Thursday 10 August 2017

193 - Constantly amazed by Nature

'For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.' (Romans 1:20)

Isn't it amazing that the world we leave in is the same world, every day, and let there are still aspects of Nature that never fail to amaze us?

The other day, I was coming back from work. It was raining and the sun was setting. I was standing at the top of the hill we live on and see the sun's light against the rain clouds - the rays falling in beams across the horizon - the pinks and the golds. And it was beautiful.

I must have seen hundreds of sunsets in my lifetime. And I imagine I'll see many more.

And yet they never cease to amaze me with their beauty.

Why?

Maybe there's something a little different about each one. Or maybe its the was y God uses the objects He created to work in a way that reflects His glory.

Maybe its the appreciation of beauty that He put inside us. Or the recognition that Nature is a pale reflection of something better yet to come - Heaven itself. 

So admire the sun on morning dew. Stare up at the stars. And be thankful that God made a Creation that constantly amazes us!

Wednesday 9 August 2017

192 - Size of the Universe

'When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?' (Psalm 8:3-4)

Apparently it's estimated that there are around 400 billion stars in our galaxy alone. Just our galaxy. 400 billion stars.

Estimates also say there are 350,000,000,000 galaxies. If all those galaxies, contain the same amount of stars as our galaxy, then that's...a lot of stars.

Planets, black holes, suns, nebula and more.

The Hubble Telescope has only captured a tiny portion of our universe.

And Earth is just a tiny blue planet among it all.

Have a look at the Pale Blue Dot picture. It says it better than I can.

So, why is the Universe so big? Why are we, as far as we know and as the Bible tells us, the only beings made in God's image in this massive space?

Maybe it was to remind us how big God is (big is putting it mildly).

Maybe it was to remind us how small we are (small is also putting it mildly)

If we ever need to put life into perspective, we can look at the Universe. 

It humbles us when we're getting too arrogant.

We can remind ourselves that the One who made this enormous and beautiful Universe is the One who also made us and loves us deeply.

It doesn't matter how small we are. The infinite God knows each of us. And He has a plan for each of us.

That's something to be very, very thankful for.


Tuesday 8 August 2017

191 - Fostering

'Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy;deliver them from the hand of the wicked.' (Psalm 82:3-4)

Written in tribute to my amazing sister and brother-in-law who have recently ended their time as foster parents, due to their choice to adopt the children in their care!

Foster carers are incredible people.

There are so many children out there in desperate need of safe homes and loving families. Children who have endured things no child should have to.

Foster carers see that need and do something about it.

They take children into their homes, families and lives, sometimes risking having a very troubled young person in the house.

They endure well-meant (but sometimes annoying) remarks.

Some single foster carers raise several children alone.

And they say goodbye, over and over, as the children they've protected and loved move on to new homes.

Were it not for fosters, there would be many more needy children in the world today.

Thank you God for the kindness, sacrifice and love of foster carers.