This is the Wind Canyon in Theodore Roosevelt NP. It is near the Little Missouri River, but was actually formed by erosion from wind and rain rather than the river. This makes me think of how God appeared to Elijah (1 Kings 19:11-12) – not in the strong and violent wind (or earthquake, or fire) but in a light silent sound.
We often expect to see God in large and dramatic ways. Seeing God in all things also means looking for God in the small and common things that we encounter.
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.
Taking a ride in a hot air balloon is an amazing experience. This is a photo from our trip to Albuquerque 3 years ago. Other than an occasional blast of propane it is so quiet and peaceful. And the views!
I can’t think of another activity (involving movement) that is as peaceful. Maybe floating in a canoe down a lazy river. These experiences emphasize the benefit of taking time to relax.
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.
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.
Another great reminder of the impact of perspective. This photo was taken from near the top of one of the higher dunes in Great Sand Dunes NP. You can get an idea of the size of the dunes by zooming in to see people hiking across the ridge in the middle right of the photo. It is harder to get an appreciation of how steep these slopes are. For that, you really need to hike up them. Truly experience them.
This is a photo of Great Sand Dunes NP in Colorado (seen in the distance). It is an amazing landscape with a fascinating geologic history. This valley was once covered by a lake. Sediment from the surrounding mountains filled the valley and the lake receded. Exposed sand was blown by the predominant southwest winds toward the Sangre de Cristos mountains, but during storms the winds blow back toward the valley. These opposing winds cause the dunes to grow higher and higher. Small dunes continue to form in the surrounding sand and migrate across grasslands, joining the main dunefield. Some of these migrating dunes become covered by grasses and shrubs and stop migrating.
There are multiple terms we could use for the stabilizing influences in our lives: rock (on which we stand) and anchor (for our boat in a storm) come immediately to mind. I guess we can add the grass and shrubs (for our sand dune).
This photo was taken at New Smyrna Beach in March. It was so windy that there was this foam on the beach from the ocean surf.
God is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, who makes lightnings for the rain and bring forth the wind from God’s storehouses. Psalms 135:7
Signs Along the Way 