In a Fog

We have all heard and used the expression "He has his head in the clouds".|
The meaning of this expression according to a dictionary is ... 

• to be out of touch with the everyday world and to be unrealistic because of it. 
• to be living in a fantasy (world) 
• to have impractical ideas or dreams. Sometimes the person doesn't know the facts or reality of the situation.

I took the above photo this morning from my deck overlooking the valley below.  As I stood looking down on the sea of clouds, I thought of what it must be like for the thousands of people living under it, covered in 'fog' - how far could they see? a few feet? 

I thought about how aptly my view pictured the expression referred to above. 

While their view was limited and shrouded, mine was clear and unobstructed. 

While they walked about in a fog blocking the light, I enjoyed the sun shining from a blue sky. 

My mind moved from the physical to the spiritual application, recognizing how closely they paralleled one another.  

If we have our head in the fog of this world, we will be out of touch with reality as God defines it.  Worldly wisdom 'so called', offers only a very limited and unrealistic view, having no idea or understanding, of the Son Light that is shining above the 'fog' they walk in. 

I did a little word search and found some verses that take on clarity when laid aside my above 'fog' photo. 

"Have you heard the counsel of God? Do you limit wisdom to yourself?" 

~Job 15:8 

Would those words not be fitting to someone who has his head 'in the clouds' , judging his day by how far he can or cannot see, or by what he can or cannot see, rather than by the Truth of God  that shines above the 'fog' - not thinking or reasoning clearly because he is choosing his own wisdom over God's? 

"And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it." 

~John 1:5 

I have found myself in dense fog and been frustrated by how difficult it was to see, and I totally focused on my 'fog reality',  never once thinking about how the sun was shining on those who were 'above the fog'.  It is so easy to make our own experience the reality we choose to live by, without 'comprehending' that there is a reality infinitely higher and wiser than what we see around us. 

"When His lamp shone upon my head, and when by His light I walked through darkness." ~Job 29:3 

When we walk in the Light of God's truth, our view is unlimited, our mind clear. We can 'see' even when we walk in darkness, because the Son shines upon us, in us, and through us. The 'fog' of this world cannot 'hide' His wisdom and truth when we walk "in His Light". 

The Trust of an Eaglet

I have been watching an eagle cam this spring. (Decorah web cam in Iowa)

The eggs hatched this week - the little eaglets are adorable , white little fluffy wide eyed chicks.

I love watching the parents come to feed their young. Even the day they hatched they were already fed bits of raw meat to which their little beaks open eagerly.

I am so amazed at the gentle carefulness of the parent eagle. Their clawed feet look huge beside the fragile chicks. How easily one misstep or one snap of the terror-hooked beak would snuff out the life of the tiny chick.

As I observed the incongruence of beast of prey and helpless bit of down-covered life, I was struck with the baby birds' display of unquestioning trust.

There is no alternative for the chicks but to trust their parent eagles. They are totally and completely at the adult birds' mercy. Their safety, their food, their protection , their very existence depends on a creature whose majestic power and strength belies tenderness.

Their whole world is encompassed by the nest in which they hatched. There is no where else for them to go - escape the nest and death awaits.

But fear is not familiar to the little bird. Complete trust beats in its little breast - no sense of terror when the huge parent bird swoops into the nest. Only a response of a welcome chirp and an open beak for the expectant supply of food. Then a snuggle under the breast of the parent bird that settles carefully over her young to provide needed warmth and safety.

I watched and was struck with the parallel of eaglet chick and me.

I too have a Father who built a nest in which He gave me life.

My nest is the physical world. I cannot escape -- only death lies outside my nest.

My Father hovers over my nest - His wings span the whole of it. His eyes are ever upon it - He is never far away.

Yet, I am not as trusting as the eaglet chick.

I worry about my needs being met.

I sometimes fear my Father has perhaps forgotten me.

I am anxious about the dangers around me.

Do I struggle to believe that my God is BIG enough to 'cover' the nest He built? that He knows my need? that He is ever vigilant over every detail of my life?

Job seemed to share this kind of thinking ... He said, "I shall die in my nest ..." (Job 29:18) while Ruth had more the attitude of the little eaglet, safe under the refuge of the Lord God's wings. (Ruth 2:12)

David, the Shepherd King who spent countless nights in his 'nest' under open skies understood well Who watched over him.

" Hide me under the shadow of Your wings... Ps. 17:8 "I will trust in the shelter of Your wings" Ps. 61:4 "How precious is Your loving kindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings." Ps. 36:7, "Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice!" Ph. 63:7

How beautiful and comforting are the following words...

"He shall cover you with His feathers,

and under His wings you shall take refuge, ...

You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,

Nor of the arrow that flies by day ...

No evil shall befall you..."

and you shall hear the voice of the Lord whisper softly to you ...

"Because you have set your love upon Me, I will deliver you..

I will set you on high because you have known My name,

You shall call upon Me and I will answer you,

I will be with you in trouble,

I will deliver you and honour you ,

With long life I will satisfy you, and show you My salvation!"

(adapted from Ps. 91)

"O, Lord Father, may I quiet my heart before you and know that you have shown me in a little bird what trust looks like and how futile and silly it is of me to ever doubt your care!"

To God be the Glory

If anyone can look at the beauty of God's creation and say there is no God, he must surely be blind!!

On Monday of this week we saw that our local mountains were all dusted with snow, and it being a warm day .. cloudy with bursts of sunshine, we could not stay indoors. We started off with a walk , then decided to take a quick drive. ! The splendor of fall colors against snow topped mountains was indeed breathtaking.
The following photos show some of the beautiful scenes we enjoyed

I know the photos give but a hint of the real, but may they lift your soul in praise to the One who said rightly of His creation "It is good!"


The Woolly Bear caterpillar on my plant sports a broad red belt. According to folklore, that indicates a mild winter coming.
The early mountain snows seem to indicate otherwise.

From my kitchen window.

Walking up the berm beside our house.

We then turned back and went for a drive.




God's golden carpet.

see the wisp of a cloud lingering on the mountainside?

a beautiful hillside farm

see the heavy snowfall on the mountain to the right?

These cows all gathered to serenade me in true bellow fashion

aren't the best views of life along the narrow way?

Talk about a perch! See the house way at the top?

They would have an incredible view of the valleys and

surrounding mountains.

a gorgeous valley, that was for sale.... hmmm .. wonder how much?

the photo was free.

The above a close up view of the snow dusted mountain

against a momentary blue sky.

a waterfall beside the road - almost home again

Psa 71:8 "Let my mouth be filled with Your praise And with Your glory all the day."

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