Sunset on the Crystal River by Tammy Gray

Today’s Reading
Psalms 50, 105, 147, 148

Pastor Lisa’s Journal
Scripture
Praise the Lord from the earth … fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command! – Psalm 148:7-8

Observation
Psalm 148 feels like a grand procession of creation, each wonder coming forth to adore their Creator. The order of the procession takes its cue from Genesis 1, a movement from the heavens down to humanity.

• First the heavens far beyond our galaxy (vs. 1)
• Then the heights along with the glorious inhabitants of heaven. (vs. 2)
• Next, our shining neighbors in the sky: sun, moon, and stars. (vs. 3)
• Then the atmospheres, home of clouds and precipitation. (vs. 4)
• Now follows the creatures of the seas (vs. 7) and the full extent of weather (vs. 7-8.)
• Regal mountains, noble trees and all manner of animals (vs 9-10)

The splendor of creation is joined by the fullness of humanity- powerful and humble, men and women, young and old – in a love song praising the Maker of All. (vs. 11-13)

Application
It’s time to get out of the office and back out into the blessing of nature.

Song of the Silent Snow by Martina Carnesciali

Prayer
One winter, while we were living in North Carolina, it snowed. I sat for a long time in silence at our bedroom window watching the soft flakes float to the ground. It was fascinating to me. I grew up in Florida and had only seen snow a couple of times in my life. The perfect peace of that experience birthed the snow verse of this hymn. As I began to think about other natural experiences, the other verses came to be. – Lisa <><

God Who Brings the Cleansing Rain
by Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
Meter 77.77
Suggested tune: THE CALL (United Methodist Hymnal #164)

God who brings the cleansing rain
saturate our thirsty bones
with the milk of mercy sweet
with the blood that brings us home

God who rules the fiery sun
kindle now our brittle hearts
set ablaze our tender lives
forge our ways till sin departs

God who rides the winds of change
anchor us against its wrath
set our face toward holy ends
fix our walk upon your path

God who sends the silent snows
quiet us against your breast
cover us with hope-filled wings
whisper soft your word of rest

God who steps into our time
Take away this needless fear
Turn our lives to songs of praise
Play us for your world to hear

© 2010 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting with proper attribution.
Please contact Lisa for information and permission to publish this work in any form.
Lisa is especially interested in collaborating with someone to set this text to music.

For another original hymn text on this theme entitled Bless Christ Through Whom all Things are Made, click here

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You are invited to join me on a summer adventure through one of the most beloved books in the Bible, Psalms.  To download the Summer in the Psalms reading plan, click here Psalms Reading Plan

As you read, you are encouraged to use the SOAP Method for keeping a spiritual journal, as taught at New Hope Christian Fellowship in Hawaii. For more information on this simple and powerful way of engaging the Word of God, please click here or use the simple instructions provided in the reading plan itself.

I look forward to reading your comments and to all that Jesus will do in you and through you as you seek him this summer. – Lisa <><

PS- For more information on the scripture translation, art and the use of this devotional in other settings, please leave a comment.