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Good Sunday Morning!
This past week, I went outside to walk our property to see if any wildflowers were coming up in the meadow area, but before I reached the meadow and walked down the stairs of our deck, I saw some cornflowers, also called Bachelors Buttons. They were tall and grew up there near the underside of the deck but still in the sunlight beside it. Probably from seeds that had blown away from my upstairs deck planter from last year. I thought it was so cool that God’s beauty and design of how flowers propagate is a reminder of His absolute control over nature and the world. I photographed one of the blooms and the darkness of shade around it made it really stand out. I thought this bible verse from the Psalms was appropriate for the image as the Lord’s wondrous works affirm to me that I can trust Him at all times, and that He is beside me through thick and thin.
The Psalm speaks of God’s righteousness and coming judgment to the rebellious group that refuse to humble themselves and acknowledge the Lord of all creation. My prayers are for those (even in my own family) who need to recognize their fallenness and confess it before God and ask Him to live in their hearts for everlasting life. May we have the strength and loving words to minister to them and their need for our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Lord.
Blessings to you all.
Gaby

Good Sunday Morning!
The flower in this image is called an Indian Blanket, also known as Firewheel flower, that I photographed. These flowers come up every year in the meadow near us and I think the red and gold colors are beautiful. What strikes me is that the petals seem to form a crown around the center of the flower. I chose this bible verse from Revelation 4:11 to go with this flower image, which I processed in a watercolor painting effect. The verse is a worship praise for our Creator God who alone is worthy of it. He created all things and will one day redeem His creation forever. The passage in this section of Revelation describes the throne room of heaven and the awesome vision of John the Apostle as he was transported to heaven in the Spirit. In verse 10, the 24 elders fall down before His throne and cast their crowns stating their worship and praise. The book of Revelation is the truth of the end of time, and it is the hope of God’s children who have put their faith in Jesus Christ, the Lord of lords and King of kings. We have nothing to fear as we know our destination - and the power of God to command the future of this world in His timing.
Blessings to you,
Gaby
©gabyethington

Lately, as I read my bible, I am also seeking the strength of God to heal me completely of my recent illness. I am reminded that it should be a holy habit – to read my bible more often than I had been. There is power in the Word of God. Power to have more trust, power to understand life through the Holy Spirit’s guidance, power to retain important promises and power to minister to others. This verse in Psalm 105:4 speaks to Israel for a time of remembering and celebrating the work of God, most likely when the ark of the covenant was brought to Jerusalem. I chose this bumble bee photograph that I photographed this past week, to go with this verse. The bee is seeking nectar in the Larkspur flowers I have growing in my garden. As the bee seeks the flower nectar, I need to be seeking the sweet truths in Scripture to sustain my soul.
The whole psalm is about the eternal faithfulness of the Lord. Speaking of faithfulness, my prayers are that I would be reminded daily of God’s faithfulness to me. He is good and merciful, and I am so grateful He loves me. No matter what goes on in life’s circumstances, I must remind myself that I am His child. I hope to please my Lord in more ways as I go about my days because my life is dependent on His grace.
Blessings to you,
Gaby

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:6
Easter (Resurrection Day) is a holy day celebrated by Christians all over the world. Those people who have been called by God to believe in His Son, Jesus Christ and what He did for us by going to the cross. He did this willfully, He died for our sins and paid the penalty of our sins - for us to have everlasting life in heaven and the new earth, His kingdom, after we die this earthly death.
So, with that in mind, I searched my photographic archives and the bible for a verse to convey a promise and truth of God to His children. I chose a sunset photograph of a Texas farm with dark clouds and the shining sun peeking through to illuminate the land. The verse in 2 Corinthians 4:16, tells us that since the Lord is creator of earth and the universe, who also made the sun to shine in the darkness also shined the light of salvation into our hearts when we were called by God to believe in Jesus Christ. When Jesus came to earth, He came as God incarnate (fully God and fully man), the glory of God shone in Him and He fulfilled God’s plan from before the beginning of time to save humankind. When Jesus Christ died on the cross, He rose again (was resurrected) on the third day – which we celebrate as Easter Sunday. He was seen by many after that day, (besides His disciples and the women who ministered to them). When it was time for Him to be seated at the right hand of our Father, He ascended into heaven. The calling of His children (believers) is to shine the light of the Lord inside of us to others, to love one another and be fruitful, to converse of His saving gift available to all and minister to the needs of others.
If you do not know about Jesus Christ, read the book of John in the Holy Bible and ask God to open your heart to the only truth that matters.
Blessings to you,
Gaby

Good morning, friends!
Here is another snow image from my archives of when we had a big snowstorm last year. I remember this day as I walked in the field-meadow by our house. The trees were covered with snow, and it was so quiet and still, a wonderful peaceful surrounding. Today is the fourth advent, a celebration of Peace. The whole reason our Lord Jesus came to earth; to give mankind peace with God. Born of a virgin, His sinless life, ministry of love, dying for our sins and rising to life – He alone is our hope, our faith, our joy, and our peace. It is encouraging to know the God of love and peace is with me. May His love give you comfort and peace this season.
Today is the last Sunday I will be sending out the Photo-Scripture Mini-Devotionals. After doing this for years, I think it is time. I have prayed and thought about it and I do hope you were encouraged by them. I pray you all have a wonderful Christmas and blessings in the new year.
©gabyethington

I have been going through some of my snow photographs from last year and found this sweet one of two doves sitting in the snow. Today marks the third week of Advent which celebrates the ‘Joy’ of this season. I thought this bible Scripture from the Psalms makes a nice match to this image. This verse outwardly refers to a national unity to the Jewish nation, however, in a deeper sense speaks to spiritual unity for all of us. It speaks to me to remember we believers are all in this journey together, we know who the Lord Jesus is, what He did for us, why He came to earth and how His supreme love has saved our souls. At this joyous season, may we remember to love one another and spread His everlasting joy, the real and true reason for Christmas.
©gabyethington

Goodness, our weather in Texas is up and down in temperatures and has made the pasture grasses turn golden. This is sunset over a Texas farm pasture and I thought it worked well with this Scripture from 1st John. The vast countryside in this image and the bright sun and light behind it fits. In December I like to follow the Advent Sunday spiritual preparation prompts as we celebrate our great Hope this season. Today is a reflection of faith. Because of Christ’s victory overcoming death on the cross, we, who have put our faith in Him have overcome death as well. No more fears, no more worries, just peace and gratefulness to the Lord of lords and King of kings. We celebrate this season because God sent His Son to be Savior of the world – to those who will come to Him - because of His extreme and perfect love (a true element of who He is, no matter what this present world tries to diminish).
May this week bring you through it with blessings and stronger in faith.
©gabyethington

This lily was growing in a walkway in my sister’s community in California and I liked its Christmas colors of red and gold with a green background. Since this is the first advent Sunday, I wanted to post something to direct our hearts to this season of hope and celebration of hope realized. When searching for bible Scripture for this image, I came across this verse from 2 Thessalonians. I surely need to direct my heart more onto the Lord and reflect on His love for me. This verse is a benediction from the Apostle Paul and follows verses of promise, one being that God will guard us from the evil one. With so much going on around us, I am glad God knows all and is in control. I don’t understand some things, but that is where trust and patience come in to lead me; meditating on His holy word makes peace abound in my heart.
May you all have a blessed week ahead.
©gabyethington

Happy Thanksgiving! This is a special edition of my Photo-Scripture Blog, just wanting to wish everyone a joy filled day, whether with family or on your own – it is fitting to give God thanks for the blessings in life. As the fog around these Autumn trees starts to lift, my spirit also gets lifted on these special days. Although life can get hard sometimes, I have found that I came through those times stronger and I do give thanks to the Lord for being there even when I could not feel it. God loves you and I hope your day is one of peace and pleasure.

Good Sunday morning, all!
We are home and I am glad. It is a long drive but splitting it between 3 days makes it a lot easier. This image is one of the last photographs I took of the white roses along a pathway at my sister’s community. They were bunched together as they bloomed, and they were heavy with petals. I found this bible Scripture to go with it because I praised the Lord for watching over us as we drove; for getting us home safely and for your prayers as well. This bible verse is an invitation for all God’s children to come together and praise Him in worship. So today, let us all come together and praise Him and give Him the glory He so much deserves.
May you have a blessed week of Thanksgiving with your loved ones.
©gabyethington