A Thousand Hallelujahs
Scott saw Heaven come down, as the sun dropped over the western shore of a Minnesota lake. He discovered a porthole to the place where angels dwell — a cathedral of God neither hidden nor disguised but there for the viewing for those with eyes to see.
“God made us in His image,” Scott said. ” So I have to believe that He made this world in the image of Heaven. Aren’t we seeing it now? Isn’t this a bit of Heaven, right here?”
Yes, Heaven had come down on the shore of an ordinary lake made extraordinary by God.
Our summer was crammed with cathedrals.
Heaven made appearances in the Iowa farmfields behind our house.
And in the weeds, which aren’t really weeds after all.
And on a vacation mountaintop where blooms burst forth near fields of snow.
Our summer was bursting with God, when we looked with Soul-Eyes.
And when we looked with Soul-Eyes, our hearts overflowed with Heaven.
These shimmering cathedrals,
they’re all around us,
if we would only stop to see.
Be Thou Our Vision, Lord.
We can hardly wait for the Everlasting Encore!
For God is great,
and worth a thousand Hallelujahs. …
Let’s hear it from Sky,
With Earth joining in,
And a huge round of applause from Sea.
Let Wilderness turn cartwheels,
Animals, come dance,
Put every tree of the forest in the choir —
An extravaganza before God as he comes. …
— From Psalm 98 (The Message)
***
Photos from vacations in Minnesota and Colorado … and from the outdoor cathedrals in our own back yard.
Where did Heaven come down for you this summer? Where did you discover the thin places?
The beauty of God is all around. Thanks for the share and the pictures. God bless
Simply beautiful… I love whenever we go to Central Coast [CA] and enjoy a lot of beach scenery. Seagulls flying as the waves roll to and fro, endless sand dunes, Hearst castle overlooking a lot of lands reminds me of a big mansion that the Lord is preparing for those who love Him…
Blessings to you and I'm glad you're back! Have a great weekend.
Beautiful, beautiful pictures! Oh, the splendor of God!
I experience the thin places while living in the mountains. Check out the pictures I took of their beauty:
http://endeanmom1.blogspot.com/2009/07/mountains-heaven-on-earth.html
I also liked the pictures of your family. Your children are adorable!
The "thin places" where heaven became evident this summer were answered prayers. There have been some miraculous ones for sure, and I hope I didn't forget to thank the Lord for any.
When I am surrounded by those "shimmering cathedrals" it seems everything is pulsating. All things full of life to bring God glory. My heart, lungs, eyes, my whole being wants to breathe it in, drink it in – let it become a part of me. Leaves me longing for that eternal home as well.
Well-painted cathedrals by the hand of God! Like you, I'm anticipating this everlasting encore in this season of my life. For some reason, it's never seemed for urgent and pressing than it does now.
peace~elaine
"Soul-eyes" ~ I love that.
I saw glimpses of heaven every morning on my deck as I shared coffee with my hubby…I saw it in the misty fog on a Minnesota lake…I saw it in my sons expression when he finished his first 1/2 marathon… and I saw it on my daughters face as she celebrated 16 years of life.
Thank you for the reminder 🙂
ps…I answered "yes"
Those are such awesome photos!! Love them all, it's so hard to pick just one!!
Today I've visited 3 different blogs that all had your blog button on them, which really gave me a nice tickle for you!!
Hi Jennifer!
I love the idea that the beauty we see in nature is a piece of heaven itself.
I can't wait to get to heaven — I'd pick a spot right next to the mountains, tucked away in the redwoods. There is where I feel God deeply.
Thanks for sharing your photos! Such cutie pie sunflowers, your girls are!
I really saw the beauty of the sunflower today. Prompted my post for the day! God speaks to me in the most unpredictable places!!!! Awesome!
Oh what beautiful pictures! Thank you!
Jennifer, you are talented, girl! Your writing leaves me wanting more, and the pictures are amazing. So glad you're here! Love all these God-connections…
Blessings and Pizza,
Debby
Wow. Thank you. For the words, song, and pictures.
Beautiful reminder to notice that holiness is all around us.
Glorious photos… Adorable children… sky and water rainbow-incredible!
for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you…
all the best as you seek The Best,
Maria
Love your pictures.