Religion and Spirituality

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

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

Bible Study – Cherish the Knowns, Work on the Unknowns

/ Bill Jones / 7 Comments
Three unknowns

Three unknowns

Since I’ve started a bit of “birding” in the backyard, I’m discovering just how many unknowns I have. Here are three unknowns that decided to get a bite to eat at the same time. I thought I was fairly knowledgeable from my Boy Scout days (which I admit was quite a while ago), but, I’ve gone beyond my knowledge level of the cardinals, mockingbirds, and bluebirds – and realized my ignorance.

When I say “gone beyond”, though, I don’t mean I’ve forgotten them. I have learned that we have the Northern Cardinals, Northern Mockingbirds, and Eastern Bluebirds. But, whether I knew the more specific name or not, the bright red of the male cardinals will always make them a favorite of mine. The songs of the mockingbirds are beautiful, and the blue of the bluebirds is amazing.

It reminded me of Bible Study. As we’ve heard and read the Bible through the years, we’ve probably had more exposure to the well known, and appropriately well loved, verses and passages – “For God so loved the world..”, “The Lord is my Shepherd…”, the Christmas and Easter stories, etc. But, it’s also probable that even though they are familiar, the Holy Spirit has given us additional insight, understanding, and application of these passages at different times. By continuing to study and listen, we learn more about what we thought we knew completely.

And, if we expand what we read and hear to include the whole Bible, we learn more about our glorious God. Things we may have had in the back of our mind become clearer because there is wisdom throughout the entire Bible.

Thanks to help from some of you, I’ve learned of the Pine Siskin and the Chipping Sparrow, and now can enjoy my knowledge of them also. But, the red of the male cardinal will always be a favorite and the blue of the bluebird will always be amazing. As we search the Scriptures, we will discover more verses that will become cherished – but we will always rejoice and be comforted and amazed that “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life” John 3:16 NKJV

Warm Up With God to Start the Day II

/ Bill Jones / 4 Comments
Birds in the Birch Tree Awaiting Sunrise

Birds in the Birch Tree Awaiting Sunrise

I first posted this last winter, but I have a new camera since then, and it seems like a lot more birds, I wanted to re-post with some new pictures. I also included a bonus of the red Berries on the Savannah Holly.

The picture above shows birds sitting together in the river birch tree (and dogwood tree) in our backyard. This is an everyday sight during winter, as they wait patiently for the sun to come up over the tall pines on the horizon. When the sunshine hits them, they sit still and puff themselves up to expose as much of their body to the warmth as possible. It looks like they want to absorb all they can to warm up after the cold night, and get ready for the day.

Birds in the Dogwood Tree

Birds in the Dogwood Tree

Some of the birds stay longer than others, but one by one, they apparently decide they’re ready, and fly down to the feeders or make the flight to the woods to start their day.

It makes me think of our need to warm up and get ready for the day. I’m not referring to temperature, though. I’m writing of our need to start the day by getting close to our Lord and letting Him warm us.

Like the birds, some of us may be able to spend more time doing that than others. I know some who get up early to make sure they have the time before things get busy. Or perhaps some have other activities that they are able to combine with time with God (something that doesn’t interfere with the communication). I’ve heard of others who get through the early morning rush and then grab a cup of coffee and  sit down for Bible Study and prayer.

Savannah Holly Berries

Savannah Holly Berries

There are many different ways we can get close to God and prepare for the day. I encourage us all to choose whatever time and method works best for us, and follow the birds example and take a few minutes to bask in His warmth.

Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul. Psalms 143:8 NIV

Do you have a way you get close to God to start the day?