Coexistence in a Swampy World

Coexistence Although definitely not a Maine photo this one is shared because it generated some shareable thoughts. This swampy microcosm was spotted on a South Carolinian plantation while we were visiting family. Drawn to the smug almost gleeful countenance of the alligator and the naive inquisitiveness of the turtles, I immediately thought of Lewis Carroll’sContinue reading “Coexistence in a Swampy World”

Beauty or Burnout?

If we do not believe in God or do not perceive Him as Someone who is interested in our lives, we miss His voice speaking to us through creation’s beauty. Also, at times, our psychic and physical energies have been so overwhelmed and dissipated with the busyness and preoccupations of hectic days that we experienceContinue reading “Beauty or Burnout?”

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”

Every Spring!

As the song goes, “Everything is beautiful in its own way.” These lemon lilies hunker down each fall, endure chilling winter freezes, and faithfully grow back every spring with bright and fragrant beauty. That amazing cycle of transformation and resiliency occurs all around us in the plant kingdom. Although we humans are part of thisContinue reading “Every Spring!”

Wisdom from an Old Owl…

A wise old owl sat on an oak\ The more he heard\ The less he spoke. The less he spoke\ The more he heard\ Why not be like that wise old bird? That bit of proverbial wisdom became my first public “speech” in first grade. Although this particular saying is not attributed to him, KingContinue reading “Wisdom from an Old Owl…”

Unending Beauty

We think of beauty as a quality of someone or something that visually pleases us. Whether or not beauty is intrinsic to something, the saying “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” implies that beauty is subject to personal aesthetics, appreciations, preferences or interests. That also allows certain intangibles such as music or aContinue reading “Unending Beauty”

A Father’s Love

I don’t know him, but I love this guy. It may be cold outside, but it warms my heart to see him huddled and enjoying life with his little family while sharing his knowledge about what he values. He is a good Dad. He has even prepared a picnic and reminds me of our HeavenlyContinue reading “A Father’s Love”

Skating on Thin Ice

“By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast” (Job 37:10). As kids, we loved to skate on a frog pond beside railroad tracks that ran through the middle of our village. While we skated, we warmed ourselves beside, or cooked an occasional hotdog over, a fire of scavengedContinue reading “Skating on Thin Ice”

Feeling rejected?

This bull moose is bellowing disappointment. His amorous advances have just been rejected. We all know how painful and devastating rejection can be. In fact, imaging studies have shown that rejection activates the same area in the brain activated by physical pain. Rejection rears its head in various forms: misunderstandings, criticism, bullying, unreciprocated love, emotionalContinue reading “Feeling rejected?”

The Earth Speaks?

“…ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you;or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? ( JobContinue reading “The Earth Speaks?”