Congratulations, Kiana Griffin!

"Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!"
Psalm 100:1

Congratulations to this week's winner, Kiana Griffin!

Kiana is a Stay-At-Home mom who loves to read and secretly would love to
write. She enjoys taking pictures very much and views Photography as a
much-needed creative outlet. You can now purchase Kiana's uplifting images at
http://www.cafepress.com/upwardimages.

Scoring Change - Voting is Open!

Voting is open this week, but please take note of the scoring procedures for THIS contest.

Please score 1-5 points for each photo, and a score of 1-5 points on how well you think the Bible verse chosen matches the photo. Each ENTRY can receive up to 10 points per vote.

You can email your votes to me, or post them below.

Thanks for participating.

Have a blessed weekend!

Bible Verse Entry April 23-April 27

When 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




Submitted by
Lacy J. Williams

Bible Verse April 23-April 27

"Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!"

Psalm 100:1

Submitted by

Kiana Griffin

Bible Verse Entry April 23-April 27

"Creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed."
Romans 8:19

Each day my husband is due home at 12 noon and at 4:45 p.m. When his truck turns in our street a block and a half away, I know it because the ears of his dogs are attuned to the sound of his truck and they run to the front of the house and sit there watching the door. Because I couldn't get a good picture of them from behind, their master suggested that I open the door and take one of them watching him pull into the driveway. Of course as soon as he gets out of the truck (is revealed), they are leaping with joy and pictures are out of the question.

Twice a day I am reminded of Romans 8:19 and that since the fall of mankind, all creation waits for the sons of God to let God's love and provision flow through us to care for creation - to nurture, protect, and exercise His authority to stop the attacks of the enemy.

And I am also reminded twice daily that the Greek word most translated worship in the New Testament means to " to kiss like a dog licking his master's hand, to fawn or crouch to; to reverance, to adore." (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance).

Oh that we were as excited about our Lord as the animals are about His underlords - us!





Submitted by
Amy Barkman

Bible Verse and Photo Entry, April 23-27

"...God said, "Let there be light,: and there was light. God saw how good the light was."
Genesis 1: 3





Submitted by
Carolyn Kenney

Congratulations, Carolyn!

Carolyn Kenney is this week's winner, by default, but I did receive several emails letting me know that because Carolyn's entry was so well done, they felt like they could not compete! Great job, Carolyn!

Carolyn Kenney recently began writing devotional articles for her parish bulletin. These led to her first book titled "Meditations of the Heart" available from her or through Amazon. She is currently working on a second book based on her recent trip to the Holy Land. Ms. Kenney has always enjoyed taking pictures in her various travels. Visit her on the web at: www.geocities.com/medoftheheart

I'll announce the next contest on Monday, so check back then.

Architecture Entry April 16-20

Mount of Beatitudes

Do you desire to experience inner tranquility? If your answer is "yes", then you must visit the Church of Beatitudes and grounds, located near Capernaum in the Holy Land.

The Franciscans built the church in 1939 and in its construction captured the simple beauty of the Galilee area. The combination of surrounding trees and flowers give the church an air that is breathtaking to behold.

It is situated at the top of a lush green plain, blanketed with mustard flowers, which rises gently from the Sea of Galilee. Gray and white arches surround the church, lending it a graceful elegance. It was here that Jesus "went up on the mountain, and when he sat down…" he addressed the crowd gathered before Him with the beautiful words of the Sermon on the Mount.

Mass is held inside as well as outside the church. When facing the outside altar, the sun can be seen sparkling lightly on the Sea of Galilee as birds sing sweetly overhead. The vibrant blue sky is speckled with soft white clouds, as the wind whispers softly and caresses the faces of the congregation.It is here that Jesus taught his disciples over 2000 years ago.

At that time, He saw men, women and children seated around Him. However, He also looked into the future and saw you and me coming to visit this beautiful mountain. Do not miss this magnificent place, which is filled with God’s peace.

Submitted by

Carolyn Kenney

Congratulations, Kiana!

Kiana Griffin is this week's Critter Limerick and Photo winner - as long as she keeps that scary creature away from ME!

Her winning limerick:

Our cat is lovely and gray;
She goes outside every day.
She sits on the lawn
and gives a big yawn
then wonders why we run away!


Kiana is a Stay-At-Home mom who loves to read and secretly would love to write. She enjoys taking pictures very much and views Photography as a much-needed creative outlet. You can see more of her photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrsgriffin/.

Thanks to all of you for participating - hope you'll come back and bring your friends.

Voting is Now Open

Cast your vote for one of the limericks and critter photos below. I've made voting a little easier this time - you just need to score each photo with 1-5 points, and each limerick with 1-5 points. Check the right column to see criteria on how to judge them. For example, if you think the entry excelled in all areas for the limerick and missed the mark on the photo, you could give them a 5 and a 2, respectively.

Email your votes directly to me, or post them as a comment here.

Be sure to get your family and friends to vote - the more, the merrier!

I'll announce the winner and a new contest on Monday.

Happy Weekend!

Limerick Entry April 9-13

Taylor loves to play in the snow
I love to watch him go, go, go
When he comes inside
He goes to bed to hide
He’s tired so he walks real slow



Submitted by
Lacy Williams
http://www.lacyjwilliams.com
"Wait for the LORD" - Psalm 27:14

Limerick Entry April 9-13

There once was a bad boy that bit
His father said "You just sit!"
He sat on a chair
And yelled "That's not fair!"
And then the bad boy got a hit.


Submitted by
Carrie Baert

Limerick Entry April 9-13

For love of her master she cried.

When he finally came home she sighed,

"I'll take off his shoes

And then I can't lose.

Without them he must stay inside.

Submitted by

Amy Barkman

Limerick Entry April 9-13

Mittens eats well, both day and night,
Try to take her food and she’ll put up a fight.
At Christmas she tries the popcorn to eat,
As she lies ‘neath the tree with her four white feet.
But a diet it is, or she’ll be quite a sight!



Submitted by
Carolyn Kenney

Limerick Contest Entry April 9-13

Our cat is lovely and gray;

She goes outside every day.

She sits on the lawn

and gives a big yawn

then wonders why we run away!

Submitted by

Kiana Griffin

Limerick Contest Entry April 9-13

There was a young dog from Texas,
She wore a hat to play fetches
But when the sun made her cry
She wore sunglasses over her eyes.
And spent the day playing catches.

Submitted by
Pam Kumpe
www.shoutlife.com/pamkumpe

This Week's Winner: Virginia Smith

Congratulations, Ginny!

Virginia Smith is a writer of humorous novels, a speaker, snow skier, motorcycle enthusiast, and an avid scuba diver. Notice that "photographer" doesn't appear anywhere on the list. But sometimes a scene bursts upon her eyeballs and beats with clenched fists at her brain, shouting, "Here's a PHOTO OPPORTUNITY! Shoot this!" She says that's what happened with this snapshot, and since she's a writer, she accepted the essay challenge with gusto.

Ginny's books include: Just As I Am (Kregel Publications, March 2006), Murder by Mushroom (Steeple Hill, August 2007), Bluegrass Peril (Steeple Hill, December 2007), Stuck in the Middle (Revell, February 2008), Age before Beauty (Revell, February 2009), and Last But Not Least (Revell, February 2010.) She'd love to have you visit her website: www.VirginiaSmith.org

Voting is Open - Cast your vote

Cast your vote today for one of the entries below for the contest March 24-April 8. Be sure to look at the rules and judging criteria over in the right column, then email me your totals by noon Monday.

Tell your family and friends to come vote, too!

I'll announce the winner late Monday evening.

May God touch your heart in a special way this Easter weekend.

Contest Entry March 24-April 8

Spring is a time of growth, of fresh breezes and warm sunshine after the frigid chill of winter. It’s a time of renewal, of rebirth, of life bursting forth from dry twigs long dormant. During long frosty weeks that seem to have no end, nature draws inward in self-preservation. But with the first puff of sun-warmed wind rattling through shriveled branches, all creation breathes a glorious “Hallelujah!” and bursts forth in a brilliant chorus of life that must thrill the very heart of God Himself.

Submitted by

Virginia (Ginny) Smith

Stories with Humor and Heart
www.virginiasmith.org

Contest Entry March 24-April 8

When you woke up this mornin'

He exploded a brilliant sunrise through your window

Hopin' to get your attention-

But, you didn't notice...

Later, you were walkin' with friends

He bathed you in warm sunshine

And perfumed the air with flowers-

Still, you didn't notice...

So, He shouted in a thunderstorm

And painted a beautiful rainbow

Just waitin' for you to notice that He

Wants you to know Him better...

Tonight, He'll spill moonlight on your face

And send a cool breeze to refresh you

While you're sleepin', He'll watch over you-

To keep you dreamin' of a better day...

Submitted by

Brother Terry
www.UnknownSouldier.com

Contest Entry March 24-April 8

Nature’s Symphony

Like notes on a musical scale,
Nature casts her lyrical spell.

A poetic cluster
Falls to its destiny

Huddled in harmony
It’s a tune that whispers
Drop. Listen.

Can you hear the symphony of the trees?
Breathe in the sycamores' perfume?

Dance with me
and I with you.

I am free
All things are new.

Submitted by SinglesOutLoud
SinglesOutLoud.blogspot.com

Contest Entry March 24-April 8

This year, Spring came early for me; I spent ten wonderful days in the Holy Land the beginning of March. The air was crisp and clean; the sky was a deep blue. The yellow mustard flowers and various vegetables planted along the sides of the roads provided a rainbow of colors. As the sun rose on the Sea of Galilee, the colors which reflected in the water came alive. They reached out and captivated my innermost being. I will cherish these memories. They will live within me and bring peace - to share with others.


Submitted by Carolyn Kenney