Wedding Photo Speaks Volumes: The Minister’s Bible

Mother of the Bride, some of the simplest shots your photographer captures on wedding day can speak volumes. No elaborate background set-up, no gathering of the bridal party or family members, just some ideas in mind and a photographer’s great eye.

The minister with his Bible is one such photo that conveys deep meaning. I love the shot above that focuses on the Bible and not on the minister himself. It speaks of the importance of the day and the holiness of the ceremony. It says God is here. It says this marriage is founded on the instruction and wisdom of God. Yes, this simple shot speaks volumes.

So, MOB, when you’re compiling a list of shots for the photographer to take on wedding day, be sure to include the minister-with-his-Bible idea along with other artsy-type shots you might have in mind. Just tell the photographer some general ideas you’d like included, and he’ll be ready to work his magic. Bet you’ll be pleased!

*You might also like to read Wedding Day Tip: A List for the Photographer and Wedding Photography Tip: Candid Shots of the Guests.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride check out my Books/My Work page.

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out tomorrow. Sign up is FREE! *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*Photo by Chris Humphrey

A Touch of Christmas for Easter

Easter is fast approaching—the time to celebrate our risen Lord and our hope of heaven in him. My heart cries out, “Joy to the World!”, and my voice soon follows. That’s right. A little Christmas for Easter fits right in.

After all, “the Lord is come”, “the Savior reigns”,  and “He rules the world with truth and grace”! Why shouldn’t we sing and pray “Let earth receive her King”, “every heart prepare Him room”, and “heav’n and nature sing”? If our hearts want to carol when we remember his resurrection, let’s add a touch of Christmas to our Easter worship. “O come let us adore Him” in every way!

Just think about it. We wouldn’t be celebrating Easter if Christmas hadn’t come first. On the other hand, the birth of Christ would be nothing to celebrate if he had not become our Savior, if he had not paid for our sins with his very life and gained victory over death by his resurrection. The fact is when we worship our Lord, we celebrate both holidays.

So as you celebrate our risen Lord over the next few days, I encourage you to add a little Christmas to your Easter worship. “Repeat the sounding joy”!

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14 KJV

*Who can you share the Christmas/Easter message with this year?

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, will come out in early May. Sign-up is FREE! *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

*“Joy to the World!” lyrics by Isaac Watts

*Flickr photo by jurvetson, Creative Commons License

A Pearl from the Word to Make Your Heart Sing

Consider with me, if you will, a little pearl from the Word of God today. Since the Psalms are jam-packed with treasure, I didn’t have to look far to find a real gem.

Psalm 87:7 says, “As they make music they will sing, ‘All my fountains are in you.’”

I love both parts of this verse. Notice it doesn’t say “if they make music.” It says “as they make music.” Making music comes naturally to many of us—that’s how God made us. But I think believers also want to make music and sing because of the joy of knowing God as our Father. Music is an overflow of our hearts, a spring bubbling up that we can’t contain.

In fact, the second half of the verse alludes to that bubbling spring as the Psalmist says, “All my fountains are in you.” And there’s the real pearl in this passage. The living waters of our lives and the refreshment we daily need are found in God. Life is found in him.

Some of us may be seeking that life and refreshment in other things. If we do, we’ll eventually find that those things don’t satisfy our thirst the way the Lord does. Sure, our families, our friends, and the activities we love may bring joy and refreshment, but who gives us those blessings? Yes, the Lord is the Giver of all good gifts.

I don’t know about you, but all my fountains are in him. And that makes my heart sing!

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 NIV

*What fountain or blessing in your life makes your heart sing in a special way today?

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, will come out in early May. Sign-up is FREE! *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

*Flickr photo by jenny downing, Creative Commons License

A Prayer for Spiritual Battles

Anyone in the throes of spiritual battle? Take heart. You’re not alone. I’ve struggled—and continue to struggle at times.

I wrote the prayer below almost twenty-five years ago during such a time in my life. I pray it will remind us all today to cry out to the One who alone can empower us to stand:

“Dear Lord, it seems like spiritual battles have been coming at me right and left, and I am finding out just how real spiritual warfare is. The enemy is definitely trying to bring me down.

I’ve noticed how the battle becomes especially intense when I’m trying to move forward with something you have called me to do. Satan really does attack. He really gets serious, and he really does want to stop me. I know he wants to ruin my witness, too. I guess I can take comfort in the fact that if I’m being attacked, I must be on active duty.

Oh Lord, help me to recognize and withstand the tactics of Satan. Some are easy to spot, like major temptations or doubting you and your Word. Others are more subtle, though, like time wasted on worries, fears, or feelings of false guilt.

Father, I know Satan wants to rob me of my joy in you and render me ineffective or even damaging to your work. If he can keep me preoccupied with myself, he will have accomplished much of his task.

Protect me from the evil one, O Lord, and help me to fight against him with all of your might.”

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13 NIV

*What helps you during the midst of a spiritual battle?

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, came out earlier this month. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is free! Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

*Flickr photo by Lel4nd, Creative Commons License