Category: Birds

  • Lonely Places

    God walks with you

    Tundra swan in flight
    Tundra swan

    I sat on the bench at the popular watching area. A single cormorant sat on the shore, wings spread, sunning itself. Alone, Mallard Drake honked, getting no response. A lone swan flew considerably behind the flock, calling plaintively to its flock mates who were now almost out of sight.

    The swan’s call was different from what I was used to hearing. I later looked it up on my Merlin app and learned it was a tundra swan. Although I knew there were plenty of trumpeters around, I didn’t realize there was a separate species.

    To the cormorant, the swan, and the duck, the lake seemed a lonely place. It was quite a different story on the pathways.

    It seemed that everyone and their dog (literally) were out walking. The park has several walking trails and is busy from when the gates open in the morning until they close in the evening. Depending on your perspective, the lake was both a lonely place and filled with activity.

    Life can be that way. We sometimes feel alone and separated from God. Yet, if we could roll back the veil and see what is transpiring in the spirit realm, the level of activity would overwhelm us.

    The prophets of old had the heavenlies revealed to them. One verse always strikes me with what it unveils.

    Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:17 ESV

    Some of the disciples saw Jesus and others on the Mount of Transfiguration. Paul, John, and others had the heavens revealed to them.

    Throughout the Old and New Testaments, we are repeatedly given glimpses of what is happening all around us but just out of our sight. God’s ministering servants are hard at work on our behalf and bringing Him glory.

    We are reminded that God is with us.

    So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me? Hebrews 13:6 ESV

    Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV

    Until next time, remember when you feel like you are in one of those lonely places and distant from God, that there is more than you can imagine happening on your behalf all around you.

    Kevin

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  • A Walk in the Park – The Creator Revealed

    A pair of chickadees

    Yesterday, Kathy and I took a stroll at Campbell  Valley Park in Langley. Although it was cool, cloudy, and drizzly, the walk was a refreshing blessing. We met a few people on the trail, but weekdays are always less busy than nice weekends.

    Water levels were up quite a bit from the last time we visited, but not nearly to peak levels. As always, a few mallards were hanging around, primarily drakes. For whatever reason, the drakes outnumber the hens here by about 5 to 1 or more.

    We enjoyed the company of a few squirrels, dozens of chickadees, some spotted towhees, and various sparrow and sparrow-type birds. The chickadees followed us, stopping when we did and often coming within a foot or less of us.

    Chickadees are one of my favorite birds. They are cute and very friendly. Their song is lighthearted, and they always seem happy little birds. A chickadee always brings a smile to my face.

    I always find my mind clearer after spending time in the woods. The woods calm my heart and spirit and allow me to focus. Often, when walking in the woods, hunting, or fishing, I feel God’s presence the most clearly.

    That’s one reason many people end up worshipping nature. Their experience fools them into thinking that nature is God, a dangerous mistake.

    For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. Romans 1:18-25

    God created everything around us for two reasons. Firstly, it testifies to His worthiness and power, giving Him glory. Secondly, it acts as an undeniable signpost that points humanity towards Him.

    The world around us, the world of “nature,” is a gift to us and also a responsibility. God calls us to be stewards of it all. It’s made for our use, but careful use. Too often, we have exploited our home for short-sighted gain.

    The natural world surrounds us. Enjoy it. Steward it well. Give glory to God.

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

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