Book of Jeremiah - Crumbling Empires

The LORD proclaims:  Cursed are those who trust in mere humans, who depend on human strength and turn their hearts from the LORD...Happy are those who trust in the LORD, who rely on the LORD.

Jeremiah 17:5,7 CEB

Steep Hills

No hill is too steep where God walks with me.

"The Lord said to Paul, "My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness."

2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV

Blowing Rock - the mysteries of God

 

Can you fathom the mysteries of God?
Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
They are higher than the heavens--what can you do?
They are deeper than the depths of the grave--
what can you know?
Their measure is longer than the earth
and wider than the sea.

Job 11:7-9

Moving Mountains

 

Truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there," and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

Matthew 17:20 NRSV

The Power of Solitude

 

Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Luke 5:16 NIV

Fontana Lake and Dam

 Jesus replied, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, Go, throw yourself into the sea, ad it will be done."

Matthew 21:21

Grandfather Mountain - Wisdom and Understanding

 

My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
preserve sound judgement and discretion;
they will be life for you,
an ornament to grace your neck.
Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble.
When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
for the Lord will be at your side
and will keep your foot from being snared.

Proverbs 3:19-26

Chestoa View Trail

 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know hat makes them stumble.

Proverbs 4:18-19

Because He Lives All Fear is Gone

 

God sent His son, they call Him Jesus
He came to Love, heal and forgive
He Lived and died to buy my pardon
An empty grave is there to prove my savior lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And Life is worth the living, just because he lives...

Lyrics by Bill Gaither & Gloria Gaither

The High Country - "Joy Comes in the Morning"

 Sing praise to the Lord,
you saints of His,
And give thanks at the
remembrance of His holy name.

For HIs anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning.

Psalm 30:4-5

The upper north region of North Carolina is called "The High Country" because of the Blue Ridge Mountain range.  There are a many old trucks left abandon and empty old farms. They become entangled with vines and shrubbery and are part of the landscape.

Blue Ridge Mountains - "He founded the Earth"

 

The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
by understanding He established the heavens;
By His knowledge the depths were broken up;
And clouds drop down the dew.

Proverbs 3:19

Whatever is True, Whatever is Noble...

 

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, what ever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

Philippians 4:8 NIV

Beauty is God's Handwriting

 

"Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God's Handwriting."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Knowing the End of the Story

 

In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.

John 16:33 NIV

Broyhill Walking Park - Let Your Light Shine

 You are the light of the world...Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to Your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16 ESV

Broyhill Walking Park - Finding Rest for Your Soul

 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find res for your souls.

Matthew 11:28-29 NIV

Flowers of the Forest

 

To see a World in a Grain of sand

And a Heaven in a Wild flower,

Hold infinity in the palm of your hand

And Eternity in an hours.

~William Blake

Looking for a Butterfly in the Winter Woods

 "No moment is ever free of the life history that has preceded it" (Martha W. Hickman). The fear of losing the memory of a love one we have lost will never happen, but there is hope for the broken hearted.  We can lose, or be released, from the overhanging cloud of gloom.  I for one am looking for that Butterfly in the winter woods.  I want to be able to see it!  As a loving tribute to my daughter Crystal, I will walk out from under this cloud so I can see the beauty of life around me.  She would want that.

"They seemed to come suddenly upon happiness as if they had surprised a butterfly in the winter woods."

~Edith Wharton

"What the Sunshine is to the Flower"

"What the sunshine is to the flower, the Lord Jesus Christ is to my soul."

~Alfred Lord Tennyson

 

If I Had a Flower

"If I had a flower for every time I thought of you...I could walk through my garden forever."

 ~Alfred Lord Tennyson