Author Archives: Stephen Hufman

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About Stephen Hufman

A physician in Family Medicine for the last 35 years, now concentrating on writing and photography. My intention is to encourage and strengthen people in the Lord. In all things I hope to be pleasing to Jesus who has given me so much. The photography is all taken by me. I use a Canon 5D mark 3, and Canon G10.

Angels Long to Look

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Balsamroot longing to see the sun

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29 NIV

“What a fellowship what a joy divine leaning on the everlasting arms.” Lyrics from “Leaning On Jesus”  by A.E. Hoffman

… Even angels long to look into these things. 1 Peter 1:12 NIV

Does God enrich our lives in ways we fail to comprehend?
Something of great value that tears cannot upend.
Joy in God’s forgiveness when we should receive the sword.
A closeness achieved when we lean upon our Lord.
Believing in God’s grace when feelings tell us flee.
Trusting Christ is with us when defeat is all we see,
Oh, but how God uses darkness to help our faith to grow.
This bond with our Savior, even angels long to know.

Kindness

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A little kindness here and gone,
leaves its mark against the wrong.
Do not begrudge when life seems sour
for kindness needs time,
to bud and flower.

“And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:42)

Crashing Seas

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Mark 4:35-41 NLT

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed).But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.

Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”

When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”

Jesus, Jesus, don’t you care?
Asleep in back so unaware.
In fear and darkness were going down!
Wake up, wake up we’re ‘bout to drown.

“Silence be still,” You did respond.
The churning sea became a pond.
My faith did grow in that hour,
To humbly attest Your almighty power.

So don’t be fooled by life’s roiling sea
He who conquered death has authority
Over fears that crash across your bow.
Faith in Him, He will endow…

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  James 1:2-3 NIV

Reaching the Skies

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Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time?…
Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. Psalm 77:8,10-11 NIV

When trials come and all seems lost,
“I will remember the darkness of the cross.
Where You hung enduring my shame.
Cut off from God, and taking my blame.

The third morning

You were raised in power 
transcending my death.
unfailing grace that will not sour,
In You life becomes fragrant—
a blossoming flower.

A Cry for Help

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O God, listen to my cry!
Hear my prayer!
From the ends of the earth,
I cry to you for help
when my heart is overwhelmed.
Lead me to the towering rock of safety,
for you are my safe refuge,
a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.
Let me live forever in your sanctuary,
safe beneath the shelter of your wings! Psalm 61:1-4 NLT

Reflection—

O LORD, I am overwhelmed by the trials that lay ahead.
I am not sure I’ll make it
I tire of the struggle;
my faith is weak.
I feel the arrows of my foes.
Please hear my cry for help,
and lift me to the rock that is higher than all my woes.

Water from on High

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From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2 NIV

I pray for Your leading,
For where I’ve wondered I do not know.
Lead me high to the Rock of Ages,
and leave my worries far below.

I Was Afraid

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I was afraid, so I went away and hid your talent in the ground. Matthew 25:25 NASB

We all are given gifts to apply and use.
But I have so little, I have none to lose!
Then I look and see what others have done.
Using their talent, the battles they’ve won.
I worry ‘cause I don’t have what it takes.
My nature is weak and full of mistakes.
I know I’ll fail, falter and fall.
Retreat, retreat! I shout and withdraw.
And so I am guilty of another defeat.
Disconsolate I trudge down a dark lonely street. 
There Christ with compassion bids—“come let us meet.
Move in My strength, walk by My side.
Take up My yoke, let Me be your sure guide.
Let go the worry about where we’ll end up.
I promise a banquet and with Me you will sup.
Your fears, and your tears I alone will remove.
If you’ll eat of My bread and drink of My cup.
Oh—and remember stop looking sideways, just keep looking up.”

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 BSB

Giving Life to life

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You have promised,
to save me. (John 3:16)
You have promised.
I am Your child. (John 1:12)
You have promised,
never to leave me. (Hebrews 13:7)
You have promised,
to guide me. (Psalm 23:3)
You have promised,
to be my strength and protector. (Psalm 28:7)
Your promises are life and breath.

How can I not praise You with thanksgiving for Your promises give life to life.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6 NIV

Dancing Clouds

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Clouds in constant movement.
Dancing to the wind.
Gossamer of golden sunshine,
Touches us with goodness.
God the choreographer of joy.

Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Psalm 95:1

A Long Way to Go

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Who may climb the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? Psalm 24:3 NLT

Lord, I want to walk close to You.
But I fear I’ll trip and stumble,
exhausting the riches of Your grace.
Your forgiveness will I grasp and fumble?
Then someone more deserving takes my place.
and I am alone overcome with gloom.
Thank God, You have made it so none can boast.
Not my effort, but Your Spirit is the guarantee
Surrounding me with Your love,
I must trust You, not rely on me.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.  Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

“You hem me in—behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.” Psalm 139:5-6 NIV