Rachel Clarke :: Photographer » Devotionals

Fellowship :: A weekly Devotional

Rachel — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:03:17 +0000

About a month ago I started to write a devotional – with all the holiday events going on I got off track and did not end up posting it. In an effort to get back on track I’m posting this, it’s short – but sweet.

Back in Decemeber on a Monday night, I gathered with some friends to conclude our journey through the book of Esther. We reflected on what was gained from the study and how God’s plan is just so perfect. It is amazing how we can all be at different crossroads in our lives and find Jesus together.

For me personally, those 10 weeks were full of excitement, change, and loss. All of which I was able to share with my sisters. The time and events we shared together enabled us to form a bond that I will never forget. I cannot imagine that God would not want this for all of his children. For everyone to be studying his word in the company of others. In fact, I know aside from his children being saved, there is not anything more delightful to our Lord than when we seek him wholeheartedly, especially together. It is a feeling that is hard to match when you are studying the word of God in the company of others. Not only to have reached new heights in your own spiritual journey, but also to be blessed to see God do work in the lives of others.

I pray that this inspires you to get involved, go seek your Lord & Savior in the company of others and be blessed.

-R

Giving Thanks :: VA MD DC Photographer

Rachel — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:30:30 +0000

I love how thankful everyone is on and around Thanksgiving. It is so refreshing to see people give thanks for all of their many blessings. But, what really gets me is we somehow forget so quickly what it’s all about. The new year comes and we fall back into our unthankful ways. We forget just how blessed we are. Perhaps because so and so has this, or you don’t have that. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in what we desire, things we don’t have. We so easily forget about the day we longed for what we do have. I remember before we bought our house it was the most beautiful house I’d ever seen, there wasn’t 1 flaw. Now almost a year later, I find myself complaining that the closet is too small, or that the basement isn’t finished. I have a friend who has a huge house and SO much land. Every time I come home from her house, I feel like my home is teeny tiny with no yard. Isn’t it funny how we are content with what we have until we see what others have? Why are we so preoccupied with everyone else’s possessions and lives?

John 6:35 “Then Jesus declared “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, And he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” He is sufficient for our needs. He knows exactly what we need and provides for us. If we stay focused on Him we will not be hungry for our neighbors belongings, we will not thirst for things we want but do not have. I would be lying if I said we could certainly stay focused on Jesus at all times. But, we are sinners, we are bound to mess up at some point. But the point is that we need to set our eyes on Jesus and what we as God’s children are called to do. So pick yourself up and dust your knees off. Remember that He’s blessed you with SO much.

-R

Tough Relationships :: A Friday devotion :: VA MD DC Wedding & Portrait Photographer

Rachel — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:04:05 +0000

I was talking to one of my friends on the phone earlier this week about tough relationships. And how they affect your walk with God. Sometimes there will be people who will take your hand and walk with you. Others will stand behind, not understanding. And then there are those that will fight to keep you from moving forward. Just as I was about to say something about those that keep you from moving forward my 2 1/2 year old walked over, sat down, and wrapped herself around my leg. My kids sometimes do this when I’m leaving to go somewhere. Typically saying something like “No mommy, don’t go!” I think in some ways this is just a perfect metaphor for those that fight to keep us from moving forward. They grab tight and yell “NO, dont go!” Those that don’t know God are scared. Scared for the unknown, scared for the change. It’s natural for us as humans to fight when we are scared, or don’t understand. Sometimes when I don’t know how to express to Justin that something scares me, especially when I think he wouldn’t understand, my emotions turn to anger. But being scared goes back to fear, a topic I discussed a couple weeks ago. Fear is a lack of trust in God. What if something happens? Beth Moore said the following phrase in her Esther bible study, “If _________, then God. If your worst fear happens, then God steps in. God will walk hand in hand with you, and bring you forward. And when you think you can walk no longer, he picks you up and carries you forth. Learning to lean on God is such a powerful lesson. And some days it’s easier than others. Sometimes we will wander and think we can do it all on our own, but come back to God realizing we can’t.

Our walk with God is such an amazing journey. But it’s very difficult to move forward in life when you have a relationship holding you tight, trying to keep you from moving forward. And I’m not saying your loved ones wake in the morning thinking of how they will destroy your spiritual journey. I do, however, believe that the devil will snake his way into any crevice and create hardships. The devil is the demon of fear. Perhaps this loved one wants to move forward, but their fear is hindering them. Or maybe this loved one doesnt know Jesus. But it’s for certain the devil is using every opportunity to turn you from your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He will take the inch and turn it into a mile. So just as we use weights during exercise to grow stronger; Take these circumstances you are going through and build your spiritual muscles. Model Christ for those that need him most. “… For we are the temple of the living God.” 2 Cor 6:15

-Rachel

Seeing the bright light, in the woods. :: VA MD DC Wedding & Portrait Photographer

Rachel — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:03:45 +0000

Have you ever been in the middle of a situation wondering how, & why you are at that point? Why do we have to go through this? I feel like every time a new journey presented itself, I was always questioning why. And it isn’t until afterwards, that I would look back and say “Ohhh… okay.” Hindsight is 20/20, right? We all go through trials in our lives, its how we grow; In our faith, marriage, relationships, etc. Think about what it would be like to just be okay with what’s going on in your life. Trusting that God has his hands on it. I am reminded of this song by Mary Mary titled “Shackles.”

Gosh, I just feel so renewed! I want to dance! “Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance… I should praise you through my circumstance.” What freedom, to praise Him through our circumstances instead of being trapped by them! Trusting God has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. I can be joyful about my life every day. And it’s not because I’m not experiencing something difficult, it’s because I choose to trust God. To trust in Him that it will be okay.

Sometimes the tribulations we are presented with are more difficult than others, and it takes some time to step back and remember God has his hands on it. But, I know that there is a plan. Every moment of our lives is part of that plan. God’s plan has so many things to offer us, but without growth we will not experience those things.

John 12:46 “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”

-R

Day of Devotion :: VA MD DC Wedding & Portrait Photographer

Rachel — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:26:49 +0000

Week before last, I had started to write a devotional on fear. On monday nights I attend a women’s bible study. We are doing Beth Moore’s study on the book of Esther. That particular monday, Beth was talking about fear. The one thing that I remember the most is her referral to the phrase “what if?”…. If… I fear, I fear, I fear. That study could not have been more directed at me if I had asked. When I wrote that nearly 2 weeks ago, perhaps I hadn’t verbally asked God for it. But sitting her today I believe my heart had. I have spent so much time living in fear. Constantly asking what if, what if, what if. I feared so many different things, and I believe now that it all boiled down to me not trusting God. I sit here today, a little over a week, after facing one of my worst fears. Death of a loved one. And while my heart aches incredibly, and my days of grieving are far from over, I am okay. I can still wake up every morning and see my husbands handsome face, & hear my 3 beautiful children tell me they love me. I still have a roof over my head, food in the fridge, and many other blessings around me. I believe out of all of this I am realizing that God has blessed me with SO much, that it is not the end of my world if he calls one of my loved ones home. My grand daddy passed away Sunday October 25th. It was one of the hardest days of my life. The events of that day just keep repeating in my head. And the more they do, it just becomes so evident to me that God had complete control. Things happened exactly the way they did, for a reason. So many times in my life I’ve looked back on past events and began to realize why they played out the way they did. You may not understand what you are going through, or why certain things have happened. But know this, God has his hands on it. James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.”

-R

A day of devotion :: VA MD DC Wedding & Portrait Photographer

Rachel — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:58:55 +0000

First and foremost I have to say that this has been one of the most frustrating mornings ever. I woke up at 5:30 ready to blog and my internet has been down until about a minute ago. Ive called Comcast, moved cords around, nothing was working. I was DETERMINED to post this. So I got on my phone to post it and my phone would only allow me to post half of what I had written. I sat there and said aloud, I know this is the devil. He does not want me to post this. And then I said, I WILL POST THIS. One way or another I will. I got up to go get into the kitchen, and aloud I said God I want to blog about you give me the internet!! I walk over to the computer and hit send receive on my email account and sure enough – I have the internet!!!!!! Ask and you shall receive. Without further ado, here is my short & sweet devotion that I am so excited to share with you!

Sometimes it is so hard to understand how we are to use the blessings from above. I can’t tell you how many times in the past year I questioned this journey with photography. I felt as if I didn’t have what it took to be a good wife, a good mother, and to take this business where it needed to go. But, “God’s gifts and his calls are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:29) He gave these gifts to me to use them, to glorify him. Not give up and cast them aside. God has called me to be a wife to this amazing man, a mother to these 3 beautiful children and to capture the moments given to us.

The glory of God inspires me. The fact that he chose me to be this exact person. How blessed am I to be married to a man who loves me despite my flaws, a man who’s been there for me through thick and thin. How blessed am I to be a mother to 3 of the most gorgeous healthy children around. Children that know Jesus, and can express that freely. How blessed am I to do what I love, and share it with so many people. How blessed am I?! The best part is, I know that the party has just begun! I know God has plans to prosper me, and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future. I am seeking you God, with all my heart!

-Rachel