God – The Great Designer

March 14, 2023 Gracie

God, The Great Designer – From the Stars to the Sea

From the Hubble Space Telescope – Westerlund 2

Sometimes I look at the stars above and wonder in amazement at how big and beautiful the night sky is.

That’s a lot of stars up there!

Do you ever wonder how many stars there really are?

No one knows exactly, except our Sovereign God who created them.

¹⁴Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and they shall serve as signs and for seasons, and for days and years; ¹⁵and they shall serve as lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so. – Genesis 1:14-15, (NASB).²

Here’s an interesting estimate that I saw recently:

Just in our Milky Way alone, astronomers estimate there are about 100 billion stars. (Imagine the Universe, 2015)³

100,000,000,000.

That’s eleven zero’s!

The Great Designer Knows You By Name

We are so blessed that our all-powerful, merciful, loving, and righteous God not only created us and every thing, but He loves us and knows each of us by name – just like the stars in the sky.

He counts the number of the stars;
He gives names to all of them. – Psalm 147:4, (NASB).⁴

From the stars to land and sea, we can appreciate God’s handiwork all around us.

Australian poet, Maurice Dyson, captures this reminder beautifully in his poem, “The Eternal Spring.”

Please enjoy.

The Eternal Spring

Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
Tell Me, if you have understanding. When the morning stars sang together,
and all the sons of God shouted for joy? – Job 38:4,7.

Before God made His creatures,
Or earth received its form,
It rested with the Mighty One
To formulate the norm.
The universal features,
As much as we can see,
Are so designed to satisfy
A role in history.

The circular attractions,
Of matter large and small,
Are evident by telescope
Or in the science hall.
We marvel at the actions,
Which keep them in their paths,
And from their stable characters
We standardise our maths.

There is a great Designer
Controlling everything:
The many constellations
Or the sparrow on the wing;
The largest ocean liner
That ever put to sea,
Would never reach its port of call
If facts did not agree.

The law of gravitation
That holds us in our place;
The measureless dimensions
That we commonly call space;
All form a grand equation
That echoes and coheres;
Maintaining checks and balances
Throughout the passing years.

This wonderful creation
And marvellous expanse
Was brought into existence
By the Master’s strict commands;
We share the exultation
That angels once portrayed,
The day they sang that joyful song
When earth and sky were made.

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¹“Star Cluster Westerlund 2 and Starforming Nebula Gum 29” by HubbleColor {Zolt}. Public Domain Mark 1.0. Web. Accessed 13 March, 2023.

³From the The Milky Way Galaxy | Imagine The Universe! (2015). 100 billion stars reference.

⁵Dyson, Maurice. “The Eternal Spring” – Christian Poems About Creation, n.d. Web. Used with permission. Accessed March 6, 2023. Courtesy of freechristianillustrations.com.

A Christian Poem From Australia

February 7, 2023 Gracie

From The Land Down Under: Christian Poem From Australia

One of the many reasons that I delight in God is because, sometimes, He brings special people into my life – even if it’s just for a brief time.

And, it’s always a thrill to connect with Christians across the globe!

Imagine my delight when I heard back from a lovely couple from The Land Down Under – beautiful, sunny Australia.

Recently, I got in touch with them about sharing an excellent poem that was on their website.

This doesn’t always happen, but they responded!

They know the poet personally and called him to let him know about my request.

It turns out that this talented poet is a 90-year-old Christian man.

My humble request was enthusiastically granted.

So, I want to give a huge shout-out, all the way from the Lone Star State to sweet Maurice Dyson in the Land Down Under.

He’s a man blessed by God.

I love his passion for using his gift of writing to share his faith and love for Jesus Christ.

This poem is all about reverence for God and His Holy Works.

I have a feeling his poetry will continue to inspire others for years to come.

Psalm 19

Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm 107:31

The heavens are telling God’s glory from high;
His handiwork vividly etched in the sky;
From day unto day they are uttering speech;
And night unto night with the knowledge they teach.

No language occurs where their voice is not heard;
Throughout all the earth goes their eloquent word;
Their message has reached to the end of the world;
Resplendent above like a banner unfurled.

In them He has set up a tent for the sun,
That goes like a bridegroom whose day has begun;
Rejoicing as one who is running a race;
A circuit described by its circular trace.

The law of the Lord is effective and whole;
Its witness is simple converting the soul;
Its statutes are noble rejoicing the heart,
Establishing truth for our innermost part.

His holy commandments are gracious and pure;
Enlightening the eyes that our sight may be sure;
The fear of the Lord is enduring and clean;
His judgments are righteous and wholly pristine.

More are they desired than the finest of gold;
And sweeter than honey for youngest or old;
Moreover by them is Thy bondservant warned,
And keeping them favours a lifestyle adorned.

For who understands his erroneous ways?
Acquit me of faults that are hid from my gaze;
And keep back Thy servant from sins born of pride,
And let them not rule me nor hinder my stride.

Then I shall be clear from their grievous excess,
And innocent whereof I’d greatly transgress;
Let all my intentions by day or by night,
Be counted acceptable, Lord, in Thy sight.

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¹Dyson, Maurice. “Psalm 19” 100 Poems of Praise – Christian Poetry to Praise God, edited by Ossie Amato, Self-published, 2019, p.18., Copyright © 2019 Maurice Dyson. Courtesy of freechristianillustrations.com.