#creation – True Vine Living

A Masterpiece

So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:27

Read Time 5 Minutes

Magnum opus = Latin for great work and is most often associated with the greatest achievement of an artist, writer, or creator. In today’s world, we usually call this a masterpiece! Leonardo da Vince’s magnum opus is the Mona Lisa.

There is a master artist…a master creator whose masterpieces are innumerable and are always perfect. We know Him as God , Yahweh Borey, meaning Lord Creator!

We are each a unique and individually made masterpiece by God Himself…the Creator of heaven and earth. He is the Master Artist and the Master Weaver of our lives as well! One of the most amazing aspects of being one of God’s personally created works is that He always knew and planned for each one of us to be created at a special time and for a special purpose. We are not random and, we are not a mistake!

For You formed my inward parts;
    You knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are Your works;
    my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
when I was being made in secret,
    intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in Your book were written, every one of them,
    the days that were formed for me,
    when as yet there was none of them. ~Psalm 139: 13-16

As a Christian, it gets even better than this! Once we are born, God is still intimately involved in every detail of our lives! He doesn’t leave us to navigate existence by ourselves. In fact, Philippians 1:6 tells us that He will continue a good work in us and bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus!

In this reality, we can think of God as our Master Weaver. In “The Tapestry Poem” often associated with Corrie ten Boom’s use of it, but written by Grant Colfax Tullar, the poet shares these words, “My life is but a weaving between my God and me. I cannot choose the colors, He weaveth steadily….The dark threads are as needful in the weaver’s skillful hand as the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.”

Recently, I was delighted to be a part of “Tapestry of Tables” hosted by our ladies ministry at First Baptist Church Floresville that aimed to celebrate the very thoughts mentioned above. It was a beautiful and creative display of 20 different table settings designed by 20 different ladies or teams each themed in a way that glorified God. Each table had a Bible verse focus and was inspired by the faith walk of the host or hostesses of that table. One hundred and twenty ladies from our church and community were served a delicious lunch prepared by a volunteer team and served by some of our dedicated and hard working youth. Several ladies shared the inspiration behind their table themes, and it was quite a testament to how God weaves our own lives into beautiful masterpieces when we give our lives to Him. God was definitely glorified by our tapestry of tables event!

I was asked to share some words at the beginning of the luncheon that would hopefully capture the essence of what we wanted the ladies to experience on this special day and also be lasting thoughts they could take home with them. The following is what I shared…

Tapestry of Tables

“Today’s Tapestry of Tables is a fun afternoon of fellowship amongst ladies with beautiful table settings thoughtfully prepared and full of inspired themes. While we want everyone to appreciate the creativity of the table settings, visit with one another, and enjoy some delicious food served by our youth, we also want this afternoon to be so much more! We want you to leave feeling nourished by the love of God and be able to grow in godly connections with one another!

As you enjoy the Tapestry of Table settings, allow them to help you think metaphorically about the rich tapestry of life we can experience as God’s masterpieces. We are not only His perfectly planned and beautifully designed creations, but we are also woven together as Christian women walking together in Christlikeness as we live out our daily lives.

Imagine for a moment a traditional and luxurious woven textile known as a tapestry hanging on a wall in a majestic room. It is a form of art…a masterpiece. We are each a masterpiece created by God, the creator of the universe!

Ephesians 2:10 tells us…

“…we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Then ponder this… if you lifted and peered behind the tapestry, you would see a knotted and frayed mess. One might even say it looks chaotic and ugly. Often our lives feel this very same way! But, our creator, thankfully, does not leave us like that. He is using everything in our lives for our good (Romans 8:28) and He will complete His good work in us at the day of Christ Jesus (Phil. 1:6)

Now, think of all the many colors of rich thread woven intricately together to create a masterful work. One way God completes His work in our lives is by weaving our lives together as Christians. His perfect plan for our lives includes His children loving each other, encouraging and comforting one another, and helping each other in their walk.

For example, 2 Corinthians 1:4 tells us,

“He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

This is just one of the many ways that God wants us to lift each other up!

Let us enjoy this time together today as we view each other as beautiful individual tapestries as well as lives that are to be woven together in love and unity.”

My desire for sharing this in my blog is to continue to be of encouragement and offer the reminder that we are each very special to God and to each other! May we remember that we are each a masterpiece of God and we will be a perfect completed job in His perfect timing! We can also be used by God in His work as we show compassion and love to one another.

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. ~ Galatians 6:10

My table theme for this event was “His Creation”. The following is what I shared about the meaning behind my theme and my table setting…

For those that know me, even just a little bit, probably know that one of my favorite ways to immerse myself in the love and majesty of God is being out in His creation. From taking a hike to nature photography or chasing a sunset, His creation draws me closer to Him!

While there are many wonderful Bible verses that highlight the majesty of God’s Creation, I chose Isaiah 40:28 because it highlights the Creator Himself…

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
Yahweh is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the whole earth.
He never grows faint or weary;
there is no limit to His understanding.

When I’m experiencing His Creation, it helps me feel the majesty of our everlasting God, the Creator of the whole earth!

One must be careful when reveling in the beauty of God’s creation, though, not to forget the purpose of His Creation. In a devotion I read recently, the author clarifies this well by reminding the reader that creation itself has no capacity to give you life and can never be your savior. God designed His Creation “to be one big sign that points you to the One of ultimate glory who alone has the power to give you life and satisfy your heart”.

I designed my table today to have an earthy feel with browns and greens to represent natural features the way nature itself proclaims God’s glory! I’ve included a few of my favorite photographs of birds and other animals with each photo displaying a different Bible verse that highlights His Creation. I chose on olive tree for the centerpiece because traditionally this tree represents peace and redemption. Our Creator extends peace and redemption to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. God invites us to live in eternity with Him!

The China I used is the only China I have. It represents that I am His creation as well! God has always planned for me, and He had me be born in Japan in 1968. My China was bought in Japan the year that I was born. It is a Japanese China called Versailles and was produced in the 1950’s and 60’s.

Finally, God’s creation is just a sample of His glory that we can be a part of forever. Psalm 52:8 tells us that we are like a flourishing olive tree in the house of God, and we can trust in God’s faithful love forever and ever!

Enjoy a few more pictures from our “Tapestry of Tables” event with themes such as When Life Gives You Lemons, God’s Affirmation of our Beauty, The Old Rugged Cross, and so many more…

Backyard Birds

Read Time 3 Minutes

The more time goes by, I find that I am increasingly more interested with the pastime of bird watching…the many colors of their plumage, their resiliency in weather, their activities, and their identification. This hobby has been made easy since Michael and I moved into our new home a little over a year ago. We are blessed to have a small piece of south Texas land, and we chose to leave a portion of the mesquite trees and cacti. To our joy, it seems that our backyard has become a bird sanctuary. No matter the temperature nor the amount of wind or ice, the birds chatter happily and go about their business with confidence! I believe this is one of the reasons that I have become so drawn to watching them.

As I observe bird behavior and their many shapes and colors, I am so moved by the awesomeness of God! In my ladies’ Bible study, we have been reading a book called, “Knowing God by Name”. While there are numerous ways that I experience the goodness of God, one of my favorites is God as Yahweh Borey meaning LORD Creator. He is the sovereign creator over heaven and earth.

“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness,
The power and the glory,
The victory and the majesty;
For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;
Yours is the kingdom, O Lord,
And You are exalted as head over all.” 1 Chronicles 29:11

The many birds are a beautiful example of His creation displaying all the unique and creative details He delicately bestows on each creature. And even more amazing is that He also equips each one with every behavior and instinct they need to thrive in their environment! He also feeds them and He knows each one!

“He sends the springs into the valleys;
They flow among the hills.
They give drink to every beast of the field;
The wild donkeys quench their thirst.
By them the birds of the heavens have their home;
They sing among the branches.
He waters the hills from His upper chambers;
The earth is satisfied with the fruit of Your works.” Psalm 104: 10-13

Watching my backyard birds is one way that I experience encounters with God each day. They remind me of what a wonderful God we have and how I can trust Him daily!

I have had a lot of fun observing their behaviors and photographing the different birds that play in our yard. Michael and I have researched and identified them as well. So far in 2025, we have identified eight birds that make our trees and cacti their home for the winter months. We are excited to see what new birds begin to arrive this spring! Below are some of my favorite pictures and the names of the birds that showed up this winter in our little bird sanctuary.

“This is why I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they?” Matthew 6: 25-26

Without Excuse

Read Time 3 Minutes

This week was the 108th birthday of the National Park Service. I love our nation’s national parks! I made a Facebook tribute post celebrating some of my favorite memories through the years in a few of our pristine parks. Visiting these “set aside” majestic places is one of the ways that I experience God. In this blog post, I want to dive deeper into what these national parks highlight for me as I soak up gorgeous landscapes and water bodies made by our Creator.

While Yellowstone was established as the first national park in 1872, the NPS was established on August 25, 1916. There are 63 national parks as well as national historic sights, shorelines, and much more that fall under the care of the NPS. While I wish I could say that I have been to them all, I have still been fortunate to spend some time in 13 national parks and have seen the beauty from shore to shore! My favorite is Rocky Mountain National Park as my family has vacationed there for 6 generations!

National parks offer me the opportunity to play in places that make me feel the majesty of God! For that, I am thankful to the NPS for their care over these many years.

Whether those responsible over the last 100 plus years for setting aside and maintaining these awesome natural playgrounds realize it or not, they carefully preserved for all who visit a most magnificent display of the majesty of our one and only Creator God! It’s not just mountains, forests, rivers, oceans, and animals showcased, it is God Himself that is the true reward when you immerse yourself in natural settings!

While you don’t have to visit a national park to experience creation, the parks magnify exponentially the beauty of God and make it so easy for us to soak up and reflect on His goodness!

Now, diving to even greater depths with this look into the awe-inspiring beauty of national parks or any natural setting that highlights God’s creation, we not only see God’s goodness, but His word tells us that when we look at creation, we are left “without excuse” to recognize and acknowledge the omnipotent nature of God!

Romans 1: 18-21 tells us… “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”

Unfortunately, those that look at the majesty of creation and make explanations for its existence leaving God out are without excuse as to accepting His existence and His sovereignty. Further, when they do not acknowledge the Creator Himself, they cannot receive the greatest gift, His Son, Jesus Christ! This is very sad since God has given us everything needed for understanding TRUTH! Creation is part of what testifies to this truth!

The “wrath of God” mentioned in the above verses is not a fun thing to think about, but it is a very important thing to understand. God is righteous and He cannot tolerate unrighteousness. It will be punished because He is just! However, God’s desire and perfect plan through His Son, Jesus, is that everyone would be saved by putting their trust in Jesus and thus be free from the coming wrath. God is love and God is good and His creation displays this for us!

Therefore, as you have opportunity to marvel at the trees, flowers, mountains, meadows, and numerous other natural wonders, don’t miss seeing the love and beauty of God! Praise His name! Let it be an invitation to run to the open loving arms of Jesus as your Lord and Savior!

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.” Revelation 4:11

The Fun Side of God

“Delight yourself in the Lord;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

Read Time 5 Minutes

Ready, Set, Go, And STOP! At the beginning of this year, I wrote a blog post called, “2021…Ready, Set, Go”. Shortly after, I stopped writing. I started off the year inspired to live a victorious 2021 through Christ who strengthens me no matter what the year held. Now it is September. How am I doing?

At times I feel fatigued with life and the world around me. I stopped writing for a variety of reasons including the drain of everything surrounding the pandemic, our country, and the world. I really began to feel that I wasn’t living the victorious way that I had hoped. Recently, I realized that victories can be small and can be daily! Just overcoming obstacles on a given day by grabbing God’s hand and ending the day at peace is a victory. Waking in the morning after a hard day before and feeling God’s new mercies available to me is a victory!

Then, just a couple of weeks ago, right in the middle of a continuing pandemic, I had the opportunity to visit Juneau, Alaska. Yes, I had a chance for recreation and refreshment in the form of a visit to “The Last Frontier” State! In the midst of chaotic times and a very weary country (Covid-19 issues, divisiveness through media and politics, controversies, and confusion), I played! And, God reminded me that in addition to Him being All-powerful, Almighty, and many other perfect characteristics, He has a fun side! This is the multifaceted side of God that creates, that wants to delight us, and that wants to shower gifts on us! He certainly did all of that for me in Alaska!

He is a fun Father! As a parent, I wanted to create delightful experiences for my daughter as she grew up. It was a joy to watch her have fun in every new adventure or every new activity that I provided for her pleasure and growth. Just think how much more God wants to shower us with amusement and happy experiences as our Heavenly Father. He loves us and loves to give us good gifts! He is the ultimate Creator. Creating is fun, and God wants us to enjoy his majestic creations. It was evident to me that God must have been having great gratification being the Creator when I saw the amazing environment of Alaska. When I spied for the first time a sparkling blue glacier calving, I thought to myself, God must have had fun creating the scene that I was viewing! I also felt that He must be feeling great joy that I was happily immersed in His beautiful creation, for I am His daughter, a daughter of the one true King!

*“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17*

My experience went beyond just being awakened to God’s fun side. It also reminded me of what a personal God He is to each one of us. He showed me that the fun He was allowing me to experience was a very personal gift from Him to me. Each daily adventure seemed to be perfectly timed. I encountered sunshine, rain, misty low clouds, and mild temperatures…all which seemed unmistakably to work well with each activity. Also, as cruise ships disembarked many tourists to flood the area, I somehow began or ended my excursions around the cruise ship crowds without any awareness of their schedule. Thus, I had a very quiet and peaceful time as well as private moments in Alaska.

On top of all of that, I received answered prayer! My favorite part of God’s creation is His animals. I prayed that I would have animal encounters and I especially wanted to see a bear. Oh!!! He must have been having such a wonderful time watching me play! God provided multiple humpback whale sightings. One such sighting was in a very secluded moment when I had just stepped out of the car to take in the views of Auke Bay. I first heard the distinctive sound of blow and then turned to look. There were 2 humpbacks feeding very near the shore…I believe, a mother and her calf! He also allowed me to see four mountain goats feeding and resting on the steep mountainside while on a boat tour. On that boat ride while I was taking a picture of the mountain goats, a Pacific white-sided Dolphin leaped 2 times right by the side of the boat! The glistening two-toned creature is still vivid in my mind. Seals were added to my list of animal sightings as I witnessed them lounging on the sea ice.

And finally, on the last morning in Alaska, I saw my bear! Not in the wild on a hike, but very boldly strolling down the sidewalk in front of gift shops! He seemed to be doing his own souvenir shopping and then turned a corner and climbed over a fence before disappearing. Once again, there were very few people around. I know God was delighting in my delight in that moment as he answered my prayer!

My reflection on this Alaskan adventure includes more than the reminder that God is fun. More importantly than that is the fact that the same God who created mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, and amazing animals is not only personal, He lives in me! My heart is His home. In that reality, I can face everyday in victory…in confidence, and even in joyful playfulness!

Also, as I watched the antics of the animals, it struck me that they were so relaxed in a potentially dangerous and harsh environment around them. They were not worried about what the next day would bring. The seals were totally at ease as the glacier calved giving them a ride on the sea ice. Their behavior seemed to amplify the fun of life as they bobbed in the wavy water as though they were in the lazy river at a water park.

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” Matthew 6:25-26

So… Ready, Set, Go! Take some time to recreate! Have some fun! God is in control!

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17