Tag Archives: Sunrise

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

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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God in all things, Photography, Scenery, Travel

Prodigal

It’s not easily seen, but there is a single bird flying just at the edge of the clouds in the upper left. And several more birds near the center of the photo. I remember taking this picture when I saw the birds flying by. The sunrise was spectacular, but I love getting photos with birds in them. Sort of like the cherry on top of the sundae.

The parable of the prodigal son is really as much about the father, who Is also prodigal. Prodigal can mean to be wasteful or to give lavishly. God gives to us lavishly, like birds flying across the sky during a beautiful sunrise.

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God in all things, Photography, Scenery, Travel

Cycles of Life

This photo was taken one year ago at New Smyrna Beach. For me, that week marked the beginning of the pandemic. I was already following what was going on in other parts of the world in since early February. But that week in March, life as we knew it changed.

It has been striking to hear numerous reviews of the past year, often from very different perspectives. In many ways, it feels like life is finally returning to “normal”. I realize we’re not there yet and it may be difficult to know when we are there.

But I find great comfort in comparing the pandemic to other cycles in life – one sunrise to the next, the four seasons, the succession of generations. And God is present in each.

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God in all things, Photography, Scenery, Travel

Familiar

This is a photo at Big Bend NP at sunrise. At the far left, you can see a formation called the Mule Ears. Why mule ears? It looks as much like many other animals. Personally, I see owl ears.

Mules were used for transporting supplies in the early 1900s in the area. So it makes sense that a mule would be the animal that came to mind.

For me a reminder, look for God in the familiar.

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God in all things, Photography, Scenery, Travel

Paradoxical

On the fourth day of our Utah trip, we drove through the Escalante-Grand Staircase National Monument. We decided to do the hike to the Lower Calf Creek Falls. The falls were certainly beautiful, but this little pond was an unexpected bonus.

It was well after sunrise, but we were in enough of a valley that the water was mostly in shadows. It looked completely different as we hiked back from the falls. More (direct) light resulted in seeing less color. Quite a paradox.

In the Gospels, we are given many paradoxical statements about the Kingdom of God. It is like a mustard seed; it is like yeast. It is like a treasure hidden in a field or a fine pearl. It belongs to the little children. It is in our midst.

The kingdom of heaven is beyond our understanding, yet an everyday experience!

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