Gratitude, Love, and God's Goodness

Thomas Merton says it so well: we have the ultimate reason for gratitude and wonder--God's unfailing love for us.


“To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us - and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him. 
Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God. For the grateful person knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience. And that is what makes all the difference.” 
― Thomas Merton

Wallowa Lake

Vasquez Rocks, CA

Fall bursts before winter

The first major snow storm reached our valley over the weekend.  Fall colors still hang on, but they are beginning to dim.  I have enjoyed shooting pictures the last couple of weeks. The leaves still radiated bright colors earlier, but now they are yielding to the whites and grays of winter.  Still, there are a few contrasts, bright reds against the snow, yellow leaves still holding to trees as snow holds to them. 

 

Safe Shelter

"According the greatness of your goodness and your many mercies, look down on me and hear the prayer of your poor servant, exiled far off in the land of the shadow of death.  Protect and keep the soul of your servant, traveling amid the many dangers of life. By your grace, direct him along the path of peace until he is back home in the land of everlasting brightness."  Thomas á Kempis

These two Bible passages are separated by more than five hundred years, but their theme is the same.  Only God gives us the sanctuary we can trust. Living two millennia from when these verses were written, we still have the same choice: to trust ourselves or to trust God. I guess it all depends on what and where we call "home." 

Avalanche Falls, The Flume, NH

Pancake Rocks, South Island, New Zealand

Zip Lining, Franconia Notch, and the Kangamangus Highway

Meg and I began fall early this season with a trip to visit Michael and Sara in New Hampshire in mid September.  We were fortunate to enjoy the early turning of green leaves into multi hued colors. We traveled up north for a day of zip lining and hiking in the Franconia Notch area, near the town of Lincoln.  One of the most beautiful highways in the US, the Kangamangus, runs east-west from there.  Although it was still relatively early in the season, the reds were peaking in the high country, providing a wonderful visual feast.  Oh, and the zip lining was incredibly fun!!

The steadfast love of the Lord

God never stops pursuing us, no matter how perilous our lives, our times may be. He yearns for our response; His faithful presence never ceases.

"You called, shouted, broke through my deafness;

you flared, blazed, banished my deafness;

you lavished your fragrance, I gasped,

  and now I pant for you;

I tasted you, and I hunger and thirst; 

you touched me and I burn for your peace."

                      St Augustine

Mt Hood

McKenzie Pass

Receiving God's Love

Last weekend we took care of our friends' goldendoodle, a cross between a poodle and a golden retriever.  Buddy was an excellent companion, mellow and loving. As we interacted, I was again reminded how much a dog tells us about loving God.  All Buddy really wanted was our love.  He reveled in being petted, positioning himself so as best to receive our touches and attention. He seemed to know that he did not need to do anything to "earn" this love other than just making himself open and aware of us. His purpose was not achieve us, but to receive us.  And so it is with our relationship to God.  How do we position ourselves, purpose ourselves, to receive Him?

"Use the things of the world, but long for things of eternity. You cannot be fully satisfied by material possessions, for you are simply not made to enjoy them."  Thomas á Kempis

Painted Hills

John Day River

Eastern Oregon University, the most beautiful site in eastern Oregon for fall colors

The best fall colors in eastern Oregon are found on the campus of Eastern Oregon University (EOU). The campus commands outstanding views of hills and mountains on all sides.  The grounds are exceptionally well maintained, and the campus "fits" like a warm family home. In the fall, the trees clothe themselves in reds, oranges, yellows of different hues and shapes. One could not find any better setting for a college campus!