God in the countryside!

Yesterday I finally got around to doing something I had planned to do on my time of sabbath; I got in the car and drove out into the countryside. I ended up going not more than 20 minutes from home! What a beautiful part of Canada we live in; we are so blessed and on this particular day I appreciated that blessing all the more.

I drove along the roads, ventured into a dairy farm and stopped to capture images of horses grazing; I looked into the muddy waters of the Humber River and I hiked the trails of one of the local conservation areas. In all of that I experienced the presence of God through all of my senses: what I saw, heard, smelled and felt. There was a gentle breeze; the sun was shining; the air was clear; there was little traffic; often there was only silence. No distractions; what a privilege to experience the wonder and awe of a God!

I stopped and asked a farmer if I could photograph his barn and his cows. He was most hospitable and welcoming, so willing to share his story and his passion for dairy farming. He'd been on this farm since he was born in 1921; his family had been among the first settlers in King township. It was time to open the gate and let the cows out to pasture. They could obviously sense that there a stranger in their midst; their stare spoke volumes; "who are you and what are you doing?" The herd for the most part, though, just kept going; they moved together, one following the other. I wondered if there wasn't a lesson there in what community should be all about!

Horses are so majestic as they stand so confidently. I enjoyed the moments I spent at this particular stop on my journey. I watched them graze; I saw a colt go up and start nursing from his mother; some of them lay on the ground and others ran through the field. They came right up to the fence wanting to become friends; what an example of trust! Again something we can learn more about as human beings!

Finally, I enjoyed my walk through one of the wooded conservation areas. The path went along through the forest; there was a boardwalk through the marshy area; the trail went through tall grass. There were birds, flying insects, flowers, flowing water, logs from fallen trees, fungus growing out of the side of those logs, moss, large ferns and much more to see, hear and simply enjoy. There was a blue heron that landed not far from where I was standing; the sounds of red winged black birds; colourful dragonflies; a butterfly; all intricate creatures that show the glory, mystery and wonder of God.

What struck me as I drove back home is how much of this countryside is being lost to development whether residential, industrial or for business centers. That's sad and one day we will regret it. Where is all of our green space going? What will we do when there isn't any left? What's to become of the farmland? Where will the cows and horses graze, if in fact there are any near by at all? And all in the name of progress? Is it really progress? I personally think too much is being lost to call it progress!

It was relatively easy to see God in the countryside. Next week I have to head into downtown Toronto. I am going to do the same exercise there; be attentive and aware of the presence of God and where possible capture it through the lens of my camera. I don't think it will be all that difficult there either! I look forward to sharing those images with you too.

Fungus, Weeds and Dead Pine Needles!

Theological reflection happens anywhere and anytime we might be open to recognizing something that God is revealing to us in a given moment and place. I had that reiterated recently as we spent a few days in Woodstock Vermont.

First, walking along the path from the bottom of Queche Gorge I saw this tree stump that was covered with fugus. At first glance they weren't very attractive; in fact, they appeared to be blights that were quite ugly. However, when I looked closer and made this second photograph I could see how even the fungie were interesting to look at, and that they had their own unique beauty too.

Weeds are very often recognized as out of place in our gardens and covering our lawns. In fact, people often spray to get rid of them or dig them up because they're unattractive and out of place. I saw these Queen Anne's Lace throughout the gorge in Queche and in other spots too. They're everywhere and can be seen as a weed. That's even more true of dandelions; they pop up and grow and take away from the beauty of our well manicured lawns and gardens. And yet they photograph so well in both cases; they have a beauty that is their own; they are intricately made; they are a part of God's beautiful creation.

Along the path there were also hills that were covered with pine needles that had died and fallen from their tree. What use are dried up, dead needles from a pine tree? Would we be tempted to rake them up for the sake of tidiness? And yet, with these dried, brown needles God has formed a carpet of beauty under foot.

There's a lesson there about God and what we perceive about God's creation. Some things, and even some people, may seem to be blights that aren't very attrative and take something away from the rest of God's creation which is so beautiful in our eyes. We make judgements based on our own perceptions and biases of what shows beauty and what doesn't. However, even what see as a blight that is ugly, everything and everyone God creates has their own beauty whether we can recognize it or not; everything and everyone that God creates has value. I thanked God for that fungus, the Queen Anne's Lace, the dandelions and the dead pine needles which reminded me to look beyond what I first see and recognize God's beauty that is everywhere and in everything and everyone!

Photography and the Feast of the "Holy Trinity"

This Sunday is the feast of the Holy Trinity. Like many clergy, I often find it difficult to think of something new to reflect on that might illustrate or explain what this doctrine of the church is all about. This year, with the experiences I've had on my sabbath, I've got a new insight about the Trinity that comes out of my photography.

What am I doing as I take a photograph? I'm capturing an image and recording an experience. The image I create may be the most beautiful piece of art work; I may be using the best camera they make; my lenses may have cost a small fortune; the settings on the camera may well be textbook. However, even with all of that in place, I am unlikely to capture completely the image I am seeing or the experience I am having. Some stunningly beautiful scenes or majestic landscapes or awe inspiring views can only be experiened in that moment in time, in that one place and even in that one spot I may be standing in. I will still take the photograph, though, as incomplete as it may be; and I will still be inspired by the end product; I will feel something of what it felt to stand there in the first place. To be sure, the art of taking photographs will assist in my remembering what the scene looked like and will recall to mind some of the emotions I felt.

The same is true of the Trinity and my experiences of God. When I have the experience, I may write about it or preach about it or even try to capture it through the lens of my camera. But all of the nuances of God being revealed to me will never be complete in and of themselves. And after the fact as I remember what it was like to experience them, they may not seem quite as profound and I may not even be able to put into words what it was like and the impact it had on me and my relationship with God. None of that, though, diminishes how God touched me in that grace filled moment!

There are experiences when I will be more attentive and engaged with God who is the creator like when I'm surrounded by the awe, mystery, wonder and beauty of nature; there are times when I'm more connected with God the redeemer like when I stand in front of a crucifix that looks so real and life like and Jesus is staring right at me; and there are times whe I'm in tune with God the giver of life as I see a mother duck with her ducklings swimming up the stream. The doctrine of the Holy Trinity enables me to experience God in all of God's fullness and to be inspired, challenged, provoked, nurtured and fed in a way that makes a difference in my life and my faith.

Another thing that has struck me is that as I take a photograph there may be someone standing a few feet away taking a photograph of the same image or trying to capture the same emotion. Their photograph may not be the same as mine, and in fact will most likely be different. They may be at a different angle; the sun may be producing a different shadow; their camera may be on a different setting. We're both photographing the same image but it comes out differently for each of us. Neither is better than the other; neither is more beautiful than the other.

The same is true of God and the Trinity. Two of us can have the same spiritual experience side by side and end up seeing and being aware of different aspects of God and what God has to offer. Neither experience is diminished by that reality; each experience is valid; each one is a beautiful moment of grace and blessing as we have been open to receiving what God has offered.

My prayer for myself as I continue to look through the lens of my camera to capture the images of God I experience is that I will be open to recognize the one who is offering it to me and to appreciate too the mystery of God. And my prayer is the same for you in the ways you can connect with God in your journey of life. May we continue to be blessed by God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit ... by God: Creator, Redeemer and Sactifier.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth and sky and sea.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity.

Final days at Kanuga ...

I've been home for a couple of days as I write this post and am remembering back as I look at some of the images I captured on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Kanuga is a sanctuary rich in beauty and abounding in spiritual experiences of God's presence!

On Wednesday, the reading which inspired me through my day was: "Things that are covered up from men in this world will become transparent as globes of crystal." I read this as I was sitting beside one of the falls we stopped at and was particularly inspired as I looked at the crystal clear water flowing past. What struck me is the natural beauty of these falls that inspire such a profound awe. Where did the water start from on it's journey to this particular place; how far has it travelled; where is it headed? And then as my inspirational thought for the day reminded me, this crystal globe I saw in these falls is nothing in comparison to the globe of crystal God has planned in His kingdom! This was but a glimpse of what God has promised; and the truth is, what joy there will be to gaze even more deeply into that transparent globe of crystal that will never be dull and never fade away or dry up. That globe of crystal is eternal; it is everlasting; it will be forever! And how absolutely beautiful it will be!

The other inspiration that stuck me was: "... eternity was not attained by those who bartered time for space but by those who knew how to fill their time with spirit!" That's so true! I was thankful at that moment that I had the gift of an opportunity to have the time to fill with time with spiritual grace. In day to day life, that's not an easy discipline to adhere to; there's always something more to be done; an appointment to keep; a sermon to write; a meeting to prepare for. This time of sabbath is teaching me not to barter my time away but rather to fill my time with the spirit. When my time of sabbath comes to an end, I don't want to give this up but rather incorporate it into my discipline of daily living. I also hope to teach and encourage others to do the same because as we do so there are rich opportunities to experience and know the awesome mystery and beauty of God which is more than we can ever imgine.

These falls say so much to me about God's capacity to create. There was power in the rush of the current over the brink of the falls; there was a mist that was cool and refreshing in the warmth of the sun; and there was a dazzling and glistening light show as the sun stuck the moving water presenting the image of a prism or a sparkling diamond. God is just as powerful, just as refreshing and equally if not more so dazzling than what I experienced at "Hooker Falls". God moves just as swiftly in our world and in our lives too; when the heat is turned up by what we may be experiencing in our lives, the spray of God's love and mercy is refreshing beyond belief; and when we recognize the power of the Holy Spirit in our midst, what an inspiring light show! Whether it's "Hooker Falls" or "Looking Glass Falls" or a trickle of water that has no particular name, as I took their portrait through the lens of my camera, I was truly inspired to give thanks and praise to God and recognize the sacramental moment of grace I was experiencing!

On Thursday and Friday I took some photos of the chapel at Kanuga and reflected on what it means to be the church that God calls us to be. I was drawn to the front door which was open wide and sent an invitation that said, "Please come in, be still and experience the presence of God." I wondered, do we keep our doors open inviting those who pass by to come in and experience the holiness of our sacred spaces? Or, do we keep our doors closed shut and even locked? What messages do we send? We need to be intentional in asking these questions because God calls us to have open doors and to welcome the stranger who tries to enter. On one of our outings we met up with a group of "Bikers for Christ"; I wondered how welcome they would feel in many of our churches; would we pass judgement on them based on how they looked; or would we show hospitality to them, welcoming them into our experience of community. They engaged in conversation with us; I wonder if they came into our circles would we do the same? The scriptural passage that comes to mind is from Hebrews 13: 1,2: "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it." That is the motto of Kanuga and is posted everywhere throughout the conference facility. They know how to open their door and show hospitality; I pray that we as the church may learn that discipline and spiritual practise too! The hymn that speaks this message of hospitality is one of my favorites, "All Are Welcome in this Place":

Let us build a house where love can dwell
And all can safely live,
A place where saints and children tell
How hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions;
Rock of faith and vault of grace;
Here the love of all shall end divisions:
All are welcome, all are welcome,
All are welcome in this place.

A similar thought struck me as I captured this image through one of the windows near the front of the church. I love our stained glass windows which tell the story of our faith. However, coloured glass is another means of shutting ourselves in and others out. When we are worshipping and praying in our sacred spaces, I like to have a window that is clear glass that reminds me that there is a world out there beyond me. As well, I want those who may be outside to be able to look in and perhaps wonder what we are doing, and maybe even venture in to see and experience it for themselves. Just as our stained glass windows tell a story, so too do our windows of clear glass where we are telling the story.

One last image, a very simple image that for me is at the heart of what we do as a worshipping community of faith; this photo of a chalace and plate on the altar. We are a Eucharistic people who gather at the table to be spiritually fed and nurtured in the breaking of bread and the drinking from the cup. I feel very blessed both when I have the opportunity to preside at the Lord's table, and equally when I am on the receiving end too. The bread of life and the cup of salvation remind me of God's real and abiding presence that sustains me, uplifts me and inspires my faith, hope and trust in God who is always there with me. Through such simple bread and wine, such a powerful yet mysterious gift from God. I can so easlily place myself in that upper room with Jesus on the night before He died and experience first hand what Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 11: 23-26: "the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." It is a priviledge and a true blessing from God to participate in this act of communion and thanksgiving!

This time at Kanuga has been a real blessing for me, rich in spiritual experiences and surrounded by beauty and peace. I have made some new friends through the community of photographers who have been together over this week; I have been inspired as a photographer and as a person of faith by the instructors. I feel richly blessed and thank God for this opportunty! And, I am thankful that I can share some of it with you too! I hope that you have been blessed as well!

The blessings of Kanuga, North Carolina ... days 1 & 2

I had said I'd post my bold each week on Friday, but this particular week is so rich in experience that I thought I'd share a mid week entry.

My reflections for this week come out of my experience at Kanuga Conference Centre in North Carolina where I have been attending a photography conference. I’ve met wonderful people; I've received insightful instruction; I've inspired in both my spirituality and my photography; the scenery is awesome; my spirit is being fed; my soul is being nurtured. With each photograph I am making, I try to capture something of what this week has meant to me and the beauty I have experienced within me.

I share these images and reflections with the hope that as I have been blessed by God, that you may also be blessed!

On our first day of the conference, our instructor asked us to take ½ an hour and wander not with our cameras, but simply with our eyes and our hearts open to the pictures that the camera of our souls might take. He said that these images would outlast any photographs we would make and mean all the more to us as a result. It was an interesting exercise to be attentive to the sights, sounds, feelings and emotions; to feel the breeze; to be aware of the brightness of the sun. He was right; without attending to or fiddling with the settings of my camera what struck me was awesome beauty that was so profoundly simple and straightforward. How often do we look around us to be aware of the pictures we don’t need a camera to take or a printer to print? They’re there; I want to be more attentive even when I don’t have my camera with me so that I can see and appreciate the mystery, wonder and amazement of all God has blessed me with.

Ruthanne Ward, the Assistant Curate who works with me at St. Mary’s, Richmond Hill gave me a book as I left on this time of Sabbath appropriately called “The Sabbath” written many years ago by Abraham Joshua Heschel. While I have been here at Kanuga, I read a portion of it each day; and I receive a nugget of wisdom that I then use to guide my experience of the day. On Monday, the quote that stuck me and stayed with me was: “Sabbath is about embracing the presence of an eternal moment.” I photographed that day with that quote in mind; I went out to embrace the presence of my eternal moment that God was revealing to me. That really excited me; my eternal moment!

I was struck by this crucifix just off one of the paths on the grounds. In particular, I was drawn into the look on Jesus’ face; His eyes looking at me; I could just about hear him saying “This is for you my child, this is for you.” Jesus died on that cross for each of us; so that we could have life in all of it’s fullness in a right and restored relationship with God; so that he could rise from the dead and leave an empty tomb behind so that we might have hope.

I was also drawn into Jesus’ hands and His feet; the nails piercing through them; the pain and agony that would have caused. This statue that has been worn down over time sends a timeless message of John 3 vv 16 & 17: God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life. God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

This verse from the hymn “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” sums up my experience so well:

See from His head, His hands, His feet,

sorrow and love flow mingled down;

Did ere such love and sorrow meet,

nor thorns compose so rich a crown.

What a profound gift of God’s grace, love and mercy.

On Tuesday morning, the quote that I hung my day and experience of photographing on said: “Sabbath is about catching spectral glimpses of eternity.” That’s what I wanted today, to catch my glimpse of eternity; and to be sure I did in many moments, scenes and photographs I made.

During the first week of my Sabbath, by uncle who was my godfather died relatively suddenly. We gathered as his family to share our grief, to tell stories, to laugh and to cry as we commended him to God’s care and keeping. Yesterday I posted some of my photos on my Facebook page along with the comment that I felt a rich awareness of and closeness to God. My cousin commented back that the pictures were nice but she couldn’t feel particularly close to God. That’s understandable; grief can certainly cause that.

She was on my mind as I started out my day; I felt a sadness that she and others like her don’t feel close to God; and that so often it’s because of tragedy, death, illness or any other of the myriad of issues that confront us in our lives. I took this picture of the cross on the top of the chapel here at Kanuga for Debbie and others like her. For me it has a poignant message: the cross may be shrouded with things like branches that make it hard to see it; the cross may seem out of focus. However, the cross as a symbol of hope and promise is always there; whether we can see it through the branches or not; whether it’s in focus or not; it is always there!

Whatever we face in our lives, in time we will see again the reflection of the cross that does inspire us to faith, hope and trust in all that God promises us. This is an image of the cross which is across the lake from one of the outdoor chapels. I particularly like it’s reflection in the dark waters of the lake and the ripples too that add texture. The good news of the cross gets reflected back to us when we need it most. I pray for all those who need to see that reflection and experience the blessing of recognizing the hope that is God’s gift to each of us.

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.

Sabbath ... a time for rest, renewal, refreshment and creativity!

I feel very blessed to have these next few months to simply "be", and in that state of "being" to be aware of how much I am in the presence of God. The mystery of God is all around me and yet so often in day to day life I'm so busy and preoccupied that I don't take the opportunity to connect and appreciate the essence of that reality in my life. I am grateful for the opportunity to do so!

When I take a photograph, I'm aware of the beauty in that moment that I'm trying to capture. It may be a flower, a mountain scene, a view of the ocean, a waterfall, an animal, a rainbow, a winter scene or any number of other experiences. In all of them, as diverse as they may be, God is very present and so awe inspiring. Even for that moment, as brief as it may be, I can see and recognize the divine. And, as inadequate as it may be, the photograph captures what it can. The lens of a camera can't totally capture the emotion, or even the stunning beauty. However, with it preserved in time, these pictures can help me recall to mind what it was like to be in that space and to recognize God there with me too.

When I went through some of the pictures I've taken over the years, the 21 on the side panel were one's I chose that represent for me a cross section of photography and spirituality moments I've experienced. It was difficult to pick from the hundreds of shots I have on file. Each picture says something to me; there was a reason I took it; there was an experience that inspired it.

Over the coming months, and I hope into the future too, I will post pictures that I have taken and include some commentary on what they mean to me; what was inspired in me; where and how I experienced the presence of God. I hope that as I share them with you, you too will be drawn into the holiness of my moments. But more importantly, I hope you will be inspired to look for your own moments and capture them in a way that is meaningful to you.