Friday, March 18, 2011

Marvelous Light


                                                 Listowel, Ontario, March 2011

Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.  And God saw the light that it was good . . .  Genesis 1:3, 4a

Willow River, British Columbia, August 2006

Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.  Psalm 97:11

Crescent Beach, Surrey, British Columbia 2008

God is the LORD and He has given us light.  Psalm 118:27a


Crescent Beach, Surrey, British Columbia 2008

"The land of Zebulon and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles.  The people who sat in darkness saw a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and the shadow of death, light has dawned." 
Matthew 4:16

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?  Psalm 27:1


"Arise, Jerusalem!  Let your light shine for all the nations to see! For the glory of the LORD is shining upon you.  Darkness as black as night will cover all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the LORD will shine over you.  All nations will come to see your radiance.  Look and see for everyone is coming home!  Your sons are coming from distant lands; your little daughters will be carried home.  Your eyes will shine, and your hearts will thrill with joy . . ."
Isaiah 60:1-5a (New Living Translation)


Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying "I am the light of the world.  He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."  John 8:12


But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His
 marvelous light . . . 1 Peter 2:9

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus Christ, His son, cleanses us from all sin.  1 John 1:7


Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:16

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Sunrise, Sunset

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. 
Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.
Their line has gone out through all the earth and their words to the end of the world.  In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoices like a strong man to run its race.  Its rising is from one end of heaven, and its circuit to the other end,  and there is nothing hidden from its heat.  Psalm 19:1-6



When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and stars which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that you visit him? 
Psalm 8:3,4


He appointed the moon for seasons;  the sun knows its going down.  You make darkness and it is night . . .  Psalm 104:19,20a


The Mighty One, God the LORD, has spoken and called the earth from the rising of the sun to its going down.  Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God will shine forth.  Our God shall come,  and shall not keep silent . . . let the heavens declare His righteousness.   Psalm 50:1-3a, 6a


From the rising of the sun to its going down, the LORD's name is to be praised.  Psalm 113:3


Praise Him, sun and moon, praise Him all you stars of light, praise Him you heavens of heavens . . .  Psalm 148:3,4a
I am the LORD and there is no other; there is no God besides Me.  I will gird you, though you have not known Me, that they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting, that there is none besides Me.  Isaiah 45:5,6


So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun;  when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.  Isaiah 59:19


"For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles; in every place, incense shall be offered to My name, and a pure offering; for My name shall be great among the nations." says the LORD of hosts.  Malachi 1:11
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Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.  Ephesians 4:26,27


The sun shall no longer be your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you, but the LORD will be to you an everlasting light, and your God your glory. Your sun shall no longer go down, nor shall your moon withdraw itself, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and the days of your mourning shall be ended.  Isaiah 60:19,20



Photos: Serpentine Fen, Surrey, British Columbia


Monday, March 7, 2011

Tree of Life

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.  Proverbs 11:30
And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow
that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. . . .
  the tree of life was also in the midst of the garden . . . Genesis 2:9
These are known as the Tree of Life -"Arbor Vitae"



A wholesome tongue is a tree of life . . . Proverbs 15:4

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; for her ways are better than the profits of silver and her gain than fine gold.   She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.  Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand, riches and honour.  Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.  She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her.  Proverbs 3:13-18

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.  Proverbs 13:12

All photos taken in the Butchart Gardens, Victoria, British Columbia

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Strong Tower

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my Strength in whom I will trust . . .

 . . . my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  Psalm 18:2 NKJV

God is bedrock under my feet, the castle in which I live, my rescuing knight. 
Psalm 18:2 The Message Bible

 . . . tower of the flock, stronghold of the daughter of Zion.  Micah 4:8

The name of the LORD is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe. 
 Proverbs 18:10

The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.  Nahum 1:7 

Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope.  Zechariah 9:12

Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily; be my rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me.  For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name's sake, lead me and guide me.  Psalm 31:2,3

The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. 
Psalm 9:9

My lovingkindness and my fortress, my high tower and my deliverer, my shield and the One in whom I take refuge . . .  Psalm 144:2

In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence,and His children will have a place of refuge.  Proverbs 14:26

Be my strong habitation, to which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress.  Psalm 71:3

For You have been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. 
Psalm 61:3

I  will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him will I trust."  
 Psalm 91:2

He is the tower of salvation to His king and shows mercy to His anointed.  
2 Samual 22:51

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms . . . 
 Deuteronomy 33:27

Photos:  Boldt Castle, Heart Island in the Thousand Islands of the Saint Lawrence Seaway, August 2010