When I Look to the Heavens

Psalm 8:3-6
"When I look at Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
the moon and the stars that You have established;
What are human beings that You are mindful of them,
mortals that You care for them?
Yet You have made them a little lower than God
and have crowned them with glory and honor.
You have given them dominion over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under their feet."

The dichotomy of Creator and created. The baffling wonder of grace. The God who orchestrates galaxies and weaves life from subatomic particles is the same God who cares intimately for you and me, who set in motion 2000 years ago the mighty act of redemption and salvation for all. Who can wrap their mind around an almighty God who wants to be a personal Savior and companion?

Like the chorus from "How Many Kings" by Downhere:

"How many gods would pour out their hearts
to romance a world that is torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?
Only One did that for me."

Mind-bending, heart-storming Truth. God is! How can any of us stay unchanged once we've been touched by even the hint of His glory around us? Actually looked at the wonders around us on a daily basis. His sunrises and sunsets never fail to stop me in my tracks, but what dropped to my knees one morning was the quiet full-moonset over the ocean as the sun rose behind me. What catches my breath is the wide-eyed wonder of a newborn and the glowing face of loved ones saying "I do." The splendor of the Milky Way and a mountain top vista, the cathedral peace of ancient redwoods and constant song of ocean waves return me to God in praise and thanksgiving. And I can say with the psalmist, "O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!" And beyond!

Where do you see God most clearly in nature, in His creation? What's your favorite way to let Him know how you feel about being created "a little lower than God"? And what does having a personal relationship with the Creator mean to you?

Do Lord, Remember Me

Recently I played a children's CD of Christian songs, and my older granddaughter began humming to the gospel song "Do, Lord". As I began singing along with her humming, I recalled where the lyrics come from: the crucifixion scene where Christ is nailed up between two thieves. I shared that with Kat and suddenly got all broken up in the middle of it. A sensitive child, Kat got teary too, confused about my tears.


But I wasn't sad or in pain, and I quickly reassured her. My tears were simply a sign of the vast joy upwelling in my soul, my extreme thankfulness for Jesus' action on the cross and for the pardon He gave the second thief. The saving grace He made available to all of us.

So I hit the replay button, and we sang it again.

Luke 23:39-43
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

I cannot remain unmoved when I think about all that Jesus did for me. What an awesome, marvelous gift!

"Do, Lord, O do, Lord, O do remember me," rings out the old gospel song. And He does.

Thank you, God!