Jacobs Thoughts and Doings

The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.  The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

Psalm 19:7

The heavens declare the glory of God.  The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.

I see, again, the twin gifts – the heavens and the law of the Lord.

The heavens teach us the ways of God, his creative power and his mighty works and his unfailing love.  We learn so much by pondering God the creator and sustainer.

The Law of God, a spiritual view, is not distant but closer than our breathing.  When we are standing in awe at the power and wisdom of God we are ushered into a very special space, the place where God speaks to us with the heart and voice of Jesus Christ.

What a legacy.  This is all available to the new believer in Tanzania as well as to the professor of religion in London.

It is Springtime here, at our place.  All that we need to see the love of God surrounds us.  While sipping my coffee on the porch this morning two turkey vultures wheeled over the field, looking for food, no doubt, but I view them as creatures of delight, almost forgetting that they are hungry.

It is true, God speaks to us all in a great variety of ways, including the mysteries of this vast universe and the nature that surrounds us.

May brings great joys to birdwatchers.  This morning a humming bird fed several time at our feeder.  We keep the binocs handy this time of year.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Psalm 19:1

As I think about it, the Old Testament refers to learning from nature more than the New Testament.  That is my impression.  I can understand that.  When teaching and preaching in Tanzania and Kenya I seldom referred to the Psalms, for example where nature seems to have a more prominent place than in the philosophies at the time of Christ.  The way the Old Testament embraced the natural world always amazed me because that is not the world of the Near East when Jesus was among us.  Jesus, himself held nature and God’s Kingdom in his two hands.

Come to think of it, the way our family lived with nature, in nature, as I was growing up, opened the door to the grace of God as shown in the Old Testament.  I think it began with my mother who had a special relationship with plants, stones and sunsets.  She lived in that world of amazing grandeur.  I think it rubbed off on me.  Dad had his own good way of allowing his feelings show.  I think, especially in relationships.  Mom grew up surrounded by the marvels of nature.  Her brother and sister did not, in my estimation, have that exhilarating feeling about nature that we lived in.  I praise God for that inheritance.

Like, this morning as I was sitting on our porch sipping my second cup a male Baltimore oriole appeared in all its glory.  Why should that be so meaningful to me?  I can hardly tell but it is a reality that I embrace and own, like David the king did. Hear his words, Psalm 19. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.  Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.  They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.  Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.

Overlooking our pond is the white lilac, rejoicing in the sunlight that is slowly absorbing the dew.  We are so pleased that this wonderful flower blooms just outside our window, giving us great delight.

For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb.  I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; my soul knows it very well.  My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth.

 Psalm 139:13-15

I think of my body this morning, almost 90 years old!  I just called the dermatologist to set up an appointment to check out some disturbing growths on my pate!  I have a long history of skin cancer, resulting in some degree, I think, to life in Africa where I loved the sun and despised wearing a hat very much. For the past 25 years I presented myself to my dermatologist at least once a year, usually getting some form of treatment.  Always heading off anything serious.

I like the choice of words in this Psalm especially, My frame was not hidden from You.  I suppose our skin is included in that “frame.”  My frame is a white man’s body!  Black skin filters out ultraviolet rays.  So there it is.  20 or so years in the African sun left its mark, for sure.

Should I not expect deterioration in my frame as it grows older?   Of course.  But I am aware of the fact that many things are out of my hands.  I was skillfully made by God who loves me dearly.  I trust his hands to do what pleases Him.

In the meanwhile, I am still trying to understand the statement that I was skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth.  So I rest on the fact that God wrought me!  With skillful hands. I like that word, wrought!  I will find consolation in that as I see Dr. Roeschel tomorrow.

The seeming little statue peeks out from its rhubarb friends.  This year the rhubarb are especially fruitful.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.  Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.

Psalm 19:1 – 4

As I look back on life, I must confess that I often find delight in nature.  That has been a theme of my life.  My mother’s joy in seeing the Spring birds arrive still moves me.  I believe that God uses our connection with nature as a special window into his goodness.

This morning as I had my second cup on the porch I enjoyed the songs of the birds and the warmth of the rising sun. A pair of bluebirds fluttered down on to the grass to look for breakfast. Their colors are always impressive.  In the background was the song of the house wren – bubbling as a mountain stream.

Then, a special surprise, a silver colored bird with wings edged in black, a grosbeak, flew into the maple just for a morning greeting.  I think this is the first sighting of this bird since we moved here.  I was impressed, to be sure. If I identified incorrectly, that is fine.  The blessing remain.

But as I absorbed the sights of Spring my mind began to recount the glories of walking with God.  My spirit is excited by the appearance of a special bird, but it is excited many times more when I begin to comprehend the love of God that came to me in Christ.  I realize that this is another level of revelation but I must admit that I find my spirit buoyed up as a new or old feature of nature impresses me.  Love of God and openness to the mysteries and power of nature have given me double delight through life.

Thank you, Lord, for the two eyes you gave me, one to ponder you, the other to see what you have created.  That bifocal vision satisfies my soul beyond words.

Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Psalm 103:1 – 5

What amazing benefits! Jesus forgives, heals, redeems, crowns us with love and compassion and satisfies us – with good things!  Jesus loves us with eternal love.  He walks with us as we walk with him.

I am almost 90 years old!  This Psalm of David is as real and appropriate as when he wrote it many centuries ago.  And it is as true for me today as when I was 19!

I have tasted a lot of things, none come close to these divine words of promise.  What more can I ask?  Maybe the grace to apply all his promises to my life right now!  That is a window into heaven, and a solid affirmation of Jesus in my life.  The way is open, the plan is perfect.  Soul, go in!

Our old Japanese ornamental cherry burst into a hymn of praise this morning!  One of my favorite non-native trees.