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Seeing, Doing and Understanding

Cattail on shore of Cherry Creek reservoir; Cherry Creek State Park; Aurora, CO

St Teresa of Avila once said, “Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, Yours are the eyes, you are His body. Christ has no body now but yours,”

As a foot or a hand we can only see what a foot or a hand could see; only one perspective; only one moment. Christ’s body as a whole, however, sees everything as a whole, in focus. We must wait, though, until we meet Christ at His throne to see as He sees.

Jesus knows you want to understand the future; knows you want everything to go as you want it to be. He knows you and exactly what you need. There is no need “to worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself” (Mat 6:34).

We can only see part of the picture, so let’s surrender what is hidden from us to God’s will and say, “I don’t know what is going to happen, but He does and it is going to be great.”

Renew the Face of the Earth

Red-winged Black Bird, Eagle Lake on Chehalis Western Trail, Olympia, WA, USA

And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit ~ ACTS 2:2-4

Dear Holy Spirit,

We pray, that you give us the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (see Galatians 5:22-23) to truly love God and love neighbor as Jesus Christ commanded (see Matthew 22: 34-40 and Luke 10: 25-37) and with this love help us renew the face of the earth.

Amen

#anaturewalkwithGod #ComeHolySpirit

Rejoice in the Lord

Red-breasted Sapsucker, Chehalis Western Trail, Olympia, WA, USA

Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you. ~ Philippians 4:5-9

#anaturewalkwithGod #RejoiceInTheLord

Teach us to Pray

Our Father who art in heaven hallowed by thy name….~ see Matthew 6 and Luke 11

#anaturewalkwithGod #TeachUsToPray

Light Silent Sound

Scenic view of red rocks; Roxborough State Park, Littleton CO

Then the LORD said: Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will pass by. There was a strong and violent wind rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD—but the LORD was not in the wind; after the wind, an earthquake—but the LORD was not in the earthquake; after the earthquake, fire—but the LORD was not in the fire; after the fire, a light silent sound. ~ 1 Kings 19:11-12

How many times in our daily life do we look for the God in the big and glamorous things like the wind, earthquake, and fire? Where is God? He is in the smile of a baby; a quiet moment; a friend to talk to; a walk on a sunny day. God is in the quiet noises that bless our lives everyday.

Where have you heard God’s voice today?

#anaturewalkwithGod #HearHisVoice

Robed in Majesty

Wood Duck (male), Eagle Lake, Chehalis Western Trail, Olympia, WA USA

What does the majestic robe of the Lord look like?

Look at the Lord’s body on the cross and you will see.

His heavenly robe is still there woven with pure love. A love born of humility and sacrifice.

Its colors are bold and inviting …

empathy for the sick, the homeless, the forgotten;

mercy for the sinner;

patience for those that are lost;

guidance for those that seek Him;

counsel for those that need instruction;

courage for those that encounter obstacles;

respect for free will;

justice for the love of the world.

#anaturewalkwithGod #TheRobe

A Beautiful Message

Black-tailed Prairie Dog, Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, Commerce City, CO

This was said by Thomas after seeing the risen Lord. Today, "the most beautiful message comes from Thomas, the disciple who arrived late; he was the only one missing. But the Lord waited for Thomas. Mercy does not abandon those who stay behind." - Pope Francis (Divine Mercy Sunday, 2020)

Let’s strive to be like St. Thomas and let the Lord come after us when we have fallen behind with His arms open wide in mercy.

He Has Risen

Trillium wildflower, Priest Point Park, Olympia, WA USA

#anaturewalkwithGod #HeHasRisen

Blood and Water

The blood of over 250,000 lambs was dumped into the Kidron brook during the typical Passover feast in the first century, according the historian Josephus . The apostle John had been at many Passovers and had seen the water which flowed from the east side of the Temple turn red with blood as the lambs were slaughtered. The significance of blood and water flowing from the side of Jesus was not lost on this apostle as he looked up at the crucified Jesus. John knew, or would soon realize, as the passage from Ezekiel had prophesied, that Jesus was now the new Temple, a living Temple, a Temple where living waters flowed.

Along each bank of the river every kind of fruit tree will grow; their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fresh fruit because the waters of the river flow out from the sanctuary. Their fruit is used for food, and their leaves for healing. ~ Ezekiel 47:12

Let us not forget the sacrifice Jesus made for us. Let us bear the fruit his sacrifice demands, that of loving God and neighbor.

Cascade Falls, Ouray, CO USA

#anaturewalkwithGod #BloodandWater

The Model

*Scenic View of the South Platte River, Pike National Forest*

What is this model Jesus is calling us to follow? This question was probably asked by the disciples 2000 years ago at Jesus’ last supper.

Jesus calls us to be His disciples in His own image and model: “Come after me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Mt. 4:19)

In being Jesus’s disciples and modeling Him, we become a model for others to see Jesus in us: “You are the light of the world. A city on a mountainside cannot be hidden” (Mt. 5:14)

The Lord models for us humility and service by washing his disciples feet and saying, “If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet.” (Jn. 13:14)

However, the greatest of all his examples is the one of sacrificial love and forgiveness Jesus models for us on the cross, as the prophet Isaiah said, “But he was pierced for our sins, crushed for our iniquity. He bore the punishment that makes us whole, by his wounds we were healed.” (Is. 53:5)

This is the model of Christ's own flesh alive in us.

How are you called to model your life after Jesus today?

Have a blessed Holy Week!!!

#anaturewalkwithGod #TheModel

Faith

Rainbow, Olympia, WA,  USA — Rainbow, Olympia, WA, USA

Recently on a beautiful spring evening my wife and I followed this rainbow across Olympia, WA. Rainbows always stir something special inside. This time we followed the rainbow all the way to our neighborhood where it embraced this tree only a couple of blocks from our home.

Rainbows remind me of the grace of the Holy Spirit reaching down from heaven, touching the faith-filled human heart, transforming the heart to be more and more like Jesus. More and more dedicated to love of God and love of neighbor.

Arch from heaven,

mold my heart.

Spirit of heaven,

give me faith.

Light of Heaven

give me hope.

Jesus, Lord of Love,

teach me to use my faith

to live a life of love.

~ see Galatians 5:5-6

#anaturewalkwithGod #Faith

Think about it

Great Blue Heron, Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, WA, USA

Pause for a moment, like this heron. Then ponder the words of John 3:16. Focus for a moment, not on what it means for your future, but on what it tells you of God.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” ~ John 3:16

Think about it...”In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him.” ~ 1 Jn 4:9

As we approach Easter let us contemplate the love of God (see 1 Jn 4:8). It is said that God became man for four reasons:(*)

1) The Word became flesh for us in order to save us by reconciling us with God

~1 Jn 4:10; 1 Jn 4:14; 1 Jn 3:5

2) The Word became flesh so that we might know God's love

~1 Jn 4:9 Jn 3:16, Jn 15: 9-14

3) The Word became flesh to be our model of holiness

~ Jn 15:12; Mk 8:34; Mt 11:29; Jn 14:6; Mk 9:7; Dt 6:4-5

4) The Word became flesh to make us "partakers of the divine nature"

~2 Pt 1:4

Peace be with you as you prepare your heart for Easter.

(*) CCC par 456-460

#anaturewalkwithGod #ThinkAboutIt

This I Seek

Cottontail Rabbit, Highline Canal, LIttleton CO

To gaze on the LORD’s beauty,

to visit his temple.

For God will hide me in his shelter

in time of trouble,

He will conceal me in the cover of his tent;

and set me high upon a rock.

~ Ps 27:4-5 (continued)

Like this Cottontail Rabbit who is ‘praying’ under the shelter of his rock cave, let us ask Jesus to help us grow closer to him in prayer, especially during this time of waiting for Easter. As the disciples of Jesus did for three years, talk to the Lord personally as his friend. Tell the Lord your troubles, open your heart to Him who saves. Ask the Lord to encircle you in the shelter of his arms; to let you rest in his house. Finally, listen with a contrite heart to the God who spoke us into existence.

#anaturewalkwithGod #ThisIseek

Dazzling White

Tenmile Range as seen from Boreas Pass trail, Colorado, USA

Good teachers give their students a vision of the goal, this keeps their student’s eyes on the prize as they do the hard work needed for achievement of the mission.

Jesus, in the transfiguration, gave Peter, James and John a glimpse of the glory of heaven. However, just prior to the transfiguration Jesus instructs his disciples of the hard work they must do to achieve the goal, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”(Mark 8:34) The Father then, during the transfiguration, gives the disciples good advice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” (Mark 9:7)

What glimpses of God’s glory have you had that assist you in taking up your cross and following Jesus?

#anaturewalkwithGod #DazzlingWhite

Children of Light

Green Basilisk Lizard, Muelle San Carlos, Costa Rica

for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth ~ Ephesians 5:9

#anaturewalk #WalkwithGod #ChildrenofLight

Deserted Places

Jesus often went to mountains, deserts and gardens to be alone and pray. Jesus desired a time alone between just him and his Father. Jesus often prayed at length. Before he selected his 12 apostles he prayed for the entire night (see Luke 6:12-13). After the multiplication of the loaves and before he walked on the water and calmed the sea; Jesus prayed from evening until a few hours before day break (see Matthew 14: 22-25).

If Jesus were to walk the earth today, in the time of TV, internet, and all sorts of media and entertainment diversions, where would he go to pray? Where do you go to pray?

Let us spend time each day away from the noise of the modern world and be at peace with God and listen for his light, quiet voice (see 1 Kings 19: 11-13).

Peace be with you!

#anaturewalk #WalkwithGod #DesertedPlaces

As One

Canadian Goose, Highline Canal, Littleton CO.

“We need a movement of people who know we need each other, who have a sense of responsibility to others and to the world. We need to proclaim that being kind, having faith, and working for the common good are great life goals that need courage and vigor.”

(Pope Francis, Let Us Dream: A Path To A Better Future)

#anaturewalk #WalkwithGod #AsOne

Lifted up by Love

Bald Eagle, Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, USA

Some might say it is the strangest of Christian concepts; that love is stronger than hate, that charity can overcome selfishness, that turning the other cheek will conquer evil (Mt 5:39), that loving our enemy is a requirement to living the Christian life (Mt 5:44).

“For God so loved the world” (John 3:16) that he gave himself to be crucified on a cross, not only to save us, but to show us “The Way”. God, being God, could have chosen a different way, but instead choose to show us how to love completely, a giving of one’s self for another.

The trajectory of each Christian’s life, and the Christian community as a whole, should be one of conquering hate with love.

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)

Let us lift each other up by acts of charity done through Love.

St. John Paul II said, “Peace is the outcome of a long and demanding battle which is only won when evil is defeated by good.”

#anaturewalk #WalkwithGod #LiftedUpByLove

The Way

Boardwalk, Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge with Mt Rainier in background, Washington, USA

“The Way” was the name given to the early Christians. These early Christians, or followers of Christ, clung tenaciously to following the path of Jesus. Their sole focus was in living a life of humility and charity by loving neighbor and God and persevering in the path, the way of Jesus, until the end. This life style is illustrated by the following quotes from Justin Martyr (100 AD – 165 AD).

We used to hate and destroy one another and refused to associate with people of another race or country. Now, because of Christ, we live together with such people and pray for our enemies. – Justin Martyr

We ourselves were well conversant with war, murder and everything evil, but all of us throughout the whole wide earth have traded in our weapons of war. We have exchanged our swords for plowshares, our spears for farm tools...now we cultivate the fear of God, justice, kindness, faith, and the expectation of the future given us through the Crucified One....The more we are persecuted and martyred, the more do others in ever increasing numbers become believers. - Justin Martyr

We pray for our enemies; we seek to persuade those who hate us without cause to live conformably to the goodly precepts of Christ, that they may become partakers with us of the joyful hope of blessings from God, the Lord of all. - Justin Martyr

Justin Martyr was born about 30 miles north of Jerusalem in 100 AD. He started a Christian school in Rome and was martyred along with six of his companions in about 165 AD.

The Gift

Teton Mountains as seen from Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA

All things came to be through him,

and without him nothing came to be.

What came to be through him was life,

and this life was the light of the human race;

the light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness has not overcome it. ~ John 1:3-5

Happy New Year!

#anaturewalk #WalkwithGod #TheGift