Living For God

Quote by Henry Blackaby in the book Experiencing God-

“Look around you and see what God is doing, then join Him in it. “  Pretty simple, yet powerful, suggestion…

Easy Tips For Better Pictures

I’m not an expert photographer (yet!) but have picked up a few tips over the years that have dramatically improved the pictures I take. By changing a few simple things, with any camera you can take better pictures. Let’s use this one as an example of what went wrong.

1)  The angle is too high 2) There is too much clutter in the foreground that is irrelevant to the scene 3) The camera wasn’t focused

This scene wasn’t captured well, because there wasn’t enough thought given to the main focus…the kids and their interaction. Let’s look at another one,

This is taken with an inexpensive point and shoot but still a big improvement. I see two big reasons:

1) The subject is centered with an even amount of space in the front and rear 2) There is enough of the playground equipment to capture the essence, but not so much as to distract from the child 

Lastly, these shots represent what a difference angles make. Remember the first picture, too high of an angle? Coming down directly above, or slightly to the side of the subject creates strong visual impact.

Experiment! Digital cameras open up a cost-free way to explore our creativity without having to purchase all the mistakes. Your skill level will continue to improve, along with your pictures. Any tips you’d like to share? 

Do You Want Peace?

This morning I had to inch my way downstairs to a heating pad, carefully leaning over to read my devotions. A sudden onset of severe back pain on Thursday has made for an uncomfortable few nights. Through heavy lids I settled in to read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18,” Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” These words have taken me through many years, tucked away in my mind to guide my thoughts. When I first studied these words, they were confusing. How could we possibly carry this out? Here is an example of how I apply them:

* Being joyful doesn’t mean be fake happy every second. The joy comes in the relationship of Jesus walking with me. The real joy is actually peace

* Praying continually is how we keep our thoughts centered on what matters. Fleeting challenges or long-term requests. Keeping the dialogue open with God helps keep our spirits settled

* One of the best disciplines I have found is to give thanks in all circumstances. Training my eyes to recognize that in difficult times, giving thanks reminds me of my Hope. It keeps me grateful  when it would be easy to fall into self-pity

As I looked out the window, I was delighted by the intense pink sunrise. I am a night owl who doesn’t relish mornings. But that back pain allowed me to appreciate the most beautiful sunrise I’ve seen in months. I took a cup of Cozy Comfort tea into my office, realizing I hadn’t been up to enjoy a cup of tea all winter. Setting it down, I noticed the flittering sparrows that keep me company each day framed behind the mug. Our surprise evening snowfall made a beautiful background to display their frenetic energy. The mug itself brought joy, reminding me of a weekend getaway years ago with my husband. I heard rustling outside the window and noticed the first Robin of the season. Right next to the first Mourning Dove, maybe one of the pair that has nested on my porch for two years. I suddenly noticed that the grass which seemed so dead yesterday has blades of green poking through the thin layer of white.

Learning to look for these things ensures that most days I am truly joyful. Today is easy and wonderful. Some days are devastating. Regardless, I try to live out this verse, for my own sanity. I thank God for His creation, for memories, even (and especially) for heating pads, for the comfort of knowing I have a precious husband and two children sleeping upstairs. They are warm, healthy, happy. This day holds countless special gifts. Even in pain, I will choose to look for the comfort. I hope you’ll join me.  What brings you comfort and peace?

 

Cheap Art Supplies for Art Journals

This year one of my goals is to create an art journal. You must check out the links below to these ladies sites, they are bound to inspire you as well. I do not consider myself an artist, yet am definitely artistic. That said, I also believe we are all capable of creating beautiful things. The cost of art supplies can be prohibitive, and thankfully Michael’s is coming to the rescue. Each of these items are part of their $4.99 collection. Perhaps if you are beginning from scratch, one thing at a time is within your budget. If not, use what you have!  I’ll post my creation for all to see if you’ll promise to reach outside of your comfort zone along with me. And, if you’d like to share, I’ll post your work as well! Sometimes getting started is the hardest part. Remember, if you are inspired by someone’s work, mimic it! Many great artistic souls learned their craft by copying the masters. If you have a great place YOU find encouragement for art, come post the link!

http://www.karenika.com/archives/20351

http://marthalever.blogspot.com/

http://balzerdesigns.typepad.com/balzer_designs/2011/10/30-days-in-your-journal-what-do-i-need.html

Here is a video to get you started, and youtube has TONS of others  http://balzerdesigns.typepad.com/balzer_designs/2010/08/hand-lettering-for-your-art-journal.html

 

 

 

Stop Listening To The “Shoulds”

James 4:14 recently prompted introspection into the best way to use our time.

“Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” ¹⁴ How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. ¹⁵ What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”

Have you ever noticed how much time we spend thinking “Oh, when I finish that things will be easier”, or something similar? It is easy to believe that the peace we desire will be in our grasp if “only” we can accomplish something. This is like chasing the wind. When one project is completed, the reality is that many things have come into our lives to replace it. How often do we deny ourselves things like rest, because the should monster sits on our shoulder? It whispers in our ear, “Not until…..” or “You should be doing…”.

Really? We endlessly tend to plan, wait , miss out on what is important listening to the shoulds. How much richer would life be to stop and enjoy the moment? Trust that in it’s due time, things will get done? Even on busy days we can believe God will give us strength for that day’s tasks. The only should we need to obey is the living out of God’s truths. I don’t want to waste my life away rushing, always rushing, to the next thing on my list. Because the list will never end.

God has blessed my life. So how will I live out and find my unique purpose? How will you? We can stop planning for tomorrow. We can assess what (who) truly and deeply matters and seize every chance to live intentionally pursuing it. We can refuse to harbor grudges. We can love our neighbors. We can work on the projects that bring us joy. We can move up that proverbial bucket list and live it today, while we are able! Tomorrow is a possibility, today is the present, A present.

Defining Success For A Christian?

Quote by Brooke McGlothlin, “Love your family. Make the sacrifices God requires of you to love them well. There will be time for your success later. And for the Christian, your success was never intended to be your life’s pursuit.”