How Can We Know The Way?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jesus’s disciples felt confused when he talked about going away. “You know the way to the place where I am going,” He told them. Thomas voiced the question burning in all their minds: “Lord we don’t know where you’re going. So how can we know the way? Jesus’s answer was simple and direct: I am the way, the truth and the life. No one goes to the Father except through me.”

It may be popular to claim that many paths lead to God, but that contradicts what the Bible teaches. Jesus taught that access to God can only come through placing our faith in His sacrificial death and resurrection. The way is clear and open to everyone, blocked only by a person’s unwillingness to believe. There is no alternate route. People who denounce the gospel as narrow minded miss the wonder that God provided a way for us to come to Him at all.

Jesus is more than the path to salvation and eternal life: He shows us the way to live a life of true meaning and purpose. Nurturing our relationship with Him and following the directions in God’s Word are the only way to travel. We may be temped to let our life be guided by sources that seem more exciting, but we’ll only end up feeling confused.

Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one goes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

 

 

I want to wish you all a Happy Easter as we celebrate the Life, the death and Resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ , The Son of Almighty God.

For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son that who so ever believes in Him shall not perish but have Ever Lasting  Life. John 3:16.

 

Love and Care

Dianne :)

Jelly At The Zoo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moon Jellyfish

 

 

When a person goes to the Zoo most people think of Lions, Tigers, Giraffes, Elephants, Monkeys and such. I decided back in Sept. I would check out a few different species in the Pavilions. I found it challenging due to the lighting in these buildings, and of course the crowds of onlookers, but thought I would give it a try.

I could spend hours at the zoo in awe of all the amazing animals that I see, and want to see. I find it so fascinating. I think I could spend weeks there and not have enough time to spend with all my animal friends. I love animals and so does the One who Created them all. What an imagination our God and Creator has to make such a vast diversity of life on this planet called earth, and we humans haven’t discovered it all yet and probably never will. Scientists are no match for God The Creator of all life, including them. :)

These pictures were taken at the Toronto Zoo which has over 5000 different animal species to see. At some point I will post some of my other zoo pictures.

I will leave information on the Moon Jellyfish at the end of this post for anyone who may be interested in reading it and finding out some fascinating information on this animal. There are plenty of good sites on the internet as well.

I haven’t been out with my camera in quite awhile due to life circumstances. It has been on the shelf for now, but when the time is right I will be back out capturing the beauty that surrounds me each and every day. For now I am just thankful for eyes to see the things around me day by day. I am thankful for many things in my life. Life is precious. I hope to find you all well. Thank you for those of you who remember my mom in your prayers as she suffers from Chronic Kidney Disease. Life is challenging and an uphill battle for her. She is very courageous, and a woman of Faith. I am a much better person because of my mom. She has always been there for me, and I for her.

Hope you all take care and have a wonderful week whatever you do or don’t do.

Until next time and I hope to visit you all soon.

xx’s Dianne :)

 

 

 

Moon jellyfish

 

Location at the Toronto Zoo: Australasia

Region:

Australasia

 

Scientific Name:

Aurelia aurita

Description

: Jellyfish are ancient creatures. Fossils have been found in rocks that are 650 million years old. Today there are more than 2000 species. Jellyfish are 95% water, 3% protein, and 1% mineral. There are four life stages from birth to adult. There is no backbone, brain, or heart. Adults drift with the currents, but can swim horizontally by pulsations of the bell to keep close to the surface. A primitive nerve net controls muscle contractions as it swims. The adult form is a transparent bell shape that ranges between 5 and 40 cm wide. Underneath is a central mouth surrounded by four oral arms that carry the stinging tentacles. From above, four crescent shaped gonads surround the mouth. On the rim of the bell are eight sets of eye spots sensitive to light and eight statocysts that help orient jellyfish when swimming. Jellyfish are primitive organisms with an outer layer (ectoderm) that covers the external surface and an inner layer (endoderm) that lines the gut. Between these is a jelly layer or mesoglea. The simple digestive cavity acts as a gullet, stomach, and intestine. There is one opening between the oral arms that acts as a mouth, anus, and entrance for sperm (in females).

Distribution

: Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans.

Habitat

: Shallow coastal waters as well as brackish waters with a salt content as low as 0.6 %. Jellyfish can survive in water from 6 ˚C to 31 ˚C. The optimum temperature is 9 ˚C to 19 ˚C.

Food

: Jellyfish are carnivorous plankton eaters. They feed on fish eggs and larval fish and other plankton, such as mollusks, crustaceans, and copepods etc. Food is collected on the mucus surface of the jellyfish and by the tentacles. Flagellar action of the tentacles passes the food items to the margin of the bell and then up into the mouth and stomach.

Reproduction and Development

: Jellyfish are either male or female. Sexual reproduction begins when a male medusa releases sperm through its mouth. The sperm swim into the mouth of a nearby female where fertilization occurs. Further development into free swimming planula (larval stage) occurs in brood pouches along the oral arms. The planula settle on the ocean floor and attach to the bottom forming the polyp. Polyps bud asexually to produce free swimming larvae known as ephyra, which grow into the adult medusa.

Adaptations

: The transparent body makes a jellyfish less visible to predators. Oral arms have tentacles that carry nematocysts (stinging cells) that stun prey or deter predators. About 70 species are harmful to humans. The medusa can shrink in size when food is scarce and grow when it is abundant. Radial symmetry permits finding food in any direction.

Threats to Survival

: Predators include sea turtles, ocean sunfish, spade fish, tuna, swordfish, and other large fish. Humans, particularly in some Asian countries, capture and eat dried non-venomous jellyfish.

Status

: IUCN: Not Evaluated; CITES: Not Listed.

Zoo Diet

: Cyclopeeze, and live brine shrimp.

The Birdhouse Café Series

 

Male Cardinal Enjoying The Berries

 

There aren’t many leaves left on the trees, but there are berries, and birds. That is one thing I like about this time of year. You can see and spot a bird even in the distance. One thing for sure, you can’t miss the beautiful red Cardinals. They are one of my most favorite song birds. I love listening to them whistling. This time of the year has so much beauty to see, and hear. All one has to do is look beyond the bare trees, and see God’s little treasures no matter the Season.

It always takes me awhile to adjust to this time of year. It is like I have to learn to refocus and look beyond the grey skies, and dark clouds that hover above, and the colder weather.

The time really does fly by and even if the weather is cold, and sometimes damp, I am reminded of a few things about this time of year that I love.

I love sitting by my small fireplace curled up with a good book, and a nice hot beverage and  my little dog lying by the fire enjoying the warmth, keeping me company.

I love waking up in the morning feeling all warm and cozy and the feel of  flannelette sheets.

I love the seasonal foods such as homemade soups and stews.

There are others things I like about this time of year also.

So I will try not to dwell on the things I don’t like , and make the best of the things I do love. I do have my moments like everyone else but I am reminded of so many things I am thankful for.

Hope to find you all well. Hope this week is kind to you all.

Love and Care

Dianne :)

 

And when you offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the LORD, offer it of your own free will ... Lev 2:29.

Times Are Changing

 

 

Like An Old Photograph

 

 

 

Times are changing

As leaves are falling to the ground.

A Tapestry in the making

Red and yellow,

orange and bronze

A blanket covers the grass

Summer is gone

Fall will soon pass

There is a chill in the air

As the wind blows

Times are changing

We can fight it

We can grin and bare it

We can accept it

We can embrace it

or some may even run from it

No matter what we do

We can't control it

Times are changing

What will be will be

Nature will take its course

For in everything

There is a Season.

Poem written by Dianne © (dsphotocats)

 

 

 

 

 

Every Season Is Beautiful in it’s own way.

I hope to find you all well, and enjoying life.

I know life has it’s problems, difficulties  and  challenges galore. Take heart. Your not alone. We need each other, and together we can make a difference. We were never met to go it alone.

Sorrow looks back.

Worry looks around.

“But”

Faith looks up.

True Faith and Courage

are like a kite -

an opposing wind

raises it higher.

……

 

But they that wait upon the Lord

shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings as eagles,

they shall run and not be weary;

and they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31

 

If you are going through a hard time, may this encourage you.

and …

If not, may you encourage someone who is.

I thank the Lord for family, and friends, and I thank the Lord that He is their at the mention of His Name.

Take care and God Bless you.

ox Dianne :)

 

 

Life

 

 

 

 

I was driving along on a country road the other day, and I caught this beautiful  scene out of the corner of my eye. I immediately pulled over and walked to the other side of the road and took this photo.  I loved the cloudy blue sky, the wonderful rich colors in the fields, the path, and the little tree standing in the cornfield with the other trees off to the side, and then looking up the hill not knowing what was on the other side.

This is life. We walk our individual paths, and don’t always know what is around the bend. We meet others like ourselves , and those totally different from ourselves. We are part of a community of people, but sometimes we stand out , and sometimes we stand alone. Either way we are are rooted, in the places we live and grow, and we experience many seasons in our lives. None of us know what is over the hill until we reach the top and walk on the other side. Life is full of ups and downs, good times and hard times. We sometimes have to just take a deep breath and live in the moment, taking one step at a time. Other times we are off and running . We live, love, and laugh, and other times we may die inside, and maybe even hate for a time, and we all have cried many tears, and suffered heartache and loss in our lives. Life is not always fair, but life can be fulfilling and meaningful, and always has a purpose.

I don’t believe for a moment that we are here on this planet because of a great big bang out there somewhere . I believe we are part of God’s Creation, and He loves us and wants to have a personal relationship with all who will receive His Son, Jesus Christ. John 14:6 says, Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, and no one comes to the Father accept through me.” Yes there is more to this life, and I believe God’s Word, the Bible. An example is John 3:16 which says, “For God so love the world (you and I), that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that who so ever believes in Him shall not perish but have every lasting life.” There is much more and it can be found in God’s Word, the Bible.

Yes life does have meaning, and there is Hope for all, and we will live for all eternity on the other side. For now we only see part of the picture. One day we will see it all, and yes I do believe Jesus Christ will one day return to this earth and make all things right and justice will be served. One day all of Creation will be restored to God’s intended plan, and all things will be made new. Revelations Chapter 21 speaks of a new heaven and earth. This present life and picture is not the end. What a Glorious Hope and Future we have in our Lord and Savior , Jesus Christ, to all who believe and turn to Him. If you don’t believe, but want to believe just ask God to reveal Himself to you, and if you are sincere and confess your need for Him , He will help you. I know this to be true, for many years ago I came to the crossroads in my own life, and when I cried out to Jesus, I felt His Love and Presence, and I made a decision to surrender my life to Him, and asked Jesus to come into my life , and forgive me my sins and He did, and changed me from the inside out. I am a sinner saved by God’s Grace. Amazing Grace , How sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost , but now I am found, was blind but now I see. How many times have we sung that hymn, and really thought about what we were singing, and really ment what we were singing?

Well, I wasn’t sure what I was going to write, but now it is done. I have shared from my heart and soul.  I never thought when I took this picture that it would bring out such strong feelings, and convictions. I will close with one more picture.  And here it is.

 

 

 

I have decided to add this this little devotion I read today. Some how I think it fits along with these photos. I realize this is a lot of reading and I am not always so wordy, so bear with me, and if it is too much for one day, feel free to come back another day.

Hope you all are having a wonderful summer. It seems to be flying by. Take care!

Sincerely Dianne :)

…………………..

Many people see abundant spring rains as a great blessing to farmers, especially if the rains come after the plants have sprouted and are several inches tall. However, what they don’t realize is even a short drought can have a devastating effect on a crop of seedlings that have received too much rain.

Why? Because during frequent rains, the young plants are not required to push their roots deeper into the soil in search of water. If a drought occurs later, plants with a shallow root system will quickly die.

We often receive abundance into our lives --- rich fellowship, great teaching, thorough soakings of spiritual blessings.  Yet when stress or tragedy enters our lives, we may find ourselves thinking God has abandoned us or is unfaithful. The fact is, we have allowed the ease of our lives to keep us from pushing our spiritual roots deeper. We have allowed others to spoon feed us, rather than develop our own deep personal relationship with God through prayer and studying God’s Word.

Only the deeper rooted are able to endure hardships without wilting. The best advise is to enjoy the rain while seeking to grow even closer to Him.

Author Unknown

Bird Feeder Café Series by Dianne @ dsphotocats

Knock Knock …….

Who’s There?

What’s this, a role call or something?

Can’t I just eat with a little peace and quiet?

After all it’s Saturday

and I had a long week at the office.

Do you think they will miss us at the feeder this morning?

I say,”What the world needs now is Love Sweet Love”. 

Now wouldn’t that just knock your talons off!!! 

If everyone loved,everyone.

Dianne © dsphotocats

......................

The True Meaning Of Love

 4Love is patient and kind.
Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5or rude.
It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable,
and it keeps no record of being wronged.
6It does not rejoice about injustice
but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.
7Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful
and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

The Inspired Word Of God

God has a very high standard of Love.
He Himself demonstrated True Love on the cross
where Jesus gave His Life,
that we could live by being born again, Spiritually.
There is no one in all the earth or universe
that can claim such Love, as God, our Creator.

 We know what real love is because
Jesus gave up his life for us.
So we also ought to give up our lives
for our brothers and sisters.
1John 3:16

So now I am giving you a new commandment:
Love each other. Just as I have loved you,
you should love each other. John 13:34

 ………………………………………………………………………………………………

As I read these verses, I see how
I have come short of God’s Standard.
but I know He loves me, and because of His Grace I am saved
and I pray that His Love will shine through me,
and my love will shine through to others.
He is the source of Love in it’s purest form.

Thank you one and all, who have taken the time to read my blog,
and for those who leave your heart prints by leaving a comment. 

May you have a wonderful day and God be with you.

Also, my mom is doing well after her surgery.
and I spend as much time with her as I can.
Baby Hope is doing amazingly well,
and is growing stronger every day.
She now ways approx. 6lbs.
Thank you all who have prayed for my mom and Hope,
and my family, and for me also.
Prayer is such an act of Love, and as one friend said,
Prayers are treasures sent to Heaven.
God sees them all when we come to Him with a sincere heart,
and humbly before Him.

Please remember Carole, our dear sister,
who fell and broke her wrist, and injured her knees.
She has prayed for so many of us, in our time of need.

I realize this post is long,
but I guess you could say I am making up for lost time,
as my life is full, and very busy most of the time.
I hope to come and visit you all real soon.

Love and Care

Dianne :)

Baby Hope

 

The Beginning Of Hope’s Journey

 

 

 

Don’t give up Hope

The answers to Prayer

are on the way!

 

 

 

 

A wee bit of heaven
drifted down from above-
A handful of happiness,
a heart full of love.
The mystery of life,
so sacred and sweet-
The giver of joy
so deep and complete.
Precious and priceless,
so lovable, too-
The world’s sweetest miracle,
baby, is you.
~ Helen Steiner Rice

 

 

 

You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in Your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
~ Psalm 139:16

 

 

I want to thank all of you who have prayed, and those who will continue to pray for Baby Hope, and her mommy and daddy, and her siblings, and family.

It has been a rough, hard journey thus far but each day she is getting a little stronger as she continues to grow. Hope is now 36wks. old and weighs 4lbs 15oz.. It is hard to believe that under normal circumstances, she would be still in her mommy’s womb.

Hope is out of the NICU, and is in a Special Care Unit at this time. She still has her feeding tube in but is starting to breast feed as well. She tires easily and has a way to go before she can go home to her loving family. Please remember her mom in your prayers, as she faithfully goes in every three hours to feed her little one, and mommy and daddy are very tired beyond words, and will be glad when Hope can be with them at home.

Hang in there Sandra, and David. I am so very proud of you both. Take a day at a time, and you will get through these trying days, and soon look back and see just how far you all have come.  You are not alone, and many are filling in the gap by praying that God will give you the strength to do all you have to do. Don’t give up Hope, for the answers are on the way.

Thank you Jesus for Hope, our little Miracle which is a Gift from above. Watch over her as she grows. May she be healthy and strong, and may your hand be upon her all the days of her life. May we always be thankful, for the great things you have done. May we count our Blessings, one by one. Amen

           …………………………………………….

 

I hope to find you all well and thank you for your encouraging words, and prayers. They mean more than you will ever know. May God Bless each one of you.

I haven’t been able to blog for awhile. Lots still going on. My mom is recovering from her surgery, and I have been helping her as much as I can. Please remember her in your prayers also if you feel lead to do so. She has chronic kidney disease, but is still able to live on her own with help.

Well that’s  about it for now. I will end with this verse of scripture that has helped me .  I have my share of ups and downs, like everyone else, but God has seen me through them all, and He is my Strength and Strong Hold. I am weak but He is Strong. I am imperfect and God is Perfect in everyway. He is my Help.

Mathew 11 vs 28,29,30

28.Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest in your souls. 30. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

 

I hope you all have a wonderful day and weekend.

xoxo Dianne :)

 

Dianne © dsphotocats

Train Of Life

 

 

 

Train Of Life

Some folks ride the train of life
Looking out the rear,
Watching miles of life roll by,
And marking every year.
They sit in sad remembrance,
Of wasted days gone by,
And curse their life for what it was,
And hang their head and cry.
But I don't concern myself with that,
I took a different vent,
I look forward to what life holds,
And not what has been spent.
So strap me to the engine,
As securely as I can be,
I want to be out on the front,
To see what I can see.
I want to feel the winds of change,
Blowing in my face,
I want to see what life unfolds,
As I move from place to place.
I want to see what's coming up,
Not looking at the past,
Life's too short for yesterdays,
It moves along too fast.
So if the ride gets bumpy,
While you are looking back,
Go up front, and you may find,
Your life has jumped the track.
It's all right to remember,
That's part of history,
But up front's where it's happening,
There's so much mystery.
The enjoyment of living,
Is not where we have been,
It's looking ever forward,
To another year and ten.
It's searching all the byways,
Never should you refrain,
For if you want to live your life,
You gotta drive the train.

Author Unknown

 

 



 

 

I was riding my bike one day, and I stopped dead in my tacks,or should I say train tracks.

It was a late summer afternoon, and I had gone for a ride on the waterfront trail, and was on my way back home.

Out of the corner of my eye I looked in both directions, and this is what I saw. This is a little moment in history. I am looking forward to what lies ahead, but since I haven’t been out with my camera in awhile this is from my archives. :)

><><

 

I have had a lot going on in my life, and that of my family. I would ask that you remember my Daughter-In Law (Sandra) and my little granddaughter who as of yet hasn’t been born. They are in the hospital in a NICU, because the baby is only 33 weeks old at this time. She is expected to have a premature arrival. I would appreciate your prayers for them, and that the baby would have a safe, and healthy arrival.

The last few weeks have been very unsettling for all of us, and stressful as well.

I know they are both in God’s Hands, as we all are.

The Medical Team is hoping that the baby can stay safely in the womb until the 34th week, and then if need be they will induce her labor . This is the short version of what has been happening without going into too much detail. Please remember my son who is the daddy, and Tesa, Jenna, and Courtney who are missing mom, and looking so foreword to having another little sister to be part of their family.

><>< 

My other son and daughter-in-law are also expecting a little baby boy in August. :)

I had the pleasure of watching a 3D ultrasound, live broadcasting on my computer, yesterday. I got to watch my not yet born little grandson, in his mom’s womb. He was blowing bubbles , and was quite active. It brought me to happy tears as I watched the miracle of life before my very eyes. I only wish I could have seen the expression on my son’s and daughter-in-laws face as they watched their son. I am so very happy and excited for the both of them.

Life is good, and so very Precious!

Well there are other things going on in my life also, but this is more than enough for one day.

God Bless and be with you all. Have a good week.

Sincerely Dianne :)

 

God On A Cross? The Creator Of The Universe!

 

 

At The Foot Of The Cross  

 

 

 The Dawn Of Heavens  Dream. God on a cross. Humanity at its worst. Divinity at its best….God isn’t stumped by an evil world. He doesn’t gasp in amazement at the dearth of our faith or the depth of our failures. He knows the condition of the world…and loves it just the same. For just when we find a place where God would never be ( like on a cross), we look again and there He is, in the flesh.

God on a cross? The Creator of the universe sacrificing himself for his creation? How could this be? Who was this Jesus?

He was – and is- a God of tears. A creator with a heart. Bloodstained royalty. A God who became earth’s mockery to save his children.

How absurd to think that such nobility would go to such poverty to share such a treasure with such thankless souls. How incredible to know that God himself died on a cross for his children.

But he did.

Incredible.

Yes, incredibly.

 

 

 

 

Jesus was given to you, and with the help of those who don’t know the law, you put him to death by nailing him to a cross. But this was God’s plan he had made long ago; he knew this would happen. God raised Jesus from the dead and set him free from the pain of death, because death could not hold him. (Acts 2:23,24).

The cross was no accident .

Jesus ‘ death was not the result of a panicking cosmological engineer.

The cross was not a tragic surprise. Calvary was not a knee jerk response to a world plummeting toward destruction. It was not a patch up job or a stop gap measure. The death of the son of God was anything but an unexpected peril.

No it was part of an incredible plan. A calculated choice. “ It was the Lord’s will to crush him” (Isaiah 53:10)

The moment the forbidden fruit touched the lips of Eve, the shadow of the cross appeared on the horizon. And between that moment and the moment the man with the mallet placed the spike against the wrist of God, a master plan was fulfilled.

 

Excerpt from Max Lucado’s book entitled "The cross"

 

 

 

 

 

I hope and pray you all have a wonderful Easter as we celebrate the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus, who will one day return for His Church, which is made up of all who believe, and receive Him as Lord and Savior, and soon coming King .

Happy Easter one and all.

With Love and Care

Dianne :)