Eagle Wings

"Like Eagles" 

Corel Painter

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

Still waiting to hear from New York Institute of Photography about my photos... tap, tap, tap.  I'm not a very good waiter.  I go through thoughts of, "I failed!  No one wants to tell me!"  Then there's, "Eesh it's only been a week..."  I have to laugh at myself.  So what's the worst thing we can do while waiting?  Sit and think about why we're waiting haha.

This is my husband's favorite verse.  The Lord tells us to wait for Him.  Even in these photo assignments, He has a plan.  Maybe he wanted me to draw an eagle today : )  ... and practice drawing...  We don't know right now, but it'll all be clear one day.  The great part about waiting, is this verse promises we'll gather strength.  Anxiety does the opposite.

I'm still not exactly clear where this trail is leading.   I am sure the best thing I can do is keep working at it.  

I actually found the verse below before I got married.  Sometimes I would get so anxious thinking I'd never find someone.  Then I realized we are all so much more attractive when we're happy and busy.  I have more to talk about and share when I'm with others.  I used to make a date with Jesus.  Just spend the day with Him, thinking about His Word.  It's a great experience to include Him in everything.

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands…
1 Thessalonians 4:11 NASB

I love the simplicity of this verse.  Makes me want to keep busy while I wait.  It'll all work out fine in the end.

Feel free to comment if you like.

Only Jesus

I just submitted my final photo projects to the New York Institute of Photography last Friday.  I shot and re-shot photos looking for perfection.  There's 2 that concern me quite a bit.  I was dwelling on them until I felt anxious and worried.  I realized if I didn't send them in, I'd never finish...  Even the director of NYIP said that we won't do perfect shots.  No one's perfect.  And they will let me know if I need to make changes.  Sometimes I get that way when I mess up too.  I just can't let things go.  As Christians we will never be perfect either.  That's why we need a Savior.  The Bible does promise there will be a day when we'll be perfected in Christ.  But not this side of Heaven.  Letting go of my photos, and sin feels awesome!  The weight is gone, now I can do what I love.

I've been reading a book about Martin Luther (1483-1546), Storm by Reg Grant (it's a great book).  Luther was caught up in his sin.  No matter how many actions he tried to perform, he never felt forgiven.  He was reading the Bible and learned his sin is forgiven by God's grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).  He was so relieved he wanted everyone to know about this.  So he demanded the Bible be made available to everyone.  He was a monk who couldn't keep his mouth shut.  I can't even count the number of versions we have available today.   I am so grateful to be able to read it anytime.

John 5:30-47


Jesus is talking to the religious leaders.  Jesus and the Father are one, so Jesus can't exist without God.  
30 I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.

John the Baptist told the crowds about Jesus.  He bore witness of Jesus and prepared the way for Him.
31 “If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true. 32 There is another who bears witness of Me, and I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is true. 33 You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 

His works, and actions are His testimony.  But the leaders were too blinded by their desire to follow the law.  Hope my actions speak louder than my words.
34 Yet I do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you may be saved. 35 He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light. 36 But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. 37 And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. 

The Scriptures contain His testimony.  So glad God used Martin Luther to get the Bible out.
38 But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. 39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 

Even if we memorized the whole Bible it wouldn't save us.  Only Jesus can.  So easy, yet sometimes hard.
40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

Obeying the law of Moses alone can't save us.  Like Martin Luther realized, our works aren't enough to find forgiveness with God.  We can't purchase a ticket to Heaven.  We only need to have faith, to believe.
41 “I do not receive honor from men. 42 But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. 43 I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. 44 How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you—Moses, in whom you trust. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”
New King James Version (NKJV)

Those pesty sins, we try scrubbing and soaking but they won't go away.  Like the old hymn says, "What can wash away my sin?  Nothing but the blood of Jesus."

Scripture & A Snapshot

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

I'm not always a peace maker.  You can ask my husband : )  This verse is on my calendar for August 2012.  At first, I read it and thought, "I want to be a peace maker."  It's such a wonderful word, "peace."  Then I remembered that dirty look I gave someone last week.  I was grumpy to begin with so I'm not so sure it was an official "dirty look."  But it wasn't encouraging that's for sure.  I think about always smiling whether I feel like it or not.  Fake smiles don't work very well on me...  People know.  God knows when I'm faking it.  He's not impressed.

Maybe making peace isn't about outward appearance and smiles.  Last Sunday our Church had no electricity.  We had a bad storm and the township was knocked out.  It even made the News on TV.  We got to Church and only the Choir Director and Pastor were there.  They figured no one would show up, so they were preparing to shut down.  Something about it made me remember times of worship with no music, no lights, just candles.  Just singing to the Lord.  So I encouraged the Pastor and Choir Director to sing some simple hymns.  After all Jesus said, "Where two or more are gathered in My Name, I will be there."

So we proceeded with a simple service.  Slowly people came, climbing over tree branches and maneuvering the streets.  The Church was half full : )  We sang "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty" (one of my favorites).  The Pastor's message was on how God always starts small and then builds.   An example of this was how Jesus fed the multitudes with some bread and a fish.

As we walked out the door, I had to laugh with the Pastor.  God had provided a living example for us.  In the midst of a disaster, we found peace.  I don't think it's just about smiles, it's about His warm presence in us.  Worshiping together brings a harvest of righteousness (faith).  It's about listening without judging, letting His light shine, making peace.

Feel free to comment if you like : )

Scripture & a Snapshot

"Brown patches of grass"

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

The weather in the USA has been hot this year.  It has been between 90 to over 100 with high humidity.  It doesn't help that the weather reporters color the map bright red and purple in the hottest spots.  There were several wild fires in the west- just came out of nowhere.  The bright, green grass is turning brown.


Sometimes life feels like that too.  We get bored or stuck.  Our faith feels dry and empty.  In this verse David is earnestly seeking God.  His soul thirsts and body longs for Him.  With all the political things and craziness in the world today, I long for Him too.  The truth is He is always with us.  Reading His Word is like a fountain spraying me out of the dryness, reminding me of His presence and plan.  So glad He gave us the Bible.  One of my friends used to call it, "The Human User's Guide."


When I am in good spirits, I can sense His presence with me.  I have joy.  It used to drive my co-workers crazy, because I'd usually smile at work.  Some became jealous and thought my job was better than theirs.  The jobs I had weren't wonderful.  But the truth is, the Lord blessed me with joy.  His blessings are for all of us.    


I still have times of drought focussing on everything but God.  When those times come, I remember this verse and make it my prayer:

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Psalm 51:12

Feel free to comment if you like : )


Side note- we just got back from vacation last week.  I went outside and took this photo this morning.  Sorry to have missed you, but I'm back now.

Dead shall rise

Sometimes I am so caught up in today, I forget about Heaven.  I think of:  how our country will come through our current troubles, what I should make for dinner, the chores I need to do.  Yet all of this is temporary.  One day we will rise and be with Jesus.  What a wonderful thought.  Heaven awaits.


After the Jewish leaders decided to persecute Jesus because He healed on the Sabbath.  He admitted He is the Son of God.  He went on to tell them more.  I can imagine the gasps coming from the leaders, and whispers, "Did you hear what He said?"
"He must be stopped!"
"Blasphemy!"


The miracle of healing the paraplegic, and all the other miracles Jesus performed didn't matter.  They were focussed on the one thing they understood, and thought they could control, the law.  Problem is it wasn't their law, it is God's.


If you've worked in an office you can understand this mentality.  There's always someone who watches the precise moment you walk in the door.  Those who look over your shoulder to make sure you're working.  I always wondered why they weren't working...  It seems to be human nature to try and control what other people do.  


Deep down I imagine the religious leaders were never satisfied.  They were trying to do God's job and they weren't very successful.  We never know the whole story like He does.  We need His love to understand the law.

John 5


Jesus wasn't worried about what they thought.  He just kept talking.  I wonder what their faces looked like when Jesus talked about raising the dead: jaws dropping, eyes popping, disbelief, confusion.  I'd probably feel the same if I saw people rising in a graveyard.  But it will happen, it has happened before.  This is a miracle I don't want to miss : )


19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 2 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so l also the Son gives life to whom he will. 22 The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.


If someone told me this before I became a Christian, I'd be running for the door.


25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
ESV


It wasn't long after this conversation that His words became reality.  After Jesus' human body died on the cross, this is what happened:


Matt 27:52-54
52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
ESV


I always wonder who was there.  Maybe King David, poor old Jonah, Noah, so many great people.


This is a prophecy from the Old Testament.  It was all written and accessible to the religious leaders.  Yet they never made the connection with Jesus.  I can only pray that I will see and understand what's going on around me- make the connection.   



Hosea 13:14
I will ransom them from the power of the grave;
I will redeem them from death.
O Death, I will be your plagues!
O Grave, I will be your destruction!
Pity is hidden from My eyes.
NKJV


As Christians we now have a new hope.  We will see our loved ones once again, those who believe.  Our death won't end in a coffin, our lives will begin in Heaven.  New bodies!  No more disease or ailments.  No more temptation to judge others.  The presence of God; His love surrounding us.  


1 Corinthians 15:55
"O death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?"

NKJV

Scripture & A Snapshot

"Shoot the moon!"

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

I have many praises this week.  My brother, who almost died of liver cancer, then got a transplant in March, went back to work last Monday.  The worst part for him was telling and re-telling everyone about the surgery.  Thank you so much to all who prayed!  And to God who said, "Yes!"  I think I say that everyday... 


I am adjusting to the fact that I have arthritis but still try not to think about it too much- it can't be that serious.   I found my limitations trying to lift a bag of kitty litter into a very tall trash can...  My hubby told me to let him do that.  Maybe it's time I do.  Makes me smile to think about it.  Arthritis is a great motivator to keep me exercising : )  As far as Sjogren's, I called my doctor to ask her and she told me, "Nope if you don't have dry eyes and mouth, you don't have it."  Praise God!


Sometimes I think about all the planets in the sky, the details on the earth, and the billions of people.  We have fireflies in the backyard : )  I can't help but wonder at the awesomeness of God.  He is everywhere at once.  He sees us individually.  He hears every prayer.  His power is far beyond our grasp.  He knows our limitations, everything about us, and tells us:

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.
Matt. 11:29

Be gentle and humble in heart, so our souls will find rest (and our bodies).  Amazing God, amazing grace. 


You may have guessed astronomy is my hobby.  I was so excited to find this book Indescribable on Amazon.  I haven't read much of it yet.  It's about seeing God through astronomy.  It has lots of photos, I'm looking forward to it.


Here's the song from Chris Tomlin Indescribable.

Scripture & A Snapshot

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

I only had a blood test this year.  I figured my body was tested thoroughly last year.  It turned out that my blood was positive for an auto-immunity disease.  Yikes!  My doctor sent me to a rheumatologist (after recommending ibuprofen and a chiropractor).  What I have is arthritis, which the young rheumatologist was excited to point out.  She kept asking, "Does this hurt?"  


I'd reply, "No."  


"You have arthritis here.  I'm surprised it doesn't hurt."


I was also diagnosed with Sjogren's (sho-grin).  Problem is, I don't have the symptoms (dry mouth and eyes)...  So that's a mystery.  If symptoms show up I'll know what to do.  


The next few days I spent thinking about how my knees, elbows and wrists hurt.  "...distracted by so many things," I felt pain.  Then I realized if it didn't hurt before it probably isn't that painful now.  So I rode the bike for 20 minutes.  Pain gone : ) 


Sitting and worrying is one of the worst things to do.  I wonder if we're too smart for our own good these days...  Martha was worried about fixing dinner for Jesus and the disciples. Her sister Mary sat at Jesus' feet listening to His every word.  Jesus was most pleased with Mary.  This prayer has been attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr.  

Serenity Prayer


God, give us grace to accept with serenity

the things that cannot be changed,

Courage to change the things

which should be changed,

and the Wisdom to distinguish

the one from the other.

Living one day at a time,

Enjoying one moment at a time,

Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,

Taking, as Jesus did,

This sinful world as it is,

Not as I would have it,

Trusting that You will make all things right,

If I surrender to Your will,

So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,

And supremely happy with You forever in the next.

Amen.

Sort of puts things in perspective.  I prayed for wisdom as to what to do.   Today, I walked on a local trail and lifted weights, "accept the things that can't be changed... change the things that can..."  Exercise and prayer are great medicine.  Focus on the Lord, read and listen to His Word.  A little chocolate helps too : )









Challenge sponsored by Katie Lloyd Photography.