Beauty for Ashes – Part 1 of 3

“To give them beauty for ashes…”Isaiah 61:3 NKJV

Precious lifetime treasures temporarily stored between leather saddles and horse gear gone.

Fire consumed it all; ashes.

That was in 1999. One year after our very premature son was born. (1# 12 oz.). We were just beginning to get on our feet again.

We never expected to be hit in the stomach with another punch.

“And they shall rebuild the old ruins,

They shall raise up the former desolations…” Isaiah 61:4 NKJV

2016 Horse pen area.

 

Eighteen years later, my son and I began to clean up and clear out the old horse pen area.

1996

2017

 

Little did we know, we would see God’s restoration begin to unfold before our eyes.

 

 Tomorrow ‘s post– Oil of Joy – Restoration – 2 of 3

Denise

Distant Song

“The prairie night

With crafted light,

Lent its field

To the Moon revealed.

Warmth of air

We lingered there;

Softest touch held so much.

Golden view

Created by You.

Distant song;

Lone coyote sang along.”

 

Cloud cover conceals the Super Moon of tonight January 2, 2018

Remembering a Super Moon on another night, December 3, 2017

 

 

This photo captured by honey of 35 years.

 

Poem by denisebalog©2018

Photos captured by denisebalog©2017

All That Moves In The Field

We had several visitors today.

Some close up, and

Others,

We’re glad to say,

Stayed a distance away!

Sweet doe – she is one of three babies by one Momma deer who visits us daily.

Time to go…Mom and sisters moving on.

Coyote, oh no!

First freeze last night brought him far too close looking for lunch.

Firecracker sent him off with a fair warning…too close for our comfort.

Skunk! If he sprays, we’re sunk!!

I have laundry hanging in the beautiful afternoon sun!!

Ok, he just wanted a drink and then went on his way.

Running deer, keen to hear.

Abby started barking and stirred this late afternoon deer up!

This deer and doe are a bit taller and older than our regular morning Momma and triplets. Fast too!!

Sunset true, distant view.

Time to put a close to the day.

Good night my WordPress friends and neighbors!

Denise

“For every beast of the forest is Mine,

The cattle on a thousand hills.

I know all the birds of the hills,

And all that moves in the field is Mine.”

Psalm 50:10-11 ESV

A Pilgrims Journey – Part II

“Oh, the glory of what’s in store;

Crayola’s many colors

Beyond the open door.

The green of Galilee’s hillsides.

The orange of the sun.

 

The stillness of the water.

The brown of En Gedi’s run.

 

The aqua of salt shores,

Dead Sea 

Masada’s red cliffs to soar.

The midnight of the City.

Mount Scopes and its view

Open the eyes of wonder,

Beholding only You!

 

October 18th…three months and counting before the group and I begin our 2018 pilgrimage! Looking forward to what lies ahead.

 

Poem by denisebalog©2016

Photos captured by denisebalog@2011 & 2014 – Israel

Days of Sand

“LORD, You know the plan.

Before the beginning of time,

You destine the days of sand.

Running through the hour glass;

Minutes count away.

Someone in school needs a word today.

Bind all harden hearts, and

Let the tears flow down.

Open up their ears to hear;

Calm the “lost” and “found”.

Draw each child to Your Presence;

For we rest in Your work this day.

A Mighty move from heaven,

Holy Spirit have Your way.”

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Measured by Character – is a non-profit organization Impacting Lives of our youth.

Facebook.com/measuredbycharacter

Twitter @MBCharacter

www.measuredbycharacter.com

Dedicated to the memory of Ryan B. White. http://www.measuredbycharacter.com

Poem by denisebalog©2016

Photos captured by denisebalog©2016

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On a personal note, my son and I are blessed to have the opportunity to join Wade White and his team and they bring the message of life and purpose to middle and high school students today. 

Denise

He Healed Them All – Last in the Series of Walking about Capernaum

I know on any given day it is next to impossible for me to stop by and visit with each of my WordPress neighbors. The confines of life and time prevent even the most willing of reader and neighbor from doing so. Then there was Jesus.

Two thousand year ago, in His first recorded miracle of changing the water to wine at the wedding in Cana, stepped into Capernaum. Jesus, our Bridegroom, steps into our lives to do the same today. Jesus path to our door. Touching our lives, health, homes, relationships with His miracles of refreshing joyous life, even when our “jars” have gone dry and all hope is lost.

Cana Wedding – Jars displayed in Church located on the site of Jesus first miracle.

Cana Stone Water Jar.

Oh, the marriage supper of the Lamb and His Bride.

“…for He has covered me with the robe of righteousness…and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” Isaiah 61:10

Jesus, drawing all people to Himself to raise the dead, heal, touch, embrace, change lives, give new direction, and touch hearts.  Jesus of Capernaum.  Jesus the same yesterday, today and forevermore.

God Bless and Shalom!

 

“Let us rejoice and exult and give Him glory,

For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and

His Bride has made herself ready…

Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”

Revelation 19:6-9 (ESV)

 

“Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and

I will give your rest.” Matthew 11:28 (ESV)

 

Photos captured by denisebalog 2011 – 2014©

 

He Prays for Us – Capernaum Part Ten

“And when He had sent the multitudes away,

He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.” Matthew 14:23 NKJV

 Mount Arbel is believed to be the location where Jesus would have gone to pray for it is walking distance from the Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee, and its vantage point of more than 1000 feet over-looking the Lake.

“Now when evening came,

The boat was in the middle of the sea;

And He was alone on the land.” Mark 6:47 NKJV

 

“Then He saw them straining at rowing,

For the wind was against them.” Mark 6:48 NKJV

 

“Now about the fourth watch of the night,

He came to them…” Mark 6:49 NKJV

 

Right when we think no one cares, all hope is lost,

“He came to them, walking on the sea…” Mark 6:49 NKJV

 

Jesus prays for us.

Sees us in our “rowing” state of mind;

And when the “winds” are blowing hard against us,

Jesus – right on time.

“…since He always lives to make intercession for (us).” Hebrews 7:25 NKJV

 

Photos captured by denisebalog 2011 – 2014©

Thunder Changes Direction – Capernaum Part Nine

What of James and John, the sons of Zebedee?

 

Jesus passed by their work place and their course of life, and names changed forever.

The Sons of Thunder, James the older and first to die for Jesus name in Jerusalem.

And John, forever to be known as the “one whom Jesus loved”.  Follower, disciple, and writer of the Gospel of John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John and Revelation.

 

John’s is the English spelling for the Hebrew name “Johanan” which means “Jehovah is gracious”; hence, John represents “Grace”.

Grace represents the numeral five (5):

the fifth time Noah’s name is mentioned, it says “But Noah found grace…;”

the fifth time Ruth’s name is mentioned, “…in whose sight I may find favor or (grace);”

the fifth time David’s name is mentioned when we meet him in 1 Samuel 16, “…let David stand before me, for he has found favor (grace) in my sight.”

The Beloved John wrote five (5) books in the Bible;

Yes, John the disciple whom Jesus loved showered us with His Grace.

 

 

Photos captured by denisebalog 2011 – 2014©

Entranceway of Change – Capernaum Part Eight

 

A person could take a boat to reach the entranceway of Capernaum.

Stepping off the vessel, Levi the Tax Collector would be waiting at his table to ensure you stopped to pay the Sea tax before entering the busy village.

 

Jesus passing by, called Levi as he was busy counting shekels and making change.

As Jesus passed by, He invited the unpopular tax collector to “follow Him”.

Jesus proceeded to Levi’s house to fellowship and eat a meal with the despised tax collector and his friends.

Times haven’t changed at all.

When Jesus “passes by” and one sits down and breaks bread with Jesus, not only are do our names change, but our lives are transformed.

Capernaum “changed” the day Jesus passed by Levi.

Levi’s name change to Matthew, and he went from

handling coins of loose change

to the one who handles

the most precious Word of God.

He was transformed into a follower of Jesus Christ, and

the writer of the

Gospel of treasures of gold – The Book of Matthew.

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“Then He went out again by the sea…

As He passed by, He saw Levi…sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him.” Mark 2:13-14 (NKJV)

Photos captured by denisebalog 2011 – 2014©

Boardwalk Strides

“Summer days,

I count each one.

Lots of time for play and fun.

Morning cool,

Afternoons of pool.

Evening tides,

Boardwalk strides.

Umbrella’s flapping in the sun,

Goodbye to June,

Your “season’s” done.

Hello July!

Light up the sky!!”

“You own the day, You own the night;

You put stars and sun in place.

You laid the four corners of earth,

Shaped the seasons of summer and winter.”

Proverbs 74:16-17 (The Message)

Happy Fourth of July!!

Poem by denisebalog©2017

Having Heard – The Woman on the Street – Capernaum Part Seven “1

It has taken me two weeks to mull over the story of the Woman on the Street of Capernaum. I hope you don’t mind joining me  for a day or two as we watching her miracle unfold.

Would the woman with the “issue of blood” having heard about Jesus, used her last coins to go by boat to Capernaum?

Located on the other side of the Lake from Capernaum, is the City of Tiberias, a major Roman town known for its warm springs used for healing. Did she hear about Jesus there? Could she have used the last of her coins to pay the entrance tax to look for the Man in Capernaum?

Could someone have told her whose house He was staying, or did she just follow the crowds while she walked the streets of Capernaum.

 

“When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment.” Mark 5:27 (NKJV)

Jesus would have worn something similar to this as His prayer shawl. The tassels is also known as the “wing” as in Malachi 4:2 “healing in its wings.”

Breaking the Law, she pressed in to touch the hem of His garment, Jesus turning spoke the words she longed to hear…

Photos captured by denisebalog 2011 – 2014©

Whose House – Capernaum Part Four

There is no clear path pointing to whose house Jesus visited when He entered Capernaum. During His life here on earth, “according to the pattern” (Acts 7:44), I believe there can be only one.

Synagogue in Capernaum

“And He said to them, ‘Why were you looking for Me? Did you not know that I must be in My Father’s house.” (Luke 2:49 ESV)

Pilgrim traveler writing in his journal while resting in the Capernaum Synagogue

“Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught.” (Mark 1:21 NKJV)

Photo captured in February 2011

Photos captured by denisebalog 2011 – 2014©