Special day in my Father's World

Many different birds are flying through right now. I believe I saw at least 6 or 7 different species today. Lot of fun and an awesome sight. Thank you Father.. Amen!!

I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth. -- Job 19:25

Beyond what these words were first meant to convey, we know today that our Redeemer will return as the Rider on the white horse in triumph and victory. Hallelujah, what a day! Then the world truly WILL KNOW that Jesus Christ, our Savior and brother and friend, is Lord of all things!

Conquering King, Immortal God, I look forward to the day of your ultimate triumph in our world. Until that day, I pray that your Kingdom may be reflected in my ministry, my family and my life. Through the Rider on the white horse, I pray. Amen.
God bless,

Maranatha

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I Am, Do Not Fear!

That evening Jesus' followers went down to the lake (Lake Galilee). It was dark now and Jesus had not yet come back to them. The followers got into a boat and started going across the lake to Capernaum. The wind was blowing very hard. The waves on the lake were becoming bigger. They rowed the boat about three or four miles. Then they saw Jesus. He was walking on the water. He was coming to the boat. The followers were afraid. But Jesus said to them, "Don't be afraid. It's me." -- John 6:16-20 (ERV)
Jesus' words to his terrified disciples were powerful: "I Am, do not fear!" Built on his "I Am" statements throughout the Gospel of John, this one shouldn't be underestimated. Jesus' words build upon the twin concepts of the God of Israel who revealed himself as the great "I Am" in Exodus and the God who rescues from the ocean deep in the Psalms. "I am God with you; you don't need to be afraid! I can still the storm. I can preserve and protect." Storms are inevitable. But rather than taking cover in the storms of our lives, Jesus comes and meets us in the middle of them so we don't have to be alone! Jesus' use of "I Am" was blasphemy to the Jews. They would never say "I am" because they didn't want to break the 2nd commandment to use God's name in vain. Another reason they sought to kill him.

Give me faith, O God, to believe that in the worst of my life's storms, I can trust that you are there and that you will ransom me home. Thank you for the assurance that you will never leave me or forsake me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God bless.

Maranatha,

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Shorebirds.

Dowitchers disagree over territory.
Reddish Egret coming for landing.
Ruddy Turnstone in flight.

Around the beach I caught these shore birds moving in. It has been a long winter with them gone. I always enjoy watching them and am glade they have returned.

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On the shore - II.

Long-billed Dowitcher.
Reddish Egret.
American Avocet.

This was my first time see the Avocet. They usually don't migrate this far North. The Reddish Egret has the pink in it's bill that is there during breeding. The Dowitcher too, is wearing breeding colors.

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God's Divine Nature

Since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities --his eternal power and divine nature -- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. -- Romans 1:20

The touch of the Masters hand is all around us. We see it in the order, beauty, and dazzling variety of creation. The great expanse of space, with its billions of stars, along with the incredible world of the microscopic are all testimony to an Order of great creativity. God has left his fingerprints all over his world so we can know that he has been here and will not abandon the work of his hands.

O God, thank you for your creation. Thank you for its beauty and variety. Thank you for the changing seasons and the beauty of Spring. But most of all, thank you for choosing to show yourself to us, your creatures. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God bless.

Maranatha

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Migration

Eastern Kingbird. (?)
Common Yellowthroat.
Baltimore Oriole.

The oriole flew into the tree where I was watching the Green Herons. (nest post) Got loads of real nice poises of it.

These are migrating through right now. The yellowthroat has been here all summer, so don't know if it is migrating or not. May be it came for the winter and decided to stay. :)

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Marsh Birds

Purple Gallinule.
Least Bittern.
Green Heron. Caught this pair courting and mating. It was enjoyable to watch as these birds went through their courting. There were two other males in the area also. So this fellow was interrupted a couple of time while chasing off competitors. But this pair seems to be in love so he really didn't really have to worry. :)

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Shy birds

I believe this is a immature Mocking bird.
This is a Meadow Lark.
And this is a Sparrow. They are hard to type since they all look so much alike.

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Christ Has Risen...

... He has Risen indeed!

Purple is the ancient royal color and therefore a symbol of the sovereignty of Christ; a royalty that is known most profoundly in his suffering and death. The color moves us to consider our need for Jesus' redemptive love and forgiveness.
The colors in the flowers of Spring can signify our LORD and this season in many ways. If you think about it God works around us in many ways. Of course, I like to find my LORD in everything as He is in the bible.

During Holy Week, the congregation follows the footsteps of Jesus from his entry into Jerusalem through the Last Supper to his death on the Cross. Red, the color of blood and therefore of martyrs, is the traditional color for Palm Sunday and the next three days of Holy Week. On Holy Thursday, White or Gold symbolizes the church's rejoicing in the Lord's Supper. But at the end of the Holy Thursday celebration, all decorations are removed and the Altar is stripped bare. The church becomes as empty as a tomb.

Read Psalms 22, 23, & 24 as a reference to our Lord's last words while nailed to the tree.

God bless.

Maranatha

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Yellow

Well there is some yellow in these mixes.

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Pink

These were fun to take as I wallowed around in the weeds. But the insects and moth were very hard to keep up with and get a clean shot of. :)

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Orange

From the beach.

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White & Gold

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. -- 1 Peter 2:24

He bore our sins. He didn't just carry them; he suffered the penalty we deserved. His anguish was our healing. His suffering was our righteousness. How can we ever think of going back to sin after he suffered so much to bear its penalty?
Holy God, how you could stand to see your precious Son under the weight of my sin, all sin, I will never understand. Thank you for such a great love and for being so great a God. There is none who can be compared to you, O God. Your greatness is beyond imagining and your love beyond my dreams. I will live today to your glory through Jesus who bore my sin so I could be your child. In the precious name of your Son I pray. Amen.

Praise God.

Maranatha

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Captive birds

Shot these Saturday at the Migration Celebration.

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Butterfly and Bees

Out walking today came across these guys. The smells of Spring are so sweet out there. And these wonders, God great and life is grand.

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Some walk around shots

I guess really these are some drive around shots. :) (except the cardinal)

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Sing Praises

For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of your hands. -- Psalm 92:4

Gaze into the heavens on a dark night and see the wonders of thestarry hosts. Think of the incredible diversity of earth's wonders. Look at your own life and see the fingerprints of God's work in your own experience. As Jesus said, our Father is working still (John 5:17). Yes, it does make us glad to know that we are not alone in working our own life (Psalm 139; Phil. 2:13). There is a deep-seated joy at knowing that the LORD, Creator of the universe is at work in us and for us. No wonder singing praise is such a natural response for us!

Dear Heavenly Father, I praise you for power and glory revealed in the majesty of your creation. I thank you for your work intransforming and recreating me, as well. Please continue your transforming work in me. Make me what you want me to be. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God bless

Maranatha

dns

Irises

One of my favorites. :))