Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Day #10 in Kauai!

Aloha from Kauai,

I just forced myself to close my reading in the Mark of the Lion series. Not that my opinion matters one iota in the literary world, but my oh my this book is amazing! The characters in this book have become so vivid to me, I nearly spoke about a couple of them to Nate yesterday in wondering if he knew how they were doing. Oh dear....I do need a life. Grin. 

A couple of noteworthy things have occurred since my last post, so I'm here again, sitting on our porch. My Jesus tunes are going, the oceans waves are roaring, and a rooster is crowing near. [Side note: When we arrived, we learned that roosters would be greeting nearly every island corner we embraced. A hurricane in the early 90's set the farmed-ones loose, and needless to say, they have done quite the job of increasing their boundary lines, outside of their inheritance if you ask me.]

Nate is just a few feet from me, sitting in a chair and painting. He's wearing camo pants, and I've rubbed his back in such an amount of sunscreen, that those tattoos of his all have a nice white glare upon their shapes. Grin... To my absolute delight, Jesus got a hold of that man's mind and heart again in the past few days over an area of gifting that Nate doesn't get to walk in much - that of his art. I have been praying over those holy hands of his, asking them to be an extension of the very magnificent and creative mind of our God. I am increasing in passion for the world of art to be redeemed for our El Roi - the God who sees, and who has created mankind in His image. We are visually-minded people, who are consciously and unconsciously pulled into worship by the visual, be it our strong sense or not. "For since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse" (Rom. 1:20). 
Nate wants his art to be a reflection of His Glory. His canvases are nearly all filled with nature, as he wrestles with the holy tension to take joy in the gift-Giver and reflect His Glory back to Him in the minute way that he can with the stroke of a brush . I wonder what it would take for us to be filled with the same sense of awe such as that which floods us over a sunset and that of our own human bodies, created in the image of the Most High God. Yahweh made them both, and they are a demonstration of His Glory; we are not to worship that which we see, but the One who has given us eyes to catch a mere glimpse of His Glory here on this Earth.  Before I get myself in a holy hissy fit, don't misinterpret my summarized thoughts here: Girlfriend, you better keep on walking by faith and not by sight! But for a world paralyzed and demoralized in a 'worship' of that which this culture visually displays to us, I am beginning to sense a moving in my spirit for God to redeem the eyes of His people, spiritual and physical. May what we read, view, and look upon reflect the day in eternity where the breathe of God spoke, 'and it was so.' May the literal that we see only feed our minds with what is true and noble. And may we ask Him for a godly view of those around us, realizing that it was YHWH's hands that knitted them together. 

A second matter of importance during our honeymoon, and not in the least bit spiritual, has been another favorite local dining spot discovery. Well, uhmm.....it's not exactly a 'dining spot.' [Let me go get my handy tourist book that I grabbed from Barnes & Nobles before we left.] Yes, here is the description of 'Duane's Ono-Char Burger: 3rd decade, still serving some of the best burgers on the island, specialty burger is the teriyaki burger (scrumptious)...most opt to eat at the cement outdoor tables (ahuh) where marauding wild chickens compete for your fries (yep).' We were straight up Kauai hippie beach bumb styling it for this lunch experience. Y'all, I'm not much of a red-meat eater, but this place was so good, Nate and I have plans to go back and order 2 burgers a piece instead of the 1 per individual we ordered for our first experience. That was a lame move... :) 

Sigh...this post was supposed to be about mine and Nate's adventurous kayak'ing trip. Clearly, I never made it that far, and I've likely already bored you sweet things who are still reading. I'll save it for tomorrow, m'kay? 

*THANK YOU for your prayers regarding the weather! It has improved drastically, and we keep giving Jesus the praise for it! 
*We have plans to go hiking in the Waimea Canyon tomorrow or the day after. My Tarzan could run and climb in this jungle, but princess Jane has not yet recuperated from the kayak'ing trip. [Laughing at myself even now...] 

Love y'all to pieces. Asking for more of Jesus for you right now...you are so dear to me.
Closing with a few photos


17 comments:

Kelly S. said...

OH! Those pictures took my breath away!! I anxiously await more!!

I can not express how these recent post have encouraged me. How I have missed your insight and beautifully written thoughts. And how precious that Nate is enjoying time to paint. Indeed, we were created to create... and worship our Creator--who is forever praised. (Rm 1.25) And you are so right about our culture and our twisted sense of what's beautiful.

Lord, forgive us as we have exchanged Your truth for lies and have worshiped created things. Give us Your standard of beauty, and protect us from looking at anything vile and vulgar (Ps. 101.3). Praise be to YOU. Amen

Kristen said...

Aw Shelley... sounds like you are being blessed w/a wonderful honeymoon!

How I wish I had the spiritual gift of art! Just don't... but I think even if I fingerpainted a painting for the Lord - He would love it! :) I do love how He paints the scenery of His creation. Not a day goes by that I don't thank Him for something that just takes my breath away. Even something simple like a bird sitting on the feeder outside my dining room window.

Now about those chickens and roosters... I am chuckling (not clucking) about that!

Have a wonderful honeymoon friend!

mandy said...

You + Honeymoon + Hamburger = ??????

Amanda said...

Shelley, you were breathtaking!

Anonymous said...

Your absolute delight in each other is shining through the pictures! Love the picture of the church behind you! It makes my heart sing to see the glory of God and His pleasure in your marriage! We are created in His image and for His pleasure! Fully enjoy His Presence and each other in these last few days of paradise in Kauai!

Linda said...

I am so glad you are having such a wonderful time. The pictures are beautiful and can't wait for you to share some of your husband's art.
Blessings,
Linda

Patty said...

I loved reading this post. I prayed for the weather and I knew God would do that for you!!
I second what Amanda said, you were breathtaking! I enjoy seeing your wedding photos!

Now, one day we need to see a Nate masterpiece.

I love God's creation and he always delights me when I am outside enjoying it!!

Love you,
Patty

Unknown said...

burgers? you are a new woman...

Toknowhim said...

Your man hands are gifted to create beautiful works of art, but you my little Siesta friend create beauty with words...

BLessings as you continue the last few days of your honeymoon...

Kim

connorcolesmom said...

LOL - I can only imagine what the kayaking trip was like :)
I look forward to that post
I loved the pics and I am so THANKFUL that the weather has improved - thank you LORD!

Between Nate's gift in art and yours in writing your kids are going to be quite talented

Love ya girl!
Kim

Emmy said...

What a beautiful post! Beautiful Bride! Beautiful writing! Wow... : )

Lindsee said...

I love you, Shelly Griffin and glad you are writing to not only help yourself remember, but so that we can live vicariously through you! :)

Anonymous said...

Picture = AMAZING!!! I'm loving the updates of your little trip. I look forward to our phone date when you get back!!

Broccoflower said...

You are such a jewel of a person Mozz.

Congrats and love, BROCCO

Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife said...

Girl, you words are almost as stunning as you!! All that happy is oozing all the way here to Alabama. You run those toes in some sand for me, dear, sweet, Shelly!

Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife said...

that would be 'your' words.

yo.

Three Fold Cord said...

Sweet Shelley,
I could feel the sun and sense teh adventure as you talked today. Continue to just enjoy and when you are achy fromn all that adventurin' ask that man of yours to put those artsy hands to good use and give you a maasage. I am nto sure why I am soundin' so Southern right now. I am actually laughin at myself.
Anyway, lovely hearin' from you and your trip! Thanks for the pics. so yummy!!