Oh, how I love your law!

30May
Oh, how I love your law!
All the day long it is in my mind.
Your commandment has made me wiser than my enemies,
And it is always with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers,
For your decrees are my study.
I am wiser than the elders,
Because I observe your commandments.
I restrain my feet from every evil way.
That I may keep your word.
I do not shrink from your judgments,
Because you yourself have taught me.
How sweet are your words to my taste!
They are sweeter than honey to my mouth.
Through your commandments I gain understanding;
Therefore I hate every lying way.
-Psalm 119:97-104


Like many of you, I enjoyed this year’s Tulane Book Festival. There were many wonderful authors, who were experts in their field. I wasn’t familiar with Dr. Frances Collins author of Faith, Science, and Ethics, but was intrigued by the topic. Recently, I have gone on YouTube to watch his presentation a couple more times and bought the book. His faith journey is fascinating. He was a medical researcher and physician who would often visit the hospital wards. Apparently, he was a good listener. On several occasions he listened to a patient who told him about her faith. One day she asked, “I have told you what I believe. What do you believe?” Dr. Collins was put on the spot. He thought he had some work to do to shore up his atheists’ beliefs. He came up short. Finally, after two years of reading and talking to people he became an evangelist. The brilliant mind of this scientist understood that the universe is an incredibly crafted place where matter and energy follow exclusive mathematical laws so fine-tuned that it can’t be a coincidence at all. He understood that in God’s creation, all the plants and animals have evolved and are here today, in part, because of survival of the fittest. Animal’s actions are not based on the concept of good and evil. But what about us? How do we fit in? God gave us the Ten Commandments celebrated in Psalm 119 and the eleventh, love your neighbor as yourself. Dr. Collins reasoned that good and evil are profound concepts that point to a creator who cares about us, one who is good and holy. His faith journey strengthened my beliefs. 

Musical Reflection - "Seek Hi Seek Lo" - Josh Garrels


Almighty and everlasting God, you made the universe with all its marvelous order, its atoms, worlds, and galaxies, and the infinite complexity of living creatures: Grant that, as we probe the mysteries of your creation, we may come to know you more truly, and more surely fulfill our role in your eternal purpose; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

-For Knowledge of God's Creation BCP p. 827

PsalmsEasterUnderstanding

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