Thomas Trock

Mountain Cathedrals: The Outdoors From a Different Perspective

Birds

Snow Bird House

Thus says the LORD: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist,” Says the LORD. “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word. Isaiah 66:1-2 When I have time, I like to build things in my workshop. Some of the things I’ve made aren’t very recognizable, but once in a while something emerges that …

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Eagles in the Snow

Have you visited the storehouses of the snow, or seen the storehouses of hail? Job 38:22 NLT Have you ever wondered why there is more snow at higher elevations than lower? Usually the main reason for this is temperature variations. The higher you go, the colder it is, at least if all other variables are equal. Folks who study the weather tell us that for about every 1000 foot gain in elevation (approx. 300 meters), the air temperature drops about 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Sometimes a new snowline is very distinct in the mountains; sometimes it’s a little fragmented, such as …

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Living Water

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” John 7:37-39      I’ve often been amazed at how life thrives around water. Even if it’s not much water, just a little seems to draw a …

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Springtime in the Mountains III

As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. Galatians 6:14-15      A while back, Star the Wonderdog and I were seeing lots of bear sign during a springtime hike. Quite naturally, I had bears on my mind, so I kept Star close by as we ascended the mountain. …

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Springtime in the Mountains II

 Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! Sing to the LORD, all the earth.    Ps 96:1      When we first moved here several years ago, I rarely saw or heard a wild turkey while hiking. As the years went by, the turkeys have done very well for themselves. They are not native to where we live; they were introduced over 50 years ago. I don’t know what data was gathered before turkeys were brought to my home state those many years ago. The idea of introducing a new species to an area – be it bird, fish, or wildlife …

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