(Looking forward to the scriptures of the VBS this summer – today is Psalm 103:22 – praising the Lord in everything)

Today – the Groundhog saw his shadow – Feb 2nd – this means 6 more weeks of winter – well, spring is never until the weather decides it – and the weather? It listens to the Lord… How we weather the weather? also listening to the Lord. How the groundhog, the people, the creations of nature – all planned of how their creations could come about – and I never pigeon-hole God – meaning try to apply human thinking to His vastness and almighty-ness – God can think up things and ways MUCH higher than we could imagine – so yes, God is the God of the great and the small… (and it works held together in His hand and it will be loosed in His Hand unloosing it)

Bless the Lord, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word. Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure. Bless the Lord, all His works, In all places of His dominion.

In Girl Scout camping this weekend, we witnessed such BEAUTY of God’s creation – from Eastern Bluebirds to trees that withstand the cold – we knew to wear insulating layers – we wore our boots – and some of us heard the lake ice cracking in drumming noises – so cool – and wow we saw the the snow was as white as anything – and needed sunglasses for the brightness – snow is a covering that was as beautiful as it is interesting in how different it can be and was for certain areas – hard ice on top or soft or pressed down with a jolt for each of our footsteps…  And oh we had to caution the girls so much to not get too close to that water – the ice was not solid – it was a cold snap not a long hard cold winter… The girls listened – God also gives us this amazing wisdom and discernment to learn – to figure things out – to accept and still try to change things. The moms were amazing – a great group who learned to relax – to teach by the girls getting to experience life – to learn to appreciate moments to relax. I always say that at winter camping we learn the most precious thing we fail to do often – we learn to relax. And we learn how to appreciate. At camp it is not clean and dirty – it is wet and dry – at camp it is learning tolerance and simplicity – and yet trust me we were glamping with heat and a full kitchen and plenty of plenty – therefore we also learn to praise.

And that is our devotion about the AMAZING the things that God has made for us here on earth – and that we should PRAISE – not just things – but for direction. He has us here on earth for such a short time and we are to see down times as cold snaps and not forever – we are to see beauty even amidst pain – we are to see hope in the distance of time – all while being in the closeness of the Lord’s presence. And we are to respectfully fear His Mighty Ways. (and as we followed the tracks in the snow – may we follow the Path He sets in front of us.)

We got to get outside – knowing that we had a nice warm place to return to – and that is life too – we can venture out and then make sure we have Him to rely upon. So, in our camping, yes, the lights and the warmth of the lodge – the welcoming fireplace – it was so wonderful as an oasis in winter. And think of the shortness of our time compared to the many years people have lived and passed down the information and sills to keep living – imagine the advances of science and just using our common sense to “be OK” – these are all a gift from the Lord too – and even just putting frozen fingers under your armpits to warm them is the miracle of convivence in how God made our bodies – we are frail but we are mighty in how we function – it is a miracle that is so unfathomable…  The Lord Himself is not just an oasis – He is the Creator, the Decider, and the Holy One.

Yes – there are issues at times in life – well we are in a more and more realizing we are in a broken and breaking world and we should NOT be surprised that the devil puts in roadblocks and potholes of life – and yet we have the ability to overcome this with praise – praise is our greatest gift – to reach to God and look above – to “forget NOT His benefits” – especially as He forgives our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. (And I saw a sweet exchange of our troop leader instructing and teaching and then giving a hug – in consolation – may we also always remember the the Lord teaches and consoles – and rescues and gives guidance. May we always remember the Lord’s LOVE given to us to share with others)…

SO in the beauty and yet harshness of winter – and in life – may we continue to praise that we have direction and hope – and love – and know that we have moments to pause and let the snow cover simplify our lives in giving us rest too – not just the hibernating groundhogs or sleeping trees – may we ourselves simply take time to praise and then raise ourselves to the challenges of life. Remember that we will be renewed like the upcoming spring too – that is when we will soar some more: So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.  (and trust me that the young had a much easier time falling on ice and snow and jumping right back up – we pray to remember that the Lord gives mercy in flexibility – and we long for those times again for us – we will have them in forever – forever youth…) And like the camper’s science experiment of removing oxidation tarnish from pennies, in salt and vinegar, may we also shine again – IN PRAISE. May we experience and enjoy the vast diversity – the bright colors and the sweetness of life.

May we “Praise the Lord, everything He has created, everything in all His kingdom”

Amen

Psalm 103 NKJV
Praise for the Lord’s Mercies – A Psalm of David.

Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord executes righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the children of Israel.
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
As a father pities his children,
So the Lord pities those who fear Him.
For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
And its place remembers it no more.
But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s children,
To such as keep His covenant,
And to those who remember His commandments to do them.

The Lord has established His throne in heaven,
And His kingdom rules over all.

Bless the Lord, you His angels,
Who excel in strength, who do His word,
Heeding the voice of His word.
Bless the Lord, all you His hosts,
You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.
Bless the Lord, all His works,
In all places of His dominion.

Bless the Lord, O my soul!