THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY If a man could grant every person on earth complete serenity he would probably be nominated for sainthood, which he would decline. In my travels around the world and musings on conversations that I've overheard it seems clear that many people are struggling with life. Life is a general term whose meaning here refers to the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of a person's existence. It is the spiritual aspect that we shall discuss in this essay. This is not wholly about divine spirits but more about the "spirit of man". That gadfly that troubles us most, for it is subject to all events and beings in our environment. The human spirit oft times looks around and wonders such ponderous questions such as "whyamIherewhyisthishappeningtomewhereisGodandwhydoesn'thedosomething???" All good questions and ones that will surely tarnish the spirit and make for muzzy days. It is also not uncommon for even the staunchest theologian to sometimes wonder "Is there really a God?" The English clergyman Sir Thomas Browne once stated "Thus there are two books from whence I collect my divinity. Besides that written one of God, the other of his servant Nature, that universal and public manuscript that lies expans'd unto the eyes of all. Those that have not found him in the one have discovered Him in the other." I am here to expound on that wonderful observation. It is no surprise that organized religion often does not fulfill the needs of the lean nor offer insight to the explorer. Sometimes it leaves you downright cold. This has not been my experience but then I did not start out with the church as it's commonly thought of. My relationship with God, The Holy Spirit and its effect on my human spirit started in a forest, a field, a dirt road. When the church doors opened I already knew about the creator and only required the words of the book to make the truth flesh. Okay, what about the witness and revelations of the earth and nature. What did the Creator give us in his works that will heal our spirits, remove doubt and strengthen our faith? Let us work from the inside out. In the book of Job "But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air and they will tell thee: or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this?" It may seem like a strange and surrealistic idea to speak to a non-human entity but that's what the book advises. Having done this myself (as have others) it has proven to be good advice. It can be realized from the form, actions and habits of nature that there are lessons there to help us. It was once written that "The shape of nature is the nature of God". What a grandiose title! It is amazing how one can walk through the creation for so many years and not even realize that there is a "form". Robert White Eagle of the Cherokee once stated that the shape of nature is round. It would seem simple to test that statement. We live on a round globe that circles a round sun that has round planets circling it. The air rises at the equator and falls at the poles to return to the equator. The ocean currents flow north on the East Side of the continents, south on the West Side and circle around to flow north again. This water evaporates into the air to fall as rain which trickles into the rivers who run to the ocean. This sphere grows round trees that inhale gases from the air which were put there by people exhaling that which they had breathed in from the conversions of that which the trees had inhaled. These same people have blood cells that carry that oxygen from the lungs to all points in the body and then come full circle to pick up another load. In all things, physics, biology, chemistry and even the liberal arts, this form is evident. The idea or opinion that this is a witness to us or a loving message from God stems from the shape itself; that is, perfection. The circle has no beginning, no end. It has no identifiable weak points. It is complete and independent of other forms. The action of the circular form is productive rather than destructive and it is the only shape that appears in all things whether natural or synthetic. The implications are that God cares for us by his servant nature which "speaks after God". The interpretation of the language spoken by the creations is in your own personal translation manual. For example, a birch tree advised and taught me eleven things one day while I "conversed" with it. One of those things was that we should be diverse, searching and striving in every direction. This is good advice and by heeding it life is far more fulfilling now for I've lost the fear that I wasn't good enough, or allowed, to do certain things. This concept is one of never-ending study but in closing this particular dissertation let us decide on some generalities. God speaks to us through nature. He speaks to all people not just those who attend church. The language he uses can be understood by all peoples. Last, whatever you do will come full circle, if it doesn't than it was the wrong choice and should be avoided in the future. Knowing these things has given some the peace that passeth all understanding for they are reminded everywhere that God is interested in them and their lives. PEACE AND WISDOM If you should care to discuss the creation or the creator please feel free to contact me: Robert L Fish 127 Breed St. Titusville PA 16354 Ph. 814-827-4883 Or fishrobert69@hotmail.com