God is everywhere, in everything!

This week has been a wonderful experience of recognizing the presence of the living God through the lens of my camera. As if it's a new theological idea or concept that God is truly everywhere we look around us and in everything we see. That's so simple, and yet so profound at the same time.

The following are some of my images I captured and personal reflections from throughout the week ...

On Saturday morning, at 9:00 am, which is bright and early for me especially on a Saturday morning, I joined the group of photographers I have been meeting with over the past few weeks on an outing to put into practise some of what we have learned. We went to Richmond Green, a park in north east Richmond Hill where there's much to photograph and at different levels too, some up high and others low to the ground.

At first glance, this looks like an old log, and in many ways, that's exactly what it is. However it has it's own story to tell. As I looked at it and photographed it I wondered how old it might be; where did it come from; was it always on this property; what happened to the middle; how long was it alive and healthy before it died? I was captivated by how healthy it looks from the outside, and yet the inside is dead and eaten away. There were other logs around in the same condition and there was something that was captivating about each of them. That can be so true of our human lives too; we have a veneer that looks good, healthy and strong on the outside, and yet our inside is eaten away by the things that stress our lives, perhaps even close to death. In fact, we may not be healthy at all. What do other's see and perceive about us by what they can see with their eyes? What does God know about us, though, because God can see right inside? God can see right through the hole that goes from top to bottom; God knows what eats away at us. The truth is that God can heal the dead wood in our lives and close up the wounds within us.

I was also reminded of the intricate detail of God's creation. These two macro shots show that up close! The first is a photograph of the same log pictured above; the other was taken after a brief rain shower of a leaf that had fallen on the ground. The microscopic detail is so facinating: the crevaces on the wooden log; the differences in colour and texture; the droplets of water on the leaf; the sun sparkling off the water drops; the lines and texture of the leaf itself. How often do we miss such detail because we're too busy in our day to day lives. Do we look down at the ground very much to see the smallest of leaves; do we look into the crevaces of a tree trunk to see it's age; do we stop and appreciate that which seems small and insignificant? Sometimes those are the very things that speak of God's glory in a way that the obvious and grand things can't. I want to keep my eyes open and attentive to the intricate detail and beauty that shows so beautifully the image of God the creator.

This cross is in the quiet garden behind St. Luke's Anglican Church in Creemore, Ontario. The way the sun was shining was perfect to capture the shadow in the background. What a statement of faith in the shadow of the cross! There is such hope, promise and good news in the shadow of the cross! Even though this is a beautiful scene of a beautiful cross in a peaceful setting, we know the cross of Christ was anything but beautiful and peaceful. Thankfully, though, we are certain that the message of salvation doesn't end with the pain and suffering of the cross, but in a tomb that's empty and a Lord who is very much alive. Here in the quiet of a garden the cross reminds us of the profound mystery of God's love for us. In the shadow that gift is only amplified! What came to mind was the hymn "In the Cross of Christ I Glory" and in particular the verse:

When the sun of bliss is beaming

light and love upon my way,

from the cross the radiance streaming

adds more luster to the day.

Today is "Earth Day". I was thinking about what it's like to drive up highway 400 north through the Holland Marsh. The soil is so lush and dark; ready for the planting of seeds that will lead to the harvest of different kinds of vegetables that make their way into farmer's markets stalls and eventually on to our dinner tables.

It's sad that there are many places that no longer contribute to the beauty and wonder of creation; they've become unproductive and sometimes even unattractive. In may cases, it's because of what we as human beings have done, or what we've left undone. God called us to be good stewards of His creation; to care for His creation. At times we do anything but care for it; we abuse it; we misuse it; we pollute it; we build new subdivisions, and plazas. And what happens to the trees and flowers; they're destroyed; they wither and die; they are chopped down. And then what happens to the birds and the animals and even ourselves as humans when it comes to the food we eat. Everything is affected, often in the name of advancement and development!

Today is about celebrating the goodness of God's creation and comitting ourselves to preserving the bounty and beauty of what God has blessed us with. We have a role to play; the stewardship of creation can and should be part of our spiritual discipline. What could happen to areas like the Holland Marsh if we aren't the stewards we're called to be? I'd rather not even think of it!

A hymn that comes to mind is "For the Beauty of the Earth" and especially the verses:

For the Beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies,

for the love which from our birth over and around us lies,

Christ our God to thee we raise; this our sacrifice of praise.

For each perfect gift of thine to our race so freely given,

graces human and divine, flowers of earth and buds of heaven,

Christ our God to thee we raise, this our sacrifice of praise.

I feel blessed with what I have seen through the lens of my camera and the reflections that have resulted. I hope that you have been blessed too!

Next week I'm off to a conference in the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina titled "Seeing the Holy: A Common Sense Approach to Digital Photography". I'm sure to see awe inspiring images of God there that I look forward to sharing with you.