I had spend the afternoon and evening hiking up “Indian Head” mountain near Libby, Montana. After attaining the peak I went further back, exploring the ridgline off trail. I came across this ancient endangered white bark pine that had been struck by lightning. I could tell by the way it was completely twisted and hollow, with only the cambium layer remaining in much of the base. Yet this tree was still producing beautiful needles! I was in awe and have yet to see another tree like it anywhere else! At 5,000 feet above the valley, on top of this windswept ridge she survived. How, I still do not know. But this reminded me of the passage in second Corinthians 4:8-12.

I kept exploring further but as I made my way back shortly after the sun had set I found the tree again. I positioned the moon dead center in the tree while the glow of the blue hour lit up the sides of the ancient bark. The moon looks sunlike because of the setting I had on my camera. It is not photoshopped. One of my favorite images of 2024!