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A Place of Peace
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Midst the storms of travail
is an eye of calm
A place of peace within the soul
where spirit soars in song
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Nothing – no one can steal this safe
bolted within – without
For God’s own hand doth guard its keep
his love is all about
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Tremble not, oh heart of grief
but simply draw to Him
For He is nearer than your heart
for He abides within.
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Wendy/2013
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I only spotted this ladybug after I viewed the picture on my computer;
she was taking refuge.
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The tides of 2013 have come in and gone out so swiftly.
I remember having a picnic at this park when our teenagers were little ( three 5 and under…).
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These photographs were taken at Kitty Coleman Park.
It is a 15 minute drive from our home.
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Although daisies were still in bloom,
it was a very cold November morning.
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This was my favorite tree.
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It was the largest in the park.
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We had company as we strolled along the trail.
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Signs of life abounded everywhere.
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Mushrooms always catch my eye…
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The seagulls were successful at finding their breakfast.
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As we approach a brand new year
let us face it boldly
with the knowledge that our Creator has made us
to have fellowship with himself.
He longs for us to call upon his Name.
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The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.
Proverbs 18:10
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Strong Tower Blessings ~ Wendy
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All the best, for each of you, in 2014.
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Truly a place of peace….
have a peaceful and healthy new year Wendy…:-)
take care
sriram
Thank you, Sriram. I wish health and joy for you in 2014.
Beautiful photos and soothing words! I wish you a fantastic year ahead Wendy!
Much love. 🙂
Thank you, Seyi. Blessings to you, your family, and on your new book also. 🙂
Lovely inspirational poetry and interesting photos! God’s blessings and the very best for 2014.
Thank you. I’m enjoying sharing the ‘interesting’ things I discover. 🙂
Dear Wendy, Thanks for your good words.
I wish you a wonderful and blessed 2014
Greetings
Gabi
Thank you, dear Gabi, for following my blog since I started posting back in 2012. Blessings to you & yours.
I’ve missed seeing you here. I’m sporadic. This is lovely
I am sporadic, myself, these days with visiting. Thank you for your kind words.
Thank you for the reminder of our Strong Tower today–God bless you BIG.
Thank you, Caddo. I daily need our ‘Strong Tower.’
Awesome! Merry Christmas, Wendy!
Thank you, Bill. 🙂
Thank you for this gift today. It came at the right moment! Love and blessings…
God is always on time. I hope to remember that throughout 2014 and beyond… one day at a time He is our Strong Tower.
Another beautiful post Wendy … and that ladybug is so precious along with your words … such a tiny, tiny part of His creation and yet He provides shelter for a little one that many pass by. Praying you had a blessed Christmas and may the New Year bring much joy for you and your loved ones xxx
Thank you, Liana. May we be still enough to receive all His gifts for us in 2014. Blessings back to you & your family. xo
definitely peaceful!! Love the lady bug under the bud! and the not so little looking critter…wonderful!!! All the best to you and yours Wendy!
Heather, I was so surprised to see that beetle out and about on such a cold morning. I hear that your neck of the woods has been mighty cold. I wish you a warm & wonderful New Year.
you heard correctly…awfully cold for sure,but it has been warmer for the last few days which is a nice treat! Happy New Year to you and yours…
I always love going on walks with you…what you share and bring to life with your lens, is always so embracing, peaceful and soothing Wendy! Thanks for this blessing tonight! May 2014 be very wonderful for you my sister…God bless!
Thank you, dear Wendell, for letting me know these shared walks are enjoyed. I take a lot of pictures and try not to share too few or too many of them. 🙂 Blessings to you & your family for 2014.
I love those pictures, Wendy … what a massive tree!!! and a powerful reminder that we can fully trust our “Strong Tower” and Refuge! Have a happy New Year!
Thank you, Heidi. I was thinking of the ‘Strong Tower’ song today after I posted this poem. Blessings in 2014 for you & yours.
Loved the thoughts and photos, Wendy. Strong tower blessings to you as well. May you have a most splendiferous new year! Natalie 🙂
Thank you, sweet Natalie! Blessings for you in 2014. I am so glad to have discovered your beautiful blog via Laura’s lovely blog.:)
I’m so glad to have found your blog too. I always look forward to your posts and Laura’s as well. Natalie 🙂
Lovely Wendy, so very lovely. Thank you!
Thank you. I really appreciate the encouragement.
Wendy, It has been so long since I’ve had the time to visit your site, and there are so many changes since I was last here! I don’t know where to begin… Firstly, I love the dark background, which is the perfect foil for your photos, which have gotten even more beautiful than ever. Also, your poetry fits with your pictures like a glove or a good marriage, inspiring and pointing the way to the Lord. How lovely, and inspiring. I pray that you and your family had a wonderful Christmas, and that the upcoming new year brings you many new blessings in Jesus’ name.
Love,
Cheryl
Thank you for stopping by, Cheryl. I really appreciate your feedback on the changes I’ve made on the blog. There are some followers you do not get out into nature much, and it gives me great joy to think of them enjoying creation through these pictures… xo New Years Blessings!
Your landscape/seascapes do look so peaceful and soul strengthening. Very many blessings to you for 2014.
Thank you & blessings of peace for 2014.
Lovely words and photos as we approach a new year. I needed the reminder that God is our strong tower today. Blessings to you and your family.
It always blesses me to hear that a post encouraged someone. Thank you & blessings!
What a beautiful poem and post to carry us through into a new year Wendy.
“For He is nearer than your heart” – this is a wonderful message! Thank you and I hope 2014 brings joy and peace to you.
I always love your photographs. How sweet the little ladybird taking refuge. I didnt notice this when I first looked at your photo! 😊
Blessings sent from me to you x
Thank you, dear Christine. I always appreciate your visits and kind comments. xo Blessings for 2014!
Just another reminder of God’s beautiful gifts to us my friend. Happy New Years to YOU♥
Thank you, dear Laurie. xo
So thankful for my Strong Tower friends–friends whose hearts are guided by the love of Jesus and who willingly share their words and photos. Thank you for sharing the beauty of God’s creation in your “neighborhood” Wendy! God’s blessings ~ Laura
Thank you, Strong Tower friend. 🙂 Blessings to you, Laurie, as we enter 2014.
Wendy, I was thinking of you the other night and hoping to get to visit here soon after what feels like quite a while! I pray your Christmas was full of joy. We had a lovely Christmas celebration with family, and have been soaking up many happy moments this week with both my son and my husband off!
I love all your pictures, but I especially enjoyed the one of the ladybug. We all need a place of refuge, and I am so glad that I can rest in my Father’s loving arms. He is indeed a strong tower!
One blessing that I need to share with someone is that after a few internet searches and phone calls, my husband discovered a church founded by and directed towards men and women from his native Laos, a mere 15 minutes from his parents’ house in Florida…V’s mom has been more open to hearing about God and going to church, and finding a church near her house that has a sermon and songs in her original language has been a huge victory! Please give thanks with me and pray for her heart to open more and more to the Gospel and all the love God wants to pour out on her…and for V’s dad, that he will someday be open to going to church and hearing in his heart what God wants him to hear. There is a stirring, a growth, and it is so exciting to be a part of it!
I hope to write again soon, I just haven’t been in a season of consistency or great concentration lately, I suppose. A joyful New Year to you and yours! –Alison
Alison, how wonderful that your mother-in-law can hear the Gospel in her own language. You and your husband are true blessings to your family in so many ways. There is no gift that can match the gift of eternal salvation through faith in Jesus. It is also my prayer for our first families to put their trust in the Christ of Christmas. Bless you for your faithfulness.
May the turning of the calendar bring blessings from God for you and your family and friends. I just thrilled to see that ladybug!
Peace
Ladybugs are always welcome in my garden. Blessings for 2014. 🙂
Thank you, Wendy, and blessings to you for the New Year! An inspirational and hopeful post. I really love the Lady Bug caught by accident ant the other giant beetle like bug! But the message is super!
Thank you, Ellen. We are doubly blessed when we not only enjoy the plants of forest, but also the creatures within the woods. 🙂
Beautiful post as always. Happy New Year to you, Wendy!
Thank you, Jennifer; I hope you are keeping warm and safe during winter storm season.
No other blog gives ALL my senses wings to step out of my bed into God’s beautiful dome! HAPPY NEW YEAR wonderful Friend ~ Faithfully Debbie
Debbie, your comment brings me joy to hear that I have succeeded in truly bringing you along with me on the nature walk. It really does double the pleasure when a gift is shared. Thank you!
I wish you a wonderfully happy and healthy New Year, Wendy! This is a beautiful last post of the year. You always inspire. ♥
Thank you, Linda. Your blog and paintings always intrigue and bless me. xo
Happy 2014!
:)Blessings for your 2014, Mary.
A blessed New Year! 🙂
Thank you, Daisy. Blessings for 2014!
I always enjoy your lovely photos, seeing the beauty in the details from our Creator’s hand.
Thank you, Patti. How beautiful our Creator is in heart and hand.
Wish you all the best to
Thank you. I enjoy your photography so much.
The peace of the place seeps into my bones as I rest here in the shadow of your lovely words. May you feel His presence daily in the year to come!
Thank you, Melody. His presence is indeed the best present one could ever hope for – I know I need Him.
Beautiful images wendy! Thanks for taking me on your lovely nature walks. These warmer images are such a sight for sore eyes right now as we have 15 inches of snow outside. Happy new year!
Mostly I appreciate our mild weather – but it is fun to take snow pictures too… warm blessings for 2014.
Love the ladybug shot. I wish you a wonderful 2014.
Thank you, Patricia. The ladybug felt like a gift.
I love that ladybug 🙂
Linda, it was a pleasant surprise to discover it. ❀