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Hope In Jesus [Soothing Christian Sleep Story] - Abide Meditation App · Abide Meditation App

• 0:00
  Speaker 1: Find rest as you listen to this peaceful bedtime story.
• 0:04
  Speaker 1: For more Bible stories that bring you refreshing sleep, download
• 0:08
  Speaker 1: the Abide app in the iTunes or Google play store.
• 0:21
  Speaker 2: Hello, and welcome to this sleep story from Abide. I'm
• 0:25
  Speaker 2: James Seawood, and I'm glad to be going on this
• 0:29
  Speaker 2: journey with you tonight. Go ahead and settle in before
• 0:36
  Speaker 2: we begin our journey to the reservoir, take a moment
• 0:40
  Speaker 2: and prepare yourself for sleep. Turn off your lights and
• 0:44
  Speaker 2: find a comfortable position in bed. Adjust your shoulders, moving
• 0:49
  Speaker 2: them gently as you nestle in. Make sure you are
• 0:53
  Speaker 2: cozy and comfortable, allowing your mind to fully rest. As
• 0:59
  Speaker 2: you go to sleep tonight, consider any distractions that might
• 1:05
  Speaker 2: be pressing for your attention as your day comes to
• 1:09
  Speaker 2: a close. Ask God to help you set those aside,
• 1:15
  Speaker 2: knowing that He is sovereign overall. As you sleep, trust
• 1:21
  Speaker 2: that God is in control and anything fighting for your
• 1:25
  Speaker 2: attention can be dealt with tomorrow. Remember the comforting words
• 1:31
  Speaker 2: of Psalm one hundred and twenty one, verses three through five.
• 1:37
  Speaker 2: He will not let your foot be moved. He who
• 1:41
  Speaker 2: keeps you will not slumber. Behold he who keeps Israel
• 1:46
  Speaker 2: will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper,
• 1:51
  Speaker 2: The Lord is your shade. On your right hand, Rest confidently,
• 1:57
  Speaker 2: knowing that the God of Israel is watching over you too.
• 2:04
  Speaker 2: Dearest Heavenly Father, our God of hope and peace. I
• 2:10
  Speaker 2: come to you tonight on behalf of your child, this
• 2:15
  Speaker 2: child whom you love and in whom you are well pleased.
• 2:20
  Speaker 2: I ask that you would bless them tonight as they rest,
• 2:25
  Speaker 2: Bless their mind as they lie down to sleep, granting
• 2:29
  Speaker 2: them the gift of a peaceful, undistracted mind. God. I
• 2:36
  Speaker 2: know that there are likely many things fighting for their attention,
• 2:40
  Speaker 2: taking their affection and devotion away from you, and discouraging
• 2:46
  Speaker 2: them as they grow weary. But I know they desire
• 2:51
  Speaker 2: to walk with you and to follow your leading. Would
• 2:56
  Speaker 2: you strengthen them in this desire, Help them to see
• 3:00
  Speaker 2: that you are at work in their life. Remind them
• 3:04
  Speaker 2: that hope is a promise, and that through faith and
• 3:09
  Speaker 2: confidence that you are working in their life, they can
• 3:14
  Speaker 2: find strength and renewal. Remind them of the promise of
• 3:19
  Speaker 2: Isaiah forty verses thirty and thirty one. Even youths grow
• 3:26
  Speaker 2: tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall. But
• 3:31
  Speaker 2: those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
• 3:35
  Speaker 2: They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run
• 3:39
  Speaker 2: and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint. Amen,
• 3:47
  Speaker 2: you're standing on a path that runs alongside the Ford Building.
• 3:52
  Speaker 2: This English Gothic style building looks more like a chateau.
• 3:57
  Speaker 2: It was built over a hundred years ago, made possible
• 4:01
  Speaker 2: by the generosity of its namesake, Henry Ford. A reflection
• 4:07
  Speaker 2: pool sits perfectly in the courtyard of the fort building.
• 4:11
  Speaker 2: You walk closer, where you see the old multicolored stone
• 4:16
  Speaker 2: reflected in the serenely still water. The deep blue of
• 4:20
  Speaker 2: the sky is reflected too, along with clouds that look
• 4:25
  Speaker 2: more like piles of cotton candy. You walk all the
• 4:29
  Speaker 2: way up to the reflection pool, crouching down to dip
• 4:34
  Speaker 2: your fingers into the cool water, and you are surprised
• 4:38
  Speaker 2: at how shallow the reflection pool actually is. The chateau
• 4:44
  Speaker 2: style stone building forms a U shape with the reflecting
• 4:48
  Speaker 2: pool in the courtyard space. The building itself varies from
• 4:53
  Speaker 2: one floor to two and even three and four floors.
• 4:56
  Speaker 2: At various points. There are arches and nearly every window
• 5:01
  Speaker 2: and down the open hallway on the short side of
• 5:04
  Speaker 2: the building. The arches are painted white, as is the
• 5:09
  Speaker 2: mortar holding the stone securely in place, and the arches
• 5:13
  Speaker 2: stand out crisply against the dark stone. You pause for
• 5:19
  Speaker 2: a moment to imagine that thousands of students who have
• 5:22
  Speaker 2: walked these halls and sat in this courtyard over the
• 5:26
  Speaker 2: past twelve decades, the stories that have been told, the
• 5:31
  Speaker 2: time spent, how much purpose and use has been found
• 5:35
  Speaker 2: in these spaces. As you walk away from the Ford Building,
• 5:43
  Speaker 2: you decide it is time to head up Lavender Mountain
• 5:46
  Speaker 2: on your journey to the reservoir. Lavender Mountain is located
• 5:52
  Speaker 2: three miles up from the main campus where you began exploring.
• 5:57
  Speaker 2: You are lucky to catch a ride on a golf
• 5:59
  Speaker 2: cart that serves as a shuttle, offered by a staff
• 6:02
  Speaker 2: member who helps keep the grounds of the campus pristine
• 6:06
  Speaker 2: for travelers like yourself. The kind, elderly gentleman who drives
• 6:11
  Speaker 2: you up points out little paths along the three mile stretch,
• 6:16
  Speaker 2: sharing his own stories from the decades he has spent
• 6:19
  Speaker 2: caring for these woods. When you reach the end of
• 6:24
  Speaker 2: the three mile drive, he drops you off at a
• 6:27
  Speaker 2: lodge just before he drives away to return to his
• 6:31
  Speaker 2: groundskeeping work. He invites you to make yourself at home
• 6:35
  Speaker 2: in the lodge, welcoming you to hot coffee or a
• 6:38
  Speaker 2: cool glass of water, if either suits your desire. The
• 6:43
  Speaker 2: hospitality is a hallmark of the generous Southern culture. You
• 6:48
  Speaker 2: offer a smile of thanksgiving, and he drives away. You
• 6:54
  Speaker 2: can't help but first take a few moments to admire
• 6:57
  Speaker 2: the stunning architecture of the mountain campus. It is as
• 7:01
  Speaker 2: beautiful as the buildings you first explored, yet different in
• 7:06
  Speaker 2: nearly every way. You learn these buildings were built to
• 7:10
  Speaker 2: reflect the architecture of a French manner. The buildings are tall,
• 7:15
  Speaker 2: all brick and neatly painted white. The brownish orange roofs
• 7:20
  Speaker 2: are steeply angled. They are regal and yet simple. You
• 7:27
  Speaker 2: learn that these buildings were built for and long used
• 7:31
  Speaker 2: as a dairy form, and you imagine the glory of
• 7:35
  Speaker 2: cattle enjoying the vastness of this lovely mountain. It reminds
• 7:41
  Speaker 2: you of another psalm in Chapter fifty, verses ten and eleven,
• 7:47
  Speaker 2: where the Psalmist, writing from the perspective of your majestic God, writes,
• 7:53
  Speaker 2: for all the animals of the forest are mine, and
• 7:56
  Speaker 2: I own the cattle on a thousand hills. I know
• 8:01
  Speaker 2: every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of
• 8:04
  Speaker 2: the field are mine. One of the first things you
• 8:10
  Speaker 2: see at the start of the trail is an old mill.
• 8:14
  Speaker 2: It sits atop a stream where water still flows. You
• 8:18
  Speaker 2: notice a brise sign with an inscription and walk closer
• 8:23
  Speaker 2: to read more about this surprising structure tucked up the mountain.
• 8:29
  Speaker 2: From the sign, you learn that this old mill was
• 8:32
  Speaker 2: constructed in nineteen thirty and was used to produce corn
• 8:37
  Speaker 2: meal for the people who lived on the mountain. The
• 8:41
  Speaker 2: iron hub in the center of the wooden wheel was
• 8:44
  Speaker 2: a gift to the miller and was moved to this
• 8:47
  Speaker 2: spot under the direction of Henry Ford. The mill itself
• 8:53
  Speaker 2: is boasted as one of the largest in the world,
• 8:56
  Speaker 2: with a diameter of forty two feet. You admire the
• 9:01
  Speaker 2: stone structure built to supported along with the little stone
• 9:05
  Speaker 2: house like space built right next to it, where you
• 9:09
  Speaker 2: imagine much of the work was done during its years
• 9:12
  Speaker 2: of operation. There is one more thing of note on
• 9:17
  Speaker 2: the side indicating its purpose and history, and you learn
• 9:22
  Speaker 2: that the water flowing in the stream you stand next
• 9:25
  Speaker 2: to is water from a reservoir. You pause for a moment,
• 9:30
  Speaker 2: recognizing the value of all that is stored up in
• 9:33
  Speaker 2: the reservoir, and you ask God to give you a
• 9:37
  Speaker 2: heart that stores his faithfulness the same way, God, we
• 9:43
  Speaker 2: give you glory for your goodness and your unending kindness.
• 9:49
  Speaker 2: Help us to see more of you, Help us to
• 9:52
  Speaker 2: store up hope to draw in times of need. You
• 9:58
  Speaker 2: follow a trail that leads you up toward the reservoir.
• 10:02
  Speaker 2: You pause briefly to give thanks to God for a
• 10:05
  Speaker 2: beautiful day. The sun is shining brightly in the sky,
• 10:11
  Speaker 2: and the warmth feels comforting on your cheeks and shoulders.
• 10:16
  Speaker 2: It is a welcomed dichotomy to the cool, consistent autumn breeze.
• 10:23
  Speaker 2: The path begins with the steady incline and soon begins
• 10:27
  Speaker 2: to curve. You follow the curve and find yourself quickly
• 10:32
  Speaker 2: tucked away on the lovely mountain trail. Your favorite part
• 10:36
  Speaker 2: of fall is now in full view. The changing leaves
• 10:40
  Speaker 2: are vibrant and varied. While you noticed some degree of
• 10:45
  Speaker 2: color at the bottom of the mountain, now you see
• 10:48
  Speaker 2: it covering the trail of trees. You notice several types
• 10:54
  Speaker 2: of oaks, large, looming and dense. They fill the forest
• 11:00
  Speaker 2: with different shades of orange and bright reds. And there
• 11:04
  Speaker 2: is your favorite, the yellowing elm that looks like sunshine.
• 11:09
  Speaker 2: Falling as the breeze claims dozens of leaves and drags
• 11:12
  Speaker 2: them to the ground. You see the copper color of
• 11:17
  Speaker 2: the changing pine needles and the steadiness of the evergreen,
• 11:21
  Speaker 2: creating the backdrop and causing the contrast. You find so
• 11:25
  Speaker 2: delightful in the leaves that change as you walk. You
• 11:31
  Speaker 2: delight in the fact that there is beauty and change.
• 11:35
  Speaker 2: While you don't always like change in your own life,
• 11:39
  Speaker 2: you remember now as you admire the changing leaves, that
• 11:43
  Speaker 2: God has a purpose in every season, even here. Even now,
• 11:51
  Speaker 2: you consider the ways that change has brought trials and uncertainty.
• 11:57
  Speaker 2: You continue your height on the lovely trail, experiencing the
• 12:01
  Speaker 2: peace and beauty of birds chirping and leaves rustling beneath
• 12:05
  Speaker 2: your feet. You continue admiring the leaves and take time
• 12:10
  Speaker 2: to appreciate the variety of shades you have seen, shades
• 12:14
  Speaker 2: of orange, yellow, and red found as you journeyed on
• 12:19
  Speaker 2: the trail. Although from a distance the colors seem to
• 12:25
  Speaker 2: be the same. Up close, when you pick up fallen
• 12:29
  Speaker 2: leaves from the ground and compare them to others you
• 12:31
  Speaker 2: have kept along the walk. You see it clearly they
• 12:36
  Speaker 2: are different, nuanced, ever changing, even when falling from the
• 12:40
  Speaker 2: very same tree. The path seems to be curving again,
• 12:46
  Speaker 2: and with this curve you see a break in the trees.
• 12:51
  Speaker 2: You feel the spring of hope inside you that perhaps
• 12:56
  Speaker 2: this curve is the last on the path to the reservoir.
• 13:01
  Speaker 2: As you come around the corner, it's clear you have
• 13:05
  Speaker 2: made it to your journey's destination. You stand in admiration
• 13:10
  Speaker 2: as you gaze upon the reservoir. It is just as
• 13:14
  Speaker 2: beautiful as you imagined it would be. The reservoir is vast,
• 13:20
  Speaker 2: covering fifty five acres of lavender mountain, holding millions and
• 13:25
  Speaker 2: millions of gallons of water. As you stand from your
• 13:28
  Speaker 2: spot on the trail looking out over the reservoir, you
• 13:33
  Speaker 2: find it hard to conceive such an incredible amount. You
• 13:39
  Speaker 2: consider how for over one hundred years this reservoir has
• 13:44
  Speaker 2: provided water for the many who live on the mountain.
• 13:48
  Speaker 2: You consider how it has sustained life and provided renewal,
• 13:52
  Speaker 2: how it has offered security and nourished plants and animals.
• 13:57
  Speaker 2: This vast collection of water has been filled and refilled
• 14:01
  Speaker 2: over and over and without fail. It has been drawn
• 14:06
  Speaker 2: upon for nourishment and sustenance once again. You imagine what
• 14:13
  Speaker 2: your life would be like if stored within you was
• 14:17
  Speaker 2: a reservoir of hope. You consider how you could offer
• 14:21
  Speaker 2: faith and confidence and trust in God to those who
• 14:26
  Speaker 2: were down and in need of strength. You could offer
• 14:30
  Speaker 2: it to yourself too, looking to God in times of
• 14:35
  Speaker 2: need to find endurance that sustained you through trying times.
• 14:41
  Speaker 2: Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble
• 14:45
  Speaker 2: and fall. But those who hope in the Lord will
• 14:49
  Speaker 2: renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.
• 14:54
  Speaker 2: They will run and not grow weary, they will walk
• 14:58
  Speaker 2: and not be faint. Picture the reservoir of hope that
• 15:04
  Speaker 2: God is deepening in your life. He has always provided
• 15:09
  Speaker 2: for you in the past, and imagine how these experiences
• 15:13
  Speaker 2: can fill your reservoir with confidence that God will be
• 15:17
  Speaker 2: faithful again. Gracious, Heavenly Father, thank you for being a
• 15:24
  Speaker 2: God of hope. In a broken world where there is
• 15:29
  Speaker 2: so much that needs to be made right, we look
• 15:32
  Speaker 2: to you in hope, believing that you are still at
• 15:37
  Speaker 2: work to renew and restore all things. Please help this
• 15:42
  Speaker 2: precious listener, to keep their focus on you, not just
• 15:48
  Speaker 2: when things are going their way, but when times are hard.
• 15:53
  Speaker 2: Help them to trust in You, their gracious God. Thank
• 15:59
  Speaker 2: you for the gift of sleep. Help them to rest
• 16:03
  Speaker 2: well tonight that tomorrow they may rise and live their
• 16:07
  Speaker 2: life to bring you praise. In the name of Jesus,
• 16:11
  Speaker 2: I pray, Amen, look to God for hope in times
• 16:18
  Speaker 2: of trouble. Lean on him when the challenges of life
• 16:22
  Speaker 2: are overwhelming. Store up experiences of His faithfulness like a reservoir,
• 16:29
  Speaker 2: and your hope will never run dry. Abide in Christ,
• 16:39
  Speaker 2: dearest Heavenly Father, our God of hope and peace. I
• 16:45
  Speaker 2: come to you tonight on behalf of your child, this
• 16:50
  Speaker 2: child whom you love and in whom you are well pleased.
• 16:55
  Speaker 2: I ask that you would bless them tonight as they rest,
• 17:00
  Speaker 2: Bless their mind as they lie down to sleep, granting
• 17:04
  Speaker 2: them the gift of a peaceful, undistracted mind. God. I
• 17:11
  Speaker 2: know that there are likely many things fighting for their attention,
• 17:16
  Speaker 2: taking their affection and devotion away from you, and discouraging
• 17:21
  Speaker 2: them as.
• 17:22
  Speaker 3: They grow weary.
• 17:24
  Speaker 2: But I know they desire to walk with you and
• 17:28
  Speaker 2: to follow your leading. Would you strengthen them in this desire.
• 17:34
  Speaker 2: Help them to see that you are at work.
• 17:37
  Speaker 3: In their life.
• 17:39
  Speaker 2: Remind them that hope is a promise, and that through
• 17:43
  Speaker 2: faith and confidence that you are working in their life,
• 17:49
  Speaker 2: they can find strength and renewal. Remind them of the
• 17:53
  Speaker 2: promise of Isaiah forty Verses thirty and thirty one. Even
• 18:00
  Speaker 2: youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall.
• 18:06
  Speaker 2: But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
• 18:10
  Speaker 2: They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run
• 18:14
  Speaker 2: and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint. Amen,
• 18:22
  Speaker 2: you're standing on a path that runs alongside the Ford Building.
• 18:27
  Speaker 2: This English Gothic style building looks more like a chateau.
• 18:32
  Speaker 2: It was built over a hundred years ago, made possible
• 18:36
  Speaker 2: by the generosity of its namesake, Henry Ford. A reflection
• 18:42
  Speaker 2: pool sits perfectly in the courtyard of the Ford Building.
• 18:46
  Speaker 2: You walk closer, where you see the old multi colored
• 18:50
  Speaker 2: stone reflected in the serenely still water. The deep blue
• 18:55
  Speaker 2: of the sky is reflected too, along with clouds that
• 19:00
  Speaker 2: look more like piles of cotton candy. You walk all
• 19:04
  Speaker 2: the way up to the reflection pool, crouching down to
• 19:08
  Speaker 2: dip your fingers into the cool water, and you are
• 19:12
  Speaker 2: surprised at how shallow the reflection pool actually is. The
• 19:19
  Speaker 2: chateau style stone building forms a U shape with the
• 19:22
  Speaker 2: reflecting pool in the courtyard space. The building itself varies
• 19:28
  Speaker 2: from one floor to two and even three and four
• 19:31
  Speaker 2: floors at various points. There are arches in nearly every
• 19:35
  Speaker 2: window and down the open hallway on the short side
• 19:39
  Speaker 2: of the building. The arches are painted white, as is
• 19:44
  Speaker 2: the mortar holding the stone securely in place, and the
• 19:48
  Speaker 2: arches stand out crisply against the dark stone. You pause
• 19:54
  Speaker 2: for a moment to imagine that thousands of students who
• 19:57
  Speaker 2: have walked these halls and sat in in this courtyard
• 20:00
  Speaker 2: over the past twelve decades, the stories that have been told,
• 20:06
  Speaker 2: the time spent, how much purpose and use has been
• 20:10
  Speaker 2: found in these spaces. As you walk away from the
• 20:16
  Speaker 2: Ford Building, you decide it is time to head up
• 20:20
  Speaker 2: Lavender Mountain on your journey to the reservoir. Lavender Mountain
• 20:27
  Speaker 2: is located three miles up from the main campus where
• 20:30
  Speaker 2: you began exploring. You are lucky to catch a ride
• 20:33
  Speaker 2: on a golf cart that serves as a shuttle offered
• 20:37
  Speaker 2: by a staff member who helps keep the grounds of
• 20:40
  Speaker 2: the campus pristine for travelers like yourself. The kind elderly
• 20:45
  Speaker 2: gentleman who drives you up points out little paths along
• 20:49
  Speaker 2: the three mile stretch, sharing his own stories from the
• 20:53
  Speaker 2: decades he has spent caring for these woods. When you
• 20:58
  Speaker 2: reach the end of the three mile drive, he drops
• 21:01
  Speaker 2: you off at a lodge. Just before he drives away
• 21:05
  Speaker 2: to return to his groundskeeping work. He invites you to
• 21:09
  Speaker 2: make yourself at home in the lodge, welcoming you to
• 21:12
  Speaker 2: hide coffee or a cool glass of water, if either
• 21:16
  Speaker 2: suits your desire. The hospitality is a hallmark of the
• 21:21
  Speaker 2: generous Southern culture. You offer a smile of thanksgiving, and
• 21:26
  Speaker 2: he drives away. You can't help but first take a
• 21:31
  Speaker 2: few moments to admire the stunning architecture of the Mountain campus.
• 21:36
  Speaker 2: It is as beautiful as the buildings you first explored,
• 21:40
  Speaker 2: yet different and nearly every way. You learn these buildings
• 21:45
  Speaker 2: were built to reflect the architecture of a French manner.
• 21:48
  Speaker 2: The buildings are tall, all brick and neatly painted white.
• 21:54
  Speaker 2: The brownish orange roofs are steeply angled. They are regal
• 21:59
  Speaker 2: and yet simple. You learn that these buildings were built
• 22:04
  Speaker 2: four and long used as a dairy form, and you
• 22:09
  Speaker 2: imagine the glory of cattle enjoying the vastness of this
• 22:13
  Speaker 2: lovely mountain. It reminds you of another psalm in Chapter fifty,
• 22:20
  Speaker 2: verses ten and eleven, where the Psalmist, writing from the
• 22:24
  Speaker 2: perspective of your majestic God, writes, for all the animals
• 22:29
  Speaker 2: of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle
• 22:33
  Speaker 2: on a thousand hills. I know every bird on the mountains,
• 22:38
  Speaker 2: and all the animals of the field are mine. One
• 22:44
  Speaker 2: of the first things you see at the start of
• 22:46
  Speaker 2: the trail is an old mill. It sits atop a
• 22:50
  Speaker 2: stream where water still flows. You notice a brass sign
• 22:55
  Speaker 2: with an inscription and walk closer to read more about
• 22:59
  Speaker 2: this rising structure tucked up the mountain. From the sign,
• 23:05
  Speaker 2: you learn that this old mill was constructed in nineteen
• 23:09
  Speaker 2: thirty and was used to produce corn meal for the
• 23:13
  Speaker 2: people who lived on the mountain. The iron hub in
• 23:17
  Speaker 2: the center of the wooden wheel was a gift to
• 23:20
  Speaker 2: the miller and was moved to this spot under the
• 23:23
  Speaker 2: direction of Henry Ford. The mill itself is boasted as
• 23:29
  Speaker 2: one of the largest in the world, with a diameter
• 23:32
  Speaker 2: of forty two feet. You admire the stone structure built
• 23:37
  Speaker 2: to supported along with the little stone house like space
• 23:42
  Speaker 2: built right next to it, where you imagine much of
• 23:45
  Speaker 2: the work was done during its years of operation. There
• 23:51
  Speaker 2: is one more thing of note on the side, indicating
• 23:54
  Speaker 2: its purpose and history, and you learn that the water
• 23:58
  Speaker 2: flowing in the stream you stand next to is water
• 24:01
  Speaker 2: from a reservoir. You pause for a moment, recognizing the
• 24:07
  Speaker 2: value of all that is stored up in the reservoir,
• 24:10
  Speaker 2: and you ask God to give you a heart that
• 24:13
  Speaker 2: stores his faithfulness the same way. God, we give you
• 24:19
  Speaker 2: glory for your goodness and your unending kindness. Help us
• 24:24
  Speaker 2: to see more of you, Help us to store up
• 24:28
  Speaker 2: hope to draw in times of need. You follow a
• 24:33
  Speaker 2: trail that leads you up toward the reservoir. You pause
• 24:38
  Speaker 2: briefly to give thanks to God for a beautiful day.
• 24:43
  Speaker 2: The sun is shining brightly in the sky, and the
• 24:46
  Speaker 2: warmth feels comforting on your cheeks and shoulders. It is
• 24:51
  Speaker 2: a welcomed dichotomy to the cool, consistent autumn breeze. The
• 24:58
  Speaker 2: path begins with the steady incline and soon begins to curve.
• 25:04
  Speaker 2: You follow the curve and find yourself quickly tucked away
• 25:07
  Speaker 2: on the Lovely Mountain trail. Your favorite part of fall
• 25:12
  Speaker 2: is now in full view. The changing leaves are vibrant
• 25:17
  Speaker 2: and varied. While you noticed some degree of color at
• 25:21
  Speaker 2: the bottom of the mountain, now you see it covering
• 25:24
  Speaker 2: the trail of trees. You notice several types of oaks, large,
• 25:31
  Speaker 2: looming and dense. They fill the forest with different shades
• 25:36
  Speaker 2: of orange and bright reds. And there is your favorite,
• 25:41
  Speaker 2: the yellowing elm that looks like sunshine. Falling as the
• 25:45
  Speaker 2: breeze claims dozens of leaves and drags them to the ground.
• 25:51
  Speaker 2: You see the copper color of the changing pine needles
• 25:55
  Speaker 2: and the steadiness of the evergreen, creating the backdrop and
• 25:58
  Speaker 2: causing the contrast. You find so delightful in the leaves
• 26:02
  Speaker 2: that change as you walk. You delight in the fact
• 26:08
  Speaker 2: that there is beauty and change. While you don't always
• 26:12
  Speaker 2: like change in your own life, you remember now as
• 26:16
  Speaker 2: you admire the changing leaves, that God has a purpose
• 26:20
  Speaker 2: in every season, even here. Even now, you consider the
• 26:26
  Speaker 2: ways that change has brought trials and uncertainty. You continue
• 26:33
  Speaker 2: your hike on the lovely trail, experiencing the peace and
• 26:37
  Speaker 2: beauty of birds chirping and leaves rustling beneath your feet.
• 26:42
  Speaker 2: You continue admiring the leaves and take time to appreciate
• 26:46
  Speaker 2: the variety of shades you have seen, shades of orange, yellow,
• 26:51
  Speaker 2: and red found as you journeyed on the trail. Although
• 26:58
  Speaker 2: from a distance the colors seem to be the same,
• 27:02
  Speaker 2: up close, when you pick up fallen leaves from the
• 27:05
  Speaker 2: ground and compare them to others you have kept along
• 27:07
  Speaker 2: the walk, you see it clearly they are different, nuanced,
• 27:13
  Speaker 2: ever changing, even when falling from the very same tree.
• 27:18
  Speaker 2: The path seems to be curving again, and with this
• 27:22
  Speaker 2: curve you see a break in the trees. You feel
• 27:27
  Speaker 2: the spring of hope inside you that perhaps this curve
• 27:31
  Speaker 2: is the last on the path to the reservoir. As
• 27:36
  Speaker 2: you come around the corner, it's clear you have made
• 27:40
  Speaker 2: it to your journey's destination. You stand in admiration as
• 27:45
  Speaker 2: you gaze upon the reservoir. It is just as beautiful
• 27:49
  Speaker 2: as you imagined it would be. The reservoir is vast,
• 27:55
  Speaker 2: covering fifty five acres of lavender mountain, holding millions and
• 28:00
  Speaker 2: millions of gallons of water. As you stand from your
• 28:04
  Speaker 2: spot on the trail. Looking out over the reservoir, you
• 28:08
  Speaker 2: find it hard to conceive such an incredible amount. You
• 28:14
  Speaker 2: consider how, for over one hundred years this reservoir has
• 28:19
  Speaker 2: provided water for the many who live on the mountain.
• 28:23
  Speaker 2: You consider how it has sustained life and provided renewal,
• 28:28
  Speaker 2: how it has offered security and nourished plants and animals.
• 28:32
  Speaker 2: This vast collection of water has been filled and refilled
• 28:37
  Speaker 2: over and over, and without fail, it has been drawn
• 28:41
  Speaker 2: upon for nourishment and sustenance. Once again, you imagine what
• 28:48
  Speaker 2: your life would be like if stored within you was
• 28:52
  Speaker 2: a reservoir of hope. You consider how you could offer
• 28:56
  Speaker 2: faith and confidence and trust in God to those who
• 29:01
  Speaker 2: were down and in need of strength. You could offer
• 29:05
  Speaker 2: it to yourself too, looking to God in times of
• 29:10
  Speaker 2: need to find endurance that sustained you through trying times.
• 29:16
  Speaker 2: Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble
• 29:20
  Speaker 2: and fall. But those who hope in the Lord will
• 29:24
  Speaker 2: renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.
• 29:29
  Speaker 2: They will run and not grow weary, they will walk
• 29:34
  Speaker 2: and not be faint. Picture the reservoir of hope that
• 29:39
  Speaker 2: God is deepening in your life. He has always provided
• 29:44
  Speaker 2: for you in the past, and imagine how these experiences
• 29:48
  Speaker 2: can fill your reservoir with confidence that God will be
• 29:52
  Speaker 2: faithful again. Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for being a
• 30:00
  Speaker 2: God of hope. In a broken world where there is
• 30:04
  Speaker 2: so much that needs to be made right, we look
• 30:07
  Speaker 2: to you and hope, believing that you are still at
• 30:12
  Speaker 2: work to renew and restore all things. Please help this
• 30:17
  Speaker 2: precious listener to keep their focus on you, not just
• 30:23
  Speaker 2: when things are going their way, but when times are hard.
• 30:29
  Speaker 2: Help them to trust in You, their gracious God. Thank
• 30:34
  Speaker 2: you for the gift of sleep. Help them to rest
• 30:38
  Speaker 2: well tonight that tomorrow they may rise and live their
• 30:42
  Speaker 2: life to bring you praise. In the name of Jesus,
• 30:47
  Speaker 2: I pray, Amen, look to God for hope in times
• 30:53
  Speaker 2: of trouble. Lean on Him when the challenges of life
• 30:57
  Speaker 2: are overwhelming. Door up experiences of his faithfulness like a reservoir,
• 31:04
  Speaker 2: and your hope will never run dry. Abide in Christ,
• 31:14
  Speaker 2: Dearest Heavenly Father, our God of hope and peace. I
• 31:21
  Speaker 2: come to you tonight on behalf of your child, this
• 31:25
  Speaker 2: child whom you love and in whom you are well pleased.
• 31:31
  Speaker 2: I ask that you would Bless them tonight as they rest,
• 31:35
  Speaker 2: Bless their mind as they lie down to sleep, granting
• 31:39
  Speaker 2: them the gift of a peaceful, undistracted mind. God, I
• 31:46
  Speaker 2: know that there are likely many things fighting for their attention,
• 31:51
  Speaker 2: taking their affection and devotion away from you, and discouraging
• 31:57
  Speaker 2: them as they grow weary. But I know they desire
• 32:01
  Speaker 2: to walk with you and to follow your leading. Would
• 32:06
  Speaker 2: you strengthen them in this desire, Help them to see
• 32:10
  Speaker 2: that you are at work in their life. Remind them
• 32:14
  Speaker 2: that hope is a promise, and that through faith and
• 32:19
  Speaker 2: confidence that you are working in their life, they can
• 32:24
  Speaker 2: find strength and renewal. Remind them of the promise of
• 32:29
  Speaker 2: Isaiah forty Verses thirty and thirty one. Even youths grow
• 32:36
  Speaker 2: tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall. But
• 32:41
  Speaker 2: those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
• 32:45
  Speaker 2: They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run
• 32:49
  Speaker 2: and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint. Amen,
• 32:57
  Speaker 2: you're standing on a path that runs along side the
• 33:00
  Speaker 2: Ford Building. This English Gothic style building looks more like
• 33:05
  Speaker 2: a chateau.
• 33:07
  Speaker 3: It was built over.
• 33:08
  Speaker 2: A hundred years ago, made possible by the generosity of
• 33:12
  Speaker 2: its namesake, Henry Ford. A reflection pool sits perfectly in
• 33:19
  Speaker 2: the courtyard of the Ford Building. You walk closer, where
• 33:23
  Speaker 2: you see the old, multi colored stone reflected in the
• 33:27
  Speaker 2: serenely still water. The deep blue of the sky is
• 33:31
  Speaker 2: reflected too, along with clouds that look more like piles
• 33:36
  Speaker 2: of cotton candy. You walk all the way up to
• 33:40
  Speaker 2: the reflection pool, crouching down to dip your fingers into
• 33:45
  Speaker 2: the cool water, and you are surprised at how shallow
• 33:49
  Speaker 2: the reflection pool actually is. The chateau style stone building
• 33:56
  Speaker 2: forms a U shape with the reflecting pool in the
• 33:59
  Speaker 2: courtyard space. The building itself varies from one floor to
• 34:04
  Speaker 2: two and even three and four floors at various points.
• 34:08
  Speaker 2: There are arches in nearly every window and down the
• 34:12
  Speaker 2: open hallway on the short side of the building. The
• 34:16
  Speaker 2: arches are painted white, as is the mortar holding the
• 34:20
  Speaker 2: stone securely in place, and the arches stand out crisply
• 34:25
  Speaker 2: against the dark stone. You pause for a moment to
• 34:30
  Speaker 2: imagine that thousands of students who have walked these halls
• 34:34
  Speaker 2: and sat in this courtyard over the past twelve decades,
• 34:38
  Speaker 2: the stories that have been told, the time spent, how
• 34:43
  Speaker 2: much purpose and use has been found in these spaces.
• 34:50
  Speaker 2: As you walk away from the Ford building, you decide
• 34:54
  Speaker 2: it is time to head up Lavender Mountain on your
• 34:57
  Speaker 2: journey to the reservoir. Lavender Mountain is located three miles
• 35:03
  Speaker 2: up from the main campus where you began exploring. You
• 35:07
  Speaker 2: are lucky to catch a ride on a golf cart
• 35:10
  Speaker 2: that serves as a shuttle, offered by a staff member
• 35:13
  Speaker 2: who helps keep the grounds of the campus pristine for
• 35:16
  Speaker 2: travelers like yourself. The kind elderly gentleman who drives you
• 35:22
  Speaker 2: up points out little paths along the three mile stretch,
• 35:27
  Speaker 2: sharing his own stories from the decades he has spent
• 35:29
  Speaker 2: caring for these woods. When you reach the end of
• 35:34
  Speaker 2: the three mile drive, he drops you off at a lodge.
• 35:39
  Speaker 2: Just before he drives away to return to his groundskeeping work,
• 35:43
  Speaker 2: he invites you to make yourself at home in the lodge,
• 35:47
  Speaker 2: welcoming you to hot coffee or a cool glass of water,
• 35:51
  Speaker 2: if either suits your desire. The hospitality is a hallmark
• 35:56
  Speaker 2: of the generous Southern culture. You offer a smile of
• 36:00
  Speaker 2: thanksgiving and he drives away. You can't help but first
• 36:06
  Speaker 2: take a few moments to admire the stunning architecture of
• 36:09
  Speaker 2: the mountain campus. It is as beautiful as the buildings
• 36:13
  Speaker 2: you first explored, yet different in nearly every way. You
• 36:19
  Speaker 2: learn these buildings were built to reflect the architecture of
• 36:22
  Speaker 2: a French manner. The buildings are tall, all brick and
• 36:27
  Speaker 2: neatly painted white. The brownish orange roofs are steeply angled.
• 36:33
  Speaker 2: They are regal and yet simple. You learn that these
• 36:38
  Speaker 2: buildings were built for and long used as a dairy farm,
• 36:44
  Speaker 2: and you imagine the glory of cattle enjoying the vastness
• 36:48
  Speaker 2: of this lovely mountain. It reminds you of another psalm
• 36:53
  Speaker 2: in Chapter fifty, verses ten and eleven, where the psalmist,
• 36:58
  Speaker 2: riding from the prospectivetive of your majestic God, writes, for
• 37:03
  Speaker 2: all the animals of the forest are mine, and I
• 37:07
  Speaker 2: own the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every
• 37:12
  Speaker 2: bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the
• 37:15
  Speaker 2: field are mine. One of the first things you see
• 37:20
  Speaker 2: at the start of the trail is an old mill.
• 37:24
  Speaker 2: It sits atop a stream where water still flows. You
• 37:29
  Speaker 2: notice a brise sign with an inscription, and walk closer
• 37:33
  Speaker 2: to read more about this surprising structure. Tucked up the mountain.
• 37:40
  Speaker 2: From the sign, you learn that this old mill was
• 37:43
  Speaker 2: constructed in nineteen thirty and was used to produce corn
• 37:48
  Speaker 2: meal for the people who lived on the mountain. The
• 37:51
  Speaker 2: iron hub in the center of the wooden wheel was
• 37:54
  Speaker 2: a gift to the miller and was moved to this
• 37:57
  Speaker 2: spot under the direction of Henry Ford. The mill itself
• 38:03
  Speaker 2: is boasted as one of the largest in the world,
• 38:07
  Speaker 2: with a diameter of forty two feet. You admire the
• 38:11
  Speaker 2: stone structure built to supported along with the little stone
• 38:16
  Speaker 2: house like space built right next to it, where you
• 38:20
  Speaker 2: imagine much of the work was done during its years
• 38:22
  Speaker 2: of operation. There is one more thing of note on
• 38:28
  Speaker 2: the side indicating its purpose and history, and you learn
• 38:33
  Speaker 2: that the water flowing in the stream you stand next
• 38:35
  Speaker 2: to is water from a reservoir. You pause for a moment,
• 38:41
  Speaker 2: recognizing the value of all that is stored up in
• 38:44
  Speaker 2: the reservoir, and you ask God to give you a
• 38:47
  Speaker 2: heart that stores his faithfulness the same way, God, we
• 38:54
  Speaker 2: give you glory for your goodness and your unending kindness.
• 38:59
  Speaker 2: Help us to see more of You, help us to
• 39:02
  Speaker 2: store up hope to draw in times of need. You
• 39:08
  Speaker 2: follow a trail that leads you up toward the reservoir.
• 39:13
  Speaker 2: You pause briefly to give thanks to God for a
• 39:16
  Speaker 2: beautiful day. The sun is shining brightly in the sky,
• 39:21
  Speaker 2: and the warmth feels comforting on your cheeks and shoulders.
• 39:26
  Speaker 3: It is a.
• 39:26
  Speaker 2: Welcomed dichotomy to the cool, consistent autumn breeze. The path
• 39:34
  Speaker 2: begins with the steady incline and soon begins to curve.
• 39:39
  Speaker 2: You follow the curve and find yourself quickly tucked away
• 39:43
  Speaker 2: on the lovely mountain trail. Your favorite part of fall
• 39:47
  Speaker 2: is now in full view. The changing leaves are vibrant
• 39:52
  Speaker 2: and varied. While you noticed some degree of color at
• 39:56
  Speaker 2: the bottom of the mountain, now you see it covering
• 39:59
  Speaker 2: the te trail of trees. You notice several types of oaks, large,
• 40:07
  Speaker 2: looming and dense. They fill the forest with different shades
• 40:11
  Speaker 2: of orange and bright reds. And there is your favorite,
• 40:16
  Speaker 2: the yellowing elm that looks like sunshine falling. As the
• 40:20
  Speaker 2: breeze claims dozens of leaves and drags them to the ground.
• 40:26
  Speaker 2: You see the copper color of the changing pine needles
• 40:30
  Speaker 2: and the steadiness of the evergreen, creating the backdrop and
• 40:33
  Speaker 2: causing the contrast. You find so delightful in the leaves
• 40:37
  Speaker 2: that change as you walk. You delight in the fact
• 40:43
  Speaker 2: that there is beauty and change. While you don't always
• 40:47
  Speaker 2: like change in your own life, you remember now as
• 40:51
  Speaker 2: you admire the changing leaves, that God has a purpose
• 40:55
  Speaker 2: in every season. Even here, you consider the ways that
• 41:02
  Speaker 2: change has brought trials and uncertainty. You continue your hike
• 41:09
  Speaker 2: on the lovely trail, experiencing the peace and beauty of
• 41:13
  Speaker 2: birds chirping and leaves rustling beneath your feet. You continue
• 41:18
  Speaker 2: admiring the leaves and take time to appreciate the variety
• 41:22
  Speaker 2: of shades you have seen, shades of orange, yellow, and
• 41:27
  Speaker 2: red found as you journeyed on the trail. Although from
• 41:33
  Speaker 2: a distance the colors seem to be the same, up close,
• 41:38
  Speaker 2: when you pick up fallen leaves from the ground and
• 41:40
  Speaker 2: compare them to others you have kept along the walk,
• 41:44
  Speaker 2: you see it clearly they are different, nuanced, ever changing,
• 41:49
  Speaker 2: even when falling from the very same tree. The path
• 41:54
  Speaker 2: seems to be curving again, and with this curve you
• 41:58
  Speaker 2: see a break in the trees. You feel the spring
• 42:02
  Speaker 2: of hope inside you that perhaps this curve is the
• 42:07
  Speaker 2: last on the path to the reservoir. As you come
• 42:12
  Speaker 2: around the corner, it's clear you have made it to
• 42:16
  Speaker 2: your journey's destination. You stand in admiration as you gaze
• 42:21
  Speaker 2: upon the reservoir. It is just as beautiful as you
• 42:25
  Speaker 2: imagined it would be. The reservoir is vast, covering fifty
• 42:31
  Speaker 2: five acres of lavender mountain, holding millions and millions of
• 42:36
  Speaker 2: gallons of water. As you stand from your spot on
• 42:39
  Speaker 2: the trail looking out over the reservoir, you find it
• 42:44
  Speaker 2: hard to conceive such an incredible amount. You consider how,
• 42:50
  Speaker 2: for over one hundred years this reservoir has provided water
• 42:55
  Speaker 2: for the many who live on the mountain. You consider
• 42:59
  Speaker 2: how it has stained life and provided renewal, how it
• 43:03
  Speaker 2: has offered security and nourished plants and animals. This vast
• 43:08
  Speaker 2: collection of water has been filled and refilled over and over,
• 43:13
  Speaker 2: and without fail, it has been drawn upon for nourishment
• 43:18
  Speaker 2: and sustenance. Once again, you imagine what your life would
• 43:24
  Speaker 2: be like if stored within you was a reservoir of hope.
• 43:30
  Speaker 2: You consider how you could offer faith and confidence and
• 43:35
  Speaker 2: trust in God to those who were down and in
• 43:37
  Speaker 2: need of strength. You could offer it to yourself too,
• 43:43
  Speaker 2: looking to God in times of need to find endurance
• 43:47
  Speaker 2: that sustained you through trying times. Even youths grow tired
• 43:53
  Speaker 2: and weary, and young men stumble and fall. But those
• 43:58
  Speaker 2: who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They
• 44:01
  Speaker 2: will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and
• 44:06
  Speaker 2: not grow weary, They will walk and not be faint.
• 44:12
  Speaker 2: Picture the reservoir of hope that God is deepening in
• 44:16
  Speaker 2: your life. He has always provided for you in the past,
• 44:21
  Speaker 2: and imagine how these experiences can fill your reservoir with
• 44:25
  Speaker 2: confidence that God will be faithful again. Gracious Heavenly Father,
• 44:34
  Speaker 2: thank you for being a God of hope. In a
• 44:37
  Speaker 2: broken world where there is so much that needs to
• 44:40
  Speaker 2: be made right, we look to you and hope, believing
• 44:46
  Speaker 2: that you are still at work to renew and restore
• 44:49
  Speaker 2: all things. Please help this precious listener to keep their
• 44:55
  Speaker 2: focus on you, not just when things are going their way,
• 45:01
  Speaker 2: but when times are hard. Help them to trust in You,
• 45:07
  Speaker 2: their gracious God. Thank you for the gift of sleep.
• 45:12
  Speaker 2: Help them to rest well tonight that tomorrow they may
• 45:16
  Speaker 2: rise and live their life to bring you praise. In
• 45:20
  Speaker 2: the name of Jesus, I pray, Amen, look to God
• 45:27
  Speaker 2: for hope in times of trouble. Lean on him when
• 45:31
  Speaker 2: the challenges of life are overwhelming. Store up experiences of
• 45:36
  Speaker 2: his faithfulness like a reservoir, and your hope will never
• 45:41
  Speaker 2: run dry. Abide in Christ, dearest Heavenly Father, our God
• 45:53
  Speaker 2: of hope and peace. I come to you tonight thor On,
• 45:57
  Speaker 2: behalf of your child, this child whom you love and
• 46:03
  Speaker 2: in whom you are well pleased. I ask that you
• 46:07
  Speaker 2: would bless them to night as they rest, Bless their
• 46:11
  Speaker 2: mind as they lie down to sleep, granting them the
• 46:15
  Speaker 2: gift of a peaceful, undistracted mind. God. I know that
• 46:22
  Speaker 2: there are likely many things fighting for their attention, taking
• 46:26
  Speaker 2: their affection and devotion away from you, and discouraging them as.
• 46:32
  Speaker 3: They grow weary.
• 46:35
  Speaker 2: But I know they desire to walk with you and
• 46:38
  Speaker 2: to follow your leading. Would you strengthen them in this desire,
• 46:44
  Speaker 2: Help them to see that you are at work.
• 46:47
  Speaker 3: In their life.
• 46:49
  Speaker 2: Remind them that hope is a promise, and that through
• 46:53
  Speaker 2: faith and confidence that you are working in their life,
• 46:59
  Speaker 2: they can find and strength and renewal. Remind them of
• 47:03
  Speaker 2: the promise of Isaiah forty verses thirty and thirty one.
• 47:10
  Speaker 2: Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble
• 47:15
  Speaker 2: and fall, But those who hope in the Lord will
• 47:18
  Speaker 2: renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.
• 47:24
  Speaker 2: They will run and not grow weary. They will walk
• 47:27
  Speaker 2: and not be faint. Amen, you're standing on a path
• 47:34
  Speaker 2: that runs alongside the Ford Building. This English Gothic style
• 47:39
  Speaker 2: building looks more like a chateau. It was built over
• 47:43
  Speaker 2: a hundred years ago, made possible by the generosity of
• 47:47
  Speaker 2: its namesake, Henry Ford. A reflection pool sits perfectly in
• 47:54
  Speaker 2: the courtyard of the Ford Building. You walk closer, where
• 47:58
  Speaker 2: you see the old, multi colored stone reflected in the
• 48:02
  Speaker 2: serenely still water. The deep blue of the sky is
• 48:07
  Speaker 2: reflected too, along with clouds that look more like piles
• 48:11
  Speaker 2: of cotton candy. You walk all the way up to
• 48:15
  Speaker 2: the reflection pool, crouching down to dip your fingers into
• 48:20
  Speaker 2: the cool water, and you are surprised at how shallow
• 48:25
  Speaker 2: the reflection pool actually is. The chateau style stone building
• 48:31
  Speaker 2: forms a U shape with the reflecting pool in the
• 48:34
  Speaker 2: courtyard space. The building itself varies from one floor to
• 48:39
  Speaker 2: two and even three and four floors at various points.
• 48:44
  Speaker 2: There are arches in nearly every window and down the
• 48:47
  Speaker 2: open hallway on the short side of the building. The
• 48:51
  Speaker 2: arches are painted white, as is the mortar holding the
• 48:55
  Speaker 2: stone securely in place, and the arches stand out crisply
• 49:00
  Speaker 2: against the dark stone. You pause for a moment to
• 49:05
  Speaker 2: imagine that thousands of students who have walked these halls
• 49:09
  Speaker 2: and sat in this courtyard over the past twelve decades,
• 49:14
  Speaker 2: the stories that have been told, the time spent, how
• 49:18
  Speaker 2: much purpose and use has been found in these spaces.
• 49:25
  Speaker 2: As you walk away from the Ford Building, you decide
• 49:29
  Speaker 2: it is time to head up Lavender Mountain on your
• 49:32
  Speaker 2: journey to the reservoir. Lavender Mountain is located three miles
• 49:39
  Speaker 2: up from the main campus where you began exploring. You
• 49:42
  Speaker 2: are lucky to catch a ride on a golf cart
• 49:45
  Speaker 2: that serves as a shuttle, offered by a staff member
• 49:49
  Speaker 2: who helps keep the grounds of the campus pristine for
• 49:51
  Speaker 2: travelers like yourself. The kind, elderly gentleman who drives you
• 49:57
  Speaker 2: up points out little paths along the three mile stretch,
• 50:02
  Speaker 2: sharing his own stories from the decades he has spent
• 50:05
  Speaker 2: caring for these woods. When you reach the end of
• 50:09
  Speaker 2: the three mile drive, he drops you off at a
• 50:12
  Speaker 2: lodge just before he drives away to return to his
• 50:16
  Speaker 2: groundskeeping work. He invites you to make yourself at home
• 50:20
  Speaker 2: in the lodge, welcoming you to hot coffee or a
• 50:24
  Speaker 2: cool glass of water, if either suits your desire. The
• 50:29
  Speaker 2: hospitality is a hallmark of the generous Southern culture. You
• 50:34
  Speaker 2: offer a smile of thanksgiving, and he drives away. You
• 50:40
  Speaker 2: can't help but first take a few moments to admire
• 50:43
  Speaker 2: the stunning architecture of the mountain campus. It is as
• 50:47
  Speaker 2: beautiful as the buildings she first explored, yet different in
• 50:51
  Speaker 2: nearly every way. You learn these buildings were built to
• 50:56
  Speaker 2: reflect the architecture of a French manner. The buildings are tall,
• 51:01
  Speaker 2: all brick and neatly painted white. The brownish orange roofs
• 51:06
  Speaker 2: are steeply angled. They are regal and yet simple. You
• 51:13
  Speaker 2: learn that these buildings were built four and long used
• 51:17
  Speaker 2: as a dairy form, and you imagine the glory of
• 51:21
  Speaker 2: cattle enjoying the vastness of this lovely mountain. It reminds
• 51:26
  Speaker 2: you of another psalm in Chapter fifty, verses ten and eleven,
• 51:32
  Speaker 2: where the Psalmist, writing from the perspective of your majestic God, writes,
• 51:38
  Speaker 2: for all the animals of the forest are mine, and
• 51:42
  Speaker 2: I own the cattle on a thousand hills. I know
• 51:46
  Speaker 2: every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of
• 51:50
  Speaker 2: the field are mine. One of the first things you
• 51:55
  Speaker 2: see at the start of the trail is an old mill.
• 52:00
  Speaker 2: It sits atop a stream where water still flows. You
• 52:04
  Speaker 2: notice a brise sign with an inscription and walk closer
• 52:08
  Speaker 2: to read more about this surprising structure tucked up the mountain.
• 52:15
  Speaker 2: From the sign, you learn that this old mill was
• 52:18
  Speaker 2: constructed in nineteen thirty and was used to produce corn
• 52:23
  Speaker 2: meal for the people who lived on the mountain. The
• 52:26
  Speaker 2: iron hub in the center of the wooden wheel was
• 52:29
  Speaker 2: a gift to the miller and was moved to this
• 52:33
  Speaker 2: spot under the direction of Henry Ford. The mill itself
• 52:38
  Speaker 2: is boasted as one of the largest in the world,
• 52:42
  Speaker 2: with a diameter of forty two feet. You admire the
• 52:46
  Speaker 2: stone structure built to supported along with the little stone
• 52:51
  Speaker 2: house like space built right next to it, where you
• 52:55
  Speaker 2: imagine much of the work was done during its years
• 52:58
  Speaker 2: of operation. There is one more thing of note on
• 53:03
  Speaker 2: the side indicating its purpose and history, and you learn
• 53:08
  Speaker 2: that the water flowing in the stream you stand next
• 53:10
  Speaker 2: to is water from a reservoir. You pause for a moment,
• 53:16
  Speaker 2: recognizing the value of all that is stored up in
• 53:19
  Speaker 2: the reservoir, and you ask God to give you a
• 53:22
  Speaker 2: heart that stores his faithfulness the same way. God, we
• 53:29
  Speaker 2: give you glory for your goodness and your unending kindness.
• 53:34
  Speaker 2: Help us to see more of you, Help us to
• 53:38
  Speaker 2: store up hope to draw in times of need. You
• 53:43
  Speaker 2: follow a trail that leads you up toward the reservoir.
• 53:48
  Speaker 2: You pause briefly to give thanks to God for a
• 53:51
  Speaker 2: beautiful day. The sun is shining brightly in the sky,
• 53:57
  Speaker 2: and the warmth feels comforting on your cheeks, and it
• 54:01
  Speaker 2: is a welcomed dichotomy to the cool, consistent autumn breeze.
• 54:08
  Speaker 2: The path begins with the steady incline and soon begins
• 54:12
  Speaker 2: to curve. You follow the curve and find yourself quickly
• 54:17
  Speaker 2: tucked away on the lovely mountain trail. Your favorite part
• 54:21
  Speaker 2: of fall is now in full view. The changing leaves
• 54:26
  Speaker 2: are vibrant and varied. While you noticed some degree of
• 54:30
  Speaker 2: color at the bottom of the mountain, now you see
• 54:34
  Speaker 2: it Covering the trail of trees. You notice several types
• 54:40
  Speaker 2: of oaks, large, looming and dense. They fill the forest
• 54:45
  Speaker 2: with different shades of orange and bright reds. And there
• 54:50
  Speaker 2: is your favorite, the yellowing elm that looks like sunshine.
• 54:54
  Speaker 2: Falling as the breeze claims dozens of leaves and drags
• 54:58
  Speaker 2: them to the ground. You see the copper color of
• 55:03
  Speaker 2: the changing pine needles and the steadiness of the evergreen
• 55:07
  Speaker 2: creating the backdrop and causing the contrast. You find so
• 55:11
  Speaker 2: delightful in the leaves that change as you walk. You
• 55:17
  Speaker 2: delight in the fact that there is beauty and change.
• 55:21
  Speaker 2: While you don't always like change in your own life,
• 55:24
  Speaker 2: you remember now as you admire the changing leaves, that
• 55:29
  Speaker 2: God has a purpose in every season, even here. Even now,
• 55:36
  Speaker 2: you consider the ways that change has brought trials and uncertainty.
• 55:42
  Speaker 2: You continue your height on the lovely trail, experiencing the
• 55:47
  Speaker 2: peace and beauty of birds chirping and leaves rustling beneath
• 55:51
  Speaker 2: your feet. You continue admiring the leaves and take time
• 55:55
  Speaker 2: to appreciate the variety of shades you have seen of orange, yellow,
• 56:02
  Speaker 2: and red found as you journeyed on the trail. Although
• 56:08
  Speaker 2: from a distance the colors seem to be the same.
• 56:12
  Speaker 2: Up close, when you pick up fallen leaves from the
• 56:15
  Speaker 2: ground and compare them to others you have kept along
• 56:18
  Speaker 2: the walk. You see it clearly they are different, nuanced,
• 56:23
  Speaker 2: ever changing, even when falling from the very same tree.
• 56:29
  Speaker 2: The path seems to be curving again, and with this
• 56:33
  Speaker 2: curve you see a break in the trees. You feel
• 56:37
  Speaker 2: the spring of hope inside you that perhaps this curve
• 56:42
  Speaker 2: is the last on the path to the reservoir. As
• 56:47
  Speaker 2: you come around the corner, it's clear you have made
• 56:51
  Speaker 2: it to your journey's destination. You stand in admiration as
• 56:55
  Speaker 2: you gaze upon the reservoir. It is just as beautiful
• 57:00
  Speaker 2: as you imagined it would be. The reservoir is vast,
• 57:05
  Speaker 2: covering fifty five acres of lavender mountain, holding millions and
• 57:10
  Speaker 2: millions of gallons of water. As you stand from your
• 57:14
  Speaker 2: spot on the trail looking out over the reservoir, you
• 57:18
  Speaker 2: find it hard to conceive such an incredible amount. You
• 57:24
  Speaker 2: consider how for over one hundred years this reservoir has
• 57:29
  Speaker 2: provided water for the many who live on the mountain.
• 57:33
  Speaker 2: You consider how it has sustained life and provided renewal,
• 57:38
  Speaker 2: how it has offered security and nourished plants and animals.
• 57:43
  Speaker 2: This vast collection of water has been filled and refilled
• 57:47
  Speaker 2: over and over and without fail. It has been drawn
• 57:52
  Speaker 2: upon for nourishment and sustenance once again. You imagine what
• 57:58
  Speaker 2: your life would be like if stored within you was
• 58:02
  Speaker 2: a reservoir of hope. You consider how you could offer
• 58:07
  Speaker 2: faith and confidence and trust in God to those who
• 58:12
  Speaker 2: were down and in need of strength. You could offer
• 58:15
  Speaker 2: it to yourself too, looking to God in times of
• 58:20
  Speaker 2: need to find endurance that sustained you through trying times.
• 58:26
  Speaker 2: Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble
• 58:31
  Speaker 2: and fall. But those who hope in the Lord will
• 58:34
  Speaker 2: renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.
• 58:40
  Speaker 2: They will run and not grow weary, they will walk
• 58:44
  Speaker 2: and not be faint. Picture the reservoir of hope that
• 58:50
  Speaker 2: God is deepening in your life. He has always provided
• 58:54
  Speaker 2: for you in the past, and imagine how these experiences
• 58:58
  Speaker 2: can fill your reservoir with confidence that God will be
• 59:02
  Speaker 2: faithful again. Gracious, Heavenly Father, thank you for being a
• 59:10
  Speaker 2: God of hope. In a broken world where there is
• 59:14
  Speaker 2: so much that needs to be made right, we look
• 59:18
  Speaker 2: to you and hope, believing that you are still at
• 59:22
  Speaker 2: work to renew and restore all things. Please help this
• 59:28
  Speaker 2: precious listener, to keep their focus on you, not just
• 59:33
  Speaker 2: when things are going their way, but when times are hard.
• 59:39
  Speaker 2: Help them to trust in You, their gracious God. Thank
• 59:45
  Speaker 2: you for the gift of sleep. Help them to rest
• 59:48
  Speaker 2: well tonight that tomorrow they may rise and live their
• 59:53
  Speaker 2: life to bring you praise. In the name of Jesus,
• 59:57
  Speaker 2: I pray, Amen, look to God for hope in times
• 1:00:04
  Speaker 2: of trouble. Lean on him when the challenges of life
• 1:00:08
  Speaker 2: are overwhelming. Store up experiences of His faithfulness like a reservoir,
• 1:00:14
  Speaker 2: and your hope will never run dry. Abide in Christ,
• 1:00:25
  Speaker 2: dearest Heavenly Father, our God of hope and peace. I
• 1:00:31
  Speaker 2: come to you tonight on behalf of your child, this
• 1:00:35
  Speaker 2: child whom you love and in whom you are well pleased.
• 1:00:41
  Speaker 2: I ask that you would bless them tonight as they rest,
• 1:00:45
  Speaker 2: Bless their mind as they lie down to sleep, granting
• 1:00:50
  Speaker 2: them the gift of a peaceful, undistracted mind. God. I
• 1:00:56
  Speaker 2: know that there are likely many things fighting for their tension,
• 1:01:01
  Speaker 2: taking their affection and devotion away from you, and discouraging
• 1:01:07
  Speaker 2: them as they grow weary. But I know they desire
• 1:01:11
  Speaker 2: to walk with you and to follow your leading. Would
• 1:01:16
  Speaker 2: you strengthen them in this desire. Help them to see
• 1:01:20
  Speaker 2: that you are at work.
• 1:01:22
  Speaker 3: In their life.
• 1:01:24
  Speaker 2: Remind them that hope is a promise, and that through
• 1:01:28
  Speaker 2: faith and confidence that you are working in their life,
• 1:01:34
  Speaker 2: they can find strength and renewal. Remind them of the
• 1:01:39
  Speaker 2: promise of Isaiah forty Verses thirty and thirty one. Even
• 1:01:45
  Speaker 2: youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall.
• 1:01:51
  Speaker 2: But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
• 1:01:55
  Speaker 2: They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run
• 1:01:59
  Speaker 2: and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint. Amen,
• 1:02:08
  Speaker 2: you're standing on a path that runs alongside the Ford Building.
• 1:02:12
  Speaker 2: This English Gothic style building looks more like a chateau.
• 1:02:17
  Speaker 2: It was built over a hundred years ago, made possible
• 1:02:21
  Speaker 2: by the generosity of its namesake, Henry Ford. A reflection
• 1:02:28
  Speaker 2: pool sits perfectly in the courtyard of the Ford Building.
• 1:02:32
  Speaker 2: You walk closer, where you see the old multi colored
• 1:02:35
  Speaker 2: stone reflected in the serenely still water. The deep blue
• 1:02:41
  Speaker 2: of the sky is reflected too, along with clouds that
• 1:02:45
  Speaker 2: look more like piles of cotton candy. You walk all
• 1:02:50
  Speaker 2: the way up to the reflection pool, crouching down to
• 1:02:54
  Speaker 2: dip your fingers into the cool water, and you are
• 1:02:58
  Speaker 2: surprised at how shallow the reflection pool actually is. The
• 1:03:04
  Speaker 2: chateau style stone building forms a U shape with the
• 1:03:08
  Speaker 2: reflecting pool in the courtyard space. The building itself varies
• 1:03:13
  Speaker 2: from one floor to two and even three and four
• 1:03:16
  Speaker 2: floors at various points. There are arches in nearly every
• 1:03:20
  Speaker 2: window and down the open hallway on the short side
• 1:03:24
  Speaker 2: of the building. The arches are painted white, as is
• 1:03:29
  Speaker 2: the mortar holding the stone securely in place, and the
• 1:03:34
  Speaker 2: arches stand out crisply against the dark stone. You pause
• 1:03:39
  Speaker 2: for a moment to imagine that thousands of students who
• 1:03:42
  Speaker 2: have walked these halls and sat in this courtyard over
• 1:03:46
  Speaker 2: the past twelve decades, the stories that have been told,
• 1:03:51
  Speaker 2: the time spent, how much purpose and use has been
• 1:03:56
  Speaker 2: found in these spaces. As you walk away from the
• 1:04:01
  Speaker 2: Ford Building, you decide it is time to head up
• 1:04:06
  Speaker 2: Lavender Mountain on your journey to the reservoir. Lavender Mountain
• 1:04:12
  Speaker 2: is located three miles up from the main campus where
• 1:04:15
  Speaker 2: you began exploring. You are lucky to catch a ride
• 1:04:19
  Speaker 2: on a golf cart that serves as a shuttle offered
• 1:04:22
  Speaker 2: by a staff member who helps keep the grounds of
• 1:04:25
  Speaker 2: the campus pristine for travelers like yourself. The kind elderly
• 1:04:31
  Speaker 2: gentleman who drives you up points out little paths along
• 1:04:35
  Speaker 2: the three mile stretch, sharing his own stories from the
• 1:04:39
  Speaker 2: decades he has spent caring for these woods. When you
• 1:04:44
  Speaker 2: reach the end of the three mile drive, he drops you.
• 1:04:47
  Speaker 3: Off at a lodge.
• 1:04:49
  Speaker 2: Just before he drives away to return to his grounds
• 1:04:52
  Speaker 2: keeping work. He invites you to make yourself at home
• 1:04:55
  Speaker 2: in the lodge, welcoming you to hide coffee or cool
• 1:04:59
  Speaker 2: glo glass of water if either suits your desire. The
• 1:05:04
  Speaker 2: hospitality is a hallmark of the generous Southern culture. You
• 1:05:09
  Speaker 2: offer a smile of thanksgiving, and he drives away. You
• 1:05:15
  Speaker 2: can't help but first take a few moments to admire
• 1:05:18
  Speaker 2: the stunning architecture of the Mountain campus. It is as
• 1:05:22
  Speaker 2: beautiful as the buildings you first explored, yet different in
• 1:05:26
  Speaker 2: nearly every way. You learn these buildings were built to
• 1:05:31
  Speaker 2: reflect the architecture of a French manner. The buildings are tall,
• 1:05:36
  Speaker 2: all brick and neatly painted white. The brownish orange roofs
• 1:05:41
  Speaker 2: are steeply angled. They are regal and yet simple. You
• 1:05:48
  Speaker 2: learn that these buildings were built for and long used
• 1:05:52
  Speaker 2: as a dairy form, and you imagine the glory of
• 1:05:56
  Speaker 2: cattle enjoying the vastness of this lovely mountain. It reminds
• 1:06:01
  Speaker 2: you of another psalm in Chapter fifty, verses ten and eleven,
• 1:06:07
  Speaker 2: where the Psalmist, writing from the perspective of your majestic God, writes,
• 1:06:13
  Speaker 2: for all the animals of the forest are mine, and
• 1:06:17
  Speaker 2: I own the cattle on a thousand hills. I know
• 1:06:22
  Speaker 2: every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of
• 1:06:25
  Speaker 2: the field are mine. One of the first things you
• 1:06:31
  Speaker 2: see at the start of the trail is an old mill.
• 1:06:35
  Speaker 2: It sits atop a stream where water still flows. You
• 1:06:39
  Speaker 2: notice a briss sign with an inscription and walk closer
• 1:06:43
  Speaker 2: to read more about this surprising structure tucked up the mountain.
• 1:06:50
  Speaker 2: From the sign, you learn that this old mill was
• 1:06:53
  Speaker 2: constructed in nineteen thirty and was used to produce corn
• 1:06:58
  Speaker 2: meal for the people who lived on the mountain. The
• 1:07:01
  Speaker 2: iron hub in the center of the wooden wheel was
• 1:07:04
  Speaker 2: a gift to the miller and was moved to this
• 1:07:08
  Speaker 2: spot under the direction of Henry Ford. The mill itself
• 1:07:14
  Speaker 2: is boasted as one of the largest in the world,
• 1:07:17
  Speaker 2: with a diameter of forty two feet. You admire the
• 1:07:21
  Speaker 2: stone structure built to supported along with the little stone
• 1:07:26
  Speaker 2: house like space built right next to it, where you
• 1:07:30
  Speaker 2: imagine much of the work was done during its years
• 1:07:33
  Speaker 2: of operation. There is one more thing of note on
• 1:07:38
  Speaker 2: the side, indicating its purpose and history, and you learn
• 1:07:43
  Speaker 2: that the water flowing in the stream you stand next
• 1:07:45
  Speaker 2: to is water from a reservoir. You pause for a moment,
• 1:07:51
  Speaker 2: recognizing the value of all that is stored up in
• 1:07:54
  Speaker 2: the reservoir, and you ask God to give you a
• 1:07:58
  Speaker 2: heart that stores his faithfulness the same way. God, we
• 1:08:04
  Speaker 2: give you glory for your goodness and your unending kindness.
• 1:08:10
  Speaker 2: Help us to see more of you, Help us to
• 1:08:13
  Speaker 2: store up hope to draw in times of need. You
• 1:08:18
  Speaker 2: follow a trail that leads you up toward the reservoir.
• 1:08:23
  Speaker 2: You pause briefly to give thanks to God for a
• 1:08:26
  Speaker 2: beautiful day. The sun is shining brightly in the sky,
• 1:08:32
  Speaker 2: and the warmth feels comforting on your cheeks and shoulders.
• 1:08:36
  Speaker 2: It is a welcomed dichotomy to the cool, consistent autumn breeze.
• 1:08:43
  Speaker 2: The path begins with the steady incline and soon begins
• 1:08:48
  Speaker 2: to curve. You follow the curve and find yourself quickly
• 1:08:52
  Speaker 2: tucked away on the Lovely Mountain trail. Your favorite part
• 1:08:57
  Speaker 2: of fall is now in full view. The changing leaves
• 1:09:01
  Speaker 2: are vibrant and varied. While you noticed some degree of
• 1:09:06
  Speaker 2: color at the bottom of the mountain, now you see
• 1:09:09
  Speaker 2: it covering the trail of trees. You notice several types
• 1:09:15
  Speaker 2: of oaks, large, looming and dense. They fill the forest
• 1:09:20
  Speaker 2: with different shades of orange and bright reds. And there
• 1:09:25
  Speaker 2: is your favorite, the yellowing elm that looks like sunshine.
• 1:09:29
  Speaker 2: Falling as the breeze claims dozens of leaves and drags
• 1:09:33
  Speaker 2: them to the ground. You see the copper color of
• 1:09:38
  Speaker 2: the changing pine needles and the steadiness of the evergreen,
• 1:09:42
  Speaker 2: creating the back drop and causing the contrast. You find
• 1:09:46
  Speaker 2: so delightful in the leaves that change as you walk.
• 1:09:52
  Speaker 2: You delight in the fact that there is beauty and change.
• 1:09:56
  Speaker 2: While you don't always like change in your own life,
• 1:10:00
  Speaker 2: you remember now as you admire the changing leaves, that
• 1:10:04
  Speaker 2: God has a purpose in every season, even here. Even now,
• 1:10:11
  Speaker 2: you consider the ways that change has brought trials and uncertainty.
• 1:10:18
  Speaker 2: You continue your hike on the lovely trail, experiencing the
• 1:10:22
  Speaker 2: peace and beauty of birds chirping and leaves rustling beneath
• 1:10:26
  Speaker 2: your feet. You continue admiring the leaves and take time
• 1:10:31
  Speaker 2: to appreciate the variety of shades you have seen, shades
• 1:10:35
  Speaker 2: of orange, yellow, and red found as you journeyed on
• 1:10:40
  Speaker 2: the trail. Although from a distance the colors seem to
• 1:10:46
  Speaker 2: be the same, up close, when you pick up fallen
• 1:10:49
  Speaker 2: leaves from the ground and compare them to others you
• 1:10:52
  Speaker 2: have kept along the walk, you see it clearly they
• 1:10:56
  Speaker 2: are different, nuanced, ever changing, and even when falling from
• 1:11:01
  Speaker 2: the very same tree. The path seems to be curving again,
• 1:11:07
  Speaker 2: and with this curve you see a break in the trees.
• 1:11:12
  Speaker 2: You feel the spring of hope inside you that perhaps
• 1:11:16
  Speaker 2: this curve is the last on the path to the reservoir.
• 1:11:22
  Speaker 2: As you come around the corner, it's clear you have
• 1:11:26
  Speaker 2: made it to your journey's destination. You stand in admiration
• 1:11:30
  Speaker 2: as you gaze upon the reservoir. It is just as
• 1:11:34
  Speaker 2: beautiful as you imagined it would be. The reservoir is vast,
• 1:11:40
  Speaker 2: covering fifty five acres of lavender mountain, holding millions and
• 1:11:45
  Speaker 2: millions of gallons of water. As you stand from your
• 1:11:49
  Speaker 2: spot on the trail. Looking out over the reservoir, you
• 1:11:54
  Speaker 2: find it hard to conceive such an incredible amount. Consider how,
• 1:12:01
  Speaker 2: for over one hundred years this reservoir has provided water
• 1:12:05
  Speaker 2: for the many who live on the mountain. You consider
• 1:12:09
  Speaker 2: how it has sustained life and provided renewal, How it
• 1:12:13
  Speaker 2: has offered security and nourished plants and animals. This vast
• 1:12:19
  Speaker 2: collection of water has been filled and refilled over and over,
• 1:12:24
  Speaker 2: and without fail, it has been drawn upon for nourishment
• 1:12:28
  Speaker 2: and sustenance. Once again, you imagine what your life would
• 1:12:34
  Speaker 2: be like if stored within you was a reservoir of hope.
• 1:12:40
  Speaker 2: You consider how you could offer faith and confidence and
• 1:12:45
  Speaker 2: trust in God to those who were down and in
• 1:12:48
  Speaker 2: need of strength. You could offer it to yourself too,
• 1:12:53
  Speaker 2: looking to God in times of need to find endurance
• 1:12:57
  Speaker 2: that sustained you through trying times. Even youths grow tired
• 1:13:03
  Speaker 2: and weary, and young men stumble and fall. But those
• 1:13:08
  Speaker 2: who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They
• 1:13:12
  Speaker 2: will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and
• 1:13:16
  Speaker 2: not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
• 1:13:22
  Speaker 2: Picture the reservoir of hope that God is deepening in
• 1:13:26
  Speaker 2: your life. He has always provided for you in the past,
• 1:13:31
  Speaker 2: and imagine how these experiences can fill your reservoir with
• 1:13:35
  Speaker 2: confidence that God will be faithful again. Gracious Heavenly Father,
• 1:13:44
  Speaker 2: thank you for being a God of hope. In a
• 1:13:48
  Speaker 2: broken world where there is so much that needs to
• 1:13:51
  Speaker 2: be made right, we look to you and hope, believing
• 1:13:56
  Speaker 2: that you are still at work to renew and restore
• 1:14:00
  Speaker 2: all things. Please help this precious listener to keep their
• 1:14:05
  Speaker 2: focus on you, not just when things are going their way,
• 1:14:11
  Speaker 2: but when times are hard. Help them to trust in You,
• 1:14:17
  Speaker 2: their gracious God. Thank you for the gift of sleep.
• 1:14:22
  Speaker 2: Help them to rest well tonight that tomorrow they may
• 1:14:26
  Speaker 2: rise and live their life to bring you praise. In
• 1:14:31
  Speaker 2: the name of Jesus, I pray, Amen, look to God
• 1:14:38
  Speaker 2: for hope in times of trouble. Lean on him when
• 1:14:41
  Speaker 2: the challenges of life are overwhelming. Store up experiences of
• 1:14:47
  Speaker 2: his faithfulness like a reservoir, and your hope will never
• 1:14:51
  Speaker 2: run dry. Abide in Christ, Dearest Heavenly Father, our God
• 1:15:03
  Speaker 2: of hope and peace. I come to you to night
• 1:15:07
  Speaker 2: on behalf of your child, this child whom you love
• 1:15:13
  Speaker 2: and in whom you are well pleased. I ask that
• 1:15:17
  Speaker 2: you would Bless them to night as they rest, Bless
• 1:15:21
  Speaker 2: their mind as they lie down to sleep, granting them
• 1:15:25
  Speaker 2: the gift of a peaceful, undistracted mind. God, I know
• 1:15:32
  Speaker 2: that there are likely many things fighting for their attention,
• 1:15:36
  Speaker 2: taking their affection and devotion away from you, and discouraging
• 1:15:42
  Speaker 2: them as they grow weary. But I know they desire
• 1:15:47
  Speaker 2: to walk with you and to follow your leading. Would
• 1:15:52
  Speaker 2: you strengthen them in this desire, Help them to see
• 1:15:56
  Speaker 2: that you are at work in their life. Remind them
• 1:16:00
  Speaker 2: that hope is a promise, and that through faith and
• 1:16:04
  Speaker 2: confidence that you are working in their life, they can
• 1:16:10
  Speaker 2: find strength and renewal. Remind them of the promise of
• 1:16:15
  Speaker 2: Isaiah forty Verses thirty and thirty one. Even youths grow
• 1:16:21
  Speaker 2: tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall. But
• 1:16:27
  Speaker 2: those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
• 1:16:31
  Speaker 2: They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run
• 1:16:35
  Speaker 2: and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint. Amen,
• 1:16:43
  Speaker 2: you're standing on a path that runs alongside the Ford Building.
• 1:16:48
  Speaker 2: This English Gothic style building looks more like a chateau.
• 1:16:52
  Speaker 2: It was built over a hundred years ago, made possible
• 1:16:56
  Speaker 2: by the generosity of its namesake, Henry four. A reflection
• 1:17:03
  Speaker 2: pool sits perfectly in the courtyard of the fort building.
• 1:17:07
  Speaker 2: You walk closer, where you see the old, multi colored
• 1:17:10
  Speaker 2: stone reflected in the serenely still water. The deep blue
• 1:17:16
  Speaker 2: of the sky is reflected too, along with clouds that
• 1:17:20
  Speaker 2: look more like piles of cotton candy. You walk all
• 1:17:25
  Speaker 2: the way up to the reflection pool, crouching down to
• 1:17:29
  Speaker 2: dip your fingers into the cool water, and you are
• 1:17:33
  Speaker 2: surprised at how shallow the reflection pool actually is. The
• 1:17:39
  Speaker 2: chateau style stone building forms a U shape with the
• 1:17:43
  Speaker 2: reflecting pool in the courtyard space. The building itself varies
• 1:17:48
  Speaker 2: from one floor to two and even three and four
• 1:17:51
  Speaker 2: floors at various points. There are arches in nearly every
• 1:17:56
  Speaker 2: window and down the open hallway on the short side
• 1:17:59
  Speaker 2: of the building. The arches are painted white, as is
• 1:18:04
  Speaker 2: the mortar holding the stone securely in place, and the
• 1:18:09
  Speaker 2: arches stand out crisply against the dark stone. You pause
• 1:18:15
  Speaker 2: for a moment to imagine that thousands of students who
• 1:18:18
  Speaker 2: have walked these halls and sat in this courtyard over
• 1:18:21
  Speaker 2: the past twelve decades, the stories that have been told,
• 1:18:26
  Speaker 2: the time spent, how much purpose and use has been
• 1:18:31
  Speaker 2: found in these spaces. As you walk away from the
• 1:18:36
  Speaker 2: Ford building, you decide it is time to head up
• 1:18:41
  Speaker 2: Lavender Mountain on your journey to the reservoir. Lavender Mountain
• 1:18:47
  Speaker 2: is located three miles up from the main campus where
• 1:18:50
  Speaker 2: you began exploring. You are lucky to catch a ride
• 1:18:54
  Speaker 2: on a golf cart that serves as a shuttle, offered
• 1:18:57
  Speaker 2: by a staff member who helps the grounds of the
• 1:19:01
  Speaker 2: campus pristine for travelers like yourself. The kind elderly gentleman
• 1:19:06
  Speaker 2: who drives you up points out little paths along the
• 1:19:10
  Speaker 2: three mile stretch, sharing his own stories from the decades
• 1:19:14
  Speaker 2: he has spent caring for these woods. When you reach
• 1:19:19
  Speaker 2: the end of the three mile drive, he drops you
• 1:19:22
  Speaker 2: off at a lodge. Just before he drives away to
• 1:19:26
  Speaker 2: return to his groundskeeping work. He invites you to make
• 1:19:30
  Speaker 2: yourself at home in the lodge, welcoming you to hot
• 1:19:33
  Speaker 2: coffee or a cool glass of water, if either suits
• 1:19:37
  Speaker 2: your desire. The hospitality is a hallmark of the generous
• 1:19:42
  Speaker 2: Southern culture. You offer a smile of thanksgiving and he
• 1:19:47
  Speaker 2: drives away. You can't help but first take a few
• 1:19:52
  Speaker 2: moments to admire the stunning architecture of the mountain campus.
• 1:19:57
  Speaker 2: It is as beautiful as the buildings she first explored,
• 1:20:00
  Speaker 2: yet different and nearly every way. You learn these buildings
• 1:20:05
  Speaker 2: were built to reflect the architecture of a French manner.
• 1:20:09
  Speaker 2: The buildings are tall, all brick and neatly painted white.
• 1:20:15
  Speaker 2: The brownish orange roofs are steeply angled. They are regal
• 1:20:20
  Speaker 2: and yet simple. You learn that these buildings were built
• 1:20:25
  Speaker 2: for and long used as a dairy form, and you
• 1:20:30
  Speaker 2: imagine the glory of cattle enjoying the vastness of this
• 1:20:34
  Speaker 2: lovely mountain. It reminds you of another psalm in Chapter fifty,
• 1:20:41
  Speaker 2: verses ten and eleven, where the Psalmist, writing from the
• 1:20:45
  Speaker 2: perspective of your majestic God, writes, for all the animals
• 1:20:50
  Speaker 2: of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle
• 1:20:53
  Speaker 2: on a thousand hills. I know every bird on the mountains,
• 1:20:59
  Speaker 2: and all the animals of the field are mine. One
• 1:21:04
  Speaker 2: of the first things you see at the start of
• 1:21:07
  Speaker 2: the trail is an old mill. It sits atop a
• 1:21:11
  Speaker 2: stream where water still flows. You notice a brass sign
• 1:21:16
  Speaker 2: with an inscription, and walk closer to read more about
• 1:21:20
  Speaker 2: this surprising structure tucked up the mountain from the sign,
• 1:21:26
  Speaker 2: you learn that this old mill was constructed in nineteen
• 1:21:30
  Speaker 2: thirty and was used to produce corn meal for the
• 1:21:34
  Speaker 2: people who lived on the mountain. The iron hub in
• 1:21:37
  Speaker 2: the center of the wooden wheel was a gift to
• 1:21:40
  Speaker 2: the miller and was moved to this spot under the
• 1:21:44
  Speaker 2: direction of Henry Ford. The mill itself is boasted as
• 1:21:50
  Speaker 2: one of the largest in the world, with a diameter
• 1:21:53
  Speaker 2: of forty two feet. You admire the stone structure built
• 1:21:58
  Speaker 2: to supported along with the little stone house like space
• 1:22:03
  Speaker 2: built right next to it, where you imagine much of
• 1:22:06
  Speaker 2: the work was done during its years of operation. There
• 1:22:11
  Speaker 2: is one more thing of note on the side indicating
• 1:22:15
  Speaker 2: its purpose and history, and you learn that the water
• 1:22:19
  Speaker 2: flowing in the stream you stand next to is water
• 1:22:22
  Speaker 2: from a reservoir. You pause for a moment, recognizing the
• 1:22:27
  Speaker 2: value of all that is stored up in the reservoir,
• 1:22:31
  Speaker 2: and you ask God to give you a heart that
• 1:22:33
  Speaker 2: stores his faithfulness the same way, God, we give you
• 1:22:40
  Speaker 2: glory for your goodness and your unending kindness. Help us
• 1:22:45
  Speaker 2: to see more of you, help us to store up
• 1:22:48
  Speaker 2: hope to draw in times of need. You follow a
• 1:22:54
  Speaker 2: trail that leads you up toward the reservoir. You pause
• 1:22:59
  Speaker 2: briefly to give thanks to God for a beautiful day.
• 1:23:03
  Speaker 2: The sun is shining brightly in the sky, and the
• 1:23:07
  Speaker 2: warmth feels comforting on your cheeks and shoulders. It is
• 1:23:12
  Speaker 2: a welcomed dichotomy to the cool, consistent autumn breeze. The
• 1:23:19
  Speaker 2: path begins with the steady incline and soon begins to curve.
• 1:23:25
  Speaker 2: You follow the curve and find yourself quickly tucked away
• 1:23:28
  Speaker 2: on the lovely mountain trail. Your favorite part of fall
• 1:23:33
  Speaker 2: is now in full view. The changing leaves are vibrant
• 1:23:37
  Speaker 2: and varied. While you noticed some degree of color at
• 1:23:41
  Speaker 2: the bottom of the mountain, now you see it covering
• 1:23:45
  Speaker 2: the trail of trees. You notice several types of oaks, large,
• 1:23:52
  Speaker 2: looming and dense. They fill the forest with different shades
• 1:23:57
  Speaker 2: of orange and bright reds. Is your favorite, the yellowing
• 1:24:02
  Speaker 2: elm that looks like sunshine. Falling as the breeze claims
• 1:24:07
  Speaker 2: dozens of leaves and drags them to the ground. You
• 1:24:12
  Speaker 2: see the copper color of the changing pine needles and
• 1:24:15
  Speaker 2: the steadiness of the evergreen, creating the backdrop and causing
• 1:24:19
  Speaker 2: the contrast you find so delightful in the leaves that change.
• 1:24:26
  Speaker 2: As you walk, you delight in the fact that there
• 1:24:29
  Speaker 2: is beauty and change. While you don't always like change
• 1:24:33
  Speaker 2: in your own life, you remember now as you admire
• 1:24:37
  Speaker 2: the changing leaves, that God has a purpose in every season,
• 1:24:43
  Speaker 2: even here, Even now, you consider the ways that change
• 1:24:48
  Speaker 2: has brought trials and uncertainty. You continue your height on
• 1:24:54
  Speaker 2: the lovely trail, experiencing the peace and beauty of birds
• 1:24:59
  Speaker 2: chirping and leaves rustling beneath your feet. You continue admiring
• 1:25:04
  Speaker 2: the leaves and take time to appreciate the variety of
• 1:25:07
  Speaker 2: shades you have seen, shades of orange, yellow, and red
• 1:25:14
  Speaker 2: found as you journeyed on the trail. Although from a
• 1:25:19
  Speaker 2: distance the colors seem to be the same, up close,
• 1:25:23
  Speaker 2: when you pick up fallen leaves from the ground and
• 1:25:26
  Speaker 2: compare them to others you have kept along the walk,
• 1:25:29
  Speaker 2: you see it clearly they are different, nuanced, ever changing,
• 1:25:35
  Speaker 2: even when falling from the very same tree. The path
• 1:25:40
  Speaker 2: seems to be curving again, and with this curve you
• 1:25:44
  Speaker 2: see a break in the trees. You feel the spring
• 1:25:48
  Speaker 2: of hope inside you that perhaps this curve is the
• 1:25:52
  Speaker 2: last on the path to the reservoir. As you come
• 1:25:57
  Speaker 2: around the corner, it's clear you have made it to
• 1:26:01
  Speaker 2: your journey's destination. You stand in admiration as you gaze
• 1:26:06
  Speaker 2: upon the reservoir. It is just as beautiful as you
• 1:26:10
  Speaker 2: imagined it would be. The reservoir is vast, covering fifty
• 1:26:16
  Speaker 2: five acres of lavender mountain, holding millions and millions of
• 1:26:21
  Speaker 2: gallons of water. As you stand from your spot on
• 1:26:25
  Speaker 2: the trail looking out over the reservoir, you find it
• 1:26:29
  Speaker 2: hard to conceive such an incredible amount. You consider how,
• 1:26:36
  Speaker 2: for over one hundred years this reservoir has provided water
• 1:26:41
  Speaker 2: for the many who live on the mountain. You consider
• 1:26:44
  Speaker 2: how it has sustained life and provided renewal, how it
• 1:26:49
  Speaker 2: has offered security and nourished plants and animals. This vast
• 1:26:54
  Speaker 2: collection of water has been filled and refilled over and over,
• 1:26:59
  Speaker 2: and without fail, it has been drawn upon for nourishment
• 1:27:04
  Speaker 2: and sustenance. Once again, you imagine what your life would
• 1:27:09
  Speaker 2: be like if stored within you was a reservoir of hope.
• 1:27:15
  Speaker 2: You consider how you could offer faith and confidence and
• 1:27:20
  Speaker 2: trust in God to those who were down and in
• 1:27:23
  Speaker 2: need of strength. You could offer it to yourself too,
• 1:27:29
  Speaker 2: looking to God in times of need to find endurance
• 1:27:32
  Speaker 2: that sustained you through trying times. Even youths grow tired
• 1:27:38
  Speaker 2: and weary, and young men stumble and fall. But those
• 1:27:43
  Speaker 2: who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They
• 1:27:47
  Speaker 2: will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and
• 1:27:51
  Speaker 2: not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
• 1:27:58
  Speaker 2: Picture the reservoir of hope that God is deepening in
• 1:28:01
  Speaker 2: your life. He has always provided for you in the past,
• 1:28:07
  Speaker 2: and imagine how these experiences can fill your reservoir with
• 1:28:10
  Speaker 2: confidence that God will be faithful again. Gracious Heavenly Father,
• 1:28:19
  Speaker 2: thank you for being a God of hope. In a
• 1:28:23
  Speaker 2: broken world where there is so much that needs to
• 1:28:26
  Speaker 2: be made right, we look to you and hope, believing
• 1:28:32
  Speaker 2: that you are still at work to renew and restore
• 1:28:35
  Speaker 2: all things. Please help this precious listener to keep their
• 1:28:41
  Speaker 2: focus on You, not just when things are going their way,
• 1:28:46
  Speaker 2: but when times are hard. Help them to trust in You,
• 1:28:52
  Speaker 2: their gracious God. Thank you for the gift of sleep.
• 1:28:58
  Speaker 2: Help them to rest well to night that tomorrow they
• 1:29:01
  Speaker 2: may rise and live their life to bring you praise.
• 1:29:06
  Speaker 2: In the name of Jesus, I pray, Amen, look to
• 1:29:12
  Speaker 2: God for hope in times of trouble. Lean on him.
• 1:29:16
  Speaker 2: When the challenges of life are overwhelming, store up experiences
• 1:29:22
  Speaker 2: of his faithfulness like a reservoir, and your hope will
• 1:29:26
  Speaker 2: never run dry. Abide in Christ, Dearest Heavenly Father, our
• 1:29:38
  Speaker 2: God of hope and peace. I come to you to
• 1:29:42
  Speaker 2: night on behalf of your child, this child whom you
• 1:29:47
  Speaker 2: love and in whom you are well pleased. I ask
• 1:29:52
  Speaker 2: that you would bless them to night as they rest,
• 1:29:56
  Speaker 2: Bless their mind as they lie down to sleep, granting
• 1:30:00
  Speaker 2: them the gift of a peaceful, undistracted mind. God. I
• 1:30:07
  Speaker 2: know that there are likely many things fighting for their attention,
• 1:30:12
  Speaker 2: taking their affection and devotion away from you, and discouraging
• 1:30:17
  Speaker 2: them as they grow weary. But I know they desire
• 1:30:22
  Speaker 2: to walk with you and to follow your leading. Would
• 1:30:27
  Speaker 2: you strengthen them in this desire, Help them to see
• 1:30:31
  Speaker 2: that you are at work in their life. Remind them
• 1:30:35
  Speaker 2: that hope is a promise, and that through faith and
• 1:30:40
  Speaker 2: confidence that you are working in their life, they can
• 1:30:45
  Speaker 2: find strength and renewal. Remind them of the promise of
• 1:30:50
  Speaker 2: Isaiah forty verses thirty and thirty one. Even youths grow
• 1:30:57
  Speaker 2: tired and weary, and young men still humble and fall,
• 1:31:02
  Speaker 2: But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
• 1:31:06
  Speaker 2: They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run
• 1:31:10
  Speaker 2: and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Amen,
• 1:31:18
  Speaker 2: you're standing on a path that runs alongside the Ford Building.
• 1:31:23
  Speaker 2: This English Gothic style building looks more like a chateau.
• 1:31:28
  Speaker 2: It was built over a hundred years ago, made possible
• 1:31:32
  Speaker 2: by the generosity of its namesake, Henry Ford. A reflection
• 1:31:38
  Speaker 2: pool sits perfectly in the courtyard of the Ford Building.
• 1:31:42
  Speaker 2: You walk closer, where you see the old, multi colored
• 1:31:46
  Speaker 2: stone reflected in the serenely still water. The deep blue
• 1:31:51
  Speaker 2: of the sky is reflected too, along with clouds that
• 1:31:55
  Speaker 2: look more like piles of cotton candy. Walk all the
• 1:32:00
  Speaker 2: way up to the reflection pool, crouching down to dip
• 1:32:05
  Speaker 2: your fingers into the cool water, and you are surprised
• 1:32:09
  Speaker 2: at how shallow the reflection pool actually is. The chateau
• 1:32:15
  Speaker 2: style stone building forms a U shape with the reflecting
• 1:32:19
  Speaker 2: pool in the courtyard space. The building itself varies from
• 1:32:24
  Speaker 2: one floor to two and even three and four floors
• 1:32:27
  Speaker 2: at various points. There are arches in nearly every window
• 1:32:32
  Speaker 2: and down the open hallway on the short side of
• 1:32:35
  Speaker 2: the building. The arches are painted white, as is the
• 1:32:40
  Speaker 2: mortar holding the stone securely in place, and the arches
• 1:32:45
  Speaker 2: stand out crisply against the dark stone. You pause for
• 1:32:50
  Speaker 2: a moment to imagine that thousands of students who have
• 1:32:53
  Speaker 2: walked these halls and sat in this courtyard over the
• 1:32:57
  Speaker 2: past twelve decades, the store stories that have been told,
• 1:33:02
  Speaker 2: the time spent, how much purpose and use has been
• 1:33:06
  Speaker 2: found in these spaces. As you walk away from the
• 1:33:12
  Speaker 2: Ford Building, you decide it is time to head up
• 1:33:16
  Speaker 2: Lavender Mountain on your journey to the reservoir. Lavender Mountain
• 1:33:23
  Speaker 2: is located three miles up from the main campus where
• 1:33:26
  Speaker 2: you began exploring. You are lucky to catch a ride
• 1:33:29
  Speaker 2: on a golf cart that serves as a shuttle, offered
• 1:33:32
  Speaker 2: by a staff member who helps keep the grounds of
• 1:33:36
  Speaker 2: the campus pristine for travelers like yourself. The kind, elderly
• 1:33:41
  Speaker 2: gentleman who drives you up points out little paths along
• 1:33:45
  Speaker 2: the three mile stretch, sharing his own stories from the
• 1:33:49
  Speaker 2: decades he has spent caring for these woods. When you
• 1:33:54
  Speaker 2: reach the end of the three mile drive, he drops
• 1:33:57
  Speaker 2: you off at a lodge before he drives away to
• 1:34:01
  Speaker 2: return to his groundskeeping work. He invites you to make
• 1:34:05
  Speaker 2: yourself at home in the lodge, welcoming you to hot
• 1:34:09
  Speaker 2: coffee or a cool glass of water, if either suits
• 1:34:12
  Speaker 2: your desire. The hospitality is a hallmark of the generous
• 1:34:17
  Speaker 2: Southern culture. You offer a smile of thanksgiving, and he
• 1:34:22
  Speaker 2: drives away. You can't help but first take a few
• 1:34:27
  Speaker 2: moments to admire the stunning architecture of the mountain campus.
• 1:34:32
  Speaker 2: It is as beautiful as the buildings you first explored,
• 1:34:36
  Speaker 2: yet different in nearly every way. You learn these buildings
• 1:34:40
  Speaker 2: were built to reflect the architecture of a French manner.
• 1:34:44
  Speaker 2: The buildings are tall, all brick and neatly painted white.
• 1:34:50
  Speaker 2: The brownish orange roofs are steeply angled. They are regal
• 1:34:55
  Speaker 2: and yet simple. You learn that these buildings were built
• 1:35:00
  Speaker 2: four and long used as a dairy form, and you
• 1:35:05
  Speaker 2: imagine the glory of cattle enjoying the vastness of this
• 1:35:09
  Speaker 2: lovely mountain. It reminds you of another psalm in Chapter fifty,
• 1:35:16
  Speaker 2: verses ten and eleven, where the Psalmist, writing from the
• 1:35:20
  Speaker 2: perspective of your majestic God, writes, for all the animals
• 1:35:25
  Speaker 2: of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle
• 1:35:29
  Speaker 2: on a thousand Hills. I know every bird on the mountains,
• 1:35:34
  Speaker 2: and all the animals of the field are mine. One
• 1:35:40
  Speaker 2: of the first things you see at the start of
• 1:35:42
  Speaker 2: the trail is an old mill. It sits atop a
• 1:35:46
  Speaker 2: stream where water still flows. You notice a brass sign
• 1:35:51
  Speaker 2: with an inscription and walk closer to read more about
• 1:35:55
  Speaker 2: this surprising structure tucked up the mountain. From the sign,
• 1:36:01
  Speaker 2: you learn that this old mill was constructed in nineteen
• 1:36:05
  Speaker 2: thirty and was used to produce corn meal for the
• 1:36:09
  Speaker 2: people who lived on the mountain. The iron hub in
• 1:36:12
  Speaker 2: the center of the wooden wheel was a gift to
• 1:36:16
  Speaker 2: the miller and was moved to this spot under the
• 1:36:19
  Speaker 2: direction of Henry Ford. The mill itself is boasted as
• 1:36:25
  Speaker 2: one of the largest in the world, with a diameter
• 1:36:28
  Speaker 2: of forty two feet. You admire the stone structure built
• 1:36:33
  Speaker 2: too supported, along with the little stone house like space
• 1:36:38
  Speaker 2: built right next to it, where you imagine much of
• 1:36:41
  Speaker 2: the work was done during its years of operation. There
• 1:36:46
  Speaker 2: is one more thing of note on the side indicating
• 1:36:50
  Speaker 2: its purpose and history, and you learn that the water
• 1:36:54
  Speaker 2: flowing in the stream you stand next to is water
• 1:36:57
  Speaker 2: from a reservoir. You pause for a moment recognizing the
• 1:37:02
  Speaker 2: value of all that is stored up in the reservoir,
• 1:37:06
  Speaker 2: and you ask God to give you a heart that
• 1:37:09
  Speaker 2: stores his faithfulness the same way, God, we give you
• 1:37:15
  Speaker 2: glory for your goodness and your unending kindness. Help us
• 1:37:20
  Speaker 2: to see more of you, help us to store up
• 1:37:24
  Speaker 2: hope to draw in times of need. You follow a
• 1:37:29
  Speaker 2: trail that leads you up toward the reservoir. You pause
• 1:37:34
  Speaker 2: briefly to give thanks to God for a beautiful day.
• 1:37:39
  Speaker 2: The sun is shining brightly in the sky, and the
• 1:37:42
  Speaker 2: warmth feels comforting on your cheeks and shoulders. It is
• 1:37:47
  Speaker 2: a welcomed dichotomy to the cool, consistent autumn breeze. The
• 1:37:54
  Speaker 2: path begins with the steady incline and soon begins to curve.
• 1:38:00
  Speaker 2: You follow the curve and find yourself quickly tucked away
• 1:38:03
  Speaker 2: on the lovely mountain trail. Your favorite part of fall
• 1:38:08
  Speaker 2: is now in full view. The changing leaves are vibrant
• 1:38:12
  Speaker 2: and varied. While you noticed some degree of color at
• 1:38:16
  Speaker 2: the bottom of the mountain, now you see it. Covering
• 1:38:20
  Speaker 2: the trail of trees. You notice several types of oaks, large,
• 1:38:27
  Speaker 2: looming and dense. They fill the forest with different shades
• 1:38:32
  Speaker 2: of orange and bright reds. And there is your favorite,
• 1:38:37
  Speaker 2: the yellowing elm that looks like sunshine. Falling as the
• 1:38:41
  Speaker 2: breeze claims dozens of leaves and drags them to the ground.
• 1:38:47
  Speaker 2: You see the copper color of the changing pine needles
• 1:38:50
  Speaker 2: and the steadiness of the evergreen, creating the back drop
• 1:38:54
  Speaker 2: and causing the contrast. You find so delightful in the
• 1:38:58
  Speaker 2: leaves that change as you walk. You delight in the
• 1:39:03
  Speaker 2: fact that there is beauty and change. While you don't
• 1:39:07
  Speaker 2: always like change in your own life, you remember now
• 1:39:11
  Speaker 2: as you admire the changing leaves, that God has a
• 1:39:15
  Speaker 2: purpose in every season, even here. Even now, you consider
• 1:39:22
  Speaker 2: the ways that change has brought trials and uncertainty. You
• 1:39:28
  Speaker 2: continue your hike on the lovely trail, experiencing the peace
• 1:39:33
  Speaker 2: and beauty of birds chirping and leaves rustling beneath your feet.
• 1:39:38
  Speaker 2: You continue admiring the leaves and take time to appreciate
• 1:39:42
  Speaker 2: the variety of shades you have seen. Shades of orange, yellow,
• 1:39:47
  Speaker 2: and red found as you journeyed on the trail. Although
• 1:39:54
  Speaker 2: from a distance the colors seem to be the same.
• 1:39:57
  Speaker 2: Up close, when you pick up fallen leaves from the
• 1:40:00
  Speaker 2: ground and compare them to others you have kept along
• 1:40:03
  Speaker 2: the walk. You see it clearly they are different, nuanced,
• 1:40:09
  Speaker 2: ever changing, even when falling from the very same tree.
• 1:40:14
  Speaker 2: The path seems to be curving again, and with this
• 1:40:18
  Speaker 2: curve you see a break in the trees. You feel
• 1:40:22
  Speaker 2: the spring of hope inside you that perhaps this curve
• 1:40:27
  Speaker 2: is the last on the path to the reservoir. As
• 1:40:32
  Speaker 2: you come around the corner, it's clear you have made
• 1:40:36
  Speaker 2: it to your journey's destination. You stand in admiration as
• 1:40:41
  Speaker 2: you gaze upon the reservoir. It is just as beautiful
• 1:40:45
  Speaker 2: as you imagined it would be. The reservoir is vast,
• 1:40:51
  Speaker 2: covering fifty five acres of lavender mountain, holding millions and
• 1:40:56
  Speaker 2: millions of gallons of water. As you stand from your
• 1:40:59
  Speaker 2: spot on the trail, looking out over the reservoir, you
• 1:41:04
  Speaker 2: find it hard to conceive such an incredible amount. You
• 1:41:10
  Speaker 2: consider how for over one hundred years this reservoir has
• 1:41:15
  Speaker 2: provided water for the many who live on the mountain.
• 1:41:19
  Speaker 2: You consider how it has sustained life and provided renewal,
• 1:41:24
  Speaker 2: how it has offered security and nourished plants and animals.
• 1:41:28
  Speaker 2: This vast collection of water has been filled and refilled
• 1:41:32
  Speaker 2: over and over and without fail, it has been drawn
• 1:41:37
  Speaker 2: upon for nourishment and sustenance once again. You imagine what
• 1:41:44
  Speaker 2: your life would be like if stored within you was
• 1:41:48
  Speaker 2: a reservoir of hope. You consider how you could offer
• 1:41:52
  Speaker 2: faith and confidence and trust in God to those who
• 1:41:57
  Speaker 2: were down and in need of strength. You could offer
• 1:42:01
  Speaker 2: it to yourself too, looking to God in times of
• 1:42:06
  Speaker 2: need to find endurance that sustained you through trying times.
• 1:42:12
  Speaker 2: Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble
• 1:42:16
  Speaker 2: and fall. But those who hope in the Lord will
• 1:42:20
  Speaker 2: renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.
• 1:42:25
  Speaker 2: They will run and not grow weary, they will walk
• 1:42:29
  Speaker 2: and not be faint. Picture the reservoir of hope that
• 1:42:35
  Speaker 2: God is deepening in your life. He has always provided
• 1:42:40
  Speaker 2: for you in the past, and imagine how these experiences
• 1:42:44
  Speaker 2: can fill your reservoir with confidence that God will be
• 1:42:48
  Speaker 2: faithful again. Gracious, Heavenly Father, thank you for being a
• 1:42:55
  Speaker 2: God of hope. In a broken world where there is
• 1:43:00
  Speaker 2: so much that needs to be made right, we look
• 1:43:03
  Speaker 2: to you and hope, believing that you are still at
• 1:43:08
  Speaker 2: work to renew and restore all things. Please help this
• 1:43:13
  Speaker 2: precious listener to keep their focus on you, not just
• 1:43:19
  Speaker 2: when things are going their way, but when times are hard.
• 1:43:25
  Speaker 2: Help them to trust in You, their gracious God. Thank
• 1:43:30
  Speaker 2: you for the gift of sleep. Help them to rest
• 1:43:34
  Speaker 2: well tonight that tomorrow they may rise and live their
• 1:43:38
  Speaker 2: life to bring you praise. In the name of Jesus,
• 1:43:42
  Speaker 2: I pray, Amen, look to God for hope in times
• 1:43:49
  Speaker 2: of trouble. Lean on Him when the challenges of life
• 1:43:53
  Speaker 2: are overwhelming. Store up experiences of His faithfulness like a reservoir,
• 1:44:00
  Speaker 2: and your hope will never run dry. Abide in Christ,
• 1:44:10
  Speaker 2: dearest Heavenly Father, our God of hope and peace. I
• 1:44:17
  Speaker 2: come to you to night on behalf of your child,
• 1:44:21
  Speaker 2: this child whom you love and in whom you are
• 1:44:24
  Speaker 2: well pleased. I ask that you would bless them tonight
• 1:44:29
  Speaker 2: as they rest, Bless their mind as they lie down
• 1:44:33
  Speaker 2: to sleep, granting them the gift of a peaceful, undistracted mind. God.
• 1:44:42
  Speaker 2: I know that there are likely many things fighting for
• 1:44:45
  Speaker 2: their attention, taking their affection and devotion away from you,
• 1:44:51
  Speaker 2: and discouraging them as they grow weary. But I know
• 1:44:56
  Speaker 2: they desire to walk with you and to f follow
• 1:45:00
  Speaker 2: your leading. Would you strengthen them in this desire. Help
• 1:45:05
  Speaker 2: them to see that you are at work in their life.
• 1:45:10
  Speaker 2: Remind them that hope is a promise, and that through
• 1:45:14
  Speaker 2: faith and confidence that you are working in their life,
• 1:45:20
  Speaker 2: they can find strength and renewal. Remind them of the
• 1:45:24
  Speaker 2: promise of Isaiah forty Verses thirty and thirty one. Even
• 1:45:31
  Speaker 2: youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall.
• 1:45:37
  Speaker 2: But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
• 1:45:41
  Speaker 2: They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run
• 1:45:45
  Speaker 2: and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Amen,
• 1:45:53
  Speaker 2: you're standing on a path that runs alongside the Ford Building.
• 1:45:58
  Speaker 2: This English Gothic style building looks more like a chateau.
• 1:46:03
  Speaker 2: It was built over a hundred years ago, made possible
• 1:46:07
  Speaker 2: by the generosity of its namesake, Henry Ford. A reflection
• 1:46:13
  Speaker 2: pool sits perfectly in the courtyard of the Fort building.
• 1:46:17
  Speaker 2: You walk closer, where you see the old multicolored stone
• 1:46:22
  Speaker 2: reflected in the serenely still water. The deep blue of
• 1:46:26
  Speaker 2: the sky is reflected too, along with clouds that look
• 1:46:31
  Speaker 2: more like piles of cotton candy.
• 1:46:35
  Speaker 3: You walk all the way.
• 1:46:36
  Speaker 2: Up to the reflection pool, crouching down to dip your
• 1:46:40
  Speaker 2: fingers into the cool water, and you are surprised at
• 1:46:45
  Speaker 2: how shallow the reflection pool actually is. The chateau style
• 1:46:51
  Speaker 2: stone building forms a U shape with the reflecting pool
• 1:46:54
  Speaker 2: in the courtyard space. The building itself varies from one
• 1:46:59
  Speaker 2: floor to two and even three and four floors at
• 1:47:02
  Speaker 2: various points. There are arches in nearly every window and
• 1:47:08
  Speaker 2: down the open hallway on the short side of the building.
• 1:47:12
  Speaker 2: The arches are painted white, as is the mortar holding
• 1:47:16
  Speaker 2: the stone securely in place, and the arches stand out
• 1:47:20
  Speaker 2: crisply against the dark stone. You pause for a moment
• 1:47:26
  Speaker 2: to imagine that thousands of students who have walked these
• 1:47:29
  Speaker 2: halls and sat in this courtyard over the past twelve decades,
• 1:47:34
  Speaker 2: the stories that have been told, the time spent, how
• 1:47:39
  Speaker 2: much purpose and use has been found in these spaces.
• 1:47:45
  Speaker 2: As you walk away from the Ford Building, you decide
• 1:47:50
  Speaker 2: it is time to head up Lavender Mountain on your
• 1:47:53
  Speaker 2: journey to the reservoir. Lavender Mountain is located three miles
• 1:47:59
  Speaker 2: up from the main campus where you began exploring. You
• 1:48:03
  Speaker 2: are lucky to catch a ride on a golf cart
• 1:48:06
  Speaker 2: that serves as a shuttle, offered by a staff member
• 1:48:09
  Speaker 2: who helps keep the grounds of the campus pristine for
• 1:48:12
  Speaker 2: travelers like yourself. The kind elderly gentleman who drives you
• 1:48:17
  Speaker 2: up points out little paths along the three mile stretch,
• 1:48:22
  Speaker 2: sharing his own stories from the decades he has spent
• 1:48:25
  Speaker 2: caring for these woods. When you reach the end of
• 1:48:30
  Speaker 2: the three mile drive, he drops you off at a lodge.
• 1:48:34
  Speaker 2: Just before he drives away to return to his grounds
• 1:48:37
  Speaker 2: keeping work. He invites you to make yourself at home
• 1:48:41
  Speaker 2: in the lodge, welcoming you to hot coffee or a
• 1:48:45
  Speaker 2: cool glass of water, if either suits your desire. The
• 1:48:50
  Speaker 2: hospitality is a hall mark of the generous Southern culture.
• 1:48:54
  Speaker 2: You offer a smile of thanksgiving, and he drives away.
• 1:49:00
  Speaker 2: You can't help but first take a few moments to
• 1:49:03
  Speaker 2: admire the stunning architecture of the Mountain campus. It is
• 1:49:07
  Speaker 2: as beautiful as the buildings you first explored, yet different
• 1:49:12
  Speaker 2: and nearly every way. You learn these buildings were built
• 1:49:16
  Speaker 2: to reflect the architecture of a French manner. The buildings
• 1:49:20
  Speaker 2: are tall, all brick and neatly painted white. The brownish
• 1:49:26
  Speaker 2: orange roofs are steeply angled. They are regal and yet simple.
• 1:49:33
  Speaker 2: You learn that these buildings were built for and long
• 1:49:37
  Speaker 2: used as a dairy form, and you imagine the glory
• 1:49:41
  Speaker 2: of cattle enjoying the vastness of this lovely mountain. It
• 1:49:46
  Speaker 2: reminds you of another psalm in Chapter fifty, verses ten
• 1:49:51
  Speaker 2: and eleven, where the Psalmist, writing from the perspective of
• 1:49:56
  Speaker 2: your majestic God, writes, for all the animals of the
• 1:50:00
  Speaker 2: forest or mine, and I own the cattle on a
• 1:50:04
  Speaker 2: thousand hills. I know every bird on the mountains, and
• 1:50:10
  Speaker 2: all the animals of the field are mine. One of
• 1:50:15
  Speaker 2: the first things you see at the start of the
• 1:50:17
  Speaker 2: trail is an old mill. It sits atop a stream
• 1:50:22
  Speaker 2: where water still flows. You notice a brise sign with
• 1:50:26
  Speaker 2: an inscription and walk closer to read more about this
• 1:50:30
  Speaker 2: surprising structure tucked up the mountain. From the sign, you
• 1:50:37
  Speaker 2: learn that this old mill was constructed in nineteen thirty
• 1:50:41
  Speaker 2: and was used to produce corn meal for the people
• 1:50:44
  Speaker 2: who lived on the mountain. The iron hub in the
• 1:50:48
  Speaker 2: center of the wooden wheel was a gift to the
• 1:50:51
  Speaker 2: miller and was moved to this spot under the direction
• 1:50:55
  Speaker 2: of Henry Ford. The mill itself is boosted as one
• 1:51:00
  Speaker 2: of the largest in the world, with a diameter of
• 1:51:04
  Speaker 2: forty two feet. You admire the stone structure built to
• 1:51:08
  Speaker 2: supported along with the little stone house like space built
• 1:51:13
  Speaker 2: right next to it, where you imagine much of the
• 1:51:17
  Speaker 2: work was done during its years of operation. There is
• 1:51:22
  Speaker 2: one more thing of note on the side, indicating its
• 1:51:26
  Speaker 2: purpose and history, and you learn that the water flowing
• 1:51:29
  Speaker 2: in the stream you stand next to is water from
• 1:51:33
  Speaker 2: a reservoir. You pause for a moment, recognizing the value
• 1:51:38
  Speaker 2: of all that is stored up in the reservoir, and
• 1:51:42
  Speaker 2: you ask God to give you a heart that stores
• 1:51:44
  Speaker 2: his faithfulness the same way, God, we give you glory
• 1:51:51
  Speaker 2: for your goodness and your unending kindness. Help us to
• 1:51:56
  Speaker 2: see more of you, Help us to store up hope
• 1:51:59
  Speaker 2: to draw on in times of need. You follow a
• 1:52:04
  Speaker 2: trail that leads you up toward the reservoir. You pause
• 1:52:09
  Speaker 2: briefly to give thanks to God for a beautiful day.
• 1:52:14
  Speaker 2: The sun is shining brightly in the sky, and the
• 1:52:18
  Speaker 2: warmth feels comforting on your cheeks and shoulders. It is
• 1:52:22
  Speaker 2: a welcomed dichotomy to the cool, consistent autumn breeze. The
• 1:52:29
  Speaker 2: path begins with the steady incline and soon begins to curve.
• 1:52:35
  Speaker 2: You follow the curve and find yourself quickly tucked away
• 1:52:38
  Speaker 2: on the lovely Mountain trail. Your favorite part of fall
• 1:52:43
  Speaker 2: is now in full view. The changing leaves are vibrant
• 1:52:48
  Speaker 2: and varied. While you notice some degree of color at
• 1:52:52
  Speaker 2: the bottom of the mountain, now you see it covering
• 1:52:55
  Speaker 2: the trail of trees. You notice several types of oaks, large,
• 1:53:02
  Speaker 2: looming and dense. They fill the forest with different shades
• 1:53:07
  Speaker 2: of orange and bright reds. And there is your favorite,
• 1:53:12
  Speaker 2: the yellowing elm that looks like sunshine. Falling as the
• 1:53:16
  Speaker 2: breeze claims dozens of leaves and drags them to the ground.
• 1:53:22
  Speaker 2: You see the copper color of the changing pine needles
• 1:53:26
  Speaker 2: and the steadiness of the evergreen, creating the backdrop and
• 1:53:29
  Speaker 2: causing the contrast. You find so delightful in the leaves
• 1:53:33
  Speaker 2: that change as you walk. You delight in the fact
• 1:53:39
  Speaker 2: that there is beauty and change. While you don't always
• 1:53:43
  Speaker 2: like change in your own life, you remember now as
• 1:53:47
  Speaker 2: you admire the changing leaves, that God has a purpose
• 1:53:51
  Speaker 2: in every season, even here. Even now, you consider the
• 1:53:58
  Speaker 2: ways that change has brought trial and uncertainty. You continue
• 1:54:04
  Speaker 2: your hike on the lovely trail, experiencing the peace and
• 1:54:08
  Speaker 2: beauty of birds chirping and leaves rustling beneath your feet.
• 1:54:13
  Speaker 2: You continue admiring the leaves and take time to appreciate
• 1:54:17
  Speaker 2: the variety of shades you have seen, shades of orange, yellow,
• 1:54:22
  Speaker 2: and red found as you journeyed on the trail. Although
• 1:54:29
  Speaker 2: from a distance the colors seem to be the same,
• 1:54:33
  Speaker 2: up close, when you pick up fallen leaves from the
• 1:54:36
  Speaker 2: ground and compare them to others you have kept along
• 1:54:38
  Speaker 2: the walk, you see it clearly they are different, nuanced,
• 1:54:44
  Speaker 2: ever changing, even when falling from the very same tree.
• 1:54:49
  Speaker 2: The path seems to be curving again, and with this
• 1:54:54
  Speaker 2: curve you see a break in the trees. You feel
• 1:54:58
  Speaker 2: the spring of hope inside you that perhaps this curve
• 1:55:03
  Speaker 2: is the last on the path to the reservoir. As
• 1:55:07
  Speaker 2: you come around the corner, it's clear you have made
• 1:55:11
  Speaker 2: it to your journey's destination. You stand in admiration as
• 1:55:16
  Speaker 2: you gaze upon the reservoir. It is just as beautiful
• 1:55:20
  Speaker 2: as you imagined it would be. The reservoir is vast,
• 1:55:26
  Speaker 2: covering fifty five acres of lavender mountain, holding millions and
• 1:55:31
  Speaker 2: millions of gallons of water. As you stand from your
• 1:55:35
  Speaker 2: spot on the trail, Looking out over the reservoir, you
• 1:55:39
  Speaker 2: find it hard to conceive such an incredible amount. You
• 1:55:45
  Speaker 2: consider how, for over one hundred years this reservoir has
• 1:55:50
  Speaker 2: provided water for the many who live on the mountain.
• 1:55:54
  Speaker 2: You consider how it has sustained life and provided renewal,
• 1:55:59
  Speaker 2: how it has offered security and nourished plants and animals.
• 1:56:03
  Speaker 2: This vast collection of water has been filled and refilled
• 1:56:08
  Speaker 2: over and over, and without fail, it has been drawn
• 1:56:12
  Speaker 2: upon for nourishment and sustenance. Once again, you imagine what
• 1:56:19
  Speaker 2: your life would be like if stored within you was
• 1:56:23
  Speaker 2: a reservoir of hope. You consider how you could offer
• 1:56:27
  Speaker 2: faith and confidence and trust in God to those who
• 1:56:32
  Speaker 2: were down and in need of strength. You could offer
• 1:56:36
  Speaker 2: it to yourself too, looking to God in times of
• 1:56:41
  Speaker 2: need to find endurance that sustained you through trying times.
• 1:56:47
  Speaker 2: Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble
• 1:56:52
  Speaker 2: and fall. But those who hope in the Lord will
• 1:56:55
  Speaker 2: renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.
• 1:57:00
  Speaker 2: They will run and not grow weary, they will walk
• 1:57:05
  Speaker 2: and not be faint. Picture the reservoir of hope that
• 1:57:10
  Speaker 2: God is deepening in your life. He has always provided
• 1:57:15
  Speaker 2: for you in the past, and imagine how these experiences
• 1:57:19
  Speaker 2: can fill your reservoir with confidence that God will be
• 1:57:23
  Speaker 2: faithful again. Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for being a
• 1:57:31
  Speaker 2: God of hope. In a broken world where there is
• 1:57:35
  Speaker 2: so much that needs to be made right, we look
• 1:57:38
  Speaker 2: to you and hope, believing that you are still at
• 1:57:43
  Speaker 2: work to renew and restore all things. Please help this
• 1:57:48
  Speaker 2: precious listener to keep their focus on you, not just
• 1:57:54
  Speaker 2: when things are going their way, but when times are hard.
• 1:58:00
  Speaker 2: Help them to trust in You, their gracious God. Thank
• 1:58:05
  Speaker 2: you for the gift of sleep. Help them to rest
• 1:58:09
  Speaker 2: well tonight that tomorrow they may rise and live their
• 1:58:13
  Speaker 2: life to bring you praise. In the name of Jesus,
• 1:58:18
  Speaker 2: I pray, Amen, look to God for hope in times
• 1:58:24
  Speaker 2: of trouble. Lean on him when the challenges of life
• 1:58:28
  Speaker 2: are overwhelming. Store up experiences of His faithfulness like a reservoir,
• 1:58:35
  Speaker 2: and your hope will never run dry. Abide in Christ,
• 1:58:45
  Speaker 2: Dearest Heavenly Father, our God of hope and peace. I
• 1:58:52
  Speaker 2: come to you tonight on behalf of your child, this
• 1:58:56
  Speaker 2: child whom you love and in whom you are well pleased.
• 1:59:02
  Speaker 2: I ask that you would bless them tonight as they rest.
• 1:59:06
  Speaker 2: Bless their mind as they lie down to sleep, granting
• 1:59:10
  Speaker 2: them the gift of a peaceful, undistracted mind. God, I
• 1:59:17
  Speaker 2: know that there are likely many things fighting for their attention,
• 1:59:22
  Speaker 2: taking their affection and devotion away from you, and discouraging
• 1:59:28
  Speaker 2: them as.
• 1:59:28
  Speaker 3: They grow weary.
• 1:59:31
  Speaker 2: But I know they desire to walk with you and
• 1:59:34
  Speaker 2: to follow your leading. Would you strengthen them in this desire,
• 1:59:40
  Speaker 2: Help them to see that you are at work.
• 1:59:43
  Speaker 3: In their life.
• 1:59:45
  Speaker 2: Remind them that hope is a promise, and that through
• 1:59:49
  Speaker 2: faith and confidence that you are working in their life,
• 1:59:55
  Speaker 2: they can find strength and renewal. Remind them of the
• 2:00:00
  Speaker 2: of Isaiah forty Verses thirty and thirty one. Even youths
• 2:00:07
  Speaker 2: grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall.
• 2:00:12
  Speaker 2: But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
• 2:00:16
  Speaker 2: They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run
• 2:00:20
  Speaker 2: and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint. Amen,
• 2:00:28
  Speaker 2: you're standing on a path that runs alongside the Ford Building.
• 2:00:33
  Speaker 2: This English Gothic style building looks more like a chateau.
• 2:00:38
  Speaker 2: It was built over a hundred years ago, made possible
• 2:00:42
  Speaker 2: by the generosity of its namesake, Henry Ford. A reflection
• 2:00:48
  Speaker 2: pool sits perfectly in the courtyard of the Ford Building.
• 2:00:53
  Speaker 2: You walk closer, where you see the old, multi colored
• 2:00:56
  Speaker 2: stone reflected in the serenely still water. The deep blue
• 2:01:01
  Speaker 2: of the sky is reflected too, along with clouds that
• 2:01:06
  Speaker 2: look more like piles of cotton candy. You walk all
• 2:01:10
  Speaker 2: the way up to the reflection pool, crouching down to
• 2:01:15
  Speaker 2: dip your fingers into the cool water, and you are
• 2:01:19
  Speaker 2: surprised at how shallow the reflection pool actually is. The
• 2:01:25
  Speaker 2: chateau style stone building forms a U shape with the
• 2:01:29
  Speaker 2: reflecting pool in the courtyard space. The building itself varies
• 2:01:34
  Speaker 2: from one floor to two and even three and four
• 2:01:37
  Speaker 2: floors at various points. There are arches in nearly every
• 2:01:41
  Speaker 2: window and down the open hallway on the short side
• 2:01:45
  Speaker 2: of the building. The arches are painted white, as is
• 2:01:50
  Speaker 2: the mortar holding the stone securely in place, and the
• 2:01:54
  Speaker 2: arches stand out crisply against the dark stone. Pause for
• 2:02:00
  Speaker 2: a moment to imagine that thousands of students who have
• 2:02:03
  Speaker 2: walked these halls and sat in this courtyard over the
• 2:02:07
  Speaker 2: past twelve decades, the stories that have been told, the
• 2:02:12
  Speaker 2: time spent, how much purpose and use has been found
• 2:02:17
  Speaker 2: in these spaces. As you walk away from the Ford building,
• 2:02:24
  Speaker 2: you decide it is time to head up Lavender Mountain
• 2:02:28
  Speaker 2: on your journey to the reservoir. Lavender Mountain is located
• 2:02:34
  Speaker 2: three miles up from the main campus where you began exploring.
• 2:02:38
  Speaker 2: You are lucky to catch a ride on a golf
• 2:02:40
  Speaker 2: cart that serves as a shuttle, offered by a staff
• 2:02:43
  Speaker 2: member who helps keep the grounds of the campus pristine
• 2:02:47
  Speaker 2: for travelers like yourself. The kind elderly gentleman who drives
• 2:02:52
  Speaker 2: you up points out little paths along the three mile stretch,
• 2:02:58
  Speaker 2: sharing his own stories from the decades he has spent
• 2:03:01
  Speaker 2: caring for these woods. When you reach the end of
• 2:03:05
  Speaker 2: the three mile drive, he drops you off at a lodge.
• 2:03:10
  Speaker 2: Just before he drives away to return to his groundskeeping work,
• 2:03:14
  Speaker 2: he invites you to make yourself at home in the lodge,
• 2:03:18
  Speaker 2: welcoming you to hot coffee or a cool glass of water,
• 2:03:22
  Speaker 2: if either suits your desire. The hospitality is a hall
• 2:03:26
  Speaker 2: mark of the generous Southern culture. You offer a smile
• 2:03:31
  Speaker 2: of thanksgiving and he drives away. You can't help but
• 2:03:37
  Speaker 2: first take a few moments to admire the stunning architecture
• 2:03:40
  Speaker 2: of the mountain.
• 2:03:41
  Speaker 3: Campus.
• 2:03:42
  Speaker 2: It is as beautiful as the buildings she first explored,
• 2:03:46
  Speaker 2: yet different in nearly every way. You learn these buildings
• 2:03:51
  Speaker 2: were built to reflect the architecture of a French manner.
• 2:03:55
  Speaker 2: The buildings are tall, all brick and neatly painted white.
• 2:04:00
  Speaker 2: The brownish orange roofs are steeply angled. They are regal
• 2:04:05
  Speaker 2: and yet simple. You learn that these buildings were built
• 2:04:11
  Speaker 2: four and long used as a dairy form, and you
• 2:04:15
  Speaker 2: imagine the glory of cattle enjoying the vastness of this
• 2:04:20
  Speaker 2: lovely mountain. It reminds you of another psalm in Chapter fifty,
• 2:04:26
  Speaker 2: verses ten and eleven, where the Psalmist, writing from the
• 2:04:30
  Speaker 2: perspective of your majestic God, writes, for all the animals
• 2:04:35
  Speaker 2: of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle
• 2:04:39
  Speaker 2: on a thousand hills. I know every bird on the mountains,
• 2:04:45
  Speaker 2: and all the animals of the field are mine. One
• 2:04:50
  Speaker 2: of the first things you see at the start of
• 2:04:52
  Speaker 2: the trail is an old mill. It sits atop a
• 2:04:56
  Speaker 2: stream where water still flows. You notice a brise sign
• 2:05:01
  Speaker 2: with an inscription, and walk closer to read more about
• 2:05:05
  Speaker 2: this surprising structure tucked up the mountain. From the sign,
• 2:05:12
  Speaker 2: you learn that this old mill was constructed in nineteen
• 2:05:15
  Speaker 2: thirty and was used to produce corn meal for the
• 2:05:19
  Speaker 2: people who lived on the mountain. The iron hub in
• 2:05:23
  Speaker 2: the center of the wooden wheel was a gift to
• 2:05:26
  Speaker 2: the miller and was moved to this spot under the
• 2:05:30
  Speaker 2: direction of Henry Ford. The mill itself is boasted as
• 2:05:35
  Speaker 2: one of the largest in the world, with a diameter
• 2:05:39
  Speaker 2: of forty two feet. You admire the stone structure built
• 2:05:43
  Speaker 2: to supported along with the little stone house like space
• 2:05:48
  Speaker 2: built right next to it, where you imagine much of
• 2:05:52
  Speaker 2: the work was done during its years of operation. There
• 2:05:57
  Speaker 2: is one more thing of note on the sign indicating
• 2:06:01
  Speaker 2: its purpose and history, and you learn that the water
• 2:06:04
  Speaker 2: flowing in the stream you stand next to is water
• 2:06:08
  Speaker 2: from a reservoir. You pause for a moment, recognizing the
• 2:06:13
  Speaker 2: value of all that is stored up in the reservoir,
• 2:06:17
  Speaker 2: and you ask God to give you a heart that
• 2:06:19
  Speaker 2: stores his faithfulness the same way, God, we give you
• 2:06:25
  Speaker 2: glory for your goodness and your unending kindness. Help us
• 2:06:31
  Speaker 2: to see more of you, help us to store up
• 2:06:34
  Speaker 2: hope to draw in times of need. You follow a
• 2:06:40
  Speaker 2: trail that leads you up toward the reservoir. You pause
• 2:06:44
  Speaker 2: briefly to give thanks to God for a beautiful day.
• 2:06:49
  Speaker 2: The sun is shining brightly in the sky, and the
• 2:06:53
  Speaker 2: warmth feels comforting on your cheeks and shoulders.
• 2:06:57
  Speaker 3: It is a.
• 2:06:57
  Speaker 2: Welcomed dichotomy of the cool, consistent autumn breeze. The path
• 2:07:05
  Speaker 2: begins with the steady incline and soon begins to curve.
• 2:07:10
  Speaker 2: You follow the curve and find yourself quickly tucked away
• 2:07:14
  Speaker 2: on the lovely mountain trail. Your favorite part of fall
• 2:07:18
  Speaker 2: is now in full view. The changing leaves are vibrant
• 2:07:23
  Speaker 2: and varied. While you noticed some degree of color at
• 2:07:27
  Speaker 2: the bottom of the mountain, now you see it covering
• 2:07:30
  Speaker 2: the trail of trees. You notice several types of oaks, large,
• 2:07:38
  Speaker 2: looming and dense. They fill the forest with different shades
• 2:07:42
  Speaker 2: of orange and bright reds. And there is your favorite,
• 2:07:47
  Speaker 2: the yellowing elm that looks like sunshine. Falling. As the
• 2:07:51
  Speaker 2: breeze claims dozens of leaves and drags them to the ground,
• 2:07:57
  Speaker 2: you see the copper color of the changing pine needs
• 2:08:01
  Speaker 2: and the steadiness of the evergreen, creating the backdrop and
• 2:08:04
  Speaker 2: causing the contrast. You find so delightful in the leaves
• 2:08:08
  Speaker 2: that change. As you walk. You delight in the fact
• 2:08:14
  Speaker 2: that there is beauty and change. While you don't always
• 2:08:18
  Speaker 2: like change in your own life, you remember now as
• 2:08:22
  Speaker 2: you admire the changing leaves, that God has a purpose
• 2:08:27
  Speaker 2: in every season, even here, Even now, you consider the
• 2:08:33
  Speaker 2: ways that change has brought trials and uncertainty. You continue
• 2:08:39
  Speaker 2: your height on the lovely trail, experiencing the peace and
• 2:08:43
  Speaker 2: beauty of birds chirping and leaves rustling beneath your feet.
• 2:08:48
  Speaker 2: You continue admiring the leaves and take time to appreciate
• 2:08:52
  Speaker 2: the variety of shades you have seen, shades of orange, yellow,
• 2:08:58
  Speaker 2: and red found as you journeyed on the trail. Although
• 2:09:04
  Speaker 2: from a distance the colors seem to be the same,
• 2:09:08
  Speaker 2: up close, when you pick up fallen leaves from the
• 2:09:11
  Speaker 2: ground and compare them to others you have kept along
• 2:09:14
  Speaker 2: the walk, you see it clearly they are different, nuanced,
• 2:09:19
  Speaker 2: ever changing, even when falling from the very same tree.
• 2:09:25
  Speaker 2: The path seems to be curving again, and with this
• 2:09:29
  Speaker 2: curve you see a break in the trees. You feel
• 2:09:33
  Speaker 2: the spring of hope inside you that perhaps this curve
• 2:09:38
  Speaker 2: is the last on the path to the reservoir. As
• 2:09:42
  Speaker 2: you come around the corner, it's clear you have made
• 2:09:47
  Speaker 2: it to your journey's destination. You stand in admiration as
• 2:09:51
  Speaker 2: you gaze upon the reservoir. It is just as beautiful
• 2:09:55
  Speaker 2: as you imagined it would be. The reservoir as vast,
• 2:10:01
  Speaker 2: covering fifty five acres of lavender mountain, holding millions and
• 2:10:06
  Speaker 2: millions of gallons of water. As you stand from your
• 2:10:10
  Speaker 2: spot on the trail looking out over the reservoir, you
• 2:10:14
  Speaker 2: find it hard to conceive such.
• 2:10:17
  Speaker 3: An incredible amount.
• 2:10:20
  Speaker 2: You consider how, for over one hundred years this reservoir
• 2:10:25
  Speaker 2: has provided water for the many who live on the mountain.
• 2:10:29
  Speaker 2: You consider how it has sustained life and provided renewal,
• 2:10:34
  Speaker 2: how it has offered security and nourished plants and animals.
• 2:10:39
  Speaker 2: This vast collection of water has been filled and refilled
• 2:10:43
  Speaker 2: over and over, and without fail, it has been drawn
• 2:10:48
  Speaker 2: upon for nourishment and sustenance. Once again, you imagine what
• 2:10:54
  Speaker 2: your life would be like if stored within you was
• 2:10:58
  Speaker 2: a reservoir of hope. You consider how you could offer
• 2:11:03
  Speaker 2: faith and confidence and trust in God to those who
• 2:11:08
  Speaker 2: were down and in need of strength. You could offer
• 2:11:11
  Speaker 2: it to yourself too, Looking to God in times of
• 2:11:16
  Speaker 2: need to find endurance that sustained you through trying times.
• 2:11:22
  Speaker 2: Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble
• 2:11:27
  Speaker 2: and fall. But those who hope in the Lord will
• 2:11:30
  Speaker 2: renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.
• 2:11:36
  Speaker 2: They will run and not grow weary, they will walk
• 2:11:40
  Speaker 2: and not be faint. Picture the reservoir of hope that
• 2:11:46
  Speaker 2: God is deepening in your life. He has always provided
• 2:11:50
  Speaker 2: for you in the past, and imagine how these experiences
• 2:11:54
  Speaker 2: can fill your reservoir with confidence that God will be
• 2:11:58
  Speaker 2: faithful again. Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for being a
• 2:12:06
  Speaker 2: God of hope. In a broken world where there is
• 2:12:10
  Speaker 2: so much that needs to be made right, we look
• 2:12:14
  Speaker 2: to you and hope, believing that you are still at
• 2:12:18
  Speaker 2: work to renew and restore all things. Please help this
• 2:12:24
  Speaker 2: precious listener to keep their focus on You, not just
• 2:12:29
  Speaker 2: when things are going their way, but when times are hard.
• 2:12:35
  Speaker 2: Help them to trust in You, their gracious God. Thank
• 2:12:41
  Speaker 2: you for the gift of sleep. Help them to rest
• 2:12:44
  Speaker 2: well tonight that tomorrow they may rise and live their
• 2:12:49
  Speaker 2: life to bring you praise. In the name of Jesus,
• 2:12:53
  Speaker 2: I pray, Amen, look to God for hope and time
• 2:13:00
  Speaker 2: of trouble. Lean on Him when the challenges of life
• 2:13:03
  Speaker 2: are overwhelming. Store up experiences of His faithfulness like a reservoir,
• 2:13:10
  Speaker 2: and your hope will never run dry. Abide in Christ,
• 2:13:21
  Speaker 2: Dearest Heavenly Father, our God of hope and peace. I
• 2:13:27
  Speaker 2: come to you tonight on behalf of your child, this
• 2:13:31
  Speaker 2: child whom you love and in whom you are well pleased.
• 2:13:37
  Speaker 2: I ask that you would bless them tonight as they rest,
• 2:13:41
  Speaker 2: Bless their mind as they lie down to sleep, granting
• 2:13:46
  Speaker 2: them the gift of a peaceful, undistracted mind. God. I
• 2:13:52
  Speaker 2: know that there are likely many things fighting for their attention,
• 2:13:57
  Speaker 2: taking their affection and devotion away from you, and discouraging
• 2:14:03
  Speaker 2: them as they grow weary. But I know they desire
• 2:14:07
  Speaker 2: to walk with you and to follow your leading. Would
• 2:14:12
  Speaker 2: you strengthen them in this desire, Help them to see
• 2:14:16
  Speaker 2: that you are at work.
• 2:14:18
  Speaker 3: In their life.
• 2:14:20
  Speaker 2: Remind them that hope is a promise, and that through
• 2:14:24
  Speaker 2: faith and confidence that you are working in their life,
• 2:14:30
  Speaker 2: they can find strength and renewal. Remind them of the
• 2:14:35
  Speaker 2: promise of Isaiah forty verses thirty and thirty one. Even
• 2:14:41
  Speaker 2: youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall,
• 2:14:47
  Speaker 2: But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
• 2:14:51
  Speaker 2: They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run
• 2:14:55
  Speaker 2: and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Amen,
• 2:15:03
  Speaker 2: you're standing on a path that runs alongside the Ford Building.
• 2:15:08
  Speaker 2: This English Gothic style building looks more like a chateau.
• 2:15:13
  Speaker 2: It was built over a hundred years ago, made possible
• 2:15:17
  Speaker 2: by the generosity of its namesake, Henry Ford. A reflection
• 2:15:23
  Speaker 2: pool sits perfectly in the courtyard of the Ford Building.
• 2:15:28
  Speaker 2: You walk closer, where you see the old, multi colored
• 2:15:31
  Speaker 2: stone reflected in the serenely still water. The deep blue
• 2:15:37
  Speaker 2: of the sky is reflected too, along with clouds that
• 2:15:41
  Speaker 2: look more like piles of cotton candy. You walk all
• 2:15:46
  Speaker 2: the way up to the reflection pool, crouching down to
• 2:15:50
  Speaker 2: dip your fingers into the cool water, and you are
• 2:15:54
  Speaker 2: surprised at how shallow the reflection pool actually is. The
• 2:16:00
  Speaker 2: chateau style stone building forms a U shape with the
• 2:16:04
  Speaker 2: reflecting pool in the courtyard space. The building itself varies
• 2:16:09
  Speaker 2: from one floor to two and even three and four
• 2:16:12
  Speaker 2: floors at various points. There are arches in nearly every
• 2:16:16
  Speaker 2: window and down the open hallway on the short side
• 2:16:20
  Speaker 2: of the building. The arches are painted white, as is
• 2:16:25
  Speaker 2: the mortar holding the stone securely in place, and the
• 2:16:30
  Speaker 2: arches stand out crisply against the dark stone. You pause
• 2:16:35
  Speaker 2: for a moment to imagine that thousands of students who
• 2:16:38
  Speaker 2: have walked these halls and sat in this courtyard over
• 2:16:42
  Speaker 2: the past twelve decades, the stories that have been told,
• 2:16:47
  Speaker 2: the time spent, how much purpose and use has been
• 2:16:51
  Speaker 2: found in these spaces. As you walk away from the
• 2:16:57
  Speaker 2: Ford Building, you decide it is time to head up
• 2:17:01
  Speaker 2: Lavender Mountain on your journey to the reservoir. Lavender Mountain
• 2:17:08
  Speaker 2: is located three miles up from the main campus where
• 2:17:11
  Speaker 2: you began exploring. You are lucky to catch a ride
• 2:17:15
  Speaker 2: on a golf cart that serves as a shuttle, offered
• 2:17:18
  Speaker 2: by a staff member who helps keep the grounds of
• 2:17:21
  Speaker 2: the campus pristine for travelers like yourself. The kind elderly
• 2:17:26
  Speaker 2: gentleman who drives you up points out little paths along
• 2:17:31
  Speaker 2: the three mile stretch, sharing his own stories from the
• 2:17:35
  Speaker 2: decades he has spent caring for these woods. When you
• 2:17:40
  Speaker 2: reach the end of the three mile drive, he drops
• 2:17:43
  Speaker 2: you off at a lodge just before he drives away
• 2:17:46
  Speaker 2: to return to his groundskeeping work. He invites you to
• 2:17:50
  Speaker 2: make yourself at home in the lodge, welcoming you to
• 2:17:54
  Speaker 2: hide coffee or a cool glass of water, if either
• 2:17:57
  Speaker 2: suits your desire. The hospitality is a hall mark of
• 2:18:02
  Speaker 2: the generous Southern culture. You offer a smile of thanksgiving,
• 2:18:07
  Speaker 2: and he drives away. You can't help but first take
• 2:18:12
  Speaker 2: a few moments to admire the stunning architecture of the
• 2:18:15
  Speaker 2: mountain campus. It is as beautiful as the buildings you
• 2:18:19
  Speaker 2: first explored, yet different and nearly every way. You learn
• 2:18:25
  Speaker 2: these buildings were built to reflect the architecture of a
• 2:18:28
  Speaker 2: French manner. The buildings are tall, all brick and neatly
• 2:18:33
  Speaker 2: painted white. The brownish orange roofs are steeply angled. They
• 2:18:39
  Speaker 2: are regal and yet simple. You learn that these buildings
• 2:18:45
  Speaker 2: were built for and long used as a dairy form,
• 2:18:50
  Speaker 2: and you imagine the glory of cattle enjoying the vastness
• 2:18:54
  Speaker 2: of this lovely mountain. It reminds you of another song
• 2:19:00
  Speaker 2: in Chapter fifty, verses ten and eleven, where the Psalmist,
• 2:19:05
  Speaker 2: writing from the perspective of your majestic God, writes, for
• 2:19:10
  Speaker 2: all the animals of the forest are mine, and I
• 2:19:13
  Speaker 2: own the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every
• 2:19:18
  Speaker 2: bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the
• 2:19:21
  Speaker 2: field are mine. One of the first things you see
• 2:19:27
  Speaker 2: at the start of the trail is an old mill.
• 2:19:31
  Speaker 2: It sits atop a stream where water still flows. You
• 2:19:35
  Speaker 2: notice a brise's sign with an inscription and walk closer
• 2:19:39
  Speaker 2: to read more about this surprising structure tucked up the mountain.
• 2:19:46
  Speaker 2: From the sign, you learn that this old mill was
• 2:19:49
  Speaker 2: constructed in nineteen thirty and was used to produce corn
• 2:19:54
  Speaker 2: meal for the people who lived on the mountain. The
• 2:19:57
  Speaker 2: iron hub in the center of the wooden wheel was
• 2:20:00
  Speaker 2: a gift to the miller and was moved to this
• 2:20:04
  Speaker 2: spot under the direction of Henry Ford. The mill itself
• 2:20:10
  Speaker 2: is boasted as one of the largest in the world,
• 2:20:13
  Speaker 2: with a diameter of forty two feet. You admire the
• 2:20:17
  Speaker 2: stone structure built to supported along with the little stone
• 2:20:22
  Speaker 2: house like space built right next to it, where you
• 2:20:26
  Speaker 2: imagine much of the work was done during its years
• 2:20:29
  Speaker 2: of operation. There is one more thing of note on
• 2:20:34
  Speaker 2: the side indicating its purpose and history, and you learn
• 2:20:39
  Speaker 2: that the water flowing in the stream you stand next
• 2:20:41
  Speaker 2: to is water from a reservoir. You pause for a moment,
• 2:20:47
  Speaker 2: recognizing the value of all that is stored up in
• 2:20:50
  Speaker 2: the reservoir, and you ask God to give you a
• 2:20:54
  Speaker 2: heart that stores his faithfulness the same way. God, God,
• 2:21:00
  Speaker 2: we give you glory for your goodness and your unending kindness.
• 2:21:05
  Speaker 2: Help us to see more of you, Help us to
• 2:21:09
  Speaker 2: store up hope to draw in times of need. You
• 2:21:14
  Speaker 2: follow a trail that leads you up toward the reservoir.
• 2:21:19
  Speaker 2: You pause briefly to give thanks to God for a
• 2:21:22
  Speaker 2: beautiful day. The sun is shining brightly in the sky,
• 2:21:28
  Speaker 2: and the warmth feels comforting on your cheeks and shoulders.
• 2:21:32
  Speaker 2: It is a welcomed dichotomy to the cool, consistent autumn breeze.
• 2:21:39
  Speaker 2: The path begins with the steady incline and soon begins
• 2:21:43
  Speaker 2: to curve. You follow the curve and find yourself quickly
• 2:21:48
  Speaker 2: tucked away on the lovely mountain trail. Your favorite part
• 2:21:52
  Speaker 2: of fall is now in full view. The changing leaves
• 2:21:57
  Speaker 2: are vibrant and varied. While you noticed some degree of
• 2:22:01
  Speaker 2: color at the bottom of the mountain, now you see
• 2:22:05
  Speaker 2: it covering the trail of trees. You notice several types
• 2:22:11
  Speaker 2: of oaks, large, looming and dense. They fill the forest
• 2:22:16
  Speaker 2: with different shades of orange.
• 2:22:18
  Speaker 3: And bright reds.
• 2:22:20
  Speaker 2: And there is your favorite, the yellowing elm that looks
• 2:22:24
  Speaker 2: like sunshine. Falling as the breeze claims dozens of leaves
• 2:22:28
  Speaker 2: and drags them to the ground. You see the copper
• 2:22:33
  Speaker 2: color of the changing pine needles and the steadiness of
• 2:22:37
  Speaker 2: the evergreen creating the back drop and causing the contrast.
• 2:22:41
  Speaker 2: You find so delightful in the leaves that change as
• 2:22:47
  Speaker 2: you walk. You delight in the fact that there is
• 2:22:50
  Speaker 2: beauty and change. While you don't always like change in
• 2:22:54
  Speaker 2: your own life, you remember now as you admire the
• 2:22:58
  Speaker 2: changing leaves, that God has a purpose in every season,
• 2:23:04
  Speaker 2: even here. Even now, you consider the ways that change
• 2:23:09
  Speaker 2: has brought trials and uncertainty. You continue your hike on
• 2:23:15
  Speaker 2: the lovely trail, experiencing the peace and beauty of birds
• 2:23:20
  Speaker 2: chirping and leaves rustling beneath your feet. You continue admiring
• 2:23:25
  Speaker 2: the leaves and take time to appreciate the variety of
• 2:23:28
  Speaker 2: shades you have seen. Shades of orange, yellow, and red
• 2:23:34
  Speaker 2: found as you journeyed on the trail. Although from a
• 2:23:40
  Speaker 2: distance the colors seem to be the same. Up close,
• 2:23:44
  Speaker 2: when you pick up fallen leaves from the ground and
• 2:23:47
  Speaker 2: compare them, to others you have kept along the walk,
• 2:23:50
  Speaker 2: You see it clearly. They are different, nuanced,