Seeing Creation

“Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” –Joshua 1:9

Last Sunday afternoon we got the biggest snow we have received thus far this winter—about five inches.  It was a lovely wet snow and gave me an opportunity to photograph some birds.  I have a bird feeder about ten feet from my bedroom door.  When it snows the birds flock to the feeder and I am able to open the door and actually photograph them while I sit on the bed.  For over two hours I snapped picture after picture of cardinals, chickadees, titmice and other species.  With the snow on the tree branches for a background I was able to capture some beautiful images.   The following day the snow was still on the trees so I thought I’d take some more pictures.  As I had the day before, I opened the bedroom door, set up my camera, and prepared to photograph.  An hour later I had yet to take the first image.  I had seen plenty of birds prior to opening the door but none came back to the feeder once I set up.  What happened?  Why such a big change from the day before?

The best I can figure out, the birds did not cooperate with me on the second day because it had quit snowing.  My guess is that during the snow storm the birds threw caution to the wind and didn’t let the funny looking guy sitting on his bed with his camera frighten them.  They were in survival mode and were willing to take risks they would not normally take. Apparently, storms can cause birds to do things they might not otherwise do.

I’ve discovered that the same thing is true for humans.  When storms come–and I am referring here to more than just the atmospheric kind—we, too, sometimes take risks we wouldn’t otherwise.   When our survival is at stake we often find a courage that is not necessarily there day by day.  In tough times we sometimes surprise ourselves and others with what we are able to do.

I’m convinced that the courage to take risks and rise above the storm is something God gives both man and beast (or in this case, birds).  He gives His beloved creatures both the will and the courage to survive.  This is His gift—a wonderful gift indeed!  Storms are a part of life and is good to know that God has equipped us with what we need to address them.   And if, for some reason, our courage still fails us, He is always there to see us through.  That’s just the kind of God He is!

–Chuck

(I took both of these cardinal pictures last Sunday afternoon here at my house.)

Over six hundred years ago the Italian author and poet, Dante Alighieri, said “nature is the art of God.”  I would be the first to affirm Dante’s sentiment but recently I have been reminded of just how outstanding God’s art revealed in nature is.   The last few days I have been working on scanning slides I took during my first fifteen years of photography.  Last night I worked on some images I captured at Arizona’s famous Coyote Buttes.  Looking at these pictures I found myself once again in awe of the Master Artist’s work.  The sandstone formations and patterns found at Coyote Buttes are mindboggling! 

Looking at the images made me stop and think about all the wonderful “art work” I’ve seen in nature.  I thought about the beauty and symmetry found on a dewy spider web.  I remembered being overwhelmed by the colors and patterns in petrified logs I saw at Petrified Forest National Park.  I thought about the intricate detail and beauty I’ve seen when I’ve looked closely at seashells, flowers and insects.   I remembered with great delight the first time I saw the dancing patterns of the northern lights in Alaska.  All of this led me to think about God’s artwork that few people ever get to see.  Through the lens of a microscope one can find incredible beauty.  At the same time, the Hubble Telescope is constantly sending back images of galaxies and nebula that look like great works of art.  The universe is filled with beauty that few, if any, will ever see!

When I was quite a bit younger Ray Stevens had a hit song that declared “Everything is beautiful in its own way.”  That the world is filled with much beauty simply cannot be denied.  I know some say “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” but for each beholder there is plenty of beauty to see and acknowledge.   As we recognize and enjoy the beauty we see we should offer thanks to the Artist who created it.  The wise writer of Ecclesiastes wrote concerning God, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” (3:11)  There is certainly nothing wrong with pointing to the beauty we see around us but let us not fail to give credit where credit is due.  God deserves to be worshiped and praised for sharing His art with us. 

When I was in New Mexico a couple of months ago I visited the Georgia O’Keeffe  Museum.  I enjoyed looking at her wonderful work but was amazed at how many security personnel were on hand.  It was obvious that the museum recognizes the value of O’Keeffe’s work and is determined to protect it.  I concur that her work is valuable but nowhere nearly as valuable as that produced by our heavenly Father.  For that reason we need to do everything we can to preserve and protect the works of the greatest Artist there is.  Wouldn’t you agree?

–Chuck

(I took the top two pictures at Coyote Buttes in Arizona.  The spider web was photographed in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  The petrified log was photgraphed at Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona.)

“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” –Jesus

I’m embarrassed to admit it but one of the areas of spirituality and Creation Care that I fail at miserably is the consistent practice of the Sabbath.  You might think that this would not be a problem for someone who is a pastor but for me it truly is.  I know that the Bible calls for Sabbath rest for both man and beast, and I am aware that Jesus practiced this himself.  Still, other than a short nap here or there I seldom take time to rest as the Scriptures command.

Dr. Matthew Sleeth believes that’s the renewal of Sabbath rest is crucial to the health of both humans and Creation.  I’ve heard him say that this must become a priority for us if we want to experience the good life and to heal the earth.  Thankfully, Dr. Sleeth is currently writing a book on the subject, called “24/6”,  that is due out this fall.  I know that it is a book I’ll definitely have to read.

A couple of days ago I was reading Stephen Shortridge’s latest book, Deepest Thanks, Deeper Apologies.  In one of the chapters Stephen offered some interesting comparisons between Sabbath rest and rest marks in a musical score.  He writes: “In a piece of music, the notation for ‘rest’ is a pause in the music.  The rest is as important as the note.  The space that is not filled with music is a space that helps frame the music.  It keeps its meter and holds the melody in place.  The musical rest is a positive filling of that space, not a void.”  Shortridge goes on to say, “The composer of the music carefully placed those rests as parts of the whole.  To remove them changes everything about the music: its meter, its interpretation, even the melody.”

You can probably see where all of this is heading.  “God wrote a piece of music—a symphony, so to speak.  Its notes and directives are contained in His Word.  One of those directives is to rest.”  It would seem that a lot of modern individuals, like myself, have been ignoring or editing out God’s “rest marks.” 

Usually each November I join our church choir so I can sing the Christmas cantata with them.  Ask any choir member, and especially the choir director, and they will tell you I am notorious for missing the rest marks.  I typically sing right through them.  This practice messes up the sound the composer had in mind when he or she wrote the music and diminishes the choir’s presentation.  That’s why everyone in the choir insists I mark and remember where the rests are found. 

I’ve already admitted I’m not very good at observing or practicing God’s “rest marks” either.  This causes trouble for me personally, for those around me, and for Creation as well.  As Shortbridge points out, the pauses God calls for in life “are not empty spaces to be filled; they are opportunities to hear from God and be refreshed in His presence.”  He says that it is in the rest, silence and solitude that “we hear the melodies of God, learn His rhythms, and come to know His song.”  I would add to this, it is also where we come to see God in Creation.

Not only is the importance of rest noted throughout the Scriptures, the same message is proclaimed throughout God’s “Other Book”—Creation.  God has placed “rest marks” in the lives of all living things.  In order to survive animals must rest.  In order to thrive plants must rest too.  There’s a sense in which each night the earth comes to rest as well.  As humans we are no different.  Physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally we need rest.  That’s just the way God made us.  When we fail to pay attention to His “rest marks” we suffer, as do all those around us.  I have got to begin paying more attention to the God’s rest marks.  How about you?

–Chuck

(I photographed the whitetail fawn shown above at Shenandoah National Park.  The rhododendron plant was photographed in Tennessee.  I took the picture of my dog, Sierra, in my home.)

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  Romans 8:28

It was about twenty years ago this time I made a life-changing decision.  That decision was to seriously pursue nature photography as a hobby.  I was at a point in my life where I was stressed out and very close to being burned out as a minister.  I desperately needed an outlet and after briefly considering pottery as an option I settled on learning how to photograph nature.  I realize that choosing a hobby probably doesn’t sound like a life-changing decision to a lot of people but it certainly was for me.

Making nature photography an avocation helped me to manage better the stress that is inherent in pastoral ministry.  I really don’t know if I would have been able to continue had I not done so.  Eventually photography would become an extension of my ministry, but that is another story.  When I get a chance to talk to young ministers today I always make it a point to encourage them to make sure to find a good hobby.

The decision to pursue photography also opened the door to a whole new realm of friends.  Many of my dearest friends today are photographers.  My life has been tremendously enriched through getting to know Rob Sheppard, Bill Fortney, Ken Jenkins, Pat O’Hara, Stan Burman and many others.  I actually have more photography friends than I do friends that are pastors.

Even though I loved nature prior to taking up photography I know that I would not have had the many incredible experiences in God’s Creation that I have had were it not  for that choice I made twenty years ago.  To pursue nature photography meant I needed to expose myself to more of nature.  This led to lots of travel and exploration.  A couple of nights ago I had trouble going to sleep so I began reflecting on some of the highlights from my past twenty years of photography.  Before I fell asleep I came to the conclusion that I have to be one of the most blessed persons on earth.  The variety and awesomeness of the places and things I have seen while photographing is almost unbelievable!

Finally, the decision to pursue nature photography has helped me to see the world in a whole new light.  It’s hard to explain but when photography is an important part of your life you just see things differently.  You see more and this is perhaps what has been the most life-changing thing of all.  It’s also the best thing because in the process I have come to see God more clearly in the world around me and this has drawn me much closer to Him. 

Twenty years after the fact I cannot imagine what my life would be like today had I not made the decision I did.  At the time I thought I was just choosing a way to help me deal with stress.  Upon reflection it is obvious that there was a lot more going on than that.  I’m convinced that God was at work in that decision and that He had a plan for my life I knew nothing about.  Today I simply want to share with you my gratitude for that plan and for the God who made it possible.

–Chuck

(I’ve included today some samples of my early photography.  The top two images were made in the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area.  The bottom image was taken in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.)

In Psalm 118:24 we read the words, “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”  I’ve heard these words quoted my entire life.  Usually they were spoken by ministers at the beginning of a worship service.  The Psalmist words are certainly appropriate at such a time, but they are actually words to be affirmed each and every day.  Every single day is a gift from God.  Every day God continues His work of Creation.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said, “The day was God’s first creation, something miraculous and mighty in the hand of God.  For us the day has completely lost its creaturely and wondrous nature.  We use it—and abuse it—but we don’t accept it as a gift.  We don’t live it.”  He also said, “The daily works of God are the rhythms in which creation occurs.”  Bonhoeffer’s words have caused me to recognize anew how every day is a gift from God and also evidence of the Creator’s ongoing work of Creation. 

During Communion at church this morning our two wonderful accompanists played the song “Morning Has Broken.”  The words of this song echo both Psalm 118:24 and Bonhoeffer’s belief that each new day reveals evidence of the Creator’s hand.  The first verse says, “Morning has broken like the first morning, blackbird has spoken like the first bird.  Praise for the singing!  Praise for the morning!  Praise for them springing fresh from the Word!”  The last verse adds, “Mine is the sunlight!  Mine is the morning born of the one light Eden saw play!  Praise with elation, praise every morning, God’s re-creation of the new day!”

I have a feeling that if we could begin each morning reciting Psalm 118:24 and reflecting on the words to “Morning Has Broken” it would go a long way in getting our day off to a good start.  Such a practice would surely lead us to begin the day offering praise to the Giver of all good gifts and would help prepare our eyes to see more of God in the gift of His Creation.  Why not give it a try?

–Chuck

(I’ve included two daybreak  images I captured on my trip to Maine this past fall–the top one from Acadia National Park and the bottom one from Baxter State Park.)

In Psalm 61 David declares that his heart has grown faint.  As a result, he offers the prayer: “…lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.”  (vs. 2-3)  In this petition the Psalmist uses both natural and manmade structures to describe God’s protection and power.  I suspect most of us can relate to David’s prayer.  When we find ourselves down and out we long to be lifted up.  When we are afraid we want to be protected and kept safe.  In God’s Creation we have some visual aids to help remind us that we, like David, have a place to turn to when we’re hurting, afraid or weary.

I happen to live in an area that is prone to flooding.  A couple of years ago we had a severe flood that came quickly and without warning.  Many people had to literally head for the hills to find safety.  When the floods or trying times of our lives come, we too realize the need for a place that “is higher than I.”  We recognize our need for God.  In Him we find the safety, security and protection we need.  When I look at mountains and hillsides I am often reminded of this and give thanks that God is always there for us.

Throughout the Bible you find references to towers.  Towers were used for several different purposes.  Some were agricultural structures where grain could be stored.  They would be like the silos we see on farms in our country.  Towers were also used as route markers to provide direction and as memorials or monuments.  Another use for towers in biblical times was as defensive structures.  From their heights a guard could watch for the approach of enemies and in times of danger people could find protection within the tower.  It is most likely the latter usage the Psalmist had in mind in Psalm 61 when he speaks of God being like a strong tower.  In God David was able to find the refuge he needed as his heart grew faint.

In my travels across America I have been able to see and photograph some pretty impressive natural towers.  Two of the most spectacular ones have been Devil’s Tower in Wyoming and Spider Rock in Arizona’s Canyon de Chelly National Monument.  Such natural towers serve as visual aids helping me remember that God is greater than I and that in Him I, too, can find safety and protection.

I find it amazing how often God’s “other book”—Creation—helps me better understand the Bible.  There are so many things in nature that point to God if we will only pay attention.   The more a person reads and studies the Bible the more often he or she will begin to see the visual aids God has provided for us in Creation.  I strongly believe that Christians should be good students of both of God’s books.  I have dedicated my life to the study of both and hope you have as well.

–Chuck

(The top image shows El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.  The middle image is Spider Rock in Canyon de Chelly National Monument and the bottom image shows Devil’s Tower in Wyoming.)