Embracing God's Grace
The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.
Isaiah 40:8 NKJV
I want to thank Lee at Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures Plus for inviting me to participate in the Five for Five Black and White Photo Challenge.
Sherri Matthews at A View from My Summerhouse did accept my nomination! Her photos will post next month.
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:9 NKJV
Sometimes our personal “winters” seem to go on forever. They are barren and cold. There are few glimpses of the sun. We can easily become tired and hardened if we aren’t careful!
Yet the ice eventually thaws and spring comes once more. We can reap a harvest if we don’t give up. We can sow seeds of love and mercy even when we don’t feel like it.
Some people will never deserve our love. And we will never deserve God’s love for us!
God loves us in spite of our flaws. He equips us to do the same.
We can love our neighbor. God would not command us to do so if we were not capable of doing it. It’s not always easy but God’s grace is sufficient. For everything!
Sow seeds of life not death.
Keep moving, trusting and doing good.
Love. Give. Forgive.
And in due season we will reap the harvest.
**Thanks for checking out Day Four of the Five for Five Black and White Photo Challenge. To join in the fun simply post five photos in five days and ask someone to join you each day. Lee from Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures invited me to participate. You can check out his photos right here.
Robert Frost wrote “I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference,” in his poem The Road Not Taken.
I suspect the route to fulfillment and blessings requires that we instead forge our own path.
As a child I was cautioned not to go into the woods that were near our home. The potential for snakes and briar bushes kept me fairly obedient. I teetered along the boundary but fear kept me content to remain just on the edge.
Yet as an adult, I’ve experienced God pulling me away from what I perceived to be a safe place and nudging me into a few “scary” ones as I kicked and screamed along the way.
Sometimes God leads us where we don’t want to go.
We may second guess what God is doing and why we need to inhabit such uncomfortable quarters. Our prejudices and fears often place us in direct opposition to his prodding!
I don’t like to walk in the woods. I’d rather walk through a clearing where I can see what is in front of me.
The woods are full of dark shadows, biting things and all manner of critters. The further in you go, the less sun you see.
But sometimes life is like that.
We may wander paths where we feel alone, but The Sun is still there, ever present as we confront our fears. God has forced me time and time again to focus on my present state of affairs instead of obsessing about the future.
My present state has at times been scary. But these same life experiences taught me to look up instead of worrying about tomorrow.
I’ve learned to trust more, rationalize less. 
I have slowly learned that I’d rather forge through the woods with God than walk that more traveled path without Him.
I think many of us don’t fulfill our purpose or reach our full potential because we want to play it “safe.” For some “safe” may mean away from the criticism of others. Or, it may mean to simply maintain the status quo.
Yet, if you are still longing for more out of life it may be time to make your own way.
Dare to knock over a few bushes, pick up your spiritual sword and hack away at your obstacles. Get up and get moving in the direction God is leading you.
Is this potentially scary?
Very much so. But if God is truly leading you “into the woods” He will certainly get you through them!
Will you get scratched up a bit or bitten?
Probably.
But you will emerge stronger and resilient as you come out of those scary places with God.
Trust God to lead you. Listen and obey.
Our paths are as unique as we are.
You can follow the crowd or be led by our Shepherd.
Is it past time you took a walk into the woods? 
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
**Thanks so much for stopping by and checking out Day 3 of my Five for Five Black and White Photo Challenge. Thus far I’ve only had one other blog agree to participate. The rules are simple. Just post five black and white photos daily for 5 days and nominate another blog to participate. I was nominated by Lee over at Lee’s Birds and you can enjoy his photos here. Come join the fun!
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. John 15:4-6 NKJV
Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:10 NKJV
Are you bearing good fruit? 
**Thanks so much for stopping by and checking out Day 2 of my Five for Five Black and White Photo Challenge. If you would like to participate you can find all of the details here.
My friend Lee, over at Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures Plus invited me to take part in a Five day Black and White Photo Challenge. I’ve always loved black and white photos. Perhaps it is because black and white photos challenge me to view things differently.
Instead of merely glancing the surface when presented with a color photo, black and white pictures often prompt us to look a bit longer into the various textures and layers we may not otherwise notice.
The ridges in the petals and the drops of dew in the featured photo might likely go unnoticed against the vibrant yellow and contrasting green of the original image.
We can lose sight of details that matter when we allow ourselves to become distracted by color as well.
Many sports fanatics are blinded by team colors. Some die-hard alumni bleed their school colors. I’m not going to even delve into skin color.
Opportunities for fellowship, friendship and growth are often lost when we fail to look beyond superficial appearances.
Our blessings often lie in the background of our lives waiting to be noticed and appreciated. We can fail to recognize and appreciate the blessings right in front of us when we go off chasing the more colorful things in life!
We can all stand to view things a bit differently from time to time. 
Who knows?
When we learn to look beyond the obvious, such as color, we may very well find what we’ve been searching for.
“that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power” Ephesians 1:17-19New King James Version NKJV
“Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies; In You I take shelter”
Psalm 143:9 NKJV
My “yard cats” know exactly where to go in times of trouble. I’ve watched them hightail it up this tree in mere seconds. Unfortunately, we aren’t always as quick to run to our safe haven.
Some of us are quick to turn to friends. Friends who often offer a wealth of advice even while struggling to manage themselves.
Others prefer to “Google it” and see what can be found on that world wide web. It can certainly draw us in, sometimes tangled and deceptive, offering as much misinformation as good.
If only we were as quick to seek our Father/Shelter in times of trouble what angst we would spare ourselves!
As we go through life’s trials and unexpected turns, we can choose to rely on ourselves and other people. Both are imperfect choices.
Or we can turn to God. 
God’s Word holds the answers we seek. Only God can provide peace and protection. Come to Him all who are weary and heavy laden.
Some of us are so accustomed to running, we don’t know how be still. Instead of running away from your problems run to God. Trust Him to take your burdens, whatever they are, in exchange for the peace and refuge only He can offer.
Never underestimate God’s love for you! Run to Him and be blessed!
From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For You have been a shelter for me,
A strong tower from the enemy.
I will abide in Your tabernacle forever;
I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah
Psalm 61:2-4 NKJV
And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them. Luke 21:8 NKJV
This morning the usual chirps and chatters in my yard took on a drastically different tone.
From my perch I could see birds flying frantically back and forth. A bossy mockingbird stood guard. I thought to myself there must be a hawk in the yard.
As I collected my camera and coat I saw a couple of shadows fall over the yard as I headed outdoors. Kind of ominous. I’m thinking to myself that hawk is flying pretty low. I often see them but not usually this close.
I stand outside waiting for a decent picture of anything with wings. Then I spot one. And then another. Soon there are about a dozen in the sky.
Now, I’m no expert on birds but even I realize something is amiss. The hawks I usually see are loners. I may see two together, three at most but very rarely. I have my doubts but keep shooting anyway. I’m anxious to see what’s on my camera.
My “hawks” weren’t hawks at all.
They were vultures.
From their distance in the sky they can pass for hawks to the untrained eye. But their behavior told a different story. My yard birds readily identified the enemy. 
Some people are like those vultures. They look like one thing but their behavior eventually reveals the truth.
They live off others. Their presence is overwhelming. They prey on those small and weak. In nature, most creatures readily recognize the enemy. We aren’t always as discerning.
Our enemies are rarely obvious. They don’t arrive with a pitchfork and horns. Some are flatterers. Many endearing. Our enemies often know the right buttons to push. They can be manipulative. Often, we are oblivious until it is too late!
I’ve been praying for wisdom lately. I didn’t expect this lesson today. I asked God for a few bird pictures expecting cardinals or finches. I received far more than that.
I did manage to finally photograph a hawk. It flew higher than the vultures, not at all threatened by their presence in the sky. 
I like hawks. God uses them to remind me to “fly high” when I am tempted to “get low” and tell someone what I’m really thinking. I often see them when I need a bit of inspiration, no coincidence I’m sure.
I was reminded today to look closely and not act on what I think I see.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 1 Peter 5:8 NKJV
We can’t resist our adversary if we don’t recognize him.
Every good deal, isn’t a good deal.
Some “problems” are merely distractions to pull us off track.
Don’t be deceived into thinking God doesn’t love you. He does.
Don’t be deceived into thinking setbacks will last forever. They won’t.
Don’t be deceived by rhetoric that is contrary to God. All lies.
When in doubt, check it out.
Investigate. Research. Read. Pray.
Listen to God when your gut is screaming “Danger!”
Wise choices often precede a blessing.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 NKJV
“Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you,” Psalm 84:4 NIV
“I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings,” Psalm 61:4 NIV
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” 1 Corinthians 3:16 NIV 
“And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Ephesians 2:22 NIV
If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.
1 John 4:20-21 NKJV
When I was a child, one of my favorite books was titled, “Are You My Mother?” The book told the story of a baby bird who found himself frightened and alone walking up to all manner of things and asking, “Are you my mother?”
If I recall correctly, the bird walks up to a dump truck. I think there may have been a traffic light and possibly a dog somewhere in there. The baby bird never stops searching and eventually learns the truth.
Unlike the bird, many “Christians” stop short of acknowledging the truth in front of us.
“He who loves God must love his brother also.”
Jesus did not say love those who look like you and think like you. There are no conditions attached.
I’ve noticed more and more “Christians” in their zeal to grasp God drift toward extremist doctrines and tendencies they condemn others for.
When we profess to know it all and throw around judgment about like birdseed, we place ourselves on a slippery slope where religion obscures fact. We beg God to forgive our sins, yet we readily highlight the flaws in others.
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40 NKJV
Believers often loudly condemn others for all manner of things. The clothes they wear. Tattoos. Race. Religion. Lifestyles. Political beliefs!
And yes, I’ve been one of “those” people thinking I knew it all. Thankfully, the older I get the more I learn I don’t have all the answers. And I’m okay with that.
This post by Chris Martin really resonated with me.
How about we start with the basics and pursue that second commandment?
What if loving our brother is key to igniting a spark that draws people to God?
Not doctrine. Or rhetoric.
Are you my brother?
For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Matthew 7:2-4 NKJV
Winter is very much underway. Still, I am ever hopeful and looking forward to spring.
The transition to my “personal spring” will require me to cut off a few “dead things,” and work a bit harder. The promise of renewal encourages me to look forward to good things in my future.
Do I know what my good things are?
I haven’t a clue.
I do anticipate the best from a God Who is faithful.
Many of us merely survive. Periods of icy dormancy leave us barely making when it appears nothing productive is happening. To simply exist during those times when our winters wear us down is quite a blessing!
Yet, one thing I’ve noticed is that even after their season changes, some people fail to change with their season.
We can become so accustomed to struggling we fail to let go of our harsh past which is necessary to open ourselves up to a sun filled (Son filled?) future.
If we become stuck in a winter mentality, we can’t move forward into opportunities to thrive. New experiences that challenge us to bloom, grow or expand are dismissed because we fail to step out of our doldrums. Some people habitually live in a mindset of winter dormancy long after that season has come and gone.
I’ve been there.
I readily admit it took effort and repetition on my part to finally move out of the dark and into the Light!
Today I was reminded of a goal I tossed aside years ago. The harsh reality of one particular “winter” buried not only my aspiration but my inspiration as well.
I felt like I was running on empty. Looking back on it I was carried more than I ran. Regardless, today God led me to give that opportunity a second look. The season for this particular goal may have come once more.
Very few of us will bloom all the time. That just isn’t the way life happens. We must stay mindful and Spirit led to act when it is time to get moving. Doubt, fear and insecurities will keep us “stuck” if we allow it.
Our “winters” are as unique as we are but winter eventually yields to spring.
It may be the frustration of finding a job. Strained relationships. Family responsibilities. The death of a loved one. Financial burdens. Yet, when the “odds” are stacked against us, whatever the situation, we must dare to make a move. God’s blessings aren’t based on odds or luck!
Our first step of faith can move us into a new season! The decision to thrive instead of survive mandates we enjoy the journey instead of fighting to reach a destination.
We may not like those first vital steps. There may will be some discomfort. We may be forced to interact with people unlike ourselves. It can be frightening.
It may very well be exactly what we need.
What about you?
“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:” Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV
B Is for Blessed! 