Category Archives: Art Gallery

Art and photo gallery collection relating to lifestyle themes.

A Hunger Within Us

hunger within us

“No Ordinary Rose,” Photograph by Felecia R. Weber 2016, OntheWingofaDove.com

There is a hunger within us that is not easily satisfied.

“The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread.”  Mother Theresa

A Hunger Within Us

There is a hunger within us that is not easily satisfied.

Sometimes we don’t even know it’s there,

For so deeply inside of us doth it reside.

Ah, but when it gnaws on us, and takes our breath away,

We’ve no choice but to face it, for a hunger so fierce, we cannot betray.

There is a hunger within us, it has no voice, nor a face,

But the heaviness, the weight of it, can drag us down to a lonely place.

No, we can’t ignore it, it must be fed if we are to survive.

For it is more essential than food and water; we must have it to stay alive.

There is a hunger within us, that once fed satisfies every need, every desire.

It sustains us as though our hearts are set ablaze with an unquenchable fire.

Felecia R. Weber 2016, OntheWingofaDove.com

What do you hunger for the most?  I believe that we all crave something that satisfies more deeply than food and water…and that is our need to be loved, to be cared for, to feel as though we matter.  Deny it all we want, but to love and to be loved is the most basic and essential requirement that we all have.  Sometimes it takes a long time to realize it, but it’s true.  Just the thought of it can be scary, for I believe that there is nothing that causes more pain and joy than love.  And, I suppose therein lies the beauty of it.

May you never go hungry when it comes to fulfilling your desire, your necessity for loving and being loved…and may you flourish because that hunger within you is being fully fed.

Peace and love,

Felecia

 

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Silent Night

silent night

“A Silent Night,” photograph by Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

Silent night so dark, yet so bright, oh the wonder the shepherds found in you…

“I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  John 8:2

Silent Night

Silent night so dark, yet so bright,

Oh the wonder the shepherds found in you.

Not a word spoken, Lord, could tell of your glory,

In the way that you’ve shown your love to be true.

Silent night so dark, yet so bright,

What treasure to the world laid there in that stall.

In you Lord, there is peace, triumph, joy and love.

May those who seek find in you their all.

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

One of my fondest memories about the Christmas season is singing so many of the moving and heartwarming Christmas hymns and carols.  As young girls, my older sister Marjorie and I enjoyed that tradition almost every evening leading up to the holiday.  One of our daily chores while growing up was to wash the dinner dishes.  Although we took turns washing or drying the dishes, I think we’d both agree that it was certainly not our favorite thing to do…except during the weeks leading up to Christmas Day.

As the excitement of the season began to build, Marjorie and I would incorporate our holiday cheer into our dishwashing time by singing our favorite Christmas songs.  Between the traditional hymns that we sang in our church choir and the novel carols we’d learned in our music classes at school, we had quite a number of songs to choose from.  Even so, one of my favorite songs was, and still is “Silent Night, Holy Night,” (composed by Franz Xaver, lyrics by Joseph Mohr).  There is just something about the lyrics, “Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright,” that warms me up more than a  cozy fire, or a hot cup of cocoa ever can.  The scene that the words depicts is one that can brighten any darkened sky…for in the silence of that Christmas night, God bestowed upon us His one true and Holy light.

May the light of our Lord Jesus Christ whose birth we celebrate during this Holy season never cause you to be silent…but may you resonate His saving grace and love throughout the world!

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Why?

Why?

“Curiosity,” graphite pencil drawing by Felecia R. Weber 2005, OntheWingofaDove.com

Why?  Why am I living in this time and place?

“There are two great days in a person’s life – the day we are born and the day we discover why.”  William Barclay

Why?

Why do I say the things that I say/

Will they make a difference to others today?

Why am I living in this time and place?

Can I truly overcome the challenges that I face?

Why am I always searching, wanting to do more?

Will I have the courage to step through the next open door?

Why was I born, what is life’s purpose for me?

Will I ever discover who I am truly meant to be?

Felecia R, Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

Life is full of questions isn’t it?   Granted, they are not always as heavy as the ones I asked in my poem above, but surely we’ve all asked similar ones from time to time.  Given the life changing events that I’ve experienced recently, I find myself asking “why?” quite frequently.  Sometimes the answers are revealed to me quickly and quite obviously.  Yet there are many for which I am still seeking a response.

“Trust in the Lord and lean not onto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.”  Proverbs 3:5-6

I’ve come to realize that I may never know or understand the reasons for the “whys” in my life…and honestly, that’s okay.  When it comes to asking “why” I suppose the “who” is the more important question.  For I know that God holds all of the answers in my life…what more could I ask for?

When your heart is full of questions, who, what, and why, may you turn to the Lord God, for goodness, love and mercy you will always find in His reply.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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I Promise You This

I promise you this

Photograph by Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

I promise you this – when you need me I’ll always be there…

“But before all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven nor by the earth, nor by any other oath; but let you yea be yea and your nay, be nay, that ye do not fall under judgment.”  James 5:12

I Promise You This

I promise you this,

When you need me, I’ll be there.

In times of trouble, whenever you call;

No matter what the circumstances, please know that I do care.

I promise you this,

In those times when others simply don’t understand,

When they can’t be bothered or don’t show up.

You can always count on me to be there, to lend a hand.

I promise you this,

I may not be with you physically, day by day,

Life has a way of pulling us in many directions.

But in the end, when it comes to being with you, I will make a way.

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

Let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no; keep your promises and do what you say.  For others are watching to see if your word is true.  Let them see your integrity always shine through…may this be what you strive for, never anything less.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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I Couldn’t Ask For More

Couldn't ask for more

Photograph by Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

I couldn’t ask for more – Choosing to trust in God for everything in and around my life and experiencing his provision fulfills me in ways that I never have been before.

“When we lose one blessing, another is often most unexpectedly given in it’s place.”  C.S. Lewis

I couldn’t ask for more – I usually find myself saying something like that when I receive an answer to prayer, or when I receive some unexpected good news.  I must admit though, when living in my day to day life I may never even consider what I have or do not have.  When I am disappointed about something, or do not receive what I have been seeking, I may allow myself to fall into despair.  Taking the time to concentrate on the subject of contentedness this week has caused me to realize how my reaction to situations impact my well being and my peace.

In my last two posts, On Contentment and It Doesn’t Matter, I have alluded to the fact that true contentment cannot be found in the outcome of our circumstances, but rather, it is a state of being.  As a Christian, I also believe that true contentment can only be experienced through an abiding relationship with Jesus Christ.  That being said, it wasn’t until recently, through various circumstances that have happened in my life, that I can honestly say that I am content…that I couldn’t ask for more.

Soon, it will have been one year ago that I had to say goodbye to my husband Stephen when he lost his physical battle with cancer.  Often times throughout this year, I have relived in my mind those agonizing days and months of watching him slowly slip away, and eventually succumb to the ravishment of the disease.  When I’ve thought I’d cried all of the tears that I could’ve ever cried, more of them poured out of me.  Sometimes I feel so lonely that I think it may suffocate me.  The emotional strain of having to start my life all over again has proven to be an enormously overwhelming task.  At times I’ve wondered if I’ll ever feel whole and happy again.  How could I ever say with confidence that I am content and that I couldn’t ask for more?

“Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again:  Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:4-13

My answer to that question was actually found in part through this very experience.  Living through the ordeal of losing my husband has by far been the most difficult time in my life.  It has also produced the most spiritual growth and maturity in my life.  Having to get on with my life on my own caused me to turn from myself to God.  It was in him and through him, that I found the strength and the will to stand up, wipe away my tears, and face my fears…and my future.  It was through the heartache and the pain that God showed me that my circumstances only have power over me if I let them.  Indeed, I had a choice, to get swallowed up and drown in my grief, or release it all over to God, and trust him to be my bridge that would allow me to cross over troubled waters to the unfamiliar territory that awaited me on the other side.

Choosing to trust God for everything in and around my life and experiencing his provision fulfills me in ways that I never have been before.  Of course, I miss my husband everyday and there is still an emptiness that I doubt will ever go away because he is not here to fill it.  But in living beyond that reality, and walking under the abiding grace, strength and abundance that God continually provides, all of my needs are met and my life is blessed because of who God is, nothing more. No matter what I’ve had to go through, no matter what I am facing now, no matter what lies in front of me, with God behind me, beside me and before me, I am covered, I am content, I truly couldn’t ask for more.

May your circumstances fade into the background and may you experience God’s awesomely fulfilling presence, power and provision.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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All Blessings Flow

All blessings flow

Photograph by Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

All blessings flow from God above and their purposes are sure…

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights…” James 1:17

All Blessings Flow

All blessings flow from God above,

no matter what we do.

They can’t be bought, they can’t be earned;

they show the greatness of God’s love for you.

All blessings flow from God above,

and their purposes are sure.

They have a way of perfecting our hearts;

so that there is nothing we can’t endure.

All blessings flow from God above,

they are filled with love and peace, never strife.

They come in many ways, in all shapes and sizes.

What blessings have you experienced in your life?

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

Indeed, all blessings do flow from God above, and many of them are easy to see all around us.  They are brilliantly displayed in nature, they come at just the right moment, and often times they come in ways we’ve never expected.

Why not take a moment to ponder the ways in which God has blessed you in your life…and offer up thanks and praise to him.  When you think about it, being able to do that is a blessing in itself!

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Something About Being a Father

Being a father

Photograph by Feleica R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

There’s something about being a father…to his family he is their  protector, provider and friend.

“I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father’s protection.”  Sigmund Freud

Something About Being a Father

There’s something about being a father,

to his family he is their protector, provider and friend.

There is nothing that he will keep from his precious ones,

for a father’s responsibility…does it ever end?

There’s something about being a father,

his love swells when he gazes into his child’s eyes.

A father provides instruction, guidance and encouragement;

his character imparts a steadfast integrity; never will he compromise.

There’s something about being a father,

by setting a consistent and honorable example he leads.

No matter what circumstances hurl themselves at their lives,

a father unselfishly strives to meet his family’s needs.

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

My best wishes to all father, for a very Happy Father’s Day!

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Shepherd – What’s in a word?

shepherdShepherd…I can think of nothing more comforting than the thought of me being a helpless sheep with Jesus as my Shepherd…

“The King of love my Shepherd is,

Whose goodness faileth never,

I nothing lack if I am His

And He is mine forever.”*

Protector, comforter, provider, friend, caregiver, gentle guide…the one I want to follow…

Shepherd…What’s in this word for you?  If you can tell me, please do!

“The Lord is my Shepherd,” (Psalm 23:1). I can think of nothing more comforting than the thought of me as a helpless sheep with Jesus as my Shepherd.  My late husband Stephen, without a doubt, also found great comfort in knowing that he needn’t fear anything, for under his Shepherd’s care, everything was complete.  This became more evident to me as I watched him live out his last day.  Although his body had deteriorated a great deal from the cancer that had spread so rapidly, he seemed to be adorned by a pensive strength that allowed him to walk through our home, room by room, seeming to take all of his fond memories into his heart for safekeeping.  He responded to my words and watchful care with a quiet, attentive grace, yet I knew that his mind was very far away.  At one point, as he rested a few hours before he passed, he stretched out his arm as though he was being gently led to a place that the serene expression on his face told me was where he was most willing to go…

“In death’s dark vale I feel no ill

With Thee, dear Lord, beside me;

Thy rod and staff my comfort still,

Thy cross before to guide me.”*

At that moment, the peacefulness that my dear one surely was experiencing made me pause and think of the green pastures and still waters that our Shepherd promises to lead us to and through.  When my Stephen passed, I know that our Shepherd, Jesus, restored his soul…

“And so through all the length of days

Thy goodness faileth never;

Good Shepherd, may I sing they praise

Within Thy house forever.”*

*All verses by Henry W.  Baker, “The King of Love My Shepherd Is.”

Peace and love,

Felecia

 

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