SPRING IS HERE AND SO ARE THE CROWDS on West Cliff Drive. And with the crowds come the stone stackers. Have you seen the stones precariously balanced one on top of the other? It is quite amazing the amount of skill and patience it takes to create these stacks of stone sculptures. I speak from experience for I have tried to mimic the artistic endeavors of others, but to no avail.
Of course, the question arises, “What do stacks mean?” Who knows, really? I suppose that for some they were made to fit some deeper spiritual reality, but most are nothing more than mimicry, the attempt of some dad trying to impress his children.
In reality, stone stacking has a very long history. We even find the activity within the stories of the Old Testament. It seemed that whenever some significant event took place; a major victory or a special meeting with God, or the marking of a new beginning, a pile of stones was made. It was to stand as a memorial for future generations. It was to pique the interest of those who would later pass by and ask, “What event took place here?” It was most often a reminder of the intervention of God into the lives of His people.
This weekend we celebrate Memorial Day, a stacking of stones as it were. A time when younger generations ask of older ones, “What event took place here?” “What do we seek to remember today?” It is the time to recall to our present memory the sacrifice of others for the freedoms we enjoy. It is a time to give thanks for those who died so that we could live.
Come to think of it, it is a day not unlike every Sunday morning when the faithful gather to remember the sacrifice made, and the life laid down; the freedom purchased and the forgiveness offered through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Another stone is stacked.

LAST WEEK IN THIS SPOT we looked at God’s revelation of Himself through His creation. As wonderful and powerful as His creation is, it is only able to give us a limited amount of information about who God is and how God responds to His creation. We needed another source of information and God in His grace and love provided that in and through His Word spoken through men moved by the Holy Spirit.
We are blessed to have His Word written down for us in that book we reverently refer to as the Bible. A book amazing not only in its recorded history, but also in its staying power throughout history. No other book has been so attacked and sought to be destroyed than the holy Word of God, and yet has remained whole and true. No other book has proven itself over thousands of years, through countless generations and has so faithfully expressed the truth of God across cultures, languages and governments the world over. It is truly a book like no other.
It is on its pages that we read of the God who is Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer and Friend. Through its honest accounts we encounter those who have failed, turned their back on their Creator, rebelled and returned to find a God whose mercies are new every morning. Through the words written by everyday people we discover the sovereign, eternal truth of the Almighty King of kings and Lord of lords. Between the covers of this Book of books, we find not only the truth of the lives that were lived, but also the truth that helps us live our lives.
It is truly a Book like no other, for as it states of itself, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) Why not let it do its work in you today?

FOR MANY OF THE UPPER DIVISION CLASSES I TOOK while in college there was a pre-requisite class attached to it. It often carried the denotation of Class 101. If you were to get the full benefit of the 200 or 300 series of classes then you must first successfully complete the 100 series class.
This pre-requisite class was not just fluff and worthless material, but rather laid the basis for all that would come after. In many ways it set the stage on which the future course drama would unfold. Those who would seek to bypass this beginning class, thinking that they could fill in the blanks later were often sorely mistaken.
As we move forward in this wonderful adventure of getting to know our God by getting to know His revealed Word, we must see that He has also set forth a pre-requisite class when it comes to His revelation. We must remember that even before God reveals Himself to us through His Word, both written and Incarnate, He has revealed Himself to use through His creation.
The psalmist reminds us that the “Heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.” (Psalm 19:1-2) God has revealed Himself in and through His creation. That is not to say that God is His creation, which reeks of pantheism, but God has displayed much of His power and character in the things He has created. There is much we can learn as we walk amongst the giant redwoods, gaze into the deep black of a nighttime desert sky that is pierced by a million points of light. There is not a day that goes by that God is not making His voice known.
So, take time this week to enter the classroom of God’s creation and learn from Him. I guarantee you that all your future course work will benefit from meeting this pre-requisite.