New Species found -- the heavens and earth resound

I see, from time to time, news stories about the discovery of heretofore unknown creatures in remote places. Whether they are cave dwelling critters hidden away for centuries or bizzare entities living in the deep sea, they all capture my interest. That's why this article on today's Yahoo News caught my eye: yet another discovery of heretofore unknown creatures, this time in a deep Australian reef.

I find these discoveries encouraging for several reasons. First, from my theological perspective, God created all things as instruments of His praise and glory. No matter what your perspectives on the process that God used to create, it still holds that in His Providence, He establishes these creatures that have existed for thousands of years outside the knowledge of mankind. And what have they been doing all that time? In their own humble way, they have been living as unique distinctive expressions of God's glory, creativity, power, and goodness. In their own little ways, these creatures have been living Hallelujahs tucked away in the remote corners of creation.

Second, such discoveries never fail to stir a sense of wonder and humility in the hearts of even the most hardened skeptic. As humans we seem to have in inborn sense of awe before the unknown. Such discoveries continue to remind us that this universe is far vaster and more astonishing than we heretofore grasped. Such wonder should serve to expand our understanding of God. God is indeed far bigger and far more grand than we like to admit.... yet His attention to such small details as these creatures shows forth his affection and delight in creation (I'm mindful of the creation story as told in Proverbs 8 -- wisdom alongside God as God forges all of creation -- and doing so in rejoicing and delight in all that is made).

Let us rejoice and be glad that the Creator continues to hold surprises for us in this universe ... and that we may delight in them.

Previous posts of interest on this topic:
Biodiversity to the praise of God
The Instinct to Care for Animals

Soli Deo Gloria
Russell

Bits and Pieces -- Sunday Feb 25

Another brief weekend post of tidbits from various blogs and publications. Back to more thoughtful content on Monday (Lord willing!)

• The Wall Street Journal gives us this article about collaboration among several high tech companies (including Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, IMB, Sun Microsystems, and Dell) in trying to reduce the power consumption required by server systems and computer rooms. Nice to see business pouncing on the benefit of energy efficiency -- and without being told to do so by a regulatory agency.
• Ypulse points to this article from c-net news: it's about a new social networking site trying to build itself around live streaming video from webcams. Some thoughtful discussion here about safety concerns -- also this might give us a clue as to why the church as institution will be woefully lagging in the online realm. Most churches are just catching on to blogging -- a few are on MySpace. The next hot thing is just too far ahead. It'll be up to individual Christians to be salt and light (and that's as it shoud be)
• And then to cap the previous point off, Ypulse points to this article from Advertising Age about "trend school" where advertising execs pay megabucks to hang out with teenage hipsters who teach them all about what is and isn't cool.
• Michael Kruse is starting another one of his patented series of processing a book he's reading -- this one is called The Other Six Days. It's a look at how we can disenthrone clergy from being being put on some kind of superchristian pedestal, and reclaim that idea that all members of the church are called to be ministers. Interesting thoughts so far -- I'm looking forward to seeing what Mike does with it.

Soli Deo Gloria

Russell