Tag Archives: Creation

Gradually, Beautiful

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I got up early one morning to watch the sun rise in the mountains. Ray and I often escaped to the Great Smoky Mountains a couple of times a year. We would find a mountain-top cabin, put aside the busyness of life, and simply vegetate, rest, hike, and enjoy God’s creation. Some of our favorite moments were spent watching the night sky for comets and meteor showers or quietly observing the wildlife that occasionally wandered into view. Bears, deer, moose, and even an occasional skink provided unexpected entertainment! But the sunrises were something special.

That particular morning, the first signs of daylight appeared as a haze settled over the mountains. I could just make out the closest trees. The sound of crickets and tree frogs provided a gentle background for what was to come. Gradually, the sky began to lighten. Cardinals, crows, blue jays, eagles, and other birds joined in a chorus of praise that seemed to grow louder with each passing moment. It was as if the trees became greener as the sky grew bluer. Dogs began barking in the distance, setting off a chain reaction with their neighbors. Perhaps they had spotted a deer, rabbit, or even a bear! Whatever the reason, their voices added another layer to this incredible symphony of creation. Then, as the sun began to rise, its rays reached across the valley and touched a distant mountain. Slowly, the mountains emerged from the shadows, highlighted in the warm light of a brand-new day.

Nothing happened all at once. The darkness didn’t suddenly disappear. The sky didn’t instantly become brilliant blue. The sounds of the morning didn’t begin together. Everything unfolded gradually, each moment revealing a little more of the beauty that had been there all along.

Those precious moments remind me to slow down, watch, wait, and savor the beauty surrounding me. I wonder how often I miss what God is doing because I look for the finished picture rather than appreciating what is unfolding before me.

There is something reassuring about the gradual. We often want immediate answers, instant change, and visible results. Yet, so much of God’s creation reminds us that beauty takes time to unfold. The morning light slowly pushes back the darkness. And sometimes, our own understanding and spiritual growth develop in much the same way. God is at work even when we cannot see the whole picture.

Heavenly Father,

I give You all praise, honor, and glory. You have created beauty all around me. You alone are the Creator of the heavens and the earth and everything in them. What an awesome and mighty God You are!

Help me to slow down and recognize Your handiwork. Teach me to wait patiently, to appreciate the gradual unfolding of Your work, and to trust You even when I cannot yet see the finished picture. May I never become so distracted by the demands of the day that I miss the wonder of Your presence.

Let my life, like the heavens above, declare Your glory.

I am joining a great group of Christian writers at 5-Minute Friday. We write for 5 minutes each Friday (sometimes longer). You can read the other writers’ posts and share your own here: https://fiveminutefriday.com

The Creation

Look at God’s Work!

In the beginning, there was nothing but water and God.

Then, God said, let there be light.  He knew the light meant nothing without darkness.  So he created that, too.  He separated the two and called them day and night, evening and morning.  The first day.

On the second day, God separated the water.  Some on the earth and some in the sky. He also determined there to be dry ground and separated it from the water.  Now, we have land and sea.  A place ready for the next day of work.

Here we are at the morning of the third day.  God tells the land to produce plants and trees that bear seeds and fruit.  And so it is.

God, on the fourth day, puts the sun, moon, and stars in the heavens and sets them in motion.  He knows the plants will need sunshine to produce as He intended.

Now, He creates birds and fish, in the sea and on the land.  He looks out over it all and says, “It is good!”  It’s the end of day 5.

Day 6 is going to be a busy one.  It’s all about creating livestock and animals that move along the ground.  Then He creates mankind.  Man and woman.  He makes them look just like Him.  He tells them to rule and subdue the earth.  He tells them what they can eat.  He looks around and says,  “It is good.”

Then God rests.

The Jesse Tree is all about knowing the genealogy of Jesus.  The people God put in place to point to the birth of the one who would save us all.  Adam and Eve were the first with many more to follow.

Blessings to you and yours!

Part 1 of the Jesse Tree Devotional

Who Sang The First Song – Book Review

Have you ever given thought to ‘Who Sang The First Song?’  Did you know there’s a constant sound in the universe?  That sound originates from the sun, neutron stars, black holes, and more.

From the beginning of time, there have been sounds all around.  God has not only put the beauty of sound everywhere but He has given each of His creation their own song.  Each song is individualized and determined for each one of us to use in furthering His Kingdom on Earth.

Now I recognize this is a bit ‘heavy’ for children. However, Ellie Holcomb, in her book Who Sang The First Song?, covers the concept in words and questions that children can understand.

After all, didn’t God tell us to make a joyful noise?  And what is more joyful than a song straight from the heart.

So, if you need a really great children’s gift, or want to enrich your home library, I highly recommend this delightful book.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Broadman Holman/Lifeway Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

5 Sentence Friday Psalm 139:14

Here it is. 5-Sentence Friday. Today’s verse is one that is often repeated. The One and Only thought of me, planned me, loved me from the beginning of time.  In the ‘fullness of time’ (phrase from Eph. 4:4) I came to be. Just thinking about this concept is overwhelming but it is what it is.

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous—and how well I know it.  Psalm 139:14  TLB

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderfully made; I know that full well.  Psalm 139:14 NIV

  1. I had nothing to do with the complexity of who I would be.
  2. I am His wonderfully made creation.
  3. God deserves (and expects) my thanks for even thinking of me.
  4. Every heartbeat, every breath, every step is/was orchestrated by You.
  5. My skills, talents, and habits are part of Your purpose for me.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Book Review – Purposeful Design

 

Purposeful Design

Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book for my review by Jay Schabacker through Bookcrash.  No other compensation was received.  If you click on the book it will take you to Amazon’s purchase page.  Once again, I receive no compensation for your decision to purchase.

This insightful look into the reasons for ordering creation would be useful for all ages.  The author, Jay Schabacker, has carefully researched many of the events during the first seven days to provide the reader with an accurate representation of what God did and why He did it.  Starting with a cute tickler about the Man in the Moon and moving through the Creation events he provides the reader with many stories within the Story.

Using the Word of the Creator God and scientific fact and theory the Creation comes to life on the pages of this book.  Facts, beautiful pictures, quotes, Bible verses, and flowing words fill this book with a solid basis for a Creative, Purposeful, Life-giving, beginning to Earth, the Solar System, and all of the Cosmos.

Through the eyes and words of this author each creative day had to preceed the next so the finished product, man, could move forward.  Sequentially using the movement of the planets, the  rain cycle, how the seasons are beneficial , tidal movement and timing, instincts of birds and fish, domesticating animals, and the uniqueness of each human, puts the story into perspective and makes for some very interesting reading.

I highly recommend this book!  Either for your coffee table (because it is beautifully made) or as a gift for any age,  you can’t go wrong.