Psalm 19:1-4: The heavens declare the glory of God,and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech,and night to night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words,whose voice is not heard. 4 Their measuring line goes out through all the earth,and their words to the end of the world.In them he has set a tent for the sun, 5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.

We have been on vacation for the last two weeks and this year we did something different. We sold our small 8 foot pop-up trailer and bought a few canoes, paddles, tents, and other camping gear and went "wilderness" or "interior" camping. While we had to work out a few bugs (and keep a few more bugs away), we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

One of the things that struck my wife Eva and I was the amazing creation. We had campsites on rocks, beside the beautiful waters, surrounded by trees and birds and quiet. We said a number of times to one another: Isn't it great being a Christian and knowing who created this magnificent creation? Non Christians are out in all this beauty and giving praise to "chance" or the impersonal "mother nature." We found that part of the enjoyment of our vacation was giving praise to God for the beauty of His creation.

There are many things I will remember: canoeing and fishing early in the misty morning waters; a rain storm that lasted a whole day and part way through Eva and I watch as a river of rain water flows directly underneath our tent; watching the children jump off the jumping rocks; campfires and stories and marshmallows and hotdogs; and many more. But one picture that was really imprinted on my mind was when we were paddling to our sight in Algonquin. Eva was in one canoe with my daughter and our dog and I was in another with the boys. It was a fairly big lake and we were going against the wind so we were both paddling like we were being chased and barely moving. I looked over one time and we were a fair distance apart. When I looked over, I saw my wife paddling against the choppy waves, the magnificent trees standing proud and a big grayish cloud approaching. It was not only beautiful, it was humbling. Eva and the canoe looked so small and God's creation so glorious.

Later on in the week, we experienced the storm that passed through the area, knocking out power for many cottagers. We were huddled under a tarp by a fire reading Harriet the Spy to the children when the clouds rolled in and the rain started to come. We continued to read as the thunder and lightening rolled in and the rain poured down (yes, another river flowed under our tent!) We stood amazed (and fearful) as we witnessed God's power. And again we were humbled by His awesome presence in creation.

Two thoughts: first, our God is an awesome God. We lose a sense of the awesomeness of God as we take refuge in our homes during storms. However, when placed against the backdrop of God's creation, we are insignificant. Second, our God is to be feared. We are going through the book of Revelation in our evening services and I kept thinking about the thunder and lightening and rumblings that surround the throneroom of God. It is a fearful thing to be in a great storm with only a tarp. One day all will stand before the presence of God with no tarp. Fear God and obey Him!