Beekeeping Matters

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 

~Genesis 1:26

Two friends of mine, Hugh "Buddy" Williams and Joan Slemenda, have written a book about beekeeping. Its detailed information is written in a format for beginners so they won't be overwhelmed by all that's involved with beekeeping. There's even a journal to help the beekeeper keep track of the duties of caring for the bees. Buddy has kept bees for 50 years and Joan has also had hives for 15 years. Both can speak to the importance of knowing the little things that will help others be successful as beekeepers whether as a hobby or as a career. 

One of the first things the Lord commanded Adam and Eve was to have dominion over the fish, the birds, the cattle and over every creeping thing, like bees. Anyone who has a pet knows they need to care for that pet but have we realized how important it is to take care of all of creation? Anyone would realize that "creeping things"- insects can not be real pets like dogs and cats so why would God command us to have dominion over them? 

Does "have dominion" mean rule or does that mean care for? 

The answer to the question may be in first simply observing bees. Many of us tend to squash every bee we see. I get it. They sting and sometimes cause deadly reactions but bees like everything else in creation have a purpose. They are our pollinators. Without the bees there would be no food. When the bee enters a flower to gather the pollen for honey she also unintentionally dusts the pollen from other flowers helping produce fruit and seed to feed us and animals and to continue its own growth. 

What can we learn from bees? 

Worker bees have many jobs in their short lifespan. The younger ones care for the larvae, the baby bees. As they mature, the workers build the hive structure. Then the older workers gather the pollen that will be turned into the honey used to feed the hive and us. 

We go through stages in our lives as well. As young Christians, we are just learning about the Lord and how to serve. Then we build the structure, the church, becoming disciples, growing in the Lord, studying His Word, and spending time with other Christians. We often serve as Sunday School teachers, or nursery workers, choir members, or musicians. As mature Christians, we go into the "fields" witnessing to others. We may serve on the visitation crew, as deacons, as choir directors, or as pastors. 

Each of us has a job and that job depends on our maturity and willingness to fulfill that job. If the bees weren't willing to go into the fields as they matured the hive would die of starvation. If we are not willing to take on the responsibilities of a Christian, the church will die. 

Heavenly Father, help me not to be a pew warmer but a worker in your kingdom. Help me be aware of things I can learn and things I can do as I mature in You. In Jesus's name. Amen. 

If you are interested in learning more about bees or becoming a beekeeper, you may order from BeekeepingMatters@gmail.com.

 

Be the Light

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, NC photo by pixabay

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

~Mark 16:15 KJV

Before we take our vacations I always do a little research on the area we want to visit. Here are a few things I found out about Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. It is probably the most famous of the lighthouses along the Outer  Banks of NC. 

The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse has been built in a variety of ways. First, it was short and made of sandstone. It wasn't very visible to mariners. Later in the 1800's it was built on a floating foundation, built much taller, equipped with a Fresnel lens, and painted a distinguishable color. I'd like to examine some of these important features. 

The Sandstone - As we mentioned, the sandstone lighthouse was too short and too hard for mariners to see. It couldn't do the job. 

• When God commanded that sacrifices be made, they were only to be representations of the true sacrifice. They were simple altars made of stones. Even when the brass altar of the Tabernacle was constructed it was still a symbol of the true sacrifice to come.

The Floating Foundation - When the foundation for the new construction of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was made in the 1800s the water table was only four feet down. Construction workers had to make a floating foundation by laying wood crossways below the water table. Then they placed granite on top of the wood to build the new lighthouse. 

• Jesus, the Rock of our salvation was placed upon a wooden cross. 

The Color and the Light - The Lighthouse Board regulated the color and light patterns of each lighthouse so mariners could distinguish by day and by night where they were located. The area off the coast of North Carolina is known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic. The lighthouse needed to be tall enough to see and the pattern of the light flashes at night needed to reach out far into the ocean so mariners knew how close they were to the rocky coast. The intersection of the ocean currents caused many ships to go down, casting the ships against the coast. Having the lighthouse to guide the way saved many ships and lives. 

• The Israelites were guided in the wilderness with a cloud by day and a fire by night. It guided them through a wilderness they had not traveled before. 

The Fresnel Lens - A Fresnel Lens is made up of triangular prisms of glass. This helps the light to go farther. Lighthouse lights are white lights because they go farther than colored lights. There were 1000 triangles in the Lens made for the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. 

• Jesus is the Rock of our foundation. He is the Light of the world.  He is also our Savior on which the church is built. But, the members of the church are the ones commanded to take the gospel to the world. We are to reflect the Light in all we do. There is a world full of shipwrecked people out there who need the light of Jesus to safely guide them to salvation. 

Be the Light. 

Father, help us be aware of how we reflect your Light to others. In Jesus's name. Amen.

Hey Kids:

Are you going somewhere for a vacation? 

Have you researched the area and the possibilities?

How will your travels help you reflect the light of Jesus to others? 

Staying home this summer? 

There is always an adventure in our backyards. 

Kids' magazines are always looking for drawings and writings by kids! 

What will you discover this summer that you can share with other kids? 

How will you reflect the light of Jesus? 

Tis the Season

 

And it was at Jerusalem the feast of dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. ~John 10:22,23 KJV

It’s that time of year. Cookies, gingerbread houses, and decorations galore. As I tried to copy the picture of a winter gingerbread village in a jar, I wondered what winter was like for Jesus. There were no Christmas trees, no holiday cookies, no . . . . But wait, there was the Feast of Dedication – Hannukah! Jesus walked in the temple on Solomon’s porch! He saw the city all covered with snow. There may have been holiday cookies and gifts. There was a menorah burning in the temple by the altar of incense. Jesus may have been thinking about the lights of the temple and the miracle God had performed. Hanukah celebrated the fact that God caused the temple lamps to burn for eight days with only enough  oil for one day.

Today, we are in the midst of the Hannukah/Christmas season. Though the world tries to put out the true meanings of Hanukah and Christmas, we must keep the light within our hearts shining, demonstrating God’s love to the world. Whether we read Isaiah 53 or John 3:16 the message is still the same. It is our job to let the world know that God sent His only Son to be the sacrifice for our sins. May we dedicate our lives to the Messiah. May we let our light shine before others to glorify our Father which is in heaven. 

  How are you keeping the Messiah in the Season this year?

Heavenly Father, as the lights shine around us this Hannukah/Christmas season remind us to let our lights shine for you all year long. In Jesus the Messiah's name. Amen.

Hey Kids:

Do you have special traditions for Christmas or Hannukah? We often see gingerbread houses but I thought a gingerbread village in a snowglobe might be a fun activity that would be edible for the whole season. I gave Pinterest a look and found some interesting ideas.

It may be fun to add a menorah cookie to the village. You can probably find a cookie cutter of a menorah at a hobby store or online. 

Enjoy all the fun, but remember the reason for the season is a time to celebrate the greatest gift of all— the birth of Jesus Christ who came to die for our sins. 

Once in a Lifetime

 

 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. ~Luke 1:6

Personal devotion writers encourage us to read a chapter of Luke every day this month and by the end of the month, we will have read the entire book. I usually read a chapter every day and then journal a significant verse(s) the Lord emphasizes to me.  So looking at the first few verses of Luke I thought like me, Zacharias and Elisabeth were older folks. They probably went about their daily routines not thinking much about how many things happen in the course of the day that are once-in-a-lifetime events.

Zacharias was taking his turn serving in the temple. It's my understanding most men didn't get to do that but once in a lifetime because of the number of men available. While he was serving an angel appeared to him. Now that seems like it should stand out as a once-in-a-lifetime event. The angel came with a message from God but Zacharias doubted the message. His doubt caused God to shut his mouth and his ears for a time but it didn't stop God from fulfilling His purpose. 

Then there was Elisabeth who was never able to have a child but found herself pregnant after her husband returned home. Remember she was old too. She hid herself until she was showing, maybe because the other women would accuse her of being crazy. 

I just had a birthday. Every birthday is a once-in-a-lifetime event. I'll never be this age again. Then I thought the things that happen this day will never happen again. Am I missing something that God wants to use to fulfill His purpose? Does God try to tell me the special plan He has for me?  Am I doubting His purpose in my life because of my age? Do I expect God to use me? 

Now, I want to spend my time, not just celebrating my birthday  — but the once-in-a-lifetime events that occur every day, that God will use for His glory and my good if I pay attention. I want to enter each day looking for what God is doing. Can I put my finger on something special every day? Maybe not, but that doesn't mean I won't see it in the future. Maybe the "something special" is that I am recognizing that every day is a once-in-a-lifetime event that I shouldn't waste. 

I came across a quote that sums it all up very well. 

Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can. - John Wesley

Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing me to participate in Your great plan every day. In Jesus's name. Amen.

Hey Kids:

Have you wondered what plan God has for you this day? When Jesus was a boy he did many of the same things you do. He played with the other children, learned to read and write, obeyed his parents, and enjoyed being a kid. 

 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. 

~Luke 2:52

What are ways you can increase in wisdom?

-listen to adults who try to help you.
-do your schoolwork.
-think through things before you act.

How can you increase in stature?

eat healthy foods
exercise
think through things before you act.

What are ways to increase in favor with God and men?

memorize scripture
be kind to everyone you meet.
allow your actions to be guided by God's word.

May the joy and significance of Christmas go with you throughout the year

Facing a New Year

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11

Sometimes it seems all hope is lost. It's just too hard to believe things will change or ever be alright again. We're too young or too old. May as well forget it. But is anything too hard for the Lord, our Promise Keeper? 

From the time I was a young teen, I knew all I wanted was to be a wife and mother. I was very good in school. The other kids were surprised I had no interest in college or a career. I had no dates until I was 20. I knew before we dated that this would be the man I would marry. At 23 we married and immediately started our family. In 4 years time, I had 3 children and the doctor told us our children were so large (10+ lbs) I wouldn't be able to carry another child to term. I was heartbroken. What was happening to the dream and what I thought was God's plan for us? 

When God told Abram to leave his homeland and his relatives, He promised to make Abram a great nation (Genesis 12:1,2). Abram was a young man with a young wife. Surely it was hard for them to leave everything and everyone behind and seek a new land, but they were young, adventurous, God-fearing, and God believing.

God believing - that was the key to the promises God made to Abram. Abram was different from other men, even from his family. Abram's nephew traveled with him but soon even he left Abram for the riches of this world. 

God blessed Abram with cattle. He took care of Abram and Sarai no matter what they tried to figure out for themselves because God had made a promise. Abram appreciated all God was doing for them but there was one promise he didn't see how God was going to keep. God had promised Abram a son. God had changed their names to Abraham (father of many nations) and Sarah (princess) but Abraham was 99 years old. He laughed that a child would be born when he was 100 and Sarah was 90. When Sarah found out she laughed too, but God's answer was "Is anything too hard for the Lord"  Certainly the Creator of the Universe is capable of anything except a lie. He cannot lie (Titus 1:2). At the appointed time Isaac was born to the couple old enough to be great-great-grandparents. 

Why did God choose Abram and Sarai? Why did He wait so long to give them their promised child? God said:

For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. 

Genesis 18:19

It was hard for Abraham and Sarah to wait. It was hard to stay faithful but it was all part of God's plan to prosper them and prosper us. We may be waiting for a mate, or a child, or healing. We may question what God is doing, but know that He will never leave us or forsake us. His plan is the best plan. 

When my oldest child was almost four, he started reading environmental print. I decided he needed to learn to read. I bought material and over the course of the next year or so I taught him. I taught his brother and his sister. I went back to school and finished a degree in Early Childhood Education. I got a full-time teaching job when my oldest left for college. So I was a stay at home mom for them.  For over 20 years I have taught 30 to 40 children each year. They don't forget me. They speak to me in the halls. They come back and visit me when they are seniors. They bring their children to me to teach. As I near retirement I see the Lord has filled my home with many more children than I could have ever born. Children I nurture and bring up in the Lord if only for a few hours for a few days. When my husband retired he became a bus driver of all things. God's plan is always the best plan. We just have to be patient. 

What are you waiting for? 

First, know you have turned from your sins and given your life to Christ (Romans 10: 9,13).

Then look at your mentors and the gifts God has given you. Are you musical, artistic, construction minded, or do you love cooking? 

Know God has great plans for you. 

Wait on the Lord. Ask Him to show you how to use the talents He has given you. And yes mothering is a career and a talent that girls should never be ashamed of. 

Blessing while we wait on God, 

Gail