Thomas Trock

Mountain Cathedrals: The Outdoors From a Different Perspective

Summer

Blackberries

The eyes of all look expectantly to You, And You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. The LORD is righteous in all His ways, Gracious in all His works. The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. Psalm 145:15-18 I’ve been blessed to live in many parts of this world, but I have never seen so many blackberries growing in such abundance as where I live now. I have a friend who is currently serving in South …

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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). …

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Chipmunk

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. God has united you with Christ Jesus. For …

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Skunk Bait

When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7 There have been several generations of a family of skunks near our home for at least a couple of decades. Having observed them off and on during this period, I think skunks tend to get a bad rap. At times over these many years, I’ve stumbled upon these critters whilst on a walkabout. We usually happen upon each other in the late evening, or sometimes even at night. Each time, the skunk could have easily sprayed me and made me …

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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 …

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