Psalm 63

"O God, you are my God, I seek you,
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water."
Psalm 63:1

Both yesterday's and today's pictures were taken in what looks to be a desert area. When you look out over the area there is hardly anything visible growing and it doesn't look like anything much could grow. But the reality is that it isn't because of a lack of water that things don't grow here. In fact if one looks around far enough there are great forests growing within sight of this desert area. The area is called the Pumice Desert and it is barren because the ground is covered with hundreds of feet of ash and stone from the volcanic activity that created Crater Lake.
This image has made me stop and wonder how often I have felt the thirst for God and wondered why I keep coming up empty and whether or not it is because God hasn't provided the 'water' of spiritual refreshment or if I haven't allowed the soil to my life to receive what God is actually providing.

Psalm 61

"Here my cry, O God;
listen to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I call to you,
when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I;
for you are my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy."
Psalm 61:1-3

In the midst of difficult times we often call out to God asking for something, anything that we can stand on. We just know that where we are is not going to be a good place in the long run. Then when something solid comes along it is our tendency to stop right there and think that maybe now it is over and everything will be better. But what if the place we stop isn't where God wants us to take refuge? What if the rock we are to stand on is still a ways away and there might be more pain and agony that lies ahead?
When the journey is long and we desire someplace, anyplace, to stand with God is too easy to settle for the first rock to come along. But the journey that God invites us to take is usually beyond the easy place to a place much more secure. A place that truly is a strong tower against all that the enemy might throw at us is never an easy place to get. It often times takes hard work, a lot of time, and a willingness to wade through the desert of life to arrive at that place.
But from every indication I have seen the destination is worth the journey!

Psalm 55

"And I say, 'O that I had wings like a dove!
I would fly away and be at rest,
truly, I would flee far away;
I would lodge in the wilderness;
I would hurry to find shelter for myself
from the raging wind and tempest."
Psalm 55:6-8

Many times I have looked at the world and wondered where I could get some wings, just to be able to flee quickly from the 'stuff' of everyday life when it gets to be hard and I lose energy for the battle. But I have not been given wings like this little bird. So instead of fleeing from life I have to take refuge somewhere else. I find comfort in Jesus saying "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Mt. 6:26
If God does not give me the freedom to flee will he then give me the strength to stay in the midst of life's difficulties and still find rest?

Psalm 50

"I know all the birds of the air,
and all that moves in the field is mine."
Psalm 50:11

I came across this buck last night as I was waiting for the sun to go down. If you look closely you can see that he is tagged with a radio collar. While he is wearing the collar someone could track him anywhere within range of their tracking equipment. The sight of this beautiful animal wearing the tracking collar brought this psalm to mind.
To even begin to imagine that God knows the whereabouts of every bird and animal is mind boggling. To put that into the context that God also knows me at the same level continues to stretch me beyond what I can comprehend. The reality that God wants to know me and who I am where ever I am at reaches in and touches my heart in a way that I cannot explain.
God continues to surprise in some very good ways.

Psalm 48

"We ponder your steadfast love O God,
in the midst of your temple."
Psalm 48:9

I've done a lot of pondering over the last couple of months. I don't know if it is deep thinking or just letting questions run around in my head that don't seem to have easy answers. I've pondered why it is that there are times when God's love seems so close and real that I could taste it and why at other times God seemed so far off and distant that the question of God's very existence came to mind.
The funny thing is that as I have pondered those times it is the times in which I have felt so far distant from God that have drawn me the most. As I have looked back upon those events and experiences I have found that God truly was there when I did not see God present. I guess that is one of the reasons why it is good to take time to ponder and reflect upon life and all that has come along with it, both the good and the bad.

Psalm 46

"Be still, and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth."
Psalm 46:10

The great birds of the air don't seem to have a problem being still when they need to be. This Bald Eagle sat on the fence post for over 20 minutes as I anxiously waited for it to fly so that I might get some pictures of it in flight.
Does the eagle know where it fits in God's grand creation? I don't know but it does what eagles do and that seems to be enough.
One of the reminders that I hear when I am still is that God is God and I'm not. It reminds me that I am not responsible for accomplishing God's work. There are times that I get to be apart of God's work but in the end it is God not me that brings the sun forth in the morning and the moon at night.
Being still can be a very humbling moment. It can also be a very freeing moment as it allows me to be me just as God has created me and not as something/someone else.

Psalm 43

"O send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me;
let them bring me into your holy hill
and to your dwelling."
Psalm 43:3

Jesus says, "I am the truth" (John 14:6) and "I am the light of the world (John 8:12) and also refers to the Holy Spirit as the spirit of truth (John 15:26)." This is the gift that God has given us that we might be led into God's presence.
One of the things that I have been reminded over and over again these last few months is how much easier it is to see things when there is light rather than darkness. I can find my way around slowly in the darkness or I can use manufactured light, but it isn't the same. These days I'm doing a lot of asking to be led. I want to go where God wants me to go and not just where I or someone else thinks I should go. The amazing thing is that when I stop to ask there is light to lead me. It isn't something that I make happen or that comes from someone else. It is as if the sun comes up and points the way to where God is leading.
The thing is that you can't package it to sell it. You can't make it happen by strength of will. It really is a gift, a gift given freely to allow one to see even the dwelling place of God.

Psalm 42

"As a deer longs for flowing streams,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God,for the living God.
When shall I come and behold the face of God?"
Psalm 42:1-2

The other day when I went out hiking I thought I was prepared. I took two bottles of water, one for on the way out and one for on the way back. It was just that I hadn't really thought about the extra work that hiking up and down the trails was going to take and the toll that the heat would add to my day. So by the time I was 4 miles through the 6 mile hike I was thirsty. I forced myself to leave some of the water in the bottle and only drink a little bit at at time. Below me about 200 feet the river ran clear and fast. I wanted water and what I had with me wasn't enough to slack my thirst.
This is the way I sometimes feel about God. What I have is enough, I won't die without more, but I want more. I want to be submersed in God's presence. I want to find myself surrounded and overcome by God's love and mercy. I want the living God to stand before me that I might fall on my knees and finally say with all honest, "You are enough, O Lord!"

Psalm 40

"I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the desolate pit,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust int he Lord."
Psalm 40:1-3

One of the things that has been made very clear to me in my attempts to get better pictures is that where you stand is of utmost importance!
Even if you can see where you need to stand to take "the picture" if you can't get good footing under you it won't be possible. When you stand on ground that isn't solid or rocks that are wet you and your camera are most likely going down and getting wet, skinning knees, breaking something, or any of a number of other things none of which are going to be good.
I'm finding right now that I'm standing on solid ground. My feet are secure under me and allowing me to ask some questions without having to worry about falling off my faith. It isn't that the place I'm standing is completely 'safe' but it is secure and that is all I need for now. It is giving me a chance to see the world through God's eyes and not just settling for what everyone else sees. I don't want to just play it safe but I do pray that I will always be standing upon Christ who is my solid rock.

Psalm 32

"Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you;
out of a time of distress, the rush of might waters shall not reach them."
Psalm 32:6

If there is anyone actually following along here you might be noticing a common theme in both the psalms and the pictures: water. I really hadn't paid much attention to it until the past several weeks as I have been going through the psalms one by one and have begun to notice all the water references. But it makes sense doesn't it? In a land such as the middle east where there is more dry space then there is lush watered ground water takes on a new importance. So the use of water imagery gets people's attention.
I'm finding that visually it is the same here for me. I'm being drawn to the places of rushing water and flowing streams. The deep blue serenity of Crater Lake and the majesty and power of rivers such as the Rogue River seem to say; "Come and sit here, look and ponder at the majesty of God". In the midst of this I find myself praying. I'm not praying to be delivered from times of distress but that I might simply be faithful.

Psalm 29

"The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the Lord, over mighty waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is full of majesty."
Psalm 29:3-4

Yesterday I hiked back along the Rogue River to it's headwaters, the place the river actually begins. The guide book says that it is an easy trail and it probably is for folks who are not used to the midwest flatlands. But other than the two groups I met who were hiking out I had the whole trail to myself. When I got near the trails end there was this beautiful waterfall. It was loud and filled the silence with the sound of rushing water. But after taking pictures there for about 30 minutes I realized that I wasn't hearing the water anymore. I had actually blocked it out and it now seemed as silent as it had on the trail miles from anyone or anything.
It made me wonder how often I block out the thunder of God's voice and just go about my days as if God wasn't even there. I know that I hear God best when God speaks in that "still small voice" of Elijah (I Kings 19:12) but what if I let God's voice be the one I heard over all the other noises in my life? Could it be that God is speaking all around us and we have just decided to allow the sound of God's voice to become white noise that we no longer hear?

Psalm 28

Hear the voice of my supplication,
as I cry to you for help,
as I lift up my hands
toward your most holy sanctuary.
Psalm 28:2

Prayer seems to take on many shapes and forms for us all. There are times that I can't shut out the busyness of the things around me to pray, it seems like there just to many distractions. Other times it is too quiet and my mind gets lazy and looses focus on what I'm trying to pray.
Then there are times when God seems to step into the moment and everything else just dissapears. In these times it is like I'm sitting down with Jesus and just having a very personal conversation.
I wish it happened more often.
Maybe I just need to practice more.

Psalm 26

"O Lord, I love the house in which you dwell,
and the place where your glory abides."Psalm 26:8

It has been a privilage to be able to be in places where the presence of Jesus has been so close I could almost taste it over the last several months. From the quiet peace of the retreat center in England to churches like Salsbury and Koln, to the small simple church gathered in Babb, MT each of them special in there own ways.
That is probably why it was so distressing for me to go to church this past Sunday and to find the church empty of God's glory. It wasn't that it was a small gathering (it was very small) but that in the worship time there was no celebration of Christ. There was no proclamation of hope outside of singing Amazing Grace (all the verses in the UM Hymnal I might add) there was nothing that drew my eyes or heart to toward the Holy of Holies.
In my dissapointment and frustration I realized once again how blessed I am to be able to worship regularly in a place and with people who know the glory of the Lord.

Psalm 23

"he leads me beside waters of rest,
he restores my life"
Psalm 23:2b-3a (alternate reading)


My life in many ways over the past ten years has been this first picture. Life hurdling at me as fast as I could stand it. Not that it was bad, in fact most of the time I quiet enjoyed the fast pace.

Everyone once in awhile though I would feel the need to slow down and so would do some things that would help me at least look calm on the outside even though life continued to flow fast and hard and while rewarding / renewing not really peaceful.

It is time now to allow the deep stillness of God's comfort to surround me. It isn't something that will come easy or necessarily be "fun" but I know that it is time and that my life waits to be renewed.

Psalm 19

"The heavens are telling the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaim his handiwork."
Psalm 19:1

One of the privileges of these past six weeks for me has been the opportunity to stop and pay attention to the world around me. Doing photography rather than just taking pictures has forced me to look at the world around me with an eye for detail. Detail in the colors in the sky and the texture of everything from flowers to rocks have now become important in new ways. That detail has brought me an even deeper appreciation for God's work in creation. The work that God is doing is not done however. What amazes me is that each day the details are different. The mountain or rock might have been here for millions of years but yesterday and today they do not look the same. The clouds change the way the light shines on things, the vantage point from which I see things changes, and all of it makes it new again when I allow myself to see with God's eyes the beauty of creation. The key will be to see the world that way when I'm back in Indiana and not in the midst of the mountains that I have been in lately.

Psalm 17

"My steps have held to your path;
my feet have not slipped"
Psalm 17:5

My feet are not made like a Big Horn Sheep's. I cannot climb the mountains in the way that these animals do so effortlessly. When I climb the rocky paths my feet have a tendency to slip and slide on the loose rock and steep paths. While trying to get in the best place for a picture I have more than once come close to going where I did not want to go.
When I lift up these words of the psalmist it is with the hope that one day I can say it about the present state of my life. I know it will never be in relation to the past for I have gotten off the path a few to many times already in my life. The reality seems to be that determining which path God is leading one to be on makes a world of difference in how close one is to being able to walk upon it.
Knowing that I am not a Big Horn Sheep and that God did not intend me to takes its path allows me to be open to the path that God might set me upon for today and tomorrow. I think that path has a lot of similarities with the paths that others have followed over the centuries in following God, but the path is also going to be different in some ways. Now if I could only see clearly the path that God places in front of me for the coming days it would be so much easier.

Psalm 15

"Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy hill?
He whose walk is blameless
and who does what is righteous,
who speaks from the heart ..."
Psalm 15:1-2

There seem to be some people who are just able to move in the world with a sense of peace and contentment. They are never overly frazzled by the ups and downs of life and find both the easy grass and the rocky places to be 'home' for them.
It is a place that I long to be and realize I have a long way to get there. Is it that my walk isn't blameless? Or that I am not yet truly speaking from my heart? Or is it that I just like the easy places to much and don't want to do the hard work of climbing into the places that God is leading?
On the photo tour Mark told us, "Climb up higher. Go over the top to see what is beyond." That climb in life both physically and metaphorically is not easy. But why live with just what everyone else sees and does? Why not make the climb to live in in the high places and know the God of all creation? I have a feeling that it will be worth the journey.

Psalm 13

"But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord,
for he has been good to me.
Psalm 13:5-6

Saying that I trust in God's unfailing love is one thing, actually doing it is not always easy. After all trust is something that is earned over time and while I would like to say that God has proven trustworthy in all things my vision isn't that clear. I don't have the luxury of seeing my life from God's perspective, only my own. There have been plenty of times when I have stopped and asked where God is in my life and come up empty. It doesn't mean that God wasn't there it just means that I couldn't see it.
I'm really working on trusting God. I wish it was easier at times but I guess that is why it is still called faith.

Psalm 11

The Lord is in his Holy temple;
The Lord is on his heavenly throne.
He observes the sons of men:
his eyes examine them.
Psalm 11:4

Some days it is just good to rember that God is still there. Today is one of those days. When word of accidents and death are received it is tough to remember at times that the world is still under God's hand. But nothing has changed. God is still God and we still do not understand God's ways. So today is a day to remember that God is still there and there is really here. No we do not understand and probably never will. But God is God and we are not.
So come Lord into the midst of this day. Do not remain far off but come and bring your comfort to those who mourn.

Psalm 8

"Oh Lord, Our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" Psalm 8:1

One of the reasons I'm drawn to the mountains is that the setting puts me in my place. There is something for me about the grandeur and sheer size of the mountains that reminds me how small and temporary I am in this world. The mountains draw my eyes and mind upward away from the temporary and invite me to consider the eternal. They speak into my soul of God's time and how it is so different than my time. Yet in the midst of the grandeur I find that God speaks in God's own still small voice and says, "Look at those mountains and consider how I have made them. Now look at yourself and know that I have made you too."
Maybe that is why I come to the mountains.

Psalm 5

"In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." Psalm 5:3

There have been several mornings lately that have been filled with quiet. A quiet that just begs to be listened into. As I have been listening there haven't been voices coming from heaven or words written on the sky but what I'm finding once more is that the listening is reward enough.

Psalm 3

Psalm 3:3
"But you, O Lord, are a shield around me,
my glory, and the one who lifts up my head."

God's shield and protection surround us when we ask and when we stop to realize it. There are many times I either take it for granted, ignore it, or even step outside of it. But whenever I lift up my head to look for God I know that it is there.
Even in the lowest places may God's glory be seen among us.

Aug 5

In Native American stories Crater Lake is a place of great reverence. Even with the interaction between the Native Americans and the European explorers and settlers they would not talk about this place. It was an area where they came only rarely and primarily when they were on a Vision Quest. When it was "discovered" by the European Americans the response was also one of great reverence and awe.
I'm not completely sure why it is that I'm drawn to this place besides its beauty. I know that there is something about it that calms my soul and encourages my spirit. Maybe it is the desire to know the possibilities of Joel's words that "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.Your sons and daughters will prophesy,your old men will dream dreams,your young men will see visions."
It's not visions that I seek. I realize I'm to old for visions now but dreams are still a desire for me. Dreams not of what was but of what can be. So that is what I'm here for and praying that I will be open to receive what ever it is that God might bring.

Surprise Sighting

Last night on the way back from Crater Lake NP we came upon this nest among the grazing lands. We think they are probably young Osprey that had not quite left their nest yet.
Unfortantly the mesquitoes were bigger than the birds were and I didn't stay around to long to see if I could get better pictures.

Aug 4

Yesterday was our first day into Crater Lake NP. The morning started out with Kathy interviewing for teaching jobs that would move her from part-time to full-time lunch on our one burner stove and then into the park.
Crater Lake is as magnificent as I remember it being. The beauty of the lake and the starkness of the mountain around it is awe inspiring. the weather was great as we got there and then the wind changed and the haze from a near by forest fire and the gathering clouds made it almost unseeable. We were hoping for a sunset and moonrise opportunity for pictures but the clouds and haze just weren't going to lift so we will try again today.

Aug 3

Church Update
We showed up early for church in Chiloquin yesterday.
The doors were locked which in a small town I understand.
Then we waited and waited and waited. Finally another truck pulled up and a couple got out and checked the door. We got out after a few minutes and they too were waiting.
Well to cut the story short at 11:12 we decided that maybe we would try again next week.
Who cancels church without at least putting up a notice?
So anyway Kathy and I had our own church service and gave God great praise for all that has been made by God's great hands and the ways in which we have been able to share in God's glory.

Aug 2

We are getting settled into the cabin and waiting for church to start. The cabin is one step below rustic and one above primitive.
It will be ok and Ill do what I can to make it work.
For now I'm ready for church to begin and join in worship.