Blessed are those who trust in the Lord; the Lord will be their trust. They are like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: It does not fear heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; In the year of drought it shows no distress, but still produces fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8
(Photo: Carriage trail bridge over New Duck Brook, Acadia NP)
It is often said that perception is reality. Without a doubt, we each perceive the world in a way that fits with our own “reality”. There a number of ways to “see” this photo. Is the lake half hidden or half visible? Is the sky mostly cloudy or is there some blue sky peeking through? Are the leaves starting to change or is there not much color yet? These are not mutually exclusive, but speak to a particular “view”.
Which is not that same as saying that whatever you believe must be true. Truth is not relative or changing. There is only one source of truth.
(Photo: Eagle Lake, Acadia NP)
This is a photo from the Coal Vein Trail in Theodore Roosevelt NP. In this area there was a 12-foot-thick coal vein deep underground. In 1951 it caught fire and burned for 26 years. As it burned away, the rocks above were left unsupported and the surface collapsed, forming a depression. When the underground coal fire was burning, this area looked more like a wasteland than a grassland. After the fire burned out, prairie plants reclaimed the land slowly over time.
What does it mean to see as God see? Looking at a burned out field and seeing verdant green.
This photo was taken during the Maah Daah Hey Trail run in July. It was hot – very hot. As you can see, there were a few trees but almost none provide shade for the trail. This lake was just over 8 miles into the run. Combine this with the fact that the first aid station was not until after mile 10 and you can understand why I was longing for cool water.
As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God. Psalms 42:2-3
Our first hike at Theodore Roosevelt NP was the Pertified Forest Trail. Petrified wood is actually a fossil with minerals (especially silica) replacing the organic material. Most of the color in petrified wood comes from trace metals (iron, chromium). The process occurs underground, when wood becomes buried in water-saturated sediment or volcanic ash, reducing the availability of oxygen. Petrified wood is later exposed after erosion of surrounding sediment. The petrification process is very slow – petrified woods is typically millions of years old. (Source: Wikipedia)
While I don’t think of myself as pertified, it is easy to look back and see the long process of change that has occuried in my life. Change that is a result of the “environment” God has placed me in.
My wife and I were out hiking last month, a couple of days after a big storm. We came across this large tree which had been blown over. Somehow, as it fell over, it hit the smaller tree to the left and stripped the bark off. Must have been quite an impact.
It always seems startling to see big trees down after a storm. It is a testimony to the power of storms. Which does not even begin to reveal the true power that exists.
Lord, show me your way; lead me on a level path. Psalms 27:11
(Photo: Ice Age Trail, Wisconsin)
This photo was taken on a recent hike at Morris Reserve in Bellbrook. It is a newer park and though we have been there many times, we had never seen it with all of these purple flowers blooming. It was an unexpectedly splendid view walking along this section of the trail.
Often, the best experience is to encounter something new when there was no reason to expect something new.
I don’t think I had ever seen steam coming off a tree before. It’s dramatic to see steam rising from a lake or river; this was less dramatic but more fascinating. Fascinating because I’m not sure I would believe it if I didn’t see it.
How often in our lives do we need to see something firsthand before we believe it?
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29
Photo: Grove of the Patriarchs, Mount Rainier
The layers and colors in this rock were amazing. Even more amazing was the growth of the trees/shrubs from out of the rock. Not to mention the relative lack of water.
I enjoy learning about how plants (or animals) have adapted to their environment. As if they were designed that way!
Photo: Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
Signs Along the Way 