Snow

It snowed in the night, our once a year snow. The persimmon tree has a cold blanket to hasten their ripening.

A Hummingbird rests on a holly branch, waiting for the feeder to thaw out. 

Lemons do not do well in freezing weather. Once they freeze, then they will die. Time to pick lemons.

A hot fire in the fireplace is a welcome sight. Watching the flames dart around, the smell of smoke, the cracking of the logs in the fire, and the warm fire reminds me of times past. Perhaps a campfire at a park or beach, or just the family together in the living room sipping hot tea or coffee. Memories are so much better when Jesus is in them.

John 21:9  As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. 

John 21:10  Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. 

John 21:11  Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. 

Joh 21:12  Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. 

John 21:13  Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. 

John 21:14  This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. 

Robbing Robins

Who is he in the shadow of the Persimmon tree? The Robin's are friendly feeders in the Persimmon tree. They are seen early in the morning catching the early worms. The real robber birds are the European Starlings. When they come they can strip a tree of all it's fruit in one day. The Bible sometimes refers to a bird as the thief, stealing the seed of God's word. Spiritually these birds are the devil's workers. 

Mat 13:3  And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 

Mat 13:4  And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: 

Mat 13:18  Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 

Mat 13:19  When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. 

A Robin is coveting a juicy ripe Persimmon.

It is feast time. Eating like a 1950's Biblical spectacular, where Caesar is indulging in a banquet in a drunken stupor. This Robin isn't drunk from the Persimmons. Wait until the Holly berries and Pyracantha berries have fermented after a frost. I have heard a robin fly into our picture window, knocked out and staggering from too many fermented berries. Let none of us be like this feaster of wine.

Pro 20:1  Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. 

Robin red breast, or is that Persimmon pulp on her feathers? He is a handsome and friendly bird. The LORD takes care of his birds. They do not sit in nests waiting to be fed. They seek food and with some effort they find it.

Mat 6:25  Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 

Mat 6:26  Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 

Evening light

Photography for me began as a quest to understand the world around me. Now as a more mature man I still use photography to express what I see and it is still a wonderful quest. The creation is still a wonder to me, but I no longer wonder what life is all about. Life is about Jesus and life is to glorify God. I walked in the park tonight after sundown. It was cold and the walk was brisk and refreshing. It is amazing to me what can be seen in a short walk.

The Mallards quacked and hurriedly swam towards me. Oops I forgot to bring bread, again.

John 6:35  And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 

In the still of the second pond, distant trees are reflected and tall grass is silhouetted against the dim light. So quiet and so reflective in the spirit as I watched. God lives.

Psa 92:7  When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever: 
Psa 92:8  But thou, LORD, art most high for evermore. 
Psa 92:9  For, lo, thine enemies, O LORD, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered. 
Psa 92:10  But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil. 
Psa 92:11  Mine eye also shall see my desire on mine enemies, and mine ears shall hear my desire of the wicked that rise up against me. 
Psa 92:12  The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. 
Psa 92:13  Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. 
Psa 92:14  They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; 
Psa 92:15  To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. 

The dim light muted the bright yellow leaves. The shadows gave witness to the cool light after sundown.

Isa 60:1  Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. 
Isa 60:2  For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. 
Isa 60:3  And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. 
Isa 60:4  Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side. 

The giant oaks behind the pool hug in the last glow of light.

Gen 35:6  So Jacob came to Luz, which is in the land of Canaan, that is, Bethel, he and all the people that were with him. 
Gen 35:7  And he built there an altar, and called the place Elbethel: because there God appeared unto him, when he fled from the face of his brother. 
Gen 35:8  But Deborah Rebekah's nurse died, and she was buried beneath Bethel under an oak: and the name of it was called Allonbachuth (oak of weeping). 
Gen 35:9  And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram, and blessed him. 
Gen 35:10  And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel. 

What is this picture taken from the car on the way home? It is civilization, a person's idea of the Christmas season.  Hmmm? What is Christmas about? I see Santa, reindeers, toys, bright lights, candy canes; Frosty the snowman too. A childs view of Christmas. Where is Jesus? God bless this home and may God be close in this season for all to enjoy. You and I are to tell the rest of the story.

Isa 52:7  How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! 

Isa 52:8  Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion. 

Isa 52:9  Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. 

Isa 52:10  The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. 

Holly reminders

We have a large holly bush in the front yard and the birds planted another large plant in the back yard. Holly bushes are everywhere on our property from the red berries the birds scatter. Looking at the holly we can be reminded of Biblical things.There are stories and legends about the Holly. It has shiny green leaves even in the winter. The green leaves point to everlasting life in Christ Jesus.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

 The thorns on the leaves point to the crown of thorns that Jesus wore.

Mar 15:16  And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band. 
Mark 15:17  And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, 
Mark 15:18  And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! 
Mark 15:19  And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. 
Mark 15:20  And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him. 

 The red berries represent the blood of Jesus shed for our sins.

Mar 14:23  And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. 
Mar 14:24  And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. 
Mar 14:25  Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God. 

Another Christmas legend is from the Christmas tree. Christmas trees came from pagan practices, but our use of a tree has loftier meanings. A tradition says that  Martin Luther observed stars while looking through an evergreen tree, thus the lights on the modern Christmas tree to represent the stars or the heavens. The evergreen fir represents eternal life. Gifts of fruit used to be hung on the tree, being replaced with glass ornaments. The ornaments sometimes are used as reminders of events in the past, such as a child's birthday. We are celebrating the birthday of Jesus, whenever that may have been. He is the tree of life, the life giver. As the wise men brought him gifts, the custom is to exchange gifts at this time of celebration. On top of the tree is a star to represent the star that guided the wise men to the house where Jesus was an infant. Sometimes an angel is placed on the top of the tree to represent the angel that came to Mary and the angels that announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. These are legends, but it is okay to use them as reminders of Biblical truths. A symbol is to represent a reality. It is best to think of these representing good things and not to look for evil. No evil is meant when we gather at Christmas time with a holly wreath on the door and a tree in our homes. Merry Christmas friends and keep the joy of his coming in your heart. It is the season to remember Jesus, family and friends and to be thankful for his everlasting gift of life.

Luk 2:8  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Luk 2:9  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
Luk 2:10  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luk 2:11  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:12  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Luke 2:13  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Luke  2:14  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luk 2:15  And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 

Late harvest

The last of the garden is harvested. I pulled up the pepper plants and the tomatoes are all through. Persimmons on the tree are bird food now. The lemon tree has fresh lemons and some that were left from last year are still on the tree the size of oranges.

I see the harvest of souls in our nation like this late crop. Some refuse to come to Jesus and are under the wrath of God, the birds devour them like the last persimmons. Some do not know what they need. Some are in addictions or just too much entertainment and cannot see the need, rotting on the vine. Others are family members with hardened hearts like a winter squash. These we pray to God for their souls to be harvested. Some in the church are looking for a great revival. If the church will be ready and be active in witnessing then the last of the crop will come in. I do not see a harvest field, but Jesus said it is ready for harvest; look up, he sees and will guide us to them.

John 4:35  Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. 

Our prayers are needed to bring the last of the harvest to Jesus. Perhaps we should also be seeking the ones who have fallen back into the world?

Luke 14:23  And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 

The devil will send his drones out to confuse the fruit and to block our way. Recognize this and use the sword of God's word; keep going and keep the faith.

Luk 18:7  And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 

Luk 18:8  I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? 

Psa 40:3  And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. 
Psa 40:4  Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. 

Much ado about nothing

Just driftwood

Perhaps others are tired of these posts. At times I feel that I have nothing to say. In myself is no good thing and it is when I realize this that I trust more in the Lord. Music or the word of God are his doing. We are given certain gifts and abilities to develop through complete trust in him. We do not become lazy or neglect practice or the reading of God's word, we do have to be faithful and diligent and to remember that victory or praise belong to him, for when we accept accolades and awards,  pride comes to destroy our anointing. Some have skills of their own to move a congregation or even to manipulate them by personal power. Watch out for this, it is not of God. It is a good thing to encourage someone if their faithfulness has blessed you as the spirit directs you, it helps them to continue. The walk in the spirit often staggers as the flesh wants to dominate. Stay humble and stay the course. Follow Jesus until your salvation is complete in him at his coming.

1Co 15:58  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Chinese Omelette

 We used to have breakfast at a Chinese restaurant that made a special omelette. To make the omelette start with a little oil in a frying pan. Add onions and fresh bean sprouts. Separate the veggies to make room for the eggs. It looks like a birds nest.

 Scramble the eggs adding salt and pepper.

When the eggs are cooked combine all the ingredients. You may add a few almonds for a special touch. We do not have to eat out in order to enjoy special recipes. The best way to earn money when retired is to not spend it on wasteful things.

Mat 14:19  And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. 

Mat 14:20  And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. 

Mat 14:21  And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children. 

For the vegetarians, he multiplied the loaves and fish; bread and meat. I like the vegetables too. Chinese food contains a lot of vegetables, I like them all. Have you a favorite recipe?