Welcome to my website!
This site reflects little bursts of inspiration and thought - through writing and photography. I like to credit anything that blesses you as simply God flowing through me...and anything that doesn't...well, that would just be my mere thinking out loud! :)
May there be more of God's inspiration than Kim's thoughts...and may you be greatly encouraged and blessed as you browse through this collection of offerings!
Feel free to scroll through the above mini-gallery by placing mouse on the arrows. (Note: Some devices do not show or allow this option. Also, some devices such as I-Phones show blog pics separated differently than you will view them on a PC. I have yet to figure out why, but then my humble technology accomplishments are doing well to even have a blog!) Check out the gallery of photos if you like color and photography. At the bottom/left of each page is a small arrow to view previous posts. There are many.
Before you get to all that, click below. Take a breath. Enjoy!!
Song by Eva Cassidy
Photos, well, by me!
Thanksgiving in the spring.
It is good to do THIS often! Notice the little things. Think about important things. Smell the beautiful things! And while you're noticing, thinking and smelling....remember the "thanking for ALL things" part! There is something "magical" about thanksgiving. It is actually supernatural - which is better than magical, because the Source is a real being who has a personal interest in each one of us!
God, our Maker and Father tells of His infinite love for us countless times in His holy book. His desire is that we "come into His presence with thanksgiving"...and to "enter His courts with praise." He tells us to pray without ceasing and to love the Lord our God with all our heart! The bottom line is - He has, through much sacrifice (Jesus, His own son) made it possible for us to have a daily and intimate relationship with HIM!! It is so amazing that we can actually approach such a perfect and all-knowing God! It is through Jesus that it is possible. Without HIS righteousness we could not approach one so holy.
Take time to say thank you to the One who has promises and hope in store for all who will receive and respond to His love! In the face of life's struggles and challenges, He is the only One who can carry us and bring us into those promises.
Thanksgiving is the way by which we present our burdens to a God who is indeed big enough to hold them - and us - as we walk through the valleys and storms. It is also He who will one day usher us into a new heaven and earth prepared for all who have chosen to love and accept His forgiving, endless mercy.
Have a seat...think about these things...and...let thanksgiving begin.
Great artist!
This one....well....I just liked it! Very colorful and defined. God is a great artist!!
White as snow!
"Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow..." Isaiah 1:18
So often God is just reasonable! All He asks is that we come to Him and ask forgiveness because He in His wisdom is very aware that we are imperfect and full of humanity and shame! (Thus the need for a Savior!)
The way to be free of sin is to come to Him and allow His forgiveness to wash the sin and guilt away. (Of course our part then is to turn around and walk away from those sins that tend to capture us.) It is like a cleansing rain when we invite Him to deal with our sin! Suddenly, we realize how freeing it is to let Him take the weight from our shoulders! Repentance is necessary, and for the most part we have to do it often! But the good news is - we have a Redeemer! He paid the price for our "scarlet" and makes us white as snow!!
Choose to be thankful
May your day be filled with color and delight. And if it isn't, then choose to find something to thank God for. Start the list with breathing and go from there!
"This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
Happy birthday, Eddie!
This guy came into the world 10 years after I was born. For the first time recalled, I was thrilled and taken with the wonder and miracle of life. What joy and complete awe he brought to us all.
Funny thing, I don't remember him ever crying or needing much as he seemed to always be content. As he grew into a young toddler, I can never forget the fascination he had with Hot Wheels! For hours he would sit on the floor, line up those little cars and make motor sounds - keeping himself fully entertained!
In those days, our family did a lot of camping, fishing and outdoor activities. Eddie always slid right in to the fascination of it all and grew to be quite the fisherman and outdoorsman himself. If dad was hooking up the fishing boat or putting on his hunting clothes, Eddie was there!
As he entered junior high and high school, he became especially interested in music, landing leading roles in musicals. If I remember right, he and the sweet lady who is now his wife and momma of his 3 boys, starred in the play, "Bye, Bye Birdie" together in high school. (Hope I got that right!)
The dramas of life and raising a family continued as Eddie sought a career in country music, performing and writing songs, which eventually took him and his young family to Nashville.
His guitar and silky voice has entertained many more since that time, but I believe none could enjoy it more than I! Almost as thrilling as holding that new baby my mom and dad brought home many years ago, are the moments when the strings of his guitar are warmed up and the bluegrass and country "roots with boots" begin to fill the air. The melodies of life and experiences warm my heart and take me to familiar places as I smile, not having a doubt who is my favorite musician in the world!
How I wish we lived nearer to each other to share more of life these days. However, the heartbeat of love that began on April 11, 1968 continues no matter how far away, and will ever remain a favorite song...happy birthday April 12, dear brother!
The heavens declare....
"The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands." Psalms 19:1
Don't forget to notice! Each morning when the sun comes up. Each evening when the bronze, gold, orange, yellows and pinks bring us a brilliant masterpiece. Each dark night when the diamonds of the heavens twinkle with delight and hope! Each blue bird day when the billowy clouds hang like giant cotton puffs. Every rain cloud, thunder clap and lightening burst - all declare that He is God!
Look up and behold your God!
How to have a glad heart!
"I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely." Psalm 16:8,9
Happy birthday, dear Charity!
I have been blessed with some wonderful friends through-out my life-time. It seems that seasons ebb and flow with friends who we love and spend our time with. Now and then, life's circumstances and demands take us away for periods of time. However, there are those who, no matter what distance is between, it is as if it were only moments when reunited.
The Bible speaks much about the family of God. Having eternal hope in common is a bond that is indescribable! There is a supernatural connection and understanding that just makes the heart glad. We were created with a need for companionship and encouragement. God did not want us to be lonely. He also chose to make His dwelling place within all those who choose to believe in Him - and therefore we become His instruments who share love that has the potential to by-pass even our humanity! It is quite an honor to be a carrier of the Spirit of Him who created the universe! When we ask God to come inside and dwell as He promises in HIs word to do, miraculous things can happen. Relationships have a heavenly link and if we but choose can become all the more precious. When we share the God who lives within us, there are new levels of love to be discovered and activated! Sure, we still live in a human body and fall short plenty, but as we choose to "tap in" to obedience and righteousness, there are "joys unspeakable and full of glory!"
These dear friends are some of those who we have been spending our Friday evenings praying with. It is something we decided to begin a few years ago because we all felt the compulsion to seek the Lord with others who felt the same desire. It has proven, once again, that what God says is indeed true! When we do submit to Him and seek His righteousness, there are still new mercies every day to discover!
This sweet lady, Charity, has a birthday this weekend. She is a treasure with many creative gifts and abilities to share. God has made her an artist with a love for home and nature. It is refreshing to walk into her house and smell the fragrances of home-made soaps and creations from herbal resources! She is a fantastic cook and the decor that surround her masterpiece dishes are just as mouth-watering and delightful!
Charity makes jewelry. I am mesmerized by the details and beauty she lovingly puts into each piece. I smile and believe every necklace and bracelet is some of the beauty inside of her oozing into yet another magnificent display that only reflect bits of the character and beauty of our Maker!
Mostly, this lady carries the sweet presence and kindness of her God. She is very wise in so many things, and quite a counselor - maybe not by trade, but definitely by natural gifting. The love and comfort of the Holy Spirit she has experienced have been a resource through which she has become a vessel! It is a joy and a blessing to know this beautiful child of God. May her birthday be brimming with abundant encouragements and favor from heaven! Might her day and week be filled with sunshine and the joy of the Jesus who is her Source and strength. May He alone direct her paths and keep her in the shelter of His comforting arms. Might her children and husband be impassioned and enflamed by the same One who brings her assurance and hope and may her home be filled with praise and power!!
Happy birthday, dear friend!
Happy habitation!
"O Lord, I love the habitation of Your house and the place where Your glory dwells." Psalm 26:8
Though your sins be as scarlet....
I love the promises of God. There is much recorded about His favor towards Israel. There is also much recorded about those who simply believe! They will be grafted in to the heritage promised to Israel! What a marvelous gift to all who accept the precious gift of Jesus' tremendous offering of love! The cross has become the powerful victory over our sin. It is what paid the price for our humanity and gives us eternal hope! Though we were lost, we can be found if the blood of Jesus becomes our covering and righteousness. His blood was the once and for all sacrifice for the sins of mankind.
If your sins seem too big, too shameful, or too numerous, remember that the One who paid for them was bigger than the total of all the sins of the world - from beginning to end! He is in the business of restoration! His grace is sufficient for ALL. No sin is bigger than His ability to forgive! His promises to all who will just accept His forgiveness out number the stars of the heavens and the sands of the sea!! Say yes to eternal treasure! You are the reason Jesus came to earth to live, die and rise again!
"His shoots will sprout, and His beauty will be like the olive tree and His fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon. Those who live in His shadow will again raise grain, and they will blossom like the vine. His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon." Hosea 14:6,7ea 14