A Wander by Water

Visual Prayer Journal image: assorted papers, 

acrylic, ink, original art prints, and photos.

It could be a steadily streaming creek bed, pulsing white frothed waves, or the glassy mirrored surface of a shore bound lake. 

Water draws me to its banks in all its lulling variations: coursing under bridges, spilling down rocky falls, undulating in rolls against the sand.

Trees forest its banks. Wildlife populate its shores and depths. Humanity casts fishlines, feeds ducks, spreads picnics, and stroll along its banks. A rippled pattern of reflected light in liquid hues of blues, greens, grays, changing with the hour, the season, and the temperament of the sky. An ever morphing panoramic pallet. 

Christine Valters Paintner writes about contemplative walking as “listening to what God has to say to me”. Soulfully “trying to be present to life as it is and respond to the call of the world to your heart”, such that the journey essentially becomes a “mini-pilgrimage”.

A lifetime of walking roads that circle lakes, paths that follow rivers, beaches that edge the ocean’s shores, trails that meander ravines of rocky creeks. Walks charted across every region, strewn across memory, laced together in the continuous sense of sacred presence in the midst of a divinely created world.

Quotations taken from Eyes of the Heart by C. V. Painter

~

Linking with Give Me Grace, Coffee for the Heart, Let Us Grow, Simple Tuesday.

Jeweled Leaves

The jeweled leaves scattered like gems spilling from a chest of treasure, reflected the setting rays of light. How does one see that and not be drawn to kneel low to view so much momentary beauty.

Crawling low to frame the image and catch the light’s stream across the park’s wide yard, clicking repeatedly as the sun slid steadily beyond the horizon. Leaves casting transparent color and curving form against emerald grasses.

In the grass, seated on that carpet of verdant green; how long had it been since I last felt the surface of soft living turf… countless times; walking by this miniature world raising spires of green praise to the sun, to Creator God… me, passing it by without a thought. 

Barbara Brown Taylor writes in An Altar in the World, of Jesus’ walking into the countryside, by the sea, into the desert, and from town to town. This gave Him time to move slowly, to notice the vineyards, to look up into the sycamores, to see the people, the sparrows, the lilies of the field, the bushes seeming to burn brightly, and to hear God’s voice. 

A slower pace can become an act of reverence.

An appreciation of minute details heightens a sense of sacred design and holy presence.

“Remove the sandals from your feet, 

for the place you are standing is holy ground.” 

Exodus 3:5 

Linking with Weekend Whispers, Monday's Musings, and Coffee for Your Heart.

Celebrate Transformation

“For man, autumn is a time of harvest, of gathering together.

For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad.”

Edwin Way Teale ~
Naturalist, Photographer, Pulitzer Prize Winning Author

~

Indications of fall’s transformation begin to accumulate. 

Canadian Geese appeared on the pond, thousands of miles from their home. Two pair, regally adrift on the water’s surface, robust rounded torsos fitted with elegant long necks to facilitate their alert attention. Their gazed followed me with all confidence and mild interest as I passed slowly along the bank. I marvel imagining the distance that I know they have traveled, pondering where they may have “stopped over”  the last time they rested. I address them with soft words of welcome, compliment their migratory feat, and offer travel mercies for the journey still ahead. Within days they are gone. 

Crisp mornings welcome long sleeves pulled from the back of the closet and vapor rising from mugs of hot tea. 

A myriad of seeds and acorn varieties litter the paths, popping as my step breaks numerous shells. 

The first hues of mustard, old gold, school bus yellow build at the edges of hedge rows and tree tops. Nature begins to shed in brilliant golden showers.  

The neighbor’s produce garden looks leggy, over grown. Spindled stems and yellowing leaves serve as scaffolding for spider webs spanning across the rows.

The sun’s rays rise later and its angles fall differently. Briefly the moon burns blood red.

In this season, nature is transformed; widely opening its hand to disperse hope for the next generation and offer sustenance for a darker season. 

How like the transformation that God wills for own lives. 

In collaboration with Him and by His grace, 

as faith grows, the elements of 

generosity {Duet. 15:11}, 

gratitude {Ps.111:1}

love {Lev. 19:34},

joy {Ps. 90:14},

patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control {Gal. 5: 22-23} 

transform our character and therefore, the living of our days. Widely opening our hands to disperse hope and offer sustenance to others.

Linking with Soulful Friday, Still Saturday, and Weekend Whispers. :-)

Savor the Wonder

"We book our days from morning to evening 

and then wonder why they lack succulence and savor... 

I do better being here when I try to be here consciously. 

To see the same world with a stranger’s eyes. 

To walk my neighborhood streets as a visitor might, with a sense of wonder." 

The Sound of Paper by Julia Cameron  

~ 

A six point, white ruffled collar surrounds the yellow face of these early spring risers. Persistent crowds of cheerful petals punctuate the earth all across our region, even though they’re met with freezing rain and crisp wind chill. I marvel at the strength in seemingly fragile stems and velvety blossoms. Their emerging growth joins the smallest hint of buds on our trees. There is the promise of nature’s gathering force for the coming wild splurge of full fledged spring. Intent not to miss the season’s birth, not to miss the closing of winter’s rest, I walk against the freezing wind to allow my soul to savor the wonder of God’s ways.

In Faith,

Lisa

Divine Nature

For since the creation of the world 

God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and 

divine nature 

- have been clearly seen.

Romans 1:20

These words spoke deeply of the experience I encountered  several years ago as I began to nurtured an interest in photography. Images framed by my lens continuously placed me in companionship with God. The reflection of the world in the medium of digital photography illuminated the magnitude of God’s presence on earth and in the creation of ALL things therein.

Royal Hue Heralds Our Lord's Love

Royal Purple 

Hue

 Herald's  

Our Lord's Love!

Surveying spring's emerging color, I find ample evidence of purple's royal hue. Iris, Clover, Tulip, Lupine, Pansy... blooms in various shades of purple's range brave the vacillating temperatures between winter's end and spring's arrival. 

Shades deep, shades pale, shades rosy-red, shades nearly black; announce the season of Lent.
The season of honoring our Lord's sorrow, suffering, and sacrifice offered in love for all of God's people.

The imperial  purple hue derived from the sea, historically obtainable only by those of wealth and royal position, and reserved for occasions of important celebration. Ranging from
deep magenta to indigo blue,
purple reigns in its velvety richness of dense color. 


The early church acknowledged the color's royal, favored status and assigned it to represent the sacred season of Lent. Sanctuary, alter, and clergy may be appointed with elements of purple during worship in this season of the church calendar.

Surveying the emerging spring, my soul recalls the Prince that has given all for me that I may be one  of his people, one of his dearly beloved, one of his chosen ...

“...you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, 

that you may declare the praises of him 

who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 

1 Peter 2:9

Joining stories and pictures gathered over here:

SUNDAY , God-Incidences, and Snapshot and Scripture.

A New Earth

For, lo, I am creating new heavens, 

and a new earth, 

And the former things are not remembered, 

Nor do they ascend on the heart. 

Isaiah 65:17

Linking with those sharing at SUNDAY.

Sundays: Winter Hues

 Expecting only quiet taupe, dark espresso, and soft whites blanketed under winter's sky veils ones seeing. Winter's monotone hues can be surprisingly interrupted. Creation occasionally offers the vibrancy and boldness of bursting color. An offering of provisions during this leaner time. A reminder of the fruit filled seasons ahead. Color rich encouragement that can brighten a winter-dark heart.  Fold the image into your soul as God's gift of loving care.   

Linking with the faithful SUNDAY community at

http://www.jumptandem.net/

God-Incidences

Linking with a community of bloggers who recognize our Lord in the day to day moments and people of our lives.

{Reposting from July 2011, because the moment, the Holy Spirit in this moment, deserves to be shared over and over again.}

Old Dog sprints stiffly to the water’s edge; darting, nose skimming, reading the news of critterdom left on scented surfaces. A banquet of scents hangs in the air to inhale and savor. Bird song, rabbit skittering, and turtle sightings entice Old Dog from branch to brush and then back to the water’s banks.

The beleaguered, burdened human trails behind, mentally distant, unheeding, unseeing. A heavy heart and weighty concerns veil the senses. Dappled light dances across shaded lawn but eyes don’t really see. A canopy of green foliage rustles overhead as breezes shift and sway; but ears don’t really hear.

In time the Old Dog, satiated with the frenzied hunt for smells; settles and revels in the shade, nose attentive to buffeting scents carried on the wind.

A glance toward my Old Dog turns into a full measured pause. It’s clear his aging self has troubles of his own: sight has dimmed, hearing and muscles are much diminished. And yet, I hear the interior Spirit suggest; Notice, your Old Dog knows well enough to be here. He knows well enough to sense the cool of shaded grass on fur free skin, to lift the nose and savor the smells in the breeze, to feel the wind in his fur, and glory in the luxury of that, the divine restoration of that!

I feel my eyes widen, mind stumbling to be alert. I settle in the shade and strive to suspend worry and wrestling to attend. Water rushing over the rocky falls fills the ears.

Wind buffets warm across skin and lifts hair. The essence of wood, wind, and water, the marvel of it all, fills the breath, slows the heart, and quiets thought. Listen for that which one can hear only in spiritual stillness. To see what can only be seen with the soul, to sense the holy in the moment.

                      

 The Spirit of the LORD will be with you to give you understanding, wisdom, and insight.     

   You will be powerful, and you will know and honor the LORD.  

Isaiah 11:2 (CEV)

Human fears lift...

and shift...

reframed by deeper awareness and divine meaning that transforms into peace filled strength.

… to be renewed in the spirit of your minds…  

Ephesians 4:23 (ESV)

Smiling now...,

grateful for the gift received. Old dog and human head home renewed by divine nudging.

A Year of Drought

Like satin,

petals perfectly formed,
gently unfold,
layer by layer

in fragrant display of

buttery splendor
just in time
for autumn's reign.

Our region carries the burden of harsh drought scourged summers. Unrelenting heat burdens daily life and crushes the green right out of our landscapes. Hope hungry inhabitants scan nightly weather reports for a bit of a drizzle that might fall their way. Any plant species lacking the 'grit' of deep, water efficient roots literally become dust.

Then...wait for it [believe me, we do], fall gently begins. 108 chills to 90 and eventually 70 something. Occasional overcast days promise rain, somewhere. And. it. comes. Foliage revives, roots swell, and buds form offering up a final fall burst of green and bloom.

The wait rewarded, thirst quenched.

Is it not so for the heart rooted in Christ?

But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,

whose confidence is in him.

He will be like a tree planted by the water

that sends out its roots by the stream.

It does not fear when heat comes;

its leaves are always green.

It has no worries in a year of drought

and never fails to bear fruit. ~ Jeremiah 17:7-8

Gratitude fills page after page, fills life day by day, fills prayer hour by hour:

636. half moon gleaming in October sky
637. acorns, all varieties littering woodland's floor, offering food storage for winter meals
638. Cardinal stark red against shaded green
640. fall air crisp each morning
648. heavy ground drenching rain
652. Monarch butterflies stop a moment during their transcontinental migration
655. overcast cloud cover and humid air soothes sun scorched land

Amen

{This post is dedicated with much admiration to my friend @Higher Choices.}

Divine Nature ~ Scripture and a Snapshot

Paul’s words in Romans 1:20, expresses my soul’s response to what I see when I look attentively at the world all around me. Images of God's close up, minute beauty even in the Creator’s work that constitutes the burgeoning Holly tree beside our patio showered with rain glistening on the color and form of leaf and berry surfaces.  Fruit ripens red for winter adornment.  Nature’s seed preparing to carry on God’s replenishing plan for our natural world.



Late Augaust Gratitude

Early morning temperatures dip 20 degrees even in our drought stricken southern prairies; a brief reprieve until the climbing sun scorches the earth’s surface back to triple digit temperatures. In gratitude I step out to embrace God’s world at this early hour.

 “Let all the angel throng give thanks to god on high, while Earth repeats the joyful song and echoes to the sky.”   ~ Charles Wesley

535 – Boldly hardy late summer blooms

536 – Briefly clouds sooth over-lit terrain; sensitive eyes rest wide-irised in overcast skies

537 – Late summer trees bearing the promise of autumn fruit

538 – Red Cardinal parading across the fence, returns for three curtain calls, red plumes against weathered wood

539 – Memories of mother on her August birthday

540 - Mockingbirds chasing squirrels, rabbits visiting flower pots

541 - Sharp reflections on glass waters

542 - sun baked rocks along the creek offering sunning decks for wet shelled turtles

543 - Hymns giving voice to praise

“I will joyfully sing in the morning, I will joyfully sing all the day.” Psalm 59             Mary MC Donald

Linking with the Gratitude Community at Holy Experience. Join us for the joy of praise! 

His Devine Nature Clearly Seen...

Morning air rising from watered soil misting cool around my feet.





Slated foot paths and raised timber beds are damp. Else wise there is not a breath of movement among the splendid stalks bearing fragile beauty. Guarded by steep pine forested embankment backed by weathered wood fencing, the shaded refuge teems with majestic blooms.  Captivated by the satin texture, minute ribbing of each petal, and varying hues of color I wander from stalk to stalk framing up each one in the lens.  

Time drifts unnoticed, rare, Spirit full. Silence reveals only the hushed garden sounds which pulse like a heartbeat. Startlingly, the beating presence of a hummingbird arrives on a bloom miraculously inches from my gaze; simultaneously transparent and iridescent.  Wanting only to prolong the viewing I dare not raise the lens. But stare deep, determined to burn its image in limbic memory. Turning with the bird’s flight, musing in reverence I marvel and swell with God’s wondrous ways of extending His presence and glory to His people.

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities

-His eternal power and divine nature-

have been clearly seen.

~ Romans 1:20



Photos in this post were taken on vacation to Pender Island, B.C.



The Soul's Eye

        Before the eye, a gift of Divine craftsmanship.

            This side of the window, classical guitar strums melodies into the silence,

into the heart.  Beyond the glass, bright-white, summer light of the far north in June,

     lights forested foliage in the foreground of undulating mountains of purple hues.

                  

                       Outside the window the spreading fingers of Blue Spruce
bounce on drafts of breeze.

         A new birch stands there too; fraying,

 thin peels of its skin as its trunk bends with the drafts of air.

The two stand tall to frame the window whose full expanse mostly takes in the still waters of a glassy pond. Glassy by turns, alternating with ripples made from beneath and above; ripples of surface-skimming fish feeding on spring’s abundance of insect flotillas, ripples of the wind brushing across this small pool of melted run off.

 White light brilliance cedes to clouded shadows only to return again as clouds traipse across the sky. Cattail growths, wetland steeples of birdsong and nests, merge with the shore as well as spread out to deepening waters.

Of a sudden, the pond’s smooth facade is surprisingly broken by a lone surfacing Loon in brief repose from its fishing tasks, black and white markings glistening in the lighted arena of the pond.  

Plump Lupines in purple pastels punctuate the rolling shoreline in plumes of knee high color. A contrast to these floral spires, the purple Iris sports its white striped petals as “tongues” tasting the nectars of spring.

Both stalks perennial arrivals to spring’s performance around these Adirondack shores; 
much like the human soul whose eyes drink it all in,
basking in natures Divine source.