No 19: Sharing the Wonders of God’s Creation (Solar Eclipse & Spring)
In our area of southern Ontario Canada along Lake Erie, a solar eclipse was seen as it passed by mid-afternoon on April 8.
People travelled far and wide, gathering at the best locations such as Niagara Falls to watch in awe this amazing event. This unusual event happens only every few years in different locations around the world.
It reminds us of how God‘s hand of creation demonstrates his power and divine order. Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 1:20 that God’s “… eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen.” The solar eclipse is another witness of God’s handiwork we can share with our grandchildren. Maybe you took your grandchildren to watch the solar eclipse. If you did, please share your experience with me.
These fun spring days in the northern hemisphere with so much change are so refreshing. The trees in our area have buds that will soon burst forth with new leaves. Blossoms are popping out with their brilliant colours on daffodils, tulips and a variety of other flowers. It’s great to hear the robins singing, the doves cooing and the rabbits hopping as I take my daily walks. These wonderful spring days with the warmer weather provide special opportunities for us to get out with our grandkids. Enjoying the outdoors together also gives us opportunities to share more of God’s creation. The Bible is full of references to God’s creative works that point to his wisdom, beauty and majestic power. These times could allow them to share their favourite part of their spring experiences in nature. I also really enjoy these days since it stays light longer. I am delighted to see our neighbour children play outdoors with their various balls or on their bikes and scooters. Such activities are very healthy, great for social learning and more beneficial than being stuck inside on a computer or a phone.
It is our privilege as a Papa to guide our grandkids to know the God of creation even through the wonders of nature all around us. Join me in praying and planning for these opportunities in the weeks and months ahead. Just as Jesus taught his disciples outdoors as they walked amongst the trees and fields, so can we with our grandkids. Our desire and goal is to point them to our Creator and Saviour who loves them. John 1:3 says ..”Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made” (NIV). This is a foundational truth for them to know and worship our Lord and Saviour. Most will not hear this truth in their public schools.
I am thankful for many helpful resources we can use to guide our grandkids to discover God‘s work in nature. The first is a podcast and website called NatTheo, that refers to nature and theology. The author, Erin Lynum, also wrote a related book designed for younger kids. Below is another link for an excellent YouTube video on our topic. God of Wonders could be shared and watched with our older grandkids. The old hymn, How Great Thou Art would be great to review and sing, especially verse one. We could use this hymn to pray the truth over our grandkids so that they might experience the reality of what it declares.
God bless
Ross
Nugget Resources to Dig Into:
1. Hebrews 11:3 “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. (NIV)
2. Nat Theo Nature Lessons Rooted in the Bible - great resources on Erin Lynum’s website including one on the solar eclipse https://erynlynum.com/nattheo
3. Solar eclipse resource - date for the next eclipse https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/total-solar-eclipse.html
4. God of Wonders YouTube video: (1:25”)
5. How Great Thou Art “Oh Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder, Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made. I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder. Thy power throughout the universe displayed.”
Truth to Impact Us:
Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” NIV
Psalm 104:24 “How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom, you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” NIV
Colossians 1:16-17. “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, …He is before all things, and in him, all things hold together.” NIV
Photo view: Nature views on my afternoon walks.
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