Tag Archives: Kiawah

God in all things, Photography, Scenery, Travel

Early Rising

If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do its builders labor; if the Lord does not guard the city, in vain does the guard keep watch. In vain is your earlier rising, your going later to rest, you who toil for the bread you eat, when God pours gifts on his beloved while they slumber. Psalm 127:1-2

I read this Psalm recently and was taken aback. I consider myself to be an early riser, and admit that I take some pride in that quality. This Psalm serves as a reminder of where my strength lies.

(Photo: Kiawah sunrise)

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God in all things, Photography, Scenery, Travel

Looking

Despite making many trips to Kiawah Island through the years, I don’t have many sunset photos. That is probably related to two factors: there aren’t as many clear views of the West as there are of the East and sunset is fairly late in the summer when we have always been there. So I was more than happy to stop and get out of the car to take this photo last month.

God is always there. We are not always looking.

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God in all things, Photography, Scenery, Travel

Coincidence?

‭I saw this bird at almost exactly the same spot that I saw two eagles along the beach at Kiawah last year. Coincidence? Probably not.

I’m guessing this is a heron (I don’t pretend to be very knowledgeable about birds). Not really sure what herons and eagles have in common, other than being birds that you can find on the Atlantic Coast.

Our minds seems to work like that, always looking for an association. And it’s natural to assume cause and effect when we do observe an association. Scriptures are full of references to a beautiful and complex world pointing to a Creator. The ultimate cause.

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God in all things, Photography, Scenery, Travel

Odd

Just back from another week at Kiawah Island. I took this picture during a bike ride on the beach. This possum caught my eye as I was biking along. He (or she) was just standing there as the waves kept coming in. It seemed quite odd.

I’m sure I do many things that seem odd to a casual observer. Run long distances for example. Often these can be chalked to everyone being different. But sometimes, we experience a strong calling that we know will make us stand out in a way that can feel odd. Follow that calling anyway.

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God in all things, Photography, Prayer, Scenery, Travel

Finisterre

This photo is one of my favorites from Kiawah Island (and I’ve taken a lot of photos there). I think what I really like is that it suggests a story to be told. A story about someone riding to the end of the world.

On the Camino de Santiago, that place is Finisterre (from the Latin, meaning “end of the world”). There is tradition for pilgrims on the Camino to burn an article of clothing if they hike to Finisterre (about 90 km further after reaching Santiago). This symbolizes the transformation that occur along The Way. Pilgrimage is about seeking transformation by encountering God (burning clothes not required).

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God in all things, Photography, Scenery, Travel

Food

My wife and I were out biking on Kiawah Island when we passed by this area with all these birds. I can’t help but wonder why they were all gathered at that particular moment in time. I assume it has something to do with food. Toss a few crackers on the beach and in no time you’ll have more birds swarming around you than you can count.

I’m not sure human behavior is dramatically different- food can have a similar effect. In the Gospel, Jesus feeds the multitudes. The people pursue him because they “ate the loaves and were filled.” Jesus tells them (and us) there is something far greater to seek (John 6:23-27).

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God in all things, Photography, Scenery, Travel

Taking Flight

This photo was taken at Kiawah Island, during a morning bike ride on the beach. I saw these birds from a distance and assumed (hoped) they would take flight as I approached. For me, there is something mesmerizing about watching birds fly just above the water. I think it is in part because it seems so effortless.

There is something special about watching something (or someone) doing what they were created to do.

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