Sunlight on Pawpaw leaves

The large leaves of this Pawpaw sapling are receiving a bunch of sunlight. I find it interesting to see the different shades of green by the amount of sunlight the leaves receive.

I was looking for these leaves to have already turned yellow. Instead I get a green leaf photo. Many of the leaves have already fallen so more light is getting in.

This tree will never grow like an oak or maple. It is not made for that. It is happy, so to speak, to grow under the forest canopy of the giants.

Our growth at times is limited by the amount of light we receive. And other times our growth is limited by our ability to use what we receive. We grow in God as we position ourselves to receive from Him and rid our life of things that waste our time to hear and grow.

Ephesians 5:15-17 "Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."

Father, I give you my day to use for You. I listen for Your direction. So it will be in Jesus name.

Birds Devour Fruit

These birds are enjoying the bountiful fruit from a vine growing in my Eastern Red bud tree. The bottom bird is a Starling, the one in the middle could be a Cedar Waxwing and the top one is a Robin.

Matthew 6:25,26,33 

"For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 

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?

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Can we trust God with our needs?  The Bible says we can, but there is a condition. Seek God first! How do we seek Him first? With our time, our money, and our priorities. Live for the purpose of pleasing God. We put Him first with all our heart, soul and strength. Deuteronomy 6:5

Blue Jay

I have been trying to get a photo of a Blue Jay for a long time. They seem to realize that and hide behind a leaf or branch so I don't have a clear shot. Yesterday I got this one.

Most of their diet is insects and nuts. They imitate the calls of hawks and the Red shouldered Hawk often. They are noisy and their presence is known from their noisy call. They don't have a regular migration. A bird may migrate one year and not the next.

Psalm 128:1,2

"How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,

Who walks in His ways.

2 When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands,

You will be happy and it will be well with you."

In their boisterous way Blue jays seem to be happy with their lot in life. Let us be happy as we walk with God. He will bless us as we minister as we are led. God will provide for our life to serve others. We can trust God to meet our needs as we meet the needs of others.

Red Tailed Hawk

I watched this hawk for 45 minutes, hoping for it to move to another position. He didn't move except to take another bite from his catch. He kept watch in all 4 directions constantly.

This reminds me of the verse in Psalm 130:6 "My soul waits for the Lord
More than the watchmen for the morning;
Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning."

Let us be awake to the world around us. There are many opportunities to share the Lord and to pray for the needy. Keep watch, the Lord will bring opportunities our way.

Father, I look to you for your guidance and direction in life. Let me see Your guidance. In Jesus name it will happen.

Eastern Blue Bird

Psalm 127:1

"Unless the Lord builds the house,

They labor in vain who build it;

Unless the Lord guards the city,

The watchman keeps awake in vain."

Eastern Blue Birds numbers were dwindling. Efforts were made to help them by building houses. My brother and I made a few and took them to the woods for the Blue birds to use. When we went back a year later they were unused. So this verse came to mind. It is important to have the Lord involved in what you are doing.

Now it was good for my autistic brother to build things, so it was not a loss for us to make these houses. Yet in life, we need to work for what will profit. With the Lords leading we gain blessings as the Lord helps us.

Lord I want to serve you in ways that will profit others and Your Kingdom. Thank you for Your guidance.  

Virginia Creeper

Psalm 128:1

"How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,

Who walk in His ways."

Vine turning red in the fall presents a nice view. It is the work of others at times that allows people to enjoy beauty.

Some have to work hard so that others can enjoy the benefits. Those in faith that bring people into the church bless others that just go to enjoy the show.

Let us not be passive in our walk with the Lord but diligent to see the kingdom brought to people.

White-breasted Nuthatch

Psalm 126:4

"Restore our captivity, O Lord,

As the streams in the South."

Courting male carries foot to female, performs bowing and singing ritual with head feathers raised, tail spread. (Birders Handbook Ehrlich, Dobkin, Wheye)

The White-breasted Nuthatch eats from the tree by standing upside down on the bole of the tree and going down the tree to find bugs to eat.

There is much that is stolen from us in life. We can regain what God has promised as we learn to walk with Him in His fullness. The ways of God are often upside down from the ways of man. Don't asume you know what God wants. Listen to His word and learn from Him.

Mums (Chrysanthemums )

Mums do well in the Fall.
When they are subject to freezing move them inside by a window.
        My wife leaves them out all winter and they keep blooming year after year. We live in the north part of zone 5b.
Keep the soil a little moist but don't over water.
Cut off the flowers after they wilt.
Fertilize in the Spring after new growth starts.
If you pinch the new stems about 5” long, this will encourage the flower to grow like a bush.

Psalm 123:1,2 

"To You I lift up my eyes,

O You who are enthroned in the heave\ns!

Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master,

As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,

So our eyes look to the Lord our God,

Until He is gracious to us."

Carolina Wren

This little guy landed on my flower boxes at my driveway. I had about 3 seconds to get 2 photos and this one came out good. Each male sings from 21 -47 song types. They will sing one of these songs repeatedly before switching to another one. The neighbouring males will sing along with the same song. The male and female pair will sing a duet together.

It is good to go through the day worshipping God. And when we can worship with others it is even better. 

Psalm 122:1 "I was glad when they said to me, 

Let us go the the house of the Lord."

Father God I worship you for all Your goodness and all the gifts of nature I get to see.

Bur Oak Acorn

 Bur Oak gets it name from the fringe on the end of the acorn cap. The fringe becomes hard when it dries out.

It can be the same with us. When we are full of the Holy Spirit and the love of God we are much easier to get along with. When we neglect our time with God we become self focused, brittle and caustic. When our purpose is to help others we are able to express God's love.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 "If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing."

1 John 3:14 "We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death."

Love can flow from God through us to others when we decide to give up our rights so we can help others.

Lord, I desire to be filled with you, so I give up my rights and follow You. Thank you for Your grace. So be it in Jesus name.

Start of Fall Colors

The vine on the left is Virginia creeper. The bottom right photo is a Sweet gum leaf and the top photo is an elm leaf. Below the yellow leaves may be Hophornbeam. 

I enjoy each season though winter drags on longer than I would like. We need to be ready for change because it comes whether we like it or not. Those who are able to adapt to change are the ones who do well. When we can't change and try to live in the past, we suffer in life and don't succeed.

People get confused and think that some things should change when they are not supposed to change.

When we are led by the Holy Spirit we are able to adapt to life. John 3:8 speaks of the Holy Spirit. "The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

I hear the Spirit in my inner ear. It takes time to learn to hear in the spirit. When we have God in us we are able to hear when we soften and quiet  our hearts to listen. Hiking in nature helps me listen to the direction of the Holy Spirit.

American Kestrel

God blesses us with many things in life. Sight to see His creation is a blessing to me. What I see with my eyes and what I can pull in with my camera is a blessing. God is so magnificent and wonderful. His creation shows me much to admire.

Psalm 108:4,5 "For Your lovingkindness is great above the heavens,

And Your truth reaches to the skies.

5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens,

And Your glory above all the earth."

False Purpose

 

These 2 trees I considered centennials that guarded the creek. For a few years I thought of them like this  as I walked by. The 2 trees above, are the 2 large trees in the photo below on either side of the creek line. They are dead trees and I did not realise this for a couple of years because I did not look closely at the trees.

This is like my life  when I pursued things that were not alive. Like things that deceive I thought these trees were alive because I did not look closely at them. But when I got next to them and looked up I realised these trees were dead. 

Do I pursue things that are not alive? Do I live for things that are just an illusion? Do I pursue things, that when I achieve them, they are empty?

Life presents many illusions. The ways of man fall into these traps often. Jesus offers the way of truth. John 14:6 "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me."

Following Jesus is the way of life. Turn from illusions to the Lord of lords and the King of kings. Decide to submit your life to Jesus the Lord and King. You will not be disappointed.

Kayak the Missouri

These adventuresome people were kayaking down the Missouri. The river runs about 3 miles an hour and the channel is about 20 feet deep. Submerged logs and sandbars need to keep your attention. I rarely see a pleasure boat on the Mighty MO. Almost all the land is private with few public access points.

It would be a different world out there. civilization does not intersect the river at many points. It would be a peaceful way to spend time.

Are we willing to go against the norm to spend time with God?
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."
Psalm 5:3 "In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice;
In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch."
Luke 6:12 "It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God."

Lord, I seek You and look for Your answer.

Mourning Dove on Pine Tree

Got a photo of this bird today as I walked abound the block. Looking closely I see there is another bird behind the first one. They are just hanging out at the Pine tree. Now that Fall is here the birds may enjoy the warmth of the morning sun.

Psalm 106:1
"Praise the Lord!
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting."

Osage Orange Sprouts

This Osage Orange tree in the foreground has stems growing up from the roots. This tree has thorns which makes it hard to approach. 

Some people are hard to approach. By their nature it is not easy to talk to them or befriend them. Yet, all people have value and deserve friends. We should not write off those who are not easy to be friends with. Instead, we should show kindness even when we don't receive anything in return.

Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Father, give me Your love for others.

Red-Spotted Purple Butterfly

Found this Red-Spotted Purple butterfly on the trail the other day. It's always a surprise when I see the colorful butterflies on the trail. As I hake I get used to the common sites I see. But I'm always looking for something unusual.

The adult butterflies fly from may to October. The caterpillars lower their water content from around 80% to 50% to keep from freezing in the winter.

Never give up looking for God to do things in your life. Though life might look like winter and becomes hard, God wants to bring you into His will to ministry as He has made you.

Ephesians 2:10 "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."

Father let me see and understand the instrument you have made me to be for Your Kingdom.

Monarch Butterfly

During the fall migration the Monarch butterfly covers 1000's of miles and it takes more than one generation to return. So the pattern of of migration is not learned.

Our life has many twists and turns. We can't always learn before hand what to do. God will lead us as we rely and look to Him for answers.

Proverbs 3:5,6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight."

Roots

The purpose of roots is to get water. But these roots are taking up all the ground which is allotted to this Honey locust tree which isn't much. I've seen many trees planted in sidewalks die. I'm assuming the roots of this tree must have tapped into some sewer line or other source. How could the tree survive otherwise?

Just as this tree has a limited water source, it found a way to survive. Christians need to find a source of nourishment also to thrive in their walk with the Lord. Don't neglect your source of nourishment from the Bible. Your spiritual life depends on it. Let the Lord guide you to green valleys.

Psalm 65:13

 "The meadows are clothed with flocks and the valleys are covered with grain; they shout for joy, yes, they sing."

American White Pelican

The ungainly Am. White Pelican has the whole pond to himself. Seemingly it swims aimlessly around the pond. If a fish swims by it would snatch it.

It is good when we get some time to relax like this pelican.

Psalm 37:7 "Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes."

Dragon Fly

I was taking pictures of these Water Lily pads and didn't realize that I had gotten a photo of this dragon fly. As I cropped the photo this dragon fly became apparent.

It is interesting to find things like this. There is many insights hidden in Scripture that we find when going over them in our mind as we meditate on them. I am blessed as I read, learn and live the Bible.

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,"

Water Lily Flowers

Beautiful Water Lily flowers. 

Flowers come and go but God's word will stand forever. Trust the Lord to meet your needs and give you the plan to meet your needs.

Luke 12:27,28 "Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith!"

Father, you have made much beauty in this world. Let me trust You in all I do.

Water Lilies

These water lilies are now above the water. Yesterday I posted of the lily pads flat on the water.

The largeness of these plants is impressive as you walk up to them.

Mark 18:23 "This is the LORD'S doing; It is marvelous in our eyes."

Lord, what you have made is marvelous and wonderful.

Water Lilies

Water Lilies laying flat in the lake. We found many lilies at these ponds.

Hosea 14:5 "I will be like the dew to Israel; He will blossom like the lily, And he will take root like the cedars of Lebanon."

Thank you Lord that You will help me become mature in life and Your work.

Clouded Sulphur Butterfly

Caught a photo of this butterfly while hiking at Cooly Lake Wildlife Area the other day. Sometimes the wildlife I find is really small.

God is like that. We are looking for the spectacular and God shows us something that seems insignificant. But with Him nothing is insignificant. Small things in His kingdom can make a big difference. We can trust Him with our life.

Psalm 121:8 "The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in. From this time forth and forever."

So be it, in Jesus name.

Forest Canopy

The forest canopy catches most of the direct sunlight. The light you see standing on the forest floor that has gone through the leaves. This light is filtered by the leaves. This photo shows some sunlight that has found its way through the leaves unhindered. A ray of light breaking through the forest canopy.

Christians have a ray of hope in Christ.

Isaiah 9:2 "The people who walk in darkness

Will see a great light;

Those who live in a dark land,

The light will shine on them."

Father let me have the courage to respond to the light you shine on me.

Pison Ivy Vines

As I wrote the other day Poison ivy is like sin in a Christian's life. Some would say they will just do this sin for a little while then stop. Sin doesn't work that way. You may just set out to do it for a short time and be stuck doing it for 10 years.

This photo below shows the tendrils of the Poison ivy vine attaching itself to a tree. It will not be removed without a lot of effort.

Jesus can set us free from sin. Let us not turn back to a yoke of slavery, but instead use God's grace to serve Him in fullness.

Psalm 51:10 "Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a steadfast spirit within me."

Poison Ivy

Poison ivy climbing a tree.

An oil found in all parts of the plant causes a skin irritation. In some people this can be severe.

What is the solution to poison ivy? Stay away from it and cut it out of your yard when you find it.

It is the same with sin in our life. If we allow sin to remain it will hurt our life and destroy us. We should get rid of sin wherever we find it.

Romans 6:16 "Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?"

Father, I don't want to stray from your ways. I will seek You each day to guide me. Thank you for your help. Amen

Garden contrasted with Wild Forest

I see the wild forest as raw talent. And I see the garden as talent directed towards a goal. Nature presents us with many plants to use for our benefit. We can make use of what God has created or we can ignore or abuse these gifts.

Our life can be like this nature lesson. We can use our life for the Lord Jesus, or we can use it for ourselves or we could squander our talents and not use them at all.

2 Timothy 2:15 " Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.."

Lord, I want to use my time for Your benefit. I look to Your Spirit to guide me in the right path.

Thistle Flower

Thistle flower close up.

Isaiah 35:1,2 "The wilderness and the desert will be glad,
And the Arabah will rejoice and blossom;
Like the crocus
2 It will blossom profusely
And rejoice with rejoicing and shout of joy.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,
The majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They will see the glory of the Lord,
The majesty of our God."

Turtle

Hiking through the woods I came across this turtle. He was waiting for me to pass but was not completely in his shell. The shell is plain with no markings.

Looking at the different turtles, this one seems to resemble the Three toed box turtle.

My world and his are far apart.

The speed with which I live is so fast I at times do not comprehend what is happening. The slow life of a turtle has some advantages it seems to me.

Let us not be so hurried that we forget our purpose. Listening to God and responding to His direction brings joy and fulfilment.

Psalm 27:14 “Wait for the Lord;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the Lord.”

Father, I wait for Your word to me. My vitality depends on Your direction.

Possum

Possum or opossum, is the only mammal, in North America, that carries her young in a pouch. They are born just 13 days after conception, the size of a bumble bee.

After a month the young may start to take a peak of the world outside. They leave the mother after 3 months.

They will eat anything. Meat, carrion, vegetables. They climb well and use their hind feet the way humans use their hands. 

These animals have been trapped for fur but they aren't worth much. They are known for playing dead, (playing possum). But they really aren't playing but are responding to stress.

Do we become incapable of dealing with large problems? If so, we can turn to the Lord for strength. He is our rock and our redeemer. Let us not be anxious but build strength by trusting in God.

Psalm 56:11 "In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

Father, I look to you for strength and protection. Thanks.

Pink Wildflower

Little Bluestem Grass

(Schizachyrium scoparium)

This grass is native to most of the US except California, Oregon and Nevada. And grows well in grassland areas.

It is a bunch grass that is perennial, meaning that it comes up year after year.

It can be grown in zones 3-10. It grows best in the sun in well drained soil.

Local grass will do better than grass brought into an area that it is not suited for. 

Psalm 146:5-7 "How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,

Whose hope is in the Lord his God,

6 Who made heaven and earth,

The sea and all that is in them;

Who keeps faith forever;

7 Who executes justice for the oppressed;

Who gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets the prisoners free."