Reading ideas that reflect who we are....

Davesgrl2011

Hello!  You all have really helped me out with finding beautiful passages in the Bible about love and marriage.  Now I am hoping you can find one for me that is about being respectful and loving/caring of all life and of the earth. 

I am an animal advocate and have recently had my backyard registered with the Wildlife Federation as a reserve (I just added a bat house!) and one of my most fundemental beliefs is the belief that one of Gods greatest gifts is the beautiful world He created for us- and that it is our right and obligation and privledge to care for that earth.

I'd love to have a passage from the Bible that expresses that sentiment?  It is really important to me that my wedding ceremony be very intimate and personal.  

Thanks so much!   

mica178

Psalm 148

 ¹ Praise the LORD.

   Praise the LORD from the heavens;
   praise him in the heights above.
² Praise him, all his angels;
   praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
³ Praise him, sun and moon;
   praise him, all you shining stars.
⁴ Praise him, you highest heavens
   and you waters above the skies.

 ⁵ Let them praise the name of the LORD,
   for at his command they were created,
⁶ and he established them for ever and ever—
   he issued a decree that will never pass away.

 ⁷ Praise the LORD from the earth,
   you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
⁸ lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
   stormy winds that do his bidding,
⁹ you mountains and all hills,
   fruit trees and all cedars,
¹⁰ wild animals and all cattle,
   small creatures and flying birds,
¹¹ kings of the earth and all nations,
   you princes and all rulers on earth,
¹² young men and women,
   old men and children.

 ¹³ Let them praise the name of the LORD,
   for his name alone is exalted;
   his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
¹⁴ And he has raised up for his people a horn,
   the praise of all his faithful servants,
   of Israel, the people close to his heart.

   Praise the LORD.

monkeysip

Davesgrl,

This isn't a suggestion for your readings, but it just made me think of the Canticle of the Sun by St. Francis.  It's praising all of God's creatures (as St. Francis always did).  There are song versions of it (although I'm not sure if your musicians would know one or if your priest would want that during the ceremony).  Or if you don't use it as a song, you could use it on your programs or something.  Just a thought I'm throwing out there!  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canticle_of_the_Sun