Photo every day, Lent 2016:see

Here is today's photo on the theme of 'see'. I see the sea!!! It is often the most simple things that bring us joy. This was the view from my hotel room whilst I was on retreat earlier this week. Isn't it amazing? God's creation never ceases to amaze me. 

Photo every day, Lent 2016: joy

Today's theme is joy. I have been trying to focus on the good things in life and what brings me joy so it seems a good topic to me. I hope the photo makes you smile..

Photo every day, Lent 2016: covenant

I have been on a ministers retreat and thinking about today's theme of 'covenant'. My covenant with God is to live out the call he has placed on my heart as well as I am able. I feel inadequate at times but it's not about me and what I do. It shouldn't be about relying on me but about relying on God. Here is a poem that materialised today...

To serve you

To serve you

Isn't easy

yet here I am 

With open heart 

and hands outstretched 

To meet you

To greet the stranger

To love the outcast

To worship you in essence.

To say here I am

Send me.

To serve you

With every ounce of me.

All that I am

And meant to be.

I listen for instruction

But sometimes you say,

'Just simply be,

Stop, 

Relax

Breathe deeply

Lean on me.'

To serve

I need to observe

The season of change

The call of your Word

That disturbs the tranquility

In silent humility

I offer myself

Once more to your call

I listen some more

Then you whisper to me

'Just walk through the door.'

Copyright revdjo 24/2/16

Photo every day, Lent 2016: live

Today's photo theme is 'live'. How do you choose to live your life?

Photo every day, Lent 2016

Today's photo theme is love... This is a photo I took of the Last Supper which hangs in St George's Church, Nailsworth. I have blogged about this before.

Photo every day, Lent 2016: refuge

Today's theme is 'refuge'. God is my refuge, my hiding place. God is my defender, my shield. My hope is firmly in His word, my hope is in God.

Photo every day, Lent 2016: mighty

Today theme is 'mighty' which made me think of the ocean and this passage inIsaiah  43:16-21

This is what the LORD says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, 

17 who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: 

18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.

19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. 

20 The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen,

21 the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise. 

Photo every day, Lent 2016: go

Today's photo theme is 'go'. I am reminded of Ruth's words, 'Where you go I will go, where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God.' (Ruth 1:16) Time to light the burner and fly with God...

Photo every day, Lent 2016: settle

Today's theme is 'settle'. In order to feel settled we need to feel comfortable in out surroundings and know that we belong. Someone looks rather settled here...

Photo every day, Lent 2016: celebrate!

Today's photo picks up the theme of 'celebrate'. Celebrating birthdays and special occasions is important. It is part of being human. It is part of showing we care. This is a photo of my mum celebrating her 82nd birthday last year. 

Photo every day Lent 2016: injustice

I think this photo speaks for itself as far as today's topic of 'injustice' is concerned. It is 'Shot at Dawn' at The National Memorial Arboretum in Litchfield. I would encourage you to see it for yourself.

Photo every day Lent 2016: look

Today's word is 'look'. 

Why are you so anxious? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they took not, neither do they spin. Matthew 6:28

Photo every day through Lent 2016 - voice

1“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 

Photo every day Lent 2016: Gather

My intention is to blog a photo every day during Lent. I may comment, I may not. There will no doubt be a poem or two. These are the words I will be using:

Today's word 'gather' brings me to these baby birds gathered in a nest all waiting for mummy bird to come back with some food. 

Psalm 91:1-4

Whoever dwells in the 

shelter of the most high,

Will rest in the shadow 

Of the almighty.

I will say of the Lord,

'He is my refuge 

And my fortress,

My God in whom

I trust.'

Surly he will save you 

From the fowlers snare

And the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with his feathers,

And under his wings you will find refuge;

His faithfulness will be 

your shield and rampart...