If these walls could talk, what would they say?
About bodies with bleeding hearts and hands.
Building a home of worship, soft like the Sycamore and their souls,
strong like their grit and gratitude.
Resilience rebounded.
Diligence demanded.
Fragrance of faith and the forest.
Lumber of love and frugal floors of forgiveness.
Simplicity alongside the stream.
As the wind embraces the leaves, the Spirit engulfs the believers.
If the trees could talk, what would they say?
Several sacrificed for this sanctuary.
Broken branches and hearts
Congregate with Christ by the creek.
Everyone is welcomed with open arms.
Traveling the backroads of my soul, some swervy, a few straight, headed to the heart of what matters most. Simplicity. Surrounded by nature, friends, and good music. Fellowship of food & faith. The sights, sounds, and smells of my therapy theme park. Who will gather to hear this kind of music when this generation is gone? It’s not everyone’s cup of coffee, but it puts a spring in my soul. Making new memories; cherishing the past. My resilience rebounded. Health, habits, and homes might change. My heart is fixed.
Sycamore Log Church, built in 1933-nestled in the hills with humility. A simplistic sanctuary stationed by Creation. The Acts of the Gathering meet weekly. Trees, trails, people, and a creek. The Spirit, love, and nature speak.
“Where the river flows everything will live.”
Ezekiel 47:9
“We are in an age of religious complexity. The simplicity which is in Christ is rarely found among us. In its stead are programs, methods, organizations, and a world of nervous activities which occupy time and attention but can never satisfy the longing of the heart.” A.W. Tozer
Pics by K.L. Hale
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Love the Tozer quote Karla and recognize the little building. I grew up with one of those. I would love to visit the little sycamore church as it looks inviting for this back country guy
Gary, it’s your kind of church, people, and place. I just fit, too. The Tozer quote is powerful! Continued prayers and blessings, dear friend.
What a beautiful little church!!!
Thank you!!
Nice church, but I’ve found the most beautiful cathedral to be Mother Nature herself. If you want simplicity, I think she provides the simplest and most direct form of communion with whatever it is that surrounds us that we need to stay in tune with.
Tippy, I’m with you on nature. When I don’t have opportunity to gather somewhere with others, nature IS my sanctuary. I understand.
It was so awesome. We didn’t sit inside. We all sat outside. Thanks for being here, my friend! I appreciate you!
A beautiful place- calming and peaceful
Karla, you have a real gift of spirit conveyed in words. They are genuine depth, not fluff. Healing. The photos are beautiful, I love places like this. Amazing peace. Thank you for sharing your heart.
What a kind and thoughtful message to read, Dale. That’s such an encouragement to me. Thank you! It’s my blessing to share~ it makes my heart happy you love these places too.
Such a sweet and inviting church. Our church visit small. About 30-40 members attend each week. We have been searching for a pastor for over a year and continue to fill the need with a vacancy pastor. We’re eager to find a permanent shepherd. There is plenty of Christian love within the walls in spite of its size.
How precious, Mama K. I like the intimate gatherings. I’ll say a prayer for your search. I’ve had experiences with many different sizes of congregations. This setting is beautiful. It’s too far for me to drive weekly so it’s a blessing to visit. They’re opening up another gathering at a historical school/church just north of Branson, too. I love and appreciate you!
A great post, Karla. That is a beautiful little log church. Is it still in use or a historical landmark. You are right, the music we enjoy will fade away by the second generation. Hopefully they will have come up with meaningful music that speaks to them as ours does to us.
It’s always a delight to see you, Dwight. Yes, it’s in use! They meet weekly~but on nice days, they gather outside. I love that my kids love “older” music. And I know they’ll one day listen to “classics” from the 2000’s? lol
The Ozarks have a rich tradition in Bluegrass and gospel~ it’s in my roots!
We have one that is similar, though not logs. But it is tiny and was the home for the Black community in the 1800s. I believe in simplicity. The thing I hated about church was the moment you appeared, they wanted you to “get involved.” Take classes. Lots of classes. Volunteer. Donate. Collect. But you had to be busy with “church business” all the time. There didn’t seem to be any time for reflection, meditation, or just being with the One. It was like work but without pay.
Thank you for visiting and sharing. The church sounds fascinating.
Recently, I visited a church in which they were so excited I was there, I was “rushed” by several kind ladies. Very well-dressed, friendly, enthusiastic, and at another one I attend, hardly anyone says hello, definitely different…and there’s a coffee bar even.
I’m looking for the quiet place with the flannel section? I’m so intrigued by visiting many places to see how others worship, yet many of my posts reflect my church in the Great Outdoors. It’s interesting how many I meet outdoors that feel similar.
I’m sure you appreciate the Tozer quote. The activities and business of church might hinder. I do appreciate all the workers. My pastor shared about his mental breakdown doing the “business” of church.
Simplicity is beautiful.
What a lovely church. ❤️
MAK, thank you for being here. Anytime I’m in the Outdoors, I think of you 3. That day particularly when I was taking photos. I appreciate and love you 3 very much.♥️
They are such a delight these ‘natural’ places. You know you are closer to God as the trappings are from the heart, not the dressings that this age projects.
Here where I live is a delightful church, just rows of logs in the open, surrounded by palm tree’s and looking out onto the lake. The poor pastor gets to see the faces serenely looking over the water as they listen to his words. But seemingly taken in so much more because of that.
A lovely share Karla, and I love the sunset. A little orange tinge…is it smoke from fires? But God’s country all the same, whichever way you look. Eyes open or closed He is ever there. Big hugs to you and Finn, I hope all is well kind lady. Much love and prayers to you both 🤗❤️🙏
Dear Mark, I smile thinking of your church. How beautiful!
We know that WE are the church. The buildings can be different, but God in us, through us, might be the only “church” people see. But I sure fail! Thank God for grace and mercy.
On that night of sunset, I don’t remember if there were smoke announcements or it was just the way it appeared with the natural elements. Looking towards that direction was a lake view, too. When I saw it, I gasped. It was so beautiful!
It’s been a busy and blessed week, my friend. Appointments and some unscheduled things. Life! I’m so blessed to be here. I’m so happy you’re here and doing your best too. Finn and I send our love and hugs! 🙏🏻💚👏🏻🙌🏻🎶
We are indeed the church Karla, that light and love within us reflecting what we are becoming. And never a fail in you my friend, that love you have opened to is as bright as ever. And currently being polished well with what you face, be they scheduled or unscheduled. And yes…it is life, never a greater love can be found ❤️
And He gave you that sunset, it is its own cross of light for you. And it is amazing the things you begin to see when those other ‘things’ in life no longer seem to matter. He gives us another sight, a view through that love you have found ❤️🙏
Lots of dolphins coming through chasing the schools of fish in the shallows at the moment. And I am determined to get a picture or two. It is difficult because in general you just see a fin bob up and then gone again. They do splash about in the shallows but again the distance makes it difficult. I think I might get a houseboat and sleep out there, invite them over for lunch. That’ll do it 🤣
Take care Karla, you and Finn. May those wanders in God’s nature lift your heart, spirit and soul. Much love to you, and the many sunsets He will share 🤗❤️🙏
Your words are beautiful, my friend. Finn and I think you should get that houseboat! Sure! Pocket change! And then you can have church on the water with the dolphins, too.
By the way, sweet Ginger still can’t respond here. In her email, which was lovely, she giggled over me including the outhouse. I thought she might point that out! I love it. ♥️🙏🏻💕🥰😂
Haha, only Ginger Karla, only Ginger. Another of God’s light sabres 🤣 Glad that this tech world can’t keep that heart quiet, it would indeed be a silent world my friend 😂
And the aqua houseboat church would be fantastic, I should be able to afford it by Christmas….2046 🤗🤣
🤭🤭👏🏻♥️
Spot on, dear Karla. And the Tozer quote is so relevant to our time. But then it will be relevant as long as there are people.
Thank you, dear friend. I appreciate your encouragement, support, prayers, and wisdom, Mitch!
Karla, the Tozer quote is perfect for this time! I love the Sycamore Church, what a sweet place to meet with fellow believers that might be small in number but mighty in Spirit! Your writing always hits a melodic chord in my heart. I love you precious friend, praying always! ❤️🙏🏻
I love you too, Pam! I had this feeling you’d love this ~
You always encourage and lift me. There’s a melodic feeling that comes over me when I’m surrounded by the Spirit in the simplicity of such places. I know you understand this well.
I just completed a devotion of Tozer and I have another book near me.
Give Butch and the rest of your family my prayers and love too. Enjoy your Labor Day weekend! I do hope my comments are showing up on your amazing landscapes. Autumn is my favorite. I need to use Butch’s quotes! ♥️💕💚🙏🏻🥰🤗 I appreciate your prayers always. When I’m here, and not here on WP, the prayers are being felt and answered. 🙏🏻💚
Love the title of your post, Karla and it does seem quite fitting. Beautiful photos and calming words. Hope your weekend is peaceful and pleasant. 🤗💕🌻
Thank you, sweet Michele. I’m so happy you enjoyed it. Ah, peace and pleasant weekend~that’s perfect.I pray yours is too, beautiful friend! I appreciate you! 💕🥰🎶♥️🤗
You’re very welcome kind and caring Karla. Beautiful woman and soul. 💖🤗
🥹♥️💕🤗
Karla-this is beautiful! Every bit of it! The Tozer quote speaks to my heart. I miss simplicity.
And this line ❤️
“Fragrance of faith and the forest.”
Kelley, your words mean so much! Thank you! I’m so happy all of this spoke to you. Simplicity ~ I know you love it, too! Thank you for being a faithful friend and encouragement to me.💚🤗🙏🏻
Yes, I read the comments on The Splendors of Autumn and replied. I hope you received the reply. Enjoy your Labor Day my friend. Thank you for your amazing friendship and your prayers! You are welcome to his quotes anytime!
I don’t think I’m receiving replies, Pam, but I’ll check. I’m so happy you can see them (I’m not able to comment on Reader in my phone, but can on my PC!). I hope you all have a blessed and safe holiday weekend too. Thank you both!♥️💕🙏🏻
It is really weird, Karla. No one else has said they couldn’t. Love you, and prayers and blessing!❤️🙏🏻
Surely I can figure this out. Tee hee. In the meantime, I’ll keep sending love and prayers to you too! ♥️💕🙏🏻🤗
Your journey through simplicity, nature, and fellowship is truly inspiring. I’m deeply grateful for your kindness and friendship.
Your reflections on faith and community are powerful and moving, beautifully capturing the essence of sacrifice and love.
Thank you for sharing such heartfelt thoughts.
May your cherished memories and the spirit of love continue to uplift and guide you.
You are my forever Sister in Christ.
The Log Cabin Church is absolutely Beautiful. I can worship there all day …
Willie, it’s my blessing.
Thank you, brother, for your heartfelt message. Wish we could all meet up there! One day…
I’m blessed to be a part of communities such as this ~and cherish them when I return to even visit. The memories stay. They lift me and inspire me!
I want grit like those that are older have, Willie. Conveniences like today are wonderful, but inconvenience and struggle can grow grit, faith, …and grace!
I’m thankful for you. Many blessings and prayers to you and your precious family. You are loved!♥️🤗🙏🏻🙏🏻
So, is that small cabin church where you all actually gather? I thought it was just a landmark, but it turns out it’s an active church. Wow. Absolutely Wonderful. I bet it’s breathtaking in so many ways to worship there.
They meet each week, Willie. I was blessed to visit! The Acts of the Gathering. Spectacular!
I can stay there all day long. Just praying, reading and maybe even writing. It has to be so inspirational to be in such a place.
That’s exactly how I feel about the woods too, Willie.
I’m jealous 🤗. The pictures you shared and that church , I’m at a lost for words. 🤗
💕🥰🤗
Beautiful pictures too!
Thank you, Brian!
what an awesome post,Karla !!! What an ode to the Jesus of joy and liberation, the Christ of Simplicity. What a magnificent church !! What a joy to the mind and eyes 🙂
Thank you, dear John!! I was thinking of the juxtaposition of our poems~ the maze and the miracles!
An ode to Jesus! I love that! I’m so happy you enjoyed this. Many blessings, my friend. I’m so happy we’re both embracing faith to keep writing and supporting one another.🙏🏻💚
I’ve even bookmarked this one so I can view it at leisure 🙂
that A W Tozer quote is spot on —
🙌🏻💚
That’s a beautiful sight, Karla. Thank you for always sharing your discoveries.
I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Mark! I appreciate you, my friend. It’s my blessing to share!
Love this one Karla.
❤️ With you, sister. Miss you and love you.
Thank you, sweet sister. It’s so good to see you. I miss you and love you, too ❤️
❤️ Been through a few more rounds. Mother Nature healing currently and coming back. ❤️
Laura, I love you. You’re resilient. Embracing healing and faith ♥️🙏🏻
The closer a sanctuary is to nature, and resembles it, the more fragrant the forest, the more at home I feel.
Beautiful, Tanja. This doesn’t surprise me about you. Me too. Home ♥️ thank you for your support and friendship. Have a wonderful Labor Day, my friend.
Thank you, Karla. I wish you the same.
I’m glad I’m so predictable. 😊
You’re welcome, my friend! 🥰
What a wonderful cozy and historical place to worship, Karla. I’ve been thinking of you lots. So glad I looked you up to see what you’ve been up to. love your words “it puts a spring in my soul. Making new memories; cherishing the past. My resilience rebounded. Health, habits, and homes might change. My heart is fixed”. And this is what matters most. Your photos are gifts to the soul. I love you dear one! 💗❣️💓
Dear C, thank you for this beautiful and heartfelt message. I think of you, too. You always give me a lift!
It’s interesting how much I keep recycling my resilience. About the time I feel weak, I rest, and then, rejuvenation or a “pick me up” through answered prayers. I’m always counting my blessings through it all; just as I know you do!
Thank you for your support and love. I love you, C! ❣️💕💛🥰🤗🎶
Such a beautiful place the Lord led you to find,. I love the Poem. You are blessed, Karla
Thank you, Wenda. I’m so happy you enjoyed the poem. I love you! You’re a blessing!
My goodness, I love this church. Thank you, Karla! 💕
Jennie, I’m so happy you love it! It’s my blessing to share! I appreciate you so much! 💕💕💕
😍 ❤️ 🥰
I love little country churches! They provide the refuge we all need…. Always praying for you, Karla!
Thank you, dear Ann. It doesn’t surprise me you love these little churches, too. Your prayers and support are so appreciated, my friend. And reciprocated!
Love the A. W. Tozer quote. This little church reminds me of one my Dad pastored while I lived in Springfield as a little boy. We had to take a gravel road and cross over a creek without a bridge to get to it.
But wait a second…,do I spy a mini split in one of those pictures? Oh my….., that must have been a “dream come true” for some. 🙏🏻
Thank you, C.P. Do you know your Dad just told me that story today? I’m behind on checking on him and you, dear friend. It’s been a busy and wonderful time. I will be catching up!
I noticed the mini split this visit, too. All of us sat outside in lawn chairs. I’m certain many are very happy to have this “modern luxury” on hot days!
I appreciate you so much, C.P.!! 🙏🙏🤗
I would so love to pray in that church. Our local churches are small but 1000 year old stone ones. Our village church needs £250000 worth of work to stop it crumbling and on top of that our part time reverend has to be funded as well. Challenging times. Xxxxx
Often I think of the history around you, dear friend. Such challenges for your village church. The laymen here do not get paid. Their “conceal and carry” is people can take $100 to go out and make a difference in someone’s life; share about it. They gather to hear the truth of the Word and apply it in their lives. I pray for, and think of you 2, a lot my friend. X xxxx
🙏❤️ Amen, Amen! Oh my goodness. The beautiful photos and words touched my heart and soul. The simplicity and spiritual essence of that church is how I feel all houses of worship of all faiths should be. Many are so business-like and money oriented today.
I didn’t realize I was so behind in your posts! Sorry!! I can smell the lumber and hear the birds singing in the lovely church in the woods. ❤️
Aw, thank you sweet C! I understand–you never have to worry about that! I’m so happy you enjoyed it and it evokes all the senses! Many blessings and much love! 💛🎶✝️🤗
Thank you and right back at you!!!
I was a camp counselor through my HS years. A lot of outdoor chapels. Loved it! ❤️
The quote by Tozer was perfect for this post. I would love to read the sermon this was in. The quote gives one a lot to think about. Thank you for sharing your photos of Log Church. I would love to visit there sometime. God bless you today, Karla! 🙏🐾🤗
Thank you, Cindy. I was the same way with the quote. I’ve been digging deep in many books and a wide array of people in my hours of reading. It’s fascinating.
You’d love visiting here I know! They’re opening another historical building/church south of Branson on Sept. 29th. I commend them all for their dedication and hard work in renewing and repurposing these precious buildings for the glory of God! Many blessings to you and Henry! ♥️❤️🙏🏻🐾 I appreciate you!
Well, I discovered that the Tozer quote is taken from his book, The Pursuit of God. Here is a link: https://christianleaders.org/mod/page/view.php?id=38538
Thank you, Cindy. I just pulled out my book, too. You’re a blessing, my friend. 💛❣️🤗✝️🙏
Thank you for your faithful encouragement!
You’re welcome, my friend. Thank you, too, for encouraging messy me! ❣️🤗🙏🤭
I kept signing “Backroad Song” by Granger Smith as I was reading and admiring all of the backroad beauty in your photos. Happy backroading!
I love that song, Rachel! Thank you, my friend, for being here and supporting me. I pray you are all well, dear friend! 🩷🙏
Thank you for the prayers! We had a wonderful first week of school. Sending big hugs and prayers ❤️ 🤗
That’s so wonderful, my friend! It’s my blessing to pray. My prayer journal is so full of such wonderful people like your family. It’s a joy to know you. Last evening I visited with another Momma who has a young man in 2nd grade. I’m going to start substituting very soon–but only for 1/2 days. It will be such a joy! Sending you hugs and prayers, always. 🤗🩷
Oh wow, that’s wonderful! Enjoy every moment!! 💕💕
Thank you, Rachel! ❣️❣️
So peaceful and quiet! All these beautiful images and I get to see the world through your eyes. A privilege in my humble opinion. Love you Karla! Hugs, C
Wow, C. Your words humble me! I love and appreciate you more than you know. I’m so happy you love the “view” from my perspective, just as I love yours. ❤️
Amen. Your testament and Tozar’s quote remind to embrace the simplicity which our Savior offers. His blessed sanctuary appears when we need Him the most. Blessings Karla, and thank you for adding some positivity to the week ahead.
Richard, thank you for your encouragement and support (and prayers!). “Embrace the simplicity which our Savior offers.” In our busy and “frantic” world, I am enjoying that simplicity. Even with new learning, activities, and a new “season”, I’m intentional in finding the peace that only comes from HIM.
I’m so happy this post gave positivity. Many blessings to you and yours. Thank you, again.
Karla, best wishes with your journey back to the classroom as a much-needed guest teacher.
Aww, thank you, Richard. I knew you’d understand!
Hi Karla. Are you still out there? Miss hearing your voice. You good? Looking forward to a new post, anything really 🙂
Dear John, it’s such a pleasure to be back! THANK YOU for your support, prayers, and kindness always!
Tag… I am holistically inspired as always! What beautiful concepts on faith and love. Your photos are so rich and wholesome. Happy new month with infinite blessings Karla.☕️☕️❤️
Thank you, my friend. I always appreciate your kind supportive words and encouragement! Happy November and infinite blessings to you! 💕💚🤗🙏🏻 ☕️
You got it lady! Infinite hugs and blessings to you! Have a superb week and new month!🫠🔆💕
Precious words
Precious place
Precious you
❤️❤️❤️
Thank you, dear Deb. I love you. You’re precious to me, too. 💞❣️❣️