Listen in as Alexei talks with Sandra McCracken an independent singer-songwriter whose smart, soulful blend of folk and gospel is as progressive as it is timeless. Alexei and Sandra talk about her upbringing and her exposure to birding. They talk about some of her favorite creation centered hymns including "This is my Father's World" by Maltbie D. Babcock and one of her recent projects Rain for Roots (featured below) which includes the song "God Makes Everything." Listen in as she talks about a recent convesration she had with Peter and Marinda Harris of A Rocha International on the role of hope in creation care. Alexei and Sandra talk about what role creation plays in reminding us of our need for God and about resources for children including these bible studies for children from A Rocha USA.

You won't want to miss this. Be sure to listen in!

Over the past 13 years, McCracken has released seven studio albums and two duo EPs with her husband Derek Webb; most recently, she has teamed up with a side band, Rain for Roots, to record and produce an album of children's songs. She is a founding contributor of the Indelible Grace hymn project, and her re-tuned hymns are sung in congregations across the country. McCracken currently lives, writes, and records at her home in East Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband, Derek Webb, and their two children.

Great worship song by Hillsong. Come Lord Jesus.

The delight of God's people and God's creation in the steadfast love of the Father!

by Third Day

by Dean Ohlman

These words from the lyrics written by Jack Hayford come to my mind when the sun returns from the south and brings with it the gifts of spring. Although there can hardly be a more dramatic change created by spring than in the Great Lakes region, the changes created by nature's Easter in the desert are a drama of a different sort.

I recently spent a couple weeks with my brother and sister-in-law at their home in Palm Desert, California my annual spring tonic. Although it was still a bit early and a bit too dry for the typical profusion of desert wildflowers, the south-facing slopes and washes were beginning to bloom with hints of that glorious day prophesied by our Scriptures:

KEY SCRIPTURE:

"The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God." (Isaiah 35:1-2)

The majestic nature of this special divinely created celebration is repeated every year for us as a sort of sacrament of worship instituted by the Creator for nature: His general revelation. What is wonderful is that the joy of creation's celebration is visible to us, who are created in His image, and makes it possible for us to rejoice at the thought of our own future resurrection at which time nature will have been restored, redeemed, and reconciled to God. At that grand moment we will finally see in all its fullness our relationship with the natural world, a relationship that we too often fail to understand: "For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God" (Romans 8:19-21).

Perhaps then every material part of God's creation in its own nature will join with us in repeating Pastor Hayford's words (Sing along with this YouTube version of it. Click on the back arrow to return to the post):

Majesty, worship his majesty;
Unto Jesus be all glory, power and praise.
Majesty, kingdom authority flow from His throne;
Unto his own His anthem raise.
So exalt lift up on high the name of Jesus;
Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus the King.
Majesty, worship his majesty:
Jesus who died now glorified,
King of all kings.

Here's a version of Caedmon's Call

You can find more of Dean Ohlman's writing's at Wonder of Creation.

A good way to start your day. "When We See you, We find Strength to Face the Day"

by Alexei Laushkin

Wanted to bring forth an excellent older hymn that reminds us that Jesus himself has set us aside for the work of the kingdom. The hymn echoes Psalm 1:3 when the psalmnist talks about the way of the righteous:

3 He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither

Jesus has rooted each of us into the true vine of the kingdom and placed us beside an ever flowing stream of water from which we can draw the strength and wisdom we need to accomplish the work set before us each day. The faithfulness of God is reflected in the Creation itself to bring life and fullness in every land.

As a Tree Beside the Water

Words & Music: Al­fred H. Ack­ley, 1906

As a tree beside the water,
Has the Savior planted me;
All my fruit shall be in season,
I shall live eternally.

Refrain

I shall not be moved,
I shall not be moved,
Anchored to the Rock of Ages,
I shall not be moved.

Though the tempest rage around me,
Through the storm my Lord I see,
Pointing upward to that haven,
Where my loved ones wait for me.

Refrain

When by grief my heart is broken,
And the sunshine steals away,
Then His grace, in mercy given,
Changes darkness into day.

Refrain

When at last I stand before Him,
Oh, what joy it will afford,
Just to see the sinner ransomed,
And behold my sovereign Lord.

Refrain