Some skies

Sunsets over Lake Amistad and around here. Has been so cloudy here the past couple weeks I just wanted to share some nice sunsets. :)

We love because [God] first loved us. -- 1 John 4:19

It's all very simple. God is love. He is love's origin, example, and architect. I love because he loved me first. I know how to love because he has demonstrated it. I can love because he made me in his likeness and to share his character. He is the fountain, the motivation, and the pinnacle of love. I love because he does, first, last, and always.
God of comfort, thank you for comforting me with your love. Just as a child learns from parents how to do so many things, I want to learn to love as you do: sacrificially, selflessly, and submissively so that others may know that they do not have to earn your love, only receive it. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

God bless

Maranatha

dns

Smiles

A warm day and plenty of God's creatures enjoying it including me.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. -- 1 John 4:18
What is there to fear since God sent his Son to die to redeemus? What is there to fear since we cannot be separated from the love God has for us in Christ Jesus? What is there to fear except ourselves, and God has poured his Spirit into our hearts to reassure us and strengthen us in our weakness! As we love God and his children, we are reminded of his love for us which is far better than our meager love for others. Rather than run from Him in fear, we bow before Him in thanks knowing that He who hears our prayers is also He who loves us and yearns to calm our fears.

Loving Father, thank you that I can reverence you with outfearing your wrath. Thank you that I can revere your word and yet not be terrified with my in adequacies. May your love in me produce a closer likeness to your holiness, righteousness, justice and mercy than all the laws, threats, and judges combined. I pray in the mighty name of Jesus, who ransomed me from sin and poured out his love upon me. Amen.

God bless

Maranatha

dns

Sunning

Like me, these guys were enjoying the sun shine today. :)

Dinnertime...

Went out today at lunch time.

Ducks

Some blue wing teal and a hooded merganser.

Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. -- 1 Corinthians 13:6-7
Always love - pretty tall order and pretty tough stuff. Only God is always. But then Christians are fueled to an always love through the Holy Spirit! Elsewhere, Paul tells us that "The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Rom. 5:5) No wonder this love is always -- it is God's love, demonstrated by Jesus' sacrifice, and delivered by the Holy Spirit!

Sweet and Glorious God on High, I humble myself before you recognizing your boundless power to love, the incredible need for love in the lives of those around me, and my limited ability to love. Please pour your Holy Spirit into my heart and fill me with the power to love as you do, always. In Jesus' sweet name I pray. Amen.

God bless

Maranatha

dns

Little guys

Sparrow???
Common Yellowthroat
Vesper Sparrow

These little guys were hunting today. It was cold and they were doing it. :)

dns

Eagles

Caracara or Mexican eagle. Pair has returned to SB.

Went back today looking for this fellow. Saw it on top a light pole. It took off before I could get a shot of it sitting there, but got a couple decent flight shots.
dns

Caracara

Looks to be praying with me.

Mom & Pop Cardinal

These are some very hard guys to photograph. They hide real well.

In my Father's world

Pileated Woodpecker.

The skull. Of what? Looks like a dog.
Sambo on a post. :)
Some shots from out walking around.

The Eagle

Went out today disappointed by the weather, but it all changed after seeing this fellow. He was a long way off so these shots aren't real great. But just seeing and being able to shoot these shots were a blessing. One of my Fathers awesome creatures..

dns

Lunch time

The gator was eyeing these nutria thinking what a good meal they would be. When I walked over to get this shot the gator jumped in the water. It was only about 6 feet from the little guys. So I guess I saved them for a little while longer. :)

God sent his Son into the world. God did not send his Son to judge the world guilty. God sent his Son so that the world could be saved through his Son. -- John 3:17

The world stands under the shadow of destruction. Were it not for God's love for us in Jesus, we would face that same end. God, however, is theCreator, the Life-giver, and the Joy-bringer. The goal of his holiness is not destruction, but redemption. The goal of his righteousness is not anger, but salvation. Jesus came to our world, a world hell-bent for destruction, and placed God's stamp of grace upon it. He came to reverse the powers of decay, death, and destruction and put in their place permanence, life, and salvation. Jesus is God's great reminder to us that he not only loves us, but that he also has only good and glorious intentions for our lives.

Father, Abba, redeem my view of you and your intentions for me, just as you have redeemed my heart and soul from sin. I confess that my view of you is so limited and earthbound. Through your Holy Spirit, fill my heart with a more accurate, glorious, and gracious understanding of your intentions for my life. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Maranatha,

God bless

dns

Refuge

Got these the other day at the refuge. G.W. is trying to cut funds for refuges. I sent out some information so everyone could get involved in trying to keep the funding so we can continue to enjoy these open spaces and wooded areas as well the protected waters in this area. Please get involved. It only takes a few minutes to take action and doesn't cost anything. I have added a link to the NWRA in the sidebar on the right.

Thanks and God bless.

Maranatha,

dns

Out back

More from the backyard..

My back yard

First 3 where next to the feeder. The Downy Woodpecker was in the oak tree.

Sitting in the back enjoying the beautiful weather and enjoying God's little critters.

dns

Close-up

Got in close to this guy.

Smile

for my camera..

What you....

....looking at???

Dinner

Been trying for one like this for awhile.

dns

Horned Grebe

This cute little fellow was with several friends, but they stayed a little to far off me to get a good shot of them.

Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. -- 1 Corinthians 13:6-7

Always love - pretty tall order and pretty tough stuff. Only God is always. But then Christians are fueled to an always love through the Holy Spirit! Elsewhere, Paul tells us that "The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Rom. 5:5) No wonder this love is always -- it is God's love, demonstrated by Jesus' sacrifice, and delivered by the Holy Spirit!

Sweet and Glorious God on High, I humble myself before you recognizing your boundless power to love, the incredible need for love in the lives of those around me, and my limited ability to love. Please pour your Holy Spirit into my heart and fill me with the power to love as you do, always. In Jesus' sweet name I pray.Amen.
Maranatha,

God Bless,

dns

White Pelicans

The sun had gone down when I shot these guys. But it still came out good. I used to enjoy watching these guy when working on the ferry. They were all around the landings in Bolivar.

dns

Tree Rat

Seemed curious of me. Most of the time these guys run and hide when they see me coming. But this one didn't. Just hung out for a little bit checking me out.

dns

Tree Rat II

Don't know what its eating, but it must be good.

dns

Doe a deer

These ladies blend into the background real well. I almost didn't see until one of them moved. I finally got some non feather models this past week. :)

[Jesus said,] "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." -- Matthew 5:43-45

One of the greatest privileges we get is the opportunity to act toward those who dislike and hate us in a way that reflects the character of God himself. Anyone can return hate for hate, but it takes a child of God to return a blessing and a prayer for his or her enemies. Believe me I know first hand this works. Those who do you wrong will expect you retaliate, but if you don't or act as if nothing happened, you will discover something very pleasing to God. It is a honor to Him.

Father, thank you for loving me when I was still an enemy to you. Thank you for risking the death of your Son to offer me the chance to accept or reject your love. As you have promised, please pour your love into my heart so I may love even my enemies as you have loved me. In the name of your ultimate Gift of love, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

Maranatha

God Bless.

dns

Field Mouse

Little fellow was hard to see. Hiding from the hawks.

dns

Nutria

Evening swim.

dns