Rocks and Stones

. . .  and the border went up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben: Joshua 15:6

We had a family birthday party for our granddaughter at Sycamore Flats picnic area. The kids found a rock painted with a candy corn image. We explained that people were painting little rocks and placing them in public areas for others to find. Then it became a game to see if there were more. The rocks were dated or the place of origin written on the back. To be part of the game, the kids needed to take the rocks and put them somewhere else for others to find.

Snakes Alive!

But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. II Corinthians 11:3 NIV

"Rick, there's a snake in the henhouse!"
Yes, I raised the door to gather the eggs and was met by a huge black snake.

I really didn't want to kill it, but I did want to eat the eggs. 

We grabbed a rake and a five-gallon bucket with a lid. Rick twirled the snake on the rake

like spaghetti, dropped it in the bucket and I slammed the lid on it. Rick took him to the swamp about a mile from the house and turned him loose. 

So, what will the snake eat now? Anything smaller than itself. Often black snakes strike and stun their prey, then swallow it whole, mice, squirrels, lizards, little ducks, chicks, and other snakes. That's usually a helpful thing, but not when it slithers into my henhouse!

Eve was stunned by a seemingly harmless creature. The serpent asked her about what God had said. It wasn't that she didn't know. She was surprised by the serpent's trickery and didn't know how to answer, nor did she walk away. How often we know what is right, but we let the surprise and the appeal of the moment lead us astray. It's hard to walk away. That's why the apostle Paul was afraid we may be letting things lead us away from our devotion to Christ. 

How have you been stunned by Satan's trickery? What suggestions do you have to free yourself from the situation? 

Hey Kids:

Seen any snakes lately? 

Summer is a great time to get out and discover God's great creation. He gives us many examples of tricks and traps in mature to make us better able to understand His word and Satan's tricks. 

If we watch nature we notice the food chain. Often animals and some plants use trickery to obtain food. Keep your eyes open. You'll be surprised what you notice. And watch out for snakes. 

Draw pictures, take photos, keep a journal of animals and the traps they lay. How can you relate their actions to the traps Satan lays for us?

There are some great kids books that demonstrate how nature has traps. 

Here are just a few. Even if you have read these books lots of times, it might be fun to go back and look for the traps and how they were or could have been avoided.

The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle

Old Black Fly by Jim Aylesworth

Mud Walk by Joy Cowley

Blessings, 

Gail

The Light Show

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven. Matthew 5:16

This past week we camped on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Boone, NC. The views were spectacular with ridge upon ridge rising below the overlooks. Our favorite part of the drive is the Linn Cove Via Duct that sweeps out over the rock outcroppings. A German engineer designed it to save the natural landscape. - Breathtaking -

We’d set up camp, done a little hiking and visiting the area, then built our campfire for the night. As I prepared for the evening inside the camper, my husband sat by the fire, musing.

Then he stuck his head in the door. “Come look,” he whispered. As I stepped out into the night, the woods from the ground to the treetops sparkled, flashed, glowed. Fireflies going up, dipping down, gliding from side to side. We sat together by the campfire for a long time, watching, pointing, whispering in amazement at the light show before us.

God’s word tells us to let our light shine so others may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.

Father, help me remember to be kind in all I do, that others may see Christ in me and glorify You. Amen.

Hey Kids:

Did you know where I live we call fireflies, lightning bugs?

Have you ever caught lightning bugs?

The fireflies we saw were likely Synchronous fireflies (Photinus carolinus). They are one of the 19 species that live in my area and are one of the few species that make patterns when they flash. They only do this for a couple of weeks, usually in late May and early June. This is their typical mating rituals. As we watched there would be lots of flashes, then total darkness. Then the show would repeat itself. Awesome.

If you do a little research you can find out how fireflies produce their light.

You may also find that jars of fireflies have been used for light while doctors perform surgeries in countries without electricity.

Put a few fireflies in a jar for a night light. Be sure to get an adult to poke a few holes in the lid for air. Be sure to release them in the morning. You can catch more the next night.

Blessings,

Gail

A Sinful Thing

For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Romans 7:19 NIV

I love my gardens and my yard and let me say, so do the fire ants (Solenopsis Invicta)! 
There are over 280 known species. I try to watch my step, but inevitably I step on a hill. Are they driving you crazy too? 

I spray down my feet and legs with essential oils. I pour dish detergent and essential oils on the hills. I tried grits, boiling water, and goodness knows what else. Nothing helps! I'm bitten again. Dare I call the fire ant exterminator? 

Maybe the Lord has sent this "plague" to make us realize sin is like fire ants. Our fleshly bodies are a natural habitat for sin. We try to quit this and quit that. We try to turn over a new leaf. We go on diets and run marathons. But inevitably our pet sin returns. Dare we call on the name of Jesus who takes away our sin; who recovers us from addictions; who saves our very souls? Folks, maybe it's time we call on Jesus. 

Hey Kids:

Have you tried to obey your parents without grumbling?

Is it easy to be a friend to the friendless?

Do commercials make you want to try things just to be cool? 

How is Jesus helping you be a better friend, child, person?

Why not write a prayer asking Him to show you His plan this week. Write your observations of His answers as the week progresses. 

What did you discover about praying for help?