#kidstuph

going to the beach, it is fascinating to see layers of shells in what looks like solid rock. scientists use such phenomena to understand what life was like in the time of the shells. There are times that "life" deals us a heavy blow, from which we think there us no recovery, but time tells a different tale... we may be pressed in between the layers of life, but we are not destroyed, and what we have experienced becomes, not only useful, but valuable to those who seek to gain knowledge and understanding from it all. . . "we are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body." - II Corinthians 4:10. . . #inspirationalquotes #photography #kidstuph #toughtimesdontlast #toughpeopledo #mystorystilllives #iamabel (at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac))

Two men, two stories... Two different reactions to time... one was successful, gained a lot, and was set for life. "what shall I do? I'll build bigger barns so I can store more grain, and have more for myself." Yet he died alone, unable to take all of his riches with him. The other man, also successful, watched his youngest son leave, and each day, stood, waiting for his son to return. Money wasn't the measure of his success... it was being able to share his life with his sons. When his son returned, the man picked up where he left off, not losing another moment with his son, because time spent with him was so precious. Time is one commodity that is spent, wasted or stolen, but cannot be purchased - you cannot get more. You can only use what you have wisely, so it truly is the richest of all your treasures. What are you doing with your time? "but while he was a long way off, his father saw him, and was filled with compassion for him. He ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kisses him." - Luke 15:20. . . #inspirationalquotes #photography #kidstuph #time #valuable #useitwisely #missingmyfamily (at Troutdale, Oregon)

As prevalent as darkness may appear, as real as the void may be, it is no match for the presence of light. If you are surrounded by darkness, you don't have to stay there... look for the light shining around you, and shining in you. Not only look for it for yourself, but do what you can to be light for others. "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it." - John 1:5 #inspirationalquotes #photography #kidstuph #faithinaction #perspective #stayingpositive #lookingforward #lookingup #troutdaleoregon #lightoverdarkness (at Troutdale, Oregon)

Abram said, "Lord, what can you do for me, seeing I have no son?" Moses said, Lord, how can I speak to Pharaoh, seeing I have this speech problem?" We judge and react to what we see, not realizing that growth and fruit are happening where we cannot see. So, when we see nothing, instead of lamenting about what is before our eyes, we need to rejoice for the hidden things that will come to pass. "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." - I Corinthians 2:9 #inspirationalquotes #kidstuph #photography #troutdaleoregon #vineyard #lookingforward #faithinaction (at Troutdale, Oregon)

We all go through things, and all have times of hardship and falling... how we approach it determines the beauty that is shown from it. When we have the perspective that our situation can't take us out, but we can learn from it and use it for our and others benefit, what is displayed is beautiful. "for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity." - Proverbs 24:16 #inspirationalquotes #kidstuph #photography #multnomahfalls #perspective #stayingpositive #keptingrace #collateralbeauty (at Troutdale, Oregon)

When all you see are clouds, it's easy to think of what can't happen... don't stay there... rise up. Get above them, and begin to soar. #inspirationalquotes #kidstuph #faithinaction #perspective #domore (at San Jose International Airport (SJC))

So faith is drawing close to the Promise Maker, trusting that he is able and willing to keep his word... faithfulness is being a promise maker like him, keeping our promises even when it hurts... In a land and era where a man's (or woman's) word means little, being a person who is true to our word is a rare and priceless commodity. #faithlife #faithinaction #kidstuph #inspirationalquotes #photography #rainbow #promises #trustinhim #belikehim (at Troutdale, Oregon)

George Santayana's quote is ringing in my head as I am reading the introduction to "The Crucible", in which Marion Starkey is quoted as saying, "[The Salem Witch Hunt] has been revived on a colossal scale by replacing the mideval idea of malefic witchcraft by a pseudo-scientific concept like 'race', 'nationality' and by substituting for theological dissension a whole complex of warring ideologies... it is an allegory of our times." Marion Starkey wrote this in 1949... the allegory is as much true today as it was then. When will we learn from our past? #history #photography #inspirationalquotes #kidstuph #immorethanmyrace #immorethanmyreligion #soareyou #challenge #lovebeatsfear (at Bend, Oregon)