We never waste the time God gives us by observing the moon in its phases. For the past three mornings my eyes have gone to the moon in the southern sky. You might compare it to a moth attracted to light on a summer’s eve. These last mornings just before sunrise it stands in vivid contrast to the blue sky around it. My practice for three mornings has been to photograph the moon; then record the percentage of illumination minutes before the sun overpowers the soft white of the lunar disk. The first two photos of the week caught the moon in the waning gibbous phase. This morning the moon’s illumination was 55%. Its phase Third Quarter.

Moon watching lifts my heart and mind into the distance of space. This morning, while my feet were on the deck of our house, my finger on the shutter, Robins were singing their before the sunrise songs. But on the moon, it was complete silence. How intense it must be. What would it look like to stand on the lunar surface and look back on the Blue Planet?

The predictability of the moon and its consistent phases is a never-ending source of mystery and wonder. And there is another reason to observe the moon regularly. One of my favorite phrases in the Bible about the moon provides that reason. In Psalm 89 the moon is called, “…the faithful witness in the sky.” The moon certifies that God is Creator. The moon alone authenticates God made all things. It certifies authentic that God is the Creator of the universe. Watch the moon, know God is near.

Photo*: 4-14-20, 6:34 AM,

Moon Phase: Third Quarter, 55% illuminated,

Moon rise-2:59 AM, Moon set-11:39 AM.

Weather conditions-air temperature 16 F, 85% humidity,

30.09 Barometric pressure, NW @4mph,

visibility 10 miles.

*Within 30 minutes of the photo the moon was hidden by clouds.