Big as a Moose

When a mama moose looks at you like this, with her calf nearby, you silently give thanks for your 300mm lens--maybe even the presence of others who run more slowly than you.

I can't help but wonder, did Adam call it a moose because it was so big or did "big as a moose" come later? Another chicken-egg conundrum.

"And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof." (Gen. 2:19)

On Eagle's Wings

We were blessed to visit Alaska this past July and were told that 80% of the American Bald Eagles live there.

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)

Still Praising

"Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee"
(Ps. 84:3-4).

Right, not a sparrow or a swallow. But she found a nest for herself in a hanging basket just outside my office window at home last summer. And it took a zoom lens and some cropping to get this "close!"

Don't you love how Creation praises Him?

Picking Nits

On one hand we are called to "be our brother's keeper," willingly and lovingly helping him along life's path.  On the other, Paul warns us against being consumed one of another if we "bite and devour." (Gal. 5:16).

Doesn't it go back just one verse to Gal. 5:15, "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

Side by side. Patient. Loving. Helpful.  Any "nit picking" done with the consent and full knowledge of the one being helped.

Christmas Shopping

Not sure why, but the first thought I had when reviewing this picture from a display at the Madrid bus/train station was "Black Friday!"

Too much has probably been said about the madness of it all so I'll forgo the indulgence here.  When it comes to gifts, though, I was very appreciative of the thoughts shared by a minister this past Sunday.  He said that some of the best gifts he received growing up were when his folks didn't ask for suggestions but just picked out something they thought he'd like.  "We got a lot of miles out of that toboggan," he summarized!

The main point being, we can trust God to give us what we need and then graciously thank Him.

Somewhere in this season of the year, the true meaning is waiting to be discovered afresh.

"For God so loved the world..." (John 3:16).

Tangled Webs

Oh what a tangled web we weave,
When first we practise to deceive!
--Sir Walter Scott

It's usually early in childhood that we require admonition to truthfulness.  We are told to always tell the truth and to be sure it will find us out.  To avoid even "little white lies," so called, and to learn that deception can masquerade as truth, or be "technically" true and still mislead.

We can ponder the heart motivations which drive the act of deceiving others but what lies at the root of our vulnerability to accept a lie in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary?  What fans the flame of an effective conspiracy theory?  I will only allude to some of the more famous ones for fear of attracting the same "Google love" that sends their advocates scurrying around the Internet for fodder.

Perhaps the most famous and enduring surrounds the death of a beloved American leader and whether or not his killer acted alone or was "bought and paid for" by enemies, foreign or domestic.  Another suggests that space travel is all contrived and that we never actually landed a man on our lunar neighbor.  More recently the tragic events that toppled buildings in our capital and largest city surely must have been a government plot or something other than what they--Oh, the faceless "they"!--say they were.

Sadly, we're bent to want to believe the negative about others, perhaps especially those in authority.  Somehow it elevates the self.  "Did you hear?" pricks the ears, ready to glean a juicy tidbit however dubious.  So much the easier to swallow--and pass along--if we can make it fit the "pattern".

Fear strengthens the web as well.  "What are things coming to?" we ask, and fill the unknowable void with wild extrapolations and hearsay, satisfied that we've found the answer. Further query is not needed, thank you very much.

Rather that we would ask: Is it true, is it honest, is it just, is it pure, is it lovely, is it of good report?   And surely we'd want the virtue and praise that comes from thinking on such things (Phil. 4:8).

Starting with me.

Vigilance

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" (I Pet. 5:8) 

A foreign sound.  The head goes up.  Watching.  Discerning.  Friend or foe?  

Imagination?  Unwarranted Fear?  Out of control panic?  Shouting unneeded warnings?  Stirring up others? 

Pause and remember, "Perfect love casts out fear."  (I John 4:18).  Soberness., vigilance, discernment.  "By their fruits ye shall know them." (Matt. 7:20).  Often over time.

The Holy Spirit will never work through actions that violate God's Word.  Satan is not thus bound.  His wolf fur will eventually show under the sheep's clothing.  His biting and devouring will make itself known. 

"Be still and know that I am God." (Ps. 46:10). 

"My sheep hear my voice." (John 10:27) 

"I am with you always." (Matt. 28:20)

Goldfinch

"Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows." (Matt. 10:31)

Flowers aren't the only thing I can see from my porch perch; I love watching these brightly plumaged finches dart in for a repast at our feeder; God's eye on each of them.

Beating the Heat

We've had some "dog days" and it isn't even summer yet.  This displaced polar bear seems to have the right idea!

While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. (Gen. 8:22)

Every Living Thing

 

"And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." (Gen. 1:28)

Isn't Creation marvelous?

All Creatures Great and Small

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.
 --Cecil F. Alexander

If you look closely, you'll see a nut in his mouth!

Too wonderful (Part II)

I don't usually post images taken with my cell phone but this one is too fascinating not to share.  Again, God's creation is just "too wonderful" (Prov. 30:18&19). And yes, he swallowed the whole thing.  Tough on the frog.

Too wonderful

 

The way of an eagle in the air was mentioned by Solomon as one of the things he found to be "too wonderful" (Prov. 30:18-19).  Perhaps in our modern comfort with human air travel we've lost some of our sense of wonder.  No, not an eagle, but wondrous all the same.

It's Coming!

The time of the singing of birds is come! (Song 2:12)

The robins have arrived and I even saw a beautiful cardinal yesterday, though not in enough light to capture with a lens.  Winter is making a feeble attempt to reassert itself but the die is cast.  Spring is coming!

Full disclosure: this was shot last year.  We don't have leaves sprouting quite yet!

Mates for Life

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. (Eph. 5:31)

Twenty-five years ago today the engagement of Cindy Herrmann and Brad Eisenmann was announced.  Words fail to describe the blessings experienced since then.  Truly my very best and dearest friend.

He Sends His Love

On the wings of a snow-white dove,
He sends His pure sweet love,
A sign from above,
On the wings of a dove.

When troubles surround us,
When evils come;
The body grows weak
The spirit grows numb;
When these things beset us,
He doesn't forget us;
He sends down His love,
On the wings of a dove.

Wings of a Dove, song/lyrics by Robert B. Ferguson

(Yes, I know that's a seagull!)

Every Beast is His

 

 "For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills." -- Ps. 50:10

No, this one isn't on a hill in this picture, but he's a noble beast, don't you think?

They Dwell in Kings' Palaces Too

The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces. (Prov. 30:28)

I'm told tarantulas are harmless.  The kids in Mexico and on our mission trip seemed to think so.

Focus

Keep your eye on the ball!  If there's something to be said for single-mindedness and intense focus, and I think there is, this Riley fellow has it down!

From the Master's Hand

Our nieces and nephew just welcomed "Riley" into the family.  I love this tender moment between him and one of his new masters.