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Gleanings From The Word

Tag: Gleanings

  • Otters

    and the Eden we long for

    Yesterday, Kathy and I made a day trip out to Steveson. We walked at Garry Point, enjoying the coastal views (Salish Sea, Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and part of the Fraser River). It was fascinating watching the various marine craft come and go. The highlight, though, was the otters.

    We enjoyed a meal of fish and chips at #pajo’s on the boardwalk. Afterward, as we strolled near Fisherman’s Wharf, we spotted three otters. At first, they were simply swimming and playing, but they proceeded to climb up onto a far end of the dock within sight of us. They were hilarious to watch as they played and explored some of the watercraft. They kept us amused for 5-10 minutes before they disappeared from our sight. They were close enough to see well, but not close enough to photograph, clearly on my phone, so today’s image is courtesy of Kendra Young on Unsplash.

    I always enjoy watching animals at play, and when I do, I often think of the Garden of Eden. The Garden was deemed “very good” by God, and no sin had entered. I know many species of animals and birds can differentiate 

    between humans, becoming trusting and often very friendly with them. I’m certain the animals played freely, and that Adam and Eve were free to join in. 

    While Eden is, alas, no more. A heavenly paradise awaits those who belong to Christ. It’s a place that defies description, but I am certain it will be everything Eden was and more.

    John the Revelator attempted to describe what he saw in the Revelation; the Holy Spirit inspired him to write. Here’s a taste of what He said.

    Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”  Revelation 21:1-5 ESV

    Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:1-4 ESV

    I can’t begin to imagine it. To be honest, I can’t even really picture the fullness of what the Garden of Eden was like, and it foreshadowed what will come. Still, I can hardly wait to see it.

    I have my Holy Spirit-sealed ticket to Paradise. Do you have yours?

    If you haven’t trusted Jesus by faith yet, do it today.

    Kevin

    SUMMARY

    Watching three playful otters explore the docks in Steveston reminded me of Eden’s innocence, when animals and humans lived in unbroken harmony. The Garden of Eden is gone now, but through Christ, an even greater paradise awaits those who trust Him

    TAKEAWAY

    I watched three otters play and explore the docks at Steveston, and it reminded me of the untouched harmony of Eden

    I believe the animals in Eden trusted humans completely, free enough that Adam and Eve could have joined right in their play

    Revelation 21–22 shows me the paradise to come, greater than Eden ever was, where God dwells with His people forever and wipes away every tear

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    Better than Eden

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  • Meditations of a forest walk

    Thoughts on the Psalms

    Scene from a forest walk that had me thinking about the Psalms

    I recently came across an obscure English word that I had to look up: nemophilist. A nemophilist is a person who is fond of forests, woodland scenery, or spending time in the woods—literally, a “haunter of the woods.” That’s me to a large degree; I love to walk in forests and glades.

    Well, walking in the woods might be a bit of a misnomer. Certainly, you can’t call what I do “hiking”. I will take a slow ramble through the woods, a saunter through the woods, a wander. The destination is typically secondary at best. I stop and look at fungi and flowers. I check out trees that have character and look for critters. 

    The forests are great. For me, they calm my mind and let me think of God without distraction. I see His hand at work in the marvel of all he has created. 

    Recently, while going for a “walk,” parts of a lesser-known Psalm came to mind.

    Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous!
    Praise befits the upright.
    Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre;
    make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!
    Sing to him a new song;
    play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.

    For the word of the Lord is upright,
    and all his work is done in faithfulness.
    He loves righteousness and justice;
    the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.

    By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
    and by the breath of his mouth all their host.
    He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap;
    he puts the deeps in storehouses…

    Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
    even as we hope in you.     Psalm 33:1-7,20-22 ESV

    It’s a marvelous psalm of praise that captures the character of the Lord. He is faithful, loves justice, is righteous, and his love is faithful and steadfast. Those are things worth pondering on.

    A familiar line from Psalm 24 asks, “Who is the King of glory?” Psalm 24 is clearly attributed to King David, but Psalm 33 doesn’t say who wrote it. Traditionally, though, it too is attributed to David. I have to wonder, in some ways, if His thoughts were on the same topic both days.

    I can see Him sitting in the fields with His flocks or in one of the many forests (the land of Israel was once heavily forested, although it had its deserts, to be sure) and seeing the hand of God. Perhaps that is simply a flight of fancy on my part, but I can see it happening.

    When I do one of my forest rambles, I often think of questions about God and rejoice in my heart.

    I don’t know if you are a nemophilist like me, but wherever you feel God’s presence, may it move you to praise. From the depths of despair to the heights of rejoicing, He walks with us, and His love and mercy are worthy of praise.

    May you feel His presence and sing His praises today.

    Kevin

    SUMMARY

    Walking in the woods isn’t hiking for me, it’s a slow ramble that quiets my mind and lets me see God’s hand in everything He’s made. On a recent walk, part of Psalm 33 came to mind, a psalm that captures who God is, and a reminder to praise Him.

    TAKEAWAY

    I recently learned there’s a word for people like me: nemophilist, someone fond of forests and woodland scenery, and that’s me down to the ground. 

    My slow forest rambles quiet my mind and let me see God’s hand in creation without distraction. 

    Wherever you feel God’s presence, whether in a forest or anywhere else, that’s an invitation to praise Him, from the depths of despair to the heights of rejoicing.

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