Bent Tree

This tree is like a landmark to me. I use it to locate another tree that is quite big.

Let us use the Bible to let it point the way where we are going.

Tree of Heaven in Drought

A tree is thriving in an 8' x 8' patch of dirt in the middle of the concrete jungle. The water it needs is not provided by the patch of dirt it's planted in. The roots have reached a place where they acquire water from another source.

Tree of Heaven is a weed tree in my book. The tree came from China in 1784 to provide food for silkworms.

Tree of Heaven is a resourceful tree. It spreads by sucker and by seed. It will grow better than most native trees. And in this spot the tree is thriving where other trees would die. When I took this photo we were in a drought. No rain had fallen for weeks. And when we did get rain it was next to nothing. But this tree is thriving in adversity. Looking at the branches no branch is being left behind. The tree is not growing as high as others of this species in better locations. But this tree is thriving.

What are we to do to thrive in adverse circumstances? Gain a source of water (be able to feed yourself in the Lord)

Life will throw problems at us at times. Thriving in adversity is where Christian growth happens. James 1:2-4 Put down your roots deep in Christ. Have a faith that is not dependent on anything but Christ.

Drought Kills E White Pine

These Eastern White Pine trees are dying in the recent drought. They are planted in good soil and have been there for many years. The trees grow in a way that their age can easily be counted. Each year the branches grow from a ring around the bole of the tree. So counting the rings of branches I came up with 17 years. That seems about right considering the age of the park and the structure they were planted around.

The tree has a range that is not native to this part of the country. In normal years there is no problem with them but West Central Missouri has some extremes that are beyond the capabilities of the tree. You don't see any Coniferous trees growing naturally here, except one juniper tree called Eastern Red Cedar.

White Pine has soft needles growing 5 to a bundle. But the needs of the tree are not met in the extreme conditions of drought. We experience no rain for months and 105 degree days.

Christians will live a long time in conditions that are not favorable for growth. People will tell them of the problems of living that way but many will not listen. There will come a time when stress will kill the ability of these people to live for the Lord.

Learn what is pleasing to the Lord and what revitalizes your life. Life does not come from movies or rich food or wild music. Life comes from the Word of God and the relationship, God offers.

Your life will flourish as you seek the Lord, even when suffering.

Psalm 1 don't dwell with the scoffers, the ungodly, or sinners. Stay in the Word of the God day and night. When the heat comes, you will stay green and yield fruit.

That is not to say we should stay away from the people of the world. But we are to be influences and not be influenced by them. Don't participate in their foolishness.

Have your life sustained in the word of God not in the words of scoffers, ungodly and sinners. What we listen to will affect our life and the ability to produce. Scoffing will never produce anything.

Believe, speak and act on what you truly believe.

Lord, guide me to have my roots down deep in you so I can still flourish in trouble.

Hard Soil

 I noticed some trees that were planted in a former roadway. The asphalt and base of the road were taken up and the ground was planted in grass. But our dry summer has turned most of these leaves brown.

I took a close look at the twigs and there still seems to be life, but time will tell if they survive and will be vibrant next year.

The ground under the road was not dug up. The trees were just planted right into the road bed. The ground might of been augured up to plant the tree but ground around the tree was still packed hard.

Trees need to be able to expand their roots into the soil to gather water. Hard packed soil will restrict the roots from expanding as needed. Without the ability of the roots to grow the tree will be under a stress of lack of water.

Our life is like a tree in many ways. When I saw this example of mismanagement I thought of how we become hardened against the things of God.

Just as these trees need the soil to be plowed up so they can thrive. People need their heart to change to receive from God. Without a change of heart there is no ability to hear the things of God.

A hard heart is not conductive to receive anything of the spirit of God. What should we do with a heart that is hard?

The first step is to go to God and tell Him. God is not unaware of the problems of mankind. He will give a soft heart to those who truly want to change and live for Him.

Call unto the Lord for help. He will hear you. Repent of an attitude that rejects the things of God. Be willing to listen to the teachings of the Bible.

If you seek the Lord He will not cast you out. Deut 4:29

Lord I don't want to respond to the hard knocks of life with bitterness or a hard heart. Give me a heart to seek you and look for you in life.

Blue Moon

Before work while walking the dog I noticed the full moon was still in the sky. There was no place to get a photo by our house because of the trees. As I was walking I heard a Barred owl. A nice greeting for our blue moon.

Yesterday was the 2nd full moon of the month and is commonly called a "blue moon"

Here is the Barred owl call.


Later as I was driving to work the moon just was setting over the horrizon and I pulled off the road and got the above photo of the blue moon setting, over the Blue river. :)

God is good to give me much nature to enjoy.

Thank you Jesus for all I can enjoy and experience. You made the sun to rule the day and the moon and stars to rule the night.  Your lovingkindness is everlasting. Psalm 136:8,9