There is much we can do with this week’s Sunday Stills theme: SPIRIT.

Humankind yearns for spiritual connections, whether to nature, to other people, to the God of the Bible or to an un-named higher being.

Notre Dame Cathedral Pigeon

I want to take a moment to acknowledge this week’s devasting news about the horrific fire that all but destroyed the Notre Dame Cathedral. I grieved virtually alongside Parisians and the rest of the world as images unfolded showing the crumbling spire and damage to the nave and much of the church’s interior.

Photo by Gregory Hayes on Unsplash

This happened on the Monday during Holy Week, the traditional time of Christian celebration between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.

“The cathedral is home to exquisite religious artifacts, paintings, sculptures and other priceless works of art. A chaplain and a French official were among a group of people who formed a human chain to save many of the church’s holy relics such as the Crown of Thorns believed to be worn by Jesus Christ.”

Notre Dame Cathedral on Fire

As our spirits grieve for the 850-year old church, an architectural marvel built in the Middle Ages, we must also acknowledge that our faith is not confined within the physical structure of the church itself, but in the belief that God is eternal, as are our souls.

As a Christian, I have accepted God’s grace through Jesus Christ that, when upon my death, my spirit shall live in eternity with God.

Cross and palms

“For I remember it is Easter morn, and life and love and peace are all newborn.”

Alice Freeman Palmer

“And Jesus Christ our Lord was shown to be the Son of God when God powerfully raised him from the dead by means of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 1:4
Green-framed door of this quaint, steepled church in Sutter Creek California
Green-framed door of this quaint, steepled church in Sutter Creek California

Out of the ashes springs hope as we celebrate Easter Sunday today.

Earth Day

Monday, April 22 is Earth Day, a celebration of the Earth’s spirit as we inhabitants clean up and care for our environment.

Enjoy the memes celebrating nature’s spirit:

Yosemite Falls John Muir Quote
In every walk with nature...Muir
Nature holds the key to our...satisfaction. Quote

“May your spirit soar throughout the vast cathedral of your being.”

Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Whether you believe in a higher being, a natural Earth, follow an organized religion, or simply just believe, show us something that moves YOUR spirit.

Happy Easter!

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Published by Terri Webster Schrandt

Mostly retired, I am a part-time reporter/photographer for a local monthly newspaper. I'm former university adjunct faculty, self-published author, and retired recreation and parks practitioner living in Eastern Washington State near the Idaho border. Second Wind Leisure Perspectives is my blog about living a leisure lifestyle that includes fitness, photography, and fun.

59 thoughts on “Sunday Stills: The #Spirit Moves Us”

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  10. Hi Terri, I hope you had a lovely Easter.

    Earth Day was marked as the last day of many week-long protests in the UK, Terri. People glued themselves to roads, transport and buildings in the hope that our government will not only listen to our concerns of protecting our planet but start to take some action. With many predicting a snap general election in the UK soon, it won’t only be Brexit that our politicians will be debating. We’ve just had our hottest Easter since 1949, in the UK. Many people enjoyed the heat, but many were also concerned that it was a sign that our climate is changing because of our lack of action to protect our planet.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It was a great Easter and weekend, Hugh. Our world is heading to HE!! in an Easter basket these days with terrorism, shootings, hate and the wonderful political maneuvers we are all experiencing. I think planet Earth will be here long after we’ve left the building!

      Liked by 1 person

  12. I agree that religion is not confined to the church. I was upset by Notre Dame because of its history and art. I hope you enjoyed Earth Day close to nature!

    Liked by 1 person

  16. My current saga of earliest man tries to unravel how we found culture, art, music, and even religion. I love your line at the start of this blog, that seems to explain it so simply: “Humankind yearns for spiritual connections, whether to nature, to other people, to the God…” Maybe it’s just part of being human.

    Thank you for this.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thank you, Donna. We had a relaxing day after church. Hans is grilling chicken, I planted a dozen sunflower seedlings, and the weather is perfect. Hope your Easter Sunday was joyful as well as relaxing!

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  29. Let’s mourn about the devastation of our environment as much as we mourn about the loss of our cultural and historical treasures.

    Nature in its most pristine form is what moves my spirit, Terri! Happy Earth Day! And, Happy Easter!

    Liked by 1 person

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