Pilgrim's Progress

In Pursuit of REAL

How easy is it to tell REAL from FAKE?

C.S. Lewis prayed that "the REAL him would pray to the REAL God".

I've been thinking a lot this week about the real and the false self, and the constant tussle between them, and the often painful journey to bring the real self into the light and expose and defeat the false self.

Here's the question - how aware are we of the real and false selves within? Are we aware of when we are living by the dictates of the false self? Do we really want to know? That's been God's challenge to me.

P.S. You probably guessed that this picture is FAKE. It is not a photograph, but has been generated in the same 3D package used for the previous post, using what is called "high dynamic range imaging" which creates lighting that is ultra-realistic.

Reaching for the Rain

Many of the images that come to me begin with meditation on a Bible passage, especially when I am reaching out for answers, for meaning, for connections. This one sums up what I long for ... to experience a new freshness in my daily life and walk with God. The title I've given it for me is "Reaching for the Rain" - what title would you give it?

What passage lies behind this one? Hard to say, but I think the following passages are there in the background somewhere:

Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.
(Hosea 6:3; NIV)

Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you? (Ps 85:6; NIV)

"I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."
(Ps 27:13; NIV).

It's Not Over Yet

It's not over yet ... it's Friday, but Sunday's comin' ...

Before new life, a death.
Before a new beginning, and ending.
But how long, O Lord, how long?

Therefore we were buried with him through baptism into death
In order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the Father’s glory
So we also might walk in newness of life. (Rom 6:4, my Tx)

The answer:
Hang in there, it's not over yet.
It may be Friday, but Sunday's comin' ...

Notes
1. Newness translates "kainotes" which in Classical Greek could also mean "freshness".

Dust To Dust

A couple of images for Lent. Please drop in the "Light and Dust" Lent exhibition if you're passing through Victoria, BC, on Friday April 7th.