Black Swallowtail Butterfly
The nights are cooling off a little, but it is still warm during the day. So the butterflies aren’t completely gone yet.
Moth on Duranta
Neither are the moths (I don’t know what kind this one is, but it is neat looking). And the closeup of the Duranta does show the blue color well.
Monarch Butterfly
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1 ESV
And then, everything else beautiful.
Onions With Pivot Irrigation
Things change and the process of life moves on.
When we first moved here, to the “middle of nowhere”, the field across the road was just that – a field that was planted each year with varying crops according to the planned rotation. The owners later divided it – leaving one portion for crops and the other as a pasture for cows.
Early this year, the pasture grass was plowed up, a pivot irrigation system was installed, and Sweet Vidalia Onions were planted. The onions have since been replaced with peanuts, which are ready to be turned over for harvesting.
The land right around our house was initially a pasture also. (I’ll have to remember to post at some point about the joys of having cows around your house – especially when they belong to someone else). Most of that pasture was replaced with planted pine trees about 20 years ago and, since then, we were blessed to purchase part of that land.
At the end of last year, we had the pines cut down and now we’re trying to decide what to do with the land. I have set aside about an acre as a new “landscape” area. I had a few hardwood trees planted to get it started, but no long-range plans have been made.
But, whether or not, I make and carry out long range landscape plans, something will happen in that acre. After the harvest across the road, the peanuts may be replaced with onions again, but a different crop may be planted. If left alone, the other part of our planted pine area will re-seed itself from all the remaining pines in the vicinity.
I’ve made this ramble (hopefully a bit interesting) to illustrate the change that happens around us as time passes. Even leaving things alone, results in some type of change.
But, the point I’m heading to is that during this relatively short time described here, and backwards and forwards into eternity, our Lord and Savior has not changed one bit. And, He never will. As things change, and the process of life moves on – often in ways we don’t prefer – that is a wonderful assurance we can hold to.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 ESV
Tibouchina bush
Here’s one that’s not usually from around here – but it’s adapted wonderfully. As I understand it, it’s more of a tropical or semi-tropical plant. So, the winters are cold enough in south Georgia that it dies back to the ground each year.
But, it comes back in the spring and forms a perfectly shaped bush with beautiful flowers. It continues to bloom for several months. In the picture below you can see the blooms, and the many buds that will follow behind.
Tibouchina flowers
Yet another example of being strangers in a strange land and blooming where you’re planted!
“These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.” Hebrews 11:13 ESV
And, we who are blessed with faith, by grace, have received the things promised. Yet, even though, like the saints of old written about in Hebrews 11, we are still strangers and exiles on the earth, we are called to spread the blessings where we are.
Joe Pye Weed with Butterflies
I’ve focused on blessings from God the last couple of weeks, and today I thought it worthwhile to continue. Here’s a photo of 4 large (and beautiful) butterflies on the Joe Pye Weed plant in one of the flower beds out back. God’s creation just amazes me constantly.
“Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” Psalms 100 ESV
I Was Thinking the Other Day About... 