In the Hollow is a completely unique volume featuring daily images, quotations and commentary. Rich Earl has struck a chord, as never before has there been a single work that invites the reader to actively use their own abstract spiritual sensibilities to connect powerful words with original creative nature images.
This book will appeal to a wide audience, not just to the devout believer. There is much here to attract those still searching for truth or faith.
Our minds sometimes require seed to get thinking started. Some folks are fountains of creative thought, but often we need a catalyst. This volume will provide you with seed to tune your mind to things eternal as you allow the daily nuggets to find good ground and take root in your life.
You will notice that the entries are taken from a variety of sources, both spiritual and ordinary. The Bible is the source of truth, but we can find sparks of truth everywhere, and from some unlikely sources. We can be pointed in the right direction by musicians, authors and professors, and a few preachers too.
Do not be mistaken, the source here is the Word of God but God uses many thoughts, ideas, songs, books, movies and people to draw people to Himself. The earth is the Lords and everything in it, and it is a small thing for Him to use anything to plant a seed of faith in us.
There may seem to an air of randomness to the selections, but there is some method to the choices. The images are appropriately seasonal, but the thoughts are more random, as our spiritual life does not always align with earthly seasons. Rather than micro-managing the arrangement, room is left for God to speak. The commentary found under each quotation is written for the purpose of illuminating the idea using the author's voice. There are quotations which need little if any explanation, so verbosity is avoided.
This volume does not contain simplistic formulae or pat answers to spiritual questions. In fact, it leaves many questions unanswered, and may raise more questions than it answers. Life with God is not that routine. We each have a unique journey, and each day must be faced with a fresh vigor!
The Images
The key to this series of devotional books (three additional seasonal volumes will follow) is the somewhat abstract interplay between the quotes and thoughts and the nature images, which are almost all original. Rich Earl carries his camera on his hiking adventures and endeavors to capture images of naturally occurring scenes that he believes God placed there for him to see and share. The camera angles, framing and perspectives create wonder and enhanced appreciation for what God has done. The scenes are never improved through "staging", but rather, are captured exactly as found. This is meant to honor the hand of God and His providential desire for what is beheld.
Without wanting to get too ethereal or abstract, the daily practice of reading the entries and connecting them visually with the images can have the effect of activating the right brain. Our brains have two hemispheres and the left side is primarily used for the more routine, linear and rational functions. The right side of the brain is activated by the visual, beauty and stimulates creativity. Because of our daily work and the routine nature of modern life many of us get "stuck" in left brain thinking. Perhaps this little volume can serve as a switch of sorts to energize a more creative life experience. You will make the most of your time In the Hollow, if you allow yourself to be transported to a quiet place each day to connect with your Creator.
