The Octopus

Day 210:  The hubster was watching some crazy show tonight that showed how strange and insanely complex the octopus is.  The octopus is mostly colorblind, but yet it can instantly adapt and mirror any environment, like an underwater chameleon.  It is thought they can sense the color.  Their suction cups are not just for touch, but also serve as their sense of smell.  They are extremely smart, and can figure out how to perform complex tasks on their own.  They have 3 hearts, over 500 million large neurons, and 100 million small ones.

I often talk about God's object lessons.  If an octopus can be so dramatically complicated, imagine the care he took to create man!

Please, God, bless!

"But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind." Job 12 7-10

Inspired by "365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!" I decided I should be more conscientious of my creative side. I chose to modify this one year challenge (9/23/14-9/24/15) to create something each day that would also force me to focus my perspective on a Godly world-view.

Legend of the Dogwood

Day 209:  My dogwoods bloomed today.  So I thought I would share the legend of the dogwood.

Legend of the Dogwood

     At the time of the crucifixion, the dogwood had reached the size of the mighty oak tree. So strong and firm was the wood that it was chosen as the timber for Jesus' cross.

     To be used for such a cruel purpose greatly distressed the dogwood. While nailed upon it, Jesus sensed this, and in his compassion said. "Because of your pity for my suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used for a cross. Henceforth, it shall be slender, bent, and twisted, and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross–two long and two short petals.

     "In the center of the outer edge of each petal will be the print of nails. In the center of the flower, stained with blood, will be a crown of thorns so that all who see it will remember." 

from "Sower's Seeds Aplenty: Fourth Planting," # 29, p. 22

Inspired by "365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!" I decided I should be more conscientious of my creative side. I chose to modify this one year challenge (9/23/14-9/24/15) to create something each day that would also force me to focus my perspective on a Godly world-view.

Apple of His Eye

Day 208:

 "Keep me as the apple of your eye;

    hide me in the shadow of your wings,"  Ps 17:8 ESV

Isn't it something? 

 God loves you so much that you are the apple of His eye.

When you run to Him he shelters you in His embrace.

He loves you so much, He can't take His eyes off of you.

Please, God, bless!

Inspired by "365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!" I decided I should be more conscientious of my creative side. I chose to modify this one year challenge (9/23/14-9/24/15) to create something each day that would also force me to focus my perspective on a Godly world-view.

Evident Faith

Day 207:  One of the Facebook pages I "like" reported that their Christian content is being censored. This isn't the first page to complain about it. Apparently, speaking about Christ is "hate speech". And that isn't all. Do a quick search and you will find multiple complaints of people critical of Islam, or speaking for traditional values having their pages censored as well. I even saw similar complaints by clean eating pages!
 
Unfortunately, this doesn't surprise me. Social media claims to be a place to express yourself and share, but it really isn't much different than Big Media. How many people can see 3 posts in a row on Facebook from actual friends before they get some ad or suggested page? Not me, that's for sure. I have a bunch of friends, and rarely see what's going on in their lives. But yet I'll see tons of videos advertised that say something like, "They thought she was crazy until she did this!"  or "You won't believe what this grandma did next." So, it isn't about sharing as much as it is about being sold something. And that includes a world view.

I am not ashamed to say I follow Jesus, even though the world is increasingly hostile. There will come a time when believers will need to stand for Christ amidst hate, unashamedly, unabashedly confident and strong in faith. That time seems to be coming quickly. May we not falter. May our faith be as evident as the nose on our face.

Please, God, bless!

"But whoever denies me before people I, too, will deny before my Father in heaven."  Mt 10:33

Inspired by "365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!" I decided I should be more conscientious of my creative side. I chose to modify this one year challenge (9/23/14-9/24/15) to create something each day that would also force me to focus my perspective on a Godly world-view.

Back in Style

Day 206:  Not sure what to doodle, so I just started sketching a cute haircut.  Then I saw this verse and thought of how styles come and go, and it seemed to fit.  What was cool once before, will be cool again someday. What was old becomes new again.  Just waiting for the parachute pants to come back!  Ha!

Please, God, bless!

"That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been;" Ecc 3:15a

Inspired by "365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!" I decided I should be more conscientious of my creative side. I chose to modify this one year challenge (9/23/14-9/24/15) to create something each day that would also force me to focus my perspective on a Godly world-view.

Honoring Sacrifice

Day 205:  Today I confirmed my son's class for a field trip to do an Honor Flight greeting. I have done it before, and its really amazing.  I'm looking forward to the kids having the experience.  One of the moms is going to do a short presentation for the kids before we leave, so they can better understand and hopefully appreciate the tremendous sacrifices these men and women have made.  Their sacrifice allowed the next generations of Americans to live as a free people.  We don't see that kind of selflessness very often these days.

I think there is a good object lesson here for the kids as well.  Christ died so that we can be saved. It is appropriate that we should be thankful, and continually convey our gratitude to the One who gave everything for us.

Please, God, bless!

"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 ESV

Inspired by "365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!" I decided I should be more conscientious of my creative side. I chose to modify this one year challenge (9/23/14-9/24/15) to create something each day that would also force me to focus my perspective on a Godly world-view.

Cherry Blossoms

Day 204:  My son had mentioned the cherry blossoms yesterday, and I noticed as I drove into work this morning the green starting to invade the pink fluff of the blossoms.  Its kind of sad, because they are so pretty, but for such a short time.

That's the thing about beauty. Outward appearances may be a feast for the eyes, but they may not be reflective of the heart.

Please, God, bless!

"But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."  1 Sam 16:7

Inspired by "365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!" I decided I should be more conscientious of my creative side. I chose to modify this one year challenge (9/23/14-9/24/15) to create something each day that would also force me to focus my perspective on a Godly world-view.

Rainy Cat

Day 203:  I often joke that weathermen can't seem to pick their nose let alone the weather.  I'm not trying to be disparaging, because weather is not an exact science.  How many of us have checked the weather, ventured out expecting sun just to have it rain?  Or plan for snow when there was none? Fortunately, most people understand that weatherfolk are making educated forecasts based on a myriad of factors, so while they may often be right, they are never always right.

I read a Q&A tonight where the person asked about future telling.  I think weather forecasters are a perfect example of our inability to predict the future.  But there are others who claim to know the future.  They say they have a sense, or a gift, that its a calling.

Make no mistake, God says the ability to predict the future is His, and His alone!  The only people who were considered prophets were 100% right. If they were wrong once, they were not speaking on God's behalf.  Also note the prophets were VERY explicit in noting the details.  Most self-proclaimed seers are vague, ambiguous, and general, and if they do get the details right, it isn't every single time.

We have a fascination with the future.  Many claim they are modern day prophets. Be wary.  100% right, 100% of the time, 100% in line with what God's Word says--that is the criteria, and the test for a true prophet of God.  

Please, God, bless!

“I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.”  Isaiah 46:9-10 

Inspired by "365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!" I decided I should be more conscientious of my creative side. I chose to modify this one year challenge (9/23/14-9/24/15) to create something each day that would also force me to focus my perspective on a Godly world-view.

TRAFFIC!

Day 202:  After a great weekend getaway, the drive home was pretty easy and kind of nice....until...we...hit .....TRAFFIC!  The worst is, there was no reason for it!  Just TRAFFIC!  It took us an extra hour to get home.

I suppose traffic is a good time to practice patience--which I seem to often lack.  I try to remind myself that handling the little things is an indication of how we handle bigger things.  So, I took the time to think, to pray, to chat with the family.  I wasn't exactly happy about it, but not fretting as much as I was on the inside seems to help.  I am ever hopeful that patience can be learned in increasing measure.

Please, God, bless!

"Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains." James 5:7 ESV

Inspired by "365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!" I decided I should be more conscientious of my creative side. I chose to modify this one year challenge (9/23/14-9/24/15) to create something each day that would also force me to focus my perspective on a Godly world-view.

Gnocchi

Day 201: One evening we had gone to a restaurant where my boy discovered gnocchi.  Ever since then he has been bugging me to go back for more--no other restaurant would do.  Well, we finally made it and he gobbled it all up.  Afterwards we went for a walk on the waterfront to enjoy the views, take some pictures.

God gave us food because we need it.  But isn't it amazing how food is so important for more social reasons?  A good meal can seal a covenant, share grief, celebrate special occasions, provide comfort, bring back memories, etc.  God himself enjoyed the savory aroma of sacrifices, Jesus shared meals with his disciples, and symbolized his sacrifice with communion--the bread and the wine.

I love a good meal, and it is appropriate that I continue to thank God for it.

Please, God, bless!

"Prepare my favorite dish, and bring it here for me to eat."  Gen 27:4a

Inspired by "365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!" I decided I should be more conscientious of my creative side. I chose to modify this one year challenge (9/23/14-9/24/15) to create something each day that would also force me to focus my perspective on a Godly world-view.