open heart

my trip to the mountains

resounded with gasps

"wows" and tears

beauty opening my heart 

to unexpected wonder

having seen

I cannot un-see

having felt

I cannot un-feel

what God has done

what God can do

around, in

and even through me

breathless

I have been silent here

for good reason

awed by His creation

now that my breath is back

words will return

Sharing the morning

one of many

sharing the morning 

sun and stillness

but interrupting

with his call

new symphonies 

rehearsed at dawn

noon, nightfall

each unique, orchestra

members welcomed

how, without auditions

can there be such eerie unison?

but He already knew

Who formed each feather

and selects each song

wonder

May I never lose this wonder

the surprise of beauty

unique, peculiar

and unexpected

Only God Himself

constant in creation

knows what waits

for our eyes to behold

His peace

Last Malawi road trip

seeking comfort and calm

found in the beauty of Zomba Plateau

this, may my heart remember

Peace I leave with you; 

My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. 

Not as the world gives do I give to you. 

Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 

[Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; 

and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated 

and cowardly and unsettled.]

John 14:27 Amplified

lake life

we are surrounded

hemmed in

hushed by His creation

every wave

shimmer on still water

sun streams

and clouds rolling in

reflect His glory

we breathe Him in

true life

who can deny

new and glorious

each and every day

fresh hope, mercy

and promise

who can deny

the work of His hand?

psalm 34

psalm 34

I cannot tell a story more profound 

than stars, a single blade of grass

a lilac breasted roller

painted by Your hand

all designed in perfection

for Your pleasure

I ponder bones, flesh, blood 

coursing through vessel highways

mechanics beyond human ability

eyes of sea green, topaz

aquamarine, variety for beauty’s sake

and glory shines

psalm 31

psalm 31

branches lifted, shifting

dancing in the breeze

dogs staccato barking

chase beneath the trees

cattle calling lowly

soon the birds join in

choruses of worship

where the air is thin

I, in silent wonder

need not make a sound

while all else that has breath

let’s His praise abound

psalm 15

psalm 15

another morning, fresh

Your hand never rests

creating light

the wind gentle

into a the day

all nature bows 

a portrait of submission

searching for new ways to worship

ever anxious to adore

painted skies

night follows day

follows night

as His hand moves

painting glory

just before sunset

this Zambian dry season

cries for relief

yet beauty

and peace 

continue to fall 

soft

 

reflected cross

it was a perfect morning

to walk and wander

the nature reserve

heat from the sun 

drifting in a subtle breeze

resting in a bird blind

we savoured songs

sensing nearness

even as they remained hidden

I watched, still 

silent, to see

not wings, but a cross

reflected from random twigs

when eyes are wide

and spirits open

the cross is everywhere

For the story and message of the cross is sheer absurdity and folly

 to those who are perishing and on their way to perdition, 

but to us who are being saved it is the [manifestation of] the power of God. 

I Corinthians 1:18 Amplified

 

seasons upside down

I am chilly here

mornings, evenings

wrapped in fleece

as night floats in

flowers blaze

courage displayed

even as Autumn grabs hold

this still unsettles me

living upside down

when all within me insists

April means Spring

It is still warmer here in Pretoria 

than the normal temperatures in Manitoba

but having adjusted to the hot, hot, hotter of Africa 

the cool seems to drive in deep

we will soon depart to sunrises 

and the coldest months yet under Zambian skies

July will find me clad in sweats instead of drenched in sweat

as I wait for the blooming jacaranda trees 

to signal winter's end

 

a quiet walk

While the sun was high

we went for a short walk

to the nearby game reserve

stepping softly we wandered

to visit with, but not disturb

residents both hiding

and boldly close and exposed

rejoicing as we breathed

the same air

.

nature's old song

Whenever there is stillness there is the still small voice,

 God's speaking from the whirlwind,

 nature's old song, and dance...

Annie Dillard

let me remain
silent, satisfied
in Him
let the wind blow
as it may
I will not be moved

sitting still with Sandy

 

tenacity

they take my breath

never failing

bright shining solid

gift from paradise 

this is not fragile beauty 

no, I am awed

by tenacity

I believe

 there is a lesson 

waiting here

 

everything must change

day by day

we have watched
 the transformation

of a single rose

moving from glory

to glory

may it be unto us

the very same

as everything must change

 

amid the razor wire

Today is a first! 

My beloved husband is guest posting here at Flickers.  

He has been moved by what his eyes have seen.

So, without delay, here's Rick!

Pretoria is a beautiful city.  Hilly, so challenging to walk.  But if you are able to walk there are a great many things to notice.  In the more prosperous areas the people love to have gardens with flowers, flowering trees, and rare, unique plants thriving in an area where anything grows.

However, practically everything is protected by either an electric fence or high fences topped with coils of razor wire and steel gates at the driveways!  Most homes also subscribe to the services of security businesses some of whom advertise that they respond armed.  Thus the homes are guarded and display ugly security system signs but there is still much beauty amid the razor wire.

 

beauty strewn

beauty strewn

scattered, protected 

safety in the cracks

holding on to glory

not yet forgotten

As my glorious presence passes by, 

I’ll set you in a gap in the rock, 

and I’ll cover you with my hand until I've passed by

Exodus 33:22 CEB

 

I stand amazed

when I feel small

lost

uncertain

I open wide my eyes

humbled

amazed I stand

surrounded always

by His glory

His wondrous creation

small indeed

yet not lost

for I am found 

in Him