Weekly Photo Challenge: Reflections ~ Anchored Secure

Reflections ~ Anchored Secure

Is your boat safely harbored,
Readied for each stormy gale?
Are you anchored securely,
Lest there come some rough travail?

Have you found quiet refuge,
Unconcerned by wind or wave?
Are you tethered completely;
Your hope, confident and brave?

Fear, need not loose your moorings,
Or trials your peace assail.
For within the fiercest gust,
There is a Way to prevail.

Why guess how you’ll navigate;
On your own think what to do?
There’s an Anchor for the soul,
Who will never forsake you.

Let go of reservations,
Fix your trust on God above.
Set your compass on His truth;
Your reflections on His love.

****

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”
Hebrews 6:19a
NIV

For similar posts, see Weekly Photo Challenge

From The Daily Post

Photo and poem by Sue Nash/2014

 

Welcome Those with the Smell of the World

Snowy showcase

Where I live, the Bradford pear trees were spectacular this year.  Their coating of white clusters looked like clumps of snow that would easily turn the warming ground underneath into a frosty wonderland if given a good shake or two.

Bradford beauty

Their prolific flowers are beautiful, but they have a pervasive, putrid smell.  The odor is so offensive that it is one of the reasons I let others grow Bradfords.  I prefer enjoying them at a distance.

Beauty Lined

These photos are of the ones lining the parking lot of my church.  Although pretty during other seasons, when showcasing their floral display, they are particularly inviting.  Their snowy beauty welcomes, while the smell of the blooms, very easily overlooked.

When welcoming others to our places of worship, do we open our doors as equally to those with beautiful lives as we do those with the smell of the world on them?  Are we as loving to those we think have it together spiritually as with those who still have the stench of issues?

Not that we should ever neglect to have truth in love clearly spoken from our pulpits, in order that people leave closer to God than when they arrive.  But if we shun those lost and broken, distancing ourselves from them because they still resemble the world, we fail to love like Christ.

He loves everyone, regardless of the condition of the heart.  It is His job to change sin-stained lives.  Following the Lord’s example, our assignment is to love and welcome whosoever will.

Clustered Branches

The reality is that we all reek of sin and are in need of the cleansing blood of Jesus to cover us with His beauty.  A beauty that through forgiveness no longer has the putrid smell of the world; rather the fragrant aroma of Christ.

 “And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”
Ephesians 5:2

© Sue Nash/ 2014

Weekly Photo Challenge: Inside ~ The Shack

A peek inside my daddy’s shack

Inside this shed,
My daddy’s dear shack,
Are now rusted items
He once meticulously tracked.

Things that he loved,
Assorted relics;
Stuff others would discard,
Knowing they never could sell it.

Objects passed down
From his parents to him
And random oddities
He tucked in buckets on a whim.

Within its walls,
Dad’s off time was spent;
A place near his garden,
For tinkering to heart’s content.

Now that he’s gone,
When I go inside
Can’t help thinking of him.
Through memories, he still resides

****

“The memory of the just is blessed…”
Proverbs 10:7a

© Sue Nash/ 2014

For similar posts, see Weekly Photo Challenge

From The Daily Post

Chiseled in Stone ~ Look Closer, Don’t Dismiss the Elderly

Old stone cross in local, historic cemetery

The closer I get
The more a masterpiece you appear

Looking back at them
How replete with memories are your years

****

At a cursory glance, you seem chiseled in stone, of rock quarried from ancient ruins.  Your body weathered, as a once stately elm now tattered from the storms.

To get to know you seems pointless; the path to your heart long trodden, too hardened to trespass.  Your aged years seem to have finalized the need for further discourse.

All too quickly, then, I summarize and dismiss you.  My conclusions cause me to walk away, seeking friendship with a more vibrant sort.

It is only by drawing nearer that I see more.

Close up of the lovely etched flower

There are subtle colors forged into your withered front.  There is a fluidity of joy beneath the frozen surface of your countenance.  There is a fire of enthusiasm smoldering silently within.

A lifetime of memories lie etched in every wrinkled line, wanting to break free from their dormant cocoon.  Waiting for someone to draw them out.  Longing for someone to listen and understand.

“Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.“
Proverbs 20:5

Words and photos by Sue Nash © 2014

Friday Feature ~ Saturate Me Again

Hard to beat the vibrancy of yellow daffodils

*Still not doing well with neck.  Found out today that my vertigo/ear problems are related to the neck problem.  As a result, posts take me a considerable amount of time to create, because extended periods on my PC aggravates the symptoms.  I can only work on them for short periods every few days.  Thanks for your continued patience and prayers.  I have an MRI scheduled for next week.

Last July, I posted a poem called Saturate Me ~ Wanting More of God.  The poem with pictures was one of my more popular posts.

I decided to re post the poem, but use different photos that tie in with the message.  I used two photos that I took of daffodils, and then adjusted the colors for the effects using the Hue/Saturation panel in Photoshop Elements.

Daffodil cluster faded ~ I left the little bug

 I removed all the yellows, rendering the daffodils void of color.

Daffodil ~ bent and faded

Apart from Christ, my life is void and without meaning.  Apart from Him, I am nothing.

Saturate Me ~ Wanting More of God

Humbly,
I submit
To Your cleansing.
My life,
I surrender.
Forgive Me,
  Make my heart brand new.

Quietly,
I listen
  For Your voice.
My spirit,
I yield.
Fill me,
Help me follow You.

Suddenly,
I discover
Your presence.
My desires,
I relinquish.
  Saturate me,
That I resemble You.

Daffodil ~ looking like it is bowing, now vibrant again

“He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.”
John 3:30

I want God to continually saturate me with His presence ~ over and over again.

*Do you have a favorite of the photos?  I always love your feedback!

If you want to see more photos of daffodils, I encourage you to visit a site by my friend, Teri Mett’s, as she featured them in her latest post:
Bungalow Retreat

For similar posts, go to Friday Feature

Words and photos by Sue Nash © 2014

Weekly Photo Challenge: Perspective ~ Barriers

A small sand wall formed by the tide

Sand frozen in time
Layered canyon sea barrier
Tide swiftly washes

When I took this photo, the tide was receding.  An entire section of the shore stood taller than that closer to the ocean, with the sand above separated by the collapse of the wet shore beneath.  The tide had formed a miniature sea wall, like a barrier.

However, when photographed from a close up perspective, the wall looked as large as that of the Grand Canyon, with the shells on the surface above mere spectators of the imposing scene below.

The wall was actually only about a foot high and was really no match for the next high tide. 

Varied perspectives in photography intrigue me, particularly close shots.  I like the details in things, especially in nature.  Things that others sometimes miss.

I also try to appreciate people others dismiss.  It is the reason that for years I have worked with adults with special needs at my church.  They are a group many consider as the least of these among us; cute when young, but forgotten when older. 

Those of us who work with them, though, have discovered a secret; one found only by interacting with them close enough to gain their trust, and by overcoming personal barriers of fear or disdain.

The secret is that those with special needs are some of the most loving, giving people.  Unconcerned and often unaware about their impairments, they instead spend their time just enjoying life and loving others. 

In my short time teaching them, I am the one who has learned.  Had I not overcome the barrier of my hesitations, and drawn near enough to see them from a perspective beyond their disabilities, though, I would have missed out on gaining their sweet friendships. 

As the tide quickly washes away a tiny sea wall barrier, I had to let God erase my fears of loving those viewed as unlovely.  By doing so, the one blessed has been me.

****

“Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.“
Matthew 25:40

For more posts like this one, see Weekly Photo Challenge

From The Daily Post

© Sue Nash/ 2014

Crowned With the Colors of God’s Glory

Color my life with your love and goodness.
Crown my life with your joy and gladness.
Bring me into your presence and promises.
Guide me into your plans and purposes.

The magnificence of spring is getting ready to burst upon the scene, and with its colors dissipate the dreary landscape of winter.  With one stroke, color will brighten the surroundings, and alter the depressive monotony of cold.

Trials and problems tend to drench us in dreariness.  The enemy prefers we succumb to the insidious clutches of gloom, bitterness and doubt – things that dampen the brilliant hues of joy, mercy and hope.

Yet, in one instant, from a single moment in God’s presence, the radiant colors of His glory burst into our very being.  With one stroke, God transforms a heart faded from doubt and sadness into one saturated with hope and gladness.

Into a life crowned with the colors of God’s glory.

“But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.”
Psalm 3:3

Japanese magnolia blooms opening

I am easing back into blogging and photos.  Thanks for your patience with me!
Images and words by Sue Nash/ © 2014

Lift Up Your Eyes to Me ~ Snippets of Rain

Lift up your eyes to Me

I am doing things you do not know.
I am working things out in a way you do not expect.
Keep your trust in Me.

“This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.”
Psalm 118:23

During times of waiting on God to answer our prayers, let us never forget that God neither slumbers nor sleeps.  While we wait, He is doing marvelous things that our eyes will one day see.

Blessings to all. 
Sue/2014

*For about two weeks, I have been struggling with markedly increased neck pain and inner ear symptoms.  Double whammy!  I have been working at my nurse job, but trying to minimize computer time while at home.  Bear with me while I await God’s healing touch. 

He is so faithful to strengthen and minister to us during the trials.

For similar posts, see Snippets of Rain

Give Me Jesus

Take your streets of gold;
Give me a place of no more pain.
Take your mansions
And all manner of heavenly gain.
Give me Jesus.

“And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.”
Revelation 21:5

Due to the neck issues, I am still having to avoid using my PC for posts, so excuse the basic format from my WP app.

I don’t know about you, but although I do long to see streets of gold in heaven, what will mean more to me is being in a place without suffering.

What will matter most, though, is spending eternity in the presence of Christ.

The photo above was an iPhone picture. Miss not sharing more of my Nikon photos! 😁

He Will

At a glance, the only thing that looks different about my post today is that I did not begin with a photo. What you cannot see going on behind the scene, though, is that I am typing this from my iPhone and not my PC (a frustrating endeavor).

There’s a reason. I have experienced a serious setback with my neck pain, and not really sure what caused it. The only thing I can determine is that I did not tolerate the strain from two recent trips. I can usually bounce back, but this time it seems to be heading the other direction.

As a result, I am having to minimize time on computers, since it seems to be aggravating the problem more so than usual. Unfortunately, this includes doing any work with my images. 😒

Using my phone, I can still read and respond to your posts, and also attempt some of my own. As I do, please forgive any typos: me and smartphone typing do not get along!

I desire your prayers, as I am pursuing some measures to alleviate the pain. My journey is nothing compared to what others face, so I hate to sound like a whiner. It’s just that pain is no fun.

But the following passage reminds that no matter the trial, God is right beside us. No matter what we face, He will rescue. He will intervene.

He will.

***

Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
You will revive me;
You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
And Your right hand will save me.
The Lord will perfect that which concerns me;
Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.
Psalm 138:7,8

Blessings,

Sue