Friday Foto Friends ~ A Place of Peace and Deliverance

A few weeks ago I shared with you a place that was special to us, Lake Swan Camp.  Well, this morning I didn't have any pictures to share with you for Friday Foto Friends, so we decided we needed to take a little ride anyway and get away from the TV for a while.  Sometimes you just need to have a change of perspective in your view so you can see things more clearly, or at least see things that are more pleasant and positive.  Therefore, I will share the pictures I took this morning at Lake Swan Camp.

The lake was very calm and peaceful, soothing to my spirit.

If I'd brought my paddle, I might have been tempted to go for a canoe ride:

They have a very interesting Miniature Golf game there:

A fun way to learn some key scripture verses as you play your way through the golf course.

Then I was intrigued by this wonderful firepit, with all the benches around it. I can just imagine campers singing "Kum By Ya, My Lord, Kum By Ya".... and

 "Pass It On" 

(By Kurt Kaiser)

It only takes a spark to get a fire going,

And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing;

That's how it is with God's Love,

Once you've experienced it,

Your spread the love to everyone

You want to pass it on.

What a wondrous time is spring,

When all the tress are budding

The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming;

That's how it is with God's love,

Once you've experienced it.

You want to sing, it's fresh like spring,

You want to pass it on.

I wish for you my friend

This happiness that I've found;

You can depend on God

It matters not where you're bound,

I'll shout it from the mountain top - PRAISE GOD!

I want the world to know

The Lord of love has come to me

I want to pass it on.

I'll shout it from the mountain top - PRAISE GOD!

I want the world to know

The Lord of love has come to me

I want to pass it on.

https://lyricstranslate.com/en/kurt-kaiser-pass-it-lyrics.html

Then roast some marshmallows and make some s'mores, share testimonies around the firepit, pray for one another...makes me want to go to camp...how about you?

As I left that comforting spot I walked through the gorgeous old live oak trees and came to a sunken place where there was an old pond with a kind of marshy area in the middle.  Of course I had to move in a bit closer to check it out.

I could just barely see something hiding in the middle of the bushes...

A beautiful white egret, who I am certain was hoping I wouldn't discover her hiding place.

Reminded me of another song that you may have heard or sung at camp or at church:

"You are my hiding place

You always fill my heart

With songs of deliverance

Whenever I am afraid

I will trust in You

I will trust in You

Let the weak say I am strong

In the strength of the Lord

You are my hiding place

You always fill my heart

With songs of deliverance

Whenever I am afraid

I will trust in You

I will trust in You

You are my hiding place (I will trust in You)

You always fill my heart (Let the weak say I am strong)

With songs of deliverance (In the strength of the Lord)

Whenever I am afraid

I will trust in You"

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Michael James Ledner

You Are My Hiding Place lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

This song comes from Psalm 32:7

"You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; 

You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah"

From there we drove past the chapel and dining hall, nestled in among the lovely old oak trees...

After spending some time walking about these beautiful grounds and soaking in the comforting warmth of the Holy Spirit's Presence into our souls, we felt refreshed and ready to head back home and face whatever the future may hold.

During these days of uncertainty, I believe we each have to seek our own place of peace. 

No matter what lies ahead, we know that we are safe in the protection and strength of the Lord.

He will never leave us nor forsake us, and 

God is STILL in control, no matter what!

I hope you are also able to find this kind of peace of mind.

It's taken me all day to get this post written as there have been several interruptions...

had to get my hair cut, had to tend to some other business matters...and now I must tell you that we are going to be away for a few days, on a little getaway trip to the "mountains" with our kids.

They were sweet enough to invite us "old folks" to go along with them as they head for the hills of Georgia to celebrate their upcoming 3rd anniversary next week. So I may be offline for a few days, but you can be sure I will be taking plenty of pictures and will have plenty to share with you when we get back. And if you are a friend of ours who lives in Ga., please don't be offended that we aren't able to stop and visit on this trip. Since we are traveling with our kids we are on their schedule and are kind of along for the ride.  There are several dear ones we know whom we would love to visit, but that will have to be at some other time when we are traveling on our own.

Have a blessed and beautiful weekend everyone.

Keep praying for our country!

And look for ways to find some peace.