"Time Heals All Wounds - Or Does It?" - Inspirational Weekend

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."  -  Romans 8:18

True believers realize and hope for the time when we will be in heaven with the Lord and "...God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain:  for the former things are passed away."  Revelation 21:4

Just contemplating on that verse makes you feel good and gives you hope and patience to endure various trials here on earth right now.    But what if the emotional or physical pain seems impossible to overcome ?  Or to endure?  What if the hurt and the reason for the hurt keeps playing over and over in your mind......even years after it first occurred?   "Time heals all wounds". so the saying goes, right?    Or, as some would say, "Time will tell" when we cannot comprehend the outcome of a situation.    

When I was in my senior year in high school,  I wrote an essay titled "Time Heals No Wounds".  It was rather negative in content as I was going through (and had previously gone through) some very difficult and heartbreaking times at that young age.   My English teacher liked the essay, however, and insisted that I read it in front of the class, to my horror, as I was extremely shy about things like that.    I did as she asked, and kept that essay for several years and then it got lost in moving to another state.   

My relationship with the Lord has grown and He has "renewed my mind" (Romans 12:2 and Ephesians 4:23) in these latter years of my life.   However, time may not heal all wounds, but it can make the memory of past hurts dull with time, if you will let it and not be bitter and resentful and nurse the hurt for years and not let go of it.    Forgiveness is the key.   Actually, the good Lord is the key!

"Leave the broken, irreversible past in God's hands, and step out into the invincible future with God."

- Oswald Chambers.

"God uses broken things.  It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength.   It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume.  It is Peter, weeping bitterly, who returns to greater power than ever."  - Vance Havner

So if you are broken, God can still use you.   You can use your experience to help others in their afflictions; to share your faith of how, if God can help you,  He can help them as well.   God can heal our broken hearts.   Psalm 147:3 says,  "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds."  It is God's great and merciful love that heals us.   If you focus on God and Jesus and pray about your situation, you are taking positive action towards leaving the brokenheartedness behind you.   

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:  but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."  -  Philippians 3:13-14

Following is a song for the broken hearted.  Just pretend it is God speaking in the verses.

We must also remember that sometimes God uses heartbreak and afflictions to shape and mold us and teach us some lessons.....the number one lesson is that we turn to Him in prayer and in total surrender to Him and to His will.   Hardships and trials and heartache will cause us to look to God for help and guidance.   God is our Healer, the Master Physician.   If we handle suffering God's way, we bear witness to the Lord more so than we could have otherwise.  Remember the apostle Paul's thorn in the flesh :  "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."            -  2 Corinthians 12:9      Whatever Paul's thorn in the flesh was,  God still powerfully used Paul.   

"Afflictions, though they seem severe, in mercy oft are sent."  -  Unknown

A few months ago, I painted a landscape scene from one of my reference photos, which is shown below:

This is the reference photograph I took of Wind River in Dubois, Wyoming.  I titled the finished painting  "Brokenness Amid Beauty."   The brokenness of course refers to the broken log in the foreground.    Our life can still be beautiful, despite some brokenness in it from time to time.   Keep a close relationship with God and Jesus and you then can always see the sunshine poking through the dark clouds.

"A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance:  but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken."  -       Proverbs 15:13

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."  -  Romans 8:28

"A Sound Mind Amidst All The Turmoil" - Inspirational Weekend

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"This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all; yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil,  and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead."  -  Ecclesiastes 9:3  (KJV)

That is not starting this weekend post on a very joyous note, but stay with me because I am leading up to something good!   The New American Standard Bible says of the same verse, "....full of evil and insanity in  their hearts..."    In other words, to think and do evil is insanity;  sin is insanity.  Yet the same stubborn, habitual, hardened sinners call Christians mad and crazy for their beliefs.   The insanity spoken of in Ecclesiastes  is moral, that of the heart.  By the heart here is meant the will -  a person's voluntary power.  "The conduct of impenitent men is the perfection of irrationality."

Because punishment for their sins seems to be delayed, it only encourages them to more wrongdoing, as stated in Ecclesiastes 8:11.   God is patient and at times delays punishing the sinner because He is long-suffering and does not wish any to perish  (2 Peter 3:9)

As for true believers, 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."  That is pretty positive !   A sound mind from God, a mind focused on Him and Jesus and good works and holy conduct.   Believers may not be perfect, as they still occasionally sin, but they repent and are "washed in the atoning blood of Jesus Christ."  

It has been said that if you can keep your wits about you when everyone else is losing theirs, then you do not have a complete understanding of the situation.   That should not be true of Christians and followers of Christ.   We know the world has gone crazy and is full of violence, wars, crime, crooked and evil governments, and the threat also of global economic collapse.   But we have a blessed hope, and know what the future holds for us later in eternity.   We can weather the storm now because of our faith and because of God's promises.   

"And there shall be signs in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring.  Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth; for the powers of heaven shall be shaken................And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh."

Luke 21:25,26,28

A hymn that fits here and that encourages me follows:

Yes, the world situation is explosive right now; but things are not falling apart, they are falling into place.   Bible prophecy teaches you that.   Many Bible prophecies are being fulfilled all at once now in these last days; and at an accelerated pace, a convergence, if you will. as I have stated previously  here  and also at this post  

Read and study God's Word, pray without ceasing; it will build your faith and also enable you to have a close, personal, and intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ.   And filling your mind with good things and God's Word has the bonus of God giving you a sound mind.

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all things; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  -  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."  - Romans 12:2

"Reasons To Pray and Charles Spurgeon's Sermon on Prayer" - Inspirational Weekend

Someone once said, "Prayer is the highest use to which speech can be put."  That is true, but prayer goes so much deeper and heartfelt prayer draws you closer to God.  It is communication with the Almighty God; you acknowledge Him and thereby give Him credit and honor that is due Him.   If you never talked with your spouse about anything, the relationship would suffer and eventually die.  The same is true where the LORD is concerned; if we never communicate with Him in prayer, there is no relationship with Him, no closeness.   Charles Spurgeon said, "A prayerless soul is a Christless  soul."    Without Christ, you will never have eternal life in heaven.   You will never be able to have a close, personal, intimate relationship with God the Father, because Jesus is our advocate to/with God.  "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not.  And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."  - 1 John 2:1

Someone may say, "I don't know how to pray."   Jesus gave us an example to follow at Matthew 6, called "The Lord's Prayer".   Below is a video with blind artist Andrea Bocelli singing a beautiful rendition of the Lord's Prayer.

One of the reasons we pray is to make our requests known to God.   Sadly, sometimes that is the only way we pray.   We should pray to draw close to God,  to give Him thanks in all things. to intercede for others, and of course to confess our sins to Him, repent, and ask for His forgiveness.  If you notice in the Psalms, often a Psalm will begin with moaning and groaning and complaining, but as the attention is focused on the LORD, the Psalm will end in praise to Him and in thanksgiving.   So prayer can help clear out all the garbage in our minds and life as we focus on God.  It is important to pray in Jesus' name, however.  Sometimes we may think God will not listen to us or answer our prayers, but rest assured he does listen and, more than that, He always listens to His Son.   

"And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it."  -  John 14:13-14

We need to pray to find out what God's will is, and to ask for discernment.  To find that out, we need to spend time "listening" to what God says.   That happens when we read the Bible, because it is, after all, God's Word.   Listening to God happens when we spend quiet time with Him, and we can "hear" a small, quiet voice within our soul  that we will know is God speaking by the revelation of the Holy Spirit.   It may direct us to a Scripture, or prod us into an action the LORD wants us to take.

"God does nothing except in response to believing prayer."  -  John Wesley.   We need to have faith and believe that God will answer our prayers, because without faith it is impossible to please God as stated in Hebrews 11:6.  Keep in mind that you need to pray in agreement with God's will for Him to answer your prayers.   God is sovereign and knows what is best for you; He has plans for you, if you are a true believer, and He will not answer a prayer of yours that goes contrary to His plans and His will for you.  

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."  -  Romans 8:26-27

Below is an excellent sermon by Charles H. Spurgeon, a Baptist preacher who lived in the 1800's and who is known as the "Prince of Preachers."  The sermon is about pleading prayers.

Prayer is Powerful !!

"How To Be Completely Fulfilled" - Inspirational Weekend

"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength......."  -  Mark 12:30

Mark 12:30 (quoted above) tells us to love God above all else, and to love Him with all of our very being.   If that is not right in your soul, then nothing in your life will be right.   God is love,    (1 John 4:16) and He wants to have a love relationship with you.   That is the purpose of your life, to have fellowship with God.    This close personal relationship with the Creator is the most important thing in your life.  And that includes being a follower of Jesus; a true believer in Him as your Savior.

Where to begin?   If you are not saved, have not yet accepted Jesus as your Redeemer and Savior, you need to come to God in prayer and confess all known sin and to truly repent and to bring your life into harmony with God's will.   Confess your belief in Jesus Christ and ask for forgiveness.   God will answer that prayer if you are sincere.

The next step is to pray continually.....the relationship with God cannot grow if you do not communicate with Him.    Also, read the Bible for in it you learn about God and Jesus, their attributes and character and their great love for you.  The love of God was manifested by Him sending His Son to die for us, that we might live through Him.     (1 John 4:9-10),    

In this modern world with all of its electronic devices to distract us, not to mention everyone seems to be living at an unbelievable fast pace with a long to-do list daily,  no wonder the majority of people do not find time to spend in prayer and fellowship with God.   This includes Christians.   How can we expect God to appreciate no attention paid to Him?   All the "stuff" in the world will soon be passing away.   "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.  If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world,  the lust of the flesh,  and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father , but is of the world.   And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof:  but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."  -  1 John 2:15-17

All distractions, whether it be electronic devices or just always wanting more, more, more......and striving after pleasurable pursuits continuously, will keep you from the most important thing in the world which is time and fellowship spent with the Lord.    All of the "stuff" cannot satisfy and fulfill you like a living and loving relationship with God through Jesus Christ.   Wake up !   This world and everything in it will be passing away and, for true believers, a new heaven and a new earth will be our home.  

"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, and the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up.  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,...........Nevertheless, we according to His promise , look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."  -  2 Peter 3: 10-13

Previous posts here have discussed how we are living in the last days.   I am sure you have noticed how violent and crazy the world has gotten, not to mention numerous earthquakes and other natural disasters all mentioned in Matthew 24 and Luke 21 and Mark 13.   Human beings tend to get so caught up in everyday life that at times they don't even give God a thought.  How tragic !   For in God and Jesus is found true contentment, and meaning, and true fulfillment.   He gives peace and joy and comfort and contentment.    I used to be a wreck and a constant worrier; the Lord has taught me how to cast all my cares upon Him  -  1 Peter 5:7   

Spend time with God before you begin each day.  It will change everything !

Below is a lovely video for your weekend.

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."    -   John 16:33

The Beautiful Island of Kauai, Hawaii (Photos and Videos)

Hanalei Bay Pier

Hanalei Beach is a must do on the island of Kauai.   Be sure to take photographs at sunset time if you can.....like I have missed doing each time I have been there.   Maybe next time.   

Kauai is the oldest of the main Hawaiian Island chain, and is found to the most northern point of the chain.  It is known as the "Garden Island."   Much information may be found on the Internet about Kauai; this post is meant primarily to be a visual feast for the eyes.  All photographs were taken by myself; the videos by others.

Hanalei Beach

Hanalei Valley Taro Fields

Taro is a staple in the diet of Hawaiians, and most of it is grown right here in flooded fields.  

Those "white patches" in the photograph are water.

Hawaiian Red Jungle Fowl

Hawaiian Red Jungle Fowl are everywhere to be found running wild all over Kauai as well as the other Hawaiian Islands.    Some are more tame than others; the genuine wild red jungle fowl are more in isolated areas and are not tame.  Many have interbred with domestic chickens.    Notice the rubber slipper.....again, found everywhere in the islands.   People dress very casual here, as a rule.

Kilauea Point Lighthouse

This lighthouse was built in 1913 and for 62 years its light guided commerce ships between Asia and Hawaii.   It is located at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, which is  2 miles north of historic Kilauea town on the northern tip of Kauai.  

There are thousands of migratory birds that use the refuge for resting, nesting and foraging.  You will find red-footed boobies, brown boobies, frigatebirds, tropic birds, and wedge-tailed shearwaters here.

Also, in the 1990's, a few Nene, Hawaii's state bird which is an endangered species, were introduced here and are doing quite well.   Below are some Nene which are interested in a tasty apple.

There are quite a few videos on YouTube showing beautiful scenery found on Kauai.   Below are two I chose for you to enjoy.   Check out YouTube for others.

Kauai has the wettest spot to be found in the United States; check it out.

Go here to find out more about Hawaiian Red Jungle Fowl.

Some other information to be found on Nene, Hawaii's State bird, can be found here

"The Seven Year Tribulation Period" - (End Times Prophecy)

"For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be."  -  Matthew 24:21

There is so much to write about the 7 year tribulation period and so many Scriptures to include that I almost don't know where to begin.  Maybe a good beginning is to say that if you are a true believer, you will not be here during the tribulation period;  you would have already been "caught up" in the Rapture of the Church - Jesus' "Bride" -  to be in heaven with the Lord while God unleashes His wrath on the wicked, ungodly world during this time of trouble, destruction, death, and judgment of the tribulation when God punishes the wicked and defiant people left on earth at that time.

Some time after the Rapture - we don't know exactly how long -  the tribulation will begin when Israel and the antichrist sign a peace treaty, a covenant =  Daniel 9:27.    But 3 1/2 years after signing this treaty, the antichrist will break it when he enters the temple and desecrates it and causes the sacrifices to cease and disrupts the Jews system of worship.   "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)" - Jesus speaking at Matthew 24:15.  This marks the 3 1/2 years of what is to follow:  the "Great Tribulation" of the last 3 1/2 years of that period, which will be the worst ever for  the horrific destruction and afflictions that will be unprecedented in all of human history.  This 3 1/2 year period (or 1,260 days) is spoken of in many Scriptures :  Revelation 12:6, 14; Daniel 12:5-7; Revelation 11:2-3 and others.    

During this last half of the tribulation, the persecution and wrath and judgments will be extremely severe on the Jewish people.   The great tribulation is meant to bring the Jewish people, Israel, to their knees in repentance and for them to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah.   And in the end of the tribulation, when Jesus appears in all His glory as the Messiah, all Israel will be rescued by Him.  

Below are two videos (not mine) that go into greater detail about what happens after the Rapture:

And salvation in the tribulation:

I highly recommend that you watch these 2 videos; they are chock full of interesting and life-saving information.   

As to the fact that many will be saved during the tribulation period, here is Scriptural proof at Revelation 7:9,14 =   "After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands...........And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of the great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."  So, as you can see, many will become Christians during the tribulation period.

Don't be misled and think you do not need to get saved before the Rapture and before the tribulation;  the antichrist will want you to take the mark of the beast (more about that in another post) in order to buy, sell, eat and simply to live and exist.   Men with families may go ahead and think they need to take care of their wives and children and take the Mark in order to do so, only to be eternally damned for pledging allegiance to the antichrist instead of to God Almighty. So a person may cave in and take the mark of the beast out of weakness and self survival. To defy the antichrist and the one world government means certain death, either from starvation and famine or by being killed, probably being beheaded as in Revelation 20:4  =  "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded  for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years."    This is very plain, and when you consider what is even now going on in the present world with all the beheadings of believers, this Scripture really hits home.   As for the mark of the beast, again,  that can be a topic for another blog post, but many scholars believe it will be either a tattoo or more likely an RFID chip implanted in the forehead or the right hand.   That technology is already here and is being used to enter locked office doors, to pay for purchases, etc., and the powers that be want everyone micro chipped by 2017.   Like I say, a subject that needs more attention in another blog post.   

For true believers and for those who endure until the end,  a wonderful future awaits us in heaven with the Lord.

"And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."  - Revelation 21: 3-4

Inspirational Weekend - "One Day at a Time"

"The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe." -            ,,,,,,,,,,Proverbs 29:25

Sometimes the study of Eschatology (study of end times) can bring fear even to Christians if they are not grounded in the saving Scriptures of the Bible.   Some believe Christians will go through the horrific 7 year tribulation period, and that erroneous belief would cause fear to anyone if they are aware of the judgments -- God's wrath - that will be poured out during that time.   I will talk about the tribulation period soon in another post.

This time I am concentrating on taking one day at a time, as the old hymn goes:

"One day at a time sweet Jesus

That's all I'm asking of you

Just give me the strength

To do every day what I have to do

Yesterday's gone sweet Jesus

And tomorrow may never be mine

Lord, help me today, show me the way

One day at a time."

There is more to the hymn, but the above words pretty much sums it up.   In other words, just follow Jesus one day at a time; one hour at a time; one step at a time.   

"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."  -  Matthew 6:34

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."  -  John 14:27

If you are a true believer, you need not be afraid of  many things that vex the world today.  Just put all of your trust and hope in the Lord; He will take care of you and rescue you from the wrath to come. 

There is something peaceful about watching a turtle resting on a log or a rock.    We need to be like that turtle and hold fast to our Rock, Jesus.   He will not let us drown in the murky, dark  waters of sin or this wicked, turbulent world of evil.    If we keep our focus on and cling to Jesus, worry and fear will not overcome us.

"No one can pray and worry at the same time."  -  Max Lucado

"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow.  It empties today of its strength."  -

Corrie Ten Boom

Worry is a sin, because we are doubting God when we worry and are not showing faith in Him.  If we have a close, intimate, love relationship with God through Jesus Christ, we will not be overcome with fear and anxiety.   Christianity is all about a relationship with Jesus more than it is a religion.   If you truly love God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength and all of your mind -- and are a true follower of Jesus - you will have peace that passeth all understanding.   (Matthew 22:37-40;   Matthew 10:38;  Philippians 4:7)

Part of the secret to peace and taking one day at a time is to learn to wait upon the Lord.

Psalm 27:14 says, "Wait on the LORD:  be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart:  Wait, I say, on the LORD."     I wrote a post about that  here , which explains why waiting on the Lord can be a good thing.  

Have a happy weekend !     Below is a beautiful video (not mine) with gorgeous scenery for you to enjoy over the weekend.

Go ahead and smile:

Internet photo

What fun captions could be made for this amusing photograph !   Like maybe a mother saying to her adolescent, "I said don't talk back!"

Enjoy your weekend and be thankful always !

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"Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you."  -  1 Peter 5:7

Inspirational Weekend - "God's Greatest Act Of Grace"

"Once more, never think that you can live to God by your own power or strength;  but always look to and rely on Him for assistance, yea, for all strength and grace."  - David Brainerd, Missionary

These powerful waves in the photograph above remind me of God's great power and strength.  Watching the surf is a spiritual experience for me, even though I am a little afraid of the water, especially powerful surf like this.  I suppose that is like we love God, but are in reverent fear of Him at the same time.   That same reverent fear of Him should guide us in leading godly lives.

Grace is unmerited favor; something we do not deserve.   Many of you may be familiar with GRACE

being  "God's Riches At Christ's Expense."  The gift of salvation that is in and through Jesus Christ is God's greatest act of Grace. It is available for all who accept this gift by faith.  

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God:  not of works, lest any man should boast."  -  Ephesians 2:8-9

By His shed blood at Calvary, Jesus was our substitute and purchased every sinner and, once a believer, you are sealed with the Holy Spirit and are a child of God destined for Heaven.   

Without going into a lot of detail, the good Lord has helped me to overcome many obstacles and I am forever grateful for that and for His love and guidance.   I identify with Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9 :  "And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."  In my life, God has made a way where, humanly speaking, there was no way.   I have learned to follow what it says in Proverbs 3:5-6 , "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."  

I am weak and imperfect, but when I rely on the good Lord He gives me the strength and power to overcome my weaknesses and to carry on when things get tough.   

"Grace, then, is grace, - that is to say, it is sovereign, it is free, it is sure, it is unconditional, and it is everlasing."  -  Alexander Whyte    

"Extraordinary afflictions are not always the punishment of extraordinary sins, but sometimes the trial of extraordinary graces.   Sanctified afflictions are spiritual promotions."  - Matthew Henry

We should be thankful for the gift of grace, and praise God in song and worship.  One hymn that brings me to tears is "Amazing Grace", because I at one time was so wretched but God has made me whole through His Son Jesus Christ and I am so very grateful.   Below is a video of LeAnn Rimes'  version of this moving hymn:

Since God  has been so loving and full of grace towards us, we also should extend grace to others.  We may not be in a position to make large cash donations, but we can show simple acts of kindness and helpfulness to others.   We can be generous with our smiles as well as visit the sick and the elderly.    We certainly need to be forgiving of others.   Look how much Jesus forgave us!

"Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."  -  Colossians 4:6

Remember, God's grace saves us from death and eternal torment.   It also gives us a sense of peace and much comfort to know we are bound for heaven one day.   

"But to the God of all grace, Who hath called us into His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." -  I Peter 5:10

Inspirational Weekend - "Amazing Love"

"Love is the sum of all virtue, and love disposes us to good."  - Jonathan Edwards

And here is to you having a wonderful weekend !  This post is about love - again.  So much can be said about love that it is impossible to put it all in one blog post.   Now I will focus primarily on how much God loves us using Scriptures, videos, and my own reflections on the subject.

Below is a video that shows how much Jesus loves us.

"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."  -  I John 4:10

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."  Jesus speaking at  John 15:13.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not  perish, but have everlasting life."  -  John 3:16

We humans cannot totally comprehend the great love God has for us; God is love, it is His very nature.    I John 4:8, 16.  Everything He does is out of love; yes, even when He disciplines us or allows hardships to overcome us.  Because trials and hardships help mold us into what God desires us to become; we can grow spiritually from His correction.   

Another music video below concerning Jesus' love for us.  "Above All" by Michael W. Smith 

"While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.."  -  Romans 5:8

When I consider all that God and Jesus have done for me and all true believers, it fills me with so much love and gratitude that I could never explain the depth of it all in words.   What amazing love ! Even when I am experiencing trials, I still have peace in my soul because of  the Lord's great love and the fact that I am aware of His presence and helping hand.

"Doubt not His grace because of thy tribulation, but believe that He loveth thee as much in seasons of trouble as in of happiness."  -  Charles Spurgeon

Inspirational Weekend - "The Hurt and the Healer"

"It's not whether you get knocked down.  It's whether you get up again."  -  Vince Lombardi

I hope your weekend is fantastic and that you are well and happy !   People need to be like these palm trees at Haleiwa Beach Park on the island of Oahu, Hawaii.   If you notice, a lot of sand - and hence stability - has eroded away from the base of these palms; yet they are still enduring and still have stable roots to keep them hanging in there.   People need stability as well as deep roots grounded in faith and hope in the good Lord to keep them strong and able to endure the erosions of life's trials, sorrows, anxieties,and heartaches.   Christians as well as unbelievers will have occasion to suffer while on this earth.    Remember, even Jesus suffered mockings, persecution, and eventually death.

It is not my intent to dwell on the troubles of this life on earth, but rather to share some encouraging thoughts and quotes and music to uplift you this weekend.  Jesus said, "And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you."  John 16:22

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.." - Psalm 30:5

Below is a music video to encourage and uplift you.  It is "The Hurt and the Healer" by Mercy Me

God is the Great Physician and Jesus as well, being our Healer.  "....And with His stripes we are healed." - Isaiah 53:5 b

Back in 1998 I went through much hurt and pain when my marriage broke up.  I ended up crying a lot and  traveling for a very long time to try to find my way through the heartache and to find a place where I could settle down and start over again.   I had previously been very secular in my outlook, but I began praying more and more and reading the Bible for some stability.   One Scripture that I read frequently was Psalm 56 and in particular verse 8,  "Thou tellest my wanderings: Put thou my tears into thy bottle:  Are they not in thy book?"

Recently I went to 3 different Bible commentaries to find out what was meant by "tear bottle".

It is an allusion to a very ancient custom by the Romans and the Greeks.   In times of sorrow tears were actually collected and put into tear bottles or lachrymatories as a remembrance.  The word rendered "bottle" in this Scripture means primarily a bottle made of skin, such as was used in the East.  But it could mean a bottle of any kind.   A lachrymatory was a small bottle of thin glass or clay.  Many of these have been found in the ancient Roman tombs.  But the main point in Psalm 56:8 is that God was aware of David's tears and his wanderings and God did keep an account of them.   God cares about us and takes special interest in broken hearts.

"He healeth the broken in heart, And bindeth up their wounds." - Psalm 147:3

Remember, hurt and suffering can be for our well-being.   By it we learn life lessons and we also turn to God for help -- and in faith and obedience.   This pleases the heavenly Father and we in turn grow spiritually in the process.   

"And we know that all things  work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose"  -  Romans 8:28

Another music video follows..."Jesus You Are My Healer" by Don Moen

Think happy thoughts and dwell on good things.   There is much to be grateful for.

"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:"  -  Proverbs 23:7 a

Titan Arum or Corpse Flower (Right Place; Right Time) Videos

Titan Arum or Corpse Flower

Talk about being in the right place at the right time!  Yesterday I desperately wanted to get out of the studio and go on a photo shoot somewhere; I toyed with the idea of the Honolulu Zoo, but settled instead on visiting the nearby Foster Botanical Gardens in Honolulu, which is always a pleasant experience each time I go there.   The lady at the admissions booth happily informed me that the Titan Arum had finally bloomed.  I didn't have a clue what she meant, but smiled and went on my way to the conservatory where there is always a wide variety of orchids and tropical plants.  Immediately my attention (and everyone else's there) was fixed on the unusual and very large Titan Arum, which I later found out is the largest unbranched inflorescence in the world.  I was viewing a "once in a lifetime experience."  There are only about 150 recorded bloomings since records began.     Below is another photo for scale of this oddity.

There was a hole cut in the lower side so you could view it further, and this woman was taking a close up shot of the flower's insides.    Wish I had done that.   I may go back again today; I will call Foster Botanical Gardens for more information after they open their doors in about 3 hours from now.  I want to make sure the flower is still there.   This flower only blooms once every 3 years or so, and once it blooms it only lasts for about 48 hours.   The plant itself can live to be 40 years old with maybe only 4-6 blooms during that time.

Below are 2 videos (not mine) that give more information.   One is a time lapse of the bloom opening at Cleveland Metro Parks Zoo in 2007.

Commentary by David Attenborough

Time Lapse of Titan Arum Bloom

I may do an update soon on this blog about this plant if I visit the gardens in Honolulu again today.  By the way, this plant is also called "Corpse Flower" because of its smell to attract bugs for pollination; it is said to smell like rotting flesh.  

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Australian Parrots - Video

I hope you enjoy the following PBS special videos of Australian parrots.

I have taken many photographs of various parrots in the hopes of creating oil paintings from them in the future.   Some of them are available as prints at Fine Art America if you go to my website there .   

Below is one of my photographs of parrots.

Shown below is a recent still life painting of mine with a Rainbow Lorikeet.  It is available for purchase.

"Heads Or Tails"

12" x 12" oil on panel

Both the live lorikeet and the ceramic kingfisher egg cup are eyeing the caterpillar; thus the title.  

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Charming Haleiwa Town - North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii

Haleiwa is a quaint and artsy small town on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii.  I highly recommend everyone that visits Oahu and Waikiki to be sure to make time for the North Shore.   In the background in my photo above you can see there is a small boat harbor there.  Near the boat harbor is a nice restaurant, Haleiwa Joe's, where I have had lunch several times.

 I just wanted to share more views of the beach in the photos above.   Haleiwa is located on Waialua Bay at the mouth of Anahula River.   Most of the time the water is very calm, which makes it excellent for a family time at the beach with all of your children.

Rainbow Bridge 

Anahula Stream Bridge, also called Rainbow Bridge, is a one-way traffic bridge that spans the Anahula River or stream.  It was built in 1921.  I have painted this bridge on canvas previously; love the blooming African Tulip Tree in the foreground ! Below are my photographs showing some people paddeling under the bridge.

The photo directly above would make a good painting.   This scene is obviously the other side of the bridge they just paddled under.   

People line up and wait for Matsumoto's shave ice, which is said to be the best on the island.   It is similar to a snow cone, but much better.   This popular store in Haleiwa has been open at this location for over half a century.   

Outrigger canoes are always at this particular spot at Haleiwa beach.   Below is one of my oil paintings of the area.

"Haleiwa Paradise"

12" x 16" oil on canvas

Available

An excellent link for more information on Haleiwa may be found at http://haleiwatown.com .  There you will find a video gallery as well as a webcam and photos, and information on restaurants and lodging .  
I have many more photographs I could share, but I will save them for another post.

My Website
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