God’s Character, God’s Character, ContinuedContinued

God is a Creative God and He is God is a Creative God and He is Worthy to Be Praised!Worthy to Be Praised!

Patti PlettACF Youth Salt Factory NightOctober 27, 2010

Purposeful Reflection and WorshipPurposeful Reflection and Worship

Instructions:Instructions: Spend about 2 min. at each station, following the Spend about 2 min. at each station, following the

path. Read the comment and follow the instructions.path. Read the comment and follow the instructions. Use this time to reflect on the wonders God has Use this time to reflect on the wonders God has

created.created. This is an individual activity so please keep talking to This is an individual activity so please keep talking to

a minimum.a minimum. If you’re waiting for someone to move on, listen to If you’re waiting for someone to move on, listen to

the music and appreciate the sounds, the lyrics, and the music and appreciate the sounds, the lyrics, and the fact so much comes together to make the sound the fact so much comes together to make the sound you’re hearing.you’re hearing.

Station: Water DropletsStation: Water Droplets

Notice how a single droplet of water reflects what is Notice how a single droplet of water reflects what is around it.around it.

Notice how droplets of water magnify the details of Notice how droplets of water magnify the details of what is underneath the drop.what is underneath the drop.

Think about the fact our bodies are made up of about Think about the fact our bodies are made up of about 90% water. Water is so important to our survival. 90% water. Water is so important to our survival.

Take time to thank God for fresh drinking water and Take time to thank God for fresh drinking water and the beauty in nature we see because of water – lakes, the beauty in nature we see because of water – lakes, rivers, oceans, and tiny droplets of water.rivers, oceans, and tiny droplets of water.

Station: Beautiful coloursStation: Beautiful colours

Appreciate the colours we see in nature.Appreciate the colours we see in nature. Think about the fact there are seemingly an Think about the fact there are seemingly an

endless variety of colours that exist in our endless variety of colours that exist in our world.world.

Think about places you’ve been where you’ve Think about places you’ve been where you’ve seen amazing colours in nature. As you seen amazing colours in nature. As you remember, put yourself back in that place and remember, put yourself back in that place and re-experience it. Appreciate the beauty.re-experience it. Appreciate the beauty.

Station:Station:Things aren’t always as they seem to be until Things aren’t always as they seem to be until

you zoom in and pay attention to details.you zoom in and pay attention to details.

First look at the picture on your left. What do you First look at the picture on your left. What do you see? see?

Now look at the picture on your right. Take note of Now look at the picture on your right. Take note of the flower stem. At first glance, from a wider the flower stem. At first glance, from a wider perspective, it is hard to notice the flower stem is perspective, it is hard to notice the flower stem is covered in beetles.covered in beetles.

Station: Creation shows God’s Station: Creation shows God’s CreativityCreativity

Read the following passage.Read the following passage. Meditate* on the lines that ‘jump’ out at you.Meditate* on the lines that ‘jump’ out at you.

* Meditate – Examples: think about in a worshipful way, reflect, * Meditate – Examples: think about in a worshipful way, reflect, use the line as part of prayeruse the line as part of prayer

Psalm 104 Psalm 104 1-13 The Message1-13 The Message

O my soul, bless God! God, my God, how great you are! beautifully, gloriously robed, O my soul, bless God! God, my God, how great you are! beautifully, gloriously robed, Dressed up in sunshine, and all heaven stretched out for your tent. Dressed up in sunshine, and all heaven stretched out for your tent. You built your palace on the ocean deeps, made a chariot out of clouds and took off on You built your palace on the ocean deeps, made a chariot out of clouds and took off on wind-wings. wind-wings. You commandeered winds as messengers, appointed fire and flame as ambassadors. You commandeered winds as messengers, appointed fire and flame as ambassadors. You set earth on a firm foundation so that nothing can shake it, ever. You set earth on a firm foundation so that nothing can shake it, ever. You blanketed earth with ocean, covered the mountains with deep waters; You blanketed earth with ocean, covered the mountains with deep waters; Then you roared and the water ran away — your thunder crash put it to flight. Then you roared and the water ran away — your thunder crash put it to flight. Mountains pushed up, valleys spread out in the places you assigned them. Mountains pushed up, valleys spread out in the places you assigned them. You set boundaries between earth and sea; never again will earth be flooded. You set boundaries between earth and sea; never again will earth be flooded. You started the springs and rivers, sent them flowing among the hills. You started the springs and rivers, sent them flowing among the hills. All the wild animals now drink their fill, wild donkeys quench their thirst. All the wild animals now drink their fill, wild donkeys quench their thirst. Along the riverbanks the birds build nests, ravens make their voices heard. Along the riverbanks the birds build nests, ravens make their voices heard. You water the mountains from your heavenly cisterns; earth is supplied with plenty of You water the mountains from your heavenly cisterns; earth is supplied with plenty of water. water. You make grass grow for the livestock, hay for the animals that plow the ground. You make grass grow for the livestock, hay for the animals that plow the ground.

Psalm 104 Psalm 104 14-30 The Message14-30 The Message

Oh yes, God brings grain from the land, wine to make people happy, Oh yes, God brings grain from the land, wine to make people happy, Their faces glowing with health, a people well-fed and hearty. Their faces glowing with health, a people well-fed and hearty. God's trees are well-watered — the Lebanon cedars he planted. God's trees are well-watered — the Lebanon cedars he planted. Birds build their nests in those trees; look — the stork at home in the treetop. Birds build their nests in those trees; look — the stork at home in the treetop. Mountain goats climb about the cliffs; badgers burrow among the rocks. Mountain goats climb about the cliffs; badgers burrow among the rocks. The moon keeps track of the seasons, the sun is in charge of each day. The moon keeps track of the seasons, the sun is in charge of each day. When it's dark and night takes over, all the forest creatures come out. When it's dark and night takes over, all the forest creatures come out. The young lions roar for their prey, clamoring to God for their supper. The young lions roar for their prey, clamoring to God for their supper. When the sun comes up, they vanish, lazily stretched out in their dens. When the sun comes up, they vanish, lazily stretched out in their dens. Meanwhile, men and women go out to work, busy at their jobs until evening. Meanwhile, men and women go out to work, busy at their jobs until evening. What a wildly wonderful world, God! What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful You made it all, with Wisdom at your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations. creations. Oh, look—the deep, wide sea, brimming with fish past counting, sardines and sharks Oh, look—the deep, wide sea, brimming with fish past counting, sardines and sharks and salmon. and salmon. Ships plow those waters, and Leviathan, your pet dragon, romps in them. Ships plow those waters, and Leviathan, your pet dragon, romps in them. All the creatures look expectantly to you to give them their meals on time. All the creatures look expectantly to you to give them their meals on time. You come, and they gather around; you open your hand and they eat from it. You come, and they gather around; you open your hand and they eat from it. If you turned your back, they'd die in a minute — Take back your Spirit and they die, If you turned your back, they'd die in a minute — Take back your Spirit and they die, revert to original mud; revert to original mud; Send out your Spirit and they spring to life — the whole countryside in bloom and Send out your Spirit and they spring to life — the whole countryside in bloom and blossom. blossom.

Psalm 104 Psalm 104 31-35 The Message31-35 The Message

The glory of God—let it last forever! The glory of God—let it last forever!

Let God enjoy his creation! Let God enjoy his creation! He takes one look at earth and triggers an earthquake, He takes one look at earth and triggers an earthquake, points a finger at the mountains, and volcanoes erupt. points a finger at the mountains, and volcanoes erupt.

Oh, let me sing to God all my life long, Oh, let me sing to God all my life long, sing hymns to my God as long as I live! sing hymns to my God as long as I live!

Oh, let my song please him; Oh, let my song please him; I'm so pleased to be singing to God. I'm so pleased to be singing to God.

But clear the ground of sinners — no more godless men and women!But clear the ground of sinners — no more godless men and women!

O my soul, bless God! O my soul, bless God!

Station: The EyeStation: The Eye

Notice the colours in her eye.Notice the colours in her eye. Is she Happy? Sad? Thoughtful?Is she Happy? Sad? Thoughtful? Consider how our eyes express so much – how we are Consider how our eyes express so much – how we are

feeling – whether we are happy, sad, worried, or feeling – whether we are happy, sad, worried, or whether we are concentrating on something.whether we are concentrating on something.

Consider our ability to focus, to think, to concentrate. Consider our ability to focus, to think, to concentrate. Thank God for the ability he has given each of us to Thank God for the ability he has given each of us to experience emotions, to think, to focus and experience emotions, to think, to focus and concentrate.concentrate.

The complexity of humans is an The complexity of humans is an awesome wonder!awesome wonder!

Psalm 139 Psalm 139 13-14 NIV13-14 NIV

For you created my inmost being; For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Station: Up close vs. Big PictureStation: Up close vs. Big Picture

Notice the details of a single stalk of grain.Notice the details of a single stalk of grain. Consider the beauty of a field of grain that is made up Consider the beauty of a field of grain that is made up

of millions and probably billions of single grain of millions and probably billions of single grain stalks.stalks.

Think about times when you’ve seen a beautiful Think about times when you’ve seen a beautiful landscape. Mountains? A lake scene? The ocean? A landscape. Mountains? A lake scene? The ocean? A field? Take time to re-experience that. Think about field? Take time to re-experience that. Think about the wind on your face, the sounds you heard (like a the wind on your face, the sounds you heard (like a bird in the distance or the leaves rustling in the wind, bird in the distance or the leaves rustling in the wind, the view, the people you were with). Experience that the view, the people you were with). Experience that joy.joy.

Station: The sun(flower)Station: The sun(flower)

Notice the way the sun is shining through the Notice the way the sun is shining through the sunflower petals.sunflower petals.

Notice the tiny details of the flower.Notice the tiny details of the flower. Remember a time when you were outside and Remember a time when you were outside and

the sun was shining. Remember what it feels the sun was shining. Remember what it feels like to have the sun shining down on you. like to have the sun shining down on you. Experience that warmth. Experience that warmth.

Station: Laughter and JoyStation: Laughter and Joy

What makes you laugh? What brings you joy?What makes you laugh? What brings you joy? Think of at least 5 things that make you laugh Think of at least 5 things that make you laugh

or bring joy to your life that are not necessarily or bring joy to your life that are not necessarily ‘nature’ or people. Thank God for these things.‘nature’ or people. Thank God for these things.

It’s ok to laugh or smile when you’re thinking It’s ok to laugh or smile when you’re thinking about these things. God sees you’re happy and about these things. God sees you’re happy and He is happy too!He is happy too!

Station: The CherryStation: The Cherry

• Imagine this. You’re walking in the woods and come Imagine this. You’re walking in the woods and come across some cherries. They look sweet. Delicious. And oh across some cherries. They look sweet. Delicious. And oh so tempting. You take one cherry, pop it in your mouth … so tempting. You take one cherry, pop it in your mouth … and Yuck! Bitter. Dry. Need water immediately! [Believe and Yuck! Bitter. Dry. Need water immediately! [Believe me, I did this! Doesn’t it look tasty?]me, I did this! Doesn’t it look tasty?]

• What things in your life look tasty, look really amazing, What things in your life look tasty, look really amazing, then taste awful, like this cherry? If anything comes to then taste awful, like this cherry? If anything comes to mind, talk to God about it. Feel free to talk to a youth mind, talk to God about it. Feel free to talk to a youth leader or an adult in your life if you need more help to deal leader or an adult in your life if you need more help to deal with it.with it.

Station: The PathStation: The Path

What comes to mind when you see this picture What comes to mind when you see this picture of the path?of the path?

What does this path represent for you?What does this path represent for you?

Station: WalkingStation: Walking As you take this detoured walk to the next station, As you take this detoured walk to the next station,

think about what is involved when you walk.think about what is involved when you walk. Walk at a slow pace, paying attention to each step.Walk at a slow pace, paying attention to each step. Feel the floor beneath your feetFeel the floor beneath your feet Notice your knees bending as you walk, your ankles Notice your knees bending as you walk, your ankles

moving with each step, the weight of your body moving with each step, the weight of your body pressing through your feet. Notice if your arms swing pressing through your feet. Notice if your arms swing as you walk. Think about the complexity required for as you walk. Think about the complexity required for you to be able to walk. Thank God for your ability to you to be able to walk. Thank God for your ability to walk.walk.

Station: Moving aboutStation: Moving about

In this square, take 2 minutes to move freely. In this square, take 2 minutes to move freely. Do cartwheels, spin, jump, dance, do Do cartwheels, spin, jump, dance, do whatever!whatever!

Enjoy that God made you the way He did and Enjoy that God made you the way He did and that you can move freely!that you can move freely!

Station: MusicStation: Music

Listen to the music.Listen to the music. Think about the lyrics or the sounds.Think about the lyrics or the sounds. Think about how all the different sounds come Think about how all the different sounds come

together to create what you are hearing. together to create what you are hearing. Experience it rather than just letting it be a Experience it rather than just letting it be a sound.sound.

Use this time to worship God.Use this time to worship God.

Creation CallsCreation Calls

Creation Calls / MagnificentCreation Calls / Magnificent Click on the link to see the music video and hear the musicClick on the link to see the music video and hear the music

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions Initial thoughts or reflections on the activity?Initial thoughts or reflections on the activity?

Taking time to reflect on things you wonder at or marvel at is a form of praising God.Taking time to reflect on things you wonder at or marvel at is a form of praising God. In your groups, take a few minutes to talk about things you wonder or marvel at In your groups, take a few minutes to talk about things you wonder or marvel at

(popcorn style).(popcorn style). Thank God for these things.Thank God for these things.

What are some ways you can incorporate taking time to notice, to marvel at what God has What are some ways you can incorporate taking time to notice, to marvel at what God has given us?given us?

What is one thing you will do this week to marvel at what God has given us? The leaders What is one thing you will do this week to marvel at what God has given us? The leaders will follow up with you on how you’re doing next week or in the coming weeks. Youth, will follow up with you on how you’re doing next week or in the coming weeks. Youth, you can hold the leaders accountable too.you can hold the leaders accountable too.

As the group is comfortable (gauge your group, or encourage members to talk to you after), As the group is comfortable (gauge your group, or encourage members to talk to you after), discuss the “cherry” question from the activity. discuss the “cherry” question from the activity.

What things in your life look tasty, look really amazing, then taste awful, like this cherry? What things in your life look tasty, look really amazing, then taste awful, like this cherry?

If there is time, pray together as a group about the following:If there is time, pray together as a group about the following: Thank God for something cool you’ve noticed about different people in your group.Thank God for something cool you’ve noticed about different people in your group. Praise God for anything else that comes to mind.Praise God for anything else that comes to mind. Pray about any prayer requests people mention, especially those that were not mentioned Pray about any prayer requests people mention, especially those that were not mentioned

in the large group.in the large group.