Memorial Day Reflections

I hope everyone is having a blessed day today! I was hit with the flu this past week and missed blogging- so I guess I have a little catching up to do? Anyway, just wanted to thank all of you for stopping by- I really appreciate it!!

These are few late afternoon photos while visiting Kalapana.. (location of Kilauea volcano's Pu`u `O`o ocean vent), which hasn't been stirring lately!
I think he was after some shrimp?

Taken from -Streams in the Dessert
(Devotional compiled by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman)

In God, Not Out of Trouble

"And seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the Lord: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest" (Jer. 45:5).
Note: Jeremiah has been known as “the weeping prophet” (cf. 9:1; 13:17; 14:17), living a life of conflict because of his predictions of judgement by the invading Babylonians. (you can read more here if you like)

A promise given for hard places, and a promise of safety and life in the midst of tremendous pressure, a life "for a prey."
What is the meaning of "a life for a prey"? It means a life snatched out of the jaws of the destroyer, as David snatched the lamb from the lion. It means not removal from the noise of the battle and the presence of our foes; but it means a table in the midst of our enemies, a shelter from the storm, a fortress amid the foe, a life preserved in the face of continual pressure: Paul's healing when pressed out of measure so that he despaired of life; Paul's Divine help when the thorn remained, but the power of Christ rested upon him and the grace of Christ was sufficient. Lord, give me my life for a prey, and in the hardest places help me today to be victorious.
--Days of Heaven upon Earth

Light Reflections

"Where is the way where light dwelleth"
Job 38:19

Another series of the enchanted forest

Jewels reflecting light

(might as well enlarge)

Shifting Shadows

Wind carries
A song of broken silence
Light beams weave
Through forested sky
Shadows decend
With countless leaves
Rests among the fallen logs

Series taken while up in Volcano, mostly in Sepia & Mono-

James 1:17- "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows"

That Which Is Through Faith~

"..so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him,

...not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith

Note..This is a little longer than normal , but if our up to it..

Anyway, it was actually freedom that I've been musing over this past week.. how it appears as if it's on a slippery slope? I'd also been reflecting over Pentecost and wondered if anyone dreamed such fracturing..so much schism and division would ever occurr within the Body of Christ like this? Do you think the political landscape is merely a reflection?

But we've certainly been given a picture of oneness in regard to Pentecost, wouldn't you agree?

I guess I want to pose a question..have we been conditioned to rely on organizations and not truly on faith (first)?

I've noticed when people are encouraged to looks towards or become dependant on outside sources, how often it then becomes necessary to be cajoled into things i.e., volunteerism for instance.. almost obligatory? In other words, instead of being motivated by our hearts anymore- long been an American strength, (as a result of freedom) it rather ends up that we somehow have to be coaxed into things?

There can't be only a few who've noticed a moral break down though (in society as a whole) which parallels this phenomena- in regard to the fracturing or division I'd mentioned above? Still somehow, I'm reminded in 1 Co 1: 24 "But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged" ?

Government in biblical thought is not just civil government. In fact, civil government is the least important aspect of government. Government is first that of the individual to govern himself.

Temperance, in modern English, usually refers only to restraint toward alcoholic beverages, but the biblical application is much broader. The Greek word, engkrateia, is the noun form of a verbal root that means "strong in a thing; strength; power; dominion; having power over; being master of." Its true biblical application, then, is synonymous with "self-mastery" or "self-control."

I happen to think 1 Co 1:24 blends in quite nicely with the Fruit of the Spirit in Ga 5:23.. But remember now (against such things, there is no law)!

The list begins with "love" and ends with "self-control/temperance." Did Paul arrange this list in this order because it takes love to precipitate all the other characteristics, and if a person truly walks in the Spirit, the fruit will culminate in temperance?
Possibly, but understood this way, self-control is not the least of the fruit of the Spirit but a major goal..
Bible Tools..(check out blitzkrieg" warfare)

I think the goal of Scripture is to get us to eventually rely on God first~

Anyway, I'm leaving you with a few more selected verses that I felt, offers us a solution..after all, it's the good news right?

1 Co 2:1-5 "And when I came to you brethren, I did not come to you with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God..For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified".

"Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2- He did not consider equality with God something to be grasped..took on “the form of a bond servant.

1 Co 1:30-"But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption"
(do enlarge)~

Harmony In Lavender & Red

Maia's Theme for Macro Flower Saturday is Pentecost for for this Sunday-

Thanks Maia-

Garden of Pagodas

Elly

May

Now About The Medusa..

Meantime.. still fiddling with my musings or musing over my fiddling?

This is a Yellow Ohia Lehua Blossom (was really windy, making it difficult to photograph)

(I've posted this one before)-
Red Lehua Blossom- just opening below..(official Island flower)

(this link will take you to a legend)

I happen to think it's a beautiful tree, only more so in the upper elevations!

Below, a fallen Lehua blossom -in the rain, which attached itself to a Bromeliad Flower beginning to open.

Lamentations 3:22-24 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."

I had to do this for effect! Go on now and enlarge it- (grin)

Crashed out on a Bromeliad leaf!

Wonder what that would feel like in the mid morning sun? ha..

Perseus With The Head of Medusa

I know I know..quite an imagination huh?

Oh, I don't know what I did but the date isn't right.. I posted today-Tuesday!

Maybe you'd like to guess what this photo really is?

I just saw "Clash of the Titans" last week (the earlier one that came out in 1981) It was Pretty good actually and not at all cheesy. Well, I was just struck with that era..couldn't help think about where I was..how they played their part in the sunshine that was then.. back in time, but gone now.. Funny, with a little nostalgia, you just get a glimpse of this mystery, time. Ha, I loved it!

Well Harry Hamlin played Perseus along with Andromeda played by Judi Bowker. The odd thing was, I couldn't believe how much Perseus looked like Mick Jagger!! (lol) I didn't say anything, but about half way through, my other half (who never gave them any mind) says.."you know, he looks just like that musician"! (Clicking the H.H. link takes you to a trailer (found more similarity than in the photo)

Above, a celebration with some theatrics in regard to the release of an album back then.

I'll spare you the most recent theatrics (as you probably know this crew is still carrying on after five decades)- Are we only surprised viewing these antics while younger? Or, does one think perhaps, they might not go that far?

One thought I had in regard to youth..might be the belief it has a handle on time (powerful too I might add)...when it becomes obvious that's not the case..it's still pretty hard to let go? What do you think?

My aim is to carry this theme (Perseus with the head of Medusa)- over to the next post, pulling together some of this past weekends Random Musings..trying my best to avoid a longish post?
"It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption."
1 Co 1:30
For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified...so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. 1 Co 2:2-5
~ as it may be just as powerful (in a hypnotic sense)
and equally hard to trust as it is to let go of youth? developing..

Lavender- Yesterday Is Today's Tomorrow

This was another one of those click & posted before I knew it? Anyway..I haven't added any meme links either.. Some are worth enlarging though (at least my puddy)..
oh, these are with the exception of the first three (Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow flowers)

Colour is my day-long obsession, joy and torment,
Claude Monet

Focus Is The Focus..Why Red Makes Green Better

(Amplification of my musings below)-

When I was a kid
Everything always seemed so big
But like the wind,
I couldn't find the source

Life
Is played out to a song
I'd often protest
To this rhyme
But like a line, somehow,
It carried me along

Doves within this melody
Give the sweetest refrain
Like jets overhead
Still, make me stop an stare

So if we'd but magnify
The source..
Red has the power
To make the green
A little better-
Cause His blood's
The beginning of every fountain

Like a song
If you let it
Carry you along..
As Green may just be
Another tributary
For the fallen race

If I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto myself-
Jn 12:32

Now, just so you'd get a better understanding of where I'm coming from, and won't think I'm trying to be obnoxious? I was thinking of (green)..the environmentally friendly one..as I would a large canvas. Well, I'm sure I don't see many of the problems a whole lot differently than say you would?
OK, but when I keep looking across, I find it equally disturbing, if not more- to know how dogs and cats in various countries are tortured and killed in the most sadistic manner before slaughter- with no animal rights period? Ya, abuse occurs everywhere? Still, I keep looking..(it's broad), and then, I can't help but notice, there is nothing about green that's going to make an iota of difference to the over 250,000 plus -Korean brothers and sisters wallowing in the gulags (now)..this is generations?- with the same clothes, shoes, brush etc..for there entire internment (that's life..unless one happens to escape (they have))? Oh, and many aren't being treated a whole lot better than a dog?
Now, while doing photos this morning, I realized it's a similar canvas. It's a lot like highlighting too..think of your subject?- as you can really only hope to emphasize or magnify one thing- the most essential- (within whatever you've cropped), but not exactly to the exclusion of everything else? So like red..I just happen to think it makes the green a whole lot better?

I realize these are a bit abstract..

Lilikoi, Passion for Mother's Day

For Today's Flowers- Thanks to Santilli - Denise - Pupo - Sandy Carlson

Can you see a tail?

Very edible..more common but delicious. We call the red strawberry..

Believe it or not, they make a ton of juice (I use an old Acme juicer). As you can see, there isn't much difference as far as color variation inside..the outside is just added visual.

Even the little black seeds are delightful to leave in if your making jam..along with what you see-pectin (adhering to skin surrounding the fruit) - you can soak that overnight then chop it up..it looks lovely- (but that's jam).. I just made my mom (who'll make 89yrs on the 23rd of this month. and dad of course -Lilikoi- Passion Cheesecake!




The last two pink above here are wild -Growing along Saddle Rd-
Fruit is sausage shaped (right side)and more of
an orange color when ripe.. very edible, though lacking a little tang as they are rather bland. I am really curious to know if anyone else has this variety?

Well, I'm Wishing All The Mums Out There A Very Special Mother's Day!!