Friday, February 26, 2016

In the yard


The trees flower and one of the early bloomers is the Camelia.  The shrub-tree is full of these pink beauties. They do not last long, for the ground is covered with pink petals, reminding me of a little flower girl casting petals in front of the lovely bride as she walks to the altar to meet the bridegroom. This could be a sign to us that Jesus, the bridegroom is coming soon.

Mat 25:6  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 
Mat 25:7  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 
Mat 25:8  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 
Mat 25:9  But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 
Mat 25:10  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 



We call this tree the tulip tree .


Wild plum blossoms. Every year I cut back this tree, but it keeps growing and blooming and producing yellow plum fruit. 

Luk 6:43  For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 
Luk 6:44  For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. 
Luk 6:45  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. 


A Mockingbird has taken a defensive position in our pyracantha bush. After a frost the birds eat the berries. Some get drunk from them as one robin flew into my front window knocking himself out for a time.

Pro 20:1  Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. 


Robins frequent our yard in the early spring. They are gentle birds and often walk near where I am standing. I put this bowl of water on a table for the birds. I had a deeper bowl of water on the ground. Last year a young robin was found drowned in the bowl. After this I put a rock stepping stone in the bowl for the unwise younger birds.

Pro 3:5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 
Pro 3:6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 
Pro 3:7  Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. 
Pro 3:8  It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. 


The gray squirrel climbed to the top of  our walnut tree to be sure that he doesn't have to share his prize nut that he found in the leaves. It was probably stale anyways. I put some fresh nuts near the tree, but so far they have not been found. 

Mat 5:6  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 

Monday, February 15, 2016

Tools of Life


The flowering Quince is one of the first signs of the coming of spring. Our walk begins with this warm pink flower and ends with an even deeper colored sunset. What comes from new life will eventually end in the sunset of our life. What we do in between is what defines our life. I will let you find the scriptures for this walk.


I always enjoy a good tool. For me a camera is a tool in my hand to capture a vision, to slow it down, to arrest it for further observation and thought. These Pussy Willow buds are an early sign of new life, a new beginning. 


Life gives us paths that we chose to travel on,  but what of those who are struggling with this life?


Sometimes obstacles get in our way. We may not choose these, but they come. Whether it is financial, health problems or a loss of something or someone that leaves us needing help and guidance.


 Where is that straight path that God has for us?


I saw this man sitting by the river. The river flows, always changing. Life is like a river, it flows along. Are we floating downstream? Or do we need to change direction? We need to see clearly to make a change. Sometimes we must see with eyes of faith, trusting God.


It is Sunday, a warm day, and many people were at the park. It can get too crowded for a wounded goose. Randy is found away from the pond on the river side where no people gather. Our LORD cares for Randy, he keeps him going and the LORD keeps us going. We do not give up for we are in his hand.


On the way to evening church I had to stop to get a picture of the sunset. Often the most meaningful things are on the way to something. I like a good tool in my hand. It once was a hammer, now a camera or a horn. Tools to use to define and express our life. May we glorify the LORD in this life and be with him forever.

Monday, February 8, 2016

Following


After we receive salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and have repented of sins; then begins our life journey of following the direction of God's leading. It is a spiritual walk in a flesh body. We are new creations inside, but outwardly we are to bring this mortal body into submission to the indwelling presence of God. The Father, Son and HolySpirit are one God.

Mat 16:24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 
Mat 16:25  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 
Mat 16:26  For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 


We live in a physical world among unseen spirits. There is a battle going on between good and evil. If we dwell in sin, then evil has access into our lives. Walk in the spirit and you will overcome the evil.

Rom 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 
Rom 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 
Rom 8:3  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 
Rom 8:4  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 
Rom 8:5  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 


I am reminded of a hymn: "God leads us along"

Refrain:
Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long.

Some are led through the water, or the miry clay, but God is with us through it all.

Psa 40:1  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
Psa 40:2  He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
Psa 40:3  And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
Psa 40:4  Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. 


In the pond the weeds form designs, sometimes they look like something real, but they are only illusions. A big problem now and in the end times is that people will be led by delusions. They will not understand the truth.

Isa 66:1  Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? 
Isa 66:2  For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. 
Isa 66:3  He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. 
Isa 66:4  I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not. 
Isa 66:5  Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.