Denise's Scriptural Photography
Scriptural Pictures to Inspire Faith. Exalting the Wonder of God's Creation and his Word.
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.
May this year bring many blessings and opportunities your way.
©️ Denise L. Calandra 2022
Pictures available at:
https:denisecalandraphotography.picfair.com
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 “ABIDE” in 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
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
A Life, Nation, and Church Built on Truth Will be Strong Purchase (Free for Kindle unlimited) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096LYNY6G/ref=…
Foundations
While standing at the front of this church building, it automatically causes me to look up. This steeple is awesome, but at the same time it makes me feel small and helpless. My thoughts turn heavenward, causing me to cry out to my Lord and God. What a comfort it is knowing He is there for us. This is just a building, however it does represent God to us. The building is built with a stone foundation and stands strong. How much more is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ our true rock and foundation? He stands even stronger!
In our daily life, with all the trials and struggles we sometimes face, isn’t it a comfort and wonder to know we have a God who is with us to help? The troubles can overwhelm us, making us feel small and helpless, as when standing by such a towering building. When we choose to look upon our true rock and foundation, God, we feel empowered and strengthened. Why? Let us read what the Bible tells us in His word about Jesus as our rock.
Psalms 18:2 (NIV)
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
While a church building may represent God to us, I am grateful to have the living God, my True Rock and Foundation to stand on. I pray you do as well, and if not, will you consider Him today?
©️copyright 2021 Denise L Calandra
Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Who is Jesus Christ? We learn in the Scriptures, He is the Son of God, Our Savior, The Lamb of God, The Prince of Peace, The Coming King, The Good Shepherd, to name a few. I want to focus on Him as The Good Shepherd, The Lamb of God, and our Savior, as we commemorate His resurrection.
Sadly, for this to happen, Jesus had to go through the agony of suffering on the cross. This is the reason He came into the world, to die for us, to save us from our sin. Through the Lenten season we reflect on this gruesome event. Thankfully, because He was willing to suffer for us, we now can embrace His resurrection and victory over sin. He is alive!
Jesus already laid down His life for us, so now He takes up His role as The Good Shepherd to keep us in His flock. His love and care for us did not end on the cross! What is a shepherd? A shepherd is a person who cares for, tends and guards his sheep. He will even lay down His life for the sheep. Furthermore, we think of a person who protects, guides and watches over others as a shepherd. In the following Bible verse Jesus tells us, Himself, that He is The Good Shepherd.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.” John 10:11-15(NKJV)
This is something to celebrate. He cares for us; we are His sheep. He rose from the dead for this purpose. Because He lives, we have hope, we are not alone. In Hebrews 13:5, Jesus tells us: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Moreover, His love for us is not a superficial love, but a love of great depth. He loves us each so much that if just one of us was lost, He would have still come and died for our sin alone. See the parable of the lost sheep in Matthew 18:10-14 (NKJV):
“Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.”
This brings me to the featured photo of the stained-glass window. I really enjoy these windows. Stained-glass windows are so engaging; they tell a story with their pictures alone. They truly are a unique form of art. Sadly; it is a form of the past.
This alluring stained-glass window is in St. John’s Episcopal Church, Ogdensburg, NY. It is one of the many beautiful windows on display there.
Jesus, The Good Shepherd, is fully expressed for us in this stained-glass window. Here we see Jesus holding a staff in one hand, while holding a lamb in His other. The lamb He is holding is that one lost lamb. We also see He is out and about in a pasture, keeping watch over the rest of His flock as well. Jesus, The Lamb of God, our Good Shepherd portrayed well, without any words needed!
On this resurrection day embrace The Good Shepherd, let Him guide your life. Rejoice!
© Denise L. Calandra
Scriptures for daily thought and encouragement.
At the end of a family hike was this stunning waterfall. If you were never there, it is a wonderfully, refreshing surprise! A rewarding end to an adventurous day.
On our path in Christian life, we must continue along, pressing forward to the prize. This is stated in Philippians 3:14 (NKJV):
“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Then the rivers of living water will flow.
“He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, out of His heart will flow rivers of living water.” John 7:38 (NKJV)
A rock is not a living object but is inanimate. However, this lifeless object brings pictures of understanding concerning God. The rock, in this photo, is a large mass of stone, forming a hill, with a cliff. We use the term ROCK to represent a firm foundation or support. The Bible refers to the LORD as our ROCK!
Let us look at what the Bible says about this.
“There is no one holy like the Lord, Indeed, there is no one besides You, nor is there any rock like our God.” 1 Samuel 2:2 (NASB )
Looking at the image, we can visualize this. We can see in the picture the rock is not a pebble; it is not a small stone, or even a boulder, but it is a large foundation stone, which can withstand much, just like our God.
The Bible further states:
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2 (NKJV)
Looking closer at some of the words used in the above scripture will help us get a fuller understanding.
Rock- A rock signifies something solid and strong.
Fortress- This is a place we feel protected.
Deliverer-Is someone who can rescue from harm.
Strength- Is being firm, courageous and powerful.
Trust- To have confidence, certainty and to rely on.
Shield- An Armor used to protect.
Salvation-Is to be saved from one’s sins.
Stronghold- Someone or something has a grip on you. This can be good or bad.
All the above words were used in Psalm 18:2 to help us to understand more about God and who He is. In these descriptive words, God is portrayed as, strong in nature; a person who supplies shelter for protection. The one who can rescue, give courage and power. Through these, we can take confidence in Him. Furthermore, we can always rely on Him. He shields us, saves us from our sins and will never let us go. He is the foundation stone we can build upon and stand on. Surely, He is worthy of our trust and adoration. How can we look upon creation, read His word and not see that it all falls into perfect place? Our God is our ROCK!
Thought for today . . .
Plant yourself firmly in the Lord. Keep your mind fixed on His word. In keeping this discipline, God will help you flourish in all things. Praise God.
Denise's Scriptural Photography 