his image.wonderful

wonderful : full of wonder
inspiring delight : delightful inspiration

Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty.
His righteousness never fails.
He causes us to remember his wonderful works.
How gracious and merciful is our Lord!
Psalm 111:3-4

 

 pic pix: colorful, intricate bark, Whitefish, Montana, April.2011

run hard

There are clubs you can't belong to
Neighborhoods you can't live in
Schools you can't get in to
But the roads are always open.
Just do it.

This is a Nike poster I've been holding onto for years.  I took it off the wall after it had ripped and was looking rather tattered (even after taping it over and over!) … but still, have not been able to throw it away.  I got it from a flea market when I was 9 years old.  Definitely the era when I "had" to have posters up on my wall.  At that point, I thought I was going to make it to the Olympics as a 100m runner.  A-N-Y-thing, may I repeat, A-N-Y-thing to do with running … I was drawn to.  Funny, now I try to picture a 9 year old having the desire to be a runner, and cannot imagine how obsessed I must have seemed! 

Now, facing realities, I find that too often I put limitations on myself for what I CAN actually do. Somewhat like what that prose talks about "...clubs you can't belong to ... schools you can't get in to ...".  No, I will never be an Olympic short distance sprinter (surprise Sarah!), but who says I can't run?!  And run hard as if I were?!  Even the Bible talks about giving running in our race of faith, not expecting to win, but running as if you would anyway ... with your ALL!

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? 

Run in such a way as to get the prize. 

1 Corinthians 9:24

Today, I will take on the day ... grabbing hold of the desires that have been placed in me.  Being obedient to that which I know God has given me a heart to do.  Why wait any longer?!

The roads are always open.


pic pix:  my favorite poster, Jun.2011

his image.awesome

 

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
      He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,
 for through him God created everything
      in the heavenly realms and on earth.
   He made the things we can see
      and the things we can’t see—
   such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
      Everything was created through him and for him.

Colossians 1:15-16

pic pix: above Spray Lakes, Canmore, Alberta, Jul.2010

his image.joy

 

 This day was THE happiest day of my life!!  There was so much promise fulfilled 

as God shared His pure JOY with us ...

pic pix:  picture courtesy of Perspective Eye Photography - "our happy day" - see some more of our wedding pictures here, 19.Feb.2011

his image.love

The book I was looking at had pages filled with images taken from the HubbleSite...a fascinating space telescope.  Picture after picture, the stars, planets, and funny-formed gases held new wonder and intrigue.  As a coffee table book, there were captions and quotes that expressed, awed at, and pointed to the amazing creation within.  Flipping through the pages, I couldn't help but be drawn to the question this verse asked:

With whom then, will you compare God?  To what image will you liken Him?
Isaiah 40:18

 

I am all about documenting the moment.  Usually, I remember special moments with the perspective I had when capturing the image.  Even for our wedding, I had to really study the photographer's viewpoint before it felt like the event really took place(!).  Images speak to me, teach me, and help me remember.  But when I ask myself about the Creator of it all ... how can an image(s) begin to render the Great YAHWEH?  The One who brings into existence whatever exists.  What do YOU liken Him to?

 

 Beginning with this image, starts a series of depictions that remind me of special moments when God has revealed a side of Himself to me. 

pic pix: God's pure love...for everyone, Llano Bonito, Panama, Feb.09
 

inspire

It's been hard to be creative lately. From writing here or my journal, playing or composing music, or just having the 'oomph' to start a project ... it's been hard. I've felt a lack of inspiration...

to {inspire}: fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something, esp. to do something creative; breathe or blow into [impart a truth or idea to someone].

When I compared the "state" of my inspiration before to now, I realized I couldn't find an excuse as to why I was not receiving inspiration with my surroundings, gratitudes, and love. Sure, I will face times where I will be in a slump and not as riveting, but right now, things are fun, fresh, exciting and new. So, why is it that I cannot find that urge or ability to do or feel something creative? It's my 'fuel', is what ... HOW I am fulfilled ... satisfied.

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love

And his wonderful deeds for mankind,

For he satisfies the thirsty

And fills the hungry with good things.

Psalm 107:8-9

Much like this bamboo, I'm in a time of seeing variations of myself ... some yellow, fresh green, dried up and peel-able... Parts of me that I have brushed to the side, as I've faced "other, pressing" issues in my life until now, are now being exposed, revealed, even to me. Through this, I am learning, developing, and gaining sweet perspective of my Creator as He continues to provide, nourish, and reach me however I may be.

I flip my attitude and say, because of that, I can know satisfaction and be inspired today ... lucky me, and lucky for you too, as He promises to the same for you!

pic pix: bamboo shafts spotted on our honeymoon, Manzanillo, Mexico, Feb.2011

home

It's been 42 days since we got hitched! Forty-two days that I have been a married woman, a wife! In so many ways, I cannot believe the time has gone by so quickly. Yet in other ways, I still find myself giggling because I cannot believe that it is done and we are one! I've never felt/had quite transformation, adjustment, joy, and gratefulness all in a month's time (+) like this ... it's pretty crazy! We've taken on new roles, titles, and a more integrated way of life. We're creating a home ...

I've always loved to decorate and 'create' a space to make it feel nice. If it's only to set the table for dinner or to showcase art from our travels, I take joy and pride in doing it. As I was rearranging again today (yes, this is almost considered a hobby of mine!), the thought of a home's true meaning really got stripped down as I asked myself, "What makes this physical place our home?" Sure, it's the warmth and coziness of the setup/layout, the memories in every artifact, the heirlooms and decor ideas I brought from my Mom & Dad's, the mere fact that this structure is where I find safety to rest and to just "be".

Growing up, my home was where my family was every night regardless of a quarrel, mess up or bad/good day. Our close quarters didn't define our home, our love did. The creative arrangements of furniture and colors didn't speak what our hearts knew as home, but our love did. "Home" was when we realized and appreciated who each member in our family was and how they contributed to it. A love regardless of location, age, or behavior ... our home = simple love.

Now, as we have our own family (just the two of us!), I see it even clearer how we make our home by our love. Though I quite enjoy setting up and staging niceties and eye stimulators to make the place appear 'homey', it is all in vain and worthless if we don't establish it on what really makes it ours ... our love.

Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do...but how much love we put into that action.

Mother Teresa

pic pix: our first & second home (1-eachother; 2-God's beautiful creation), Highwood River, AB 25.Sep.2010