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still saturday: where to see beauty

November 23, 2013 By Sandra Heska King

beauty

 

“God expresses Himself through creation and beauty. His beauty surrounds us, and the more we grow in God’s grace, the more we recognize His beauty in the world around us . . .

“God’s saints can see His beauty in everything. Once we welcome the presence of God into our awareness, the world becomes alive with unspeakable beauty . . .

“Dr. Wendy Wright says, ‘The absence of beauty is a profound form of deprivation.’ Studies have shown that people deprived of beauty turn to violence. Too many people go through life deprived of beauty . . .

“Dostoevsky meant all of this and more when he said, ‘Beauty will save the world.’ Every retreat at Laity Lodge brings as much beauty to guests as their hearts will allow. God is the source of all beauty, and we can never get enough of God.”

~Howard Hovde in A Dream that Came to Life: The History of the Laity Lodge Retreat Center

Still soaking this weekend in the beauty of Laity Lodge

with friends from The High Calling,

Sandy

Welcome to Still Saturday where we pause after a busy week, move in quiet pilgrimage, maybe linger a while in some still place, and soak in the beauty of images and words. We’d love for you to join us. Get the details on the left, grab your favorite button, and link up below. We all love to hear if something especially speaks to your heart, but please don’t feel pressured to comment. Simply take some time to gaze long and drink deep.



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Filed Under: stories and reflections

Comments

  1. Sharon says

    November 23, 2013 at 5:13 pm

    Sandy,

    I was so touched by this short, but oh so sweet, post. The post I have linked up for Still Saturday is all about what God had to say to me in my mountain home last week. My husband and I moved here last year, after I had lived in the same town, same house for almost 29 years. It’s been a struggle to adjust – even though I am surrounded by the most beautiful scenery I could have ever imagined.

    God spoke a powerful word to me – and I am now beginning to awaken to one of the reasons He brought me here. And I think finally I am going to begin to appreciate the gorgeous beauty that He has provided.

    Part of it has to do with being still…

    GOD BLESS!

  2. Patricia @ Pollywog Creek says

    November 23, 2013 at 5:24 pm

    Amen to all of it! May your time away be filled with the beauty of creation, fellowship, the Word and worship. xox

  3. June says

    November 23, 2013 at 7:26 pm

    How blessed you are to be a guest at Laity Lodge this weekend! I hope to get there some day! Stay warm!!! {no Texas is not usually this cold!!!}

  4. Elizabeth Stewart says

    November 23, 2013 at 9:52 pm

    Thanks for sharing the beauty with us!

  5. Laurie Collett says

    November 23, 2013 at 10:25 pm

    Given the miraculous beauty of God’s creation, only a fool could say there is no God. Thanks for the beautiful post & for hosting & God bless!

  6. Joanne Viola says

    November 24, 2013 at 6:40 am

    Just a beautiful lodge! May your time away bring all that you need.
    Blessings,
    Joanne

  7. Jason Stasyszen says

    November 24, 2013 at 8:24 pm

    Couldn’t help but think of our prisons when you’re talking here. Without beauty we turn to violence. We need hope. We need something greater than us and beauty is part of the equation. The ultimate in beauty is our God. Thanks Sandra.

  8. Lyli @ 3-D Lessons for Life says

    November 24, 2013 at 10:42 pm

    Sandy, hope you had a wonderful time! 🙂

  9. Barbie says

    November 26, 2013 at 1:57 am

    His beauty surrounds us! Thank you for sharing.

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I’m Sandra, a camera-toting, recovering doer who’s learning to be. still. Read more…

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We pulled all the milkweed because it just could not support all the caterpillars. They were eating it bare and most of them died because they ran out of food. This one butterfly found this one lone volunteer.
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https://sandraheskaking.substack.com/p/ten-years-ten-things
Spent a couple hours this morning with friends fro Spent a couple hours this morning with friends from @spanishriverchurch picking up beach trash. Little bits of colored and clear plastic, big bits of plastic, bottle caps, broken glass, strings, ropes, straws, socks, fast food containers, paper, cigarette holders and filters—and a couple unmentionables. Took extra care around the turtle nests. Last count was about 70 pounds, but there were also some bigger things like an abandoned chair and a plastic tent. And a big piece of burlap or something with a fishing lure and giant hook attached. D found a Macy’s gift card that he almost tossed in his bucket. But we brought it home to check the balance—$24.60! We should be able to turn that into something useful for someone. 😊
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When I stepped out to release it (no bail), I was surprised by this brief bit of backyard beauty.
For most of us, knowledge of our world comes large For most of us, knowledge of our world comes largely through sight, yet we look about with such unseeing eyes that we are partially blind. One way to open your eyes to unnoticed beauty is to ask yourself, "What if I had never seen this before? What if I knew I would never see it again?" ~ Rachel Carson in The Sense of Wonder
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Thinking some may have tumbled from their perches last night. Pretty sure it will be raining iguanas tonight since we are under a frost advisory. It's cold. And windy.
Just sing... sing a song... Singing our way into Just sing... sing a song... 

Singing our way into the weekend.
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