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 Velvet Brown in National…
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…
Isaiah 43:2 GNT When you pass through fire, you will not be burned; the hard trials that come will not hurt you. Smokey Bear has been on a mission of wildfire prevention since 1944. As a part of the WWII war effort following Pearl Harbor, the Forest Service wanted to initiate a civilian based…
Isaiah 43:2 GNT When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you. A WWII veteran I once knew, told a story about training for an amphibious landing that would eventually be used during D-Day. Even though he was training, he was extremely nervous, because of his secret….
Military Working Dog Teams National Monument in San Antonio, TX. Galatians 5:13 NLT Serve one another in love. Not Forgotten Fountain is part of the Military Working Dog Teams National Monument in San Antonio, TX. This fully functional fountain can provide visiting canines a cool drink on a hot Texas day while serving as a…
Tumalo Community Church, Tumalo, OR Psalm 122:1 NLT “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” Founded in 1904, the town of Tumalo, OR was first called Laidlaw by self-professed founder, A.W. Laidlaw. The industrious citizens began the first church in 1905 with a church building being dedicated in 1907. Unfortunately, Mr. Laidlaw was…
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 college, the Army, living in…
Isaiah 43:1 ESV I have called you by name, you are mine. One of my favorite quotes is, “How cool is it that the same God that created mountains and oceans and galaxies looked at you and thought the world needed one of you too.” This quote is recorded as unknown. That is, it’s unknown…
Luke 1:37 ESV For nothing will be impossible with God. The Redwoods in California have stories to tell. Some of the trees alive today were growing when Jesus walked the earth. Despite an impressive 2000+ age, these live trees are not even the oldest living trees on earth. Still, Redwoods do rack up some pretty…
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, the clapping and rejoicing, your good mood is…
