God in all things, Photography, Scenery, Travel

Gifts

This is a photo of the primary school in Las Ollas, Panama where we had clinic the last 2 days of our recent trip there. As you can see, it was a beautiful setting. Actually, I was set up with a working space that was an pen area between 2 classrooms but under the roof. So in addition to the view, I had a pleasing breeze all day long.

I always return from a service trip feeling like I have received more than I have given. I think this is at least in part what is meant in the Sermon on the Plain: “Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.” Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭38‬

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God in all things, Photography, Scenery, Travel

Sunrise, Sunset

This sunset photo was taken on Cadillac Mountain in Acadia NP. It is the highest point on the East Coast. It is a famous place to watch sunrise because of the view and the fact that for half of the year, it is the first place in the US where you can see the sunrise.

Unfortunately, that also makes it a difficult place to watch the sunrise. The Park Service issues permits to drive to the top and the ones for sunrise sell out as soon as they become available.

I heard that sunset was just as spectacular as sunrise at the top but just not as popular. So we drove up in the late afternoon to watch the sunset. And it was certainly spectacular!

How often do we do something because it is what everyone else is doing?

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God in all things, Photography, Scenery, Travel

Patience

This is a photo of the Bar Island Trail, part of the Acadia National Park. At least, this is the location of the trail, but it happens to be disappearing underwater at the moment. It is only accessible during low tide. Good luck if you cross over to the island and don’t return before the tide rises!

God always answers our prayers, but not always when we expect an answer. Doors open and close, but often only in hindsight (if ever) does the timing make sense. Faith and patience go hand in hand.

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God in all things, Photography, Scenery, Travel

Bubbles

This is a photo of Bubble Pond in Acadia National Park. I like that these rocks in the ponds look like they could be the bubbles. The actual Bubbles are hills, not visible in this photo. They stand about 800 high.

Bubbles could represent many different things in our lives: joys, blessings, trials, disappointments. Life is full of “bubbles”, some are big and some not. See them for what they are.

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God in all things, Photography, Scenery, Travel

Trust

Blessed are those who trust in the Lord; the Lord will be their trust. They are like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: It does not fear heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; In the year of drought it shows no distress, but still produces fruit. Jeremiah‬ ‭17‬:‭7‬-‭8‬

(Photo: Carriage trail bridge over New Duck Brook, Acadia NP)

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God in all things, Photography, Scenery, Travel

Persistence

This is a photo of Beaver Ponds in Acadia NP. As we explored around the water, we saw this large beaver dam holding the water back.

Busy as a beaver. I’ve seen beavers at work and a more accurate phrase may be persistent as a beaver. I realize the alliteration is missing so it doesn’t have the same ring to it. But I’ve come to think of persistence as more of a virtue than busyness. Persistence implies an intentionality whereas busyness sounds like doing random things for the sake of being busy. Persistence also seems linked to another biblical virtue, patience.

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God in all things, Photography, Scenery, Travel

Light

This is the Egg Rock Light Station; the island named for the abundance of seabirds’ nests and eggs found there. The original Light Station was built in 1875. The current lantern house was built in 1986; there is also a separate fog station building which dates to 1904.

We are called to be light for the world. Light to provide guidance, sometimes in the form of warning. But always to show God’s love.

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