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.
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   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