For the Beauty of the Earth: A Random Post

During the past few weeks, I've captured sunsets and faint rainbows and the first flowers of spring. I haven't used them in a particular blog post or even on my Facebook page. Often, when I'm out in nature, one of my favorite hymns, "For the Beauty of the Earth," plays in a never-ending loop in my head. Then an email devotional from Guideposts came, and it seemed to fit this time of uncertainty, too. I don't want to forget these beautiful moments (or the random photo or two I've found as I've cleaned out cabinets), so I'm sharing them in a kind of random post today.

A Time to Think

Our lives are full of supposes.

Suppose this should happen or suppose that should happen;

 what could we do; how could we bear it?

But, if we are living in the high tower

of the dwelling place of God,

 all these supposes will drop out of our lives.

We shall be quiet from the fear of evil,

 for no threatenings of evil can penetrate

 into the high tower of God.

—Hannah Whitall Smith

A Time to Act

When fear comes, counter it with an affirmation of faith.
 

A Time to Pray

Lord, in a world filled with change and uncertainty You are my constant Hope.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 

Hebrews 13:8 NIV 

 (Guideposts email devotional - Spring 2020)

For the Beauty of the Earth

Can you find the rainbow? It's faint, but it's there.

For the beauty of the earth,

For the glory of the skies, 

 

 For the love which from our birth

Over and around us lies.

 

Lord of all to Thee we raise

This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the wonder of each hour,

Of the day and of the night, 

 

Hill and vale, and tree and flower,

 Sun and moon, and stars of light.

 For the joy of human love,

Brother, sister, parent, child, 

 Friends on earth and friends above,

For all gentle thoughts and mild.

 

For the church, that evermore

Lifteth holy hands above, 

Offering up on every shore

Her pure sacrifice of love.

 

For Thyself, best Gift Divine.

To our race so freely given, 

 

For that great, great love of Thine,

Peace on earth and joy in Heaven.

Lord of all to Thee we raise

This our hymn of grateful praise.