Nature Speaks..Do you Hear?

"FLOWER IN A CRANNIED WALL"

Alfred Lord Tennyson

Flower in the crannied wall,

I pluck you out of the crannies,

I hold you here, root and all, in my hand,

Little flower-but if I could understand

What you are, root and all, and all in all,

I should know what God and man is.

Have you looked around recently at your environment and wondered where it all came from, how did it all begin? Have you loitered long enough on a path to see the patterns of our habitat, and realize the function of this big ball floating in the universe has design, precision and meaning? Have you realized the beauty layed before you every day without failing is a picture, or may I say, a well planned production to get your attention? The rising and setting of the sun is a message, have you stopped to listen to what it is saying? Nature is God's love note filled with consistency, surprises,opportunity and best of all a resounding call to find out who He really is.

Sadly, the writer of this poem did not find the understanding he wondered about in his poem. He died believing "..  in Pantheism of a sort." (from his diary). In quick terms, he believed God was unknowable, out there in the universe, but not involved. 

Pslams 19:1-4 says the heavens speak to all the earth....Are you listening?

Romans 1:20 says nature boasts of God and who He is and this is enough for

                     man NOT to have an excuse to know Him.

God wants to be active and involved, His love letter called 'nature' screams it. If you find yourself wondering 'if I could understand'  it may be time to wake up and smell the roses.

{He's REAL and He wants relationship with you}

EXCELLENT apologetic on panentheism

I Am Not A Deist

I've read a book that has brought a subject I like, mainly, how and why people think the way they do, into a clearer view.  Of course, reading this thought provoking book caused me to ping thoughts into the vast realm of questions, answers and corrections and catechize to this solitary blog, for whom I write for myself, my family, my friends and any web travelers that somehow find themselves here.

Synopsis of Nature's God

So, I'll get to it. The book is called, Nature's God, The Heretical Origins of the American Republic, by Matthew Stewart.  Mr. Stewart pens a well written account of the revolutionary ideas that birthed our government. He begins with the reason for his inspiration, finding a copy of Ethan Allen's, Oracle of Reason, 1784, a lesser known, possibly plagiarized work of one of our Founding Revolutionaries.

Mr. Stewart gives a crash course in the stem tree branches of the philosophers our Founders gleaned their ideas from and no doubt framed their life around which lead to a formed government. The Modern Age is experiencing the repercussions and ever-evolving outcomes of the brainchild they set about in the Eighteenth Century.

He makes the point that five, free-thinking, in your face and ready for change, young men lit the revolutionary fires which layed the foundation for the more refined, palatable Founding Fathers to define and execute into the public realm.  It takes agitators to implement change otherwise status quo will reign.

These five men were Dr. Thomas Young, Ethan Allen, Thomas Paine, Timothy Matlack and James Cannon. A sixth would have been added except he separated ways with the above radicals later in life due to a change in heart regarding the principles they stood for, his name was Benjamin Rush.

Let me stop here, do you remember these names from your History classes? I could only remember two, Ethan Allen and Thomas Paine. What I was taught about them was a flash paragraph or two in a story formatted way, written in a manner of fictitious heroes. Most do not know Dr. Young was the organizer for one of the most famous events in American History, the Boston Tea Party (Samuel Adams is the one we know who lead the men to accomplish it). Why weren't these men given more of the stage? I do believe because they were the purest form of the Enlightened belief system they carried close to their hearts. These were the radicals living out their very ideas in the open. Ideas that when introduced to the mainstream, wore rough.  Ideas that needed the direction of brilliant artisans of wordplay in order to be kept alive. Enter, the eloquent, refined, educated Founding Fathers, to serve up these ideals in a palatable, rhetorical method. 

There is a propaganda machine the writers of history love to use. It involves mixed truths, revisionism, hyperbole. This master machine sways political, religious and moral thought. Debates abound over the facts of history. The debate over the Founding Fathers faith is a big one. Were they Christians, were they Deists, were they Atheists? The only way to know is by first source or contemporary source information. 

Why does it matter as to what they believed? It matters because a mis-informed mind or dumbed-down community can be controlled right into slavery. (Spiritual and physical slavery.) 

Mr. Stewart goes into great detail as to what these five paradigm changing radicals believed and what the Founding Fathers created and launched into the world. He begins with who influenced their minds and backs it up with context, first hand and contemporary quotes. It begins with master thought play artisans, most commonly labeled as philosophers.  These people are theoreticians who study human behavior, the origins of the universe and frame it with knowledge under a scope of experiences; they attempt to define life. They explain the How and Why. 

Edward Herbert, 1st Baron of Cherbury: Deist
Portrait by : Isaac Oliver (1560- 1617)

Philosophy: The Ideas Behind the American Revolution

The Enlightened crowd of the Eighteenth Century borrowed from the following thinkers in some way or another:

Philosopher                                                                             Highlight

1. Epicurus - 342 B.C.                                                            Atomist/Determinist- Swerve Theory

2. Machiavelli - 1469                                                              The Prince- Founder of Political Science

3. Thomas Hobbes - 1588                                                       Political Philosophy

4. Baruch Spinoza - 1632                                                        Father of Enlightened Science

5. John Locke - 1632                                                               Father of Liberalism

5. Anthony Ashley Cooper - Earl of Shaftesbury  - 1671       Moralist

6. Henry St. John Bolingbroke -  1678                                    Deism

7. David Hume  - 1711                                                            Skepticism/Naturalism

The main idea and philosophy derived from these men and believed by Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin  and the radical five in a very small nutshell consists of:

1. God is reduced to Nature and 'God' is functionally interchangeable with 'Nature'.  

2. The world can be defined through scientific means

3. Reason defines truth

Humanism/Reason/Science: Deist Trinity

The above tenets describe a faith in oneself or fellow man, a support of Humanism. Religion outside of theirs is just a moral pendulum good for keeping a sound society. God and religion are just useful tools to keep the strings of society healthy just as a good story told to a toddler at bedtime placates them to sleep easier than just telling them to go to bed. Some of them upheld the Christian religion as a wonderful moral maxim for living but they admit to rejecting the 'revealed' aspects of God's word. The common thread throughout these men of influence is their progressive decent from the God of the Bible.

In reality, Deism is Atheism just trying to be nice so it can get along with others. It is a form of manipulation to the benefit of the self. It is a liberation from God through free will, therefore, the individual man becomes a god unto himself.  Deism is the precursor to Modern Liberalism. Deism just throws God a bone in giving credit to the creation of the universe, but it ends there and pretty much slaps Him in the face by essentially saying, 'stay out of everything else, I know more than you through my empirical senses, although I still can't explain how I'm made and truly work through those senses (Science). Oh, I have a lot of good facts that describe the physical make up of man even though I have an incomplete picture, there is brilliance in it even, yet YOU weren't involved in any way. '

A Few Random Thoughts 

If I could draw Deism, I'd draw a box with man inside where the limitation that are already set upon him only grow smaller because a deist can't deal with the miraculous wonder of a God that participates in His Creation.  Where as following the God of the Bible puts God inside and outside the box, the box has doors and windows that are opened only when a reality is understood that beyond the self is an omnipotent God that guides us as we live in that box.  

The title of this blog is a statement. Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter to a friend, William Scot stating, "I too am an Epicurean," and proceeded to talk about how his doctrines where misrepresented. There is an irony in this letter as the Founding Fathers misrepresented the doctrines of God by reducing him to Nature and throwing out the parts of the Bible they felt were unreasonable. 

What the Founding Fathers failed to realize or did realize and rejected is the Bible is a philosophical wonder that explains more of life to an extent that science has proven it true (watch out revisionism and oppression of truth).  Even Richard Feynman, famous physicist has stepped down the ladder of Atheism and admits a being had to design the universe.  Keep Going Richard, He wants you to know Him. 

Now, I have railed against religion on this blog , some may try to equate that with a deistic principle. If you take the time to really understand what religion is through the teaching of Christ, you will realize the philosophy of His word. Following God is extremely different than following a set of rules and traditions, it is so much more.  Yes, it involves Him revealing Himself to you.

Although I am not a Deist, I am grateful for the work of the Founding Fathers. They have given a form of human government that can't be matched when compared with other forms over time. Yet, I think it is very important to know the truth of the matter,  Our Nation had heretical beginnings and it will always be tainted when God is eliminated.

Inspired Scriptures

Don't mess with God's Word: Duet. 4:2, Duet. 12:32, Psalms 119:160, Revelations 22:18-19

God's Philosophy: I Corinthians 1:19-21, I Corinthians 2: 6-8, Acts 17:18, Romans 1:20-2, John 14:6

Science in the Bible: Read this Article, Proverbs 2:6

It's ALL or Nothing with God: Revelation 3:16, Matthew 7:13, Matthew 7:21-23, Isaiah 35:8, John 14:23-24

He is Active: John 14:26, I Corinthians 2:10, I Thess. 4:8, Nehemiah 9:20

             

Natures' Instrument

Mom: " What did you think of our adventure on the 360 trail this year Alex?"

Alex: "It was pretty good, I saw some cool stuff, things got real when we got to the water."

Mom: "Yes, I heard the rushing water and the sound made me want to find where it was coming from so I could see what was making that loud noise. I knew in the back of my head large rocks had to be ahead in order to make that sound. Amazing how the terrain is like an instrument and the water plays off of it making a distinct sound. What name would you give Natures' Instrument or what instrument you know of would be the closest to a river bed and water?"

Alex: "Hmmm… (thinking)…. it sounds like the Spacedrum.

Mom: "Most people haven't heard of the Spacedrum, but you are right. I do think the space drum sounds like small water droplets running over rocks but also sounds like those small water droplets collect into a bigger cohesive sound like water rushing down a river filled with many rocks. How would you describe the space drums sound?"

Alex: "Well it sounds natural, it reminds me of caves, crystals and waterfalls."

Mom: " Yes, when you hear one played the high timbre gives a glass clinking sounds that would remind you of crystal and the water reflecting light also gives definition to the look of water. Can a look  be defined by sound?"

Alex: "Yes, this happens to me all the time. When I draw, sometimes the sound in the music inspires me to draw a certain picture."

Mom: "Interesting! Art, nature and music all have a certain relational aspect. I would love to see more of your drawing inspired by music. Sometimes nature inspires me to write and the sound of certain music calms or excites me. I think creativity has inner and outer levels, wavelengths and stimuli that can be individually interpreted, yet have meaning others can imprint their creativity on as well. Any thoughts on this?"

Alex: "Yes, We both see the river with scientific eyes that make us think of natural laws but we also see the river with artistic eyes that makes us think of beauty. One thing I noticed was the deception water conveys with depth. When we walk the river bed when it's dry, we are on solid, flat ground, once it fills with rain it shows that certain parts of the bed are deep and can cover your head even though you can see the bottom clearly. Adding the element of water changed the entire river bed canvas."

Mom: "I love being in nature, one thing I like about hiking a flowing river path is I tend to lose track of time and don't feel the need to be anywhere else but where I am at. Noticing all the different aspects of the terrain and how it interplays with you in the mix tends to make me think of God, who created it all for our good and pleasure.  I love that we noticed the sound nature makes this time on our adventure."

Enjoy this 'Spacedrum' Solo (technically called a Hang, pronounced Hung) by Yuki Koshimoto

Can you hear the 'water droplets' converge into a river in this song?
I can!

Reflections Between Heaven and Earth

'Reflections Between Heaven and Earth'
 Photo by: Chandra Brown

Description:

'Reflections between Heaven and Earth' displays realism and impressionistic subtly through mixed images. Blending of natural elements are balanced with varied color and textured layers.

Deuteronomy 10:14 - "Heaven and the heaven of heavens belong to the Lord your God, the earth with all that is in it."

Alstroemeria

Alstroemeria
Photo by: Chandra Brown

Alstroemeria
Zygomorphic beauty
Unfolds in symbiotic affinity,
together apportioned truth combine
imparting genuine love; sublime

Silken petals
Curve suspends upon fluent mien
a benevolent theme of paramount,
cautious eyes and breath passing lips
should not disturb where the calyx sits

Intricate anther
dresses fine tenets of rapport,
dissuading flux in sentiment
braced by firm filament

Unfailing frond
worthy to bear the conduct of being,
vaulted in set similarity
no encumbrance to harmony
By: Chandra Brown

Alstroemeria Facts:

• Symbolizes friendship and devotion and the trials and tribulations encountered upon the journey.
• Also called Peruvian Lily, Lily of Incas or Parrot Lily

Proverbs 20:6 - "Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?"

John 15: 12-13 - "Love one another just as I have loved you. No greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

Front Yard Facelift

Our landscape has gone through drastic changes over the years. When we first moved in it was a jungle with weeds so we rectified the problem and made it into a lush, clean, green scape. Years fly by and the Bradford Pear tree was threatening our neighbors car and our windows; not to mention crowding out our Live Oak tree so my husband felled the Bradford Pear almost by himself. (What a man!) This left a bare area in the middle of the yard with a years worth of new runners to constantly pull up.  The Nandina's planted by the electrical box were out of control and looked more like anorexic weeds than a beautiful bush. 

An update was due but what do you do when your budget is less than two nickels to rub together and your spent from all the other life issues pulling at you? You call in the re-claim, re-purpose, landscape extraordinaire, John Debee. 

I wanted a change, something eye catching, yet drought resistant and easy to take care of. My dad knew exactly what plant to buy, how big it was going to get, and where to plant it.  My hero! 

John Debee and his helper making a re-purposed screen from scrap wood

Working in the yard on my small project brought back childhood memories of helping Dad accomplish his vision for his little piece of heaven in Colorado. Moving bricks, shoveling out grass to make way for raised garden beds, filling wheelbarrows with rocks for dry stream beds all came to the forefront of my mind. He's been fine tuning and tweaking his Colorado paradise for years and every time I go home to visit he has something wonderful planned in his ever changing utopia. It is a place of beauty and relaxation with an enchanting Japanese element to the design. 

PROBLEM: This part of the side yard was gnarled with Nandina roots, and dogs loved to use it as their bathroom. The media box, telephone cable containers and water meter covers were overgrown and hard to access. 

SOLUTION: We found a few fence pickets laying around the garage and a few 2x4 boards from our recent deck repair project. We got out Nathan's trusty table saw and ripped down the boards to the correct size and Voila, a wood screen was created to cover the boxes and act as a backdrop for the plants. We purchases Mexican Feather Grass and Maiden Hair Adagio to give texture and color to the area. We found a few stray, white rocks behind our house in the pipeline and decided to use them as decorative fillers. We added Texas Native Black Mulch as the finishing component and now this corner has design quality I can be proud of.

BEFORE

AFTER: View 1

AFTER: View 2

PROBLEM: Nandina was covering this electrical box but it was UGLY! Leaves and weeds loved this area and made it difficult to clean out.

SOLUTION: We removed the offending plants and prepared the soil. We planted one Maiden Hair grass that will get 5 feet tall and act as a backdrop to Purple Fountain grass.  I could also make a wood screen for this area but the grasses and plumes should grow to cover this box in a short time.

BEFORE

AFTER: View 1

AFTER: View 2

OVERALL: Removing the tall, scraggly Nandina plants helped open the view of our front yard, making it feel bigger than what it really is.  The new plants also helps tie all our other landscape elements together by adding texture and color variation. This is good for the exterior curb appeal and looking at the new and improved areas bring a smile to the soul.

Flowers make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul."- Luther Burbank

“Gardens are the result of a collaboration between art and nature.” – Penelope Hobhouse

Stay tuned for a future blog about a re-purposed project inspired by a mis-hap during this one involving yard tools. 

Natures' Amusement Park

Mom: "So, Alex what did you think of today's adventure at the 360 Trail?"

Alex: "I discovered a free passage to mother natures amusement park but you may have to pay at the end of the day. Mother nature will give you a bill of foot sores."

Mom: "Yes, there were a few pebbles that made me wonder if our trek was worth it, but I had a ton of fun arriving at our water destination. The water was chilly at first but I got used to it quickly. What did you think of the water?"

Alex: "One of the strongest forces of nature for sure. I  got dragged off a rock just because I was in a
certain position."

Mom: " I saw that, I heard you kind of squeal in a scared voice at first, then you landed in the pool below and I could tell you thought it was fun. That was why I was laughing. I thought the water looked menacing but once we got in and started interacting with the rocks and water it was a piece of cake. We conquered this day and had fun doing it. Do you want to do it again?'

Alex: "Yes although I skinned my butt and bumped it on rocks a few times I still had a blast!"

Mom: "Those are natures' kisses. We will take dad next time, he will love the adventure too. You can be his tour guide. I love you and love spending time with you."

Alex: "More like natures' bites.Thank you for interviewing me."

Mom: "You are welcome!"

Spring In Texas

Yellow Pom Pom

Lupinus Texensis

Photos By: Chandra Brown

Periwinkle pettles

propogate profusely

promulgating proof of God's handiwork

Circlets of sunbursts dotted along a branch

radiating bright and warm

upon the meadows patch.

Blossoms bloom, colors announce

life is regenerating.

Spring; 

picture perfect illustration of God's

promise to mankind on Earth.

By: Chandra Brown

Disney World's Natural Beauty



The Butterfly and The Bumble Bee

Lone thistle stands among lofty pines
a butterfly lands on tubuler spines

A graceful dance as nature sings
upon sunlit transulcent curtained wings.

Purple tinge begs nectars delectation
stentorian bumble bee intends full participation.

Butterfly insists on drinks first right
as bee is ejected with mighty blight



Butterfly on a lone thistle among lofty pines
ousted the bumble bee, imbibing in supreme sublime.

Chandra Brown

Photos taken: Look Out Mountain Trail, Colorado
By: Chandra Brown

                                                                                                                        

Cactus Flower

photos by: Chandra Brown

Cactus Flower

Bud to bloom

Brief is life;

Capture beauty

In eternities time

 Fleeting moments

Cause rapturous sublime

Pistil, Stamen, Pollinate

Wilting quickly

Death; law of nature

Seasons dictate bloom or dust

thus,

contemplate conundrum;

 from this death comes life again.

Chandra Brown