reflections of creation: October 2009

the view from 1,000 feet Friday, October 30, 2009 | 1

glider ride Thursday, October 29, 2009 | 0

Alison and I didn't take a glider ride, but we did take a World War II era biplane ride. I've had some people ask me what Acadia National Park looked like from 1,000 feet up, and I'll post a picture tomorrow to show you.

an ancient view at the met Wednesday, October 28, 2009 | 0

a nova scotia bookstore Tuesday, October 27, 2009 | 2

Autumn Leaves Monday, October 26, 2009 | 0

Since I was putting up this picture and calling it Autumn Leaves, I had to listen to the old jazz standard of the same name. I still think my favorite version is the Diana Krall one; the Vince Guaraldi Trio's take on it is nice too while Nat King Cole's recording of it comes in third in my mind. I just love the guitar and more hopeful sound of Krall's version while Vince Guaraldi's is a good one to listen to on a cold snowy night.

Maine is a beautiful state Saturday, October 24, 2009 | 1

a better view of that sunset at sea Friday, October 23, 2009 | 2

Since people liked the sunset picture yesterday, I thought I'd show you the really good one taken that night. I hope you enjoy this one too.

sunset at sea Thursday, October 22, 2009 | 3

a rainy midnight in the upper west side Tuesday, October 20, 2009 | 0

The changing of the seasons Monday, October 19, 2009 | 2

This picture was taken in Acadia National Park about five minutes before I took the picture of the branch with the one red leaf that many you liked so much (posted on October 7th). I absolutely love fall, and this year was amazing getting to see the beginnings of color in New England. It seems like every fall I always listen to the song Every Season by Nichole Nordeman. I've posted the lyrics on here before, sung it in church, talked about it on the church blog and in newsletters, but this year I want to share it with you in this video I saw this week. I hope that this song will help inspire you to look for the ways God wants to work in your lives this fall. He loves you very much.

Every evening sky, an invitation
To trace the patterned stars
And early in July, a celebration
For freedom that is ours
And I notice You
In children’s games
In those who watch them from the shade
Every drop of sun is full of fun and wonder
You are summer

And even when the trees have just surrendered
To the harvest time
Forfeiting their leaves in late September
And sending us inside
Still I notice You when change begins
And I am braced for colder winds
I will offer thanks for what has been and was to come
You are autumn

And everything in time and under heaven
Finally falls asleep
Wrapped in blankets white, all creation
Shivers underneath
And still I notice you
When branches crack
And in my breath on frosted glass
Even now in death, You open doors for life to enter
You are winter

And everything that’s new has bravely surfaced
Teaching us to breathe
What was frozen through is newly purposed
Turning all things green
So it is with You
And how You make me new
With every season’s change
And so it will be
As You are re-creating me
Summer, autumn, winter, spring

going for a swim Sunday, October 18, 2009 | 1

fundy trail parkway Friday, October 16, 2009 | 1

This is the Fundy Trail Parkway visitor center in New Brunswick; this park is gorgeous. You can find out more about it at http://www.fundytrailparkway.com/

a great spot to go sailing Thursday, October 15, 2009 | 5

rainy bus stop Wednesday, October 14, 2009 | 2

Here's something different from what I've posted the last few days. Although it is hard to see it in this smaller sized picture, I think my favorite part is seeing the person who has been waiting for this bus. I put a larger view of him/her down below. My imagination and curiosity always get the best of me, and I still wonder where they were going at 1am when this picture was taken (besides being stalked by me that is).

an old headstone Tuesday, October 13, 2009 | 2

Besides the public gardens, one of the places I loved in Halifax was the Old Burying Ground. This is the oldest cemetery in Halifax, with the graves all dating between 1749 and 1830. You'll probably see 8 or 10 pictures from here over the next couple of months.

foggy flowers Monday, October 12, 2009 | 3

The last three days have all been from the public gardens in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Of these three pictures, yesterday's is by far my favorite one. If you are ever in Halifax, you should go here; it's well worth your time.