Interfaith Spirit Quest

The value of being out in Nature

Nature is life. 

People who find ways to reconnect with nature are better able to deal with anxiety and pain.  Self-esteem is enhanced, spirituality is awakened, our connection to God is strengthened, many disorders such as insomnia, depression and loneliness subside while positive energy is increased when we get in touch with nature.

Take the time. 

Get in touch with nature to be in touch with your nature.   ~~Interfaith Spirit Quest

Creation Calls and I Believe

The Universe and Planet Earth provide for all of our needs; physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.  Caring about the natural creation is as important as taking care of our own family, our friends, and our own lives.  God cares for us, I believe God carefully prepared this place for us to discover who we are and what we are to God.  We are magnificent spiritual beings and children of God.  God has entrusted us with the Earth, a fascinating, adventurous, magnificent address to call home.  How do you respond to this awesome gift?  Do you look at this earth as something to be conquered, take all you can and give nothing back?  Or do you look at the earth as your lifeblood, as something to be cherished and cared for?  All of nature is interconnected and creates new life, new energy, everyday.  Are we part of this new life process, or are we a destructive force that tramples over the earth?    

Whether you believe the universe was formed out of nothing over billions of years, or whether you believe God said, "Let there be...."  and it was so; I hope this video inspires you to reconnect with nature, because nature offers tremendous healing benefits.  Nature renews the spirit, refreshes and nourishes the body, it gives unconditionally without taking, it trusts you to do the same - we're on the honor system here, folks. 

The magnificent video below was created by the Farmers Branch Church of Christ of Dallas, Texas.  The name of the song is 'Creation Calls' and is sung by Brian Doerksen.  See lyrics below the video.  For a higher quality version of the video, click here.  May your spirit be rejuvenated with new energy and joy, and may it renew your appreciation for the Earth and the life it produces.

Creation Calls

Lyrics

I have felt the wind blow,
Whispering your name…
I have seen your tears fall,
When I watch the rain.

(Refrain)
How could I say there is no God?
When all around creation calls!!
A singing bird, a mighty tree,
The vast expanse of open sea…

(Musical interlude)

Gazing at a bird in flight,
Soaring through the air.
Lying down beneath the stars,
I feel your presence there.

I love to stand at ocean shore
And feel the thundering breakers roar,
To walk through golden fields of grain
With endless bloom horizons fray.

Listening to a river run,
Watering the Earth.
Fragrance of a rose in bloom,
A newborns cry at birth.

(Refrain)

I love to stand at ocean shore
And feel the thundering breakers roar,
To walk through golden fields of grain
With endless bloom horizons fray

I believe
I believe
I believe

(Interlude)

I believe
I believe

I believe just like a child

(Choir I believe…..)

I believe

~ ~ ~

This song is featured on the Christian music CD 'Today'

by Brian Doerksen - available for purchase here.

Ask the Planet, fun nature music for kids

Fun nature music for kids - this Ask the Planet CD features the Missoula Coyote Choir and friends with songs written by Amy Martin.  What a fun way to teach kids about nature, naturally through song.  The CD features 16 original songs including:

• Ask the Planet
• The Great TV Rebellion (see video below)
• School of the Wild
• What Kind of Animal are You
• Outside Get Out

Age group:  Toddlers to Tweens

From Amazon:  Ask the Planet is a musical celebration of nature's genius. A joyously written and produced recording of 18 songs where the music and lyrics are designed to connect children to nature, create a sense of awe for the environment and teach them about the concept of biomimicry. Biomimicry is a practice that studies nature s best ideas then imitates them to solve human problems. What better way to introduce children and their parents to the concept than to set it all to music. 

 

Watch the Great TV Rebellion music video from the CD Ask the Planet

Purchase the CD here on Amazon:

Interfaith Spirit Quest 50+ Natural Senses

Over a morning cup of coffee/tea at the Atlas Coffee Mill near the river in downtown Appleton, we discovered some of the 50+ natural senses documented by Dr. Michael J. Cohen, Ed.D., Eco-Psychologist, and we learned the importance of nature to our well-being and our spirituality.

ISQ members headed outside for the natural systems part of the program and then returned inside to share their experiences using a special list of 50+ natural senses, sensitivities and sensations. Each person had a unique experience and it was interesting to hear how they were affected by their brief outdoor adventure into the nature area surrounding the Atlas Coffee Mill - which proved to be an excellent location for this spirit and nature activity. 

We all know about our main 5 or 6 senses:  Taste, touch, smell, sound, sight, and intuition/psychic.  But there are many more and Dr. Michael Cohen, Ed.D, Naturalist and Eco-Psychologist has discovered and documented over 50 of these natural senses. 

In our 50+ Natural Senses - Spirit & Nature - Rejuvenate & Refresh program, we learn how to return to nature to restore our true natures, healing all sorts of psychological and even physical issues along the way.  It is a well known fact that it takes only a few minutes in a natural setting to calm our spirits and rejuvenate our energies. 

Through this program, we can create spiritual connections, moments of peace, rest and calm, a sense of adventure and excitement; we can discover problem areas and begin to solve these problems.  We can allow nature to nurture, strengthen and rejuvenate us through the reconnection with nature process, allowing it to become more of who we are everyday and in every way. 

We hope to expand this program to other groups.  This program can be conducted in a 2-3 hour workshop format, a 5 day workshop, a weekend retreat, or a 5 week program.  if you would like ISQ to present this program to your group , please contact the Organizer either by leaving a comment, or by giving us a call at (920) 968-7738.  

Sand art drawing, an Interfaith Spirit Quest nature event

Sand Art Drawing - Interfaith Spirit Quest (click on image to see a larger image)

This sand art drawing was created by fellow Interfaith Spirit Quest members at a scheduled nature event on August 7, 2010.   We drove up to Point Beach State Forest - a state park in the Two Rivers, Wisconsin area, and created this new art on one of the beautiful sandy beaches of Lake Michigan.  Sometimes life is just a day at the beach, ya know? 

This idea was inspired by another sand drawing artist, Jim Denevan. 

How we did it: 

• Searched for and selected the perfect spot on the beach - quiet - away from the main swimming areas
• Raked the area clean and smooth
• Decided on the design - in this case it was a geometric pattern with a message
• Drew the outline with the end of a pole
• Dug a little deeper with various lawn implements
• For the areas with dry sand, we drew the pattern with a watering can (since we don't really have a very large incoming tide, there is not too much wet sand on the Lake Michigan beaches).  We went over it several times with more water and it stayed wet the whole time we were there.
• Went up to a high point, admired our creation, and took this photo
• Jumped in the lake.  I wasn't going to, but I couldn't resist.  It was cool and refreshing... and green :) 
• People up and down the beach walked by, curious as could be.  I told one man who appeared to be there with his kids, to take his kids up to the high point and look down - there would be a message waiting for him there.  (note the photo - it says L-O-V-E) 
• Had a late and satisfying lunch and headed home.  
• Fun in the sun, playing in the sand, what a great day with great friends! 
• What a way to connect or reconnect with nature!  
• A spiritual activity with many benefits!

Click here to watch a video of the Interfaith Spirit Quest sand art drawing