In one of my recent favorite books, Remember Creation: God's World of Wonder and Delight, Scott Hoezee reminded me of another favorite book, The Contemplative Pastor, by Eugene Peterson.
Eugene Peterson once noted that John Calvin wrote eloquently about the creation, often claiming that this world is like a grand theater of divine works. Yet, Peterson claims, despite the fact that Calvin lived and worked in Geneva, Switzerland--one of the most beautiful places in the world--there is almost no evidence from Calvin's letter or books that he ever got out of his library to plunge into the glorious mountains and valleys that ring Geneva, to soak up their wonders. (Hoezee, p. 5)
Friends know that I avoid this shortsightedness whenever possible. I run or bike the Pacific coast almost daily, I ski in the Sierra Nevadas frequently, I vacation in beautiful places whenever possible. But as you read this, I am in the middle of another "plunge into the glorious", this time in a rainforest in Belize. My family and I are spending 12 days in this little central American country so that we can soak up the beauty of both rainforests and reefs, see Mayan ruins and prayerfully contemplate the good Creator and what that requires of us as family.
I've left behind some posts for you from Scott Hoezee's book. It's what I'll be reading while I am in Belize and if nothing else should provide some context for what I am sure will be several posts when I return. Enjoy.
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