Shenandoah National Park – Deep Thoughts & Little Happenings

November 12, 2020November 11, 2020

Finding Our Way Through the Fog of Loss

Show me the right path, O Lord;
    point out the road for me to follow.
Lead me by your truth and teach me,
    for you are the God who saves me.
    All day long I put my hope in you.

Psalm 25:4-5 (NLT)

Today is the seven month anniversary of Daddy’s death. Yesterday was his birthday. Two days ago, George’s brother lost his battle with Covid-19, and his wife is still in the hospital fighting the same battle.

But death is not the only way we experience loss and grief. In fact, every person in the world has experienced varying degrees of loss and grief this year. We’ve all experienced the loss of “normal” living in some way or another.

Loss of jobs, homes, lifestyles.

Loss of health, plans, dreams, traditions, the familiar.

Loss of the basic ability to come and go without possibly endangering ourselves or those around us.

Every loss hurts.

I cannot measure your pain by my pain, nor can you measure my pain by yours. It doesn’t matter how similar our loss may be. No two of us are alike, and we experience grief as uniquely as we are created. We all respond to loss, pain, and grief differently and in varying amounts of time.

Grief will not go away just because we want it to or because others tell us it’s time.

Nor is grief diminished just because we expect the loss.

I’ve heard of the “fog of grief” after a loss, but I’ve actually come to appreciate the fog. It created a blessed narrowing of my vision. An obscuring of all but the next step I needed to take. A blurring of everything outside of the immediate. Leaving me to live in the moment. Allowing me to see and savor what is precious in the present.

That’s why I chose today’s verse. That’s why George and I raced over to Long Park a couple of weeks ago after we woke to a foggy neighborhood. I wanted pictures. I wanted to capture and share a tiny glimpse of the hope and love I’ve discovered during my fog of grief. Fog has become a picture of the all encompassing comfort the LORD gives His children during our days of grief.

One other thing…

Just as fog muffles sound, the fog of grief will muffle the noise of the often well-meaning yet carelessly spoken words of others.

Everyone enjoys a fitting reply;
it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!
The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking;
Proverbs 15:23 & 28a (NLT)

Whatever loss you’re walking through right now. Whatever the pain you’re experiencing. May you find your hope in Jesus. May you feel His presence and love for you in a tangible way today. May His light penetrate the fog of grief surrounding you and help you see each next step. May His blessing of fog protect and comfort you until the light of His love burns it off and reveals all the beauty of living He still has in store for you.

Taken by George at Tunnel Parking Overlook on Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park – October 2, 2020

I look up to the mountains—
does my help come from there?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!
Psalm 121:1-2 (NLT)

If you have not yet met Jesus, you can meet Him today. He created you. He loves you. He wants you to be a part of His family. I encourage you to step into the life He created you to live. You will still have the troubles of this world, but you will no longer be facing them alone. I’m praying for you! https://peacewithgod.net/mobile/?utm_source=Microsoft&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=HowToGoToHeaven&utm_campaign=USPWGMobileSearchMic

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Jesus – John 16:33 (NLT)

October 22, 2020October 22, 2020

Growing Through the Hard Places, Wicked Winds, and Broken Places

Today’s Scripture Passage:

Jeremiah 29:4-14

Key Verse:

If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. Jeremiah 29:13 (NLT)

I’ve always been fascinated by trees. It doesn’t matter the season. Full of leaves, bare, green or decked in an array of colors. Trees are beautiful. They grow in all sorts of climates and terrain. Their differences are beyond numbering (for me anyway).

Trails are a great place to see trees and witness just how tenacious they are when it comes to living.

Lost Mountain Trail in Sky Meadow State Park – September 15, 2020

Trees are unbelievably persistent in their efforts to reach the light and water they need to live.

Thornberry Loop Trail in Manassas National Battlefield Park – September 27, 2020

Some are clinging to the soil, others reaching into the water.

Fern Hollow Loop in Bull Run Mountain Natural Area Preserve – October 9, 2020

Some have faced destructive disease or pestilence.

Stoney Man to Little Stoney Man Loop Trail in Shenandoah National Park – October 15, 2020

Some twist and turn their way toward sunlight while others push their way through and around huge rocks.

Thornberry Loop Trail in Manassas National Battlefield

Each of these trees are a beautiful example of how I can be spiritually healthy no matter my circumstances or location. First, I must remember:

Jesus is the Light.

Jesus is the Living Water.

Just as trees need water and light, I need Jesus. He’s the Light and the Water I need. He’s the Giver of life to all of us!

In today’s scriptures, Jeremiah is talking to the people of Israel about how they are to live in bondage to Babylon under the rule of King Nebuchadnezzar. He was a cruel king and there was nothing wonderful about being taken from their homes and made to live in this foreign land under his rule. They were facing adversity!

The promise in verse 13 requires participation. We’re to look for the LORD wholeheartedly. Not for a little bit or halfheartedly. We’re to be as tenacious in looking for the LORD as a tree is in seeking water and light.

What’s the promise for those who wholeheartedly look for the LORD? We will find Him. It’s the old testament equivalent to what Jesus said, “Seek and you will find.”

I think these trees perfectly illustrate the wholehearted looking for described in these verses. They persevere in their search for water and light. They know they need both to live and they don’t let anything stop them from finding the light and water they need.

So, although this is not a new verse for me, it has me evaluating my life. I’m asking some tough questions of myself and I invite you to ask them of yourself as well.

—What do I spend my time and energy trying to find? Am I wholeheartedly looking for Jesus?

—Who or what am I expecting to sustain me through the difficult times of my life? Am I placing unreal expectations on someone in hopes they’ll give me what only Jesus can give?

—Am I making excuses for not following Jesus and His ways? Am I blaming my locality? My circumstance? Others? Am I pointing to the adversities meant to strengthen me as a reason for not living the abundant life I’m created to live? Do I compromise and miss out on all the benefits?

—When the struggle gets intense, do I turn to Jesus, cast my cares on Him, and allow Him to help me through the struggle? Or do I turn to the distraction of busy-ness, eating, exercise, mind-numbing entertainment, or something else to make me feel better or give me the illusion of control?

—Do I see and acknowledge the beauty emerging from my struggle? Am I learning to release my worries and receive His peace? Am I growing in the joy of living and trusting Jesus through it all?

LORD, we’re so thankful to be citizens of Your Kingdom. We’re thank You for the privilege of being your representative in the foreign land we live in now. Help us to grow in our relationship with You, so we will represent You well. Give us compassion and courage and teach us to love those around us as You love them. We want to love as citizens of Heavens and not citizens of this world!

Digging Deeper:

John 1:1-5, John 10:10, Romans 5:3-5, Philippians 3:7-16, James 1:2-4

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

October 15, 2020October 15, 2020

I Was Just Trying To Help!

Today’s Scripture Passage:

Matthew 7:1-5

Key Verse:

How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Matthew 7:4 (NLT)

I started paying extra attention to the numbers of downed trees on the trails after reading these verses in Matthew.

Notice how these trees are cut at both sides of the trail’s edge to create a passageway.

Pictures taken by George on the Bull Run Mountain Fern Hollow Loop Trail – October 9, 2020

These were left uncut and create an obstacle course.

Picture taken by George on the Hawksbill Gap Loop Trail – October 2, 2020

Jesus was talking to the people about what happens when we try to help others before letting Him remove the log of sin from our own eye.

Jesus created a vivid word picture of terrible pain, struggle, and abuse with His words!

Read the key verse again…

How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?

This verse is what prompted me to take the following picture during a hike on the Thornberry House Loop Trail. I wanted to “see” what it would be like to have a log protruding from my eye. I set my camera on the cut end of the log and snapped the picture.

Imagine with me…

This log is lodged in your eye. It’s protruding outward. Imagine the pain. Notice how little you can see. Consider the damage you inflict on everyone around you.

Sin fills our vision and hinders our ability to see and follow Jesus.

Sin creates division and distance between us and others.

Sin grows when left unchecked.

Every relationship is affected when we have a log of sin painfully embedded in our eye.

Digging Deeper:

Psalm 51:7-13, Psalm 139: 23-24, Luke 11:34-36, John 3:17-21, Romans 12:1-5, Galatians 5:14-15 & 24-26, James 1:13-15 James 4:17, 1 John 1:9, 1 John 5:17,

October 8, 2020October 8, 2020

Pressing On in Adversity with No Comparison!

Today’s Scripture Passage:

Colossians 1:3-20

Key Verse:

We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, Colossians 1:11 (NLT)

George and I hiked the Hawksbill Loop Trail last Friday. It’s not overly long and the elevation changes are not extreme, but plenty of challenge for us. We’d been walking a while when we came upon a sign I’d not seen posted on any of our previous hikes.

Have you every wondered about the “why” behind an instruction? Well, we didn’t have to go much further up the trail before we understood the reason for this sign.

The path ahead was all rocks!

I had to pick my way across a rock only surface. It was the only way forward. The rocks rose up the mountain to my left, and the rocks dropped down the mountain to my right.

I was about halfway across the first portion of the 300 yard “Off-trail use prohibited” section when I began to realize the precariousness of my position.

The reality of what could happen if I lost my footing flashed through my mind.

I’ll state the obvious; we didn’t fall.

In fact, we even enjoyed a bit of silly fun as we pressed on toward the summit.

It’s a Hollow Tree!
Or is it a Holy Tree?
Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.

The rewards for our efforts and perseverance were great.

Not only did we enjoy some beautiful views, but completing the trail brought with it an unbelievable sense of satisfaction and confidence.

View from Bird’s Nest just a half mile below the Summit

Okay, let’s switch gears a minute and take a look at our friends’ hike.

They hiked the Dark Hollow and Rose River Loop Trail the Monday before our Friday hike. It’s another SNP trail, but it’s a MUCH more difficult trail to hike. It’s twice as long, and the elevation changes are three times those of the trail we hiked.

Kim wrote, “It was misty and foggy going in, and the name, Dark Hollow Falls, made it even more fun.”

Kim honestly shared the hardship of traversing the wet, slippery, and very steep downhill trail to the falls. Her desire for it to be over grew as her strength and stamina was challenged.

She and Jeff enjoyed being together and seeing the beauty of multiple waterfalls up close and personal.

**Pictures taken and story shared by Kim Barker after she and Jeff hiked the**
**SNP Dark Hollow & Rose River Loop Trail on September 28, 2020**

As Kim and I emailed one another about our hikes, I kept thinking about the differences in us and in the paths we hiked. The more I thought about it, the more I felt the LORD pressing me to understand, learn, and apply those lessons to my daily walk with Him and others. So here are some of the things I learned…

My path will be different than yours; your path will be different than mine.

The length will vary according to the number of days the LORD gives us.

We’ll meet different people and may even walk with some of the same people more than once in a lifetime.

The pains and heartaches we endure may be similar, but they will impact, influence and inspire us differently.

Our challenges will most definitely be more than we can handle alone; each will require us to trust Jesus. Trust Him to equip us with everything we need and lead us safely to our trail’s end.

We can be sure we’ll grow weary. We may even consider giving up, but

When we press on…

Our trust in Jesus grows as we witness His faithfulness all along the way.

We learn to recognize His presence and His goodness right smack dab in the middle of the hardest places of our lives.

We gain strength, stamina, and steadfastness of spirit.

We learn to be gracious with ourselves and others.

We understand and we acknowledge our unique personalities and physical characteristics create different places of struggle for each of us, even when facing similar circumstances.

We genuinely celebrate the accomplishments and success of others.

And, we tell the story of the trail we’ve traveled with Jesus. We encourage others to be Jesus-followers too; no matter where He leads them and without looking back.

Digging Deeper:

Matthew 11:28-30, Ephesians 2:1-10, Philippians 3:13-15

September 24, 2020September 24, 2020

Trail Lesson 201-C

Today’s Scripture Passage:

1 Corinthians 3:5-9

Key Verse:

It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. 1 Corinthians 3:7 (NLT)

Today is the conclusion of the continuous thought thread I’ve been pulling after our time on the Compton’s Peak Trail.

It began with the reminder Jesus is The Way and continued last week with the importance of Jesus-followers telling others Jesus is The Way. https://barbaracoulson.com/trail-lesson-201-b/

We didn’t get on the trail until almost a week after Alex told us about it. Why am I telling you the timeline between Alex telling us about the trail and us actually hiking the trail?

Well, the LORD’s been calling me to remember the joy of my salvation and share it with enthusiasm. He doesn’t want sharing His Good News to be a chore I check off of my list of things to do today. And He doesn’t want the rejection of what I share to become my responsibility.

Read our Key Verse again…

It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.

It is our responsibility to tell others who Jesus is.

It is our responsibility to invite them to believe and follow Jesus.

It is NOT our responsibility to make them accept His invitation.

I can enjoy sharing Jesus when I remember He is the One who makes the seed of His word grow. It’s all about Him and His timing. He’s their creator. He knows them better than anyone else. He’s got this.

I can remember the joy of my salvation and share Jesus with enthusiasm.

Digging Deeper:

Matthew 13:3-9 & 18-23

September 17, 2020

Trail Lesson 201 – B

Today’s Scripture Passage:

Romans 10:9-17

Key Verse:

But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? John 10:14

Last week was all about us walking on a trail someone else had already created for us and how Jesus, God in the flesh, did the same by making a way for us to spend our ever after in heaven. https://barbaracoulson.com/trail-lesson-201-a/

Today I want to continue with what began during our Compton’s Peak Trail hike.

We hiked Compton’s Peak Trail because a friend told us about it.

We’d seen it on our trail list, but it was just another trail in a list of many.

She didn’t give us a list of reasons why we HAD to hike the trail.

She didn’t tell us we SHOULD hike the trail.

Nope!

She told us she hiked the trail.

She told us about her experience on the trail.

She shared what she enjoyed about it, the effort it took, where it’s located, and how we could get there. Yes! She even told us which mile marker to look for on Skyline Drive. She was very specific when answering our questions without ever giving us the impression we were less than because we had never been on this trail.

Once we were on the trail, all I could think was how thankful I was Alex had told us about the trail.

So what was my spiritual take-away?

Jesus wants His followers to tell others about Him.

Jesus wants us to tell others what it’s like to be a Jesus-follower and walk through life His Way.

Yes! Sharing Jesus with others can be full on scary.

Sharing our own personal journey with Jesus can feel even scarier. Why?

Sharing Jesus means living transparent, authentic, and humble lives.

Sharing Jesus means being disciplined and committed to following Jesus myself!

Sharing Jesus presses me to love Jesus and others as He loves me!

Okay, three things and I’m finished…

1… The more you and I know of Jesus, the more we will understand how wide, high, long, and deep His love is for us. The more we understand just how much He loves us, the more we will love Him. The more we love Jesus, the more we will love others and tell them about Him.

2… We can do nothing apart from Jesus, when we remain in Him, there is nothing we cannot do through Him.

3… Walking by Holy Spirit produces His Spirit fruit in us and protects us from becoming prideful and stingy Jesus-followers.

There’s more from Compton’s Peak Trail, but let’s save it for another day.

Digging Deeper:

Isaiah 52:7, Matthew 28, 18-20, Mark 16:15, John 15, Galatians 5, Ephesians 3: 14-19, Philippians 4:13, & 1 Peter 3:15

September 10, 2020September 10, 2020

Trail Lesson 201 – A

Today’s Scripture Passage:

John 14:1-6

Key Verse:

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6

George and I have been having the best time exploring local trails. We’ve not really been on many of them pre-retirement, but there are enough to keep us busy for a long time to come.

Last Friday, we went to Skyline Drive and used the Appalachian Trail (AT) to access Compton Peak Trail. We enjoyed the views from the west end. The rest and shelter at the bottom of the east end was a welcome respite before our hike back to the car.

One view from Compton Peak Trail West

My mind always goes in a million directions. There’s just so much to see and learn on the trail, but two things keep coming back to me after this trip.

I’m only going to share one this week, and save the other for next week.

Every trail exists because someone went before us and made a way for us.

I have to tell you. Compton Peak Trail was a great hike. For me it was made doubly wonderful because a major portion of it was spent on the AT. Yes, I have a real love for the AT. In fact, it was once my dream to do a thru-hike.

Anyway, back to last Friday. This was not an easy hike. The All Trails site lists it as moderate, but it was hard for me. The east end was very steep and rocky. I was nervous in a couple of places, but the hard work seemed to double the satisfaction I felt when we reached the bottom.

If you look closely, you can see a portion of the trail we used to get to my position at the bottom. It cuts right between those two trees. (This wasn’t even the hard section, but I was too busy trying to stay safe to think about taking a picture for you.)

Okay, here’s the first spiritual picture I saw in this adventure.

We (all mankind) want to spend eternity in heaven. Heaven is where God lives and we cannot get there on our own. God knew this, so He made a way for us to get there. That way is not a trail through a beautiful forest. Nope! The Way is God Himself, in the flesh. His name is Jesus. He is The Way, the only Way, for anyone to be in relationship with God the Father. The only way to spend eternity with Him in His home in heaven.

You might be wondering why that’s the only way. Well, because God says so; He’s the Creator of heaven and earth. That means He is the only One who has the authority to say what is right or wrong (regardless of how many people vote otherwise). He’s the One who defines sin. He is holy. We are sinners.

No! We are not sinners because we sin; we sin because we are sinners. Holiness and sinfulness cannot co-exist. Therefore, we had no access to God.

God created us, loves us, and wants to be in a personal relationship with each of us. So, He made a way for that to be possible. He came to earth, lived a perfect life in a flesh and blood body, died for sins He didn’t commit, and was resurrected again on the third day. This is the Good News.

Why is it Good News? Because in living a sinless life and then dying for sins He didn’t commit, Jesus paid for our sins in His flesh. His resurrection defeated the second death and our souls are now eternal. He defeated forever the power sin and death held over our lives.

One more thing, where we spend eternity is determined by our decision to either believe in and follow Jesus or our own way.

No one is ever forced to follow Jesus, but we will all one day acknowledge who He is, whether we choose to follow Him or not.

We all have an ever after.

If you want to spend yours in heaven, Jesus is The Way to get there!

Digging Deeper:

Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23, John 3:16-17, Acts 2:21, Acts 4:11-12, Romans 10: 9-11, Ephesians 2:8-10, Philippians 2:9-11

April 9, 2020April 9, 2020

Rest in the Transition

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

As Momma and I were doing our lateral raises (therapy exercises) yesterday, Momma talked about the times we used to watch the butterflies dry their wings and prepare for flight. She compared the slow movement of our outstretched arms to the movement of those fresh from the chrysalis butterflies.

Her comparison reminded me of what I learned while doing research for last year’s butterfly posts. I’ve always heard about the struggle of the chrysalis, but I found out there is rest in the chrysalis.

I’ve also heard how the butterfly has to fight it’s way out. Again, it’s not so. The chrysalis cracks open and allows the butterfly to begin the process of opening and drying its wings.

It’s a tedious and yet beautiful time as the butterfly slowly moves it wings up and down repeatedly. When its wings are totally dry, it flies away free and is no longer confined to the ground.

Easter is upon us and Jesus-followers are remembering what Jesus did for us and the freedom of new life in Him.

“Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.” 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (NLT)

There doesn’t have to be struggle in the transition, because the LORD brings the transformation of our lives. He does the work of making us those new creations.

LORD, thank You for the full and abundant life You paid such a high price to give me. Teach me to agree with You, so I will live the life You’ve given me to the fullest degree and with Your joy.

And LORD, for all those reading this today, I ask Your added blessing on them. Help them to willingly submit to You and Your ways for them. No struggle, but complete surrender and perfect peace! Amen.

October 31, 2019October 30, 2019

Run, Hop, & Skip!

The LORD’s been busy bumping me into a place of different perspective these last few weeks. It started when He gave me a verse in Habakkuk several weeks ago.

Taken by George in Shenandoah National Park, October 2019

“The Lord God is my strength,
And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet,
And makes me walk on my high places.” Habakkuk 3:19 (NASB)

The Amplified version says,

“The Lord God is my strength [my source of courage, my invincible army];
He has made my feet [steady and sure] like hinds’ feet
And makes me walk [forward with spiritual confidence] on my high places [of challenge and responsibility].”

I recently woke with two more verses circling around in my head. The first was Jesus speaking to His disciples.

“apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5c (NLT)

And the second was Paul writing to the Philippians.

“I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 (NLT)

I also felt compelled to re-read the entire book of Habakkuk. It’s only three chapters, but I’d already read Habakkuk just a few weeks ago.

Anyway, I read it and recorded the portions that seemed to jump off the page and speak directly to me. Then I went back to what I had recorded previously. Would you believe they were the very same things?!

What did I discover this second time around? My fears were becoming my high places, but God wanted me to understand He would make my feet steady and sure. He wanted me to be confident in Him. He was reminding me to look at Him instead of my challenges.

How wonderful, amazing, comforting, and joyful is that news? For me, it was liberating beyond expression. I could actually envision myself joyfully skipping over the tops of my treacherously rocky high places.

Me. Taken by George in Shenandoah National Park, October 2019

How great is His love for us? We have no need to fear the challenges or responsibilities of this life! He strengthens us with His joy. He is always with us. He makes it possible for us to do everything He created us to do! (Nehemiah 8:10, Joshua 1:9 & Ephesians 2:10)

How about you? Has the LORD been nudging you over and helping you see something from a different perspective? If so, please share some of the Scriptures He’s used to reveal Himself in the middle of where you are right now.

October 24, 2019October 24, 2019

Just Ask!

The mountain view was worth the slow, slippery, and rocky ups and downs of the trail. It was awe inspiring!

Shenandoah National Park – taken by George Oct 2019

I stood there marveling over the beauty stretched out before me and was reminded of the verses George included in almost every letter he sent home during his deployments. Yes! It was snail mail. And yes! I still have every one of them.

“I look up to the mountains – does my help come from there? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.” Psalm 121:1-3 (NLT)

Creation reminds us of how amazing our Creator is. He created the heavens and the earth. Even more amazing? He has named Himself as our Helper. I needed this reminder!

Asking God for help pleases Him. It is not pestering Him! It is a statement of our faith in Him when we seek His help. (Matthew 7:7-11, Hebrews 11:6)

God has given us direct access to Him through Jesus. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

When we’re overwhelmed and don’t know what to ask, we can ask Holy Spirit to ask on our behalf. He knows just what God wants to do for us. We can be sure everything God gives us is good and perfect! (Romans 8:26 & James 1:16-18)

How about you? Did you need this reminder as much as I did? Is there something you need to ask God to help you with today? If so, why not ask Him now?