Sweet Raindrops

The Colors of 2016

                                   Happy New Year

                                        2016

                         Taken at the Denver Botanical Center

                                                         ~Dale Chuihuly 2014~

Fog and Frost

                   A morning of hoarfrost equates to entering an enchanted ice world of spectacular winter beauty.

Strange But True

   

      Every year around Advent Season I begin to long for Dietrich Bonhoeffer's inspiration. From his Letters from Cell 92, to the Biography Pastor, Martyr,Prophet, Spy, to the latest Biography by Charles Marsh, Strange Glory A Life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a biography which comes powerfully in a time when history is going similarly the way Germany did seventy years ago. Fear and persecutions dominate the minds of many Americans. Marsh's book is a compelling and captivating read. It shows the commitment that Bonhoeffer had for scripture, his passion for truth that eventually lead to his capture and death by the Third Reich. His beliefs and his battle to help save the Jews were the ultimate discipleship and sacrifice of his life to oppose evil. I highly recommend Marsh's book if your looking for a read that shows what it means to be a true follower and disciple of the Christian faith. Marsh is a professor of religious studies, and director of the Project Lived Theology. Both he and Bonhoeffer offer much in this increasingly godless world.
         

Simplicity

                                                   Simplicity is the glory of expression

          

                                                                    ~Walt Whitman~

Finer Things in LIfe

        The above quote reminds me of a book I finished called Jesus Bread and Chocolate. It was a book sent to me for review from the author/publisher of Speakeasy review network. John Thomson, the author, reveals the above philosophy through his writing about his personal life, as well as, finding, appreciating, and questing for artisanship instead of mass-market production.  He connects the relationship of fine hand crafted  processes of  making bread, coffee, chocolate,  wine/beer  to our journey of faith. What a great way to think of the many  gifts God has given and how they can be crafted into beautiful long lasting ways of living. It is a metaphor for our faith and what we choose or want. Is it a faith full of artifical man-made preservatives? Or do we choose to taste and seek the sometimes difficult walk that is purely authentic and real in crafting a life of substance? God invites us to participate with him in the creative way of living and loving the pure and simple. Thompson skillfully makes you stop and appreciate that we don't have to settle for mass markets, and we can enjoy and love the beauty of craftsmanship and realize how blessed we are.
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Nondual

We humans are so drawn to the light

and all to quick to run from the fading.

How many dawns must we admire

before we understand that we need both?