Grace is a simple word for a complex concept. The English word comes from the Latin Gratus, which means "beauty or charm of form, composition, movement or expression; an attractive quality, feature or manner; goodwill, favor." It also carried the meaning of thankfulness for a kind act, from which the prayer before a meal got its name.The Latin word was used as a translation for the Greek word Charis, which also denoted pleasing aesthetic qualities. But charis also carried the connotations of kindness, generosity, helpfulness and above all, power. It was the word charis that the writers of the New Testament chose to describe God's dealings with humankind.
God generously bestows His power to regenerate lost human beings who don't deserve it. And that's a beautiful thing.
Photo: Sunflower petals. Click on picture to enlarge. Photograph © 2007 James Jordan.
Mystery solved, sort of: A few posts back I was puzzled that some flower shots taken with macro filters came out soft and fuzzy. It happened again with the photo above, and I have come to realize that that's just the way it is with the lens I was using (135mm prime) with closeup filters. Something just goes haywire in the optics, and this effect is what you get. Take it or leave it. OK, I'll take it.
3 comments:
I love the golden color and the softness of the image. Well done!
This is beautiful. Love the soft focus.
It is pretty.
As a kid, the folks in our church always described grace as unmerited favor. That's true, but I like the power element you talk about here, to be able to make a dead spirit to be alive is powerful, and unmerited.
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