Black Willow

Here is a Black Willow on top of the bank next to the Missouri river. It is leaning over the bank, which this tree seems to do a lot. It usually grows around bigger trees and has to lean to find the light. Willow can withstand flooding thus the propensity to grow in bottom land sites and thrive there.

The saplings of willow grow straight and are good for furniture making. That is brush furniture. The wood is light and would not stand up the use of normal furniture.

One of the reasons I am drawn to finding different types of trees is their ability to adapt to different types of conditions. Christians are not all the same. That may be why there are so many expressions of Christianity. We have different abilities and should not be discouraged if we don't measure up to others. Instead of trying to measure up to others serve God as you were made to do. 

We all have abilities if we will renounce the sin desires that are within us and turn to Christ and live for Him. Look to Jesus and not yourself and He will sustain you.

Psalm 55:22 "Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken."

Father, I look to you and Your Son and the Holy Spirit to guide me in my life and work. Thank You, let it happen.

Bottom Land

Our hike yesterday along the Missouri River. Tangle of woods asleep. Waiting for the warmth and added light of Spring. Just as these woods can seem foreboding and unforgiving to the untrained, People can seem foreboding and unforgiving. A kind word and an act of care can change a person. Let us not see only with our physical eyes but also see what God can do with His love for others. 1 John 4:7-10 The Message Bible "My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn’t know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can’t know him if you don’t love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they’ve done to our relationship with God."

Bottomland Video

River Bottom Video

Here is a video from the Missouri river bottom. The tangle of woods.

Bottom Land Woods Video

Here is a video of bottom land woods in the winter. Video taken 13-Dec-08