The Safety of God

Love, forgiveness, hope, mercy, grace.  All these attributes come together when we move ever more deeply into truly trusting God.  My brother is now in the New England Rehab Center.  It is a good place, with dedicated staff, and Greg is moving more strongly toward trust.  His doctor has strongly urged him to cease his worrying, so Greg is receiving good advice s well as physical care.

Fort Popham, Maine

Fears that the Confederate navy might travel up the Kennebec River and attack Augusta, Maine, led to the construction of Fort Popham in 1862.  Built near a site colonized in pre-revolutionary days by George Popham, the walls form a crescent shape. Their granite blocks glow golden in the late afternoon sun. The artillery consisted of thirty six cannons that were arranged on two levels; each cannon weighed 25 tons and fired solid shot, each weighing almost 480 pounds.  The fort was reactivated during the Spanish-American war and World War I.

The Fort offers wonderful colors and contrasts to photograph.  And the peaceful bay creates wonderful reflections. Of course, you don’t need to be a photographer to enjoy the walks along the beach and the delicious lobster rolls.

Tongariro National Park, North Island, NZ

 Fire formed New Zealand and raised it from the sea at time recorded only in Maori mythology.  Volcanoes shaped North and South Island, and the process continues today.  Tongariro National Park is the country's oldest park. Located in central North Island, it has been acknowledged by UNESCO as  one of the 25 mixed cultural and natural World Heritage Sites. The park consists of three volcanoes: Ruapehu, one of the most active in the world (at least 60 since 1945), Ngauruhoe, the site for Mt Doom in Lord of the Rings, and Tongariro. The summits of each of these mountains are "tapu" to the Maori. In fact,the creation of the park in 1886 came about when the local Maori tribe that lived in the area donated the land to the government to prevent its exploitation by the European settlers and insure its protection.

The Bay View Chateau sits under massive Mt Ruapehu, and looks over Lake Taupo, pictured below. (You can click on these images to enlarge them)

Remaining with God

My brother Greg is slowly recovering.  The abscesses are gradually getting smaller and his coumadin/blood thinner level creeps toward a therapeutic level.  Hopefully, he will be able to go to the hospital's rehab center sometime next week.


In the weekly devotional Meg and I read, Reuben Job has an insightful comment about where God leads us on our life's journey? "While we may not choose the place to go, we can choose to remain with the One who sends us and there find comfort, companionship, grace, peace and joy."  This week's Scripture images reflect that theme.

God's Clothing

We all know the challenges of the multi layers of conflict our world presents to us each day.  Within this world, how do we live God's presence and offer his love?  Paul presents some lyrical and logical advice in chapter 3 of his letter to the Colossians.

Greg is very slowly getting better.  Please continue to pray for his strength and deepening knowledge of God's Presence.

We are never alone

"To walk with God is to be reassured of direction, guidance, and strength for our daily journey. What do we have to fear when we are in God's presence and care? Nothing at all! This does not mean we will be spared discouragement, disease, or death itself.  It does mean that we will never be alone. From fear to courage is the natural journey of all that walk with God"  Reuben Job

"It seems that one of God's favorite themes is 'do not be afraid.'  God is not suggesting that we will not confront fearful realities in our lives. God is simply promising not to abandon us to fearful circumstance but to go with us through the dark night of fear, danger and uncertainty." Norman Shawchuck

I leave again for Maine soon to help Greg and family in his recovery from a gall bladder surgery.  Please pray for God's strength and comfort in his life, and mine as well.