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September 2010 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all their host by the breath of his mouth. He gathered the waters of the sea as in a bottle; he put the deeps in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. Psalm 33:6-9 In July, my family and I had the pleasure of visiting in the Back Hills of South Dakota and in Yellowstone National Park. It was a tremendous experience as we got to see some of the most magnificent scenery this country has to offer. We also got to see some of the most amazing animals up close. Ask us about the buffalo some time. I was constantly reminded of the greatness of God’s creative power. The grandeur of the mountains, the delicate beauty of wildflowers, the splendor of waterfalls all called into being by the voice of God. It is humbling to consider that all of this beauty has been provided for us to enjoy, appreciate, and maintain for futures generations. We also viewed two sights that bore witness to the greatness of the human spirit. We saw the ruts made by wagon wheels that traveled the Oregon Trail from Missouri to the west coast. So many people moving to new lands to pursue their dreams of an improved life, or religious freedom, or just gold, pressing on into the unknown hoping and trusting that God would keep them safe. We also visited Mt Rushmore. Here people have changed the face of a mountain. It is a monument to four great men of United States’ history. It is also a monument to the planners, designers, and workers who accomplished this unprecedented feat. I could not help but be reminded of how marvelous a creation of God we are. We have been blessed with an intellect to appreciate all that God has given to us. Above all, though, the God who called all that is into being also provides for our eternal well-being. Our time on this earth is limited. God has provided an even better place for us, everlasting life in heaven with God. This is God’s gift to us through the faith, by grace. We need only to believe in the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ, for our salvation from sin and death. God speaks, we come to be, and we stand firm. Pastor Bret |