wondering gaze

I saw a brilliant sunset the other day over clouds that looked like mountains. (Being that I live in Miami, I pretend that I see mountains in the clouds sometimes.) And then it hit me.

Why do I love California so much?

There are those who roll their eyes whenever I say anything about a beautiful California sunset or a California sky full of stars. They tell me that these are just boring things that you can see anytime and anywhere, and they don’t see the attraction. Then, they rush home to go about their day. Well, I don’t fault any of them, but I wish they could understand what they’re missing or at least see it through my eyes.

I think I love California so much because by looking at nature, at the creation, it tells me so much about the one who created it. God is the greatest artist ever. And God put so much of himself into everything that he created. He is in each flower petal and in each hummingbird and in the scent of a fresh rose and in the red hues of the sunset and in the clouds and in the mountains. And the most amazing thing is that He created these things out of love. He created these things for us. You can learn a lot more about God just by opening your eyes and enjoying His creation rather than researching theology or philosophy.

For since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made…- Romans 1:20
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This is one of my all time favorite hymns... to listen to it, click here .

This Is My Father's World by Maltbie D. Babcock

1.This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; His hand the wonders wrought.

2.This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;He speaks to me everywhere.

3.This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done:
Jesus Who died shall be satisfied,And earth and Heav’n be one.

4.This is my Father’s world, dreaming, I see His face.
I open my eyes, and in glad surprise
cry, “The Lord is in this place.”
This is my Father’s world, from the shining courts above,
The Beloved One, His Only Son,Came—a pledge of deathless love.

5.This is my Father’s world, should my heart be ever sad?
The Lord is King—let the heavens ring.
God reigns—let the earth be glad.
This is my Father’s world. Now closer to Heaven bound,
For dear to God is the earth Christ trod.No place but is holy ground.

6.This is my Father’s world. I walk a desert lone.
In a bush ablaze to my wondering gaze
God makes His glory known.
This is my Father’s world, a wanderer I may roam
Whate’er my lot, it matters not,My heart is still at home.

better than this

This song is, pretty much, where I'm at right now... I have it on repeat on my iPod.

If you want to hear a sample of it, log on to http://www.avalonlive.com/
Click on music & video then go to their cd titled the creed, it's song #10 Renew Me.
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Why am I such a dusty window For your light to shine through?
Why am I just a tiny star In a sky already blue?
Why do I offer everything With my heart closed like a fist?
I want to love You better than this

Why do I live like I'm in chains When You have set me free?
And why do I have to break Your heart Before I fall to my knees?
I know it's time to pray for change Give all I have to give
I want to love You better than this

So renew me
Remake me
Undo me
Unbreak me
Come into the empty spaces Of my broken places And
consume me
Complete me
Pursue me
Redeem me
Let Your Holy Spirit living through me
Renew me
I need Your power to renew me, Lord, yeah
I need to know You're moving through me, Lord

I need You as my refuge
My first and last resort
Be the river always running
Through my deepest thoughts
Keep me in Your arms
'Cause even when I drift
I want to love You better than this

So renew me
Remake me
Undo me
Unbreak me
Come into the empty spaces Of my broken places And
consume me
Complete me
Pursue me
Redeem me
Let Your Holy Spirit living through me
Renew me

My life bending to Your will
Seeking You until I'm more and more like You