Travel Treasures

TRAVEL TREASURES

     Here are a few of my favorite "artistic" pictures from our recent trip to six states in the midwest. The one above was taken beside a church across the street from the State Capitol in Jackson, Mississippi. I failed to get the name of the church, but I think this blooming tree is quite lovely. I love to illustrate pictures with the Word of God, which is alive and relevant to all of life. "He has made everything beautiful in its time," Ecclesiastes 3:11

In contrast to the delicate pink flower, we have these hulking steers with horns that could skewer a person! These beasts march down the main street of Fort Worth, Texas twice a day, showing their stuff for the excited crowd of people, marveling at the size of their horns and eagerly snapping pictures. God tells us in His Word, "For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills," Psalm 50:10.

The day we drove from Oklahoma City to Dallas, the sky was full to overflowing with these amazing clouds. Cloud upon cloud crowded into one another all across the vast expanse. Our God is such an extraordinary artist! His work is so beautiful! "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork," Psalm 19:1

I don't know what kind of plant this is, but the leaves are beautiful with their rich green and lovely design. The plants were part of a display at the very upscale North Park Mall in Dallas. "And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good," Genesis 1:12.

I just love cowboy and cowgirl boots. There is something about them that is so cool! Boots are on display for sale all over Oklahoma and Texas. I do tend to want to sing that once popular tune, "These boots are made for walking and that's just what they'll do..." I'll stop it there because I don't want to walk all over anyone!  However, I do think these boots are beautiful! "Stand therefore,...having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace," Ephesians 6:15.

This is a sign in one of the bathrooms at the University of Oklahoma. It may seem strange to share a sign from a bathroom and consider it an artistic favorite, but the message in the sign touched me and I think it holds an important truth that many people need to be reminded of.  Sure, we're all familiar with knowing not to flush paper towels, wipes, etc. Not so much the goldfish and frogs - although I think I may have flushed a dead goldfish in my younger days, but what touched me was the reminder not to flush your hopes and dreams. Too often in life, these important elements are discarded and life is the poorer for it. You might want to bury the goldfish and frog, but never bury your hopes and dreams. Hold onto to them until your last breath. God is the author of your hopes and dreams. Thank you!

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.

Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to

give you hope and a future," Jeremiah 29:11