Smelling the Flowers-8/7/2012

http://www.visualpoetryphotography.com/p8777305/h12650962#h12650962

"When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?" Psalm 8:3-4

Beloved, the Lord has seen fit to bring all who embarked on the cruise to Alaska back home safely. A good time of fellowship, family and blessed rest was had by all as well as no small amount of food (you know what I'm talking about if you have ever been on a cruise)!

One of many things that struck me was the beauty of God's creation. The majesty of the mountains, the depths of the fjords, the beauty of the thousands of waterfalls and the complexity of His many creatures. It put me in mind of the fact that we all need to stop and take time to smell the flowers. So often we take God's goodness for granted as we rush to and fro pursuing work, education, relationships, entertainment and the like without ever stopping to take a look around and notice what God has done and is doing. Certainly we had plenty of opportunities to do this last week, but it can and should be done at any time wherever we are because God's masterful work is never hidden. It is apparent to any who would even look at a blade of grass in more than a passing way.

In the midst of this Eden, he placed man. And while it is easy to feel small when compared to such immensity, we should never feel insignificant. From the smallest atom to the greatest galaxy, it was all spoken into existence by our Creator and Father for His greatest creation, mankind. This should fill us with awe of Him rather than ourselves and should cause us to pause, appreciate and say "Thank you Lord."

Rejoicing in the Lord,

Lee

P.S. I did not know if the picture I wanted to include as part of today's post would make the transition through the group distribution so I included the link to my photography website where the image is housed.  It is called "God's Morning" and is a sunrise captured early Sunday Morning just south of Juneau, Alaska.  While you are on the site, feel free to look around for more examples of God's handiwork captured digitally.

The Awesomeness of God-4/4/201

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Gen 1:1

As Michelle and I cast our eyes homeward from a wonderful time in Hawaii we are still awed by the things we have seen since we have been here. We have taken tours that have educated us about the broad diversity of cultures that exist in the family of God. We've met people from places of which we were scarecely aware that brothers and sisters in Christ: Tongans, Samoans, Hawaaiians, Fijians and those native to New Zealand. Each of them are different in their own way but the same in all the ways that matter the most. What a rich cultural experience!

We also were privileged to see some of the most beautiful places on earth. We were educated by knowledgable tour guides regarding the flora and fauna of the islands as well as how much of the life here came to be here. There were trees native to Africa, plants from other Polynesian islands and birds from South America. The first residents here truly lived off the land, God providing EVERYTHING that was needed.

Lastly, we spent yesterday in Volcano National Park. It is difficult to convey the awesome majesty of God's work here. We were above the clouds at 14,000 feet and had the opportunity to see the top of the world's tallest mountain (measured from base to peak), Mauna Kea. We were able to see both ancient and new lava flows as well as the currently erupting Kilauea. The locals say we were standing on some of the world's newest land. God is still creating.

Beloved, tourism aside, I was struck by the absolute expansiveness of God's work, be it in man, other living things or the very planet on which he has placed us. It has truly been a humbling and moving experience. It is difficult to put into words the things that have been seen. They really are indescribable. This morning I woke with even more perspective. Hawaii is just a small archipelego of islands 2500 miles from anywhere and we just visited parts of two. It is a tiny place in the grand scheme of things. That means that this is just the smallest thumbnail afterthought of a Creator who spoke this whole planet, solar system, galaxy, universe and the heavenly realm into existence! His work speaks for itself. You wil hear it if you listen.

Rejoicing in the Lord,

Lee

P.S. Feel free to follow me on Facebook if you would like to see some preliminary images. In coming days and weeks I will post the better ones on my website at www.visualpoetryphotography.com

The Scale of God's Love-1/10/2012

"For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb.
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well." Ps 139:13-14

Do you ever consider the path of atoms as they rush and around to make up the components of all there is? You probably do not think much about cells, their division or any of their inner workings. Why not? Too small right? Absolutely below your concern right?

Consider this. We inhabit the earth and it is a pretty big place. Just to give it scale, it took four years, 21 million steps and 22 pairs of leather shoes for Dave Kunst to complete his record-making 14,450 mile walk around the Earth in
1974. But when you consider the size of the earth, it does not even approach the largest planet traveling around the nearest star (the sun). 1,321.3 earths could fit inside Jupiter, the largest planet. 926 Jupiters (or 1.3 million earths) could fit inside the sun, the largest object in our solar system. As immense as our sun is, it is only mid-sized as stars go. One of the largest stars known is called Betelgeuse. 1 billion of our suns could fit inside that. Billions of Betelgeuses could fit into a galaxy and there are billions of galaxies in the known universe. Is your mind numb yet?

Beloved the one true and living God spoke all of this and more into existence. In this life, man will never know the vastness and complexity of his creation. That same God condescended to lovingly form in the womb ___________(insert your name here) and daily provides for all of ___________(insert your name here) needs. As we go about lives with less significance than that with which we would credit bacteria relative to the grand scheme, remember that God thought enough of you to create, love and care for you. And when you lost your way, he took on less than insignificant flesh to make a way for you to get back home. As you go about your days, think on these things.

Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee