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Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Blog, Blah, Blah...


I have recently seen a figure published that there are nearly 200 million English-language blog sites on the web, and that worldwide the total begins to approach one billion. Most of these sites are dead or dormant, of course. But still, though it can almost go without saying that that means there is one blog for every seven people on the face of the earth, I guess it also means that there is somehow room for one more. 

No apology need be made for adding another: I feel I have something important to say. Isn’t that the reason anyone takes to the pen, keyboard, canvas or airwaves/microwaves? OK, maybe not the latter… But no, there’s more than that. I feel I have something important to give testimony to.

I am a naturalist. I have not always considered myself such, even thought the title undeserving, but it is a designation with which I have become more comfortable in recent years. I am certainly no O.E. Wilson, no John Muir, no Thoreau, Carson, Sibley, Abbey, Lindbergh, Berry, Audubon or Olson.  But Webster’s Dictionary solves the question of self-designation for me: a naturalist is simply a student of natural history. I am unquestionably that, as there is much about nature that captivates me. Its study and consideration captures not only the hours of my leisure but as well the rarer moments of a daydream.

However, I am also a Christ-follower, a worshiper of the God of the Bible. In fact, this pursuit, though mentioned second here, has actually preoccupied me far longer and infinitely deeper than my preoccupation with nature. It is now many, many years that I have sought to follow hard after God. There is nothing that is more important to me, nothing. And through these years I have found these two passions -- nature and my Christian faith -- coming together in an almost aching, throbbing sense of wonderment and awe.

I have found these two
passions -- nature and my
Christian faith --coming
together in an almost
aching, throbbing sense
of wonderment and awe.

Which brings me back to the statement above about it being more than just feeling I have something important to say: that it is more about feeling I have something important about which to give testimony, to give a shout out about, to give props where props are due. An ancient writer, another who sought to follow hard after God, put it this way: I will tell of God’s wondrous works.” He knew that nature was not just natural; it had its source, its foundation, its substance in the God who created it. Thus, nature was more than natural, for that writer and for me: it is creation. Extraordinary. Supernatural, if you will. I can’t speak about it from anything but a spiritual perspective.

So this is what I would like to give testimony to: that “…The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and everyone who lives upon it. Some will think me a fool. Some even of my friends will wonder why Rick is choosing to write about this stuff, like one of my good friends who looked at me in bewilderment one time as I waxed about creation and said, “What are you, some kind of animist?” He knew better and was pulling my leg. But another of my friends might not have been: when I told him as we walked those autumn woods that day that I felt when a leaf fell from a tree and touched me before it hit the ground that I considered it a kiss from God (yes, I admit that now sounds really stupid to me, too), he responded, “Oh yeah? So what do you think if a big branch falls off and hits you?”


Hmmm… Casting my pearls…

Yet I will still tell of God’s wondrous works. To be sure, I do have another life, a family and ministry life… But right here, at the intersection of creation and faith, is where I often find strength for the journey to which God has called me. And since I am always surprised at how little I find being written on the subject, it seems to me all the more important that I write.

So, another blog? Yes, for my good reasons. Besides, I can think of at least my fair share of seven persons who may be interested in hearing what I might have to say. Let’s see, first there’s me, then my wife, my four kids and three sons-in-law… There, I’m already ahead of the worldwide average.

~~RGM, January 1, 2013          

14 comments:

  1. How fun! I get to leave the very first comment!
    I'm a blog reading addict and am happy to be your 8th potential follower! Happy New Year!

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    1. Thanks, Di! I also think it will be fun to do! Happy New Year to you and yours, too -- it sure will be an exciting one for you all!

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  2. ...and then there were nine. Really, Rick, who on earth plans an extra day or two just to go walk an island beach famous for sea shells? Oh yea, that's right. You and me. Independent of each other. A delightful convergence of interests. The journey off to a quiet place is never time wasted. It is often there that my spirit is renewed. Frequently, it's getting the big picture of things, finding perspective, breaking out of tunnel vision living. Sometimes it is much more, and then sometimes its just a good sweaty hike on a hot day! Love ya Rick! Looking forward to your thoughts in 2013. Happy New Year!

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    1. I remember that well, Jim! How the heck long ago was that? 25 years maybe? I certainly agree with you about nature as a pathway to spiritual renewal for some. Remember Gary Thomas' "Sacred Pathways" that came out fifteen years or so ago, where he spoke of nine or ten different ways people approach God? That was a helpful book for many. Love you guys, too.

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  3. It is so good to hear your voice again. I really love the way you link your thoughts together and look forward to reading more!

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    1. Hello across the wide sea, Christy! Happy New Year to you and your lovely family. Enjoyed getting your folks' Christmas letter. God bless you!

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  4. Wonderfully written! I bookmarked your Blog page. As a huge fan of Olson, Muir and others, it is refreshing to see acknowledgement of God and His being the creator. Thanks go to Phil for posting on fb!

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    1. Thank you, Phil! May God watch over all your transitions in this New Year.

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  5. Wow, looking forward to your ruminations

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    1. Thanks for your interest, Bill! I have tremendous regard for your perspectives on such matters as well. Hi to Sheri, too!

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  6. Always room in the blogsphere for a good one, Rick! I look forward to reading more, my friend. I added a link to your blog from mine...It was wonderful to see you yesterday.

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  7. Thank you, Mike, it was good to see you yesterday, too, always is. Thank you for your graciousness in reading my blog. I have truly enjoyed reading through some of yours today, and eagerly anticipate reading more.

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  8. Uncle Rick! Count me in as your 8th family member who's interested in your ponderings and reminders of Gods love. In the city I sometimes realize I've gone WEEKS without appreciating nature (especially in wintertime) unless there is something out of the ordinary, ie a beautiful sunset, a dusting of snow on the trees. And that's a simple analogy to being atuned to Gods creations EVERY day in nature and taking time for a 20 min walk to enjoy or simply finding one creation a day to admire. The weather in the city is analogous to your faith walk...find time to appreciate something new everyday bc otherwise the cold, gray and hard
    Chicago can wear you down. Love you Uncle! Ps the word you wanted to know was "Kenosis". Xo

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  9. Hey, Heather -- Good analogy of the hard city and the faith walk! We do indeed need to be diligent to discover the things that give us life and restore our gratitude. Spiritual practices can strengthen our faith walk, and nature appreciation, as one of those, can be had even in the hard city. Yes, a city can wear you down unless your find your places of respite. You are blessed to live in a lovely area of Chicago with opportunities abounding around you, but really they are to be found everywhere if and when we look for them. Check out the website chicagowilderness.org. They used to do this great little magazine that my sister subscribed to, though I think that ended a while back and they are now completely web-based. Love you, Uncle Rick

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