Remembering...

Eight years ago I said good-by to my older sister.  Doing that on the phone from over 2000 miles away was one of the most painful experiences of my life. Two days later she was home with her Lord...because she believed in Him, and Him alone, to save her.

 Her life was an example and inspiration to me-from way back when we were growing up together til the last moment of her life. She supported us in our mission work with gifts, prayers, letters  and encouragement from the beginning and her husband still continues to do so.

Bonnie, I love you and I miss you. You were (and still are) an amazing and wonderful sister!

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you." (Philippians 1:3)

Favorite Foto Friday #4: Double Exposure

Since I missed doing this last week I think it gives me the right to post two pictures today! Yes, that's right, whether you agree or not.

I've had fun using a colleague's fancy (in comparison to mine) camera the past several days. Here's one of my favorites from the many "test" photos I took, a little saffron finch (Sicalis flaveola) that comes to sit on the fence every morning, only a few meters outside the window. It was a wish come true to be able to get such a clear close-up picture of one of my feathered friends. Such a pink blessing!

And here's one from today, fresh off the press so to speak. This lovely lavendar rose is part of an arrangement of flowers I made for a graduation service tonight. My second arrangement ever! I could tell more blessings around this whole story but...this is just about favorite photos, right? I hope you enjoy this photo as much as I do. It is a feast for the eyes!

TRUTH

I love the simple and beautiful truth of God's Word!

We don't like it when people lie. We like to know what the truth is even if it hurts. It makes our life safe and secure, it gives us hope and joy, it gives meaning, structure and reality to our own little private world and to the wide world around us.

Where do we find truth? In God's Word. He is the only One who is incapable of lying. He is the only one Who knows all truth for He IS truth! He said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life..." (John 14:6)

Why do so many people insist on having the words of some human being as their basis for truth? Why do they prefer to believe the words of  unstable, untrustworthy, fallible men instead of the truth of the one and only, true, faithful, and loving God of the universe? He Himself said that He cannot lie. Why don't we believe Him?

There are many who say they believe Him, but when they also believe the words of others who contradict God's words they are really calling God a liar.

That is so sad and it often pains my heart. But I am so thankful that the truth of His Word remains, no matter what man says or tries to do to it!

"For Thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and Thy truth unto the clouds." (Psalm 57:10)

"For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations." (Psalm 100:5)

Giving Thanks

Our celebration of Thanksgiving is this week. But who says we have to stick to one day each year to thank the Lord for His goodness to us? Hopefully we do that every single day!

"O  give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever.
To Him alone who doeth wonders..." (Psalm 136: 1and 4)

Favorite Foto Friday #3

A morning sky scene...


The camera never captures the full beauty of such moments!
"Cause me to hear Thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in Thee do I trust..." (Psalm 143:8)

The Cross

Over the past few days I have been impressed and stirred once again by the importance, power and beauty of Christ's death on the cross. What mercy, grace and love was shown there on that day long ago...for everyone, but also (and this boggles my mind) just for me!

Because of His death and resurrection we have all we need for salvation. We are complete in Him! He has promised this and His promises never fail.

I heard this song the other day and it touches my soul every time I hear it. It's beautiful!
"And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power." (Colossians 2:10)

Brazil's National Flower

At this beautiful Spring time of the year, Brazil's national flower, the ipê (of the tabebuia family), is in full bloom, gracing the land with its exquisite blooms. There are different colors, mainly yellow, white, pink and purple. This young yellow one is on our Bible college campus and I couldn't resist giving it a photo session as I saw it brightly shining in the sunlight!

A closer look at the flowers... A couple years ago I planted some seeds from a purple ipê. Three or four sprouted but only one survived. Last month I donated the almost 20-inches tall plant to the college to join her cousins as they beautify the campus. This photo is not one that I took, but is of one like it's "mother", just a block or two from our house. Hopefully it will one day look like this!

"And the earth brought forth grass...and herb...and the tree...and God saw that it was good." (Genesis 1: 12)
(purple ipê photo: inuticultura.wordpress.com)

Favorite Flower Foto Friday #2

A daylily seen yesterday as I walked in the city park.