Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” As the temperatures begin to warm, green shoots rise through the ground. Gradually, one by one, each small flower opens up to the new light and warmth of spring. The opening buds of this trillium bring the promise of new life.
So it was for the followers of Jesus gathered in Jerusalem. They had seen Jesus die and then heard the miraculous news that he had risen from the dead. Jesus then spent 40 days with them, each one opening their hearts to the risen Lord. As they gathered around him for the last time before he ascended to be with his Father, Jesus instructed them to go back to Jerusalem and wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit that he had promised. After 10 days as the followers of Christ were gathered in one place, the Holy Spirit came with wind and fire as Jesus had promised. Jerusalem was full of devout Jews from all the known world to celebrate the festival of Pentecost. The followers of Jesus went into the crowd, each follower speaking the language of his or her listener. Some were amazed and opened their hearts to hear more. Others only laughed and rejected the story. Each day I must ask myself, will I be one open to the Holy Spirit seeking to learn more of Jesus or will I close my heart to his presence? Prayer Holy Spirit We open our hearts to you. Make us new and give us the courage and strength to share the gospel with all those around us in ways they can hear. Amen
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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. As I stood before these mountains I was filled with awe at their beauty and danger. Climbing these mountains requires special gear and training, something that I will never have to do.
As Jesus stood on the Mount of Olives and looked toward Jerusalem he saw a mountain that he would have to climb, one we call Calvary. True it was physically only a hill but it was a much more difficult mountain to climb than any mountain on earth. He didn’t need to climb it for he knew no sin. Yet he climbed Calvary - the mountain of our sin - for us. He endured all for us for the joy set before him. Prayer Lord Jesus We bow in awe of your sacrifice on the cross for us. Forgive our sin. Amen Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.” I have seen many mountains in my life but I was not prepared for the size of Mr. Rainer when I first saw it from the airplane. With an elevation of 14, 410 feet it can easily been seen from Seattle 60 miles away. And the closer we got to it the bigger it was. We stopped at the first pullout in Mt. Rainer National Park with a view of the mountain and I just stood there filled with awe and wonder.
We need experiences that fill us with awe and wonder, like the story of the crowd who were “amazed and gave praise to God” when they witnessed Jesus heal the paralyzed man. I have heard the story of Jesus as long as I can remember and sometimes I forget how truly amazing it is that the God who created Mt. Rainier loves and cares for me enough to send Jesus to give those who believe in him eternal life. Stop today and really look at Jesus. Let him fill you with awe and wonder and then praise God. Prayer Lord Jesus Break into our lives this day and fill us with the awe and wonder of your unfailing love. We praise you. Amen View the post for February 22 for an explanation of my theme for Lent Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. I have lived close to the Great Smoky Mountains all my life. My mother, grandparents, and great grandparents actually lived in the park before it was the park. When I go to the mountains I feel a sense of home, a sense of peace.
There will be times when we may find ourselves away from home, away from the ones we love, away from the community of a loving church. We all need a sense of home and God promised that we can always dwell with him. No matter our circumstances, in him, the creator of all mountains, we can always find our way home. Prayer Everlasting God We long to always dwell with you, safe in the mountains you have created. Amen Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. One of my favorite places in the Smoky Mountains is Cades Cove. As you enter the cove the valley opens up to mostly level fields surrounded on every side by tree covered mountains. For me it is a place of peace and beauty, even on stormy days. We have this same promise of peace when we remember that we are surrounded by the Lord God.
Prayer Lord God May we be open to your presence today and experience the peace and security of being surrounded by your love. Amen View the post for February 22 for an explanation of my theme for Lent. As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” At 7,244 feet Black Elk Peak in Custer State Park South Dakota is the highest peak between the Rocky Mountains and the Pyrenees Mountains. As I planned our trip to the Dakotas I read about the hike to this mountain and decided that even though it would be a challenge that I wanted to try to climb it. There are several trails but I took the one that was supposed to be only 6 miles total with a 1,000 feet of elevation gain. It turns out that the trail I took was actually 8.5 miles total and the hike was much harder than I had expected. The trail traveled up to a point level with the peak and then back down to the canyon floor before climbing up again. There were several times when I considered turning around. After I arrived at the Harney Point Lookout Tower on the top of the mountain the view was amazing. I could see past the Black Hills all the way to the Badlands.
Like my hike to Black Elk Peak there will be times as we follow Christ that will be hard. Luke tells us about would be followers that came to Jesus and professed their desire to follow him. He made it clear to each one that following him was not easy. They would have to make it the highest priority in their lives. They would face hardship but in the end the view would be amazing for they would find life in Christ. Each day we must ask ourselves, “Will I follow Christ, no matter how hard the hike?” Prayer Lord Jesus Give us strength and the peace of your presence as we seek to follow you today. Amen He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I pray that I will never forget that day. It was still dark when we left our room at Paradise Lodge in Mt. Rainier National Park for Reflection Lake. Whenever you want to see a sunrise you have to leave in the dark and be quiet so as not to awaken others. I knew this was going to be a special time. The skies were clear. There was no wind, only stillness. It was easy to get to the lake, only a short drive with no hiking involved. There were only a few other cars there, mostly photographers. When I saw Mt. Rainier, so massive with just a little cloud above its peak, perfectly reflected in the lake it took my breath away. This was a time to wait in silence for the sun to rise and light up the mountain with beautiful reflected light.
In our busy world finding a time to be still isn’t easy. It is something that requires thoughtfulness and some work. While there are many places to be still, I find it much easier to find stillness in the mountains. And those times when I see the darkness give way to sunrise in the mountains are the most special. For the Hebrew authors of our scripture, mountains are places where Heaven and earth meet, where God and man meet. Remember the stories of Abraham and Isaac on Mt. Moriah, Moses on Mt. Sinai, Isaiah on Mt. Horeb, and Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. During this season of Lent, a time of darkness, stillness, and self-reflection my posts will include scripture and images of mountains, places where we meet God. I pray these images and words will provide time and space for you to “Be still and know that I am God.” Prayer Lord God, Give us the desire to sit in stillness and be quiet. May we meet you on the mountain, even if the mountain is only a little hill close to our home. Amen When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Fog settled in making it hard to see the other end of the bridge. It just seemed to disappear. Even in the fog many cars that day trusted the bridge to continue their journey. Why did they trust?
There are many times in our lives we come places where we can’t see the way forward. We can only see a bridge draped in fog. What gives us the courage to drive forward, to trust the bridge. We know the Maker of the Bridge. God can be trusted. Many times he will ask us to go where we can’t see anything but fog. We make our way across the bridge knowing that he has been and will always be faithful. What are some times that you have trusted and found God faithful? Prayer Father God We put our trust in you. We walk forward unafraid and sing our praise to the Maker of Bridges. Amen 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. They go by various names, "frost flowers"" ice flowers", but they really aren’t flowers at all. Instead they are small ice formations that happen under specific conditions: air temperature must be below freezing, ground temperature must be above freezing, ground must have moisture from recent precipitation, and there must be a plant with a hollow stem. As water is drawn up from the ground to the stem, the stem splits and is ice is formed in these unique shapes when the water hits the cold air.
These were the first frost flowers I had ever seen and I would not have seen them without a friend. She was the one who noticed them on the ground next to the trail. She had never heard of them but I knew what they were because I had read of them. We made this unique and beautiful discovery because we were together. I have come to see that understanding scripture is just like this. We need others who will commit to study diligently the scriptures with us. We need the wisdom of scholars who write commentaries to help us understand the meaning of words and customs from other languages and cultures. Paul knew the importance of studying together as he encouraged the Colossians to “let the message of Christ dwell among you richly.” In our individualistic culture we tend to read “you” as singular, applying to us individually. But in this passage the word "you" is plural. For the message of Christ to dwell richly we need each other. As a result we will sing to God songs of gratitude. Prayer Lord Jesus Open your message to us as we study and meditate on your word together. Give us wisdom to encourage each other with ideas and inspiration we learn from your word. With great gratitude, Amen. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Colossians 3:11, NIV Instead of walking the trail loop in the usual way I decided on this day I would walk the loop in the opposite direction. Even though I see these trees every morning on my walk on this foggy, frosty morning I saw them differently. The deciduous tree now without its leaves seemed to be bending over and having a conversation with the conifer. Two trees so very different yet standing together in the same place. Both are beautiful in their own way, neither one better than the other. I think this is the way we are meant to live, standing beside each other. For in the eyes of Christ we are all one, each one with value, each one dearly loved.
Prayer Loving Father, Help us to bend over and talk to each other; to care for each other the way you care for us. Help us to value both our differences and the way we are all one in Christ. Amen I will meditate on your precepts, and fix my eyes on your ways. Every time I go to Cades Cove I stop at this oak tree in the field at the Lawson House. I still remember the first time I noticed it. I had just started to go to the mountains for the expressed purpose of taking images. It stood alone in the field, big and strong. I love this tree and when talking to friends I call it “my tree.” I have seen it in every season. Sometimes I just drive by and stop for only a short time. Sometimes I walk through the field and touch it. I come in mid-day, morning, and evening. Each time I come I see something different and learn something new.
Repeat. Like every time I go to the cove and stop at this tree we must do the same thing with God’s word. Repeat. There will be times when we only read or remember a verse and times when we must study hard. Repeat - this is how we make God’s word a part of us. And unlike any other book we study God’s word is “alive and active, sharper than any double edged sword.” When we fix our eyes on God’s word we find a delight and joy in its promises and precepts. How do you spend time in God’s word? Prayer God We thank you for revealing your presence in your marvelous and mysterious word. Help us not to forget to spend time meditating on your word. Amen Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. I remember this morning on the mountain. I couldn’t tell from this sunrise the weather for the day - would it be clear or full of rain as the weather predicted. It didn’t matter now as the clouds only made the morning beautiful. It was a new day and it was full of hope for the beauty that I would see that day. It turned out that there were clouds but also blue skies.
As we look forward to the new year it would be easy to be overwhelmed at the state of the world, our community, and even our own failures. There will be days full of clouds and times of darkness in the new year, but we have something greater than a hope for clear-sky trouble-free days. Like a sunrise made more beautiful by the clouds, we have a living hope in Jesus Christ, a promise that no matter what the day brings He will be there to give us new life. Prayer Lord of New Life Fill our hearts with hope today for the new life you have given us through Jesus Christ. We sing your praise for the inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade. Amen Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, As I stood on the the trail to Myrtle Falls that day it was like God’s glory opened before me. The snow cloud covered the top of the mountain as if God was right there in the cloud. His glory was displayed in the blazing color of the bushes and trees. Every time I look at this image my emotions are flooded with joy and peace just the same as they were that day. I bow down in my heart and worship our God.
But my experience on the mountain pales in comparison to what the shepherds must have experienced the night Jesus was born. We know that they went straight away to see the baby and then told everyone they saw. Their response was praise to God who brought a Savior in the form of a baby. Wherever you stand this day bow down and sing with the angles, “Glory to God in the highest heaven.” How can you share God’s glory this day? Prayer God in Highest Heaven We bow down and worship your beauty, your glory, and your Son, our Savior, Amen “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” When a photographer takes a picture of a waterfall, she has a choice. If she uses a slow shutter speed then the water will appear smooth and silky. If she wants to capture the power and speed of the water then she will use a fast shutter speed to see the individual water droplets. I don’t remember which one I chose when I took this image of two tiers of Multnomah Falls. It was only after I looked at the image when I got home that I realized somehow I had managed to do both in the same image. The water from the upper falls is smooth and silky while you see more of the power of the water and individual drops in the lower tier. It is a mystery that I really can’t explain.
When the angel Gabriel told Mary that she was about to bear the Son of God she faced a mystery. Her question, “How can this be?”Gabriel’s answer was “by the power of the Most High” and a promise that “no word from God will ever fail.” This was probably the first of many mysteries that she would face as she watched Jesus grow and begin his ministry. What we do know is that even in the face of mystery, of not having all the answers, of not knowing why, she remained faithful to her word, “I am the Lord’s servant.” Prayer Most High Help me trust you even when I don’t understand why. May I answer like Mary, “I are the Lord’s servant.” Amen Because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” We had arrived at Ruby Beach just as the sun was rising. Some parts of the beach were already bathed in the golden glow of the morning sun while some were still in the shadows. After walking on the beach and watching the crashing waves we turned around to hike back to the car. As we walked below the rocky hill side at the water’s edge I looked up and saw the sun rising over the hill. Rays of sunlight streamed through the morning fog. The light had come and it was beautiful.
Zechariah and Elizabeth had lived through many dark years of Roman oppression and childlessness when the angel Gabriel came with astonishing news. They would have a son who would be the one to prepare the way for God’s salvation. We read these words of Zechariah, words of hope not just for a child but for the world. God was sending his light to those living in the darkness. No longer would the darkness win for the light was coming. There would still be dark days as there are now but there is hope. Jesus will guide us into his light and it will be even more glorious than the light was that morning. Prayer Father of Light Break into our hearts with your light when our days are dark. Fill us with hope and guide us into the path of peace. Amen Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” If you go to Cape Perpeuta on the Oregon Coast at low tide you will just see a rocky shore line. But if you go at high tide and the conditions are right you will see the “Spouting Horn.” This rock formation is a shallow cave with an opening at the top which has been carved by the waves. When the waves flow into the cave the water is forced out through the opening with a big spray. So the cave and the waves partner to make a spouting horn, sometimes so powerful that it has washed people into the ocean.
Just at it takes both the rocky cave and the crashing high tide waves to make the spouting horn, so Jesus calls us to go with him and make disciples, to teach them all he has taught us. He promises that he will always be with us. If we go without Christ we are like the rocky shore at low tide that does't have the power of the waves. If we go with Christ then we can become partners in God’s plan to bring his love to people of all nations. Where is God calling you to partner with him to share his love? Prayer Jesus Christ, Make us spouting horns of your love trusting that you will always be with us. Amen Open my eyes, so that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. We had hiked down to see the waves crash against the rocky coast at Cape Perpetua. The sheer power and beauty of the waves was breathtaking. But on the way back up the trail, I noticed this little fern with ice crystals. Other people on the trail passed by the fern but I noticed it, maybe because I had my camera in my hand. Both the powerful waves and the small delicate ice crystals on the fern were wondrous in their own way. I am grateful for the wonders of God’s world. In the same way God’s law is filled with wondrous things. We just need to stop and notice them. It takes effort, I was after all on hike carrying my camera gear in my back pack, but it is so worth the effort.
What wondrous things have you seen in God’s word? Prayer Lord God Open our eyes to see the wonders of your world and your word this day. Amen I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? I live where I can see mountains everyday and can drive to the top of one in a short time. I think I have come to take them for granted - something that is always there. The ancient Israelites didn’t take mountains for granted. They saw mountains as special places where God meets with man. The scriptures are filled with stories of humans meeting God on mountains; remember the stories of Abraham and Isaac, Moses, Elijah, and Jesus and Peter, James, and John.
Recently I had an experience on a mountain that changed the way I view them. On our trip to the Pacific Northwest I made a reservation for us to stay at the the Paradise Inn at the foot of Mt. Rainier. I had never been so close to a mountain so large. It was majestic and beautiful in many different ways. The rock and glaciers above the tree line are strong and foreboding. Large conifers encircle the mountain at the tree line. The meadows below are filled with color in both spring, summer, and fall and covered with snow in the winter. One of the mornings we were there I got up just before sunrise and walked in the cool, damp air to the foot of the mountain. There was a snow cloud at the very top of the mountain and I even felt a few flakes. The cloudy day left a pink Alpenglow on the mountain and made the autumn meadows at the foot explode with color. I stood there amazed at the beauty and power before my eyes. I have no words that can adequately describe my experience that morning. I felt that I was in God’s very presence. All that was left to do was to worship silently at the foot of this great mountain. I worship a great and mighty God who each day is the source of my help if I only look to him. This experience will remain in my heart as a special gift, a reminder of how much the Lord, maker of mountains, loves me and wants to meet with me each day. Where and when do you look for help? Prayer Lord, Maker of Mountains May the mountains remind us of the love you have for each of us. Help us to look up and see you as the source of everything we need. Amen Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. Last week when I got up early to catch this sunrise I wasn't sure how much color there would be or if I would be able to create a beautiful image. The only way to know was to just get up and go. The first step of any job, photographer, writer, or whatever, is to just show up.
This short story about Tabitha in Acts is a story of someone who just showed up. We only read about her here. She wasn’t famous or important in the world’s eyes. She just made sure that the poorest of people, the widows of Joppa, had clothes to wear. She was just an ordinary person showing up with her sewing skill. Sometimes I look back on my images and my writing and I am surprised that I could ever make a beautiful image or write thoughtful words. I didn’t intend to become a writer or a photographer. I struggle even to call myself those things but for right now I am just showing up. I study and practice and go to sunrises. Sometimes the images are beautiful but a lot of them I just discard. What I don’t discard is the experience of watching a new day begin. So today I write to encourage you to just show up, to be faithful, like Tablitha, with the abilities you have right now. God is always faithful to us. Prayer Lord God As you have always been faithful and shown up for me, help me to show up today in whatever task you have laid before me, trusting you to make it something of beauty. Amen For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; It was time to go find the spring wildflowers in the mountains. As soon as I stepped on the trail this little scene greeted me, raindrops from the previous night’s rain still sitting on the leaves. They glistened as they reflected the morning sunlight catching the water that gives life to the plant.
After a long winter, spring rains bring the promise of new life to the mountains. The water on the leaves became for me a sign of hope. It reminded me of the promise in the vision of John that Jesus, both our lamb and shepherd, will lead us to springs of living water. We all have times when the sadness and hardness of life seem to leave us thirsty and parched. In those times we can trust that Jesus will lead us out of the desert to springs of living water that only he can provide. If you magnify the image and look very closely you will faintly see an image of me with my camera reflected in the raindrop. I think that we need to remember that Jesus also called us to reflect his love. Is there someone day with whom you can share a cup of living water in Jesus’s name? Prayer Lord Jesus Shepherd and Lamb, Refresh our souls with your living water and give us hope to share with others we meet this day. Amen |
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Soli Deo Gloria,
1 Corinthians 10:31
© 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Karen Milligan
1 Corinthians 10:31
© 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Karen Milligan