INSPIRED BY NATURE
What motivates or inspires you? What awakens the creativity within you? When you are feeling down, what helps to snap you out of it? The Five Minute Friday word for the week is inspire. I am inspired by many things, especially being out in nature. Whenever I am feeling overwhelmed, spending time outdoors helps me to relax and refocus.
INSPIRED BY MUSIC AND TEACHING
We spent a week at The Cove in Asheville, NC, studying the gospel of Luke with Michael Card. Besides being a master songwriter he is also a learned theologian. He has a way of teaching that makes the Bible come alive and inspires me to want to dig deeper.
Michael Card’s music has always inspired me.From the first time I heard him I was drawn to his music, because it is unique. He uses a variety of styles and the lyrics are always meaningful. At the end I’ll share a YouTube link to what he says is his favorite song. It’s one of my favorites, too.
INSPIRED BY NATURE TRAILS
One afternoon my husband and I took a walk on one of the many nature trails at The Cove. It’s a treat to be able to have time to walk leisurely and notice the variety of God’s handiwork. I hope these pictures inspire you and encourage you to spend some time outdoors.
There are so many interesting things to see if we just open our eyes and look around.
When I walk outdoors I get a sense of how vast this world is. I am only a small part of the whole of creation.
I hope these glimpses of God’s handiwork inspire you. Feel free to use any of them as a jump start for your own creativity. If you write a poem or take photos of your own, please share in the comments. I’d love to see what you create.
As promised, here’s the song by Michael Card called Come Lift Up Your Sorrows.
I’m linking up with: #FiveMinuteFriday, #FreshMarketFriday, #Glimpses, #InspireMeMonday, #TellHisStory, #porchstories, #CoffeeforYourHeart, #TuneInThursday, #HeartEncouragement
Wow, Gayl! That’s so cool. I love Michael Card’s music, and the pictures of that area are so beautiful. I can imagine how inspiring your time was. How long were you there?
Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for visiting, Shauna! Nice to find another Michael Card fan. We were there for a concert one night and then the following 5 days for intensive Bible training in the gospel of Luke. Mike is quite a teacher and he’s so humble and down to earth and friendly.
Blessings to you!
There is something so holy about being in God’s magnificent creation. I got to spend the weekend at one of my fave places to experience it. I’m over in the 7 spot this week.
I agree, Tara. So glad you had a lovely weekend where you could experience creation in such a wonderful way.
Blessings to you!
Dear Gayl,
Thank you for sharing these incredible photos and thoughts! This song was exactly what I needed tonight. May the Lord continue to use you to speak His encouragement my friend! xoxo
I’m so glad you were blessed, Bettie. I love that song. Michael talks about how even our lament can be offered up to God as worship. I think this song illustrates it very well.
Many blessings to you with love and hugs, dear sister! xoxo
I love Michael Card. I have for a while.
Hugs,
Melinda
(Your neighbor at FMF this week)
Yes, he’s quite the musician and scholar. Also very humble and down to earth.
Thanks for visiting, Melinda. Blessings to you!
Beautiful pictures and I loved the Butterfly and I will check out the video soon because like you I am heading out into Nature to walk a bit as I am working on losing weight and to do this I need to move everyday. I appreciate you visiting my blog and I wish you the best week ever.
Thank you Glenda! Hope you enjoyed your walk. I’m working on losing weight, too, and it’s an ongoing battle sometimes.
Blessings to you!
Your photography and poetry inspire ME!
Aw, thank you, Susan! I’m so glad!
Blessings to you, dear sister. xo
What fun! I’m with you on finding solace in nature–I need my daily dose of the outside (preferably alone so I can talk to my Best Friend 🙂 ).
Glad you enjoyed it, Anita! Yes, alone time in nature is so special when we’re alone with God. 🙂
Blessings to you!
Beautiful photos! I also enjoy nature hikes, and the Cove looks like a wonderful place.
Thank you, Sarah! Yes, it’s a lovely place. Thanks for stopping by!
Blessings to you!
I’m inspired by your beautiful photographs!
Thanks so much, Debbie! Glad they inspire you. 🙂
Blessings to you!
Beautiful! Being in God’s beautiful creation inspires and refreshes me too.
Thank you, Valerie! I love being out in God’s creation!
Blessings to you!
My husband and I so enjoy hiking – I’m always surprised and blessed by what God shows me along the path! Beautiful photos and music!
Thanks so much! It’s so refreshing to be out in nature. You’re right, there are always blessings to find.
Blessings to you!
What a beautiful post filled with inspiration!
Thank you so much, Barbie!
Blessings to you!
Dear Gayl, these days any time amidst nature that I can grab is a place of rest, peace, time to just be and be comforted knowing the Lord has everything under control. Thanks for blessing our senses today!
There’s just something about being out in nature that is calming. I think maybe because it takes us away from all the electronics and the chores calling to us. We can actually be quiet before God and remember that He truly does have things under control.
Thanks for stopping by, Alice. Blessings to you!
Inspiring pictures, Gayl! How blessed you were to see Michael in person – a favorite!
Thank you, June. Yes, it was truly a blessed week. Michael is amazing and humble. Glad you like his music, too!
Blessings to you!
I also love nature walks as they have a way of reconnecting us to creation and God and calming us especially if we spend most of our days in the city. Thank you for the lovely pictures.
Yes, it’s lovely to walk in nature and be quiet as we listen to the sounds and observe the beauty of God’s creation. Glad you liked the pictures.
Blessings to you!