Category: Love

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Companionship With God: Hope Series #23

As we look forward to Thanksgiving tomorrow, this piece in the series seems especially appropriate. Thanksgiving seems to me to be the purest of holidays. With no wish lists and huge decorating frenzies, we simply gather and thank God for all our blessings. What joyful simplicity!

The other day I got some unexpected time with one of my grandchildren. Ella was out of school for the day, so she came to hang out, while her mom did bookwork for our business. Ella snuggled up to me while I ate lunch on the couch, and we hunted for the Waldo-like character in our Bible Sleuth book. She didn’t need anything from me, wasn’t looking for answers—just wanted to be with me. It was sweet and companionable, and we both soaked it up.

I think that is what the psalmist was expressing in these verses:

1My heart is not proud, Lord,
    my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
    or things too wonderful for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted myself,
    I am like a weaned child with its mother;
    like a weaned child I am content.

Ps. 131:1-3

I never understood this passage until I became a mom.

I loved nursing both my babies. Our times together were intimate and precious. No one else could understand the closeness of those moments. But there were times when I felt more like a milk bottle than a person they loved and longed to spend time with. Their cries in the middle of the night were jangling to my already sleep-deprived mind, and when they pulled and clawed at me in a feeding frenzy, it did not feel tender and loving.

After they began eating solid foods, though, they were somewhat calmer about waiting for meals or snack times. Often, my girls stood close enough to touch me or stroke my leg while I worked in the kitchen. At other times they would crawl in my lap or snuggle next to me to get closer. I finally understood what the psalmist was describing. My children were calm, quiet, content, just to be near me. They still needed me, but our relationship was different.

What a beautiful picture of a companionable reliance on God! We continue to hope in Him, waiting for something that hasn’t happened yet. But more than that, we just want to be near Him. Psalm 131 gives even more wisdom about waiting:

First, not to be proud. Like verse one says, we don’t need to act like a know it all, telling God (and others) what to do, how and when to do it, as if we know what’s best. We can come to God in childlike trust instead of with our to-do list.

Secondly, we don’t need to constantly question God, demanding answers to mysteries He has chosen to keep secret for now. If we trust Him, we won’t need to fret about the unknowns.

And third, we can learn to lean into Him during devotions and moments of praise throughout the day, without asking for a single thing. Instead of a nursing baby who wants to be fed at the first hunger pang, demanding and impatient, we can calm and quiet our souls.

How do we do that? By looking at how faithful He’s been to believers throughout the ages, and especially, to us. By being thankful!

God is our Hope. He is our place of peace. Our refuge. Our safe place when all around is confusion and uncertainty.

I pray you will take a few minutes to sit close to the Lord right now, and express your love for Him as you listen to Bridge Worship’s “Shalom.”

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The Power of Words: Hope Series #21

In “What’s in a Name” from this series, I talked about how wounding nicknames can be, and how we need God to give us new names to give us hope. There was an outpouring of response from you readers. So many of you have been cut down by hurtful words. Praise God for the healing He offers us, that releases us from the grip of those labels!

This week my topic is how words can either wound or bless; crush or offer hope.

Throughout my life, I’ve received many comments—about my work, character, appearance, parenting—that have devastated my soul. I’m sure you’ve experienced the same thing. Those words dig deep, and replay in our minds for years to come, even if others may compliment us about the very same things! Experts say it takes 5-7 positive comments to counteract every 1 negative.

A few people have made hurtful comments about my writing over the years, but while I was still in school, two incidents put a dream in my heart that I would one day become a writer.

In sixth grade, I had a teacher named Miss Korvar (which I’ve probably misspelled). I adored her.   It was the 70’s, so she had bleached blonde hair, and wore brightly colored dresses and hoop earrings. She wore long fake eyelashes that invariably came loose when she got sentimental about a story as she read to us. One day before Christmas I gave her a card with the lyrics to a song I had written. After she read it, she started to cry. Blinking through her eyelashes, she said, “I will treasure this. You’re such a good writer, Beth.”

In that moment I saw the power of the written word at work. It could touch people’s hearts.

The second incident happened my junior year of high school. James Walker taught my Creative Writing class. Each week we’d hand in our journals for him to read and make comments. Over and over he said things that encouraged my efforts. But the defining moment was when he told us to write a children’s book. I wrote and illustrated Louie the Lemon (which I later published). He loved it so much he took it home to read to his five-year-old daughter. When he brought it back, he said, “She fell in love with Louie and now she wants lemons on everything! One day, Beth, you’re going to be a writer.”

I learned that words can influence people.

I’m sure you have stories too; of horrible words that shredded your heart, but also, I hope, some beautiful, life-giving words that nourished your soul. The most hope-filled words we can ever receive, however, can only come from God. He alone knows exactly what we need and exactly when we need it. Most often, He speaks to us through the Bible—His Word.

God created everything there is, with just words. He spoke, and our world and all living things came into being! When Genesis one tells about each day of creation, it says “God said…and it was so.” God has unlimited power and authority over all the universe!

Psalm 119—the longest chapter of the Bible—contains 176 verses! And a lot of them are in praise of God’s words. They are truth, life, hope, and they give us direction:

43 Never take your word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws… 49 Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope…

50 This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life. (NKJV)

74 May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word…

81 My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word…

114 You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word…

116 Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed…

147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.

(emphasis mine)

Jesus, the Son of God, is also referred to as the Living Word. He was with God and actively involved in the creation process. And Jesus came in the form of a man to show as well as speak the Word of God:

John 1:1, 14: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

So, whose words should we believe, letting them shape our self-concept and our future? People can be kind and supportive, but they can also be deceitful, manipulative, and cruel, even when they don’t mean to be. It’s nice when people say good things to us, but God is the only One who always tells us the truth we need to hear. He infuses us with hope, the courage to do what is right, and tenacity to face the toughest days.

There is power in what God says! Look to Him today and listen to His words. I promise you they will be just what you need.

Will we believe what others say? Or will we believe what God says about us?

Lauren Daigle’s, “You Say.”

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Hug and Be Thankful

I woke up this morning with a profound sense of gratitude. I heard our heat come on as the wind whipped furiously at our house. I snuggled deeper into the covers and praised God for our home, for food to eat and clothes to wear, for dear friends and family, and most of all for God’s saving, keeping love.

Kelly and I won’t be celebrating with our kids until Saturday. He’s wrapping up a project, so I’m taking the day off to read, walk, watch movies, plan, and eat the sweet little personal chocolate pie my friend dropped off this morning. I do not feel lonely; my heart is full!

However, like you, our family is having its difficulties—some down with a wicked flu; another struggling with debilitating pain that doctors can’t seem to diagnose, much less treat; relationship challenges; addictive behaviors; financial worries; and concerns about work, and the future. It’s tempting to let all those things get us down and lose hope.

That’s why I’m so glad we have this Day for feasting, family, and most of all, remembering to thank God, who is our Source of all blessings. If we know Jesus and His love, that is a great place to start with our praise list. And there’s something powerful we can do to encourage those around us, who may be having a hard time coming up with anything to be thankful for.

The other day I had a frustrating morning and was so worn out by lunch time, I had lost all desire to pursue the other things I’d planned that day.

My daughter and her kids stopped by to throw in a load of wash. Two-year-old Willow ran up to me and asked, “Back okay, Grandma?” her clear blue eyes full of concern. I had been out of action for about a week and they had been praying for me. She touched my back and gently rubbed it with her tiny hands and planted a kiss where it had been hurting to make it better. It did.

Ten-month-old Denver followed in an amazingly fast crawl. When he reached me, he stood up and hugged my legs. When he looked up into my eyes and gave me a dimpled grin, my heart melted all over again.

Although I wasn’t in the mood to entertain, I sat on the floor with my back against the wall while Launa got her load started, and the kids crawled around on me, inspecting my earrings and necklace, one of their favorite things to do. When Launa came out, she sat down next to me on the floor and held me in a long hug. She pulled Denver in to nurse and leaned against the wall as well, and the four of us savored the incredible healing of closeness and touch.

Today, and this holiday weekend, even if you and your family don’t agree politically, religiously, or whether it should have been turkey or ham at your feast. And even if your life or theirs is pretty tough right now—offer the gift of a hug, a meaningful touch, a listening ear. That’s what Jesus would do. It will bring healing, and refresh both their spirit and yours.

I pray you have a wonderfully Happy Thanksgiving!

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A New Nighttime Ritual

Have you ever read a passage or verse in the Bible and started to meditate on it, then have the Lord stop you short and give you a completely different message than what you first thought? That’s what happened to me this morning. I’ve just started the Old Testament book of Micah, and verse one of chapter two spoke to me:

“Woe to those who plan iniquity,
    to those who plot evil on their beds!
At morning’s light they carry it out
    because it is in their power to do it” (Micah 2:1, NIV).

I began to respond in my journal. I was thinking how easy it is to do the wrong thing when we have the power (or ability) to do it, whether it’s getting back at someone who has wronged us, stealing, lying and so much more. But just as I put pen to paper God spoke to my spirit.

You may not be planning evil, my child—coming up with wicked plots to hurt others. I know you want to please Me. But when you lay in your bed at night and allow worry, discouragement, or anger to fill your mind, that is what you will speak and act on in the light of day. When you say disparaging things about yourself, and beat yourself up instead of speaking promises from My Word, you wallow in self-defeat. And that depletes the confidence I want you to have in Me. Instead, memorize and repeat My truths of comfort, instruction, and encouragement that will energize you for the next day.

My heart did a double take!

I don’t know if you’re like me, and it takes your brain a while to settle before you can sink into blissful sleep. But my mind bounces all over the place—reviewing (analyzing) how I did that day, praying for those who need Jesus, or are struggling; the hurting, the confused, and the angry. In the dark, as exhaustion sets in, my focus is not always on how big God is to meet these needs, but how big these problems seem to be. And this diminishes my faith.

Through this one little verse, God challenged me to start a new bedtime ritual. Micah spoke these words to call God’s people to repentance; they really were plotting and planning evil! But for Jesus followers who truly want to live victoriously for Him, I’ve stated it in positive terms:

Blessed are those who plan to hope and trust in God,
    who strategize how to show His love to others as they lay on their beds!
At morning’s light they will begin to speak and act on those thoughts,
    because He will work through them by the power of the Holy Spirit.

This is what I want to focus on as I drift off to sleep each night—hope, faithfulness, love, forgiveness, truth, victory, and a life of joy in Christ, even when circumstances feel dark and confusing.

Each of us prepare our minds for the day ahead by what we focus on as we drift off to sleep. What is your nighttime ritual? Is God calling you to make a change?

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My New Book is Out!

When Prince Charming Decides the Shoe No Longer Fits. Click on this image to order now.

If you haven’t already heard, When Prince Charming Decides the Shoe No Longer Fits is now available on Amazon! I’ve been excited to hear from others that you’ve already ordered copies for yourself and others. The completion of this project has been a long time in coming, and God has brought me through some tough stuff in the process. All of which has added to the depth and relatability of this divorce recovery book.

I wish it wasn’t so needed, but divorce is prevalent, even among professing Christians. God, however, is our great Healer and He knows how to mend broken hearts and bring good out of the worst situations. Eventually, for those who give themselves fully to His touch, God can use the once broken-hearted princess to comfort others as well.

Especially written for women whose husbands have left them with no choice but divorce, each chapter focuses on a different aspect of the process: discovering the loss of her husband’s love, crushed self-esteem, fear, depression, anger, the desire for revenge, facing her own faults, the effects of divorce on her children, dating, possible remarriage, and even future ministry. Special bonus chapters include interviews with adult children of divorce, and men whose wives left them.

My prayer is that all who read my book will give themselves fully to Jesus Christ, or go deeper into His embrace as He lovingly heals all their wounds. He alone can lead us into a new and joy-filled life of service. Jesus is our only Savior and true Source of peace through the hurts of this life.

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Book Cover Shoot

Tara Newman with Sela Photography

It was beautiful and cool Sunday night, perfect for the cover shoot we had scheduled for my upcoming divorce recovery book. The weather had been foggy and cool in Tillamook all week, which we agreed might be a cool effect for the pictures, as long as it didn’t rain. I prayed all week it wouldn’t rain.

And it didn’t!

Instead the sun came out mid-morning and it turned out to be a beautiful day. My models, Bob and Heidi Johnson arrived at 5:00, shortly after my daughter and photographer, Tara Newman. Bob tried on his jacket and we agreed it needed a little tailoring for a more fitted look . So I went to work on it, then ironed his white pants to get a crisp crease. He looked like a handsome prince, and was ready to go.

Bob and my husband Kelly munched on dinner and chatted while Tara worked on Heidi’s makeup and hair. She already looked stunning in the blue gown and “glass slippers,” but after Tara curled her hair, applied “stage” makeup, and a little jewelry, Heidi was radiant.

Excited, and full of nervous anticipation, we drove to Debbie Bailey’s lovely property, arriving a couple hours before sunset. She had her horse Disney beautifully groomed and ready for the shoot. Disney stood patiently tethered to a tree with a pool of bubbles at her feet from her bath, her tail a glossy stream of waves from Debbie’s ministrations.

Disney ready to go
Disney and Debbie

The six of us, plus Disney, trooped around the grounds to scout out the best locations. We started in a field of tansy, which Debbie had agreed to leave until after the shoot after I commented on my earlier visit to her property that I liked the color they would add to the photos. (Since tansy, or ragwort, and horses don’t mix, I’d be willing to bet she cleared the area the very next day.)

Kelly assisting with light reflector
Bob and Heidi

Our second location was in a field of dung. Not what you or I would pick as lovely surroundings, but Tara knows her stuff. The lighting was perfect, she said. The sun was beginning to dip behind the trees. The sky overhead was baby blue, streaked with fluffy white clouds. And I know Tara will be able to work her magic with the other stuff so it won’t show.

An unlikely setting

Debbie and I walked all over her property on my first trip out, and I had fallen in love with the wooded areas . They looked story-book perfect. So for our last location, Tara shot inside the forest near the “grandmother” tree. In the semi-dark of the wood, surrounded by every shade of green, Heidi’s dress and Disney’s white coat seemed to glow. Bob’s dark hair and jacket contrasted beautifully. I know all the pictures will be amazing and it will be hard to pick which photo to use for the cover!

In the woods

Since this is a divorce recovery book, I had not wanted a married couple to model for it. But since Bob and Heidi were exactly the “look” I wanted, I decided to ask them both to participate in the shoot. They were willing, even excited, to help. As it turned out, the date Tara had available fell on Bob and Heidi’s anniversary weekend. So Tara took extra pictures of the two, who looked like a prince and princess ready for the ball.

The whole experience was amazing. I’m thankful to all who participated, and to God for blessing us with good weather. (We could have done without the biting no-see-ums as the sun went down though!) I can’t wait to see the edited photos and decide which to use for the front and back covers.

This book has taken me years to write. God has used every moment of that time to do His work in me, taking me deeper into His Word, and holding me through many trials. I am anxious for it to go out into the world to help women suffering the anguish of divorce. God put me back together after my experience. I know He is the only One who can heal a shattered heart and make life new and wonderful again.

Please be praying for those whose hearts are broken and need God’s healing touch, and who you can give a copy of my book to when it is published. They will need your support of love and encouragement. And recommend it to pastors or counselors who might want this book in their library for the women to whom they minister.

Hopefully, my book will be out sometime in September. Until then, I will be hard at work on the final edits and design process. Thanks for coming along for the photo shoot; I hope you had fun seeing behind the scenes.

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Come Let Us Adore Him

My sister Kathy walked into the room to find her grandchildren, Evan and Emma, playing with the nativity set. She had placed it on a low table especially for them. All the figures—Mary, Joseph, sheep, cows, and the wise men—were crowded in a circle around baby Jesus. Normally we arrange our nativities as if they are on stage performing for a crowd. But Evan and Emma were acting out the Christmas story and IN it all the way.

“Oooh,” Kathy said, “What’s going on here?”

“They’re ‘dooring Him,” Evan said, and Emma nodded in agreement.

Kathy remembered years before when their mom, Heidi, played with the same nativity set and did the exact same thing. When asked what was happening, she gave the same reply, “They’re ‘dooring Him, Mommy.”

Isn’t that what Christmas should be about? Our focus shouldn’t be our perfectly decorated home or tree. It doesn’t matter if the presents are all wrapped the way they look in magazines. Our food and clothes don’t have to be fancy. And even though we would like to be gathered with family, many of us won’t be able to do that this year. Yet Christmas can still be wonderful, magical, and take us to our knees. IF we gather round to adore Jesus our Lord.

My girls moved the people and animals around in the manger scene they were allowed to play with as well, and I love to see our grandchildren doing the same thing. It’s important for them to be able to understand it and feel like they’re part of the action. We adults need to do the same thing. We may not sit down and rearrange the figures like our kids do, but we can imagine ourselves at the scene.

How would it feel to be Mary—chosen to bring the Son of God into the world, receiving visits from angels, shepherds, and wisemen from far off countries?

How would we react if we were Joseph—responsible for Jesus’ protection, care, and upbringing; receiving instructions from God through dreams?

What would we do if angels appeared to us, even though we were lowly shepherds, and gave us specific instructions on how to find the newborn King, the Savior of the world, so we could go worship Him?

Would we trust a new star in the heavens and travel far from home to honor a king prophesied in Hebrew scripture, and bow before Him as the true King of all the world?

There were other people involved as well, who are not represented in the creche—Mary’s mother and father, Zechariah and Elizabeth (John the Baptist’s parents), King Herod (the king who tried to murder Jesus), Simeon and Anna (who welcomed baby Jesus in the temple as the expected Messiah), and many others not mentioned in scripture, but who knowingly or unknowingly took part in Jesus’ birth story.

Let’s pause from our activities and Christmas busyness to kneel at the manger–if possible, physically, if not, mentally and emotionally, to adore Jesus. He alone is worthy. He is Christ the Lord.

“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things” (1 Chronicles 29:11).

I pray as you bow to adore Him that all the other distractions will fade into the background and you can be fully present with Jesus our Lord and Savior.

Merry Christmas to you!

Here’s another photo a reader sent in of a Nativity scene addition. The potato heads are getting in on the action!

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Weird Oregon Day Seven: What We Leave Behind

Our trip was more than halfway over and Kelly and I were in a rhythm. On Thursday, October 22, we reviewed our list and headed out for sightseeing in Salem. Even though the temperature had dropped, the sun was shining and it promised to be a glorious day.

I had planned to start at Enchanted Forest—home to storybook characters, a slide through an old woman’s shoe, and a bobsled ride. I used to take my girls there every year when school let out and it is one of Kelly and my favorite places to play with our grand kids…or without them. But since it was closed for the season we did our best to locate the former site of the Fairview Training Center, our first stop.

Its history is a sad one. I remember it was still open my senior year of high school but didn’t know anything about it then. The original intent was to train those with handicaps and disabilities to care for themselves and others. When they opened in 1908, they raised animals on the 672-acre spread and most of their own food. But somewhere along the line those in charge lost sight of their purpose and compassion for their patients. The institution became a dumping place for epileptics, promiscuous girls, hitchhikers, and the homeless. Care-givers carried out sterilization, hysterectomies, even castration to keep their residents in check, and to prevent their breeding with other “undesirables.” Eventually this came to light and Fairview closed its doors in the year 2000.

After that sad bit of history, Kelly and I were glad to go to Mission Mill. The Thomas Kay family opened the Mill in 1889 and it operated until 1962 when wool was replaced by synthetic fabrics. They opened the museum in 1964 for tours and events and now host a café and cluster of shops that sell beautiful woolen yarn, crafts, and local products. For the price of admission, we were given a passkey for our own self-guided tour to three homes and Presbyterian church, moved on site to preserve their historic significance, and the mill. We roamed at our own pace learning about the rich history and stalwart spirit of the missionaries, businessmen, and Native Americans who settled this area.

Our next stop didn’t take long. I have passed it thousands of times over the years but never knew its significance. Waldo Park, on the corner of Union and Summer St., consists of a single sequoia tree planted by Judge William Waldo in 1872. When he was forced to sell his land to the city his only stipulation was they keep the tree. A hundred and fifty years later it still stands, on a twenty by twelve foot corner of land dubbed Waldo Park in 1936. It reaches more than eighty feet tall and more than six feet in diameter. Looking up into its branches we smiled at Waldo’s appreciation for a tiny sapling that became a mighty tree.

Although the sun was strong, the wind was cold. It felt good to get inside the Taproot downtown and warm up with a delicious lunch. Kelly and I shared a monkey bread roll from Great Harvest next door. We will definitely visit both places again!

Our final destination wasn’t weird, just a celebration of all things autumn. We drove to EZ Orchards and the place was packed! We decided to forego cider donuts since we’d just had a yummy lunch and dessert and instead stood in line for the entrance. The corn maze was the best, with interesting informational signs at every turn about Oregon nuts, fruits, and veggies.

Satisfied with our day, Kelly and I set the GPS for McMinnville, where we settled in for the night. We learned a lot of Salem area history–delightful, shocking, inspiring, and fun. The choices we make today—for our families, the people entrusted to our care, in our work, and how we spend our time and money—leaves a legacy. I paused to ask myself, What life story am I writing? What will I leave the next generation?

I know what I want to pass on to them; the same thing the writer of this psalm desired: “I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone. Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come” (Psalm 71:16-18).

I am so thankful for the legacy left to me by my parents, grandparents and church family, near and far. They not only taught me about God’s love and mercy, but they lived it. I saw firsthand what it means to be a God-follower and how to get through tough times with determination and tenacious faith. And to never stop singing.That is what I hope I have passed on to my children and our grandchildren. What tremendous blessings await us!

I would love to hear about the legacy you are building. What is your story? To leave a comment, click on the title of the blog and fill in the box.  

Tomorrow we will visit a few dreamers and inventors. Come along for more weird adventures on our tour of Oregon.

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Weird Oregon Day Six: Seekers

After having two less hurried days, Kelly and I decided to go with the same plan on Wednesday, October 21, and go to only one place on the list. We set our sights on Silver Creek Falls near Sublimity and read about everything else from our book on the way.

Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh gathered disciples at an alarming rate at the former Rajneeshee commune and almost overran the town of Antelope. Although he promoted free love there was nothing free about his teachings—evidenced by his collection of ninety Rolls Royces paid for by his followers. Things began to unravel when several unhappy Rajneeshees told the press that the salmonella outbreak in The Dalles had indeed been intentional as suspected. They also leaked information about their leader’s bio-warfare labs and plans to use infectious viruses in the future. After years of struggle, he was finally tried and deported back to India. In a lovely stroke of justice, the former commune is now a Young Life Christian youth camp.

Next we read about the mysterious appearance of a quarter mile wide image of the Sri Yantra on the desert floor of the Mickey Basin. Bill Miller first spotted it from the air and no one seemed to know who carved this giant Hindu meditation symbol on the Alvord Desert floor. Bill Witherspoon, an artist from Iowa, finally admitted he and his team of helpers had dug the 13.3 miles of lines, ten inches wide and three inches deep. Despite his explanation and even video footage of the process,  many desperately wanted to believe it had more to do with aliens, UFO’s or a mystical message from the gods, and debated it for years afterward.

Kelly and I read more stories about Sasquatch sightings and another water critter in the northeast corner of Oregon named Willowa Lake Wally. We read some disturbing facts about 1,001 concrete bunkers along I-84 called the Umatilla Chemical Depot between Boardman and Stanford. After the use of chemical warfare in World War I, the US decided to prepare our own for World War II, but vowed we would only use them if absolutely necessary. Thankfully we never did, but then had to figure out how to safely dispose of them. It was a slow process, but the last was slated for decommissioning by 2012. How cruel is war and how far-reaching the effects!

Also in 1941, the government decided to create a place for soldier training between Eugene and Corvallis, a few months before the Pearl Harbor attack. Camp Adair grew to a forty-four thousand acre training facility. During its operation (1942-1969) the 1,800 buildings served as warehouses, barracks, chapels, recreation facilities, and a hospital. During the war it became a temporary POW camp and cemetery for those who did not make it home.

The Trojan Nuclear Reactor in St. Helens took five years to build at the cost of $450 million and only provided electricity for three years before things went awry—the discovery of an earthquake fault nearby, construction errors, and the formation of a crack that leaked radioactive water. The reactor operated from 1975-1992, and the estimated decommissioning and demolition expenditures equaled what it cost to build. Even so, it was fun to watch the YouTube video of its demolition in 2006.

After that we took a break to look around as we drove. The recent Beachie Creek Fire along the Santiam highway destroyed 182,000 acres of forest and communities. The road reopened only days before our trip. This familiar route of mountains and hills of green forests with lush undergrowth, and the lovely Detroit Lake community and other small towns along the way, now looked tragically naked. Some stretches remained untouched, but most were leveled by the fire. Where homes once graced the Lakeside, blackened chimneys stood as mute survivors. We grieved for the families affected and prayed for their restoration and the rebuilding of their homes and businesses. Forestry workers and locals alike worked everywhere to salvage fallen trees and clear the way for construction and reforestation.

Then, as suddenly as it had turned black, everything was green again as we neared Silver Creek Falls. What makes this a “weird” location is its history with Al Faussett, who bought the land and the surrounding acreage when the owners refused to let him ride the falls in his homemade craft. Faussett first got hooked on fall jumping in 1926 when a movie crew offered $1,500 to anyone willing to ride a canoe down the Sunset Falls in Washington for a western they were filming. The stunt got cancelled, but Al chose to do it anyway and that was the first of his many fall jumping stunts including Eagle Falls, Spokane Falls, Oregon City Falls, and Silver Falls. His final jump off Shoshone Falls was the highest of all.

The road to Silver Creek Falls winds through hillsides of neatly planted Christmas trees of all sizes. Although Kelly and I have been there many times over the years, each visit is a delight. By the time we reached the north falls trailhead the misting rain had stopped and we were thrilled to get out in the brisk autumn air for a hike to the upper and lower South Falls, admiring true northwest beauty at every turn.

Everything we read and experienced on Day 6 of our weird adventure, reminded me of the word “seekers.” We are created with hearts that long to be filled; we may try many things, but only a relationship with God will satisfy. The Rajneeshees followed a deluded guru who promised love but delivered only lies. The Sri Yantra offers clear-minded meditation, but leaves its followers empty. Stories of UFO’s, Bigfoot, and sea serpents titillate our attraction to the mysterious, but cannot come close to the mystery of the God of the Universe. We seek safety, power, and thrills. Again, nothing compares with the Almighty God who abundantly gives His followers all that and more.

Jesus said it this way: “For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:32-34).

Kelly and I left Silver Falls and headed for Salem feeling satisfied with the way we spent our day. As we continually look to God to fill us up, no matter what comes our way–old age, sickness, financial worries, political upheaval, or a worldwide pandemic–we know God has a plan and purpose in it all. And He will take us safely home.

Come join us tomorrow for our excursions in Salem, my hometown, where we learned a bit of history and played in a corn maze like kids. Remember, if you’d like to leave a comment, just click on the title of the post and the comment box will appear. I always love hearing from my readers and other readers enjoy your comments as well!