Thomas Trock

Mountain Cathedrals: The Outdoors From a Different Perspective

Deer Elk Moose

Jumping Fawn

“But for you who fear My name [with awe-filled reverence] the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go forward and leap [joyfully] like calves [released] from the stall. – Malachi 4:2 AMP For many years we’ve been blessed to see deer gracefully leaping and jumping as we go on our walkabouts through our neighborhood.  Sometimes we, or other “critters,” startle the deer – and it turns and leaps to get out of the way. Other times it seems the deer are trying to get a better look at their surroundings by gaining a …

Read moreJumping Fawn

Fawn IV

In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all. The cow will graze near the bear. The cub and the calf will lie down together. The lion will eat hay like a cow. The baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra. Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes without harm. – Isaiah 11:6-8 NLT That is what the Scriptures mean …

Read moreFawn IV

Elk Bones – Dust to Dust

Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person. – Genesis 2:7 NLT By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return.” – Genesis 3:19 NLT When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. – Romans 5:12 NLT For all creation is …

Read moreElk Bones – Dust to Dust

Deer and the Weather IV

O LORD, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions – Psalm 104:24 One very cold winter morning, this snow-covered young buck walked through our backyard. I think the temperature was close to single digits. The water in the black bucket at the animal’s feet was frozen solid. Deer generate internal body heat by burning energy from the food they’ve eaten. This internal heating system allows the deer to keep a relatively constant body temperature regardless of the surrounding environment. The body temperature of a healthy white-tailed deer such …

Read moreDeer and the Weather IV

Bull Elk II

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be as wary as serpents, and as innocent as doves. – Matthew 10:16 NASB20 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. – Hebrews 4:13 NIV Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. – Colossians 2:8 NLT “But he who endures to the end shall be saved. …

Read moreBull Elk II

A New Thing II

For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. The wild animals in the fields will thank me, the jackals and owls, too, for giving them water in the desert. Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland so my chosen people can be refreshed. – Isaiah 43:19-20 NLT It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. – Galatians 6:15 …

Read moreA New Thing II

One-Antlered Deer

Behold, the former things have come to pass, And new things I declare; Before they spring forth I tell you of them.” – Isaiah 42:9 “Behold, I am going to do something new, Now it will spring up; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert. – Isaiah 43:19 NASB20 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 For whatever reason, folks where I live like to call …

Read moreOne-Antlered Deer

Deer and the Weather – III

For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Hebrews 13:5 Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers. – Proverbs 11:14 NLT I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13 “For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? God is my strength and power, And He makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places. – 2 Samuel 22:32-34 Have you ever walked with someone in …

Read moreDeer and the Weather – III

Deer and the Weather II

How amazing are the deeds of the LORD! All who delight in him should ponder them.  Psalm 111:2 NLT Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see–such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Colossians 1:15-17 NLT Deep snow …

Read moreDeer and the Weather II

Moose III – Moose Snoot

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 NLT As I’ve mentioned before, trail cams can be a lot of fun. When I hike back to where I have my camera hidden in the trees, I’m always excited about discovering what animal may have been captured on film. By far, most of the animals in pictures taken with my trail cam appear to have no idea the camera is even there. (There is one unfortunate exception to this – the day a bear …

Read moreMoose III – Moose Snoot

Old Bones

By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return. Genesis 3:19 NLT One of the reasons I never tire of hiking in the mountains is I never know what I may find. When I do stumble across interesting things from the past, I call them treasures (See Mountain Treasures, Treasure Hunt). Not long ago, Cosmos, our newfound yellow lab from the animal shelter, and I came across two freshly shed antlers. This made an …

Read moreOld Bones

Fawn III

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.  “He who overcomes shall …

Read moreFawn III

Peace and Rest

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3 (NIV) Washing the dishes at my house isn’t much of a chore when I get to see these sorts of critters just outside the window. It seems mama has picked up on my movements, but junior is a bit oblivious to me. I must not have made too much of a disturbance, as both were still there long after I finished my dish-washing assignment. Because sleeping can be a time of great vulnerability to predators, it is a rare thing to see …

Read morePeace and Rest

Snow and Heavy Laden

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 The resiliency God puts into His creation is nothing short of amazing. I’ve wondered how something as seemingly delicate as a pine needle can be weighed down with snow, frozen, bent and pushed about by the wind, and yet appear uninjured and still function when the …

Read moreSnow and Heavy Laden

Deer and the Weather

Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways, and how small a whisper we hear of Him! But the thunder of His power who can understand?” Job 26:14 One day I noticed rather large snowflakes descending in my backyard. I mean, huge sized-snowflakes, the kind I can hear when they land on my hat or jacket. Then I observed some deer bedded down underneath the shelter of a large ponderosa pine. Although the snowfall that day caught me a little by surprise, apparently the deer anticipated the change in weather long before it occurred. Lots of weather factors can …

Read moreDeer and the Weather

Thanksgiving IV – Turkey Surprise

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, …

Read moreThanksgiving IV – Turkey Surprise

Fawns and Chipmunks

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of David. How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the LORD has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting. Psalm 133:1-3 NLT This summer these two fawns were lying next to our patio when Mr. Chipmunk came scurrying up (see Chipmunk). …

Read moreFawns and Chipmunks

Fawns, Does, and Summertime

For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. Romans 8:19-21 NLT  Summertime near our house can be an amazing experience. When I look out to our backyard, I never know what I might see wandering through or staring back at me. There used to be an old apple tree in the timber behind the spot …

Read moreFawns, Does, and Summertime

Moose II – Moose Encounter

Photo by Lori F. Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:10 Moose are the largest member of the deer family. They can grow over six feet tall at shoulder height and weight up to 1,800 pounds. Antlers on a male, like the one pictured above, can grow to six feet across and weigh more than forty pounds. The antlers on this moose are still in velvet, and have a lot of growing …

Read moreMoose II – Moose Encounter

Ancient Antlers

Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, Or the golden bowl is broken, Or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, Or the wheel broken at the well. Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it. Ecclesiastes 12:6-7 From what I’ve seen on my hikes, most deer in my area don’t live to be ten years old. Many bones and skulls I find lying on the forest floor are probably closer to about half that age. The wear on the teeth is a good indicator of …

Read moreAncient Antlers

Elk Meeting

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. Ecclesiastes 4:11 (NLT) There are reasons why many animals do not wander their territory alone in the wilderness. It’s true that there is strength in numbers, not to mention protection and safety. Instead of just one set of ears and eyes, this small herd of elk has the benefit of six pairs to help warn them of approaching danger. Elk always make me think of wilderness and the wild country of the …

Read moreElk Meeting

Deer Fern Bed

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me. If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,” Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as …

Read moreDeer Fern Bed

Snow Deer

For He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth’; Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength. He seals the hand of every man, That all men may know His work. The beasts go into dens, And remain in their lairs. From the chamber of the south comes the whirlwind, And cold from the scattering winds of the north. By the breath of God ice is given, And the broad waters are frozen. Also with moisture He saturates the thick clouds; He scatters His bright clouds. And they swirl about, being turned by His guidance, …

Read moreSnow Deer

Deer Stare

For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Romans 8:19-22 (NLT) Since we positioned our computer next to a large window overlooking our backyard, I never know what I’m going to see when I …

Read moreDeer Stare