Live Happily

Two of the pictures hanging inside the foyer of Hallgrimskirkja Church depicts the beauty of Iceland that will be etched in my memory forever.

"Live happily with the woman/husband you love

through all the meaningless days of life

that God has given you under the sun.

The wife/husband God gives you is your reward

for all eternity toil."

Ecclesiastes 9:9 (NLT)

Wasted Time In Meaningless Speculations

There is a Scandinavian folklore or mythology in Iceland about supernatural beings called trolls.

The belief is that trolls dwell in isolated rocks, caves or mountains far from human habitation, and live in small family units. 

They are considered dangerous to humans and are usually depicted as being evil and ugly.

Many Icelanders believe that trolls come alive at night and turn to stone in sunlight. Some are large and some are small.

It is believed that the ringing of church bells drives these trolls further away.

Sadly, people have wasted and continue to waste their time in endless discussion of myths which only lead to meaningless speculations. This is a tactic of the devil because it does not help people to live a life of faith in God.

"Don't let them waste their time

in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees.

These things only lead to meaningless speculations,

which don't help people live a life of faith in God."

1 Timothy 1:4 (NLT)

Come To God For Rest

Iceland is a land of ice, fire and hot water.

The hot water in people's homes come naturally from the ground.

Strokkur is a fountain geyser that erupts every four to eight minutes.

It sprays hot sulphuric water into the air twenty metres high.

Some hot springs in Iceland are safe for bathing.

Others are too hot to bathe in.

However, I found out the hard way, you can't stay in a hot spring for too long. When I relaxed in one for one and half hours, I fainted when I got out.

Going to Jesus to rest is like soaking in a hot spring, but better.

"Then Jesus said,

'Come to Me, all of you who are weary

and carry heavy burdens,

and I will give you rest.'"

Matthew 11: 28-30 (NLT)

The Whole Earth Is Filled

"The whole earth is filled

with awe of Your wonders;

where morning dawns,

where evening fades,

you call forth songs of joy."

Psalm 65:8 (NIV)

Send Out Your Light And Your Truth

"Send out Your light and Your truth;

let them guide me.

Let them lead me to Your holy mountain,

to the place where You live."

Psalm 43:3 (NLT)

Brian and I visited many lighthouses in Iceland. Below are some pictures I took of them

Malarrifsviti built in 1946

Akranes 1 built in 1918

Akranes 2 built in 1947

Garoskagi 1 built in 1897

Garoskagi 2 built in 1944

Oh, That You Would Come Down!

Kerid is a volcanic crater lake located in the southern part of Iceland.

It is about 3,000  years old.

The contrasting colours of the red volcanic rock, green moss, and turquoise water created a striking image.

When I looked upon the aftermath of mountains that once quaked and erupted, I thought about the presence of God. The Bible says He is so powerful and mighty that His presence on Mount Sinai caused it to shake violently with billowing smoke. Oh, that God would burst from the heavens and come down once again!

"All of Mount Sinai was covered in smoke
because the Lord had descended on it
in the form of fire.
The smoke billowed into the sky
like smoke from a brick kiln,
and the whole mountain shook violently."
Exodus 19:18 (NLT)

"Oh, that You would burst from the heavens

and come down!

How the mountains would quake

in Your presence!"

Isaiah 64:1 (NLT)

By Wisdom A House Is Built

The turf houses in Iceland are over 1,000 years old. They were built to be well-insulated because of Iceland's climate.

The foundation was made of flat stones and the frame was made of wood strong enough to hold the load of the turf. The wood was obtained from the birch trees that one time grew on 30 percent of the island.

The turf was then fitted around the wooden frame in blocks, often in two layers.

The floors were covered with wood, stone, or earth.

When I looked at these turf houses, I saw a great deal of wisdom in which they were built and understanding in which they were established.

"By wisdom a house is built,

and through understanding it is established."

Proverbs 24:3 (NIV)

Enjoy The Fruits Of Your Labour

After taking pictures of the Icelandic horses, I spotted two riders and their trusty sheep dog herding the first group of sheep.

The corral looked like a large wagon wheel with a circular pen in the middle and divided triangular-shaped pens outside of it.

The sheep are first herded into the circular pen to be sorted out by the sheep farmers, their families and friends into the triangular-shaped pens. Each sheep has a tag in its ear, so they are sorted out according to these tags. (The different tags represent the different farmers in the area.)

The roundup is one of Iceland's oldest cultural traditions that dates back to the days of the early settlers.

The sheep in Iceland roam freely in summer to graze, so roundup is a big job because many of them were grazing in the mountains. And there are a lot of mountains in Iceland! Here is a picture of  a lone sheep Brian and I spotted high in one of the mountains. (I wondered if the farmers found that one.)

Afterward the roundup, there is always a big celebration of singing, dancing, eating and drinking. The Icelanders enjoy the fruits of their labour, which the Bible says are gifts from God.

"And people should eat and drink

and enjoy the fruits of their labour,

for these are gifts from God."

Ecclesiastes 3:13 (NLT)

Here is me in the black jacket and beige pants watching all the excitement!

Has God Not Given The Horse Its Strength?

In September of every year farmers hop on their horses to round up their sheep to sort them.

It is a two-day event in which Brian and I had the pleasure of attending.

The first thing I did when I got there was take pictures of the Icelandic horses.

I couldn't believe the variety of colours and patterns I saw in these horses.

I loved how their shaggy hair covered their eyes.

They were also very friendly and gentle in nature to touch.

They loved being caressed and talked to.

These horses originally came from Norway from the first settlers in the 10th century.

Since settlers often made a stop over in Ireland, Scotland and the Shetland Islands, the Icelandic horses are a blend of many different breeds.

However since as early as the 10th century, it has been forbidden to import horses to Iceland.

A horse that leaves Iceland can never return.

I liked that these horses were small. I wouldn't have been nervous at all to ride one. I really wanted to! They were so cute!

Even though these horses are small in height, they are very strong, powerful and tough.

"Have You given the horse its strength

or clothed its neck with a flowing mane?"

Job 39:19 (NLT)