Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Anger and Illusion


My faithful friend at the fishing dock said that the fish were not biting. Across the pond on the shore, the boys were doing what boys like to do; they are throwing rocks at the geese, but as she scolds them, they said "I was only going to throw rocks in the water."

Pro 14:12  There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. 
Pro 14:13  Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness. 


One of the geese flew by, gliding above his reflection with strong wings and a determined look.

Psa 36:6  Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast. 
Psa 36:7  How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. 
Psa 36:8  They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. 
Psa 36:9  For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. 


As I walked along the receding shoreline, I saw what looked like an alligator. We have no alligators in the wild in California. It was a broken tree root, an illusion. We must look carefully at things that appear dangerous.

Eph 5:13  But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 
Eph 5:14  Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 
Eph 5:15  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 
Eph 5:16  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 


As my daughter was backing her car out of the driveway, she saw and heard the gobble of turkeys. The Tom turkey was strutting before his female admirers like a street wise turkey.

Num 14:19  Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now. 
Num 14:20  And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word: 
Num 14:21  But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD. 
Num 14:22  Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; 
Num 14:23  Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it: 
Num 14:24  But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it. 


 We have human turkeys in the cities, streetwise and looking for trouble. We are not to be wise in our own eyes.

Isa 5:20  Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 
Isa 5:21  Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! 


Borrowing a sunset from last weeks walk, I think of the beauty of God's creation. I thank him for sending Jesus to be me savior from my sins and hell. I am grateful to him and pray for those with no purpose, who are full of anger, that they would come to Jesus and receive his peace. 

Isa 57:19  I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him. 
Isa 57:20  But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. 
Isa 57:21  There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. 

Eph 4:25  Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 
Eph 4:26  Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 
Eph 4:27  Neither give place to the devil. 

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Swan River


 I was on my way to town when I decided to turn into the park. There were swans swimming in the river, six of them. These are the first swans that I have seen at the park. These are european  Mute Swans that were brought over to adorn the parks and estates. A great number have taken flight and they threaten the native waterfowl. It is rare to see them in Northern California. The LORD made them beautiful in appearance, but they may not be good for this place.

2Co 5:10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 
2Co 5:11  Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. 
2Co 5:12  For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. 


Towards sunset is always a good time for a walk. The bare winter trees and the green grass invite me to enter into another adventure. I walk under a canopy of trees.


  A long established and familiar tree has fallen across the path. It looks like a fishing ship's mast draped with nets, having fallen under the heavy load.

Joh 21:5  Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. 
Joh 21:6  And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. 
Joh 21:7  Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. 
Joh 21:8  And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. 


I see this tree holding up the fallen tree as a stronger person of faith, supporting the fallen friend. Another picture is of a pillar, standing strong, when many are falling.Will you be one of the strong trees in these fearful times?

Php 1:27  Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 

Joh 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 


The sky became one of those gorgeous sunsets as I hurried trying to find something to silouette against it. A beautiful sky needs a setting. The oak tree stood giving strength and emotion, somewhat  like the sunset from the movie "Gone with the wind." The age is coming to an end but the Son is rising with healing in his wings.

Mal 4:1  For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. 
Mal 4:2  But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. 
Mal 4:3  And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts. 


Tuesday, January 6, 2015

The shape of things


The fisherman casts his line in the quiet of the pond. The leafless tree forms a circle reflection. In life we must discern the real from the reflections and shadows. False teachers replace the truth with a distorted reflection, leading people away. 

2Pe 2:2  And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 


Broken reeds form a  pointing triangle. Every movement brings change. We are to move in the Spirit of truth making a difference. The triangle reminds me of the Trinity. The word trinity is not in the Bible, but the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are portrayed as evidence of the one God. The Trinity points to this truth.

Mat 11:7  And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 
Mat 11:8  But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 
Mat 11:9  But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. 
Mat 11:10  For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 

1Jn 5:7  For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 

Mat 28:19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 


A sweeping path and a sweeping broom-like tree. There are several trees that remind me of brooms on my walk in the park. Time to clean up the clutter in our lives? Sweep out the junk in your mind and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Mat 12:43  When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 
Mat 12:44  Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 
Mat 12:45  Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. 


 The eye tries to define images. This looks like a dragon to me. Can you see a dragon? I want to see with wisdom and discernment, both are gifts from God. We need to see things as God sees them. This is just an old tree.

Rev 12:9  And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 


A short and cute dog. The owner said that she is a spotted Dachshund. I had to use spell check for Dachshund, I kept thinking Datsun, I knew that was not right. Whatever the name is, she is beautiful. We are all different but all are made by God for his purpose.

Isa 43:18  Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. 
Isa 43:19  Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. 
Isa 43:20  The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen. 
Isa 43:21  This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise. 


Saturday, January 3, 2015

Randy's glory



Randy the wounded goose is still at the park after three years. He is watching a flock of geese who are taking flight with much movement and noise.

Pro 18:14  The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? 


Randy flaps his wings revealing the notched wound and missing feathers in his wing.

Psa 147:3  He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. 


Randy is strong and healthy in his pond home at the park. He poses in all his glory. Jesus is in his eternal glory, having been wounded for our transgressions.

Isa 53:5  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 
Isa 53:6  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 



The sun sets through the oak trees and it was getting cold.

Mat 24:11  And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 
Mat 24:12  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 
Mat 24:13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 
Mat 24:14  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. 


As I walked around the trail the second pond captured the reflection of a car and the trees. I found a bench to sit on and to enjoy the twisted oak trees. I looked back and saw an old man approaching with two ski pole like walking sticks. He looked old and maybe slow? so I took up a brisk walk. I paused to focus on a deer and he caught up with me. We talked of many things. We both had been scuba divers in the late 60's. That old man was a reflection of myself. We all have something in common, sharing humanity.

Gen 1:27  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

We are made more complete when we are reborn into the image of our Lord.

Col 3:10  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.





The deer appears to be safely hidden in the branches. We have our security hidden in the Branch, the vine of God's living spirit.

John 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.