Suprise Suprise Suprise!

What a nice suprise every fall when these beauties

stick their stalks through the grass and flower beds

to burst open this beautiful flower. Though short

lived, they are gorgeous while they are here.

Red Spider Lily -  Lycoris radiata

“So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."
Bible New King James Version-Matthew 6:28-29

The Beauty and The Beast!

Well after several weeks of no rain, we finally got close to 1 inch today and it was sure welcome. The flowers in our yard really appreciated the drink and they just seemed to burst out with life. I had to grab the ole shutter box and go take a few frames to add to my trillion or so pics. This Althea was just begging me to take it's picture so I had to oblige.

Just as I was getting into the soft light breaking out of the clouds and trying to get the best shot possible, I noticed a little visitor. Well it was a most unusual looking beast so I turned my attention to it. I am sorry but I don't know the name of this member of God's creation but I thought it was harmless enough and worthy of a closeup.

The sun came out strong and the soft light departed so I retreated inside my house to soak up the coolness provided by the good ole AC unit. Later in the evening just before the sun dropped behind the trees, I looked out my window and saw the most beautiful soft light hitting the Althea flowers again. So I went out to get one more shot to add to the hard drive and low and behold, my ole buddy the beetle had been enjoying an afternoon snack, courtesy of the Althea flower I was planning on shooting again.

 

Needless to say, this presented me with a problem. Who wants to see a flower full of bug holes??? But just as God intended, His creation proves once again His genius in designing all things on this earth. Each has a purpose and is here for a reason and these shots show the beauty and the beast as He intended them to be.

"Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind”; and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good."

          Holy Bible-New King James Version        Genesis 1:24-25

Easter! A Time of Wonder and Amazement!

Life can be difficult at best. It can throw us a lot of punches and pull us in many directions. It often leads us to make choices, some of them good and some of them not so good.

But if we slow down long enough and search to find Jesus, then we can start to see that there is a better way. He is there for us, to walk with us in times of trials and trouble, in times of sadness and grief and He gives us hope that something better awaits those who follow and believe in Him.

And when we humble ourselves to Him, His love and mercy and grace pour out to us and is better than any earthly prize or pleasure.

 And our life can be filled with wonder and amazement, with joy and happiness, with hope and understanding that an eternal life in heaven awaits us if we follow and believe in Him.

On this very special Easter Day, may you know and feel the love of our Lord Jesus Christ and the joy that a relationship with Him brings. May you take pause and understand what He has done for all of us. May His Grace and Mercy flow upon you like a spring breeze and may you look upon His life with wonder and amazement and give Him the praise, honor and glory He so richly deserves.  Happy Easter and my God bless you in all you do!

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die". 

                   Holy Bible  John 11:25-26

Radiance!

" and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with his glory."

         Holy Bible, Ezekiel 43:2

The Fisherman!

Just happened to catch this Great Blue Heron going in and pulling up a fish for lunch on the Tennessee River near Wheeler Dam in North Alabama.

"And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethern, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

And He saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
           Matthew 4:18-19 King James Version Holy Bible

Prosperity with Adversity!

"In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider"

            King Solomon Holy Bible-Ecclesiastes 7:14

As in the picture above, food is plentiful, but the frozen snow makes getting it difficult if not impossible. How many times do we find prosperity at our finger tips only to be denied because of adversity? Many times things that come too easy for us are not recognized for their true value. A little work sometimes helps us understand the value of having something! To have things within one's reach does not always mean to have things in one's possession.

Majestic Bald Eagle

Well I took this picture on a long shot (literally) and I'm sorry it is not very good but when you see a Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) you just have to take a shot even if it is too far for the camera equipment. I was traveling through south central Tennessee yesterday going from Brunt Church through Lutts to Iron City and when I crossed over Shoal Creek in Iron City I looked up river and saw this Bald Eagle. It was sitting on a tree limb just waiting on a fish or small bird or mammal to show their self and provide lunch for this most impressive National Symbol. Eagles are still rare but are increasing in numbers in the south and can be spotted in several places at certain times of the year. For several years I have been watching a pair of Bald Eagles nest in a location right along side of a major highway near Smithville, MS.  Unfortunately, this past spring, the tree in which the Eagles had their nest was taken down by heavy winds and the Eagles left the area. Hopefully they have rebuilt nearby.

"But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their stength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint."

Isaiah 40:31  New King James Version, The Holy Bible

Piney Creek Falls

Piney Creek Falls is located in Fall Creek Falls State Park near Pikeville, TN. At 75 feet, it is not the tallest falls in the park but it is considered by many to be the most beautiful. The area contains some beautiful trees that have never seen a loggers saw. You will find many fine specimans of Hemlock, Yellow Birch and Yellow Poplar in the gorge below the water falls if you care to hike off the main trails. If you have never been to this state park, you should plan a trip in the future. Fall Creek Falls is nestled on the Cumberland Plateau in east central Tennessee and is a beautifull park with lots of things to do. More photos to come later.

"All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again."
        Ecclesiastes 1:7  New International Version, Holy Bible

Church in the Valley

This picture was taken from the Rich Mountain Loop Road that runs from Cades Cove to Townsend. The little white church was the Cades Cove Methodist Church. It was established around 1824 or about 3-4 years after the first settlers moved into Cades Cove. It was located on the same site throughout its history. Faith was a large part of the lives of the first settlers to the cove. Their faith helped them forge a new life in an often wild and unforgiving land. Looking down on the church with the mountains in the background, one can almost hear the sunday morning hymms resonating across the valley.

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them"

Mathew 18:20 King James Version, Holy Bible