"The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein" (Psalm 24:1). "Then God said, 'Let the earth produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds'. And it was so. The earth produced vegetation: seed-bearing plants according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good" (Genesis 1:11,12).

Yesterday we drove through a scenic part of Lebanon County. This is one of our favorite country drives.

Following an early morning chaplain visit we had breakfast at the Richland Railroad Diner, which sits right beside a busy freight rail line in Richland, PA. I enjoy watching trains go by as Brooksyne and I eat our breakfast: mine was the country skillet (anything with skillet in it sounds good to me) and Brooksyne had strawberry cream baked oatmeal, along with a steaming hot cup of black coffee.

This part of the county is very rural and seems in a number of ways to be a step back into time. We even get that vibe in the diner which is very popular with the conservative Plain people. We sat next to a three generation family and Brooksyne commented it looked like a Norman Rockwell picture. It warmed our hearts as they bowed their heads in prayer before "digging in" to their hearty breakfasts.

Then we drove through the country and took several photos which we share today. Every setting brought to our mind hymns like, "For The Beauty Of The Earth" or "I Sing The Mighty Power Of God".

So many have never learned the Biblical teaching of our origins and about God who created all things or they have rejected this truth. What a joy to awaken today, look outside and express praise to the God of creation! "By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible" (Hebrews 11:3).

Consider the stirring acclamation of David in our daily verse. The shepherd, who had spent so much time in natural settings, proclaimed "the earth is the Lord's". Contrast this to the famous statement by the late Carl Sagan, who confidently proclaimed "The cosmos is all there is", to the nodding "amen" of scores of secularists. Carl Sagan and the scores of unbelieving secularists will stand before a great White Throne and bow before the Father and Creator of all things and proclaim "I was wrong" and "Jesus Christ is Lord."

Today, we encourage you, wherever you live, to observe the beautiful creation of God. Take some extra time to observe the often overlooked blessings of God's creation and give praise to the God who has created and rules the universe.