10-30-16
This past week I was blessed to go on vacation with my family. It was the first time I had been to Hilton Head Island, and it was wonderful. Even though there was still obvious devastation from Hurricane Matthew, the area is absolutely beautiful. Being at the beach it is so easy to feel close to God.
I take way too many pictures wherever I go, so I have tons from our trip. I thought I’d share some with you as well as think about how God has shown Himself to us in nature. So dig your toes into the sand, smell the salty breeze, listen to the sea gulls, and come along on a mini tour!
O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions – This great and wide sea, In which are innumerable teeming things, Living things both small and great. There the ships sail about; There is that Leviathan Which You have made to play there. – Psalms 104:24-26
As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. – Psalms 103:12
Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; Let the sea roar, and all its fullness; Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the Lord. For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with His truth. – Psalms 96:11-13
In His hand are the deep places of the earth; The heights of the hills are His also. The sea is His, for He made it; And His hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. – Matthew 5:14-16
Thus says the Lord, Who gives the sun for a light by day, The ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night, Who disturbs the sea, And its waves roar (The Lord of hosts is His name)… – Jeremiah 31:35
Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? – Matthew 6:26
To Him who laid out the earth above the waters, For His mercy endures forever; To Him who made great lights, For His mercy endures forever… – Psalms 136:6-7
But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you; And the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; And the fish of the sea will explain to you. Who among all these does not know That the hand of the Lord has done this, In whose hand is the life of every living thing, And the breath of all mankind? – Job 12:7-10
This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. – Lamentations 3:21-23
Thanks for traveling along with me. Whether you’re at the beach, the plains of the Midwest, or the mountains of Appalachia, take time to feel the presence of God. You’ll find Him.
How about you? Where do you feel close to God?
May the Lord bless and keep you,
Heather
Heather Tabata 