WOODLAND PRAISE

It is high noon and the sunshine pours

on the pine trees standing stately,

raising gateways and old ancient doors

as the woodland sings whom it adores—

everlasting praises greatly.

 

In the grove, there is magnificence,

The most highest name exalting;

glory, admiration, one can sense,

even stones cry out the difference—

everlasting King extolling.

 

On the frost beneath my grateful feet,

in cathedrals, high and lofty,

I thank my Savior there I meet,

who sits upon the right hand seat—

everlasting love graciously.

 

In stalwart groves, by icy streams,

through creation that is honoring,

magnifying Christ who rightly deems

from the woodlands to the sea that teems--

everlasting kingdom revering.

 

 

By him therefore let us offer

the sacrifice of praise to God continually,

that is, the fruit of our lips

giving thanks to his name.

But to do good and to communicate forget not:

for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Hebrews 13:15-16

 

WOODLAND PRAISE

When the sun shines through stalwart pines, we are reminded of God’s goodness to us. Praise lifted to Heaven is for God’s faithfulness.

And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten

cleansed? but where are the nine? There are

not found that returned to give glory to God,

save this stranger.

Luke 17: 17-18

Jesus, God incarnate, is the Great Mathematician, able to count and record everything. He had entered a village and met ten men with leprosy. The lepers stood afar off and lifted their voices to Jesus saying, “Master, have mercy on us”! Jesus then told them to go show themselves to the priests. And on their way, they were cleansed. When one of them saw that he was healed, he turned back and glorified God. He fell at the feet of Jesus, giving thanks. And he was a Samaritan.

Those who cried ‘Have mercy!’ were cleansed.

O give thanks unto the LORD;

for he is good:

because his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalm 118:1

Jesus knows who asks for mercy and who gives thanks. Our Savior never misses expressions of need and thanks given by any person, small or great, across all time. Unfortunately, not everyone cries to the Lord. Those who do not believe in Christ are not saved.

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Romans 10:13

Listen to the wind through the pines. Those who do not call upon the name of the Lord are not saved. Period. People who believe everyone goes to Heaven when they die regardless of what they had believed when alive do not know Truth.

He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.

John 1: 11-12

Power isn’t given to everyone. To be born of God is only given to those who receive Christ. Some people in church have come up with their own ideas. Contrary to scripture, they believe that everyone is a child of God and goes to Heaven regardless of whether or not the deceased had made a profession of faith when they had lived.

One cannot say our Creator does not know measurements. Never wishy-washy, God has always been deliberate, clear, and accurate.

Let them both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Matthew 13:30

Jesus, the Savior—our Savior—said He will separate the good part of the plant from the useless part. The tares, or non-believing people, will be bundled and tossed to Hell’s flames by Jesus. Those church people who do not accept that unbelievers go to Hell seem to be the same people who speak God’s name in vain.

The Great Mathematician keeps track of people who give thanks and those who do not.

Because that, when they knew God,

they glorified him not as God,

neither were thankful;

but became vain in their imaginations,

and their foolish heart was darkened.

Romans 1:21

So as we stroll through the stately pines, once seeds, let us remember that faith like a mustard seed is still better than no faith at all. Let us maintain an attitude of gratitude. Giving thanks to God helps ward off wayward, worldly ideas. Counting blessings keeps focus on what Jesus has done for us. Keeping a heart in a right relationship with God lessens discouragement. And praising God amidst turmoil is diversion therapy for our souls.

It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising the thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: then that house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.

2 Chronicles 5:13-14

Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

Psalm 107:8-9

Praise and prayer—there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, enjoying the woodland realm.

Happy Thanksgiving to you!

May you live a life trusting Jesus, gathering goodness!