Lightkeeper's Journal

Jesus in the World

 

Jesus in the World

Photography by Norma Beaird
Poem by Curtis Beaird

He meets us in the silence of our soul,
The rancor of the world invades our spirit.

He speaks to us in a quiet voice of calling,
The seductive voice of the world spoils and destroys.

His mercy endures forever,
The will of the world is relentless and demanding.

His peace passes understanding,
The world thrives on chaos and fear.

He is an ever present help in time of trouble,
The world manipulates division and strife.

He always creates and cares,
The world drains and exhausts.

He renews our spirit,
The world attacks with a smile.

He waits patiently for an invitation,
The world abandons with delight.

Revelation 3:20

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice,

and open the door, I will come in to him,

and will sup with him, and he with Me.

 

And the world falls silent.

 

 

Copyright 2022, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved. 

Rest

Photography and Thoughts by Norma Beaird

 

Rest...

I have always believed that peace and rest are greatly underrated. We live in a culture where we must constantly be "doing something". Even a vacation or weekend trip must be full of activities and movement from dawn to dusk.

 

Will the next generation ever learn from us

...that it's okay to rest and be quiet?

 

Sometimes, we just need to slow down and break from the endless cycle of being busy. I don't say this out of a judgmental spirit; but, it's no wonder that people cannot function without alcohol, anti-depressants, or a stop by the vape shop. And, if we don't rest, never stop moving, and continue to abuse our bodies, it will finally negatively affect our immune system. 

 

Many people live in constant stress and chaos. Their bodies and their minds never rest until they collapse into bed at night. Access to technology constantly stimulates our brain. Even God rested on the 7th day during Creation. We need to take a cue from the Lord. Sometimes, we need to say "No" to another busy assignment or politely decline an activity that will bring on more stress or dread.

 

This is not about shirking responsibility. It's about creating a lifestyle of peace and sanity. Constant non-stop busyness does not enrich our soul. Quiet walks, meditating on the Lord, and sitting in a chair by the river will bring peace, rest and tranquility to a weary spirit. Consequently, a rested soul, mind and body is more productive when productivity really matters.

 

Genesis 2:3

And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it He had rested from all His work which God created and made.

 

Exodus 34:21

Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest.

 

Mark 6:31

And He said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

 

 

All scriptures are King James Version.

 

 

Copyright 2022, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved. 

Don't Live in the Shallow End

 

Tybee Island, Georgia with a Ring-billed Gull Flying over the beach

 

Photography and Poem by Norma Beaird

 

Don't Live in the Shallow End

 

Choose the deep waters of life.

Choose peace, love, compassion and loyalty.

 

Embrace the beauty of nature and listen for birdsong,

Rejoice in the sunshine and bask in the light of the moon. 

 

Learn lessons in the midst of the wilderness,

Cry and pray, for the tears that flow are cleansing to the soul.  

 

Be still and listen in the silence of the forest,

Be thankful for the rain and the rainbow that follows.

 

If you chase after everything that is money-driven,

you will live your life in the shallow end.

 

Those who live their life in the shallow end

will never dive into the deep spiritual truths of God.

 

You will always wonder why you're never at peace.

The things of this world are temporary.

 

The gifts of God are eternal.

 

 

 

 

Copyright 2022, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved. 

In the Wilderness of Life, You Can Find the Cross

 

 

Photography and Article by Norma Beaird

 

Romans 10:13

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

The picture above is our newly decorated coffee corner. It was time for a change. After we wake up, the first thing that we do is go to the coffee corner, unless we decide to go outside first and check on the plants. Curtis likes his coffee. I like my coffee. Regular or Decaf, coffee helps to get us in gear. Sometimes, it puts us in Drive, or gets us out of Neutral. Coffee helps us to focus on the day ahead. No, we’re not addicted, but we’re not 21 anymore. We need a little assistance.

In the wilderness of life, evil attempts to steal our focus.

The world. Well, what can I say? It doesn’t matter where you’re living. Our communities, towns and cities are experiencing chaos on a widespread scale. To turn on the news is to fall into a ditch of despair and to be exposed to unending propaganda. Therefore, we decided that it was time to be reminded every single morning of what is important. Each morning, when I go to make coffee, I see the Eastern Bluebird picture and the three crosses. Each morning, I am reminded of what Jesus did for me on Calvary. So, before I get too discouraged over shootings, wars and upheavals, I am reminded that God is still in control.

For the last few posts, I’ve kinda had a theme going, “Manna in the Wilderness…..”, “…..Finding Peace on a Front Porch”. Sometimes, life is just difficult. The world around all of us refuses to make it any easier. In many ways, it always has been difficult, especially if you’re a Christian. At times, you feel like a fish out of water and wish that you could find the right river to swim in. You always feel that you’re swimming upstream, while everyone else is happily tubing downstream, catching the rays and drinking their favorite carbonated beverage of choice. You continue to swim upstream, tired and worn out, hoping that someone will throw you a life preserver attached to a rope to pull you back to the river bank.

Does this mean that we’re unhappy, pining away in this world, drowning our sorrows in Eight O’clock coffee and Chocolate Chip Cookies? Of course not! However, as Christians, if we think for one minute that this world is not becoming more spiritually wicked, then we haven’t been paying attention to the signs and people all around us. Have you noticed the constant anger in people? The rudeness? The bad attitudes? Have you paid attention to the number of people who are lost in a world of chemical enhancements? You attempt to pay for your items at the store and the clerk is so stoned that they can barely count the money back to you. Heartbreaking, to say the least.

Sin will keep us in the wilderness.  

The number one problem with the world that surrounds us falls under the category of “Spiritual Wickedness”. Everywhere we look, we find people who are living in opposition to the Holy Scriptures. They are living in sin. There, I said it. It’s called SIN. We find people who live life, not before a holy God, but they live a life bowing down to the god of “self”. Anything that you worship more than Almighty God is an idol. People bow to the gods of materialism, narcissism, selfishness, drunkenness, lasciviousness and desire. They bow to greed, lust and envy. They bow to their careers and put their family last on the list. They bow to everything and everyone but God. And, they can’t figure out why they’re so incredibly miserable.

Some people bow to these gods and still go to church. They may outwardly do and say the right things, but all that they have is a head knowledge of family tradition, a tradition of “every once in a while” church attendance. They know about God, they know about the Christian holidays and events, but they don’t know God on a deep, personal level. They don’t pray and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. They don’t talk to God because they're busy.

Their prayers are reserved for when they get into trouble, physically or financially. They may pray if they sense that a relationship is in trouble. But, they don’t seek God on a daily basis and praise Him for His many blessings. Unfortunately, many people don’t want to know God on a deep, personal level. He may reveal some things that they need to change. And….change is not always negative. Our lives constantly need the positive change that only God can bring.

Going to church does not spiritually save a person. Only Jesus can save people and forgive them of their sins. Good works and generous contributions won’t buy a ticket into Heaven. Confessing Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and repenting of your sins will pave the way to peace and eternal life in Glory. Salvation is not a tradition, it’s an experience with God. Traditions are nice, but they’re not life-changing. Tradition can enhance family relationships and make a holiday more fun, but a tradition will not save your soul.  Going to church encourages the congregation in their Christian faith, but church must be about the worship of God, not a family tradition.  

Right now, we are living in a spiritual desert, a wilderness, wooded acreage with buried sins. Some people live in a high-rise of sin. The city beats them up every single day. It’s much easier to pretend that sin doesn’t exist, to ignore it, to look the other way. Because, with admission of sin comes a burden of necessity, the necessity to ask for forgiveness and to make a change. Why change when you can just cover it up with pretense?

 

1 Peter 5: 6 - 10

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you in due time:

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,

walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Whom resist stedfast in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus,   

after that ye have suffered a while,

make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.  

                                                                                       

We’re living in very dangerous times. People have an agenda; and today, most agendas are rooted in selfishness. Everywhere we look, we find unhappy, discouraged and depressed people. They don’t lean on God for help, they lean on prescription medications, alcohol, and illegal drugs. They are angry and stressed. They scrap and fight every day to make another dollar to buy another gadget or item that they believe will bring them happiness and satisfaction.

About satisfaction……we are all born with a spiritual void that can only be filled with Jesus Christ. You will never find peace and satisfaction until you find Jesus. There is a reason that He came to Earth in human form as a baby, endured ridicule and scorn and then died a horrible death on the cross of Calvary. He knew that all of us come into this life born in sin. He knew that we needed a loving Savior to rescue us from eternal damnation. He knew that we needed to feel the true love that only a loving Savior can give. Jesus loves us like no one else can love us. He always has and He always will.

Turn to Jesus. Confess Him as your Lord and Savior. Repent of your sins before Him. Lay your burdens at the cross. As the old hymn says, “Leave them there….” Don’t try to carry what God has already carried for you. Lay down the substances and pick up the Bible. Start reading. Start praying. Find a place of prayer and call upon the Lord. Make your prayer requests known to God. He hears your prayer.

In the wilderness of life, you can find the cross.

 

Romans 10:9

"That is thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, 

and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the sea,

thou shalt be saved."

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright 2017, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.  

The Garden of Life - Finding Peace on a Front Porch

 

 

Photography and Article by Norma Beaird

 

Finding peace on a front porch.  That sounds rather simple and it possibly sounds quaint and sweet, but it's the honest truth.  We've said it before in various ways, using different phrases and words, but here it goes again......the world has gone crazy.  If we're looking to find peace in a world that has taken a nosedive into hedonism, violence and mayhem, then we will be looking for a very long time.  There is no peace in chaos.  There is no peace in materialism.  And, there is certainly no peace in the world's version of success.......because.....with the world, enough is never enough.  

There comes a time in life when we need to slow down and question why we're doing what we're doing.  Do we only see a brass and glass world?  Do we only see interstates and highways?  Or, do we ever notice the blooming Crepe Myrtles or the wildflowers growing on the side of the road? Do we ever notice the buzzing bees or the chirping of the birds?  

We've written about birds and nature for several years, and each day, God surprises us with new joys of nature.  On some days, it's the Northern Bobwhite Quail that brings his missus into the yard for dinner.  On other days, it's the beautiful colors of Coleus that brighten our days with shades of Neon Green and Burgundy.

Coleus, Peppermint, Spearmint and Asparagus Fern

 

On some days, the Lord blesses us with a collage of glorious color!

The lovely shades of Coleus.

 

Rex Begonia

 

Persian Shield

 

Peace doesn't appear out of thin air.  We must live in a way that brings peace to our mind and spirit.   This year, in addition to feeding the birds at Le Avian Cafe, we decided to have a front porch garden.  We kinda got carried away.  After all, you can't stop with just one plant.....or two plants.....or three plants.  Having a front porch garden has increased our physical activity and emotional calmness.  It's difficult to be stressed when you're watering the Basil and Rosemary.  It's not easy to complain when you're digging in the soil and picking out colorful pots.  And, you can't be frustrated when you've just cut some Basil leaves to place on top of Mozarella Cheese, on top of a tomato, with a little Extra Virgin Olive Oil on top! 

 

From Left to Right:  Italian Basil, Persian Shield and more Italian Basil

 We love Persian Shield.  It's grows beautifully in a hot and humid climate.  

This plant is perfect for the Deep South and Florida

 

Yellow pot - Purple Coneflower (Echinacea) and the multi-color pot has Aloe Vera 

Aloe Vera plant is essential to have on hand for cuts, scrapes or burns.  It speeds up the healing process.

 

   Yellow Pot - Rosemary (Barbecue)

Orange Pot - English Lavender

Colbalt Blue Pot - Rosemary (Barbecue - and yes, it's smells like a barbecue)

 

L to R:  Coleus, Purple Coneflower (Echinacea), Coleus, Peppermint and French Lavender (Lavandin)

We found the landscaping stones at Lowe's.  We were having problems with weeds, so we cleaned out this area, placed stones on top (bought some of the stones for 84 & 88 cents).  The stones work perfectly for keeping a lot of the weeds out and they give the pots an even surface.  These lovely plants came from The Garden House in Vidalia, Georgia.  

 

 

 

This planting and growing season has also been a learning process.  To the left is Persian Shield in a striped pot.  This is the rich beautiful color of Persian Shield.  In perfect humid conditions, it has the appearance of purple leather leaves.  The terra cotta-colored pot in the middle has Electric Lime Coleus in the back and Persian Shield in the front.  We have learned that Persian Shield needs to be in a pot by itself.  This particular Persian Shield does not have a rich, vibrant purple color. The Electric Lime seems to be halting the growth of the Persian Shield.  To the far right is French Lavender or Lavandin (a hybrid of English Lavender).

 

Moving the plants to more sunshine! 

 

Sometimes, after watering the plants and moving them around, my back muscles are a little sore.  However, my spirit is refreshed.   When we are connected to nature, we are connected to God.  This is not New Age thinking, it's Genesis 1 thinking.  Genesis 1 is the Creation Chapter of the Bible.  God created the Heavens and the Earth.  He is the God of Creation.  God created the plants, the herbs, the birds and the butterflies.  We can experience the presence of a Holy God through appreciating and caring for His creation. He provided the herbs and plants for us.  And, in His physical provision, we can experience a heavenly peace.  

Psalm 50:10 says, "For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills."  

God owns it all, to include this adorable little frog who was making his home in the pot of Rosemary.  

Genesis 1:29 - 30

²⁹ And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree,

in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

³⁰ And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth,

wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.

L to R:  Spearmint in the red pot and Purple Coneflower (Echinacea) in the yellow pot

All of it belongs to God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth.

 

Red Rubin Basil

 

Peppermint - this herb is great for repelling spiders and mice.  

Spider Repellent Recipe.  You will need a plastic spray bottle.  Mix 16 ounces of warm water, 10-15 drops of pure Peppermint Oil, and a drop of dishwashing liquid.  Shake well. You can spray this mixture inside or outside, around doors, windows and anywhere spiders or mice can creep in.

 

As much as the American Dream encourages climbing the ladder to success, people will burn themselves out to make another dollar for another day.   As people rush here, there and everywhere, many times, they will miss the beauty of it all.   They go home exhausted beyond measure and dread the thought of doing it again tomorrow.  Mark 8:36 says "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?  Even though work is very important, we must never go through life missing the things that can't be bought with gold or silver.  

A front porch garden is a garden of life.  A garden is about life because a garden is about the Creator.

God is our Creator and everything that He creates or touches generates life.

 When the world is involved, we will find chaos, confusion and spiritual death.  

When God is involved, we find peace, promise and eternal life.  

 

 

 

Copyright 2017, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.  

  

Lights on the Water

 

A Montgomery County, Georgia pond nestled in the trees  

 

Lights on the Water

 

Photography and Poem by Norma Beaird

 

In the cabin by the pond,
Looking out the window pane,
the light danced on the water,
on this chilly Georgia day. 

 

She moved back home from up North,
Leaving parties, clothes and cars,
to introduce herself to peace,
the birds, the moon and stars.

 

She found the peace in scripture,
and the faith in quiet prayer,
the freedom in the pine trees,
in the humid Georgia air. 

 

Her thoughts reclaimed in sunlight,
while the truth shined on her soul,
the lights danced on the water,
and the Lord had made her whole.

 

 

Copyright 2015, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.  

Birds and Peace

 

The Osprey was working on his seafood dinner when I decided to take his picture.  He didn't particularly appreciate the interruption, but he allowed me a great portrait of him and his stylin' hairdo!  After I finished, he took his fish and went to eat in peace.   

Sorry Mr. Osprey, but I couldn't pass up this photo opportunity.  

  

Photography and Article by Norma Beaird

 

During these times of crime and crisis, stock markets and store closings, polling and politics, we look to God and His creation to find an avenue of peace in the midst of chaos. After all, the evening news does not provide us an escape from the constant barrage of "Stocks are falling" or "Who is leading in the polls?"  If anything, it adds to the stress that has proven to cause physical problems and worrisome consternation.  

So, how can a bird help us?  No matter what is going on in the world, a bird is still a bird.  They continue to migrate, mate, nest, raise babies, feed babies and migrate again.  If bad weather is coming, they make adjustments and fly to a place of safety.  If they can't find a suitable place for nesting, they keep looking until they do.  In other words, they don't stop and they don't give up.  

The Canada Geese are flying to their evening roosting location.  

 

In order to find peace, we must "keep on keeping on..."  We must make adjustments when necessary; and, if bad weather is on the horizon, we go to our place of safety.   We continue to work and feed the family, move when necessary and migrate to that refuge of spiritual tranquility.  As a bird flies ahead of the storm, we must move away from the cloud of bad news that surrounds us on a daily basis.    

So, like the bird....

Stay alert, take care of the family, spread your wings and fly to your place of peace. 

After a swim, the Anhinga spreads his wings to dry out his feathers and warm up.  

 

John 16:33

These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. 

 

Copyright 2015, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.  

 

The Birds Still Sing on Cloudy Days

 

The Duchess of Soperton, our Northern Cardinal

 

Photography by Curtis and Norma Beaird

Article by Norma Beaird

 

I've thought long and hard about writing this particular article.  I've wondered if it's necessarily the best idea, considering the fact that we're still living in the same area that is the subject matter of the article.  However, sometimes it's easier to be honest about your situation than try to hide the truth of the matter.  

For the last three years, we have been documenting the birds of rural Georgia and submitting our reports to Cornell University's eBird.  We photograph, count, document and write about the amazing avian community in our backyard and in the surrounding counties, state parks and wildlife management areas.  Our birds have been a blessing beyond words to both Curtis and me.  I cannot properly describe with words what our birds have meant to us.   As a matter of fact, our backyard birds have been just one of the reasons that we have kept our sanity in the midst of a very dark place called rural Georgia.  

Within the last three years, a dark cloud has crept in over this part of Georgia.  Drugs, drug trafficking, meth labs and the subsequent meth lab busts have increased and are the subjects of the weekly newspapers. Two of our small-town weekly newspapers have the monthly Jail Report.  This edition of the newspapers feature almost full pages of mugshots, mostly due to drug possession, assault or theft.    

....Talk about the myth of Southern hospitality....

Almost three years ago, I remember having, what felt like, a very dark cloud to descend over me, a cloud of fear and dread.  It felt as though something bad was going to happen and the feeling produced an anxiety about the unknown.  Curtis felt the same thing.  A few weeks later in May 2012, our house was burglarized and approximately $7,000 worth of stuff was stolen, to include a laptop, camera, jewelry, tools, not to mention photos that can't be replaced.  We were devastated.  

We had just returned from a doctor's visit in Dublin, Georgia and Curtis had received wonderful news, thanks be to God and a great doctor.  Later that day, we had driven into Riverbend Wildlife Management Area in Laurens County and photographed the beautiful Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron, a bird that we had not photographed before.  We celebrated the good news with one of our favorite pastimes, birdwatching.  

The Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron scratching his head as we photographed. 

 

We were overjoyed to have found this entertaining bird hanging out in a very swampy area of the WMA.  We had a good doctor's visit, a nice lunch and a fun excursion back on dirt roads in a rather remote avian hangout.  And then we came home....

When we arrived home, our front door was open, a door that was locked when we left.  My heart just sunk.  I knew what had happened.  It had happened twice to my mother and me when we lived in Augusta, Georgia. Words can't describe that sick feeling in the pit of your stomach, knowing that some low-life thief has busted through your door and stolen precious treasures that can never be replaced.  

For a while, Curtis and I were simply devastated.  They had even stolen a one-of-a-kind custom pocket knife that I had given to him on a special occasion, a knife that cannot be replaced.  They had stolen my beautiful Native American Squash Blossom Necklace that was a gift from Curtis, a necklace that I dearly cherished.  

Talk about going into the emotional dumper.....  Many people say that things can be replaced and "just be thankful that you weren't at home...."  That's not the point.  An alarm was sounded that we were no longer living in Mayberry.  We had known for a long time that the seemingly innocent small town that we moved to wasn't the same anymore.  Now, we knew for sure.  

Even though there has been an increase in drug arrests and subsequent takedowns of meth labs, we continue to feel the dark cloud of spiritual oppression.  Drug addiction is a strong, demonic force and drug trafficking is the result of greed and selfishness.  Law Enforcement has a difficult task in taking down a criminal element that has affected this area for decades.  There is a constant battle of good versus evil.   Law-abiding citizens must remain vigilant and alert.     

At times, in various counties over rural Georgia, crimes are committed that are never solved.  Some shootings have occurred that seem to disappear off of the front pages of  newspapers.  Some burglars are never caught.  We have read reports of drug dealers being arrested and then released.  

Sometimes, it feels as though communities remain complacent while the Jail Report continues.  No matter how many arrests are made, it never seems to jar the community as a whole.  Law Enforcement can only do so much.  Communities must rally together and look out for each other, patrolling their own streets and forming neighborhood watches.      

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure things out.  And, no one wants to talk about it or deal with it.  It's easier to ignore it than admit the truth.  Many locals would prefer to turn a deaf ear even though they know what is going on.  As Curtis says, "We are living in a pine straw ghetto."  When people refuse to admit there is a drug or crime problem, then a once-safe community can turn into a crime-ridden ghetto in a matter of months.  

An Umbrella of Faith

Why am I writing about all of this?  Hopefully, we can encourage you to open up an umbrella of faith in the midst of a raging storm.  That's what we had to do and are still doing.  We pray constantly for God's wisdom, guidance and protection.  

In the midst of this dark place, God sent us the most beautiful birds to photograph and document.  We have bought bird identification books, researched them and studied taxonomy. We have fed the birds, filled up the birdbath and even named our avian friends.  We have talked to chickadees, woodpeckers and crows and we have felt their love when we walk outside to greet them in the morning.

In the midst of your dark place, God can send powerful reminders that He created this world and that He is still in control.  

Rocky, the Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker

 

Therefore, do not despair and don't give up hope.  The answer is on the way.  Don't allow distrust and bitterness to take root in your life.  Allow God to show you the big picture and introduce you to His magnificent creation.  

In the Old Testament, the prophet Elijah had delivered a message to the evil King Ahab, husband of Queen Jezebel.  Elijah told King Ahab that there would be a time of neither dew nor rain.  After the message was delivered to the king, God told Elijah to turn eastward and hide by the brook Cherith.  He would drink of the brook while a raven would bring him food in the morning and evening.  

Whenever I think about how God sent birds to us in the midst of a bad situation, I think about the prophet Elijah and the raven.  The Lord used a bird to physically feed Elijah.  God used birds to infuse our hearts with joy and teach us about migration and nesting behaviors.  Birdwatching increased our focus and our faith. The majesty of God's creation will bring a sense of peace to your spirit.  

In the midst of spiritual hunger and despair, God will feed our souls with the bread of Heaven.  Sometimes, He gives us great joy in the midst of sorrow.  At times, He sends us a distraction from the cares of this life that breathes hope into a seemingly hopeless situation.  He knows all and He sees all.  He is still in control.  

No matter how long you've been in a dry barren land or how desperate your situation, I pray that God will send you manna in the wilderness.   May He brighten your day with blue skies and cotton clouds or the fragrance of a Honeysuckle vine.  May He send you an encouraging word or laughter in the midst of tears.  

Just remember, the birds still sing on cloudy days.  

 

1 Kings 17: 1 - 6

And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab,

As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand,

there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.

And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying,

Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward,

and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.

And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook;

and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.

So he went and did according unto the word of the Lord:

for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.

And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning,

and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.

 

 

 

Copyright 2015, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.   

Peace Within My Soul

 

Southern Magnolia

 

Peace Within My Soul

 

Photography and Poem by Norma Beaird

 

She was making morning coffee,

on a hot and humid day,

thinking 'bout how things were changing,

in a most uncertain way.  

 

She remembered in her childhood,

days were tough, but God was there,

He is faithful in the struggles,

when life doesn't seem so fair. 

 

As these thoughts consumed her minutes,

then she thought to step outside,

for she heard the birds were singing,

in the golden, bright sunlight.

 

The magnolia tree was blooming,

bees were buzzing all around,

while the wind sent gentle whispers,

here you stand on holy ground.

 

For no matter what is changing,

in this world of toils and fear,

nature still produces beauty,

in the midst of pain and tears.  

 

For when man has thus destroyed,

all that's good and pure and whole,

just to gain a few possessions,

and a bank account of gold.  

 

Birds will sing their song of morning,

butterflies will spread their wings,

red wildflowers bloom in meadows,

for in chaos, nature sings.  

 

As she watched the Eastern Bluebird,

feeding fledglings from the nest,

she's reminded that the good Lord,

only wants for us the best.

 

Even when the world around us,

has decayed in sin and shame,

God is there if we will touch Him,

and will call upon His name.  

 

He reminds us with the sunrise,

and the butterflies and birds,

in the clouds and white magnolias,

and His faithful Holy Word.

 

That when man has thus destroyed,

all that's pure and good and whole,

as I behold God's grand creation,

I'm at peace within my soul.  

 

 

Matthew 6:25 - 34

25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.  Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

 

 

 Copyright 2014, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.    

   

Peace on Earth

 

Luke 2:14

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

By: Norma W. Beaird

The holidays, a manger scene, bring thoughts of “Peace on earth”,
A phrase proclaimed by angels giving news of Jesus’ birth.

God’s messengers declared His peace to shepherds in the fields,
Then Christ spoke peace unto the waves when He said, “Peace be still”.

So why must people live in fear, devoid of hope and faith,
For God desires we live in peace, to trust Him and obey.

So friend, if you are troubled with the cares this life may bring,
Let Jesus give you endless peace and joyful songs to sing.

For storm clouds gather in our minds, but faith will send us light,
God’s perfect peace will shelter us and calm the stormy nights.

For peace will not be found in worldly treasures or possessions,
If only youth would teach us of this most important lesson.

When we open a Christmas card declaring “Peace on Earth”,
It means much more than shepherds and those three inspiring words.

Sweet peace arrived one Christmas night, born in a humble manger,
For Jesus came to break the chains of fear, despair and anger.

This world will try to give you peace, but there’s no substitution,
Salvation born in Bethlehem brought quiet revolution.

So if you’re overwhelmed with pain, the guilt of sin or hurt,
Seek Jesus as the Answer and discover “Peace on Earth”.

 

 

Copyright 2003 - Revised 2012, Norma W. Beaird.  All rights reserved.