Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I met with the Living God as He woke up the world, and it would be humanly impossible not to be moved by His Majesty on a morning like this one. Lots of people give lots of credit to lots of other things besides a Mighty God for what they see; as if they can easily explain away the universe. But if they look closely at the world around them with a set of eyes eager to take it all in; they’d see that it can’t be explained away as “nature” or “the universe” or something brought forth by some “cosmic boom” or by anything other than the Hand of an Amazing Creator. There’s a big difference between worshiping the planet and worshiping the One who Created the planet, and when it comes to God; that’s a Deal Breaker.

Contrary to popular belief, there is nothing more precious to God than His people. Not trees and not bees, Not dogs or cats or horses…but His People. If any of these things have a soul and a shot at Eternity the way people do; He would have said so. Man has “dominion” over the earth and there is no doubt that God wants us to take pleasure in it all…it’s a beautiful thing to commune with nature. He wants us to be good stewards over our world and He wants us to give Him the Praise and the Glory for it all. God says “I’m a jealous God” and that “thou shalt have no other gods before me”. He wants to be front and center…He wants to be first and foremost…and He wants to be given the glory for ALL of Creation! That’s pretty clear from where I’m sitting. But we live in a world that sometimes goes a giant step beyond just being good stewards, and it teeters on having other gods before Him instead. There’s a big difference between worshiping nature and worshiping the One who Created it….a precious Gift from God for man to enjoy…and it all began in the Garden of Eden.

It’s so easy to accuse someone of allowing “money to be their god” when their time and attention is all given to getting more of what they love. But what happens when it comes down to other things that get our time and our attention more than anyone or anything else…including God? What happens when it’s our pets that we’d lay our own lives down for and we put their needs above everything and everyone one else? What happens when our disaster relief efforts are focused more on providing for the needs of the homeless pets than providing for the needs of His homeless People? How is it possible that we issue warnings about leaving pets outside on a cold winter’s night, but there are no warnings about the homeless people that often freeze to death on our streets? How can it be that people go to jail for hurting a dog or a cat, but people walk free for murdering their babies? How is it possible that parents can abuse their own children year after year and never lose custody, but when someone abuses a dog, all bets are off? How is it possible that famous athletes can beat their wives or their girlfriends like savage beasts, and yet the “show” still goes on; but if they strike a dog or treat them with cruelty, they’re off the field, off the payroll and inside the jail? How is it possible for us to put forth so much effort to find loving homes for dogs and cats while so many children rot in foster care longing for the same thing?

I saw the Master’s Hand this morning in the tree in this photo, in the fields around me, in the deer, the birds, the cows and even the cat that I’ve somehow semi-permanently adopted, and I love them all. I understand that I am to have dominion over all of them and I’ll treat them with respect that ALL of His Creation is worthy of. But God’s people will always be my biggest priority and their Destiny my biggest Mission. People Created with a Plan and a Purpose in mind and People He died for.

How about you?

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these BROTHERS and SISTERS of mine, you did for me.’ – Matthew 25:35-40