O Ruler of all

Well, here it is, election day! Seems like it has been such a short time since the candidates proclaimed they would be running for the high office. Yeah, right. The fight to lead the nation has been at times funny (have you seen any SNL bits????), mean, distorted, and a few times actually inspiring. Can you tell by my cynicism that I am tired of it all?

No matter what kings and horses, armies or forces prevail or fall by the wayside, I know that God is still my great Father, my Wisdom, my true Word, Ruler of all!

I chose these photos to post because they are of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Translated, the name means Blood of Christ. This range is SO mysteriously beautiful, rising and disappearing into the clouds, not knowing where its begins or ends. As we came alongside them on our way home from Crested Butte, we didn't realize a little farther back from this point, that they were there. But it didn't make their beauty or might non-existent just because we couldn't make them out. Sounds a lot like our perception of God. The moment we realized they were at our side, we were overcome with their majesty.

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from
Be Thou My Vision, eighth century Irish hymn:

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son.
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always.
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art.

High King of heaven, MY victory won,
May I reach heaven's joys,
O bright heaven's Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
STILL BE MY VISION,
O RULER OF ALL.

Depths of Love

In all my autumn trips I had never seen these particular aspen trees turned yellow. I got to see their golden reflection on Evergreen Lake. As well, I never got to see the grove of aspen trees down the lane,that stands in front of the view of Mt. Evans in its full autumn dress. This year, with my trip a few weeks later than normal, I got to experience some familiar favorite places in some new delightful ways. In a way, I felt like God was showering me with new depths of love. I don't believe HIS love changes towards me...he is (as William Young says quite often in 'The Shack') always 'especially fond' of each one of us.

Our capacity to believe how wide and deep and personal his love is for us deepens as we mature. Sometimes we are so filled with love for a spouse, child, friend, or even stranger that we get a partial preview of the depths and heights of total communion with the Lord that will be ours in heaven.
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While looking through some great old hymns I found this verse that really spoke truth to me:

I Am Thine, O Lord
Fanny Jane Crosby

There are depths of love
that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy
that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee.

Lift up your voice...

Every autumn when I am in Colorado I listen for the bugling of the bull elk. It almost sounds like a high-pitched scream. I have been privileged to actually have seen bulls throw their heads back and let the call loose to beckon the cows.

These photos were taken from the car right inside of Estes Park. Lots of people had gotten out of their cars to get a closer look. I remember a woman with her small child on her shoulders, walking a dog only a few yards from a rutting bull. I was praying for her safety. The immense size and power of these fellows, not to mention raging hormones, is something to behold and respect.

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a verse from

All Creatures of Our God and King
Francis of Assisi
Translated by William Draper

All creatures of our God and King,
Lift up your voice and with us sing
Alleluia! Alleluia!

How Great Thou Art

How Great Thou Art
Carl Boberg
Translated by Stuart K. Hine

When through the woods
and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds
sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down
from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook
and feel the gentle breeze,

Then sings my soul,
My Savior, God to Thee;
How great Thou art!
How great Thou art!



Whenever I hear this great old hymn it inevitably brings me to tears. We sang it in church this morning, and this verse brought to mind several landscapes I have photographed lately. I remember the cool breezes making the aspen leaves quake. I remember the birds singing, and the babbling brooks, lakes and rivers at the base of the mighty peaks.

As a photographer, I am always looking for a focal point. A hillside of trees is beautiful, but if I see a single red one amongst the rest, or a yellow one flamed with orange tips, or a house on the hillside, it kicks up the content and elements of the picture to make it more interesting.

I love to get water and mountains in the same picture. It does make my soul sing!

Snowed and Dressed

As I prepared for my trip to Colorado I kept hearing God promise me that I would see snow and bright aspen leaves together. I saw the promise fulfilled many times over, and never got tired of the pairing.
~~~~~

You snowed on the peaks
and the aspens you dressed
in their bright golden gowns.
O, how I have been blessed!

You gave me a promise
and delivered no less...
the answer to all of your promises?
YES!