Thursday, June 30, 2011

Underwater Eyes

I'm lookin' at you!

 Yikes, this gator was close but a sturdy glass kept us apart at the Florida Aquarium.

Not many vunerable places on him with his thick skin. But that eye....
How does he see where he's going underwater to avoid dangers? Of course, yep, I know you know, he keeps it open. Duh!
But, God gave him even more protection with that special eyelid.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change, and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride." Psalms 46:1-3

Father you are my protection, when the waters threaten to overwhelm, give my eyes a special vision to see You through it all.

Photos:karenrevans

Friday, June 24, 2011

Curlew Sandpiper?

Whew, my back yard does have some of the strangest animals. (And we live in a very populated area.)

I saw this bird a few times early in the morning. At first I thought it was a female woodpecker, but each time I'd get close to the window or slider it would fly away. But she (I think it's a she?) didn't peck on the trees or hop up them like woodpeckers.

So one morning I had my camera ready. Please excuse the bad photo-because it's shot through my sliders from inside and through my screen on the patio.

I managed this one shot before she flew. After enlarging it on my computer, this poor baby has a deformed bill. It appears to be a Curlew Sandpiper. I was wondering why she was alone, usually sandpipers are in groups. Oh, and at the beach. But we haven't had rain in forever, so my yard looks like the beach-all sand and no grass/weeds. She still manages to find stuff to eat, but I don't know how with her beak.

"Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down, what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and he told me;

 'My grace is enough; it's all you need, My strength comes into its own in your weakness.'

Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 (MS)

Oh, Father, let my weakness be filled with Your strength, and it is enough.

Photo:karenrevans

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Ice Cream for Breakfast?


The salon finished Mom's haircut about 10:30 this morning. There was one more errand I needed to do before I took her home. AND we just happened to pass Strachans's Ice Cream Parlor. Now mind you, breakfast was barely a couple of hours ago.

Mom's memory is not good, but her love of food is not.
 
Yep, that's her on the left, Dad on the right. (This was taken on Father's day.) Anyway, she said, "Oh, let's stop here, I'll buy us some ice cream."

 I sighed and said, "Mom, it's not even eleven. They don't open until 12:00."

She responded with, "Oh, shoot. But aren't you hungry for ice cream?"

"No, Mom. Ice cream is like dessert, not for right after breakfast."

Then she looked at me and seriously chided, "You know, ice cream is good anytime. Even for breakfast."

"And they gave him a piece of fig cake and two clusters of raisins, and he ate, then his spirit revived." 1 Samuel 30:12

Maybe, Lord, I do need to enjoy ice cream at anytime, it might just revive my spirit and bring joy. I'm kind'a sorry now, that Strachan's was not open.

Photo:karenrevans


Thursday, June 16, 2011

How Come?

How come, a chipmunk can stuff its cheeks and we say, "Awww, isn't that the cutest thing," but when I do it...?
Or this little one with his cute birdie mohawk, how come his hair-do stays in place, naturally. (And I've seen "some" folk who attend the Tampa Ray baseball games, work hard to achieve the Ray-hawk.)
How come this duck with his lovely feather make-up can swim and all his colors stay the same? But when I get into the water, my mascara turns into a  drunk raccoon. (I know they have waterproof, but my eyes are sensitive to it.)
And how come this giraffe, has the most gorgeous bedroom eyes and long eye lashes? Mine are light and invisible. But, thanks for mascara, even the runny kind.

Did God make these creatures to make me jealous?

"Therefore, if any man in is Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." 2 Corinthians 5:17

God gave his creatures all kinds of beauty and variety. He chose instead, to give those who believe in Him "soul-beauty." All right, splash my runny mascara, but give my soul a "new thing."

photo:karenrevans

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Scary Stinging Things


I'm afraid of bees, wasps and all those scary stinging critters. I could never be a bee keeper!


Why is it that these hurtful things help the flowers and plants become beautiful? Just seems like delicate flowers shouldn't need those scary bugs.

Then I got to thinking about life. Out of hurt "can" come beautifulness. (yep, my word) In my life, times of stinging bug-y-ness pollinated my attitude, actions, and my spirit. But when I turned to God, He smeared the pollen over my soul to grow stronger spiritual flowers.

 "And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you." 1 Peter 5:10

When I hurt, make me beautiful. I want others to just see the flowers.


Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Answers :)

Okay, here's what those strange pictures are from my post below.
1.

This is an alligator tail. He was behind the wall with only his tail showing. I waited awhile, but he wouldn't cooperate. So I showed him, I took his picture anyway.
2.




This is the underside of a mushroom in my back yard. I stopped my dog right before he tried to eat it. It's frilly underside just looked neat.
3.
The third one was this dolphin swimming right up to the window. I was too slow to get his face, and took his body instead. But crazy me, I kept the picture.
4.
Yes, and many of you guessed this little fellow right. A porcupine. His quills up close are lovely and don't look menacing at all.

"The mind of a man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9

My mind often sees just a part of the big picture God has for me. We have the zoom lens on, but God sees the landscape. Father, help me to keep that focus.

photos:karenevans

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Name This

Can you name these things? If you can't figure them out, ask a kid. :P
1.
Yes, I took these pictures on purpose. You know I'm quirky!
2.



3.
Or this last one.
4.

Even with these partial details, you might make them out. But there is One who knows every single detail about us.

"He pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail-even numbering the hairs on your head!" Matthew 10:30 (MS)

Thank You Lord, that You know and care about every detail.

photos:karenevans