Inspiration by Creation

 Many readers, I am sure, are quite inspired by what the natural world offers, and likely have been for many years. I have been inspired by nature for as long as I can remember, and that is a long time! Growing up on a farm, and being close to Rondeau Provincial Park which our family visited often, were important factors in my outlook on life. When our family went on vacation trips, we didn’t go to theme parks or their like for amusement or entertainment. We camped and went hiking in national parks, national forests and provincial parks across both Canada and the USA where nature was clearly the significant focus. In my youth, it was a critical step for me to realize that God was the reason nature existed, as He was the creator of it. Vacations later in life have been similarly focused on so many fabulous natural landscapes. 

Yosemite

It was at an early age, just before my teen years, when I asked Jesus to be my Saviour, and that has been the foundation of my belief system ever since. It has greatly enhanced my interest, awareness and appreciation of life and our creator.

 As Christmas arrives, I would like to share a few biblical scriptures to connect with the world of nature. (Click on any photo for an enlarged view)

 

Banff

From Song of Solomon 2, v 12: the flowers appear on the earth...

Nodding Pogonia

...and the time for the singing of birds is come.

Dickcissel

 Psalm 42, v 1: As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.

Job 12, v 7 & 8 says: Ask the beasts, and they will teach you....

The Nature Conservancy's Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, Oklahoma

Prairie State Park, Missouri

 ...or the birds of the air, and they will tell you.

Great Egret

Psalm 104, v 12: The birds of the air nest by the waters; they sing among the branches. 

Female Prothonotary Warbler at nest in slough

Male Prothonotary singing amongst the branches

From Psalm 147, v 4 & 8: He determines the number of stars, and calls them each by name.....

Grasslands National Park, dark sky preserve

 .....He covers the sky with clouds.....

Polar Bear Prov Park, Hudson Bay Lowland

 ....He supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills 

Arm River, Qu'Appelle Valley, SK

Wyoming

 Psalm 113, v 3: From the rising of the sun.....

Saskatchewan River Crossing, Banff

Lake Erie

...to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. 

Chenal Ecarte

Western Lake Erie, from Pelee Islander ferry

Matthew 6: v 28: Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Wood Lily

 Psalm 148, v 3: Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars.

 Luke 12, v 6: Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

Isiah 6, v 3: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.

Peyto Lake, Banff

 Psalm 84, v1: How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord my God.

Brooks Falls, Muskoka

 Psalm 121, v 1 & 2: I will lift up my eyes unto the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.

Selkirk Mountains, Nelson, BC

 Ps 96, v 11: Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy. 

North shore, Lake Superior

 John 1, v 3: All things were made by him and without him not anything was made that was made.

When storms come roaring through in life, and they periodically do...

 

Be still....

 Christmas is a time for celebration, when God sent his son into the world. Rejoice!

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3: 16

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