As daylight steadily fades to dusk
Beauty takes every form, filling our senses with delight
The breeze rustling through leafy treetops
Whispers to the water trickling a song on its way to the pond
Cardinals are bits of crimson flitting through the branches
and squirrels scamper away to forage for another meal
A sparrow tiptoes close by, curious to read over our shoulders
Here we sit, in dewy grass made with joy from the Creator's heart
Flashes of lightning highlight clouds against the darkness
Our eyes are lifted up, finding You in your creation
Seeing your power in bolts dashing across the midnight sky
Feeling your gentle touch in the summer air washing over us
Through our awe, we find voices of prayer
Celebrating your character and glorifying your triumphs
As we raise our humble refrain, the frogs join in our song
A gentle hymn from human and amphibian alike
May we never cease to praise your name.
Showing posts with label God's glory. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God's glory. Show all posts
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
God's Glory, Part 2
I've been thinking about this entry for awhile now. It is the continuation of the post on the glory of God from a few weeks ago and was actually meant to come immediately after it. I've been putting it off because I couldn't completely wrap my head around it--still can't. That seems kind of obvious since it is about God's glory which is more than my simple, human mind can understand. I guess it's different in the fact that as I sit here typing, I don't really know exactly where the next few paragraphs are going to go. This may end up being more of a stream of consciousness kind of post.
In the last entry I talked about seeing God's glory in the world around me. This time I want to start with a verse:
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. --1 Corinthians 10:31
This was causing me some trouble yesterday. I was at the lab working and did not want to be there. I had forgotten my allergy meds so I had a headache and as a result was not a happy camper. Bad attitude. During the morning I listened to one of Dan's old sermons from last semester when he was talking about the solas of the reformation. This particular sermon was on Soli Deo gloria, glory to God alone. After listening to this sermon and some worship music, my attitude improved quite a bit, although I still don't think I was really thinking about doing my work for the glory of God. I didn't even have a good idea about what that should look like really. After contemplating it for awhile, here are a few ideas that I think relate to doing everything for the glory of God.
1. Avoid sin. When you do fall, repent, get back up and keep going.
Obvious, right? But one thing I hadn't really thought about is what makes sin, sin. One of things that Dan mentioned in that sermon was that when we sin we are doing the opposite of giving God glory. Sin drives a wedge in between us and God. We're not giving God glory; we're turning our backs and running away from Him. In John 8: 34, Jesus says "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin." In Matthew 6:24, Jesus explains that a man cannot serve two masters. So it's up to you which to serve, God or sin.
2. Do everything to the best of your ability.
I had the privilege of growing up in a home where my best was what my parents required of me. They knew I wasn't perfect, but as long as I did my best they were happy. God expects that too. It doesn't matter if I'm at the lab or doing the dishes at home, I should always be doing my best. Laziness in whatever I do should not be tolerated. It results in me becoming selfish and not using my gifts and abilities to glorify God. It's like planting your talent instead of using it to further the kingdom (Matthew 25).
3. Be a good representative of your faith and your God.
Remember in elementary school when you would go on field trips and the teacher would remind the class that you were representing the school and her classroom, so you'd better behave? It's the same sort of thing. We are ambassadors to the world through God. We are in charge of delivering God's message to all people. First of all, we wouldn't be effective in doing that if we weren't good representatives of God (leading back to #2). Second, others should see God working through us. That brings glory to God. Psalm 66 says:
All the earth bows down to you;
they sing praise to you,
they sing praise to your name."
Selah
In the last entry I talked about seeing God's glory in the world around me. This time I want to start with a verse:
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. --1 Corinthians 10:31
This was causing me some trouble yesterday. I was at the lab working and did not want to be there. I had forgotten my allergy meds so I had a headache and as a result was not a happy camper. Bad attitude. During the morning I listened to one of Dan's old sermons from last semester when he was talking about the solas of the reformation. This particular sermon was on Soli Deo gloria, glory to God alone. After listening to this sermon and some worship music, my attitude improved quite a bit, although I still don't think I was really thinking about doing my work for the glory of God. I didn't even have a good idea about what that should look like really. After contemplating it for awhile, here are a few ideas that I think relate to doing everything for the glory of God.
1. Avoid sin. When you do fall, repent, get back up and keep going.
Obvious, right? But one thing I hadn't really thought about is what makes sin, sin. One of things that Dan mentioned in that sermon was that when we sin we are doing the opposite of giving God glory. Sin drives a wedge in between us and God. We're not giving God glory; we're turning our backs and running away from Him. In John 8: 34, Jesus says "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin." In Matthew 6:24, Jesus explains that a man cannot serve two masters. So it's up to you which to serve, God or sin.
2. Do everything to the best of your ability.
I had the privilege of growing up in a home where my best was what my parents required of me. They knew I wasn't perfect, but as long as I did my best they were happy. God expects that too. It doesn't matter if I'm at the lab or doing the dishes at home, I should always be doing my best. Laziness in whatever I do should not be tolerated. It results in me becoming selfish and not using my gifts and abilities to glorify God. It's like planting your talent instead of using it to further the kingdom (Matthew 25).
3. Be a good representative of your faith and your God.
Remember in elementary school when you would go on field trips and the teacher would remind the class that you were representing the school and her classroom, so you'd better behave? It's the same sort of thing. We are ambassadors to the world through God. We are in charge of delivering God's message to all people. First of all, we wouldn't be effective in doing that if we weren't good representatives of God (leading back to #2). Second, others should see God working through us. That brings glory to God. Psalm 66 says:
All the earth bows down to you;
they sing praise to you,
they sing praise to your name."
Selah
Come and see what God has done,
how awesome his works in man's behalf!
Those are a few things that I think result in giving God glory in all we do. I fail at all of them, but I am aware of them and try to follow. God is working in me and it is so evident when I look at my life through the past year. Glory to God in the highest. God of all creation. Lord Almighty. King of Glory
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Show me Your glory
I caught a glimpse of your splendor
From the corner of my eye
Most beautiful thing I've ever seen
It was like a flash of lightning
Reflected off the sky
And I know I'll never be the same
Show me Your glory
Send down Your presence
I want to see Your face
Show me Your glory
Majesty shines about You
And I can't go on without You, Lord
When I climb down the mountain
And get back to my life
I won't settle for ordinary things
I'm gonna follow You forever
And all of my days
I won't rest until I see you again
Show me Your glory
Send down Your presence
I want to see Your face
Show me Your glory
Majesty shines about You
I can't go on without You, Lord
-"Show me Your glory" Third Day
If you asked me about the most important thing that God has taught me this year, I would say it was what He has taught me about His glory. I've been hearing about God's glory my whole life... literally, I grew up in the church and I actually cannot remember a time when I did not know the name Jesus. It's taken me 22 years to get a little glimpse of what God's glory actually means/looks like. It's one of those words that you use often, but when asked to define it, you stumble. So that's first... what is the definition of glory: n. a state of great splendor, magnificence, or prosperity; something that is a source of honor, fame, or admiration.
So how have I seen God's glory this year? First, is through science (big surprise there, huh?). I talk about science a lot... I realize that, and it's not going to change. :) Science is one of the things that God has given me a passion for. Just within the last year or so, I finally realized that one of the reasons that science is so cool, is God. Studying science is studying God's creation. Every time one of my professors says something along the lines of "It's amazing how this works. If this one aspect was changed, it wouldn't function at all" etc, I have a little 'hallelujah' moment. I have such a huge appreciation for nature, the human body, and the universe as a whole. My roommate and I were just talking the other day about how the more we learn about how our bodies work, the more we're freaked out that they even work at all. I'm breathing right now involuntarily. If for some reason my lungs stop, I die. Do you ever move just because you can? Ok, this is going to sound strange... sometimes just for the fun of it I think "I'm going to move my hand" and then my hand moves,. It gives me this sense of awe... how does that happen?! A message can go from my brain down to my fingers! Isn't that cool?! God's glory is so evident in His creation.
Ok, moving on from science... Another way God has shown me His glory this year is through my Cgroup. Normally, when I lead a group of any sort, I have this checklist either written down or just in my head. Things I need to do to make this group successful, or me successful as a leader. I need to organize this, do that, pray for this, read that, talk to this person, etc. I don't think there was one time this year, when I had my entire list "checked off" before Cgroup. There was always something (sometimes several things) that I didn't get done. There were days that I didn't get around to doing the lesson until the night before, and I didn't feel as prepared as I wanted to be. Despite my unfinished to-do list, God always showed up, always blessed the conversation, always brought the group even closer together-as a family. The success of this group had nothing to do with me and my checklist, and everything to do with God. Glory be to God! He deserves all the honor and praise.
Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
From the corner of my eye
Most beautiful thing I've ever seen
It was like a flash of lightning
Reflected off the sky
And I know I'll never be the same
Show me Your glory
Send down Your presence
I want to see Your face
Show me Your glory
Majesty shines about You
And I can't go on without You, Lord
When I climb down the mountain
And get back to my life
I won't settle for ordinary things
I'm gonna follow You forever
And all of my days
I won't rest until I see you again
Show me Your glory
Send down Your presence
I want to see Your face
Show me Your glory
Majesty shines about You
I can't go on without You, Lord
-"Show me Your glory" Third Day
If you asked me about the most important thing that God has taught me this year, I would say it was what He has taught me about His glory. I've been hearing about God's glory my whole life... literally, I grew up in the church and I actually cannot remember a time when I did not know the name Jesus. It's taken me 22 years to get a little glimpse of what God's glory actually means/looks like. It's one of those words that you use often, but when asked to define it, you stumble. So that's first... what is the definition of glory: n. a state of great splendor, magnificence, or prosperity; something that is a source of honor, fame, or admiration.
So how have I seen God's glory this year? First, is through science (big surprise there, huh?). I talk about science a lot... I realize that, and it's not going to change. :) Science is one of the things that God has given me a passion for. Just within the last year or so, I finally realized that one of the reasons that science is so cool, is God. Studying science is studying God's creation. Every time one of my professors says something along the lines of "It's amazing how this works. If this one aspect was changed, it wouldn't function at all" etc, I have a little 'hallelujah' moment. I have such a huge appreciation for nature, the human body, and the universe as a whole. My roommate and I were just talking the other day about how the more we learn about how our bodies work, the more we're freaked out that they even work at all. I'm breathing right now involuntarily. If for some reason my lungs stop, I die. Do you ever move just because you can? Ok, this is going to sound strange... sometimes just for the fun of it I think "I'm going to move my hand" and then my hand moves,. It gives me this sense of awe... how does that happen?! A message can go from my brain down to my fingers! Isn't that cool?! God's glory is so evident in His creation.
Ok, moving on from science... Another way God has shown me His glory this year is through my Cgroup. Normally, when I lead a group of any sort, I have this checklist either written down or just in my head. Things I need to do to make this group successful, or me successful as a leader. I need to organize this, do that, pray for this, read that, talk to this person, etc. I don't think there was one time this year, when I had my entire list "checked off" before Cgroup. There was always something (sometimes several things) that I didn't get done. There were days that I didn't get around to doing the lesson until the night before, and I didn't feel as prepared as I wanted to be. Despite my unfinished to-do list, God always showed up, always blessed the conversation, always brought the group even closer together-as a family. The success of this group had nothing to do with me and my checklist, and everything to do with God. Glory be to God! He deserves all the honor and praise.
Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.
Psalm 29:1-2 (go read the rest of it; it's beautiful)
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