Leaning Tree - Reaction Wood: A Lesson in Christian Growth

  Matthew 17:17 “And Jesus answered and said, “'You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.”'

Become what Jesus wants us to be. There is frustration in this verse by Jesus. The disciples could not cure a sick man. Instead of being frustrated I want Jesus to be pleased with me. And to say well done good and faithful servant.

What is a person who is warped (unbelieving, perverted)? He is different than what he was supposed to be. If you buy a piece of lumber and it is warped, it was cut straight, but the fibers pulled it out of plumb. What causes the board to warp? It grew crooked to begin with. And what causes the board to grow crooked?

A tree might start to grow straight on a hill but through time the ground on the hill may slide a little down the hill. But the tree that was growing straight is now compromised by the ground which slid. The bole of the tree is now leaning because the ground moved.

The tree reacts to a leaning bole by putting more growth on the downhill side than the uphill side to cause the stem to grow straight towards the light. This reaction is called reaction wood, which will warp after the lumber has come out of the mill.

Christians endeavor to follow Christ. But if our foundations have shifted, the resulting growth is warped and is not what our master would like. The solution is to reset our foundations. A tree has no ability to change the foundation it grows from. We do, but many have a vested interest in the past. We don't like to admit that our past efforts are not according to the will of God.

A  tree may not have a clear path to light, so it grows at an angle to reach the light. Christians should go where they can get to the light. If they have to bend and to get to the light there will be a problem with their lives down the road. Always seek for the light and don't let hindrances keep you from receiving the light. Do we put things in our life, hindering our ability to receive from God? Do we think on problems and let these fester, causing us to block out the light of God? Reject the doubt and accept the word of God.

If we are going to produce good fruit, we first need to check our foundation to ensure our growth is straight.  Matt 7:24-27 let us base our life on the rock and that rock is the Word Jesus has given us.

Many of us want to do away with doubt but are not willing to put away the things that block the light of God from shining in our hearts. Decide to pay the price to live for God. You won't be sorry.

Matt 6:24
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. NASV

The word of God is true. Numbers 23:19; Romans 3:4 Yet we reject it and explain it away by tradition.

Traditions
Isaiah 29:13
Then the Lord said, “Because this people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote,
Matthew 15:3
And He answered and said to them, “Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?
Mark 7:8
Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.”

Let us not follow the traditions of man but follow the teachings of Jesus.

Many don't look into the Scripture for themselves but follow the traditions set by others in the past. I'm not saying reject what others have set up. But I am saying read the Scriptures for yourself and decide to follow them. Find Christian leaders who have set their heart to follow God and align yourself with them.

May Apple

Early spring brings out the May apples. Here is a May apple patch in the woods. My wife and dog were caught in the photo as well.

Osprey Camera Live Feed

The egg hatched May 3rd and May 6th 2013

http://joinacf.org/osprey-cam/

Magnolia Tree flowers

Beautiful Magnolia flowers.

American White Pelican

I encountered these birds as they were migrating up from the Gulf coast and further south through Missouri up into the northern states and in Canada.



They stand about 4' tall with a wing span of 9'. They scoop up fish as they swim in the water. They do not plunge into the water for food. They at times will form a line and herd fish to shore where the fish are easy to scoop up.

Foraging areas are marshes, rivers and at lake edges.




I saw this bright white through the trees as I walked up to the Missouri river. As I got closer I realized they were birds. American White Pelican.

I was shooting through some brush so as not to  be seen by them. Yet after a short time they were on to me and started to get nervous. Most of them took off till only a few were left on the dike.




Psalm 102:6
I resemble a pelican of the wilderness;
I have become like an owl of the waste places.







This encounter reminds me I am just passing through. This world and city are not mine. My home is in heaven. The Pelican lives by the water. In Psalm 102:6 refers to being in the wilderness. There is no place for the Pelican to live naturally  in the desert. Christians are like Pelicans in the desert. We don't thrive in this world. We are of the Kingdom of God. Yet we can make a big influence here by the power of the Holy Spirit.

It is not with our ability but God's which allows us to be effective here.

Early Morning Mist

Mist off the pond early in the morning speaks to me of the value of an early devotion time with God. It is early in the morning when there are few distractions where we can be with God and learn/hear from Him.

Psalm 63:1 "O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly;

My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water."

Habakkuk 2:1 "I will stand on my guard post
And station myself on the rampart;
And I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me,

And how I may reply when I am reproved.

The mist represents the Holy Spirit coming to us. This mist happens in the early morning. Cherish these times with God. It is not that we can't meet Him at any time. It is that we are involved in things that will distract us from Him.

Missouri River Seasons

13 Feb 08


31 March 08


April 11th 2008


June 25th 2008


3-Sep-08 Thick fog that morning.

Turkey Vulture

Turkey vulture is a Cathertine  vulture. They have bare heads and necks. They are natures sanitary service. Cleaning up dead animals called carrion.

These birds glide back and forth across searching for carrion to eat. They stay separate from each other as they look for carrion. Having found some carrion, other vultures will flock to the site. I have seen them fly in circles as a group at the beginning and end of a day.


They have a very keen sense of smell and sight to locate their food. They also are cautious and won't be tricked by bait. They are able to find covered bodies on the forest floor.

Black vulture is similar to the Turkey vulture but the Black vulture has flat wings in flight while the Turkey vulture wings are in a V shape. Also the Turkey vulture's wings are 2 toned while the Black vulture's wigs are black with light wing tips.

As we were hiking up to a bluff a Turkey vulture swooped by us at a surprising close proximity. Then seeing us it moved up much higher. It is at this point I captured this photo.

The Turkey vulture migrates in from the south and spends the warmth in mid Missouri. Crows migrate down from the north and spend the winter here. Crows are scavengers as well. I have not noticed if both birds are here at the same time.

Matthew 24:28
"Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather."

Spring is Comming

I took this photo of the woods on April 20th 2013. The trees are still waiting for Spring. It was a beautiful day. Blue sky, cool temps in the 50's. Just waiting for the activity of Spring and Summer.

This reminds me of watching for Jesus to bring an answer to my prayers. He is coming and I look for Him today.

Revelation 22:20
"He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen, Come, Lord Jesus."

Habitat Holes

Notice the holes under the branches to the right.


There is a hole at the base of this tree.

Looking closely you can see holes in these tree boles. Dead trees provide habitat for animals. Leaving some old dead trees is beneficial to the diversity of the forest. There is much activity in a forest. When a tree dies it still provides a place for animals to live.

When I see these trees I think of Christian leaders that have gone on to be with Jesus. Their books still teach and their life gives guidance for us to follow.



“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” I Corinthians 11:1

Eastern White Pine

White pine at trail entrance.

Flying Crows

I drove up to a spot and stopped not paying attention to my surroundings  Some crows gathered to eat bread cast along the roadside. Quite a few were there, my guess about 50.

When I noticed the crows I got my camera and set the aperture and speed so I would be ready when I rolled down the window. When I opened the window they all instantly took off. I took this photo of them flying away.

We never know when an opportunity will present itself so be ready always. This is true in life ans well as in the Spirit. It says in Luke 12:35 be dressed in readiness and keep your lamps lit.

Dead Sucker

Here is an American Elm tree that is overshadowed by an oak in the background. The sucker that took off from the base died and is about to fall because it has rotted long ago. Many times a branch will die because it is not getting enough light.

When a branch needs to be supplied by the rest of the tree to survive the tree will just let it die. Each branch needs to produce enough for its substance  and give some to the rest of the tree as well.

Christians are asked to produce fruit in John 15. If after a reasonable time the branch does not produce fruit they are cut off and thrown into the fire.

Let us not be dead wood, but fruitful for the kingdom of God.

John 15:2
Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

John 15:6
If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

Black Locust

I caught this Black locust tree last summer. The multi stem tree interested me. It is my guess that this tree grew from many suckers from a stump which is long gone. Black locust also can grows from root suckers.



The tree casts a wide shadow with its branches.




Isaiah 42:3 "A bruised reed He will ot break and a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish..."

Beaver Activity

The above Box Elder maple and the 2 Eastern Cottonwood trees have recently been worked on by local beavers.





These 2 Eastern cottonwood trees will be cut completely down at some time. Notice the bottom photo there is a sapling just to the left of the cottonwood tree that was cut and removed. This tree was probably dragged off to be eaten or used to make a den.

Beaver don't usually make a den in the water of the Missouri river. They put their den on the river bank.

Psalm 39:7 "And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You."

Drought

Drought has been in the Midwest for more than a year. Photo January 28th 2013

This is a photo of the river with sandbars appearing in the low river.

We just received 1.4" of rain the last 2 days. Will this rain cause the river to rise at least 2' to cover the sandbar?

Hiking back out here at lunch today I see the river has risen a little but not enough. Photo January 31st 2013

In the Old Testament Omri was an evil king of Israel, he did more evil than all the kings that reigned before him. And his son Ahab reigned afterward. And this son Ahab did more evil even that his father.1 Kings 16:25,30. It is with this dire situation that Elijah shows up and says, "As the Lord, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word." 1 Kings 17:1

When drought comes I wonder if this is the judgment of God. I don't know if it is or not, but it is good to keep a humble heart before the Lord.

Bark Contrast

Chinquapin oak is on the left and Eastern Cottonwood is on the right. This is a contrast between 2 very different types of bark. Cottonwood is rarely seen in these woods on the hillside. They are found along the creek bottoms.

Cottonwood germinates easily and it is not rare to see large patches of ground of pure cottonwood seedlings. It is my guess that the trees are about the same age showing the faster growth of the Eastern cottonwood. At one point this hillside may have been cleared and this cottonwood started on a bare patch of ground.

This unusual occurance of cottonwood brings to mind the occurance of Christ  birth in my heart. I was a child and accepted the Lord because of John 3:16 being explained to me.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His ^[a]only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."

Woodpecker Holes

If you look closely at these American basswood trees you can see lines of horizontal hole drilled by woodpeckers. They will eat sap in the spring. They eat insects found around and in the bark.

They also engage in drumming to announce their territory or to attract a mate. They don't have a song to anounce their presence. If these trees are hollow they may have been drumming on this tree.



You don't hear a woodpecker unless he is working. We should have this kind of industry.

"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."
1 Corinthians 15:58

A King is Born

 Jupiter next to the moon Christmas night.

Matthew 2:2
Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Merry Christmas

A break in the clouds on a short hike Friday 21-Dec-2012 added a little color to this photo. I was plowing snow for the 2nd day. Snow was still sticking to the side of the trees and I enjoyed walking through the fresh snow of the woods.

Job 38:22
“Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, Or have you seen the storehouses of the hail,

God makes the snow. And He gives life and light.  Just as I seek solace from hiking in the woods so I seek renewal from God's word.

Job 16:5
“I could strengthen you with my mouth, And the solace of my lips could lessen your pain.

Missouri River Jetty

Hiking along the Missouri river Saturday I noticed the sandbar down stream from this jetty. The jetty pushes the flowing water out into the center of the river and the water down stream from the jetty moves slower than the water in the main channel.

Water is able to carry material as it moves and the faster it moves the more material it carries. When the water slows down its ability to carry debris decreases causing the deposit of sand just south of the jetty 

In life with Christ we are able to do things for Him as we move with Him. The more we are in Christ the more we can carry things for Him or the more we can do for Him. Our ability to serve Christ deminishes if we don't spend time with Him. 

2 Cor 1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us."
This verse shows the Bible promises work as we are with Christ. So this Christmas season let us go to Jesus for He came to give us life and ability.

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

Hidden Path

We were hiking back into a little known trail. Not too far away there is a well known trail that is worn and used occasionally. The trail we took seems to have have no one on it for days or weeks at a time.

For a trail to be known there needs to be a sign or the trail starting at the road or parking lot. Without these no one will know it's there.

To get there you need to cross a field of knee high to waist high natural grass.
There is no path through the grass. One just has to walk straight through it. When you get to the trail it is not apparent, but if you go through a small opening a trail is there.

Hiking along the trail is not bad; not many trees or branches have fallen across the trail.

A hidden trail is tranquil, peaceful and calm. The hustle and bustle of life is left behind.

Jesus offers a peaceful and calm life. Not many will accept it as a valid way to go, but those who do find joy, restfulness and purpose.

How do you find a hidden trail? For me, it comes from hiking off trail. I come across many deer paths appearing out of nowhere and continue for a while, then disappear. While traversing these I will encounter a human trail.

God says seek Me and you will find Me if you search for Me with all your heart. We can find the trail of God with an honest and good heart.

The way I seek the Lord is through the Word of God. Ps 16:11 "You will make known to me the path of life..."

As we seek God, He shows us the path to walk on.

Let us not stumble around in darkness off trail but follow Jesus and the light he gives us to walk on the path of life before us.

A trail will take you through the woods faster than just crashing through the brush. Following God's trail for life will be much better and rewarding than going it on your own without Christ. God's path gets brighter and brighter. Prov 4:18

To walk on a hidden trail, one needs to believe it will go somewhere. When we hike in the woods, sometimes we don't care where it goes. We'll just turn around and go back the same way. But in life we don't want to take a path that leads nowhere. We don't want to spend a lot of wasted time.

As you come to know Jesus, you will find He means what He says. He can be trusted with our lives in the now, not just with our lives after death. Many trust Jesus for life after death but not life in the present. Jesus can be trusted. Follow His path. It will lead to life everlasting and a satisfying life with peace and joy. Yes, there will be heartache with those who don't choose to follow Jesus on His path of life, but everlasting life is a joyful life.

Stay on the path; don't deviate to the left or to the right. “Make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.” Hebrews 12:13

There is healing when we follow the path Jesus has for us. When we get off that path there can be all manner of troubles.

Jesus has plans for our life. Eph 2:10 The works of our life were prepared beforehand. Walk in the path of the works God has for us. We walk by faith as directed by the Spirit of God.

Sycamore Bark

We passed by a patch of ground that had much American

Sycamore bark on the ground. This bark flakes off

during the year. This was an excessive amount of

bark. I had not seen this before.

What lessons can we learn from this in the

Spirit?

Shedding of bark is like shedding our protection. Our

protection in God is our faith. Satan can't get at

us as we are hid in Christ.

Ps 91, Eph 1, Eph 6, John1

Light overcomes darkness. Let us not shed our

protection of faith and confidence.

"For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised." Hebrews 13:36

Gal 6:9 "Let us not lose heart in doing good, for

in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary."

Keep at the work of God, looking to Him to fulfill

what He has called you to do.

The purpose of bark is to protect the cambium. Life

of trees flows from the cambium area. Sap is moved in

the cambium. Water is moved from the roots up to

the leaves.

The shedding of bark also could mean that the

former purpose of faith has shifted. Some things

of faith in Christ never change, like salvation. We

are saved by grace through faith. That doesn't

change. Other things, such as a calling to do a work

for Christ, may remain for a season then change to

something else. So the flaking bark shows the tree

is putting on new bark and the old bark if

outgrown.

We outgrow or are promoted to a new work at the

direction of the Holy Spirit.

The Sycamore tree grows in girth and sheds its bark

as it grows. Many other trees' bark will expand and

the fissures of the bark widen as it grows in

girth. Sycamore can't expand its bark because the bark is brittle, so it sheds

bark as it grows.

Shedding of bark may indicate  fast growth of the

tree as the tree stem expands bark is shed so new

bark grows in its place.

Let us always be ready to grow in Christ and not

resist change.  

2nd Hawthorne Bud Photo

The above photo was taken on March 3rd 2012. The photo below is taken on February 20th 2012. The buds have expanded just a little.

Roots

Here is a photo showing root growth because of erosion.