Atheism Does Not

 “Not only did we not create the universe, but we did not create our own powers of reason either.  We can develop our rational faculties by use; but we did not originate them.  How can it be that a mathematical equation thought up in the mind of a mathematician can correspond to the workings of the universe?  The Bible gives us a reason for trusting reason.  Atheism does not.  This the exact opposite of what many people think.”

John Lennox, Northern Irish mathematician, Christian apologist, and professor emeritus of mathematics, Oxford University.

A sure fortress against atheism, stay in the woods.

Hello Darlin

I often find myself still and quiet in the dark early, hours of dawn; my thoughts roll on like a gentle swaying train, pushing scenes of love and times, well and ill spent.  Near life experiences.  Charmed, it's titled, life, the pallid light of memoirs spun to praise tunes.  A confessional of “a sinner saved by grace”, spinning a thread of hope to hold the tattered remains of this old man.   

“My hope is built on nothing less…”  Cut and scarred for life, wrung out and being laid by, the greying years a pale indigo of a new dawn sky.  Hello sunshine, “Hello Darlin…”

A One Word Poem

I am sitting by a window, it is light or deep indigo outside, as my part of the earth rapidly moves toward our star.  I just finished reading Exodus’s telling of the building of the Tabernacle.  The word Tabernacle sounds good and feels good in your mouth as you say it.  It has a certain rhythm, a twinkling jingle to it–Tabernacle.  The word means God’s dwelling among.  That’s why it is such a beautiful word.  God words should sound like prose, a one-word poem; Tabernacle.  

Serenity

I am the firekeeper in my family.  It is a sacred trust.  It involves one of the primal needs, warmth.  It also meets a greater need, serenity.  Serenity, living in an atmosphere ripe with peace and calm, is a rare commodity today.  Most often, it is found through nature; mountains, forests, streams, and oceans come to mind.  But fire can also create it.  What is fire?  Scientifically, it is stored energy being released.  I think of it as a Divine gift of pleasure and love.  This is why I have dedicated a great portion of my adult life to being a master fire tender, a keeper of fire; to ensure those of mine can always draw near and be exquisitely comforted by the Divine gift of fire's release of warmth and…serenity.  

 

A Simple Life

I find myself in the woods every morning with my lover, climbing our loaned mountain, which we have named Mount Brown, after my lover’s family.  It is where I need to be.  We live in a small home, 37’/49’, just to look at the earth when we are not walking on it.  We are a sparse couple, few things bring us joy, and we try to keep ourselves close to those things: God in Christ, our family, his earth and animals, deep meaning for personal worship, our neighbors, and working with our hands.  We touch each other!  Throughout the day, we connect our love, souls, and beings by being close.  I am normally quiet; my wife likes to talk.  I am a greater seer; she likes to dance, and I enjoy seeing her dance greatly.  We have few needs that aren’t met by God, and each other, and the three of us in the woods, lakes, and mountains.  It is a simple life of divine and exquisite meaning.     

  

Happy Trails From The Narrow Way

I have woken hundreds of times on the road and weary.  In tents, the finest hotels, antebellum mansions, guest houses, and road houses.  All with the Ancient of Days and art. 

Here I am again on a cold, rainy morning, dark coffee, 12-foot ceilings, a four-poster bed, old furniture from the early part of the last century, and thick, soft rugs.  Old has a certain smell, like the Rock of Ages, years laid by on years, the deep fragrance of time.  I suppose I am beginning to smell that way, incense of age, more and more of me floating into eternity.

Another art show, another lecture, another time to waken my lover for a warm shower and a long journey back to Fair Haven.  Happy Trails from the narrow way.  

 

Working In a Math Factory

There are phases in life where Friday becomes one of the greatest graces, the kindest act, the most needed gift, Friday, a gift from God. These phases also make Monday like I have come out of retirement and am working in a math factory.  Boy, I am always needing God.