The presence of the Divine is everywhere. That is both a comfort and a challenge. We are consoled to know that God is with us, but being human we need a sign, something to touch, see, hear, taste, smell. We need something of the ordinary to name the non-touchable, invisible, unable-to-be-heard, tasteless, odorless God's presence with us. So, we employ metaphors, figures of speech which literally denote one kind of object in place of another, to suggest a likeness or analogy. In this book, the metaphors used for God come out of the Bible; they are the four elements of nature for the Greeks: wind, water, earth, and fire. Wind is a metaphor for God's Spirit. Water refers to God as the source of life. Earth, from which we are created, bears God's fingerprints and footprints. And fire reminds us of the God who purifies and draws all creation to himself. This nature spirituality book consists of four chapters--wind, water, earth, fire--each of which contains twenty, four-part exercises of prayer: a few verses from Scripture, a reflection, a journal exercise, and a concluding prayer.
Mark G. Boyer, a Roman Catholic priest of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Missouri, is the author of 35 books on biblical and liturgical spirituality. He teaches Bible and film courses in the Religious Studies Department of Missouri State University, Springfield, Missouri.
"Nature Spirituality introduces the reader to God through the medium of the Creator's twin library: nature and the Bible. Using as a template the Greek elements of nature--earth, air, fire, and water--Boyer offers a guided and insightful tour of the biblical texts and uncovers the divine reflection in each of these elements, all the while challenging his reader to revel in the immanence of our transcendent God in the ordinariness of daily life."
--Pauline Nugent, Missouri State University
"Mark Boyer illustrates the divine's powerful revelation of himself through the metaphors of wind, water, earth, and fire. Boyer leads the reader on a journey into the spirituality of nature and communion with the 'Great I AM' through Scripture, reflection, journal application, and prayer. Those who want to encounter God through nature, experience his mystical presence, and grow in relationship with him will benefit from this book."
--Matthew Ver Miller, Rocky Mountain Professional Counseling