Original Post Date: Monday, May 2, 2008
And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth." And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day. Genesis 1:20-23
For those of us who grew up with Star Trek, space is the final frontier. Yet, our oceans are virtually unknown to us. One time, my uncle was watching a nature program on TV while I was visiting his house. They were showing some beautifully colored fish that live deep in the ocean. I commented about how cool it was that God had given the fish bright coloring even though they lived in the ocean and were never seen. My uncle replied, “I’m seeing them.”
King Solomon was renowned for his great wisdom. Scripture tells us that much of what he learned and told others was about the plants, fish, birds and reptiles (I Kings 4:33). I believe that one of the keys to understanding who God is starts with knowing His creation.
This year, I’m going to watch more nature shows. It’s hard sometimes to overlook the references to evolution on these shows, but I’ll try to approach them by asking myself what this animal or plant tells me about God.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
THE HEAVENLY BODIES
Original Post Date - Wednesday, May 28, 2008
And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so. God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day. Genesis 1:14-19
These verses have been the center of controversy for generations. The account of the creation of the sun and moon are preceded in Scripture by the creation of light. Does this mean there was another source of light?
In the Book of Revelation it says that God’s presence will be our light in the eternal Kingdom and we won’t need the sun. Could it have been that when the Spirit of God hovered over the earth that the sheer presence of the Divine brought light to the planet?
Some scholars have also argued that the sequence of Creation in Scripture doesn’t mean that the sun wasn’t created before light. Hebrew writings are often not chronological. We see this in the Gospels. Some of the gospel writers were concerned about grouping the events of Jesus’ life by topic more than in giving an accurate timeline of when things happened.
The sun, moon and stars are our constant companions. They remind us of the greatness of our God. They are essential to the balance of the earth – the sun providing light and energy and the moon providing light and the ocean tides. The stars, consequently, leave us in suspense of how great God really is.
And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so. God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day. Genesis 1:14-19
These verses have been the center of controversy for generations. The account of the creation of the sun and moon are preceded in Scripture by the creation of light. Does this mean there was another source of light?
In the Book of Revelation it says that God’s presence will be our light in the eternal Kingdom and we won’t need the sun. Could it have been that when the Spirit of God hovered over the earth that the sheer presence of the Divine brought light to the planet?
Some scholars have also argued that the sequence of Creation in Scripture doesn’t mean that the sun wasn’t created before light. Hebrew writings are often not chronological. We see this in the Gospels. Some of the gospel writers were concerned about grouping the events of Jesus’ life by topic more than in giving an accurate timeline of when things happened.
The sun, moon and stars are our constant companions. They remind us of the greatness of our God. They are essential to the balance of the earth – the sun providing light and energy and the moon providing light and the ocean tides. The stars, consequently, leave us in suspense of how great God really is.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
THERE IS NO LIFE WITHOUT PLANTS
Original Post Date: Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seeds in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plangs bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning - the third day. Genesis 1:11-13
Plants - we'd be in serious trouble without them. We eat them. They are used to build our homes. They feed our livestock. Even in the ocean and desert, they are essential to life. They had to be created before animals or the animals couldn't have survived. In one day, the earth went from a void to a beautiful garden.
Plans are very resilient. As soon as humans vacate a spot, plants grow almost immediately. They grow up through concrete, literally marking their turf. They are survivors - coming fully back to life after along winter and breaking into our water pipes when we've stolen all the ground water. They're bold - showing up when they're not wanted and stealing the show when they are wanted. Sometimes they require the help of animals to pollinate them or expand their territory, but mostly they'd be just as content if we weren't here.
Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seeds in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plangs bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning - the third day. Genesis 1:11-13
Plants - we'd be in serious trouble without them. We eat them. They are used to build our homes. They feed our livestock. Even in the ocean and desert, they are essential to life. They had to be created before animals or the animals couldn't have survived. In one day, the earth went from a void to a beautiful garden.
Plans are very resilient. As soon as humans vacate a spot, plants grow almost immediately. They grow up through concrete, literally marking their turf. They are survivors - coming fully back to life after along winter and breaking into our water pipes when we've stolen all the ground water. They're bold - showing up when they're not wanted and stealing the show when they are wanted. Sometimes they require the help of animals to pollinate them or expand their territory, but mostly they'd be just as content if we weren't here.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
GATHERING OF THE WATERS
Originally Posted - Thursday, April 3, 2008
And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning – the second day. And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. God called the dry ground "Land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:6-10
Water is an essential element for all life. The verses above indicate that there was water already on the earth when God began His creation. Water alone distinguishes our planet from all the others in our solar system.
It is no wonder that water is used symbolically so much in the Bible. Baptism, the rite of passage for a new believer, uses water as a symbol of cleansing and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. In Ezekiel, water is used as a symbol of God’s presence, sustainment and blessing as it flows out from the throne of God. Jesus Himself used water as a symbol of humility and service when He washed the disciples’ feet and as a symbol for eternal life in his encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well.
Water, just like God, has mysterious beginnings and is essential to survival. It’s in everything and affects everything.
And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning – the second day. And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. God called the dry ground "Land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:6-10
Water is an essential element for all life. The verses above indicate that there was water already on the earth when God began His creation. Water alone distinguishes our planet from all the others in our solar system.
It is no wonder that water is used symbolically so much in the Bible. Baptism, the rite of passage for a new believer, uses water as a symbol of cleansing and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. In Ezekiel, water is used as a symbol of God’s presence, sustainment and blessing as it flows out from the throne of God. Jesus Himself used water as a symbol of humility and service when He washed the disciples’ feet and as a symbol for eternal life in his encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well.
Water, just like God, has mysterious beginnings and is essential to survival. It’s in everything and affects everything.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
IT ALL BEGINS WITH LIGHT AND DARKNESS
Originally Posted - Saturday, March 15, 2008
Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. Genesis 1:2-5
When God created the light, He called it good. The Scripture doesn’t say that He created the darkness. Where did it come from? Some say that when Satan fell from God’s favor before the beginning of time, that he was cast down to the earth and banished from Heaven. Could it be that Satan’s presence here brought the darkness? But if God knew Satan was here, then why would He choose this planet to create a paradise? Perhaps it was the sheer desolation of this place that stirred the heart of restoration within the Creator.
It is interesting to me that God did not choose to eliminate darkness when He created light. Rather, He used it for His purposes – as a time when Creation can rest. He balanced it with the light so that it didn’t dominate the planet as it had done before. This concept of balance in Creation is a key belief in American Indian spirituality. When the balance is compromised, then the earth reacts in order to gain a balanced state again. The dark-dominated fall/winter is pushed out by a light-dominated spring/summer and visa versa.
In Asian culture, a similar belief exists called Yin and Yang. The Yin/Yang theory goes one step further and says that good and evil must also coexist in balance. Can we as believers in Christ open our minds to consider this? There is strong evidence in Scripture of the importance of balance in life. Ecclesiastes 3 is full of statements supporting a balanced approach in everything.
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
If there is a time for everything done on the earth, is it possible that it could include allowing a time and place for evil to exist? Only God truly knows. God could easily stamp out the evil on the earth today. It is His love for those who are evil that curbs His wrath. As His followers, it is our role to help Him to promote the good in this world. Whether the purpose of that good is to balance evil or to eradicate it is something I’m going to leave up to Him
Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. Genesis 1:2-5
When God created the light, He called it good. The Scripture doesn’t say that He created the darkness. Where did it come from? Some say that when Satan fell from God’s favor before the beginning of time, that he was cast down to the earth and banished from Heaven. Could it be that Satan’s presence here brought the darkness? But if God knew Satan was here, then why would He choose this planet to create a paradise? Perhaps it was the sheer desolation of this place that stirred the heart of restoration within the Creator.
It is interesting to me that God did not choose to eliminate darkness when He created light. Rather, He used it for His purposes – as a time when Creation can rest. He balanced it with the light so that it didn’t dominate the planet as it had done before. This concept of balance in Creation is a key belief in American Indian spirituality. When the balance is compromised, then the earth reacts in order to gain a balanced state again. The dark-dominated fall/winter is pushed out by a light-dominated spring/summer and visa versa.
In Asian culture, a similar belief exists called Yin and Yang. The Yin/Yang theory goes one step further and says that good and evil must also coexist in balance. Can we as believers in Christ open our minds to consider this? There is strong evidence in Scripture of the importance of balance in life. Ecclesiastes 3 is full of statements supporting a balanced approach in everything.
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
If there is a time for everything done on the earth, is it possible that it could include allowing a time and place for evil to exist? Only God truly knows. God could easily stamp out the evil on the earth today. It is His love for those who are evil that curbs His wrath. As His followers, it is our role to help Him to promote the good in this world. Whether the purpose of that good is to balance evil or to eradicate it is something I’m going to leave up to Him
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
NEW BEGINNINGS: REFLECTIONS ON CREATION
Original Post Date: Sunday, March 9, 2008
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1
In the past few months, I have had a crisis of faith. I've found myself questioning the things I've been taught as true. I've been frustrated by the corruption of men and the injustice that people have to endure in their lives. Part of this has been precipitated by struggles that individuals in my family have faced in the last year. Another cause has been a major change in my perspectives about church in general and the American church specifically. But that is the topic of an article to be written another day.
Suffice to say that I've found myself needing a fresh start spiritually. In my prayer time, God has shown me that this faith crisis has resulted in me being a completely open slate to Him. I'm ready to hear and see new things. I'm ready for my vision and my worldview to be blown wide open. I want to learn things from God that I've never known before: who He is, what's important to Him, how He works, and what He wants from me.
When one wants a fresh start in life, it's always good to start at the beginning. The Creation account in Genesis seemed a good place to start for a devotional study during this season of my life. Perhaps in the pages of Moses' account, I will find new insight and renewed understanding of myself and the world I live in.
It is comforting to know that our God is the King of fresh starts, insight and understanding. Proverbs 9:10 says "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." I believe I've come to the right place for my new journey. Join me over the next few weeks as we explore how all this began.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1
In the past few months, I have had a crisis of faith. I've found myself questioning the things I've been taught as true. I've been frustrated by the corruption of men and the injustice that people have to endure in their lives. Part of this has been precipitated by struggles that individuals in my family have faced in the last year. Another cause has been a major change in my perspectives about church in general and the American church specifically. But that is the topic of an article to be written another day.
Suffice to say that I've found myself needing a fresh start spiritually. In my prayer time, God has shown me that this faith crisis has resulted in me being a completely open slate to Him. I'm ready to hear and see new things. I'm ready for my vision and my worldview to be blown wide open. I want to learn things from God that I've never known before: who He is, what's important to Him, how He works, and what He wants from me.
When one wants a fresh start in life, it's always good to start at the beginning. The Creation account in Genesis seemed a good place to start for a devotional study during this season of my life. Perhaps in the pages of Moses' account, I will find new insight and renewed understanding of myself and the world I live in.
It is comforting to know that our God is the King of fresh starts, insight and understanding. Proverbs 9:10 says "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." I believe I've come to the right place for my new journey. Join me over the next few weeks as we explore how all this began.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
For My Writing Group Friends
Contemporary life has too many portals, it seems. Last week I went to see the movie He's Just Not That Into You and one of the women characters was complaining that there were too many techological sources of relationship rejections. If a guy seems to have blown you off, you find yourself checking e-mail, networking website, text messages, voice mail, answering machine, etc. to see if he's called.
I already post blog entries on three networking sites: Facebook, Yahoo! 360 and Plaxo. To create this blog site seems a bit redundant. However, I just found out on Monday that all my new creative writing group friends are on here. It is in honor of them that I have set myself up with an account.
Since most of my new friends have not known me until now, I am going to re-post entry by entry last year's blog series entitled Ramblings on How We Got Here. It was my first visit to the writers' group that finally pushed me over the edge to compile this blog series into a book and have it printed. Nearly 100 copies of the book have been given out to friends and family across the globe.
To all my new writer's group friends, I hope you'll enjoy the blog and I look forward to reading all of yours.
I already post blog entries on three networking sites: Facebook, Yahoo! 360 and Plaxo. To create this blog site seems a bit redundant. However, I just found out on Monday that all my new creative writing group friends are on here. It is in honor of them that I have set myself up with an account.
Since most of my new friends have not known me until now, I am going to re-post entry by entry last year's blog series entitled Ramblings on How We Got Here. It was my first visit to the writers' group that finally pushed me over the edge to compile this blog series into a book and have it printed. Nearly 100 copies of the book have been given out to friends and family across the globe.
To all my new writer's group friends, I hope you'll enjoy the blog and I look forward to reading all of yours.
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