Lightkeeper's Journal

We Always Have a Choice

 

We Always Have a Choice

By: Norma Beaird

 

God has always given us a choice.
We are not puppets or robots. We have free will.
We can choose wisely or choose foolishly.
We can choose life or choose lifestyles that lead to death.
We can choose whom we serve or what we serve.
Again, it's a choice.

God does not force us to serve Him or obey His commandments.

Consequently, that is what makes the gift of salvation even more beautiful. We are given the choice to choose JESUS, to willingly accept His gift of merciful and compassionate love. We aren't coerced or forced to choose Jesus or His divine will.

Now, the dark side will try to tempt, coerce, force, manipulate or even mandate things against our will. God does not operate in this fashion. He gives us commandments and guidance in His Holy Word; and, He desires that we choose wisely, but He does NOT force His will upon us.

Today, I am thankful for a Holy Father who chooses to "let us choose". God shows us in the Bible that there are consequences to our choices - good or bad, positive or negative, spiritual life or spiritual death. However, it's still our choice. We can choose to serve Jesus or serve Satan. We can choose Heaven or we can choose Hell. We always have a choice.

Glory to His Name.

Joshua 24:15
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Deuteronomy 30:19-20
19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
20 That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey His voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto Him: for He is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

Proverbs 14:12
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Proverbs 19:21
There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

Matthew 7:13-14
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Galatians 6:7-8
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

 

 

All scriptures are King James Version.

Photograph from King James Bible Online. 

 

Copyright 2023, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved. 

 

 

The Master Artist

Sunset Photography and Poem by Norma Beaird

Moon Collage Photography by Curtis and Norma Beaird

 

Psalm 113:3

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same

the LORD'S name is to be praised.

 

Psalms 89:37

It shall be established for ever as the moon,

and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.

 

The Master Artist

Every day, God creates beautiful artwork in the sky for His creation.

Whether it's a golden yellow sunrise or a fiery orange sunset, 

or a baby blue sky painted with white cotton clouds,

or a cold and gray morning blanketed in a misty dense fog,

each day brings a spectacular canvas created by the Master Artist.

 

Every evening, God gives us a sparkling view of His night sky of wonder.

Whether it's a Waning Crescent Moon, the lunar smile of light,

or a Waxing Gibbous promise of bigger moons to come,

or the shining Full Moon beacon in its lovely shades of glory,

each evening brings an ever-changing canvas created by the Master Artist.

 

All scriptures are King James Version. 

 

 

 

Copyright 2023, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.

 

The Moon in the Bible

 

Waning Gibbous Moon at 83.5% of full

July 17, 2022

 

Photography and Article by Norma Beaird

 

Genesis 1:14-16

And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven

to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs,

and for seasons, and for days, and years:

And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven

to give light upon the earth: and it was so.

And God made two great lights;

the greater light to rule the day,

and the lesser light to rule the night:

He made the stars also.

 

According to the website, Bible Gateway, the word moon(s) in the Bible is mentioned 62 times in the King James Version.  The word moon was mentioned for the first time in the Book of Genesis.  A part of creation, the moon was given to us by God to rule the night and light up the sky.   When we live our entire life as King David did, in relationship to a Holy God, we will see God's hand in everything that we do, in every blessing that we receive and in everything that surrounds us.  We will recognize that His glorious creation is beautiful... on land, at sea or in the sky.  We will become vessels of thanksgiving. 

Below is a link from Bible Gateway of the scriptures that have the word moon(s) in the Bible.  The word moon will be highlighted.

Bible Gateway - Moon(s) in the Bible 62 times

 

Psalm 8:3-5

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers,

the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

What is man, that thou art mindful of him?

and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels,

and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

 

Waning Gibbous Moon at 91.4% of full

July 16, 2022

 

1 Corinthians 15:40-41

There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial:

but the glory of the celestial is one,

and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

There is one glory of the sun,

and another glory of the moon,

and another glory of the stars:

for one star differeth from another star in glory.

 

Waxing Gibbous Moon at 99.2% of full

July 13, 2022

 

Psalm 72:5-7

 They shall fear Thee as long as the sun and moon endure,

throughout all generations.

 He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass:

as showers that water the earth.

In His days shall the righteous flourish;

and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.

 

All scriptures are King James Version

Copyright 2022, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved. 

 

The Calling

 

The Calling…

Article by Curtis Beaird
Photography by Norma Beaird

 

Jeremiah 6:16

“Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see,

and ask for the old paths, where is the good way,

and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.

But they said, We will not walk therein.”

I know that we seek shelter in the storm. I know that we look for promise in spite of the cloud of uncertainty and we look for hope beyond the impending threats of the day. We look for rest for our soul.

It would be nice if Jesus stood in the boat and said aloud, “Peace be still”, and something called normal returned at the sound of His voice. It has before. Why not again? It sure would save us the trouble of the day.

But, I keep hearing Jeremiah when He spoke of the prophets and priests in His day. “They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. 'Peace, peace,' they say, when there is no peace.” Jeremiah 6:14

I hear Jesus say, “The truth shall make you free.”

The Truth: We believe that God is always an ever-present help in time of trouble. But, His help can be disturbing. God heard the cries of His people held captive in Egypt. He called Moses from his pastoral life on the backside of Midian. His calling to face Pharaoh would put him at great risk. God more than disrupted his organized life.

Is God calling us to find our voice again in the middle of this storm?

The Truth: The Hebrews’ eventual departure from Egypt was anything but a walk in the park. They risked both trusting the Pharaoh’s decision to grant them freedom, which became a lie; and, crossing the Red Sea which would have ended in disaster if Moses had simply proclaimed peace, peace in the face of Pharaoh’s on-rushing army.

As Jeremiah pointed out, we are a wounded people. But, it does not have to become a sickness unto death.

Jeremiah again with his word of hope. “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, "We will not walk therein.”

The “old paths” have nothing to do with the nostalgia of our version of “the good old days”. They have nothing to do with, “Well, you know, life was simpler then.”

The old paths that will give us “rest for our souls” and prepare us for the days ahead, reach all the way back to that day when Jesus told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they receive the gift the Father promised. “…ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” Acts 1:5

Our deepest wound is fear.  

There is no reason to think that an “open for business” sign will silence its nagging spirit.  Fear is a more virulent virus than any other. Not only has it continued, but it has mastacised into the worst fear of all. That corrosive uncertainty that reduces trust to a wish forgotten, and that haunting feeling that all things bright and beautiful have been lost - - - So, what? Yes, you read that right.  So, what?

Remember, there was Twelve Apostles and a hand full of disciples. They turned the world upside down. “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” Acts 1:5

(P.S. Nowhere is it written that we are required to live captive to another person’s fear.)

2 Timothy 1:7

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear;

but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Grace and peace.

All scripture is King James Version

 

Copyright 2022, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved. 

Living Life in Relationship to God

 

Article and Photography by Norma Beaird

 

Psalm 16:7-11

I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel:

my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

I have set the Lord always before me:

because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth:

my flesh also shall rest in hope.

For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell;

neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy;

at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

 

Curtis has always said that King David, author of the Book of Psalms, lived his life in relationship to God.  I really began to think about that and search my heart. Did I honestly live my life in wholeness, in relationship to God?  After all, we are part of the Genesis One creation story because He is still creating and we are a part of His creation.

 

Genesis 1:27

So God created man in His own image,

in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

 

This entire universe, planet and our surroundings are a part of God's glorious creation. Everything we experience is lived in relationship to God, whether praising God, preparing food or dealing with daily situations that result in chaos and aggravation. 

 

No matter what we're engaged in or what emotions we're experiencing......prayer, church, work, vacation, listening to music, walking in nature, hunting, fishing, happiness, sadness, success, failures, sin, redemption, crying, laughter, confession and forgiveness.....life can be lived in relationship to God. 

 

We don't live in one world, while God lives in another.  He is a part of all of it. 

 

When King David woke up, he praised God.

When he was hurting, he cried out to God.

Whether his words were proclamation, frustration or lamentation, his entire life was lived in relationship to a Holy God.

 

We share everything with God - our heart and soul, our ups and our downs, the joy and the grief.  He is included as He is our Father.  If we're truly connected to the Creator of the Universe, we live every moment in tune with the One who breathed life into us.  He must be Lord of all.

 

Why?  Because...

 

When we wake up each morning, we experience the blessings of God.

When we have food on our table, we have the provision of God.

When we encounter evil, we have the protection of God.

In happiness or grief, we can experience the love of God.

When we see the sun, moon and stars, we see the hand of God.

When we hear a bird sing, we hear the creation of God.

In sunshine or storms, we can feel the power of God.

Viewing blue skies and cotton clouds, we see the artwork of God.

When we experience a beautiful flower, we breathe the fragrance of God.

When we see a rainbow, we see the promise of God.

When someone sings a song or plays an instrument, we hear the gifts of God.

When we read the Bible, we can know the peace of God.

When we read Bible prophecy, we discern the warnings from God.

When we spend time in prayer, we enjoy the comfort and strength of God.

 

Life is best lived in the total relationship to God. We are soul, mind & body. Nothing is separated from God. Working or resting, laughing or crying, in noise or silence, we experience it all, knowing that God understands the deepest needs of our soul. He rejoices with us on the good days and dries our tears on the bad days.  He created the Earth, and all of us.  In the midst of trouble, sickness or pain, He's still in control of it all. He will guide us with His hand.  He gives us free will and yearns to be our Father, our Healer and Guide. For those who are spiritually lost, He longs to be their Savior.  He loves us.  We love Him.  We serve Him. 

 

He is God. 

 

Glory to His Name. 

 

 

All scripture is King James Version.

 

 

 

 

Copyright 2022, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved. 

 

 

Faith Changes the Impossible...

 

Photography and Article by Norma Beaird

 

Faith Changes the Impossible....
to Possible. Miracles are Real and Divine.

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Your survival depends upon your faith in God. Faith is about believing that God is God, that He answers prayer and that miracles are still possible. The world's answers are temporary and cannot offer lasting solutions. Money, power or status cannot guarantee stability. Change is inevitable and even frightening to those without faith. But, when we believe...our faith in the Creator of the Universe makes the impossible.... POSSIBLE. Your true key to success is salvation, prayer and belief. There's not a magical formula, a ten-step process, or a current religious trend that can do what God can do in your life.

Matthew 19:26
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Mark 9:23
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

Luke 1:37
For with God nothing shall be impossible.

God is not a trend or a Santa Claus in the sky. He is the Creator of Heaven and Earth. He loves you. He wants to be the stabilizer on life's rocking ship. The world will catapult us into stormy seas and God desires to anchor us in His presence, power and knowledge. His power is a power to change.... and it can change your circumstance, your health, your financial situation or your impossibility. With God, all things are possible. We must first believe in Jesus as our Savior and repent of our sins.

Romans 10:9
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

We are coming to a time in this country (and in the world) where we must learn to depend on God for our survival. The world's political and financial systems have failed us and will continue to fail. Family and friends may be there for you....or.... they may not.

Remember, fear and unbelief will make people behave in strange ways. Fear will drive a sane person crazy and will render them dysfunctional. But, when all else fails, we can cling to our faith in God. We must depend upon God to guide us through these perilous and uncertain days. Jesus still saves, miracles still happen and the promises of God will stand.

Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

All scriptures are King James Version.

 

 

Copyright 2022, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.

 

Jesus in the World

 

Jesus in the World

Photography by Norma Beaird
Poem by Curtis Beaird

He meets us in the silence of our soul,
The rancor of the world invades our spirit.

He speaks to us in a quiet voice of calling,
The seductive voice of the world spoils and destroys.

His mercy endures forever,
The will of the world is relentless and demanding.

His peace passes understanding,
The world thrives on chaos and fear.

He is an ever present help in time of trouble,
The world manipulates division and strife.

He always creates and cares,
The world drains and exhausts.

He renews our spirit,
The world attacks with a smile.

He waits patiently for an invitation,
The world abandons with delight.

Revelation 3:20

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice,

and open the door, I will come in to him,

and will sup with him, and he with Me.

 

And the world falls silent.

 

 

Copyright 2022, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved. 

Exhaustion

 

Photography by Norma Beaird

Article by Curtis Beaird

 

“Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.” Psalm 143:4

There is tired, and then there is tired. Physical fatigue is an easy fix — sleep. Not that we rush to give ourselves permission to rest; but, we a least know the answer to “bone-tired", and that is sleep.

Spiritual fatigue is a different matter.

A nap won’t do it. Like it or not, and we don’t, there are those times when body and soul are overwhelmed to the point that we feel that our life has been, in the words of King David, “beat down to the ground”; and, we “dwell in darkness.” And, not just any darkness, but the darkness like “those that have been long dead.”

In that bleak moment when we are sure that it can’t get worse…..then it does.  David went from being overwhelmed to complete collapse. He describes it in one phrase, both blunt and sharp as a hammer strike to an anvil “…my spirit faileth”.

Thanks be to God we are not there often, but when we are there, we are there.
The question. What’s the way up and out, “lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit?”
I’ll skip thrashing the world’s solutions. They all fail and we know it. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be writing this, and you wouldn’t be reading it.

Unlike our usual strategy, David did not stare long and hard at his misery, tormenting himself with the “what if’s, the woulda, shoulda, couldas; and, if only I had”….. and then modulating into the “They should’ve” or “Why didn’t they?” ….all of which turns our face down, and uses our energy to dig the ditch deeper, shutting out the possibility of finding the light.  Instead, David looked up.

“Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications:

in Thy faithfulness answer me, and in Thy righteousness.” Psalm 143:1

David took control of his mind and its focus, which was no small challenge, since his reason for worry was life threatening. He had enemies that wanted him dead.  But, instead of camping out on the dismal possibilities, he tells us,

“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Thy works;

I muse on the work of Thy hands.” Psalm 143:5

David had something that we may be a little thin in having. He had a personal past, while his people had a long history filled with, to him, the obvious actions of God. From victory in battles to forgiveness of sin,

King David understood all of life in general,

and his personal life in particular, in terms of God.

Things didn’t just happen. His way to the future was never in his hands alone. David knew what he needed. “…my soul thirsts after Thee, as a thirsty land.” (Psalm 143:6)  David had few, if any explanations, that were disconnected from God. We have many. How often do we stand before the storms of life, caught in dismay, paralyzed by the question….“Why?”

David, living all of life before God, was free to pray, “Cause me to hear Thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in Thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto Thee.” (Psalm 143:8)

And in the face of it all, who hasn’t felt His urgency?  “Hear me speedily, O Lord….”

Grace and peace

 

All scriptures are King James Version

 

 

Copyright 2022, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved. 

God's Angels Watching You

 

Photography by Norma Beaird

 

God’s Angels Watching You
By: Norma Beaird

When I bow down in humble prayer,
To give requests for you,
I’ll pray protection for your life,
God’s angels watching you.

When I ask God to meet your needs,
As faith says He will do,
God’s messengers will minister,
They’re angels watching you.

When you go out to do your work,
Your chores or daily tasks,
An angel's flying by your side,
If you will only ask.

For angels are a gift from God,
And they will not neglect,
To keep us from the path of harm,
To guide us and protect.

For long ago in Bethlehem,
We call it Christmas time,
Angels told the birth of Christ,
A virgin birth divine.

Then when my Lord was crucified,
And in the tomb He laid,
Three days later angels came,
To roll the stone away.

When Paul and Silas were in jail,
While singing songs of praise,
An angel came to them at night,
And helped them to escape.

For Hebrews states within God’s Word,
When strangers do appear,
You may be entertaining too,
An angel unaware.

For angels fight on our behalf,
When we engage in praise,
So praise the Lord in everything,
And angels come your way.

For angels are our ministers,
They’re sent from God above,
To guard us in our daily walk,
And show us God is love.

Take comfort in Psalm 91,
In everything you do,
For God will give His angels charge,
They’re watching over you.

Now if you’re walking down the street,
Or in your truck or car,
And if you’re in your bed asleep,
An angel’s never far.

For if you live your life in faith,
As we’re commanded to,
Then you will be surrounded by,
God’s angels watching you.

 

Copyright 2022, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved. 

Written in 2003. 

Psalm 91

An Interview with an Avian

 

Photography by Curtis Beaird

 

....Curtis photographed this gorgeous picture of Dolly, the Eurasian Collared-Dove. 

 

The following are her avian favorites:

 

1. Song in a Hymnal - "I'll Fly Away"

2. Book - "Lonesome Dove"

3. Song by a Country Artist - "Wings of a Dove"

4. Song by a Pop Artist - "When Doves Cry"

5. Old movie - "The Birds" by Alfred Hitchcock

6. First Lady of the U.S. - Lady Bird Johnson

7. Gospel song - "His Eye is on the Sparrow"

8. Favorite saying - "Birds of a feather flock together."

9. Her favorite band - The Eagles

10. Favorite old TV show - The Partridge Family

11. Her favorite town - Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

12. Favorite Sesame Street character - Big Bird

13. Favorite cartoon - Road Runner

14. Favorite car of all time - Ford Falcon

15. Favorite female singer - Sheryl Crow

16. Favorite Basketball Player - Larry Bird

17. Favorite Love song - "Wind Beneath my Wings"

18. Most favorite bath product - Dove Soap

19. Favorite flower - Bird of Paradise

                and...

20. Favorite Bible Verse

 

Matthew 10:16

"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves:

be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."

 

 

 

Copyright 2022, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.