He Has Made Them All
Bible Reading: Psalm 104
“Oh Lord, how many are your works
In wisdom thou hast made them all
The earth is full of thy possessions
There is the sea, great and broad
In which are swarms without number
Animals, both great and small
Oh Lord, thou hast made them all.”
As a newly saved believer some forty years ago, how precious these words were to me. I remember when I went to a Christian bookstore and bought an Amy Grant cassette tape. I played that tape over and over again. The words above are from one of those songs, aptly entitled, “Psalm 104.”
In hindsight, listening to that particular song was more valuable to me then I knew. Music and songs minister straight to the heart! I had lived my life oblivious to the obvious—God created me and the universe in which I lived. But in bringing life to my sin-dead soul, God was at work to change my thinking. Of course He used His Word to accomplish that.
We humans didn’t crawl out of a swamp. Green skinned aliens didn’t deposit us here on this planet. There is a God and He’s not dead. He is the creator and sustainer of all things. His creation bears witness to the awesome greatness of His wisdom and power.
The Psalmist knew this and traced all things back to the hand which made them: the heavens and the earth; the sun and the moon, the day and the night; the mountains and the valleys; the springs which give drink to the beasts and wild donkeys; the birds in the sky which sing among the branches of the tree; the grass that feeds the livestock and the plants to provide food for man; the creatures in the sea. He was well aware of the intricacies of God’s creative order and providential care of everything He has made. Even the lowly rock badger found a place in the Psalmist’s hymn of praise. He praised God for it all and rejoiced in it. And in so doing he set a good example for us all. Foundational to our right thinking about God is to acknowledge Him as our creator, to worship Him for all He has accomplished.
Creator God. Your creation speaks to the greatness of Your Power and Wisdom. Forgive me. I’m sometimes too busy, or distracted to pay attention…to thank You for all You’ve done. Grant that I might have the heart of the Psalmist who was so ready to praise you and rejoice in You. Help me to look for you and see the beauty of all You’ve made. Amen.
If you have internet access, there is a wonderful YouTube video and song by Brian Doerksen which speaks to today’s theme. You can access it at the following address: https://youtu.be/28sqs5H5hao
Author: looking2jesus13
Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces.
Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon.
Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries.
After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year.
Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley.
International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith.
Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully.
Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.
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