Seeing in Jesus with Thanksgiving

Seeing in Jesus is part of an ongoing relationship with Him

Colossians 2:6 reminds believers to walk in Christ Jesus, meaning to engage with Him every day. This way of life involves seeing, listening, talking, planting, harvesting, and eating in Jesus through the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Colossians 2:6

Incredible plants and animals may be overlooked without Christ living in us

I appreciate that the plants and animals that I observed this summer were noticed because Jesus in me caused me to see them. He showed that He is with me, loves me, and is divine. I hope you enjoy these highlights of the year and join me in praising the One who made it all possible.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20

Seeing in Jesus, Alpine Wildflowers and Butterflies were noticed

In June, my wife, Lida, and I climbed a mountain that I enjoyed years ago. Persisting through high winds, I went to a rocky slope, and there, in Jesus, I saw remarkable wildflowers and a rare butterfly. Social media was used to share what Jesus showed me for the first time. I hope that all will come to know that the fields of wildflowers exult because Jesus the Lord reigns.

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things. Psalm 107:8-9

Psalm 107:8-9

The Arctic Poppy (also known as Kluane Poppies, Papaver radicatum) are rare and the only poppy native to Colorado. They have also been seen in northern Greenland!

The Polixenes Arctic butterfly is rare. You can notice that it is camouflaged well among the lichen of the alpine mountain side.

Mountain Avens in perfect form. It is the national flower of Iceland (2004) and the official flower of Canada’s Northwest Territories (1957)

I noticed this lonely plant in the alpine rocks for the first time, Thick-leaf Ragwort

This Alpine Spring Beauty plant made me think of Jesus, everylasting life - green, through Christ's blood - red.

The timing was perfect to see this group of Split-leaf Paintbrush with the snow-covered mountains in the background

I caught Lida looking great in the heights. Her shirt matched the color of the Parry Penstemon flowers that were common along the streams that lined our climb up the mountain.

Lida noticed this group of Parry Penstemon in peak form. The timing of our hike could not have been better.

This group of Yellow Stonecrop, seen on July 3rd, looked like fireworks of the field.

I had never seen Green Gentian in this spot until this year. A good reason is that after sprouting the plant grows for 20 to 60 years before sending up a tall shoot with flowers, forms seeds, and dies. Maybe this plant sprouted when I was seven years old.

Seeing in Jesus, it was A Time to Plant

Harvested and planted Garlic Cloves in January

We had a warm winter this year. Seeing in Jesus, I noticed dry garlic stalks in the garden in January and realized I could harvest the cloves and plant them for the next season. Unlike other years, January was a perfect time, and the harvest was great in July.

These were some of the garlic cloves that were harvested in January and planted.

The yield of garlic exceeded my expectation in July. This group were growing close together and still had large sized cloves.

Buried Kichen Scraps Yielded the Best Squash Plants

There was another surprise this year in the garden. Two squash plants were the result of burying kichen scraps in the garden that included squash seeds. I removed all but the most vigorous sprout in both locations. The resulting yields were great (8-9 squash per plant). Surprisingly, the seeds I intended to discard ended up producing my favorite sources of seeds to replant next year.

One selected sprout was selected to grow from many that came up from kitchen scraps. The vines were training around the garden bed. The biggest plant I have ever grown.

The large pumpkin plant yielded nine twenty pound squash (seven shown).

I selected one vigorous sprout from many that came up from kitchen scraps and it yielded eight beautiful squash. Over many years, I have selected for red and green striped squash, calling them "Neal's Christmas Squash."

I selected this squash to open to see if it had viable seeds. It did! Members of a garden group were invited to save seeds for the next year. We have been eating the squash steamed in a pressure cooker for 4 minutes and frozen. The frozen pumpkin spice bowls with banana and toppings were very good.

I was happy to see the beautiful design on the underside of the Christmas squash, similar to others selected over the years.

Seeing Jesus Act at the Last Minute

It is good to pause and remind ourselves that we do not cause seeds to sprout, or a fish to take the bait, or a butterfly to emerge from a chrysalis and dwell in a certain place. By faith, we acknowledge these things are the actions of the triune God.

Worst Time to Fish Yielded the Biggest Catch

Are you ready for a fish story? I experienced a day when the fish were not hungry. The reason was that the water column of the lake mixed from top to bottom as occurs each spring. Just as I was packing up to leave, Jesus caused an eighteen-inch brook trout to grab my bait. I was so surprised and thankful.

I noticed that this trout had a large tail and so I used the drag appropriately to keep the brook trout from breaking the line during its several runs away from the shore.

After not getting any hits for hours, I sure was surprised to catch this 18 inch brook trout just as I was packing to leave.

Young man blessed with the desire of his heart

I took a young man fishing who really wanted to catch a big one. As it was approaching time to leave, we stopped to pray for a large trout. We were packing up when the young man saw the pole move and applied all that I taught him to successfully land an eighteen-inch rainbow trout. Previously, I only caught Cutbow trout in the lake. So, I think Jesus wanted us to know for sure that He gave us that fish.

I remembered trout feeding close to shore in a certain spot that produced this catch at the last minute.

We delighted in the beauty of the rainbow trout.

Know Jesus better day by day through our walk in Him

Here are a couple other remarkable sightings in Jesus at the lake. I know Him better day by day through experiences He ordains. There is no end to knowing the infinite Jesus Christ.

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

1 John 5:20

What a peaceful scene with Pelicans, Blue Herons and a man all fishing.

These Riding's Satyr butterflies, were seen in a sparsely vegetated area above the lake. Turns out they do not eat. They find each other easy in the barren land, mate, and lay eggs on Blue Grama grass.

The underside of the Riding's Satyr butterfly. I never knew they existed before.

Jesus showed me His birds

Bald eagle respected by ravens and magpies

I saw a bald eagle land by the road a ways ahead of me, where I saw its majestic nature. Soon it flew to a fence post along a field. Incredibly, a raven was captured in the photograph that was heading to sit next to the eagle. Then several other birds also flew there, as they likely respected the eagle’s ability to find food. Soon, the eagle flew off, and they all dispersed.

I was so happy to capture the majestic beauty of this Bald Eagle

What is the chance that I could snap this photograph just as a raven entered the scene? Thank you Jesus

Ravens and Magpies showed their respect for the eagle to find a meal.

Seezing an opportunity to explore resulted in a cherised sighting of a Western Tanager

Years ago I saw a Western Tanager, and I really hoped to see another one some day. That day came in Montana as I was drawn to hike up a mountain trail behind Cooke City. I noticed the Western Tanager and took a quick photograph as it took off. Adding to the experience, a few hours later I saw a cap for sale with an embroidered Western Tanager on the front. I am happy to wear it now as a conversation starter.

I was curious to explore a trail up behind the house of friends of ours. To my surprise, I was able to see a Western Tanager

I like to wear this hat with the Western Tanager Design

Here are a couple photographs of remarkable birds that I saw at home.

The first time that I saw a Downy Woodpecter finding insect larvae in sunflower stems.

I could hardly believe that I was in the right place with my camera to capture this migrating Kestrel land on a fence post for a brief moment. I knew it was Jesus that made it possible.

Large animal moments in Jesus

Mountain Goat Displayed Contentment

On a cold day, Lida and I drove up a forteen thousand-foot mountain and near the top we saw Mountain Goats actively grazing. Later, after a hike, Lida stopped in the road again so I could have a short time to study the goats. The sunlight came through, and I was able to capture the billy goat at rest. It was special to notice the animal’s character of contentment and peace.

Mountain Goats grazing in the tundra.

Billy Goat rested from eating and seemed to reflect with thanksgiving. "The high mountains are for the wild goats." Psalm 104:18

Moose broke young aspen trees to eat

On another occasion, Lida and I hiked to an area to see the fall colors of Quaking Apens trees. A cow moose and her calf were sitting in the woods just across from the scene pictured. Later we saw the cow moose breaking off young trees to eat. I was thankful to learn more about the majestic moose.

This area was across from the moose. There were plenty of willows and aspens, a moose paradise

This cow moose reached to break off the top of a young aspen tree and eat it.

Neighbors Horse Inspired Laughs From Our Son

Domestic animals are also a treasure. Our neighbor texted my wife to ask if our son might like to join her on a ride in her horse cart. They had the best time together, and the horse’s sneezes really struck Nathanael as hilarious. To capture the two of them laughing was a gift.

Our son Thoroughly enjoyed riding in the cart pulled by our neighbor's horse.

Doug Phillips

October 30, 2026 at 2:57 pm

I enjoyed your blog. I took up photography a few years ago and began to notice a lot of things that our Lord created that I just didn’t pay that much attention to. Keep pointing out His beautiful creation.

Neal Bringe
October 30, 2026 at 5:23 pm

Thank you for your comment. Just took a look at your website, Wonders of His World. Very nice.