Shout joyfully to God, all the earth!
     Sing praises to the glory of God’s name!
        Make glorious his praise!
 Say to God:
“How awesome are your works!
    Because of your great strength,
        your enemies cringe before you.
 All the earth worships you,
    sings praises to you,
        sings praises to your name!”

Psalm 66:1-4

It is another Sunday morning, and sometimes – especially when people fall out of the intention and habit of worship (virtually or in person) – I get the impression that creation itself shakes its head in disbelief and says, “Well at least we are going to make some noise!”

Oh I get it, I understand that many of you have simply drifted out of the routine of setting aside any time for God on Sunday morning, and now that the pandemic restrictions have been mostly lifted, it seems inconvenient to change your routine and make the effort to go to church.

But that lack of motivation doesn’t change anything. It doesn’t change the fact that we are fearfully and wonderfully made; it doesn’t change the fact that God set aside the 7th day as something holy and beautiful; it doesn’t change the fact that an active, purposeful, engaged relationship with God is the single most effective tool in a life well lived, full and abundant, rich and satisfying.

So let these photographs from our garden serve as a reminder that creation itself cannot help but cry out in praise. Or as Jesus put it, “If my followers get quiet, the stones alongside the road will likely break out in singing!”

Some Jewish religious leaders who stood off from the procession said to Jesus, “Teacher, order your followers at once to stop saying [highest praise for the one who comes as King!]”

Jesus responded, “Listen to me. If my followers were silenced, the very stones would break forth with praises!”

Luke 19:39-40

So why not show up for Jesus? – DEREK