Taste & See

I haven't done a photo with scripture in a really long time. I used to create one almost every Sunday, but I got out of the habit and I'm thinking of trying to start it up again. I have had these photos printed on a semi-regular basis and send them to friends & family as encouragement. I believe it's a neat way that I can use my gift of photography as a way to glorify the God who gave it to me. This one I made from a very old photo of Lupine (one of my favorite flowers) in Maine (from a missions trip). I had the verse in mind because I have been periodically studying Psalms in the past few months. I really enjoyed this verse and thought it might go well with this picture. It speaks a simple truth, that God is good - so so so good. :)

Psalm 25:8-9

I've been doing a personal study in Psalms recently and I've been really enjoying it. I'm diving deep into the background of the chapters and it's all very interesting. God is revealing little bits about himself through this big and wonderful book, and I'm thankful. It reminds me of the truth that when you seek, you will find. :)

In the Light

Follow me.
It sounds simple.. but still I fail every day.
I'm so thankful He still lets me be a light for him.

My Stronghold

I read this Psalm as I watched the sun rise over the valley, lighting up the clouds of fog with a bright pink hue. It reminded me of how good and faithful God is, all the time. My prayer is He will be the center of my life, the rock which I build upon, and the stronghold I know to be safe. That I won't have to fear standing up for what I believe in, because no one can take me from his loving and protective hands.

linking up here.

I hope you all had a good Sunday. :))

Psalm 139

We sing a song at camp that quotes these verses word-for-word. I love that we are teaching the kids scripture and they don't even know it. Tricky tricky camp counselors we are. But seriously, I love this song & these verses. God is always with us. 

Proverbs

God has been teaching me a LOT through Proverbs this past month. Mostly what he's been telling me is "You need to shut your mouth and think about what words you say!" haha. But really, there's so much good wisdom that can be directly applied to your life in Proverbs. Plus there's only 31 chapters, so there's one for each day of the month! It's great!
P.S. The picture is from our trip to the Grand Tetons in June. The rest of the pictures will come this week. :)
linking up with scripture & a snapshot. 

Who Is Like You?

Way back in the land of January, I posted about starting my church's scripture memory challenge. Today, twelve lessons, 108 verses and fourteen weeks later, I've completed it. It's so true that you never know what you can do until you push yourself. But it's so worth it! Good things happens when you try crazy things and go outside of your comfort zone.
I've also come to the realization of how important it is to take time to memorize scripture! It has definitely been tough memorizing the lessons, but it's also super rewarding. No matter what your age or stage of life, hiding God's word in your heart is important.
linking up with scripture & a snapshot. 

He Rose

 I had a wonderful day of fellowship & worship with my church family. We sang some of my favorite hymns, and as always I got teary during In Christ Alone (gets me every. single. time). I also had the chance to spend some time at my Grandma's to enjoy the company of relatives and friends. I hope y'all have a wonderful Easter Sunday! :)
linking up with scripture & a snapshot.

Call Upon Me

I was reading in Jeremiah this week. I floated to verse 29:11 (I know the plans I have for you..ect verse) and decided to read the passage around it, to y'know, get the verse's context. I found this verse RIGHT after it. How come I've never noticed it before? Funny how God opens your eyes to things.
Anyways. It's my 18th birthday today. I've decided that if I want to seek God with my whole heart, I need to have read what he's said to me. So tonight, I will start a read-the-bible in a year. :) I tried to in 2011, but I got side-tracked at camp. I've picked a plan where I read some of the new and the old testament each day. Hopefully, that'll keep my interest better than the last time when I tried to read it chronological. I'll keep you updated!
linking up with scripture & a snapshot

Strong & Courageous

If our God is for us, who can be against us?  If God can conquer death, he can handle the Wall of Jericho.

linking up with scripture & a snapshot.

Great and Hidden Things

This verse came up during my scripture memory book this week and it really struck me. I need to be actively seeking the answers to the questions I ask God. Sometimes, I feel like I ask God for something, then sit back and wait for the answer. But great and hidden things aren't typically something you stumble upon by accident. They take time to find, which make them all the more special and meaningful when you find them.
linking up with scripture & a snapshot.

Be Strong

linking up with scripture & a snapshot.
My pastor said something really interesting this morning. He said that a changed heart is a miracle. Isn't that so true? I mean how else do people go from liars, drunks, and thieves to servants of God? Just some food for thought.

Wash Me

linking up with scripture & a snapshot.

The Narrow Path

The narrow path? Following Christ every day?
It is tough and is often hard.
But it is so rewarding and completely worth it.
~
linking up with scripture and a snapshot.

Whatever is True

We focused on Philippians this weekend at snow camp. I really enjoyed the speaker and I really took this verse to heart. Isn't it true that the easiest verses to understand are the hardest to apply to our lives?
linking up with scripture & a snapshot!

Diversity

The world is so diverse. American alone is incredibly diverse! Each state is so incredibly different. It really amazes me. Creation is so cool.
I apologize for my unannounced absence. I did say that I was heading west a few weeks ago and I had planned to do a real post before then.. but time got away from me. My dad, sister & I headed out to Death Valley National Park for a few days of camping and exploring. The park is huge. Like over three million acres and bigger than Connecticut and Rhode Island put together huge. Needless to say, we didn't see all of it in the three days we were there. However, we did have fun. :) I'll check back with your folks tomorrow!
linking up with scripture & a snapshot.

Word Of Our God

I'm in the process of drying this flower out. I only just received it last night, so the process is not very far along yet. However, in time, it will be dried out completely. Do you feel like at times God's Word dries out? As previously mentioned, last year, I tried to read the Bible in a year. I got to a point where I was only reading the Bible. I wasn't soaking it up. I was reading the words, but I wasn't letting them effect and change me. But God's Word doesn't dry out. Ever. It always has something practical and useful! The words in it are for our benefit, so we should take time to diligently read, memorize & study.

But isn't it tough to put that into action? So today, I signed up for my church's scripture memory challenge. It's three months of memorizing different passages. I'm really excited. :) Oh, and this is something cool I wanted to share. I asked my small group leader to be my "listener" (the person who listens to me say the verses each week) and she asked me to be her listener too! She has two kids and a busy life, but she's taking time to memorize scripture. It was a real encouragement to me. She's awesome.

I hope you all have a fabulous Sunday! :) Linking up to Scripture and a Snapshot & Observing Beauty.

My Cup Overflows

I've been wondering what to write on my annual little yearly recap for a while now. Truth is, I'm still not sure. It's been a rough year, but it's also been one of the best. I was stretched. I was put into circumstances that I was uncomfortable with. I learned and I grew as a person, in my faith, and as a photographer.

Jesus has kept me standing. Even though I'm not perfect, don't read my Bible every day, don't always think nice things or make the right choices, I say stupid words, and mess up time and time again... he loves me anyways. Just because I'm not perfect, doesn't mean he doesn't love me. I don't know how many times I have to whack myself in the head with that to get it. I'm not perfect (and I'll never be on this earth). BUT God loves me anyways.

I choose the word serve to focus on for 2011. I had the privilege of serving (with amazing people) on missions trips in Minnesota, at camp, a weekend in State College, in France, North Carolina, and right here, at home and in my city. It was such a blessing to get to know the people I had the privilege of working with. There's a bond you form with people when you serve with them, - and I believe it lasts a lifetime. They become family. It doesn't matter if you're working together for five days or five weeks, the joy of serving the Lord brings you together.  Brothers and sisters in Christ.

On a less serious note.. here's a few fun facts about my year. :)
I spent..
115 nights away from home
40 in different countries
& 79 of those were on missions trips or at camp.
I visited..
2 countries, France & Canada
5 Canadian Providences (QB, OT, NB, PEI, & NS)
& 18 states, farthest west being Minnesota
I also..
grew my photography business
started a book club
packed 40 shoe boxes for OCC with my family
hit 130,000 miles on my dear car, the last 20,000 have been with me
started going to a new church
took somewhere around 10,000 pictures
meet a few amazing individuals who are like family
& had a really awesome year that was abundantly blessed.
Thanks for reading. :)

Lasting Joy

Gifts and presents on Christmas seem awesome and exciting, - and they are. But as my Pastor said this morning, that excitement will fade. True and lasting joy comes from Jesus and his wonderful gift of salvation.
linking up with scripture & a snapshot.

Caroling Blessings

Today, I went to my best friend's house and made nine dozen tasty cookies (choc. chocolate chip and peanut butter) for church caroling. We split into groups so that we could visit various people from church that have trouble getting out. I really believe we made a joyful noise! :) I had the privilege of meeting three ladies who go to my church.  They were all super sweet, very happy to see us, and totally in love with their savior.

It was such a blessing to me.

Isn't that curious?

We went to sing to them, to be a blessing to them, but I was blessed too.

Seeing their love for Christ is inspiring.

It really is more blessed to give than to receive.

linking up with scripture and a snapshot.

better late than never, right?