Open My Eyes

Hike: Mountain Creek, Sat., 07/28/2007 10:00-12:00
Conditions: Hot! Mostly sunny, very muggy, calm.
Distance: 4 miles
Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy
Thoughts: Late start, was out until 01:00 callout from #1 Paper Machine. Changed camera settings to "Best" quality (150 pics/card). Saw so many things I had never observed before! YOU really opened up my eyes today, LORD. Velvet ant on trail creekside, several White Oaks in the riparian hardwood forest (how did I miss those before?). Message for tomorrow "Open My Eyes" (Acts 26:18)

Alabama Nature Center - July 21 Hike

Hike: Alabama Wildlife Federation Nature Center, Millbrook, AL 08:00-12:00
Conditions: Mostly sunny, hot, muggy, light breeze
Distance: 6 miles
Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy
Thoughts: Time included Nature Photography Seminar from 10:00-11:00. Enjoyable hike. A little more people on trails than last time due to photography seminar. Hiked some of the trails reverse to last time. Thank YOU, LORD for this place and for YOUR communion. Sermon topic for tomorrow, "Highway in the Wilderness" (Isa. 40:3)!

Washing Machine Blues (maybe a little off topic)

There are some things in life that we just don't pay much attention to unless they're not working... Yes, you guessed it; one of those is the washing machine. I can't say I think about it very much - at least not until yesterday when I had to work on it! It's amazing how we have come to expect all of these "modern conveniences" and how much stress they can cause when we no longer have access to them. I mean think about it, how many people in the world do not have access to washing machines - they seem to survive just fine. I'm afraid that we in the West have become too accustomed to having our desires met (not just our needs). Perhaps we need to focus more on what is really important.

Mountain Creek Late Afternoon Hike

Hike: Mountain Creek - Hardwood and Pine Forest Trails, Saturday, 7/14/2007 18:00-19:00CDT
Conditions: Cloudy, warm, muggy, a few sprinkles
Distance: 2 miles
Rating: 5
Difficulty: Easy
Thoughts:

Late afternoon hike. Mostly cloudy and a few sprinkles. Comfortable hike. Shadows growing deeper in the hardwood forest due to time and clouds. No one else in the park. When I go this late, I'm always thinking about "what time are they going to lock the gates?" Very tranquil time. Good time to reflect on how YOU have blessed so much during this past week of VBS; most students and workers we have had in 10 years!

Cherokee Ridge - Deadening Trail

Hike: Deadening Trail, Cherokee Ridge, 07/07/2007, 08:30-12:00
Conditions: Cloudy, warm, muggy, on-off again sprinkling rain.
Distance: approximately 4 miles
Rating: 5
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Thoughts: Finally found this trail! They put out signs. Clouds and rain made it so much more enjoyable. Wonderful and exhilarating hike. Jasmine & Lichen Bluff (great overlook where I took a break), Needle's Eye (bouldered through the eye of the needle), Dark Cove, great views of Tallapoosa River cliffs, awesome rock formations and cliffs, beautiful hardwoods, vistas of Lake Martin, and birds (heard turkey on way out). Difficult but so worth it. Thank YOU, LORD, for surprising me with this new trail!

Freedom Hike - Mtn. Creek

Hike: 30-Jun-2007 07:00-09:00 CDT
Conditions: Sunny, very warm, quite muggy.
Distance: 4 miles
Rating: 5
Difficulty: Easy
Thoughts: Had the park to myself. Saw everyone going Kayaking off this morning at church (I'm on call and can't go.). Went straight to park to hike. Best hiking time during this season of year. Many songbirds out! Crows very vocal today. Lots of tracks (dog, bobcat?, coyote, fox). Smelled skunk strongly in Pine Upland - didn't see him though (thankfully!) Park received some desperately needed rain the last few days. Some oaks showing signs of drought stress.
Thank YOU for this time with YOU in YOUR creation. This is so good for my spirit! It is so very good to get "away" from the busy-ness and demands placed on me daily. These hikes, LORD, are even better for my spirit than for my body. Thank YOU for the Freedom that YOU alone give.
Message tomorrow from Isa. 58:6-9.

Christian Stress Relief

I can’t take credit for these… a friend forwarded them to me. The originator is unknown but the ideas are solid!

CHRISTIAN WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS

1. Pray

2. Go to bed on time.

3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.

4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your schedule, or that will
compromise your mental health.

5. Delegate tasks to capable others.

6. Simplify and unclutter your life.

7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too
many.)

8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.

9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over
time; don't lump the hard things all together.

10. Take one day at a time.

11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find
out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.

12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary
purchases.

13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key
buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.

14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent
an enormous amount of trouble.

15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.

16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.

17. Get enough rest.

18. Eat right.

19. Get organized so everything has its place.

20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality
of life.

21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.

22. Every day, find time to be alone.

23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems
in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.

24. Make friends with Godly people.

25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.

26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often
a good "Thank you Jesus."

27. Laugh.

28. Laugh some more!

29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.

30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they
can).

31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).

32. Sit on your ego.

33. Talk less; listen more.

34. Slow down.

35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the
universe.

36. Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that
you've never been grateful for before.

GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.

Alabama Nature Center

Hike: Alabama Nature Center, Millbrook, AL 6/16/2007 08:15-11:15
Distance: 6 miles
Rating: 5
Difficulty: Easy
Conditions: Sunny, hot, humid. Trails very well maintained and marked, wide with chipped wood or gravel surface. Numerous boardwalks and viewing platforms. Nature center divided into three trail and habitat areas: Hardwood Upland, Transition mixed forest, and Riparian forest. Very nice pavilion anchors the center area.
Thoughts/Observations: One boardwalk into tree canopy in Hardwood upland area. Saw grey squirrel, numerous songbirds, and heard turkey. Enjoyed the great stand of white oaks in Hilltop Trail area. Dad called me on cell px during this time - GrandDad Teal made baskets (feed baskets, cotton baskets, etc.) out of White Oaks when Dad was a kid. I never knew that. Wish I had some of the baskets he had made. Good crowd of people at the pavilion for the snake demonstration at 11:00. This is a "world class" area. Privileged to have such a place as this so close. LORD, help us to be good stewards of the creation YOU have entrusted us with.

June 9 Hikes

Hike: Mountain Creek 6/9/2007, 08:15-09:45
Distance: 3 miles
Rating: 5
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Conditions: Sunny; very warm; muggy; very light breeze
Thoughts: Scared up small doe in brush pile as I entered the trails area. Many song birds out today - woods filled with their songs. Looks like park got a little rain the other day. We certainly needed it. We are desperate for rain, LORD. Summer is upon us; hot and humid. Mimosa are in full bloom. As delicate as they look, they handle the drought very well.

Hike: Kymulga Historic Grist Mill Park, Childersburg, AL 6/9/2007, 15:00-17:00
Distance: 1 mile Left Nature Trail
Rating: 4 {Stately riparian Hardwood forest. Tall Beech and Yellow Poplar Trees dominate. Champion Sugarberry stand}
Difficulty: Easy. Trails all level, wide, and well maintained. Surface is dirt and grass. Not well marked.
Conditions: Sunny, hot, humid (of course, it's Alabama in June)
Thoughts: Hiked Left Nature Trail with Kathy. Saw "family" of three armadillos up close. Kathy had never seen a live armadillo before! Trail all level and well maintained. Not marked. Champion Sugarberry trees not located (at least not signed). Small park, but nice riparian area. Would be a good place for a picnic during cooler weather.

Mountain Creek 6/2/07 Hike

Date: 06/02/2007, 11:30-13:00 (late start due to being called in by Paper Machine)
Distance: 3 miles
Rating: 5
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Conditions: Mostly cloudy, warm, very light breeze
Thoughts: Thank YOU, LORD, for giving me this time and this place. Please speak to my heart. I keep getting all kinds of ideas for Crestview Outdoor Ministry Expeditions. YOU are stirring my heart. What should I do? I would love to reach out and touch people with YOUR love and truth through natural expeditions and fellowships. Open doors, LORD. Help me to clearly see and hear and then act on YOUR urging. (Micah 6:8 "What's Required?")

Mountain Creek

Hike: Mon (Memorial Day) 5/28/2007 0930-1100
Conditions: Hazy; mild to warming quickly; light breeze
Distance: 2 miles
Rating: 5
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Thoughts: This place is so peaceful. YOU refresh my spirit here, dear LORD. Saw pair of yellow-greenish birds (about size of large sparrow). They just kept staying around me on one portion of the hike. They didn't make noise. Just moved from one branch to another around me (sometimes just a little over arm's reach). Seemed to be studying me! I named them Emily & Jonny!

Ft. Toulouse Hike

Time: 5/25/2007 9:30-11:00.
Conditions: Sunny, hot, haze from wildfires in GA.
Distance: 3 miles
Rating: 4
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Thoughts: Enjoyable hike. Lots of people in campgrounds but not any on trails. River levels low from drought. Found new trail cut near Tallapoosa River. Thank YOU, LORD for this place and especially for YOUR fellowship. I am thankful for the peace YOU bring into my life. It is wonderful to experience and enjoy YOUR creation.

Cahaba National Wildlife Refuge Hike

Date: 5/12/2007 0930-1300
Conditions: Mostly sunny, hot.
Distance: 5 miles
Rating: 5
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (Heat, Distance, Stream Crossing)
Thoughts:
Good number of people using this NWR for recreation - mostly swimming and canoeing. Hiked trail next to Cahaba River. Saw the Cahaba Lilies in full bloom! Thank YOU, LORD - I have been wanting to see these lilies in person for some time. Waded out into the Cahaba for close up pics of the Lilies and to actually touch one. Saw many lizards and birds; one snake (King snake, I think) and fish. Enjoyable hike (but should have taken more than one bottle of water - it is summer in Alabama). This one rates a return trip with the kayak!

Wehle Nature Center

Carried Kathy to the Dept of Conservation/Natural Resources annual Plant Fest at the Land Conservation Center on Sat, 5/5/2007. Great site! Cabins and vendors. Had good talk with Lands Div Biologist about birds, the Land Center, other ForeverWild tracts, and hikes. Picked up some good reading material about Wildlife Refuges, etc. Plan to return to the Nature Center to hike at a later date. Miles of trails and areas for canoeing/kayaking or horseback riding to be explored. Almost a secret area!

Little River Canyon Expedition

Our "Expedition" (read that: Vacation) to the Little River Canyon area of NE Alabama was wonderful. Such beauty and peace - a very real time of refreshing. Vacation for just Kathy and myself... 'empty nest' in practice.

Hikes: (1) The Wilderness of Mentone (2) Little River Canyon National Preserve (3) DeSoto State Park
Distances: (1) 4 miles total (2) Diving/Hiking tour of the Rim (3) 11 miles total
Ratings: (1) 3.5 (2) 5+ (3) 5
Conditions: All hikes were sunny and mild. Glorious weather for the entire week. Mornings and late evenings were cool (long sleeves), but afternoons were sunny and warm. Little cloud cover most of week. Stars were visible through glass patio doors from our cabin bedroom! Waterfalls were full and beautiful. Hiked to all main falls in DeSoto State Park and Little River Canyon NP. Drove to DeSoto Falls but somehow missed the trail with Icebox Cave.
Thoughts: A great time of refreshing and inspiration. Was wonderful to get away to such a beautiful area for a week. The Wilderness of Mentone is a Christian Retreat in the making. The Kadesh Cabin (our cabin) is a simple one bedroom cabin with a great view of the pond and property. LORD, YOU really spoke to my heart during this week. Thank YOU for giving me this time and working in my life!

Bibb County Glades Nature Preserve Hike

Distance: about 2 miles
Rating: 4/5
Conditions: 10:00-12:00. Sunny and very warm.
Thoughts: Advertised as the most biologically diverse place in Alabama. Numerous species of plants from trees to small wildflowers that I had never seen before! Little Cahaba River runs through the preserve (owned by Nature Conservancy). Rocky outcroppings on the hillsides and near the river. Small gnats were plentiful. Ticks were also out. Trails were not well marked nor maintained. But this IS a wild place and it was beautiful! I plan to return for a longer visit when I can gather more info on the area or perhaps during Winter (when insects and vegetation are less). Thank YOU, LORD for areas such as this. Help us to be good stewards of what YOU entrust us with.
Agape!

Sharing Thanks

The works of the LORD are great, Studied by all who hve pleasure in them. HIS work is honorable and glorious, And HIS righteousness endures forever. HE has made HIS wonderful works to be remembered; The LORD is gracious and full of compassion. HE has given food to those who fear HIM; HE will ever be mindful of HIS covenant. HE has declared to HIS people the power of HIS works, In giving them the heritage of the nations. (Psalm 111:2-6)

Let me urge you to take some time this week, just you and GOD, to express your thanks for all the HE has done, is doing, and will do in your life. 'Busyness' will rob us of our special time with HIM, but a thankful heart returns again to praise HIM for HIS wondrous works.

As you consider the things that GOD had done for you, allow your thanksgiving to bubble up and overflow your heart. It is a wonderful thing to see our thanksgiving spill over and touch other lives!

Be ye thankful!

Autumn Trails

While hiking recently near Mountain Creek, I was obliged to stop for a while and gaze at the soft glowing beauty of a stand of Hickory trees in regal gold and yellow color. Standing slightly behind them was another hardwood (I could not identify it) echoing their song of Autumn, and adding a brilliant red crescendo. I stood for some time drinking in this wonderful sight and communing with the CREATOR of this landscape.
Autumn is, without a doubt, my favorite time of year. The splendid tapestry of color is exhilarating, but it is the feelings that are stirred within me when I gaze at such a wondrous landscape that makes this season so special. Sights such as this help to keep me in proper perspective amidst the chaos and challenges of living in this world.
I pray that you take a moment to look around, be still and know GOD.

On the Trail with CHRIST,

Pastor Larry

Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail

Hike: North Loop with side trip to Chimney Rock; 3.0 miles; 08:45 - 11:00 Wx: Sunny, light breeze, very h-o-t, humid. Predicted high today 99 degrees F! Conditions: Trails very well maintained. Spectacular vistas of Lake Martin. Really enjoyed "Moss Drip" Signage (white blazes) were only on one side of trees. Many types of birds and insects. Quite a few spider webs on the trails. Scared by a Black Racer! (He was probably more scared than me - he was moving faster too!) Thoughts: Romans 1:1 - 2:16 All around man's ways are evident. Even in these serene settings one can see, hear, and almost feel the way of man. GOD forgive me for when I choose self over YOU. Cleanse me and draw me ever closer to YOU.

Ft. Toulouse Hike

Wx:
Cloudy, damp from rain yesterday, warm, very light breeze. Hiked 08:30 - 10:30.

Conditions:
Trails are well maintained for part. Unfortunately a good bit of originally designed trail has been lost - some walkways and steps have given way and are blocked off (for safety?). Was still a very nice hike. 3.5 on 5.0 scale. Many birds throughout the park. Shared part of the trail with a Terrapin. Squirrels playing in hardwoods. Friendly rabbit at the recreated fort.
Ft. Toulouse is a well-done recreation. Ft. Jackson has not been restored but it is easy to see its footprint in the landscape. The Mississippian Indian Mound would be lost to the average eye if it was not for the sign identifying its location.

Thoughts:
Speak to my heart LORD JESUS. I enjoy the spiritual refreshing and beauty as well as the physical surroundings. The beauty, complexity, order, and mystery of nature speaks to YOUR glory LORD. We can be drawn toward YOU through YOUR creation. All of creation sings forth YOUR praise.
Daniel 6:3 says, "...Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him..." Excellent means better than average - something different -set apart (holy). I am set apart by YOU. I am nothing without YOU. Thank YOU for YOUR presence in my life - YOUR call on my life, for all of my life!
This place is beautiful because YOU are here. Open my heart to know YOU better and my eyes to see clearer. May I lead others closer to YOU.
Amen.