Pilgrimage

I was searching through older pictures and found this one taken near Jackson, Wyoming. After discovering Wilson Road, we would drive it early in the evening to get views of wildlife. The abundance of deer, elk, moose, and bear we saw on that trip was amazing. We know each creature was put in our path by the Maker of heaven and earth. We praise him and thank him often for the beautiful places we have been able to experience through our travels.

Sometimes my husband and I will look at each other, when trying to decide what to do for a fun evening, and laughingly suggest that we drive over to Wilson Road. Of course, it would take days to drive there from where we live, but we delight in the memories of those evening drives when the animals were all out covering the hillsides looking for their dinner.

One of those nights, coming to the end of the drive, we caught a glimpse of this glorious pink peak in the distance. It seemed to almost be detached and untouchable, yet awesome and comforting; like it was watching over the whole drama of the unfolding scenes below it. The grandeur of the peak drenched in ethereal light made my heart yearn for my home in heaven.

We know that the holy mountain is the end destination of our pilgrimage on Earth. We are spiritually on our walk to Zion, just as the Jews also kept their eyes on the mountains when they marched out of captivity back to Jerusalem. They lifted their eyes to the heavens, knowing where their help came from.

Are you focused on that holy mountain? We are pilgrims and strangers marching our way through this strange land to the holy city God has prepared for us. We need a lot of help along the way home. God is always there to give us counsel and direction for our path. We get the directions messed up, or refuse to use the Map because we stubbornly hold onto our own itinerary. We get into some treacherous places. But acknowledging Him in all ways will show us a way out and right direction for the journey home.

May he send you help from the sanctuary
and grant you support from Zion. Ps. 20:2

Missy

Sometimes I will be sitting at the computer late in the afternoon with one eye on the horizon, watching for the makings of a beautiful sunset. My husband, at the other end of the house, will hear my rushed goodbbye as I tear out of the house with my camera. I will usually scream with delight something like: "It's gonna be a good one!" or "Gotta hurry, it's turning into a winner!"

I found, after a few breathless sprints around corners, that it was more prudent and fruitful to just jump into the car and do the route through the neighborhood to get to an open space by the creek. After taking these pictures I looked over my shoulder to make a mental note of the street name. I had to laugh...the street sign, with lovely clouds behind it looking toward the east, announced "Missy Lane."
I could imagine how much my blog friend would have enjoyed standing there on her namesake street watching a Texas sunset! She yearns for her previous earthly home.

I get similar tugs at my heartstrings when I receive pictures of the wildlife outside of my friends' home in Colorado. I just want so badly to be instantly transported to go to my 'other' home. I miss the smells, the birds, the wildlife, the mountains, and my buddies. It is a sanctuary for me.

In my Bible study last night Beth Moore made the point that we are really only here on the Earth for such a short time. In her video she remarked that this life is just a breath...the suffering here is short and the only amount we will have. She encouraged us to run the race. Our heavenly dwelling place awaits. Talk about a sanctuary!

I believe those yearnings to be other places on our planet is just a shadow of the true yearning our souls have to go be with our Father in his courts. We have experienced snippets of intimacy and beauty with the Lord through friends and creation at these places on our journey. They have made a deposit in our hearts. We cannot help but hunger for more! It is God himself that he has made us to crave:

One thing I ask of the Lord,
this is what I seek;
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple. Ps. 27:4

...let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.
Remember the wonders he has done...Ps. 105:3-5

Dwelling Place

I've had the pleasure of being able to hang out with the BUTTERFLIES IN THE GARDEN in Ft. Worth last week. I stayed in the tropical setting for an hour, walking the paths through tropical plants laden with fruit and flowers. The smells, colors, and delight in chasing the butterflies filled up my senses with delight. It made me wonder how exquisite will be the courts of the Lord!

How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord Almighty!
My soul yearns, even faints
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.
Psalm 84:1-2

Morning Watchmen

I approached these feathered morning watchmen perched high in search of breakfast. They didn't seem to be threatened by me, so I was able to get close enough to get a photograph. I had fun processing them in negative format, as if they were night watchers, also.

I wait for the Lord; I wait, and put my hope in His word.
I wait for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning.
Ps. 130:5-6

Eagles' Wings

I have been busy taking pictures, preparing for and attending a retreat, and catching up on some continuing education requirements. I am finally back to post some of my pictures.

This is the same picture, but the second is in negative format, and with added text. I took it at the water's edge during lunch break at my class. I am always fascinated by large birds in flight. But when I checked this one out in negative, it became quite powerful as a white bird representing spiritual rescue. God chases us to bring us to Him. Isn't that a wonderful, deep-down comfort to know we are so loved by our creator?