Monthly Archives: April 2022

God in all things, Photography, Prayer, Scenery, Travel

Noticing

This was photo was taken at Guadalupe Mountains NP, on the McKitrick Canyon Trail. There are so many interesting details in this image – a patch of red leaves, the tree with white bark. I’m drawn to the white stone trail disappearing into the distance. Maybe it represents an ongoing adventure, sort of like the yellow brick road.

It brings to mind a reflection from “The Inner Chapel: Embracing the Promises of God” by Becky Eldredge. Notice what you are noticing. Discernment is about noticing. Noticing the promises of God at work in our life. Noticing the deep desires in our hearts to respond to the love given to us. Noticing the longings of other people. Noticing our gifts. We discover the unique call upon our lives when we notice the needs of the world around us and the gifts we have to respond to the needs. When we notice both the needs of the world and our gifts that give us joy and meet those needs, we have found our promised unique call.

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God in all things, Photography, Scenery, Travel

Contrast

This a photo looking out from the Rock House, which is the only true cave in the Hocking Hills area. Other “caves” in the area are really a gorge with an overhang. The Rock House is 25 feet high, 200 feet long and has several openings resembling gothic arches. I was amazed by this large star-shaped opening. Not to mention the colors in and on the rock.

The variety in God’s creation is amazing. Different shapes, colors, sizes, and even textures. Contrast is a wonderful thing!

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God in all things, Photography, Scenery, Travel

Holy Ground

This photo was taken during our trip to Zion NP in 2020. I read recently that Zion had over 5 million visitors last year. It is easy to see why this park is so popular. Angel’s Landing (this hike) and The Narrows are two of the most famous hikes in the country.

The name Zion is a reference to a holy city or simply to holiness. The national park is definitely holy ground where God can be seen in so many ways.

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God in all things, Photography, Scenery, Travel

Expectations

This photo is from White Sands NP and that evening was possibly the most spectacular sunset I have ever seen. And we almost missed it! We were driving from Guadalupe Mountains NP where we had spent the morning hiking. It was a very long drive and by the time we got to White Sands, it was so cloudy that I didn’t think we would be able to see the sun setting. Never happier to be wrong!

We have an amazingly poor ability to predict the future. I think our judgement is affected by our expectations which are closely tied to our desires.

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God in all things, Photography, Prayer, Scenery, Travel

Threshold

Better one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere. Better the threshold of the house of my God than a home in the tents of the wicked. For a sun and shield is the Lord God, bestowing all grace and glory. The Lord withholds no good thing from those who walk without reproach. O Lord of hosts, blessed the one who trusts in you! Psalm 84:10-12

(Bear Lake and Nymph Lake, RMNP)

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God in all things, Photography, Scenery

Partly cloudy

This photo was taken in mid-winter at Sweet Arrow Reserve. You can see a little snow on the ground and ice on the water. The trees are without any signs of life. But the sun is shining, brightening the day. It’s cloudy but there is blue sky above.

What do you see in the world around you? There is always good and bad; it’s important not to be too focused on either.

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God in all things, Photography, Scenery, Travel

Questions

We spent a week at the beach at the end of March. I enjoy running or walking along the beach and I try to always carry my phone with me because you never know when you will see something like this.

I was fascinated by the way these birds were lining up facing the wind. It makes me think “what do they know?” It certainly didn’t seem random; I saw other groups of this same bird doing the same thing. Instinct? What does “instinct” even mean?

I ask a lot of questions than I can find not find the answers for. And I think that is a good thing.

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God in all things, Photography, Prayer, Scenery, Travel

Joy

Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before God, singing for joy. Know that the Lord is God, who made us, to whom we belong. We are God’s people, the sheep of God’s flock. Enter the temple gates with thanksgiving and its courts with songs of praise. Give thanks and bless God’s name. Psalm 100:1-4

(Lily Lake, Estes Park Colorado)

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God in all things, Photography, Prayer, Scenery, Travel

Remnants

This is a photo of Lake Haiyaha in Rocky Mountain NP. Notice the color of the water. I think this due to the remnants of glacier run off. Thousands of years ago there many large glaciers in RMNP, but all that remains now are a few cirque glaciers which are the remnants of much the larger valley glaciers. Other remnants of glacier can be seen throughout RMNP, including Moraine Park and Glacier Basin.

In a similar way, each of has had remarkable events in our lives that have long lasting effects. Daily reflection helps us keep these events in proper perspective.

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