see the worth and the beauty of a soul struggling to make it through the day,

or the soul who reaches out and lifts others up.

Seek to look at the soul and see the true beauty.

 

Autumn Dances

Tim and I spent time over the weekend checking out the beautiful autumn foliage.

I am in awe every year, when God paints His canvas in the lovely tones of autumn.

Enjoy what God has given, and be grateful for the beauty.

 

John 3:16

As I watch my little garden sprout, I'm reminded of new life.

Trees bud, flowers bloom, and herbs green up.

Imagine for a moment what eternal life with Jesus must be like.

A continual spring filled with beauty and joy!

 

Merry Christmas!

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!

 

How Beautiful

Ecclesiastes 3:11a
He has made everything beautiful in its time.

Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”

Typical for a teenage girl—I thought I was ugly. 

I giggled over Tiger Beat and 'Teen magazines and plastered posters of the Mod Squad, Brady Bunch, and the Monkees on my bedroom walls. Even though the celebrity rags were much more innocent in my time, they were covered with what Hollywood considered beautiful people.

As a tomboy, growing up in the country, I knew I'd never look like any of the beauties who graced the screen. I wasn't skinny (anyone remember a model called Twiggy,) my clothes were determined by our high school's strict dress code, girls in dresses and boys in business casual. We wore our hair long and straight and had some interesting eye wear.

All I wanted was to dress in my bell bottoms, sneakers, and t-shirts.

Even as I read about Bobby Sherman and Marcia Brady, I also learned about a man called Jesus. On Wednesday and Sunday evenings our youth leaders shared Bible verses about true beauty that blossoms from the inside out. They watered us like flowers with verses about joy, love, kindness, faith, and peace.

It took me years to truly accept the beauty the Holy Spirit planted in my heart and to understand that "pretty" blooms from within. There's nothing wrong with looking nice, neat, and clean. But the outward appearance is only a fraction of true beauty.

I'm thankful those adults brought the "good news" of Jesus to us.

Sharing about Jesus love and grace, and the eternal hope I have in him opens my soul. Living a life where Jesus shines through me wherever I'm planted reflects the wonder of daily life with him. My outward appearance may not be Hollywood standards, but my heart is filled with the beauty of Jesus' love and grace. I pray I mirror Him in all I do. 

"If only our eyes saw souls instead of bodies. How very different our ideals of beauty would be." ~Unknown

Seek Jesus and share his beautiful story.

Laugh with the Flowers

I love this time of year because my flowers are laughing with color.

God created so much beauty for us to enjoy. 

When I stop and admire the Black-eyed Susans, zinnias, and lavender, 

I find balance to the stresses of daily life. 

I smile and sometimes even laugh.

Their glory reminds me to acknowledge the one who created them.

Praise God for his amazing creation!

Non-fiction Book Review: Beholding and Becoming: The Art of Everyday Worship by Ruth Chou Simons

Book Description:

Become What You Behold

You are in the process of becoming. Every day is an opportunity to be shaped and formed by what moves your heart…drives your thoughts…captures your gaze. Is it any wonder that where you direct your eyes and your heart matter in your day-to-day?
 

We become what we behold when we set our hearts and minds on Christ and His redemption story here in the details of our daily lives. Not just on Sunday, not just on holidays, not just when extraordinarily hard or wonderful things happen…but today.  

Bestselling author and artist Ruth Chou Simons invites you on a new journey to Beholding and Becoming.  With more than 850 pieces of intricate, original artwork, Ruth encourages you to elevate your gaze to the One who created all things.

Today is an opportunity for God to demonstrate His love and His faithfulness in the midst of your mundane. No circumstance is too ordinary or too forgotten for Him to meet you there in worship. His transforming grace turns your “everyday ordinary” into a holy place of becoming.

My Review:
I absolutely love this book. From the gorgeous watercolor paintings to the heartfelt words, Ruth Chou Simons speaks to the heart. There are so many reminders of how we can live a better life in Jesus. Beautiful quotes are encased in Ruth's artwork. That alone is worth the read. I read a section a day and delighted in each one. If you are looking for a book to read that will encourage and enlighten, buy Beholding and Becoming: The Art of Everyday Worship. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.  

Beautiful!

Snowy evening

Beauty in Today 2/2/16

Sunrise over campus this morning.

Beauty in today 1/25/16

Beautiful sunrise!

Beauty in today 1/24/16

I love winter and walking in the woods in winter after a snow makes me happy. Tim and I stopped by the Withrow Nature Preserve after church.

Beauty in Today 1/20/16

Snow-again!

Snow covered the ground this morning and continued to come down all day. I've always loved snow. It gives the world a clean crispness. No matter how I feel, if I step out into fresh snow and feel the flakes touch my face, joy flutters inside me. Sounds crazy, I know. But I just love snow. 

Our dogs do too. Olive decided to have a snack and eat the snow.

Beauty of today 1/13/16

Love this beautiful lavender Hannah brought me for Christmas. 

Scented with essential lavender oil. A little spring in the winter.