Category: Birds

  • God’s Promise of Renewal

    american robin on the lawn

    I’ve seen a few robins around, but yesterday I saw a pair in our backyard.  Most years a pair (or two) nests somewhere on the property, so it’s a promise that spring is on the way. 

    We will likely get more cold, winter-like weather, but we are through the worst of it. I miss some aspects of the places we’ve lived most of our lives, but the long, cold weather isn’t one of them. 

    It won’t be spring officially for 28 more days (March 20 this year), but the true weather seldom follows the official seasonal starts. When we lived in Alberta, it saw snowfall in every month of the year, and the same for spring-like weather.

    Even if it’s not officially Spring, the hope and promise of it bring me joy. Spring is a time of renewal, fresh growth, and great beauty. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest of times, God is in control and has promised us something better.

    The coming of Spring doesn’t negate the possibility of bad weather ahead; it comes with a promise. In the same way, becoming believers doesn’t mean we won’t have dark times, but it comes with the promise of something greater.

    You can’t avoid the cycle of seasons; every year gets some winter. We can’t avoid tough times; they are an integral part of our Faith walk. Hard times turn us to God for help, hope, and comfort. 

    Winter is a time for plants to be dormant and rest in preparation for the busy growth of Spring. Hard times are when we sink our roots deeper into Christ, preparing for deeper growth and a closer relationship with Him.

    The scriptures are full of promises for renewal.

    Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

    …he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:5

    If you are facing hold times, hold fast, He has something better for you. If you aren’t having a struggle, prepare because one is coming.

    In everything rejoice, the best is yet to come.

    Be blessed

    Kevin

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  • Murder – death of Jesus for our sake

    four crows on a tree branch

    Today, I saw a murder of crows in the tree. In case you don’t know, a murder is the formal name for a gathering of crows.

    Seeing the crows brought murder to mind. I started to think about all the murder mysteries I have watched and read over the years. They all had something in common, besides the body. In all of them, as far as I can remember, the victim was unable to prevent his own murder.

    There is one murder, however, that I know of, where the victim willingly submitted to being murdered for a greater cause. I’m Speaking of course, of the murder of Jesus, planned by the Jewish leaders, and carried out by the Roman rulers.

    The Jewish leaders perceived Jesus as a threat, and when they could not discredit him, they planned to kill him. They used Pontius Pilate to have him crucified, a most ignominious death.

    Let’s set the scene, before Jesus was taken to Pilate, one of his disciples betrays him and shows up at the Garden of Gethsemane with troops to arrest him

    Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?”At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled. Matthew 26:50-56 ESV

    Jesus willingly goes with them and submits to being convicted in a kangaroo court on completely fabricated charges. He is mocked, rejected, tortured, and eventually killed on the cross.

    Why would the God of the universe permit himself such indignities? Because he loves us. He humbled himself, set aside his rights, and came to earth to die.

    “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:8 ESV

    If that thought doesn’t amaze you, you need to stop and think about what he has done for you.

    Praise God for all his mercies.

    Be blessed

    Kevin

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