"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we eagerly wait for it." Romans Chapter 8, Verses 18-25, from the Legacy Standard Bible

For today's edition, being number 3,721, I bring you greetings for what I know to be a string of recollections, repeats, and rusty reflections on this Tuesday, July 22, 2025. I was looking over the list of historical events that happened on this day and I saw where in 1918 some 504 sheep were killed by lightning out in one of the national parks in Utah. And, that's why they used to call it an act of God. I'm not sure that's allowed in today's politically correct environment. It may be referred to as an act of nature or maybe for some, Mother Nature. For those who read their Bibles, well, it's settled truth, The Gospel of John, Chapter 1, verses 1-4: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men." Also the Apostle Paul's inspired testimony in his letter to the Colossians, Chapter 1, Verses 15-20, speaking of Jesus the Christ: "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, And in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, And through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross—through Him—whether things on earth or things in heaven." No my friend, not Mother Nature, but rather as the old hymn put it, "This is my Father's world." Do I understand all the details stated in this Bible verses? Not on your life, however, I can accept and embrace them as being the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. How? Only by faith. And, my faith is always a work in progress that stands daily in need of God's direction and guidance. Amen.

 

I mentioned the hymn, 'This is my Father's World'. It was a poem written by Presbyterian Minister, Maltbie Babcock, ( 1859-1901). The poem was set to music using a tune written by Franklin Sheppard and was published after Babcock's death. How he came to write the lyrics is interesting and it can be found in the Wikipedia article about this song. It was in all our hymnals and song books that I was exposed to growing up. Our fallen nature sometimes rebels against accepting the premise of creation itself being in the hands of The Creator, our Sovereign God. Yet, this truth is emphasized from Genesis to the Book of the Revelation. It is. There were a large number of stanzas in his poem, but, here are the most often used lyrics found in most hymn books:

 

This is My Father's World

 

This is my Father's world,
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
 

This is my Father's world:
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father's world,
The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
Declare their maker's praise.
 

This is my Father's world,
He shines in all that's fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father's world.
O let me ne'er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
 

This is my Father's world:
why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let the earth be glad!

 

Okay. That's enough to any of us to say grace over. Don't you agree? May God be with you is my prayer as we continue our sojourn here on the planet. Amen.