Flock of Ducks

Caught these flock of ducks landing among their fellow ducks. When I would hunt ducks, we would put out decoys to attract their attention and get them to come to our blind.

Ducks would circle around a lake or pond looking to see if it was safe to land. If we were well hidden in our blind they would try to land among our decoys. The decoys would trick them into thinking it was safe.

Christians need to flock together and be in community. Don't be fooled by groups of people that claim to follow Jesus but deny Him by their actions. Find people that preach the Bible and work towards following its directions.

John 10:27,28 " My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand."

Trail

We were following a marked trail. These markers kept us from taking a wrong turn. With a map and knowing which trail to follow we found our way through the woods. Even with the markings there still was some doubt at times if we were on the right trail.

Usually I have a general knowledge of the lay of the land. Many times I have walked through woods without trails and have done just fine, because I understand how the hills and valleys run and the sun gives me a general direction of south, north, east and west.

There have been times when I have been mixed up. I then use a compass to point the way. A few times I was disorientated and forgot my compass and the sun was covered by clouds. One of those times I sat down and listened for a car to drive by and I used that sound to show me the direction. FortunatelyI knew how the road went.

We can lose our way spiritually if we aren't paying attention. Turn to Jesus and the Bible and you will find your way as the Holy Spirit guides you.

Luke 19:10 "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

Sparrow in Winter

It is not winter yet but this photo reminds me of preparation. The inner feathers are down and keep the bird warm as it fluffs out  its feathers to trap air.  Their legs are usually just bone and sinew so they don't get cold. They can also hunker down to keep their legs warm. Many birds tuck their head under their wing.

Are we prepared for the future? Spiritually we are protected as we turn our trust towards Jesus. Belief in Jesus and His care will guide us through the hard times.

Psalm 62:8 

"Trust in Him at all times, 

O people; 

Pour out your heart before Him; 

God is a refuge for us."

Fall Woods

The change in the foliage during Autumn is always received with joy and wonderment. Winter is coming but the relief from Summer heat is welcomed.

Chlorophyll starts to break down when the length of the day and the temperatures start to drop. Other colors in the leaf become visible.

Genesis 1:3

"Young's Literal Translation

and God saith, 'Let light be;' and light is."

When we see color we see light. What we see with our eyes is light. There is also a spiritual side of life and we can see in the Spirit so to speak when we become aware of it.

People say, "seeing is believing." But it is the opposite. Believing allows us to see.

Mark 11:24

"Therefore I say to you, 

all things for which you pray and ask, 

believe that you have received them, 

and they will be granted you."

E. Red Cedar Growth

Photo taken 11/29/13

Here is the Eastern Red Cedar I measured in November 2013.
Height 48' Circumference 95.25" Canopy 40 & 45 Total Points 154

Here are the 2017 measurements 4 years later. 10/28/17
Height 53' Circumference 99 1/8" Canopy 47' 48' Total Points 164 a 6% increase in points in 4 years.

I shot the photo from the opposite side of the tree. Height growth is noticeable. As we walk with Jesus through the years, stop and remember how God has led you and take note of where you were and where you are now.

Silver Maple

The light leaves caught my eye as they were turning yellow. This caused me to think this tree was a Silver maple.

The bark of the tree definitely was maple bark. A healthy tree with no indication of injury or disease.

This close up of the red buds shows the beauty of the tree.

The deep lobes of the leaves is another sign of a Silver maple.

I find the red leaf stems interesting and unique.

The characteristic of the back of this leaf is the defining issue of the tree. Silver maple truly is a tree that shows its uniqueness.

God is an artist and this tree is part of the genius of God. He makes all things unique and different according to His design.

I thank you Lord Jesus for seeing the beauty of your creation and the paint brush you use to create beauty and wonder.;

Ecclseiastics 3:11
"He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end."

Devil's Ice box

Went to this cave system last summer. The air temp was in the 90's but down in the cave it was in the 50's. I can imagine that back before air conditioning, people would camp in this area for relief from the heat.

These cave formations are forming, as water flows below the ground surface. Much of this activity is unknown, though some caves are found and toured by people.

There is a world that we are not aware of until God revealed it to us through the Bible. And even after reading and learning from the Bible many will not pay much attention to life in the Spirit. It is there and it is real. Life is not just what you see.

For instance our body is just what we live in. Our true being is within and our minds make the decisions of what to do. Let us not be led by the desires of our body. Instead direct your body by the leading of God's Spirit.

Romans 8:5.6

"For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, 

but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 

6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, 

but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,"

Purple Flower

I remember looking at the ground after a hurricane. All the leaves and vegetation were stripped away. The ground looked barren and grey. But with rain and sunshine and its warmth, growth comes back. Life is not always barren and without vibrancy and growth. 

Just as the ground brings forth life after a storm, we can be revived for life when we make changes for life to happen. Use God's word as a guideline for life.

Isaiah 55:10

""For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;"

E Red Cedar Contrast

Here are 2 Eastern Red Cedar trees that look from a distance to have a difference in the color of their foliage. Looking closely I see that one has seeds growing and the other doesn't. 

This is one of the amazing things of nature. Not so much the diversity of nature. Yes that is interesting. But finding out things of nature that are not readily seen until further investigation.

In the 2 books God has written, one being the Bible and the other nature, there is much to learn. We won't learn it if we don't investigate and seek answers.

Matthew 7:7 Ask and you will receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and it will be opened unto you.

White Ash Bud

Psalm 71:22,23

I will also praise You with a harp,

Even Your truth, O my God;

To You I will sing praises with the lyre,

O Holy One of Israel.

23 My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to You;

And my soul, which You have redeemed.

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.