Sea Gull

I used to live in Astoria Oregon and I had a good view of the Columbia river. There was a 5 or so story building there which created a draft and the sea gulls would fly over to the building and get carried up in the up draft the building created. The gulls would then circle around and do it again endlessly. It was a game they played and they never seemed to get tired of it.

Some things God gives to us just for fun. And that is what nature is for me. I enjoy  looking for interesting things to take pictures of. Remember to follow God's guidelines.

1 Peter 3:10 "For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;"

Chipping sparrow

This is a small bird. It is just a little bigger than a Blacked Capped Chickadee. It came to land on the walking trail as we rested nearby. It stayed for a while as if to check out what we were doing. Or on a more realistic note, it was probably there to pick up a little gravel for digestion.

2 Chronicles 16:9 

" For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars.”

Ground Cover Flowers

A close look at this ground cover yields a beautiful flower. It is not what you see from a distance that always brings beauty. A close look sometimes will bring the satisfaction you desire.

I enjoy searching nature for the unheralded beauty. Life many times is that way. The mountain vistas are easy to admire but up close they may be very rugged and dangerous. This ground cover is not much from a distance but close up there is a surprise.

In Christ there is this same phenomenon. God seems distant and hard to understand. After I spend time in the Bible and meditate on His promises there is a sense of satisfaction and strength that doesn't come from a casual glance.

Jeremiah 29:13 "You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart."

Father I look for you early in the morning and in the night watches.

Black Locust Flowers

Acts 12:24 "But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied."

Turtles

What are the lessons of the turtle for us?

Use your protection when needed.
A slow pace is best but keep moving forward in work for Christ.
They live in the water but need air. Many Christians are not aware of their need for air or the life of the Holy Spirit at times.

We get caught up in the busyness of life. Don't be too busy but return to Christ often for His vitality of the Spirit that is there for us.

Spruce Tree

A tree growing tall, healthy, producing plenty of cones for reproduction.

Ezekiel 37:24 "All the trees of the field will know that I am the LORD; I bring down the high tree, exalt the low tree, dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will perform it."

It is not what seems to be, but  what God has promised.

Don't let your hope turn to despondency. Instead see God fulfilling the promise He made to you.

Proverbs 13:12 ESV "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life."