Welcome Judy Glenn!

I am so excited to have my sweet friend, Judy Glenn, as my guest on my blog today. Be sure to check out her links, she is an awesome photographer! 

Romans 8:28

Romans 8:28 has been my favorite verse for as long as I can remember. I have hung my hat on it throughout my life.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28, NLT)

Everyone has struggles in their lives. We are not promised life will be easy. Instead the Bible says: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." (John 16:33, NLT)

I have been through so much in my life, but Jesus has always been there to help me get through. I don’t worry because I know the Lord has the perfect plan for my life. I just need to be obedient to what He has asks me to do. 

My husband and I had to close our business a few years back. Closing the shop was like a death to me, and I grieved over its loss. I loved it as it was what I did everyday. The shop was a part of me.

After the shop closed, the Lord allowed me to focus my attention on another passion of mine….photography. Since the shop closed, I have devoted myself to it basically 24/7. I have tried to learn and hone my craft. I still have so much to learn and perfect.

The Lord is starting to open doors for my photography, and I can see His hand at work. Starting this past October, I started a photography blog on Guideposts.org. I did not seek out this endeavor. The Lord opened the door!

I don’t know what He has planned for me next. I just keep putting 110% into my photography and revert back to my trust in His word found in Romans 8:28.

As we are diving into a new year, we need to trust in His plan for our lives. We may not understand it, but it is the best for us!

Judy Royal Glenn is a wildlife and nature photographer from Athens, Georgia. Jesus is behind all she does as a photographer. 

You can follow Judy’s photography on Guideposts, Facebook, Blogger, Flickr, Pinterest and Twitter.

Christmas - Just One Word: Jesus

"The Word became flesh and dwelt among us." John 1:14

• The powerful Word who spoken into blackness, "Let there be light."
• The glorious Word who filled the temple with fire.
• The tender Word who spoke to Mary and Joseph.

This power, glory, and tenderness became flesh and walked among us.

I love these beautiful truths expressed by Ruth Rosen of Jews for Jesus:

"How amazing that God became less, in order to be like us...
so that we could become more like Him."

"It is said that a picture paints a thousand words.
And yet, with just One Word, God painted a thousand pictures."

God's light come to earth, now shining in His children.

How have you experienced God's light in the 2014?

Jews for Jesus  Mission Statement: We exist to make the messiahship of Jesus and unavoidable issue to our Jewish people worldwide..
I've been blessed to support them for over 30 years.

Photo credit: Names of Jesus

Ready to Harvest

Photo credit? JamaL1977a

When I drive around these days, I'm surrounded by trucks hauling huge cotton bales to the gin for processing. As two passed me this morning, I thought of Jesus words about the harvest.

He [Jesus] told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Luke 10:2

The weather been's strange this fall - a severe cold snap and lots of rain have delayed the cotton harvest. Now, trust me, we NEVER turn down rain out here but it did throw the schedule off.

But, the farmers hung in there. They prayed and trusted God. When the time was right, they worked together to harvest everyone's field. 

What can we learn about the Lord's harvest from the farmers all over the country?

• Sometimes, our desire to harvest is railroaded. We don't look for excuses, really, but we do take any opportunity to put it off. Most of us don't like to go out into the field and talk about Jesus. When obstacles come, we need to spend the time drawing closer to God and praying for the right words to come at the right time.
• Like the farmers, we can hang in there. There have been many times I felt like I should speak to someone about Jesus but I kept my mouth shut. Other times I was convinced I should talk but God never gave me the opportunity. But I keep on keeping on. I know I'll get it right because God gives me new chances everyday.
• Prayer and trust - how crucial! God doesn't necessarily call all of us to boldly witness, but we are all called to pray. Pray for the lost and pray for those who go out and talk about Him, God doesn't want anyone to perish so trust Him to reach out to each person and to call them by his love (2 Peter 3:9).
• I love the way the farmers work together. The crews move from field to field, helping each other bring in the crop. If you look out on the massive harvest and feel overwhelmed, remember: God walks with you and many Christians around the world are working with you and praying for you

So go out and join the workers in the fields because they are white and ready to harvest. 

This is a wonderful time of the year to talk about God's Son. 

How has God used you to reach out to a nonbeliever or to pray faithfully for one who is out in the fields?

Four Promises: Hope In the Desert

"I am with you and will watch over you wherever 

you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will  

not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." 

When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, 

"Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it." Genesis 28:15-16

Water in the desert...hope...That's what Jacob needed. He fled for his life - his brother, Esau, vowed to kill him. So Jacob ran. When he stopped for the night, out in the middle of nowhere, the Lord surprised him with promises that encouraged and strengthened him.  

We desperately need hope when we're roaming in deserts of loneliness, pain, or loss. We need water in the desert. And to us the Lord says:

1. I am with you. When I was laid off a year after I lost my Mom to cancer, I certainly doubted that God was around. "Where are You? Don't You see what's happening to me?" It took me a while to become aware of God's voice when He said, "I am here." We don't always hear Him. We don't always feel His presence. But here's a promise we can cling to: He is with us.

2. I will watch over you. "Don't you care? Why aren't you dong something?" Have you ever prayed those words? It's hard to believe that God watches over us when our lives are falling apart. I couldn't believe He'd take my job away but, as I look back, I see that He saved my life. Sometimes we can only see His love and care from the other side of the valley.

3. I will bring you back to this land. No one wants to dwell in sorrow, frustration, or despair. I've sat in many a pit, losing all hope that things would ever change. We might wonder if life will ever be normal again. But God never leaves us where we are. He reaches out to take our hands and to lead us back to peace and joy.

4. What I have promised you. I wish God promised to give me what I asked for, don't you? He doesn't promise to keep us happy. He doesn't promise an easy life. Scripture says He always has our best in mind. That doesn't make any sense when we're stuck in the desert. We define "best" as the world defines it, not as God defines it. He works for our eternal best: to mold us into the image of His Son. His presence, His love, His work to restore us - these promises sustain us.

When Jacob woke up, his circumstances hadn't changed. He was still running from Esau. He was still out in the middle of nowhere. But one thing had changed: He knew God was with him. He was stunned to realize that God was there, even though he'd been blind to it.

Most of the time, our circumstances don't change. We curl up in hopelessness and forget that God's with us. But His voice breaks through and He lifts us up with His promises. He won't transform our circumstances but He does transform us.


When have God's promises provided stability in your life when your circumstances shook you to the core?

Photo credits: 1, 2

Done Any Grumbling Lately?

And in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD, 

because he has heard your grumbling against him. Exodus 16:7

Moses said these words to the Israelites who were grumbling like crazy - again. God delivered them from slavery in Egypt and they saw Him perform miracle after miracle. But, when it came time to eat one evening, they started complaining again.

"We wish you'd just left us back there in Egypt. We were slaves but at least we had lots to eat. What good is being free if we starve to death?"

Moses' first words?  “And in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD.”

We can all agree with that. Sunrises proclaim His glory. I might even stretch it so far as to say a cup of steaming coffee declares His glory.

Who do you suppose the “you” refers to?

Someone who seeks Him. Someone who walks with Him every day. Certainly someone who’s obedient.

Not so fast! Read the rest of the verse, “because he has heard your grumbling against him.”

He chose to show His glory—His mercy and grace—to the very same people who complained, who didn't trust Him, and who doubted His provision. He didn't zap them into pieces of coal. He understood their weak faith and and revealed Himself to them in a way that would bolster their confidence in Him.

I'm one of those people. We all are.

We've seen God do some awesome things but, at the slightest hint of trouble, we grumble.
We don't trust Him. We doubt His love.

It’s amazing that our Father God responds to our lack of faith and our grumbling with love rather than to thump us on the head (my Mom’s favorite mode of scolding).

But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, 

abounding in love and faithfulness. Psalm 86:15

When did you last praise God for His infinite patience?

When has He shown you grace when you deserved a thump in the head?

Photo credit: 1,