Dr. Malone, I have been so waiting for you to write something like this. It’s clear that God has blessed you for such a time as this and given you so much wisdom to help guide others.
I totally get what you mean about finding God outdoors, there’s something so peaceful about meeting Him in His creation. I used to feel the same way about church being a little uncomfortable. But over time I’ve realized that community isn’t about crowds; it’s about walking with others who are also trying to know God better. I’ve found that He often speaks to me through other people just as much as through quiet time in nature.
Thank you for sharing this, your words really invite people to pause and see the beauty of God all around them.
I agree, Dr. Malone. I hike often in a magical place with creeks, waterfalls, wild mushrooms, bright and dull leaves, banana slugs, deer, birds, ladybugs, and all sorts of other flora and fauna. Being in nature is being with God and it most certainly is soul maintenance!
I wish a blessed day to you, your wife, your animals and all your readers!
Beautifully written. My church is God's church, which is to say, all of nature. I'm so lucky to be able to step out my door and walk into the woods, or in winter, step onto the sled runners and let my swift and silent dog team transport me into another magical dimension. I honestly don't know how people live in cities.
I feel blessed in just the same way! I don't have a dog team here in SE AK, but I feel so blessed to be able to walk into the forest or by the sea in just a few minutes, and to feel His Presence all around me. I've often wondered, in my 30 years in AK what it would feel like on a dog sled, so thank you for your description!
I believe this was written by Dr. Jill Malone. It is beautifully written & resonants with me completely. I have always felt a much, much deeper connection to something greater than myself, when I am outside, enjoying & exploring Mother Nature. Thank-you for sharing your thoughts & feelings on your experiences with the great outdoors.
"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." Col. 1:16-17. It is Jesus Christ. He was before anything was created and he holds everything together that he has made. Job 26:7 tells us "He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing." Yes, God has immense power and sovereignty over the earth and can even keep the earth suspended in space. It is something to reflect upon while riding Jade.
It is interesting that the Sabbath commandment starts with the word "remember." Connecting the Creator to our world on a weekly basis goes a long way towards eliminating the evils and nonsense that get thrown at us.
Thank you for reminding us of this gracious gift. Enjoy this Sabbath!
What a beautiful place to have, whether walking, or riding Jade through your forest! Thank you for sharing your amazing ride! The colors of Fall are awesome- such a wonderful array of colors! I enjoy being outside, in the sunshine, & find my peace through gardening- planting seeds & watching them grow, & this is where I feel at peace- grounding myself to the earth. When our weather gets cold, & we have deep snow, & it’s difficult to be outside during cold months, I’m house-bound of course, & I aways have music on, because I grew up playing records & dancing which makes me happy! Thank you for sharing your thoughts today! Enjoy your day as well, God Bless.
Beautifully written! Thank you! This takes me back to those same special moments in the woods where a strange peace overcomes me as I realize how small I am in this world. I too experience the mystery of God thru His creation.
"There is something more, and we are all part of a greater plan"
Dr. Malone, this was one of your most beautiful and poetic posts. Nature lovers encounter The Creator through Nature.
Thomas Aquinas wrote in Summa Theologica: "That God exist... this is a truth clearly known by reason. We observe that all things that move are moved by other things, -...even among the heavenly bodies, the lower are set in motion by the higher. This process cannot be traced back to infinity. For everything that is moved by another is a sort of instrument of the first mover...Accordingly, there must be a first mover that is above the rest; and this being we call God".
Dr. Malone, I have been so waiting for you to write something like this. It’s clear that God has blessed you for such a time as this and given you so much wisdom to help guide others.
I totally get what you mean about finding God outdoors, there’s something so peaceful about meeting Him in His creation. I used to feel the same way about church being a little uncomfortable. But over time I’ve realized that community isn’t about crowds; it’s about walking with others who are also trying to know God better. I’ve found that He often speaks to me through other people just as much as through quiet time in nature.
Thank you for sharing this, your words really invite people to pause and see the beauty of God all around them.
I agree, Dr. Malone. I hike often in a magical place with creeks, waterfalls, wild mushrooms, bright and dull leaves, banana slugs, deer, birds, ladybugs, and all sorts of other flora and fauna. Being in nature is being with God and it most certainly is soul maintenance!
I wish a blessed day to you, your wife, your animals and all your readers!
Beautifully written. My church is God's church, which is to say, all of nature. I'm so lucky to be able to step out my door and walk into the woods, or in winter, step onto the sled runners and let my swift and silent dog team transport me into another magical dimension. I honestly don't know how people live in cities.
I feel blessed in just the same way! I don't have a dog team here in SE AK, but I feel so blessed to be able to walk into the forest or by the sea in just a few minutes, and to feel His Presence all around me. I've often wondered, in my 30 years in AK what it would feel like on a dog sled, so thank you for your description!
This article feels like an enormous sigh, Hank ( my dog ) and I are going out now.. with God.
I believe this was written by Dr. Jill Malone. It is beautifully written & resonants with me completely. I have always felt a much, much deeper connection to something greater than myself, when I am outside, enjoying & exploring Mother Nature. Thank-you for sharing your thoughts & feelings on your experiences with the great outdoors.
Yes, Dr Jill Malone
Yes! I thought so as well, due to the initials. Thank you, Jill! Lovely writing.
"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." Col. 1:16-17. It is Jesus Christ. He was before anything was created and he holds everything together that he has made. Job 26:7 tells us "He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing." Yes, God has immense power and sovereignty over the earth and can even keep the earth suspended in space. It is something to reflect upon while riding Jade.
Thanks 👍🏻
You are living Heaven on earth!!!
Literally just made a podcast that Heaven is within US — not out there somewhere: https://unorthodoxy.substack.com/p/what-is-heaven-this-place-were-continually
It is interesting that the Sabbath commandment starts with the word "remember." Connecting the Creator to our world on a weekly basis goes a long way towards eliminating the evils and nonsense that get thrown at us.
Thank you for reminding us of this gracious gift. Enjoy this Sabbath!
Beautiful - the photos, the words everything. reminds me of the E.B.Browning poem stanza that begins " the Earth is crammed with heaven..."
You have confirmed that my understanding of God is shared. Thank you.
Beautiful, surely these wooded lands are God’s creations to provide that connection to Him.
What a beautiful animal Dr Jill. Thank you for the photographs and video of your "prayerful ride."
Just gorgeous!
“I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.”
― John Muir,
David, Bingo! You chose the perfect quote. Thank you.
What a beautiful place to have, whether walking, or riding Jade through your forest! Thank you for sharing your amazing ride! The colors of Fall are awesome- such a wonderful array of colors! I enjoy being outside, in the sunshine, & find my peace through gardening- planting seeds & watching them grow, & this is where I feel at peace- grounding myself to the earth. When our weather gets cold, & we have deep snow, & it’s difficult to be outside during cold months, I’m house-bound of course, & I aways have music on, because I grew up playing records & dancing which makes me happy! Thank you for sharing your thoughts today! Enjoy your day as well, God Bless.
Beautifully written! Thank you! This takes me back to those same special moments in the woods where a strange peace overcomes me as I realize how small I am in this world. I too experience the mystery of God thru His creation.
"There is something more, and we are all part of a greater plan"
Dr. Malone, this was one of your most beautiful and poetic posts. Nature lovers encounter The Creator through Nature.
Thomas Aquinas wrote in Summa Theologica: "That God exist... this is a truth clearly known by reason. We observe that all things that move are moved by other things, -...even among the heavenly bodies, the lower are set in motion by the higher. This process cannot be traced back to infinity. For everything that is moved by another is a sort of instrument of the first mover...Accordingly, there must be a first mover that is above the rest; and this being we call God".