Smokey Mountains - “A New Heart, A New Spirit”

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols.  I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you, I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.  And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

Ezekiel 36:25-27
 

Artist Crystal Michelle Fallin Artwork

 

Crystal’s artwork “Tulips in Blue Vases.”  The composition consist of 8 sections of flowers, vases, and cabins.  It has an modern abstract feel with the shapes, lines and dimensions of the different objects against the wall and background.  Crystal was in the third grade age 8 in 1993 when she did this artwork  She was gifted at an early age in drawing and selecting primary, secondary and complementary colors.

Matanzas Beachfront

 Walking the beachfront a new day has begun.

Blue Ridge Mountains - “A Voice Calling in the Wilderness”

 

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."  This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

"A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
'Prepare the way for the Lord,
Make straight paths for him.'"

John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist.  His food was locusts an wild honey.

Matthew 3:1-4

A voice of one calling:

"In the wilderness prepare

the way for the Lord;

make straight in the desert

a highway for our God.

Every valley shall be raised up,

every mountain and hill made low;

the rough ground shall become level,

the rugged places a plain,

And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,

and all people will see it together.

For the mouth of the Lord has spoken."

Isaiah 40:3-5

Dance of Sorrow and Joy

Beloved Daughter

Crystal Michelle Fallin

June 19, 1984 - Newman, Georgia

August 18, 2019 - The Valley, Anguilla 

In Loving Memory 

 

Rocky Mountains- “Delivered from the Mouth of the Lion”

 

At my first defense, no one stood with me, but everyone deserted me.  May it not be charged against them.  But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it.  So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion.  And the Lord will rescue me from every evil action and bring me safety into his heavenly kingdom.  To Him be the glory forever and ever.  Amen

2 Timothy 4:16-18 Berean Study Bible

Cape Coral - Rising of the Sun

 

I am the Lord, and there is no other;
besides me there is no god.
I arm you, though you do not know me,
so that they may know, from the rising of the sun
and from the west, there is no one besides me;
I am the Lord, and there is no other.
I form light and create darkness,
I make weal and create woe;
I the Lord do all these things.

Isaiah 45:5-7 NRSV

Milford Sound - Treasures of Darkness

 

I will go before you and level the mountains,
I will break in pieces the doors of bronze
and cut through the bars of iron,
I will give you the treasures of darkness 
and riches hidden in secret places, 
so that you may know that it is I, the Lord, 
the God of Israel, who call you by your name.

Isaiah 45:2-3 NRSV

Opunake Surf, New Zealand - “The Sea Divided”

 You divided the sea before them,
So they passed through the midst of the sea on dry ground;
And their pursuers You hurled into the depths,
Like a stone into raging waters.

And with a pillar of cloud you led them by day.

And with a pillar of fire by  night 

To light for them the way

In which they were to go.

Nehemiah 9:11-12 NAS

Rocky Mountains - “For By Him All Things were Created”

The Preeminence of Christ

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him.  And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  And he is the head of the body, the church.  He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.  For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Colossians 1:15-20 ESV

Moultrie Creek - Clouds and Stormy Wind

 

He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth.  He generates the lightning with the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses.

Psalm 136:7 

For He commands and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up the waves of the sea.

Psalm 107:25

Moultrie Creek - “The Wind Blows were It Wishes”

 

"The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell were it comes from and where it goes.  So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

John 3:8 NKJ

Grand Tetons - “Before the Mountains were Born”

 

Before the mountains were born, You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.

Psalm 90:2

Appalachian Mountains - "Time is in His Hands Beginning and the End"

 

How Great Is Our God 

(Excerpt)

The splendor of a King, 

Clothed in majesty
Let all the Earth rejoice
All the Earth rejoice

He wraps himself in light

And darkness tries to hide

And trembles at His voice

Trembles at His voice

How great is our God, sing with me

How great is our God, and all will see

How great, how great is our God

Age to age He stands

And time is in His hands

Beginning and the end

The Godhead Three in One

Father Spirit Son

The Lion and the Lamb

The Lion and the Lamb

How great is our God, sing with me

How great is our God, and all will see

How great, how great is our God

Lyrics By Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Jesse Reeves

Scripture Reference:

Psalm 104:1

Bless the LORD, O my soul!  O LORD my God.  You are very great; Your are clothed with splendor and majesty.

1 Chronicles 16:31

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; And let them say among nations, The Lord reigns.

Psalm 104:2

Covering Yourself with light as with a cloak, stretching out heaven like a tent curtain.

Joel 3:16

The Lord roars from Zion and utter His voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth tremble.  But the Lord is a refuge for His people and a stronghold to the sons of Israel.

Denali National Park - “I Lift My Eyes Up to the Mountains”

 

I lift up my eyes to the mountains--where does my help come from?  My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth.  

Psalm 121:1-2 NIV

Pellicer Creek - "To See the World in a Grain of Sand"

 

"To see the World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour."

By William Blake, Auguries of Innocence

Psalm 115:3-4

Our God is in heaven;  he does whatever pleases him.
But their idols are silver and gold,
made by human hands.

St. Augustine - Before a Breakthrough

 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men.  March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days.  Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets.  When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.”

Joshua 6:2-5 NIV

At the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, "Shout!  For the Lord has given you the city."

Joshua 6:16 NRSV

Ft. Matanzas Beach - “In the Garden Alone...the Dew is Still on the Roses”

In The Garden

 "I come to the garden alone⁠

while the dew is still on the roses,⁠

and the voice I hear⁠

falling on my ear,⁠

the Son of God discloses.⁠

And He walks with me⁠

and He talks with me.⁠

And He tells me I am His own;⁠

And the joy we share as we tarry there⁠

none other has⁠ ever known.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice⁠

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,⁠

And the melody that He gave to me⁠

Within my heart is ringing.” ⁠

Lyrics by C. Austin Miles

Grand Tetons - He Speaks to the Human Heart

 

Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.

John 18:37 NKJV

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

Romans 1:20

The lamp of the LORD searches the spirit of man; it searches his inmost being.

Proverbs 20:27

In the past, God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.

Hebrews 1:1-2

Jasper Park, Canada - Ten Thousand Years and Forevermore

 

And on that day when my strength is failing

The end draws near and my time has come

Still, my soul will sing Your praise unending

Then thousand years and then forevermore

Excerpt:  Ten Thousand Reasons by Matt Redman

Psalm 30:12 NASB95

That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O' Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.

Psalm 86:12 NASB95

I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart.
And will glorify Your name forever.

Psalm 145:21 NSAB95

My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
And all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever.

Fort Matanzas Beach - The Sun Comes Up, It's a New Day Dawning

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning

It's time to sing Your song again

Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me

Let me be singing when the evening comes.

Excerpt:  10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman

Psalm 34:1 NASB95

I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Lamentations 3:22 -23 NASB95
The Lord's loving kindness indeed never cease,
for HIs compassion never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.

Yellowstone River - “The Wolf will Live with the Lamb”

 

The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.

Isaiah 11:6 

Oxbow Bend - “Wipe every tear from their eyes"

 

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look!  God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them.  they will be his people and god himself will be with them and be their God.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"  Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

Revelation 21:3-5

He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourn

Moultrie Creek - What does Grief feel like?

 

What does Grief feel like?

Grief feels like you are moving through a bad dream you can’t wake up from. 

Grief is constantly asking “Why?” and knowing even if you had the answers they would never be good enough.

Grief is feeling lost in the places you have been before and being homesick for the past.

Grief feels like a deep ache that you can’t seem to pinpoint where it hurts…but the pain is there. 

Grief is feeling a part of you went away with them on the day they died. 

Grief is people saying lots of unhelpful things because they want you to feel better. Little do they know that when they say “They would want you to happy/strong” makes us feel that we are disappointing the ones we lost for feeling like we do. 

Grief is just going through the motions of your day in a steady haze.

Grief is the constant tug of war of holding on tightly to what was and letting go of what might have been. 

Grief is walking through a thick brain fog with your loss always on your mind but your daily tasks far from it. 

Grief is Googling if how you are feeling is normal and desperately looking for a timelines for when you might be better. Being rushed by others to move on makes this even harder to heal on your own time. 

Grief is having the overwhelming feeling of guilt for moving on without them or for things that were said or went unsaid. 

Grief is comparing yourself to how others are grieving and wondering if you are doing it right.

Grief is losing that feeling of “being home”. 

Grief is the feeling of being alone when you are with a group of people. 

Grief shakes you to your core, spins you around and drops you off in the middle of wreckage exposing your vulnerability. 

Grief is judging yourself for not being further than you are in your healing. Talk to yourself like you are consoling your best friend if they were going through the same thing. 

Grief can make you feel anger and question your faith. 

Grief can feel different from day to day even hour by hour. There are emotional ups and downs, drop offs, exhausting climbs and switch backs. 

Grief is the tossing and turning of sleepless nights and just wanting some respite from your own thoughts.

Grief cant be outrun. It catches up with you. Feeling it (even the sharpest edges) is the only way through. 

Grief can sometimes feel like looking at the world through a dark filter with the colors you used to love muted in comparison.

Grief is whispering “I miss you” and looking everywhere for a sign from them.  

Grief is worrying that you will never feel normal and comfortable in your own life again.

Grief feels like just wanting a hug or a simple “I’m here for you” instead of people trying to rationalize your loss or try to fix how you are feeling. 

Grief is the rude awakening that when your whole world world has stopped, the rest of the world keeps moving unscathed. 

Grief feels like choosing to be alone because small talk is exhausting and being with people who can’t relate feels even more isolating. 

Grief feels like suffocating on the reality that there will be no new memories so you hold on so tightly to the past. 

Grief feels like backing out of plans because you aren’t sure how you will feel on that particular day.

Grief feels like fear. We have seen that life is fragile and that can bring out anxiety and panic attacks. 

Grief is waking up in the morning and losing them all over again.

Grief is going about your everyday tasks and being hit with a wave of sadness and disbelief at the realization that they are gone. 

Grief feels like being deep in dispair and for some time, it may feel like you don’t have a place in this world. 

Grief feels like being back to the first day you lost them after hearing a particular song or driving past a place you enjoyed together.

Grief is feeling a little jealous of seeing others with their loved ones and envious of seeing people in their mundane lives. 

Grief feels like dreading holidays and special events instead of how you used to look forward to them.

Grief is trying to pretend you are ok on the outside while feeling torn apart on the inside. 

Grief is wanting others to mention their loved one and wishing people knew that it helps to hear their name and stories about them. They are never far from our minds anyways.

Grief is learning that these feelings are ever changing and it will be with us in some degree for the rest of our lives. 

Grief is a measure of how much love you gave them while they were here so the pain is of losing them fills that empty space. In time, we learn how to live with that heaviness. 

The heartache begins to soften. 

Tears and smiles can coexist. 

Grief is learning how to keep them close to us in other ways. The best memories can never die. And because of that, we will carry it with us until we see them again

Written by Kristie Reitz

The After Glow

Crystal Michelle Fallin June 19, 1984 - August 18, 2019

Pikes Peak - The Path of Life

 

I keep my eyes always on the Lord.  With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me  to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.  You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 16:18-11 NIV

Crystal Creek Reservoir

 

Jesus asked, "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"  The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."  Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

Luke 10:36-37 NIV

Thought for the Day:  Everyone I meet is my neighbor.