Anatomy is a strange thing;
how all I fit within my skin,
I do not know and cannot tell.
Each organ with its own supply,
of nerves and blood...
each organ with its own personal waste removal system.
Like little people working as a team,
to keep a bigger person running.
Come spleen, come sigmoid colon,
come interventricular branch of the left coronary artery.
Each bit placed expertly,
but with seemingly so little logic, or method.
Like a child with half a puzzle
I sit here endlessly trying to make a full picture...
but left only to stare hopelessly,
as the pieces lie unmatched on the floor of my...
occipital cortex (.... brain.)
Friday 29 June 2007
John Piper Friday
"The goal of world missions is the gladness of the peoples in the glory of God. The fuel of that goal is our own gladness in God. If we are not real and deep and fervent in our worship of God, we will not commend him among the peoples with genuineness. How can you say to the nations, "Be glad in God!" if you are not glad in God?"
Sermon - Let the Nations Be Glad. November 7, 1993.
Sermon - Let the Nations Be Glad. November 7, 1993.
Thursday 28 June 2007
The story so far...
It is time to summarise...
God promised land (Canaan) to Abraham's descendents.
The focus of this promise was about God dwelling on Zion in His Temple with His people such that the Nations would know Him.
His people were disobedient and were exiled from the land, God 'left' the Temple.
God promised to return to Zion and vindicate himself before Israel and the Nations - this would involve judgement and forgiveness and the pouring out of his Spirit.
Jesus (God and God's person) came to Zion (Jerusalem) and 'tore down the Temple'.
He was judged as Israel's (humankind's) representative and killed.
Jesus rebuilt the temple in His own body in Resurrection, he was declared by God to be Lord on Zion and of the entire world.
As promised forgiveness was offered to those who would turn to Jesus, and the Holy Spirit was poured out.
God was dwelling with his people in Jesus and by His Spirit in them. This involved a bringing together of different peoples in a new unified humanity, a work that was to continue...
God promised land (Canaan) to Abraham's descendents.
The focus of this promise was about God dwelling on Zion in His Temple with His people such that the Nations would know Him.
His people were disobedient and were exiled from the land, God 'left' the Temple.
God promised to return to Zion and vindicate himself before Israel and the Nations - this would involve judgement and forgiveness and the pouring out of his Spirit.
Jesus (God and God's person) came to Zion (Jerusalem) and 'tore down the Temple'.
He was judged as Israel's (humankind's) representative and killed.
Jesus rebuilt the temple in His own body in Resurrection, he was declared by God to be Lord on Zion and of the entire world.
As promised forgiveness was offered to those who would turn to Jesus, and the Holy Spirit was poured out.
God was dwelling with his people in Jesus and by His Spirit in them. This involved a bringing together of different peoples in a new unified humanity, a work that was to continue...
Monday 25 June 2007
Phews 5: Sun, 22 Apr 2001.
SECULARIST CHRISTIANITY:
Tonight, April 18 2001, the Paul Colman Trio performs at Burwood girls highschool. They are an awesome band, and one of the best live performances going around. Interestingly, however, they were advertised with the following line,
"Bring your non-christian friends to the PCT so that they'll be able to see that Christian music is cool, and Christians can have a great time too."
I'd like to point out some basic errors in thought in such an ad. Thoughts which I think are the basis of a philosophical fallacy I call Secularist Christianity.
1) Are we to think that one of the major factors preventing young people from becoming Christians is that the feel that they can't be cool and Christian? If so, I challenge you with the biblical notion of spriritual blindness. Young people fundamentally aren't Christian because they can not see their need for salvation as sinners under the wrath of God. May we thus confront them with the truth of their dire situation.
2) If we simply show them that they can be cool as a Christian, are we not putting Christianity on the same level as any other group of people? Do we not just assure them that they will not be different from everyone else, so not to worry? If so, is that not fundamentally opposed to the bible which calls us to be 'Aliens' in this world?
3) Is it not logical to conclude that by advertising in this way we are showing that as young Christians we are ourselves afraid of being rejected by the world? Is this not, however, what we are told the world will do to followers of Christ?
Many more thoughts could follow, but that will do... Responses?
Tonight, April 18 2001, the Paul Colman Trio performs at Burwood girls highschool. They are an awesome band, and one of the best live performances going around. Interestingly, however, they were advertised with the following line,
"Bring your non-christian friends to the PCT so that they'll be able to see that Christian music is cool, and Christians can have a great time too."
I'd like to point out some basic errors in thought in such an ad. Thoughts which I think are the basis of a philosophical fallacy I call Secularist Christianity.
1) Are we to think that one of the major factors preventing young people from becoming Christians is that the feel that they can't be cool and Christian? If so, I challenge you with the biblical notion of spriritual blindness. Young people fundamentally aren't Christian because they can not see their need for salvation as sinners under the wrath of God. May we thus confront them with the truth of their dire situation.
2) If we simply show them that they can be cool as a Christian, are we not putting Christianity on the same level as any other group of people? Do we not just assure them that they will not be different from everyone else, so not to worry? If so, is that not fundamentally opposed to the bible which calls us to be 'Aliens' in this world?
3) Is it not logical to conclude that by advertising in this way we are showing that as young Christians we are ourselves afraid of being rejected by the world? Is this not, however, what we are told the world will do to followers of Christ?
Many more thoughts could follow, but that will do... Responses?
Friday 22 June 2007
John Piper Friday
“The more deeply you walk with Christ, the hungrier you get for Christ . . . the more homesick you get for heaven . . . the more you want “all the fullness of God” . . . the more you want to be done with sin . . . the more you want the Bridegroom to come again . . . the more you want the Church revived and purified with the beauty of Jesus . . . the more you want a great awakening to God’s reality in the cities . . . the more you want to see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ penetrate the darkness of all the unreached peoples of the world . . . the more you want to see false worldviews yield to the force of Truth . . . the more you want to see pain relieved and tears wiped away and death destroyed . . . the more you long for every wrong to be made right and the justice and grace of God to fill the earth like the waters cover the sea.
If you don’t feel strong desires for the manifestation of the glory of God, it is not because you have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It is because you have nibbled so long at the table of the world. Your soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great. God did not create you for this. There is an appetite for God. And it can be awakened.”
A Hunger for God. Crossways Books (1997).
If you don’t feel strong desires for the manifestation of the glory of God, it is not because you have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It is because you have nibbled so long at the table of the world. Your soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great. God did not create you for this. There is an appetite for God. And it can be awakened.”
A Hunger for God. Crossways Books (1997).
National Emergency
Peter Hartcher comments on the child sexual abuse 'epidemic' in the Northern Territory.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/the-guts-to-confront-a-brutal-truth/2007/06/21/1182019279684.html
Is the welfare and wellbeing of the indigenous population not the greatest challenge facing Australia today? Not terrorism, not global warming, not water shortages...
Are these not the kind of people that the gospel of Jesus Christ is to be spoken to and lived out towards (the poor, the oppressed the enslaved/addicted, the weak and vulnerable)?
Is this not to be at the heart of the vocation of Australian christians?
http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/the-guts-to-confront-a-brutal-truth/2007/06/21/1182019279684.html
Is the welfare and wellbeing of the indigenous population not the greatest challenge facing Australia today? Not terrorism, not global warming, not water shortages...
Are these not the kind of people that the gospel of Jesus Christ is to be spoken to and lived out towards (the poor, the oppressed the enslaved/addicted, the weak and vulnerable)?
Is this not to be at the heart of the vocation of Australian christians?
Thursday 21 June 2007
Glory days
I had a friend was a big baseball player
back in high school
He could throw that speedball by you
Make you look like a fool boy
Saw him the other night at this roadside bar
I was walking in, he was walking out
We went back inside sat down had a few drinks
but all he kept talking about was
Glory days well they'll pass you by
Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days
Well there's a girl that lives up the block
back in school she could turn all the boy's heads
Sometimes on a Friday I'll stop by
and have a few drinks after she put her kids to bed
Her and her husband Bobby well they split up
I guess it's two years gone by now
We just sit around talking about the old times,
she says when she feels like crying
she starts laughing thinking about
Glory days well they'll pass you by
Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days
Now I think I'm going down to the well tonight
and I'm going to drink till I get my fill
And I hope when I get old I don't sit around thinking about it
but I probably will
Yeah, just sitting back trying to recapture
a little of the glory of, well time slips away
and leaves you with nothing mister but
boring stories of glory days
Glory days well they'll pass you by
Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days
A great southern rock tune from the Boss. Again his lyrics are so helpful in identifying the parody of hope and the future that exists in so many lives. Have our best days already been? Is the future nothing more than disappointment? Does life consist simply in 'boring stories'?
Wednesday 20 June 2007
Robin hood bureaucracy
Check out this article by the great Ross Gittens.
Just who is picking up the tax tab?
http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/just-who-is-picking-up-the-tax-tab/2007/06/19/1182019112156.html
Sometimes it is worth being reminded that we have an ultimately benevolent tax and welfare system in Australia. Something to be thankful for.
Again, apologies for the link... blogger doesn't like me.
Just who is picking up the tax tab?
http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/just-who-is-picking-up-the-tax-tab/2007/06/19/1182019112156.html
Sometimes it is worth being reminded that we have an ultimately benevolent tax and welfare system in Australia. Something to be thankful for.
Again, apologies for the link... blogger doesn't like me.
Tuesday 19 June 2007
Pentecost - III
Pentecost is of also vital significance in understanding that there is something provisional about the overcoming of babel and dwelling of God with his people in our time.
This provisional state awaits a final consummation.
The apostle Paul explained,
“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” (Romans 8:22-25)
The coming of the Spirit, though it reminds of what remains in the future, is in itself the guarantee that this future will come to pass.
Again Paul,
“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
And thankfully, in this provisional state we find ourselves, the Spirit ministers assurance to us, enabling us to persevere;
“…we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” (Romans 5:2b-5),
“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.” (Romans 8:16),
“…the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” (Romans 8:26)
This provisional state awaits a final consummation.
The apostle Paul explained,
“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” (Romans 8:22-25)
The coming of the Spirit, though it reminds of what remains in the future, is in itself the guarantee that this future will come to pass.
Again Paul,
“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
And thankfully, in this provisional state we find ourselves, the Spirit ministers assurance to us, enabling us to persevere;
“…we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” (Romans 5:2b-5),
“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.” (Romans 8:16),
“…the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” (Romans 8:26)
Sunday 17 June 2007
The Great Gatsby
I’ve just finished ‘The Great Gatsby’ by F.Scott Fitzgerald. I was pointed to it by a friend and then driven on by the striking quote on the back cover, “A classic, perhaps the supreme American novel” (are all such cover recommendations striking?).
I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s a novel about the interaction between the past and the future, about reality and illusion, and identity.
It is set in the 1920’s in the locale of Long Island, New York. The story is narrated by Nick Carraway, who has just moved into this peculiar place;
“It was a matter of chance that I should have rented a house in one of the strangest communities in North America. It was on that slender riotous island which extends itself due east of New York - and where there are, among other natural curiosities, two unusual formations of land. Twenty miles from the city a pair of enormous eggs, identical in contour and separated only by a courtesy bay, jut out into the most domesticated body of salt water in the Western Hemisphere, the great wet barnyard of Long Island Sound.”
It is about a character that Nick comes to know, his neighbour, Gatsby… or is it really about Nick and his hopes and fears.
“He [Gatsby] smiled understandingly—much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced—or seemed to face—the whole external world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor. It understood you just so far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself and assured you that it had precisely the impression of you that, at your best, you hoped to convey.”
The prose is wonderful, each phrase carrying a sense of time and place, a tone that captures a spirit of liveliness.
The penguin ‘classics’ edition also contains a most helpful introduction, though it is about half as long as the novel itself.
I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s a novel about the interaction between the past and the future, about reality and illusion, and identity.
It is set in the 1920’s in the locale of Long Island, New York. The story is narrated by Nick Carraway, who has just moved into this peculiar place;
“It was a matter of chance that I should have rented a house in one of the strangest communities in North America. It was on that slender riotous island which extends itself due east of New York - and where there are, among other natural curiosities, two unusual formations of land. Twenty miles from the city a pair of enormous eggs, identical in contour and separated only by a courtesy bay, jut out into the most domesticated body of salt water in the Western Hemisphere, the great wet barnyard of Long Island Sound.”
It is about a character that Nick comes to know, his neighbour, Gatsby… or is it really about Nick and his hopes and fears.
“He [Gatsby] smiled understandingly—much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced—or seemed to face—the whole external world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor. It understood you just so far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself and assured you that it had precisely the impression of you that, at your best, you hoped to convey.”
The prose is wonderful, each phrase carrying a sense of time and place, a tone that captures a spirit of liveliness.
The penguin ‘classics’ edition also contains a most helpful introduction, though it is about half as long as the novel itself.
Wines worth trying
For June's tasting I have chosen:
McWilliams 'Mount Pleasant', Hunter Valley, NSW.
2003 - 'Philip' Shiraz.
It's not just the name that inspires this choice. Hunter valley shiraz is a unique varietal. Almost opaque to the eye with rich, earthy, oakfilled flavours. It is made for winter comfort food. I suggest a hearty beaf stew (2 nights ago we cooked osso bucco in a tomato, carrot and pumpkin sauce...).
McWilliams 'Mount Pleasant', Hunter Valley, NSW.
2003 - 'Philip' Shiraz.
It's not just the name that inspires this choice. Hunter valley shiraz is a unique varietal. Almost opaque to the eye with rich, earthy, oakfilled flavours. It is made for winter comfort food. I suggest a hearty beaf stew (2 nights ago we cooked osso bucco in a tomato, carrot and pumpkin sauce...).
Saturday 16 June 2007
Confession and Forgiveness
1 John 1:8-10.
"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives."
This verse is central in the Anglican (the tradition within which I worship and fellowship) liturgy as part of preparation for the general confession. In some ways the truths contained in these verses have shaped my interraction with God more than any others.
"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives."
This verse is central in the Anglican (the tradition within which I worship and fellowship) liturgy as part of preparation for the general confession. In some ways the truths contained in these verses have shaped my interraction with God more than any others.
Friday 15 June 2007
John Piper Friday
"What if we asked someone, “Would you want to watch a football game where all the players were no better than you? Or watch a movie where the actors could act no better than you and were no better looking than you? Or go to a museum to see pictures by painters who could paint no better than you?” Why are we willing to be exposed in all these places as utterly inferior? How can we get so much joy out of watching people magnify their superiority over us? The biblical answer is that we were made by God to get our deepest joys not from being superior ourselves but from enjoying God’s superiority. All these other experiences are parables. God’s superiority is absolute in every way, which means our joy in it may be greater than we could ever imagine."
The Supremacy of Christ and Joy in a Postmodern World, 2006 Desiring God National Conference. October 1, 2006.
The Supremacy of Christ and Joy in a Postmodern World, 2006 Desiring God National Conference. October 1, 2006.
Exodus
John Martin, The destruction of the Pharoah's host c. 1833 (right).
Marc Chagal, The Parting of the Red Sea c. 1966 (left).
Thursday 14 June 2007
The mobile song
You, you've made me mobile.
Now I can SMS, and take those 24 hour calls.
Yes it's you, you've made me mobile.
I've got my TV, and I play nintendo 64.
Yes it's you, you've stolen my childhood,
you've raped my innocence,
you deconstruct me digitally.
Yes you, you've torn apart my empathy,
since I can watch Rambo blown up on the big screen.
You, you've made me mobile.
I'm a member of Jenny Craig, since I'm already 9 years old.
Yes it's you, you've made me mobile.
I've got my internet, and I'm under its cyber control.
Yes it's you, you've stolen my childhood,
you've raped my innocence,
you deconstruct me digitally.
Yes you, you've torn apart my empathy,
since I can watch Rambo blown up on the big screen.
Now I can SMS, and take those 24 hour calls.
Yes it's you, you've made me mobile.
I've got my TV, and I play nintendo 64.
Yes it's you, you've stolen my childhood,
you've raped my innocence,
you deconstruct me digitally.
Yes you, you've torn apart my empathy,
since I can watch Rambo blown up on the big screen.
You, you've made me mobile.
I'm a member of Jenny Craig, since I'm already 9 years old.
Yes it's you, you've made me mobile.
I've got my internet, and I'm under its cyber control.
Yes it's you, you've stolen my childhood,
you've raped my innocence,
you deconstruct me digitally.
Yes you, you've torn apart my empathy,
since I can watch Rambo blown up on the big screen.
Friday 8 June 2007
Stem cells
Check out the response of Catholic Archbishop Pell to the vote in the NSW parliament to give the go-ahead to embryonic stem-cell research.
It's all about human life: the real message in the stem cell debate
(http://www.smh.com.au/news/science/its-all-about-human-life/2007/06/07/1181089240429.html).
Also, check out a response to the Catholic view.
It's Stacks On Catholics Day
(http://blogs.smh.com.au/radar/archives/2007/06/world_stoush_wi.html).
Sorry about the links... had some trouble with blogger.
It's all about human life: the real message in the stem cell debate
(http://www.smh.com.au/news/science/its-all-about-human-life/2007/06/07/1181089240429.html).
Also, check out a response to the Catholic view.
It's Stacks On Catholics Day
(http://blogs.smh.com.au/radar/archives/2007/06/world_stoush_wi.html).
Sorry about the links... had some trouble with blogger.
A Craving
I crave...
something...
what ?
I can taste it, feel it on in my mouth.
But can I name it ?
Fruit... no, too healthy.
Doughnuts... no, too sweet.
A coffee... no, to arty.
cake, pizza, pie, curry...
Frantically I scan, as saliva oozes through the mucosa of my mouth.
Then... a revelation, an inspiration, more salivation.
Hot Chips!!!
They're hot, they're chips...
The combination was irresistable.
And where better to find this kingly fare than...
Earlwood chicken shop!
That first chip, hot, salty, what's more chicken salty.
Ahhhhhh.
A blessing!
The taste, the feel, the vibe.
Thankyou God for the humble $1:50 hot chips.
something...
what ?
I can taste it, feel it on in my mouth.
But can I name it ?
Fruit... no, too healthy.
Doughnuts... no, too sweet.
A coffee... no, to arty.
cake, pizza, pie, curry...
Frantically I scan, as saliva oozes through the mucosa of my mouth.
Then... a revelation, an inspiration, more salivation.
Hot Chips!!!
They're hot, they're chips...
The combination was irresistable.
And where better to find this kingly fare than...
Earlwood chicken shop!
That first chip, hot, salty, what's more chicken salty.
Ahhhhhh.
A blessing!
The taste, the feel, the vibe.
Thankyou God for the humble $1:50 hot chips.
John Piper Friday
"I would guess that probably two generations of men and women have been raised in this country [USA] without a positive vision of what it means to be male or female. We have been told many negative things—things we ought not to be, things we are to be liberated from.
For example, manhood is not sexual exploitation. Manhood is not cool, rational unemotionalism. Manhood is not the ruthless task-oriented drive to conquer. Etc. So be liberated, men! On the other hand womanhood is not boring domesticity. Womanhood is not homebound motherhood. Womanhood is not mindless emotionalism. Womanhood is not sexual compliance. Etc. So be liberated, women!
But when all our talk is done about what manhood and womanhood is NOT, what have we got? A big void of confusion about what they are. Frustrating, guilt-producing, destructive confusion. And with it a tidal wave of homosexuality, an epidemic of divorce, an increase of violent crime, growing domestic abuse, and tens of thousands of suicides every year, 75% of whom are men."
Sermon - Manhood and Womanhood: Conflict and Confusion After the Fall - May 21, 1989.
For example, manhood is not sexual exploitation. Manhood is not cool, rational unemotionalism. Manhood is not the ruthless task-oriented drive to conquer. Etc. So be liberated, men! On the other hand womanhood is not boring domesticity. Womanhood is not homebound motherhood. Womanhood is not mindless emotionalism. Womanhood is not sexual compliance. Etc. So be liberated, women!
But when all our talk is done about what manhood and womanhood is NOT, what have we got? A big void of confusion about what they are. Frustrating, guilt-producing, destructive confusion. And with it a tidal wave of homosexuality, an epidemic of divorce, an increase of violent crime, growing domestic abuse, and tens of thousands of suicides every year, 75% of whom are men."
Sermon - Manhood and Womanhood: Conflict and Confusion After the Fall - May 21, 1989.
Friday 1 June 2007
chariot
This fantastic pciture taken by Peter J.
Psalm 104:3
"He [the Lord] lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters; He makes the clouds His chariot; He walks upon the wings of the wind"
John Piper Friday
"One of my favorite poems is "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard" by Thomas Gray in 1751. One of the stanzas says,
Full many a gem of purest ray serene,
The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear:
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness on the desert air.
Gray had been moved by the thought that on the bottom of the ocean there were beautiful gems that no human eye would ever see, and that in distant deserts millions of flowers would bloom, blush with vivid colors, give off a sweet fragrance, and never be touched or seen or smelled by anybody—but God!
The psalmist is moved by the same thing, it seems, in Psalm 19, verse 7: "Praise the Lord, you sea monsters and all deeps!" He doesn't even know what is in all the deeps of the sea! So the praise of thedeeps is not merely what they can testify to man.
It seems to me that creation praises God by simply being what it was created to be in all its incredible variety. And since most of the creation is beyond the awareness of mankind (in the reaches of space, and in the heights of mountains and at the bottom of thesea), it wasn't created merely to serve purposes that have to do with us. It was created for the enjoyment of God. "
Sermon - The Pleasure of God in His Creation, February 8, 1987
Full many a gem of purest ray serene,
The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear:
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness on the desert air.
Gray had been moved by the thought that on the bottom of the ocean there were beautiful gems that no human eye would ever see, and that in distant deserts millions of flowers would bloom, blush with vivid colors, give off a sweet fragrance, and never be touched or seen or smelled by anybody—but God!
The psalmist is moved by the same thing, it seems, in Psalm 19, verse 7: "Praise the Lord, you sea monsters and all deeps!" He doesn't even know what is in all the deeps of the sea! So the praise of thedeeps is not merely what they can testify to man.
It seems to me that creation praises God by simply being what it was created to be in all its incredible variety. And since most of the creation is beyond the awareness of mankind (in the reaches of space, and in the heights of mountains and at the bottom of thesea), it wasn't created merely to serve purposes that have to do with us. It was created for the enjoyment of God. "
Sermon - The Pleasure of God in His Creation, February 8, 1987
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