Roses

We went to a rose garden and got lots of photos of roses. It is a beautiful place and I enjoy going there every year. The abundance of beauty reminds me of the abundance God promises us.

John 10:10 " The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."

Psalm 13:6 "I will sing to the Lord,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me."

Psalm 116:7 "Return to your rest, O my soul,
For the Lord has dealt bountifully with you."

Psalm 119:17 "Deal bountifully with Your servant,
That I may live and keep Your word."

Father, thank you for the abundance you promise us.
I will walk with You, for You provide for me. In Jesus name it's coming.

Shagbark Hickory

Looking up a Shagbark hickory bole I see a stately tree with distinctive bark.  The tree is always recognizable by its bark. The bud nut and leaves also will ID the tree but the first thing a person sees when they see this tree is the bark.;

Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata) Nuts are editable with a sweet flavor. They are not commercial because of the unpredictability of the nut production from year to year. Also it takes a tree more years than normal to produce nuts.

Hickory wood is tough. Andrew Jackson our 7th president was called Hickory because of his toughness. His grave site was surrounded by a number of trees including 6 Shagbark hickory trees.

Just as hickory tress produce tough wood. the toughness of Christians comes from the trials they face. 

James 1:2-4 "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Father allow me to become strong for you through the trials I face in my life. In Jesus name, thank you Jesus for doing this for me. 

Blue Eyed Mary (Collinsia verna Nutt.)

Returning from a 3 day seminar we stopped at a nature area to hike. The sky was cloudy and rain was forecast. We decided to hike anyway hoping to beat the rain. During the hike we found this impressive field of Blue Eyed Mary wild flowers. We were over half the way through the hike and it started to rain. Then the rain came down in buckets. It wasn't cold enough to bother us very much. When we got back to the car we changed clothes.

It was worth it to find these flowers and my wife was not bothered with the rain either. We had a good time.

I enjoy nature and the beauty it has. Sometimes you have to be willing to go through the elements to find God's creative handiwork.

It is the same with our walk with Jesus. Searching the Scriptures we will find many jewels that will give us strength when we push through to find them.

Jeremiah 33:3 "Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know."

Tall Grass

Hiking after a lot of rain we came across this tall grass. This grass was 6' tall. I don't know how tall this grass normally grows but it sure is growing well now. Sun and rain give plants the ability to grow. 

It is the same with Christians. When we get enough of the Word of God and ministry of the Holy Spirit we are able to mature and grow as we serve others.

This grass will be gone in the fall, but God's word will stand.

Isaiah 40:8 "The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever."

Father help me to grow in your word that I might stand through the tests of life. In Jesus name, thank you for answering.

Red Winged Black Bird

This bird can be found along water areas or fields. I see it often atop cattails, trees or on telephone wires. The bird lives year abround in the United States 48 states except Montana. (It is in Montana in the Spring) 

The bird will cover its red and yellow feathers on its wing at times. The breeding population is down from 190 million in 1974 to 130 million in 2014. They prefer to feed off the ground and not on a feeder.

Males will spend a lot of time giving their call. I enjoy this bird for its color and unique call. A long call that is broken up by vibrating.

Open fields and water are where I can find this bird. I can find God by humbling my heart and reading the Bible and praying. Let us look to the Lord each day for our needs.

Psalm 17:6 "

I have called upon You, for You will answer me, O God; Incline Your ear to me, hear my speech."

Lord I call to you for to help me to live for You today. Thank you Jesus, and in Jesus name I pray.

Fig and Fig Tree

A greenhouse we frequent has some fig trees growing inside the greenhouse. Missouri winters are way to cold for most fig trees, but with the proper variety and winter strategy they may be grown in zones 5 and 6. There is a Chicago variety planted in these zones.

Here are some fig facts:

Figs have the same amount of calcium as milk by volume.

Fig Newtons started in 1892.

Figs hold in moisture in baked goods keeping them fresher.

Figs need well drained soil to grow. They can grow in poor soils.

Just as figs need well drained soils to live. Christians need a heart that gives as well as one that receives. It is as we give that we grow. It is not our getting but our giving that brings us into abundance.

Deuteronomy 8:7-9 "For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills; 8 a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; 9 a land where you will eat food without scarcity, in which you will not lack anything; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper."

Father give me the ability and willingness to give out to others. I don't want to just be a taker but also a giver. Thank you, In Jesus name it will happen.

Mourning Dove

Mourning Doves are also known as the Turtle Dove, American Mourning Dove or the Rain Dove, and was once known as the Carolina Pigeon or Carolina Turtledove.

One thing I notice about Mourning doves is the way they walk. Their head bobs back and forth funny as they walk. For some reason their head is attached differently compare to other birds. Their head also is smaller for their body sized compared to other birds.

When they take off their wings create a whistling sound. They will swallow seeds keeping them in their esophagus called the crop. When they get to a place where they are safe, they finishing eating them. They eat up to 20% of their body weight a day. There are about 350 million of them in the United States. They can live in desert areas by being able to drink brackish water that is up to 50% of the salt content of the ocean.

As we follow Christ there will be times where our sustenance is scarce. It is in those times when we are famished in the spirit we are tried. Strength is built in those hard times and we become stronger because of them.

Psalm 42:1

 "As the deer pants for the water brooks,

So y soul pants for You,

O God."

Father, just as the Mourning Dove has the ability to survive where water is scarce, give me strength to thrive with You wherever I am. In Jesus name, it will happen.

Jack-in-the-Pulpit Arisaema triphyllum

The part that looks like the preacher is the slender stalk called the spadix. The tiny greenish yellow flowers grow in a club shaped spike on the upper part of the stalk. (from You Ask Andy.com)

This plant grows in woodlands from the Atlantic to Minnesota and down to Texas. It is poisonous.

We were walking in a nature area and had been talking to a person that was a missionary in South America. She later pointed out this plant to us. So I got some photos of it to post on here.

Jack-in-the-Pulpit seems to be inconspicuous to those who are not looking for it. There are many plants we don't recognize as different or valuable. That is the way it seems to be with receiving the word of God from preaching. People have abandoned the preaching of the gospel and going to meetings to be with other believers.

Hebrews 10:24,25 "and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near."

It is encouraging to hear the Bible preached and to talk with other believers that are living the life we are living. Go to church or where other believers meet and encourage them and be encouraged by them and the word you hear preached.

Humming Bird

Caught this humming bird coming in for a drink. Setting the camera for continuous shooting the photos are about 1/2 second apart. When I saw the humming bird I just started shooting. The more I shoot the more the camera dials in the focus. So these 2 photos came out okay. The settings are 1/500 f6.3 ISO was set on auto and registered at ISO 2000 400mm lens.

The humming bird has a long beak to get nectar from flowers. Or sugar water from this humming bird feeder. 

The humming bird brain is 4.2% of its body. The largest of birds.

They don't use their beak like a straw but have hairs on the tip of their tongue to help them lap up nectar. 30% of their weight is made up of flight muscles.

The strength of a Christian comes from being with Jesus. Let us not neglect our devotion time, it is from these times with Him that will give us the strength to accomplish what we are called to do.

Acts 4:13 "Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus."

Common Grackle on a Mulberry Tree

This was a little early to be eating these mulberries. But if they like to eat them at this stage there is more than an abundance to eat.

Here the sun causes the iridescent feathers to shine.

Looking at all this fruit reminds me of God's promise to take care of the birds. 

Matthew 6:26 "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?"

Matthew 10:29  "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father."

Let us be sure that the abundance that the Common Grackle is living in right now is available for us also as we walk with God.

Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) Finch

Got this photo of a Indigo Bunting at a nature area bird feeder. A colorful bird which stands out among the common birds. Shot info 1/500 f/6.3 ISO 2000 400mm lens Canon T3

An attitude of joy stands out among people. Jesus gives us the reason for joy. He said in His word these things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation but be of good courage, I have overcome the world. John 16:33 Our joy flows from the understanding of God working in our life in the midst of chaos the world gives.

The wise men rejoiced with great joy when they saw the star Matthew 2:10 This star was direction for them to find the Christ child. God's direction will give us joy as we see a way through the darkness.

Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrhonota)

Saw these Cliff Swallows under a bridge that we were walking by. I was looking for photos of flooding but the creek I was at was handling the rain well.

These birds build nest under bridges along creeks. I suppose in nature they build under natural cliffs. They catch bugs by flying just over the water, sometimes even picking up the bugs off the water. They also fly above the water 10 to 20 feet or more in the air. It is fun to watch them make a 45 degree turn for a bug.

Some swallows lay eggs in other nests they did not build. These same birds will lay eggs in their own nests. The foster mother will sit on all the eggs whether they are hers or another birds. 

The Cliff Swallow winters in Paraguay and SE Brazil. 

Cave Swallows look similar but have a more brownish forehead, while the Cliff Swallow has a more light colored. Cave Swallows are rare in the Midwest US. Cave Swallows have a range in southern Texas and Mexico.

Psalm 84:3 "The bird also has found a house,

And the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young,

Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts,

My King and my God."

The psalmist (the sons of Korah)  is jealous of the swallow that has access to the courts of the Lord and builds its nest there. God has now given us access to His presence by faith in prayer and meditation of Scriptures.

Crab Apple Tree Flower Buds & Flowers

Above is the flower buds of a Crab Apple tree. Below is the tree in full bloom. A Red Bud tree is in the background.

Close up of Crab Apple tree flowers.

The leaves form before the flowers bloom. Usually this happens the other way.

Just as we enjoy God's creative work with flowers like these. God also has great things in store for us as we follow Him. Don't fear what God will do. Realize that what He has for us is far greater than we could do for ourselves.

1 Corinthians 2:9 - "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."

Congestion

Bird feeder is taken by the Common Grackle while the house sparrow must come back latter.

Has there been times when you looked to gain insight from the Bible but could not find any? Many distractions have hindered you. The phone rings. There is  a problem with the car that needs to be fixed. A problem came up at work and you must spend extra time to solve it.

Set aside some time to seek the Lord and read from the Bible.. Turn everything off make seeking the Lord a priority. Press into the answer and you will not be disappointed.

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."

Wasp / Yellow Jackets

We were walking in the park last summer and I saw this pile of dirt that seemed out of place so I headed over there to see what was up. When I got close I saw that is was a hornets nest.

I didn't stay close for long. I felt it best to keep away. 

Proverbs 22:3  "The prudent sees the evil and hides himself, But the naive go on, and are punished for it."

Northern Parula (Parula americana) Warbler

I saw this bird landing at different places before it landed here. This is a male, the female does not have the black neck band. Their range is more to the south then up in western Missouri.

When I first saw the bird I thought it was a wren. The size being small like a wren. I had a 75mm to 300mm zoom lens on my camera. The shot was an f5 1/400 sec. at 230 mm ISO was set at auto and registered 400. We were sitting at a lookout over a creek and had been talking for more than 5 minutes. It was a cloudy day but not hot at all. There had been some rain the day before so the trails were muddy but we were walking on a paved trail.

To see a bird like this is a treat for me for I don't find many birds in the summer woods up till now. I hope to find more birds in the summer as I sit listening, watching and waiting. I not only wait for birds but also the Lord as He will speak to my inner ear. It is not so much that God speaks but that I hear what I have been learning from the Bible.

To hear what I have been learning from the Bible is a funny statement. Jesus said many times, he who has ears to hear, let him hear. We at times hear but don't receive what we hear. Why? Because it is not what we want to hear. But God's ways are different then our ways. So as I listen, I learn from my errors to turn towards God and follow the direction I receive from Him.

"I will stand on my guard post and station my self 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." Habakkuk 2:1

I have questions to ask God and my heart is at times troubled. As I wait for Him, He will direct me in the right way. When I discern His direction I will be encouraged. Each time I hear I am energized.

Slippery Elm Seed

Ran across this Slippery Elm seed the other day. I have not found many of these trees so I'm glad to ID this one.

Lady Bug

Got this shot of a lady bug on an Eastern White Pine tree.

Red Bud Tree Flower

The Red Bud tree flower has now bloomed in our yard.

Hawthorne Tree Flower

Red Bud Flower

Red Tailed Hawk

The tail is not distictive but the black stripe on the inner front of the wing is a good marker for a Red Tailed Hawk.

Spring Buds

Hawthorne tree bud. Taken March 6th 2016.

Crab apple tree.

Lilac bush buds.

Downy Woodpeckers

The male has the red splash on its head.

Abandoned Pasture

This mess of trees is growing on an old pasture that was clear of trees when I hiked by this area 28 years ago.  This area is being taken over by pioneer trees that grow in open areas of heavy upland grass. After these trees run their course other trees able to grow taller will grow up here.

People say then want to have an area of nature stay the same, but that isn't possible with out management. For the forest is always changing and adapting to the environment and conditions through time.

Our life is like the soil of this pasture. What we allow or neglect will dictate what happens to us. If we let our life just go with the flow not much is accomplished. But if we apply ourselves to wisdom we grow as a person and become useful to ourselves and others.

Proverbs 2:2

"Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding;"

Buffalo

Buffalo roamed the plains for 1000's of years. Until the settlers came and cleared them out.

The army needed a lot of buffalo to supply their troops with food and leather. Indians also were stampeding buffalo over cliffs for an easy kill harvest. There was a demand for the hides in the east and in Europe. People were conducting contests on how many buffalo they could kill. Then the government wanted to clear the buffalo out of the plains to force the Indians to the reservations.

Buffalo were down to just a few 1000 around 1900. But they have made a comeback to around 500,000 today.

 I was reading Theodore Roosevelt’s account of running a ranch in the Dakotas. They had a severe winter and many of their cattle died in the deep snows. Buffalo can survive the harsh winters on the northern plains of North America. They are adapted to the climate, while the cattle brought over from Europe are not.

Are we adapted to a life lived for Jesus? Or will the harshness at times that come to Christians cause us to forsake our beliefs?

Romans 8:17,18 

"and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us."