Greetings! Today I will begin with two prayer requests.

1. We have a relative approaching death; to our knowledge he has never accepted Christ; pray that he will come to Christ before passing.
2. This weekend I have three speaking engagements; pray that God will empower, guide and use what I share to change lives. Thanks.

Praise the LORD, for another sunny day with pleasant weather and a beautiful countryside: rich, warm morning sunshine streaming over the hills, casting long, deep shadows from the trees and buildings, bringing out every dip and rise in the land.

The trees are silver with dew, the river is clothed in shimmering wreathes of fog, flowers are peeking out from bushes, gardens and graveyards, the birds are joyfully flitting about and singing in the new day’s light.

You, O Lord God, are a lover of beauty, and are so gracious to share this visual feast with us, a breakfast for the eyes, a refreshment to the soul.

I praise you for your marvelous creativity, making all so practical and yet so beautiful. You could have made everything black and white, ugly and efficient—but you have chosen to clothe usefulness in gracefulness, practicality in beauty, efficiency in loveliness. You cover fruit trees with fragrant and colorful blossoms; you make water sparkling and pure; you give the hills and trees many shades of green.

Praise you that you do the same in our lives, making food festive, procreation pleasurable, worship wonderful, work rewarding, friendship fine and relationships rewarding.

May we walk in the lavishness of your love and the joy of your grace, enjoying your gift of beauty all day long.