Purple and White Flower

It is not always the large plants or mountain vistas that bring beauty. This flower reminds me that there can be beauty in unexpected places.

God is the same way with us. It is not the mighty man that has His power but one who listens and humbly obeys with courage. God supports those whose heart is completely His. Many times the people God chooses are those the world would not consider. God can use anyone who trusts and believe in Him.

2 Chronicles 16:9

"For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars.”

Savannah Woods

These woods are maintained as a Savannah woodland. This is not naturally occurring unless fire burns out the undergrowth. This type of woods looks nicer because there is less debris under the trees.


Last December, we were there as a fire trail was being made to burn off the undergrowth. Workers were blowing leaves off with an air blower.

 

Below is a picture of the Savannah woods maintained by fire.

And below is an area that did not receive burning.

Just as the forest is kept clean by fire. We benefit by getting rid of debris that would keep our soul divided between serving God and ourselves. With a clear purpose we are effective in our work. Don't let a divided heart and soul cause  you to work at cross purposes.

Father, I ask you to show me where my heart and soul is not pure towards You.

Quiet Waters

Waters are calming and peaceful. Stopped at this lake and rested our souls by watching the water and the sky. Psalm 23:2 "He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters."

There is something about water that is peaceful. Could it be that we are made up of mostly water, and that is why it is peaceful? Up to 60% of the human body is water. "There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling place of the Most High." Psalm 46:4

God's voice is described as being over the waters. "Psalm 29:3 "The voice of the Lord is upon the waters, . . . " Waters allow us to hear the voice of God. The Bible is referred to as water. Ephesians 5:26 "So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of the water with the word." 

Take a Scripture portion and read it slowly at a place of reflection, such as this lake.

Eastern Cottonwood

This tree is still growing at a regular rate. At the end of 2008 it had a circumference of 201". Yesterday it had a circumference of 217.25. It has grown 16.25" in 9 years. The height of the tree is 108' and the branch spread was 108 and 83'. The point value of the tree is 363.

This is the biggest tree I have measured since I started measuring trees, in central and West Missouri.

The other tree that rivals this tree in size is an American Sycamore tree that is not far from here. It is growing up on the slopes you can see in the background in this picture. That tree has a spring above it which contributes to its growth.

This Cottonwood is growing on the old Missouri river bottoms. The bottoms were diked a long time ago probably in the early 1900's.

There are many things that come against a tree from living a long life. Disease, bug infestation, storms, soil and ground stability and the growth of other trees abound it. Development by construction knock out a lot of trees.

People can be compared to trees in the aspect of strength, growth and stability. It is the choices we make in how we live our life that determine our success. Some things come against us that out of our control, but God will provide what we need as we stay connected to Him.

Psalm 105:4

"Seek the Lord and His strength. Seek His face continually."

Father, guide me by Your Spirit to be bring light and life to others.

Old Chinquapin Oak

Height 67'
Circumference 115"
Canopy 50 & 55
Points 187

There are many dead branches on this tree. When they drop off the canopy will be even shorter.  The split in the bole of the tree is allowing disease and bugs to attack the health of the tree.

There are signs of life and death in our walk with the Lord. When we speak of God's work in us and through us we are giving testimony to Jesus and advancing. When we focus on the things of this world we have our mind on fleshly things and life is not happening.

The solution is to live with expectation for what God has promised.

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,"

Zenna

I like these flowers because they last all summer. This photo was taken 10/9/17

Psalm 34:1-7
"I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul will make its boast in the Lord;
The humble will hear it and rejoice.
3 O magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and He answered me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces will never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
And saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him,
And rescues them."

Chinquapin Oak

Height 51'
Circumference   124 5/8   In 2009 the circumference was 117"
Canopy 70 & 59
Points 192

Looking on one side of this tree it looks healthy. But when you go around to the other side there are many signs of decay.

There are 2 sides to our life, the physical and the spiritual. Don't neglect the spiritual part of your life. Turn to Jesus every day to be refreshed.

Psalm 119:121-128

"I have done justice and righteousness;

Do not leave me to my oppressors.

122 Be surety for Your servant for good;

Do not let the arrogant oppress me.

123 My eyes fail with longing for Your salvation

And for Your righteous word.

124 Deal with Your servant according to Your lovingkindness

And teach me Your statutes.

125 I am Your servant; give me understanding,

That I may know Your testimonies.

126 It is time for the Lord to act,

For they have broken Your law.

127 Therefore I love Your commandments

Above gold, yes, above fine gold.

128 Therefore I esteem right all Your precepts concerning everything,

I hate every false way."

Crow Headed Out

I saw 3 crows land in a tree but the view was obstructed. As I moved to get a clear photo they took off. This is the last of the 3. As they took off they were squawking warnings to each other and maybe to other crows on the periphery.

They wanted to keep something between me and them. When I moved they became intimidated and left.

We can be intimidated by God and His teachings in the Bible. But this shows we don't know God or His love for us. The crows didn't know me and they were not going to take a chance to find out. We can't know God if we don't take a chance and seek to find Him.

Matthew 28:18-30

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Oak Tree Growing in Competition

Height 120'

circumference 92"

Canopy 46' & 43'

Points 223

Unlike the tree I posted yesterday this oak is growing under strong competition. For that reason it is growing a lot taller then the tree I posted yesterday. This is not the best tree to consider but it is a common one.  For trees to grow tall they need to be in competition.

Our ability to grow in Christ does not happen when we are not challenged. It is the challenge of faith that brings growth.

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."

Healthy Bur Oak

Circumference 13' 8"
Height 65'
Canopy 80' & 80'
Points 252

This urban tree has grown into a wolf tree. The housing was built in the 60's so I assume the park was cleared of most of the trees at that time.  In the last part of this trees life, there has been no close competition.  I think that is why the height is not very high.

The tree has grown the lower branches out to get light. If a tree had others growing by it the tree would grow taller to get more light.

The tree seems to be at peace.

Psalm 4:8

"In peace I will both lie down and sleep,

For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety."

Tomorrow I will post an oak tree that has grown in close quarters with other competition.

Cone Flower

The flower blooms in the summer. The seeds in the cone head need to go through the winter and then are ready to use in the next Spring to germinate.

The word of God is seed for our hearts and souls. Sometimes we hear the word but don't really get the meaning. After a while the Holy Spirit will quicken to our mind the meaning.

Let us consider the word of God and let the Holy Spirit bring the meaning to us.

Psalm 119:107

"I am exceedingly afflicted;

            Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word."

Water Lillies

Photos taken 8/7/17 Canon EOS 7D 1/250 f7.1 400mm ISO 100

These Lilly plants cover a large part of the water in a wild life area. They are interesting to me because of their size and the beauty of the flowers. They provide food for wildlife but may cause drainage problems. The vast growth of these plants show how they may become a problem.

These plants need to be in the water and we need to be in the water of the Word of God. As we hear God we live. Don't close your ears, resulting in spiritual sleep, but instead hear what God says to us in the Bible. Let us live from what we hear.

John 5:25 ""Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live."

Living in Hard Ground

Sometimes life deals you a bad hand. This tree is growing in hard ground. Or I should say in rock. But it finds nutrients and water even there.

What I see here is a never give up spirit. Life is hard for this tree but it survives. We can survive in difficult times. But how? We can find the nutrients and water in Jesus.  This is my prayer for me and my family. God is good!

Psalm 91

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,

My God, in whom I trust!”

3 For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper

And from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with His pinions,

And under His wings you may seek refuge;

His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.

5 You will not be afraid of the terror by night,

Or of the arrow that flies by day;

6 Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness,

Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.

7 A thousand may fall at your side

And ten thousand at your right hand,

But it shall not approach you.

8 You will only look on with your eyes

And see the recompense of the wicked.

9 For you have made the Lord, my refuge,

Even the Most High, your dwelling place.

10 No evil will befall you,

Nor will any plague come near your tent.

11 For He will give His angels charge concerning you,

To guard you in all your ways.

12 They will bear you up in their hands,

That you do not strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread upon the lion and cobra,

The young lion and the serpent you will trample down.

14 “Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him;

I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.

15 “He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble;

I will rescue him and honor him.

16 “With a long life I will satisfy him

And let him see My salvation.”
NASB

Grasshopper

Judges 6:5

"For they would come up with their livestock and their tents, 

they would come in like locusts for number, 

both they and their camels were innumerable; 

and they came into the land to devastate it."

Bugs play a part in nature but at times they get out of sync. There was a grasshopper plague in Kansas in the year of 1874. It was so severe that they blocked out the sun with their numbers. Some people had settled in Kansas after the Civil War. The farmers' crops were wiped out and the nation sent money and supplies to help the people.

We can be devastated in our life with Christ if we are not ready.  Be ready to help those in need to get people back on their feet both spiritually and in the natural.

Autumn Is Comming

I notice that the chlorophyll ( the green color in the leaf) stays a little longer by the veins of the leaf. The veins bringing the water to the leaf.

Stay connected to, Jesus our source, and we will continue to produce.

Psalm 67:6

"The earth has yielded its produce; God, our God, blesses us."

Squirrel

Caught this squirrel running across a power line by my house. He had an acorn in his mouth and we don't have any Oak trees in our yard. He had gone a ways to get that acorn.

Each event of nature points me to God and the abundance there is in nature.

Psalm 65:13 

"The meadows are clothed with flocks 

And the valleys are covered with grain; 

They shout for joy, yes, they sing."

Bur Oak Revisited

This tree above is the same tree as the one below. The one above was photographed 9/26/17 and 28th while the lower photo was taken in November 2006. The circumference has increased in the last 11 years from 156" to 162 3/8". If you look close there are vines on the tree bowl that I chopped away to measure the bole.

The height was an estimation in 2006 now I have a clinometer.  It was  63' now I measured it as 81'

I don't know what I was measuring in 2006 but I came up with 88'  for the average branch spread. Now I have a branch spread of  99 and 121'

Height 81'

Canopy 99 & 121

Circuference 162

Points 271

There is a lesson as I was chopping vines. A healthy tree is endangered by the vines taking vitality from the tree.

Just because you are healthy now does not mean something is not attacking you. Resist the enemy at every turn in life.

James 4:6
"But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Grace is God giving ability to us.

Father, I pray the eyes of my heart my be enlightened to see my victory in my endeavors in life.

Water Hemlock

Every day I see God's goodness and His provision. When there is a storm that destroys, I see growth returning. When there is sun I see the plants worshiping God. When I see rain I see the plants being supplied.

Psalm 65:5-13

"By awesome deeds You answer us in righteousness, O God of our salvation,

You who are the trust of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest sea;

6 Who establishes the mountains by His strength,

Being girded with might;

7 Who stills the roaring of the seas,

The roaring of their waves,

And the tumult of the peoples.

8 They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs;

You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy.

9 You visit the earth and cause it to overflow;

You greatly enrich it;

The stream of God is full of water;

You prepare their grain, for thus You prepare the earth.

10 You water its furrows abundantly,

You settle its ridges,

You soften it with showers,

You bless its growth.

11 You have crowned the year with Your bounty,

And Your paths drip with fatness.

12 The pastures of the wilderness drip,

And the hills gird themselves with rejoicing.

13 The meadows are clothed with flocks

And the valleys are covered with grain;

They shout for joy, yes, they sing."

Blacked Capped Chickadee

Because of the bird feeder being busy this Blacked Capped Chickadee pulled some grain out of a side hole in the bird feeder.

People are hindered at times by the busyness of life. Those who continue asking, continue seeking and continue knocking will find the answers they are looking.  Don't give up because of opposition. If it doesn't work one way try another way. Keep believing, trusting, relying on God.

Matthew 7:8 Amplified

"For everyone who keeps on asking receives, and he who keeps on seeking finds, and to him who keeps on knocking, it will be opened."

Bur Oak Acorns

Bur Oak Acorns are unique in that the cap covers most of the acorn with fringe. They are larger than other types.

Bur Oak grows to be a dominate tree in the Oak/Hickory forest. Just as people collect pine cones for decorations, Bur oak acorns could be used for decorations also.

Let us remember it is God that gives strength and increases power. It is from Him that life flows from us to others. O bless the Lord and give thanks to His holy name.

Psalm 68:32-35

"Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth,

Sing praises to the Lord, Selah.

33 To Him who rides upon the highest heavens, which are from ancient times;

Behold, He speaks forth with His voice, a mighty voice.

34 Ascribe strength to God;

His majesty is over Israel

And His strength is in the skies.

35 O God, You are awesome from Your sanctuary.

The God of Israel Himself gives strength and power to the people.

Blessed be God!"