Summer is upon us … the sun, sand and surf beckon. Living in the Okanagan Valley brings visitors from all over the country who flock into the area for warmth and water fun. Lazy, hazy days of conversing with visitors are sprinkled throughout July and August. A favourite pastime is to take them to the local landmarks and actually enjoy the beautiful area in which I live.

This week I was on such an excursion with my niece who was visiting. As I overlooked the valley from the top of Knox Mountain I caught anew a fresh perceptive of God's amazing creation.

How often I breeze by the vistas of lake and mountains when I should stop and stand in awe of One so great who has the power to create such splendour.

There is a title of God found in Genesis 14:19 that fits this topic beautifully. "God most high, Creator of heaven and earth." I would like to focus on the title Creator of Heaven and Earth.

We all can find beauty around us wherever we live if we stop long enough to breathe it in.

The Creator of Heaven and Earth has crafted a world of playgrounds to explore and share, but let's also enjoy right where we live.

Nature literally sings out God's reality. I love this verse. Isaiah 49:13 "Shout for joy, oh heavens; rejoice, Oh earth; burst into song, Oh mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones."

May I take a moment and encourage you this week to ponder and pop me a comment on one beautiful highlight about where you live. This one act will press you to become cognitive of the beauty that may otherwise pass you by. Like me, you will find yourself lifting your voice into the heavens with gratefulness.

Prayer…

Creator of Heaven and Earth, my designer, builder, originator of all beauty, come and fill me anew with thanksgiving for the wonder of creation. Help me to notice the grandeur in my hurried pace of life. Slow me down, so that I can savour you and all of creation, which is an expression of your glory.

Oh, Creator of Heaven and Earth, you are worthy to be praised. Amen. 

Here is a link to a video of this amazing world called Creator of Heaven and Earth by Jonathan Gardner. Sit back and enjoy.

• _{All Scripture taken from the NIV}
• _{Other Names of God that may encourage can be found on the following dates.1) Elohim-God - October 1, 2018 2) Abba Father - October 15, 2018 3) El Shaddai - October 22, 2018 4) The Truth - October 28, 2018 5) The Alpha & Omega - Nov. 5, 20186) Yahweh-Shalom - Nov. 12, 2018 7) God of All Comfort - Nov. 19,2018 8) The Rock - Nov. 26, 2018 9) Our Maker - Dec. 3, 2018 10) Our Defender - Dec.10, 2018 11)Immanuel - Dec. 17, 2018 12) The Bread of Life - Jan. 7, 2019 13) Yahweh-Nissi - Jan. 14, 2019 14) Yahweh-Rohi - Jan. 21, 2019 15) The Lord - Jan. 28, 2019 16) Deliverer - Feb. 4, 2019 17) Spirit of the Living God - Feb. 11, 2019 18) Yahweh-Rophe Part 1 - Feb. 18, 2019 19) Yahweh-Rophe Part 2 - Feb. 25, 2019 20) King of Kings -Mar. 4, 2019 (21) Adonai - March 11, 2019 (22) I AM WHO I AM - Yahweh, March 18, 2019 (23)The God of Love and Peace-Mar.25, 2019 9 (24) Elohim-a prayer from Daniel 2, April 1, 2019, (25) The Lamb - April 8, 2019 (26) The Savior - April 15, 2019 (27) Yahweh - April 29, 2019 (28) Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation - May 13 ,2019 (29) Jehovah or Yahweh? - May 20, 2019 (30) Bright and Morning Star - May 27,2019 (31) Sovereign LORD - June 3, 2019 (32) God of Hope - June 10, 2019 (33) The Bridegroom - June 17,2019 (34) The God of Glory - June 24.2019 (35) Prayer - July 1,2019 (36) Yahweh Shammah - July 22,2019 (36) Creator of Heaven and Earth - Aug. 5,2019}