Sunlit Streams of Water

by Erwin K. Thomas

Sunlit Streams of Water is a devotional that celebrates religious naturalism. This book captures the symbolism of “sunlight,” “streams,” and “water.” Its themes represent the life, energy, power, and rebirth shown in the sun. Sunlight appears as the completion of the Creator’s great work. Streams declare the passage of time, while water is the new birth as it flows into the vast oceans of life. Much of this symbolism shows a pathway to our hearts. But water itself represents not only birth, but also fertility, and refreshment. It symbolizes life itself, and is used for purification and healing, alleviation of suffering, and redemption. In Christianity it’s the symbol of baptism, while the Holy Spirit is often depicted as celestial fire. But to a religious naturalist nature in all its manifestations – sky, moon, stars, mountains, hills, valleys, trees, flora and fauna are Holy. Scientific inquiry and the arts are prerequisites on which all reality is best interpreted.

Genres: Poetry

177 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 16, 2020

About the author

"I Am Presence's Mindfulness. This is the Way it is." WaPaSaCa June 25, 2024 (1st Appearance)
In 2010, Guyanese-born Erwin K. Thomas, PhD served as vice president of the Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR) Old Dominion University, Virginia Beach, VA. After 28 years, he retired as a professor and director of the Graduate Program from the Department of Mass Communications & Journalism at Norfolk State University, VA. He formerly taught at the University of Wisconsin– Milwaukee (1978–79), SUNY–Oswego (1972–74), and University of Guyana, Georgetown (Summers 1981 & 1988).

Thomas did research at the University of Guyana, University of the West Indies–Cave Hill, Barbados, Port of Spain, Trinidad, and Mona, Jamaica. He graduated from the University of Missouri, Columbia–PhD International Journalism & Broadcasting (1978), Brooklyn College of CUNY–MS Broadcasting (1972), and University of Oregon, Eugene–BS Radio-TV & Film (1970). His doctoral dissertation was entitled, “The Beginnings of Broadcasting in The West Indies, 1920–1949 (Barbados, British Guiana, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago).

He was the recipient of a Ford Foundation Fellowship (1975–78), awarded a Gannett Foundation Scholarship (1975–76), named by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC), a Fulbright Senior Specialists Candidate (2002–07), and was a consultant to the Ministry of Information, Georgetown, Guyana. Thomas was a radio newscaster at KWAX-FM, Eugene, OR (1968–70), producer-director BCTV, Brooklyn, NY (1970–71), desk assistant CBS Radio Network News, NYC (1972), producer-director OSUTV, Oswego, NY (1972–74), news writer Columbia Missourian (1974), reporter KBIA-FM (1975), and KOMU-TV Columbia, MO (1976—77). His Plain Talk series were aired on WSLJ-TV, Watertown, NY (1973–74). Shows on which he worked on crew positions at BCTV were aired on WNET-TV & WNYC-TV–NYC (1970–72). At Norfolk State, he was news director of WNSB-FM (1980—85).

Thomas has authored Make Better Videos with Your Camcorder (TAB Books 1991); co-edited a Handbook on Mass Media in the United States and Mass Media in 2025, Greenwood Press (1994 & 2001) respectively; A Weekly Encounter (2015), Keys of Faith (2016), Gifts of God (2017), Life’s Passages: From Guyana to America, and Guyana’s Seawall Girl (2018), Heaven Bound (2019), Dfurstane’s Spiritual Beliefs, and Sunlit Streams of Water: Devotions for Religious Naturalists (2020), A Life of Prayer: Devotions & Pandemic (2021), and Devotions on Ailments: Physical & National Ills (2022) with Amazon.com. He is a member of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) – Religious Interest Group, PEN America, Virginia Writers Club, and Hampton News Writers. His research interests are International Media Systems, social media, Ethics, Devotionals, and World Religions & Beliefs.

Thomas had been a lifelong member of the Church of the Holy Apostles–an ecumenical community of Episcopalians and Roman Catholics, Virginia Beach, VA–where he served on the Vestry Council, was a Eucharistic minister, and social media administrator. He is married to Mary Barta Thomas–a retired librarian of Tidewater Community College, Chesapeake, VA, and they live in Charlottesville, VA.

Reviews

[Melissa Calvert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

First off, I want to state that I am Pagan and not Christian and I still found this book inspiring. It is full of beautiful reflections on nature; various holidays; aspects of life; and the higher source of it all. Beautifully open, heartfelt thoughts. I enjoyed reading this despite not being religious. I love that Thomas touches on many different beliefs (even mentioning Paganism) and is open-minded to all that life and humanity is. It was a refreshing read and not stifling like some religious books are. I believe those that are Christian will truly enjoy this book and those that are not will still be able to take some beautiful things away from it. I am thankful for the opportunity to have read it and I do recommend it to anyone looking for some inspiration and reflection.

[Eileen Sateriale · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from a Goodreads Giveaway.

This spirituality book is a celebration of religious naturalism. The author is very knowledgeable about the religions of the world. I appreciate him sharing his thoughts.

This book may not be for everyone.

[Erwin Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunlit Streams of Water: Devotions for Religious Naturalists by Erwin K Thomas available at Amazon.com celebrates Religious Naturalism. This book captures the symbolism of sunlight, streams, and water. Its themes represent life, energy, power, and rebirth of the sun. Sunlight appears as the completion of the Creator’s great work. Streams declare the passage of time, and water is the new birth flowing into the vast oceans of life. Much of this symbolism leads to a pathway in our hearts. Water itself represents, not only birth, but fertility, and refreshment. It symbolizes life itself, is used for purification purposes, healing, the alleviation of suffering, and redemption. In Christianity, it’s the symbol of baptism, and the Holy Spirit is often depicted as a celestial fire. To a Religious Naturalist, Nature in its manifestations – sky, moon, stars, mountains, hills, valleys, trees, flora, and fauna are considered Holy. Scientific Inquiry and the Arts are prerequisites for interpreting the Reality of Life.