Silent Mornings: 2007

Thursday

I try not to think about raking up the leaves and what a mess the landscape is until they're bagged up - but rather... consider that every fallen leaf can whisper in my ear - not merely the greatness of Creation, but of The Creator. May this season - when the trees have their wardrobe change - bring blessing to you and your loved ones.

Tuesday

Bronzed Basin

Fish Lake - Rogue River National Forest

I Stand Alone

Sometimes - like this singular tree set apart in the forest - our inclination is to stand alone. Possibly we need time to step away from the crowd and the madness of life. ...time to slow down... time to listen to our inner self, and commune in Spirit, and time to simply, breathe-in quietness and peace.

At other times, we may separate out of pain and woundedness. Yet, brokenness, disconnectedness, and detachment can interrupt healing. This is why divorce is so devastating. Healing comes through relationship not apart from it.

Community, unity, reconciliation, and humility is the atmosphere in which we find wholeness - where we step into rugged, uncomfortable territory and reclaim what went missing... release judgments... find forgiveness... restore what was fragmented... and ultimately, renew our lives through fresh vision and thanksgiving.

Bright Lights

I recently attended a concert under the stars and thought about how great musical artists (when viewed on stage, under bright lights and thunderous sound effects), seem "bigger than life."

In contrast, some 2000 years ago, the "son of man" came to earth in simplicity and humility. When he returns, all nations will witness his coming in the clouds with great power and glory. The Shofar (trumpet) will sound and he will gather those who believe in Him from the four winds - from one end of heaven to the other (Mt.24). All nations and tribes will witness this event. Billions of angels will burst into the earth's atmosphere and the brightness of His being will be more awesome than any light show you've ever seen - on the earth and in the sky.

Nature's Cathedral

This bubbling stream is a natural cathedral chiseled in a rock bed worn smooth by constant pressure. It filters light through fresh streams and invades cracked spaces to bring life... much like our journey: sometimes turbulent, sometimes peaceful.

Ethereal Forest

Blackness Invaded by Light

Blind billows
Bruise

Brilliant beams
Break

Sylphlike shafts
Streak

Sun's splendor ~
Spectacular

© Bejeva Likean

Saturday

Interruption

Sit a while... peruse a book... chat with a friend... contemplate wonder and the mysteries of life.

Tuesday

He Stills the Storms to a Whisper ~ Ps 107:29

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour:
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan His works in vain:
God is His own interpreter
And He will make it plain.

Henry Cowper, eighteenth-century Poet

Friday

Stand of Trees (Prospect)

If you looked straight across - eye level - at this raging river it would appear daunting. But, looking from above, it almost appears as a gentle stream. Much in the same way, if we view life's problems by looking down upon them, they will have less power over us. Perspective gives us a fresh lens.