For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. —Romans 15:4
Showing posts with label God's creation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God's creation. Show all posts

Saturday, October 28, 2017

The View from Caesar's Head

Psalm 95:4-7
He holds in his hands the depths of the earth
    and the mightiest mountains.
The sea belongs to him, for he made it.
    His hands formed the dry land, too.
Come, let us worship and bow down.
    Let us kneel before the Lord our maker,
for he is our God.
We are the people he watches over,
    the flock under his care.

Tim and I drove down to see Hannah in South Carolina. On the way we cruised through the Great Smokey Mountains. As we powered along, I watched the landscape for any signs of autumn. And bears—I always watch for bears. From the highway, we looked over the ridges and felt we were well above the tree-strewn valleys. That is until Saturday, when Hannah took us to a place called Caesar's Head. From our point of view, about 3200 feet above sea level, the scene took my breath away.  A valley, that stretched as far as I could see, housed a vast forest dotted with gold and red. A lake as smooth as glass sprawled between hills. The majestic mountains rose in the distance.

We stood on top of this rock formation called Caesar's Head
Gazing over the beauty, reminded me of two truths from Psalm 95. Number one: Everything was created by and is owned by God. As I stood on the top of Caesar's Head, I saw wonder in God's natural world. I drew in fresh air. I imagined what animals roamed those mountains. (Maybe, a bear or two.) Number two: God watches over me. He cares about me and loves me just as I am. I needed that reminder, because sometimes I forget or take for granted our incredible Lord. He has more love than we can imagine, and he wants to pour that out on us if only we seek him.

Let us come to him with thanksgiving. 
Let us sing psalms of praise to him.



                                      -Psalm 95:2

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Praise the Lord!

Maggie C. Photography
Psalm 148: 1, 7-12, 14b

Praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
    praise him in the heights above…

Praise the Lord from the earth,
    you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
    stormy winds that do his bidding,
you mountains and all hills,
    fruit trees and all cedars,
wild animals and all cattle,
    small creatures and flying birds,
kings of the earth and all nations,
    you princes and all rulers on earth,
young men and women,
    old men and children…
Praise the Lord.

As the leaves of October burst with color, I witness the beauty of God’s creation with fresh eyes. Red, orange, yellow, golden brown, the colors of warmth surround life. When they reflect against a clear blue sky, I can imagine that God dipped his watercolor brush and enlightened the day. He’s not only an artist. He created the science behind these amazing changes.

Why do I get so excited about colorful leaves? Because they are one more proof that God exists. He not only exists, he loves me and has provided me with the truth of his kingdom. Jesus gave his life. He died on the cross and rose from the dead. I never get tired of hearing about how incredible my Savior is. Praise the Lord. Even the trees cry out in praise.