"But God’s angry displeasure erupts as acts of human mistrust and wrongdoing and lying accumulate, as people try to put a shroud over truth. But the basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can’t see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of his divine being. So nobody has a good excuse.
What happened was this: People knew God perfectly well, but when they didn’t treat him like God, refusing to worship him, they trivialized themselves into silliness and confusion so that there was neither sense nor direction left in their lives. They pretended to know it all, but were illiterate regarding life. They traded the glory of God who holds the whole world in his hands for cheap figurines you can buy at any roadside stand.
So God said, in effect, “If that’s what you want, that’s what you get.” It wasn’t long before they were living in a pigpen, smeared with filth, filthy inside and out. And all this because they traded the true God for a fake god, and worshiped the god they made instead of the God who made them—the God we bless, the God who blesses us. Oh, yes! " Romans 1:18-25 The Message
My heart aches for our country as it wanders further and further away from the truth about God. This passage rings all too true about our current state of affairs. I picture our Father God crying out, "Look! Look all around you! I made all this for you! I made you! Can't you see? Don't you know My ways are better? My ways are best! They are for your greatest good, for your highest pleasure. Why, oh why won't you look at My creation and acknowledge your Creator? Why won't you call upon My name? Turn my people, turn back to Me!" My heart is crying along with His, crying for our broken country to turn to God.
still following,
Elizabeth,
ReplyDeletePraying with you...yes, so important at this time ....blessings to you :)
Thank you so much, Dolly! Blessings to you, too.
DeleteThanks for sharing today! These photos are gorgeous and inspirational. Putting them in my mind's memory bank..
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Laura, God's creation ministers to my spirit so much. I'm so glad these photos blessed you!
DeleteBeautiful photos - important message! Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jill! You are a blessing!
DeleteYes, Elizabeth, may it be so. Praying with you. That version of Scripture from The Message is powerful, and your photos are beautiful. Love to you, friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Ashley! This passage in The Message does really tell it like it is, doesn't it? I appreciate you, friend.
DeleteYes. Elizabeth. Our hearts cry out to , with & for our God!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, friend. Much, much love to you!
DeleteYes, Elizabeth, we have "left our first love..Rev. 2:4" If we would only repent and turn back to God he will hear from heaven, forgive our sins and heal our land. 2 Chron. 7:14 I grieve with you, my sister. I cling to the hope that is within us! I am in awe of the beauty of His creation. Thank you for sharing those beautiful photos. Blessings~
ReplyDeleteCindy, I'm so glad my photos blessed you. You are so right, we need to return to our first love.
DeleteMy sentiments exactly My heart is sick and aches for the world I see around us. We are treading down a dangerous path. I pray we change course and return to what we know is right before it's too late. Joanie
ReplyDeleteMe too, Joanie, me too!
DeleteI cry, too...
ReplyDeleteYes, friend, and God sees and hears us.
DeleteYes!!! My heart aches for just how far America as well as man is turning from and against God. I often think it is a testimony in itself of God's love that his patience is so great. At times I feel this must be the day of his return. And we know his words tells us, He wish that not one parish.
ReplyDeleteBlessings...
~Sherri
Sherri, I know that all over our country Christians are praying, churches are praying. God, heal our land!
Delete... following with you, Elizabeth ... following Him with you ...
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. You are a blessing.
DeleteElizabeth...my son is moving his family to Clackamas - packing up next saturday - moving from Philadelphia; I hear it's beautiful - we'll be visiting there I am sure. I hear it's beautiful there! these photos tell me it's true!
ReplyDeleteCarol, I actually took these photos in Victoria, B.C. But your son is going to love the beauty of Oregon! Hope if you come to visit you'll let me know.
DeleteSigh...I feel this too Elizabeth. How can we not see? How can we not know? Creation screams His glory! We have to stay active on our prayer posts. Prayer changes things. Beyond that we have to know that none of this comes as a surprise to Him. He is in control - despite what it may look like.
ReplyDeleteHe is in control. Yes and amen. I'm so thankful that nothing and no one can shake God off of His throne!
DeleteElizabeth, joining you in praying for our country & for people to see Him in all He has created. May this reminder come back to our memories as we all vacation & travel over this summer & get glimpses of His creation. Thank you for this call to prayer this morning. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate you so much. You bless me always with your comments.
DeleteDearest Elizabeth
ReplyDeleteOh, my heart cries with yours!! When you look at my country, South Africa, we can once again see why man was never created with the capabilities to govern themselves. All the corruption, greed, murder, etc., etc., etc., is just heartbreaking. But what joy to know that our Lord already overcame the evil one and is making everything new!
Blessings XX
Mia
Mia, you're right. We are incapable of governing ourselves. Without God in charge, we are in a frightful mess.
DeleteI love the photos, of course. Feel like I'm "living" out there, again. However, the last paragraph is much of what you and I are like. I'm so heart broken over how our nation has gone. I sometimes think that if Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed for their sin, in that small area, and ours are doing the same in states and parts of the nation and nearby nations, too, how can we wonder when the seriosity is going to expand and many places will collapse. ANYHOW, that's obviously where my heart is. Sure miss you. Hope to see you again.
ReplyDeleteI know that you are a prayer warrior for our country, Joanne.
DeleteI never understand how someone can see the majesty of God's creation and not believe in Him. But alas, Scripture tells us that there are those who don't and never will. Regretfully, many of them are running our country at this time. The Lord tarries because he is merciful and we mast pray for our leaders, ask the Lord to open their eyes and ears to His Word and bring them to salvation. Wishing you a blessed week ~ Anne
ReplyDeleteAnne, I agree with your comment so much! Thank you!
DeleteBeautiful pictures that point us to Him. These incredible surroundings should be enough, but we will go and love until those outside can truly see Him. Thanks Elizabeth.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jason. Yes, to glorify God and flow with His love to others is the key.
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