Tag: trees

color and light

Just a few images of light and color. November is being rather kind by sharing mild temperatures. The Illinois River and my home are the locations for these images. Thanks November!

more fall moments

Starved Rock State Park, in Oglesby, IL, is filled with hiking trails, canyons, high cliff views of the Illinois River and, in the Fall, the beauty of all those fallen leaves. My colleagues and I go to this park for our annual hiking trip to celebrate birthdays on our staff. We enjoyed a cool, beautiful day! Thanks for stopping buy.

and He is love

the beautiful sadness of fall
colors singing proudly
before cascading to the earth
creating a carpet
of emerald crimson and lemon
to welcome the solace and solitude of winter

the humility of each season
is the common theme of the songs they sing
each season happily surrenders its beauty
to the charm and grace of the next
and so all creation sings to the Creator

let us do the same
welcome the constant change
that this life brings
and be alive
to all that must die within us
and be willing to surrender
to all that must be reborn
through confession
forgiveness
and the grace and mercy
of our Lord

"Yes, grass withers and flowers fade,
but the word of our God endures forever." *

and
He
is
light

and
He
is
love

* Isaiah 40:8

the beauty of the ‘nook

The ‘nook is short for my home town, Minooka, Illinois. We ended Monday night with a rainbow and beautiful sunset – both taken from my front porch. The cactus flower is in the garden in front of our house. The sunrise is just a 2 minute walk from my home. What does the beauty around your home look like?

chilly rise

A still, chilly, beautiful first sunrise in 2020.

what i saw at starved rock

My day job is as a worship pastor. I have the privilege of working alongside a fantastic team of leaders and friends. Our team culture includes celebrating each other’s birthday. Each year we head out to Starved Rock State Park (a real gem of a place in the midst of the Midwestern plains) when my birthday celebration comes around. These images are some of what I saw today. Thanks for stopping by.

morning has broken

leu gardens

Taking a break from Long Island to post a few images of the amazing Leu Gardens, Orlando, FL. (Click on the images to see a larger view.) We enjoyed a stunning display of color and beauty! A must see if you are ever in the Orlando area.

falling star

A bit more of a “traditional” Fall image for this post.

green and light

Not quite sure why this park in southern Illinois is name Giant City Park, but so glad to be able to take a hike in this beautiful setting that reminded me over and over again that winter is gone!