God is a creative God who is worthy of praise. A document describes a purposeful reflection and worship activity with multiple stations for contemplating God's wonderful creations like water droplets, beautiful colors in nature, intricate details that can be missed, the complexity of humans, and bringing laughter and joy. It encourages appreciating the beauty and complexity in God's creations like the sun, walking, music and more. The goal is to use this time to reflect on God's wonders and praise Him.

1. God’s Character,God’s Character,
ContinuedContinued
God is a Creative God and He isGod is a Creative God and He is
Worthy to Be Praised!Worthy to Be Praised!
Patti Plett
ACF Youth Salt Factory Night
October 27, 2010

2. Purposeful Reflection and WorshipPurposeful Reflection and Worship
Instructions:Instructions:
 Spend about 2 min. at each station, following theSpend 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 hasUse this time to reflect on the wonders God has
created.created.
 This is an individual activity so please keep talking toThis is an individual activity so please keep talking to
a minimum.a minimum.
 If you’re waiting for someone to move on, listen toIf you’re waiting for someone to move on, listen to
the music and appreciate the sounds, the lyrics, andthe music and appreciate the sounds, the lyrics, and
the fact so much comes together to make the soundthe fact so much comes together to make the sound
you’re hearing.you’re hearing.

3. Station: Water DropletsStation: Water Droplets
 Notice how a single droplet of water reflects what isNotice how a single droplet of water reflects what is
around it.around it.
 Notice how droplets of water magnify the details ofNotice 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 aboutThink 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 andTake 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.

6. 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 anThink about the fact there are seemingly an
endless variety of colours that exist in ourendless variety of colours that exist in our
world.world.
 Think about places you’ve been where you’veThink about places you’ve been where you’ve
seen amazing colours in nature. As youseen amazing colours in nature. As you
remember, put yourself back in that place andremember, put yourself back in that place and
re-experience it. Appreciate the beauty.re-experience it. Appreciate the beauty.

8. Station:Station:
Things aren’t always as they seem to be untilThings 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 youFirst look at the picture on your left. What do you
see?see?
 Now look at the picture on your right. Take note ofNow look at the picture on your right. Take note of
the flower stem. At first glance, from a widerthe flower stem. At first glance, from a wider
perspective, it is hard to notice the flower stem isperspective, it is hard to notice the flower stem is
covered in beetles.covered in beetles.

11. Station: Creation shows God’sStation: 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

12. Psalm 104Psalm 104 1-13TheMessage1-13TheMessage
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 onYou 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 ofYou 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.

13. Psalm 104Psalm 104 14-30 TheMessage14-30TheMessage
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 wonderfulYou 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 sharksOh, 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 andSend out your Spirit and they spring to life — the whole countryside in bloom and
blossom.blossom.

14. Psalm 104Psalm 104 31-35TheMessage31-35TheMessage
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!

15. 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 areConsider how our eyes express so much – how we are
feeling – whether we are happy, sad, worried, orfeeling – 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 toThank God for the ability he has given each of us to
experience emotions, to think, to focus andexperience emotions, to think, to focus and
concentrate.concentrate.

17. The complexity of humans is anThe complexity of humans is an
awesome wonder!awesome wonder!
Psalm 139Psalm 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; yourI 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.

18. 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 upConsider the beauty of a field of grain that is made up
of millions and probably billions of single grainof millions and probably billions of single grain
stalks.stalks.
 Think about times when you’ve seen a beautifulThink about times when you’ve seen a beautiful
landscape. Mountains? A lake scene? The ocean? Alandscape. Mountains? A lake scene? The ocean? A
field? Take time to re-experience that. Think aboutfield? Take time to re-experience that. Think about
the wind on your face, the sounds you heard (like athe 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 thatthe view, the people you were with). Experience that
joy.joy.

21. Station: The sun(flower)Station: The sun(flower)
 Notice the way the sun is shining through theNotice 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 andRemember a time when you were outside and
the sun was shining. Remember what it feelsthe 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.

23. 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 laughThink of at least 5 things that make you laugh
or bring joy to your life that are not necessarilyor 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 thinkingIt’s ok to laugh or smile when you’re thinking
about these things. God sees you’re happy andabout these things. God sees you’re happy and
He is happy too!He is happy too!

25. Station: The CherryStation: The Cherry
• Imagine this. You’re walking in the woods and comeImagine this. You’re walking in the woods and come
across some cherries. They look sweet. Delicious. And ohacross 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! [Believeand 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 tothen taste awful, like this cherry? If anything comes to
mind, talk to God about it. Feel free to talk to a youthmind, 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 dealleader or an adult in your life if you need more help to deal
with it.with it.

27. Station: The PathStation: The Path
 What comes to mind when you see this pictureWhat 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?

29. 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 anklesNotice your knees bending as you walk, your ankles
moving with each step, the weight of your bodymoving with each step, the weight of your body
pressing through your feet. Notice if your arms swingpressing through your feet. Notice if your arms swing
as you walk. Think about the complexity required foras you walk. Think about the complexity required for
you to be able to walk. Thank God for your ability toyou to be able to walk. Thank God for your ability to
walk.walk.

30. 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, doDo cartwheels, spin, jump, dance, do
whatever!whatever!
 Enjoy that God made you the way He did andEnjoy that God made you the way He did and
that you can move freely!that you can move freely!

31. 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 comeThink 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 aExperience it rather than just letting it be a
sound.sound.
 Use this time to worship God.Use this time to worship God.

32. 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

33. 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 atIn 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 hasWhat 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 leadersWhat 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 mentionedPray about any prayer requests people mention, especially those that were not mentioned
in the large group.in the large group.