Monday, November 26, 2012

Hidden Treasures


We took another trip to Whiskeytown Lake and to a creek, called Brandy Creek. Along the way we saw hidden treasures.

Isa 45:2 I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:
Isa 45:3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.
  

Christmas berries or Toyon Berries brightened the shoreline. By Christmas, there are attractive red berries to add a cheerful note to the winter landscape and to provide a feast for robins, mockingbirds and cedar waxwings.

Luk 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
Luk 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Luk 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Luk 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 


This seed looks like an eye. It is a buckeye seed from the Buckeye bush. Ohio is called the Buckeye state. We have buckeyes growing in this area too.

Isa 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
  
The branches of the Manzanita are often used as money trees at wedding receptions. It is a very hard wood, with smooth bark that peels off as it grows.

1Ch 16:33 Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth.
1Ch 16:34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.



Follow the road signs.

Deu 11:16 Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;
Deu 11:17 And then the LORD'S wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you.
Deu 11:18 Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. Deu 11:19 And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 


Brandy Creek

1Ki 17:6 And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook. 
1Ki 17:7 And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
1Ki 17:8 And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,
1Ki 17:9 Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.
 


There is a bridge over the creek. This reminds me of a church theme, "Getting to the other side." We are to enjoy life's journey, seeking his presence along the way to our final destination with Jesus.

Jos 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.



Looking down on the creek I see many fish and golden leaves floating as treasures to enjoy.

Pro 8:20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
Pro 8:21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
  


Looking closer I can see it is important to focus and what we look upon can change our outlook. The rain made circular patterns on the creek.
Mat 14:28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

Mat 14:29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
Mat 14:30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
Mat 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?



Hidden beneath the rain textured surface were a fisherman's delight. Many trout to catch. Where's my pole? Are we looking at the distractions or are we finding the catch?

Mar 1:17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.



The creek flows with fresh water.

Jer 2:13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
  


We have many choices and paths to go on.

Psa 27:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
 


Look for the hidden treasures along the way. The oak leaves bring a feast to the eyes. Seeing, hearing, touching, tasting; these are all gifts from God. Use them to make the most of your journey.

Psa 34:7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
Psa 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Psa 34:9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Wheres the Fruit


The Persimmon tree has beautiful leaves and plenty of fruit. So much of it is too high to pick with my 12 foot pole fruit picker, so the birds feast on them when ripe.

Mat 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Mat 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

The laundry basket is full of fruit. I will cut most of them up and dry them in the oven on racks. The pulp is frozen to make cookies and bread. Many leaves cover the ground in the back yard.

Gen 1:12 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. 

 In the front yard I was up early raking leaves for a compost bin. The cold air fogged the camera lens. Late falling walnuts were sprinkled on the ground with early falling Pecans.

Lev 26:4 Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.
I gathered several buckets full. This morning the winds were blowing again with cold rain, so I have more to do. Lots of work in the fall and rewards for those willing to labor. Nuts for the nut?

Gen 43:11 And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds: 


A most beautiful tree shows it's glory at the end of our street. The leaves are spectacular, but they fall in about two weeks, leaving a bare tree and no fruit. What kind of tree are you?

Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Psa 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Ranch Sunflowers



A field of beautiful sunflowers; many kinds together in a ranch field. The ranch is located a few miles from our home. A popular Halloween place with a corn maze and other festivities.

Luk 14:12 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.
Luk 14:13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:
Luk 14:14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
 


You can see where the name Sun flower comes from.

Jos 10:12 Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.
Jos 10:13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.
Jos 10:14 And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel. 



Dorothy from Kansas would feel right at home in this Northern California field. There are many God fearing conservative people up here, just like in Kansas.

Isa_33:6 And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure.
Isa_41:14 Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
Isa_59:19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. 



The majestic plants stand tall and proud. Some have fallen face down on the ground. Let all creation glorify the LORD. Like the Sunflowers we are to stand fast in the Lord's blessings and we serve him, bowing and sometimes face down in humble respect to seek his direction. The election is tomorrow for the next president. We have been praying for righteousness in our land. May America show respect for the God of our father's.

2Ch_7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
 


All things were made to glorify the God of Israel. His Son has brought light and truth and salvation from our sins. We are as Son flowers to bring beauty and God's forgiveness to a sinful nation that will repent before him.

Psa 85:8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.
Psa 85:9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.
Psa 85:10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Psa 85:11 Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
Psa 85:12 Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.
Psa 85:13 Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.