Category Archives: Nature

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May 2, 2014

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Challenges & Difficulty, Family, Friends & Fellowship, Nature

Accepting Help

accepting helpListen to my pleading, Lord! Be merciful and send the help I need. [Psalm 27:7 (TLB)]

There it was, smack dab in the middle of the road: a Florida softshell turtle. Since softshells rarely leave the water except to bask in the sun at water’s edge, I think this one was on her way to dig a nest and drop her eggs. Unfortunately, every time a car came along, she tucked herself back into her shell. Just about the time she felt confident enough to stick out her neck, along would come another car and she’d retreat again into her shell. At that rate, I knew it was highly unlikely that she’d make it across the road before becoming road-kill. Florida softshells are big and can be aggressive; this one was about two feet long and probably weighed forty-five pounds. My concern was that, if I tried to pick her up, I’d end up dropping her before getting her to safety, especially if she got feisty about being carried. The best I could do was caution the oncoming cars to swerve around her. Fortunately, a landscaper stopped, reached in his truck to get a shovel, gently scooped her up, and carried her into the bushes.

What did I learn from all of this? First, if we ever want to get somewhere, we’ve got to stick out our necks. Second, sometimes we have to accept a little help to get where we need to go.

Lord, we are often more willing to offer a helping hand to others than to accept the hand that offers help to us. Please guide us to know when we are able tough it out on our own and when we need some aid. Keep us from hiding in shells to conceal our vulnerability. Don’t ever let us be too proud to ask for help; keep us from rebuffing assistance when it is offered. Thank you for the help you send that comes from friends and strangers.

Be brave enough to accept the help of others. [Melba Cosgrove]

Pride goes before destruction and haughtiness before a fall. [Proverbs 16:18 (TLB)]

 

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April 3, 2014

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Faith & Hope, Nature, Temptation & Sin

Don’t Get Caught

lionsStay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. [1 Peter 5:8-9a (NLT)]

While in Tanzania, I was transfixed while watching a group of lionesses stalk zebras as the herd drank from a stream. Although the lions were concealed in the tall grass, periodically the herd would spook and run a few feet away from the water. The cool water, however, was too tempting and their thirst would bring them right back again. Meanwhile, the lions patiently watched and waited, gradually moving closer to the animals. We didn’t wait to see how this scenario ended but I have no doubt that eventually the lions got one of the zebras, perhaps a smaller weaker one or one who wandered away from the herd. The lions patiently watched for the zebra who lingered just a little bit longer for one last sip, the one who thought he wouldn’t get caught. If they weren’t successful that afternoon, the lions would be back at the watering hole the next day, vigilantly waiting to spring into action when opportunity arose.

Satan is equally as persevering and watchful as those lions. We must stay strong and alert, close to other Christians, be aware of temptation and never think we are invulnerable from Satan’s attack.

 

 

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February 19, 2014

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God's Grace & Love, Nature

We Know the Artist

zebrasThe heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or words; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. [Psalm 19:1-4 (NLT)]

Recently, I toured an art museum with a docent who told me about each artist’s life and work. Knowing something about the individual artists helped me to better appreciate their art.

Aren’t we fortunate that we know the artist who scattered the stars, painted the stripes on the zebra, sculpted the Rocky Mountains, fashioned the delicate hummingbird, and handcrafts each flake of snow? When we observe God’s artistry, we’re doubly blessed. Not only do we know something about His majestic work, but we also know the Creator personally!

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. [Romans 1:20 (NLT)]

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January 10, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Nature, Thanks & Praise

He Is Our Landlord

Remember the sky, the highest heaven, the earth and everything it contains belong to the Lord your God. [Deuteronomy 10:14 (GW)]

Lord, thank you for the reminder that we don’t own our world; we’re just renters here. When we depart, we’re expected to leave the earth in as good a condition (or better) than it was when we arrived. Forgive us, Lord, for not taking better care of your beautiful creation. Guide us so that we become good stewards of your gifts.

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August 30, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Joy, Nature, Today: Make it Count

Greet the Day with Joy

2013-8-30But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress. O my strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love. [Psalm 59:16-17 (NLT)]

O Lord, may I wake each morning with a song in my heart. Let me be like the mockingbird who greets the dawn singing with confidence and delight. May I face the day’s challenges with a positive attitude and praise for you. I don’t want to be like the fish crow who shares his pessimism with a nasal whine of “uh-uh.” He’s emphatic about saying “no” to the day’s possibilities while the mockingbird sings almost endlessly with enthusiasm and hope.

Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives. [Psalm 90:14 (NLT)]

 

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May 14, 2013

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God's Promises, Nature, Thanks & Praise

SEE HOW THEY GROW

2013-5-14Look at the wildflowers in the field. See how they grow. They don’t work or make clothes for themselves. But I tell you that even Solomon, the great and rich king, was not dressed as beautifully as one of these flowers. If God makes what grows in the field so beautiful, what do you think he will do for you? It’s just grass—one day it’s alive, and the next day someone throws it into a fire. But God cares enough to make it beautiful. Surely he will do much more for you. Your faith is so small! [Matthew 6:28b-30 (ERV)]

May spring’s abundance of wildflowers remind us of your generosity, O Lord. You not only provide us with all that we need, but you do so with an unparalleled richness, splendor and glory.