Creation Close-ups: Canadian Geese

 We've lately been having a lot of Canadian Geese flying over and landing in nearby farm fields.

 I thought it was interesting to read some of these facts about them!

At least 11 subspecies of Canada Goose have been recognized, although only a couple are distinctive. In general, the geese get smaller as you move northward, and darker as you go westward. The four smallest forms are now considered a different species: the Cackling Goose.

Canada Geese fly at an average speed of about 40 miles per hour when migrating, but may increase their speed to 70 miles per hour if they catch a strong tailwind.

Migrations can be as long as 2,000 to 3,000 miles, and the geese are capable of flying up to 1,500 miles in a single day if the weather is good.
 
 Canada Geese live around 10-25 years on average in the wild, although some may live to be as old as 30. One goose lived to be 40 years old in captivity.

But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:
Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.
Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this? 

Job 12:7-9

Assurance for the New Year

Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. 1 Samuel 7:12

As the old year now is waning, and the New Year comes in view,

Blessed Saviour, we acknowledge Thou has led us "Hitherto."

"Hitherto" Thy many mercies have encompassed every day,

And we have Thy precious promise Thou wilt be with us alway.

"Never leave thee nor forsake thee," "Surely I will be with thee,"

Promise of Thy blessed presence, Through each New Year still to be.

O what peace and joy in knowing Thou art ever by our side,

And Thy loving Hand of wisdom Will forever be our Guide.

And what blessed re-assurance that Thy mighty Arm of power,

That same power that made the heavens, Guards and keeps us every hour.

What a merciful Redeemer! What a wondrous Saviour, too!

What a gracious, loving Shepherd Who has led us "hitherto."

Could we ever doubt Thy goodness? Could we doubt Thy loving care?

No! Thy matchless love and mercy will be with us everywhere.

And Thy love and goodness to us Are beyond all human thought,

For Thou lovest without measure, Thine, Thy blood so dearly bought.

Entering another New Year, Pausing, we would contemplate

All Thy love's accomplished for us, All Thy mercies, O so great!

And we praise Thee for assurance, Who has led us "Hitherto"

That Thy presence will go with us, every day the New Year through.

 Author Unkown

"My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest." Exod. 33:14

Certainly, I will be with thee." Exodus 3:12

Are You Washed In the Blood?

Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Refrain

Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Are you walking daily by the Saviour’s side?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Do you rest each moment in the Crucified?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

(Refrain)

When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?

(Refrain)

Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,
O be washed in the blood of the Lamb!

(Refrain)

  And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; ...
Revelation 12:11a

Rejoice in the Lord

“I saw more clearly than ever, that the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day was, to have my soul happy in the Lord. The first thing to be concerned about was not, how much I might serve the Lord, how I might glorify the Lord; but how I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man may be nourished...But in what way shall we attain to this settled happiness of soul? How shall we learn to enjoy God? How obtain such an all-sufficient soul-satisfying portion in Him as shall enable us to let go the things of this world as vain and worthless in comparison? I answer, This happiness is to be obtained through the study of the Holy Scriptures. God has therein revealed Himself unto us in the face of Jesus Christ.”
― George Mueller

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 

Philippians 4:4

The good hand of my God

 

"...And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me."
Nehemiah 2:8b

The good hand of my God, 

Is upon me, I know. 

Oh! what love, grace, and mercy 

To me He has shown! 

As I look back behind me 

I can see His good grace; 

In my life and in others'

His good hand I can trace. 

Many trials have compassed 

Me often about; 

But His grace ever present 

Makes me lose fear and doubt. 

Mercies new ev'ry morning

Are our portion below--

Oh, what then waits before us? 

Up in glory, we'll know!
  
© 2015

  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into 

   the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  

1 Corinthians 2:9

Glorify God

The Christian should never worry about tomorrow or give sparingly because of a

 possible future need. Only the present moment is ours to serve the Lord, and 

tomorrow may never come...Life is worth as much as it is spent for the Lord's service.
-selected

   For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, 

and in your spirit, which are God's. 

1 Corinthians 6:20

Thoughts on Thankfulness

 

O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good:

 for His mercy endureth for ever.

Psalm 136:1 

As I look back on my life, seeing each day the Lord has brought 

me safely through, the abundant mercies that have been in my path all my life long,

and the great goodness of God on my behalf, I can't help but see how 

little in comparison I have stopped to meditate more fully on these things and how much I have 

neglected to lift my heart in thankfulness to the One Who has given me all. 

How much I need to thank Him for:

 having a father and mother who love the Lord, and have taught me in the way that is right;

 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. 

 Proverbs 22:6 

for all of the physical blessings that we often take for granted: eyesight, hearing, etc., but 

as wonderful as these are, far more importantly spiritual sight and hearing. 

 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.

Proverbs 20:12 

 and how my heart ought to daily be lifted in thankfulness and adoration to 

God for His work of salvation in my life, praise His holy name!

    But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, 

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

1 John 1:7 

  Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory 

and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, 

and for thy pleasure they are and were created. 

Revelations 4:11  

Cuteness :)

 The kittens are growing up quickly! The other day we took them outside

for the first time, and I took the camera along. :) Most of the pictures
ended up being blurs of moving kittens, but I managed to get a few cute ones. :)

Isn't she adorable?!

It won't be long before we'll need to try to find new homes for them all, 

and I personally don't think we'll have too hard a time. :)

He Cares For You

 

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? 

Matthew 6:26

Opportunities

 This quote got me thinking of how easy it is to think "little" things aren't that
 important, and somehow we must do only great things to bring glory to God. 
But every seemingly "little" thing does matter to the Lord!

"People say, 'How few opportunities we have for serving the Lord!' Few opportunities! 

Why, your life is your opportunity. No matter what your circumstances are, every act of your 

life brings you an opportunity to bring glory to the Lord Jesus Christ." ~G. V. W

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever 

ye do, do all to the glory of God.

 1 Corinthians 10:31

Kittens

 Recently we were surprised to discover a stray mother

 cat and her litter of four kittens in our barn.

Investigating her surroundings. :)

Pretty blue-eyed kitten!

SO cute! :)

I Need No Other Argument

This is one of my (many) favorite hymns. What a wonderful Saviour we have!

My faith has found a resting place,
Not in device or creed;
I trust the ever living One,
His wounds for me shall plead.
 

Refrain:
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.

Enough for me that Jesus saves,
This ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul I come to Him,
He’ll never cast me out.

(Refrain)

 

My heart is leaning on the Word,
The living Word of God,
Salvation by my Savior’s Name,
Salvation through His blood.

(Refrain)

My great Physician heals the sick,
The lost He came to save;
For me His precious blood He shed,
For me His life He gave.

(Refrain)

   Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, 

who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 

Romans 8:34 

  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son

 shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. 

John 3:36

The Finished Work of Christ

Faith does not come to Calvary to do anything. 

It comes to see the glorious spectacle of all things done, and to 

accept this completion without a misgiving as to its efficacy. 

It listens to the "It is finished!" of the Sin-bearer, and says, Amen.  

 ~H. Bonar

Seek Not Riches, Greatness, Honor

 

It ill becomes the servant to seek to be rich, and great,

 and honored in this world where his Lord was poor, 

and [lowly], and despised. --George Mueller

Great in the world that knew Him not?

Well-known where His name is denied?

Rather let me bear His reproach,

For nothing on earth shall abide.

--Unknown

Encouragement For Today

Great our need, but greater far
Is our Father’s loving power;
He upholds each mighty star;
He unfolds each tiny flower;
He who numbers every hair,
Earnest of His faithful care,
Gave His Son for us to die;
God shall all your need supply.

-Author Unknown

  But my God shall supply all your need according to 

his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 4:19

Seek the LORD...

  

Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face 
continually. Remember his marvellous works 
that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

 1 Chronicles 16:11-12

Watercolors

I'm still in the process of learning more about painting with watercolors, 

and always find them a bit challenging to work with. However, I still 

enjoyed trying to paint these roses. 

Working on the details...

And, almost done. My favorite part to paint was the bright 

blue vase the roses were in. Such a pretty, vibrant color! 

Another small painting I did recently of one of my favorite teacups 

that some friends gave me this year.

 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 

    Philippians 4:4 

A Hymn: It's Still the Blood

 Here are a couple of verses from one of my favorite hymns, titled It's Still the Blood. 

There are those who rely on the works that they do,
And some men count on the times they've prayed through.
But when the battle's over and the vict'ry is won,
I'll go home through the blood of the Father's precious Son.

Chorus 

And it's still the blood that saves from sin;

It's still the blood that cleanses within,

From the highest star in heaven, to the depths of the sea,

It is still the blood of Jesus that brings vict'ry to me. 

written by Lois Gail 

 "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." 

Ephesians 2:13 

Growing African Violets

 African violets are one of my favorite indoor plants to grow. I've always found 

them to be quite hardy and easy to care for, and, with enough sunlight, will often 

continuously bloom for months at a time! I've had this one in the above picture for 

at least several years, and a month or two ago decided to try making another start from it.

About a week ago, I was happy to see that the leaf that I had planted in a small 

pot already had two small little plants growing up from its base! Now, I'm just 

hoping to eventually find someone who I can get starts from for some different colors

than what I already have.

Does anyone else out there enjoy growing African Violets?

Let us praise Him...

  And God saw every thing that He had made, 

and, behold, it was very good. ~Genesis 1:31

  Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.  

~Psalm 146:1

Faith is a Very Simple Thing

Faith is a very simple thing,

 Though little understood;

 It frees the soul from death's dread sting,

 By resting on the blood.

It looks not on the things around,

 Nor on the things within;

 It takes its flight to scenes above,

 Beyond the sphere of sin.

It sees upon the throne of God

 A victim that was slain;

 It rests its all on His shed blood,

 And says, "I'm born again."

Faith is not what we see or feel;

 It is a simple trust

 In what the God of love has said

 Of Jesus as the Just.

{edited} Author Unknown

    But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.  1 John 1:7

His Wondrous Works

Delicious Ham and Bean Soup

 I found this recipe in an Amish cookbook that my sister gave me some time back, and it has now become one of my favorites. It is full of flavor, and is so simple to make. 

Delicious Ham and Bean Soup

1 lb. (2 cups) navy beans, dried *

1 meaty ham bone (1 1/2 lb.)

7 medium-sized potatoes, peeled and cubed

1 cup thinly sliced celery

1 cup finely chopped onion

1 clove garlic

1 cup cubed carrots 

Cook beans in 2 1/2 quarts of water for 2 minutes. Remove

from heat; let stand 1 hour. Add ham bone and minced garlic.  

Cover and simmer 2 hours or until almost tender. Add vegetables, 

salt and pepper to taste; simmer 1 hour more. Remove ham bone and 

cut off meat. Dice meat and add to beans. Reheat to almost boiling. 

*Can also use 2-3 16 oz. cans of beans in place of the dried beans. 

A Cicada

 Some time back, my brother discovered this cicada that was

still in the nymph stage in our yard. It was neat to see one that 

hadn't molted yet into the adult stage! I decided to keep it in a glass

container, so I could maybe watch it molt, but after nothing had 

happened by one o'clock in the morning, I decided I wasn't going
to spend the whole night watching it. :)

 The next morning, there was a beautiful, winged cicada. Such an amazing
 little insect that God has created. 

 O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep. 

Psalms 92:5

The Sweetest Name

  Almost every time I sing one of these songs, my thoughts go back to the time in my life when I could not sing these songs wholeheartedly. I even remember wondering something like: "Why did these people think the name of Jesus was 'sweet' to them? What do they mean by that?" Then one wonderful day, the Lord saved my soul! Now I too, know the meaning of how sweet the name of the Lord Jesus Christ is to my soul, and can sing these songs with all my heart, because He has become my Saviour and now I know "how sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer's ear"!
 
There have been names that I have loved to hear, 

But never has there been a name so dear

To this heart of mine, as the name divine, 

The precious, precious name of Jesus. 

Refrain:

Jesus is the sweetest name I know, 

And He's just the same as His lovely name, 

And that's the reason why I love Him so;

Oh, Jesus is the sweetest name I know. 

The name of Jesus is so sweet, 

I love its music to repeat; 

It makes my joys full and complete, 

The precious name of Jesus! 

Refrain:

"Jesus" --O how sweet the name, 

"Jesus" every day the same; 

"Jesus"--let all saints proclaim 

His worthy praise for ever! 

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds 

In a believer's ear! 

It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, 

And drives away his fear. 

It makes the wounded spirit whole 

And calms the troubled breast; 

'Tis manna to the hungry soul

And to the weary rest. 

Dear name! the rock on which I build, 

My shield and hiding place; 

My never-failing treasure, filled

With boundless stores of grace!

  Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: ...
1 Peter 2:7a

  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, 
and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him
 a name which is above every name:   That at the name of Jesus 
every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, 
and things under the earth;   And that every tongue should 
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

Philippians 2:8-11

Has the name of the Lord Jesus Christ

 become sweet to your soul as well? 

This World is Not My Home

 

Life is a journey, not a home; a road, not a city of habitation; 

and the enjoyments and blessings we have are but little inns on the

 roadside of life, where we may be refreshed for a moment, that 

we may with new strength press on to the end - to the rest that

 remaineth for the people of God.

 --H. Bonar

  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, 

where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on

 things above, not on things on the earth. 

Colossians 3:1

A Little Lamb

The other night I decided to pull out my pencils and do a 

quick drawing from a little picture I had of this cute little lamb. 

It had been awhile since I sat down and drew something 'just for the fun 

of it', but I enjoyed myself, and am glad I did. :) I used to draw 

a lot all of the time when I was younger, and hope to start doing it more 

frequently again.

 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that 

hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his

 people, and the sheep of his pasture.  

Psalms 100:3

 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall 

gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his 

bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. 

Isaiah 40:11

Wildflowers

 Recently while out taking a walk, I discovered these beautiful wildflowers

growing out back of our place.

 There are lots of wild sunflowers growing around our area, including along

the roadsides and in fields here and there. I love seeing any wildflowers, 

and these especially add bright patches of color to the countryside!

And best of all, they help brighten up our kitchen. :)

All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD;
 and thy saints shall bless thee. 
Psalms 145:10