Enjoyed a little bit of time out with the kids, the sun and the camera.

Are you stressed out?

Are you overwhelmed with all of the every day duties and responsibilities that are part of our every day life?

I find it so easy to return daily to the trap of all the things I should be doing. How do I maintain balance with an ever increasing demand on my time and mental resources?

The Lord continually keeps bringing a verse to my mind. Psalm 46:10 says “Be still, and know that I am God:”. My subconscious mind keeps saying “be still?” Even now as I type this the phone is ringing and others are vying for my attention.

I look at my children. They have a unique ability to stop in time and enjoy those moments in time. They are able to push away the cares and concerns of the moment and enjoy friends and family.

With God’s help I need to develop “moments” in my day to be still and reflect on God’s love and care for me. I need to understand that He is God and he will provide for me. I need to stop relying on “me” to solve the dilemmas of life and enjoy His precious promises to me.

How do you develop those moments in time to be still?

We enjoyed a beautiful, cool pre-fall day here in Delaware today. The air was crisp with just a hint of rain. The breezes blew and turned the leaves a silvery, green but within the woods the browns were splendid in their glorious shades. Here are few excerpts from my photographic journey at Bombay Hook Wildlife Refuge.

This acorn sat alone on the floor of the woods just waiting to be photographed. As a kid I could spend hours playing with acorns.

These mushrooms were freshly broken from someone stepping on them. The green fern blended perfectly in this bouquet of browns.

The burgundy leaf snuck into the mix of the greens and brown.

Please let me know if you enjoyed! Do you have a link to photos you have taken. Please share with us.

Below is an adorable little baby hamster eating away delicately the tiny fruit of a piece of broccoli. He looks so innocent and non-threatening. What harm could he possibly do nibbling away?

This made me think of sin in my life. In some ways it seems so innocent and non-threatening. What harm could it do? One particular area is whining. I know! I hear those gasps of disbelief but yes I too fall victim to this dreaded disease.

Quietly I say to myself “I really don’t want to do this…” “Do I really have to cook ANOTHER meal?” “Bills again?” Unfortunately whining stems from a sin problem of rebellion. 1 Samuel 15:23 says “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry…”

I need to stop the sin of whining in my life or like this thumb-size cute hamster the whining will eat away the joy of the Lord in my life.

–Author Unknown

1. I gave you life, but cannot live it for you
2. I can teach you right from wrong but I cannot always decide for you
3. I can take you to church but I cannot make you believe
4. I can make you beautiful clothes, but I cannot make you beautiful inside
5. I can offer you advice, but I cannot accept it for you
6. I can give you love, but I cannot force it upon you
7. I can teach you to share, but I cannot make you unselfish
8. I can teach you to respect, but I cannot force you to show honor
9. I can advise you about friends, but I cannot choose them for you
10. I can teach you the facts of life, but I cannot keep you pure
11. I can tell you about alcohol and drugs, but I can’t say “No” for you
12. I can tell you about lofty goals, but I can’t achieve them for you
13. I can teach you about kindness, but I can’t force you to be gracious
14. I can teach you about Jesus, but I can’t make Jesus your Lord and Savior
15. I can pray for you, but I cannot make you walk with God

I recently read these reflections in the May 2011 edition of Amish Voice.

By faith we raise our children to the best of our limited, natural ability and trust God to bring them through the valley’s that they must face.

Have you faced a time when you had to let go and let God handle a situation with your children?

My four youngest enjoyed an afternoon at the Baltimore Aquarium. Laura enjoyed the turtles. Peter was disappointed he didn’t get to see the baby dolphins. He was happy to see the sharks.

Jeremy didn’t enjoy the 4D movie about the Artic. A little too real for his taste. Laura said her nerves would have been shot if it had been a real feature film!

Another great memory to share in their journey to be a blessing!

Lighthouse Baptist Church in Newark, Delaware performed “In His Hands” for the Easter Cantata. Jude the servant is played by my second oldest son, James.

The Lord really used the cantata to work in hearts and lives. Did your church do a cantata? I would love to hear about it!

A beautiful song to help us contemplate God’s blessing through trials in our lives. To find out more about the artist click here.