“If God were our one and only desire we would not be so easily upset when our opinions
do not find outside acceptance.”
Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ
(shelf fungus / Julie Cook / 2020)
(shelf fungus / Julie Cook / 2020)
“Therefore, when God gives spiritual comfort, receive it with thanksgiving,
but know that it is the bounty of God, not thy merit.
Be not puffed up, be not overjoyed, nor vainly presume,
but rather be the more humble for this gift and the more cautious and fearful
in all thine actions; for this hour will pass away and temptation will follow.
When comfort shall be taken away from thee, do not presently despair;
but wait with humility and patience for the heavenly visit,
for God is able to restore thee a greater consolation.
This is no new thing, nor strange to those who have experienced the
ways of God: for the great saints and ancient prophets have often felt
this kind of variety.”
Thomas à Kempis, p. 64
An Excerpt From
The Imitation of Christ
cookiecrumbstoliveby 
Those pictures are beautiful. You find such marvels close around.
I love the woods this time of year when the leaves thin out and places that you cant get to in the summer due to thick vegetation, bugs and snakes begin to offer up a few secrets!
Amazing colors and shapes. God indeed is glorified in His creation. Great photography.
Cookie, Lovely photos as usual. This post reminds me of a conversation I had. My co-worker, I told my co-worker that I love her name- Theresa- she says she doesn’t care for it. Tis’ the name of some of my favorite saints, I told her. She said she hates religion, I told her that I understand, as I didn’t much care for it some time ago. I thought about what I love now and it involves the writings of the saints and other mystics – The Thomas’s and Theresa’s et al, so much Truth so sincere and lovely, it is heartening in these times.
what a shame she hates her name…but are any of us really fans of our names 😉
I just pray that the saint will reach out to the lost one and help her find her way!
Overcoming the obstacles erected by the enemy in ourselves is only achieved with some amount of willingness and Grace- I am praying for her
Grace all the way!!!
Really cool pictures Julie! So fascinating how intricate God gets with details, isn’t it? Now waiting with humility and patience, that’s the hard part!
I know what you mean Tricia–humility and patience are so hard and seem to be really in short supply here in the US
A spirit that is thankful and a spirit that is conscious of God is a great antidote to being puffed up
The beauty of nature. Nothing like it. Hugs to you for sharing its uniqueness with us!!
☺️