Pawpaw Patch

During one of our hikes I came across this patch of Pawpaw trees. I enjoy it when I come across these trees, as they dominate with their large leaves in the under story of the forest.

The autumn brings out the best when they display their bright yellow leaves.

In our time we can bring out the best when we display the glory of God to others.

White Oak

Shooting up the bole of this White oak presents an impressive view.

Bole and bark of this White oak.

Leaves of this White oak.

Trees can do nothing but wait for the sun and rain. By being positioned in the right place they thrive. Trees that have their seed germinate in a location that is not advantageous for growth will suffer.

Let us place ourselves in a place to receive from the Lord fully and grow strong in Jesus.

The cap of this acorn has characteristics showing it is a white oak.

Shooting into the sun, but this shows the form of the tree.

Bud's Potential

 Silver Maple bud

 Hickory bud

 Eastern Cottonwood bud

 Black Locust bud

 Oak bud

Ginkgo bud

Red Bud tree bud breaking out.

 American Sycamore bud

Ash bud

White Ash bud

Pawpaw bud

Butternut Hickory bud

In all these buds represent the future of their trees. The whole leaf is encased in these buds. It is all there it just needs to grow.

What God has for us is already within. We just need to realize it and learn to use it.

Ephesians 1:3 " Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,"

Romans 8:11 " But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you."

Father, I want to see with the eyes of my spirit to serve you in faith. Ephesians 1:18

Box Elder Maple Seeds

Box Elder Maple is a tree with leaves that are not readily recognizable as a maple.  In fact, if you don't pay close attention, Box Elder saplings would look somewhat like poison ivy.

The seeds are maple seeds. When they fall from the tree they spin like helicopters blades.

Another interesting characteristic is that the branch is green and not brown or gray like other trees. This makes the tree easy to identify in the winter.



It is the seeds that are the defining part of identifying plants. It is the seed that reproduces and keeps the species going.

Followers of Christ will win others who will follow Christ. Are we followers of Christ? Jesus said to follow Him and bring people to salvation and a life of following Jesus. Matthew 4:19 "And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Let us not forget what we are about.

Father, I dedicate my days to follow your Son, Jesus.

Eastern Red Cedar

Height                           40.5'       
Circumference              76.5
Branch Spread          30 & 35
Points                             125

One of things that interest me about this tree is the unsymmetrical shape of the branches. A lower branch will grow out more than normal if there are trees above it to restrict its normal growth.

The tree is much younger than the cemetery so there would not be competition from other trees in the cemetery.  One thing that could have happened is there may have been trees growing to the north, outside the cemetery. The area was not developed till the 1960's.

Our growth can be impeded by things or people that block God's light.  God's light comes to us as we believe. Don't let anything hinder you from believing what Jesus said.

John 8:12

"Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, 

“I am the Light of the world; 

he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, 

but will have the Light of life.”

Bee and Purple Wildflower

Caught this bee gathering nectar.  Busy bees always working and producing the fruit of their labor.

We can trust God that as we work for Him, He will bring good to what we have done.

1 Corinthians 15:58 

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, 

be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, 

knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."

Black Locust Clump

I noticed this clump of trees and after investigating them I found they were Black Locust. All the roots of these trees are connected, making it really one plant.

Seed pods 

The buds of the B. Locust are small and are encircled by the leaf stem.

Thorns of Locust.

Canopy of the trees.

These leaves are compound. Each leaf stem has many stems with leaflets growing off them.

The clump of trees makes it a pure stand. They are growing out of the roots that spread across the ground.

A lesson from this type of growth can be seen as young Christians need the support of others. The close growth of the trees keep them from maturing. Just as trees need room to grow, maturing Christians need to step out, to those in need.

Matthew 28:18-20
"And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Father, lead me to follow you with courage.

Oak Sapling

I came across this oak sapling. It was about 3' tall.

Some places oaks are not growing up under the forest because they are crowded out and don't have the light needed to beat out the competition.  In this forest oaks were doing fine.

Below is a close up of the buds. Oaks have a cluster of buds growing at the end of the twig.

In our spiritual life other elements will crowd out the light from God. Put yourself in a place to receive God's light by, reading the Bible and prayer.

American Sycamore

Measured the American Sycamore tree in the middle of the photo.
Height                  80'
Circumference     154"
Canopy Spread   111'  107'
Total Points           261

A majestic tree, especially when you look up.

Are we looking up? Are we looking up to Jesus?

Hebrews 12:2 "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Father, I look to You and hope in your grace to guide me and help me today.

Old Osage Orange Fence Row

This is a tree line of Osage Orange. These trees were planted by settlers to create fence rows in the 1800s. All you have to do is put a cut branch in the ground and a tree will grow. The stiff branches provide a barrier, making a fence.  These trees were used like this until barbed wire came out.

Most tree branches will bend when pushed. Osage Orange branches are stiff and they also have thorns on them to make them uninviting. The fruit of the tree is a hard ball, which is not readily usable or edible by animals.  

Do we live in such a way to provide protection for our family and others? 

Father, I want to provide for my family and others.

Wren Trapped in our Porch

There were 2 Carolina wrens that got trapped in our porch. The call they were making was not the call you normally hear. It was more like a caw like a soft sounding crow. Here is the normal song they sing. I was looking for an alarm call but it didn't sound anything like this, or this.

Do we get into a place in life we don't want to be? We opened the door for them to fly out. One flew out right away the other took a lot longer. Long enough for me to get my camera and get this picture.

There is a way out of our dilemma. Sometimes we don't see it. If we keep seeking the Lord He will guide us to the solution. All the traps the enemy has set for us are broken in Jesus. Keep seeking Him and you will be free.

John 8:31,32 

"So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, 

“If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 

32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

Psalm 91:3,4 

"For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper

And from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with His pinions,

And under His wings you may seek refuge;

His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark."

Unusual Grass Seed

We found a trail that circled around this field of grass. The trees had been cleared out and this must have been planted. The seeds are unusual because of their shape. I saw this grass along the side of the trail, so it was natural to the area.

This reminds me that where we are now will bring seeds for the future. What we do now will bring the same results. Don't expect there to be a change if you are doing the same thing as you have always done.

If you want change, make a change. Quit listening to the tired old things you have listened to in the past. Quit watching the tired old stories you have watched in the past.

Start listening to the King of kings and the Lord of Lords. Listen to the giver of life. Accept what He says and believe it by agreeing and speaking what He has promised.

John 6:63

" It is the Spirit who gives life;

 the flesh profits nothing; 

the words that I have spoken to you 

are spirit and are life."

Wild Life Habitat

American Sycamore trees rot from the inside out. This makes the tree of no value for lumber, but it is useful for wildlife. Some bird may build a nest here.

We may think that our past is rotten but with the encouragement of the Lord we can use our life to help others.  It is never too late to turn to the Lord and serve Him.

Romans 6:13

"and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God."

Father, I thank you that by your grace and gift to me of your ability I can serve you.

Northern Catalpa

Here is a driveway to a house that is lined with Catalpa trees.

One of the ways to identify this tree is by the cigar like seed pods hanging from the tree. The leaf is large heart shaped. 

I like seeing these trees. The heart shaped leaf reminds me of the love God has given to the world by His Son Jesus. It is love that brings change not war. War will force change but not in peoples hearts. Love will change people's hearts. And this will change them and others around them.

Another aspect of this tree is the firewood is easy to split. When we have love our disposition is easy to get along with.

I don't want to be a person that goes along to get along, which perpetuates wrong living. Instead, I want to be a light to those in darkness. Thank you Jesus for Your guidance.

Star Magnolia Magnolia Stellata

I want to come back and measure the growth of this bush in the future. The fuzzy Magnolia  bud is interesting.

This bush is from Japan and has white flowers. It looks like it is just a bush, sometimes this plant is a small tree. The tree  is expected to grow from 15 to 20'. Late frosts may hurt the flowers.

Looking forward to the star flowers in the future. The coming of the Christ was predicted with a star. The verse is obscure and probably was not understood by many. With the Holy Spirit we can understand the things of the Lord.

Numbers 24:17
"I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel, And shall crush through the forehead of Moab, And tear down all the sons of Sheth."

Matthew 2:9
"After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was."

Father, let me not be oblivious to the things of the future. I look to You and trust You that my eyes will be open to Your ways. So be it, in Jesus name.

Red Headed Woodpecker

The Red Headed Woodpeckers really catch your eye with the red and white. A beautiful bird.

What catches our eye in spiritual things? For me it is the hope and grace God offers. We were made to serve God. But because of our shortcomings we lose heart and give up. God is mindful that we are but dust and extends to us His grace to continue with a new start. Let us rejoice and give thanks to His name.