Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

Returning home from Colorado and the US Staff Conference of Campus Crusade for Christ I had planned to jump right back in telling you about the awesome messages we heard.  But as God often does, He has altered my plan. 

God wants us to realize the importance of time to rest and reflect.  In the Psalms we find the word, Selah.  The Amplified Bible gives this clarifying phrase: pause, and calmly think of that!

For us, rest came in taking two extra days in Colorado to do some things we love but rarely get to do -- horseback riding (for me) and fishing (for Steve).  Thankfully we each truly enjoy both these activities!

In case you think this a lame attempt to frame our fun in a false spiritual context, just look at where it takes place.  Rocky Mountain National Park has got to be one of the most magnificent settings on earth. 

One minute into our trailride our horses were clomping over a small bridge spanning an ice cold mountain stream.  

Pause, and calmly think of that!

Just moments later we were plodding along a steep hillside looking up at "the bluest sky I've ever seen."  Yes, it really was this color!


How could you not pause?

We spent the ride shouting back and forth of the greatness of each passing scene, and giving thanks to our Lord for the blessing of being able to see such beauty with our own eyes!

“All the earth will worship You,
And will sing praises to You;
They will sing praises to Your name.”
Selah.

The next day we arrived at our flyfishing site in the shadow of Long's Peak and immediately were in awe of both our surroundings and our Creator God.   Standing kneedeep in a serene mountain lake, it's easy to give glory to God for such tranquil beauty and much needed quiet.  Yes it was a lot of fun to actually catch a couple of fish each.  But honestly the trip would have been equally exquisite just soaking up the scenery. 

Now, back at home and back at work, our charge is to keep the mindset of those two days even in the midst of hectic ministry schedules.  We must seek Him in the Word, take time to be still, have our eyes atuned to His beauty, and keep our minds and hearts aware of His presence. 

Thank you to dear friends whose generosity made these two days possible.  Finding very reasonable rates for these activities at YMCA Camp of the Rockies-Estes Park, was a huge blessing as well.  And if you thought you would escape this blog without the requisite pictures of our catch--oh well--we just have to show our sporting side too.

Rainbow Trout

Colorado Greenback Cutthroat Trout

   God gave us two days of more than we could ask or imagine!  With rest and reflection come clarity of thought and now we will be better able to ponder and incorporate the great messages of our staff conference.  I look forward to posting some of those treasures in the following weeks. 

May the Lord bless and keep you,
Karen