Intriguing Photos

I'm calling this post Intriguing Photos, but it's also going to be a bit of a quiz.  I thought it might be fun to post some close-ups of various things and see if you recognize what they are.  Some are familiar and some not so much.  The one above (#1) is featured on the cover of one of my books.  I'll reveal the answers in the next blog.  If anyone wants to submit answers, I will also reveal the winner in the next blog. 

You don't have to be specific - for instance, if its a car - you don't have to tell the make of the car (unless you want to do so).

Just remember, in life - looks can be deceiving.  Things are not always what they appear to be. 
Have fun!

Number 2

This photo was taken by my daughter Holly - Number 3

Number 4

Number 5

Number 6

Number 7

Hope you have fun with this challenge.  

Success

SUCCESS

I just read an article in Readers Digest about "What is Success?"  I think for this beautiful blue bird glancing our way from his nest box, its successfully raising a brood of little blue birds and seeing them fly safely from the nest, beginning their own lives.

Here's one of the little hungry mouths eagerly waiting in the bird box for the next morsel of food to be placed there by its mother or father.  That little bird has now flown the coop and is out there getting its own food.  And so, the Bluebird family can claim SUCCESS in this particular undertaking.

How about us?  How do we define success?  I like what Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, saying Success is "to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived."  For we who like to encourage and uplift others, that is a very good definition.  

The writer of the Success article (Michael Graff) ended his piece by writing, "Maybe success is having the wherewithal to be grateful at the precise moment you have something to be grateful for."

I also like the words a reader sent in to Reader's Digest.  Alicia Webster of Ennis, Texas, wrote:  "Using your God-given gifts to their full potential to enrich the world. Some can cook a perfect pot roast, some can sing songs that bring tears to your eyes, and others can build beautiful tables. All valuable, all blessings, and all examples of being successful at spreading your own unique type of joy in this world."

Let's see how God defines Success in His Holy Word:

"Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up" James 4:10

"My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands, for length of days and long lfe and peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you...and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man" Proverbs 3:1-4.

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" Matthew 6:33.

God wants each of us to be successful in His Kingdom plan.  My definition - is to be all He created you to be, faithfully living out your life on the path He has placed your feet, trusting and obeying our Creator each day of your life.