Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs - “The Whole Creation Groans”

 We know that the whole creation has been groaningas in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.  Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.  For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

Romans 8:22-27

“Hear, O Heavens and Give Ear, O Earth”

 

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth;
    for the Lord has spoken:
“Children have I reared and brought up,
    but they have rebelled against me.
3 The ox knows its owner,
    and the donkey its master's crib,
but Israel does not know,
    my people do not understand.”

Isaiah 1:2-3 

“The Woods are Lovely, Dark, and Deep”

 

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep. 

~ Robert Frost

Rocky Mountains- “He Sits Above the Circle of the Earth”

 It is He who sits above the circle of the Earth,
And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers,
Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in,
He brings the princes to nothing;
He makes the judges of the earth, useless.

Isaiah 40:22

Atlantic - “Who has Measured the Waters?”

Who has measured the waters
In the hollow of his hand, 
Measured Heaven with a span,
And calculated the dust of the earth
In a measure?  Weighted the mountains
In scales and the hills in a balance?

Isaiah 40:12

Moultrie Creek - “Face of the Waters”

The earth was without form,

And void, and darkness was on

The face of the deep.  And the 

Spirit of God hovering over the face

Of the waters.

And God said, “Let there be light”;

And there was light.

Genesis 1:2-3

Port Austin, Michigan- “Finding the Light”

Though I have fallen, I will rise.

Though I sit in darkness,

The Lord will be my light.

Micah 7:8
 

Fort Matanzas Beach - “He Drew Me Out of Many Waters”

 He sent from above, He took me;
He drew me out of many waters.
He delivered me from my strong enemy,
From those who hate me,
For they were too strong for me.

Psalm 18:16-17

“The Snow Maiden” A Poem

Crystal Michelle Fallin 
Snow Maiden, St. Augustine Nutcracker Ballet 1997

 The Snow Maiden

The Snow Cascaded, Swirled and Blew
In the Magical Kingdom
Of the Land of Snow;

Amidst the Snow Flakes and Fairies,

The Snow Maiden Dances,

Twirling on Pointed Toes

From Moonbeam to Shadow;

Her Silhouette we followed 

From Forest to Meadow;

Snow and Ice are Her Friends,

The Coated White Earth is her Floor;

Center Stage from Heaven

The Stars Shine on Her,

Seeking no other;

She is the Snow Maiden

Graceful and Fair,

In her Fairy White Dress

With Star Light in her Hair;

Dancing in Bliss

With no Worries or Cares,

Delicate and Graceful

From Finger Tip to Toe,

She's Eloquent to Behold;

Her Eyes Sparkles like Crystals,

Amidst the Snow Fairies and Sprites,

She Waltzes in Solace

With Mystical Delight;

From Winter's Breath She Sprang

Twirling and Dancing in the Chilled Air

Through the Forest and the Fields

The Wind Whispers her name,

Brilliant and Translucent, Crystal

The Maiden of Heaven's White Veil.

Published 1997

by Peggy Fallin

“Glory to God in the Highest and On Earth Peace to Those Whom His Favors Rests”

Crystal Michell Fallin, Lead Angel

Nutcracker Ballet 1996

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:8-14

Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina - "The Eye has not Seen, nor Ear Heard"

But as it is written:

"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for
 those who love Him."

1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV

Rocky Mountains, Colorado - "To Him Who Overcomes"

 

To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne,

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Revelations 3:21-22  

Shadow Mountain, Grand Lake - "Here I Am! I Stand at the Door and Knock"

 

Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

Revelation 3:20 NIV

Bulow Creek, Flagler Beach - "In Wisdom You have Made Them All"

 O LORD, how manifold are Your works!

In wisdom You have made them all.

The earth is full of Your possessions--

This great and wide sea,

In which are innumerable teeming things,

Living things both small and great.

Psalm 104:24-25 NIV

Port Crescent State Park, Michigan - "Who Walks on the Wings of the Wind"

O LORD my God, You are very great:

You are clothed with honor and majesty,

Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment,

Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain.

 He lays the beams of His

upper chambers in the waters,

Who makes the clouds His chariot,

Who walks on the wings of the wind,

Who makes His angels spirits,

His ministers a flame of fire.

Psalm 104:1-4 NIV

Bulow Plantation ruins Historic State Park - "One Day is as a Thousand Years"

 But, beloved, do not forget

this one thing, that with the Lord

one day is as a thousand years,

and a thousand years as one day.

The Lord is not slack concerning

His promise, as some count 

slackness, but is longsuffering

toward us, not willing

that any should perish but that

all should come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:8-9 NIV

Cascade Falls, Rocky Mountains National Park - "Lord of Heaven and Earth"

 God who made the world and everything in it, 

since He is Lord of heaven and earth, 

does not dwell in temples made with hands.

Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, 

as though He needed anything, since 

He gives to all life, breath, and all things.

Acts 17:24-25 NIV

Creekview Trail, Princess Place Preserve - "You have made Summer and Winter"

 

You broke open the fountain and the flood; 

You dried up mighty rivers.

The day is Yours, the night also is Yours;

You have prepared the light and the sun,

You have set all the borders of the earth;

You have made summer and winter.

Psalm 74:15-17 NIV

Hominy Branch Trail, Princess Place Preserve - "In the Shadow of the Almighty"

 He who dwells 

in the shelter of the

Most High

will rest in the shadow

of the Almighty.

Psalm 91:1 

Pointe Aux Barque Lighthouse - "Nothing will Separated Us from the Love of Christ"

 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  As it is written:

"For your sake we face death all day long;

we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that 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 8:35-39 NIV

F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Pine Mountain Georgia - "Kindness is Everything"

 Jesus said, "I was hungry and you gave me food to eat.  I was thirsty and you gave me a drink.  I was a stranger and you welcomed me.  I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear.  I was sick and you took care of me.  I was in prison and you visited me."

Matthew 25:35-36 CEB

Providence Canyon State Park, Lumpkin Georgia - "Never Give Up'"

 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

James 1:2-3 NIV

Princess Place Preserve - Forgiveness: "Seventy-Seven Times"

 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me?  Up to seven times?"  Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."

Matthew 18:21 NIV

East Inlet Trail, Rocky Mountains - "Fixing our eyes on Jesus"

 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.  And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.  For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lost heart.

Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV

Shores Waterfront Park, Matanzas River - “No One will take Your Joy From You”

So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

John 16:22 (ESV)

Blood Mountain Wilderness - “Better is One Day in your Courts than a Thousand Elsewhere”

Better is one day in your courts
    than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
    than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
    the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
    from those whose walk is blameless.

Psalm 84:10-11

Amicalola Falls State Park - “Be Transformed by the Renewing of your Mind”

 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2