big

these things get really big in and around the jungles.

do take another look.

won't be needing you much longer

1. position camera
2. set to manual focus
3. zoom and focus on target object
4. remove target object
5. set white balance to flash exposure
6. set shutter mode to timer
7. hold coins
8. press shutter
9. wait
10. drop coins
11. shutter opens
(repeat 7-11 as necessary)

just look up

it helps to focus on what is ahead,
though the path is anything but rough.

the rest of the photos here and here.

float like one

no doubt there were bigger ones;
here's one up close.

the rest of the photos here and here.

start all over

i don't know why they decided not to publish their lyrics to this one:

sometimes i wonder how You could ever love us
we're never satisfied no matter what You do
You sent the rain and we complain there's no sunshine
yet every breath we take is all because of You

only heaven knows the pain we put You through
i don't know what You're thinking, Lord
but i know what i would do

i'd start all over on Mars
create a world that is far away from our ungratefulness
if i were the God that You are
i would be tempted to walk away
wash my hands off this crazy mess
make a world that would follow Your heart
i'd start all over on Mars

sometimes i wonder will things get any better
looks like we haven't changed since the dawn of time
You light the way, still we stay in the darkness
and we try to tell ourselves that we will be just fine

only heaven knows the pain we put You through
i don't know what You're thinking, Lord
but i know what i would do

i'd start all over on Mars
create a world that is far away from our ungratefulness
if i were the God that You are
i would be tempted to walk away
wash my hands off this crazy mess
make a world that would follow Your heart
i'd start all over on Mars

Lord i'm sure that You know
where this crazy world is heading
and i'm sure You know just what the future holds
don't give up on us, Lord
even though we don't deserve it
it's good to know that You're in control

if i were the God that You are
i would be tempted to walk away
wash my hands off this crazy mess
make a world that would follow Your heart
i'd start all over on Mars

through

however dark it may seem
nothing can stop His love
from breaking through

end of day

rest now, a new day is coming.

of belief and faith

i thought i was going to miss this lesson, but i'm glad i could join them.

this time, it's about I Believe in God the Father Almighty. we had some fun with the Latin version of the Apostles' Creed. what's next, German?

thoughts:

i put my faith in the fact that there is only one God. i believe He should be in control of everything. i believe i should not try to manipulate or control Him. He is the reason why i live.

so since God is in control, all the more i should depend completely on Him.

Christianity is the only faith where we relate to God as our Father. many who study the Bible notice the stark contrast between how God relates to the people before and after Jesus.

for me, that's on the surface level. i do not see any differences at all. God is as loving as a Father before, during and after Jesus walked on earth. probably takes the Holy Spirit to help one see that.

there was a person argued that God is not almighty. his query was 'can God lie?'

probably that caught many people off-guard, but God is almighty from the perspective that He cannot fail. we fail. He cannot fail.

thus, my thoughts on the study. i'll miss the Maker of Heaven and Earth.

first thing

every morning when I rise
help me to prioritize
all the thoughts that fill my day

before the snooze alarm
reminds me that it's morning
before the dreams have left my head

before the curtains part
before my day is starting
before I make up the bed

before my feet hit the floor
before I fill my cup
before I start my day

before my schedule
tells me that my day is full
before I'm off and on my way

i want to praise You
i need to praise You
let the first words that I say
be thanks and praises
to my God and King

(also) start of something new

K is embarking on an additional bible study (as if we have not got enough from the weekly discussions).

and i have verified that i have been tagged. also because i was one of the few who didn't say much during the discussion, here are my thoughts on the Apostles' Creed.

one:

as it was written so long ago, there are those who would dismiss it as ancient and irrelevant. no - like the Bible, it is timeless and is applicable to every area of our lives, yesterday, today and tomorrow.


two:

i grew up in a presbyterian church that does not follow the traditional liturgy (stand up, read a verse, sing a song, sit down, recite Apostle's Creed, etc..). occasionally i did visit churches that follow these, but it never hit home. i must have come a long way since then - at least on the Apostle's Creed.

that is because when i saw and recited the creed for the first time (can't remember when was that), it confirmed everything i have been taught all these years about the basics of Christianity. i truly appreciate it. i might not have felt that way if i had recited the creed every week.


three:

who wrote it didn't really bother me. as long as it is taken out of the scriptures, it can't be wrong. if one lives on the belief of 'no creed but Christ', it is as good as believing in the creed already. in fact, that is better as the creed itself is only an overview, while the Bible contains the details.


those are my thoughts.

and i don't think i have anyone else to tag. so please leave your thoughts here or here.

thank you. and thank You.

yeah, you go!

and this time, there is a group of us behind you.

apple

no matter who you are
you will always be
the apple of someone's eye