Tag Archives: Badlands National Park

King of the Hill

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Bighorn sheep are some amazing creatures! They navigate the edges of the hills like few other animals, especially animals of their size. These hillside ledges, which would leave us trembling, are places of safety and security.

Some recent time spent with the sheep refreshed my respect of their command of the cliffs and how they use them for a refuge. This time also brought some reflection about where we turn for a place of safety and security.

Psalm 46.1-3 lays out for us that safe and secure place that even the sheep have never experienced.

When life begins crumbling and trouble comes we too seek a strong mountain! Psalm 46.1-3 points us to faith in our God.

Psalm 46.1-3,

1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

Two wonderful figures of speech point us to our strong place. “Refuge” is where we find protection when trouble comes. “Strength” is God’s enablement, which we have by faith in him, when things are crumbling!

In those times of trouble we all face, “help” is God providing for us his security, his peace, his faithfulness! What a blessing!

The Psalm, “therefore,” continues that even though it seems the whole world is crashing down “we will not fear”!

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.

Whatever is rising up against us is met with divine protection and divine provision! It’s our portion for, by faith, we are cared for by the eternal “King of the Hill”!

What a wonderful truth that God protects those whose faith rests in him! If you’re not sure you have a relationship with this eternal God, you can do so by placing your faith in his great provision for us, the Lord Jesus. John 3.16 makes this so clear . . .

John 3.16,

16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

When our faith is in Jesus, we know that there is safety and security for our lives, regardless of our world’s turmoil.

The King of the Hill

Badgered & Buffalo’ed!

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I have a longstanding love of words, or, as a mentor of mine, Dr. Howard Hendricks carefully schooled me to say, “terms.” All “words” have a context and the two I tossed out definitely need one!

Most of us would avoid being “badgered” or “buffalo’ed”! But, to a photographer, they can be just what you want to hear.

Enjoying some time in the Badlands National Park allowed for each of these “terms” to come the fullness of their photographic context! Getting to spend a little time with this young badger who was hunting his next meal was a real treat.

The Badlands host one of the choice herds of the American Bison. They’re definitely worth your visit, and a picture, if you’re in the park. I couldn’t help but think of a line when I was a kid . . . “My dad is stronger than your dad”! . . . or something to that effect! This guy was in full command of the scene and the herd nearby.

American Bison

American Bison

Back to the “words” or “terms” for a moment. It’s worth remembering that the great God who created these majestic animals also communicated with us in “terms,” i.e., “words” in a context. These “words” unfold His great love for us, sending Jesus to provide for all our brokenness, rebellion, hurts, hates, and sin! God’s “words” tell us that “Jesus paid it all” and that through our faith in His gracious provision, we have a new life! Check out God’s “words” in 2Timothy 3.16, and His “word” just for you in John 3.16!

These will change your life!