Lens Looks: Wagon

Travels Through Time

Decorations, sights, sounds, and more can stir in each of us memories of happenings, relationships, and experiences from our past. Some of those can bring a warmth and comfort as we look back. Some can prick us with a bittersweet taste or a darkened glimpse of things we’ve left behind. No matter what is associated with our memories, they’re still in the past.

As our days unfold ahead of us, we have the opportunity to journey down new paths, create new memories, and foster new connections with those around us. Both learning from our past and leaving it behind us move us toward the possibilities of our future.

One of the wonderfully comforting notions is that we never travel that journey alone. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV). Our routes, sights, and activities may change, but our Creator remains the faithful constant upon whom we can rely.

Greeting Card Design:  CMAS-Wagon – click here to view in the Kat Kreations online katalog (also THINK-Wagon).  NOTE: The watermark only appears in the online version of the image in order to aid in protecting copyright.  The greeting card version will include the LJ Newman watermark in a different location.

PHOTO SOURCE:

The photo used on the cover was provided by Laura Newman. See Through My Lens, LJ Newman Photographer on Facebook

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Other: Kyah

Season’s Beginning

Changes in life may not always neatly follow a calendar of days, weeks, or months. Some periods may last longer or shorter than others. Some can seem to go on for a short forever. The latter could be considered “seasons.” When a new season in life begins, the emotions, reactions, and thoughts can be as varied as the colors on the cover of this card.

Thankfully, our Heavenly Father has assured us that He is the one constant we can count on, no matter how our circumstances shift or are altered. He is more than able to remain everpresent with us, going before, behind, and within us when we belong to Him.

Greeting Card Design:  THANK-Kyah –  click here to view in the Kat Kreations online katalog (also as THINK-Kyah and CMAS-Kyah).  NOTE: The watermark only appears in the online version of the image in order to aid in protecting copyright.  Greeting cards and art prints do not have the watermark.

ART SOURCE:

The art for the cover image was created by my cousin, Kyah, using chalk pastels.

Lens Looks: AlumDandy

Aluminum Dandelions

Two distinct elements exist within that name, which combine to form this unique breed of flower that grows in the King’s garden. Aluminum is a common metal with high reflectivity and good electrical and thermal conducting abilities; it resists rusting and can be recycled. The name “dandelion” comes from a word meaning “lion’s tooth.” “Lion” could be descriptive of a courageous or ferocious being or of a person of outstanding interest or importance. The dandelion is a hardy, yellow-flowered, composite plant (made of distinct parts) and is found in MANY grassy areas.

Drawing from the properties of these two elements, the King has fashioned and nurtured His Aluminum Dandelions. These flowers reflect the warmth of His light to the world around them. They are made of distinct parts, gently designed by the King’s hands into beings of outstanding importance in His garden. Their roots grow deeply into the King’s soil to drink the nectar of His Word. This nectar makes them hardy and able to resist decay, so that they may grow and produce fruit. Repeatedly, the Aluminum Dandelions serve as the King’s conductors. As He transforms their yellow flowers into white, feather-light parachutes, He carefully blows them from one part of the garden to another. Each of these chutes from each of the flowers carries a single seed. This is the King’s way of creating more of His special Aluminum Dandelions, and thereby causing His garden to become increasingly more beautiful as the seasons pass.

This card is dedicated to Kelli (Truvy), Holli (Clarie), Becky (Annelle), Brenda (MaLynn), & Chris (Shelby), THE Aluminum Dandelions.

Greeting Card Design:  THINK-AlumDandy – click here to view in the Kat Kreations online katalog.  NOTE: The watermark only appears in the online version of the image in order to aid in protecting copyright.  Greeting cards and art prints do not have the watermark.

PHOTO SOURCE:  

This photo was taken when Kat was in high school in the woods north of her teenage home where she often played, sledded, fished, and more.

Lens Looks: Survivor

Surviving Whatever

Appearing on the front are the few blooms of a Coreopsis Threadleaf (or Golden Showers) that was transplanted from a friend’s garden in a year with the challenges of clay soil, very playful kittens, a drought period, along with being moved from another garden! It was exciting to see this flower begin to show blooms. Whew! It has survived!

“Survive,” as per Webster’s dictionary is “to continue to exist or live after…” The reader gets to finish the sentence. Each time we face challenges that threaten any aspect of our health (physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual, financial, etc) and we come through, we’re survivors. Our choices and the power of our Father God enables us to make it through.

Jeremiah exclaimed, “Ah, Sovereign Lord, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You” (Jeremiah 32:17 NIV). We have a God who is more than able to handle anything that comes our way. What have you survived for which you can give Him glory and thanks?

Greeting Card Design:  XPRS-Survivor – click here to view in the Kat Kreations online katalog.  NOTE: The watermark only appears in the online version of the image in order to aid in protecting copyright.  Greeting cards and art prints do not have the watermark.

PHOTO SOURCE:  

This photo was taken by Kat when she lived on a hilltop in Southwest Indiana and had several flower beds around The Shack’s yard.

Lens Looks: Sunset

Choosing Peace

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because He trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3 NIV)

To trust consistently, to confidently rely upon, to choose to brace our lives upon the only One who is completely trustworthy–if only that were our choice always …

How often we miss out on peace simply due to our selection of who or what to trust or to fix our mind upon! This peace is not beyond our grasp. Our Father never tells us to do something for which He does not offer the strength and means to accomplish it. Being kept “in perfect peace” boils down to our choice, in any given moment, to firmly, confidently choose “I trust You, Lord.”

He’s just waiting to pour out His peace upon our hearts and minds. What will we choose … even in THIS moment?

Greeting Card Design:  WELBK-Sunset – click here to view in the Kat Kreations online katalog (also ENC-Sunset).  NOTE: The watermark only appears in the online version of the image in order to aid in protecting copyright.  Greeting cards and art prints do not have the watermark.

PHOTO SOURCE:

The photo used on the cover was provided by Kim Childers.

Lens Looks: Buoy

An Ever-sustaining Lifebuoy

“To keep afloat; support, sustain; to raise the spirits of” – that’s how Webster’s defines the verbal form of “buoy.” One kind of buoy is a “life buoy” or “a ring-shaped life preserver.” Other buoys are used to warn of shallow water or something under the surface that could be dangerous for boats. Buoys support, sustain, guide, warn, and even save or rescue.

We have a Buoy that faithfully carries out all those roles for each of us. Our Heavenly Father assures us, “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you” (Isaiah 46:4 NIV). He supports us and sustains us through the storms and the calm of life’s sea. He guides and warns us as we journey through life. He is more than able to save or rescue us from any peril.

Of course, buoys can be ignored or refused. We are each left with a choice in the matter. May our hearts become so well acquainted with the Ever-sustaining Lifebuoy that we find He is all that we need for this journey.

Greeting Card Design:  WELBK-Buoy – click here to view in the Kat Kreations online katalog.  NOTE: The watermark only appears in the online version of the image in order to aid in protecting copyright.  Greeting cards and art prints do not have the watermark.

PHOTO SOURCE:

The photo used on the cover was provided by Kim Childers.

Lens Looks: Pond

Peace in the Familiar

As a teen, my place of personal retreat was a woods one quarter mile from our house on land owned by my dad’s employer. Here is just one of the scenes encountered each spring.

I am reminded of the psalmist’s words, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul” (from Psalm 23). What refreshment in the face of our Creator’s beauty!

Greeting Card Design:  THINK-TreeCorner – click here to view in the Kat Kreations online katalog.  NOTE: The watermark only appears in the online version of the image in order to aid in protecting copyright.  Greeting cards and art prints do not have the watermark.

PHOTO SOURCE:  

This photo was taken when Kat was in high school in the woods north of her teenage home where she often played, sledded, fished, and more.

Lens Looks: Humbird

Cleansed for His Honor

The Lord has said, “Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing … I will heal My people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security … I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against Me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against Me.” (Jeremiah 33:6, 8 NIV).

When our Heavenly Father conducts the cleansing procedure of our lives, we could never be in better hands. He knows every detail, sees every speck, and all the while that He’s at work to cleanse us, He showers us with His deep, unending love for us.

He flushes and purges from us the impurities that keep us from reflecting Him to those He puts in our path. Along each step of His procedures with us, He has a goal in mind: that each of us who belongs to Him “will bring Me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things that I do … and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide …” (Jeremiah 33:9 NIV).

As we allow Him to cleanse us, to purify us, our lives make Him smile, make Him known, and have the potential to point nations toward Him, so that they can know Him too!

Greeting Card Design:  THINK-Humbird –  click here to view in the Kat Kreations online katalog.  NOTE: The watermark only appears in the online version of the image in order to aid in protecting copyright.  Greeting cards and art prints do not have the watermark.

PHOTO SOURCE:

When a friend was nearing time for her colonoscopy, I jokingly created this greeting card for her.  The photo used on the cover was provided by Susie Kutch.  Here’s the cover and inside message of her extra special card.  🙂

Lens Looks: Jones

At Home in Our Hearts

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…” (Colossians 3:17)
“…that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith…” (Ephesians 3:17)

The Creator of all things desires to make His home in our hearts. His intent is to dwell in our lives through and through. As we open ourselves to the Lord through faith, we extend hospitality to Him.

We can create an atmosphere in our hearts that welcomes His presence, or we can set up walls that keep Him out of the very place He longs to call home. The choice is ours. Will we open the door fully, invite Him in, and genuinely say, “My house is Your house, Lord”? Or, will we keep Him near the front door, without letting Him enter and feel at home?

May our welcome extended to Christ be everpresent, so that we might enjoy His fellowship in this life as well as all the days we can spend eternally with Him!

Greeting Card Design:  THANK-Jones – click here to view other Thank You designs the Kat Kreations online katalog.  NOTE: The watermark only appears in the online version of the image in order to aid in protecting copyright.  Greeting cards and art prints do not have the watermark.

PHOTO SOURCE:  

This photo was taken by Kat of the home of some friends in Southern Illinois who often extend hospitality to others through their home.

Lens Looks: Rainbow

Rainbow of Promise

“I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth … Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” (Genesis 9:13, 16 NIV)

A rainbow is the way that God chose to communicate with us His assurance that He keeps His promises. With His original covenant, He set the rainbow as a sign of His promise to keep His word that He will never flood the entire world again. Since God never changes, knowing that He assures us so vividly of one of His covenants or promises, can give us confidence in His fulfilling ALL of His promises.

He says that when a rainbow appears, He sees it. How delightful to think that when I see a rainbow, God and I are looking at the same thing! Sometimes I remember that it’s in the sky to remind me of His promises to us, and yet, even when I forget to acknowledge that, HE never forgets. He remains faithful.

Greeting Card Design:  SYMP-Rainbow – click here to view in the Kat Kreations online katalog.  NOTE: The watermark only appears in the online version of the image in order to aid in protecting copyright.  Greeting cards and art prints do not have the watermark.

PHOTO SOURCE:

Photo provided by Jeff Ronald, who was part of Kat’s church youth group and Bible Bowl team during high school.  He took the photo while on a ship near Belgium.