Thinking Between the Lines

Saint Thomas: Charlotte-Amalie

Written and photographed by Gary Wonning

The beautiful Islands of Saint Thomas and Saint John

Saint Thomas U.S.V.I. is one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean.

Charlotte-Amalie Harbor

It’s capital city and cruise port, Charlotte-Amalie is a bustling metropolis offering much to the cruise visitor.

Boats in the harbor

Home to Blackbeard’s Castle ands Fort Christian, is offers many sightseeing opportunities.

Cruise ship in port

Coral World and Magens Bay are just a short distance from there and can be covered with a local tour company.

Cruise Port

The local cemetery is interesting, all the burials are above ground because of the possibility of flooding, as you can see, graffiti artists take advantage of the opportunity to show off their skills.

Growing up on a dairy farm in southeastern Indiana, Gary traveled very little until midlife, when the opportunity became available to him.

Grabbing his camera and a bag full of equipment, he began his vision quest traveling to most areas of the United States and several countries abroad.

Along the way he collected several thousand photographs that he wants to share with everyone.

Gary decided the best way to accomplish his goal was to publish photo documentaries on the various areas of the world he has visited.

What will follow will be several photography books, who knows how many will wind up in his collection.

To contact Gary:

Saint Thomas Beer Stein

by lifejourneysimages

King Solomon and the Egyptians

photo of shriner walking up masonic stairs

The Masonic Influence on World History

Written by Gary Wonning

King solomon incorporated many of the ancient Egyptian mysteries into the building of his temple because he had a direct connection to the Egyptians that came before him.

King Solomon would have known of the traditions of the Egyptian mystics at the time of the building of his temple since one of his earliest wives was a princess from Egypt and he would have learned from her much of the culture.

Egyptian Mysticism enlightens our perception of ourselves as humans and sheds light into the meaning of the three degrees of Masonry. As a result, Egyptian mysticism filtered into the western traditions of the Jews and the Greeks, and from there into the modern day culture.

In modern times,The Shriners, an appendant body of the masonic order, has incorporated much of the Egyptian culture into its ceremonies and thus carries on some of the traditions of the ancient civilization.

So there seems to be a natural progression from the times of the pharaohs, and before, until today.

Since time immemorial, the world has been greatly influenced by masonic teachings, many of today’s problems could be solve if we would once again return to the knowledge taught within the lodge.

photo of a distinguished older gentleman

Wisdom lost through the ages, common sense is no longer common.

Gary has been a writer/photographer for over thirty years. Specializing in nature and landscape photography, as well as studying native cultures.

His travels have taken him to most of the United States, as well as Australia, Belize, Egypt and the Canary Islands.

He has studied the Mayan culture of Central America as well as the aborigines of Australia. Photography has given him the opportunity to observe life in various parts of the world.

He has published several books about his adventures.

For more information, please consult his website,www.journeysthrulife.com.

Your comments are welcome

Saint Thomas: Magans Bay

Written by Gary Wonning

The beautiful Islands of Saint Thomas and Saint John

A real inviting place to chill while visiting Saint Thomas is the restaurant/bar at Magans Bay.

Saint Thomas

Nothing like a refreshing cold drink at one of the most beautiful spots on the planet.

Magans Bay

All sorts of water activities are available, swimming, water floats, jets skies, umbrellas, and snorkeling, anything you need to enjoy your stay.

Magans Bay

Magens Bay features a well-protected white sand beach stretching for nearly three quarters of a mile. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the island, as well as a gathering place for locals.

The beach sits at the head of a deep bay, the arms of which are Peterborg peninsula to the east and Tropaco Point to the west. The bay’s northwest exposure means its waters are usually calm, although storms in the North Atlantic can occasionally generate large waves in the winter months, and turtles, conch, tarpon and other fish are commonly spotted.

Saint Thomas

Growing up on a dairy farm in southeastern Indiana, Gary traveled very little until midlife, when the opportunity became available to him.

Grabbing his camera and a bag full of equipment, he began his vision quest traveling to most areas of the United States and several countries abroad.

Along the way he collected several thousand photographs that he wants to share with everyone.

Gary decided the best way to accomplish his goal was to publish photo documentaries on the various areas of the world he has visited.

What will follow will be several photography books, who knows how many will wind up in his collection.

To contact Gary:

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Eating Fingers

photo fo two people, a child and an adult looking at a sunset over the ocean

Life was a lot slower and simpler in the fifties and sixties.

This one is for all of you who either:
a) have kids
b) have grown kids
c) were a kid
d) know a kid!

As I was trying to pack for vacation, my 3-year-old daughter was having a wonderful time playing on the bed.

At one point, she said, “Daddy, look at this,” and stuck out two of her fingers. Trying to keep her entertained, I reached out and stuck her fingers in my mouth and said, “Daddy’s gonna eat your fingers!”
pretending to eat them before I rushed out of the room again.

When I returned, my daughter was standing on the bed staring at her fingers with a devastated look on her face. I said, “What’s wrong honey?”

She replied, “What happened to my booger?”

Growing up on a dairy farm in southeastern Indiana, Gary traveled very little until midlife, when the opportunity became available to him.

Grabbing his camera and a bag full of equipment, he began his vision quest traveling to most areas of the United States and several countries abroad.

Along the way he collected several thousand photographs that he wants to share with everyone.

Gary decided the best way to accomplish his goal was to publish photo documentaries on the various areas of the world he has visited.

What will follow will be several photography books, who knows how many will wind up in his collection.

To contact Gary:

Healing begins on the soul level

A journey into the unknown. Open new avenues in your spiritual journey

Written by Gary Wonning

We all have healing issues, regardless if they are physical, emotional, spiritual, financial or a myriad of issues.

Dealing with these issues is a primary reason we chose to reenter the earth’s plane and reincarnate. It is the only dimension where we can settle issues from the past.

Our issues can be solved on other levels of existence, but it is a long and time consuming process, the best and quickest way to finally solve our challenges is to face up to them on the physical plane.

Jesus once said, “You must be born again.” In my opinion what that actually means is that we must comprehend and face our challenges while in a physical body by connecting with our God Source while living and walking on planet earth.

Many times, and rightfully so, we seek healing with the help of others. We consult doctors and many other professionals in the medical field. While this is all well and good and a sensible path to follow, they cannot heal us unless we want to be healed. No amount of the medicine in the world will cure our ills if we resist, and by the same token, if we truly desire to be healed, we need no medicine.

The body will heal itself if given the proper nutrition and guidance from the soul. The trick is to discover that guidance.

Healing begins on the soul level.

The Tree of Life

The body is a mirror of the soul, it only follows directions it receives from the Super Conscious, or our Christ Consciousness.

Our body is an expert on following directions, it always does what it is told to do by our subconscious.

When we go within and heal our spiritual wounds, whatever they may be the body is healed, when we resort to drugs or other methods, we are on working on the symptoms, and not the disease.

Regretfully, it can be a little more difficult than that, our minds have been ingrained with false teachings for so long, it is often difficult to change the patterns we have developed over many lifetimes.

It is a work in process, when the subconscious wounds are healed, the physical being feels the relief as well.

To get on the path of healing, we need to increase our awareness and vibration and align ourselves with the higher levels of our consciousness through meditation and contemplation. It is only then we will see a permanent healing with no return of the symptoms.

There is no easy way out, there is no pill that will permanently heal us, no medicine will heal the wounds of our soul, only we can do that.

The rewards are many, and well worth the time and effort.

Gary has been a writer/photographer for over thirty years. Specializing in nature and landscape photography, as well as studying native cultures.

His travels have taken him to most of the United States, as well as Australia, Belize, Egypt and the Canary Islands.

He has studied the Mayan culture of Central America as well as the aborigines of Australia. Photography has given him the opportunity to observe life in various parts of the world.

He has published several books about his adventures.

For more information, please consult his website,www.journeysthrulife.com.

Your comments are welcome

The River of Life

A journey into the unknown. Open new avenues in your spiritual journey

Written by Gary Wonning

We often hear the term,”River of Life”.

What does that mean, and is there actually a “River of Life?”

The River of Life refers to the stream of energy that brings all life to its next existence.

It isn’t a river of water, it is a force of energy that flows from the Tree of Life and enables us to teleport from one existence to another. It comes from somewhere above and has sparkles of energy running through it, these impulses of energy creates the illusion of flowing water.

We all experience it as we linger in the ethereal dimensions and are considering our next incarnation. As we consult with our masters and our own higher self , we determine what is the next type of life we should lead in order for our soul to learn the lessons best suited for our development and spiritual growth.

Because of the energy impulses the River of Life has, all the vivid colors blue,green,etc, are present,but really bright. They are superb and appear as though they are crystals.

As a result, they are relaxing and stimulating to the mind at the same time, this is probably why we humans refer to this as heaven.

In this state of consciousness, everything is so clear, and without the entrapments of a physical reality, it is more about what you feel than what you see. This makes it very pleasant and relaxing.

And in this environment, we can create anything we like, including the next life we wish to live.

The Tree of Life

The River of Life is made up of nonphysical entities on their way to reincarnation. Many who have experienced this , see themselves traveling with millions of other souls in non physical form.

They travel for however long as it takes them, there is no set time limit, it’s all about making yourself ready for your next great adventure.

As they enter the doorway between the dimensions to prepare for rebirth, many describe the entryway as a tornado, whirlpool, a spiral of light, or a vortex.

After entering the womb and preparing the body for a new life, the soul can enter and leave to go back to the ethereal world for a time in order to accumulate for its new existence.

Acquiring knowledge from both worlds for a time, enabling the soul to gain the most from the new life on earth, or wherever other planet it may choose.

So, the River of Life and the Tree of Life are real, they are mentioned in every esoteric belief and many mainstream religions.

Gary has been a writer/photographer for over thirty years. Specializing in nature and landscape photography, as well as studying native cultures.

His travels have taken him to most of the United States, as well as Australia, Belize, Egypt and the Canary Islands.

He has studied the Mayan culture of Central America as well as the aborigines of Australia. Photography has given him the opportunity to observe life in various parts of the world.

He has published several books about his adventures.

For more information, please consult his website,www.journeysthrulife.com.

Your comments are welcome

Does A Person In A Coma Have A Soul?

A journey into the unknown. Open new avenues in your spiritual journey

Written by Gary Wonning

There is always controversy concerning the human soul and what it is, if it exists at all.

We can’t actually see the soul and many people believe that if something can’t be seen, it doesn’t exist. They forget that we can’t see electricity but we all know electricity exists.

I think most clear thinking people do believe we have a soul. Falsely thinking that we are a body who has a soul, when in actuality, we are a soul that occupies a human body.

Our soul is who we really are, we only occupy a body in order to be able to express ourselves in a worldly form.

Along with this issue, many debate when and if the soul enters the human body.

My personal opinion is the soul enters the fetus at conception, it only makes sense that the soul would need time to acclimate itself with its new form of transportation for the next ninety or so years. The soul may come and for for a time during pregnancy while it decides if it really wants to experience the chosen life, but in the long run, the soul is almost always present in the fetus.

The soul needs this time, along with childhood to to learn its new environment and to adjust to its new body.

There is also discussion as to whether the soul leaves the body when a person is in a coma after a traumatic life experience.

Many people, after recovering from a coma relive experiences they encountered while in a coma, sometimes remembering going somewhere to learn new skills and talents.

Often times after they re-enter the human existence, their lifestyle and belief structure changes completely, often to the amazement of fellow workers and friends.

This would mean that the soul of a person in a coma is no longer in its body, especially if the body is on life support. The human body is then supported by artificial means, leaving the soul to wander about the universe as it pleases.

Many times the person can remember meeting Jesus, God, or some other spiritual leader, which often changes their life completely and they go on to accomplish many acts which they wouldn’t not have had the skills before the out of body experience.

We actually think with our soul, the brain is just a physical manifestation of our soul, the vehicle which enables the body to function, taking orders from our soul or Higher Self.

In my way of thinking, the body cannot function on it’s own without a soul.

It would be like trying to operate a computer without a hard drive.

The Tree of Life

Gary has been a writer/photographer for over thirty years. Specializing in nature and landscape photography, as well as studying native cultures.

His travels have taken him to most of the United States, as well as Australia, Belize, Egypt and the Canary Islands.

He has studied the Mayan culture of Central America as well as the aborigines of Australia. Photography has given him the opportunity to observe life in various parts of the world.

He has published several books about his adventures.

For more information, please consult his website,www.journeysthrulife.com.

Your comments are welcome

Scenic Wall Clock

by lifejourneysimages

It’s Great To Be An American

The Vietnam War Memorial in Washington DC.

Written by Gary Wonning

If there is anything good that will come out of the last eight years of turmoil, I believe it will be the fact that many Americans have become more aware of the value of our constitution and way of life.

Many of us have forgotten how lucky we re to live in this great land of ours. We forget how many around the world still live under oppression and poverty, the likes of which even the poorest in this country can’t imagine.

Often times, we Americans forget how lucky we are to live in this great land of ours and it takes someone from another country to remind us

Many times I have tried to remove myself from the animosities in the world today, but I am always drawn back by something someone from another country says or does about our country.

On Christmas Eve a friend of mine, someone who normally doesn’t express his feelings, made the statement about how much he loves America.

It was the perfect time to be once again reminded of how fortunate all of us are to live in this great land.

Gary has been a writer/photographer for over thirty years. Specializing in nature and landscape photography, as well as studying native cultures.

His travels have taken him to most of the United States, as well as Australia, Belize, Egypt and the Canary Islands.

He has studied the Mayan culture of Central America as well as the aborigines of Australia. Photography has given him the opportunity to observe life in various parts of the world.

He has published several books about his adventures.

For more information, please consult his website,www.journeysthrulife.com.

Your comments are welcome

Life was a lot slower and simpler in the fifties and sixties.

St. John USVI

The beautiful Islands of Saint Thomas and Saint John

St. John is the smallest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands, which are located in the Caribbean Sea.

Please click on the photos to see more beautiful photos of St. John

The economy of St. John is almost entirely dependent on tourism.

The island was a large producer of sugar cane until slavery was abolished. It then became economically impossible to grow sugar cane.

Cruz Bay, with a population of 2,700 is the largest settlement on St. John

Growing up on a dairy farm in southeastern Indiana, Gary traveled very little until midlife, when the opportunity became available to him.

Grabbing his camera and a bag full of equipment, he began his vision quest traveling to most areas of the United States and several countries abroad.

Along the way he collected several thousand photographs that he wants to share with everyone.

Gary decided the best way to accomplish his goal was to publish photo documentaries on the various areas of the world he has visited.

What will follow will be several photography books, who knows how many will wind up in his collection.

To contact Gary: