Eleanor and A Promise - A Texture Tuesday

Free and easy today...

As I looked at this quote by Eleanor Roosevelt...it struck me as familiar...reminded me of an older quote...a wiser quote!

...and as your days, so shall your strength be.

Deuteronomy 33:25 (ESV)

And my question I pose, if this is God's promise, why am I relying on myself alone?

For Textured Tuesday...

Traveling Light

Just a little, easy and light post that incoporates homework from Day 5 of Beyond Beyond...the newest e-course from Kim Klassen.

This Day 5 was jam-packed with content...but part was a challenge to add light to your photos...



Now, Kim has the luxury of an old antique home with large windows and a second story floor high above anything in her neighborhood that would block the glorious daylight...

This poor schlogger, and some of my other photo friends, aren't so lucky...standard size windows, bad natural light, or not even being home when there is the best light...

So rather than crying in our beer coveting Kim's house...she gave us some secrets to overcome this little obstacle.

 

But I cannot share these secrets...or my gangsta Kim Klassen groupies will find me and cut me...you know who you are! <smile>

My "studio room" is a light gray with white beadboard...but these original wooden mini blinds from the previous owner HAVE to go...

So...instead...I ordered some MarthaWindow (ooooooooooooooooooooooh) sheer grommet-top panels from JCPenneys and some great hardware to "go with"...a nice airy look that will provide some nice light diffusion in that room.



I'm stoked...inspired...ready to rumble...but first...



a cup of coffee...and a tiny dish of mocha mudslide ice cream...the cheap brand (Great Value) from Walmart.  It is to DIE for...  Just look at these stars!

Until next time (gotta run and get my OLW vision board done!)

Texture Tuesday and a Splash of Hope

For Texture Tuesday this week, Kim challenged us to focus on the color orange and use one of her textures in our image.  Here is my composition...using her texture:  urban.

Sometimes that which we fear

strengthens our spirit

and gives us a splash of hope.

~~ Harley King

 I cannot help but think of the term "fear" in the same way that we think of the word "reverence" or "awe."  Psalm 111:10 tells us,

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding.  His praise endures forever! (ESV)

So, taking Harley's quote, and applying to this meaning of fear, I would write,

The reverence and awe of the Lord gives us strength and hope in Him is incessant in my life.

Hope on!  Happy Texture Tuesday!

 

When You Run Out of Fantastic...

We just started a series in the book of Hebrews at church...whoa, heavy duty...and definitely NOT a fast read...kind of like mining for precious treasures...or coal with a three-foot ceiling with a pick axe.  Not easy, but the effort is worth it!

Actually, Hebrews is one of my FAVORITE books...partly because of what I read long ago.  I remember a book I read as a young adult attending Mount Vernon Nazarene University...

When You Run Out of Fantastic...Persevere! by Reuben Welch...the best down-to-earth book on Hebrews I've ever read.   I had no idea Hebrews was so challenging...as this was my first real exposure.  But Reuben is down to earth...having heard him speak multiple times, one of his Reuben-isms he used often was, "I think I think..." and then would go on with his point.  But I digress...

Another way of saying the theme of Hebrews is:   when you run out of FANTASTIC...HANG ON!

 
I need to get that book out as we are going through this series and I'll be writing about it more about my journey on this blog.

About ten years ago, I worked for the vice president of manufacturing for a major printing company (before I changed careers).  When he walked enthusiastically around the plant and the corporate offices, people would say, "Hi Bob...how are you?"  His response was always, "FANTASTIC!"  He wanted to project a good attitude to those he led, whether he felt it or not.

Sometimes you do run out of FANTASTIC...and I'm sure that it's important to continue to show gratitude and praise to God before the world.

My fear is that we lose our authenticity, at least among each other in Christ, if we do not openly share about waning level of FANTASTIC, so we can encourage each other and lift each other up.

Reuben once wrote in his best-selling book, We Really Do Need Each Other,

We Christians can be awfully hard on each other,” said my friend Reuben Welch once. “We are especially hard on each other when it comes to the things that matter the most. And we can be just as hard on each other about the things that matter the least.”

....My friend Reuben once said that “Sure, people need Jesus, but most of the time, what they really need is for someone to be Jesus to them.”

Regardless...I know I have a High Priest with whom I can be authentic...without shame...without hesitancy...because of one of my favorite verses that just happens to be in Hebrews 4:15-16:

¹⁵For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

So when I run out of FANTASTIC, I go to the throne...He understands...He's been there...and He's the road underneath my feet.  But sometimes we need to be Jesus with skin on to each other...isn't that what the Body is for?