worthy

this western landscape

worthy of contemplation

and admiration

© 2015 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Shoshone National Forest - Wyoming 

Walter Wangerin Jr.

"As a writer, I think it is my job to seek God in the common things; indeed, to believe that God is already in the common things ahead of and outside of me. This happens in three ways: first of all, to see the glory of God in the world, to perceive it, to find it,  sometimes to be stunned by the discovery of it when I hadn't been looking well enough. Second, having perceived it, to acknowledge it, to salute it, to be aware of it, to know it, to dance with it, to think about it, to engage with it — and having engaged with it, to give that glory back to God. The third part involves writing — or maybe I should say praise. Ultimately, it is my job to praise." 

~ Excerpt from: "Glory into Glory" presented at the "Festival of Faith and Writing" at Calvin College - Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2000.

Next event: Festival of Faith and Writing - April 14 - 16, 2016   @ Calvin College

Photo Location: Grand Detour, Illinois 

Green Fleece

In memory of Aaron Havenga (April 2, 1975 ~ November 20, 1994)

One precious memory of Aaron
becomes his favorite fleece jacket
that I still wear 
to welcome 
the coolness of autumn,
the cold of winter,
to recall his warm kindness.

Over forty years since you were born.
Twenty-one years today since you died.
Nineteen years we shared;
as you explored your own world,
pursued your own adventures.
Warmed by your green fleece,
clothed in our covering prayers.

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *
    
The same dark green fleece
our son Aaron wore when
he skied, biked, and hiked
his adventurous self
through the outdoors
in his late teens.

This green fleece
became mine
when he took
the ultimate trail
into another realm;
the heavenly kingdom.

I wear it to honor his life,
to try to feel a fragment of
the gratitude he now feels,
the glory he now sees,
as I await 
the blessed hope. 

© 2015 Richard Havenga

walk among the clouds

Clouds clinging to the earth.
Mountains creating rain showers.
I am standing in the sky,
walking among the clouds,
tasting the alpine winds,
waiting for inspiration.

© 2015 Richard Havenga

Photo Location:

Rocky Mountain National Park - Colorado 

picking stones

ripples rinsed with sun

picking stones in cold water

Superior clear

© 2015 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: 

Lake Superior @ Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center - Schroeder, Minnesota 

ponder

You may also enjoy these "Scripture Pictures":

The Words ~ Feb. 10, 2014

The Work ~ Feb. 12, 2014

The Gift ~ Feb. 14, 2014



Photo Location: Grand River (Jupiter Bridge) Grand Rapids, Michigan

November

live greens turn dead brown

cool November has arrived

month of transition

© 2015 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:  Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

Roots

colorful display

eat your roots and vegetables

at farmer's market

© 2015 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Ada Farmer's Market - Ada Township - Michigan 

copper coins

American Beech

arching branches displaying

autumn's copper coins

© 2015 Richard Havenga

Tamarack

early November

wind pushes cumulus and

golden Tamaracks

© 2015 Richard Havenga

You may also like this green edition of Tamaracks: "brushes" (April 27, 2015)

Photo Location: Cannon Township - Kent County, Michigan