By Pastor Mark Woodward
Maple Leaf Parish of the UMC Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston, and Spring Valley: Faith
Churches (and Lenora)
I stood on my front porch early this morning as the sun was creeping up over the horizon. Wow! What an incredible sight! The rays of sunshine were glowing reddish orange as wispy clouds swirled in the sky. Our God is an amazing painter – truly an amazing artist. I just stood there for a while soaking in the beauty and glory of the morning.
After being mesmerized by the beauty and glory of the sunrise, my thoughts turned to an old hymn written in about 1744 and attributed to Katholisches Gesangbuch and printed on page 185 of the current United Methodist Hymnal. “When Morning Gilds the Skies” reflects glory and praise given to God in Jesus Christ … It really spoke to me on that inspiring morning standing on the front porch … maybe it will speak to you as well.
“When morning gilds the skies my heart awaking crises; May Jesus Christ be praised! Alike at work in prayer, to Jesus I repair: May Jesus Christ be praised!
“The night becomes as day when from the heart we say: May Jesus Christ be praised! The powers of darkness fear when this sweet chant we hear: May Jesus Christ be praised!
“Let all the earth around ring joyous with the sound: May Jesus Christ be praised! In heaven’s eternal bliss the loveliest strain is this: May Jesus Christ be praised!
“Be this, while life is mine, my canticle divine: May Jesus Christ be praised! Be this th’ eternal song through all the ages long: May Jesus Christ be praised!”
I stood there a bit longer soaking in the radiant beams of light streaming over the eastern horizon. God was at work again creating a beautiful and glorious day and filling me afresh with the power and presence of his Holy Spirit. I looked again to the vivid colors filling the sky and wispy clouds floating overhead and paused and gave thanks to God for the blessing of his creation and the glory of life itself. May Jesus Christ be praised!
Please know just how much you are loved and have a blessed and joyful day today.
Your friend,
Pastor Mark Woodward
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