Category: Animals

  • Goose Feathers and maturity in Christ

    Canada goose wings spread wide

    I stood and watched the two goose feathers dancing on the lake  in the breeze. One was curved like a “c” and floated on the rounded part of its back. The other was shaped like an upside-down “u” and floated on the uprights.

    Each danced differently along the surface of the water. The “c”-shaped feather swirled, while the “u”-shaped feather walked and skipped along the surface. Eventually, they touched, joined together, and danced with a new rhythm. When the two joined, they rolled and tumbled across the surface.

    As I watched them, a goose landed nearby. The wake of its landing hit the feathers, and they quickly sank into the lake.

    The feathers were light and had no problem standing up to the gentle breeze along the water. When the waves picked up, they could not stay afloat any longer.

    The same thing can happen to believers. We can be deceived and easily sunk when we do not know the truth of God’s Word.

    He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.  Ephesians 4:10-16 NIV

    God has given each of us a calling and a ministry. Part and parcel of attaining that calling, and completing that ministry, is growing up in the faith. If we remain infants we can be blown around, confused and eventually even loose heart. We will not lose our salvation if that happens, but we miss out on much of the blessing and purpose that God has designed and planned for us.

    Floating close to the feathers was a stick. It stayed the course while the feathers danced around. It stayed the course when the goose landed. I suspect that even if the goose had landed on the stick, it would simply have popped back up and stayed the course once more.

    As mature Christians, we can exhibit all the joy and freedom of the dancing feathers, but still stay the course like the floating stick. We have the best of both worlds.

    Until next time, may you grow ever more like Christ.

    Be blessed

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

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  • Birdsong – Thoughts on the complexity of the created order

    White crowned Sparrow
    White Crowned Sparrow

    I stumbled out of bed for a few minutes around 4:30 this morning. Although the sun didn’t officially rise until 6:59, it was already getting light out. I opened the door and listened for a while. As expected, I heard the wonderful sound of birds singing. It was an early morning serenade.

    The birds love greeting the day, or so it seems. Yet, there is more happening than the birds visiting. Bird calls travel further early in the morning because of differences in barometric pressure. 

    Some studies have also shown that many plants begin photosynthesis up to 30 minutes earlier if they hear bird calls. I don’t know how plants “hear” such things, but the result benefits both birds and plants. Earlier photosynthesis means earlier flowering, flower opening, and increased production. It is similar to the response to plants growing with classical music playing.

    I am always amazed at how our Creator intricately designed the systems of life. The details are often so much more complex than we see on casual observation. The systems are far too sophisticated to have randomly evolved “by chance.”

    Everyone and everything in creation is linked together in some fashion. Each impacts the other.

    The entirety of the complex systems the Lord designed eagerly awaits God’s restoration of all things. Our very home planet is harmed by the sin of mankind.

    Paul writes,

    For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. Romans 8:18-22

    That knowledge shouldn’t turn us into Earth worshippers, but help us remember to be good stewards. It should also help compel us to work to see God’s kingdom come in full

    Paul goes on to say,

    And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

    When you hear a bird sing or see a flower blooming, may it remind you of the God we serve and help steer us on the path of becoming more like Him.

    Be blessed

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

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