For The Beauty Of The Earth

For the beauty of the earth,
For the beauty of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

Folliott S. Pierpont 


All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the children of the earth.
Chief Seattle

Today is Earth Day! And my first four pictures are artwork made by school kids. I find their images of earth both fragile and strong.

“God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, And, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth." God created human beings; he created them godlike, Reflecting God's nature. He created them male and female. God blessed them: "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth."

Genesis 1

Seizing Life

Just before Christmas, Phil and I went to The Fashion Gallery with a friend. They had these giant clothes hangers out front. I asked Phil to pose with them so you could get an idea of the size. Right inside the door, you are greeted with a butler holding this sign. My favorite sign ever in a store! "Your husband called...He said to buy anything you want." But back to the hangers; I feel that it won't be long before I will be needing them this big for my clothes. The steroids I have been taking have gained me about 20 pounds in a month, I clearly cannot keep on like this. But it is not an option to stop the steroids, so I must diet or something. I am just seizing life, but perhaps I am seizing a bit too much...

“Seize life! Eat bread with gusto, Drink wine with a robust heart. Oh yes—God takes pleasure in your pleasure! Dress festively every morning. Don't skimp on colors and scarves. Relish life with the spouse you love Each and every day of your precarious life. Each day is God's gift”

Ecclesiastes 9

Swan Watch

 

It's that time of year again, time for me to be on Swan Watch!!! This means the female swan has made her nest and been sitting on it, can you see it? It is large and made of sturdy sticks. While she sits, the male swims in front of her, back and forth, back and forth, like he is guarding her. Perhaps he is. These swans are at our local park, and you may remember I posted their babies last year, so cute! If you didn't see them, you can click HERE for that post. I hope to get to the park this year when they are even younger! Swans are a mystery to me, I am so clumsy and they are so graceful.

“Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his own gift… He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ's followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ's body, the church, until we're all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God's Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ”

Ephesians 4

Through The Wires Thursday

I am starting something called Through The Wires Thursday. This will be pictures that I think are really good, but they are marred by something that keeps them from being perfect. Either wires, poles, cars, or anything else that will mess up or partially obscure the picture. And I run into this problem ALL THE TIME!! So I thought I would make use of it. As you can see, these frustrating shots were taken last fall, and though they were loaded with wires, I just couldn't bear to delete them. So this will be a fun thing to do, who knows, it may even make me try to take bad pictures on purpose! Anyone want to join me?

I'm asking God for one thing,
      only one thing:
   To live with him in his house
      my whole life long.
   I'll contemplate his beauty;
      I'll study at his feet.

 That's the only quiet, secure place
      in a noisy world,
   The perfect getaway,
      far from the buzz of traffic.

Psalm 27:4,5

A Strange Day

Strange goings on at our local McDonald's yesterday! Ella said she would like dinner there, so away we went. What I found strange was their McDonald's flag, blowing in the wind on the top of the building. I have seen a lot of McDonald's flags, and they all have the golden arches on them. I even came home and Goggled them, they all have the two arches. So why does this one look like this? When I saw it, the first thing I thought of was the flag of Russia, shown here. The Hammer & Sickle. So what is going on? I hope it is not The Soviet Republic Of McDonald's now! Because I really don't like borscht at all. Then Ella asked me a strange question "Ginny, is Ronald McDonald Dead?"  Yow!! Now the truth of the matter is that McDonald's ditched old Ronald in favor of a more adult, cafe type image, not associated with their high fat foods. The same can be said for the creepy big plastic headed King at Burger King, he's now outta there! Image is everything. But sometimes a McDonald's trip will end with her tummy full and the bag on her head, and that can only be a good thing!

“I'm thanking you, God, out loud in the streets, singing your praises in town and country. The deeper your love, the higher it goes; every cloud is a flag to your faithfulness.”

Psalm 57

Every Step You Take

 

These are not my stepping stones, though I wish they were! We have plain flagstones. I recently saw these in a sweet little garden and fell in love with them!  They would make any walk a little sweeter...

“Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take."

Joshua 1