In the touch of water -- life, death and rebirth flow to us.

This is a tidal flat. The highest zone where tides influence and shape the life and color of the land. In the winter, at the highest tides and during storm surge these flats will flood and salt water invades this landscape. The grass dies back and stumps soak up salt and moisture which aid in their decomposition. Shades of brown dominate and decay abounds. As Spring comes and the weather calms and tides soften, the nutrients left from winter decay give rise to vibrant color. Now the grass begins its resurgence. Wild flowers push up and express themselves for a time and birds heading north come and go among the exuberance. Its a cycle, yet at any moment you can see the touch of water and even perceive its past and future effects.

I know the touch of water in my life too. At one time or another it floods in and devastates. At other times I thirst for the expanse of ocean and its over whelming enormity. And still, occasionally I know the sweet, resuscitating joy of a deep drink, a cool mist or a refreshing plunge.

These tidal images speak of the complexity of faith and life. They remind me to hope. They say, "live in the challenges of today and strain forward for the gifts of tomorrow." "Be in the moment taking in the character of all that has been and all this is to come." In these reminders I find the threads of a life of faith. In these reminders I find hints and clues to the fingerprints of God. I see them in the landscape and upon the character of my life and relationships. In the touch of water -- life, death and rebirth flow to us from the heart of God.

Walking Through the Waters

EXPLORING THE FRESH MISTS OF FAITH

Water comes in many physical states and expressive moods.
By its essential character it enters into the discussion and discovery of much or our lives.

Water, in its history, carries our origins.  In its omnipresence, it reflects our present struggles.

Fear and chaos, refreshment and formation are all expressed and engaged in water.

Engaging life and adventure in and around water is a primal act of knowing ourselves, our origins and our redemption as well.

Searching out the power and effects of water is also a way of tracing the lines and textures of where God and the world have left their mark upon us and within us.

(Christians sometimes talk about baptism this way. In the water we are reborn and reconnected to the life and work of God in the world. Perhaps this is very near the creaturely truth of our species, as well as the spiritual truth of our inner being and lives of faith as well. The people of Israel talk about their history this way, in their stories of coming through the waters on dry ground leaving Egypt and heading toward the promised land. Perhaps the image works for all of us who seek the rebirth of a life of faith.)

Getting your hands and heart into Faith.

Faith grows. It begins and invites you to be carried with it, as an invitation offers more to come. Faith, simply asks, will you come along?









There is a point at which, watching from the sidelines will no longer grow the bounty that faith offers, you must jump in and get your hands wet.









To touch what is young and vibrant and larger than yourself, these are the beginnings of faith. Faith fills you with wonder to see what will be.

Faith is standing on the edge of the unknown and beginning to move toward it, to open yourself to it, to accept the life that comes when you receive it. Getting your hands into faith is the only way to grow with it and receive the gifts that will come in the journey, in faith.

Grey Whales bear their calves in the waters around Baja Mexico. There the wonder and mircle of new life along with the challenges of learning the realities of life are in full swing.

Glimmers of the Hidden Depths III

So much of who and what we are is expressed in the world around us.
Beauty and eternal love express themselves in the physical world, an embodiment of the character and personality that even in its vastness persistently engages and sustains us. A foundation under girding and engaging us as we explore what we see and do not see, what we know and what lies hidden just above or below the surface.

Glimmers of the Hidden Depths II

So much of the world is outside from under our easy observation. Even what we do see, so sweetly glosses over deeper realities that reside mostly unobserved and hardly imagined by surface dwellers.

Taking in the beauty that glitters on the surface does not necessarily allow us to appreciate the wonder and intimacy of deeper things.

The six-week old Gray Whale calf (at left) almost fills the frame while its mother hangs close, under girding the infant’s explorations. Her presence is so large and foundational that we can’t quite take in the whole scene.

What a joy to exist above and below and know the wonder of each, allowing the pleasures of air and water to augment the gift of the other. “But don’t forget to breathe,” she prepares to sing.