Monday, August 30, 2010

Visions of earth

He spoke and it came to be...
It is almost 25 years ago since I met my husband. During those years we have seen many different parts of the world, since we both share a love for traveling and a curiosity for cultures, languages and people. Much later we found a new love: traveling through the Bible! My first Bible with cross references was the NIV and a whole new world opened up for me! I no longer regarded the 66 books of the Bible as separate accounts of individual writers and poets, but as a huge puzzle. It was up to me to find a fitting piece each day and discover that all those people, eyewitnesses, prophets, writers and poets are connected and share an awesome story, even through the ages of time!

I am learning new things all the time and one of my favorite subjects to meditate on is Creation. It fascinates me, although my human mind is way too small to comprehend the vastness of the universe. Yet, The Bible offers me triggers that provoke my thinking. Hebrews 11:1-3 for example teaches me the following:
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
I think this is an awesome verse and a great starting point for one of my travels through the Bible.

Many centuries before these words the psalmist had a revelation about God's creating power. He wrote in the 33rd song, verses 6 and 9,
By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth...For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm!
The psalmist knew that the visible nature around him came forth from the invisible word that God spoke.

My journey doesn't end there, it takes me to the writings of the prophet Isaiah, who listened to God's voice all the time. He received insight about the power of God's words when the Lord gave him an everyday example from nature in the 55th chapter, verses 10-11;
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what i desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

I love this! All those pieces fit in the puzzle, they form a picture in my mind that is getting clearer and more beautiful and more perfect! May I end this blogpost with the words from the beginning...
And God said:"Let there be light." And there was light.

5 comments:

  1. I love this scripture in Isaiah, and I like how you relate about all the pieces coming together. This is so true. Love the photo too:)
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  2. A picture paints a thousand words Karin... I must be honest and tell you it's a stock photo.. I am not the photographer... but I've certainly visited such places :)

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  3. Hi Marja -

    I love seeing God's plan unfold as I read through the Bible. Right now, I'm in Matthew and savoring the words of Jesus.

    One of my many favorite verses is in John. "If you've seen me, you've seen the Father."

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

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  4. Sandra Berry6:50 AM

    Marja,
    August, nearly Sept., are you back in CA now? Cindy just left there on Mon., Aug. 30th, to drive up here. She is making a couple stops to visit folks along the way, & is due here Wed. or Thurs. & will be here in time for my birthday this year (Mon., Labor Day Sept. 6th), & has job interviews that week! Ernie is still in CA for just a short while now. Maybe now that they will be up here you all will come visit??? When will Grace of Giving book be available? Soon now, right? Can hardly wait! Miss seeing you, & hearing you, Sandy

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  5. Hi Sandra, we are planning to fly back back to LA next week, Wednesday September 8th. Happy early birthday!!! We'll talk later :)

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Thanks for your visit, it is my hope and prayer that this post was an encouragement to you! Feel free to leave a comment.