Love Series: Day 1

"Love is not only something you feel. It is something you do." ~Dave Wilkerson

What would life be without love? Lonely...lost...and completely empty. There is a special love that everyone can receive. And it all starts with God's love. His love is unfailing, forgiving, merciful, and forever. God's love strengthens us. It allows us to have the ability to love others. Love is a truly unique and special gift. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

Today begins a series of images and thoughts that illustrate the beauty of love through nature and life.

Weed Watching

Sure enough...Wait around long enough and the weather changes. Yesterday the air conditioner today sweaters and hats. There are two seasons in Texas...winter and summer. Most of the time summer. So I have been doing a little weed watching. This this thistle was a pretty dandelion flower yesterday afternoon. My nephew thought that was cool. It is the first one I have seen in the yard so guess spring is most definitely knocking on the door. Weeds are very photogenic. I hate to begin mowing the yard again when they start popping up. Some may think they are a nuisance, but I actually think they are pretty and unique. I can never look at these little thistles and not see Flick from A Bug's Life floating across the "canyon". Ah, the tiny little world that exists beneath our feet is extraordinarily beautiful. And as with every change of the season..."Truly, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy when you see me again" (John 16:20). We will rejoice.

"I was a dandelion puff...Some saw the beauty in me and stooped quietly to admire my innocence. Others saw the potential of what I could do for them, so they uprooted me, seeking to shape me around their needs. They blew at my head, scattering my hair from the roots, changing me to suit them. Yet still others saw me as something that was unworthy and needed to be erased." ~Nicole Bailey-Williams

Beautiful Weeds

Cannot believe that January is almost over. Of course you also cannot tell that it is winter around here anymore. And just as I say that the weather will change once again. It feels more like late spring here. The weeds are beginning to sprout, and I have actually seen little flowers blooming already. I was hoping for some more cold weather. At least a chill or frost in the air would be nice.


"Don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time." Galatians 6:9

Nature looks dead in winter because her 

life is gathered into her heart. 

She withers the plant down to the root 

that she may grow it up again fairer and stronger. 

She calls her family together 

within her inmost home to prepare them 

for being scattered abroad 

upon the face of the earth. 

~Hugh Macmillan

Citrus Sun

Tiny little orange globes dangle in the trees. They appear beautiful and they smell heavenly. Too bad they don't taste as good as they look. My neighbor's orange trees are full of these fragrant fruits. Filling up a basket full and placing them around the house makes every room smell delicious. A little citrus sun to bring indoors...

Renew your mind...a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. "But let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." Romans 12:2

"A man ought to carry himself in the world as an orange tree would if it could walk up 

and down in the garden, swinging perfume from 

every little censer it 

holds up to the air." 

Henry Ward Beecher

Listen

An important part of communication is listening. I have been trying to teach this to my nephew for 10 years...Listen first, then talk. He seems to understand for a while, and just when I think he has got it...well, he falls right back in to the same old habits. It is a pattern of talk about everything and not listen to anything. Sometimes I think we all fall back into those old patterns. The only way to learn something is to listen. 

"Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry." ~James 1:19

Maybe we should all listen little bit more and hear...truly hear what is going on around us. There are so many things to listen to. What is important? The sounds of the birds singing in the morning...children laughing in the park...squirrels chattering in the tree...crickets chirping in the dark... 




All these sounds with their rhythm, cadence and heartbeat whisper to us. 
We should listen.

Bird Watching

Not sure who is doing the watching here... 

"Have faith in God....All that's required is that you really 

believe and do not doubt in your heart." 

Mark 11:22-23

It was a glorious morning of beautiful sounds. 

Chirping... 
         tweeting... 
                    singing...
                             and squawking... 
                                                              filled the air. 






A cacophony rang throughout the trees from one limb to another. The branches seemed to be littered with hundreds of different species. So grateful for a day when I can sit outside and just observe all of nature's wonders.

A bird is three things:

Feathers, flight and song,

And feathers are the least of these.

~Marjorie Allen Seiffert

Frost

Some more photographs from last week. The early morning frost just sparkled. It looked like a blanket of tiny prisms across the ground and on the rooftops. Nature and weather offer such wonderful images. If only I could spend hours out in the field capturing them all. But I will opt to just sit still and listen.

"Be silent, and know that I am God!" Psalm 46:10 

"All that is gold does not glitter,

Not all those who wander are lost;

The old that is strong does not wither,

Deep roots are not reached by frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,

A light from the shadows shall spring;

Renewed shall be blade that was broken,

The crownless again shall be king."

~J.R.R. Tolkien

Morning Glitter

The sun glitters off the frost and sparkles in the winter air. I have enjoyed the last two mornings. The crisp winter air and sunshine has boosted everyone's demeanor this week. The tiny little crystals envelope each blade of grass. The ice crystals seem to grow as I watch. Tall, thin ones are growing on one leaf while short, cube ones are on another. Each is unique and glimmers in the morning light.

Beauty, like our footing does betray;

Who can tread sure on the smooth, slippery way:

Pleased with the surface, we glide swiftly on,

And see the dangers that we cannot shun.

~John Dryden

Cure for Monday Blues

So it's Monday again. It's cold outside. 

My cure for the Monday Blues...  editing through photos of springtime, editing through any photos with the sun shining, drinking a hot cup of coffee, drinking lots of hot coffee, listening to the soundtrack from Annie... hoping the sun will come out tomorrow... 
and drinking lots of hot coffee.

"Yes, joyful are those who live like this! Joyful indeed are those whose God is the Lord." Psalm 144:15

Of winter's lifeless world each tree

Now seems a perfect past;

Yet each one holds summer's secret

Deep down within its heart.

~Charles G. Slater

Winter Break

An exceptionally clear, blue sky can be absolutely breathtaking. The everyday mundane things don't seem quite so mundane in this light. I know it won't be here long. It is still winter. The rain and cold will be back...any minute now I'm sure. So I rejoice in the sunlight for as long as it is up. The warmth is rejuvenating. And even trees with no leaves look beautiful in this golden illumination.

"But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; 

may they be happy and joyful." Psalm 68:3

The doves feeding and nesting down for the evening are fun to watch .

These are some of the many that line the power lines in the neighborhood. It is definitely a social gathering. Fussing and feathering from one end of the block to the other. 






He who binds to himself a joy 
Does the winged life destroy; 
But he who kisses the joy as it flies 
Lives in eternity's sun rise.  ~William Blake

Catching the Light

The Lord provided us with glorious sunshine today! Took advantage of the beautiful light because don't if we will have another day like this for a while. Decided to take a short trek down the street. The sky was absolutely gorgeous outside. Found some sad little crimson leaves still hanging on the trees. Lovely color! There is always an interesting photograph just waiting around the corner. I really just enjoyed getting outside today. "You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands." (Isaiah 55:12) 
Such wonderful imagery. 

"Joy in looking and comprehending is nature's most beautiful gift." 

~Albert Einstein

The Winter Grays

Another gloomy, rainy day... water...lots of water. But at least the ground had a nice soaking. Would love to find something to get outside and photograph, but it doesn't look like it will happen any time soon. Everything just looks gray outside. The sky is gray. The ground is gray. O.K. I need a fireplace. The warm flickering glow might do the trick. At least it will make for some interesting shadows and color and a nice place to curl up.

"Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth,for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home." ~Edith Sitwell

Nature's Popsicle

Right now it is just rainy and cold outside...which is normal for January around here. But on occasions south Texas actually has some frozen stuff...I think people up north call it ice. Here it means there is a really good reason to stay home because people don't know how to drive...even on a good day. So light the fire, perk up a hot cup of coffee, grab a good book...and don't forget the blankets.

"Hear! Hear!" screamed the jay from a neighboring tree, 

where I had heard a tittering for some time, 

"winter has a concentrated and nutty kernel, 

if you know where to look for it." ~Henry David Thoreau

Top Ten

These were the top ten photos from 2012. Flowers, dragonflies, butterflies, a blue moon, and a tiny reptile made the cut. There were quite a few more that could have been there, but I had to ween it down to just 10. Visit my Facebook page, SMSstudiosandPhotography,to view the images in their entirety.

"Look and think before opening the shutter. The heart 

and mind are the true lens of the camera." ~Yousuf Karsh

A New Year

I know I am a little behind in posting. Wow! Where did the year go? So 2013...It's been a rough start already. Not so much for my family, but my "extended" family. It is only a week into the new year and so many friends have had family members pass away. We continue to pray for all those that need comfort and healing.

"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." Psalm 18:2