RENEW

“For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you.”- 1 Peter 1:24-25

2006 Autumn

BEAUTIFUL COLOURS, BUT A LITTLE CHILLY. CLIME HAS CHANGED FROM 0 TO 17.

AUTUMN

END OF OCTOBER. BESIDES THIS GREY DAY YOU STILL GET BEAUTIFUL COLOURS AND QUALITY OF LIGHT.

SUMMER

This picture was taken two months ago, when everything was still flowering.

“For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.”- 1 Peter 2:15-16"

Everybody has the dream to be free. Probably the conception of freedom is misunderstood nowadays. When I was admiring these flowers and trying to get the best shot, I felt God's hands blessing that moment, the incredible chance to be on the street, without any concerning to praise Lord for the beautiful view.

Meditation

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”- Hebrews 4:12


It is beautiful to understand how the word of God is so alive and so active in a Christian life. It is like a communion. It comes to improve our life, bringing knowledge, comprehension of the world we live. I mean "Quality" of life, that you can only acquire through the HOLE SPIRIT.

Yes, the Lords' word is like a sword, and it is sharp, it cuts, cures, joins, judges in the right proportion. You have only to open your heart.

ENJOY YOURSELF

As I told before, the way I see myself affects my spiritual progress.

I know, understand, and live how demanding is the world I live. Perfectionism, punctuality, expertise...it is a live circle.

This is how the world works, bus I am sure God operates differently.

If I were perfect as I would like to be I wouldn't need HIS GRACE.Sometimes, God leaves flaws in us to remind us how much we need HIM each day.

Just ENJOY. Enjoy where you are, who you are, and stop comparing yourself with other people.

"Before I formed you...I...approved of you." Jeremiah 1:5

GOD'S CONCEPT OF YOU

It is inevitable when you just get your mind away comparing yourself with someone else. You understand what I am talking about. Your friend is for some reason more clever than you are. And that mother!!! She is so perfect! How she manages to have all those responsibilities and still smiles!!

This is why I am on the road.

I am not perfect, but I am not inferior or unworthy. I don't want this kind of thought to retard my spiritual growth.

Nobody knows me like God does.

I AM ON THE ROAD

Yeah. I am on the road!

I was born to grow and develop maturity. Only God know my heart, my mind, because...

"BEFORE I FORMED YOU....!...APPROVED OF YOU."


Jeremiah 1:5

ALWAYS GIVE THANKS TO GOD

“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”- Ephesians 5:19-20


My God, my father, my saviour, I worship you for all you have done in my life.

Amem

MY PRECIOUS PEARLS

IGOR AND ALANA ...YOU ARE MY PRECIOUS PEARLS.

Thanks Lord for our lives.

WISDOM

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”- Proverbs 9:10

I remember when my son said: "Mummy, God is not point his finger to you in order to punish you."

But I know, He is watching my acts carefully. I fear the Lord.

NATURE

This road is very close to my town, about 3miles far away.

It was sunshine, a little bit chili to ride a bike, but it was irresistible to not be out for some fresh air.

Scotland is a contrast of a beautiful green colour on the ground and a beautiful blue sky. I try to keep my camera with me for every unexpected shot.

This day in particular, I stopped in front of this very tall tree to admire its shape. How God is so perfect! I see HIM everywhere, and in HIS creation. It's nature!

Genesis 1

11 Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. 12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

COINCIDENCE NO

I don't believe in coincidence.



I believe that God do everything right and perfect, providing people I meet, place I go, and matching all of them so perfectly, that I know "only ONE could be responsible for."



I always invite Christ to take the first position for me, so that I can rest in His arms.


“I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”- Psalm 40:8

PERFECTION

“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.”- Psalm 37:4

My Lord I love you and I declare that you are the only one I worship.

Thank you my Saviour for all the gifts I have got, for the beautiful jobs, for my home, family, health, provision...

You are perfect, and only you can do everything right.

Stay with me everyday of my life, in Jesus name...Amen

HOW ARE YOU TODAY?

When you ask someone..."How are you doing?...you can expect...

"So far so good!" "Not bad!" "Very well, thank you!"

We can't forget that this life is only a spiritual journey, and it doesn't matter how far we have to go. We need courage...and nothing can discourage us...as Paul said:

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2Corinthians 10:5


“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” PSalm 27:14

Scottish Sunset

MY REDEEMER

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”- Psalm 19:14

MAN'S HEART

“Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.”- Proverbs 19:20-21

AS THE SPIRIT... WORKS WITHIN US, WE BECOME...LIKE HIM.

2 CORINTHIANS 3:18


AS TH SPIRIT...WORKS WITHIN US, WE BECOME...LIKE HIM.

It is easy to forget I am getting older. But looking at earlier pictures, I realize how I was before. I notice the same feeling can take me when it is about spiritual growth, until I look back and how I was before Jesus saved me and turned my life around . Sometimes, growing up involves growing pains!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

I ALWAYS HAD THIS VIEW IN MY MIND... FIRST, I SAW IT IN A CD COVER... THEN, IN A DREAM... FINALLY, I CAN SEE AND WALK THIS PATH ANY TIME I WANT... IT IS REALLY A BLESSING PATH...

BRAVE HEART IN EDINBURGH

DO YOU KNOW WHO WAS WILLIAN WALLACE - BRAVE HEART?

CRITICISM

The wise listen, learn and use it for his own benefit.

Ask for suggestions, correct your mistakes.

I would say: watch what Christ wants to show you, accept and keep in peace.

PROVERBS 13:18

" Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,
but whoever heeds correction is honored. "

USE CRITICISM TO YOUR ADVANTAGE

When I was criticized using a cycling helmet, I had to smile to receive that comment. It was a very hard smile, but it really worthies.

When your smile comes up with certain difficulty, it is usually noticed by everyone who knows you.

What happened?

After almost two weeks after that episode the person who offended me, said she was sorry about that, that was not her intention to hurt my feelings. Of course, I not only accepted the excuses, but I also gave another smile back, but with my eyes fully pleased.

As you see, don't hide your feelings. Instead, use the criticism to your advantage.

Proverbs 1:5

" let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance— "

PRAISING LORD

Learn everything you can about your job;

Work in team, helping each other;

Do your best in everything you do;

Praise Lord with your labour;

"If you speak, you should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If you serve, you should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised "

1 PETER 4:11

THANKFULLY

Recognize God as your true employer.

EPHESIANS 6:7-8

" Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one of you for whatever good you do,..."

BEING HAPPY IN YOUR JOB

I don't know how is your life at this present moment, your job, your achievements, your wishes, your relationships. But I believe when everything is working, a feeling of happiness can involve you based on all good about yourself.

Growing in confidence and strength seem to be easier when your gifts and skills are utterly developed and used through your life's work.

ECCLESIASTES 5:19

" Moreover, when God gives people wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. "

THE PRAYER

"I pray you'll be our eyes, and watch us where we go.

And help us to be wise in times when we don't know.

Let this be our prayer, when we lose our way.

Lead us to a place, guide us with your grace

To a place where we'll be safe."

In August 2006, I started a volunteer job in a school as a learning assistant. Fourteen months later, I mean, October 2007, I am celebrating the job of my dreams. I have just realized that both places, the school I was as a volunteer, and the place I got a job, work as partners. In a foreign country, where you are a stranger, it is absolutely amazing. It is like a circle, all beautifully linked. In the centre, I see Jesus, WHO prepares the best of the best. I am very pleased for the opportunities I have had and lived as a Christian.

I see God guiding, leading and preparing the way it has to be.

Thank you Lord, my Saviour, Almighty.

A CHANGE

EZEKIEL 36

25 "I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws."

MY HELPER

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 121

OPPORTUNITIES

"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity."

Colossians 4:5

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY!

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.”- Proverbs 27:1

My friend said that all my pictures are so beautiful, and I have to agree with her so delighted I am every time I look around and I see the nature changing in so beautiful colours.

The plants are still green. Some flowers are colouring the garden, with their bright and beautiful colours, even when the day is gray.

I need my camera in my hands all the time, to register and certify what my eyes have seen lately.

Try to enjoy your day and what it brings to you at the moment. Nobody knows about tomorrow. So, smile, hug someone you love, say "I love you" why you can say it. Try to finish every task you have started. Always.

Morning Has Broken

I am not the person who stays in bed for long hours in the morning. On the opposite, I always get up early, it doesn't matter if I am working or not.

But it is interesting, how my mornings have broken since I arrived in Scotland.

If it is summer, it is day light at 4am, and I can hear the birds singing in the garden. One very small window is open every night for some fresh air. It is beautiful to hear all the sounds that come from outside of our house. I mean, the silence has broken, because the nature is alive...plants growing, birds taking and bringing seeds, some gentle showers, new season. The winter is coming, all the leaves are falling, and all the trees are getting bare so quickly, the sun is shining at 7am so shy, and sets at 5pm. Short days.

Morning has broken when it is time to get up and put my feet on road. Smile in my lips and in my heart because as the nature, I am still alive.

PRAYER

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."

COLOSSIANS 4:2

My Jesus Lord, thank you for your absolutely love, care, mercy upon my life.

NEW BIRTH

“Praise to God for a Living Hope,
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,...”

1 Peter 1:3

I always think about the relationship between a new birth and a child. Do you?

Well,probably it is because a child has that innocence in her behaviour. She says what she thinks and acts accordingly.

It is certain that a child has to grow and develop to maturity. It is not different with a Christian person, who accepts Jesus Christ in her life. It is a new birth with Jesus Christ. The person needs time to learn, grow and develop to maturity.

There is no perfection, and when we grew up, we quit our childish ways, but since and then, every time we need a new start is like the first steps of a child. It requires time, training, fix.

What makes a child confident, happy and strong?

Love, care, food, and time. This is our walk with God!

We need time.

APPROACHING WITH LOVE

PROVERBS 16:24

"Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."


I believe everybody has already had an experience trying to help someone in need. I have learned that the words can be so sharp as a knife. They can cut the good, as they can cut the bad.

How to avoid "who-are-you-to-tell-me?

Two things: love and humility

Don't hide yourself as a hermit crab. You know, since you start growing, the shell is going to be tight, and probably you are not going to fit properly inside, and then you have to look for a bigger one to live.

Spread your love, share your heart, listen to God's voice and live.

USE YOUR WORDS WITH RESTRAINT

Proverbs 17:27

" Those who have knowledge use words with restraint, and those who have understanding are even-tempered."

It is used to say that good ideas are wasted when it is a "ram-it-down-your-throat". It means, we have to learn how to say the right thing, the right way.

WATCH WHAT YOU SAY

"THE LORD GOD HAS GIVEN ME HIS WORDS OF WISDOM SO THAT I MAY KNOW WHAT I SHOULD SAY." ISAIAH 50:4

"You can offer your ideas to others as bullets or as seeds. You can shoot them or sow them. Ideas used as bullets will kill inspiration and motivation. Ideas used as seeds will take root, grow and bear fruit in the life in which they are planted. But there's a risk: once it becomes part of those in whom it's planted, you probably will get no credit for originating the idea. But if you're willing to do without the credit...you'll reap a rich harvest." Richard Harverson