Light and Shadow

I originally took this photo because of the sun reflecting off the windows of the building next to this one and shining on the side of this building. Sunshine always reminds me of God’s presence because I love it so much, and it brings out wonderful colors on the side of this building in what is an often gray and dreary city. It reminds me that God is present with us everywhere, and gives life to us and our world. However, upon looking at this photo further, I noticed that there is a cross-shaped shadow on the taller building. I could not be more amazed by God’s presence and love.

Small Surprises

Flowers always remind me of God’s presence. They are so gorgeous and unique, and I always feel like God made them for our enjoyment. I am always seeking them out and taking pictures of them. For this photo though, I was not the one that placed the flower there. I don’t know if someone put it there on purpose or if it accidentally made its way onto this plaque, but I noticed it, and felt like it was God behind whatever it was that caused the flower to end up there. I think that God leaves even tiny gifts for us, just because He loves us.

Unnoticed

This photo represents God in the ordinary for me because it is something that most people would just pass by. God shows Himself in the little things to me, because I find them beautiful, even though many others would not or would not notice them. This is a very ordinary subject matter – books in a window in downtown Portland – but to me it was beautiful. It was a little gift from God. I like to think He does that kind of thing just for me.

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In the book of Luke, Jesus says that if we do not praise him as Lord, even the rocks will cry out. I love this little Gaillardia with brilliant, trumpeting petals. It reminds me that all of creation praises him, all of creation poi

In the book of Luke, Jesus says that if we do not praise him as Lord, even the rocks will cry out. I love this little Gaillardia with brilliant, trumpeting petals. It reminds me that all of creation praises him, all of creation points to great, gracious Creator.

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I happened upon this fallen tree at the Oregon Coast, whose upturned roots were in the shape of a heart. It was so remarkable to me that God would put reminders of his love even in the roots of trees! His promises are over all crea

I happened upon this fallen tree at the Oregon Coast, whose upturned roots were in the shape of a heart. It was so remarkable to me that God would put reminders of his love even in the roots of trees! His promises are over all creation … sometimes very obvious, sometimes hidden from view …and sometimes “so faint you wouldn’t even know it was there unless you were looking for it.” (Shari MacDonald Strong)

This photograph signifies freedom—the freedom of a little girl twirling, arms wide open, full skirt flying, head thrown back in laughter. The freedom we experience when we are filled with the joy and peace which comes from God alone. Freedom from anxiety, comparison, jealousy, fear, anger, discouragement, judgmentalism. Freedom to love, care, serve, open yourself to God and others in vulnerability and safety. Freedom to be who he has made you to be.

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He is the great champion running his course as he rides on the wind of the clouds.  The earth rejoices as His voice calls us to Himself.  Who will look? Who will see?  All those that hear His voice are called “Bles

He is the great champion running his course as he rides on the wind of the clouds. The earth rejoices as His voice calls us to Himself. Who will look? Who will see? All those that hear His voice are called “Blessed.”

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In the beginning, all of the elements of color were present.  They were in the Universe, in the splendor of God’s Creation. He made the ordered, beautiful world out of chaos.  He made each planet to know its season.&nbs

In the beginning, all of the elements of color were present. They were in the Universe, in the splendor of God’s Creation. He made the ordered, beautiful world out of chaos. He made each planet to know its season. He made the raw materials, the colors, the base materials, everything existed in harmony with nature. The miracle of color surrounds us, and we must stop and appreciate the gift of color from God.

Lord of heaven and earth! For some reason seeing the earth from this perspective, above the clouds, makes me feel closer to God. His domain is so much bigger than I can see.

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This photo was taken on the corner of an intersection in the heart of downtown. I love the peaceful beauty of it, and the fact that it’s where one would find it unlikely, and it may often go unnoticed or taken for granted.

This photo was taken on the corner of an intersection in the heart of downtown. I love the peaceful beauty of it, and the fact that it’s where one would find it unlikely, and it may often go unnoticed or taken for granted. Sunshine always reminds me of God’s presence, and the wonderful glow it gives to the grass feels like God’s glory. This photo reminds me that God is always present, even where we least expect it, and we can experience His glory if we just take the time to notice it.

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I was walking in the park one beautiful Fall morning talking to the Lord, and couldn’t help notice this amazing sight! The Son has come to give us life (just like these trees); and when he shines his light on us, we are forever c

I was walking in the park one beautiful Fall morning talking to the Lord, and couldn’t help notice this amazing sight! The Son has come to give us life (just like these trees); and when he shines his light on us, we are forever changed.There is just a hint of color change in these trees, and like us: we are becoming all the more lovely with the years of walking with our God. Although our bodies are wasting away, we are transformed and made beautiful in His eyes!

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I love C.S. Lewis description of our seen world as "shadowlands."  I find analogies to heavenly realities and revelation of the character in God in absolutely everything when I take the time to look.  Simple rocks on th

I love C.S. Lewis description of our seen world as "shadowlands." I find analogies to heavenly realities and revelation of the character in God in absolutely everything when I take the time to look. Simple rocks on the beach transform into a exclamation of color, a symphony for the eyes, but also intrigue me to look longer and explore another level of encounter. These simple rocks on an Oregon beach speak to me of God's otherness - He is unlike us. We cannot fathom how different He is than us. He is made out of a different "substance" altogether. And yet...somehow He was here, in the form of Christ, looking every bit like us, mixing His otherness with our sameness, blending in while standing out.

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If extravagance can be defined as having more than you need, have we considered the extravagance of God's creative displays? How many times has the sun set the sky ablaze and no one took notice?  How many

If extravagance can be defined as having more than you need, have we considered the extravagance of God's creative displays? How many times has the sun set the sky ablaze and no one took notice? How many times has the scent of lilacs wafted on a spring breeze without anyone there to appreciate it? God wastes His beauty. He doesn't hold it back because there is no shortage, no scarcity. Psalm 96 commands us to declare His glory, but His creation has never ceased glorifying Him. When no one is looking, when no one hears, the trees rejoice. Will I join the ceaseless, joyful praise that creation is extravagantly broadcasting?

Who am I that You are mindful of me?

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We can never think that God does not exist!  Even below the ocean’s waters, He lovingly creates a breath-taking masterpiece that we must simply stop and look for.  If we would quiet our day and take time with the great

We can never think that God does not exist! Even below the ocean’s waters, He lovingly creates a breath-taking masterpiece that we must simply stop and look for. If we would quiet our day and take time with the great Master, He would reveal the beauty of His majesty in all He has created!

Bleached and gnarly branches show the high price of the wind and the rain. Out of the elements comes the beauty and refinement.

In something so common as a flower, God has packed beauty and uniqueness,and the opportunity to pass on life.

This bridge designer used vertical lines to draw our eyes upward--an outdoor cathedral that reaches to the clouds.

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A solitary tree, a stalwart reminder of the strength of God against the forces of the World.   In a world of difficult times, a single tree can stand and flourish against the attacks of the world.  A single tree, a

A solitary tree, a stalwart reminder of the strength of God against the forces of the World. In a world of difficult times, a single tree can stand and flourish against the attacks of the world. A single tree, a voice in the vastness of the world, calling out, crying to the people, to be rooted in the Lord, not to be blown like the grasses and sagebrush against the fences of death, but to prevail in the strength of our God. A voice of hope, a shelter for those who seek the shade of its branches. A voice to shout out the glory of the Lord.

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This tulip illustrates God's gentle touch in the ordinary things of every day life. If God cares enough to gently open the petals of a tulip each morning, then surely his gentle touch is also guiding each and every step we take i

This tulip illustrates God's gentle touch in the ordinary things of every day life. If God cares enough to gently open the petals of a tulip each morning, then surely his gentle touch is also guiding each and every step we take in our daily walk with Him.

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Friendship is universal. It is a way for us to experience a piece of the communion that God experiences in the Trinity. Relationships seem so ordinary and yet so profoundly change us giving us hope and joy.

Friendship is universal. It is a way for us to experience a piece of the communion that God experiences in the Trinity. Relationships seem so ordinary and yet so profoundly change us giving us hope and joy.

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It is down between the rocks, the hard times of life, that the Lord comes and refreshes the soul and makes us new. As the water flows, the rocks are carved into beautiful shapes making the simple beautiful.  How can we ever

It is down between the rocks, the hard times of life, that the Lord comes and refreshes the soul and makes us new. As the water flows, the rocks are carved into beautiful shapes making the simple beautiful. How can we ever miss the touch of the Master’s hands?

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Everywhere I look, I see the great Masters hand!  Every rock is unique and special – they could have been all the same color or shape; but rather, they are beautiful together as they lie together on the shores of the beach.

Everywhere I look, I see the great Masters hand! Every rock is unique and special – they could have been all the same color or shape; but rather, they are beautiful together as they lie together on the shores of the beach. We are often like these rocks. By ourselves, we are nothing and often uninteresting; but when we work together, we are a beautiful symphony. He is the great artist! I marvel at the work of His hands that easily testifies of His love for me!

God in the Ordinary Photography Project

The request

This project was planned as a discipleship project for photographers. We wanted to encourage people to look for God daily and to use their cameras as tools for worship. The secondary goal was to begin to "disciple the eyes" of the congregation by sharing the images beside an explanation of what each photographer saw.

The Project

Everyone, regardless of skill level, who wanted to participate was invited to do so. We started by requiring all interested participants to read the excellent article by Richard J. Vincent reprinted below with permission (the original can be found here). Then we gave photographers a month to look for God and take His picture. Twelve images were enlarged to poster size and hung in the sanctuary. The rest were enlarged by the photographers to their own specifications (but not smaller than 11x14) and hung in the lobby and main hallways. All photographs were exhibited with an explanation that related it to the theme. Some of the results (used with permission) are cycling through the slideshow in the banner above.

Transforming Presence: Knowing God in the Ordinary by Richard J. Vincent
In your opinion, what is the greatest and most comforting promise that God gives in Holy Scripture? I believe that God's greatest promise is this: "I will be with you always." Or, stated negatively, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." At the core of every covenant God establishes with human beings are the words, "I will be your God and you will be my people." The marital vows a couple repeats in a wedding ceremony echo this great commitment. By entering into covenant with God, we come to possess God and God possesses us. Like the passionate lovers in Song of Solomon we rest in the security that "My beloved is mine and I am his."

God has never promised to give us answers to every question or provide us with a life of ease or comfort. But God has promised to be with us in all our confusion, trials, and sorrows. His presence is more precious than all the answers to every possible question (assuming we could understand God's answers in the first place). God gives us the greatest gift possible - God's favorable and faithful presence!

Our daily challenge as Christians is to live in light of this great truth! It is one thing to intellectually assent to this truth; it is another thing altogether to experience it as a regular part of one's life. If we are not careful, we who believe in God can be guilty of "practical atheism" - believing God's truth in theory, but in practice, living as if God's truth was irrelevant.

Because of our tendency to theorize rather than apply, I put forward a challenge: What if we were to live as if God were present in every place in all situations - always seeking our good and his glory? Wouldn't this transform everything - every moment, every activity, every encounter with others? Wouldn't this completely change our perspective? Wouldn't this impact the time we spend together as we recall our Lord's promise that "where two or three are gathered together, there I am in the midst"?

I believe that a conscious, intentional, and consistent attempt to live as if God were present in every place in all situations would do nothing less than completely transform our lives! Brother Lawrence, the 17th century monk who served for forty years as cook and then, because of an injury, as shoe-repairman for his Carmelite brethren, believed this as well. He considered "the practice of the presence of God' - the discipline of remaining conscious of God's presence at all times - to be at the center of authentic Christian spirituality.

The doctrine of God's omnipresence states that God is present in all his fullness at all times and all places. Better yet, we are present to God at all times and in all places. The reality of God's presence is available for all people. Sadly, in our world the absence of God is natural and the presence of God is a thing that must be practiced. Because of this, we need to awaken to this reality. We need to discipline ourselves to make ourselves more aware of God's favorable and faithful presence.

In this article, my goal is not to provide insight on how to practice the presence of God (that will be the subject of a later article). For now, my only goal is to stir your heart to desire to begin this simple practice by presenting a vision of what a life lived in the presence of God might look like. I believe that this way of life - simple, yet difficult - is extremely attractive and exceptionally alluring when one reflects at length upon it.

God in All Things

If we lived in light of God's presence we would see God in everything. Every aspect of life would be transformed.

The secular would become sacred in the presence of God. The distinction between one's "spiritual life" and one's "secular life" would evaporate completely. Everything would become charged with the grandeur of God. Common dualistic divides would lose their significance - the ordinary would become super-ordinary, the natural supernatural, the physical spiritual, and the secular sacred. The world would become aflame with glory. Childlike wonder would be restored. Everything would become new, full of mystery and possibility. The tedious boredom of secularization would be replaced by the fresh excitement of the sacramental possibilities of all creation.

The small would become great in the presence of God. We would realize that there are no trivial things in the sight of God. We must constantly beware of the dangerous tendency we have to believe God only works in big events, big churches, and big programs with big leaders. All deeds - great and small, big or little - done for God are eternally significant. As many prominent saints have noted in the past, God is not looking for great deeds, but small deeds done with great love. If we awaken to God's presence in all things we will discover countless opportunities to minister to others - a smiling face that ministers grace, a kind and encouraging word at the right time, slowing down to listen (really listen) to others. All these things and more can make the difference between joy and despair, healing or hurting, heaven or hell. Ultimately, everything in relationship to God's greatness and glory is "small." Since we really can only do small things, we should do them with great faith and great love in the presence of God, and in doing so, the small things become great!

When we see God in everything, we discover that there are truly no wasted moments in life. God can be known in all aspects of life and not merely in our morning "devotional exercises." Too often, we confine God into a small area of our life labeled "devotions" - usually a short time of reading Scripture. Sadly, our 7-minute devotions are often used to unintentionally (and perhaps even unconsciously) neglect God for the remainder of the day. When we see God in everything, our encounters with God broaden beyond morning (or afternoon or evening) devotions.

When we see God in everything, we expect to meet - to hear, to experience, to touch - God in everything. Where do you expect to meet with God? Many Christians assume that God's only means of revelation is the Bible and thus the only real place to meet God is through Bible study. But God loves to reveal himself. Sacred scripture itself speaks of other means through which God reveals himself.

God reveals himself through creation. "The heavens declare the glory of God, the firmament proclaims his handiwork" (Psalm 19:1). The angels around God's throne constantly cry out, "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory" (Isaiah 6:3). Creation reveals truth about God's glory, wisdom, goodness and holiness.

God reveals himself through human beings - image-bearers of God. All human beings - Christian or nonChristian - are able to communicate important truth about God. No other creature reflects God as greatly as human beings. Even the most depraved human still bears the image of God, however dimly. How much more those who are in the process of being transformed from glory to glory into the likeness of Christ? (cf. 2 Corinthians 3:18)

God reveals himself through providence - a big theological word that simply states that God meets us through the ordinary routines of daily living. Ronald Rolheiser labels providence, "God's conspiracy of accidents." All things - the good and the bad alike, including interruptions, irritations, delays, unexpected events, etc. - can be means through which we experience God, for God is always present.

Finally, God reveals himself fully and finally in the personal revelation found in Christ Jesus. The Spirit of God intimately manifests the presence of Christ to us so that the resurrected Christ meets us and transforms us. There is absolutely no place in all creation where God's presence cannot be known.

There is no excuse. God's presence can be practiced anywhere precisely because God is present everywhere, working all things together for your good and his glory! Living in light of this great reality is vitally important. Why? Because most of life is ordinary, primarily consisting of sleeping, eating, working, walking, sitting, and other mundane matters. If God cannot be known in the ordinary, then God will be unknown and unavailable throughout most of our earthly existence! Whether in the quiet or the chaos, the mundane or the ecstatic, our entire lives can be the context in which we experience God's transforming presence.

God in the Present Moment

If we lived in light of God's presence we would fully live in the present moment. There is really only one point in time that we have to truly meet God and that moment is the present! Living in the past or worrying about the future takes us away from God's presence in the present. Focusing on the past leads to discouragement - we've all failed. Thoughts about the future lead to anxiety and fear - we have no idea what to expect. It is right now - at this very moment - that eternity intersects with the present, transforming the moment into holy history!

"By believing that God is actively involved in our daily lives, we can let go of our worries and anxieties about the future and live for God in the present moment, a moment filled with his presence and with the possibility of growing in his likeness." (Anthony Coniaris, God and You: Person to Person, p.46)

We miss God's work in the present by preoccupation with the past or with the future. When you are around someone who is obviously preoccupied with other matters, you feel insignificant, unimportant. Your presence is not appreciated. You feel slighted and irritated. Your frustration would be greater if you weren't so guilty of this yourself. Many times in the past, you have been preoccupied as well - whether with yourself, the future, the past, distractions, or an endless variety of other things - and missed out on the joy of the present. You could not enjoy or appreciate your present company. You missed out on a great opportunity to experience another because of your unwillingness to live in the moment.

We often look for God's will in a crystal ball forecasting the future, but it is this very moment that holds the will of God for us! Here is where God wants you to meet him, love him, and love others! Right now is the time God seeks to transform you into his likeness! This very moment is when God is actively involved in your life! Like children, we must be fully present in the moment if we are to encounter eternity. Only when the present moment is treasured as infinitely valuable is it plundered for all its possibilities, rather than taken for granted and ultimately, lost for eternity.

When we fully live in the present moment, God's presence gives us joy in our present duties, no matter how tedious they are. I would not enjoy digging a ditch, but I would have a great time digging a ditch with John Petrucci, lead guitarist for Dream Theater. (If that doesn't "do it" for you, then substitute any name you like in the sentence above.) How much more does God's presence in the most mundane duties transform the tedious into the glorious - boredom into joy? Brother Lawrence, who was a cook for most of his monastic life, demonstrates such joy in his writings:

"Possessed thus entirely with the greatness and the majesty of this infinite Being, I went straightway to the place that duty had marked out for me - the kitchen."

"And it is not necessary," Brother Lawrence continued, "to have great things to do. I turn my little omelette in the pan for the love of God; when it is finished, if I have nothing to do, I prostrate myself on the ground and adore my God, Who gave me the grace to make it, after which I arise, more content than a king. When I cannot do anything else, it is enough for me to have lifted a straw from the earth for the love of God."

The Possibility of Ceaseless Prayer

If we lived in light of God's presence our very lives would become embodied prayer. The Bible calls us to "pray continually" by engaging in "ceaseless prayer." The goal of prayer is communion with God. Ceaseless prayer is nothing more than constant communion with God - living all life in the presence of God! When viewed in this manner, prayer is no longer limited to quiet moments with hands folded and eyes closed. We can speak regularly with God for God is always present. We can practice colloquy - shifting all our self-talk to God rather than to the self. This practice changes our perspective and our heart, transforming our lives in the process.

A Call to Authentic Spirituality

Practicing the presence of God is at the heart of true spirituality. "To be spiritual is to take seriously our consciousness of God's presence and to live in such a way that the presence of God is central in all that we do" (Howard Rice, Reformed Spirituality p.46). We are called to know God, not just know about God; to know God - not just know the Bible; to experience God, not just analyze God like a specimen in a laboratory! We are his rescued Bride ravished by the love of the Bridegroom, not museum curators preserving the relics of a dead past. Jesus is alive and present. Our task is to awaken to this truth and live life in light of this great reality.

We are called to walk with God - to live entire lives in His presence. Those who profess belief in God should not hide from God's presence like Adam in the Garden, but should seek to dwell in the light of God's glory, presence, and blessing. Ultimately, this way of life is not novel. God's people have always practiced the presence of God:

"Enoch walked with God" (Gen. 5:24)
"Noah walked with God" (Gen. 6:9)
"Surely Yahweh is in this place, and I (Jacob) did not know it" (Gen. 28:16)
"Moses endured, as seeing Him who is invisible" (Heb. 11:27)
"I (David) have set the Lord always before me" (Psalm 16:8; 139:7-12)
"We look not at things which are seen" (Paul, 2 Cor. 4:18; cf. 2 Tim. 4:1-2)

We need to rethink faith. Faith is not having "the facts down" but trusting a Person. Faith is not certainty of knowledge but a way of seeing things: "We walk by faith and not by sight" (2 Cor. 5:7). By faith, we walk with Jesus, our Emmanuel, "God with us." Nothing less than this truly represents the Christian faith. If we know all theology, but don't seek this experiential awareness of God, what have we got? Propositions, but not a person; laws, but not love; religion, but no relationship.

God is not an abstract principle or proposition, but a person. God is meant to be known personally - in dynamic, living, experiential communion - and not simply through the intellect. God's greatest promise is the gift of his faithful and favorable presence. Our participation in this great reality should be our greatest pursuit. For if we possess God we possess everything! What greater gift could God give us than himself? Anything else would be inferior. A lover does not ultimately want gifts from her beloved. A lover desires the beloved himself.

Finally, our commitment to practicing God's presence personally and corporately is vital to authentic church growth. Even more, unless we are people of God's presence our church will be deemed irrelevant by spiritual seekers. Ira Groff strikes the perfect balance: "If the church doesn't reach out to the community, people won't come. But if people come into our churches and don't sense the presence of God, they're not going to return" (Ira Groff, The Soul of Tomorrow's Church, p.13).

A conscious, intentional, and persistent pursuit of the faithful and favorable presence of God distinguishes God's people from the rest of the world. Yahweh promised Moses that "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest" (Exodus 33:14). Upon hearing this promise, Moses uttered the same prayer that we should pray regularly, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" (Exodus 33:15-16).

Conclusion

Practicing the presence of God is simple, yet difficult. The theory is simple enough; it is perseverance in the practice that is difficult. It demands that we value the kind of life that results from living in light of God's presence enough to pursue it with passionate commitment. Brother Lawrence wasn't a genius, or a scholar - he was a simple cook. He spent most of his life in a monastery performing simple acts. Yet, over three hundred years later, his influence is still felt today. The same could be true of us, if we choose to awaken to the Transforming Presence that pervades our lives and calls us to discover glory in the ordinary.

"We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade, the presence of God. the world is crowded with Him. He walks everywhere incognitio. And the incognito is not always easy to penetrate. The real labor is to remember to attend. In fact to come awake. Still more to remain awake." - C. S. Lewis, Letters to Malcolm, p.75.