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Gleanings From The Word

Tag: nature

  • Eye Catching – Whatever is…

    Eye Catching – Whatever is…

    Red Maple tree

    I snapped this pic of a Japanese maple tree one day late this past fall. Everything around it was green, and the brilliant reds jwere eye catching. They seemed to pop out against the background foliage.

    The image isn’t quite centred properly, but the tree was far from symmetrical and defied my efforts to frame it better in the few moments I had to snap the shot.

    There are many things in the world that stand out for whatever reason and grab our attention. It could be something that grabs our eyes, a sound that catches us, or a concept that intrigues us. 

    It’s one thing to appreciate a moment of beauty; it’s quite another to be constantly distracted. Our thoughts are often easily diverted from thinking about or seeing the things of God.

    It’s why Job made a covenant with his eyes not to look lustfully at women. The eyes can trap our minds into thoughts they should not have. It isn’t just lust that is a problem.  Many forms of distraction can draw us from God, sometimes even to good things, yet still leave us not focused on the Lord.

    That tendency battles our desire to become more Christlike. It’s part of why Paul wrote to the church in Philippi.

    Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9

    The maple prompted Kathy and me to remark on God’s incredible artistic skill. But distractions often pull us away from Him.

    I love Paul’s words, “What you have learned[and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

    I don’t know about you, but the thought of God and His peace being with me is very appealing and comforting. It’s something I want more of in my life all the time. I want to rejoice, and with Him, I have plenty to be joyful about.

    Just a quick prayer on the subject to close. I pray it mirrors your heart’s desires as well as my own.

    Lord, help keep me from being distracted. Teach me to keep my eyes, ears, mind, and heart aimed towards you. Be glorified in me. May I be pleasing to you. Amen.

    Be blessed

    Kevin

    Quiet and Still – a taste of peace and joy
    General Revelation: Why No One Can Claim They Didn’t Know
  • Crowns of glory

    Crowns of glory

    Water droplet crown

    I like to watch water drip and form perfect little crowns as it impacts the surface beneath it. I’ve never quite managed to get the photo of that event I wanted, so this morning I’m using someone else’s shot to illustrate it (I couldn’t track down the photographer’s contact info, so I couldn’t give them credit). 

    What can I say? Some people say small things amuse small minds, but personally, I think we simply become blasé and ambivalent about much of what we see about us. We look and see, but we never truly see.

    The physics involved in creating the drop aside, I think that it is quite a spectacular event every time it happens. We tend to overlook it because it is small and common, but every one of those marvelous crowns is unique and really something to behold. It happens so fast that it is very difficult to appreciate without the aid of a photograph, but it is majestic, nonetheless. None of the crowns worn by any king or queen has the same beauty as that of a simple raindrop or the drip of atap. 

    That’s kind of humbling in a way. God dresses the everyday raindrop in a crown of splendor that surpasses the crown jewels of any monarch that ever lived. We are surrounded by infinite beauty created by God that we simply never take the time to notice. 

    The crown of the raindrop, the puff of a dandelion, the curve of a mouse’s whiskers, and more escape our gaze, yet they surround us. 

    When I am trout fishing, the flash of a rainbow as a trout leaps out of the water should take my breath away, but I often miss it in the excitement. 

    Such things are not seen with our busy eyes. They require us to be still and truly look at our surroundings. When we do that, we can sample a taste of the glories of God. 

    These things are to be appreciated, but not worshipped; after all, we worship the creator, not the created. Yet they can draw us ever closer to Him. 

    We are called to pause and think on Him. 

    Commit your way to the Lord;
        trust in him, and he will act.
    He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
        and your justice as the noonday.

    Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
        fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
        over the man who carries out evil devices    !     Psalm 37:5-7

    “Be still, and know that I am God.
        I will be exalted among the nations,
        I will be exalted in the earth!”     Psalm 46:10 

    I can hardly wait until glory, when we will be able to truly appreciate all He has created without the veil of sin on our eyes. When we can do that, I think we will be much more able to give Father the praise and glory due His name. 

    When was the last time you stopped and were still? I mean, truly still with no background music, no cell phone, just you and God and the wonders of His creation. When was the last time you paused to look at the wonders of His handiwork? 

    If you are like most of us, it has been too long. Take some time today and just look for the crown jewels our Lord has put in your path. 

    Be blessed

    Kevin

    Going Squirrelly? It’s time to be still and know