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Monday Morning Minute ~ Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Monday Morning Minute

For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
(Psalm 139:13-14 ESV)

I love the passages in Psalm 139; especially the part “fearfully and wonderfully made”. Yes, God made us all unique and we should embrace that to honor Him.

To tell you the truth, the revelation that we are all unique did not come to me until recently. Very often I was jealous of the abilities others had and I did not. This jealousy started at a very young age. My sister was the talented one; she could paint, sing like an angel, play instruments without difficulty. It seemed that I only had practical traits; I was good at math, reading and memorization. Like I said: practical, no inkling of being creative at all.

I so wanted to be creative, just like my sister was. I even could not sow or cook; how embracing. I barely passed home-ed classes in school. Little did I know that my creativity laid somewhere else. It took years to realize that.

When I rewrote the “About Me” section of my photography website, I noticed that I have been photographing people and things from a very young age. Of course, back then, I photographed on film. But the gift was there. I have very found memories as my dad taught me how to hold a camera. I photographed places all over Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. Always in awe about the beautiful places God created for us to enjoy.

Today, I still like to capture places that are unique or beautiful. But even more so I like to capture people in moments that create memories. There is just something about that that makes my heart soar. Yes, it took me years to recognize the gift God gave me so long ago. I embrace the gift with all my heart.

My sweet friend, you too are fearfully and wonderfully made. God gave you gifts that are unique to you, and you alone. Stop looking at others and their gifts and talents. Open your heart and let God show you your gifts and talents.

By the way, over the years I have learned to cook and be even creative with it. However, sowing is still something that I cannot master.

Love & peace,
Iris

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Monday Morning Minute ~ Live, Laugh, Love

Monday Morning Minute

This Monday Morning Minute I want to share my life motto (a little different from my life-verse – Philippians 4:13): live, laugh, love. I think that there is a huge misconception among non-Christians that Christians (belonging to Christ) don’t have fun and don’t know how to laugh. It is believed that we are all fuddy-duddies ( Informal a person, esp an elderly one, who is extremely conservative or dull) that do not laugh and enjoy life. I beg to differ. If you know me, I love to laugh; and sometimes I even snort because I am laughing so hard.

When I think about love, I mean true love, God has taught me to love unconditionally. Love is not just a physical thing; it is so much more. Many couples chose 1 Corinthians 13 for their Scripture reading when they are getting married. I believe that it is very powerful chapter to keep in mind once the honeymoon is over. Especially 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (ESV)…

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

What brought these thoughts to mind you may wonder. I created with Animoto a short photo-collage over the weekend and it showed me how much I love my family and the things I enjoy doing. Live, laugh, and love in a God pleasing way.

Lord of mercy and grace. Thank You so much for the love You have shown me when You sent Your Son to redeem me. Thank You for helping me to love unconditionally. Thank You for the daily laughter and the joy You put in my heart to live life. In the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

Until next time…live, laugh, love!

Iris

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Monday Morning Minute ~ Mission Impossible or Not?

Monday Morning Minute

Are you on a mission that is impossible? Sometimes when we have dreams, God-sized dreams, it seems that we can’t get it done. We are afraid of what may happen when we fail. I know I do. Over months, I have been on a mission. I have been procrastinating about an application that I have thought about 6 months. But last week, I finally went for it. I sent off my LLC application for my photography business to the Arizona Corporate Commission. Seriously, the worst that can happen is that they deny my application.

How often have I said here on my blog and to my friends that we all need to step out in faith. This time I headed my own words. And you know what? It feels great to make a big leap of faith. I just needed to get out of the way and trust that God will do the rest.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”
(Mark 10:27 ESV)

Jesus was talking to His disciples about how people can get saved and be part of God’s kingdom. However, I think that God wants us to fully trust him, with the big and the small things. He knows every single detail and how everything turns out in the end. And that my friend, gives me great peace and allows me to step out in faith.

Lord of mercy and grace. Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for giving me peace to step out in faith. You know every single detail of my life and I trust that You will lead me. In the precious name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Life is good…with God.

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Monday Morning Minute ~ “I do” – 30 Years Ago

Monday Morning Minute

30 Years Ago

Yes, I said “I Do” 30 years ago this very day. May 20th, 1983 my beloved and I got married. Looking at this picture, I said to my hubby “What Baby-Faces”. He had to laugh too and said – “30 Years ago is ancient, they did not even have internet back then.” Goodness, how did we communicate back then? I guess the old fashioned way; by letter or regular land-line phones. No texting, no Facebook, no email. Oh, and my beloved and I didn’t even own a car back then. Ha, times have changed, haven’t they?

Has our marriage been smooth sailing? Oh goodness, no!!! There were bumpy roads, sweat, blood and tears. There were a couple times I wanted to call it quits. But God had other plans; we are still together, even though some of our old friends gave us only a couple of years. The funny thing is that those old friends are no longer married.

Marriage is hard work; it takes commitment and honesty with each other. But the most important thing in a marriage is that God leads. You have two sinful beings that want to do things their own way. But that does not work in marriage; or any kind of relationship. You have to make concessions, and you have to be unselfish. It really boils down to this verse:

However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
(Ephesians 5:33 ESV)

Love & Respect in a marriage is the most powerful thing. Years ago, I read the book “Love & Respect” written by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. Believe me when I tell you that this book has changed my way of thinking and our marriage. The book is one of the best resources that you can use to either save your marriage or make it better. Yes, marriage is hard work, but I tell you that after 30 years, it is very much worth it.

Lord of mercy and grace. This morning I want to thank You for Your guidance in our marriage. Lord, I ask that You continue to bless this marriage as You have over the past 30 years. Help us to stay together, for better or worse, healthy or sick, for richer or poorer. You are the source of our strength in this marriage. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.

Love & peace,
Iris