Lean In

We are walking now ... one step after another.

It's not a race; we have all the time we need.

God walks with us matching 

every step with love and mercy.

Hold his hand. He will lead you

thru the bends and curves of life with ease.

Lean in, lean on and let go.

Even now, says the LORD,

return to me with your whole heart

for I am gracious and merciful.

Joel 2: 12

Be Kind

A single Sunflower in a field.

That Sunflower, standing tall and proud,

gives such joy to even the most casual observer.

If we act with kindness and compassion

to everyone we meet during a single day

imagine how much joy we would spread.

We would BE the Sunflower.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

In verdant pastures he gives me repose;

Beside restful waters he leads me;

he refreshes my soul.

-psalm 23

Follow Him

The sun is finally cresting the horizon.

Our journey has truly begun.

God has painted a gorgeous sky for us.

It is up to us to follow him,

in his great light,

in prayer and thanksgiving.

'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'

Matthew 4:4

Lenten Devotion: Unlimited

The sun continues to rise.

Deepening colors show that God's palette is endless.

Just like the vista opening up before you.

Filled with unlimited possibilities.

Lenten Devotions

My friends, for the time period known to many Christians as "Lent" - 40 days of quiet introspection leading up to the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ - I will be posting daily meditations to guide us thru this deeply personal time in the life of a Christian. These devotions (and accompanying photographs) are my own art.

Lent is a season - the most important one in Christianity. So many people focus on what they will "give up" for Lent - chocolate, soda, alcohol, social media, etc... - that I believe we miss the point of this season. 

It is a time to draw closer to Christ; to let him dwell deep within your heart. To give up the things we do that stand in the way of that in-dwelling. Easing our way thru Lent with meditations and quiet devotion will eliminate the static and open ourselves to the beautiful messages that can be found during this quiet season. 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

As we start our 40-day sojourn in the desert...the sun is rising. 

God paints the sky with soft colors and a 

layer-cake of mountains as far as the eye can see. 

Breathe deeply the crisp morning air. 

Stay in this moment for as long as you can.

Darkness

Life - is messy.  It can be unrelenting.  You can sometimes feel like you are unwillingly engaged in endless pursuit by the darkness.  It chases you down and at times can threaten to engulf you.

But...with Christ by your side you will never be engulfed in that darkness.  Because he is also busy chasing you down - to keep the darkness at bay.

Life - is messy.  And when the messiness overwhelms us, we have options.

We can fight.  As humans it is in our nature to stand our ground, turn, and fight for ourselves.

We can give in.  As humans it is also in our nature to throw up our hands and scream "Enough!".

Each of these is a choice we make every single day. 

Fight or Flight

It is the way we are wired. It's our natural response to threats - real or imagined. Adrenaline pumps, our bodies - indeed our very souls - crouch in anticipation of the battle or the retreat.

What if we acknowledged the ultimate warrior that stands and fights beside us, or even more to the point - stands between us and the fight?

Christ - God himself - is always there.  Even when we don't realize it; when we don't open ourselves up to it - Christ is there.

He wants to protect us.  He wants to be called upon.  He died for us - so that he could save us.  Why would he ever abandon us?

It is us who abandons Christ. And no matter how many times we flee from Christ - he is still there. Waiting for us to return to him.

Our darkness is his light.  Our darkest moments can be lit from within with just the simplest of prayers - Jesus Christ, I need you.

Beauty

Beauty - is everywhere we look.  Even the humblest view out a window can bring you beauty in the smallest things.

God's creation is wondrous.  Take the butterfly - a  symbol to Christians of rebirth and renewal.  And possibly one of nature's most glorious works of art.

Wrought by God's gentle hands.  Some species of butterfly - like the lovely Monarch pictured below - endure untold hardships to continue their life cycle.  These exquisite creatures experience a perilous existence; mind-boggling migrations, living on the sharp edge towards extinction - to persevere year after year.  Returning to their summer residences to once again begin the pattern of all living beings. 

Life. Birth. Death.

It is the endless cycle of all living things.  Including we humans.  Look within and you will find the same beautiful creation; come to life with the love and mercy of God.