I came to the Garden alone

Yesterday I visited Shore Acres Gardens , on the Oregon Coast . I found myself really enjoying the different flowers and blooms and how well they complimented each other , and how much their diversity added to the Garden as a whole .  Since then I keep getting more " confirmation " from what i am reading and watching ...All leading me to this :

Romans 12:4

"For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,"

The word Membership has Biblical origins . Paul used the word to describe the Diversity of believers. Today the meaning of the word has changed to mean " people like me " .

When I was very young in my Christian Walk , I would sometimes "retreat" into myself during Church worship , and as I did so I would have these interesting " visions " . I remember two very well. This is the account of the First of these :

I was a witness to a City Struggling . The City , was a like a medieval fortress . A huge wall encircled the city , around it was a moat filled with stagnant water . I was inspired to think of the city as the " Church " .

Life was good in the church ...orderly , provisioned . Outside of the walls was Turmoil and strife . People were trying to get into the City , but the Inhabitants of the City were Defending the walls. Some from outside tried to scale the walls ...but they were met with hot oil and rocks thrown at them .

Then I saw Jesus . He was outside the City , He had been ministering to the people outside ..His attention turned to the City and He approached it . With a wave of His hand He demolished the walls ...He filled in the Moat and led the People into the City ....

Until Lori and I found Springhouse ...that is how I viewed the Church in America ..a fortress throwing hot oil and stones on sinners .

I don't believe Jesus wants us safe in our Church , at least not safe in the idea that we the Members of the Church are to be the Guardians . Instead we are called to be Servants . Servants are protected by their Master . I think each of us has gifting's that God has provided for us . That each of us has works God planned for Us . If we are in a church where everyone around us , looks like us , talks like us , likes the same football teams as we do , and votes for the same political candidates ..we are no longer " Members " of that Church as Paul uses the word. Instead we are one Organ . one Identity . When the Healthy church Paul describes is made of many Members. 

I suspect far too man of us spend far too much time worrying about if  some of the people in the pews really belong there , instead of  thanking God for choosing us to belong to His Church.  Instead of Judging others based on our own works , and our own convictions , perhaps we should be thanking God for the works He has Given Us ...and the Convictions He has blessed  us with . 

In the Garden the Rose does not say to the Lily you are too spindly ...or the tulip questions the Hedges lack of any other color than Green .  God the Master Gardener has  a plan ... And from what I can see He is pretty Good at  that Planning thing . 

The View

 

 

Along the Oregon Coast . There are periodic waysides . places you can stop and pull over to enjoy the view . And the view is spectacular. Thousands of people pull over each year and take photos of the majestic Vistas unfolding for them . If you want a photo like a thousand others its a pleasant place to do so . But what if your desire is take the Path less traveled , to find that view or angle that has enticed only a few ? If you look carefully at these way sides you can usually find a glint of a path , a suggestion of adventure .

I had stopped at an overlook ...near Cape Arago . The blue of the ocean was spread out like a carpet ...White flurries of intense action as waves broke on the torn rocks off the shore . IN the distance was Cape Arago Light House . the most inaccessible of all the Lighthouses on Oregon Coast . The Light house seemed to be teasing me ...just there beyond the reach of my lens ..but suggesting a feint to the Right would bring me closer . The viewing area was carved out of dense Salal Bushes . Thick undergrowth ...deer and elk forage . Here the Vegetation ran directly to the Oceans edge . With the Ocean itself and its rock strew beach 50 to 75 feet below me. Along this stretch of coast the Land surrenders to the Sea in massive avalanches.

Walking down to the view point I had noticed a well manicured path heading off to the right hand side of promise . My suspicion was that this might lead to another view point , one closer , perhaps less used , a better photo opportunity . The Path was wide , its surface paved with bark dust and shredded trees . But as I moved along it seemed to take me further away from the vista I had desired . The Path was safely moved ed away from the Lands edge , perhaps two three hundred years before the Ocean claimed this real estate .

The Undergrowth so dense I could barely hear the waves in the Distance . I had wandered down this stretch for about a half of a mile ..then I saw it . A slight disturbance in the undergrowth , a path leading off toward the Ocean. I followed the cut , for about 25 Yards and found myself on a cliff overlooking the ocean ..a clearing about 5 foot square had been worn down , by others that had come before me . The view was very nice framed by trees to the right and left of me ...The Light house still a Mystery to be solved later .

I found myself thinking of something Rich Mullins had written years before " I would prefer to live on chasm , knowing that if I fell , Gods grace would keep me , than count on my own piety and avoid the Abyss " or words to that effect .

I know we are to stay on the path , to avoid going to the right or the left ...But the scriptures also say its a Narrow Path . Sometimes the way that seems easy and safe....is just that . Easy and Safe . Sometimes we have to take a deep breath push forward into the unknown ...pushing forward , gazing over the Abyss ...confident of His Grace and Love .

Like a Boat out of water

Its late and I cannot sleep. I feel so torn between place and people . Lori and I had a wonderful day here on the Oregon Coast ..the weather forecast called for rain , but no rain came . Instead a beautiful spring day with marshmallow clouds and baby blue skies . We visited the beach and did some exploring at the Marina and the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area .

The trip to Oregon is starting to come together . The photography has been good , in some ways much better than expected . Our new " home " in Reedsport is beyond my expectations .and its even furnished !

But I am troubled . I miss my friends , I miss our church ... More than I imagined I would. I am like a boat out of water .

The Problem is I can't fully understand why I am feeling this way . I could spend the rest of life in this location ..there is so much to see , so many photo opportunities. For the first time since we left Tennessee I can actually breath , My eyes have cleared up ....I feel great ! The climate here is perfect . During the summer a warm day may nudge 80 degrees . Fresh Produce from the valley , and fresh fish off the boats in the harbor . No sales Tax !

And yet ....I feel empty something is missing . Like that boat out of water , the vessel is intact ...but its definitely out of place.

Its been a very rough month since we left Tennessee ...Both Lori and I have struggled with our health , lack of sleep ..the trip has cost us much more than we expected ..but I also know God has been there with us each day .

And to be fair our struggles ..are somewhat small compared to the struggles of others ....we have so much to be thankful for , so many blessings poured into us . So many people in our lives who love us and care for us .

Today we went to a small church here in Reedsport. It was good to be in the house of the Lord , we were known in advance of our arrival , a friend from our past in Florence was known to many there , and we were not strangers . But both Lori and I left missing Springhouse .

Once back home I discovered a bookkeeping error I had made in our Bank account.... Another Stumbling block ...Time for prayer ....

Since we have been married , God has insisted that we learn to trust Him for our daily provision ...And He continues to remind us daily of His love , and grace for us . 

Reedsport

To introduce ourselves to people in Reedsport we are offering a Discounted rate on our photography services ...you can find more information on Face book. Heavenly Perspective Photography

Lori and I have found lodging on the Oregon Coast . We are in a small town called Reedsport . Reedsport is between Florence and Coo's Bay right in the Middle of the Oregon Dunes Natural Area. We are about 4 miles from the Ocean and within a few miles of a wonderful little harbor called Winchester Bay. Tomorrow we begin looking for a place to fellowship and worship with other believers . the first few weeks here are going to be a little strident. First Months Rent and Deposits and settling in costs have added up . but we are confident of Gods Provision .

Feeling much better having escaped much of the inland pollens and Lori is cat free . The next few days here are going to be wet . No surprise there , rains a lot on the Oregon Coast . but when it clears this is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Already putting together a shooting schedule and locations to visit .

To the South of us is Coos Bay , Sunset Bay , and Cape Arago . To the North is the Oregon Dunes , Florence , and several inland lakes and waterways.

The first of May two " tall ships " visit Coos bay , inland we plan to visit the St Paul Rodeo and the columbia river Gorge .

Both of us really miss our Church and our Church family ...Face book has really helped keep us in touch and I am enjoying the Sermons on Podcast .

I am trying to make some sense of the past few weeks , as if by making sense of them I can then make sense of this Journey of mine. You see , as a matter of faith I do believe we are purposefully created, the Bible says we were created to do good works ...the bible also says that God dwells in us and He has placed Eternity in our hearts.

It is no surprise then that so many people have spent their lives looking for the meaning of life. Instinct lively we know that we are part of this great epic work of God. We are like a child lost in a corn maize From His perspective high above there is a clear way out ...we simply cannot see it.

Does anyone ever fully understand His works ? The playwright says some poets and mystics do ..and I hope some photographers do as well .

Most people see wide varieties of subjects trees, buildings , butterflies ....Mystic's simply see abundant life ...we see life as singular not separate , we realize all we see is God Stuff ...rearranged in different packages ,... A poet see's life in the same way ... Poets and Photographers ,,,,we work with Metaphors and Symbols , we frame the whole expanse of creation into a composition that at once becomes a prison and a shock wave racing through the cosmos ...We know that life is too huge to embrace , so we take a portion of that life and embrace it ....lines and rhythm , color and syntax, depth of field and symbol. The poet focuses on the apex the crucial , the photographer the same. We take what the eye and the mind cannot grasp and hold and make it graspable and holdable ...Deep in our minds we know we are imperfectly trying to corral the perfect ...but it is , at least for me , a sincere desire to praise God and to thank Him that I persist in this art form.

The contrast of color and light , is no different than the sweet massage of rhyme and meter.

By serving art we serve the source of art ..we serve the one who by His words sent all into being , who gave us color and language , who gave us diversity for all our senses to enjoy...Its late I have almost come to the time of day where I can no longer trust mt thoughts , tomorrow I plan to see if this was an Epiphany given in Grace , or a rambling forced by Antihistamines and strong coffee

We are Family

Lori and I and our friend Lee just returned from Church in Layette Oregon. A small community Church packed with fellow believers . It stuck me that world wide Christians of every tribe and tongue have been gathering , celebrating Jesus , praising him worshiping Him , asking Him for an ease to their burdens . Sometimes we may confine God into the width and breadth of our individual sanctuaries . We begin to think His servants look like the person sitting next to us in the pews ...Our understanding of His church on the planet is often too small .

Here in Oregon we celebrated communion ..How many lips touched the wine /juice today ? How many took the bread ..Hands of Carpenters , and Housewives , of doctors and lawyers , of elected officials and grocery store clerks , hands of students and hands of retired golden agers ....God reminds me of His vast army and then in an instant reminds me of His immediate presence . I am introduced to a man and wife who are moving from Oregon to Tennessee. I ask them where in Tennessee and they say Nashville , and i ask where in Nashville and they say Mt Juliet . The Kingdom is big enough for all of us to Fit , and it fits us all .

I Just finished listening to Pastor Ronnie , speaking on submitting to Authority ...I Can see your faces on Facebook...The man in the Seat next to me in Church can be within my reach or half a world away ...but no matter where we are united by Him ,,,we are purposed in Him and in time we will dine with Him ....Millions of us all together at the Feast ....Each sitting with HIM .....amazing !!!!

Pollen : Good for the Planet Bad for me

I haven't been writing much lately . I am in what I call Survival Mode . Since Leaving Tennessee the pollen count has been extreme in most parts of the USA that we have traveled through. I am not alone . along the way I have met a lot of people with itchy eyes , runny noses , and other allergy symptoms . The Medicines I usually count on to help me through this period seem ineffective ..I wear a pollen mask and that seems to help sometimes ...over all  I am not  as predictably cheerful as you may know me to be. I do take  comfort in the fact that all this Pollen is truly for my good ..the flowers and crops we have seen along the way are definitely going to benefit from the Abundance of pollen.  So I wait as patiently as I can for an end to the season...Unfortunately I feel really sapped of energy , even writing and photography is a Chore. Lori and I have landed at my Friend Lee's house in St Paul.  We tok a few days off and visited the coast , beginning our housing search.  But even on the Coast the pollen was evident. Learning to be patient . and looking forward to visiting the small church in Layfayette we visited on Easter.  Missing our Family , Friends , and Church Family ...Lori has been having some issues with pollen and alot of issues with Cat Dander ...most of our friends we have visited have cats ..and Loris Allergies  to cats have become worse over the years . We covet your prayers ....And are runing low on Kleenex .....Gods Peace to all