Get On Your Boots!

I'm looking forward to this weekend. For the first time in a long, possibly even since our six-year-old was born, Sarah and I are getting out into the countryside, just the two of us, with walking boots on, for a proper walk.

A chance to refresh, to recharge batteries after the long slog from Christmas, which has been more than a little bit busy, what with annual accounts, settling a second minister, as well as the numerous little bits of "real world", such as my day job, which inconveniently intrude into my time! But most of all, a chance to marvel in the wonder of creation and to see the brilliance of God's handiwork up close.

Now, I know the theological world can't agree on whether the natural world is an advertisment for God's existence, or whether we see God's hand at work in the natural world because he has revealed himself to us. I'm sure this is of huge importance to theologians, and no doubt Keith Neville will delight at some point in explaining to me why this is!

But for me, going into this weekend, the important thing is that God is there, in the beauty of his world, and that I am going to have the opportunity to experience it for myself. For once, even the rational, logical thinking machine that is me is looking forward just to experiencing things, without necessarily needing to understand, to taking pleasure in the good things of the world without worrying about the implications for the future, and perhaps above all, just to relaxing.

Of course, normal service will be resumed next week (with a presentation to Church Meeting, with terms and conditions of appointment to sort, and a whole host of other things brewing in the wings), so this is a much needed break for us both, at just the right time... and who knows, perhaps it will lead to new insights and some new blog postings? Maybe when I get back the theology of it all will interest me (well, it might!), But for now, I'm going to be content to enjoy my break, and celebrate the greatness of My God...

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Oh Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works thy hand hath made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed;

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
and hear the brook, and feel he gentle breeze;

And when I think that God his son not sparing,
Sent him to die - I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin:

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home- what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim, my God, how great thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!