Category Archives: Nature

Nature art and photo gallery collection relating to lifestyle themes.

The Greatest Love Story Ever Told

Words for Worship - The Greatest Love Story Ever Told

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Words for Worship – The Greatest Love Story Ever Told

”Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

—John 15:13 

The Greatest Love Story Ever Told – God loves us!  There are few truer statements.  In the Bible, Jesus tells us, “Greater love has no one than this:  to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13).  Can you think of any deeper love than that?  Certainly, there were plenty of romance movies circulating on television and social media this week in celebration of Valentine’s Day.  Those stories depict the most natural and committed love shared between two individuals.

No matter how devoted the characters are to one another, in real life or in the movies, it takes a very special kind of love to sacrifice one’s own life for.

But that’s exactly what God did for us…

”For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” —John 3:16

God made it possible for all of mankind to be saved from death and have eternal life, through his uncompromising and sacrificial love, when he gave up his only Son, Jesus Christ.  Indeed, the greatest love story ever told was written when Jesus died on the cross and rose again from the grave.  For he gave up his life for us.

Would you like to play a part in this love story?

You can…go ahead!  The script has already been written, and no audition is required.  All you need to do is invite Jesus into your heart.

Peace and Love,

Felecia

*The text was adapted from the “Did You Know” series, used by permission from North Coast Christian Fellowship, North East, PA, www.northcoastcf.comwww.northcoastcf.com

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Words for Worship – God’s timing is perfect

God’s Timing is Perfect

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Words for Worship – God’s timing is perfect

”At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is ready.’” —Luke 14:17 

God’s timing is perfect – Although David was anointed at a young ages, he would wait several years before taking over as King of Israel.  God knew David’s heart and selected him over all his brothers to lead his people as king. Even though David was chosen by God, he was subject to God’s perfect timing before what was promised to him would be fulfilled.

Sometimes God requires us to wait before he allows those things that he has already intended for us to actually happen.

When we enter into those times of waiting, it can be  discouraging and we are tempted to “help God speed things up.” We must remember that God’s timing is perfect and his purpose is always sure. Instead of giving into frustration, use those times of anticipation wisely…trust in God and rest in knowing that he’s always right on time.

How do you spend your time when God requires you to wait?

Peace and love.,

Felecia

The text was adapted from the “Did You Know “ series, courtesy of North Coast Christian Fellowship, North East, PA, http://www.northcoastcf.com

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When Faith Shines Through the Darkness

When Faith Shines Through the Darkness

When Faith Shines Through the Darkness – Photograph property of www.onthewingofadove.com

When Faith Shines Through the Darkness – all that is hidden is revealed…

”The reason birds can fly and we can’t is simply because they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings.” —J.M. Barrie

When Faith Shines Through the Darkness

When faith shines through the darkness,

All that is hidden is revealed.

We don’t know what’s beneath the shadows…

Pain and grief can be buried deep and tightly sealed.

When faith shines through the darkness,

Not everything is clear.

Sometimes steps can lead down a spiral…

A glimmer of hope flickers, surrounded by fear.

When faith shines through the darkness,

A choice has to be made.

Light and darkness cannot coexist…

There is only one voice that must be obeyed.

When faith shines through the darkness,

There is no reason to despair.

For Jesus, has all the help you need…

His eternal light will guide you…your faith in Him will get you there.

Felecia R. Weber 2019, www.onthewingofadove.com

Entrusting anything, your well-being, your loved ones, your material possessions, to the care of someone else can be scary.

No matter how well you think you know someone, when it comes to something that is important to you, you may feel that you are better off taking care of it yourself.  But what about when circumstances are such that you have no choice but to let others get involved?  Those times can feel like a dark veil has covered your eyes and all you can do is watch behind the scenes.  Faith can be described like that…when we believe in and trust in someone to such a degree that we are willing to give up control over our circumstances to them.  The important thing about faith is who we put our trust in.

”Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” —John 8:12 NIV

When faith shines through the darkness – there is only one person that comes to mind when reciting these words – Jesus!

As He tells us in the above verse from the Bible, Jesus is the light of the world.  Given that light and darkness cannot coexist, when we put our faith in Jesus, darkness is obliterated.  But, moreover, when we place our trust in Him, His light also gives us life…eternally.

Do you have doubts about who to trust; who to put your faith in?

When the darkness of life’s overwhelming circumstances over shadow you, consider the one who not only gives light, but is the light. Then your faith truly will shine through any darkness.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Do You Love Me?

Do you love me?

Do You Love Me? – Image property of www.OntheWingofaDove.com

Do you love me? – Love is an emotion that can spawn several different answers to that question…

”If you do not love me I shall not be loved.  If I do not love you I shall not love.”  —Samuel Beckett

Do You Love Me?

Do you love me? (Her)

Yes, I love you, of course I love you? (Him)

Why do you ask? (Him)

I don’t know, I guess I just need to be sure. (Her)

Do you love me? (Her)

I just answered that question…yes! (Him)

Why do you ask? (Him)

Sometimes it doesn’t seem as though you do. (Her)

Do you love me? (Her)

Can’t you tell?  I am here aren’t I? (Him)

But why are you here? (Her)

Because I LOVE you. (Him)

Do you love me? (Her)

I love you more than anything…please don’t ask me again. (Him)

Do you love me? (Him)

Yes, of course I love you.  Why do you ask? (Her)

Felecia R. Weber 2019, www.OntheWingofaDove.com

Do you love me? – That’s an age old question that has been asked by us and of us, I am sure more than once.  Love is an emotion that can spawn several different answers to that question.  Whether the reply is a verbal, “Yes, I love you.”, or shown by a tender hug or receiving a special gift, it is certainly a question that cannot be ignored…no matter how it is answered.

Do you love me? Is also a question that has a depth of meaning to it…

When someone asks Do you love me?, the very reason for asking that question may not even have anything to do with love.  I believe we all have an innate sense of whether we are loved or not.  Some forms of love are natural, such as the instinctual love that a mother has for her newborn child, and the romantic love that develops between two individuals that goes beyond just a physical attraction towards each other.  I suspect that we ask such a question more out of the need to be accepted by others, something that is not necessarily intrinsic, but rather based on one’s personal preferences.  It’s kind of like not wanting to be the proverbial last kid to be picked for the soccer team…won’t you pick me, please?…do you value who I am?

No doubt, this question will be asked in some form or another by many during this week as we celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Perhaps before you ask that question of another, why not try posing it to yourself? Do I love me?  Sounds kind of strange doesn’t it?  But isn’t it one of the most important questions to ask yourself?  And isn’t giving yourself an honest answer just as important?  Too many of us fail to realize how lovable we are…and in turn, how critical it is that we accept ourselves for who we are first.

”The second is this:  ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  There is no command greater than these.”  —Luke 10:27

In the Bible, Jesus tells us to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27).  In fact, he states that it is the second most important of all the Ten Commandments; (“To love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind.” being the first).  But how can you love your neighbor if you don’t love and accept yourself?  I believe that we can genuinely love and accept those around us, our neighbors, co-workers, family members and friends, with an undeniable ferocity.  Can you imagine how dynamic such relationships would be if your love and acceptance of yourself were just as strong?  The first step in doing that however, is to love and accept the one who “…first loved us.”  (1 John 4:19)

Do you love me?  Before asking this questions, consider how much God loves you as the unique person he lovingly created you to be. When you embrace that truth…do you even need to ask the question at all?

Wishing you peace and much love,

Felecia ❤️

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The Light Shines in the Darkness

The Light Shines in the Darkness

The Light Shines in the Darkness – Photograph property of www.OntheWingofaDove.com

The Light Shines in the Darkness – all that is hidden is revealed…

”The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has never put it out.” —John 1:5

The Light Shines in the Darkness

A new day starts at midnight…way before dawn.

A new life starts in the womb…precious months before birth.

A seed is nourished underground…sprouting leaves coaxed out by the sun.

Closed eyes cannot see…the beauty of what the heart feels.

The light shines in the darkness…all that is hidden is revealed.

Felecia R. Weber 2018, www.OntheWingofaDove.com

The light shines in the darkness – Have you ever considered this phenomenon?  How so much of the beauty in nature is spawned from dark, quiet places?  A baby is conceived deep inside its mother’s womb and a new day starts in the wee hours of the night.  A tiny seed is buried under the dark earth and grows into the most fragrant flowers and delicious produce. When we close our eyes, we cannot see…but even for those who are blind…the light within our hearts allows us to imagine a world that is brighter than reality ever could be.

Indeed, into the darkness, light does shine.  As with all things in nature, however, the light eventually fades and turns back to dark.  We live our lives, grow old and pass away.  The sun rises, soars slowly across the sky and sets at regular intervals.  Plants reach maturity, are harvested or shrivel and die once they’ve reached their peak.  Yet, there is one light that never goes out…

“Jesus spoke to the Pharisees again.  ‘I am the light of the world,’ he said.  ‘Whoever believes in me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness.’” —John 8:12

When we put our trust in Jesus, though our physical bodies whither and fade, his light of life that flows within us never goes out.

Those who follow the light of life need never traverse the darkness that can easily overshadow us throughout our lives alone. For not only does his light guide our steps here on earth…it will shine on for us throughout all eternity.

During this season in nature, when the hours of daylight are short and the darkness of night long, won’t you consider trusting in the light of life that never grows dim, and will never leave you in the dark?

Peace and love,

Felecia

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I Just Want to Thank You Lord

I Just Want to Thank You Lord

I Just Want to Thank You Lord – Photograph property of www.onthewingofadove.com

I just want to thank you Lord – you never really know what it means to trust in and follow the Lord until he gives you something to trust him in and follow him through…

”No matter what our circumstances, we can find a reason to be thankful.”  —Dr. David Jeremiah

I Just Want to Thank You Lord

We never know  where life will lead us,

Looking back over recent years…

I just want to thank you Lord,

For keeping me close to you, despite all of my fears.

It’s funny how we search for answers,

Even when the questions have not been spoken…

I just want to thank you Lord,

For making me whole, even after all of my pieces were broken.

Not a day goes by that I cannot say…

”It’s amazing how everything falls into place!”

I just want to thank you Lord,

For putting into motion all that I’ve had to face.

There is nothing that happens by chance…

No happiness, no trial, no sorrow,

I just want to thank you Lord,

For you are with me yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Felecia R. Weber 2018, www.OntheWingofaDove.com

I just want to thank you Lord  – I find myself saying that a lot lately.  I know, this is the season where we reflect upon all of the good things that have happened to us over the past year.  I must say though, my gratitude for what God has done in my life has become a daily posture.

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”  —Luke 12:48

It was in my “attitude of gratitude” that I finally understood the meaning of the above scripture, when I read it during my devotions  a few days ago.  I’ve faced quite a few difficult circumstances and challenges over the past four years; beginning with the loss of my husband to cancer, to a family crisis that has led me back to the place where my life began.  Through it all I’ve learned a big lesson…

You never really know what it means to trust in and follow the Lord until he gives you something to trust him in and follow him through.

It wasn’t until I actually had to face and go through those very trying experiences, that I knew personally what it means to be so grateful for the Lord’s working in my life that I actually thank him for ALL things, both the bad and the good.  I’ve learned that, many times, we must go through the bad times in order to get to the good times…and when you think about it, that’s part of what makes the good times so good!

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you too, for taking the time to visit www.onthewingofadove.com.  It is because of you that helps make living life so beautiful!

Peace and love,

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He Leads Me and I Will Follow

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He leads me and I will follow – there is no other way to live…

”The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:  he leadeth me beside the still waters…he leadeth me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Psalm 23: 1-3

He Leads Me and I Will Follow

He leads me and I will follow,

There is no other way to live.

Under your care, with your provision…

I know there is nothing that is good you will not give.

He leads me and I will follow,

Lord may I never look elsewhere.

For you have everything I can ever want or need…

My Shepherd, thank you for always being there.

Felecia R. Weber 2018, www.OntheWingofaDove.com

He leads me and I will follow – There is never any doubt in my mind that God leads us in the way we should go.  Sometimes he takes us along routes that are painted so beautifully, they delight our senses in ways that we’d never thought possible.  He also allows us to traverse rough terrain, where we may stumble or fall flat on our faces.  No matter what we encounter along the way, and whether or not we understand the reason for each leg of our journey, God leads us…but, will we follow him?

That’s a difficult question to answer truthfully.  We can say to ourselves, “Of course Lord, lead me and I’ll follow you…anywhere…anywhere you want me to go!  I’m there!”  Until he takes us up on our offer…and he leads us somewhere that we don’t want to go. The first few verses of the 23rd Psalm…”The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want, he maketh me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters…” ahhh, what a lovely description.  Who wouldn’t gladly follow?  When we come to the next verse…”Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.”…really?

When the difficulties come, the green pastures grow brown and sparse, and the still waters become murky, do we really have the resolve to follow him no matter what?

It takes time and commitment to develop a relationship with the Lord, our Shepherd.  It also takes a high level of trust to be willing to follow him no matter where he leads us.  A shepherd spends an immense amount of time with his flock.  Not only does he, lead them along green pastures and still waters, as described in the 23rd Psalm, he takes care of their every need. He also protects them from all harm. In essence, one can say that the shepherd is “everything” to his flock.  “…and his sheep know his voice and they follow him.”  John 10:4

How about you?  Do you spend enough time with the Lord, our Shepherd to really know his voice? Do you trust him enough to follow him wherever he leads?  I leave these questions for you to ponder.  May your answers be ones that allow you to respond truthfully…he leads me, will I follow?

Peace and love,

Felecia

I dedicate this post to my father-in-law, John E. Weber, Jr.  I took the photo for this post during my recent visit with you.  I thought of you while writing this post…your selfless love and kindness towards me, and so many others, is a testament to your willingness to follow the Lord, our Shepherd, no matter what.  Thank you for being who you are.  I love you.

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When I Look Outside My Window

When I Look Outside My Window

When I Look Outside My Window – Photograph property of www.OntheWingofaDove.com

“When I look outside my window – oh the beauty I see…the entire world opens up to me!

”Just because the past didn’t turn out like you wanted it to doesn’t mean your future can’t be better than you imagined.”  —Anonymous

When I Look Outside My Window

When I look outside my window,

Oh the beauty I see,

Colors so deep, so bright…

The entire world opens up to me.

When I look outside my window,

All is fresh and green and bright!

No darkness, no sadness, no fear at all.

All I ever wanted is within reach; it’s within sight!

When I look outside my window,

Oh, I can never look back…

What’s in the past is gone.

My future is full, there is nothing I lack.

When I look outside my window,

The Lord’s abundance awaits me there.

His love, His caring, His provision you see…

It’s all I need…and nothing else can compare.

Felecia R. Weber 2018, www.OntheWingofaDove.com

When I look outside my window – some days that scenery can be very drab and grey.  Sometimes it makes me just want to roll over and fall back asleep.  Other mornings can appear so bright, I feel as though the sun’s rays will burn a hole through the blinds! That’s how I feel when I think of what the Lord has planned for each and every one of us who put our trust in him.

”No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” —1 Corinthians 2:9

My heart always seems to stand still whenever I read the above verse from the Bible.  I can’t help but feel a wave of exuberance that flows through my body, just like when I look outside my window and everything is vibrant and inviting.  I can almost feel the warmth of God’s love shining down on me just thinking about the future that he has planned for me!

Can you fathom all that God has planned for you?  Can you imagine his goodness and glory all rolled into one?  No one can conceive such an awesome delight…but when you trust in him, you’ll experience the peace, the provision, and love that is ours through the gift of his Son.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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