September 2012
Veronica Stoneall / Living Stones News

“Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy.”

Psalm 98:8

Beautiful blue-green rushing water flows between Trondheim and Oppdal, Norway.

August 2012
Rick Rice / Photographer

“I establish My covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.” And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between Me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.”

-- Genesis 9:11-13

A rainbow appears over Lake Superior on June 20. Up to 10 inches of rain fell in torrents over the city of Duluth on June 20 and 21.

July 2012
Gloria Plaistad / Living Stones News

Old Glory flies over Lake Vermilion at Tower, Minn.

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Fourth verse to “The Star-Spangled Banner,” written by Francis Scott Key (1814)

June 2012
Dennis O’Hara / Northern Images Photography

“God made two great lights -- the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.”
-- Genesis 1:16

 “Who hung the moon up in the starry sky? Somebody bigger than you and I.” (“Somebody Bigger Than You And I” -- Words and music by Johnny Lange, Hy Heath and Sonny Burke)

May 2012
Amanda Hansmeyer / shutterstoriesonline.com

“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.”
--Psalm 113:3

An April sunrise showcases Duluth’s Aerial Lift Bridge.

March 2012
Chad Phillips Photography

“‘All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.’” -- 1 Peter 1:24-25

As new bud life appears, a dying last leaf clings to a tree branch in Terrace Park, Sioux Falls, S.D.

February, 2012
Hannah Sorvik

January, 2012
Christy Alten-Osmera / The Digital Butterfly

Eliora Enriquez (Ellie for short), 6, of Doon, Iowa, was visiting the Sertoma Butterfly House in Sioux Falls, S.D., when this little Blue Morpho butterfly decided it liked her.

Nathaniel Hawthorne

December, 2011
Dennis O’Hara / northernimages.com

“He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.” Psalm 23:2b-3a.

A snow-covered cabin sits beside a lake.

November 2011
Bonnie Jordan/Living Stones News

Abby and Zaiah Jordan of Superior, Wis., go walking hand in hand while kicking up fall leaves.

October 2011
Rick Rice / For Living Stones News

"For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." Matthew 24:27

A thunderstorm produces natural fireworks above the Duluth, Minn., skyline on July 10

September 2011
Kate Heroff / Submitted to Living Stones News

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35

Monica Nelson, a 21-year-old woman from Woodbury Minn., who attends Winona State University in Winona, Minn., recently traveled to Uganda on a mission trip. According to Nelson: “We were in Uganda, Africa in a village called Kyampisi. The ministry that we went through, KCM (Kyampisi Children’s Ministry), set up a children’s church in the village. I went there with 12 others from Winona State University to serve in the community, to share the Word of God and to build home for Alan (a boy who suffered from child sacrifice but miraculously survived). I was there for seven weeks and hope to go back next summer. The little boy in the picture is Bruce; he is 3 years old. He had malaria, which is why he was sleeping on me. He has four siblings, his mom is very active in the church and his father is actually a witch doctor, so their family needs prayers. The website for the ministry is www.kyampisi.org.

August 2011
Paul Walsh / Living Stones News

Cowboy Jared Keylon, of Uniontown, Kan., hangs onto his horse during the bareback riding competition at the Spooner Rodeo in Spooner, Wis., on July 7, 2010.

July 2011
Kent Wigg / Living Stones News

"He will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord." Isaiah 52:3b

Seeing the yellow mounds of Badlands National Park are a highlight of any trip to South Dakota.

June 2011
Dave Ballard / Living Stones News

"By day the Lord directs His love, at night His song is with me - a prayer to the God of my life." Psalm 42:8 (New International Version)

It's 2 a.m. in Duluth, Minn., and the moon and city lights illuminate the night sky.

May 2011
Amanda Hansmeyer / www.shutterstoriesonline.com

"'If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on My holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord's holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the Lord, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.'" - Isaiah 58:13-14

March 2011
Living Stones News

"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under Heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:11

Melanie Gehl /For Living Stones News Jori, 7, and Jaelyn Gehl, 4, enjoy playing at Gander Lake in Douglas County near Lake Nebagamon. The girls were 6 and 3, respectively, when this picture was taken.

February 2011
Corinne Scott / Living Stones News

"Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Black and yellow, red and white, they're all precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world." Clare Herbert Woolston (1856-1927)

At the Wampanoag Indian Village model in Plimoth Plantation, located near Plymouth, Mass., a young man from the Wampanoag tribe holds his 3-month-old son.

January 2011
Christy Alten / The Digital Butterfly

'All the trees of the field will know that I the Lord bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.' Ezekiel 17:24

December 2010
Paul Walsh / Living Stones News

"I was sick and you looked after Me. ... Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me. " Matthew 25:36b, 40

Brendan Anderson, 41, a Captain Jack Sparrow impersonator, makes a visit to the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, Minn., on Oct. 16 to visit Nicholas Koenig, 3. Nicholas, the son of Erik and Shannon Koenig, of Richmond, Minn., was born with pulmonary atresia and underwent open-heart surgery at less than 1 month old, and was diagnosed at age 2 with acute myeloid leukemia. Nicholas is a huge fan of the "Pirates of The Caribbean" movies - especially the main character, Captain Jack Sparrow.

November 2010
Bonnie Jordan / Living Stones News

"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hand." Isaiah 55:12 NIV

Fall leaves taken at Enger Tower Park in Duluth, Minn.

November 2010
Rick Rice / Living Stones News

"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hand." Isaiah 55:12 NIV

Overlooking the Baptism River at Tettegouche State Park, on the north shore of Lake Superior 58 miles northeast of Duluth in Lake County on scenic Minnesota Highway 61.

October 2010
Paul Walsh / Living Stones News

The Lighthouse
(Jesus is the Lighthouse)

" There's a lighthouse on the hillside that overlooks life's sea. When I'm tossed, it sends out a light that I might see. And the light that shines in darkness now will safely lead me home, If it wasn't for the lighthouse, my ship would sail no more.

Chorus And I thank God for The Lighthouse, I owe my life to Him. Jesus is The Lighthouse and from the rocks of sin, He has shown the light around me, so that I might clearly see. If it wasn't for The Lighthouse, where would this ship be?

Everyone that lives around us, says tear that old lighthouse down, The big ships don't sail this way anymore, ain't no use in it standing round. But then my mind goes back to that stormy night, when just in time I saw the light. With the light from that old lighthouse, that stands there on the hill.

Chorus And I thank God for The Lighthouse, I owe my life to Him. Jesus is The Lighthouse and from the rocks of sin, He has shown the light around me, so that I might clearly see. If it wasn't for The Lighthouse, where would this ship be? "- Robbie Hinson, words and music

The Split Rock Lighthouse in Two Harbors, Minn., shines its beacon during a special centennial commemoration of the completion of the lighthouse on Friday, Sept. 3. Usually the lighthouse is only illuminated on Nov. 10 - to remember the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

September 2010
Aaron Scott / For Living Stones News

"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:6

The sun's rays burst through the clouds over the Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Ariz., on July 23.

September 2010
Jim Palmi / For Living Stones

May God bless you and your bike as you prepare for travel. May He keep you alert and help you ride defensively. May God make you visible to other drivers, And remove potholes and debris from your path. May the sun shine always on your back, And the pavement always be dry. May God deliver you safely to your destination, And make His mercy, grace and love shine upon your every journey. In Jesus' name, Amen. - A biker blessing from the Florida Bikers for Christ

News A member of the Christian Motorcycle Association prays with a biker at "The Blessing of The Bikes" held Sunday, May 23, at the Duluth Gospel Tabernacle, 1515 W. Superior St., in Duluth, Minn. Bikers were treated to donuts and coffee as they arrived and also to lunch following a message on "Balance, Bugs and Buddying Up" by associate pastor Hollis Graves. There were 55 bikes lined up in front of the church for the blessing.

May 2010
Submitted

"For where two or three have gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst." Matthew 18:20

Military personel praying

February 2010
Paul Walsh / Associated Press file

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." I Corinthians 13:14

Julia Provoznik, 12, of New London, Ohio, rests on her reserve grand champion pig, Squealer, as she listens to a nearby auctioneer selling off other animals Aug. 23, 2001, at the Lorain County Fair in Wellington, Ohio. Julia eventually sold her pig, and said she was sad to see him go.

January 2010
Heidi Lynn / Living Stones News

"Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be white as snow, though they be red like crimson, they will be like wool." Isaiah 1:18

A red maple leaf rests on the snow.

January 2010
Submitted Photo / Living Stones News

Sole2Soul event helped purchase shoes for children in the Philipines

Sole2Soul was an event organized by Living Stones News columnist Kami Scott to gather used shoes for a huge shoe rummage sale held at the Superior Christian and Missionary Alliance in Superior, Wis., on Nov.

13 and 14. Proceeds will purchase new shoes for Filipino children living in a dump site on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines and the Jesus for All Mission, also in Mindanao. A Christmas meal also will be provided.

Scott said that 1,000 pair of shoes were collected through churches, Cub Scout packs, youth groups, colleges, schools, friends and relatives.

"Only 350 pair of shoes were sold at the rummage sale," Scott said, "but nearly $2,000 was raised from shoe sales and donations.

There was also a $250 donation for Jessrelle A. Sabandija, a cleft palate child who lives at the dump site. Operation Smile will be in Davao on the island of Mindanao in February doing free surgeries. The $250 will cover the cost of travel for the boy and his mom. Thank you to all who helped."

Unsold shoes were welcomed by the Daimiano Center and the Union Gospel Mission in Duluth, Minn.

December 2009
Kent Wigg / Living Stones News

"He has made everything beautiful in its time" Ecclesiastes 3:11a

Winter splendor points to God's majesty at Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

November 2009
Cherrie Moore

"There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven" Ecclesiastes 2:22

Snow and fall leaves in Amnicon Falls Park/Wisconsin

October 2009
Jerry Moore / Lincoln, NE

"And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to then, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. And the fear of you and the terror of you shall be on every beast of the earth and on every bird of the sky; with everything that creeps on the ground, and all the fish of the sea, into your hand they are given.'" Genesis 9: 1-2

A lobster under the water.

September 2009
Christy Alten / The Digital Butterfly

"And he will be like a tree planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season, And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers." Psalm 1:3

A small tree overlooks Blue Springs in Eureka Springs, Ark.

August 2009
Paul Walsh / Living Stones News

"For I will pour out water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring, And My blessings on your descendants." Isaiah 44:3

Emma Neidermyer, 8, of Knapp, Wis., weeps as she prays with other campers while at Assembly Park Bible Camp in Lake Nebagamon, Wis., on July 15. About 80 young people were at the camp, and Neidermyer prayed to grow closer in her relationship with God.

July 2009
Dave Eggen / Inertia

"And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation." Revelation 5:9 NIV

June 2009
Christy Alten / The Digital Butterfly

"Praise the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty Heavens." Psalms 150:1

The steeple of a Methodist church in Doon, Iowa, stretches magestically into the sky.

May 2009
Paul Walsh / Living Stones News

They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green Psalms 92:14 NIV

Mrytle Davidson, 94, a resident of the Middle River Rehabilitation Center in South Range, Wis., on Monday February 16, 2008, takes a tug on the suspenders of piano player Jerry Haller. Haller was playing requests at the Valentines Party, and was taking requests, but Davidson found her own way of getting her request known.

April 2009
Christy Enriquez / Living Stones News

For as the earth brings forth its bud, As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, So the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. Isaiah 61:11

Purple Prairie Coneflower.

March 2009
Dara Fillmore / Living Stones News

"Praise the Lord! ... Let them praise the name of the Lord, For He commanded and they were created." Psalm 148:1a, 5

The white orchid (Phalaenopsis) was photographed during an orchid show at a Winter Festival in St. Paul's (Minn.) Como Park.

February 2009
Paul Walsh

"A friend loves at all times." Proverbs 17:17a

Vanya Smith, 4, of Oberlin, Ohio, gives a hug to his shepherd dog, Max, as his sister, Augusta Smith, 3, looks on while holding dandelions. Their dad, Brent Smith, keeps a good hold on the reigns as they prepare to leave after playing at Mill Hollow Park in Vermilion, Ohio, Friday, April 27, 2001.

February 2009
Bonnie Jordan

"A friend loves at all times." Proverbs 17:17a

January 2009
Paul Durocher / For Living Stones News

The sun rises at Flathead Lake in Bigfork, Mont., as the Durocher family of northern Minnesota celebrates the Creator while on a music ministry. The Durochers performed at 21 ministry events in 19 days in prisons, rescue missions, fairs, festivals and churches across Montana and North Dakota in the summer of 2008. Traveling in a Chevy van and pulling a trailer, the Durochers minister with 10 of their 12 biological children ages 3 to 26. Their goal is to encourage families to grow in love for one another and for their Savior, Jesus Christ, through music and Christian publications. They can be reached at www.durocherfamilyministries.com.

December 2008
Bonnie Jordan

"Your winter has been destroyed, I tell you! This is Aslan's doing." - The dwarf talking to the White Witch in C.S. Lewis' book, "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe." The land of Narnia has fallen under the evil rule of the White Witch. Because of the Witch, it is always winter but never Christmas in Narnia. Aslan brings summer back to the land, vanquishing the Witch's winter. The symbolism represents Jesus Christ (Aslan) coming and defeating the evil of Satan (White Witch).

Snow thaws off a tree in Superior, Wis., last spring.

November 2008
Paul Walsh

"He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay; And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. And He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear, And will trust in the Lord." Psalm 40: 2-3

Evangelist Nicky Cruz gave his testimony Sunday, Oct. 19. at the 50 years of Freedom Rally sponsored by Minnesota Teen Challenge. About 1800 people came to hear Cruz at Denfeld High School in Duluth, Minn. The rally was described as "powerful and dynamic." Many people came forward to commit their lives to Christ at the rally.

October 2008
Lacy Wangen

"That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil -- this is the gift of God." Ecclesiastes 3:13

The flour-dusted hands of Grandma Miriam wrap dough around Italian plums for plum dumplings, a Czech Bohemian recipe. After the dumplings are boiled, they are served with cottage cheese, cinnamon and sugar, and melted butter on top

September 2008
Paul Walsh

You rule over the surging seas, when its waves mount up, you still them.... Psalm 89:9

August 2008
Christy Enriquez

Memorial Day Celebration in Doon, IA

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; Isaiah 61:1

June 2008
Submitted Photo

Church group in Kenya, Africa

"It is written: 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'" Revelation 14:11

May 2008
Submitted Photo

"The moon and stars to rule by night, For His lovingkindness is everlasting." Psalm 136:9

April 2008
Submitted

These young men are slaves to the fishing industry on Lake Volta in Ghana, West Africa. Some children are as young as 3 years old. They work 14-hour days paddling fishing canoes and casting nets. Many of the children have ringworm and parasites. They do not know their last name or age.

"And He (Jesus) said to them, 'Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19

March 2008
Christy Enriquez / The Digital Butterfly

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

January 2008
Submitted

At a Dec. 21 (2007) Christmas Children's Festival in Valencia City (Mindanao, Philippines), Pastor Jered Ramada of Jesus for All Mission, prays for the children who are accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord, Friend, Father and Savior.

"Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of Heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven." Matthew 18:3-4

September 2007
Paul Walsh

Lacey Johnson (9)(left), Jasmine Anderson, (9) (right) and Jamie Brown (10) (center background) weep and raise their hands after listening to a Gospel presentation by Jason Mansur, a children's minister from Harvestime Church of Eau Claire, Wis., while attending Assembly Park Bible Camp in Lake Nebagemon, Wis., on July 30.

"No longer weak, they began to speak, Shekinah glory shining on each face!" Lyrics from the song "Whenever We Agree Together" - Bill and Gloria Gaither

July 2007
Photo illustration by Dave Eggen / Inertia

"God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are a gift from God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, and that His justice cannot sleep forever. Thomas Jefferson, 1781

June 2007
Tylor Elm

Snow-capped Pikes Peak towers over a red sandstone formation in the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Colo. Boasting an altitude of 14,110 feet above sea level, Pikes Peak is one of 54 mountains in Colorado that top the 14,000 mark.

"I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you - the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." Psalm 131

April 2007
Dave Eggen / Inertia

"Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow..." Isaiah 1:18

March 2007
Paul Walsh

Pastor Jeff Sorvik of Anchor Point Community Church leads the commissioning service for Kami Scott (kneeling center) who is leaving on March 27 (2007) for a two-week missionary trip to the Philippines. Kami is surrounded by some members of the Living Stones News editorial board and others.

"...How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good things!" Romans 10:15

October 2006
Paul Walsh

"When he falls, he shall not be hurled headlong because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.: Psalm 37:24

March 2006
Tylor Elm

White clouds contrast with a blue sky over South Range, Wis.

"Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him.: Revelation 1:7a

November 2005
Paul Walsh

The moon rises above the tree line in rural northwestern Wisconsin.

"In his days may the righteous flourish, And abundance of peace till the moon is no more." Psalm 72:7

July 2005
Dennis O'Hara / www.northernimages.com

A loon's offspring enjoy a piggyback ride, held in place by a protective wing.

"... Let me take refuge in the shelter of Thy wings." Psalm 61:4

February 2005
Paul Walsh

David Peightal watches the pages of a magazine burn, a metaphor that bears witness to his freedom from more than 30 years of addiction to pornography, when he studied the pages of Playboy as often as the pages of his Bible.

February 2005
Paul Walsh

The Empire Dog Sled Race was held in Solon Springs, Wis., on Jan. 3, 2004

"But one thing I do; Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14

Siouxland September 2007
Dennis O'Hara / www.northernimages.com

Steam rises from Lake Superior near Duluth, Minnesota.

"Incline Thine ear to me, rescue me quickly; Be thou to me a rock of strength, A stronghold to save me, For Thou art my rock and my fortress; For Thy name's sake Thou wilt lead me and guide me." Psalm 31:2-3 Luke 12:27

Siouxland February 2007
Christy Enriquez / The Digital Butterfly

"Perfect Timing" Two silos west of Canton, W.D. on Highway 18. "In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice, in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." Psalm 5:3

Siouxland August 2007
Christy Enriquez / The Digital Butterfly

"Consider the lilies how they grow; they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." Luke 12:27

Siouxland December 2006
Dave Eggen / Inertia

"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:6

Siouxland October 2006
Christy Enriquez / The Digital Butterfly

Sculpture located at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.

"For you formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb." Psalm 139:13

Siouxland July 2006
Chad Phillips / The Great Plains Studio

"Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings." Psalm 63:7

Siouxland June 2006
Christy Enriquez / The Digital Butterfly

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you. ... " Jeremiah 1:5