Think on This

Such mysterious beauty to be seen at 10,000 feet (just out of Las Vegas).  Alluvial fans create feathery tendrils and shapes that are impossible to see from the ground.  When directly walking the surface, the terrain is challenging and harsh, with sharp points and ankle-twisting rock.  When viewed as a whole from directly above, the dips and twists become as mesmerizing and compelling as polished agate.  Much like what happens when we view ourselves or others on the surface.  We see our scars, our scrapes, our flaws - all those things that we like least about ourselves.  But when we change our perspective to that which lets us see the "whole" of ourselves, I hope we get a glimpse of what our Creator sees in us:  children who though flawed and imperfect are still lovely, beautiful and compelling when we shine with the spirit of His perfect love.  My prayer:  "When we can't see the beauty in ourselves or someone else, Lord, help us change our hearts to a more loving perspective." 

Layer upon layer of incredibly colorful beauty is what surrounds me when I am out photographing the amazing rock formations of places such as Valley of Fire or Red Rocks. And though those names undeniably relate to the vibrant fire reds that seem to pulse with earth's life force, there is still phenomenal beauty to be seen when the images captured are stripped of their color. Much like what happens when we look at ourselves without the colorful and distracting trappings of material appearance or superficial living, we begin to see other layers that our loving Creator placed deep within us and asks us to use to His glory: layers of compassion, layers of mercy, layers of patience, layers of tolerance, layers of loyalty, layers of kindness, layers of sacrifice ... layers of love. My prayer tonight is that we become more and more unafraid to let each and every one of those layers shine with God's amazing light each and every day.

 The symbolism of doors or gates is rarely lost on any thinking/breathing human being: they provide entrance to familiar (and unfamiliar) territory, they hold promise of new beginnings, and they excite the imagination as to what wonders might be behind them. To me, capturing the front gate of my new residence through a zoom fish-eye lens has stretched familiar symbolism even further. The globe-li...ke image compels me to think of entering a whole new world - which is truly what I've done recently. My life has changed so much from what it was a mere 2 months ago. I've entered into a world of peace, of sanctuary, of creative freedom, of spiritual expansion, of intellectual growth and restorative healing. I love this gate and the other that I walk through multiple times each day/night. They remind me that though we may exist in one "world" for a time, there is always another world waiting for us where love and light pour forth and we are rejoined with our loving Creator.

There will always be things we may only ever see from a distance. They can be beautiful monoliths created by a millenia of erosion or they may be goals or dreams we strive for but might never reach.  The lesson I take from this is that there is still great value (and beauty) in appreciating those things we may never attain.  They help us strive for greater things, they help us to see farther than we might given our own limitation, and they most definitely compel us to see the greatness of God within (and without) our human selves.  The other lesson I take from this is that the things we see from a distance will never, ever look the same once we're right next to them.  A good thing to remember when we're feeling we've somehow been shorted or cheated out of a dream or a goal.  Our vision will always be far more diminished than what our Father has for us.  Let us learn to trust that it's all right (and many times better for us) that distant visions remain just out of reach.

As the sun sets outside Zion National Park, I was overwhelmed with the truth that the end of each day brings the beginning of a new one. I am so thankful for new days, as they allow us to open our eyes again and again to the beauty around us.

Hard to resist photographing the Vegas Strip (10 miles away) when a sliver moon is setting behind it. Though not my idea of a beautiful place, the transformation of the scene by Bella Luna is undeniable. May we all be so transformed by small, but incredibly powerful, beauty.

Few things help clear the mind, the heart and the spirit like spending the day at 8,000 feet. The Mount Charleston Wilderness area an hour outside of Las Vegas gave up some of its secrets today as I hiked the Cathedral Rock trail high above the valley below. Not only were there hawks floating in the wind currents around the high cliffs, but ground squirrels chattered along the trail as if to say, "It's a good day to be alive." Yes, it is a good day to be alive. A good day to appreciate the glorious heaven we have here on this earth. A good day to sit on a log and let the cool breezes brush your face. And a good day to praise God for all of His creation. Thank you, Lord, for high ground that lifts us up for your kiss of sunshine.

It's remarkable what is to be found in the desert. Of course, there is the expected scenery of stone, brittle foliage, various wildlife. But there is also the beautiful decay of things man-made and oft abandoned. As I shot this incredibly colorful and weathered Chevy truck, my mind wandered to how we weather the storms of this world. Sometimes we fall apart, eroding with every falling tear. But more often, especially when we trust that God will shelter us when needed, we are transformed into someone far more interesting and colorful than we ever expected or even hoped to be. Let us welcome the weathering that God sends our way, believing that through His daily transformation our outward AND inward patinas become even more lovely.

Many who know me know I have a deep connection with birds of prey ... a recent blessing in the desert (though on a power pole) was this female American Kestrel with her luncheon snake. I watched for 30 minutes - something I've never had the opportunity to do - as she landed with the snake, killed the snake, ate the snake, and then rested after dining. As I watched and photographed (wishing I had the 400mm lens out), I couldn't help but lift up praise for God's glorious creation (in all forms) and give thanks for being able to sit still (a recurring theme these days) long enough to observe the world around me. As many times as I've seen hawks, falcons or eagles, I've never once been able to watch one eat in the wild. The strength in talons and hooked beak were humbling, the fastidiousness in finishing every morsel so as not to waste, and then the time taken just to perch following eating ... these were all lessons I took to heart. Let me be strong in my choices of what I take in, let me not waste what is given to me, and then let me always take time to appreciate that which I choose to embrace - food, word, thought, music, friendship, love, wonder, vision ... everything.

When we sit still long enough ... creation comes to you. During sunrise prayers, this precious Desert Cottontail Rabbit decided it was safe enough to come out and forage for breakfast. How often do we actually sit still to receive sign of God's glory? Not often enough. Our days are filled with demands and goals (most often self-chosen) that are far less nurturing to our souls than listening to the soft rustle of padded feet hopping across shaded desert ground. I learned something from this gentle creature this morning: Work when it's cool, actively look for nourishment, keep alert for what's going on around you, and just "be" who you are. What a blessed way to start the day. Thank you, Lord.