Sensory Overload

I had made some stir fry and baked rice and raisin custard the night before. I dished out a scoop of the leftover custard and warmed it in the microwave. Taking my hot cereal outside, all my senses seemed to be in overdrive. Having lived in Texas for 20 years, I rarely get the opportunity of having a cold nose in tandem with the steam rising from a hot cereal laden with sugar and cinnamon. As I walked the perimeter of the cabin I could see and hear the last quake of hundreds of aspen leaves raining to the ground. Then I finished my tasty breakfast just in time to visit with the deer and fox that came to see if there was any critter crunch to munch for their breakfast. The wonderful assault on my senses through the colors, smells, sounds and tastes that morning on the mountain will always be a treasured memory to revisit in my waking and sleeping dreams. The Father reveals his love for us through such incredible, spectacular simplicity. I have delighted in the depth of His love given to me in the autumn forest morning.

~~~~~~~~

Arise and shine, for the light has come.
The glory of the Lord has risen upon thee!

Buckled Knees

These three photographs were taken in the Kebler Pass area west of Crested Butte. Most of the views in the area literally bucked my knees. I got out of the car and did my usual walk to position for light, content, elevation, or point of interest. But the walking (and breathing) were difficult as I just stood and absorbed the staggering beauty of the landscape. The immense expansions of beauty reminded me of how wide, long, high, and deep is our Father's love. I found myself repeating "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus" in a reverent chant and plea just to keep me empowered to be able to steady my hands to hold the camera still and push a button!


This area is primarily 'sold' as the premier wildflower area in Colorado. I would like to go see it in the late spring. I have been told that the traffic is exceedingly heavy, and primarily photographers. But we were usually on the roads with less than half a dozen others at most off-freeway places on our travels. Kids were back in school, and the main portion of others seemed to be the fishermen out in the rowdy rivers surrounding by the luscious colors of waning autumn.

~~~~~~~

...I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge~~that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immmeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Eph. 3:14-21

Fulfilled Promises

Before my trip to Colorado I believed the Holy Spirit gave me two visions that would become manifested on my trip. One was seeing snow on beautiful aspen foliage. The other was getting to see 'Little' deer while I was there. Those promises, as you can see, were fulfilled. I have amazing things to show you in coming posts.

I have always scheduled my fall trip in the latter third of September. This trip starting in the second week of October meant that I would be in the waning stages of peak color. It is possible that weather and snow conditions would have already made it necessary to close several passes. In fact, the weather forecast for the past week was not promising for good sunny days. But it seemed that the Lord lead the way on our road travels with marvelous timing of grace to capture snow and sun, travel all open passes, and seek out those wonderful uncharted invitations to go down unknown roads safely. My friend would disagree that the 'goat' trail we found ourselves on north of Gothic was any kind of safe fun.

As for the wonderful deer photographed above, I had not had the pleasure to see her again for the last couple of years. But upon my arrival this year, it didn't take her long to make an appearance. She came to see me often and would cock her lovely ears as I chatted with her, like she was wonderfully absorbing and agreeing with my expressions of love to her.

I first made her acquaintance on the last morning of my January 2000 trip. I had gotten up early to read the Bible before heading for the airport. Just as I was reading Luke 12:32, I looked up to see her staring at me through the picture window of the cabin on Evergreen Mountain. Because of the verse, we named her 'Little Flock.'
~~~~~~~~~

Do not fear, little flock,
for it is your Father's good pleasure
to give you the kingdom.
Luke 12:32

Renewed Youth

I go through a sweet regime to get ready for my annual autumn trip to the Rockies. I prayerfully prepare and speak my desires to God. I have expectancy of seeing marvelous things. I anticipate my nose getting cold outside the covers, and my hindquarters getting warmed by the morning fire. I can smell the fragrant forest and hear the quaking of the leaves even in my dreams. I imagine the joy of seeing familiar animal faces on Evergreen Mountain, and the outrageous thrill of making the acquaintance of some new creatures. Even getting ready to go there makes me young in my spirit.

I was having a conversation with one of my sons-in-law last night about my upcoming trip to Colorado. He said that he misses the mountains, but it is because if he has the choice of mountains or seaside, he will choose the ocean. There is something about the hunt in the mountains, the "what's around the next corner", that lets the child in me celebrate. I have been known to jump up and down and squeal with abandon several times a day at the display of God's visual gifts to me during my visits. He reveals his glory and I am appropriately impressed.

I once advised a friend, "Look for things for which to thank God. Then do it. Praise Him and thank Him abundantly! That simple task will greatly improve your attitude and your life." I am reminding myself to go full of praise, ready to dance in freedom and fly like an eagle.

(The bird in the photo is actually an osprey, not an eagle, but the sentiment the same.)
~~~~~~~~~

Praise the LORD...who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
~Psalm 103:1,5~

Singing Hills

Can't you almost hear the hills singing and the trees clapping their hands???

I am headed to Colorado in a few days...I thought I would send out a preview from last fall to get you ready for what is to come.
~~~~~~~~~

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
Isaiah 55:12