Estes Park Rocky Mountains - “Keep Looking Up”

 Come, my heart says, seek God’s face.  Lord, I do seek your face!

Psalm 27:8 CEB

Thought for the Day:  Today I will keep looking up for signs of God’s presence.

Matanzas River, Florida - Music in the Mundane

 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24 NRSV

Thought for the Day:  God can use the ordinary to reveal the extraordinary.

Vaill Point Park, Florida - Songs from the Heart

 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

Colossians 3:15 NIV

Thought for the Day:  I will sign boldly with a faithful heart as an offering to God.

Parc National Jacques Cartier, Canada - "Finding Direction"

 

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105 NRSV

Big Meadows, Green Mountain - "Wherever We Go"

 Green Mountain is now covered in burned trees from last year's forest fires.   The trail is covered in burnt debris.  I was fortunate enough to have walked the trail and took many pictures.  It will be many years, decades for the mountain and forest to recover and have new growth.

"The Lord is my light and my salvation -- whom shall, I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life -- of whom shall I be afraid?"

Psalm 27:1 NIV

Parc National Jacques Cartier, Quebec, Canada - “Faith the Substance of Things Hoped for”

 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.   By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible…

But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarded of those who diligently seek him.

Hebrews 11:1,8

Rocky Mountains, Colorado - We Fix our Gaze on Things that cannot be Seen

 While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen,.  For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

1 Corinthians 4:18

Fort Matanzas Beach - “He drew me out of deep Waters”

 He reached down from on high and took hold of me,
He drew me out of deep waters.

He rescued me from my powerful enemy,

From my foes, who were too strong for me.

They confronted me in the day of my disaster,

But the Lord was my support.

Psalm 18:16-18

Milford Sound, New Zealand - “Heaven of Heavens cannot contain you”

And now I pray, O God of Israel, let Your word come true, which You have spoken to Your servant David my father.  But will God indeed dwell on the earth?  Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain you.  How much less this temple which I have built!

Yet regard the prayer of Your servant and his duplication, O LORD my God, and listen to the cry and the prayer which Your servant is praying before You today:  

That Your eyes may be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, My name shall be there, that You may hear the prayer which Your servant makes toward this place.

1 Kings 8:26-29

 

Horse Shoe Park, Rocky Mountains - “Where does Wisdom come from?”

 Where does wisdom come from?  Where does understanding dwell?  It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds of the air.  Destruction and Death say, ‘Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.’  God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells, for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.  When he established the force of the wind and measured out the waters, when he made a decreed for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm, then he looked at wisdom and appraised it; he confirmed it and tested it.  And he said to man, The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.

Job 28:20-28

Matanzas River - “The Breath of all Mankind”

For the soul of every living thing is in the hand of God, and the breath of all mankind.

Job 12:10

Garden of the Gods, Colorado - “Darkness is as Light to you”

 

If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” 

even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

Psalm 139:11-12

Chief Joseph Scenic Highway - “Teach Me what I cannot see”

 

Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.’

Job 34:32

Beartooth Mountains Montana - “Bless the LORD, O my Soul’

Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.
Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:
Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind

Psalm 104:1-3

Chugach Mountains Alaska - “I Loved you at your darkness”

 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners

Romans 5:8

Creation Museum - “Since the Creation of the World”

 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 people are without excuse.

Romans 1:20

Creation Museum Swing Bridge - “Along the Right Paths”

He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

Psalm 23:3-4

 

Creation Museum Botanical Gardens - Still Waters

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters

Palms 23:2

“Little Niagara” Cumberland Falls, Kentucky - The Unseen is Eternal

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

Hebrews 12:2

Cumberland Falls - “The grass withers and the Flowers Fall”

 

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever

Isaiah 40.8

Moultrie Creek - “Called You Out of Darkness”

 

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”- 1 Peter 2:9 KJV 

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.”- 2 Corinthians 5:20 KJV

“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”- Matthew 4:19 KJV

The Heart of Man - Colorado River, Rocky Mountains

 then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive and act; deal with everyone according to all they do, since you know their hearts (for you alone know every human heart),

1 Kings 8:39 

Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia - Today and Forever

 God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:6

Rocky Mountain National Park - Toward the Light

 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

Peggy’s Cove, Canada - “For in him all things were created”

 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over  all creation. For in him all things were created:things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.  He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Colossians 1:16-17

Crescent Beach Easter Sunrise - “The Strength of my Heart”

Psalms 73:26 NIV

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Quebec, Canada - “You do not Know the Path of the Wind”

As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.

Ecclesiastes 11:5

Yellowstone National Park - “The Lord Looks at the Heart”

 

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

1 Samuel 16:7

Canadian Rocky Mountains - “You Saw me before I was Born”

You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

Psalm 139:16

Milford Sound, New Zealand - “My Chains are gone, I’ve been set free”

 

Amazing Grace

Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

My chains are gone, I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love
Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

My chains are gone, I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love
Amazing grace

My chains are gone, I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love
Amazing grace

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, who called me here below
Will be forever mine, will be forever mine
You are forever mine

Songwriters: Chris Tomlin / Louie Giglio

Denali National Park - Hannah’s Prayer

1 Then Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the LORD my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. 

2 “There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. 

3 “Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed. 

4 “The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength. 

5 Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry are hungry no more. She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away. 

6 “The LORD brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up. 

7 The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. 

8 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. “For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s; on them he has set the world. 

9 He will guard the feet of his faithful servants, but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness. “It is not by strength that one prevails; 

10 those who oppose the LORD will be broken. The Most High will thunder from heaven; the LORD will judge the ends of the earth. “He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.”

1 Samuel 2:1-10

 

Mt. Earnshaw, New Zealand - “The Word of the Lord Stands Forever”

 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.  For,

All men are like grass,
And all their glory is like the
Flowers of the field;
The grass withers and the
Flowers fall,
But the word of the Lord
Stands forever.”

And this is the word that was preached to you.

1 Peter 1:23-24

Old Falls River Road - “I Am What I Am”

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance that Christ died for our sins according to Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.  After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.  Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.  But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect.  No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but he grace of God that was with me.  Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we peach, and this is what you believe.

1 Corinthians 15:3-11
 

Estes Park - “All the Ends of the Earth will Remember”

 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations.

All the rich of the earth will feast and worship, all who go down to the dust will kneel before him—those.who cannot keep themselves alive.  Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the LORD.  They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn—for he has done it.

Psalm 22:27-31

Brasher Springs, Alabama - “Here I am”

 

Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. 

Isaiah 58:9

Matanzas River - “Return to me”

I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.”

Isaiah 44:22

Crescent Beach Easter Sunrise - “With His Wounds We are Healed”

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5
 

Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina - “Unending Love”

 

“My chains are gone, I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love
Amazing grace”

Lyrics by Chris Tomlin / Louie Giglio

Crescent Beach Easter Sunrise - He is Risen

 

By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.

1 Corinthians 6:14

Sunrise Lake Superior - "The Light of the World"

 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life."

John 8:12

Grand Tetons - The Rock Left Behind

 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.  Come and see the place where he lay.

Matthew 28:6

Green Pastures - Never Alone

 

Paul wrote, "I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present or the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 8:38-39

Pennisula State Park, Wisconsin - "Hosanna"

 

Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, "Hosanna!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!  Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!  Hosanna in the highest heaven!"

Mark 11:9-10

Sheep Farm, Wisconsin - “The Sheep from the Goats”

 

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

Matthew 25:30-36

Kenai Peninsula - “My Soul is Overwhelmed with Sorrow”

 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.

Matthew 26:38