Windows of Learning (1)

But ask the animals, and they will teach you,

    or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you;

8 

or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,

    or let the fish in the sea inform you.

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Which of all these does not know

    that the hand of the Lord has done this?

Job 12:7-9 (NIV)

I wonder what this boy is thinking. He's mesmerized by God's creation just outside his window. Can you see him in your mind looking back to see if anyone is watching? Then slipping through the window to discover something. Something really cool, forgetting all about the school lessons on his desk that need to be finished before supper. 

Why do we make learning so difficult? Watch, no, observe a child observing a bug, squatting down, focused, momentarily reaching out to touch it. Maybe just with a stick. Maybe prodding it with a finger or a toe. But the child is learning, discovering what God has created to show us about Himself. Will the child learn more from the books and papers on his desk? Can he learn the same material from the things he's discovering outside his window? I truly think he can and this is why. From Genesis chapters 1 and 2 we can observe these things. 

• God created the universe.
• God is in control of the universe.
• God created the universe to tell us about Himself.
• God wants us to learn about His creation.
• God wants us to have dominion over creation--that does not mean controlling but working with creation for our betterment and the creation. 

That little fellow who was observing the bug will likely tell on himself when he comes to supper full of questions about the things he observed. Mom, Dad, or siblings don't have to give him the answers. All that is needed is to point him in the right direction to find those answers with age-appropriate texts, (fiction and/or non-fiction), technology, a visit to a nature center, etc. In the meantime, what will he do? He'll likely collect that bug and draw a picture of it. When he reads about it he may use the text as a mentor text to write about his find. He may measure the length of his captor, count its legs, and observe its wings. He may figure out what it eats. All the while making notes so he can remember this especially cool bug. 

Has he learned anything important? Sure! Check out the standards for education in your state. SC standards can be found here: https://ed.sc.gov/instruction/standards-learning/ Check any grade level including high school biology and you will find he has met many of the standards with just this one bug. Check the English, Math, Writing Standards as well. Maybe the bug has even played a role in history by immigrating to your area from some other part of the world during a particular event. He has integrated learning in all subjects with just one little bug. He has learned things he will never forget, including the memories he made with parents, siblings and friends. He won't dump this info as soon as the test is over. Oh, what test? 

If you included the Creation story in your discussions, you have implanted the Word of God in his knowledge or perhaps the bug is a locust and there are also other Bible stories to go along with his studies.  Education is just outside your window or perhaps in your kitchen or garage or tool shed and it's never boring if we allow God's creation to lead the way. 

Father, help us let Your Creation lead the way in teaching our children even the most complicated subjects because You are the ultimate Teacher. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Almost Heaven

 

 

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38,39

This past week, we went camping in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As usual it was overflowing with people, but we were there for the same reason, to find some peace from the crazy rat race of work and cell phones and TV's and technology of every description that invade our lives every day. True, without technology, I wouldn't be able to share this with you, but sometimes you do need a break.

When you cross into the park, your cell phone immediately loses signal. It will search until all power is gone, which won't be long, unless you cut the phone completely off. Then to get your pictures you have to go through all the stuff to get it back on and to the camera. Whew! Word to the wise, pack another camera. We camped at Cades Cove. There are no electrical sites, except maybe the handicapped sites, another shut down of technology. I'm not sure if even the generator powered campers had the ability to receive TV and radio signals. Who would want it when you are surrounded by the glory of God's creation.

There is an eleven mile loop that takes you through forest and meadows and leads you to old cabins and trails. The traffic creeps along at ten to fifteen miles an hour with people stopping to view deer and bear. Pull offs are frequent for those wishing to get out and get a closer look or walk through cabins and along trails. You may be accompanied by fifty to hundred people but most speak in whispers, in awe of the beauty that surrounds them. Smiles greet you as fingers point out the wildlife across the meadow or up in the tree. I thought, this is almost heaven. There are no harsh words. There is no hurry. There is no worry. That's probably why so many signs say stay fifty feet back from wildlife! We lose all fear. Peace and calm reign and you wish for the day to never end. 

The highest mountain in the Smokies is Clingman's Dome. For many years it was thought to be the highest mountain in the east until more accurate measurements declared Mt Mitchell the winner. There are also a significant amount of caverns under the Smokies. Most are not open to the public, but there are a few. We ventured into Tuckaleechee with an older guide who knew the cavern inside out. Though I didn't take pictures inside (I didn't know going in I could take my camera), the beauty and magnificence of the cavern was awesome. Stalactites and stalagmites, curtains of formations, underground rivers and a waterfall, amazement at every turn. Then he turned off the lights, but God was still there in the dark, the dark you could almost feel. Here in the Smoky Mountains, we could ascend to one of the highest peaks or descend in one of the deepest caverns. No matter where we were, we were never without God. We could pray at the heights or in the depths and God would still hear. We could still feel His presence. We still had His love. There is no escape from God or His love and why would you want to escape? It's because of His love we have the beauty of His creation. It's because of His love we have salvation through Christ Jesus. God is love (I John 4) in all He does. 

Blessings for a peaceful week,

Gail

Hey Kids:

God's creation is so amazing. Have you ever thought that God created all things because He loves us?  From the smallest atom to the tallest tree to the deepest cavern, we can see our amazing God and His love for us. 

Why not take a little vacation from technology this week and take note of something far more amazing - God's creation.

Take pictures or draw or write about something awesome.

Here's some hints to get you started.

Watch fireflies or lightning bugs as they begin their nightly dance. What makes them glow without burning up?

Listen for woodpeckers in search of food or building homes. Why doesn't his beak break or bend?

Check a flower bud for a few days to watch it as it opens. Does it twirl open or pop or slowly, slowly broaden its petals. 

Can you find a way to measure the tallest tree in your yard or neighborhood or park? 

What other things can you find that God has created to bless you with?

Please share your blessings in the comment section below.

Snowflakes Are On The Way

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalms 139:14

I LOVE SNOW!! Even though I live where it only snows a little, it’s enough to keep everyone on their toes all winter long, watching the clouds, sniffing the air, feeling the deep chill, trying to remember how many fogs there were in August and what color the wooly worms were. Y’all don’t do that where you live? Oh, I’m sorry. All that adds to the fun of creating a few paper flakes to hang in the window while we’re watching and wishing. If you need help making snowflakes just google the word snowflake and you can get lots of ideas. I found an out of print book called Zoo Flakes ABC by Will Howell. It shows how to make animals snowflakes – cool book. The point being there are a zillion ways to make a snowflake. By the way there are more than a zillion real snowflake shapes.

Snowflakes can be flat or 3D. They generally have 6 sides but no two are ever alike. God put a lot of effort into making something so tiny and intricate. We can’t even see the details with just our eyes. Before microscopes and cameras no one probably even knew the details of just one tiny snowflake. But God knew. He cared. He wanted to show everyone and anyone how much He cares about His creation. If he cares so much that He takes time to make every little snowflake different, just think how special we are to Him. He created every person different. Even identical twins are not exactly the same. And it’s more than just our looks. Out personalities and talents are different. God made each of us unique with a special job to do. He cares what happens to us. He sent His only Son to die for us so that we could be forgiven our sins and spend eternity with Him. Snowflakes melt, but we are His unique creation with an eternal soul. How much more special God has created you and me! We are the epitome of  all His creation.

Make a few snowflakes for your windows this week. While you’re at it you might want to thank the Lord for making you special. Why not ask Him what plans He has for your unique talents. Then keep an open ear and eye to God’s direction.

Please share your window of snowflakes with us.

Blessings