Thinking Out Loud

There has been lots of interesting news stories of late.  The Pope resigns and, as usual, there are more than enough stories of violence and death just about everywhere in the country.  But there is also a lot of attention being given to the political infighting of our “leaders”.  I find myself stressing over what Washington is going to do about our financial woes and the social agenda for the nation that is amoral at best and sometimes blatantly immoral.  Like many, I find myself fearing the destination that waits at the end of the path our government leaders and society are choosing.

But I was encouraged this morning by reading Psalm 73.  I read it and re-read it then compared different translations and came away encouraged: not that things will turn out alright, but that no matter what mess we end up in, there is One above it all who loves me and will use the chaos for His glory and my ultimate good. 

To really get a glimpse of what that may look like I encourage you to read the entire Psalm.  Let Asaph’s description of his reality sink in and take shape in your mind.  Picture what his TV news shows may have looked like!  Try to imagine the headlines the daily papers might have ran.  In other words open your mind to think about what he was describing and listen to the Spirit to enlighten your understanding.  Allow Him to apply those thoughts and images to your own experience and then share in the conclusion drawn at the end of the Psalm.

“Whom do I have in heaven but you?

I desire no one but you on earth.

My flesh and my heart may grow weak,

but God always protects my heart and gives me stability.

But as for me, God’s presence is all I need.

I have made the sovereign Lord my shelter,

as I declare all the things you have done.” Psalm 73:25-26, 28 (NET Bible)

Do you see it?  No matter what disasters fill the headlines, regardless of the course our leaders may take us, whatever the attacks on our body, mind or spirit; “God always protects my heart and gives me stability, His presence is all I need.”

It’s not about the storm, it’s all about the shelter.

A Shepherd Looking For Some Sheep

Ok so I'm not a "real" shepherd with horse and dog and a bunch of b-a-a-a-a-ing, wooly animals to look out for.  I do have a dog who would love to chase little wooly animals about, but she is not a sheep dog any more than I am a shepherd like that.

I am certainly not the Good Shepherd although I work for Him. The "sheep" He has placed in my care are a wonderful bunch and not extremely high maintenance, most of the time.  And I get to do cool things with them from time to time.  My hunting guide/friend and his wife took my wife and I on an expedition to see some big horn sheep in their winter range.  It is much easier  to drive by them next to the road than hiking miles into the mountain to find them during the rest of the year.

And we found them!

 As a bonus, the area where we found them is a beautiful place!  As the sun was going down the all turned around to look, too! That's why there are only sheep butts in this picture.  Can you find them?

 Then we also got to see some elk on the way out.  Add that to all the mule deer and white tail deer and geese and bald eagles and hawks and wild horses and other animals I have no pictures of and it was like a trip to the zoo!  No bears or moose though, maybe next time!

It's really great to be friends with the Game Warden!  Because you are able to go with him to help release a trapped mountain lion!!



How cool is that!  My Game Warden friend was later arms length away from the cat trying to open the trap while I was another three feet back with the handgun "just in case".  Two things really impressed me:
1.  How fast a mountain lion can swat at someone he is not happy with.
2.  What quick reflexes my Game Warden friend has!

It's a little hard to see but the cat's left front paw is trapped and held right against the tree trunk.  So all that was between us and him was a small juniper.  Reflecting on it all later I praised God for such beautiful animals and places He has given us for our enjoyment - and excitement!

I really wish we had video of the complete release, it was really amazing.  It turns out that "See what happens" works out sometimes. I love living in WY!

(this was the area where the adventure took place!  Above Shell Falls near Brindle Creek)


(no mountain lions or Game Wardens were injured in the course of this adventure!)