Looking For A Lightning Bolt?

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Sometimes it seems we’re looking for that “lightning bolt” in our lives. Something to shock, dazzle, direct is off the spot we’re on. There’s no doubt that “lightning bolts” are impressive, yet, they’re not what makes up life for us.

When Jesus walked in Galilee, there were many who were dazzled by “lightning bolts,” i.e., Jesus’ miraculous works which, as the Apostle John writes, were “signs.” What do “signs” do? We deal with them all the time, and admittedly many don’t regard them. The person who parks in the handicap zone, and isn’t needing it, is a living classic. There are many more who miss the signs.

When Jesus returned from his first Passover in Jerusalem, he returns to Cana of Galilee, interestingly, it’s where the first “sign” John marks occurred. Some 10-15 miles to the east, in Capernaum, a tragedy is unfolding. A “royal official’s” child is near death, and while most in the Galilee area are only “dazzled” by Jesus’ “lightning bolts,” this man is different.

Our record in John 4.46-54 teaches us there’s more we need in life than “lightning bolts” which only last for a second and only dazzle!

This 2nd Sign of the “royal official,” whose child is near death, teaches us —

  • Faith that honors Jesus doesn’t hang back from Him but comes to him.
  • Faith that honors Jesus doesn’t wait to see what He will do.
  • Faith that honors Jesus comes to Him even knowing we’re not sure what Jesus will do, how Jesus will work, which way Jesus will direct. Yet, you come in faith and you step back into life in faith!

And when we come to Jesus in faith, we find Jesus is sufficient for LIFE!

Part of me dislikes a study like this! It convicts me for my own struggle with faith! Yet, thankfully, it also exhorts me to steady my faith and keep focused on the one who truly handles life. I’d encourage not just looking for a lightning bolt but looking for a lamp post that’s solid, sure, reliable, so we can find our way. This lamp post is Jesus!

John 1:3–5,

All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of mankind. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

Jesus said, John 8:12,

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

You can turn on the “Light” in your life today, not with things that simply dazzle for a moment, but solid, sure, powerful Light for living. Place your faith in Jesus, trust him for what’s before you, and step out in life! The Son is rising!

The Power of Patterns

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Every seamstress, every contractor, every decorator can profit from a “pattern.” Patterns guide and get us to the place we want to be, be it the dress, the baby blanket, the building, or the beautiful room. Patterns are powerful and we can use them.

One of the dangers of chapters and verses in our Bible is we tend to read a verse or maybe two. If we compared this to the pattern, it makes this stitch, drives this nail, moves this chair over there . . . nice parts, but we’re still way off from what the pattern brings!

When we read the Word of God broadly, seeing the flow, there are powerful patterns. Here’s one to catch our eyes . . .

Let’s start with the building of the ark, Gen 6.13ff. We often get all caught up on the how long, how wide, details for certain, but . . . is there any pattern here?

The Pentateuch, Genesis to Deuteronomy, brings a powerful lesson when we read it broadly. There are three major construction projects, each significant it themselves, yet the combined “pattern” is what we want to see and learn.

Project one is Creation itself. God speaks, action unfolds, the instruction is carried out. This same flow also unfolds in the building of an ark, and the building of the tabernacle. Key is that each “project” concludes with God’s blessing, Gen 1.28; 9.1; Ex 39.43. It’s worth also noting that the second and third “project” end with a covenant with God!

So, what’s the “pattern” we learn from these three “projects” in God’s Word? It can’t be better stated that God himself says, Deut 30.2-3,

When you and your children return to the LORD your God and obey Him with all your heart and soul (i.e., your thoughts and lives) according to all that I command you today, then the LORD your God will restore you from captivity, and have compassion on you, and will gather you again from all the peoples where the LORD your God has scattered you.

God hasn’t written to us just about “projects,” even great projects. He has written to us to build “patterns” for our lives so we find all his blessing!

Set God’s “pattern” for your life today! The writer of Proverbs put it this way, Prov 3:5–8,

Trust in the LORD with all your heart (Entirely!) And do not lean on your own understanding. (Extensively!)
In all your ways acknowledge Him (Extensively!), And He will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones.

God’s “pattern” begins when you place your faith in Jesus. Read John 3.16 for it’s as clear of a word from God as you’ll ever get. With your faith in Jesus, the Apostle Paul writes about this “pattern,” Colossians 3:1–4,

Therefore if you have been raised up with the Messiah, keep seeking the things above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God. When the Messiah, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

God and his Word are all about building his life, his life of blessing, in and through us as we bring glory to him! Set your “pattern” for your life today!

Proximity > < Presence

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One of the “things” about wildlife photography is getting close enough to your subject. It’s often said for bird photographers, “You’re never too close and you never have too much glass”! I’d agree. Proximity is most important.

This “proximity and presence” thing came close to my heart as a dear friend was hospitalized in another town. My proximity was battling with my (lack of) presence! Not only were they hospitalized, and as much of this season our lives, visitation was restricted. As I fussed with this in my head, I was reminded of a great truth among the Lord’s people.

Because we’re bonded in the Holy Spirit through our faith in Jesus, as the Apostle Paul writes, we “do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (Rom 8.4) As children of our Great God, we are one in the Spirit! Paul reminded the believers in Rome how they stood together in the Spirit . . .

Romans 15:30,
Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,

When problems arose in the church in Corinth, Paul knew that proximity and presence were transcended because of the Spirit!

1 Corinthians 5:4,
In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus,

All this to say, while my dear friend was hospitalized, Praised be the Lord, for we stand together in the Spirit, trusting God for what he will provide. What a blessing because of faith in the Lord Jesus that we are able to share in common (that’s the term “fellowship”) our Lord and his care. We can be most thankful that the transcendence of the Spirit of God is greater than any physical limit we face!

Again quoting the Apostle Paul,

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
2 Corinthians 13:14

While proximity and presence are so connected in our lives and ways of thinking, know that through faith in the Lord Jesus we share a bond that is greater than anything surrounding us, confronting us, or containing us. It’s the bond that because of the grace of God, through faith in Jesus . . .

Ephesians 4:4,
There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;

If you’re reading and do not have this hope, this peace, this fellowship in this new life in Jesus, you can do so right now by placing your faith in Jesus. Paul wrote the church in Ephesus,

Ephesians 1:13,
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the good news of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,

A Change Of Direction!

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I’m taking a change of direction and headed in a new direction for Dasya’s Photography. I’m planning to be bringing some encouragement, insights, and thoughts from the Word of God along with some of the photography I’m enjoying.

For the past 40 years my “day job” has been a teacher of the Bible, and even today, this passion for my life continues. Alongside my day job has been a great enjoyment in photography and digital imaging in general.

So, this post begins “a change of direction” and I’d like to begin with a brief look at a term and truth we all regularly encounter — that of “hearing.”

We are continually surrounded by, if not bombarded by, things we “hear.” Hearing is more than simple audio perception as much of what we hear is a call to attention, a call to understand, to be attentive. Alas, that horn on the car blows — pay attention!

We also “give heed to” or “attention” to these things we hear for there’s more there than audio input. Scripture has much to say about “hearing,” probably more than we may have realized.

Our Hebrew Scriptures often use a term, “shema,” which frequently carries the idea of more than audio input. E.g., Deuteronomy 6:4,

4 “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!

Recent study in Genesis 1—3 exposes some “listening to” the wrong voice and disastrous results. Lord willing, we’ll look at this Scripture another time. Yet, today, consider who you’re listening to. Scripture is abundantly clear that when we hear, give heed to, the Lord’s voice, words, message, not only are we blessed with clear direction in life, our gracious Lord hears all we say to him!

Micah 7:7,

7 But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear { listen to }  me.

Psalm 4:3,

3 But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself; The Lord hears { listens to } when I call to Him.

This is a wonderful truth for all whose faith is in our great and gracious Lord.

If you’ve never established a relationship with the Lord, “hear” his words to you today,

John 3:16,

16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

“Hear” this truth, place your faith in him, and know he “hears” you today, tomorrow, always, like the prophet Micah well said, “My God will listen to me”! Now be ready, our Lord also has something to say to us about life, peace, security, perspective, family, hope . . . and much, much more!

Bending, But Not Breaking!

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A recent blast of really cold air, complete with a snow, brought home to me a great principle . . . learning to “Bend” and not “Break”!
As I was photographing some Short-eared Owls, some nearby grasses caught my eye. With the cold wind humming and snow beginning to cling, these grasses were bending, but not breaking, and I thought, what a great lesson for my life.

Circumstances are often not exactly what we’d prefer yet holding to your roots and giving some with the circumstances allows us to stand firm, even in that storm.

I was reminded of a young man named Daniel. His country was overrun by a savage enemy and he ended up being taken captive and hauled off to a very different set of circumstances. Yet, Daniel held to his roots, which for Daniel was his faith in the Great God of our Bible.

If you need a good read, check out “Daniel” in your Bible and pay particular attention to this young man who “bends, but doesn’t break”! He is one of my inspirations in the Word of God. I can guess he might become one of your inspirations too.

Back to this chase to photograph some Short-eared Owls, well, they too were bending with the storm but not breaking as they kept to their roots of hunting and then finding a buffer from this wintery blast.

Let me encourage you to be firm in those roots which will sustain you in the storms which come. It’s the truth of the God’s Word which grounds our lives. Here’s the place to start . . . John 3.16,

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Here’s some of God’s Truth to take hold of when the storms do blow . . . 1Cor 10.13,

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

2Cor 4.16-18,

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Just A Little Rest

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

The Hunt – Short-eared Owl

 

Photography For A Feeling

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The Early Rays

There are probably as many reasons to take a photograph as there are photographers. Of the reasons, not the least of which is to capture a moment for memory. Sometimes when you want to do some rummaging in older photographs, whether someone else’s or yours, note that many of the great photographs are literally “snaps” in time!

Catching that “moment, or smile, or tilt of the head, or “look” says it all for the scene. This is especially true with photographs of people. All this to say, don’t ever pass capturing that special “snap” of life.

Yet, where I’ve come in photography is different than the “snap” or “record,” i.e., I was there and this is what I saw. While totally legit, photography for my pursuit has become, “I’m photographing for a feeling, not simply to record an event.”

If you’ve never tried this, give it a shot. Ask yourself, what grabs you as you look at a scene or an animal, or even a person? What stirs something inside?

This “stirring” may be why some of the most popular images are sunrises and sunsets! In one way, they’re so cliche! Yet, in another way, they capture our attention, our mood, and have lots of feeling.

While the temperatures are in the nosedive where I live, there’s some warmth when you’re watching the changing colors of an approaching sunrise. So, enjoy the “feeling” as you photograph and tell your story with the emotion that captured you!

Here are some Sandhill Cranes just getting in as the sun was fading away . . . but, what a “feeling”! Home at last!

Home At Last