Trees

Treasure the trees.
They provide perches.
They protect, they purify,
They produce fresh air and shade
Keeping the pathway cool,
Contrasting with glorious sunlight,
Giving rest, refreshment, pleasure and purpose
To weary eyes, and lungs, and hearts.

Men with chainsaws
Think they are serving the people
By purging the planet of these giants.
Prepare the way for power!
Prepare the way for pavement!
Prepare the way for bigger and better palaces
In populating places!
Prepare the way for prosperity!
They are giving their all for prosperity, palaces, power,
Paper stacked in piles, filed in files.

O that they were preparing the way for the King.
When the King processes
He will peer into the restless desert light and ask,
“Where are all the trees I sent?”

JM - 7/19/2006
These photos were taken on our 29th wedding anniversary hike to Fall Creek Falls.

Kaleidescopic Origami

While we were at the beach for our family vacation, my mom introduced me to the art of teabag folding. It really has nothing to do with teabags. The lady who thought of it started with the paper from a teabag, but the only connection now is that the tiles that you fold are about the size of a teabag. You can print them from the Internet. My favorite site for the tiles is: http://teabagtiles.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk .

After you print the tiles, you cut them out and fold them with simple origami folds. Then, you glue eight of them together, and they turn out looking like little paper flowers, called medallions. My mom taught me how to mount the medallions on cards. They make very classy thank you notes, or cards of encouragement. I enjoy folding them in the car, while watching T.V., or while listening to people talk.

Pictured is a "cardfolio" that I made to stuff with cards and give as a gift. I though of Magic Bean Buyer when I made this. Do you like it?

Rest

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him." Psalm 62:5

As I read this verse, I thought of all the places we often go to find rest. Many times we plop down on the couch to veg out in front of the television. Sometimes we listen to our favorite music. We go for a walk. We seek out a friend to talk to. We go shopping. We piddle with a hobby. We read a book. We go to the mountains. We go to the beach. We go to the lake. There are many ways to seek rest, and some of them actually deliver.

When I veg in front of the television, I find that I really don't rest. I may be entertained, but television creates tension for me. Beautiful music, a walk, or a quiet beautiful spot with a good book are more likely to refresh and draw me to God.

So, I was wondering, how do you, Reader, find rest in God alone? Your experience can enrich my own. Please comment.