Special post from Guideposts.org, Part 3

Many of you know that I was blessed to be chosen as one of eleven winners of the Guideposts Writing Contest in 2014. That blessing took me to Rye, New York for a week-long class to learn how to write for Guideposts Publications. We had lengthy, intense sessions with many of the New York Guideposts editors, and we became part of the Guideposts family during that precious week. It was truly a blessing and dream-come-true to learn how to write inspirational stories for a magazine that I've enjoyed for years.

I enjoyed sharing some of my nature pictures recently at https://www.guideposts.org. I'd like to share a couple of those shots and thoughts below, and I'll share more on another day. I would be honored if you check out the entire slideshow here. 

Please enjoy a couple of God's masterpieces below and thanks in advance for visiting the Guideposts website to see the others in my collection. 

Life Lessons Learned from Nature (Part 3)

by Julie Lavender

Five-lined Skink

A skink has the capability to ‘drop,’ or break off part of its tail when attacked by predators. The still-wiggling tail distracts the predator and the tail-less skink escapes. Eventually, the skink’s tail grows back, though it sometimes struggles with balance issues while tail-less.

The skink teaches me that troubles that wound me in life don’t have to get the better of me. I can cast that off, rejuvenate, and move on to bigger and better things….leaving my tormentors staring at my tail in confusion!

CONSIDER THE POINSETTIA 
by Julie Lavender

Though it’s not native to the United States and serves as a Christmas-season décor, the poinsettia is the spotlight of my blog this week. 

I noticed my first of the season in my neighbor’s wooden nativity scene while on my morning walk.

GUEST BLOGGER

My guest today is Carla Pollard. Carla and I were online writer-friends for several months before we had the opportunity to meet in person. She traveled a wee bit south and I traveled about the same amount of time north to meet in Buford, Georgia for the inaugural Enrich Writers Conference in mid-fall. I was charmed by her sweet, gentle spirit and her love for the Lord. I think you'll enjoy her inspiration below as much as I did, and I know you'll love other writings on her site. Visit her at www.carlagpollard.com.  

The Lord is Still There

By Carla G. Pollard

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave

 you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” Deut. 31:8 NIV.

Special post from Guideposts.org, Part 2

Many of you know that I was blessed to be chosen as one of eleven winners of the Guideposts Writing Contest in 2014. That blessing took me to Rye, New York for a week-long class to learn how to write for Guideposts Publications. We had lengthy, intense sessions with many of the New York Guideposts editors, and we became part of the Guideposts family during that precious week. It was truly a blessing and dream-come-true to learn how to write inspirational stories for a magazine that I've enjoyed for years.

I enjoyed sharing some of my nature pictures recently at https://www.guideposts.org. I'd like to share a couple of those shots and thoughts below, and I'll share more on another day. I would be honored if you check out the entire slideshow here. 

Please enjoy a couple of God's masterpieces below and thanks in advance for visiting the Guideposts website to see the others in my collection. 

Life Lessons Learned from Nature (Part 2)

by Julie Lavender

Painted Lady Butterfly

The painted lady butterfly has one of the longest known butterfly migrations, according to sciencenews.org. Found in many locations around the world, the painted lady butterflies that live in southern Europe migrate all the way to Africa in the fall, a distance of almost seven thousand, five hundred miles!

The painted lady butterfly reminds me that every journey begins with a flap of the wings, that first step. It may be a long journey, but with determination, I’ll get there.

GUEST BLOGGER

My guest blogger today is Tracy Robbins. Tracy and I met online because we both have an interest in and passion for God's creative masterpieces. In fact, when I first asked her to guest on my site, she couldn't get back to me for a couple of days because she and her family were enjoying God's great outdoors during a mini-vacation! Tracy writes at HappyHealthyandProsperous.com. Read her words below and then connect with Tracy on her site. I know you're going to enjoy her words as much as I do! 

Connect With God Through Nature

By Tracy Robbins ©2016, Originally Published August 16, 2016 at HappyHealthyandProsperous.com. Used with permission.

“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” Romans 1:20 (NLT)

CONSIDER THE WHEEL BUG

by Julie Lavender

Perched atop a green leaf, the wheel bug sits in wait for an unsuspecting insect to wander across its path. I spotted it when I headed out on my morning wandering, but I made sure to keep a safe distance.

CONSIDER THE GULF FRITILLARY

by Julie Lavender

  

As I headed out on my walk with God this morning, splashes of pumpkin-orange flitted about, lighting on yellow lantana flowers intermittently before drifting out of sight.

Special post from Guideposts.org, Part 1

Many of you know that I was blessed to be chosen as one of eleven winners of the Guideposts Writing Contest in 2014. That blessing took me to Rye, New York for a week-long class to learn how to write for Guideposts Publications. We had lengthy, intense sessions with many of the New York Guideposts editors, and we became part of the Guideposts family during that precious week. It was truly a blessing and dream-come-true to learn how to write inspirational stories for a magazine that I've enjoyed for years.

I enjoyed sharing some of my nature pictures recently at https://www.guideposts.org. I'd like to share a couple of those shots and thoughts below, and I'll share more on another day. I would be honored if you check out the entire slideshow here. 

Please enjoy a couple of God's masterpieces below and thanks in advance for visiting the Guideposts website to see the others in my collection. 

Life Lessons Learned from Nature (Part 1)

by Julie Lavender

Robberfly

Robberflies are fast-flying, beard-faced, six-legged predators that feed on other insects. Robberflies often successfully attack prey much larger than themselves. They pounce on insects resting or in flight, buzzing and tumbling to the ground with their prey. And their reward? A delicious meal of insect insides.

The robberfly reminds me that I am capable of facing giants and giant situations that are bigger than I am. I may tumble a time or two, but with persistence, I can succeed.

GUEST BLOGGER

My guest blogger today is the pastor of Severn Baptist Church, in Severn, North Carolina. Mark Corbett is married to Hope Corbett and their daughter, Joy, rounds out the family. Mark's post below follows the theme of my blog, as he, too, loves to write about seeing God in nature. 
Please read his words below and read more of his posts at http://parresiazomai.blogspot.com/.

Seeing God in Creation Gives Me Courage to Keep Serving Him (part 3 in the Why I Believe series)

by Mark Corbett

CONSIDER THE CORN
by Julie Lavender

I’ll admit that I didn’t enjoy garden work as a kid, but I certainly enjoyed the byproducts in the late summer and early fall.

 

CONSIDER THE BOX TURTLE

by Julie Lavender

A pair of slow-moving reptiles ambled across my path this week. 

GUEST BLOGGER

My guest blogger today is Stephanie Pavlantos. I first met Stephanie in person at a writer's conference, and we 'friended' each other via the usual social media outlets. Then we were blessed to spend more time together at another writer's conference just recently. 

Her brief tagline describes her this way: "writer, author, biologist, lover of God's Word, Bible-study leader." But, spending time with her let me realize that it would take paragraphs to give an accurate 'tagline' of her love of God, His word, and her precious family. 

Please enjoy her post below, then visit her website at www.stephaniepavlantos.com to find more of her thoughts and inspiration. (You'll especially love some of her breathtaking photos of the Canadian Rockies on a recent trip to Jasper, Canada.)

CONSIDER THE GREEN SNAKE
by Julie Lavender

Slender-bodied, green, and draped from a tree limb.

This week’s walk led me right past a green snake.

Now, ask anyone in my family, and you’ll find out that I’m terrified …. TERRIFIED …. of snakes.

GUEST BLOGGER



My guest blogger today is Meredith Mills. Meredith and I met through writing connections online, and then figured out that we don't live too far apart in our fine state of Georgia! Perhaps one day soon I'll travel the couple of hours to chat with her in person about the things we have in common, like, homeschooling, writing, and loving Jesus! 
Please read her words below, and then visit her website for more of her wonderful words! I know you'll enjoy her thoughts, just like I do! 

Let’s Go Back

Returning to Rest When Life Won’t Slow Down

 by Meredith Mills 

And just like that, summer is over.

CONSIDER THE EARWIG
by Julie Lavender

The log I kicked accidentally while walking this morning sent insects scattering. When I looked closer, I realized the creepy critters hiding underneath were earwigs.

I’ve never really cared for earwigs. My displeasure stems from my childhood when the evil-looking monsters crept easily into the old farmhouse where I grew up.

CONSIDER THE COW KILLER WASP
by Julie Lavender

On my walk with God today I encountered – and steered clear from – the gorgeous cow killer, or as it is sometimes called, the velvet ant.

 Guest Blogger

My guest blogger today is Debra DuPree Williams. Debra and I recently returned from the North Georgia Christian Writers Conference, in Toccoa, Georgia, where we mixed and mingled with new writing friends and familiar writing friends and some stellar conference presenters. (And Debra won an award while there for a poem she submitted! How awesome is that?)

Please enjoy reading her blog about fall that first appeared on her site, http://debradupreewilliams.blogspot.com/. 

Visit her website for more of her work - you'll enjoy her writing, just like I do! 

CONSIDER THE SEA OATS
by Julie Lavender

A recent trip to Amelia Island, off the coast of northern Florida, led my path across the sands of Fernandina Beach. 

Just above the waters’ edge, sea oats grow prolifically, just like they do along the eastern seaboard all the way up to Virginia and along the coast line of the Gulf States.

CONSIDER THE ANHINGA

by Julie Lavender

On my walk with God today, I spotted the long-necked and beautiful Anhinga. 

Sometimes called a Snakebird because of the way it swims with its whole body submerged except for the neck and head, the Anhinga typically feeds on fish, but will sometimes eat snakes and small turtles.

CONSIDER THE NUT WEEVIL
by Julie Lavender

Often my walk with God lends itself to a lesson from God’s nature that I can’t miss, like my recent Anhinga post. Who can miss that large bird with his wings outstretched?

But more often than not, I find God’s lessons in the itty-bitty. Like today.

GUEST BLOGGER

My guest blogger today is my writing friend, Jeannie Waters. Jeannie's blog where this article first appeared is entitled "Brighten Someone's Day"and she truly does that with each blog post! Jeannie and I were online friends before we met in person at a writers' conference. And her ever-present smile definitely brightened my day when we became friends 'for real' and not just online ones! 

Please read her blog below that fits perfectly with my blog theme of learning about God through His amazing creations, and then check out her other posts at www.jeanniewaters.com. I know you'll enjoy her writing just as much as I do.  

The Bossy Wren

by Jeannie Waters

CONSIDER THE KATYDID
by Julie Lavender

 

Have you ever seen a walking leaf?

Well, obviously a leaf can’t really walk.

 CONSIDER THE ALLIGATOR

by Julie Lavender

These four-legged reptiles strike almost as much terror in me as a legless, slithering snake or an eight-legged creeping spider or a stinging six-legged critter.

Reptiles and arachnids and insects – oh my!

Yet even though they terrify me and I dislike their defense mechanisms, I find an intriguing and exquisite beauty in each of the aforementioned creations.

CONSIDER THE FIREFLY
by Julie Lavender

A sure sign of a summer evening is the dazzling display of flashing lights at the edge of the woods or in the grassy back yard. The seemingly-synchronous twinkling dots that I see on my after-dark walk with God are throngs of fireflies out on a warm night in search of a mate.

GUEST BLOGGER

My guest today is a new writing friend, Michelle Adserias, who lives in and writes about God's beautiful world in rural Wisconsin. Our hearts and blogs are similar in that we love learning lessons from God's wonderful creations. I've admired her delightful posts on her website, www.godponderings.com, ever since I 'met' her through the Facebook group, Blue Ridge Bible Study Writers. 

Enjoy her words below, and then jump over to godponderings.com and read some of her previous posts, too. You'll be so glad you did!    

Work’s Blessings
by Johanna Daniel

Tonight I sneak into the barn and check on the bat regiment living in the hay mow. About 50-60 of them hang in upside-down clusters from the now defunct hayfork rail. Such strange little creatures… flying rodents with furry bodies and leathery wings. All day long they hang there, in deep, deathlike sleep.  But very soon their  high-pitched squeaks will fill the air. One by one they’ll pop through a little hole at the peak, where barn wall almost meets barn roof.  Each soldier will begin its nightly Battle of the Bugs, honing in on tiny sound targets like a missile, in hopes of curbing its hunger.

CONSIDER THE THISTLE
by Julie Lavender

On my walk with God today, I came around a curve and saw a gorgeous display of flowers ahead. Trouble was, with these contact-encased eyes that don’t see as well as I’d like, it became clear to me that the beauty ahead was indeed the blossoms of thistles.

Though still beautiful to admire, they’re off-limits to bare, human hands or skin for certain. What with the sharp prickles covering the outer edges of the leaves, the flat parts of the leaves, and the stems, too, one touch causes pain and irritation that lasts way longer than the brief encounter!

CONSIDER THE JUNE BEETLE
by Julie Lavender

The month of June brings sightings of June beetles on my walk with God, and this morning’s walk didn’t disappoint.

I love the iridescent and thick, green bodies of the beetles. They look almost like a jeweled-pendant my grandmother might have worn on the lapel of her coat when she dressed exquisitely to go to church … which meant every time she went to church.

CONSIDER THE LAVENDER
by Julie Lavender

My walk with God this week took me to Black Mountain, North Carolina, where I quite deliberately walked past shrubs of lavender plants. The piney floral scent enveloped me and made me smile.

Partial to Purple

You see, I’m kinda partial to the lavender herb (and, quite honestly, anything purple since the day I fell in love with my sweetie and ultimately took his last name).

CONSIDER THE HUMMINGBIRD MOTH
by Julie Lavender

I hurried out the door on my walk this morning with the items on my to-do list flitting about in my head. Pick up my mom and get to niece’s graduation before all the parking spots are gone. Order a bridal shower gift and pick up the paper goods for next week’s shower. Make a grooming appointment for two too-furry furballs. Bake brownie treats for college kids out for the summer.

CONSIDER THE APHID
by Julie Lavender

I took a different path on my morning walk today that led me past the ditch in our back yard. A couple of ladybugs, or as my biologist husband would correctly identify them, ladybird beetles, caught my eye and I looked closer at the weeds growing near the water’s edge.

“Aphids. Lots of them.”

 GUEST BLOGGER

My guest today is Katherine Pasour, a writer friend I only knew via the cyber world, until we met in person last week at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. And what a delight that was!!! We chatted over mealtimes and at author signings and before worship time...it was such fun to meet, in person, someone I'd come to know and treasure as a friend through emails and social media. Though I love this cyber world of knowing people, there's nothing like face-to-face communication! 

Katherine, an author and wellness-advocate, writes at www.katherinepasour.com. I especially liked her blog below, and I thought it fit perfectly with my theme of glimpses of God from His amazing masterpieces. I hope you'll visit her site - you won't be disappointed! Enjoy! 

The old is gone, the new is here! 

by Katherine Passour

Do you love Spring?

I enjoy almost everything about Spring--the warmer temperatures, beautiful flowers, birds singing in joyful chorus, and the smell of fresh cut grass.

Then there are the new, green leaves...

CONSIDER THE MOUNTAIN LAUREL
by Julie Lavender

This week’s walk with God led my feet along mountain paths at Ridgecrest, North Carolina, where I attended the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. The lodge where I slept – only a few hours per night because I was pondering POV and marketing and fresh angles and such – had the moniker, ‘Mountain Laurel,’ named for the exquisitely beautiful shrub native to the Eastern United States, but not often seen in my neck of the woods in south Georgia.

Before I left the retreat center, I set out on a prayerwalk and found several mountain laurel shrubs displaying God’s glory.