Nature

Do You Look Like Just Another Board in the Fence?

/ Bill Jones / 4 Comments
New Boards in the Fence Standout

New Boards in the Fence Standout

Do you stand out like a new creation?

A few weeks ago I headed out to a jobsite and went by the Meldrim Sisters’ Farm. The sisters are no longer living but their legacy lives on  because the house and land are still referred to as their home. You can see the old house in the photo

What caught my eye were the repairs/replacements being made on the fence – how the new boards stand out against the old. If you observe closely or just catch them in the corner of your eye, you notice they’re different. They shine brighter. They show a definite contrast to those boards around them.

Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 5:17 came to mind: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” NKJV

If we are in Christ, as Paul says, we should stand out from the rest of the world. Not because we’re smart or flashy or ambitious, but because we are a new creation – God has taken our heart of stone and given us a heart of flesh. A heart that shines out the love of God to others – a heart that wants to be more like Jesus – a heart that doesn’t want to live and look like all the other “boards” in the fence.

A Wicked Surprise in the Back Forty

/ Bill Jones / 8 Comments
Thorny Vines

Thorny Vines

Thorny Fine Closeup

Thorny Vine Closeup

A wicked surprise in the back forty!

When I cleared out the underbrush in the area of cut pines (referred to as the new landscape area in previous blogs), I found a lot of self started pine seedlings. I couldn’t bring myself to pull them up and throw them on the brush pile, so, I decided to replant them in other areas – like the “back forty”. I call it that because it is the back of the property – nowhere near forty acres – maybe 2?

I took my bundle of seedlings, used a hand held edger as a dibble, and started walking and planting in no particular pattern. I backed up in one place and felt something grabbing my pants leg. When I looked down I saw the most wicked vine I’ve ever seen. I looked around it and found it was one of several in a group as seen in the picture. When I showed Sharon the picture, she said I needed something to kill them graveyard dead. I think she’s right.

Several thoughts come to mind. I can imagine these as the vines around the castle where Sleeping Beauty was (or was it Snow White?). Either way, a Prince Charming would have to be strong and courageous to take them on.

It definitely is a picture of the results of man’s fall into sin. Imagine the beauty of other vines like jasmine and clematis, in contrast to these.

And, especially imagine a crown of thorns made of these. What a brutal thing to endure. Yet, our Lord endured the cross and the thorns and the humiliation all for the joy set before Him – the salvation of His children! Praise the Lord for His Love.

“looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 ESV

Was That Bird Smoking a Cigar?

/ Bill Jones / 4 Comments
Female Cardinal with Seed

Female Cardinal with Seed

No, this little lady didn’t stop by the back yard to enjoy a cigar – it just looks that way. Looks like an imitation of Edward G Robinson, or maybe Bugs Bunny with a carrot. Either way it’s an interesting shot that looks like she was posing.

As with all of God’s great Creation, there is so much beauty, wonder and delight. How marvelous!

“So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:21 ESV

Confused Peach Tree? – Praise the Lord!

/ Bill Jones / 2 Comments
Confused January Peach Tree

Confused January Peach Tree

I’ve seen quite a few blog posts about this winter’s weird weather – I agree it’s been weird around here. The picture was our peach tree back in January. The weather was warm enough, long enough, to get it confused. One problem is it started blooming before I had time to prune it. So, now it will get extra big this summer.

I decided not to prune it while blooming – maybe there will be a few peaches. We’ll have to wait and see.

But, the blooms were pretty, as usual, and did foretell the coming of Spring. As several folks have said – time to start thinking of gardening time. As with everything, God had perfect wisdom in creating the seasons. It is always wonderful to start seeing the hints of new life coming with the approach of Spring. It reminds us that the Lord is always there, always with us, always watching over things, and always working for His glory and our good.

Praise the Lord for Spring and the hope that God gives us.

Praise the LORD, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD! Psalms 117 ESV