If a picture paints a thousand words- a song by Bread

“The Holy Spirit illuminates the minds of people, makes us yearn for God, and takes spiritual truth and makes it understandable to us.” Billy Graham

Psalm 107:30 What a blessing is that stillness as he brings them safely into harbor.

In the 23 Psalm, “He leads me beside the still waters.”

Just Being Near Water brings you a sense of calm

We’ve shared great memories near and on the water during our married life. 

The effects of Water.

Blue spaces, not blue as in sad, but the total opposite.

I’m attesting to the effects of being near water, which they call (blue spaces)- all the areas dominated by surface water bodies or watercourses. I call it “where the sky and water meet.” Those blue spaces have been so beneficial for me because of the pressures of ministry, and they have particularly soothed my mind, creating a haven of relaxation. I say yes and amen to that. 

It’s Spring break, and everyone heads to the Water

Another proven fact is that your five senses are crucial to perceiving the world. That’s why the sensory effects of water can have such an impact on our whole beings. The sights, sounds, and scents of fresh water; perfume companies try to bottle and replicate the smell, sometimes referred to as (Marine fragrances). Being near freshwater provides a calming experience that promotes a uniquely positive state of mind.

Like when floating on a raft in the lake, total relaxation; I never could float, but Brad would never have to tread water. He’s like a floating device.

Living Water

John 7:38: “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water” 

Refreshing

Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.

I lived on that peninsula surrounded on all three sides by water all those years.

I know now why the Lord always has placed us near a lake. Lol, and not because I married a Lake. 

The lake we used to live on was beautifully calming. That view often inspired me for sermons, songs, and poems.

This was our view (picture taken in 2023)

Our view from 1996-2023 I had that view for 27 years in the house that Brad built and never stopped building. His love for me and the kids and grandkids went into every board and nail. 

All along the back of the house, he placed massive windows so you could enjoy a panoramic lake view. I called that view my perfect Elohim masterpiece

(“In the beginning, God (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

I watched that landscape change every season. I knew each tree trunk and each portion of land at the crest of the water’s edge. That single lonely crane that visited each year looked like he stood on one leg. The noise of honking sounds flying over and hearing their water landings, watching the water spray out a mile behind them, all those geese that frolic in the waters and then in winter would sit silently on the frozen lake. Last spring, the Mommy Goose and Daddy Goose had five babies following close behind. The two Muskrats I watched for 29 yrs that mate for life, and each spring, you would see their little ones sitting near the water’s edge and the

Otters would take an evening swim, leaving a small wake of water behind them back to their favorite spot. The joy of having a turquoise dragonfly land on your toe while sitting near the water. 

Years of beautiful sunsets or waking up at night to pray or to watch the moon’s reflection on the rippling water that looks like it pours light back into itself.

“Picture books placed in the library of my mind forever and adding more every day.”

God’s love is also on display in the perfect world He created for us. The creation account repeatedly features the phrase, “and God saw that it was good” (Genesis 1:10,18, 21, 25, 14, 31)

He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:17)

“But there was a greater purpose behind God’s creative work. He did not create the world as the main attraction, but as the theater where His redemptive plan would take place and His love would be put on display”. John MacArthur

I find myself in Awe and Wonder at the beauty of all of His creation.

Step outside or pull up to a window look at the blue sky or maybe the clouds look out at night and let the stars surround you.