Images silently convey a story. They are a representation of something that is original.  Genesis 1:27 tell us God created man in His own image. We are a representation in that we are a being that has a body, soul, and spirit that differentiates us from animal life. God is also seen in all of nature. The images and stories on this page are pictures I have taken and articles I have written that bring a spiritual connotation to an earthly location. I hope these stir up thoughts and reflections in life you may have that will bring you closer in your relationship with God. Enjoy being "in the image"

Years ago my cousin owned a home on Matanzas Beach, just below Havana. He owned a small boat as well. One winter morning we visited him and his wife and he wanted to take me out on the lake. It was extremely cold, overcast, and much of the lake had ice & snow on it. Why I said “yes” I’ll never know but we went out that day. After we’d been out awhile I noticed water starting to collect on the bottom of the boat floor. He admitted to it sometimes having a “small” leak at times. The winds picked up and his small motor quit. We began to oar our way towards shore. Seemed the more we rowed the more the lake expanded? Cold, water now having overcame my shoe tops, my concentration waned and I lost an oar to the ice as I pushed it away from the boat. This was not a good development. We reached shore eventually and I remembered the excursion by a whopping cold I did not think I would get over. I have some observations about boating: 1. Never go out with Cousin Eddy. 2. Never compromise on Rule #1!
I am certain fishermen have requirements of their vessel. Top of list is that the ship does not take on water. 2nd might be that the mechanics of the ship are in top working condition for sailing. It seems the appearance of the ship are not the most important concerns. Hopefully smelly fish will soon be hoisted aboard if the sail is a successful one. We are like a ship set sail on the sea of humanity. God is not looking for a fancy one, a pretty one, or one that is large & stately. He is looking for a vessel that is sea worthy, has its mechanics in order, and responds to the captain’s demand. I Thes. 4:4 says we should know how to possess our vessel in sanctification and honor. Our living, and lives, should be set apart for service and have a Godly testimony. God requires us to “be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.” A Captain would never sail a leaky ship. He would never trust a vessel that had never had the mechanics of the ship oiled and lubricated. We are to be “meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work”, and that requires us to be ready to sail for Him in an instant. We should be “prayed up, and fessed up”! Not every ship that leaves the harbor each morning comes back that evening with a “great catch”. But, they’ve sailed with the Master that day, and that’s what matters most. Be Grateful…Be Enabled…Be Faithful

Psalm 104:31-35 The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works. He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke. I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD. Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD. I want to bring attention today to the “look” of God, and “His touch”. When we fix our gaze, or stare, at something (someone) it generally has a purpose. Have you been stared at? How the eye of the beholder can cast pleasure, or displeasure! It causes a reaction within us, though not a word was said. As a child I remember “the look” being sent at great distance from my parents when I was misbehaving that caused me to tremble! (yes, the following touch could bring smoke) God’s Word tells us “the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth”. God IS watching. What is He looking for? He is looking for those entrapped in sin. He is looking at “the sin”. He is looking for those who would repent & turn to Him. He IS looking to “seek & to save that which was lost”. He is looking at your life, and mine! He is not looking to punish, but to save. “God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9) When God touches a life a Holy fire is lit in the soul. As one can see the smoke bellowing forth from a volcano when the mountain is aflame, so should the evidences of God’s working within a transformed child of God be apparent. “as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him” (Ps.103:13) God has a look of love for those that are His children. He loves, He leads, He protects! God has a look of anger upon those who reject Him, and the salvation so freely offered through Jesus Christ. “he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him”. (Jn. 3:36) A touch of his (God) may raise a soul to heaven, or sink a soul to hell. As God looketh upon you today, does He see a life that is forgiven? One who has received Christ as Saviour? Has He touched your life? He can, and He desires to-Today! Won’t you receive Him?

 Psalm 84:10
For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.A hillside of tree’s set ablaze in Autumn’s glory; a babbling brook carrying leaves of brilliant color that have fallen; frost laying heavy upon a green pasture in early morn’; country lanes laced with damp, fallen leaves in a remote countryside, and cornfields standing brown waiting for the harvest, are images we carry of Autumn. But, nothing is as endearing as a church steeple rising from a wooded hillside, or quaint New England village. Why? If you love God, You must love His house! Instantly we remember His great Love for us, and the peace only His love can offer. A day, an hour, in His house bests any other place we may wander. In His house we find His presence. In His house we find sweet fellowship. In His house we find music that inspires the soul as it speaks of His great care for us. In His house we find Him intimately speaking to our soul as God’s man shares the message and teaching God has chosen to extend to us this day. Now, our scripture speaks of being a “doorkeeper” a loftier position than any position the word may offer. I must say what a great doorkeeper we have here at 1st Baptist!! Only a year or so ago we decided we needed someone to greet people. Instantly Loren’s name emerged. Who else? What a tremendous joy it is to see his wonderful smile, and always a happy greeting! Loren sets the “welcome matt” out that truly projects a first image that you are loved & welcome here! Let’s be the kind of people that takes that message out to our community so others may have the experience of knowing God, and then loving His house!!

Psalm 50:10
For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.
Large hills, small hills, wooded hills, and barren hillsides, God owns every beast and every head of cattle within them!! Perhaps you know the chorus that we sing about this? It ends with “I know that He will care for me”! I have to tell you, if I surveyed our home from top to bottom I know I would find things I own that I have forgotten about. Don’t laugh now, likely so do you? That’s just how limited we are in our capacity to always comprehend the things around us. Yes, even the things we personally gathered. BUT, God has not forgotten one thing He has ever created. He has not forgotten what it was, where it’s at, or its purpose & plan for which it was created for! From world leaders to the tiniest spider on a wall, God is aware of them all! He knew you before you were born. He knows the events, words, and emotions you’ve experienced in everyday life including today. Oh, how He loves you & me. OK, so what does God expect to see as he watches His creation? He expects a cow to be a cow, a horse to be a horse, a mountain to stand in place, a sinful man to be sinful, and a man who is a “new creature (creation)” in Christ to live like one. That’s all. God is pleased when that which is created honors Him. We honor Him by fulfilling our purpose. Purpose you say? Mt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. We are to know Him, love Him, and live for Him. You can only live for Him when you have received Him as Lord & Savior. Have you?
How ya’ doin’ on the “livin’ for Him part? Do better? Yes, let’s do !! Amen

Ps 121:1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. Where do we look for help? Sometimes we are looking to experts, to manuals, to friends/family, Brother’s & Sister’s in Christ, and even to governmental policies? (often miss-guided) This Psalm goes on to say 121:2-My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. Ahh, it is not looking at the earthly powers, earthly wisdom others offer (and there are many that want to), but looking above these things to He who made them, GOD. We should be ever looking to God for a report on our circumstance: such as why it is before us, what His answer to it is, and how He has delivered those in past situations. But often we don’t look to Him for this report, but consider Biblical perspective for the answer as a last resort. Yes, ashamedly I’m guilty as well. Heb 7:25-Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. So, if I understand this right, if I can utterly trust Him in delivering my soul from Hell through His salvation, I can utterly trust Him to lead me, protect me, guide me, handle any problems that arise, and forgive me when I fail Him? YES, I Can. He is faithful. As always, I have a question; then, why wouldn’t I always trust in Him? Mark 9:24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. All things are possible, only believe!!

What do you see in this picture? Allow your imagination to work. Sure, you see a roadway, a stand of trees, and fallen leaves. It is a road to somewhere, but where? In mountainous terrain, often you have a single road that can get you to one place. These roads wind their way through woodlands, cross rivers and creeks, travel alongside pastures, and perhaps even a rocky fence-line. One thing for sure is that this type of road needs a “local resident” to tell a traveler where it goes to, and the benefit of travelling it. The beauty you discover along these byways is often beyond description. How thankful you are after the travel for the one who told you about this rural byway. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Jesus also said, Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. As we ponder these scriptures we can note these truths; Jesus is the Way. The Way is narrow. Few there be that find it. This way to eternal life was paved for us by Jesus, but to find our way we must be shown the way! As born again believers we are “the locals”. We have, and are, travelling this roadway. We know the benefits of it, we know where it starts, and where it goes to. Once we were lost, undone, and needing direction. Then someone told us about Jesus. The road we travel can sometimes be a little bumpy, a few curves along the way, but always we are on solid ground with Him. Let us lead others to “the way”. Unless we tell of it, it may well remain hidden to those travelling the way to destruction.

Prov. 25:13 ¶
As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.Understanding this scripture comes with understanding that in the harvest season, in the Middle-East, the workers would get very hot under the labor they endured. An early snow was well received both to cool water to drink, and also used to cool fruit such as grapes during the harvesting. You and I may use the slogan, “That is a breath of fresh air”. It is a common way to express something that isn’t the normal, but sure is rewarding to see. To summarize; here the Bible tells us that a master (boss) is well pleased with the employee that faithfully carries out the duty assigned, and consistently does so each and every time! Their confidence in mankind is lifted, as more often than not, servants are not as faithful as they once were. Now I know I’m not talking about you, or I? Am I a “breath of fresh air, or “as the cold of snow in the time of harvest” to my Lord? Snow is also used as a sign of purity in the Bible. In today’s scene above, the woodland and marsh area are beautiful in the natural state, green and lush. But, add a dusting of snow and the beauty of the scene has a whole new beauty of its own, far surpassing that to which it had been. So it is with us. A Christian who is faithful to God, a faithful messenger, well pleases God! Finding God’s favor should be what we live for. God has revealed to us what pleases Him, and He also takes it a step further by revealing to us what WE can do personally in pleasing Him. As our salvation is personal, so is our calling. May we not seek things that bring ease, but desire to do that which may please.

Deut.11:9-12 ¶ And that ye may prolong your days in the land, which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land that floweth with milk and honey. For the land, whither thou goest it to possess it, is not as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came out, where thou sowedest thy seed, and wateredst it with thy foot, as a garden of herbs. But the land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven, A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.
As we came home the other night in the cold frigid weather Vicky made a comment on the discomfort of it all. I agreed, but said, “What about the deer?” The verses above tell of the time God was suiting up Israel to enter the promise land, but note how God tenderly watched care over the land waiting for them! You see, God is leading us to a place He’s prepared for us, but today He is giving instruction to us on how to live and be prepared for the land of our inheritance, Heaven. Just as God’s eyes were on the land each day of the year, so Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us!! He’s coming again soon to take us there to be with Him for eternity. God’s creatures who endure these cold times have been prepared by Him for such a time as winter and are in His hands. How much they will enjoy the warmth of Spring, and the bounty of Summer! You and I will endure some hard times as we live this life. Don’t worry, we are in the master’s hands. Heaven, to the child of God, is never more than a heart-beat, or a trumpet call, away! We just began a new year, know that God careth for you, His eyes are upon you from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year! If God be for us, who can be against us.(Rom. 8:30)

There is a song many of you are familiar with called, "Peace in the Valley". The 1st verse is "I am tired and weary, but I must toil on, 'til the Lord comes to call me away. Where the morning is bright, and the Lamb is the light, and the night is as fair as the day". We are living in days where we do get tired & so weary. Twenty-four hours a day the news is reporting the number of Coronavirus cases, the number of deaths, and how it seems to be marching on from community, to community. We're told what we should be doing to best protect ourselves from it, and if we're afflicted how to protect others. Life changed around us without our having any controls; Businesses closed, jobs in  jeopardy, product shortages in stores, and people being directed to keep safe distance from each other. This is a time like we've never seen. Wouldn't you like to find a valley like the one pictured? Magnificent waterfalls, fresh streams flowing, lush green pastures, villages resting in the shadow of snow capped, pristine mountains, and a place where folks quietly, peacefully, live their lives? In the world we live in utopias rarely exist, and if they do, they quickly give way to decay, pollution, warring, and vanish into history as "what was". My wife and I had the pleasure of visiting this valley (above) a few years ago. Today it's citizens are in peril as the rest of the world is regarding the Corona Pandemic. Is there a place of peace? A place free of sickness, suffering, loss, and fear? The answer my friends is "Yes"! The Bible describes this place as "Heaven". It is not a utopia in that it is real! Jesus said, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." Please notice Jesus said, "Ye believe in God, believe also in me". You see Heaven is a place absent of the sorrows & sufferings we know in this life here because Heaven is absent of sin. "Sin" is breaking the commandments of God, or falling short of His expectations. All have sinned. The penalty of sin is death. Death, as God views it, is eternal separation from His presence. If we die (physically) bearing the penalty of sin yet, we will not go to Heaven, but to a place called "Hell". Jesus died for our sins by taking our place on the cross. He arose from the dead, and is coming again as He said. Jesus said we must believe in Him as The Son of God. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no man cometh unto the Father (God) but by me". How do I accept Christ? How do I receive forgiveness for my sins? How can I know that I am going to Heaven when I die?  Roman 10:9-10 & 13- That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Vs. 13 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord,  SHALL be saved! This can be you! Right where you are in life. Right where you sit, you can humbly bow your head and call upon His name to forgive you of your sins, and come into your heart AND life, and He WILL do it! There is a place of perfect peace. There is a place of rest. It is in Jesus. God has grace and mercy waiting for you, He did me! Just have faith, and trust Him today! They're searching for a cure today for Coronavirus. They're hoping to save lives. Salvation for your soul has been won already!   Come to Christ today and let Him give you Eternal Life!  John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? John 11:25-26 Mary & Martha’s brother, Lazarus, had died four days earlier when Jesus asked Martha this question. She responded by saying “Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world” Martha then “went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.” Jesus, disciples, Mary, Martha, and friends of the family went to the grave site. Jesus there commanded the grave stone to be removed, “and when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go”. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were believers and followers of Jesus. Jesus said in John 10:27 that “my sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me”. Praise the Lord whether living, or in the grave, when The Master is come, and calleth for thee we shall hear His voice and follow Him, if we are of His own! One day a couple fishermen were casting their nets into the sea when Jesus passed by called onto them, and Peter & Andrew followed the Master! Another day Jesus passed by a tax collectors table and called out for the Publican to follow Him, and Levi (Matthew) left all and followed Christ. Likewise one day Jesus called a “wee-little” man named Zacchaeus in a Sycamore tree to come down, and he did just that. Jesus found a Godly man named Phillip and upon calling out to him, Phillip not only came, but brought one with him! (Nathanael) Years later a zealous Jew named Saul was about persecuting, prosecuting, and imprisoning Christians when the Master came and called for him on the road to Damascus. Saul surrendered to the Master and became Paul who likely converted more to Christianity than he had ever convicted of following Christ. You see, it all begins when The Master is come, and calleth for thee. Today what is He calling you to? Have you confessed that Jesus is “The Christ” the Son of God? Rom 10:9-11 & 13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.(10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.(11) For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.(V. 13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Or, is He calling you to renew your relationship with Him? Have you lost the closeness of your relationship with the Master? Today “The Master is come, and calleth for thee”. He loves you and wants to bless your life. Are you serving Him, or is that perhaps the reason He is calling you today? Mary & Martha thought Jesus was four days late in answering their prayer. If Jesus had been there and merely healed Lazarus how much less they would have known about Jesus and His great power. He not only has the power to heal and to save, but to bring about the resurrection! Praise the Lord for His calling today, and if our bodies go by the way of the grave someday, The Master will come, and calleth for thee”!

Much is being said now-a-days about “greenhouse gasses, global warming, etc”. I must express my thoughts. Although I have not taken classes of “higher education” on these topics, I have been a student of nature for 67 years; it’s called, “I was born here!” By the way, don’t sell yourself short on the topic as you were born here too! I have spent much time in nature; forests, mountains, woodlands. I have also travelled to many places, far & wide. Still, my opinion on the matter is based on learnings from the oldest unrefuted book ever published on the matters of the origin of life, creation, earthly sustainability, and global forecasting; the Bible, also known as “God’s Word”. Below are the reasons why I know the Earth (environment & life) will NOT be destroyed because of Man’s use of its energy and resources.
 1. The Heavens declare the Glory of God (Ps. 19:1-6) The Earth, solar system, sun, moon & stars all declare, or voice, the Glory of God! They testify of a creator & organized system of life. God’s Glory is on display by creation and man is not going to unseat, or diminish, His Glory as creator. Man had no power in creation and he is therefore powerless to remove an object God has assigned Glory to that was created for the intent of His Glory. The ecosystem of the earth is under the control of a sovereign God that uses it at He deems best in directing the course of life on this planet HE created.
 2. The supply of water & fruit of the earth is a “witness” to the sovereignty of God and His Grace. (Acts 14:17) Since the early writings of Genesis God has used times of flood, drought, bitter cold, burning heat, pestilence, and famine to suit His will in motivating man to seek God, and turn from sin. These times varied in years, and in severity. The bounty of farms and vineyards were always equated to times of blessings from a graceful, benevolent God when kingdoms and their people honored God in their lives. As God promised, when people disobeyed Him and forgot Him in their memory, He brought cursing. It is in these times we see wars, enemies, internal strife, and weather events changing to bring about drought, faYou might say man brought about “climate change”, and he did; not by his use of fossil fuels, but his use of sin and forsaking of a Holy God in his life! The blessings of ample water in the land and bountiful harvest testify to the sovereignty of God over the earth!
 3. ALL upon the Earth Belongs to God! God does NOT lose control! Man cannot remove the things God has put in place for our nurture & existence. God may choose to remove them, as another point makes, but we do not control elements larger than we are. We can’t even control the wind, or rain.
 God Said:
 • “ALL the Earth is mine” Ex. 19:5
 • “The Land is Mine” Lev. 25:23
 • “all things come of thee” I Chron. 29:14
 • “the Earth..the fulness..the World..they that dwell therein” Ps. 24:1
 • “every beast of the forest & the cattle upon 1,000 hills” Ps. 50:10
 • “the silver is mine, the gold is mine, saith the Lord of Hosts” Hag.2:8
 • “ALL souls are mine..the soul that sinneth, it shall die” Eze. 18:4
  Let’s see now, what was it we’re in charge of? What is it we must manage to save the planet? How about we consider the salvation

of the souls of men? God didn’t tell us to manage that, but to be a witness to the salvation of God to a fallen race of man. Yes, the earth will one day be destroyed by fire, but it won’t be mankind that strikes the match! Today IS the Day of Grace!mine, economic woes, civil unrest, and often geographical places become forsaken and uninhabitable.