These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness

And will shout joyfully of Your righteousness.

Psalms 145: 7

For this last blog post of 2015 I went down memory lane.  I looked back at 2015 and selected my favorite images.  I narrowed it down to 18. That was not an easy task.

Each image below, while not neccessarily the best photograph, is one which emotes memories for me.  I was so blessed to travel across this great land and see some amazing things.  As I looked at each of these photos I remembered the place and the wonderful people with whom I was allowed to share them.

I shout joyfully of the goodness of God!

Sparks Lane, Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains NP

Sunrise from the Foothills Parkway, Townsend, TN

Tremont, Great Smoky Mountains NP

Gettysburg Battlefield, PA

Amish farm, Lancaster, PA

Bennington, VT

Bar Harbor, ME

Sunrise, Bar Harbor, ME

Nubble Light, York, ME

Window sill, Ogunquit, ME

Ogunquit, ME

Perkins Cove, ME

Cadet Chapel, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY

Roaring Fork, Great Smoky Mountains NP

Baptist Church, Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains NP

Acadia NP, ME

Acadia NP

Sunrise, Newfound Gap, Great Smoky Mountains NP

 May 2016 be filled with blessings, joy, and His peace for you all.

What's It All About?

Ohh! It's almost Christmas. The decorations are all in place. The cards are all sent. The gifts are all purchased, wrapped and under the tree.  The kitchen smells like the most wonderful restaurant ever!

Soon families will gather, eat too much, laugh a lot, exchange gifts, and pretend that that awful tie from Aunt Zelda is just the perfect fashion accessory.

Ohh! It's Christmas.

But wait! Haven't we forgotten something?

For a child has been born -- for us!

the gift of a son -- for us!

Isaiah 9:6 (Message)

Ahhh! Now I get it! I hope others do too.

Reflecting

When I saw, I reflected upon it;

I looked, and received instruction.

Proverbs 24:32

Here we are at the end of another year.  This is always a good time for us to look back and think about all that has occurred in our lives.  This is a time to reflect.

But, just looking back and remembering is really not very helpful. The questions I  must ask: "How can I learn from what has passed?"

How can I make sure that I eliminate those things from the past year that were not pleasing to the Lord? I need to strive to not repeat behaviors which are not according to His will for me.

How can I continue those thoughts and actions which caused me to grow in a positive way? How can I become more of a man of God?

Good questions upon which to reflect!