Like wax Beneath His feet

Because Iceland is situated on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, it is basically on top of two tectonic plates and has thirty active volcanic systems running through the island. I found that to be a little scary, but at the same time very fascinating. There are so many verses in the Bible where God talks about mountains that they have always intrigued me.

"Before the mountains were born,

before You gave birth to the earth and the world,

from beginning to end,

You are God."

Psalm 90:2 (NLT)

"For the Lord is the One who shaped the mountains."

Amos 4:13a (NLT)

"The mountains quake

in the presence of the Lord."

Judges 5:5a (NLT)

"The mountains melt like wax beneath His feet

and flow into the valleys

like wax in a fire

like water pouring down a hill."

Micah 1:4 (NLT)"

For the mountains may move,

and the hills disappear,

but even then My faithful love for you will remain.

'My covenant of blessings will never be broken',

says the Lord who has mercy on you."

Isaiah 54:10 (NLT)

"I look to the mountains---

does my help come from there?

My help comes from the Lord

who made Heaven and earth!

Psalm 121: 1 (NLT)

"How beautiful  on the mountains

are the feet of the messenger

who brings good news,

the good news of peace and salvation,

the news that the God of Israel reigns!"

Isaiah 52:7 (NLT)

"Jesus told them,

'I tell you the truth,

if you have faith,

even as small as a mustard seed,

you will say to this mountain,

'Move from here to there,'

and it will move.

Nothing would be impossible.

Matthew 17:20 (NLT)

"In the last days,

the mountain of the Lord's house

will be the highest of all---

the most important place on earth.

It will be raised above the other hills,

and the people of all over the world

will stream there to worship."

Isaiah 2:2 (NLT)

There Is No Other Rock Like Our God!

The rock formations in Iceland were amazing to see, especially the basalt columns which are caused by the rapid cooling of volcanic rock.

"He is the Rock;

His deeds are perfect.

Everything He does is just and perfect.

He is a faithful God who does no wrong;

How just and upright He is.

Deuteronomy 32:4 (NLT)

"From the ends of the earth,

I cry to You for help

when my heart is overwhelmed.

Lead me to the towering Rock of safety."

Psalm 61:2 (NLT)

"My victory and honour come from God alone.

He is my refuge,

a Rock where no enemy can reach me.

"Psalm 62:7 (NLT)

"No one is holy like the Lord!

There is no one besides You;

There is no Rock like our God."

1 Samuel 2:2 (NLT)

"For who is God except the Lord?

Who but our God is a solid Rock?

"Psalm 18:31 (NLT)

"Do not tremble; do not be afraid.

Did I not proclaim My purposed for you long ago?

You are my witnesses----is there any other God?

No! There is no other Rock---not one!

"Isaiah 44:8 (NLT)

In The Roar Of Your Waterfalls Your Love Is There

Iceland is a paradise of majestic waterfalls.

Hraunfossar Lava Waterfalls

Faxi Waterfalls

Trollafossar Waterfalls

There are so many different kinds. Some are powerful and wide. Others are tall and narrow.

Glanni Watefalls

Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfalls

Pingvellir Waterfall

Waterfalls can be seen everywhere on the island.

Gullfoss Waterfalls

Skogafoss Waterfall

Each are unique and a wonder to behold.

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

" Deep calls to deep

in the roar of Your waterfalls

All Your waves and breakers

have swept over me.

By day the Lord directs His love,

at night His song is with me---

a prayer to the God of my life."

Psalm 42:7-8 (NIV)

Praise God In His Sanctuary!

The Hallgrimskirkja Lutheran Church, located in the heart of Iceland's capital city Reykjavik, took 41 years to build and was completed in 1986.

This church was designed by a man who was fascinated by the shapes and forms created when lava cools into basalt rock

It was named after Iceland's most famous poet and minister, Hallgrimur Petursson.

The most notable feature inside of the church is the gargantuan pipe organ. The pipe organ, standing 15 metres and weighing 25 tons, was designed by a German organ builder. There are 102 ranks, 72 stop and 5275 pipes, created to reproduce powerful notes and fill the huge and holy space with the beauty their sounds.

"Praise the Lord!

Praise God in His sanctuary;

Praise Him in His mighty expanse!

Praise Him for His mighty deeds;

Praise according to His excellent greatness!

Praise Him with trumpet sound;

Praise Him with harp and lyre!

Praise Him with timbrel and dancing;

Praise Him with string instruments and pipes!

Praise Him with loud cymbals;

Praise Him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that breath praise to the Lord!

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 150:1-5 (NLT)

In front of the church stands a statue of Leifur Eiriksson, the first European to discover America. It was apparently recorded 500 years before Christopher Columbus landed on the shores of the New World.

Simplifying Church

Mostly all of the churches in Iceland were free from ostentation or showy extravagance.

They were small and simply designed, but vivid because of the beauty and glory of God's creation which surrounded them.

Nothing really outshines God's handiwork and it has been given to us freely to enjoy.

As I got to know some of the Church people in Iceland, I saw that the Church's ministry wasn't complicated either.

The church's ministry was simple and unembellished----helping people in need.

There were no fancy programs or sound equipment. They were just people who loved God and one another.

In other words, there was a sense of peace and contentment in God alone.

"And let the peace that comes from Christ

rule in your hearts.

For as members of one body

you are called to live in peace.

And always be thankful."

Colossians 3:14 (NLT)

We Are The Sheep Of God's Pasture

Icelandic sheep roam the island freely. However, they are all tagged.

These domestic animals are short-legged and stocky. In other words, they are cute and chubby.

Most of them are white, but some are different shades of brown, gray and black, while others are a mixture of these colours.

Generally they are horned, but some are not.

An interesting fact about Icelandic sheep is that the ewes commonly give birth to multiples, ranging from twins to even sextuplets.

Icelandic sheep live freely in the rich abundance of Iceland's pastures. And like them, we are the sheep of God's pasture. We also live in freedom and abundant riches because of God's wonderful grace and loving-kindness.

"Then we Your people,

the sheep of Your pasture,

will thank You forever and ever,

praising Your greatness from generation to generation."

Psalm 79:13

Let us continually thank God forever and ever, praising His greatness from generation to generation!

Mountains Rose And Valleys Sank

My husband Brian and I recently travelled to Iceland. We stayed at the Minna-Mosfell Guesthouse which is run by a lovely retired Icelandic couple.

This Guesthouse is located on a small farm overlooking Mosfell Valley, 12 kilometres east of the country's capital, Reykjavik.

A small picturesque church can be seen on a neighbouring hill.

On the first day Brian and I climbed up the mountain behind this church to get a better view of Mosfell Valley.

"Mountains rose

and valleys sank

to the levels

You decreed."

Psalm 104:8 (NLT)

When we got back I was thrilled to discover the couple had five Icelandic horses on their farm to pet. The horses pictured below were two that ran away from a neighbouring farm and were penned up until the neighbour could come to collect them.

Icelandic horses are small and very friendly. They are also very hardy with a long life-span.