The Wonder of God's Creation

Watching the hummingbirds enjoy the feeder on our deck has been a delight this summer. I wondered how they would ever find our feeder. And ever since they started coming I still wonder if it is their excellent sense of smell or what draws them to the feeder. I thought it was the bright red liquid, but our neighbor puts out clear juice and they come to hers, too.

The tiny birds dart across our lawn, pause at the flowers, and then perch themselves on the feeder or sometimes on the tomato cage nearby. They take short drinks with their long needle-like beaks and slowly, gently lower the level of the nectar. Last week they were so busy that they drained the full feeder.

I wonder about their nests, where they hide at night, how many flowers they visit each day. I wonder if they lay eggs - how small are they! How tiny the babies must be! Do they take nectar back to the nest to feed the tiny babies? How do they survive the storms? Only God knows.

"I know every bird in the mountains," (Psalm 50:11 NIV).

Do I see the same birds every time they visit, or are there multiple hummingbird families that live in the woods? How many babies are in their family? What do they use for their nests?

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" (Matthew 6:26 NIV).

How beautiful is the hummingbird's iridescent coat of feathers and its carefully crafted bill. Even more wonderful is the fact that hummingbirds migrate to tropical climates in the winter and return to areas as far north as Alaska and Maine. Their tiny wings beat 80 times per second and their tongues (yes, they have tongues - according to science) lick 13 times per second.

God's Creation is truly amazing. The hummingbirds are just one of His precious creatures. Each has its own mystery and wonder. Consider the mind of God that designed each amazing creation. Truly, He is the most amazing of all.

Thank you, Lord, for making so many different creatures in our world to appreciate. They give us a tiny peek at Your Greatness. What an Awesome God You are!

Essential Living

One of my morning devotionals had a scripture that spoke to me and I want to share it with you. It seems so relevant.

"Since everything here today might well be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life? Daily expect the Day of God, eager for its arrival. The galaxies will burn up and the elements melt down that day--but we'll hardly notice. We'll be looking the other way, ready for the promised new heavens and the promised new earth, all landscaped with righteousness," (2 Peter 3:11-13 MSG).

I love it when a scripture jumps off the page and into my reality. It reminds me that God is always beside us, loving us, protecting us, encouraging us, believing in us - the 'us' God created us to be. Sometimes The Message interprets scripture in a way that really connects.

I can't help but keep praying for those who are dealing with the aftermath of last Thursday's tornados in Iowa, or the flooding in the East or the fires burning in the West. So many people are struggling with daily tasks they don't want to do. Some are getting so tired from working day after day cleaning up a mess they didn't create. Maybe it is you.

It doesn't have to be flood cleanup or sweeping through ashes or even chopping up downed trees. Perhaps what you are facing is emotional tragedy: the loss of someone you love, a diagnosis of cancer, or the loss of a job and financial stability. Life holds many trials that test our faith and
challenge our courage and physical strength. Through it all we must cling to God. He alone can lift us from the pits of discouragement and show us the hope He has for us tomorrow.

Last night John pointed out the beautiful moon. It was nearly full and it seemed so close, that we could nearly reach out and touch it. There was a bank of clouds to the north threatening to hide the brilliance behind them, yet the moon shone brightly into the night.

Keep looking for God's promises - that will be 'landscaped with righteousness'. It may be around the next corner or eons away.

Thank you, God, for giving us hope in the darkest of days. For revealing the sun, new every morning. Help us to keep our eyes peeled for the new heavens and the new earth that is coming.

Focus on Faith

When you feel like everything around you is in rubble, there is nothing to do but pray. Whether your world has been devastated by flood, tornado, or fire, there is always hope in God. And there is help from others around you. Take a moment to consider your blessings: your lives, most importantly. Hug those you love and give thanks.

Though I have not personally experienced such devastation, it seems it is all around me, in Iowa -especially this summer. My heart is broken for the losses people have experienced and I want to provide a moment of hope to lift them up. For God is our hope.

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal," (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV).

In the worst of times we must focus on what is really important. Not our belongings or what is on this earth, but what awaits us in eternity when we believe in Jesus as our Savior. Each day our focus needs to be on Jesus; walking with Him, trusting in Him, believing in Him. When all the 'things' of life are lost, without Jesus, there is nothing.

But, with Him we can claim eternal peace and delight!

"God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life," (1 John 5:11-12 NIV).

"Show me, O Lord, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath. Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: He bustles about but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it. But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you," (Psalm 39:4-7 NIV).

Yes, my hope is in You, Lord. Amen.

Campfires and Singing

It is the season of summer camps and I have memories of the church camps I attended many, many years ago. For a shy girl, going to camp was traumatic. Especially when I was the only one from our church. I don't remember being homesick but I do remember the struggles of meeting others and feeling alone.

The best parts about church camp were the campfires, singing and studying the Word. I loved studying the Bible and learning. I always felt new insights enlightened me at camp. The time in nature was delightful. Often the camps were located in the woods or near a lake. That was a real treat for me. The fragrance of burning wood still makes me feel close to God, as that is where we would sing songs and pray for one another. The Holy Spirit felt real and present at camp. I learned to open myself to His teachings. We sang,

"Spirit Of God, Descend Upon My Heart," "Wean it from earth thru all its pulses move; stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art, And make me love Thee as I ought to love." Written by George Croly, 1780-1860, yet the song is so current and alive, even today.

We also sang, "Spirit Of the Living God," "fall afresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me." This song was written in 1934 by Daniel Iverson and led at many campsites, I'm sure.

I hadn't really thought about it but our praise and worship teams found in many churches today, are an off-shoot of our camp worship time, without the campfires. Praise and worship teams lead us now to feel closer to God, and to experience His Holy Presence.

I made friends at the camps and several became pen pals as we lived across the state from each other. It didn't always work out that we would attend the same camp the next year, but if we did, we renewed our friendship quickly.

"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. I pray also 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 the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe," (Ephesians 1:17-19a NIV).

Lord, speak to us today with Your Holy Spirit. Work in us, use us, fill us with Your love to share. Amen.

The Stumbling Stone

Have you ever walked across a floor and stumbled only to look down and see nothing. It seems as I get older, all it takes is a piece of lint or an invisible thread for me to stub my toe or trip myself. That's why my name isn't Grace. I can walk along on a sidewalk and trip over a crack. Or head across the yard and twist my ankle on a bump.

I didn't remember reading this scripture that calls Jesus the "stumbling stone" for the Jews.

"But, Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the "stumbling stone." As it is written: "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame,"" (Romans 9:31-33 NIV).

This reminds me of a time when I wanted to follow a trail to a waterfall. There was a path worn in the red dirt. I started walking and within the first 500 feet I was off the beaten trail and had led John up a rocky slope, completely away from the trail to the waterfall. John wasn't happy. It didn't help that it was very hot and dry and we didn't have any water with us (never head out on a trail in Arizona without a bottle of water). We eventually got back on the right trail and followed some other hikers to the waterfall. We probably walked an extra mile on the one-mile path. John likes to remind me of this adventure whenever I suggest hiking to a waterfall.

There are lots of things that can cause us to stumble in life. Sometimes it is temptation that leads us astray. Or trying to follow someone who is on the wrong path. Or failure to see the path. Maybe we are trying too hard to work our way to heaven. Stumble, stumble, stumble, and stumble again. We are so blessed that when we put our faith in Jesus we no longer have to earn our way to God. With Jesus we have a free gift of salvation. He paid it all when He hung on the cross for us.

If we trust in Jesus we will never be put to shame. Praise the Lord! Hallelujah! Jesus is the Only Way.

We only stumble over Jesus, the stumbling stone, if we refuse to accept Jesus as our Savior.

Thank you, Jesus.

The New Way

I had an Ah-Ha moment yesterday. Until then I could say...never have I ever husked sweet corn in my kitchen. On the farm I'd head to the closest fence and toss the husks over for the pigs or cows or sheep. It was an easy process. No clean up other than picking up a few stray corn leaves. Sometimes the flies or mosquitoes would be a nuisance, but usually there was no problem.

But here I was, with a bag of Ankeny sweet corn and a west-facing garage on a Wednesday afternoon with a feels-like temperature of 100+. I chose the kitchen. The air-conditioned kitchen. Using the trashcan for the husks and hairs, I proceeded to husk a dozen-plus-one ears of beautiful yellow and white kerneled corn.

It never occurred to me that you could husk corn in the house. I learned a new way.

Isn't that what Jesus asks of us when we become believers? To try a new way of doing things. His way.

"...you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator," (Colossians 3:9b-10 NIV).

I want to be that new self. Everyday, in every way.

In the Sweet Summertime

Just as God promised, the earth endures and we survived the 2018 deluge. I can't believe it was just one week ago and already our neighbors and we included, are watering lawns. The new developed neighborhoods all have the same problem of clay soil and very little rich ground for the grass and other things to grow from. That is the reason the water runs off instead of soaking in like it should. It's not the way God intended.

"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease," (Genesis 8:22 NIV).

Summertime was such a wonderful time to enjoy when I was growing up on the farm. I'd awaken to  the rooster crowing and the cool breeze blowing through my open window. The farm fresh air was a delight most days. The fragrance of freshly mown hay was my favorite, but the delightful lilac or honeysuckle blooms were a close second and third.

Split-rail fence at Living History Farms.

As the hot days of July arrive, I remember the sound of water gushing from the windmill hydrant. We only enjoyed that fresh well water a little while before a windstorm damaged it. During future summers it was the farm creek that provided the most fun. I would wade in the cool water, watch the minnows swim in the deep pockets formed by the movement of water around the big rocks I sat on. I would collect pretty stones from beneath the water and return with my treasures. Sometimes I'd find driftwood pieces or occasionally clam shells to carry back. There was a new discovery each time I'd go. The creek was the favorite place to take my friends who visited. Everyone loved the creek.

Sometimes we go 'swimming'. It was really just wading with extra splashing. Everything was great until we would find a shady area to enjoy. Before long we would have leeches on our legs and that would gross out my guests!

Wandering along the creek, under the shade of the trees was a great summer adventure. Only a few times do I remember noticing the heat. The hay mow was another favorite play area, but the heat could be stifling there. A quick ride up and down the long lane on my bike always cooled me off. There was no traffic to worry about; avoiding the sudden dashes of my dog was the only real danger.

Though I sometimes got lonely in the summertime and longed to live in the city where there were friends nearby and exciting things to do, now I'm so thankful for the wonderful farm summers of growing up. They were the best!

Sweet, lazy summers,

memories that last. 

Refreshing as a tall glass of iced tea, 

sweating in Iowa humidity.

About the Flood

On Saturday Central Iowa received a vicious storm. All the elements were in place for a perfect storm: high humidity, approaching cold front, hot temperatures. The severe thunderstorm warnings began flashing on TV, then the weather radio joined in with its familiar howl and message. The rain started late afternoon, turning to downpours by 6 or 6:30 pm.

The weather radio began alerting us every 15 minutes with updates and new warnings of severe storms getting closer, flood warnings and watches, heavy rain, and then flash flood warnings for us. Then our cell phones began to go off with flood warnings and flash flood watches. Our five inch rain gauge was full and overflowing.

Flooded yard

The flash flood hit our back yard shortly after 6:30 and before our eyes it became a river that engulfed our flower bed, the neighbors' yards on both sides of us, and our new tree and the bird bath. The cable went off. It was raining buckets. I'd never seen it rain like that before. Rain falling over every inch of Ankeny, Des Moines, Johnston, Windsor Heights, Bondurant, Polk City and more. The mass of concrete roads, parking lots, driveways, all forcing the water to run between the curbs and in any areas that were low-lying.

Anxiety began  to build up as the alerts kept coming on the weather radio and our phones, then a knock at the door and a neighbor let us know that John's truck and sheep trailer (parked down the block ready for an early morning sheep show) was now in a flood area and the water was up on the tires. John put on a rain coat and braved the monsoon to move the truck and trailer to higher ground. He chose another location along our street large enough for his rig, then the street drain was gushing water, so he pulled into our driveway though he blocked the sidewalk.

John checked our sump pump and decided the rain was letting up a bit. The weather alerts were slowing down, except for the flood watches. It was 10 pm and it had been a frightening night and we were ready for bed.

"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease," (Genesis 8:22 NIV).

Morning came and the sun peeked through massive blankets of low clouds. The storm had passed. We are still seeing signs of flooded basements appearing on driveways, as close as two blocks away. The heartbroken continue to be featured on the news. Why were we the lucky ones? One reason is John's insistent selection of a home two years ago that would not flood. Was this one of those 100-year floods that now happens every 25-years?

Through it all God is with us. Even when we wonder how much more rain would have to fall before we were flooded. Even when we are forced to haul wet carpet in pieces from the basement. Even when we don't feel like we can take one more thing in our lives. Even when we are relaxing and enjoying a wonderful vacation. God is with us. Always.

Thank you, gracious and loving God. Thank you.

We have a resident robin living at our address. She built her nest on one of the cross beams under our second floor deck. If you take the stairway from the deck to the back yard you can look into Robin's nest and see her babies.

Robin's babies under our deck.

Robins are called the "standard " of birds and even earned the cover picture on "A Golden Guide - Birds", my go-to bird book. "The largest of the thrush family with spotted breasts on the young, raise two or three broods each year." They are know for their recognizable "robin-blue" eggs.

Our "Robin" isn't your usual finely polished beauty of rich brown and striking orange. Robin is well-worn, slightly damaged but insistently protective of her family. Her breast has faded to a grayish orange and on one of her feet she has something hanging off...it looks like feathers but it never goes away so it must be connected.

Robin hates it when we are in the yard or on the deck and she screams her distaste at us over and over until we leave. Robin flies at our heads and lands on the roof near us or perches herself on the deck posts saying, "Go away! Get away from my home and my family! This is my area and you are invading my space! Scram! Now!"

Typically, we just ignore her or actually we have begun talking to her whenever we go outside, trying to calm Robin down. It never works, but it seems like the only thing to do. She should know by now that we aren't going to harm her babies or herself, but she remains protective in her role as Mother Robin. Trust isn't one of her strong points.

Robin appears to have a partner some of the time. But they don't seem to get along very well. They sit on opposite posts and spar with each other, rather angrily it seems. Perhaps it is another mother robin who wants Robin's nest. I don't understand bird talk.

"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you saying 'Destroy him!' (Deuteronomy 33:27 NIV).

Robin's bird brain won't let her understand that we are not a threat. We are her enemy. I wonder if Robin knows her Creator as we do. We have a Protector, our Refuge, our Eternal God with loving, everlasting arms who will drive out our enemies! If only I would put my trust in Him always.

With open arms, God awaits.

He clears our path of enemies,

He is our refuge and our guard. Amen.