Coffee

The hands of one of my best friends and faithful prayer partner Diana. We have spent the last few years praying together on Fridays. The ritual started at our favorite coffee shop, Morning Times. It holds a special place in my heart. Bagels and butter, praying, staring at those brick walls and coffee. This picture is very significant for me.

Older Car with Character

I like this car. It is located in a small fishing village in Mexico and it has character. There are a lot of layers and textures in this photo......so I kept it. Old sometimes means vintage fabulous.

Never Separated

The Great Wall in China is 5,500 miles long and one of the great wonders of the world. This wall was intended to separate and divide to protect its people from attack. While visiting some friends in this area, this photo from the trip reminded me that we are never separated from Christ's love.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,d neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. "
Romans 8:38-39

Bowling

This picture was taken at a recent bowling birthday party. People say Christians don't really have fun. I would beg to differ. I actually broke 100 for the first time after my career of gutter balls. Hey and nothing says fun like a good granny ball.

Beautiful in its time

"He has made every thing beautiful in his time..."
Ecclesiastes 3:11a

This reminds me of a sermon I once heard from
a pastor in Mexico that compared plant development to waiting for things in life. He
reminded us that each part of a plant's development is important. Each stage builds on the last and to rush a part of plant development leads to an unhealthy flower. It takes awhile to see a plant germinate. You just have to wait for it. The action is underground. Just wait. He makes things beautiful in his time.

Girls from Mexico

These three girls, from a small Mexican fishing village, loved posing for the camera.

This shot of two children in Guatemala captured the indigenous culture that still thrives there. These two children let me capture this shot while they enjoyed a sunny afternoon on their porch.

Sand

"But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand"

Matthew 7:26

We weren't made to build houses on sand just like we shouldn't place our foundation on people or things. Foundation should be built on the rock by hearing and putting into practice the words of Jesus.

"never, never pin your whole faith on any human being: not if he is the best and wisest in the whole world. There are lots of nice things you can do with sand: but do no try building a house on it." C.S. Lewis

"On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand."

-Hymn

This picture was taken at a park in San Diego. It was snapped shortly after some good time to read and spend time with God. The light was really nice as the sun was about to set. I particularly liked the layers of green in this picture.

Sandals

This picture was taken at Falls Lake several years ago of one of my favorite things...my flip flops.

Another favorite photo taken while in Guatemala. This picture has a lot of rich green colors and layers. I chose the text to be the color green and fade as it says in the text...

"The grass withers, the flowers fades, but the word of our God stands forever."
Isaiah 40:8

This picture was taken in Guatemala several years ago. The enhanced coloring reminds me of crisp bright morning. In our continual struggle with sin this picture is a reminder that his compassions are new every morning. As my roomate says, "tomorrow is another day". We are always able to start over fresh because of him.

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Lamentations 3:22-23

This photograph of a girl's glittery princess shoes was taken Saturday 03/06/2010. It was taken at a photoshoot for a Headstart outreach event aimed to educate families on personal health. Due to this, I can't post pictures of faces [due to privacy]....but will of these cute shoes!

This photo of a colorful door taken in Antigua, Guatemala reminds me of two truths.

1. Jesus stands at the door knocking wooing us into relationship with him. We choose to open the door or not.

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock....." Revelation 3:20

2. Doors represent direction. Choices. The decision making process that can stress us out, however, God provides wisdom for our next steps as we continue to walk with him.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight."

Proverbs 3:5-6

Intentional

Both of my sisters are heroes to me. This is a picture of one of my sister's who is living in the innercity. Each year she meditates on a word and and this year she chose the word intentional as she wants to be the salt and light to those around her.

"13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:13-16

This picture was taken Valentine's Day 2009 as a reminder of God's love for us. However, this year I rediscovered this picture around Valentine's day and added a verse that captured what this picture was about for me.
"...in his word I put my hope."
Psalm 130:5

Clean

One of the most interesting people I know inspired the title for this photo. My friend, Laura, (who is full of life, reads children books and has a heart for the contra dance)shared a spiritual nugget with me. She said that God was cleaning her, similiar to using water to wash her heart. It reminded me of the verse, "...having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." Hebrews 10:22

He is the one who makes us clean.