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VALLEY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

For the Beauty of the Earth

1/16/2016

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Picture
Picture
In the opening chapter of  the New Testament book of Romans, the Apostle Paul writes these words:  What may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.  (Romans 1:19-10)  Look around Paul says, for the created world will point you to the Creator, to the God of this universe.  In fact Paul would say you have to supress / deny the truth to come to any other conclusion than the truth that there is a Creator, there is a God. 

While driving to Grande Prairie with Lisa last week I had time to slow down and take in the beauty of God's creation all around me.  As we headed north toward Valemount, the sun broke through and it wasn't long before we could gaze upon snow-capped mountains.  We had a clear view of the peak of Mt. Robson and marvelled again at just how spectacular the drive along highway 16 is.  No wonder the hymn-writer would declare:  I sing the might pow'r of God that made the mountains rise. 

On the flight back home the plane rose above the clouds and for several minutes I starred out the window at the mountain peaks as they broke through the layer of clouds, dotting the sky with the majesty of these mountain tops.  The heaven's really do declare the glory of God!  (Psalm 19:1)

As we drove through Jasper Park a recent snowfall had left a heavy layer of snow on the ground and trees; the scene was like a Christmas card, absolutely breath-taking.  Further north, coming into Grande Prairie, milder temperatures followed by a light snow and then quick drop in the temperature had turned the entire area into a picturesque winter scene; every tree and bush declared the splendor of the Creator.  I even saw a spider-web, still very much intact, covered in a layer of white that made the ordinary extraordinary in beauty.

One of the great hymns of our faith calls us to join in the chorus of praise as we gaze upon the beauty of the earth and worship the One who created such beauty.  The world around us invites us to enter into this chorus of praise and adoration.  Every day we have those moments when we ought to pause in amazement to realize we have been given eyes to see and ears to ear the beauty all around us.  


​
For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies
Lord of all, to Thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise

For the wonder of each hour, of the day and of the night
Hill and vale and tree and flower
Sun and moon and stars and light
Lord of all, to Thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise.

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    Author

    Ken Clarke has been the Pastor at Valley since 2007. He lives in the Oliver area 
    with his wife Janice ; they have three adult children, Lisa, Scott & Tiffany (Riley) and Andrea & Jason.

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