"...for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine."  Psalm 50:10, 11

Kinda puts things into perspective!  

I have a bit of a fetish for old barns.  I don't know....something about what is silent that intrigues me!  The activity that most of them saw each day now often sits quietly and keeps secrets and stories cradled gently within their grayed, worn walls.  This photo was taken just as the sun was falling asleep behind it.  The deep colors and unusual lighting, partly due to the headlights from my car sort of paint the picture of it sinking into the background of history.  Sad tales about such warm and busy buildings gone by....  Wish I could preserve each one.  Guess I'll just keep clicking.....

Somehow this shot finds me holding to an ember that lingers deep within my soul.  A flame of every passion that makes me me and continues to inspire the running of the race for the prize.  The fire that represents the heartbeat of the Father of light and hope.  A throbbing desire to know real love and crave life as intended by the Creator Himself...

Across the river, through the trees

There's a barn that sits in these

Rolling fields of golden grain

That sway in spite of wind and rain

Gentle scene that soothes my soul

Whispers warmth when life is cold

Faded red on timbers worn

It's the stories I adore

Farmers who have plowed the fields

Weathered hands to bring the yields

Sustaining life another year

Through the seasons, through the fear

Of heat and winter, cold and storm

Tending cattle, wheat and corn

Grandpas, fathers and their sons

Tending til each setting sun 

Sinks low behind that aging barn

The center of its simple farm

That shelters bags and bales and hay

And animals that moo and bray

An era quickly passing by

Holding richness deep inside

Its heritage and all that's dear

Precious memories, treasured years

Let your imagination be dazzled.....

Saying goodnight to this beautiful day. The holidays are pretty much behind us.  2016 is done.  One president has gone and a new one is sworn in. Each chapter of life that ends seems to mark a beginning to a new one. Every sunset means there will be a sunrise. The end of one season is a promise that a new one is beginning.  Even death does not happen without a moving forward in some way, whether we are prepared or not.  

Most of the time our humanity resists  change.  Especially unpredictable change.  However, it is inevitable.  We will each enter a new moment, a new day, a new year, a new time until our days are done. And then, yet a new day will dawn. New life will spring up from the ashes of history and memories.  We are a part of the circle of life.  We get however many determined years given here on earth, and then eternity begins - good or bad!

I consider eternity.  Endless.  We are promised continued life and anticipated joy if we simply believe that one man, a portion of the very God of all creation, came to earth to carry the weight of our mistakes and failures - to death.  Thankfully, that was not the end.  Accepting that one amazing, miraculous act assures the promise of continuing life.....regardless of the "endings" of this life.  Though God makes new beginnings in this life visible, even the end of this life has promise if we but believe.   

I have to say that sunshine is feeling good just now!  Makes me think happy thoughts!  Today I was listening to the Inaugural prayer meeting on TV.  It is not my intent to be political on this site.  And whatever your feelings or thoughts might be about our current new president or direction as a country, I have to say it was refreshing and somehow comforting to hear some of the music included in that service today.  Though I choose to minimize politics here, I will never apologize for being a believer in the God who sent His only Son on behalf of those of us in whom He chose to give life.  One of the fine hymns presented at the service this day was perhaps my favorite, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness."  A poignant line in that beautiful and hope-filled song is, "...strength for day and bright hope for tomorrow..."  It causes my heart to lift as I think of His faithfulness that has carried me through many dark winters.  The promise of His continued help and guidance is present with each sun-lit morning and evident in every perfect flower that will not cease to shoot through the cold, damp earth, regardless of the bleakness that seems to hold them captive before their resurrection!  Today I am gently reminded of His faithfulness and hope.  May we passionately grip that - not only for our country, but for our individual lives and dreams.  "All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided.  Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord, unto me!"