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…
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…
Philippians 4:8 NIV Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Watching an eclipse reminds us that when the chaos around us is roaring, remember to look up! Keep your eyes focused on…
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…
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…
Isaiah 61:11 NIV For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow,so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations. Late summer, early fall is such a vibrant time of year when gardens are bursting at the seams with their bounty. Just imagine! The Lord’s righteousness is more…
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,…
Trees of Mystery, Klamath, CA 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…
Happy National Dog Day If dogs love us so completely and unconditionally, just imagine how much more Jesus, who died for us, love us completely and unconditionally!!
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…
