Experiencing God on Garrett Mountain

Thursday night we finally had a Thursday that it didn't rain and were able to go to Garrett Mountain reservation to EXPERIENCE GOD in the beauty of creation, Scripture and prayer.

We began on a bridge of a little brook with a reflection from John 7:37-39.  Jesus was at Feast of Booths in Jerusalem. As part of that 7 day remembering of Israels 40 years in the wilderness there was a water ceremony. A processions of priests went to Gihon spring, filled a golden pitcher as ac hoir chanted Isaiah 12:3 “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation”   The water was carried back up hill to the water gate followed by crowed carrying branches in memory of desert booths singing Ps. 113-118. When they arrived at the temple the priest would climb the altar steps and pour the water onto the altar while  the crowd circled him singing. This was to remember God's provision of water in the wilderness as well as the River of God flowing from the temple in Ezekiel 47. On the 7^th day this was done 7 times and then Jesus spoke. …..John 7:37-39… Jesus If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him” by this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believe in her were later to receive…

 Standing under an oak tree we reflected on the extent of their root system and read Psalm 1 about the person of God who "Is like a tree planted beside the flowing waters, that yields its fruit in due season and whose leaves shall never fade. And all that he does shall prosper."   

              “ I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree.

                 A tree whose hungry mouth is prest against the earths sweet flowing breast.

                 A tree that looks at God all day, and lifts her leafy arms to pray;

                 A tree that may in Summer wear, a nest of robins in her hair.

                 Upon whose bosom snow has lain, who intimately lives with rain.

                Poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make a tree.

Joyce Kilmer

We also laid down in the "green pasture" beside the "still water" meditating on the first verses of Psalm 23 and the Lord "restored our souls".

 We enjoyed walking along the trails and read from Genesis 1 about God's creation of all of the trees and plants and birds and animals. We saw various birds but the highlight was two fauns grazing in the grass.  We then climbed up to a "desolate place" like Jesus would frequently go to and sat in silence for a few minutes with the Lord. We practiced Psalm 46:10 as we sat in silence and listend to the Lord. "Be still and know that I am God, I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in all the earth. "  Everyone was so blessed we didn't want to leave.

  














We prayed prayers from St. Francis and a Celtic prayer with the elements. We prayed Psalm 148 about all creation praising the Lord. And finally we ended the night at Guernsey Crest enjoying our ice cream. :) yum - yum God is Good!