Look Up

Through Good Times and Hard The Light Shines On

The light shines in the darkness to guide the way.

The Light shines in the darkness, And the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

We are all familiar with Lighthouses. I remember learning that the first lighthouse dates back to over 2,000 years ago. They were and are used as navigational aids, helping sailors navigate through the seaways. Many of the early forms of lighthouses were just bonfires set on beaches along the shore. Sadly, over time lighthouses have become somewhat obsolete with the advances in technology. Lighthouses still stand in many places and are a reminder and a comfort to sea going ships, even if they are not technically needed.

This particular lighthouse, in the photo, stands on Lighthouse Point, where The Oswegatchie River flows into The Saint Lawrence River, along The Saint Lawrence Seaway. Although not officially in commission it has been restored by the owner, who lives in the house. In October of 2011 the lighthouse was relit as a tribute to its history. Once again all the many large ships that travel this seaway can see and enjoy the light.

We find ourselves sailing through another year, we refer to it as “A New Year.” It lies before us fresh like a blank book, just waiting for us to fill in the pages, as we navigate our way. There is so much unknown ahead, we surely need guidance to help us.

As the sailor set out upon the open seaways, the lighthouses directed them. They stood steadfast, they were their light in the darkness, marking the pathway and warning them of danger. We, like the sailors, can use all the guidance and direction we can get, as we venture out into the unknown before us. Thankfully, we have God,the creator of all, to call upon. We are not left alone to get through our passage on earth. Do not let Him become past tense.

As I contemplated the plight of the lighthouse, I thoughtfully considered our dilemma in a world where technology takes center stage. Has God become somewhat second place or worse yet, obsolete to us, as our guide. This is a great danger. Has technology, social media, the meta verse, the cloud, with all its capabilities, distractions, attractions and gadgets caused the need for the true light of the world, our Lord, to grow dim? Let this not become the case!!

God tells us, in His word, to look unto Him. He is the light of the world. He is the way maker and He will never leave us nor forsake us, we need to heed His word. Let us regard the following scripture verses.

John 8:12 “ I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (NKJV)

Isaiah 43:16 “Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, And a path through the mighty waters” (NKJV)

Hebrews 13:5 “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (NKJV)

Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (NKJV)

Proverbs 3:6 “ In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (NKJV)

John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (NIV)

Heed His word!! Do not let the ways of the world take the place of God. Do not let His light grow dim in these unsettling times. We need Him even more than ever. Never let Him become obsolete in our lives. He is the only true light of the world. Reach out today, He is waiting.

©️Denise L. Calandra 2022

Scriptures for daily thought and encouragement!

The lighthouse photo is available to purchase on picfair.com. See link below.

https://denisecalandraphotography.picfair.com/

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My First Blog Post

Scriptural pictures to inspire faith. Helping the viewer to comtemplate the wonders of creation through nature and God's Word.
This is my Father’s world, come in and enjoy!

Scriptural Pictures to Inspire All to Love God

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.

— David Son of Jesse Psalm 19:1 NKJV

This is the first post on my new blog. I’m just getting this new blog going, so stay tuned for more. Subscribe below to get notified when I post new updates.

Washed White As Snow

On a tree our sins were forgiven!

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”
Psalm 51:7 NKJV

This picture was taken on a cold, snowy winter day. It was taken in a parking lot covered with snow. This lone tree really stood out against the white snow. It was a stark contrast to behold. I always consider God’s creation and His word when taking photos. This, however, goes way beyond creation and right to the heart of God! It really illustrated the above verse in Psalm 51.

“Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.”
1Peter 2:24 NKJV

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.”
Ephesians 1: 3-6 NKJV

The blood of Jesus washed our sins white as snow, because He bore them for us on the tree. Read and consider carefully Ephesians 1:3-6. Here we see, that even before creation, God had our salvation in mind. His love for us is immeasurable! It goes way beyond our comprehension. This is truly the heart of God toward us. I am forever grateful.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16 NKJV

Scriptures for daily thought and encouragement!

©️ Denise L. Calandra 2023

Check out some photos available at the sites below.

https://denisecalandraphotography.picfair.com/

https://denisecalandraphotography.zenfoliosite.com/home

Keep The Light Glowing

His Light Shines Even in the Dreariest of Seasons

We have made it through the month of January and are now in February. We are pretty much in the deepest part of the Winter season. The busyness and excitement of the holidays are now past. In many regions the cold and snow have outworn their welcome and the dreariness of Winter has settled in. It is cold, dark and bare.

As we go along throughout our life we encounter many different situations, times and changes. This is all part of the natural course of life. We often refer to them as trials or seasons in time. What season do you find yourself in? Some seasons are wonderful, full of excitement and busyness; living out a purpose for that moment. Other times you may have struggles with health, finances or relational situations. Some moments are just quieter and lonelier than others. We all experience these at various times and levels.

As Christians we know that we need God to help us get through all things. In good times, as well as difficult ones, our help comes from Him. We need to acknowledge God no matter what season in life we find ourself. It is easy for us to be full and our light to be shining very bright when things are going well. However, we need to be ever diligent as to not take God for granted and become neglectful of Him. Do not fall into the trap of thinking oh I am fine, lest you start drifting away into your own thoughts more and more.

When hard times come we also must be careful, lest we find ourselves wondering where God is. Do you find yourself in a long, dark, fruitless struggle? Are you waiting on the Lord for answers? During these times we tend to cry out to God for His help and direction. We might even feel closer to Him, at first, because we are seeking His help. What can happen, though, if we do not get an immediate answer, or perhaps not the answer we desire? What if our situation seems unending and all we seem to be getting from God is quiet, what do we do? We definitely can become discouraged and disgruntled. We need to be careful not to get an unbelieving, disillusioned heart. Do not sink into darkness, keep the embers burning, do not let your light dim or go out! Trust that God is right there with you, because He is!

Some of the following scriptures and thoughts might help you to take comfort and give you guidance to get through challenging times.

We need to in “ALL” things acknowledge God, giving Him glory, honor and praise. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”Romans 8:28 NKJV

He promises us in His word that He will never leave us nor forsake us. I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 NKJV

Do not sink to despair. “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.” Hebrews 3:12 NKJV

The darkness can not overcome the light . “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
John 1:5 NIV

God will help you to keep your light shining, do not let it go out! “ For You will light my lamp; The Lord my God will enlighten darkness.”
Ps.18:28 NKJV

In all things remember to trust, do not grow weary and let your light shine bright for all to see. To God be the glory!

Scriptures for daily thought and encouragement!

©️ Denise L. Calandra 2023

Pictures available at:

https://denisecalandraphotography.picfair.com/

https://denisecalandraphotography.zenfoliosite.com/home

God is Love

It is difficult to explain the meaning of the word “Love.” Love can be explained as an affection, an attachment or tender feeling toward another person. Valentine’s Day has become a day we express or celebrate these feelings, although they are not just felt for one day. Love like this can bring much joy and happiness.

However, God’s love is so much deeper than this. Sometimes more than we can comprehend. God is our true love! 💕

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:14-19 NKJV

Enjoy His love.

Roses are red, the color of the blood that God shed, He died for all, after the fall, Grasp on to His deep love and fly like a dove!

Scriptures for daily thought and encouragement!

©️ Denise L. Calandra

Check out some pictures at these two sites below.

https://denisecalandraphotography.picfair.com

https://denisecalandraphotography.zenfoliosite.com/home

Need a Little Uplift to your Walls

Now that the holidays are over and decorations are down and away, do your walls seem bare and in need of an uplift? Why not consider some wall art to freshen up your decor? Check out these two photo sites below to help.

https://denisecalandraphotography.picfair.com

https://denisecalandraphotography.zenfolio site.com

©️ Copyright Denise L. Calandra

Photos to inspire and relax. Go somewhere peaceful.

I Am The Light Of The World

One late summer afternoon I took this picture of the sun, shining through the tree, and it’s light reflecting to the ground, onto nearby flowers. It was a very inspiring moment. I thought about how God is always there guiding us. He allows us to see Himself in many ways. What a comfort this is for us. He is always there shining bright. I thought about the Bible verse where Jesus tells us that “He is the light of the world.”

“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
John 8:12 NKJV

As we come to this season of Christmas, let us reflect on Jesus and how He came down from heaven to save us, the lost sheep. What an amazing story, actually it is not just a story but an actual event. He left the glory of God and heaven to come to earth, for us!

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16NKJV

God sent us His son, who came as a little babe, into this world to save us all from our fallen state. This is the foundation for us, the beginning. If He never did this we would have no hope. This is our Christmas celebration. However, the story does not end here. Jesus had to complete the purpose God sent Him for. We can continue in the book of John and look at the next Bible verse to see this. John 3:17

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John.3:17NKJV

This Christmas season reflect on Him as the little babe, but never forget that the story does not end there. He wants us to “ABIDEin Him and glorify Him so this “Good News” can spread to all. His light shines down upon us, dwells in us and permeates us, shining outward to those around. Therefore, share His light this Christmas; for He truly is “The Light of the World!”

Let us rejoice and be glad. Joy to the world! Merry Christmas and God’s Blessing to all.

Scriptures for daily thought and encouragement!

©️Denise L. Calandra 2022

Pictures available at:

https:denisecalandraphotography.picfair.com

Be ye Transformed

Delight in change

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Romans 12:2 NKJV

Be “transformed”, what does this mean? A simple definition from dictionary.com states: to undergo a change in form, appearance, or character; become transformed. Fall is a season where we see transformation taking place in the trees. The leaves are “transformed” in their appearance.

A refresher on the food making process reminds us that as the amount of daylight decreases and the temperature begins to drop, the chlorophyll color of green, breaks down and goes away. When this occurs the true color of the leaves are seen, hence the beautiful Fall foliage from this transformation.

Let us look at what God tells us in Romans 12:2. First He tells us to not be “conformed” to this world. What does it mean to be conformed? Again dictionary.com gives us an idea of what it means to conform. It simply states: to comply or act in accord with the prevailing standards, attitudes, practices, etc. that a group or society adhere too. The Bible speaks of the ways of the “world” versus the ways of God. The standards of society do not meet the standards that God has for us in His word. We especially see our society falling deeper away from God’s ways, where immorality and lawlessness seem to prevail. We are not to conform to these ideas.

While God warns us that we should not conform to the ways of the world; He at the same time urges us to be “transformed, by the renewing of our mind”. How do we do this? When we accept Jesus as our Lord, God sends His Holy Spirit to dwell in us. We have the mind of Christ in us and we are being renewed and transformed to God’s ways. Perhaps this transformation is not as outward or visible as we see with the leaves, however, it is a real and amazing process. It is a character transformation and is done inwardly. However, the change should be visible in our behavior.

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20NKJV

“Be ye transformed”

©️Denise L. Calandra 2022

Pictures available at:

https://denisecalandraphotography.picfair.com

Christmas Shopping Ideas for Gifts that last all year.

Why not deck the walls with prints of nature?Fa La La La La La La La La!

Below are a few sample of photos available at my website below:

https://denisecalandraphotography.picfair.com

These are just a few of the photos available at my website. Go check them out! They are available in prints, framed prints, canvas wraps, and giclee art prints. They would make great gifts! Order today.

©️Denise L. Calandra 2022

Thought For Today

Thought For Today

https://inspirationalcornerdotblog.wordpress.com/2022/10/29/thought-for-today-37/
— Read on inspirationalcornerdotblog.wordpress.com/2022/10/29/thought-for-today-37/

A thought we all need to consider everyday!