Delight in His Creation

Recently, in an art video in a class by Sheila Atchley, I was reminded to take delight in God's creation as He does. To delight in something is not to worship it, but rather to take pleasure in it, to find joy in it. Nature shows us the beauty and creativity of God. My favorite way to delight in God's creation is through nature walks with my camera in hand.

"Worship the Creator; delight in His creation." ~Sheila Atchley

Today I am simply going to share some of the photographs I have captured of God's creation over the past few months.

Loons at my sister's lake.

 

 

Time Between the Old and the New

I really love this time of year. For two weeks life slows down for me. I enjoy taking time to look back over the past year and reflect on the happenings of my life, while at the same time looking for the direction God is pulling me in for the new year. I love the crisp, clean edges of a fresh new year, a chance for a fresh start. A year full of empty and clean white spaces on the new calendar.

Shelly Miller, of the Sabbath Society, calls this time at the end of the year, "Sabbath margin - a sacred stretch of time between what was and what is yet to be". What an apt description of wonderful time of year. As I move from a year of "Rest" - my 2016 word for the year, it seems that the word "restoration" is calling me to spend the next year journeying with it. Restoration feels like it is flowing out of my time in rest. So I'm sticking with it. Let's see what the new year holds!

"Sabbath margin - a sacred stretch of time between what was and what is yet to be."

But I'm not quite ready to leave 2016 behind. This past Monday the day was overcast but in the mid-50's -  a treat in the Midwest winter! So we decided to get out of the house a bit and went to explore our city's newest park Middlegrounds Metropark. This park is located in downtown Toledo on the banks of the Maumee River on ground that used to house the roundhouse for railroad shipyards. So while it is on the river, it is also planted in the middle of old industrial buildings, which made for some great scenery for those of us who love paint-chippy, rusty vintage things - including buildings! On our way out we passed the old Oliver House Hotel which now houses The Maumee Bay Brewing Company and a few other restaurants. They have great old-school advertisements painted on the brick exterior. Enjoy the photos and have a Happy New Year!

One Little Word May

My word for 2016 is Rest. It has been both an encouraging and a challenging word. I chose this word for two main reasons: I lean toward burn-out often and I am trying to establish a rhythm or pace of life that incorporates downtime and includes the practices and things that give me energy. This is rest. And the second reason is I cannot do number one and juggle a very hectic and busy,yet satisfying, full time job in ministry without resting (depending) more on God. As I've written before, some years have been more successful than others as I have participated in Ali Edward's One Little Word. I am determined that this year I will connect with it all year. Ali's prompts and activities are really a great way to make my word an active part of my life. I did, however, skip April and am giving myself permission to be okay with that! For April I just did a quote on the divider page.

In May our challenge was to get behind the lens of our camera and take photos of things that capture our word for us. At first I thought it would be difficult to visualize rest, but then it really just became an exercise in capturing images of the things that bring me energy and help me rest.

(Photo: Church cemetery in Charleston, SC)

For me, the rest I seek most is to rest in God. Doing so brings great peace.

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

(Photo: Beulah Beach on Lake Erie)

(Photo: Church cemetery in Charleston, SC

(Photo: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge)

Not only do I enjoy birding and bird photography, but they are also a reminder to trust God - to rest in Him.

"Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" Matthew 6:26

The flip side of my May divider:

And the flip-side of my photo pocket page: