Alpenglow of His Brillance

Thinking about how common people accomplish great things and endure and prevail through hard challenges to reach the summit or a goal. And how there is so much more yet to overcome and achieve.One thing to continue in is growing in grace by returning and asking God to come after us and keep us.

"Much still remains for the Mountaineer to do. Not only is he confronted yet with the vast task of completing the exploration of his own Northwest mountains afoot, but he has as yet but scratched the surface of the possibilities of re-conquering old man mountain's domain a-ski."
--Art Winder
The Mountaineer, 1932
written-in-the-snows

"In all things grow up into him" -Ephesian 4:15

"As the sun rises first on mountain-tops and gilds them with his light, and presents one of the most charming sights to the eye of the traveller; so is it one of the most delightful contemplations in the world to mark the glow of the Spirit's light on the head of some saint, who has risen up in spiritual stature, ..... till, like a mighty Alp, snow-capped, he reflects first among the chosen, the beams of the Sun of Righteousness, and bears the alpenglow of His Brilliance high aloft for all to see, and seeing it, to glorify His Father which is in heaven."(CHS)

Morning Oct 20th 

¹⁷ 

"O God, from my youth you have taught me,
and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
So even to old age and gray hairs,
O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might to another generation,
your power to all those to come.
Your righteousness, O God,
reaches the high heavens.
You who have done great things,
O God, who is like you?
You who have made me see many troubles and calamities
will revive me again;
from the depths of the earth
you will bring me up again." Psalm 71:17-20

David Crowder Band Give Us Rest - A Return

My heart runs far from where you intended
Come after me, please
My heart runs far from where you intended
Come after me, please

The son has come home, we're rejoicing
The son has come home, rejoice my soul.

10,000 Reason Autumn ..

I saw a picture of Mt. Rainier in Autumn. Just an awesome picture. I do not use that word much but when I saw it the first time ....Awesome was my nearly immediate response. So many beautiful colors, pines through the fog, drops of rain on the ground-cover. I thought of the care that Our Father lavishes on us and watches over us.. never once.. does He forget. 

"Consider the flowers of the field"... Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (Luke 12:27).(ESV)

I also thought of grace and peace that pervades the surroundings "

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. (ESV)

"But God is able to multiply every favor toward you that you may always have whatever is sufficient for you in all things and that you may superabound in every good work"  2 Cor 9:8

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)

. never once.. does He forget.

Never Once- Matt Redman

                                                                          
"Never Once"
Standing on this mountaintop
Looking just how far we've come
Knowing that for every step
You were with us

Kneeling on this battle ground
Seeing just how much You’ve done
Knowing every victory
Was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Kneeling on this battle ground
Seeing just how much You’ve done
Knowing every victory
Was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Never once did we ever walk alone
Carried by Your constant grace
Held within Your perfect peace
Never once, no, we never walk alone

Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Every step we are breathing in Your grace
Evermore we’ll be breathing out Your praise
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

"How easy it is to lose sight of the benefits we have in Christ as we go through life's trials."

the-habit-of-recognizing Gods provision

The Habit of Recognizing God’s Provision

. . . you may be partakers of the divine nature . . . —2 Peter 1:4

We are made “partakers of the divine nature,” receiving and sharing God’s own nature through His promises. Then we have to work that divine nature into our human nature by developing godly habits. The first habit to develop is the habit of recognizing God’s provision for us. We say, however, “Oh, I can’t afford it.” One of the worst lies is wrapped up in that statement. We talk as if our heavenly Father has cut us off without a penny! We think it is a sign of true humility to say at the end of the day, “Well, I just barely got by today, but it was a severe struggle.” And yet all of Almighty God is ours in the Lord Jesus! And He will reach to the last grain of sand and the remotest star to bless us if we will only obey Him. Does it really matter that our circumstances are difficult? Why shouldn’t they be! If we give way to self-pity and indulge in the luxury of misery, we remove God’s riches from our lives and hinder others from entering into His provision. No sin is worse than the sin of self-pity, because it removes God from the throne of our lives, replacing Him with our own self-interests. It causes us to open our mouths only to complain, and we simply become spiritual sponges— always absorbing, never giving, and never being satisfied. And there is nothing lovely or generous about our lives.

Before God becomes satisfied with us, He will take everything of our so-called wealth, until we learn that He is our Source; as the psalmist said, “All my springs are in You” (Psalm 87:7). If the majesty, grace, and power of God are not being exhibited in us, God holds us responsible. “God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you . . . may have an abundance . . .” (2 Corinthians 9:8)— then learn to lavish the grace of God on others, generously giving of yourself. Be marked and identified with God’s nature, and His blessing will flow through you all the time.

Heaven- the Bliss

 I don't generally think of heaven much and often have not been able to relate to those who long for heaven.

Thinking abut heaven recently and thought of how wonderful it will be to be satisfied in Christ, content, free from striving, worry, and temptation!
 The awesome worship and the continual finding more and more about God's glory will be just so much higher than we can imagine. Also the thought that we will be with those we love forever- no more partings, heart felt emotion when separated or the sadness at sickness , trial or death.

As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.(Psalm 17:15)

http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0025.htm

…you can see that there is about it the air of a man who is looking into the future. Read the passage thoroughly, and you will see that it all has relation to the future, because it says, "As for me, I shall." It has nothing to do with the present: it does not say, "As for me I do, or I am, so-and-so," but "As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake." The Psalmist looks beyond the grave into another world; he overlooks the narrow death-bed where he has to sleep, and he says, "When I awake." How happy is that man who has an eye to the future;

"We will leave that to the future, for that fame which comes late is often most enduring," and they lived upon the "shall "and fed upon the future. "I shall be satisfied" by-and-bye. So says the Christian.

—I will tarry till I get my domains in heaven, those broad and beautiful domains that God has provided for them that love him.

Do any of you know what it is to live on the future—to live on expectation—to live on what you are to have in the next world—

Christian! live on the future; seek nothing here, but expect that thou shalt shine when thou shalt come in the likeness of Jesus, with him to be admired, and to kneel before his face adoringly. The Psalmist had an eye to the future.

Oh! what a happy thing to have that faith to say "I shall." Some of you think it quite impossible, I know; but it "is the gift of God," (CHS Sermon No. 25)

Spurgeon's Morning by Morning -October 2

"The hope which is laid up for you in heaven." --Colossians 1:5

Our hope in Christ for the future is the mainspring and the mainstay of our joy here. It will animate our hearts to think often of heaven, for all that we can desire is promised there. Here we are weary and toilworn, but yonder is the land of rest where the sweat of labour shall no more bedew the worker's brow, and fatigue shall be for ever banished. To those who are weary and spent, the word "rest" is full of heaven. We are always in the field of battle; we are so tempted within, and so molested by foes without, that we have little or no peace; but in heaven we shall enjoy the victory, when the banner shall be waved aloft in triumph, and the sword shall be sheathed,

Swords sheathed at the monument

 and we shall hear our Captain say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." We have suffered bereavement after bereavement, but we are going to the land of the immortal where graves are unknown things. Here sin is a constant grief to us, but there we shall be perfectly holy, for there shall by no means enter into that kingdom anything which defileth. Hemlock springs not up in the furrows of celestial fields. Oh! is it not joy, that you are not to be in banishment for ever, that you are not to dwell eternally in this wilderness, but shall soon inherit Canaan? Nevertheless let it never be said of us, that we are dreaming about the future and forgetting the present, let the future sanctify the present to highest uses. Through the Spirit of God the hope of heaven is the most potent force for the product of virtue; it is a fountain of joyous effort, it is the corner stone of cheerful holiness. The man who has this hope in him goes about his work with vigour, for the joy of the Lord is his strength. He fights against temptation with ardour, for the hope of the next world repels the fiery darts of the adversary. He can labour without present reward, for he looks for a reward in the world to come.

So lets us press on:

We pass now quickly from each other's sight; but I know full well that where beyond these passing scenes you shall be, there will be Heaven.

 Joshua Chamberlain

We Will Rise

A seed falls down from the heights
And is buried in the earth
But silently lies in the ground
Awaiting a rebirth
So it is with those who die
Lips confessing Christ
Because He is risen
With Him they will rise
We will rise

Shall we mourn as this world mourns
Shall we rest in truths
Though outwardly we waste away
Within we are renewed
The weight of Glory far transcends
These momentary trials
Because He is risen
With Him we will rise
We will rise


Weeping may last for an evening
But rejoicing comes with the dawn

To all the wonders God will do
Imagination’s blind
What He has made, He’ll make anew
In the twinkling of an eye
For Death itself will be destroyed
Swallowed up by life
Because He is risen
With Him we will rise
We will rise
© 2011 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI).

Our hope in Christ for the future is the mainspring and the mainstay of our joy here. It will animate our hearts to think often of heaven, for all that we can desire is promised there
Christ is our ransom and made our way. All else pales in comparison and will never be enough. "Come close - cause He knows who we are and our greatest needs. We are built for more than this world.

Sent by Ravens- Best in Me
This room is thick with words...a mess a mess...of secrets and thieves..but can't you see that we're all the same..just vessles...and we're all afraid

forgive me i don't mean to intrude..you see my hands are shaking too

just settle down..this storm won't last forever..we're built for more than this world.. im not that strong..honestly im not..but you always see the best in me........

just settle down..this storm won't last forever..we're built for more than this world.. im not that strong..honestly im not..but you always see the best in me

am i something you can be proud of now

just settle down..this storm won't last forever..we're built for more than this world.. im not that strong..honestly im not..but you always see the best in me

Survey the new territory

I was reading Our Daily Bread that was referring to an initial survey in Idaho. I started thinking how we go through life and have fixed points of reference that we look to for guidance.
We live by designating fixed points on which other measurements are determined. Monuments and markers exist as a remembrance of great accomplishments or reference points for us to recall great mercies. The Bible is greatest in value and solid ground.

It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” —Matthew 4:4

Initial Point- Survey the new territory

"If you drive south of our home in Boise, Idaho, you’ll see a volcanic butte that rises out of the sagebrush on the east side of the road. This is the initial point from which the state of Idaho was surveyed.

In 1867, four years after Idaho was organized as a territory, Lafayette Cartee, the Surveyor General of the United States, commissioned Peter Bell to survey the new territory. Bell took a sledge and drove a brass post into a little knob on the summit of that butte, declaring it to be the initial point from which he began his survey.

The survey established the language of land description in Idaho: Townships are designated north and south of the initial point; ranges are designated east and west. With such descriptions, you always know exactly where you are.

We may read many books, but the Word of God is our “initial point,” the fixed reference point. "

survey/Initial-Point 

"After having obtained the necessary information from reliable sources and from your personal observation ... you will establish Initial Point of Surveys therein either on a conspicuous mountain or at a confluence of streams which point will be the intersection of the Principal Meridian with the Base line governing those surveys. — You will commemorate the initial point by a conspicuous and enduring monument, signalizing the spot with appropriate inscription thereon ..."

Another landmark I remember in Texas on Guadalupe Peak .

A 6-foot-tall stainless steel monument was placed just above Guadalupe Peak by American Airlines in 1958. The monument honors the 100th anniversary of the Butterfield Overland Mail, which ran through the area. 

The three-sided pyramid was placed atop the mountain by American Airlines in 1958, before the park was created. It honors the 100th anniversary of the Butterfield Overland Mail, which ran through the area, as well as the airline’s pilots who pioneered airmail service in the United States.

 Guadalupe_Peak Pyramid

Battleground--Thistles and colors

We visited Gettysburg and as we were walking around the battlefield I saw a fence row with both thistles and colorful leaves. I thought this reflected the battleground of the civil war-- the victories and the harsh reality of loss.

This can be related to everyday life.. the daily joy and trials, how each day we must stay focused on the blessings, promises and main foundations of life that hold us fast.

 Each day we press on. Each morning we are refreshed knowing that this life will be one of service and sacrifice for others and can require great cost without any visible evidence that what we are in the center of God's plan for our lives but we "stay dedicated to the great task remaining before us"

knowing that all things work together for good.

Romans 8:18-33

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom heforeknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(President Abraham Lincoln)

"Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final

 resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -

- that from these honored dead we take

increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

 — at Gettysburg National Military Park

This is the great reward of service, to live, far out and on, in the life of others; this is the mystery of Christ, - to give life's best for such high sake that it shall be found again unto life eternal. (JLC)

Stand out - early autumn

I went on an morning walk in early autumn. Saw a few things that stood out from the surroundings. Kindness of God to shed light on things in a way that we clearly see. It got me thinking that we all stand out in various ways and must be different in ways that are admirable. The Lord looks down from Heaven...fashions the hearts of them all.

" because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Luke 1:78-79 (ESV)

Brown Horse Chestnut spiny casings 

Bright Red leaves standing out in the path

Brown Pine among the green

Rain glistening on the side of the tree

Yellow leaves on a limb

Yellow and Orange leaves over the path

Red leaves

Red leaves over the pond

Window box seen through the Maple tree leaves

The Lord looks down from Heaven...fashions the hearts

Morning Oct 1 -CHS
At this rich autumnal season of fruit, let us survey our stores. We have new fruits. We desire to feel new life, new joy, new gratitude; we wish to make new resolves and carry them out by new labors; our heart blossoms with new prayers, and our soul is pledging herself to new efforts. But we have some old fruits too. There is our first love: a choice fruit that! and Jesus delights in it. There is our first faith: that simple faith by which, having nothing, we became possessors of all things. There is our joy when first we knew the Lord: let us revive it. We have our old remembrances of the promises. How faithful has God been! In sickness, how softly did he make our bed! In deep waters, how placidly did he buoy us up! In the flaming furnace, how graciously did he deliver us. Old fruits, indeed! We have many of them, for his mercies have been more than the hairs of our head. Old sins we must regret, but then we have had repentances which he has given us, by which we have wept our way to the cross, and learned the merit of his blood. We have fruits, this morning, both new and old; but here is the point--they are all laid up for Jesus. Truly, those are the best and most acceptable services in which Jesus is the solitary aim of the soul, and his glory, without any admixture whatever, the end of all our efforts. Let our many fruits be laid up only for our Beloved; let us display them when he is with us, and not hold them up before the gaze of men. Jesus, we will turn the key in our garden door, and none shall enter to rob thee of one good fruit from the soil which thou hast watered with thy bloody sweat. Our all shall be thine, thine only, O Jesus, our Beloved!