I must remember that each sighting and experience of wildlife out my window is a gift from the Father. I am always amazed at those who hold up traffic at Cades Cove in the Smoky Mountains because they see a white-tailed deer. We have them at home I declare! And then I realize that not everyone if that fortunate.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe, Who brings the buck and the doe to flower and field. May they find nourishment and Your peace in this place. Amen.
I saw this great blue heron fly over our house, then down towards the retention pond. There are no fish there but plenty of frogs! Grabbed the leash and the dog. Called a neighbor and off we galloped. Had to be stealthy as we got to the pond. And yep, the heron was still there!
Now granted the video is not terrific as I only had my iPhone, but the frog scampering across the water was pretty funny. Watch the ending of the video for the jumping frog! Poor heron walked almost the entire perimeter of the pond and never got a thing to eat.
I was in hysterics watching this. Sent it to most of my friends. Hilarious!! Click on the link. You can ignore the sign in for Facebook and just watch the video. Don’t bother with the sound. The subtitles are so funny!
On the national news the same night was this clip. One of our Grandgirls is fluent in sign language, so, of course, I had to send it to her with the suggestion that she train her 2 Corgis this way! You do want the sound on for this one, unless of course, you know sign language!
Lizzie and Drew’s Corgis, like in the first video, live with several cats!
Regardless of your denomination in Christianity you have likely been exposed to the Creeds. Part of the Apostles Creed says, “He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.”
In Lectio Divina we are told to read the Scriptures repeatedly, meditatively and picture ourselves in the scene described. How do you see the Ascension of Christ? The celebration is generally held 40 days after the resurrection. The Word says
So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”
7 He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9 After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. 10 As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!” Acts 1:6-11 New Living Testament
One website says that in Lectio Divina we are to take a step of meditation. “The second element is meditation (meditatio). By using your imagination enter into the Biblical scene in order to “see” the setting, the people, and the unfolding action. It is through this mediation that you encounter the text and discover its meaning for your life.”
So what do you imagine they saw “as He was taken up into a cloud while they were watching”?
I was startled recently to come across the photo of this depiction in a church.
It took me a second to actually see the ceiling fixture above. It is evidently based upon some Medieval art such as below.
Well, I never! Never thought of this – never imagined this. Would love to see Kelly Latimore write an icon on this passage!
Here are a few more images. I hope you will use your imagination and sit with this verse for a time of prayer.
Not certain I would have been this calm and peaceful had I been present to see His ascension.
“Whaaat?”asked the balding man with long white mustache and beard. in the gray robe.
And a depiction in stained glass
It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. 1 Peter 3:21b-22 NIV
If Christ came to earth, taught, died, rose again from the dead but never rose to take His place at the right hand of the Father we would not have the power available to us in our faith – the same power that raised Jesus from the dead – the gift that is given to each of us.
17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. Ephesians 1:17-21
Jesus promised to send the Gift of the Father, the Holy Spirit, to dwell within us, to walk with us and guide us. And His promise was not in vain.
Ask for this gift with a sincere heart and you will receive.
I just love when Bob captures some of my favorite subjects on video. Here are two of them. The Great blue Heron, my all time favorite bird for size and grace. And the water lily with “water cupped in center point.”
The Heron is described by Audubon Field Guide as: “39-52” (99-132 cm). W. 5’10 (1.8 m). Huge and gray, with massive bill, black crown stripe on whitish head. https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/great-blue-heron If you have ever seen this bird in flight the description of slow wing beats is apt.
I hope you enjoy these very short video clips as much as I do! I marvel again and again that our Father made these tremendous creations. Though He does not have to let us witness and experience them, He does. And I am blessed for the seeing.
There is a red-shouldered hawk who inhabits our neighborhood. Some days I hear it screaming high above the earth as it flies in the sunlit sky. Sometimes it blasts like a rocket silently between the houses and the hedgerows. This morning I was hearing it. The Merlin app identified it for certain by its call. Then most surprisingly as I was trying to formulate words around a quote, unbelievably, the same hawk was perched on a sunlit branch right outside my window, looking at me in my prayer chair, the sun at times reflecting on its black, shiny eye. I was stunned. The smaller birds were going nuts trying to send out alarm calls to their brethren. I sat shocked into stillness and blessed.
my not very good photosame photo croppedphoto from online
For Dubois, hawks symbolize the ability to rise above our earthly realm and view life from a higher vantage point: “Hawks soar far above and take in the whole landscape from above. They have great eyes and are adept at spotting movements of prey.”
In other words, hawks see the bigger picture that we often miss from our limited view on the ground. “As a symbol, a hawk is a reminder to see the world from thirty yards above; to see the big picture,” Dubois explains. Encountering a hawk invites us to similarly elevate our perspective.
What Does the Bible Say About Hawks?
Dubois also notes the hawk’s significance in biblical texts. “From a Biblical perspective, a hawk is a symbol of divine guidance and that we are being watched out for from above. It is a call to seek God’s wisdom and guidance in our lives.”
God asks Job in Job 39:26, “Does the hawk take flight by your wisdom and spread its wings toward the south?”
The quote I was working with read “The pathless path of prayer knows only how to move through struggle; and the only way through is through – not around, over, under or alongside, but through.” A Sunlit Absence by Martin Laird P. 123
Struggle – with chronic fatigue and pain, not knowing how to fulfill the call to create something else with the writing, how to ….
Later I did my morning challenging walk. As I returned down a street near us there was a red-shouldered hawk sitting atop someone’s garage. As I watched another red-shouldered hawk flew right past it into the tree line.
Lord, You are my flying bird, my guidance, my hope and my salvation. I trust in You. Show me Your path through these struggles. Grant me Your view from on high. Your are the watchful Presence guiding me and (as Dubois says) urging me to turn to Your divine wisdom. Continue to teach me how to turn to You and I will be careful to give You all of the glory. Amen.
Wow. Mom said time goes faster as you get older. I hardly believed her then. Now I know it is oh so true. Do you have things you do daily and feel at times as if you ‘meet yourself coming and going’? I certainly do!
Bob often laments that we do not live someplace such as New Mexico where they have “Big sky,” meaning vast expanses where you can seemingly see forever. Walking out the door last evening to take the dog for her after supper constitutional I looked up and experienced our version of ‘big sky.” Oh those clouds and the heavens seem vast!!
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. 3 They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. 4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. Psalm 19:1-4 NIV
We had a 24 hour break from the dreaded heat and humidity that has plagued the US. The air was so clear and felt breathable. Today will be a return to the 90s and rising humidity. The relief of that one day made everyone smile.
See these flowers gone to seed?
As I walked past there were 2, no 5, no perhaps 10 goldfinch eating the seeds. They seem to take flight in squadrons as they sensed my presence. I have been seeing fluff drift past the windows occasionally. I figured it was from a tree. I now think it is more likely from these flowers growing near the pond. I was not fast enough with my camera to catch the birds on the plants. Here is an online photo.
Unfortunately, I did see there are still muskrats living in the retention pond. Someone is supposed to be trapping them, but I have never seen that activity.
Lucky continues to improve. I realize we will not have her with us forever, but this is certainly a far cry from thinking we would need to put her down due to her failing ability to walk. She seems to be thriving. She gets about 1/3 can of green beans with each meal and only a little bit of kibble. It is hard to get her weight down. She really likes the canned green beans and it helps her not feel quite so hungry. Maybe since she can walk further now we can get some more pounds off?
During my recent retreat one leader prayed over us saying, “I bless you in all the many names of God. Amen.” Isaiah has perhaps the most familiar list of those names?
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 NIV
While on the retreat I had difficulty one night falling asleep. I decided I would try to praise God by reciting as many names as I could think of.
Holy One Savior Shepherd Alpha and Omega I think I got to 14 before I fell asleep Almighty God King of kings Lord of lords Holder of the keys Resurrected King Friend Brother Comforter Light of the world Bread of Life Living Water
You might want to try this as a form of prayer for yourself. As we remind ourselves of Who we love and serve we are also reminded of the mighty power that is held there and used on our behalf.
Season 4 Episode 1 of The Chosen was broadcast last weekend and we were delighted to have it on again. Very interesting that the church we visited used many of the same Scriptures and images that the show did. Made me wonder if they have an “in” with the program or if it was just the Holy Spirit at work, again!
When I attended the Soul Collage retreat in May of this year I found this picture. It moved me deeply. I share it with you not knowing if there is a copyright on it or not. If there is, my apologies to the photographer.
I immediately thought of the prayer quoted in the Eucharist by some churches:
"Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the wine we offer you: fruit of the vine and work of human hands, it will become our spiritual drink."
And like in the Chosen, the website Jewish Voice says:
Blessed are You O Lord, our God, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.
To me, it is no small thing the the Lord draws all of these things together for us. It is my plan to write the prayer of blessing/thanksgiving on the photo.
When we had our very first house on 1/2 acre of land, Bob not only planted a large garden but also wanted to grow grapes. And grow them he did! I quickly learned that if I was going to help harvest the grapes I better wear rubber gloves (thicker than cotton garden gloves) in case the wasps and bees were there ahead of me. Now we are fortunate if we can purchase fresh concord grapes in a market.
Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the Universe. May we always see Your hand at work in our midst.
I know there are some who claim the only authentic version of the Bible is the King James version. I am not one of them. I have used the King James, but I find that other translations help me relate to God better. I do not speak King James English or think in King James English.
Recently while visiting a liturgical church I was exposed to Psalm 104 from the St. Helena Psalter. I want to share it with you. Hope I am not violating any copyrights. There is nothing in the program that suggests the church had special permission, so here goes.
25 O Holy One, how manifold are your works! in wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. 26 Yonder is the great and wide seas with its living this too many to number creatures both small and great. 27 There move the ships, and there is that leviathan. which you have made for the sport of it. 28 All of them look to you to give them their food in due season. 29 You give it to them; they gather it; You open your hand, and they are filled with good things. 30 You hide your face, and they are terrified; You take away their breath, And they die and return to their dust. 31 You send forth your Spirit, and they are created; And so you renew the face of the earth. 32 May the glory of God endure for ever: May the Holy One rejoice in all his works. 33 God looks at the earth and it trembles; God touches the mountains and they some. 34 I will sing to God as long as I live; I will praise my God while I have my being. 35 May these words of mine find favor; I will rejoice in the Holy One. 37 Bless the Holy One, O my soul. Hallelujah!
Perhaps the whale shark is the Leviathan? Saw these on a PBS special recently. Was amazed at their size!
How about my day so far? Uncertain if I like the continuous glucose monitor. Sometimes it is so confusing. Guess I will know more once I meet with the doctor. Morning measurement seems to jump over 2 gingersnaps. Add a bowl of no sugar cereal with milk and the number went through the roof. Took a walk at the nature center and it still did not come down. Grr.
About that walk. It is good for me to go on the trail. See the turtles sunbathing. See the snapping turtle swim and then dive as if it saw a net or some other threat? None of them are concerned about my glucose reading. People feeding the turtles draw fish to the water, also. Always fun to watch.
There used to be an area where I could smell the pine trees, but so many of those trees have died that the fragrance is gone. The children on the trails always amuse me and some of the dogs are cute. I recognize most of the bird songs. The water striders still do not make sense to me, but they are fascinating. Perhaps you are not familiar with the water strider? Explanation follows.0000000
How do they do that?
National Wildlife Federation explains: Water striders are small insects that are adapted for life on top of still water, using surface tension to their advantage so they can “walk on water.”
Water acts different at the surface. Water molecules are attracted to each other and like to stay together, especially on the surface where there is only air above. The attraction between water molecules creates tension and a very delicate membrane. Water striders walk on this membrane.
Water striders are about a half-inch long with a thin body and three sets of legs. The water strider’s secret is its legs. The legs have tiny hairs that repel water and capture air. By repelling water, the tiny water striders stand on the water’s surface and the captured airs allows them to float and move easily.
There is a place near a nature center pool where I remember our son at about age 5 throwing little things into the water to try to fool the frogs.
Did I mention there are eyelashes on our deck? With all the younger women wearing false eyelashes these items make me think of them. Do you know what this is actually is?
Remember the blizzard of maple seeds? These are the stems those seeds were affixed to!
We are still pulling maple seedlings out of every flower bed. tough on the back! Wish I could hire a kid to do it. But there are also sweet alyssum seedlings and columbine and pansy/viola seedlings, so maybe not a good idea.
Praise the Lord.
Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. 2 Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. 3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, 4 praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, 5 praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.
Treasures in Plain Sight, A Christian Blog 