Every Tear Will One Day Be Wiped Away

Idaho's largest lake is Lake Pend Oreille. 

It is 69 kilometers long.

And the fifth deepest lake in US with regions as deep as 350 meters.

The Farragut Naval Training Station was located on the southern tip of Lake Pend Oreille during World War II.

 A small part of it is still active, conducting US Navy acoustic underwater submarine research.

As I looked upon this beautiful lake, I am reminded that one day Jesus Christ, who is both the sacrificial Lamb and Shepherd, will one day lead us to springs of living water where every tear from our eyes will be wiped away.

"For the Lamb at the center of the throne

will be their Shepherd;

He will lead them to springs of living water.

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Revelations 7:17 (NIV)

Surrounded By A Great Cloud Of Witnesses

Wild turkeys roamed Idaho, as in Montana. We saw them daily. These birds can be hunted during the two hunting seasons a year in Idaho.

We found them to be quite amusing to watch.

I was surprised to see how fast one can run.

Of all the turnkeys, the one that attracted our attention the most was the one running. As Christians, we are to do the same---run, throwing off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles us. Why? Because we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded 

by such a great cloud of witnesses,

let us throw off everything that hinders

and the sin that so easily entangles.

And let us run with perseverance

the race marked out for us."

Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

Our goal as God's children is to attract others to Jesus and we can't do that unless we are running, not stumbling, or standing idly by.

Faithful And True

These are my favourite horse pictures at the ranch we stayed at for the Christmas holidays.

The horses were all extremely friendly and well taken care of. The one above is busy eating his breakfast.

This horse kept photobombing while I went around trying to take pictures of the other horses.

This one gave me a crazy look when I took his picture.

This horse was a sweet heart.

And this horse was impressively muscular.

When Christ comes to reign in Jerusalem over the earth, He will ride on a white horse, not a colt because this time He will judge and wage war with justice. A horse has long been a symbol of power, grace, beauty, nobility, strength and freedom, so it is not surprising Jesus will choose a horse to ride on during this anticipated time.

"I saw heaven standing open 

and there before me

was a white horse,

whose rider is called

Faithful and True.

With justice He judges

and wages war."

Revelations 19:11 (NIV)

Jesus is our heroic knight in all His glory and power.

God Made It All

The Western Pleasure Guest Ranch consists of 960 acres of God's creation.

I eagerly reached for my camera to take pictures of the handiwork of God on the morning we celebrated Christ's birth.

When we first arrived at the ranch there wasn't a lot of snow, but that was soon to change. A snow storm was predicted in two days.

But on Christmas day, the ranch was a quiet and peaceful setting for us to enjoy the wonder of God's miracle when His Son was born.

Our dogs were happy and my heart was glad they could be with us.

The theme song for the television series called "Green Acres" came to my mind.

"Green acres is the place to be.

Farm living is the life for me.

"Land spreading out so far and wide.

Keep Manhattan; give me the country side."

I love the country side because when I look upon the majestic beauty of God's creation, I can get a greater sense of who God is. Peace and trust enfolds me like a comforting blanket in cold and dark world. 

The earth around us and the heavens above all speak of God's sovereign power, infinite wisdom, and absolute understanding.

"He made the earth by His power;

He founded the world by His widom

and stretched out the heavens 

by His understanding."

Jeremiah 51:15 (NIV)

With Humility Comes Wisdom

The first morning walk around the Western Pleasure Guest Ranch, the owner's dogs greeted us.

One Border Collie liked to follow my sons Matthew and Tim. 

This Border Collie wondered what kind of ranch dog Barlow was and why he was wearing that blue coat.

However our Shetland Sheep Dog was right at home on the ranch.

Barlow enjoyed himself too, but he wasn't able to cross the cattle guard the second time. The first time was a fluke. The second time he was over confident, made a run for it, and got stuck in the middle with his stomach laying flat on the bars and his legs dangling through. We all could't help but laugh.

Barlow thought he could compete with the ranch dogs and started to show off. But when pride comes, then comes disgrace. It is only with humility comes wisdom. Barney, the more humble one, went off to the edge of the guard rail where the bar was thicker, and with slow careful steps walked across.

"When pride comes,

then comes disgrace, 

but with humility comes wisdom."

Proverbs 11:2 (NIV)

Enjoy Life With God

The beautiful cabin we stayed in at the Western Pleasure Guest Ranch was called Meadow View.

It overlooked a large meadow with rolling snow-capped mountains in the distance. (This picture was taken the first morning we were there.)

The owners of the ranch already had the fire burning in the wood stove, so we were greeted with comforting warmth when we first opened the cabin's front door.

The cabin was tastefully decorated in a country western theme with horse pictures on every wall, depicting their gracefulness and strength.

It was an extra blessing to be able to bring to our dogs! They had so much fun roaming the ranch and meeting the owner's ranch dogs! We loved having our dogs with us!

When we got there and unpacked, my son Chris stretched out contently on his bed and relaxed.

Youth and the prime of life are fleeting, so remove grief and anger from our hearts and enjoy God and life!

"So, remove grief and anger from your heart

and put away pain from your body,

because childhood and the prime of life 

are fleeting."

Ecclesiastes 11:10 (NASB)

My Heart Is Filled

God was with us on our Christmas road trip to Sandpoint, Idaho. The temperatures were mild, the visibility was clear, and the roads were clear, except for some icy patches along Crow's Nest Pass. Even though a heavy snowfall was predicted, we encountered none.

The scenery was beautiful! When God covers His forests and mountains with snow, it is like a wonderland of God's purity and goodness.

My son Tim took pictures while I drove. Then we switched later on. He drove and I took pictures.

Of course, Olaf had to come too!

Before we drove off, I prayed out loud to God for His protection on both vehicles, and then trusted Him with all my heart. When I think about God's strength and shield of protection on this trip and holiday, my heart is filled with such joy and thanksgiving in knowing God as my heavenly Father.

"The Lord is my strength and shield.

I trust Him with all my heart.

He helps me,

and my heart is filled with joy.

I burst out in song of thanksgiving."

Psalm 28:7 (NLT)