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Our Lord is ultimately acquainted with all our ways. Darkness and light are alike to Him. Not one of us is hidden from His sight. He sees it all. He knows our frame. He remembers we are dust . . . Best of all, He loves us still.
From Proverbs 10:12: “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.”
I must admit that I have been feeling a bit homesick in thinking of my native state of Montana, where much of my family still lives. This poem and photographs share some past memories of experiencing these awesome wonders of the Big Sky state, and I look forward to visiting when Covid-19 finally takes a backseat.
Dreaming often of Montana’s Big Sky
Feeling more like an eagle, flying high
Revisiting wide open eastern plains
Watching combines harvesting ripened grains
Driving switchbacks on the Beartooth Highway
Topping amazing heights, wishing to stay
Floating the Yellowstone, like yesterday
Spending time with old friends, lasting all day
Scaling Baldy Mountain, there’s just one goal
Reaching the “M” without taking a roll
Fishing the scenic Madison once more
Joining Herb and his grandson, trout in store
Exploring limestone caverns underground
Enjoying mysteries, yet to be found
Walking the Bear Paw Mountains near Chinook
Learning Nez Perce history, without books
Motoring down the “Going to the Sun”
Chasing this highway to the setting sun
Flying over this amazing “Last Best Place”
Returning soon for another sweet taste
A little rest and meditation, often saves a lot of riding over rough country.
If you want to be creative, go where your questions lead you.
Unceasing rainfall
A minor inconvenience—
Landscape turning green
Around every bend
Nature offers surprises—
Mysteries waiting
Quiet stillness sits
Can you hear nature at work?
With each blade of grass
Successful people have libraries. The rest have big screen TVs.
You can’t hire someone else to do your push-ups for you.
Life sometimes motors along much too fast
Leaving us hungry for something that lasts
A journey to a big city, feeling so alone
Thinking I should have stayed at home
I am not used to being in the big city, yes
Realizing my Lord has put me to this test
The final morning arrives, thank goodness
Dreaming of any place, filled with fullness
My morning walk takes me to a hidden place
Parking itself near a stadium, comes a taste
A botanical garden erupts with vibrant color
Blossoming the landscape, like none other
Colors of every imaginable shade and hue
Beholding God’s brilliance, eternally true
My eyes capture incredible memories that last
Experiencing heavenly tranquility, what a blast
God brought me here today for a special reason
Planning to share His love, no matter the season
I think it’s sad if a person’s whole self-image and self-worth is based in their job. Whatever you might be, why not try your best to live a more interesting life that includes other people, other cultures, and different worlds?
If I just did basketball, I’d be bored to death. How much satisfaction can you get out of doing jump shots and teaching someone to deny in the passing lanes?
This poem is inspired with Creation’s visions from Psalm 104 (the poem’s first 12 verses), and with a response from the hymn “My Life Flows On in Endless Song” (the poem’s final six verses).
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Clothed with Holy majesty and honor
Heavens stretching out to infinity
Our Lord’s masterpiece endures forever
Clouds witness this sacred affinity
Earth’s foundation, never to be shaken
Lofty mountaintops look upon it all
Safe refuge waiting in fertile valleys
Creation’s spirit fulfilling each call
From flowing springs, animals quenching thirst
Every season following moon’s phases
Birds singing praise from highest tree branches
Rising and setting sun painting praises
God’s creation flowing as endless songs
Nothing shall ever shake its inner calm
Echoing across earth’s fruitful valleys
Scaling each mountaintop as joyful Psalms
Creation’s fountain forever springing
Beauty of the Lord’s harmony singing
Photo by Aleksey Kuprikov on Pexels.com
From Colossians 1:16: “For in Him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through Him and for Him.”
Here is the melody and lyrics to “My Life Flows On in Endless Song”:
When you’re though changing, you’re though!
From Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
One of my favorite places to walk is a short drive from my home. Walnut Woods Metro Park (the Woods) is a special place to find nature’s treasures along its easy to moderate trails. The photographs shown with this poem were taken a few days ago. Enjoy!
Early morning light beckons
Putting on worn hiking shoes
Overcast skies hold back rain
Nature waits with charming views
Driving to a park, the “Woods”
Tranquility always waits
Peace and beauty reaching out
Eager feet, needing no skates
Step by step, walking farther
Park’s vastness, shouting with joy
Around each bend, nature smiles
Many sights and sounds deploy
Morning excursion teases
Birds sing back and forth on cue
Precious blossoms smelling sweet
Coffee can’t top nature’s brew
Time seems to pause with each step
Today’s time comes to an end
Ticket punched for return trip
These “Woods” remain a best friend
Big Sky Buckeye 