Tag: God
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Feral Family Gathering
One of the joys of living in the ‘wilds’ up on the mountain – down in the ‘holler’ – by the ‘crick’ in the Great Smokies is enjoying the impromptu, ‘Stop By Anytime’ visits from the interesting menagerie of our friendly feral neighbors. “All creatures great and small, the Lord God made them all.“ We…
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One Nation Under God ?
New York advertising photographer Bill composed this powerfully reflective photograph of a US flag made from matches that has just caught fire, Stars and Stripes Forever? (1970). Taking its name from a patriotic march, Stettner suggested it perchance foreshadows “The fragility of the US and the principles that founded it.” The haunting “?” Stettner placed…
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Volcanoes and Bucket Lists
We’re in the midst of a several day Smoky Mountains liquid deluge. While grateful for the needed rainfall, it dampens my desire to go outside on wander woods wanders or splash around in the creek re-arranging boulders to create reflecting pools. It’s not cold enough to turn the landscape white and snap on a pair…
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Joy And Sorrow
“Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” Psalms 30:5 The two recent tragic airline disasters in Philadelphia and DC accentuated the unknown brevity of this life we’ve all been given. The Philadelphia crash was especially poignant to me. It occurred less than 2 miles from the home where I grew…
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Frozen Wonder
It’s been a tad ‘chilly’ here in the Smokies lately. Folks here aren’t accustomed to lotsa’ snowflakes and ‘black ice’, or even regular ice other than ice cubes when the thermometer bounces around zero . . . it’s definitely not Alaska Virginia 😊 The magnificent winter wonderland surrounding our home up here in the mountains…
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The If . . . Then Providential Promise
In 4 days our country will inaugurate it’s 47th President. He, his Vice President, cabinet, our House of Representatives, Senate, Supreme Court and other leaders all urgently need our prayers for God’s wisdom . . . not theirs . . . in leading, healing, and unifying our sadly Divided States of America. The following excerpt…
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Quintessential Light Show
No crowds . . . No noise . . . No charge . . . A quintessential Aurora borealis display ushered in the Last Frontier New Year. A friend of mine in Palmer, Alaska sent me this picture. Reason #1,001 to call the Greatland home 😊 “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is…
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New Year Resolutions
If New Year resolutions were as easy to keep as they were to make, 2025 will be a banner year for everyone! 😊 Each year (save leap years) has 365 days . . . bet you already knew that 😊. Each year is a one-of-a-kind, unique collection of opportunities, accomplishments, regrets, joys, and sorrows which…
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Sentimental Gratitude
Having witnessed over 8 decades of the final days of another year ticking off, 2024 is departing with a comforting aura of sentimental gratitude. Sentimental because I’ve somehow survived to attain the stage of life where the trails seem a tad longer; my steps a tad shorter; other hikers a lot younger; and odds…
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Christmas Journeys
Christmas and Thanksgiving are America’s most family-oriented holidays. The latest Christmas travel statistics predict over 115 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles during Christmas, with 59% visiting family. Some two decades ago a single Dad and his two young sons embarked on a Christmas journey to visit family. Zooming through the skies at…