How Great Thou Art...

I walked a long way in a quiet and beautiful area of the Heart of America last Saturday. It was a bright, windy day; the first hot day of this year (Really!) and I sunburned my arms really bright.

I will gladly accept the sunburn for the natural eye candy I enjoyed that day. (It was the morning Cleta died, so I felt especially sensitive to what the Lord has made.) I took too many photos to post, but I selected a few to share here.

Despite everything you’ve heard, The Heart of America is not completely flat.

This is a Prairie Swallow standing watch over his homestead while his wife is inside watching over their eggs. His head and shoulders are iridescent and glow, glow, glow in the sunlight. You shoulda been there. (Click the photo to see his beautiful headdress.)

There was a shy barn, peeking around some trees to see what I was doing. Notice the tree; see how the wind was blowing.

And then I happened upon this Thorny Locus Tree. They grow quite prolifically here in The Heart of America. Not in people’s yards too much cuz little kids will hurt themselves really, really badly. Their parents, too. (Click the photo(s) to enlargenate and get a good look at the thorns.) These are fierce and dangerous trees—hardy, too—that you don’t wanna mess with. They're called "Thorny" for a reason: those thorns are as hard 'n' tough as a 16-penny nail. Roman soldiers used something like these branches to fashion a crown of thorns for King Jesus. They jammed it down into his scalp and into his tender temples, barely missing his eyes—and then laughed at him half the night.

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,

And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.

When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur

And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;

Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;

That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art!