Tag Archives: photography

Weekly Photo Challenge: Twinkle ~ A Twinkling Star

Twinkle

A twinkling star
In prophetic alignment
Brought distant kings
On a royal assignment.

A swaddled babe
In the lowliest stable
Secured our hope,
Where before none was able.

A tainted world
In deception and blindness,
No more need be
For God’s Light dispelled darkness.

“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”
Isaiah 9:2

Twinkling Nativity

I received my faux candle as a gift last year and am now using it as a back drop for one of my Nativity sets. Watching it twinkle and swirl is so soothing that it is easily one of my favorite Christmas decorations.

Sue Nash/2014

For similar posts, see Weekly Photo Challenge

From The Daily Post

Packaged ~ God’s Blessings Await

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Packaged

God has packaged blessings for us.
Each one meticulously crafted.
The markings of His favor etched all over them;
His love, folded into every detail.

Opening

Like a beautiful iris tucked neatly inside its bud,
Every aspect of the things God has planned for us
Await their revealing.
Thoroughly readied for us,
Anticipating our discovery.

Revealed

It is easy to grow weary or doubtful, when all we see are the frayed edges of our promises. While we wait, we cannot see what lies ahead and do not know all that God has planned.

Yet He whispers. ‘Hold on, my beloved.
Don’t give up believing for the good things coming your way.’

****

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him”
1 Corinthians 2:9

****

*In a previous post last year, I wrote about how my neighbor’s irises were lovely, while my beds had scanty blooms. See Brenda’s Irises.
Right after my neck surgery this year, though, God surprised me with a magnificent showing of my irises. It was a very sweet blessing!

God has so much in store and loves us more than we will ever know.
Let’s hold on like never before!

**BTW. I continue to improve, but still struggle with excessive time on computers; hence, my infrequent posts. I appreciate your prayers. I do have much on my heart to share, and miss my photos and blogging.

****

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

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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

Weekly Photo Challenge: Perspective ~ Barriers

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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

Weekly Photo Challenge: Threes ~ One Story

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Three Views From the Pier

View from the pier

Together on the pier

Sam the Pelican on the pier

This week’s photo challenge is about threes, or telling a three-picture story.

Readers who follow me regularly have already seen some of the pictures that I took while my husband and I were in Gulf Shores, Alabama recently. Today, I will show more of what we experienced on our trip using this three-picture format.

Three Views Along the Shore

Walking along the shore

Keeping off the dunes along the shore

Seagulls flying along the shore

I like the idea of using three images to tell one story, mainly because of my fondness for the number three. It reminds me of the Trinity.

God manifests Himself as triune, which means three in One. God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.

One God, as three Persons, revealing one magnificent love story for us.

“For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.”
1 John 5:7

For similar posts, see Weekly Photo Challenge

From The Daily Post

© Sue Nash/2014

Follow the Moon Maker

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Also featured on Heavenly Raindrops ~ Images

I’m not being followed by a moonshadow; I’m following the moon Maker.

Follow Jesus.

Click on photo to enlarge.

Feel free to share or use on other websites ~ no fee. Just don’t use for commercial purposes or monetary gain.
Attribution back to this site would be nice, but not required.

© Sue Nash/2014

Friday ~ One Word Description

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La Jolla, California seals

Today’s feature is all about a word. I have one word to describe how I feel.

The problem is that my word is not actually a word (or at least one that I can find through any search). The photo of the seals that I took last year while in California is a hint.

My one word description is:

Kerplutzed
See, I told you that it wasn’t a word, but it just fits!

ker-plutzed ~ adjective

: a sluggish feeling of being washed out
: a sudden urge for weekend recuperation

Examples of KERPLUTZED

*Sue is kerplutzed from the physical strain of car travel last weekend, and then coming home to an ever busy schedule.
*The best remedy for feeling kerplutzed is a heaping dose of weekend rest!

(from Sue’s dictionary)

Do you have one word to describe how you feel today? Perhaps even a made up one like mine? I would love for you to share it, and even though you cannot post a photo to go along with the idea, maybe you could tell us what a picture of it would look like!

BTW ~ Some of you may find me whiny to complain about needing rest, since I just got back from a beach vacation last weekend. Our trip was restful; however, travel is very hard on me physically due to my neck and back issues. The older I get, the harder it seems to bounce back from traveling.

Blessings,
Sue

For similar posts, see Friday Feature

Focused on a Sunset ~ Surprised by God’s Glory

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Sunset reflections

Right after my husband and I arrived at our recent Gulf Shores beach destination, we witnessed the most beautiful sunset. The scattered clouds turned rosy from the sun’s glow, and their reflection in the gentle ebb of the tide was mesmerizing.

Sunset glow ~ my favorite of these sunset shots

I could focus on nothing else.

Sunset end ~ I liked how this shot showed the tide receding

The scene was so mesmerizing, in fact, that I was unaware of something else going on behind me.

Our helpful fisherman ~ taken with a high ISO, making it look like daylight

Had it not been for a nearby fisherman’s suggestion that I turn around, I might have missed a wonderful surprise.

Moonrise first glimpse

Turning, I discovered yet another display of God’s glory.

The sun was gone and darkness had settled, as I caught my first glimpse of a brilliant, full moon rising on the opposite horizon. Although I do not have a strong enough zoom to do it justice, the size and color of the moon against the then dusky blue sky was amazing.

Sometimes we get so focused on one thing or one problem that we miss something marvelous God is doing in another area of our lives. We forget that behind the scenes, He is working tediously on prayer needs for which we have prayed fervently.

Like the fisherman had to get me to turn around to see the gorgeous moon, we need to allow the Holy Spirit to direct our focus from our limited view to the grand picture; of the spectacular things He is doing, often right before our eyes. To see past the temporal to the eternal.

We need to ask God to show us His glory.

Show me Your glory
Exodus 33:18

I will share more moon shots in my next post.

Soar Into Places of Rest

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Sunrise photo I took at Gulf Shores, Alabama

Soar with Me into places of rest
Sing with Me unto joyous celest’
Step with me into palaces blessed
Stay with Me unto eternity’s breadth

****

“Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.“
Psalm 55:6

As followers of Christ, we can enter into His rest anytime and anywhere. However, we all have those times when we feel the need to get away from it all. From the pressures and responsibilities. My husband and I had a chance to do just that this past weekend, by spending time at the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

I have written before about how much I love the ocean. Walking beside it, and listening to the waves lapping against the shore, brings healing to my soul. This weekend was no exception.

As we were driving back home, I told my husband that I couldn’t remember a time that had felt so relaxing and enjoyable. It was a sweet trip filled with special moments of spending time together and of rest.

Since my camera and tripod were on my essentials pack list, I also spent time taking lots of photos. When done sorting, I hope to share many of them with you soon.

I captured the shot above on our last morning at the beach. As I viewed the sunrise and saw the seagull flying gracefully towards the horizon, I thought of how I long to just soar away from all the problems of this life and enter into my heavenly rest.

One glorious day, the Sun will rise in our eternal home and never set. Oh, for that day!