Proverbs 3:7 ESV Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. Northern Pygmy Owl sits in a pine tree branch

Wise Owl

Northern Pygmy Owl Riley Ranch Nature Preserve, Bend, OR Proverbs 3:7 ESV Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. Ancient Greek, Roman, and European cultures have long associated the owl with wisdom. One theory suggests the round, glasses-looking, pensive eyes of an owl along with the bird’s…

horses grazing in a green pasture with tall pine trees behind them and a snow cover mountain. Psalm 42:5-6 NLT Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!

National Velvet’s Pie

Black Crater and horses, Black Butte Ranch, OR Psalm 42:5-6 NLT Why am I discouraged?     Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God!     I will praise him again—     my Savior and my God! Before Elizabeth Taylor grew up to be a stunning, seductive Hollywood star, she was…

golden sunset over the Three Sisters Mountains covered with billowing clouds. John 14:2 NLT There is more than enough room in my Father’s home.

Room for More

Three Sisters Mountains, Sisters, OR John 14:2 NLT There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. Even though my mom has been gone from this earth for nearly 30 years, in my mind’s eye, I still see her sitting in her green chair reading a book. When I was far from home, at…

yellow rose surrounded by green leaves Hebrews 13:5 GNT For God has said, I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.

A Rose from Mom

My Garden, OR Hebrews 13:5 GNT For God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.” Last night was an intensely painful, sleepless first night following a surgery. As a caregiver, it’s so hard to see the ones you love suffer. You know in a heartbeat that you would take their…

Psalm 118:24 NLT This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. bright orange and yellow sunrise with sun beams rises of the rocky Grand Canyon

Singing for Joy

Sunrise at Grand Canyon National Park, New Year’s Day Psalm 118:24 NLT This is the day the Lord has made.     We will rejoice and be glad in it. One of my favorite times as a teacher was singing, This Is the Day, with the kids first thing in the morning. With the singing and dancing,…

interior of lighthouse looking up the spiral staircase 1 John 5:11-12 MSG God gave us eternal life; the life is in his Son. So, whoever has the Son, has life; whoever rejects the Son, rejects life.

Eternal Flame

Yaquina Head Lighthouse, OR 1 John 5:11-12 MSG God gave us eternal life; the life is in his Son. So, whoever has the Son, has life; whoever rejects the Son, rejects life. In the immortal words of the sage theologians, The Bangles…. Say my name Sun shines through the rain A whole life so lonely And…

Philippians 4:8 NLT Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. small boy sitting on a playground excavator toy looking thoughtfully off into the distance surrounded by fall leaves

Rabbit Hole Thoughts

A boy & his digger Philippians 4:8 NLT Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. My husband built a shop. He is currently adding windows and siding. I am eager to help him, but my…

Willamette National Forest douglas fir trees covered in snow with a bright blue sky Revelation 3:15-16 CSB I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth.

Lukewarm Water

Willamette National Forest, OR Revelation 3:15-16 CSB I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth. I often hear people say, “Wait five minutes….the weather…

very still lake with pine tree covered mountain reflected in the water framed by the trunks of two pine trees 2 Thessalonians 1:2 New International Version Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace & Peace

Suttle Lake, OR 2 Thessalonians 1:2 NIV Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Perhaps you will think this is strange, but when I think of the Peace and Grace of God, I often think of Dobby. Yes, the house elf from Harry Potter. While he is owned by…