'In the beginning...'

We all know the account of Creation recorded in the book of Genesis. Yet it is somehow easy to overlook the fact that God did indeed speak the heavens, earth, water, sun, moon, sky, land, plants, and animals into existence. As easily as my mind runs through my daily routine, He thought it and spoke it, and it was. The beautiful thing about nature, as opposed to man, is that it has no choice but to point to its Creator. It cannot fail to be proof of an artistic, logical, intelligent, purposeful, amibitious, powerful Designer. Unlike man, nature worships and glorifies its Maker 100% of the time. Certainly this pleases God. He said himself that it was good. Imagine how much more it must please Him if by his own will man enjoys and admires (worships) the Creator in His created world.

Sometimes you just need to get out of the city. This is exactly what I did this past Wednesday, but I wasn't expecting how the Lord would meet me there. "This is my Father's World".


I took a train about 1hr45mn away, yet I was still unbelievably within the Tokyo metropolitan limits! This is near the top of Mt. Mitake, very beautiful time of year. I walked over to the village in this picture; had lunch there; kept on walking and hiked behind what you see here for about 4hr30mn. It was perfect!


For those who want to see some real Japanese food. And it's not sushi! I ate 'nikku soba' for lunch. Nikku just means meat, and soba is a type of noodle common to Japan. It was quite yummy :-)


The cute little souvenir shop/restaurant where I had my lunch break.


A thatched roof house in the completely tiny village in the mountains. I can't remember the last time I saw a thatched roof, but I imagine it was in France.


This is the 2,000 year old Shrine at the top of Mt. Mitake. Can you imagine? Two thousand years ago people were climbing this mountain...going through all that trouble...to pray to nothing. That's a long history of idolatry for Japan.


This is a small part of the very steep and narrow path I went down to reach the waterfalls and rock gardens near the foot of the moutain.


Too bad I don't have my brother or father's photography talent, but it was terrific scenery down there.


Living water? Not quite, but they assured me it was delicious and safe to drink so I did. It was pretty good.

"This is my Father's world, and to my listening ears all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world: I rest me in the thought of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; his hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father's world, the birds their carols raise, the morning light, the lily white, declare their maker's praise.
This is my Father's world: he shines in all that's fair; in the rustling grass I hear him pass; he speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father's world. O let me ne'er forget that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father's world: why should my heart be sad? The Lord is King; let the heavens ring! God reigns; let the earth be glad!" (words by Malthie D. Babcock)