November 3, 2006
-
He Restoreth My Soul
My Soul Was Restored In Death Valley
My uncle lives in the beautiful High Sierra .
A few years ago after a bitter disappointment I knew it was where I needed to be.
I feel closer to God in the Yosemite Valley than any where else I have ever been.
I see the majestic works of His hand.
It is a place for healing.
I cried for the first few days I was there,needing to work through some deep pain.
On the day we had planned to go to Death Valley I did not want to get up,
nor did I want to go for the long drive.
But as clear as the day that was breaking I heard a voice say"Get up,today I am going to restore your soul!"
In Death valley the sky was full of puffy white clouds
Every where I looked it seemed like God was saying "I made this for you"
Inside, I felt like the ground we saw ,cracked and dry.
We drove through Titus Canyon .
I stood at the bottom of the canyon and looked up.
Things seemed to fall into perspective there.
The weight lifted and as I looked up I saw the glory wrought by the hand of God,
in my soul and in creation.
In that moment I knew that my burden had been lifted.
He Restoreth My Soul. Psalm 23:3I found these pics from a Google search,I did not have my digital camera then,
most of the pix on my site are mine
Comments (63)
Psalm 23 was the first thng I memorized out of the Bible at my grandmother's urging. I'm so glad she had me do that. Those are gorgeous pictures, Beth. Did you take them?
*thing...wow, it's late!
Those are awesome pictures. One thing about it... going through the valley of the shadow of death... you don't go it alone. I really like what you wrote.
those moments of clarity and closeness to God make it all worth while.
Beautiful experience, thank you for sharing.
This is wonderful the pictures are wonderful. Judi
Oh what beautiful pictures!
This morning I needed the inspiration!
Thank you for sharing
Love Jules
sometime we tend to loose our self when pain enter our life but you found yourself.
those pictures are awesome!
I remember when I went to the Grand Canyon this past summer for the first time, and standing there at the edge all I wanted to do is just cry my eyes out.
Those are positively beautiful pictures.
That place is stupefyingly beautiful and dramatic.
Thanks for your good advice. I'm taking it.
WOW! What a wondeful post. The pictures are incredable and I wish I could go there. But I get that feeling here in Pa. on a bueatiful day. I find myself looking at the clouds and rolling fields and also at this time of year all the different colors of the leaves. It gives me goosebumps. I try to let go of my stress by taking the they beauty around me.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful trip. You have such an eye. Death Valley is a far cry from the empty corn feilds of Iowa. The kids are enjoying the pool and then we hit the road once more.
I'm glad your feeling better. Keep listening to the spirit.
Ho Kansas...Ang
WHat was that about pukey beasts??? Oh! Not pukey, but perky?
What perky beast???
Oh! Breast???
A pukey breast??? I had not noticed!
What???
Have a great Friday!
Everyone needs a place they can go to be filled up again. You have chosen a beautiful place for yours.
How can you not believe in God and that everything would be ok amidst beauty like that. Gorgeous!
what a beautiful set of views...
This is so moving!! Thank you for this today.....I needed it!! I am on my way out to work and this is what I will keep with me today.....my birthday at that..... that HE RESTORETH MY SOUL!!!
One thing I know.. I was blessed to be born in the Appalacian Mountains. Up in those mountains and down deep in the valleys, I always felt closer to God. And you're right..it's like hearing him say "Look....look what I have made for you.Everything will be fine...I have a plan for you."
I still go "home" and visit from time to time. Thank you for sharing, those are beautiful pictures!
Your pictures are beautiful and words so heartfelt. I found this poem and thought you would like it. Hope you have a great weekend.
New Every Morning
Yea, “new every morning,” though we may awake,
Our hearts with old sorrow beginning to ache;
With old work unfinished when night stayed our hand
With new duties waiting, unknown and unplanned;
With old care still pressing, to fret and to vex,
With new problems rising, our minds to perplex
In ways long familiar, in paths yet untrod,
Oh, new every morning the mercies of God!
His faithfulness fails not; it meets each new day
New guidance for every new step of the way;
New grace for new trials, new trust for old fears,
New patience for bearing the wrongs of the years,
New strength for new burdens, new courage for old,
New faith for whatever the day may unfold;
As fresh for each need as the dew on the sod;
Oh, new every morning the mercies of God!
- Annie Johnson Flint
Geez! If I had visited you first, I probably could have just skipped my e-devotional this morning.
ryc: that's probably the one Donkey & I snatched from somewhere for my profile pic. I remember cropping it a bit and the background was mostly shadow......
Those pictures are enough to restore anyones soul. Thank you for sharing.
RYC= Weaverville, NC (It's next to Asheville)
I went to camp in Pisgah Forest. My family went to Grandfather Mountain almost weekly. I'm sure you've heard of the Blue Ridge Parkway?
Those are beautiful pix of God's works!
ryc: Yeah that's my mom. I picked that
song because it reminds me that some
day I will have a reunion with both my
Mom and my Son. It's such a feel-good
song!
I think we(me & you) like alot of the
same music!
Happy Friday to you!!
Oh Beth~~ don't you just love how God speaks so uniquely to each one of us~~ just at the right time. When you think you can't handle one more moment of the pain~~ He picks us up and shows us Beauty.
I don't know how many times I have tried to restore my own soul~~ what a goof ball~~ you would think after all He has done for me~~ I would have a clue of His nature. Thanks for such a transparent testimony. Tamy
God never ceases to amaze me, he thinks of everything- even our little problems in life, and he actually cares! I'm glad he worked that blessing on you! Now I wanna visit Death Valley!
"look at what I made for you" . . . wow, truer words seldomly spoken.
A friend and I have planned on going to that area several times, only to be hit with family tragedy each year; so for now, we've stopped planning and maybe one day we'll just go on the spur of the moment.
I've never seen that area, and can only imagine its breath taking beauty, as most mountaneous scenes are to me.
I feel similarly, the few times I've been on/around mountains; incomplete awe of these wonders God has given us.
The first time I saw mountains was in the mid 80's in Germany, and I was mesmerized by the magesty of them all. Truly does renew my faith.
beautiful pics!!!!!!!
You found some wonderful pictures.
What a beautiful post! Great pics. I'm thankful God knows just what we need and when we need it. He is an Awesome God!
Oh how beautiful it is there! I would like to travel west someday and see that part of our nation.... i am glad that you found solace there and sorry you had a sadness so deep ....
Wow that is really beautiful.
Yey! Glad that you got to have some fun with Dutch Blitz. I haven't played in a while, I'm missing it.
Sorry to hear you had to go through that difficult time. There isn't any place to feel closer to God then outside taking in the beauty that he created for us.
The pictures are lovely....
Have a wonderful weekend.
RYC: I love the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's!! But I have to qualify that statement by saying that while I love it, it's an awfully odd little movie. Audrey Hepburn's character really isn't very "likable," is she? But I guess I like the story because you see that hard shell her character has start to crack, and you see her realize her need for people, and to be vulnerable with others. Hope this makes sense!
Have a great weekend!
Psalm 23 has always been a favorite of mine.
I'm glad your soul was restored.
ryc: what else is there?
Have a good weekend.
what is Donkey even talking about¿
Crayolas and Raggedy Ann! Cool! My brother got in trouble for trying to set my sister's coloring book on fire with a magnifying glass! LOL!
Great post Beth. I love God in all His magnificence. It was good to talk to you this afternoon. You are funny.
I thought PA had beautiful sites ... but WOW ... beautiful pictures and a great post!!! Hope you are having a great Friday!!
ya!! Alicia
oh. my. gosh. That is absolutely gorgeous! I have to go there!
Breathtaking! Just beautiful! Have a good weekend!
It is amazing that within the confines of our own country there are so many beautiful things to see. I guess that is why I don't travel abroad much.
Hugs, Tricia
Yes! Featured Content is all confused today!
Hope you have a great weekend!
RYC: It doesn't offend me at all. Who turns prayers down? I think it's very kind of you. Thank you.
I have never been to the Death Valley but I hope that one day I'll be able to travel there.
Still admiring those pictures, they make me feel so very relaxed.
I have never travelled there...but it is on my list of places to visit...perhaps when my daughter can drive someday. Thank you so much for sharing. Blessings, Susan
The pix are just beautiful, I was out west too, and the skies out there is just a vivid blue too....makes me want to go there again.....Im headed to the craft show at the elementary school today, getting started with my xmas shopping
Good Saturday morning to you!
I think I need to pay Death Valley a visit
I often feel closest to God when I'm out amongst his creation. Nature is so beautiful...His handiwork awes me.
Absolutely beautiful. I've been to the valley, and I know the feeling.
Peace,
Lady Songbird
Once again, your site never fails to speak to my heart and soul of Gods love for us! Thank you!
Hi.
My name is Laura
I feel so alone, i feel so sad.. and with no one to talk to..
Ive seen you have a very close releationship with God, i tried.. but i just dont know how
please help me.. i feel that nobody cares wont tell my friends cause its just like another problem for them i think and my pareants dont understand..
-Me
Great pictures! You need to come out and get restored.
Pretty pictures
Psalm 23 is a very beautiful verse. My mom made me memorize it when I was a kid. It reminds me that God will always be with us. Nice pics by the way.
Absolutely incredible.
I am pleased that God has restored your soul. May your spirit always overflow with his life giving water. When your cup overflows, it splashes the feet of others, soothing them and drawing them to His light, His life.
I would love to see such a beautiful place in real life. It's incredible to think that our world is so beautiful and yet heaven is beautiful beyond our comprehension. Wow. Your pictures remind me of heaven.
prayers...
P.S. It didn't seem like God was saying that he made it for you...HE DID! He'd have done it all for only you.
In my 20s, I spent much time in Yosemite seeking God. He gave me shooting stars to confirm His hand on my life. I've never heard of anyone else ever talking about Yosemite and finding restoration. This is great. Blessings!
I always drove to the mountains when I was down and out too. It's the only place where I felt the closest to God. Just looking at the beauty of His creations filled me with awe and penetrated me with His love. How can anyone not believe in God when they see the magnificent creations of our world?!
'When peace like a river......"
Even a dry one,
xo, QE
@WinsomeWorld - I just saw this comment,thanks Win.
I always feel restored there!
Beautiful.
Beautiful Message and pictures as normal Thanks
@toolman1_4 - Where in the world have you been? So good to hear from you!!
Comments are closed.