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Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be"); document.writeln("glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant,"); document.writeln("and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.¹

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Years ago, my"); document.writeln("oldest daughter watched a movie about dolphin rescue and became captivated by"); document.writeln("the idea of working with these playful creatures. And it\'��s no wonder that she"); document.writeln("should be drawn to them when dolphins are known for being joyful and joyfulness"); document.writeln("is catching! Scientists have discovered that when these playful creatures chase"); document.writeln("each other, toss seaweed, or leap through the waves, they emit a rapid burst of"); document.writeln("clicks and whistles, sounding much like human laughter. Many researchers now"); document.writeln("believe that dolphins may experience something close to joy and this is not a"); document.writeln("stretch of the imagination.

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Genesis tells us"); document.writeln("that God looked at all He had made and called it good. His creation brought Him"); document.writeln("joy. He delighted in all that He had made. A dolphin\'��s laughter, their joy,"); document.writeln("their playfulness, their leaping beauty, reflects their Maker. This can be said"); document.writeln("of all the creatures\'�”the birds that sing His praises every morning, even the"); document.writeln("cats sitting in the windowsill basking in the sunlight of God\'��s glory.

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If dolphins can"); document.writeln("express delight in the world God made, how much more can we\'�”creatures made in"); document.writeln("His image\'�”find joy in His presence. Psalm 96 says, \'��Let all creation rejoice before the Lord\'��. Joy in the Lord echoes"); document.writeln("in the oceans and across the galaxies. When we are in God\'��s presence, we become"); document.writeln("more alive. More joyful. Like dolphins leaping through the waves\'�� we were"); document.writeln("made to rejoice.

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Suggested prayer:"); document.writeln("Dear Heavenly Father, how awesome it is to look around at the beauty of your"); document.writeln("creation and see your handiwork. I am humbled to know that you created it all"); document.writeln("so that I might delight in it as you do. Allow me to see what you see and fill"); document.writeln("me with joy so that I may reflect your glory. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

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1. Psalm"); document.writeln("96:11-12 (NIV).

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Today\'��s Encounter"); document.writeln("was written by: Veronica B.

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