Wicker

Look what we came across awhile back! A bike made out of wicker! I guess it is ride-able, but I would use it as a planter on a porch.

And this is what was in the basket.

“Even the simplest wicker basket can become priceless

When it is loved and cared for through the

Generations of a family.”

Sister Parish

The Fire Star

Just underneath the moon, I saw this. Brilliant red and shimmering. I wish my camera could have captured the shimmery shine.

Of course it is Mars! Closer now than it has been in decades. The ancient Romans named Mars after their god of war because of its red, blood-like hue. The Chinese called it "the fire star".

I will politely pause while you laugh at these pathetic pictures! I later learned that even people with huge telescopes cannot see any detail on Mars now. This is because the planet is in the midst of a huge dust storm. So all anyone can see is red dust. But it was fun trying!

“They will go to war against the Lamb but the Lamb will defeat them, proof that he is Lord over all lords, King over all kings, and those with him will be the called, chosen, and faithful.”

Revelation 17

The Thunder

We had a full moon on Friday. This one is called the Thunder Moon, because July is a month  with plenty of thunder storms. When it first rose, it was mostly obscured by clouds.

Finally, only a few clouds were left.

And then the entire moon appeared in all it's beauty.

I also saw something else at the same time! But you will have to wait for my next post to see it!

“God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.”

Job 37

Molten

Better than mines of gold — a mint of dreams.

Better than bars of molten silver — the silver of a laugh.

Better than strings of pearls — the crystal of a tear.

Better than bands of choristers — a lute in the soul.

God trusts His nights of silent, silver pourings, and His dawns of blatant splendor.

He trusts His moons of molten gold, and His twilights of streaming beauty.

Muriel Strode

The Cat Who Prays

Our cat Simba often prays before he goes to sleep. Usually on the couch, or beside his scratching post, for which he must be giving thanks! And maybe asking for a bit more catnip...

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

James 5

“God can’t stand pious poses, but he delights in genuine prayers.”

Proverbs 15

Lost

We were driving down this road, and look what we saw coming toward us!

He was on his way to eat some plants on the roadside. Evidently, ones that weren't in his pasture.  Only about half grown, he didn't seem to mind losing the others.

The cow pasture was on the side of the road, but we could not see where he got out of the fence.

Hiding his face will not work. We can still see him!

All that is gold does not glitter,

Not all those who wander are lost;

The old that is strong does not wither,

Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

J.R.R Tolkien

“You were lost sheep with no idea who you were or where you were going. Now you’re named and kept for good by the Shepherd of your souls.”

1 Peter 2

Spotted Sandpiper

Look who I spotted looking for food on the shore of a pond. A Spotted Sandpiper! We do not get Sandpipers often, because we are not anywhere near a beach. I watched him in the golden evening light being very stealthy. What a treat!

“Your thoughts—how rare, how beautiful! God, I’ll never comprehend them! I couldn’t even begin to count them— any more than I could count the sand of the sea.”

Psalm 139

Hay Art

Around here, it seems like the farmers are making hay all year long, except in the winter.

And sometimes, they like to make art from hay.

“Make hay while the sun shines—that’s smart; go fishing during harvest—that’s stupid.”

Proverbs 10

This Evening

The heavens declare the glory of God;

    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

    night after night they reveal knowledge.

 They have no speech, they use no words;

    no sound is heard from them.

Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,

    their words to the ends of the world.

Psalm 19

Garden Of Boots

Other than these plants growing out of a bathtub, what else do you notice?

Yep, there are a pair of shoes there. In fact, this garden is full of shoes and boots that are used as planters! It is just a few blocks from our house.

“Really! There’s no such thing as self-rescue, pulling yourself up by your bootstraps. The cost of rescue is beyond our means, and even then it doesn’t guarantee Life forever…”

Psalm 49