Grandeur

The Grand Canyon - South Rim, originally uploaded by ElOhBee.

The scriptures remind us that the created order declares God's glory (Psalm 19). That is no more apparent than viewing the Grand Canyon, up close and personal. Pictures can never do it justice. Poets can never craft words together in such a way that will come close to its beauty. Awesome grandeur.

Yet we all must be careful that we are not so much awe struck by the beauty of the created at the risk of not being awe struck by the Creator. The created is there to remind us who the Creator is, if we lose sight of that we diminish God's grandeur...we take him for granted.

And I stand, I stand in awe of you,
I stand, I stand in awe of you,
Holy God to whom all praise is due,
I stand in awe of you.
Mark Altrogge

Caring

Caring, originally uploaded by ElOhBee.

Have you wondered how God takes care of us each day? The things we take for granted like fresh air, good food three time per day, fresh running water, seeing a hummingbird in flight are all testimonies of God's providential for us, his children.

I am amazed at his love. I am amazed that he takes the time to hear me when I call. I am amazed he invites me to enter his presence. I am amazed that the creator and maker of all things - the one who holds all things together takes the time to care for me.

So today I give thanks for hummingbirds. For their tiny beauty and for the fact that whenever I'm blessed to see one in flight I can be reminded that God cares for them and how much more he will care for me.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Matthew 6:25-26

Parenting

Parenting, originally uploaded by ElOhBee.

I am grateful for many things. In fact, I can say with all humility that God has been good to me, I can't complain.

It is hard to imagine that it wasn't so long ago I was deeply immersed in the throes of adolesence. Now, on the other side of that adventure I'm seeing my son grow up before my eyes. I see his struggles, triumphs and (yikes!) changes. Now it is my turn to be parent, father, friend, father, guide, father, counsellor, and...did I say father?

I never really had the role of father modeled well for me, so this will be an adventure. My only prayer is that the perfect Father, the God of all wisdom and peace, will be my guide as I guide my son into manhood.

Beauty

Beauty, originally uploaded by ElOhBee.

beau-ty
noun.
The quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind...

I am thankful for over 21 years with this beautiful woman. Beauty is more than skin deep. but look at her - she is beautiful within and without. So, here's to beauty, to marriage, to my wife, to another 21 years.

To be sure marriage is hard work and it confirms the wisdom in the thought that the best things in life do require some sweat and even tears. In the end however, the rewards are worth it. Rewards?

• Love
• Stability
• Happiness
• Companionship
• Children

To name a few.

So here I am, seeking to be husband, friend, protector, lover, strength to the most beautiful woman I know.

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her..." Ephesians 5:25