Taking the time to see

Today I spent the gorgeous autumn day with family & friends, as we took time to see and notice and pay attention. At the all-day Christian Contemplative Photography workshop (led by Allen & Nancy Penton) we tried to capture photographic images under the guidance of the Holy Spirit within us. Using contemplative exercises and photography assignments in nature, we learned different ways of seeing the created world, expressing that inspired vision through photography and journaling.

 





"Forgotten Fork"

I noticed this fork, which someone had left behind on top of a stone grill. I liked the way the sun played with it - there's even a beautiful reflection of earth and sky where the handle meets the tines. But there it lay . . . forgotten. There was nothing wrong with this implement; it had plenty of potential. As I pondered this photo, I remembered Isaiah 49:15 (NLT) - "Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!" I have a renewed desire to seek out and find those who have in some way been forgotten, laid down, overlooked, or passed by. Lord, help me to discover and call out the treasures of other's lives, and help me to influence others to find life and purpose in you, Jesus!

"Tender Life"

I glanced around to check on my girls, who were sprinkled around the woods nearby, when I spotted a tiny, shin-high evergreen tree with just two branches and a "trunk" bent heavily to one side. It reminded me that so many people are like this tender tree - fragile, vulnerable, downcast, at risk of being damaged or destroyed. I remembered 1 Thessalonians 5:14c and looked it up in two of my favorite translations - "Take tender care of those who are weak" (NLT) and "Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet" (The Message). Lord, give me opportunities to encourage and come alongside those in need of refreshment, strength, or hope, just as You've sent many others to encourage and come alongside me in my times of need.

 

"Blue Flux"

Early in the day I was irresistibly drawn to the blueness and movement of the lake. I love, love, love the way water and light interact. "Flux" is a word with many meanings - it can refer to flowing, movement, continuous change. It can also refer to a substance used to refine metals by combining with impurities to form a molten mixture that can be readily removed. As I pondered the beauty of the blue flux before me, I thought of God's love, presence, and glory - He is all-encompassing, alive, always on the move, beautiful, cleansing, purifying, sustaining, satisfying, flowing, life-giving. I remembered Ezekiel 47:9 (NLT) - "There will be swarms of living things wherever the water of this river flows. Fish will abound in the Dead Sea, for its waters will become fresh. Life will flourish wherever this water flows." I want to live in the place of continual abiding in and awareness of God's love, presence, and glory, and to do what I can to encourage others to receive the only One who can sustain and satisfy the deepest longings of their souls. River of God, flow! Let Your abundant life flourish!

 

It was a beautiful day, and I look forward to the next contemplative photography workshop in the spring. Let me know if you'd like to join us!

 

Mark, Nancy, Beverly, Cascade, me, Allen, Paul, Vinnie, Michael, Joshua, Esther, Karis

Raising the bar

Esther and I just returned from our special mother-daughter trip as part of her rite of passage for 13th birthdays . . . I am so blessed to have had three such trips, one with each of my precious daughters. On each trip we had so much fun together and a totally unique experience!

 

This time as I reflected on our time together, I came away with a heightened awareness of the need to "raise the bar" in my own life. There's a human tendency to coast at times, sometimes because we need rest or refueling, sometimes because we lose sight of the goal, sometimes because something more interesting catches our eye, sometimes because we lose heart. If you know me at all, you know how much I treasure words and don't fling them about casually. The word "B - A - R" was something that emerged from pondering these four special days with Esther at Lake Tahoe. Our time together was characterized by B, beauty . . . A, adventure . . . R, relationships. Thus, I started thinking about where in my life do I need to raise the bar, to rejuvenate, recalculate (as my GPS often does), refocus, or rekindle God-given expectancy?

 

As I was sitting outside enjoying some quiet reflection about this, a neighbor's conversation drifted to my ears, and I heard, "Succulents sense when there's moisture and soft soil, and they put out roots." A succulent is defined as something that is rich in desirable qualities, so full of juice that it has plenty to share with others. This word picture fits very well what I've been pondering in recent years in terms of fulfilling Jesus' mandate to "go and make disciples of all nations." The word "disciple" carries with it lots of connotations, some of them far from complimentary. What would a succulent disciple look like? Someone who is rich in desirable qualities, you know, like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Basically, someone who strongly resembles Jesus. I've known many wonderful succulent disciples in my life and want to do all I can to help others grow rich in these desirable qualities so that they will not only look like Jesus themselves, but also have plenty of sustenance to share with others.

 

Back to the "B - A - R" concept . . . What would it look like to raise the bar of making disciples? Surely it's far more than "clinching the deal," convincing someone to pray the "sinner's prayer." I want to consider where in my life I could provide an environment that is life-giving and inviting so that others will be able to receive sustenance, kindness, and welcome, and want to stay long enough to thrive. Here are some musings on what I noticed this week . . .

 

People are drawn to beauty (not just function). There's something irresistible about shimmering sunsets, luscious lakes, majestic mountains, contrasting chromatics, scrumptious sustenance, colorful creations, moving music . . . God has created us to appreciate and create beauty wherever we go!

People are drawn to adventure (not just existence). There's something in us that craves doing hard things like hiking trails at high altitude, kayaking in ice cold water, riding horses through the woods, driving along twisting mountain roads with no guardrails, just exploring to see what adventure turns up next . . . God has created us for adventure and faith (which is often spelled R-I-S-K)!

People are drawn to relationships (not just religion). Of course the whole point of our trip was to grow our relationship with one another and with the Lord. There were several other relationships begun along the way, all opportunities for love and blessing and prayer . . . the 3-year-old boy in the airport, who was smitten with Esther and her smiles . . . Anya from the Ukraine, who hugged us when we engaged her in a little Russian conversation . . . Brian, our young restaurant server, who opened up to us following our customary, "Is there anything we can pray for you about?" which lead to the sharing of many life stories, where we've been and where we're going. What a privilege for us to meet precious ones such as these who hopefully saw glimpses of God's great love for them. I pray that each one with whom we connect along the way will connect with Jesus, the only One who can fill the longing in our souls. God has created us for relationship - with Him and with one another!

 

Here are some raising-the-bar questions I'm pondering - maybe these will be helpful to you, too . . .

 

How can I better appreciate the beauty in the people and places around me? In what ways can I mark the world with beauty?

Into which adventures is God inviting me? Where do I tend to resist or ignore adventure, and settle for routine or apathy?

How can I invest in the relationships with which I've been entrusted? How open is my heart to pursue relationships with others, especially those I might consider the last, the lost, or the least?

 

John 6:35 (The Message) - "Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with me hungers no more and thirsts no more, ever."

 

My youngest beauty scampering around beside the beautiful lake!

One of our many adventures together

Relationships are priceless!

Storms . . . danger or opportunity?

Last week Karis and I went on our special mother-daughter trip that is a part of our family tradition for 13th birthdays. I will never forget our Arizona adventure! Twice we found ourselves scarily close to thunder and lightning. The first time we were walking along the rim of the beautiful high plateau overlooking the Grand Canyon, with only a few stubby trees nearby. The second time we were riding a ski lift ascending to 11,500 feet . . . when the storm hit, we were maybe 1/3 of the way up, which is when it dawned on us that we were basically sitting ducks in a metal cage! In the first situation, we had a difficult choice - do we do the commonsense kind of thing and flee from danger (and potential mess) immediately, or do we continue our hike in spite of the storm, mustering as much wisdom, courage, and trust in God as we can, knowing that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? In the second situation, our choice was simpler - we could worriedly endure the ride, or we could set our anxieties aside and joyfully appreciate the journey (and savor the scenery!) You have probably figured out what we chose. We had a blast, and in some ways the dangers served only to heighten our excitement and awareness that God was with us.

 

Psalm 46:1 - 3 (ESV) - "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling."

 

These experiences got me thinking . . . where in my life am I tempted to run away from mess or danger? Circumstances can be messy or dangerous. Relationships are almost always messy or dangerous. In whatever storms life brings, I want to pause and remember that maybe God has a higher purpose, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn something or love someone. I don't want to assume that I know what to do when a storm hits. I want to be like Jesus and do only what the Father is doing. That means laying aside assumptions and asking Him. He may want me to take shelter and wait for the storm to pass. But I can't assume that the safe way is the way He wants me to go. He may want me to continue walking in spite of storms. He may send me straight into a storm suited up in a metal cage. It seems to me He likes this last option quite a lot, especially when it comes to relational storms. No matter which way He directs me, I know His way is best. I can trust Him completely. I know this for sure, that when I dare to risk by stepping out in faith, God is already there. He is my refuge, my strength, my very present help in every situation and relationship.