Ùrnaigh 4: Tha sinn gad mholadh

Agus thug Dia gliocas do Sholamh, agus tuigse ro mhòr, agus farsaingeachd cridhe mar a' ghaineamh a tha air tràigh na mara. Agus bu mhò gliocas Sholaimh na gliocas uile chlann na h-àird an ear, agus na uile ghliocas na h-Eiphit... Agus labhair e trì mìle gnàth-fhacal; agus b’e àireamh a dhàn mìle agus còig. Agus labhair e air craobhan, on chrann-seudair a tha ann an Lebanon, eadhon gu ruig an hiosop a dh’fhàsas a-mach as a’ bhalla; labhair e mar an ceudna air ainmhidhean, agus air eunlaith, agus air nithean a shnàigeas, agus air èisg. (1 Rìgh 4:29-33)

Thug an Tiarna eagna agus tuiscint thar chuimse do Sholamh agus croí chomh fairsing le gaineamh na trá. Sháraigh eagna Sholaimh eagna mhuintir an Oirthir go léir agus eagna na hÉigipte...Chum sé trí mhíle seanfhocal, agus ba mhíle agus a cúig líon a dhuanta. Thrácht sé thar chrainn ón gcéadar sa Liobáin go dtí an íosóip a fhásann ar an mballa; thrácht sé thar ainmhithe agus thar éin, thar phéisteanna agus thar iasc. (1 Ríthe 5:9-13 [4:29-33][An Bíobla Naofa])


Athair,

Tha sinn gad mholadh airson craobhan mòra is beaga; 

       - airson gliocas saidheins is ealain.

Tha sinn gad mholadh airson duilleagan, geugan is fàinnean-fàis; 

       - airson gliocas matamataig. 

Tha sinn gad mholadh airson fànas-craoibhe 3-thomhaiseach;

       - airson gliocas triantanachd is ealain-snaight. 

Tha sinn gad mholadh airson luasgain gheugan sa ghaoith;

       - airson gliocas cinèitig agus danns.

Tha sinn gad mholadh airson èirigh-snodhaich agus foto-cho-chuir;

       - airson gliocas fisig is ceimig. 

Tha sinn gad mholadh airson eun is feòragan air meanglain; 

       - airson gliocas fìor bhith-eòlais. 

Tha sinn gad mholadh airson radharc is claistinn is beantainn is blais;

       - airson gliocas mhothachais.

Tha sinn gad mholadh airson co-leanailt structair is rian;

       - airson gliocas loidsig. 

Tha sinn gad mholadh airson gach cuimhne a dhùisgeas na croinn;

       - airson gliocas eachdraidh. 

Tha sinn gad mholadh airson arbre is Baum is craobh is dendros; 

       - airson gliocas cànanachais. 

Tha sinn gad mholadh airson àite còmhraidh is cuairt, is àirneis-taigh; 

       - airson gliocas eòlais-comainn. 

Tha sinn gad mholadh airson aire air stòras pailt agus gann;

       - airson gliocas eaconamais. 

Tha sinn gad mholadh airson peantaidh is bàrdachd is ciùil; 

       - airson gliocas estètig.

Tha sinn gad mholadh airson comharraidhean-tìre is crìochan is seilbh; 

       - airson gliocas eòlais-lagha. 

Tha sinn gad mholadh airson roghainn is stiùbhardachd is modh; 

       - airson gliocas eitig. 

Tha sinn gad mholadh airson freumhan na cinnt;

       - airson gliocas dia-eòlais is feallsanachd. 

Tha sinn gad mholadh airson Craobh na Beatha;

       - Is aithreach leinn Craobh an Àicheidh. 

Tha sinn gad mholadh gu bheil Esan a fhuair bàs air a’ Chraoibh 

       A-nis air A dhèanamh ar Gliocas.

________________________

God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. Solomon's wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt… He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. He described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. (1 Kings 4:29-33)

Father,

We praise You for trees great and small; 

       - for the wisdom of science and art.

We praise You for myriad leaves and branches and growth-rings; 

       - for the wisdom of maths and arithmetic. 

We praise You for arboreal 3-dimensional space;

       - for the wisdom of trigonometry and sculpture. 

We praise You for the sway of boughs in the wind;

       - for the wisdom of kinetics and dance.

We praise You for sap-rise and photosynthesis;

       - for the wisdom of physics and chemistry. 

We praise You for birds and squirrels among branches; 

       - for the wisdom of true biology. 

We praise You for sight and sound and touch and taste;

       - for the wisdom of sensibility.

We praise You for coherence of sylvan structures and systems;

       - for the wisdom of logic. 

We praise You for tree-mediated memories;

       - for the wisdom of history. 

We praise You for arbre and Baum and craobh and dendros; 

       - for the wisdom of linguistics. 

We praise You for shade as we talk, glade as we walk, tables and chairs; 

       - for the wisdom of sociology. 

We praise You for awareness of plentiful and limited resources;

       - for the wisdom of economics. 

We praise You for tree-inspired painting and poetry and music; 

       - for the wisdom of aesthetics.

We praise You for landmarks and boundaries and accountability; 

       - for the wisdom of jurisprudence. 

We praise You for choice and stewardship and tact; 

       - for the wisdom of ethics. 

We praise You for the roots of assurance;

       - for the wisdom of theology and philosophy. 

We praise You for the Tree of Life;

       - We repent of the Tree of Apostasy. 

We praise You that He Who died on the Tree 

       Has now become our Wisdom.

Ùrnaigh 3: An Tighearna, mo Charraig

A' Ghealach, NASA/JPL/USGS, Misean Ghalileo 1992

Agus thubhairt cuid de na Pharasaich o mheasg an t-sluaigh ris, A Mhaighistir, cronaich do dheisciobail. Agus fhreagair esan, agus thubhairt e riu, Tha mi ag ràdh ribh, nam fanadh iad sin nan tosd, gun glaodhadh na clachan fhèin. (Lùcas 19:39-41)

Agus cuid de na Fairisínigh a bhí sa slua, dúirt siad leis: “A Mháistir, cuir ceartú ar do dheisceabail.” D’fhreagair sé agus dúirt: “Deirim libh, má bhíonn siad seo ina dtost, screadfaidh na clocha amach.” (Lúcás 19:39-41 [An Bíobla Naofa])

Oir glaodhaidh a’ chlach a-mach as a’ bhalla; agus freagraidh an t-sail as an fhiodh i…Gu cinnteach lìonar an talamh le eòlas glòir an Tighearna, mar a tha na h-uisgeachan a’ còmhdachadh na fairge. (Habacuc 2:11,14)

Óir tá na clocha féin ag glaoch amach ón mballa agus tugann na bíomaí freagra orthu ón gcreatlach adhmaid.... Óir líonfar an tír le heolas ar ghlóir an Tiarna mar a chlúdaíonn an t-uisce grinneall na mara. (Habacúc 2:11,14 [An Bíobla Naofa])

A Thighearna,

Is toigh leam na molagan mìne dathte ud air an tràigh. Tha e còrdadh rium, ‘s mi leam fhìn, tè a chur rim bhathais. Cho fionnar. Doimhneachdan sàmhach nan cuan a’ tighinn fa-near dhomh. Dìomhaireachd tìme. Is toigh leam an dlùth-bheantainn, a Thighearna. An nì fisigeach. Saoil an robh sin gu ìre nad inntinn a thaobh aran is fìon a’ chomannachaidh? Beantainn is smaointinn. An nì ro bheachd man nì.

Is e seòrsa de chlach mhòr a th’anns a’ Ghealach cuideachd, nach e? Crochte an siod sna speuran dorcha. A’ deàrrsadh le sàmhchair slànachail “Mar fhianais dhìleas ann an nèamh” (is toigh leam tionndadh Fraingis):

“Tant que la lune sera là, fidèle témoin, derrières les nuages” (Psaume 89: 38 [37]).

Is toigh leam a bhith coimhead ris a' Ghealaich. Saoil carson a bheil i cho còsach is millte? Tha mi smaointinn mu dhèidhinn d’aodainn-sa fhèin. Tha an salmadair ag eubhachd: “Till sinn, a Dhè, agus thoir air do ghnùis dealrachadh, agus saor sinn” (Salm 80:3). Tha Isaiah ag ràdh: “Is cho mòr a’ mhì-mhaise a rinneadh air a aghaidh, seach aon duine” (Isaiah 52:14). Thusa mar a’ Ghealach. Solas is creuchdan.

Tha d’Fhacal gu tric gad shamhlachadh ri cloich. Laoidh Mhaois ag ràdh:

A chionn gum foillsich mi ainm an Tighearna:

thugaibh-se mòrachd dar Dia-ne.

Is Esan a’ charraig, tha a obair iomlan;

oir is breitheanas a shlighean uile:

Dia na fìrinn agus gun eucoir,

cothromach agus ceart tha Esan...

An ann mar seo a dh’ìocas sibh don Tighearna,

O shluaigh amaidich agus gun chèill?

Nach Esan d’athair a cheannaich thu?

Nach do rinn E thu agus nach do dhaingnich E thu?...

Air a’ charraig a ghin thu tha thu mì-chuimhneachail,

agus tha thu dearmadach air an Dia a dhealbh thu. 

(Deuteronomi 32:3,4,6,18)

Tha Daniel ag ràdh gu bheil am Messiah mar chloich “a dh’fhàs na sliabh mòr, agus lion i an talamh” (2:35).

Thuirt Thusa fhèin: “A’ chlach a dhiùlt na clachairean, rinneadh i na cloich-chinn na h-oisne” (Mata 21:42).

Agus tha fhios gun deach d’adhlacadh am broinn cloiche. Agus chaidh clach mhòr a charachadh air beulaibh an dorais. Gu h-annasach, tha sin a’ toirt na mara dham chuimhne a-rìst, a Thighearna. Thuirt Thu: “Oir mar a bha Iònas ann am broinn na muice-mara trì làithean agus trì oidhchean, is ann mar sin a bhios Mac an Duine ann an cridhe na talmhainn trì làithean agus trì oidhchean.” (Mata 12:40).

Tha fhiosam gu bheil mi dol caran fada le seo, ach tha e inntinneach dhomh gu bheil raon magnaiteach aig cridhe na talmhainn. A thaobh do cheusaidh thuirt Thu: “Agus mise, ma thogar suas on talamh mi, tàirngidh mi na h-uile dhaoine am ionnsaigh" (Eòin 12:32). Chan e dìreach clach a th’annad. Is e clach-iùil a th’annad!

Ach seo an samhla as fheàrr a chòrdas rium, a Thighearna. A thaobh clann Israeil san fhàsaich, sgrìobh Pòl na faclan iongantach ud: “oir dh’òl iad den charraig spioradail sin a lean iad: agus b’i a’ charraig sin Crìosd” (1 Cor 10:4). Ann an dòigh, cha b’e Canaan am fìor Thìr a’ Gheallaidh idir. B’e a’ Charraig ud. Thusa fhèin. A’ Charraig ud a bha còmhla riu fad an t-siubhail. A tha còmhla ruinne fad an t-siubhail.

“Beannaichte gu robh an Tighearna, mo Charraig” (Salm 144:1)

_______________________

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it. (Luke 19:39-41 NIV)

The stones of the wall will cry out, and the beams of the woodwork will echo it…For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. (Habakuk 2:11,14 NIV)

Lord,

I like those smooth pebbles with their variegated colours. When I’m alone You know I love to hold one to my forehead and feel its soothing coolness. Sense the silent depths of oceans and the mysteries of time. I like the immediate contact, Lord. The physicality of it. Maybe I’m wrong, but I imagine that is partly what You have in mind with the communion bread and wine. Touch. Actuality over abstraction.

I suppose in a sense the Moon is one big rock too, Lord, hanging there in the night sky, shining with healing quietness. You call it your “faithful witness in the sky” (I like one of the French translations):

“Tant que la lune sera là, fidèle témoin, derrières les nuages” (Psaume 89: 38 [37])

I like gazing at the moon. Why is it so cratered and devastated? What has it witnessed? I think of Your own face, Lord. The psalmist cries out “Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us that we may be saved” (Psalm 80:3). Isaiah says “His visage was marred more than any man” (Isaiah 52:14). You and the moon. Light and scars.

Lord, Your Word often seems to liken You to Rock. The Song of Moses says:

I will proclaim the name of the LORD .

Oh, praise the greatness of our God!

He is the Rock, his works are perfect,

and all his ways are just.

A faithful God who does no wrong,

upright and just is he…

Is this the way you repay the LORD,

O foolish and unwise people?

Is he not your Father, your Creator,

who made you and formed you?

You deserted the Rock, who fathered you;

you forgot the God who gave you birth." (Deuteronomy 32:3,4,6,18)

Daniel says that the Messiah is like a “rock which becomes a huge mountain and fills the whole earth” (2:35).

You Yourself said: “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone” (Matt 21:42 NKJV).

And of course You were entombed inside a rock. And a big stone was rolled over the doorway. Strangely, that now reminds me of the sea again, Lord. You said “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matt 12:40 NIV). 

I realize I am pushing it a bit, Lord, but it interests me that the actual heart or core of the earth has a magnetic field. Of Your crucifixion You say: “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." (John 12:32 NIV). You are not just Rock, are You? You are “Magnetic” Rock! You are Loadstone!

But here’s the one I like best, Lord (and I think I am on “solid ground”!) Regarding the children of Israel in the wilderness, Paul writes the remarkable words “for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.” (1 Cor 10:4 NIV). In a sense the promised land wasn’t really Canaan at all, Lord, was it? It was that Rock. It was You. With them all the time. With us all the time.

“Blessed be the LORD my Rock” (Psalm 144:1 NKJV)

Ùrnaigh 2: Na h-eòin os ar cionn

"Sealgairean san t-Sneachd" le Pieter Bruegel, 1565

"Fhuair eadhon an gealbhan taigh, agus an gòbhlan-gaoithe nead dhi fhèin anns an cuireadh i a h-àlach; d'altairean-sa a Thighearna nan slògh, mo Dhia, agus mo Rìgh." (Salm 84:3)

An gealbhan féin, fuair sé teach;

fuair an fháinleog nead di féin

mar a gcuirfeadh sí a hál ag d’altóirí;

a Thiarna na slua, a rí liom is a Dhia. 

(Salm 84:4 [3] [An Bíobla Naofa])

A Thighearna,

Nad ionad-falaich. Nad ionad-dìon. Is e sin a th’annadsa. Nuair a tha sinn a’ faireachdainn beag bìodach is lag is critheanach.

Na gealbhonnan gleadhrach gràisgeil. Na gòbhlanan-gaoithe saigheadach gu h-àrd. Saoil am bi mòmaidean acasan de chlaoidh nearbhach? De bhristeachd? De iomnaidh do-ghiùlan mu shàbhailteachd an cuid cloinne? Is ann air iteig chugatsa a thig sinn, a Thighearna. A dhol am falach annad. Ar n-àl nar n-uchd.

Cinnteach gu bheil cùram agadsa fiùs air do chreutairean as lugha: "Nach eil dà ghealbhan air an reic air feoirling: agus cha tuit a h-aon dhiubh air an talamh as eugmhais freasdal ur n-Athar-se. Ach tha eadhon fuilteanan ur cinn uile air an àireamh. Air an adhbhar sin na biodh eagal oirbh, is fheàrr sibhse na mòran ghealbhan.” (Mata 10: 29-31)
Nach mbíonn na gealbhain leathphingin an péire? Agus ní thitfidh gealbhan acu as an aer gan fhios do bhur nAthair. Maidir libhse, fiú amháin ribí bhur gcinn tá siad uile comhairthe. Mar sin, ná bíodh aon eagla oraibh; is mó is fiú sibhse ná dá liacht na gealbhain! (Matha 10: 29-31 [An Bíobla Naofa])

“Thugaibh fa-near na fithich” "Breathnaígí na fiacha dubha" (Lucas 12:24). “Thugaibh fa-near na h-eòin”. Is e sin a dh’inns Thu dhuinn. Tha ar n-inntinn a' tionndadh dha na calmanan-puist ud aig àm a’ chogaidh, a’ strì dhachaidh os cionn spreadhaidhean is srapnail a’ bhlàir. A’ giùlan fiosrachaidh chudromaich, sgròchailte le peann is inc air pàipear fillte. Ach ciall na teachdaireachd fada os cionn inc is pàipeir.

"A Ierusaleim, a Ierusaleim, a mharbhas na fàidhean, agus a chlachas an dream a chuirear ad ionnsaidh, cia minig a b'àill leam do chlann a chruinneachadh ri chèile, mar a chruinnicheas cearc a h-eòin fo a sgiathan, agus cha b'àill leibhse! (Mata 23:37)
“A Iarúsailéim, a Iarúsailéim, tusa a mharaíonn na fáithe agus a chlochann iad seo a cuireadh chugat, cad é chomh minic is ab áil liom do chlann a bhailiú, ar nós mar a bhailíonn an chearc a hál faoina sciatháin, agus níorbh áil libh! (Matha 23:37 [An Bíobla Naofa])

Cuidich sinn, a Thighearna, a thuigsinn gu bheil gach eun, mar gach creutair, a’ giùlan teachdaireachd chudromaich bhuatsa chugainn, ‘s sinn ri strì tro bhuaireas ar beatha làitheil. Teachdaireachd còdaichte ann an DNA, ach a dh’èireas fada os cionn gintinneachd a-chum na h-uibhir de ìrean-fiosrachaidh eile.

“Ach dhuibhse air a bheil eagal m' ainme-sa èiridh Grian na Fìreantachd le slàinte na sgiathan.” (Mal 4:2)
"Ach, maidir libhse, a thugann ómós do m’ainm, éireoidh oraibh grian na fíréantachta, a bhfuil íocshláinte ina gathanna aici" (Mailicí 3:20 [4:2] [An Bíobla Naofa])
Chì mi na faoileagan crochte cho ciùin an siod sna speuran, a Thighearna. Gun spàirn idir an aghaidh sgal na gaoithe. Coltas sèimh imfhiosach orra. B’àill leam gum biodh comas agam dèiligeadh ri draghan an là mar sin.

A Thighearna, teagaisg dhòmh dè th'ann am fasgadh. Teagaisg dhòmh àrd-itealaich. Teagaisg dhòmh àrd-bhrìgh mo bheatha, a dh’èireas fada os cionn na h-aimhreit gu h-ìosal. Fada os cionn DNA. Cho fada ‘s tha sìorraidheachd os cionn tìme.

____________________

Even the sparrow has found a home,
And the swallow a nest for herself,
Where she may lay her young—
Even Your altars, O LORD of hosts,
My King and my God. (Psalm 84:3 NIV)

Dear Lord,

Some place to hide. Some place safe. That’s what You are, Lord. When we feel small and vulnerable and trembling.

Those raucous gregarious hedge sparrows. Those high-flying speed-king swallows. Do they too have moments of emotional exhaustion? Of inner brokenness? Do they too go near witless about their children’s wellbeing? We fly to You, Lord.  Hide in You. Bring our young to You.

Knowing you care for even the most seemingly commonplace of Your creatures. "Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matt 10: 29-31)

“Consider the ravens” (Lucas 12:24). “Consider the birds”. That’s what You told us to do. We think even of those wartime carrier pigeons weaving their desperate way home above the buffeting shocks and shrapnel of the battlefield. Carrying vital information, scribbled with pen and ink on folded paper. The import far transcending ink and paper.

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Matt 23:37)

Help us to realize, Lord, that all birds, like all creatures, carry from Yourself an imperative message to us, struggling as we do through the troubles of our daily lives. A message coded in DNA, yet soaring far above the genetic into so many realms of experience. 

“But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings” (Mal 4:2)

I see those seagulls hanging exquisitely there in the sky, Lord. Not at all in a flap at the contrary air-currents. But looking so relaxed and intuitive. I wish I could meet the pressures of the day like that. 

Lord, teach me to shelter. Teach me to soar. Teach me the high meaning of my life, my exquisite life, which far transcends the strife below. Which far transcends my DNA. As far as eternity transcends time.

Ùrnaigh 1: Aighear nan Earball

"Agus ghabh an Tighearna Dia an duine agus chuir e e ann an gàrradh Edein, ga shaothrachadh agus ga ghleidheadh… Agus dhealbh an Tighearna Dia as an talamh uile bheathaichean na macharach, agus uile eunlaith nan speur, agus thug e iad a-chum Adhaimh, a dh'fhaicinn cionnas a dh'ainmicheadh e iad: agus ge bè ainm a thug Adhamh air gach creutair beò, b'e sin a b'ainm dha. Agus thug Adhamh ainmean don sprèidh uile, agus do eunlaith nan speur, agus do uile bheathaichean na macharach." (Genesis 2:15,19,20)
"Thóg an Tiarna Dia an duine agus chuir i ngairdín Éidin é chun é a shaothrú agus aire a thabhairt dó...Chum an Tiarna Dia dá bhrí sin as an talamh ainmhithe an mhachaire go léir, éanlaith an aeir go léir, agus thug sé i láthair an duine iad féachaint cen t-ainm a thabharfadh sé orthu: cibé ainm a thabharfadh an duine ar gach dúil bheo, sin é a bheadh mar ainm air. Thug an duine ainm ar an eallach go léir, ar éanlaith an aeir go léir, agus ar na hainmhithe allta." (Geineasas 2:15,19,20 [An Bíobla Naofa])

Athair,

Tha an sealladh seo cho drùidhteach. Mar phàrant gràdhach a’ togail bog-dhèideig fa chomhair leinibh agus a’ faighneachd, “Dè tha seo? Cò seo tha tighinn air chèilidh ort?”  Aighear an uairsin ri oidhirp an leinibh freagairt a dhèanamh.

Chì sinn as ùr cuideachd mar a bhrosnaicheas Tu ar feòrachas saidheansail is ealanta – an spreigeadh a-staigh ud gus an saoghal a thuigsinn. Meòrachadh air dubhcheist an domhain. Dealanaich an lèirsinn air a leantainn le tàirneanaich an labhairt.

Ach nar peacadh agus aineolas bheir sinn ainmean-brèige do na beathaichean. Gan glacadh am broinn chèidsichean-inntinn. Am broinn bhucasan cairt-bhùird de chlisèidhean. Fosgail ar n-inntinnean a-rìst, a Thighearna. Thoir dhar cuimhne gu bheil a h-uile bheathach mar Aslan, allaidh ann an dòigh a-choireigin le “Thusa-achd”. Tha bun-chiall nam beathaichean ag èaladh às bhuainn. Oir is ann bhuatsa tha an ciall ud a’ sruthadh. Agus tha Thusa neo-chrìochnach.

Cha ghlacar an ciall fiùs am broinn cèids-inntinn mhòr àrd-theicniceach pròiseict-ghìonoim. Oir chan eil ann an Ceimig ach aon leabhar san Leabharlann. Loidsig mòrchuiseach fhèin an aon rud. Togaidh an Fhìorachd a h-uile doras Leabharlainn far a lùdagan. Mar sin bu chòir dhuinn coinneachadh rid bheathaichean gu slàn agus gu bitheil. Le ioraslachd agus le iongantas. San aon dòigh, cha mhòr, a thèid sinn an taic riutsa. Oir ann an seagh tha sinn a’ coinneachadh riutsa tromhpasan.

Thoir tuigse duinn, ma-thà, nach deach do chreutairean a chur chugainn gu bhith nan ciomaich againn ach gus ar leigeil ma sgaoil. Gus na cèidsichean sa bheil sinn fhèin an sàs a dh’fhosgladh. Gus ar teagasg gu bhith a’ ruith, a’ streap, a’ snàmh, a’ tumadh, ‘s a’ dol air iteig.

Agus oh! tapadh leatsa, a Thighearna, airson aighear nan earball! Mar shnas-sgeadachadh fo ainm sgrìobhte… 
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The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it…Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field." (Genesis 2:15,19,20 NIV)

Father,

This scene is so poignant. Like a doting parent holding up cuddly toys before an infant and enquiring, ‘What’s this? Who is this that has come to see you?’ Then delight with the child’s attempts to identify each guest.

We see afresh too how You encourage scientific and artistic curiosity – that inner impulse to analyse reality. We brood on the unknown, and the lightning of insight is followed by the thunder of utterance.

Yet in our sin and ignorance we can misname the animals you bring to us. Trapping them in hideously cramped concept-cages. Allowing them to languish and perish in cardboard-box clichés. Open our minds again, Lord. Remind us that, like Aslan, all creatures are somehow forever wild with Youness. Their meaning ultimately evading us, because that meaning flows from the infinite You.

So even the vast high-tech concept-cage of a genome project cannot contain their meaning. For Chemistry is but one book in the Library. As is even haughty Logic itself. In the end, Actuality unhinges all Library doors. Thus we should meet Your creatures holistically and existentially. Humbly and wondrously. Almost as we meet You. For in a sense we meet You in them.

Help us then to appreciate more and more how Your creatures are not sent to be imprisoned by us but to set us free. To open the cages we find ourselves trapped in. To teach us to run, and climb, and swim and dive and fly.

And oh! thanks for the exuberance of tails, Lord! Like a flourish beneath a signature…
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Feedback:

|I'll need to get that mousse recipe from you! It looks delicious! 

Neil,
Your joke actually goes straight to the heart of my post. We are more and more brow-beaten by the prevailing humanist belief-system which insists that the mouse (as well as the "mousse"!) can be reduced to chemical ingredients (DNA/ genome sequence). Of course the chemistry can be accurate enough as far as it goes, but if the chemistry is presented as the beginning and end of the creature, we are faced with an anti-Biblical reductionism -  a hideous "mechanicalism" which threatens to make robots of us all:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7305469.stm

As Christians we must surely believe that the mouse far transcends any chemical "recipe". Its meaning is in some real and wonderful sense inexhaustible, because that meaning flows from its Creator Who is inexhaustible. 

Dooyeweerd argues that nothing temporal has "meaning in itself" - the attempt to assert such is apostasy. Also, with his "sphere-sovereignty" approach, Dooyeweerd insists that the "biotic" cannot be reduced to the "chemical/physical". The "sentient" cannot be reduced to the "biotic". The "analytic" cannot be reduced the "sentient". And so on: 

http://www.dooy.salford.ac.uk/aspects.html

Van Til tells us that just as God cannot be reduced to "One" or "Three", so God's creation is also pervaded by that self-same unfathomable tri-une mystery. 

Christ tells us "Consider the lilies", "Consider the ravens". He informs us that God notes each sparrow which falls. He likens Himself to a mother hen wishing to gather her chicks.

Proverbs tells us "Go to the ant". 

The psalmist tells us that the swallow finds shelter for its young ones by the altar of God. 

The sung psalm says "We are His sheep, He doth us feed". 

The mouse is about God. 

The mouse is about us. 

This is why I find Attenborough's programs so insidious. Utterly apostate reductionist science packaged and sold to us by hugely compelling cutting-edge visual art (and where, tell me, would Darwinism have got to without the pivotal collusion of artists?).

But the mouse still brings home the groceries....

F.