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Second of my “devotions-ponderings” to God after GS camping and our 7.7 mile amazing hiking trip to see 22 amazing waterfalls…what a blessing to have a God-gifted increased energy to power thru a long hike as well as gifted vision to delight in the many natural LOVE displays of the Lord!

Church is My Nature, 14Oct

There was a plethora of nature lovers on our 7.7 mile 5 hr hike in a glen with 22 beautiful waterfalls. My GS leader, fellow camp mom and I were able to mentor to the teen girls both allowing the freedom to leisurely appreciate brilliant nature displays and also learn important safe hiking skills (like shimmying over logs and navigating precarious terrain). Over the course of the evenly paced five hour hike, I appreciated SO MANY people out and about on this crisp fall day.

Since our troop is based out of a Christian school, it is acceptable for us to mention the beauty of nature as God’s masterpiece, and that it’s our appreciation and our consciousness of the world that if truly a gift from God… These free associations organically bubble out… One scout, who is also a VBS volunteer, spoke out of the pureness of her heart when she saw a dazzling red leaf glimmering in the sun and said it’s “just like Jesus’s LIGHT shining”.

On the hike our leader noticed a hikers t-shirt which boldly stated “Nature is my Church”, and we could really appreciate that and we discussed how we are blessed to see all of God’s hand at work in this dazzling display of nature’s power and peacefulness. We called out to praise the rocks and trees, the water and the beautiful maturing young ladies with us.

All thru our appreciation hike, we were continually interacting with our fellow hikers… taking their photos, petting their dogs, and conversing of the beauty all around. I LOVE alone time but I REALLY LOVE connecting with others time…. “words with strangers”… I love to offer to take photos for couples and those group selfie attempts… “SMILE”… After I bounded up one rocky section I needed to rest and there was a group wanting to shimmy out on a ledge for a photo, but the woman had a backpack with two puppies and so I offered to hold the puppies (and catch my breath). I am a bit afraid of dogs (I’ve been bit) and there were SO MANY dogs, but one of the changes God has made in me this last year is that I am so less afraid of dogs.. And aren’t puppies God’s gift to sneak dogs into my heart (just like a sweet baby born at Christmas grew inside of me). Well, holding two puppies tucked inside a backpack, it certainly felt like Christmas!!! I felt like Santa with a dozen teen girls gaga over petting cute puppies, I was warmed immeasurably with this love and life in my arms… A gift of puppy love… The hikers thanked me, but I REALLY thanked them for an opportunity to cradle God’s Love in the form of squirming nature come to life…

So, for that t-shirt that says “Nature is my Church”? well, I want a reverse worded shirt, instead… I want a shirt that says: “Church is my Nature” because I am blessed to be part share in this live action (love action) expansion of God’s LOVE in “BEING THE CHURCH”. When I partake in sharing myself freely, oh how I gain a thousand fold back. I gain an eternally blessed feeling when I reach out to expand God’s church by walking the walk of faith, trust, generosity and partaking WITH OTHERS.

“GO AND BE THE CHURCH” my pastor always says, and He means it… We are built as temples for God… we are to have Jesus as the cornerstone… we are collectively filled with spirit as “the church”. And so church should be our nature… church should be us reaching out filled with spirit that lifts us up then spills out of us… We pray to have our cups over-filled by the spirit to be forced to spill it out to others… Encouragement with SMILES, understanding with compassion, and comfort-giving with shared tears. BE the church by your nature because Jesus showed us how. Jesus showed us how to BE. Enable yourself to “Be the Church” by refilling your soul often… Look around you and not JUST see but take in glorious nature…. search for the beauty and appreciation in all things, especially others around you, be a treasure hunter, and realize ALL IN ALL that YOU TOO are part of God’s intended immense beauty… And SMILE… Smile, because God loves YOU because God lives IN you.

“Smile God, Smile”, we are taking a picture of YOU.

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Ephesians 2:20-22 (NIV) 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.