Whales spouting in Glacier Bay Alaska
When my soul is downcast,
when my way seems in decline.
I’ll remember a beautiful place,
where Your deep love called to mine.
A place of water and mountains,
of raven, and eagle, and bear,
whales spouting, ice cracking, the breathing
of Your wonderful cold clear air.
A place where I gazed on Your splendor,
and knew Your great love for me.
Giving me hope in my troubles,
That one day in Your presence I’ll be.
Reflections on Iceberg Lake, Glacier National Park
Thoughtless words I say.
Careless tossing words about.
Not comprehending there is hell to pay,
When good is not what comes out.
Some words push life into darkness.
Some words bring about light.
Writing a story of sorrow,
Or one that shines in the night.
“It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.” Matthew 15:11 NLT
Dancing in the water
This scene only came to my attention when I stopped…and sat…and waited. Initially I was bored and saw nothing. Finally, I asked God to open my eyes and allow me to see. Slowly I began to sense the deeper rhythms of the stream. I heard the churning of the water against the rocks, then the call of birds overhead, followed by a chattering squirrel upset by my presence. Breathing in I noticed the fragrance of cedar boughs, and finally became entranced by the branches playing in the fast moving water perpetually dancing before the Lord. The joy in that moment returns even now, looking upon this scene I give thanks.
Prayer is like that. It is only when I stop and wait that I begin to perceive what God has for me. To read and meditate upon the Bible letting the Holy Spirit slowly direct my thoughts. It becomes wonderful dance of me with my creator. Unfortunately, as the day progresses my mind gets sidetracked, fretting about so many things. I must restart the process again, waiting on the Lord trying to catch His rhythm. Thankfully God never tires of waiting for me.
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
For evil men will be cut off,
but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. Psalm 37:7-9
Stephen L Hufman 