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.
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.
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)
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.
O Lord, you search me and you know me. You yourself know my resting and my rising; you discern my thoughts from afar. You mark when I walk or lie down; you know all my ways through and through. Before ever a word is on my tongue, you know it, O Lord, through and through. Behind and before, you besiege me, your hand ever laid upon me. Too wonderful for me, this knowledge; too high, beyond my reach. O where can I go from your spirit, or where can I flee from your face? If I climb the heavens, you are there. If I lie in Sheol, you are there. If I take the wings of the dawn or dwell at the sea’s furthest end, even there your hand would lead me; your right hand would hold me fast. Psalm 139:1-10
(Photo Rocky Mountain National Park)
What was the first thing you noticed about the photo? Probably not that it was upside down. The reflection in the water (Gem Lake in RMNP) is so clear that it looks more “real” than the actual rock and trees.
We learn to rely on what we “see”, but our expectations sometimes allow us to be deceived. There is one absolute Truth in our lives.
This photo was taken in the Bear Lake area at Rocky Mountain NP. There is a lake barely visible in the distance. It doesn’t seem like much more than a drop of water in a large bucket.
Our family refers to an act of kindness as “filling my bucket.” For me, this photo is a reminder of what a beautiful thing that can be.
Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all who dwell in the world show him reverence. For God spoke, and it came to be, commanded, and it stood in place. The Lord foils the plan of nations, frustrates the designs of peoples. But the plan of the Lord stands forever, the designs of God’s heart through all generations. Psalms 33:8-11
Rocky Mountain NP
When you look at the water in this photo, you might guess this is a stream or river. It is actually Dream Lake in Rocky Mountain NP. The ripples in the water are from the wind. I’ve written about the wind before, how you can easily see the effect of the wind though you can actually see the wind.
This seems like a great reminder that life can be easily misunderstood. Causes are more often theory than proven fact. In a similar way, intent is often judged by end result which may or may not be accurate.
In the current time, when we are a people so divided, make a goal to follow the principle of presupposition. Namely, we should be eager to put a good interpretation on someone’s statement rather than condemn it.
O God, you are my God— it is you I seek! For you my body yearns; for you my soul thirsts, In a land parched, lifeless, and without water. I look to you in the sanctuary to see your power and glory. For your love is better than life; my lips shall ever praise you! Psalms 63:2-4
Signs Along the Way 