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CONSERVING CREATION

By Sara Napier Leave a Comment

Photo by: katebartnik @ Flickr (Creative Commons)

Photo by: katebartnik @ Flickr (Creative Commons)

The first words in the Bible, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,” explain that God created the universe and everything in it (Genesis 1:1). Not only did he create everything, God also gave humans dominion and stewardship over the earth. Genesis 1:28 says, “And God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Our responsibility for God’s creation often gets worked into Sunday morning sermons and bible studies. It is both reassuring and humbling to think that God would entrust something so vast to our care. Countless worship songs have been written on the matter and endless Christian catch phrases focus on being thankful for the beauty of creation. It is surprising then that conservation has become a controversial issue for many in the church today.

It is both reassuring and humbling to think that God would entrust something so vast [like his creation] to our care.

Some think that conservation is simply green living and is just another word for ‘environmentalism.’ The two are actually a bit different. Environmentalism is a broad term for an entire movement that aims to protect the natural environment from harmful human activity. Conservation is a sort of sub-category to environmentalism and is mainly concerned with ecosystems, vegetation and wildlife—making sure that these areas are protected, preserved and restored. An example of conservation is rallying to prevent laying a giant oil pipe through a wildlife reserve. Christians interpret the idea of conserving the earth in different ways—some think that conserving God’s creation is a part of loving God and loving your neighbor, while others think that spending time worrying about conservation is unnecessary and may even hinder the spread of the gospel.

Respecting God’s Gift of Dominion

For some, respecting God’s creation is viewed as one of the fundamental beliefs of Christianity. It is considered an act of worship, a privilege of God’s children and an honorable responsibility. Most believers would agree that since God took the time to make us individually, with purpose and detail, we should treat God’s other creatures with similar care. Humans, animals and nature are all God’s creations made to work together.

Through conservation we are good stewards of God’s resources. As it says in Genesis 1:28 mentioned earlier, God gave us dominion (also defined as “exercise of control” or “authority”) over creation. By giving this responsibility to the male and the female, God certainly expects us to care for his creation. Note that we aren’t given ownership, only dominion—the way you might borrow a friend’s car and take care to return it in good condition. In Genesis 2:15 it says, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” To “keep it” suggests a duty to care for the earth and conserve the natural way God designed it to operate—just like Adam and Eve did in the garden. Creation works together like an orchestra—all the different members play a part in sustaining a beautiful and diverse harmony.

Other Christians disagree with this interpretation and see dominion as God giving humanity all of creation for their own use. The way in which humans use his creation is up to them. For example, if humans need water to drink and water their plants, then worrying about preserving the fish in the pond seems to harm people more than help them. With God giving humans dominion, that means he allows them to make the hard decisions about when and how to use his resources.

Preservation for Future Generations

Psalms 112:1-2 says, “Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments! His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.” This verse, like many other verses in the Bible, speak of future generations receiving God’s blessing by obeying God’s commandments. There is no doubt in scripture that the way one generation lives affects the next—for example, in 1 and 2 Kings the Israelite Kings’ poor leadership and the citizens’ sin bring about the downfall of their nation. In the same way, Christian conservationists believe that Christians should conserve today’s ecosystems and resources in order to avoid disaster for future generations.

Just as exercise and a balanced diet will produce desirable results in the human body, conservation is something that offers a tangible blessing. One example of conservation affecting future generations is the parameters put on fishing, like requiring licenses and enforcing specific seasons. By making sure that fish do not become extinct, rivers are able to sustain their ecosystem and remain beautiful and vibrant for future generations. Instead of only selfishly thinking of how you want to fish whenever you want, requiring licenses allows future generations to enjoy the river and enjoy a hobby of fishing for years to come. By being a good steward of God’s resources, without reaping all the benefits immediately, Christians can bless future generations.

On the other hand, some Christians believe we will find a solution to avert any disaster or serious situation that might come from neglecting conservation. Technologies like battery-powered vehicles, solar power and other methods of sustainable resources continue to advance and are helping to reverse some of the effects of our past environmental impact. It seems like only a matter of time before someone will create an alternative to the natural resources we’ve always relied on. If this is true, we don’t need to spend so much time worrying about preserving things, because future technology will fix all our problems. However, many still feel we shouldn’t always expect to be able to fix an outcome, but should be proactive to prevent damage to the earth and ourselves in the first place. Since we’re not collecting water from Mars, or iron ore from Neptune, even our filtration systems and alternative energy solutions rely on nature. Though we can create everyday substitutes to displace us from nature, there is no way for humans to create a replacement for God’s creation.

Some think that conserving God’s creation is a part of loving God and loving your neighbor, while others think that spending time worrying about conservation is unnecessary and may even hinder the spread of the gospel.

Christians unconcerned with conservation may argue that since Christ is coming back we do not need to be concerned for future generations. They know that when Christ comes at the end of all things, there will be a new heaven and a new earth. If God is going to make a new earth, why worry about conserving the present one? Also, because Christians hold to the promise that Christ is returning, it’s easy for them to assume that Christ will return before the earth becomes uninhabitable.

Loving Your Neighbor Means Good Health

Jesus said in Luke 10:27 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind,” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Many Christians see conservation as an expression of loving your neighbors because the deterioration of ecosystems and natural environments often directly affects the people living in close proximity to those areas. Oil spills can damage the livelihood of generations of fisherman. Production plants who don’t keep in check the toxic chemicals they emit can effect the ozone and allow more harmful ultraviolet rays to seep into the atmosphere. This causes an increased risk of skin cancer, asthma or allergies for those among the nearby communities.

Another reason that some Christians think conservation is loving to one’s neighbor is because caring for the environment could actually help future health discoveries. One example of this is the Amazon rainforest. Some people think that since it is so large, it doesn’t hurt to do logging and other forest clearing for human use. However, because the Amazon is so vast, there are plants and species living there that scientists haven’t even discovered. Already, humans use many plants as natural remedies for sickness, like ginger for a stomach ache. Destroying parts of the Amazon is potentially destroying undiscovered natural remedies and medicines for people.

A lot of Christians who like the idea of conservation initially may disregard it because of radical conservationists. Earlier this year in Sydney, Australia, a group had to be disbanded by riot police over a protest to preserve 80-year-old trees outside of a library. The Bible makes it clear that our actions should be honoring to God. Taking a love for creation to the extreme of rioting quickly becomes dishonoring. Since there are radical individuals, a lot of conservationists get unmerited negative attention. This is similar to the way some people claim to follow Christ but live a life that goes against his examples. Ironically, some Christians find it difficult be a conservationist while separating themselves from protesters or select politicians. Rather than causing problems, Christians concerned with conservation view their care for the environment as a way to serve God and serve their neighbor.

Provision

For some Christians, conservation seems like a lack of faith. The Bible teaches that God loves us and will provide. In verses like Romans 8:28-39 and Matthew 19:26 we learn that when we have faith in him, all things are possible. For some, it feels like conservation is a lifestyle that doubts the power of God by assuming that he will not provide more resources. In Acts 14:16-17 Paul preaches about God’s provision, “In the past, he let all nations go their own way. Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” Other Christians argue that through “dominion” he has already given us all we could ever need and he is trusting us to use what he’s already given wisely. Luke 16:10 says, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” (NIV) If we are to ruin what we’ve already been given, can we be expect to receive more?

It is not that people do not care about the conditions of living environments; instead some feel that we must touch the lives of the people spiritually in those environments first.

Priority

In Matthew 28:18-20 it says “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” This is often called the great commission. For some, it is simply not the job of everyone to care for the planet. Some feel we should take responsibility for our own actions but to go any further, like to fight for the health of other communities or ecosystems across the globe is a waste of time. The average person is lucky to make it to their 80th birthday. We have limited time on this earth so we must take the time to live to the fullest for God.

Sharing the gospel is a priority for Christians and for some, to spend time preserving forests, purifying polluted water and planting vegetation seems like it gets in the way of witnessing to people. However, this idea may act more as an excuse than an evangelistic mindset. It is not that people do not care about the conditions of living environments; instead some feel that we must touch the lives of the people spiritually in those environments first. So while they are not actively against conservation, they simply feel evangelism is their top priority. If there is time left over to focus on the environment, then it is okay to work in that area.

Loving God and loving your neighbor does not need to be polarized on one side of the debate or the other. Building a fresh water well, preserving a natural habitat or planting trees to improve air quality can serve a need. These are some great ways to show the love of God to a whole community of people whether it’s for a small village, an urban garden or a suburban neighborhood. In Matthew 25:35-46 the Bible says that when we help others, it is as though we are doing it to God. There are also situations when people do not need or want help with their natural habitat. They are simply hungry for God, and need Jesus first before other work should be done.

For as many people as there are rallying to stop overfishing in an area, there are going to be the same amount or even more that disagree entirely. Some simply feel powerless against the free will of others when there is strong opposition. While not everyone feels defeated before the battle is fought, some simply don’t see a need to get involved or develop an opinion at all. They feel the issues of environmentalism and conservation have nothing to do with their life.

Perhaps a reason there is such apathy towards conservation is that some people are just confused. Conservation is tied to strong opinions and it’s often hard to decipher both sides. Some may dislike the idea just because it seems pointless. Others may dislike it because of what has been associated with it. Some may love everything about it and some may just be tired of hearing about it. No matter the belief, it is clear that the topic of conservation is important. As Christians, even if we’re not sure what we believe on the matter, we should keep our hearts open to see every side of the subject. Our responsibility is to figure out what we believe the Bible teaches and do our best to honor God.

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With our busy get-up-and-go lifestyles, it might s With our busy get-up-and-go lifestyles, it might seem more difficult than ever to find time for God or where we can fully make time for the essential aspects of the Christian life like prayer and Bible reading. Yes, like working out or eating healthy, it comes down to the priority and importance of those things in our lives and whether or not they’re important enough to us. At the end of the day we will make time for the things that are most important to us in our lives. Though God is not a “thing” to be fit into our schedules, I believe it’s more than possible to make a place and priority in our lives for connection with him.⁠
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“Hear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country. When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit. And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them. Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.”⁠
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Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:⁠
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“‘The stone that the builders rejected⁠
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Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”⁠
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When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them. And although they were seeking to arrest him, they feared the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet. [Matthew 21:33-46 ESV] || For more of these eventful 24-hours for Jesus, read Matthew 21:20-25:46.⁠
"I wanted to take my own life. It was a dark and s "I wanted to take my own life. It was a dark and scary time, and it was only God who prevented this act from occurring.  When I was going through this period of anguish and anxiety I did not think that I would ever again enjoy the sunshine as God meant for me to enjoy it. Yet it was this dark pit, devoid of any light or even an atom of hope, that brought me to the place where I was able to reach for light from the only true source of eternal light."⁠
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📖⁠ On the following day, when they came from 📖⁠
On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.⁠
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And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching. And when evening came they went out of the city. [Mark 11:12-19 ESV]
How do I get my life together when it seems like a How do I get my life together when it seems like a mess?” That is how I translate Psalm 119:9. Most English language Bibles use something similar to the NIV’s translation of “How can young people keep their way pure?” However, I am no longer a young man, and the word “pure” does not seem to apply to all of the ways that I feel like I stumble. For me, the word “pure” sounds like it has more to do with a priest in the book of Leviticus getting ready for a ceremony. I am also not an ancient Israelite priest. Instead, when I think of the ways I fail in my own life, they are more akin to what Paul describes in Romans 7, when he says, “what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.”⁠
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✍🏽: @jefffrelatable in "Trading Bad Habits for Zakah" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"Holy Week, a central point of remembrance during "Holy Week, a central point of remembrance during the Christian calendar, focuses upon the death and resurrection of Jesus. This is no surprise. Had Jesus not risen from the dead, our faith would be useless, and we would still be guilty of our sins (1 Cor. 15:17).⁠
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Holy Week helps us reflect upon the last week of Jesus’ life. There are a number of ways that Christians celebrate Holy Week, but there is a common commitment to expressing deep gratitude for Christ’s death and celebration of his resurrection! –@lukegeraty in Elevating Easter⁠
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Everyone has experienced a “wilderness season” Everyone has experienced a “wilderness season” before, perhaps more than once. A wilderness season is when you feel stuck or lost in a difficult situation, and your only options are to endure patiently and wait with the expectation that the situation will eventually pass or be resolved. For some people, this period may last a few days, for others it may last years—or for so long that it feels like it will never end.⁠
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We all encountered a wilderness season at the same time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses closed their doors—some for good. Anticipated events were cancelled. Schools closed with awkward transitions into remote learning. Jobs were lost, hours were cut. Those who lost loved ones were unable to gather to mourn their dead. Church services became virtual, and some may remain that way.⁠
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✍🏽: Chitara Ellis in "Waiting In The Wilderness" | Continue reading at newidentitymag.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
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Sadly in our world today, kindness has lost its va Sadly in our world today, kindness has lost its value. But as we see from some of the examples in Scripture, kindness is to be shown in all of our interactions with others. It is a gift from God through the work of the Holy Spirit, and taught by Jesus Christ. We can no longer walk past. Now, more than ever, we need to bring kindness back. We have to especially show the younger generation’s constant examples of kindness. We can hold the door for one another; allow someone to go ahead of us in line. Smile with compassion at the clerk whose line is one person too long and everyone is staring at him or her as if it’s their fault. ⁠
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✍🏽: Crystal Alexander in "Kindness: The Forgotten Fruit"  Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
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Charles Swindoll writes, “Wisdom isn’t somethi Charles Swindoll writes, “Wisdom isn’t something that is exclusive to those who have exceptional IQs or advanced degrees. Rather, wise behavior in the eyes of the Lord comes as a result of obeying the Lord’s commands.” Resist the urge to think that a smart person with a lot of knowledge is wise. Author Paul David Tripp says there “is a huge difference between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is an accurate understanding of truth. Wisdom is understanding and living in light of how that truth applies to the situations and relationships in your daily life. Knowledge is the exercise of your brain. Wisdom is the commitment of your heart that leads to transformation of your life.” ⁠
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✍🏽: Christopher L. Scott @the_christopherscott in "God, What Do You Want Me To Do With My Life?" Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"While you can spend time in God’s creation appr "While you can spend time in God’s creation appreciating his beauty, or with him in prayer, you can also get to know him more intimately through his Word."⁠
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✍🏽: Christopher L. Scott @the_christopherscott in "How Anyone Can Study The Bible"  Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"Discovering God’s will and finding direction fo "Discovering God’s will and finding direction for your life from God is like the lead and follow of dancers. God’s the lead. You are the follow and must know the lead and respond to him."⁠
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✍🏽: Christopher L. Scott @the_christopherscott in "God, What Do You Want Me To Do With My Life?" Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
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"The Creator of the Universe promises to be with y "The Creator of the Universe promises to be with you. You’re not alone. You’re his. And as long as he has work for you to do on this earth, you’re immortal. Sparrows don’t hit the ground without his knowledge, and the hairs on your head are numbered. He’s got you."⁠
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✍🏽: T.J. Woodard in "Be Anxious For Nothing"  Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"If Jesus is speaking with subordinates, those wit "If Jesus is speaking with subordinates, those without power, he is instructing them to actively and non-violently make the statement that they are also human beings worthy of dignity. To turn the left cheek after being backhanded on the right was a statement of human dignity."⁠
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Prayer isn’t about making the things we selfishl Prayer isn’t about making the things we selfishly want happen; it’s about making us want what God wants.⁠
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✍🏽: @sarahjoysly in "Prayer - The Alignment of Our Souls With God"  Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
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“The world is indeed full of peril, and in it th “The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.” – Haldir⁠
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In Lothlorien, Haldir is encouraging a downcast Fellowship with a glimpse of the larger story in which they find themselves. His words reflect the apostle Paul’s encouragement to the church, that we “do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope” (1 Thess. 4:13). For there is a form of grief from which there is no recovery – one in which there is no resurrection of the dead. If death is the final word, then we must suffer grief without hope, grief that diminishes our love for life because of the crushing weight of the loss we’ve experienced. But Tolkien believed that death was not the end; therefore, we may experience the beautiful juxtaposition in our own lives of deep sorrow mixed with rivers of joy. Instead of crippling us, our grief may actually help to cultivate in our character the virtues of faith, hope, and love that are necessary to continue to carry our heaviest burdens. ⁠
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✍🏽: @slimkeman in "Memorable Middle Earth"  Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
#faithhopelove #lotr #thefellowshipofthering #thelordoftherings #middleearth
The Bible stresses that despite our differences we The Bible stresses that despite our differences we are called to love each other above our political positions. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:12-14). You may feel like how politics and religion intersect in the public sphere communicate the exact opposite of this, and you’d be right. Media outlets report drama and conflict. Gracious and loving political opponents are not newsworthy.⁠
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✍🏽: Matthew Hamilton in "Our Identity In Christ Is Always Greater"  Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
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#politics #voting #love #loveyourneighbor #loveyourneighbornotmattertheirpolitics
The trees, with their bark, the skin of the forest The trees, with their bark, the skin of the forest, with its scars and wrinkles, lean toward me, and brush me with their limbs. The leaves beg me to examine their veins. “Have you seen this?” Each different, but each spectacular. The infinite busy creatures. The carpet of green, the dome of blue.⁠
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A few moments later, I feel like an amazing creature in a world amazingly made. I feel the astounding power of God, where the smallest thing around me, a leaf, an ant, is more complicated, and alive and amazing than anything humanity has ever thought of.⁠
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Really, there is nothing like it. The author C.S. Lewis noted that the best place to take a non-believing scientist or a real thinker is nature.  Eventually the noise of God in nature is deafening.⁠
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Once you’re in that place, just a few minutes into your walk, your mouth will hardly be able to keep from pouring out praise to God. It becomes so easy. Connecting to God like that, in praise, as a consequence of observing nature, is so freeing and so empowering that you will return to your office balanced and ready, clear headed and encouraged.⁠
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The prayer that most blesses God, most blesses the one who prays it. And there is almost no easier way than from within the sanctuary of nature, which itself raises up its branches to him in prayer with every sunrise.⁠
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✍🏽: Tom Koel in "Muting The Noise of the World - Deconstructing The Prayer Hike for City Dwellers"  Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
📷: Photo by Lum3n from Pexels⁠
#prayerhike #prayerworks #prayandpraise #prayerwalk #timewithgod #prayerchangesthings #heispraiseworthy #faithjourney
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