Visiting the Notre Dame in Paris was an incredible experience. I wanted to show you some photo's I took that meant something special to me personally.

I thought the shadow above in the Notre Dame was so incredible. A reflection of this wrought iron gate below.

As I walked through in total awe, it made me think of this verse.

Psalm 100:4

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever,

his faithfulness continues through all generations.

There is always something so surreal about going into an OLD church. The smell, the pews that squeak when you sit in them, the grand ceilings, chandeliers, stain glass, candles, the whispering and of course the display of the cross.

Most of all what I though of most was the history of those that have gone before us. The stories of those that have been in the church and sat in those pews and expressed their hurts, thankfulness, grief, praise, sorrow, forgiveness, hope and much more. They spoke to the same God that never changes day by day and listened to their every care. So many prayers prayed and so many answers given.

Probably not the answers that they expected or asked for (that seems to be the way God works) but the answers that He knew were best for them.

This reflection was so stunning too. I always loved the hymn "Crown Him with many crowns." It was a simple reminder to me that God reigns, is majestic and has glory and power.

Above is the crown that was being reflected on the column.

One last shadow in this church that caught my eye and made me think of how God wants us to reflect Him in every part of our lives in a large way. We aren't "perfect" but can strive to be like Him.

Outside the church and the stained glass inside the church.

Touring the church was one of the highlights of our trip. The architecture was absolutely spectacular. You do feel the presence of God when you walk in too. Everyone is quietly praying as showing great respect.

As I left, I thought about how we often think that we have to go to "CHURCH" to be with God. So great to know that we have beautiful churches we can visit but God isn't just in those buildings. He is with us wherever we go and we can talk to Him in our homes, as we drive around town, or at the grocery store and he doesn't just stay at the church.

Great reminder for me this Christmas Season.