Blessed Nostalgia? Look, See, Pray

Indulge me in a spot of nostalgia! Today’s delectable weather included high winds and heavy showers, so I decided to look for some sunshine & warmth. Bees on sunny-scented warm lavender did the trick! Imagining the gentle droning of happy bees is a lovely way to spend some indoors time.

Can nostalgia be a spiritual practice or discipline?

It depends on what we are hankering after. To live in the past is not ideal, especially if it causes us to devalue the present or future.

On the other hand, we are shaped by our personal experiences and social history, and we need the perspective that can be gained. Someone I know who regularly makes the same mistake, time after time, is both annoying and pitiful. Another acquaintance has gained wisdom and reputation by taking the time to learn from a range of experience AND apply that wisdom to support and guide others.

Looking back can be helpful- or dangerous. Lot’s wife “looked back” at her old life and was turned into a pillar of salt (see Genesis 19). There is a salt-rock feature near the Dead Sea named “The Pillar of Lot’s Wife.”

More positively, there are several instances where Israelites erected altars or stone monuments, dug wells, and planted trees where a significant God-encounter happened. These reminded them of the nature and power of God, and inspired Israel to put the Lord first. These became symbols of faith and obedience.

Now, I am a “visual” person. I respond to what I see, and find inspiration in observing and photographing the handiwork of our Creator. So my collection of photos is like a Book of Psalms- I use them to remember, to praise God, to be thankful, and to learn from the actions and interactions I have seen. Which is why this ‘Look, See, Pray’ page exists. Bees and plants (etc) can be keys to unlock the soul.

If you respond in similar ways, your own photos or paintings may serve you well. Or perhaps for you it is sound, smell, taste or touch that can unlock good spiritual nostalgia. Try them out: see what helps you enter the Presence of Christ. Used alongside Word & Spirit, nostalgia can be a blessing to lead you onward with God.

And if you find ‘Look, See, Pray’ stimulating, please recommend or forward posts to others. Thanks and bless you!

Becoming Aware- Look, See, Pray

Cooler moist air, early angled sunshine, and a spider’s web becomes an artwork: its fragility set off beautifully by the smooth solid rose-hips adding hints of colourful, warm, apricot.

Eureka! The kind of web that when not lit up can be walked into by us as well as bugs which then enlivens mornings with an impromptu outburst of spluttering interpretative dance.

Suddenly all the delicate structure of the engineering of a web is plain to see. How did spiders ever learn to do that?

The complexity of a garden eco-system is astonishing. So many creatures taking part in the interweaving dynamic of Life. Then the plants that provide beauty, food, cover and more. From ant to tree, there is a place for everything. Most of the events in our gardens happen without our awareness. Life and death conflicts go on in the grasses, the soil, and the air. Hidden birds burst into song (which we sometimes fail to notice- that is surely a crime!).

Becoming aware of the life around us is important. It sets us in the proper context as part of our home, our community, our world.

We will see, hear and smell things that lift our consciousness, and even open us on a spiritual level. Respect for creation often leads to a deeper respect, a reverence, towards God. Theologians talk about God being “immanent” – being present in and sustaining life- and this means God can be encountered in and through the stream of life we are part of. Grace roosts in our treetop, waiting to fly down to our shoulder.

As we step into our home, into our garden, onto our day’s journey, we are on holy ground. God is present, and through encountering His Presence we participate in holiness. We are “set aside” for a holy purpose which can be worked out wherever our day takes us.

My day started with a spider’s web. And I sensed the pleasure of Jesus as I photographed it, and as I started to write about the experience. God is here, as He always has been. Now, I am aware.

Psalm 113:4-6

The Lord is high above all nations;
His glory is above the heavens.
Who is like the Lord our God,
Who is enthroned on high,
Who humbles Himself to behold
The things that are in heaven and in the earth?

Garden Party! Look, See, Pray

The garden’s throwing a party!
Colour bursting out all over-
reds and golds, yellow and brown,
all those sober green leaves
swearing off chlorophyll,
going on strike for a rest…
Who knew those bright pigments
were already hiding there?
Now the race is on-
will Jack Frost nip in?
Or storm rip off leaf and branch?
Stark and black, skeleton trees
waiting for snow…
October half drained,
November looming full grey,
December soon.
Instead of Nature’s palette,
tinsel and LEDS spring up,
Christmas on the way.
Let’s celebrate colour now!
God painted these plants
just for you and me.
Richard Starling, October 2024 (c)

“Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy!
Let the trees of the forest sing for joy
before the Lord, for he is coming!
He is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with justice,
and the nations with his truth.”
Psalm 96:12 (New Living Translation)

Storm Drains- Look, See, Pray

Not the most attractive photo I’ve ever taken on the beach. But an important subject.

Storms and floods have been a problem round here for most of November. Some roads are still closed. Slowly, pumps and storm drains are working to improve things. (At least until Storm Fred turns up. Wonder what “G” name will be given to the storm after that? Storm Gertie?)

Looking at the water gushing out of the pipe, it seems clean- but don’t drink it. The amount of dirt and sundry chemicals would probably be quite toxic.

We need storm drains. They deal with the dirt and disasters.

It made me think: what about MY storm drains? How do I deal with the “dirt and disasters” of everyday living? I’ve been a follower of Jesus for roughly 56 years- and the 12 years before that were in a Christian family. So I’m very privileged to have known about God all my life- and known Him in a chosen relationship for over half a century. Oh boy, that makes me feel old.

Despite that privilege, I am not yet perfect. Therefore I have had to deal with the mucky end of the stick many times. There are stains and baggage from the pilgrimage.

The easiest part of dealing with that is forgiveness: God is always willing to forgive (read the parable of the Prodigal, Luke 15 v11-32) although being able to accept that forgiveness can be harder. God will forgive me- will I forgive myself? Or those who have hurt me?

Apart from being forgiven, there are ways of draining off the waste product: and also dealing with the omission of things we should have done- but haven’t done.

Repentance is a word often used, not always understood. Repentance literally means to “turn round.” It’s a change of mind, of direction, and priorities. Repentance allows us to “agree with God” about our true state; it implies the intention NOT to repeat the offense, plus attempting to make restitution to others where appropriate. Repentance helps us receive the reconciliation that God offers and wants.
Praying honest, realistic prayers; reading the heartrendingly honest psalms and scriptures that show we desire to live in integrity (try Psalm 51 for one example!).
Discovering ways of meditating, practicing holy mindfulness, using written liturgies that have helped generations of believers.

These all act as “storm drains” – but such channels be blocked up or ignored. Periodically, we should unblock our drains- perhaps a serious fast, or a period of dedicated prayer, or maybe seeking pastoral counsel from other wiser Christians. Don’t keep looking at or obsessing over the discharge from your drain! Let it go. After all, the point is to release the toxic waste, not experiment on it.

If we claim that we’re free of sin, we’re only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins—simply come clean about them—he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we’ve never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God—make a liar out of him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God.
1 John 1:9-10 The Message Translation

And we WILL be transformed- to become like Jesus. That’s worth clearing the drains for!

A Sweet Read- Look, See, Pray

Delicious sweetness. These tropical Owl Butterflies were being given oranges which they sipped delicately through their own built-in “straw” – the hollow tube extending from their mouths. Orange juice is rich in flavour and gets its kick from the fructose & glucose. It must be every butterfly’s dream to go out for fresh oranges!

Most of us respond to sweetness: it’s a treat which affects our hormone balance! Too much sugar is actually toxic for people. Yet it has an almost addictive quality, and modern food processing uses sugars and fats to make our food almost irresistible.

Butterflies are presumably smarter than us- I’ve never seen an obese butterfly!

Honey and sweet fruits were “luxury” items through most of history. People would usually only have sugary foods at harvest or special feasts & celebrations. Higher status and wealth gave access to sweet treats. The poor had little access to sugar. Turnip, anyone?

Do you see now why the Biblical use of “sweetness” is so important? Psalm 119:103 says “How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”

God’s Words are compared to special luxury treats. What God has said and is saying is EVEN BETTER than eating a honeycomb.

The psalm encourages the worshippers to relish the best God can give. The Lord speaks of mercy, love, forgiveness, justice and hope. When was the last time I read the Bible with an attitude of wild excitement and enjoyment?

Not every verse, sentence, letter or book is obviously “sweet” – sometimes it is medicine to the soul, a challenge to our willingness to obey and serve. Even so, a “spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down” as Julie Andrews sang so sweetly…

How different is my attitude to reading the Bible when I realise it is a TREAT not a TASK?

Gloriously, it’s a treat for ALL who will read and obey. Not just the rich, the powerful, the top 1%. The invitation is simple: come and read- and rejoice in God’s gift to anyone who will receive it.

Perhaps we should eat oranges as we read the Bible; or as we hear the preacher on Sunday. Would we take it in better if our tastebuds are tickled?

One of the nicest things about these butterflies is the gorgeous colours they display after they’ve sucked in the sugar. Christians should also display to their best advantage after taking in the Living Word of the Living God- energised, but not bloated. If we stuff ourselves full of God’s honey BUT DON’T PUT IT INTO PRACTICE we become knowledgable fools… flitting and floating, and no use to anyone.

Note to self: it’s a TREAT, not a TASK. Now, where did I put my Bible?

Makes me Think- Look, See, Pray

Strange little creatures, dragonflies. Huge compound eyes, lace-and-glass wings, and a fearsome killer’s instinct. Even when resting, they seem alien and slightly sinister. Harmless to us, but a peerless predator; the attack helicopter of the natural realm!

Some dragonflies dart at their prey, others chase it down. Both kinds are nimble flyers; capturing photos of them in flight is a real challenge. That’s why this one is on a wooden gate!

Have you ever stopped to wonder how wonderful this world is? Full of plants, insects, birds, animals and fish. Each kind has its place and fits a niche perfectly. It would take a lifetime to become an “expert” on any species; and every day we will encounter perhaps dozens of creatures.

Bees and flies and midges as we walk down our front path. A chorus of birdsong with several different voices and distinctive songs. The rustle in the border may be a mouse, a vole, a stag beetle- or next-door’s cat on the prowl. Dogs proudly protect their homes, and the local donkeys join in with the ambulance siren on Chalcraft Lane. If we looked, innumerable wee beasties can be spotted. A bright green tiny spider the size of a match-head, another big bulbous black one… I won’t photograph that, it scares the readers.

There seems no end to the creative imagination behind the existence of life: and surely there must be One- unless the world and life are meaningless, without purpose, and devoid of joy.

Here are three Bible verses to ponder:
“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” Romans 1:20

“O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures.” Psalm 104:24

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

Simply Thankful- Look, See, Pray

“I will sing the LORD’s praise, for he has been good to me.” – Psalm 13v6

There’s an important distinction between declaring that “God is good” and “God has been good to me.” The first is a general truth and the second is a personal testimony. General truths can seem hard to take in the light of suffering or loss: the “goodness” is difficult to understand in those precise circumstances. There can be times where faith stands up under the strain and says “God is good” (through gritted teeth?)… see below for words from a country man and prophet named Habakkuk…

Tonight I give thanks and praise to God because He has been good TO ME in a specific way. A follow-up test has shown my cancer surgery was completely successful back in 2019. I believe God loves me and looks over me- and in a good partnership with the NHS, I have been blessed with a longer life. Honestly, it was harder to say “God is good” on the day the surgeon said “We need to operate on Thursday…” The general truth about God’s goodness was not something I doubted- but it didn’t “feel” good. God gave me a surprising peace, a wonderful wife, some amazing friends, and a brilliant surgical team… and now, three + years later, the general truth has become a specific one. I am simply grateful- and saying my most sincere thanks.

Today I also have various friends facing surgery, struggling with serious health concerns, living in difficult even tragic circumstances. God is good: my prayer must be that “God will be good to them” in the most appropriate manner, bringing healing and wholeness through medical skill and/or Holy Spirit power and grace. (There is no need to believe it must be God-OR-medicine. It can be BOTH/AND.)

I truly hope that my faith- and theirs- may reach the depth of that man Habakkuk… To be able to say and mean this:

“Even if the fig tree does not bloom
and the vines have no grapes,
even if the olive tree fails to produce
and the fields yield no food,
even if the sheep pen is empty
and the stalls have no cattle—
even then,
I will be happy with the Lord.
I will truly find joy in God, who saves me.
The Lord Almighty is my strength.
He makes my feet like those of a deer.
He makes me walk on the mountains.”
– Habakkuk 3v17-19

I’m attaching this post to a photo I took this week of my favourite type of crocus. Purple-and-white stripes with a glowing orange centrepiece. I do believe the God who created these IS good and generously kind.

Simply thankful: Peace and grace to you, with joy and hope through faith!

Shame in Tears? Look, See, Pray

Overnight rain has passed, memories of the storm still rumbling through our senses, and leaving teardrops caught in the alchemilla leaves.

Sparkling like crystals, these tears are for the passing of summer. It was the first of a wave of storms heading our way- and weakened by the drought, trees have fallen and the leaves of the survivors have been persecuted to the point of giving up. Autumn will seem short this year.

Many of us work hard to conceal our struggles and try to “be brave” by bottling up our feelings. Yet tears are a safety valve; crying is a reflex to help us process strong emotion, grief, and pain.

Charles Dickens makes this point: “Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts. I was better after I had cried, than before–more sorry, more aware of my own ingratitude, more gentle.” ― Great Expectations

We are improved by our tears! The apostle Paul made another point about the way our crying may help us let others know how much they are loved: “I wrote that letter in great anguish, with a troubled heart and many tears. I didn’t want to grieve you, but I wanted to let you know how much love I have for you.” – 2 Corinthians 2:4

Tears can even be a form of prayer. Having run out of words, having reached rock bottom, facing problems and sadness… what better way to express ourselves and communicate with God? There is even a verse in Psalms (Ps. 56 v8) that says the Lord “treasures” our tears as a keepsake of love.

Even Jesus wept at the passing of a friend. (John 11:35) After His tears came a miracle…

I wonder how the Lord values- and could use- OUR tears?

How to Flourish- Look, See, Pray

What does faith in God offer to the political debate that consumes the time and energy of the news media? Quite a lot!

When looking for leaders who will serve the people, we should look at character and attitude. As the Bible says, God looks at the heart not the outward appearance. May I suggest a meditation to form the basis of our prayers? The beginning of the Book of Psalms sets out a conditional blessing based on the essential choice to seek out goodness and godliness in place of selfish greed and ambition…

Let’s pray that the Lord will be at the centre of the situation: that we as a nation may know God and His ways. That is the way to mercy and blessing.

The Way of the Godly – Psalm 1:1-3

How blessed is the person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

But their delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law they meditate day and night. Such a person will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and whose leaf does not wither. In whatever that person does, they will prosper.

New Words, Ancient Truth- Look, See, Pray

The most familiar words can become filled with greater meaning when they are placed in a new setting. As I looked at the photo taken in a remote fjord in Norway, the morning tranquility reminded me of that well-known Psalm “The Lord is my Shepherd.” So as I thought about the ancient truth of David’s song of faith, I tried to put it in my own words- not to “improve” it (!) but to make it personal. Perhaps my effort will bring ancient Truth alive through these new words.

There’s a path through the mountains
On the way to a promised land,
That leads beside the green fields
Where still waters quench my thirst.

God is my Guide, my provider for need.
God renews my life from within,
And teaches the way  for my steps,
So my soul honours His Name.

In desolate days not even Death cuts me off,
For God walks beside me and evil must flee.
He saves me, comforts and challenges me;
His love disciples my heart and mind.

The banquet of blessing scorns my foes,
Signs of Your grace overflow!
All You provide is good beyond measure,
To be near to You, the greatest of treasure.

From setting out, to coming home
I live in Your Presence, forever in peace.



Psalm 23-ish © Richard Starling, 2022