Tags
Beauty, Bible Readings, Christian thought, creation, God, nature, photographic essays, photography, Psalm 46, Religion and Spirituality, Scripture, stillness
It’s been a while since I wrote a meditative post, or one with a faith theme. Not long enough some may say – but too long for others. I will create a second blog for these kinds of posts, but for now I’ll include this one here.
I hope you will find something hopeful and peaceful in this.
Psalm 46 verse 10 reads
“Be still and know that I am God…”
This is one verse of psalm 46 – you may wish to read it in its context. But stand-alone it is powerful and beautiful.
I have offered it to a few people who have needed hope and a sense of calm in their lives.
It is most helpful to me when I repeat the sentence slowly several times, then stop and linger over each major word or phrase and think about meaning.
I have written each of the major words and phrases below in turn and separated them with photographs. Our brains react differently to words and images, together they can reach our whole being.
I hope you enjoy one, or other or both. May you find stillness and peace.
Be
Still
Know
I Am
God
And just a couple more to meditate on
I’ll let you know when the new site is up and running. I will continue this site for photographic essays, stories and quirky humour.
Reflections in Puddles 
Rod, these photos are just about your all time best. So aptly applied to each word. You really upped the ante here and I’ll look forward to your new site.
I have been using the words as a mantra when ever I feel as if my heart wants to “take off and run amok.” I believe that it is helping. It even got me out of my torpid state and I was able to put our a post on WP two days ago. I think I posted about 18 or so pics of all the butterfly/ flutterby that I have photographed in my own butterfly habitat. I had to repeat those words a lot for I was nervous about posting anything after my long absence.
I now feel back in “the swing again” and plan to work on several more which I’ll release quickly. I want my blog to be more informative with just a bit for laughs. Just haven’t found the happy medium. 🙂
Thank you again.
~yvonne
Thanks Yvonne: I was finally able to have a proper look – back in the city. I really enjoyed the variety in your collection. I hope you are able to find a nice lens at an affordable price. Photographic equipment is so expensive. I made a small comment on your butterflies at http://petspeopleandlife.wordpress.com. I am glad to see you back in the saddle.
I have a Texas/Manitoba farmers joke to tell you one day – I’ll squeeze into a suitable post.
Thanks Rod for the reply. Yes, I am raring to post lots of things now. Just need to get past chores and work on the posts a little at a time.
I will wait for the joke with bated breath. It souds like a good one. Manitoba is a huge farming province if my memory is correct. Wheat? I think is widely grown. there. I should have looked that up before flying off with my fingers.
Yes, Wheat, Canola, other cereal crops, potatoes, corn … I’ll try and sneak the joke into the next post – maybe it will give me an idea.
These are all excellent and inspiring images, Rod. I am not a religious person but I can see the calmness and uplifting nature of your choice of words from the Psalm in each one.
Thanks Steve, some of these had been lurking around in my ‘blogable’ folder – it felt good to set them loose.
Hi Rod: Really appreciate your ability to combine words and pictures for an even greater effect. So well done.
Tim
Thank you Tim, good to hear from you. Hope all is well. Rod
Rod, beautiful photographs and words and thank you for sharing them with us. I can’t imagine Jakarta ever being still but I shall think of those words today as I work from my desk and look out at the city. News about Syria and Egypt is foremost in my thoughts – oh that there could be stillness there.
Very anxious times. Such horror for people in the midst of violence and hatred. Such terrible things done
I hope that images of some of the magnificence and beauty of this world together with those ancient words of wisdom can be a calming influence.
Thanks for your comments Lottie.
If you are interested in Syria I recommend reading Robert Shrimsley’s Notebook column in today’s FT. West’s leaders seek chemical reaction. Must dash. About to board my flight. Love the photos Rod. We need a little more stillness but I am pessimistic.
Thanks Andrew I’ll check out the Syrian reference, Safe trip! I think the stillness is something we can attempt at a personal level – I leave the rest to someone else 🙂
This is one of my favorite scriptures, Rod, and the pictures are beautiful.
I learned this scripture as a meditation, too. Slowly, I repeat the words, again and again, but each time I leave off the last word. “Be still and know I am God.” Be still and know I am.” Be still and know,” and so on, until “Be.”
Wonderful post. My mother had surgery today to put 3 screws in her hip to hold it in the socket. It’s been a hard day, and this scripture was a blessing.
So sorry to hear about your mother’s operation – hope it all went well and she has an easy recuperation. It must be very difficult to explain to her.
I used the scripture in a similar way on our church sign, but in reverse.
Be
Be still
Be still and know… etc.
We changed it once a week over a five week period. I hoped it might catch the attention of some of the regular passers-by.
But we also use it as a meditation the same way round as you.
I’ll keep your mother in my prayers. Rod