Created Nature - Art with Heart

Although nature overwhelms the minds of all humans, it invokes a different response from a Christian and a non-believer. A ‘created’ nature invites a response of praise in a Christian. An ‘accidental’ nature silences the non-believer to his own finite theories.

Christians behold nature with a sense of awe towards its Creator. Behind the vastness of a created nature, is the Source who have carefully and thoughtfully designed and engineered from the smallest particle to the greatest structure in this universe. Every known or unknown thing, found or yet to be discovered, understood or simply beyond human comprehension, has its identity with the Creator. The “wealth” of nature’s beauty never runs out (William Wordsworth, "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud") and divine beauty of God’s creation is immutable and perfect ( Gerard Manley Hopkins, "Pied Beauty"). 

Non-believers on the other hand, still because of their spiritual being, may worship nature but with a sense of fascination (non-attributing), appreciation (mere feelings) and perhaps even entitlement (self). Since no one is responsible for what and how things exist, everything is therefore a fixture, without a Creator.

Through the eyes of a Christian, nature reveals Power, Provision and Purpose. “Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. ^9a The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. (Gen. 2:8-9a. NIV.)

If nature can speak (and it does communicate), it would say, “Bow to the One who said, “Let there be” and it was so. Honor the One of whom the breadth you borrow, o man. Doeth in reverence the work He in you hath purposed. For stay you must but a while, and go you will one day, to Him a home prepared.”

Works Cited

1. Supplemented Material, William Wordsworth, “I Wandered Lonely  as a Cloud”, page 4. 

2. Supplemented Material, Gerard Manley Hopkins, “Pied Beauty”, page 6. 

Stick-shift mode

I found myself in "stick-shift" mode this week. It all started with a cancelled (last) train. Between being exposed to the dark-cold night, 2 bumpy buses lasting 2+ hours with AC blasting, and more waiting for a ride, the commute took 4 hours. The next day, my back decided to give out leaving me immobilized for hours. So I decided to bust out an old walking stick I had found many years ago!

Compared to bigger problems of others, mine is nothing. A brother-in-Christ will undergo major brain surgery next week, possibly staying in the hospital for months to recover. How about news of the Catastrophic Destruction due to typhoon in the Philippines where thousands are dead?

It's moments like these, and always, we need to turn to God and ask for His mercies. Not that they are absent, but because we don't pray enough, especially when we are spared from troubles. May the Lord Almighty, Sovereign and loving, God of the universe, move humanity closer to Him by the caring, sharing and yes, praying of one another, lifting each other up to Him, who is our Hope, our Light, and our Eternal Savior. Amen.

Narrow vs. Wide Gates (Matthew 7:13-14)

There is a house in the neighborhood where I grew up that has a fence around it. There are 3 ways to access the property. A large main gate that leads to the driveway and front door, a small gate that leads through the side of the house, and an area where one one would have to cross a small stream, walk through messy and muddy dirt where chicken and ducks were raised.

My favorite point of access was the messy and muddy soil simply because it was more adventurous and fun to watch the animals scatter with fear.

The point of my story is, even though Jesus described the 2 gates, most fail to even go near either gates. They remain on the "road that leads to destruction". I had chicken and ducks droppings and dirty mud stuck to my shoes and my neighbor would not welcome me into their home. But if I choose to walk through the narrow gates of redemption, no matter how filthy of a past I bring, Jesus welcomes me with open arms, cleanse me with His mercy, and clothe me with His love.

And it's not all about gates, but the WAY we live our lives. Lives that experience true joy are lives satisfied with the Lord Himself, "as with the riches of foods" (Psalm 63:5). For we know no matter how gourmet or exquisite the meal of this world offers, we will go hungry and thirsty. Nothing can satisfy and having God (not just knowing Him), is much more than enough.

John 15:5-8 NIV

 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

A beautiful rendition of an invitation to fellowship with Jesus the Son, and God the Father. 

It begins with Christ Himself as the Host, and “you” (v.5. irregular plural – Greek “humeis”). The metaphor of branches is referred to His disciples. Disciples exist because of the presence of a teacher. Similarly, branches grow out from a vine (singular). Christ is depicting Himself as a living tree, hence, branches that have life will extend out of Him. 

Immediately, Jesus switched from a metaphoric imagery to a relational dependency to the source, and punctuate the inevitability of producing much fruit. The consequences of not remaining in Him is dire. In earlier verses, Jesus introduced His Father as the gardener. Detached branches will be discarded and die. Dead wood will be disposed and destroyed. That’s what gardeners do.

Here, a personal choice must be made by the personal follower, referred in v.7 as “you” with a slightly different origin (irregular dative – Greek “humin”). Jesus now spelled out the benefits of an unbroken relationship with Him. If we pursue Him, so will His word be treasured in us. This personal commitment pleases God the Father who will in turn manifest in us much fruit. Fruit that is not hidden, but in full visible bloom, symbolizing an evidence of a good tree, giving glory to God, our Living Tree.

Wisdom - Practical & Theological

Wisdom is practical for survivability, and theological to serve as compass for purposeful living. Wisdom is given to us to pursue an understanding of God's intentionality for us. Surrounded by the relentless spiritual turmoil in this world, Christians must pursue God's timeless and relevant instructions to light our paths. Like the Israelites, we can be enslaved by the world's snare. God's ultimate intention for us is Christ and through His Spirit, wisdom will unfold in Scripture to teach those who seek His ways.