Words from the Wilderness

This is the season when the baby birds of spring venture from their nests into the unknown territory of my backyard. And as I watch them, I'm reminded of an important truth about spiritual growth as well.  Find out more about my new book here!

Most of us know how important our words are, yet, all too often, we speak discouragement instead of hope...especially to ourselves. This is a definite struggle for me, and I suspect I'm not the only one. So today, I'm sharing how my little garden taught me the true power of my words--and how my flowers inspired me to speak life to myself. Find photos and more here!

We're only a month into 2023, but if you're like me, you've already experienced events in this new year that have left you distracted, discouraged, or even desperate. Today, I'm sharing a special moment under the starry night sky—and how what I saw anchored my faith even in confusion and chaos. Find photos and more here!

As we emerge from the glitter of the holiday season into the comparatively uninspiring days of January, I can find myself feeling bored with the blank space. But in today's episode, I'm reflecting on how this empty season's importance in the natural world reminds me of the importance of blank space in my own life. I hope you enjoy “Blank Space”! Find photos and more here!

In our modern achievement-oriented culture, it can be really hard to not consider our worth as synonymous with our accomplishments. Today, I'm remembering a hike I took years ago in the Smoky Mountains—and how it highlighted this important truth. Find photos and more here!

When I visited the Rockies for the first time since Colorado's cataclysmic East Troublesome Fire, I was devastated by the trail of destruction I found. However, I quickly learned that what looked like death might just be life—and it carried a special message of hope for us today. Find photos and more here: https://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/beauty-in-the-burning/

In these scorching summer days, I've recently been noticing the ways the trees in my yard respond to drought. Some are barely hanging on, while others are thriving, even in hostile conditions. Today, I'm talking about what makes the difference--and how it impacts our own spiritual growth. Find photos and more here: https://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/living-by-the-river/

Inspired by my recent visit to lovely Estes Park, Colorado, I'm talking today about the shocking result of a surprise spring snowstorm I encountered—and how this affects our ability to orient ourselves during times of trouble in our lives. Find before-and-after photos of the mountains here! My novel, When the Ice Melts, is released! Click here to read the first four chapters for free!

Friends, the release of my contemporary Christian novel, When the Ice Melts, is only three weeks away! So, to celebrate, I'm doing something a little different: today's episode is based not on an encounter I've had in nature, but on an event that takes place within the pages of my book! I'm pairing an excerpt from the story with a reflection on the truth it reveals—and how it impacts our lives. Listen now for this special release! Sign up for the sneak preview here: www.wordsfromthewilderness.com

Today I'm remembering a humorous standoff I had with a woody vine on our property—an incident that, while amusing, parallels a much more disastrous tendency in my daily life. How can we learn to let go of defeating habits and to refuse to allow them to cling to us? Find photos and more here: https://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/victory-over-the-vine/

Today I'm remembering a special hike I took with my family years ago—one that taught me the value of going further and climbing higher. In faith, as in hiking, we can become complacent and decide there's no reason to press onward. But as I learned all those years ago, great things come to those who leave the tourist trail for the great unknown. Find photos and more here!

When I listen to the chorus of the little spring peepers, the frogs that sing on these warming evenings, I'm struck by their harmonized sound. As it turns out, these frogs have a special trick that helps them stay in unity with each other—one that just might help us achieve peace in our world as well. Find photos and more here!

In these cold winter days, I enjoy watching the songbirds who flock to my backyard feeding station. However, what I don't enjoy is their tendency to compete with each other—in a way that sort of reminds me of how we as humans behave at times. In a cutthroat world, what might happen if we chose cooperation over competition? That's the inspiration behind today's release. Please enjoy “Birdfeeder Battle”! Find photos and more here: https://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/birdfeeder-battle/

What's your go-to pair of shoes? For me, it's my old work boots. I've had these boots for years, and they've carried me through hundreds of grand adventures—and misadventures—in the natural world. But today, I'm thinking about another pair of shoes—the spiritual footwear we need to survive in this world. What is this spiritual footwear, and how can we choose it even when the world offers us such tempting alternatives? I hope you enjoy “Boots on the Ground”! Find photos and more here: https://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/boots-on-the-ground/

Despite the joy of Christmas and the holiday season, not everything is merry and bright right now. I'm facing a lot of challenges, and I'm sure that you are as well. So how can we respond when winter seems to have the final word? That's the message of my release today. Drawing inspiration from the white-throated sparrows that flock in my backyard and neighborhood, I'm exploring a radical paradox: that the way to face our greatest pain might just be through the path of passionate praise. Find photos and more here: https://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/winter-song/

Yes, you read that title right! Today, I'm recounting the acts I take to help local wildlife during the winter season—and the unexpected spiritual application as we look toward Christmas and set our hearts on the Savior. After a year that has rubbed our souls rough, it's more important than ever that we make space for Christ's Presence this Christmas season. I hope “Advent and Animals” helps you do just that! Find photos and more here: https://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/advent-and-animals/

As I roam the woods in this special time, I'm noticing how different the trees appear now that their leaves have mostly drifted to the forest floor. And as a result, I'm thinking about the parallel in our own lives. What comes into view when our outer circumstances shift? And how can we stop hiding from others, ourselves, and even God? Find photos and more here: https://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/lost-leaves/

We've all felt the tug of hopes and dreams within our hearts—the call to a destiny greater than ourselves. But what do these stirrings really mean? How can we identify and pursue our God-callings? I'm passionate about this topic, and I'm excited to unpack it today using the powerful symbol of a rather humble object—the familiar autumn acorn. Find photos and more here: https://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/daring-to-dream/

I always love the glories of fall foliage, but I've noticed something disturbing: the leaf that's the prettiest is also the one I can't have...because it belongs to a plant that's more lethal than lovely. And that has me thinking about how often a similar situation unfolds in our lives. Haven't we all felt the tidal tug of temptation? And how do we stay firm without yielding to those desires? Find photos and more here: https://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/leaves-of-three/

Most of us have heard Jesus' command to His disciples to be the “salt of the earth.” But what exactly does that mean? I've recently received some clarification on this topic from a very unlikely source, so today, we'll be not only unpacking how this statement applies to us but also outlining practical steps we can take to follow the Lord's mandate in our own lives. Find photos and more here: https://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/spreading-salt/

It's not hard to see that we live in chaotic times, where change can seem like the only certainty. And in addition to the global turmoil surrounding us, we also face personal upheavals in our own lives. But when the turbulence seems overwhelming, we need only look to the stars for a very reassuring reminder about the One Who will never, ever, change. Find photos and more here: https://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/north-star/

This release is inspired by the special reptiles that I often see basking on my patio during the summer months...and what they can teach us about our witness for Christ. All of us are tempted at times to conform to the world around us rather than boldly remain firm in our faith, but today's episode will give you some practical tips for standing out rather than blending in. Find photos and more here: https://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/lesson-from-a-lizard/

If you're anything like me, you've wanted a do-over in life more than a few times. When we're beset with failures and flaws, often all we want is to rewind the clock and receive another chance. If this is a familiar feeling, then today's release is especially for you! Inspired by a very special nest on the front porch of my home, I'm reflecting on God's standing offer of a new beginning in our lives, and how we can accept His intervention. Find photos and more here: https://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/nest-of-new-beginnings/

Inspired by the lore and legend of the upcoming holiday, Midsummer, I'm learning what this special day can teach us about the unseen reality of the spiritual world—and how a renewed understanding of this scriptural concept can transform the way we live. If you want to see the world—and your life—with fresh eyes, then this release is for you. Find photos and more here: http://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/midsummer-mystery/

In a world where it seems dreams always outnumber opportunities, sometimes we can begin to feel overlooked, ignored, or unnoticed. We can even start to believe that God Himself has forgotten about us. But if that's you today, then take heart. You're not being put aside; you're being prepared. If you're struggling to find the wonder in the waiting, then I pray this release, inspired by a very special insect, brings you hope and encouragement. Now, please enjoy “Seventeen Years.” Find photos and more here: http://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/seventeen-years/

Perhaps, like me, you've often marveled at these delicate little creatures that often seem more butterfly than bird. But few people know the full story of the hummingbirds' lives. As incredible as it may seem, these seemingly fragile birds conquer overwhelming challenges on their staggering migratory journeys…and showcase an inspiring lesson about courage in our own lives. Please enjoy “Hope from a Hummingbird”! Find photos and more here: http://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/hope-from-a-hummingbird/

How do we find our way when life becomes a trackless maze? A yen for wandering in the woods will teach you one sobering fact very quickly: it is astoundingly easy to lose your way. However, this is true not only for the maze of a densely wooded area but also for the trackless wilderness of life. In this latest release, I'm sharing the strategies I've learned for finding my way again…and the love of the Lord Who always, always, comes to find us, no matter how far we've strayed. Find photos and more here: http://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/lost-and-found/

Could the ethereal creatures that flutter through springtime skies be carrying an important message about rebirth? “Because, you see, destruction, no matter how utter it seems, is never the end of the story. God is not a God Who bulldozes our lives and melts our aspirations and then abandons us in a pile of rubble. He doesn't tear down without building up. He doesn't raze our lives without also raising them. The dark chrysalis isn't the end of the caterpillar's story; it's simply part of the journey. And in similar fashion, God will lead us through our seasons of painful change and to the joy of rebirth that waits on the other side.” Find photos and more here: http://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/butterfly-blessing/

Unnoticed doesn't equal unimportant. Some of the greatest Kingdom work of all takes place behind the scenes. "There are hundreds of little white flowers in my yard—tiny stars sprinkling the world with laughter. I don't know their name. Perhaps I never will. But I know this: they may be small, they may be humble, but their role is far from unimportant. And just as there are hundreds of those flowers, there are hundreds of people throughout the world faithfully serving God in mundane roles." Find photos and more here: http://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/of-flowers-and-faithfulness/

Do you ever feel as if you're moving but not moving forward–as if you can't see a destination in the drabness of the days? Then this release is for you! Inspired by a particularly unimpressive hiking trail, I'm meditating on the “trails to nowhere” in my own life…and the fact that sometimes they're leading somewhere very special indeed. Find photos and more here: http://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/the-trail-to-nowhere/

My recent adventure to seek out a renowned and rare bird taught me about living with grace–the beauty of our salvation in action. "I believe that right here, right now, right where we are, we can live in grace. As those swans swirled on the lake, beauty right before me, I was sure of this: living with grace isn't merely a decision. It's a deliverance. And I believe that the swans, so full of grace themselves, proclaim timeless truths about this simple serenity." Find photos and more here: http://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/swan-song/

Three inches of snow in an entire winter season doesn't seem like enough to this snow-lover. And when I compare my winter weather with the snowdrifts and blizzards of Estes Park, I feel even more dissatisfied. Yet could God be using our climate to teach me about contentment? Find photos and more here: http://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/warmer-winter/

This time of year, animals are hibernating–an unusual physical state that mimics death, yet is actually the ultimate survival strategy. I'm studying the wildlife around me, and I'm asking an unusual question: in God's design, could death actually be the path to life? Find photos and more here: http://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/sleeping-under-snow/

If 2020 has left you scared of a new year…this post is for you. Frost has a strange dichotomy: it's at once deadly and delightful, brutal and beautiful…a force of destruction and a filigree of loveliness. Could the same God Who leaves His fingerprints in frost bring beauty to the winter of our souls? Find photos and more here: http://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/frozen-filigree/

The winter solstice is just around the corner, and at first, this time can seem a bit depressing–the shortest day and longest night. Yet the solstice sings a message of hope–and reminds us of a very special Baby born on a dark night two thousand years ago. Find photos and more here: http://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/midwinter-miracle/

This world is so loud. Everyone has an axe to grind and a point to prove–and what might have begun as a meaningful discussion has now disintegrated into a shouting match. In a world that makes our ears ring, could it be that the owl reminds us of a paradoxical yet purifying approach–silence? Find photos and more here: http://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/soaring-in-silence/

Wild hogs had invaded our property, and we couldn't seem to eradicate them–until my mother took matters into her own hands, teaching me a valuable lesson about spiritual warfare in the process. I can't wait for you to enjoy my retelling of this family memory! Find photos and more here: http://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/of-corn-and-courage/

Squirrels–they're fun, they're fascinating, they're friendly and frolicsome. This time of year, though, they're incredibly busy. In an epic “treasure hunt,” they stash away as many nuts as possible before the coming winter days. But what can this intriguing behavior teach us about our own relationship with our “treasures”? Find photos and more here: http://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/treasures-in-the-treetops/

Don't look now, but the woods are full of eyes…buckeyes, to be exact. How does a common autumn object remind me of our omniscient God? Find photos and more here: http://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/watching-in-the-woods/

Autumn rides into the world on the wings of a very special wind–one that, in its own obscure way, is largely responsible for the season. And just as the wind is stirring across the landscape right now, could it be that the Holy Spirit is hovering over our hearts? Find photos and more here: http://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/where-the-wind-blows/

I was unable to go back and unwilling to go forward. My only option was to take the step that seemed impossible. I only had enough faith to put my foot in a scratch on a rock because there was no other way. Yet because of that tiny amount of faith, I am here today. Hear about my exciting rock-scrambling adventure–and the lesson it taught me about faith. Find photos and more here: http://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/faith-and-the-foothold/

Why, in the middle of summer, would these birds disappear? And what can their actions teach us about our attitude as we await Christ's return? Find photos and more here: http://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/the-missing-martins/

Chiggers–the scourge of summer. It's incredible how bugs too small to see can sentence me to a week of suffering. Yet just like chiggers, often it's the small issues in our lives that grow into the biggest problems. Find photos and more here: http://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/itchy-issues/

Do you ever feel as if you don't fit in–as if everyone but you has a place in this world? Well, I'm here to tell you that as believers, we won't conform to the world's patterns. But the good news is…we were never intended to. Find photos and more here: http://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/the-beauty-of-bats/

As the heat of summer becomes more and more oppressive, the creek behind my house is dwindling. Standing on its muddy banks reminds me of all the times that the “streams” of God's provision in my life have seemingly dried up. What do you do when your faith seems to bring no reward? Find photos and more here: http://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/when-the-creek-dries-up/

It looked like nothing more than a funny worm scooting along the ground…but there was far more to this creature than met the eye. And the best part? I was able to watch the miracle unfold. Who knew that moths were so miraculous–or that we could learn so much about the Christian life from them? Find photos and more here: http://www.wordsfromthewilderness.com/the-miracle-of-the-moth/