original grace

Once again, I find myself overwhelmed on my birthday. I can't believe that God wanted me. There is no other explanation for my birth. He wanted me. He knew me before anyone else knew me. The Bible says that He knit me together. Since then, He has never forgotten me. He has provided. He has sustained. He has abundantly given me more than I need. He has allowed me to experience pain in order that I might know His love. He has been my best friend and He has never let me go no matter how many times I try to run away. He has accepted me even though I have doubted.

Most of all, I can't believe He wanted me before I was born, knowing I would rebel against Him. He knew all of me, even the ugliest places of my heart, and He wanted me anyways. And He calls me beautiful anyways! What crazy love?

His original grace preceded my original sin. And on top of that, He knowingly chose to experience death so that I would never have to face it myself. I can't believe He wanted me here. Much less can I believe that He wanted me to live and never die. How am I to ever repay Him?

"Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother's womb. My praise is continually of you." -Psalm 71:6

a tiny offering of worship

Right now, my Betta fish (adopted from Colleen) has been blowing bubbles for the past two weeks. When male betta fish are happy with their environment, they make bubble nests in hopes that a female will come around so they can have little baby bettas.

Oftentimes, we don't know if there will be a physical reward for our work. But even the smallest of sea creatures was not made to sit idle. Work is a subject that I admittedly do not completely understand. What I do know is that God has given us intelligence, endurance and creativity. If my Betta fish does not let his abilities go to waste, I probably should not either.

I see Shamu's bubble blowing as his own form of worship. He has made different patterns and different sized bubbles. What is SO awesome is that Shamu and I have the same Maker. And we both have the opportunity to use all that we have to praise our Maker, in unison with all the creatures of the universe.

the rocks will cry out

I just adore this man & his fascination of our King's work. This is a must see.

Credit: NASA, ESA, and M. Livio and the Hubble 20th Anniversary Team (STScI)

I could look at Hubble Space Telescope photographs forever.