Purple pansies bring back many special memories. When I was a little girl my Dad would plant them by the fence in our back yard along with tiger lilies, petunias, peonies, marigolds, and more. For that sentimental reason, and because I think they’re so pretty, I decided to purchase some pansies this spring for my deck. Another reason that I purchased them was so that I could take an endless amount of pictures of them from many different perspectives!
For some reason, and for many years now, pansies have oftentimes been equated with being wimpy and weak. I’m sure you’ve probably heard the expression, “Don’t be such a pansy!” Therefore, pansies may not get the attention and admiration that they are deserving of. But when one takes the time to closely observe some pansies (or any flower actually), you will see such beauty, design, and detail that it should cause everyone to stop and say, “There is a God!” From their velvety petals, to the veins that run through each petal, to the specks on some petals that look like gold dust, to the beauty of the center of a pansy as light reflects on the lateral hairs…I have tried to capture all of these details in my pictures at many different angles in order to show you the beauty of these flowers. You will also see some photos of pansies with water droplets on them which, IMHO, adds a different creative way to show their beauty.
The beauty and design in creation that we see all around us — including man and woman and the elaborately detailed way that our bodies were formed and how they function — did not come about by “random chance,” as taught in the theory of evolution, but rather by God, our Creator, who loves us and who has given us an enormous amount of evidence to point us to the reality of His existence.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16,17)
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” (John 3:36)
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men — the testimony given in its proper time.” (1 Timothy 2:5)
“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” (Romans 1:16-20)
I hope you will take some time to enjoy all of the beauty in God’s creation that surrounds you today, and in the days to come.
I pray that you will also reflect upon the love and forgiveness that He offers you through believing and placing your trust in Jesus Christ and all that He accomplished for you and for me. Jesus Christ, God in human flesh, willingly entered our sin-filled world and lived a sinless life that we could never live, to become the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world. Jesus Christ willingness went to the cross where He was crucified, and He took upon Himself the full wrath of God that we deserve because of our sins. He died in our place upon the cross, was buried, and three days later was gloriously raised from the dead in bodily form to show that God accepted the death of His only begotten Son as fully satisfying His wrath that He has towards mankind because of our sins and rebellion against Him. However, salvation is a free gift that must be received; you must choose to place your trust in Jesus Christ and not in any effort of yours or trusting that somehow your good works will outweigh your bad deeds/sins. Sadly, many believe this, just as I once did –until I began to read the Book of Romans and Hebrews in the New Testament and discovered the truth that filled me with joy and peace when I realized all that Jesus truly accomplished for us!
In spite of the many trials and heartaches that I have faced, and continue to face in life, God’s peace, grace, strength, and joy have carried me through it all. He promises the same for you, if you will only believe and place your trust in Him alone for your salvation, as well.
Thank you very much for stopping by today.
God Bless You
Mary K Dalke/Reflections Of His Glory Photography
Reflecting the beauty of God’s creation through natural and creative photography styles.
“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
“…whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:41)