Wednesday's Word! Encouragement from God's Word

(C) Allen Pearson

"Blessed is the man who trusts in

the Lord, whose trust is the Lord."

- Jeremiah 17:7, ESV

Garden Perspectives: Gerber Daisy's Petals of Red

"Gerber Daisy's Petals of Red"
(C) Allen Pearson

As I sit in my studio on a cold winter day, I enjoy looking at the images I created last Spring and Summer seasons. The images remind me that warmer days are ahead. Though possibly a few months to go yet, the days will get here.

When I am photographing, I like to share my love for nature and its incredibly awesome beauty by capturing its unique beauty often missed unless you are paying close attention to it.

My work is offered on traditional prints using the best in archival paper, canvas prints (gallery wraps), metal prints, and note cards. Visit Garden Perspectives to view more Garden Photography.

Sunday's Thought!

"Light in the Clouds"
(C) Allen Pearson

Have you found new life?

by Pastor Jack Graham, PowerPoint Ministries

"So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, 

“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life….”"

--John 6:67-68

Did you know that there are more conversations recorded between Jesus and Simon Peter than any other two people in Scripture? It’s true, and I want to bring your attention to one such conversation. Jesus is saying something so important to you and me through it.

Jesus had been teaching to a crowd of people and he started calling them to a commitment… to the demands of a daring faith. And as he called them, some people began to walk away from him. You see, many who followed Jesus were only attracted to the miracles that he performed. They didn’t want to hear about the cost of discipleship.


And so as these others departed, Jesus turned to his disciples and said, “Do you want to go away as well?” And Simon Peter responded, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life….”

Simon Peter got it! This commoner… this uneducated fisherman… was committed. He would follow Jesus anywhere, because in Christ Jesus he found new hope and a purpose for living!

You see, when you meet the Savior of the world, he changes your life and nothing else can ever satisfy.

Don’t walk away from Jesus. Commit your life to him, follow him, and receive new life!

WHEN YOU MEET THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD…NOTHING ELSE CAN EVER SATISFY.

To learn more about God's Plan for your life, please visit PowerPoint Ministries with Jack Graham, New Life in Christ.

Devotion used by written permission of PowerPoint Ministries with Jack Graham.

Railroad Photography! "Thoroughbred at Sunset"

"Thoroughbred at Sunset"
(C) Allen Pearson

I had the privilege of growing up in an area where the trains ran through the town carrying freight to Northern Virgina and other areas north of where I lived. I remember riding the school bus across the tracks to and from high school every day sometimes getting stopped by the train for more than a few minutes.

These mammoth locomotives get my attention every time I see them roaring down the tracks! Actually, I probably should not say "roaring" as the locomotives these days are quite a bit quieter than the ones of when I was young. When I was young, I would hear the train coming from a mile away.  It was enough to send me running to the porch of my grandmother's house to watch the train roll by.

However, over the years of college and my career, I lost track, no pun intended, of railroading and the interest I had in it.

In my railroad photography gallery at Allen Pearson's Photos, I am celebrating the awesome art and power of the railroad industry. I offer railroad art in the form of prints, metal prints, canvas wraps, posters and note cards. 

Wednesday's Words! Encouragement from God's Word

(C) Allen Pearson

"But, as it is written,

"What no eye has seen, nor ear has heard,

nor the heart of man imagined,

what God has prepared for those who love Him.""

- 1 Corinthians 2:9, ESV

Sunday's Thought

"Great Falls. Virginia"
(C) Allen Pearson

When we sin...

The enemy condemns us;

The Holy Spirit convicts us;

God forgives us; 

and Christ redeems us.

(C) Kim Kirby, 2018

If you would like to learn more about God's forgiveness, please visit Peace With God!

Wednesday's Words - Encouragement from God's Word

(C) Allen Pearson

"Be still,

and know that I am God.

I will be exalted

among the nations,

I will be exalted 

in the earth!"

- Psalms 46:10, ESV

Sunday's Thought!

(C) Allen Pearson

"For God so loved

the world,

that He gave His only Son,

that whoever believes

in Him should not perish

but have eternal life."

- John 3:16, ESV

I am thankful for the fact that spending eternity in Heaven isn't a complicated process or decision. As I've gone through life, I've learned how you have to go through this or do that or pass this and that to achieve or obtain things in this life. 

As an example, to get your driver's license, if you are still in school you take driver's education classes or find a local business to help you. Your parents, or maybe an adult, teach you "behind-the-wheel" along with the classes. Once you reach the right age and have gone through the classes and training, you go to the local Department of Motor Vehicles to take your driving test. If you pass it all, wonders upon wonders, you get the coveted driver's license you have worked so hard to receive.  This process takes more than a day or two, or even a few weeks, more like several months.

God's love for you and His desire for you to spend eternity with Him is as simple as accepting, believing and confessing. 

If you would like to accept Christ's awesome gift to us, the Gift of Salvation- eternal life, please read and pray through the following-

Admit
Admit that you are a sinner, just like everyone else born into this world, until we confess to Jesus Christ and ask His forgiveness:

"(23) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (24) and are justified 

by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus," 

- Romans 3:23-24, ESV

"(23) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." 

- Romans 6:23, ESV

Believe
Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ:

(16) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him 

should not perish but have eternal life."

 - John 3:16, ESV 

Confess

Confess your sins in a prayer to the Lord Jesus Christ:

(9) "because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. "

- Romans 10:9, ESV

(13) For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 

- Romans 10:13, ESV

Pray

"Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and do not deserve eternal life. 

I believe You died and rose from the grave to make me a new creation 

and to prepare me to dwell in your presence forever. 

Jesus, come into my life and take control, 

forgive my sins and save me. I place my trust in You alone

for my salvation and I accept your free gift of eternal life."

Amen

Now, you're a Christian - Welcome to the family. So, what's next-

• Find a 100% Bible-believing, teaching, preaching church. Here are a few resources:
• Southern Baptist Convention
• Southern Baptist Conservatives
• Church of the Nazarene 

• Find believers (Christians) to fellowship with.

• Get baptized.

• Read the Book of John.

• Get in a Bible Study.

• Daily: Pray and read the Bible

• Find a Mentor

• Learn how to Pray

• If you find yourself asking "Why am I not perfect" or "Why am I still doing wrong things?" Be sure to talk with your Pastor, a Christian friend or a mentor.

Wednesday's Words! Encouragement from God's Word

(C) Allen Pearson

"But let all who take

refuge in you be glad,

let them ever sing for joy.

Spread your protection over them,

that those who love your name

may rejoice in you."

- Psalm 5:11, NIV

Sunday's Thought!

"Snow in Walney Park"
(C) Allen Pearson

Being Born Again - No Certificate Required

by Adrian Rogers, Love Worth Finding

“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, 

which liveth and abideth for ever.” - 1 Peter 1:23

A little girl was supposed to take her birth certificate to school. Her mother had solemnly warned her not to lose it because of its tremendous importance, but lose it she did. Later she was sitting on the steps of the school, crying. The janitor asked her what was wrong. She replied, “I lost my excuse for being born.” Now, that’s a funny story, but it has a sobering analogy. You don’t need an excuse for being born again. You have a Savior, and He’s calling your name.

Have you been born again? Have you experienced the cleansing power of Jesus’ blood that washes all your sin away? If not, I invite you to come to Him in repentance and faith. Discover Jesus today.

For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers and to learn about salvation, please visit Love Worth Finding, Assurance of Salvation.

Devotion used by written permission of Love Worth Finding.

National Bird Day!

"Eastern Bluebird"
(C) Allen Pearson

A favorite hobby of mine over the years has been watching and feeding the birds. A few years ago, when I moved, I got out of the hobby or at least not as active as I was before. No reason for this, just all the life changes caused a few things to be set aside or put on hold.

I set up my bird feeders temporarily on the deck soon after we moved in. I filled the feeders and bird baths but didn't do as frequent as I did in my old house.  To my surprise, what little I did got the birds attention! I was attracting birds with little effort which I had tried for years to attract at my old house.  The Eastern Bluebird visited my old house only every so often. Now, the bird is a frequent visitor!

"American Robin"
(C) Allen Pearson

More recently, with the cold weather of winter settling in, I bought a device to place in a birdbath which will prevent the water from freezing.  Little did I know, since the last few winters never really got cold, the device would become invaluable this year! My birdbath has become a popular spot for the birds!

Feeding the birds? Fifteen years ago, I learned a trick with feeding the birds. At first, I used an inexpensive seed which is found at the big box stores. There is nothing really wrong with the seed if you don't mind the mess and the weeds that happen when the seeds fall to the ground- which they will. I found myself pulling plenty of weeds and cleaning up the mess twice a week.

I had read, and heard, that if you use a better quality seed, you will not have the mess, weeds and could attract a variety of birds. I went to a local bird specialty store to learn more about seed and feeding. Of course, I had to wonder if what I was told was a sales pitch so I researched it and found it be accurate.  The cheaper seeds are like going to a fast food restaurant and having a meal. It isn't the best food for you, yet we do it. When the birds go to a feeder with a cheap seed, they pick through it until they find a seed to satisfy. The others are found on the ground. Switching to a more expensive seed wasn't that expensive. Maybe $2-3 more than the cheaper brand but the expense is spent saved when comparing the waste.

"Northern Cardinal"
(C) Allen Pearson

Another point with feeding birds, if you want to attract birds to your feeders, you need to know what birds are native to your area. There are plenty of resources available online where you can learn about the "local" birds and their habits. Since I live in Virginia, I'm not likely to see a Junco during the summer months. These birds will migrate from the north to Virginia in the Winter months and leave when Spring arrives.  The Eastern Bluebird, American Robin, and Northern Cardinal are popular in my area.An important point to know is different birds require different feeders- it's not one size feeds all.

Birdhouses are another point. For this, you need to learn what works for the birds in your area and follow the instructions closely. I have several birdhouses in my backyard and have witnessed different species of birds making their homes every spring.

A fascinating part of birdwatching happens when the seasons change in the Fall to Winter and Winter to Spring. Many birds migrate during these times and will stop by my feeders and birdbaths for a break. I remember coming home one day and seeing the tree in my backyard full of beautiful Cedar Waxwings.

Bird Watching is a fascinating hobby in and of itself. There is quite a bit to learn and understand. For me, I have followed the basics of the hobby which has given me quite a bit of satisfaction.  I have friends who can answer every question you have about birds and the hobby.

Have an awesome National Bird Day. Get outside and watch the birds. Consider taking up the hobby.

Do you feed the birds or have a favorite spot to watch them? Please share in the comments below.

"Red-bellied Woodpecker"
(C) Allen Pearson

Wednesday's Words! Encouragement from God's Word

(C) Allen Pearson

"Behold, I am doing a new thing;

now it springs forth,

do you not perceive it? It will make a way

in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

- Isaiah 43:19, ESV

Happy New Year 2018!

(C) Allen Pearson

May you have an awesomely blessed and happy 2018!

We are looking forward to sharing photography and gardening tips with you in 2018! 

Please follow us by email to receive our latest blog post. 

Do you love dogs and cats? Join us in 2018 for a year of fun adventures at www.fromthedogspaw.com.  The posts are written by Noah, the greatest Plott Hound-Black Labrador Retriever in the universe! Join him by email at www.fromthedogspaw.com. 

*We do not share email addresses.