Category Archives: Faith

“A Living Worth Scraping”

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Something different for today’s blog.  I saw this video by Mickey Smith, a surf photographer from Ireland, and it was amazing.  I had to post it for all of you to watch.  I could never do what he does, but it sure is awe-inspiring to see the power of the ocean and the waves.

DARK SIDE OF THE LENS from Astray Films on Vimeo.

A couple of quotes from the video that I liked:

“If I am to scrape a living, at least it’s a living worth scraping.”

“My heart bleeds Celtic blood.”

“Ma always encouraged us to open our eyes and our hearts to the world. Make up our own minds by experience and be inspired.”

“See life in angles and lines of perspective. A slight turn of the head, the blink of an eye, subtle glimpses of magic…”

Live life today, looking for glimpses of God that are all around you, just blink & look.

Slainte, Lisa

Stuck in the Gooey Gumdrops

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So I played “Candy Land” with my 5 year old over the weekend.  And got stuck in the gooey gumdrops and the molasses swamp repeatedly.  Once you land on those dreaded black dots, you have to wait for the yellow card or the blue card to be drawn in order to move again.  So I continued to draw and wait, while my child laughed gleefully at my predicament and advanced towards winning.  (And she did win, twice in a row.  🙂  )

Later, I thought about how life is so much like that game sometimes.  We get stuck, or mired, or obsessed with some goal or object that we feel we have to obtain in order to move on.  And then we’re stuck in the gooey gumdrops.  Life continues to swirl on around us, while we’re just sitting and waiting and hoping for this thing that we think will make us happy.  When we finally draw the right card, it makes us happy, but usually only for a little while.  The only lasting thing that can make me happy long term and forever is Jesus.  He’s the only thing I need to get me out of the molasses swamp and into the abundant life that He longs for me to have.

Slainte, Lisa

Peace in the Storm

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We had a huge set of thunderstorms roll through last night.  Thunder, constant lightning, rain, but mostly wind.  Wind gusts up to 70-80 mph.  After losing power and restlessly going to sleep in the hot house (Virginia was around 104 degrees yesterday), we heard a crash outside, and my husband said, “There went a tree.”  We awoke this morning to sun, blue skies, and an intact house.  There are leaves and branches down everywhere, and one small tree came down in our side yard, but God was good.  No major damage.

As I was laying in bed last night, listening to the winds howl, I felt strangely fatalistic and amazingly peaceful.  I know that God controls the winds and the rain, and I also know, I’m not sure how I know but I do, that He loves me also.  I just kept singing in my mind, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus…”  and somehow I fell asleep.  Now I know compared to storms that others have gone through, this one was a small one.  But at the time, it was scary.  And Jesus was my peace, my calm, in the midst of it.  And I am thankful for that this morning.  Praying that all of you are safe and secure this morning.   Slainte, Lisa

“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.”  (Mark 4:39)

 

On the Edge of Ireland

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My husband felt like he was falling off the edge of Ireland as he got this shot, especially with the fierce wind pushing him in that direction also.  But isn’t it amazing?

Near Bray’s Head, County Kerry

Have a wonderful weekend, filled with long walks, air conditioning if you live near my part of the country, swims, bike rides, great conversation, amazing food, and topped to the brim with lots of God’s love.  Slainte, Lisa

The Way Things Look Vs. The Way Things Are

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Things aren’t always what they seem.  I heard that saying so much growing up.  Wise words with much behind them when you really think about it.  The older woman who still feels 28 inside.  The “old soul” 9 year old child who feels more comfortable around adults.  The disreputable-looking man who is quite nice and safe, but no-one will get close enough to discover that.  The polished, attractive woman who is sour and mean inside.  Here are some pictures that are not what they seem.

In this picture, I appear to have a very short body and big head. No snide comments, please! haha 🙂

My son appears much farther away than he really is.

Jesus said once, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.” (Luke 11:39)  This verse really makes me think, because I know I’ve been guilty of this sometimes in my life.  Trying to polish up the outside and make it look good, while inside I’m full of not-so-attractive thoughts.  I am so thankful that God is still working on me, and He will never give up!  🙂  Be encouraged!  Slainte, Lisa