In The Battle

     Ever feel like you just can't win? Like it's a never-ending battle and your on the losing side? I mean if we are all being honest we probably feel this way at some point. Let's be honest, life IS a battle but we are not on the losing side at all. We may have a few small defeats, but we have great victories!
     Have you ever read 2 Chronicles 20? I won't quote it all on here, but I recommend you read it when you get the chance. This is the story of how a vast army came to attack all of Judah under the rule of Jehoshaphat. "Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all of Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed they came from every town in Judah to seek him." 3-4. All of the people gathered in the temple and prayed to God. They petitioned to God and said "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." 12. Then the Lord answered through a prophet, "This is what the Lord says to you: do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's." 15. He told them to march down against them but they wouldn't have to fight. As they set out to the battle, Jehoshaphat said to them "Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful." 20. Men were appointed to go ahead of the army and sing praises to God, saying, "Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever." 21.
     My friend, did you catch the significance of that? These men were headed into a battle against a vast army where they were greatly outnumbered and out skilled but rather than fret and worry they sing praises to God! Don't you want to live your life in this way? I know I do! They had true faith in God. True faith, which allowed them to praise God while marching toward an army that wanted to kill them. That is the faith that moves mountains. Well, long story short God set ambushes on the vast army and they all killed each other before God's people even arrived to the battle site.

For the word of the Lord is right and true;

he is faithful in all he does.

The Lord loves righteousness and justice; 

the earth is full of his unfailing love.

No king is saved by the size of his army;

no warrior escapes by his great strength.

A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; 

despite all its great strength it cannot save.

But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,

on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

do deliver them from death

and keep them alive in famine.

We wait in hope for the Lord;

he is our help and our shield.

In him our hearts rejoice,

for we trust in his holy name.

May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord,

even as we put our hope in you.

Psalm 33: 4-5, 16-22

Photos of the Day:

 Here is the first set of photos from my new camera. These are my first photography attempt with it, and I took pictures of some of the remaining wreckage in Galveston.

These are a few shots from a bluebonnet outing in Chappell Hill, TX.

A few flags on a windy day in Houston.

UTMB in Galveston has a wonderful garden this time of year where I took the remainder of the pictures. (Sometimes you have to get past the thorns to see the beauty hidden within.)

Busy, busy bee

     It's funny how life seems to ebb and flow just as the tides of the mighty oceans. Even with a job that has steady unchanging hours somehow I find myself in slow periods with plenty of extra time, or like now a time of zero free time and way too much to do. Well that might be a bit of an exaggeration, I don't think I ever actually have "plenty of extra time," but you know what I mean. So in the spirit of not having much extra time lately, I also will not take up too much of yours. On a bittersweet sweet note, this will be the last blog with pictures taken on my old camera because (drum roll please) I got a brand spanking new beauty (Nikon D5100) and am quite excited to capture the world with a new sense of wonder and joy (or just through a new lens)! So without further delay, here are the last photos I wanted to share with the world taken from my newly retired camera.

Photos of the Day:

 I've been playing with the idea of reflections, and I love the way that the beauty of nature is held in a piece of technology here. I was actually working on my bible study sitting on the back porch when I glanced at my phone and noticed how beautiful the sky looked behind me. Little moments.

Quote of the Day:

"Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you - for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others." Ecclesiastes 7:21-22

I like this quote for the two simple messages I believe it conveys, first that what other people say is not what matters. Second, don't be hypocritical, it is easier to point out the speck in another person's eye than to realize there's one in yours. Be forgiving when someone does or says something hurtful and remember that you have done hurtful things too and it is not your place to judge others.

Exercise Note of the Day:

On Saturday I ran a Mighty Mudder Dash - a 5k run with obstacle courses, and it's all through mud. I had so much fun and it got me back into the swing of things! I absolutely cannot wait to do more.