Chasm Falls 6

Chasm Falls 5

Here the original photo is a vertical shot; still the wonderful combination of water, rock, and autumn leaves resting on the rock.

Chasm Falls 4

He split the rocks in the desert
and gave them water as abundant as the seas;
he brought streams out of a rocky crag
and made water flow down like rivers.
Psalm 78:15-16

Chasm Falls 3

This cross makes the stone look thin and delicate. Of course it's not, but it does change and crumble over time because of the persistence of the water.

Chasm Falls 2

Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls.
Psalm 42:7

Chasm Falls

Chasm Falls along old Fall River Road, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Fall River Valley 5

Fall River Valley 4

If you've ever driven up the old Fall River Road in Rocky Mountain National Park, you know that there are two reasons for stopping occasionally: (1) It's a slow, winding dirt road that requires lots of concentration and makes you tired; (2) There is beauty to soak in, as in this photo. It's not a place to hurry--sort of like life.

Fall River Valley 3

Assuming that heaven is much more beautiful than this, it must be wonderful!

Fall River Valley 2

Fall River Valley

Fall River Valley, autumn, Rocky Mountain National Park

Wood grains 8

How many ways are there of looking at an old tree stump? Many.

So this series of crosses reminds me to be humble when I'm tempted to say, "My way of looking at this is the only way."

Wood grains 7

Whenever I make lots of crosses from one photograph--as with this series of wood grains--I'm reminded of the infinite possibilities of life and beauty. Those possibilities are a gift of God, made possible through the cross.

Wood grains 6

Graceful curved lines--groovy!

Wood grains 5

Wood grains 4

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

More wood grains

There's a cross in every photo, but it takes work and time and patience to make it evident.

The image of God is in every person, but it can also take work and time and patience to make it evident.

Homestead bridge

A bridge to how the land used to look in southeast Nebraska before it was "developed."

Homestead National Monument of America, Beatrice, Nebraska

Homestead path

The path ahead is still in darkness, but the light is coming!

Homestead National Monument of America, Beatrice, Nebraska

Big Blue bridge 2

Big Blue bridge

The Apostle Paul says that the job description for all who follow Jesus is to be "ministers of reconciliation." That means we people of the cross are to be bridge-builders, those who find a way to heal all that divides people from one another. So every time you see a bridge, say to yourself, "Ah--THAT'S my job!"

This bridge spans the Big Blue River in Beatrice, Nebraska.

Wood grains 2

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
Isaiah 11:1

This text is usually used in the Advent season, but this old dried stump makes clear the extent of God's miracle: new life comes from that which is old, cracked, and completely dead; an Easter season message, too!

Wood grains

Wood grains are the tree's autobiography, each ring revealing a year of life. This bare stump, in Rocky Mountain National Park, suggests that this tree had an interesting history.

Dead branches, distant mountains 5

The light at the center of this cross suggests the theme of hope:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11

Dead branches, distant mountains 4