Tag: the gospel

  • Chickadee – an amazing bird

    a black capped chickadee sitting on my

    The black-capped chickadee is an amazing little bird. They are cute, friendly, and have a sweet song, but they also have some amazing characteristics you might not know about.

    Each year, the chickadee’s hippocampus sheds memories of the previous year and develops new patterns to remember the location of every seed it stashed away. It is estimated that they can remember 100,000 seeds. Scientists are studying this to learn how memory works.

    A chickadee can go into a state of semi-hibernation. Their internal body temperature can drop nearly 50 degrees (F) allowing for far less energy usage. I extreme cold.

    Chickadees remember faces that fill their feeders and more. Being naturally inquisitive, other species of birds watch them to see if an area is safe before moving in.

    Such a little bird, made in such a complex, specialized way. How much more so does that apply to humanity, being made in the very image of God?

    So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27

    I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:14

    Every human being has intrinsic value. Every life is important to God. We need to remember that when we look down on or dismiss others because of their lifestyle, melanin levels, gender, socioeconomic status, or anything else. 

    We’re called to love and compassion. We’re called to share the gospel. We’re called to be in the world not of it.

    Jesus died for them, just as He died for us while we were yet sinners and enemies of God.

    Like other birds watching chickadees to see if things are safe, people are watching us to evaluate the claims of Christ. Is He safe?

    May your life reflect the fruit of the Spirit and the love of Christ.

    Be blessed

    Kevin

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  • Changed From the Inside – Good News

    backyard with a skiff of snow

    Good morning, it seems like forever since we last chatted. Here in BC, it was the Family Day long weekend, so there have been no Gleanings since Friday.

    We got a skiff of snow last night. Most of it is already gone except for some shady spots on the lawn. It melted into thick, scraper-resistant ice on the windshield, making it harder than usual to get the car ready for Kathy to go to work. I found myself mumbling, rather than being grateful, to live in a place where snow is rare.

    Ooops!

    How easy it is to slip back into old habits, whether it’s grumbling or something else. I’m grateful that God is so patient with us and never gives up on His promise to conform us into the image of Jesus.

    I can’t generate enough willpower to break all the old fleshly ways under my own strength. I need Holy Spirit power to break me through. Fortunately, he dwells in all believers.

    If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper,  to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:15-17

    He transforms us from the inside out. Those are the places we can’t reach ourselves. We can modify our behaviors to some degree by willpower alone, but real transforming power comes from deep within.

    Sometimes, he changes us instantaneously, and at others, it is a long process. I can be a slow learner.

    I am grateful that I didn’t have to change and get my life cleaned up before approaching His throne of Grace. I would never be able to do it without the imputed righteousness of Christ. 

    He sees me covered by the blood and growing, and that pleases Him. He hears the Spirit groaning when I don’t even know what to pray for, and He answers.

    I’m not all that I will be, but I’m far from what I was. All of that is His work in me (and you).

    I’m learning to repent more quickly, and I’m likely to stand longer between falls, and that’s progress.

    Praise god for the changes He is making in us all.

    Be blessed

    Kevin

    Some other reading

    Thunderggs – a hidden beauty

    The Gospel – the best news

    Trust God