FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH
For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all Gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker Psalm 95: 3-6
How can we not be awed? How can we not be grateful? For in the beauty of this earth is a joy that know no bounds. This poem God’s World, by Edna St. Vincent Millay, speaks to that joy:
O WORLD, I cannot hold thee close enough!
Thy winds, thy wide grey skies!
Thy mists that roll and rise!
Thy woods, this autumn day, that ache and sag
And all but cry with colour! That gaunt crag
To crush! To lift the lean of that black bluff!
World, World, I cannot get thee close enough!
Long have I known a glory in it all,
But never knew I this; Here such a passion is
As stretcheth me apart. Lord, I do fear
Thou’st made the world too beautiful this year.
My soul is all but out of me,—let fall
No burning leaf; prithee, let no bird call.
Remember to take in this beauty. There is artistry in creation that shines through even the cloudiest day. It is in the sunshine and clouds! It is in the blue skies and grey!
It is a gift to you from God. And be thankful! Give thanks today, bow before and worship our wonderful Creator God!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Using Good Judgment!
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7: 1-2
We do need to have good judgment about our own actions, but Scriptures cautions us about judging others. It is so easy to judge the “others” who are different from us. They claim to be Christian, but it doesn’t show in their lives, and we judge. They make a great deal of money, and yet are stingy, and we judge. This could go on and on, but I am sure you get the picture.
Why is it important that we don’t judge others? First of all, we will be judged by God with the same measuring stick we use against others. If we show respect and understanding, that is what will be given to us by God. If we judge harshly and rashly, so will we be judged!
An even more compelling reason not to judge is because we are far from being perfect ourselves, and we can’t see all that lies behind a person we are judging. We are not God! When we judge others, we put ourselves in the place of God, violating God’s first commandment.
Is this an area you struggle with? Try understanding rather than condemning Try getting to know them, looking for God’s image in them, remembering that every one of us is one of God’s precious created ones.
And remember, we don't have to like what people do, only respect the fact that they too are know and loved by God's - and it is God's job alone to judge them.
We do need to have good judgment about our own actions, but Scriptures cautions us about judging others. It is so easy to judge the “others” who are different from us. They claim to be Christian, but it doesn’t show in their lives, and we judge. They make a great deal of money, and yet are stingy, and we judge. This could go on and on, but I am sure you get the picture.
Why is it important that we don’t judge others? First of all, we will be judged by God with the same measuring stick we use against others. If we show respect and understanding, that is what will be given to us by God. If we judge harshly and rashly, so will we be judged!
An even more compelling reason not to judge is because we are far from being perfect ourselves, and we can’t see all that lies behind a person we are judging. We are not God! When we judge others, we put ourselves in the place of God, violating God’s first commandment.
Is this an area you struggle with? Try understanding rather than condemning Try getting to know them, looking for God’s image in them, remembering that every one of us is one of God’s precious created ones.
And remember, we don't have to like what people do, only respect the fact that they too are know and loved by God's - and it is God's job alone to judge them.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
You Are Here For a Reason!
"I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. 12"When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen." Jeremiah 29:11 (The Message)
At times, it is hard to grasp that God has a plan for good for our lives. Times of crisis, times of chaos, even the grey days can make us feel like God is nowhere around! But of course that is not the case. God uses everything that happens to us, to bring us closer to Him and to his purpose for our lives.
Believe this, and your stress level should diminish. Walk in Him, knowing that no matter what this day looks like, you will find His goodness is overflowing! Former Senate Chaplain and Presbyterian pastor Richard Halvorsen was fond of quoting this benediction”
Remember, you go nowhere by accident,
Wherever you go, God is sending you.
Wherever you are, God has put you there,
God has a purpose in your being there.
Christ Who indwells you has something
God wants to do through you where you are.
Do you have times when the world seems so dark that you can't see God at all? Remember we walk by faith and not by sight (or feelings!). God's hand is on you - in all times and all situations. And He is doing a work in you and through you, right where you are, whether you can see it or not!
Where are you today? What is God doing in you and through you?
At times, it is hard to grasp that God has a plan for good for our lives. Times of crisis, times of chaos, even the grey days can make us feel like God is nowhere around! But of course that is not the case. God uses everything that happens to us, to bring us closer to Him and to his purpose for our lives.
Believe this, and your stress level should diminish. Walk in Him, knowing that no matter what this day looks like, you will find His goodness is overflowing! Former Senate Chaplain and Presbyterian pastor Richard Halvorsen was fond of quoting this benediction”
Remember, you go nowhere by accident,
Wherever you go, God is sending you.
Wherever you are, God has put you there,
God has a purpose in your being there.
Christ Who indwells you has something
God wants to do through you where you are.
Do you have times when the world seems so dark that you can't see God at all? Remember we walk by faith and not by sight (or feelings!). God's hand is on you - in all times and all situations. And He is doing a work in you and through you, right where you are, whether you can see it or not!
Where are you today? What is God doing in you and through you?
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