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SEPT 1 - River

Isaiah 48:18, Isaiah 66:12, Isaiah 33:21, Acts 16:13

Rivers cascade with emblematic (symbolic) meaning. Likely, there is a river not too far away from your home. My hometown where I grew up was along the Genesee River in NY. My home river for the past 22 years has been the Youghiogheny River (the Yough – pronounced “Yock”) in PA. What do you consider your home river? Have you sat along its banks? Have you canoed it, rafted it, swam in it? Have you fished its waters? Have you explored its emblematic (symbolic) meanings? Go, take a trip to your home river and look, listen, and learn something of what God has to say through this glorious element of creation.

SEPT 2 - Trees

Psalm 1:3, Jeremiah 17:7–8, 1 Peter 2:24, Daniel 4:10–12

Trees are one of the loudest elements in all creation. By loudest, I don’t mean volume in decibels. What I mean is that trees are a prolific emblem all throughout the Scriptures. There are few other elements in God’s creation that even come close to matching the number of ways that trees speak. Just the smallest amount of contemplation can produce numerous reflections on how trees speak about God and humanity. Take some time to go and reflect on a tree—journal all the ways you can think of that the tree in front of you is emblematic.

SEPT 19 - Mist / Fog

September 19, 2021 • Isaiah 44:22, Jeremiah 10:13, Jeremiah 51:16, Proverbs 21:6, Hosea 13:3

September is a great time to encounter mist as it rises off of lakes and rivers on those cold autumn mornings. Going for an early morning paddle in a kayak, canoe, or some other watercraft is a wonderful way to encounter mist. A sunrise fishing excursion is another means of meditating upon mist. ADDITIONAL VERSES - Acts 2:19, Acts 13:11-12, James 4:14, 2 Peter 2:17

SEPT 20 - Thunder

Job 36:29—37:5, Psalm 29, Revelation 11:16–19, Exodus 9:23–29, 2 Samuel 22:8–14

You cannot capture thunder in a photo, and its partner, lightning, is very difficult to capture in a picture. Thunder sure does capture our attention though. Listening to a late summer thunderstorm and the cracking boom of a thunderbolt arrests our attention. For many people, the sound of thunder evokes fear and trembling. Certainly, I am not going to recommend that you get outdoors to go golfing, boating, or hiking on a ridge during a thunderstorm. However, next time there is a thunderstorm, do not ignore it. Go to the window, pull the car over for a bit, or sit out on the porch and take in the sounds of thunder. Close your eyes and just listen. Then, take some time to meditate upon the powerful emblem of thunder.

SEPT 21 - Biting Flies

Matthew 12:24, Jeremiah 46:20–21, Psalm 78:45, Psalm 105:31

We don't go outdoors to be eaten alive by swarming insects. Nonetheless, there are plenty of creatures that can make the outdoors uncomfortable. My daughter and I were sitting outside one summer evening watching the sun set behind a mountain. The colors were exquisite and the evening temperature was perfect–then came the gnats. My daughter asked me with great annoyance in her voice, "Dad, why did God create gnats?" How would you have answered her?

SEPT 22 - Apple Tree

Song of Songs 2:3–5, Song of Songs 7:8, Song of Songs 8:5

An autumn apple tree with ripe red apples is a wonderful find. Not only does an apple taste so good, but apple trees are truly a beautiful sight. The apple tree laden with apples is full of emblematic meaning.

SEPT 23 - Moon and Planets

Psalm 148:3, Daniel 12:2–3, Philippians 2:15

Enjoying the moon and planets requires looking up at the night sky. Whether you are headed out to, or returning from, your hunting stand in the darkness or going for a nighttime walk or jog–it is well worth the time to stop and direct your gaze upward. Even better is taking an evening to intentionally do some stargazing with friends or family! Can you identify Venus, Mars, Saturn, and Jupiter? All these planets are visible to the naked eye. Take some time this fall to go and appreciate the glories of the night sky.

SEPT 24 - Morning Star

2 Peter 1:19, Revelation 2:28, Revelation 22:16, Numbers 24:17, Job 38:7

On a crisp fall morning when the sky is clear and the sun has not yet dawned, direct your gaze to the skyline and you just may see the planet called Venus. When I am taking off to my hunting stand with my bow in my hands just before the sun has risen I will often look to the horizon for the purpose of spotting Venus (the Morning Star). Sometimes I'll see the morning star as I drive to work. Take a moment to pull over and enjoy its beauty next time you spot the morning star. *See the link below for an explanation of the cyclical nature of Venus's morning appearances.

SEPT 25 - Grass

Isaiah 40:6–8, Psalm 23:1–2, Mark 6:39–42

It may very well be that this fall you can go experience lush green grass as well as dry grass, depending on where you head out to see grass. A lawn or sports field that has been watered all summer will certainly be vibrantly green, however, a field that has been exposed to the summer heat will likely be withered and dry by September. Whichever kind of grass you find will both speak profoundly about who we are as humans.

Thinking Outdoors