Earth Day Devotion: What Came First? Genesis 2:5

Genesis 2:5 …and no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no man to work the ground,…

What came first? Rain from the sky or water from the ground?

I must admit I hadn’t really thought about this, but today’s passage has really intrigued me. When the Earth was created, how did water form on this planet? Did it occur through condensation – the hot Earth cooled and hydrogen with oxygen combined in the process, or was it through evaporation – icy comets hitting the hot planet repeatedly causing showers of rain in the atmosphere? I’m not a scientist, environmentalist, or even a geologist, so I have no clue whatsoever about the processes involved. I guess it must have taken a considerably long time for water to appear on the Earth, but I’m also confident that this was a significant part of God’s creative plan and amazing patience. After all, how many planets in our Solar System currently have the gift of water on their surface?

Whatever the circumstances, this I do know: water is a precious commodity and one which significantly impacts the health of all of us on this wee planet. Much of the ill health, disease, and poverty in the world today can be attributed to the lack of clean water in many areas around the globe. The sad thing is this: we have the scientific, economic, and technological ability to clean the world’s entire water supply but due to our greed, sin, and inhumanity, we often lack the will to do anything about it. If we truly want to bequeath anything worthwhile to our descendants that will make their lives better, then clean water should be this planet’s first priority.

This coming Sunday is Earth Day. As Christians, we will be praising and praying to our Creator. Perhaps we should all ask Him what we can do to make the world a better place and to give our brothers and sisters across the globe access to clean drinking water.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, You are the Living Water of faith, hope, and love in our lives. Across many nations, billions of people do not have easy access to healthy water. Open our hearts and minds to the challenge of providing clean water for everyone in the world within a generation. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, then please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is John’s latest drawing for Earth Day. If you would like to see a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5455/6942425398_1632459efd_b.jpg

Free Devotions: The God Delusion - Psalm 35 v 20

Psalm 35:20    They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land.

The Sunday School class that I’m currently teaching is studying the book “The God Delusion” written by British atheist Richard Dawkins. It’s a fierce attack upon religion and especially the Christian faith. Throughout the book Dawkins questions why we should placate church people’s views in society. After all, he concludes, a belief in God is akin to believing in fairy tales, so why should 21^st century civilization have anything more to do with churches, priests, religion, or faith?

Much of Britain has been affected by Dawkins’ thinking so that less than 5% of the population regularly attends church. Fifteen years ago, it was around 12-15%, so in the intervening years, the Christian church has declined by about 66%. In fact Britain has become so secular that it is now seen as a mission field by African and Asian Christian groups.

I think that we’re beginning to see something similar over here. Church has become just another leisure pursuit, lifestyle choice, or extra-curricular activity in the lives of many people. Even when we try to update date our worship and make our message relevant, the daunting truth is this: we are non-essential to 21^st century living.

This bothers me at times, and not because congregational numbers are dwindling of allover the land. I’m perturbed because we went through all of this 80 years ago, in the 1920s, 30s and 40s. Decadence and a dwindling faith brought about reactionary politics and before we knew it, the world was at war with fascism and communism. Jews and Christians were attacked and falsely accused by reactionary governments in Germany, Japan, Russia and China. Millions of people lost their lives. Are we destined to experience the same this century? God forbid!

I teach an atheist’s book in our Sunday School class so that people may be better prepared for what could lie ahead of us. It’s far better to know what our opponents are thinking and expressing, rather than fool ourselves that we are spiritually invincible and beyond being influenced or distracted by militant atheism. We only have to look at what’s happening in Europe to see what could occur here.

Prayer:                        Lord God, we pray for Christ’s Church and our Christian faith. We ask that You strengthen our resolve in the face of opposition. We pray that You give us the words to effectively counter anti-religious and atheistic ideas. Help us to prepare our hearts and minds, spirits and souls for the years ahead and days to come. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org. He writes the devotional blog “Heaven’s Highway.”

Today’s image is John’s latest drawing called “Sunflowers.” You can view a larger version online at the following link: Sunflowers. You can also view most of his art at his current website: Stushie’s Art

Daily Devotions: Textbook Mythbusters - Mark 11 v 6

Mark 11:6       They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go.

There’s a controversy brewing here in Knoxville which will probably become national. A biology honors textbook has a line in it which defines Creationism as: "the biblical myth that the universe was created by the Judeo-Christian God in 7 days." A local father has asked that the book be banned because it is biased against Christianity.

I was asked to give my opinion about it by the local TV station. I told them that I don’t believe that banning textbooks was a good thing. After all, the Church is in the business of teaching faith, not our public schools. If we are so insecure about what we believe and that the mere word ‘myth’ shatters it into a million pieces, then do we have any depth to our faith at all?

I’m all for freedom of religion and freedom of speech. If we ban the textbook in Knoxville, then we are giving in to fear and not truly expressing our faith. If we want to control our public schools so that Christianity is given a special status, then we no longer have freedom of expression and we may as well start burning witches again on Market Square.

I firmly believe that God created the Universe and that it is sustained by His will. I cannot scientifically prove that as a fact, but I feel it one hundred percent as an act of faith. I have accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior and I try to live my life according to His words and ways. I am not perfect. I still sin. I still make many mistakes. The fact that a school textbook refers to my beliefs as a mere myth does not unsettle me at all. I will continue to preach and teach that God made the world and that Christ is my Savior. To paraphrase Jesus: “textbooks may come and go, but the word of the Lord endures forever.”

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, every generation has its crosses to bear in the world. Every Christian is confronted with words and ways that will challenge cherished beliefs. Remind us that the battle has already been won and that the power of Easter’s New Creation cannot be diminished by mere words. Help us to express our faith through conviction and depth, and not by fear or anxiety. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s digital glass drawings called “creation.” If you would like to view a larger version, click on the following link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/traqair57/3640187690/sizes/l/

4 Minute Devotions: Celestial Song

Last night, I watched a movie that dealt with separation issues in a beautiful way – through the gift of music. It was called “August Rush.”

Podcast version here

Genesis 1:4 God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness.

I watched a great movie last night and it has become one of my top ten. I had been meaning to watch it for a while because my daughters told me it was terrific. I’ve also used some clips from the movie in the Sunday School class that I teach each week. So, at 11.15 PM last night, I began to watch “August Rush.”

It’s really an updated version of Oliver Twist (“Oliver!” is also in my top ten). The plot is about a young boy called Evan, who grows up in an orphanage, who has some amazing hearing and musical skills. As he listens to the world around him, he can hear all sorts of music and rhythms. He also believes that his parents, who unknowingly abandoned him, can hear that music too. Evan thinks that if he can write and play the music he hears in his head and heart, he will be reunited with his parents.

The music in the movie is beautiful and most of it is set in New York. Evan’s adventure is as delightful as Oliver Twist’s in London Town. The whole story is a musical journey and the characters, who lead separate lives, are wonderfully drawn together. The crescendo of the movie builds until it reaches both a musical and dramatical climax that had me in tears. It’s a great family movie, and I would recommend it to anyone. The separation issues in “August Rush” are beautifully overcome.

When God separated the light from the darkness in the creation of the universe, I wonder if He did it musically, as well as dramatically. I wonder if all the angels, who watched the universe being born, sang gloriously as God spun the galaxies, stars, and planets together. I would love to have been there, watching God as a Master Craftsman building the physical structure of the cosmos. And as He wove our planet into being, I wonder if God was whistling, humming, or singing.

Today, as I look at the world around me, I’m going to try to listen as well. I want to be keyed into the voice of God and hear what He is saying through all the interaction of life that is buzzing around me. I want to feel that I am ready to hear what He says and no longer be separated from His universal song. I want to listen to God singing; I want to join in the cosmic chorus.

Prayer: Lord God, life is truly amazing and this planet is a wonderful world. Help us to listen to Your voice and realize that there is music in all that You do and accomplish. Allow us to accompany You in the celestial song of Creation. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Religious News: Creationist Biologist Quits Post at Royal Society

From BBC News

Creationist Biologist Quits Post at Royal Society

Professor Michael Reiss has quit as director of education at the Royal Society following the controversy over his recent comments on creationism.

Last week Prof Reiss - a Church of England minister - said creationism should be discussed in science lessons if pupils raised the issue.

He was criticised by other scientists - though misquoted as saying creationism should be "taught" in science classes.

The society said some of his comments had been "open to misinterpretation".

This had damaged its reputation.

"As a result, Professor Reiss and the Royal Society have agreed that, in the best interests of the society, he will step down immediately as director of education - a part-time post he held on secondment," it said in a statement.

"He is to return, full time, to his position as professor of science education at the Institute of Education."

Read the rest of this story here…

Charles Darwin to Receive Apology from Church

Charles Darwin is to receive an apology from Church of England -126 years after his death

The Church of England is to officially apologise to Charles Darwin for misunderstanding his theory of evolution - 126 years after his death.

The Church the will address its contrition directly to the Victorian scientist himself.It will concede in a statement that it was over-defensive and over-emotional in dismissing Darwin's ideas, calling "anti-evolutionary fervour" an "indictment" on the Church.

The apology has been written by the Rev Dr Malcolm Brown, the Church's director of mission and public affairs.The statement says that Christians, in their response to Darwin's theory of natural selection, repeated the mistakes they made in doubting Galileo's astronomy in the 17th century, reports Telegraph.

An article to be posted on the Church's website will say: "Charles Darwin: 200 years from your birth, the Church of England owes you an apology for misunderstanding you and, by getting our first reaction wrong, encouraging others to misunderstand you still. We try to practise the old virtues of 'faith seeking understanding' and hope that makes some amends."

Opposition to evolutionary theories is still "a litmus test of faithfulness" for some Christian movements, the Church will admit. It will say that such attitudes owe much to a fear of perceived threats to Christianity. The apology will be made on Monday 15 Sept.

4 Minute Devotions: Fringes

Calvin called them the ‘attestations of God’s wisdom.’ He was referring to the wonders of nature and creation all around us, which lead us to having faith in a benevolent Creator. Whether it’s the majesty of magnificent mountains, the crashing of waves against the shore, or even looking at a blade of grass under a microscope, all of them inspire a feeling of awe and wonder within us, which can only be explained as a oneness with the creator.

Podcast version here

Job 26:14 And these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can understand the thunder of his power?"

I also like what Job has to say about these wonderful works of creation. To him, they were the outer fringes of God’s works; in other words, there are even greater things to experience about God. As I have written before, one of my hopes about being on the other side of death will be traveling throughout the whole universe and seeing everything that God has done. I want to watch stars being born and different planets. I want to feel the pleasure and delight that God has in His creativity. I want to be there when a new heaven and a new earth are created for the glorious purpose of a new beginning for humanity.

As I look out my study window, I see that the sky is overcast and that the trees have lost the brightness of their colors. But I know that very soon the sun will come out from behind the grey clouds and that these mere fringes of God’s creation will become bright and alive, beautiful and marvelous. All things attest to God’s wisdom and I feel both privileged and humbled to be a creature of His making, who experiences the wonders of His creating.

Prayer: Lord God, help us to take the time to feel the sense of wonder at the beauty which is all around us. No matter what we do or where we go today, remind us of the joy of creation and let us experience the awe of Your beauty. In the Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org