Daily Picture

For the last couple of days I have been reflecting on, Mark 6:5 "And He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them". This verse is in the context of Jesus visiting His small obscure home village of Nazareth. Everyone there knew him as a carpenter, rumoured illigitimate son of Mary, and were offended and unreceptive to His divine miracles. This vers...

Today I saw the top of a head with a sense of wavy short hair. It has made me think that there really are such different types of hair such as straight, curly, wavy, frizzy, coarse, fine etc and so often we are not satisfied with how we look. A snapshot look of ourselves is not at all revealing of us and if we think of what deeply attracts us to another person, it is not going to be based on one q...

In my imagination, I saw a lit cigarette standing on its end. We could perceive this as wasteful in letting it just fizzle out to the end, with no one actually smoking it. It makes me think that I am sure we all make decisions to not be wasteful or not appear wasteful, amongst many other decisions we make, which are actually detrimental to us and not even necessarily following God's will. Our deci...

Today I saw an adhesive dressing for minor cuts and grazes (plaster/Band-Aid). They can be a source of comfort to an upset little one and a genuine protection against germs and worsening conditions, whilst the body is going through the wondrous process of healing itself. This is a good analogy of the small help we can provide to another, which actually can be of significance in providing comfort a...

Today I felt drawn to the Portuguese word "largato" which means lizard but actually, also used to refer to the muscles of the upper arm. This has made me further think on the occasion when Aaron (older brother of Moses) and Hur (leader of the tribe of Judah) held up Moses's arms which needed to stay up the whole time during the Israelites' battle against the Amalekites, to ensure victory. (Exodus...

Today, after a few grey dreary days, I saw the sun cast a long shadow of my body as I stood outside on a pavement. That caused me to ponder on the first verse of Psalm 139 "He who dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." God always wants us to be right close to Him, under His shadow, but sometimes it is fear, shame and guilt which prevents us from...

Today I saw a huge crest of a wave. Riding a crest of a wave usually describes a time of maximum prosperity, high popularity or exceptional success but it doesn't last, as depicted by a wave crashing to shore. I get the sense that this wave I saw represents, instead, the difficult things we are contending with, which will also pass. In the Bible, we are taught to focus on Godly events and qualitie...

Today, in my mind's eye, I saw delicious looking hot fudge sauce to pour over ice cream. God wants us to feast, have good food and drink and to celebrate. The bible indicates many such events but always, in the context of thanking God, putting Him first and following His timing. Otherwise, we could be being gluttonous which, though initially is to overindulge ourselves, ends up in our poverty (Pro...

Today in my spirit, I saw a white hospital bed in a neurosurgery ward. This immediately directed my thinking to Jesus's healing of a paralysed man once he had said to him, " Son, your sins are forgiven" (Mark 2:5). This is not implying that sickness is as a result of sin. We all sin, to varying degrees. Jesus could not have proven to that man, who had been previously paralysed, that his sins were...

Today I received the impression that I am to share on the concept of how we position ourselves in whatever societal group we are in - family, friendship group, work etc. Jesus directs us to be humble and in Luke 14:8-11 we read, "When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honour, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited...

I have started this week seeing a series of road signs such as those indicating directions of left and right, speed limits etc. We all know the necessity of boundaries. God has given us boundaries purely for our good. Some we understand and are willing to obey such as not murdering, some we are willing to obey but can't always succeed in, such as being truthful at all times, but there are maybe so...

Today I saw a scarab beetle which were much revered by the ancient Egyptians as, to them, these beetles represented new life, with new beetles seemingly springing from their dung. In fact the adult laid eggs in the dung where the larvae ingested the nutrients for a few weeks and then emerged as beetles. Images of the revered beetles adorned much of the ancient Egyptian's life, such as their jewell...

Today I was reminded of one of the very first pictures God gave to me, once I started following His son Jesus in earnest. It was a picture of me as a single yellow flower, in a field, with God leaning over me with great love; yellow flowers are my favourite. I then had another picture a few weeks on, with me again as a yellow flower but I am with a throng of other flowers and we are all surroundin...

Today I saw blank lined pages which I believe represent our lives ahead. It is true that we do not know what our future holds but we can know that God is showing us the direction we should go, in the same way that lines on a page direct our writing. Many bible verses attest to this. For instance, "In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths" (Proverbs 3:6); "Your word is...

Today I saw a cocoon or chrysalis - the silk encasing of a caterpillar, to later emerge as a moth or butterfly. It is totally amazing that the cells of the caterpillar dissolve in the cocoon, and that all that remains of the caterpillar are its trachea and nervous system. A radically new form is then created. This has caused me to reflect that this miracle of metamorphosis could mirror the total c...

Today I saw crystal glass which brings to mind the awesome description of God's Kingdom that He showed John in a vision, as recounted in the Book of Revelations, where God wants us to reside with Him forever. "It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal...The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure a...

Today I saw a suit cover, used for the protection of unused suits stored in a wardrobe/closet. This has made me think of the many objects and blessings we may keep in storage for possible use at a later date which end up being wasted or hardly ever used. We also have spiritual giftings and talents which God gives us for the benefit of others, but I believe this message is actually about our materi...

Today I saw a forked chicken wish bone which, in some cultures, is traditionally pulled apart by two people after the chicken has been cooked, cut and served. Whoever ends up with the longer piece is able to make a wish. Obviously this is fun and fanciful. In comparison, we have our hopes in God founded on His Word, which will come to pass and which are available to all. As Apostle Paul wrote, "Fo...

Today I saw a black and white zebra pedestrian crossing. This brings to mind Jesus's words about the church in Laodicea: "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth". (Revelation 3:15-16). This was in the context of Laodicea being known for its aqueducts...

Today I saw a picture of a large fish on display, having previously been preserved and mounted by a taxidermist. Great care and skills are required by the taxidermist, in anatomy, sculpting and preservation, to recreate an animal's natural pose and features. The life of the animal is over but is being celebrated. We have so much more to celebrate - that Jesus is offering us life into eternity. The...

Today I saw a banana plantation, in my mind's eye. The banana plants need the right environment in which to prosper. First and foremost they grow in the Tropics. We can say that we spiritually grow in God's Kingdom. Banana plants need rich soil. We also need to be metaphorically planted in the rich soil of God's word. Psalm 1:1-3 tells us: "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wi...

Today I saw a deep sea diver's mask, bringing to mind the fact that so much of the depths of our oceans are still unexplored and undiscovered. We are in awe of God's creation that we are aware of. How much more there is. God is so far beyond the limits of our understanding. So much so, that sometimes we think that God is too impossible and incredible for us to believe in. Instead, let us search fo...

Today I am reminded of the unique ways Jesus dealt with everyone He came across during His earthly life, such as the healing of a blind man with his spittle (Mark 8:22-25) and another blind man with mud comprising earth and his spittle (see John 9:6). As mankind's unique thumb prints attest to, we are all unique - with different needs, giftings and destinies, though equally loved by God. Comparing...

Today I saw a shower and a megaphone, causing me to reflect on how uninhibited some people are when they sing in the shower. King David was so uninhibited in his praise and adoration of God that on one occasion he threw off his kingly robes and danced with abandon and no concern for his status and dignity (see 2 Samuel 6:14). God wants our personal and spontaneous expression of utmost love for Him...

Today I received a lovely poem describing people who help others - who wear flowers in their hair to bring light and joy, who hold the hand of a sick loved one through the night, who wear silly costumes to raise funds etc. I think of all those who love and give, being a reflection of God. Then there are those who profess to knowing and following God and yet do not show love, justice and mercy. Jes...