This blog is never far from mind though, even in my busiest times I am weaving words together in my mind to share here at a later date. One such occasion was a few months ago, during May as I was on location photographing members from a blue-grass band. The photo shoot - gleefully - took me out to one of my favorite spots in West Virginia: Long Point.
Long Point is accessed by a 40 min. hike into the New River Gorge, eventually arriving at an awesome outcropping of rock and wind-swept tenacious shrubs and evergreens. The view from Long Point is spectacular, with a full-length, unimpeded view of the New River Gorge Bridge in the distance and the New River winding its way through the narrow gorge over 800 feet below. It's a place of inspiration and natural beauty - and, to be able to go to this place and work, well... I feel blessed indeed!
We arrived at Long Point just as the sun rose over the Appalachian Mountains... a glorious morning, with a gentle fog lifting slowly out of the gorge like soothing wafts of incense stretching upward to heaven. It was sheer bliss and I relished the idea of coming back again and again just to sit and watch the dawning of day. How can anyone witness such a singular moment and not see the Creator’s Hand?!
Rhododendron, West Virginia's State Flower
Add to this euphoria my love of photography and the excellent people I was working with and you have a morning that went way too fast. Upon our hike to and from Long Point, I enjoyed the conversation of my companions and realized I was in the company of those who love and serve God. It dawned on me, not for the first time, that where I go, Christ goes... there is no secular society where believers are.
Christ is in our midst; He is and ever shall be!
6 comments:
Good thoughts, Amy! Beauty of the landscape and Christian fellowship. And bluegrass musicians on top of that!
The insight that Christ in us (Gal 4:19) helps us get away from the Reformed/Evangelical understanding of secular - spiritual divide. As Lutherans we teach the two kingdoms approach which means we see ourselves as in both kingdoms simultaneously.
Beautiful thoughts and photos. I've been on a bit of a bloggy break myself. Welcome back!
I love Long Point and the New River Gorge in general is beautiful, the picture you posted is beautiful. I love what you share whenever you share it...thank you for being on my journey!!!
xoxo Gabi
What a gorgeous rhodedendron.
And if it's being read daily then the title is still good even if it's only written occasionally :)
Lovely photos! While attending college, we used to drive out to New River Gorge for climbing trips. The place felt like a piece of heaven to me. Your post fills me with a longing to go there again.
It is heart-warming to read your comments! Thank you for sharing your thoughts here =')
and, Margaret, you've eased my conscience...
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