Photography, Alaska, Creation, Nature, Wildlife, Landscapes, Inspiration, God, Art, Beauty, Great Smoky Mountains
It was only by His Grace that I did not face combat during Vietnam, while many of the Marines I served with paid the ultimate sacrifice that ensured the precious freedom each of us is blessed to enjoy today as Americans . . . Thank you my fallen brothers and sisters.
Keep Looking Up . . . His Best is Yet to Come!
The 1984 movie Red Dawn portrays a group of teenagers banding together to defend their town and country from an invasion feared as the dawn of World War III. Entertaining, far-fetched cinema back then, still serves as an ominous warning in today’s contentious world.
Today’s sunrise was a Red Dawn of a more peaceful genre, a glowing splendor awareness of my insignificant, infinitesimal smallness, and His magnificent, unfathomable love. Were that our world would acknowledge our controversial smallness and pursue His healing greatness.
“One generation commends your works to another; they tell of Your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of Your majesty”.
Psalm 145:4-5
Keep Looking Up . . . His Best is Yet to Come!
This Great Smoky Mountains ephemeral, after-the-storm panorama marked the close of another day. The scene evoked a juxtaposed, sobering/joyful contemplation of life’s unknown brevity, and breathtaking beauty. As dusk fell, the confident wisdom of a beloved preacher comforted my thoughts:
“What is your life? You are but a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
James 4:14
“This is the day the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24
“I’ve read the last chapter of Revelation, and we win .”
Billy Graham
Keep Looking Up . . . His Best is Yet to Come!
Muggy 90s have descended upon our Great Smoky Mountains abode, and we awoke to Mr. Smoky splashing in the creek outside our bedroom window to cool off. Thought about inviting him in for some honey drizzled pancakes, but Ellie was still in her PJs and decided she rather not ‘bear ‘ it.
PS – Please disregard the time and date shown on this video clip. I’ve yet to get around to resetting them since purchasing the game camera back in 2017 . . . obviously not a high priority on my Bucket List.
Be Blessed and . . .
Keep Looking Up . . . His best is yet to come!
Science attributes a sunset’s red and pink hues to 2 factors:
During sunrise and sunset the sun’s rays must pass through up to 40 percent more atmospheric area with a greater number of gas, water droplet, dust, and air pollutant particles than at any other time of the day before reaching our eyes. The more atmosphere particles, the more the light scattering known as the Rayleigh Effect, and the more vivid the sky’s colors appear.
Longer red wavelengths of light do not scatter light as much as shorter violet and blue wavelengths causing alpenglow, a blended red and white wavelength phenomenon also known as the pinking hour.
Witnessing another Great Smoky Mountain day gradually relinquish to night’s shadows, my soul was enveloped in peace. An old mariner adage came to mind . . . red and pink sunsets portend good weather ahead.
One day closer to life’s final sunset, my omnipotent Artisan of the heavens has already numbered and planned and each of my future sunrises and sunsets for Eternity, where nothing but ‘good weather’ awaits. Hope to see you there.
“A person’s days are determined; You have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed”.
Job 14:5
Keep Looking Up . . . His Best Is Yet to Come!
Lotsa’ activity early this morning in our Great Smoky Mountains backyard. Here’s a few vid clips of our backyard buddies 😊
Keep Looking Up . . . His best is Yet to Come!
Who are the people who have made a positive difference in your life? Take a moment to answer these two sets of questions:
I scored zero . . . how did you do? These individuals represent the finest in their fields, but few of us remember yesterday’s ‘headliners’. When the applause dies and the awards begin to tarnish, save for the journals of history, they’re forgotten.
Here’s another set of questions:
I scored 100%, and I suspect you did as well.
With all due respect to the accomplishments and contributions of this world’s ‘headliners’, those who have truly make a positive difference in our lives are most likely not those honored in award ceremonies . . . they’re the ones off-stage who cared and loved us in spite of our faults, failures, and disappointments. They:
Included among those teachers, people, and friends who have made a lasting positive difference in my life are two that are most special . . .
Thank you Mom . . . Thank you Jesus . . . who Mom introduced me to and went to be with at 94 years young.
My Mom signifying . . . Keep Looking Up, His best is yet to come!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Three rugged timbers on a hillside at sunrise, reminiscent of a Sonrise 2,000 years ago that forever vanquished death and sealed my salvation.
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death. is your sting?”
I Corinthians 15:55
Keep Looking Up . . . His best is yet to come!
Abba's Art 