Rest Your Eyes- Look, See, Pray

Green is such a restful colour. With the sunlight passing through the leaf membranes, the greens glow; all the tiny veins form patterns linking to the Y-shape of the major stems.

It looks rather like a picture I saw of the rivers of the Amazon Basin viewed from a high satellite pass. The similarity is not just the appearance: the plant uses a “web” of veins and arteries to pass water and nutrients TO the leaf, and thus aid the chlorophyll “factory” working in the leaf bio-chemistry. The chlorophyll is what produces the green colouration. When the growing season ends, the loss of chlorophyll and water turns the leaves brown (until they shrivel or drop).

Just look at the shapes in the composition: allow your eye to wander and explore. What comes to mind? The leaf doesn’t “tell a story” it just exists… is that enough? Or is this photo a waste of space?

Being itself and being displayed can suggest value and beauty. As for meaning… aren’t some pictures valid just because they are pretty?

Let your eye linger on the photo. Does the “simple complexity” cause you to think of the wonder of life, of beauty, of the One who caused Life to be?

To look at a picture or a living scene is one way of tuning in to God’s reality and Being. Some call this practice “Visio Divina” or Divine Seeing; it is a heart-centred practice that invites the viewer to perceive God’s presence through what they see, parallel to how Lectio Divina uses scripture for meditation and prayer.

The practice emphasizes slowing down, gazing with love, and allowing the image to speak to the heart, fostering a direct encounter with the divine. It goes back to St Benedict (c500AD) or earlier: using icons, stained glass, and other forms of art.

Historically, it has been a way to make the invisible grace of God visible through art and creation. Willing to try it? Pick a picture…

(Definition provided by contemplative.org which is worth checking for more insight.)

For the curious- the leaf is a Giant Rhubarb Plant, photographed at Dunster Castle.

I Spy… Look, See, Pray

Today I visited a wetland trust site near Arundel; I was hoping to spot kingfishers and dragonflies and perhaps take a stunning photo of these beauties. I saw one kingfisher, a streak of electric blue as it whizzed past- no picture. Too fast and too small. I saw loads of dragonflies- no picture, because they stayed out of range of my macro and telephoto lens. Some were also blue, I could tell that much.

Unexpectedly, the site was blessed with and abundance of wildflowers. So I took about 200 photos of those.

To be brutally honest, many of those are “nice-but-mildly boring” flower shots. Splendid in their own way, but not obviously shouting “Look at me! I’m deep and profound!”

Then I spotted an unusual detail. A “floaty seed” of thistle or more likely Rosebay Willowherb had become trapped on a reed-stem. Despite the strong breeze, it stayed put, with its fluffy-feathery arms entwined with the reed.

This is my job- to look hard enough to SEE what a casual glance would ignore. How many photographers took a picture of this today? I’m guessing, but I reckon it is only one. Here it is, shared with you! Isn’t the structure of the seed fascinating? Geometric precision, tiny lightweight strands of fluff that act as a natural paraglider. Yet it exists not for the flight, but to carry the seed. And the seed contains all the DNA necessary to grow a new plant, a perfect copy of the parent. Without the “feathery bits” the seed would fall to the ground and overcrowd the existing plant site. Seeds are to carry far away, spread the “good news” of viable DNA, and guarantee the survival of the species. That’s what a seed is for.

I spy with my little eye, a flyable seed… something beginning with hope.

John 3 v8 says “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit of God.”

A wind-borne seed, a resting place, and the expectation of new life. Many years earlier, Isaiah the prophet proclaimed these wonderful words: “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” – Isaiah 55 v10-11

Today I looked and saw an unexpected messenger that reminded me that God can’t be controlled by us- and that this God who has SPOKEN does not waste His Breath. The seed goes out, and God’s will is done. The Word speaks, and new life and new hope come into being.

I looked; I saw. Now my reflection on this becomes a prayer of thanksgiving and comfort. I hope it may also become yours.

(First posted to Reflectionary.org on 30 July 2026)

Star of Wonder! Look, See, Pray

Much too hot to do anything today… now sitting here in the cooler evening air, room-fan blasting away, and filing “forgotten” photos. This unidentified beauty was photographed in mid-December, in a local seafront garden. It took me by surprise: most of the garden was dormant, so discovering this flower was a real bonus.

A star-shaped gem! Golden-throated, white petals with delicate pink veins, it “glows” against its sombre foliage.

I think people start to get old when they lose their sense of wonder.

Young children live for the next wonderful surprise. Anything from a falling leaf to a fire engine is greeted with joyful squeals. “Old” folks can walk past a troupe of performing spaniels and not notice! (“Old” isn’t age as such- it’s an attitude).

I hope I don’t get that kind of “old.” My ideal is to bounce along through the years getting excited by everything that comes my way. Greeting my wonderful wife with a smile, not a grunt, and cooking her breakfast… listening to music, being thrilled by colours, enjoying books and words and jokes and good conversations… excited by the green woodpecker on my lawn last week and the golden-throated flower on a winter’s morning. Glorious wonder!

This is the feeling I get when I read the opening verses of John’s Gospel. Sheer excitement rooted in the Beginning of Beginnings, the Holy Dance of the Trinity, and the personal witness of the “disciple whom Jesus loved.” Here are the first five verses as translated in the “Message”- I hope it makes YOUR heart sing!

The Word was first,
the Word present to God,
God present to the Word.
The Word was God,
in readiness for God from day one.
Everything was created through him;
nothing- not one thing!-
came into being without him.
What came into existence was Life,
and the Life was Light to live by.
The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness;
the darkness couldn’t put it out.

(John 1:1-5, Message)

Trustworthy? Look, See, Pray

There’s something missing. “No Fishing” is plain enough. But for it to be a really good/funny photo, there should be a kingfisher perching or a heron standing next to the sign. Then I could sell that pic for a decent sum. (Even a seagull perching would do at a pinch.)

Modern editing software means I could insert a suitable bird, reasonably easily, although any little mistake would mean you’d spot the cheating. There are real experts in using Photoshop who could make a blended picture so good even I’d be fooled- and I took the photo in the first place.

The altered picture would be untrue, a lie, a misrepresentation, or even a scam (if I tried to sell the photo to the media).

Does that matter? It should do! If not, we decide by default that fictional pics are acceptable “truth”… Imagine if a photographer produced fake nudes- the harm that could do to the reputation and emotional health of the victims! (Please note any similarity to the recent judgement against Gr*k could be purely a coincidence, and is not necessarily my deliberate inference).

Regular readers will know that I try to acknowledge whenever animal/bird subjects have been photographed in captivity. Or I’d be guilty of making you think I’m a better photographer than I am, with fieldcraft worthy of a professional. I’m honest about it.

Truth matters. Honesty and integrity should be integral to our chosen lifestyle.

So when politicians or preachers “add bits in” to make a powerful headline… OR leave stuff out to change the story and unduly influence the audience… it is WRONG. No smart excuses can excuse the lying. It may be expedient to lie/exaggerate/falsify but it isn’t clever and it isn’t right.

You may say I’m showing naivety. Well, I’d rather be naive and enjoy a clear conscience! I believe we should be able to expect truth and integrity from people in positions of influence and power.

After all, as a follower of Jesus (admittedly an imperfect follower) surely I must take his words seriously. “Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.'” – John 14:6-7.

Is it always easy to understand and apply the truth of Jesus to every part of life? I wish!!! Sometimes I reflect Jesus a bit like the reflection of the sign in the water… Sorry about that. I’ll try to be clearer.

Jesus proclaims Truth. Our Accuser, Satan, is described as the “Father of Lies.” So when we’re listening to someone, who is closest to Truth? The sad fact is that we tend to become like the one we pay attention to… so truth IS rather vital. Who are we listening to- and how are they forming us?

Unexpected- Look, See, Pray

I don’t want to go on and on about it… but we’ve had a surplus of rain recently. There have been local floods (an inconvenience rather than a disaster) and the ground of Sussex is very soggy.

My photo shows what can happen if prolonged rain or a severe storm hits a mountain. Alpine weather is volatile!

Normally this is a small stream, trickling gently through the rocks. Overnight it changed. A sharp thunderstorm played “night light” music with flashes and booms- the next morning, the stream was a raging torrent. I used a slow exposure time of one-fifth of a second, which has recorded the water as pale veils ripping down the slope; spray “varnished” the rocks so they glistened moistly. The speed and power of the waterfall was quite intimidating (and the noise was high decibel).

How do we cope with the unexpected? It gives new motivation! Sudden and dramatic change, possibly a threat, dealing with the consequences of circumstances beyond our control?

Pretending we aren’t affected is silly. Relying on the time-honoured “stiff upper lip” of English stereotype may soften immediate panic, but doesn’t help us regain control. It also tries to hide vulnerability. Claiming exemption from consequences/suffering through faith may sound spiritual, but has little scriptural support!

Both Old and New Testaments promise that God will be with us:
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” – Hebrews 13:5

In the words of Jesus himself: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:20

Christian discipleship is about walking in the way of Jesus, seeking to grow closer to Him, and acting out the same kind of actions as Jesus. Even a brief read through the Gospels will show that Jesus did NOT evade the trials and tensions of life. He faced danger and treachery; he confronted the proud and comforted the struggling.

His last hours must have felt like the impact of a terrible storm, yet his love for humanity allowed him to face the Cross, even Death.

One final thing about waterfalls… further downstream, the water will bless many. The fields will be enriched, the thirsty assuaged, and Life will spring from the torrent.

So it is with Jesus: the life taken on a Cross gained Resurrection and became the hope of all the ages and all the world.

God-who-is-with-us stays alongside; Life bubbles up from within. Two final scriptures offer the most wonderful hope in the Universe:

John 7:38-39: “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”

Revelation 22:1-2: “Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb.”

Living water, the water of Life… the deluge of grace to the thirsty heart & soul. Drink deep!

Look for the Light- Look, See, Pray

I’m trying to teach myself the skill of seeing the signs of light and life in an unsettled world.

My photo is of bamboo- which can be VERY destructive if it gets its roots deep enough- and my eye was fixated by the one highlighted strip. The intensity of the light overexposed this strip: the camera couldn’t handle the contrast, so all the colour has bleached out leaving stems and leaves a silvery white. If you look closely, you can see some of these parts glow as they reflect glare which made the lens “flare.”

Bamboo, certainly many of the common varieties, can grow with extraordinary speed. Several inches in a day. Stems and shoots can force through soil, rock, or concrete: it can ruin the foundations of a building, or grow up through solid floors. At which point, it’s too late even to panic!

Bad governance, sometimes careless and sometimes evil, grows like bamboo. Ambition, greed and a lust for power afflict many of those who rise to prominence via wealth or political manipulation. It seems to me this process is clearly at work in the “great super-powers” and in many autocratic states.

Such darkness is not inevitable. The Berlin Wall was brought crashing down by people demanding liberty: Poland and the Czech/Slovak people shone a bright light of hope.

Putin will, one day, die. So will Trump. So will we all. Some of those deaths will make the world a better place for their passing! But ONE death makes the Light shine through Resurrection. Jesus, who was crucified by the “Establishment” of religion and Empire, inaugurated a new Kingdom of hope, of Love, grace, compassion, mercy, and justice: raised from death, Jesus reigns as Lord of all lords and will one day be acknowledged by all. Commoners, lords and ladies, rich and poor…

So if you see darkness growing in leaders, nations, and societies that do not show the values of the Kingdom of Jesus, don’t despair. Their day will pass. The Day of Jesus will never pass away. We see this Light in the actions of love and kindness, of bravery and boldness for the good, and in the transformed lives of those who are becoming like Jesus day by day. The light glows brighter against gathering darkness- and the darkness neither understands nor can overcome the Light of the World.

Please pray for leaders: not in blind approval of their actions, but that they be accountable to both God and the people they rule. Pray for any “outburst of light” you see, pray that Christ brings His Light into every dark place.

The Early Church often greeted each other with “Maranatha” which means “Come, O Lord.” It’s a word in need of more use…

Revelation 22:20 (NLT): “He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon!’ Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!”.

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?

Gnibbled by Gnats- Look, See, Pray

Gnibbled by gnats. Grrr. Not a major problem, more of an irritating inconvenience. What do gnats gnibble when they can’t eat people?

Little things with an impact far bigger than we expect can be distracting, annoying, and disruptive. Untreated- or worse still, scratched bloody- what seem like tiny aggravations can become a danger to our bodies or peace of mind.

We tend to think that it’s the major crisis or awkward problem that will cause most grief in life. Strangely, sometimes we cope better with the big things: they demand our attention and time, and we can’t ignore them. So we get on with it or get help. But gnat bites demand that we focus on them… and mosquitoes are even worse! (If you ever visit Yosemite Valley, don’t stand by the rivers without protective clothing… I did. Once. Aargh!)

Imagine standing here, admiring the mountains and river, and losing it when the itching starts. Each gnibble is insignificant(-ish). Together, they torment and terrorise our very being!

Perhaps I’m the only weak one. You may be strong-willed and single-minded. But so often in my experience it’s the “trivial” troubles that derail my progress: especially my discipleship. Following the Way of Jesus is never easy; and the small annoying habits and “I should know better” choices that make my path stonier than it need be.

The “Letter to the Hebrews” calls on us to emulate those faithful Christlike people who have run the race before us, often paying a higher cost than us, and overcome the big and little trials of faith. How? By fixing our focus on the One who overcame even the Cross. It sounds simple, even simplistic. Will we be beaten by the gnats that gnibble? Or the lions that roar? Or run to win the prize?

Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Fire Dance- Look, See, Pray

I like to grow a few things that are different. Meet Loropetalum “Fire Dance” – a variety of Chinese witchhazel.

The first thing to hit you is the pungent pink of the small strappy petals. The second thing to hit you is the VERY pungent pink… They are not subtle, not at all. Flowering is steady, with the flowers standing out against the bronze/coppery leaves. There is a “light fragrance.” And they’re PINK.

I decided to describe it with words I might use to boast to other gardeners: Pink, Brash, Exotic, Unusual, Worth a Second Look, Spectacular. It seemed proper to match the print colour to the petals. Yep, it’s PINK. Almost magenta, not a pastel shade. It’s quite deliberately in your face. I’m very proud of its bold beauty.

Quite why I should feel proud is a mystery! I bought the shrub, and had no part in breeding its current form. I didn’t travel to the Chinese woodlands where they grow wild. I didn’t submit a blueprint to Mother Nature. I didn’t ask God to create me a special showy shrub so I can show off.

I just enjoy it.

I rather think God enjoys Loropetalum “Fire Dance” as well.

I don’t want to engage in ascerbic conversations about evolution or intelligent design. None of us were “there” in the Beginning. The “Book of Beginnings” is not a publication of the Royal Horticultural Society, nor a dry dusty scientific textbook.

In the Beginning… God spoke. Creation became to BE, and Life was called into Being. At various points in the narrative, God said “It is good.” In fact God said “It is VERY good.”

So that’s enough for me. And I’m rather thrilled that “Fire Dance” was included as part of the unfolding story of the Creator who sustains all things and is redeeming all things. Worth a second look, indeed.

Ways to the Way- Look, See, Pray

Do you have a favourite “method” of approaching God?

As groups/churches, we do things together: we typically sing praise and worship, we pray, we study Scripture and listen to our pastors/teachers, and we use rituals/symbolic actions like baptism and Communion. All these are wonderful ways to open ourselves to God, and bring our offering of worship. We learn about God’s ways AND we learn to love God for Himself.

Probably we “do” some of these things in personal devotions too.

Some find God seems closer when they are doing practical things – cooking, or building, serving others by showing compassionate Love. There are indeed many routes by which we approach.

It may well be that some of those “doings” DON’T help you- I have a friend who is not musical and endures the songs! Or the prospect of praying out loud scares you.

Finding out the most helpful approach for ourselves is a life-changer.

This page, “Look, See, Pray” exists because I find observing and enjoying nature in Creation really acts as a highway to heaven! Combined with my love of photography, the sights and sounds of our wonderful planet inspire me with awe of the Creator and Saviour- and I offer my pictures as an offering to the Lord- a child’s attempt to mimic and appreciate what Father has done.

Take a look at the astounding dragonfly in today’s photo. This beauty flew into the garden, and spent a while posing (resting) on the roses and the sun-warmed brick walls.

Quite content to pose, this gorgeous creature allowed me to admire and record moments in its existence. For me, the photo is a PRAYER of thanksgiving to the Creator. And I hope it may inspire you as well.

I have discovered that my spiritual health NEEDS exposure to nature. Fresh air, wonderful light, the wind and waves, the swish of plants in the breeze: the graceful swan, the hilarious-looking camel, a sunset or a dragonfly… These all point me God-wards. Contemplating such beauty brings me face-to-face with the One who spoke Creation into being. Then I am more likely to benefit from the words, music and habits of a “Christian life.”

So then… Do YOU have a favourite “method” of approaching God?
How would you explain it to someone who enquired about your living faith and your trust in Christ?

Be blessed as you give the question some deep thought!