today i visited my city's
REI outdoor school. i first heard about them through grace luna's
instagram page. i've been following her account for over a year now and i am inspired by her willingness to try something new & become part of the outdoors community: a group of people that are intentional about living a full life that appreciates and protects the earth we've been given.
i like that.
today i went to my first outdoors class where we talked about the basics of hiking. the,
"where are you going? what are you going to do once you get there? who are you going with?" questions that you have to reflect on as you're planning a hike. our leader taught us about proper gear (i.e clothing, backpack, etc.), places to visit and of course,
the ten essentials. if you want to go anywhere, you have to follow them; they're basic, practical and potentially life saving.
some cool people were met, stickers passed out and a kindling into the outdoors took life.
one thing i've noticed is that Jesus liked to be outdoors; He was always sharing the message outside, gathering by rivers, under the shade of a tree and on a hill. so many Psalms use the outdoors to describe Him and the christian life.
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| *seen at REI's community room* |
i like that too.
i remember when i was younger believing that when the wind blew and rustled the leaves, God was speaking to me. i don't remember what set that thought beating, but i remember being sure of it.
i want Him to speak to me. i want this year to be about abiding in Him, trusting His love for me & listening to His voice.
i hope the wind blows a lot this year. i hope the leaves rustle. i hope i'll be listening.
i don't know where this 'outdoors' venture will bring, where it will take me & how far. but, i'm not ignoring the things that excite me anymore. i'm listening to the leaves this time.
Psalm 65
Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion;
to you our vows will be fulfilled.
You who answer prayer,
to you all people will come.
When we were overwhelmed by sins,
you forgave our transgressions.
Blessed are those you choose
and bring near to live in your courts!
We are filled with the good things of your house,
of your holy temple.
You
answer us with awesome and righteous deeds,
God our
Savior,
the hope
of all the ends of the earth
and of
the farthest seas,
who
formed the mountains by your power,
having
armed yourself with strength,
who
stilled the roaring of the seas,
the
roaring of their waves,
and the
turmoil of the nations.
The whole
earth is filled with awe at your wonders;
where
morning dawns, where evening fades,
you call
forth songs of joy.
You care
for the land and water it;
you
enrich it abundantly.
The
streams of God are filled with water
to
provide the people with grain,
for so
you have ordained it.
You
drench its furrows and level its ridges;
you
soften it with showers and bless its crops.
You crown
the year with your bounty,
and your
carts overflow with abundance.
The
grasslands of the wilderness overflow;
the hills
are clothed with gladness.
The
meadows are covered with flocks
and the
valleys are mantled with grain;
they shout for joy and sing.
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| *seen at REI's community room* |
