Heaven on Earth.

As the cherry blossom

catches

the morning light,

so we are granted

a glimpse

of heaven.


Photo Credit: kakki**** via Compfight cc

A Glass of Water.

In the heat of Summer

a glass of cold water.


Photo Credit: [cipher] via Compfight cc

The Nuclear Family.

The basic unit of our society is the nuclear family: father, mother, and children.

Within this nuclear family we experience love and trust.

Outside of the nuclear family, even in our extended family, we experience fear and suspicion.

We are encouraged to compete with other families for dominance and advantage.

But if God is our Father then all people are our brothers and sisters.

Once we realize this our fear leaves us and we are able to love and trust everyone.


Photo Credit: Christian Collins via Compfight cc

Seasons.

The sunshine of Summer.

A red tree in Autumn.

A fire in Winter.

The blossoms of Spring.


Photo Credit: horrigans via Compfight cc

The Golden Calf.

We are constantly told to work harder, compete, cope, consume, accumulate, watch, and spend.....

We are told to be tough, ruthless, strong, selfish, and aggressive.....

We are never told to follow the ways of God.
To show kindness, mercy, compassion, consideration, honesty, justice, forgiveness, truthfulness, and love.....

"Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord alone.  You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.  Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart.  Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise.  Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house, and on your gates."  Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (NRSV)

This is telling Israel, God's chosen people, to follow the ways of God at all times.

If this kind of love was shown between people on earth we would all be in heaven.

But we don't.

We follow the golden calf of materialism.

And the world is in darkness.


[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

Photo Credit: Chicago Man via Compfight cc

The Wattle Tree.

In the yellow abundance

of the wattle tree

can be seen

the glory of God.


Photo Credit: WindoC via Compfight cc

Loving Our Enemies.

When we first encounter Jesus' commandment to love our enemies we are at once mystified and enchanted.

Albeit that no reason is given.

A possible reason is that God does not adjudicate.
He does not declare winners and losers.

All are equally loved no matter of innocence or guilt.

This may offend our sense of natural justice.
But God does not judge by our earthly standards.
All are forgiven.
All get a second chance.

And what makes us think we are better than others in any case.
If we are forgiven our errors.
So will others be forgiven.

So, rather than trying to win, we should extend the hand of friendship and love to our enemies.

Then we will be like God.

Photo Credit: Richard.Asia via Compfight cc