Lesson 12 for March 19, 2011

Pleasant views of flowers, trees, rivers A beautiful soundtrack Gentle and enriched scents A wide variety of foods Many pets to look after and to pamper Free of feeling fear and worry A satisfactory and amusing job A constant temperature all the year

Sin affected the relationship between man and nature in three different ways: 1.The land was cursed and produced thorns and thistles. Working the land became harder and harder (Genesis, 4: 12). The plagues prevented a highest production. 2.Men suffered fatigue, pain and illness and their health was weakened. 3.Meat-eating animals appeared; they hurt other animals and even men. Men destabilized the environment and destroyed nature. God had to destroy the earth with a flood because of men’s corruption. That caused more drastic changes in the environment.

Despite sin and the destruction of the Flood, nature still talks to us about God’s existence and power. E.G.W. (Sons and Daughters of God, “Turn Minds From the Artificial to the Natural”, p. 110)

Psalm 19:1-6

“And as we behold the beauty and grandeur of the works of nature, our affections go out after God; while the heart is awed and the spirit subdued, the soul is invigorated by coming in contact with the Infinite through His marvelous works” (E.G.W. “Counsels on Sabbath School work”, cp. 2, pg. 39) “Many are the ways in which God is seeking to make Himself known to us and bring us into communion with Him. Nature speaks to our senses without ceasing. The open heart will be impressed with the love and glory of God as revealed through the works of His hands. The listening ear can hear and understand the communications of God through the things of nature. The green fields, the lofty trees, the buds and flowers, the passing cloud, the falling rain, the babbling brook, the glories of the heavens, speak to our hearts, and invite us to become acquainted with Him who made them all” (E.G.W. “Steps to Christ”, cp. 10, pg. 85)

NATURE AS A SOURCE OF HEALTH 1.Pure air. 2.Sun. 3.Rest and relaxation. 4.Exercise. 5.Water. 6.Healthy food. 7.Refraining from harmful things. 8.Trusting divine power. Nature can be a source of healing thanks to the use of several natural remedies (plants, mud...) that God has provided. Nature can be a source of healing for your body, your mind and your spirit. “Every person should have a knowledge of nature’s remedial agencies and how to apply them” (E.G.W. “The ministry of healing”, cp. 8, pg. 127)

E.G.W. (Counsels to parents, teachers and students, section 2, Lessons from nature, pg. 54)