It’s All About the Rocks…

In an illusion of safety, this skiff sat on these large rocks unattended, unsecured, unanchored. Oblivious to threats beyond the distant southern mountains, it sat unprotected, vulnerable to gale force winds, rising tides, and thunderous, crashing surf which unexpectedly but invariably will sweep in and batter the skiff against the rocks. Therein lies a parableContinue reading “It’s All About the Rocks…”

Above the Mountains

J. Greshem Mechen, a Presbyterian theologian and founder of Westminster theological Seminary, was an avid mountain climber. His love for majestic peaks and beautiful vistas included hiking the peaks of Maine mountains. In a 1934 article for Christianity Today, he wrote: “There is far above any earthly mountain peak of vision a God high andContinue reading “Above the Mountains”

A Song for Every Day in The New Year… “You Are Here For Me”

Acadia Mountains across Frenchman’s Bay from Schoodic Point, Maine From rising sun to rising sun The days continually run Your glory rises over the mountains Your splendor sets far out to sea You hold the day between And what You intend for me From rising sun to rising sun The days all run Through theContinue reading “A Song for Every Day in The New Year… “You Are Here For Me””

Unruined Grandeur

In 1877, Jesuit priest Gerard Manley Hopkins wrote the poem “God’s Grandeur,” the first line of which states, ” The world is charged with the grandeur of God.” Soon, colorful lupine will cover Maine fields and roadsides giving testimony to that fact. Nothing can match nature’s beauty. Centuries of prophets, poets, artists, writers, theologians, andContinue reading “Unruined Grandeur”

Morning Songs of the Heart

Do you ever awaken with your soul singing? Matthew Redman did as he contemplated God’s goodness: “The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning. It’s time to sing your song again” (10,000 Reasons). Perhaps a beautiful dawn was the inspiration for the awaking Psalmist who exclaimed, “This is the day the Lord has made.Continue reading “Morning Songs of the Heart”

Open or Closed?

Beyond the fence in the photo lies a magnificent but obscured view of Frenchman’s bay, its islands, boats, and mountains. That wonder can only be accessed through the now closed gate, and we are not invited in. Jesus used a gate as a metaphor in a rather surprising, even shocking parable about some good butContinue reading “Open or Closed?”

Do Mountains Move?

(Moving Mountains 2) Since mountains don’t move unless some external force is exerted upon them,  Jesus’ teaching about moving mountains is puzzling: “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what heContinue reading “Do Mountains Move?”

Moving Mountains

    Majestically rising from the Atlantic Ocean, Acadia’s beautiful mountains  have not moved in thousands of years. We know  they will always be in the very same location whenever we look for them. Unfortunately, life is not as predictable. No matter how considered our decisions, proactive our plans, or rationally sound and intuitive ourContinue reading “Moving Mountains”

A Prayer for the Ukraine and Us

Eons ago, these mountains shook and fell into the sea leaving behind a stark beauty and a strange reminder that out of ashes can come beauty; such an idea is difficult to comprehend while considering the devastation, pain, suffering, injustices, and questions brought on by humanity’s self afflicted wars. Despite the huge outpouring of militaryContinue reading “A Prayer for the Ukraine and Us”

Prayers for the Ukraine and Us

Eons ago, these mountains shook and fell into the sea leaving behind a stark beauty and a strange reminder that out of ashes can come beauty; such an idea is difficult to comprehend while considering the devastation, pain, suffering, injustices, and questions brought on by humanity’s self afflicted wars. Despite the huge outpouring of militaryContinue reading “Prayers for the Ukraine and Us”