Seeing Creation

There is a daily devotional book called “Jesus Calling” that appears to be quite popular.  Two different people have given me copies of this book.  The author is Sarah Young and she claims that the messages were given to her by Christ to be shared with others.  I have to confess that I tend to be skeptical when people make claims such as this but I also have to admit as I’ve read these daily entries the last couple of months there have been numerous times I felt the words were indeed divine.  Yesterday’s reading is a good example.  It concerned  thankfulness.  The reading begins: “Bring me the sacrifice of thanksgiving.  Take nothing for granted, not even the rising of the sun.”  It then goes on to talk about how Eve lost her thankful heart when she began to desire the forbidden fruit found in the Garden of Eden.  The point is made that when we focus on and desire what we don’t or can’t have we usually lose our sense of gratitude.

The writer then says, “When you focus on what you don’t have or on situations that displease you, your mind becomes darkened.  You take for granted life, salvation, sunshine, flowers, and countless other gifts from Me.  You look for what is wrong and refuse to enjoy life until that is ‘fixed.’  When you approach Me with thanksgiving, the Light of My Presence pours into you, transforming you through and through.  Walk in the Light with Me by practicing the discipline of thanksgiving.”

These are words I needed to hear.  I’d be surprised if you didn’t need to hear them, too, for it truly is difficult for us to remain grateful for God’s many blessings when we fix our gaze or that which we don’t or can’t have.  We will experience much more peace and joy in life if we can learn to focus on what we do have, not what we don’t.  The apostle Paul said he had “learned to be content whatever the circumstance.” (Philippians 4:12) It would be nice if we could learn to do the same.

The words from this daily devotional also remind us that living with an attitude of gratitude will open our eyes to all the blessings that surround us.  We won’t take for granted the sun, the flowers, the budding trees, the birds singing around us or the grass growing at our feet.  God’s blessings literally surround us every day but if  our minds are darkened by ingratitude we’ll miss these blessings.  What a shame that would be!

I suggest we take the words from this devotional reading to heart.  Let’s all strive to walk in the light of God’s presence and practice daily the discipline of thanksgiving.  We have nothing to lose by doing so and everything to gain.

–Chuck

(I took the top image at Cypress Gardens in South Carolina, the middle image somewhere along the coast of California, and the bottom image at Redwood National Park.)

Because I had a funeral to officiate at on Monday I did not get a chance to watch much of the President’s inauguration.  From what I’ve read and some of the images I’ve seen it must have been a grand event.  Many years ago I had the privilege of attending a presidential inauguration, that of Jimmy Carter.  I was in college at the time and my history professor, who was a member of the Electoral College, invited some students to go to Washington, D.C. with him.  I am very thankful I had a chance to be a part of that trip.  It was wonderful!

I realize that that there are many who do not feel like Jimmy Carter was a very good president but I have to admit I’ve always admired him.  Part of the reason for my admiration is his faith.  Carter has never been hesitant to speak of his religious convictions.  He taught Sunday School while in office and continues to do so.  I also admire greatly what Carter has done since leaving the Oval Office.  His work through the Carter Center has had a positive effect on millions of people.  I was once at a denominational meeting where Carter spoke.  He was introduced as the first President who used that office “as a stepping stone to greater service.”

Still another reason why I like Jimmy Carter is his love for the outdoors.  While President he was a proponent for environmental issues and also supported the national park system.  I actually believe that this had something to do with his faith.  Why?  Carter once said, “I have never been happier, more exhilarated, at peace, inspired, and aware of the grandeur of the universe, and the greatness of God than when I find myself in a natural setting not much changed from the way He made it.”

When one is cognizant of God’s hand in nature and awed by its beauty he or she cannot help but want to be good stewards of Creation.  Such a person recognizes the need to preserve wilderness areas and to support those places already protected.  These places are valuable in and of themselves but also, as Carter saw, as sources of happiness, exhilaration, peace, inspiration and experiences with God.

Wouldn’t it be great if our current elected officials recognized the spiritual value of wilderness?  I suspect some of them do.  Others, I fear, do not.  It is important that we all do our part in helping our elected officials to see the connection.  After all, they are the ones who will make the decisions about whether wilderness areas are preserved and our national parks are properly funded.  Perhaps now would be a good time to let your Senators and member of Congress know how you feel.  Don’t wait until it’s too late.

–Chuck

(I took the top image at Theodore Roosevelt National Park (ND), the middle image at Kenai Fjords National Park (AK), and the bottom image at Dolly Sods Wilderness Area (WV).)

“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”   Isaiah 55:12

Today is the second Sunday of Advent and the theme for this particular Sunday is peace.   Peace, though greatly desired by most people, can be hard to find these days.  It definitely seems to be in short supply.  Nations do battle with one another.  Arguments rage in the halls of Congress.  There is ongoing conflict in most homes and places of business.  I suspect that in the end all of this is symptomatic of the lack of peace that resides inside our own hearts.  Today we remember the coming of the Prince of Peace but at the same time cannot help but lament the lack of peace evident in the world and in our own lives.

One of the things I have come to realize is that I need peaceful refuges or sanctuaries in order to maintain what peace I do have.  This morning I went to church early and after turning the lights of our Chrismon Tree and Christmas wreaths on I simply sat and soaked in the sense of peace that pervaded the place.  I have in my home a study which is also for me a peaceful sanctuary.  There I am surrounded by my books and can find a variety of music to listen to that contribute to my peace of mind and soul.

I spent a couple of days in southern Florida with Rob this past week and while there I had a chance to take some walks in swamps and hammocks.  It always amazes me how God’s Creation generates feelings of peace and tranquility within me.  Yes, even in swampy areas filled with spiders and snakes and alligators I felt a peace I do not find in the normal hustle and bustle of life. The places Rob took me were all near populated and/or commercial areas.  Not far away thousands of cars were making their way here or there, but in these pockets of wildness I found sanctuaries of peace and a sense of the presence of God.

I am thankful that no matter where you live nearby there is likely to be a natural sanctuary of peace.  Due to crime most churches are not able to keep their doors unlocked at all times.  For that reason few people have the option I do of going into a church sanctuary anytime they want and spending peaceful moments there alone.  But in nature we can find a place of peaceful refuge twenty-four hours a day.  I realize that some parks also have locks but there are always pockets of wildness waiting to be made into sanctuaries of peace.  I cannot help but believe that the God who first made Himself known to others in a garden still waits in a variety of gardens and natural habitats to make Himself known.  And when we give God that opportunity the peace we so urgently need is usually found as well.  Where do you find your own sanctuaries of peace?  Have you been there lately?

–Chuck

(I took the images above near West Palm Beach, Florida, this past Thursday and Friday.)

Yesterday while my wife and I were riding in the car she played a song for me from one of her favorite Christian groups, 33 Miles.  She told me it was a song that meant a lot to her and after listening to it I can understand why.  Here are the words to a portion of the song: “And the arms that hold the universe are holding you tonight.  You can rest inside, it’s gonna be alright.  And the voice that calmed the raging sea is calling you His child.  So be still and know He’s in control; He will never let you go.  You can hope, you can rise, you can stand; He’s still got the whole world in His hands.  You can hope, you can rise, you can stand; He’s still got the whole world, the whole world in His hands.”

As you and I look out at the wonders of Creation it is very important to always remember that behind Creation stands the Creator.  God has made Himself known through that which He has made, through the events of history, and above all else through His Son, Jesus Christ.  That which is revealed over and over is that the God who made this universe has “the whole world in His hands”  and that He is not a distant unknowable being but a God who extends love and compassion to all that He has made.  As hard as it is for some to believe, God actually cares about each of us and loves us immensely.

This morning in church we sang the hymn “His Eye Is on the Sparrow.”  This song reminds us of Jesus’ words, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.” (Matthew 10:29)  In both the song and the scripture verse we are given the assurance that God watches over all of His Creation and that we can rest assured that He watches over us as well.

It brings me great comfort to know that the arms that hold the universe are also holding me.  Knowing that God cares for me I can hope, I can rise, and I can stand even in the toughest of times.  Knowing that the Creator loves me so much also makes me appreciate His Creation more and both motivates and inspires me to be a better steward of it.  I hope it will motivate and inspire you to do the same.  But more than anything, I hope you will somehow sense God’s loving arms around you for that is where we will find our greatest joy and peace.

–Chuck

(I photographed the whitetail fawn at Shenandoah National Park, the goldfinch in Middlesboro, KY, and the sunset clouds at Paducah, KY.)

“Be still, and know that I am God.” –Psalm 46:10

I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again; I don’t like this time of year.  I don’t think I’ve been a fan of summer since I was a teenager.   I cannot stand the heat and humidity.  That’s not good since the earth is undeniably experiencing a warming trend.  Things are hot and it’s getting hotter.

What I said above I could say again here concerning another subject—politics.  I don’t like this time of year and am already dreading the next four months.  I know we must have elections and that it is good that we live in a country where we have the freedom to vote for the candidate we choose, but I hate all the negativity that seems to come with political races, especially presidential ones.

The negativity is everywhere.  It’s in the candidates’ ads that run on television and the radio.  It’s on the annoying unsolicited automated phone calls that come on a regular basis.  It’s all over the social media.  When I go on Facebook these days it looks like a political war zone.  I just don’t understand why people feel they have to be so hateful and demeaning.   Almost everything I see and hear tells me why I shouldn’t vote for some particular candidate, not why I should vote for his or her alternative.  The focus is not on what it should be–what’s right about a particular candidate.  Things are hot and it’s getting hotter.

Last night I came across a Wendell Berry poem that seemed most appropriate to what I’m talking about.  Berry writes: “When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be, I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.  I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief.  I come into the presence of still water.  I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting with their light.  For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.”

I am certainly grateful for “the peace of wild things.”  I am thankful that God created beautiful and wild places where we can still escape from all the madness, if only for a moment.  I think in some ways I need them more now than ever before.  If I’m going to survive the next few months I have a feeling I’m going to have to spend less time in front of the television and computer and more time outdoors.  I just wish it wasn’t so hot…

–Chuck

(I took the top image at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.  I think I photographed the blue heron in Florida.  I photographed the ferns at Pine Mountain State Park in Kentucky.)

Happy Easter!  I hope you have had a wonderful and blessed day.  This morning, while scanning entries posted on Facebook, I found where someone shared the following quotation by Martin Luther: “The promise of the resurrection is not in books alone, but in every leaf in spring-time.”  In Luther’s words we see once again how God’s “other book”—Creation—complements the Scriptures.  It is, of course, primarily in the New Testament that we find the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection.  And what a story it is!  After all these years I am still amazed by the whole account of Jesus Passion and the empty tomb.  I am also so very thankful for what this story means.  This morning I preached on Paul’s words in First Corinthians 15: 17, “…if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.”  It is my firm conviction that my faith is not futile and that my sins have, in fact, been forgiven.  Why?  Because Jesus lives!

The biblical message of resurrection is echoed in Creation.  For those with eyes to see it is everywhere.   Martin Luther was right; “every leaf in spring-time” proclaims resurrection.  Every flower that burst forth from the ground, likewise, shouts the good news of resurrection.  Even the light of dawn each morning reminds us of God’s resurrection power.

I am so very thankful for all of nature’s reminders because the implications of the resurrection are huge.  In the passage I noted above Paul says if Christ be not raised our faith is in vain, our sins are not forgiven, and he goes on to add, those “who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost” or no longer exists. (v. 18)  So much hinges on Jesus’ resurrection that first Easter long ago!  It is the “good news” that our Savior lives that brings us comfort and joy.  It is this same good news that is the source of our peace and hope.  For that reason I am grateful that God has placed within His Creation many visible reminders of His resurrection power.  These reminders can and should enrich our lives throughout the year.

–Chuck

(I took the picture of the trees above at Breaks Interstate Park yesterday afternoon.  I took the bottom image of a tulip here at my house earlier today.)