All things were made through him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made.
John 1:3
A friend of mine told me the other day that she enjoyed the pictures on my blog. Funny thing is that is the part for which I can take the least credit. Besides picking them out and pushing a few buttons, I have very little to do with them. I’m not the photographer of the family. Nevertheless, today, I would like to share more than my usual. This is not because I have run out of things to say. It’s more, “a picture is worth a thousand words.”
These are mountains in Alaska. That is a “river” of snow and ice, frozen in time . How God creates serenity, harshness, and beauty in one quiet range is amazing. We went for miles and miles without seeing a person, a house, a light. There was just this. We stood on the boat pretty much speechless.
I love Arkansas. I am a Texan, but I sure wish I had kin folks somewhere around Hot Springs. While I’m wishing, can I have kin folks with an unoccupied furnished apartment that begs us to come and stay often….and please use their hot tub?
Pictured above is a wooded area there. When I walk through woods, God reminds me that these trees, birds, leaves, ground cover, wildflowers, and bugs are here every day. This is not an amusement park that opens for the public at 8:00 AM. The trees are not rolled away and repainted every season. God creates and manages this wonderland 24/7. Most of the wonders are never seen by human eyes, but God loves creation so much that He will enjoy it by Himself. That’s why when we walk into the woods, stand on a mountaintop, or stop and gaze at a bird, it seems like we walk in His presence.
No filters, just raw beauty. We had driven higher and higher into the Rocky Mountains and saw signs for a fish camp. I imagined a little pond or stream that somehow puddled among the peaks. We pulled in to the large parking lot and was completely surprised when we walked to the edge and this was our view. It was really that blue, even up close. It was like God had poured out blue ink in the middle of rocky cliffs. Evidently, the fishing was good too.
Another point about creation: Every angle is a different inspiration. Same lake, but it warranted another “ahhhhh”. There were several more before the day was over.
It looks like the best crayon box ever. The colors are vibrant. The textures, the shapes, the smells all unique. Have you ever seen an ugly flower? I haven’t. God designed them all. They grow in places seen and unseen. They grow on the sides of trees, in fertile soil, and in rocky paths. Some of the most beautiful bloom on the end of cactus stems. Google it. You won’t be sorry. They grow where God decides color is needed or the air needs freshening. You probably have at least one in your yard right now. Stop and enjoy the masterpiece.
Ask my family and they will lie and tell you that I must stop the car and we all have to get out so that I can take a picture of every stream that we pass. They will also shake their head and claim that we will have to take our shoes off and wade in, if at all possible. Oh, how they exaggerate. It’s not true. Actually, I only take pictures and wade into streams that are running over rocks. If there are no rocks, I’m totally satisfied with just a picture.
Here’s a few more.
I love the sound that running water makes. God put the perfect sound effects to nature as well. Whether the rushing roar or the happy trickle, it’s all music to our ears.
Then there is the entertaining parts of creation. God has truly shown his creativity with animals, insects, and fish. We are still discovering new species under the sea. Last week I saw the first cat/fox species. It was a domestic looking cat with a large fox tail. Gorgeous. Yay God! Look at the faces of the camel and the alpaca and tell me you aren’t smiling? If these pics don’t do it for you, then type “alpaca images” into your favorite browser and have a laugh.
This little guy among the rocks made his home near the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem. Life still reigns!
(sorry about the poop – that’s life.)
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.”
Psalm 19:1
We really can’t appreciate all of God’s handiwork without looking up.
My mother is a very talented artist. I have seen her paint striking sunsets and sunrises for years. But seriously, these colors don’t come in tubes. This picture was taken from a moving car, flying down a Louisiana highway. Can you imagine the magnificence if I could have pulled over and waded in? Ahem, family.
God did all this. He does all this. Everyday. You will not wake up tomorrow and fear that God has forgotten to rotate the earth on its axis. The sun will rise in the east and set in the west and He will do it without ever repeating a design. Tadpoles and lion cubs will continue to be born, even if He is the only One to see them. Alpine flowers will poke through the snow to the glory of Him who gave them strength. He created it all and all will continue until He says “enough”. Take time to enjoy it today and thank Him.
Ah, Lord God! It is You who have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm!
Nothing is too hard for You.
Jeremiah 32:17
