Summer has gone - what next

This year has been one of the most difficult ones we have been through in quite some time. I don't think I have seen one that gave us such a wide range of varying weather conditions as this years has. For the most part it has been a long hot summer.  In the area I live in it has not rained. Not one significant drop since June. A few days before the summer  soltuce was the last time we had any kind of moisture.
It seemed like the day summer started the top of the temperature gauges blew off and the hot vents opened upon the world.  Watching the news reports the world itself had some severe weather that seems impossible to consider a natural disaster.
The poles are melting faster than once predicted.. One news clip I saw showed tourists on a cruise ship off the coast of Greenland  capture on camera a wall of glacial ice brake off falling into the ocean causing a sudden rise in the waves that rippled back against the ship.  In the same segment they showed satellite photos of Greenlands glacier in one weeks time the snows from the first set show the ice to be thick and solid. The next showed the same area but under a different lens focus. I don't remember what they called it , but the blue image revealed how much the snows melted from the summers heat wave.
Ground that hasn't seen the light of day since the flood waters were frozen are now revealing themselves. Secrets long covered by our prehistoric age have been found under these snows.  History of a time long forgotten that gives proof to facts recorded by survivors.
As winter moves in I can't help but wonder what changes are in store for us . Some of our winters have been unusually mild ones. Others have been extremely hard. But that's nature. The unknown. The uncertain is what we live for. It keeps us searching for answers.

Times of Change

This summer has really been one of the worse in some time. The heat remains in the high 90's almost daily. The drought is really taking hold. The Platte river that runs through Nebraska is dry. Most summers when we get into August it drops down to a very small stream. This summer it is gone. Not one trickle to be seen for miles.
     The emails I read of the news reports is really sad. The planet is changing from all this heat. The polar ice is melting faster now than ever. Greenland seen from the bird's eye of a satellite in just four days time show how one day the snow covers the in tire land mass, in the next has melted down to the solid ground that hasn't seen the light of day sense the flood when the glaciers froze.
    What really saddens me is the animals that live in the poles. The polar bears, seals, walruses, foxes, penguins. Their habitat is melting. What will they do when there is no more snow for them to hunt, dig caves to hibernate and bear their young. They can't hunt to feed their young they will all die. It's so sad to see how all these changes so effect those who are unable to change and adapt to the changes. Zoo's can't be expected to take in the in tire species of life.
    This planet is their world too. For countless generations we have shared this world with all those other species. We intrude on their habitat with force they fight back. Just as we do when we are intruded upon. The way we now intrude has taken away whole sections clearing wide ranges of land for agriculture leaving nothing for the animals to hunt.
    This drought is really spreading. It is changing the world everywhere. A few winters ago the changes in the storms were reaching the strangest places. Dumping record amounts of snow in some of the warmest places on earth that have never seen snow. Stirring up some of the weirdest storms ever seen. It reminded me of that movie made in 2005, Day After Tomorrow.(Paramount.) In that movie everything froze over taking the in tire northern hemisphere.
    This summer is taking on a the aspect of a time when Elijah faced the heathen kings in Gods kingdom with apostasy. God plagued the land with drought for 7 years. Because the people turned from God to worship idols. He set drought upon the land to turn the people back to him. That kind of drought the world has never seen at that time.
    Where will this drought lead us?
    Some days I fear the worst for us as a people but more for all the wildlife that have no place else to go. Not able to change and adapt to the changes happening in this world. So much of it is caused by mans careless use of our resources. Pollution in the air, water, soil that seeps into everything else. Trees to have been suffering from new types of insects that burrow into them and the trees die.
   The out break of fires across the country areas that are rarely plagued with such fire hazards. The forests areas are able to regrow what was lost. Fires opens the seedlings from the trees to take root and start growing new life to replace the ones lost. We plant seedlings to help this regrowth.
   There are good sides and bad sides to every thing. In this I want to see something good come from this tragedy. The animals need help. Nature shows open eyes to the plight of the animals and the dangers facing them. They also show there is more that people can do to help change what is happening.
   Change is needed now. I just hope we can do something more than just speak of the tragedy and not do anything else. What happens to the animals will one day happen to us as well. We share this world with a vast assortment of life. Much of it intelligent in it's own way. We may not be able to speak directly with one another but we can find ways to communicate.
    

SUMMER WALK

    

SUMMER WALK

By 

Anise Cassell 

Summer time to get out to enjoy long walks.  Walks in the cool evening is rewarding. Three dogs joined Mom on her walks. Apollo loved to run in the fields of tall grass and wide-open spaces. There was nothing a collie like more to stretch ones long legs in free spirited play with his two best friends.

Cocoa the dash hound grew up with the family’s three children. She was shared much of their lives. Cocoa didn’t like pups. After ten years she was happy the children were grown.  She had only mom and dad to deal with. That was enough.

Hootie the rat terrier is Apollo’s best friend. The pup had taken to her the moment he arrived. Mom took the dogs for walks in the evening after work was done. Some days the walks took them far from home. They walked off the road where the fields stretched for miles.

Hootie’s short legs took her far in seconds.  The only one to catch her was Apollo. His long legs caught her in short leaps. His favorite game is pounce and nip. When Apollo caught Hootie he nipped her on the head. Hootie would growl nip back to find he ran off.

 He would return to do it again. Hootie didn’t like his game.  Let him know it. That didn’t stop Apollo. He pressed the game as long as he could. Cocoa let them know right off she would not put up with this non-sense. She earned her place in this family.

Cocoa went her own way.  Short legs made hunting new smells enjoyable. Her keen sense well suited to hunting. Searching new smells is her favorite part of walks. Cocoa found a new smell. Zeroed in digging to uncover the hidden treasure. Once started there’s no stopping until the source was sniffed out. 

 Tonight Mom watched the sunset of the summer solstice. The birds bedded down songs fading. Cocoa’s furious digging aroused Apollo’s interest. Catching a whiff of the prize joined in. He didn’t intrude on her dig. Her nips made him back off. He would wait to sneak back then jump on the prize to snatch it up fast. Then challenge them to take it from him. They could not.  

 The sunset fades from orange to red cast a long shadow behind the hill. Mom started walking home. Hootie joined in the hunt for the prize. Mom called. The search was intense.  Digging furiously for the prize.

A mother field mouse jumped out with her last baby disappeared into the tall stalks her escape with child certain. The dirt pile gave the mother field mouse the perfect escape route the dogs could not pursue. Apollo's  disappointment didn’t stay with him long. The memory of the hunt would remain with the collie for some time. 

Where to find love?

Reading my devotional today I read two very interesting stories. One was patience and the other was a love story. The story was how two people from Italy separated by an ocean found each other in a church. Then it said, "Where better to find love, hope everyone can find love there." 

That started me thinking when I was writing in my journal. Church, Gods house, IS the only place to find love. God offers us LOVE full and free to ALL WHO ENTER HERE! 

Gods love full and free, given unconditionally to ALL who seek it. Pure love. The purest form of all love ever offer to anyone ever created. God holds nothing back from us once we have accepted his love into our hearts. Once we accept our lives will never be the same again. 

God love is powerful. Because it changes us forever. Opening the door of our hearts God begin to change us. Always for the better. Creating new hearts open to others in need of love. From there it becomes contagious. We start to share love with those around us. It spreads to more people who pass it on to still more. 

The power of love does return to us when we least expect it. Many couples God has brought together. Marriage. The oldest of all customs God began at creation with Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. God will bring us together with the "someone we are looking for to share our lives with." 

With God we can know for a certainty that the "right" someone we are looking for will be the right choice for a lifetime of love. What God approves will be the right fit. 

One of the gifts He gives us of the gifts of the spirit is PATIENCE. 

Patience is necessary for us as is love. One of my weaknesses is that I often get to impatient waiting for people to do something, or not doing anything at all. From that comes anger. The opposite of love and patience. When I feel anger over coming me I stop right there and pray. I ask God to take away the anger and give me the patience and understanding I need to work with this person to get this task finished. 

Instantly I feel the anger leaving me and the love returns. Just that fast my temper is quelled and love helps me the rest of the day. I don't like anger dominating my heart for any length of time. Love is the answer I always seek and find whenever I turn to God in prayer. 

Patience doesn't come easily to many people. But when anger threatens to overcome the good feelings then it's time to pray for the love and patience to return. To send the anger and frustrations away. God never fails to answer heart felt desires of any sort. He always send them packing. 

LOVE AND PATIENCE. With God they go hand in hand.  

Faith

AOL Mail - ONE of the most important fruits of the spirit is the one about faith. Hebrews 11:1 is called the faith chapter. Also known as the Hall of Faith. The first verse tells us what Faith means. I love this verse. It's one of my favorites.
"FAITH- Is the substance of things unseen, the hope of things to be done as if they are and will be done."
Galatians 5:23 also tells us faith is one of the fruits of the spirit.
Faith is such a great word. More than that it is a feeling and belief in things to be done. Believing in someone other than our self to do what they will do. Like a promise kept. Faith in friends or other people is also good thing for we need friends in our lives. We can take a great value in friends.
We are all human. We have that uncanny knack of not living up to other people's expectations. Being human that is a fault in us, mortal though we are, full of faults and defects because that is our nature. We have the power to overcome that defect if we choose to.
Animals like dogs look to us for companionship. Their devotion is a good example of faith. The trust they have in us never wavers unless we fail to live up to their needs. Even though they are disappointed in us when we falter for whatever reason. Faith is restored once we live up to the needs they depend on us for.
I like to study the fruits of the spirit. We can learn all we need to know if we search for those things God has set before us. Nothing is ever out of reach with God. Our Heavenly Father never fails to supply our needs in any and all situations. All we need to do is believe in Him and He will do the rest. It all starts by being able to forgive. Accept Jesus free gift of forgiveness and all the rest will fall into place as we continue to search for him with open hearts and minds willing to believe and be faithful to all he has promised.
Faith. The foundation of all that we believe.

Summer days

Summer is the best time for me. Even though it gets very hot most days to the point you can't go outside unless you have air conditioning. To the cooler days when its tolerable to be out there for as long as you like. But we can't always pick and choose the days as we would want them.
What I like about summer is all the things we can do when we are outside. So many activities to keep us on our toes. The grass is a very pleasant mat of turf that you can walk or run on it in bare feet. When I was younger I spent all summer barefooted. The sidewalks always reminded me why I needed shoes.
   Yesterday was a very pleasant surprise. I had heard on the news earlier that there would be a spectacular sky show in the afternoon. Venus crossing the suns path like an eclipse as it passes across the sun. Its dangerous to look directly at the sun but I watched its effects upon the world around me.
 The shadow it cast was not very dim, like a cloud passing the sun. It was very different. The shadow it cast was not like a cloud at all, not anything like the moon during an eclipse. The shadow was much lighter than the moons shadow and not as brief as a cloud either. The duration of it seemed to begin like a charging bull in a pen, running as fast as it could yet taking its time just so we can enjoy it in what little time it had.
The world itself was never more alive at that time. Everything seemed to linger coming out of its hiding place to take a gander at what was happening before it disappeared again. A hawk sat on a power line for the longest time. As I was driving by it sat like a king watching over the world below. Could he have felt like a king at that moment?
A master of all it surveyed resting high where nothing could reach him. Hawks have remarkable eyesight. Like eagles they can see a field mouse run across the grass from that high vantage point. Well honed hunting skills enable a hawk to swoop down and snatch it up in its powerful talons and carry it off to its nest far away. To feed its young still growing in its nest.
The most wonderful part of this world is all the wildlife that is so abundant. The animals we share our world with live very different lives from us. The open fields, forests, wetlands, even the ice regions at the ends of the world and the deserts are all dwelling places for these wonderful creatures.
Weather we want to accept it or not we do learn so much from nature and all its wonder. The lessons of life are the hardest things for us to learn. Lessons of life and the cruelest lessons of death we see first hand in the wild. Seeing how life began we have also learned and watched with careful study.
Nature gives us a peace we are hard pressed to find in the city. Finding time to get away from the hustle and bussel of daily life we come to the wilds and relax in the tranquility of nature. Listening to summer rains is very relaxing. The gentleness of the falling rain quiets a troubled soul. God created a beautiful world for all people to co-habitat with nature. We were given the charge of watching over it and caring for the animals and other life in it. A great honor for us if only we learned just how much that really means.

Repeal the Medical Device Tax, Protect American Jobs, Innovation, and Quali

Repeal the Medical Device Tax, Protect American Jobs, Innovation, and Quali

Welcome Spring

Spring is an exciting time. All around us the world is reviving itself with new growth. Last week I sat outside to watch the sunset. It was amazing. Just sitting out there as the sun went behind the hill the clouds so fluffy and lite made images that only an observing imaginative mind could see. To me the clouds looked like a race of dogs chasing one another in a pack across the sky. The images were dachshunds in a wiener dog race. It was so cute. The fading light gave them a bland gray with black trim appearance. I didn't count how many I could pick out. But that didn't matter. Seeing images in the clouds is good exercise for a creative mind.
 All around me I took notice of only a few birds that returned. The trees barren of leaves showed the empty nests waiting for the residences to return. High in the branches they looked so empty. The birds took roost in the highest branches of those trees without any signs of nests. So perhaps they were males staking out the ground for the new mating season to return. The song of the evening is so cherry even when they begin to settle in for the night.
   Since the twentieth has come and gone The trees have really begun to make changes. The warm temps have brought up the sap in the trees and the lite green of the early buds opening up for the new emergence of leaves to fill the trees is noticeable.  The flowers are emerging to. The tulips are often the first of the spring flowers to emerge from the ground. Blossoms are full in many fruit trees. White of cherry trees, purple of plum trees. With all the brown of the winter sleep still very much in sight the first signs of springs colors sure look good now.
    Passing a field along the highway near the river I saw the whooping cranes feeding. There numbers fill much of the field as they are sunning themselves in the warmth of the day. Bigger predatory birds have made appearances also near rivers. They look so graceful in flight. Their huge wingspans are so beautiful when they catch the thermals of warm air holding them high in the sky for long periods. I saw an eagle make big wide circles in the distance once. It was so graceful in the pattern it was making. By the way it was gliding it looked very happy with itself up there taking in all that wind and air that was holding it up for long periods of time. I don;t think it finds these winds so accommodating that often. But it does it really makes the most of it.
    Nature in spring is simply amazing. The rebirth all around us transforming the ground is quite exhilarating. It never happens overnight. Always slow, well prepared and very beautiful.  There is so much to see in the world that is truly beautiful. And its all free. Just to go outside and watch it from time to time. Take notice with an observers eye of the things in the world that are being revived for another year. A new season that will hold us in it's embrace all through the summer. No matter what the weather brings the earth itself is preparing itself with rebirth.
    The Earth. What a beautiful world we have been given to live in and to enjoy. We are very lucky people to be so endowed with such wonders of life all around us.
   
     WOW!  I JUST LOVE IT!  

Leap Day

 Once every four years we get an extra day to the year. Until this year leap day was nothing more than just another day. This year it means something more. This year this day bought me an extra day I needed to get taxes paid on my house. Last night we had a very bad storm. For the first  time Nebraska had tornado's making they're way across the state.
We could hear the wind rattling the trees outside fiercely. Most of the night rain plummeted the house. News reports said we were in not just a tornado watch but a Blizzard advisory, and a wind advisory. Living in the country on gravel roads that washout at the first rain drops I feared I would not meet the dead line.
Thankfully I did.
As we often think of the coming of March, "It comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb." Last official day of February the 28th, the storm would have made that saying come true. Leap day held it off by one day. Tomorrow appears to be nice weather. Some places the jury is still out on that one.
  Today did have a one piece of bad news. My favorite Monkee Davy Jones died this morning.
The Monkee's were my Mother's alternative to the Beetles. She didn't like the Beetles and would not allow their music to be played in the house. That didn't bother me any. I was never a Beetle fan.
 In my teeny bopper days I had my juvenile crushes. I think most young girls did. Davy was always my favorite singer. I just loved his Daydream Believer and Pleasant Valley Sunday. The radio played them at lease three to four times each hour.
Walking with my little transistor radio I could hear it practically the same time every day and know what time it was. Hits always got special treatment. Each time I heard them I had to sing along with Davy. No matter where I was I had to sing with him. He was so much fun to sing with. I learned to dance from American Band stand.
Oh such were the days when times were simpler and we appreciated the things that we had more. Families were closer then to. Leap day though I had a friend who had a birthday on this day. She told me she could only have a birthday only once in four years. By that reckoning she said she was three years old. Whoa, that's a stopper for thought.
Leap Day. 
It's more than just another day added on every four years. This year it means a lot more to me.

Sunsets

Driving home the other night I had the rare opportunity to drive toward a sunset. Not often when I drive do I get to actually watch one while it's happening. This time I was able to watch it as I drove. Not constantly of course. Just keeping a eye on it while keeping my attention on the road.
It was amazing. The way it was happening was so incredible. It was as if it was set just so that whoever cared to look and watch you could see an amazing site. I first noticed it when I heading into. The clouds catching the glow of the sun just shortly after the last bit of the glow had fallen behind the horizon.
The clouds stretched themselves across the whole length of the sky. They took different patterns not straight lines, some were curved up to appear like curls. Most were streaks in layers spreading outward from the edge of the Sky on the horizon. Each layer caught the glow of the pinkish orange hue of the sunset.
Behind them the last layer was a think band that at first seemed a bit foreboding. As the light faded that foreboding gave way to calm, harmless clouds that stayed dark not letting light threw. The first star of the evening is always Venus. The brightest star to be seen while the light could still let you see everything around you. I always welcome the sight of Venus. The nearest planet to us in the heavens.  It holds the greatest mystery.
It's Venus that you can best see the darkness falling around you. The darker it gets the brighter Venus gets. One by one the other arrangement of the sky show appears around you in all their appointed places. This night thou as I continued to take notice of the sunset the stars didn't appear right away.

The light glow of the sun held on for the longest time. It spread out across the sky divided by that thick band of cloud across the sky. Both sides of it staying the same brightness. It was so strange that it would continue to glow for so long. I knew the night was taking over quickly, but as I watched it seemed to just hang on not yet willing to surrender to the darkness.
The city lights came closer ready to overtake the sky show I was watching. I must admit I wasn't ready to let it go myself. The experience was so wonderful. I just loved it for the whole time I could continue to watch it play itself out. It felt like a private show set up just for whoever cared to take the time to watch.

Nature is so amazing. Taking the time to just watch with the observers eyes you can find the best entertainment anywhere. It's so natural. So beautiful and oh so inspiring. It's priceless.  It truly is. It's one of those rare sites that comes only once. Be observant. And you can enjoy something that will stay with you for ever.
It's one of God's greatest hidden treasures. And it costs nothing but a short time in ones life to take notice of the wonders around you.  What blessing it is.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE

Halloween and black cats

Halloweens stigma on black cats
Not one of my favorite days. The whole process has really gotten out of hand.  So much superstition involved in this ancient celebration. Frankenstein, Count Dracula, the wolf man and vampires, the list of things associated with evil. How did such a civilized society ever get involved in this celebration of evil?
    I know the majority of people don't see it as evil, We teach our kids the only thing about Halloween is the nightly venture into the night to visit neighbor's houses to trick or treat them. Giving them candy for rewarding them for the visit. Aside from dressing them up in costumes of whatever the current trend is. What does this have to do with Halloween.
    As a kid I went out for all the treats my bag could hold in one night. Putting on make up that looked scary just to collect my ration of goodies for the night. What does this teach our kids? Halloween? Many don't know what it really means. Or how it all got started. History channel once did a news review of this ancient celebration. Even they had trouble researching it to it's beginnings. It seems many such writings do not exist. History only goes back so far and leaves the story with no beginning.
    My real grip for this piece is the latest wave of madness sweeping the country. A very serious misguided belief in superstition centered on this month. And Halloween. For at least the last two years people have taken this unfair superstition a step to far. That is the association of witches and black cats.
    Yes we know witches are evil. As are vampires and ware wolves, mummies and the like. But cats are unfairly judged and ridiculed for this stereo type. The ridicule has lead many people to adopt black cats for the sole purpose of killing them simply because they are black.
    The stigma of evil has caused many to actually believe these animals really are evil. I don't believe these poor animals deserve the stigma that this association with Halloween has set upon them. Witches is questionable weather they are real. TV and movies has most people believing witches and vampires are real. Add to that they use the old stereo type of the black cats and witches. A recipe for disaster.  
   
    Cats don't deserve to be treated with such unfounded hatred. Animals have their own nature. Each is different for their own survival. Most times cats are unpredictable. The temperament is what makes them so appealing to the majority of us. We often find a place for them in our hearts and our lives.  There are so many good things one could find to say about cats.

    Why then do people seek to harm them? Because they are black? Because they are just animals and we feel superior to them.
     I'm sure the reasons are as endless as the stars themselves. I won't pretend to understand why people do the things they do. Because I don't. My anger is for the ones who unjustly persecute these animals because of the stigma of Halloween.

    I love cats. I love animals of all species. They are all special in their own unique ways. So many are being hunted to extinction all 0ver the world. In all their natural environments. There is no place on this earth where animals are safe from the cruelty of our kind.
    This world is a beautiful place so long as we remember we share it with thousands of other lifeforms on this Earth. We are the care takers of it. By Gods intention we were given the gift to care for the animals on this Earth.  If we take this literally then why have set in motion the design to be come it's ultimate destroyer?

A Day At The Fair

     Summer is a fun time to enjoy the sunshine, sunny day's, carnival rides hot dogs, demo derby's, and the concert;s. My favorite thing to do is go to a concert.  What a treat that is. This year for the first time since I was a child I went to the state fair.  it was hot and humid that day. But oh so much fun. Seeing all those people going in, searching for parking spaces is often a real hassle. I thought it was a pain hunting for spaces in the shopping mall. The fair, that is something you had to really do to see what it does to you. Even with them guiding you to the only spot in the whole lot, there is always someone to come along and snatch it up ahead of you.
     The concert was the most fun I've had in along time. Seeing such a wonderful singer sure is an experience I will not forget. Such a wonderful, warm person as Crystal Gayle is an honor to meet.  Her music is so pleasant to listen to no matter what time of day or how you feel. She has that rear gift that can lift your spirits from any place your at. Her hair is beautiful. I had long hair myself. In this heat it really does get so hot when it's down. And so heavy. I was so relieved when I got it cut. Mine was not that long. But still it was a lot of trouble to keep it combed all the time. worse when it was hot.
     She makes her concerts so much fun. One of the band members was from Wales. The instrument he played was something new. I don't remember what it was called. I found out later her band is the first to use it. Which is really cool. My only regret is that we didn't get the chance to meet her.
     The fair had some animals from the zoo. They had rides on camels. A petting zoo exhibit as well. So many things to see. That is the fun part of being at the fair. All week concerts is a blast. It was truly fun. I didn't plan on going this year but after going I am now glad I went. It was SOO worth it.

My Musings

The last few weeks has really been trying. So much has happened that I am still trying to make sense of it. In truth though I know there is no sense to it. Such things are not meant to be understood. It just boggles my mind to think how people in a position of trust could callously do harm to unsuspecting souls placed in they're trust. Right under the noses of those they work with.
I can't really write down those things I am trying to talk about right now. Sorry if what I say doesn't make a lot of sense now. I just need to write something about it. It's just so troubling. On top of all the other stuff my family has had to suffer these past months. It just boggles my mind how we managed to get through it. Things never seem to get better for us.
With the economic times bearing down on so many around us. It plays a big part in our present troubles. I like to keep a strong optimistic outlook on all that is going on with my family. This new turn of events really puts a different perspective on things. Broken trust once broken can never be restored. When that trust is in a person in a position of respect within a certain profession puts a different perspective on things.
you'll never look the same way at that fellow person of that same profession again.
I received an email today from a friend that lifted my spirit for a time. Good friends are like that.These are the times when we really need friends the most. The strength and encouragement of a friend when we need them most. It's really blessing to have friends there when you need them. Especially when they say just what you need to hear not knowing you needed to hear it at the time they say it to you.

Thank God For Friends

Nature

Nature is wonderful. All around us we see how the wonders of life interact with one another in the most incredible ways. February is often called the in between month in the mist of winter.

January is always the coldest and the harshest in the winter. We often see the worse the old man of winter tends to throw our way.

From late December until late March to early April we feel it the longest. January catching the most of it. March catches the wrath of a reluctant child not wanting to give up it's hold on freedom. March winds bring in it's own share of bad stuff to remind us that we should not be to quick to give up our winter coats just yet. More may still be lurking in the shadows of uncertainty.

February though is set to tease us with it's passiveness. The one month often forgotten between the fury of January and the wrath of March. Winter lingers through February teasing us with it's cold freezing temps while tempting us with it's brief relief of spring winds blowing the waves of new life across the lands.

This month has been a full taste of just how February teases us with it's in betweens. For the week we have felt the pleasant welcome of a relaxed winter. Tempting us with it's fifty degree temps in the daytime. Melting the snows of January's fury. Nature comes to life reeling in it's warmth taking advantage of this short lived reprieve.

Flocks of migrating geese fly to new feeding grounds along the river. Corn fields cut low enough to leave enough of it's harvest behind for the birds to fatten themselves for the migration across the land.

A large flock of turkey's lay in a field of prairie grass basking in the cool of the day. Under the comfort of a tall tree barren of it's leaves for the winter's sleep. The protection of the trees let's them enjoy the prairie grass bed for a time providing them needed rest and food in abundance around them.

Deer know the times well. When a herd of white tail bucks can leisurely graze in corn field in the late dusk of the day. Without fear from they're most dangerous predator to it's existence lingers ever watchful of their movements. To see them run jumping over fences in it's desperate attempt to flee to the protection of the stand of evergreen trees a meir one hundred yards.

February has the rare chance to bring forth one of natures most treasured of all joys. The chance emergence of new life. February doesn't often see new life come forth. With the cold winds lasting long into March.

Today brings forth that rare moment of joy to a new mother cat bring forth her first liter of kittens. Still very much a kitten herself the mother born of the natural instincts follow through as she goes on with the process.

While in a distant part of the state the cycle of life completes itself. With one life being born another is ending. There is no suffering with this death, no regrets. One is able to say goodbye. A beloved brother with family gathered to witness the final moments.

Life begins for one, young mother tending her young ever so tenderly. Another leaves with peace and surrender. Life indeed is so precious. Birds, deer, cats, people. Just a small group of inhabitants that join together in a most unusual way to embrace the season. Of love that is best known for February.

God brings life upon this world. Not always in loud shouts of hoopla. He doesn't always end life with cruelty. The joy and wonder of life is indeed unexpected and joyful. But it does promise to be memorable.

Apollo" Big Surprise

This is a short story I worked on awhile back but never finished. So I thought today I would finish it.

Apollo's Big Surprise

By

Anise Cassell

One of Apollo's favorite games is to pounce and nip when he would go on his afternoon walk with his best friends. Hootie the toy rat terrier had been his best friend since he first came to live on the family's farm when he was a pup. Collies need lots of open space to run. Most afternoons he would go for walks with his mistress and the older dachshund Cocoa and Hootie.

They would always walk in the fields behind the family's house keeping them away from roads and traffic. Apollo would run ahead of the others with Hootie not far behind. The two loved exploring as much open grass as they could. Apollo would double back and pounce on Hootie nip her behind the ears. Hootie would growl back at the over sized collie to send him on his way.

Their play made the walks enjoyable for the mistress. Cocoa let the collie know right from the start that she would not put up with nipping games. Once a mother the dachshund could promptly let the young pup know she meant business.

Apollo learned then not to cross the old girl. For his size he could easily rebel and start a real fight. The walks meant to much to him to give his mistress reason not to take them with her. He loved his mistress. He loved his time with Hootie just as much.

This walk was different. Cocoa always wondered off by herself exploring new smells in the furthest places from the others. Apollo newer intruded upon her spots. But something attracted him to this one. Cocoa suddenly started digging intently at the spot eager to dig up whatever was hidding from her.

Apollo smelled something in the earth that aroused his interest. He was not a digger. He rather leave the digging to others who were more apt to it. Coca's digging made Apollo join her search. Most times he would stand and wait for the prise to come jumping out at them. He would be the first to claim it. That always angered Cocoa. For which she would promptly nip him just to show him she would not stand for him snatching her fought for prize.

Apollo rolled his head back running away from her with the prize so she could not get it back. He would end up having to fight Hootie for the prize. She could always take it from him. Once it was dropped Hootie would snatch it up fast and run away before he could catch her.

The prize this time had a very different smell. Not like any he had uncovered in recent days. Apollo was eager to claim it this time. Whatever was hiding in the side of the hill Apollo's nose would dig it out. Dachshund's nose were much more finely tuned. Dachshund could uncover foxes in their holes for special hunts and badgers for which they get they're names.

Neither of those animals had ever been found on the farm. On occasion the badgers have been seen far from the farm making it's way across corn fields. But none so close to the family home. Skunks were far more common in these parts as are raccoons.

Apollo never failed to go to his mistress when she called him. This time he was to engrossed in his digging the hear her call. Hootie joined them. The small rat terrier eagerly joined in opposite Cocoa. She didn't like Hootie. So Hootie kept her distance.

"Polly what are you looking for big buy?"

Apollo felt the mistress hand gently pull him back. She knelt on one knee beside him to get a look at the hole they were digging. It was deep now. The dirt they were throwing back behind them had uncovered a tunnel. The digging had made it collapse under the pressure.

A mother field mouse jumped out at the dogs suddenly caring one baby in her jaws. She quickly dashed into the cover of tall grass stalks slipping away from the home wreckers before the dogs saw her. Apollo wanted to pursue her but the hold his mistress had held him fast.

He licked her cheek. The time for their walk was over. Apollo didn't mind. He had the best day ever. A field mouse escaped wasn't the disappointment it should have been. Sharing a dig with the old dog Cocoa and Hootie not only a surprise but to him it was his happiest moment in a dogs life.

John 3:16

Today I listened to a couple of stories on the verse John 3:16. This was my very first bible verse I ever memorized when I was a child. It's one of those verses that on the surface just seem like just a line in the bible. But if you look closer at it you'll see it's more than that.
The first story I heard was of a little homeless boy selling newspapers on the street to survive. The night was getting cold and the boy went to a policeman to ask where he could sleep to be safe and warm. The officer pointed to a house and told him to go there and tell the woman who answered that John 3:16 sent him.
He did and the woman welcomed the boy in, gave him a warm place to sit before giving him a meal, a bath and a warm comfortable bed to sleep in. At the end of the piece the boy wondered what John 3:16 meant. He was grateful that it had provided for him all the things he needed.
When the woman try ed to explain to him what it meant, she couldn't.
The verse is the summation of the bible. The story is the verse in action.
God sent his only son willingly, freely, as the sacrificial lamb. He lived on Earth with us humans for such a short time. Living a mans live. Not a God man's life. But a human man's life. He gave up his divinity to put on humanity so show us that a life with God is very real. He was a teacher, a son, a man, who one day became our greatest spiritual leader the world has ever received.
He came as a baby one cold night, born in a stable, to the very lowest ones, who needed him most. The ones best able to accept him as he was.
Yes was a king, but that was not his mission. He didn't come to claim anything. He chose willingly, freely, to do exactly what he came to Earth to do. To fulfill the Holy Scriptures so we could stand before The Father free from the sins that have been with us since the time of Adam and Eve.
When we give to those in need we are doing what Jesus did when he was here. Living what he taught us. Humbling ourselves to help those in need. It's a blessing for us to put Jesus teachings to work. God blesses all those who give unreservedly, without thought of self.
When we really look at John 3:16 we will see the great sacrifice both God and HIS ONLY SON, planing, in advance, for this very fall that man had so long ago. That left it's crimson stain upon all people, Jesus choose, willingly, unreservedly, sacrificing himself, to pay the ultimate price to save a fallen race from the penalty or consequences of that sin.
Upon that rugged old cross Jesus paid the debt for all. Once. One time FOR ALL TIME.
Kindness is the total opposite of hate. Kindness shown is kindness returned.
The little boy saw it in action. He felt a full tummy, a warm bath he had never had before, and warm, clean bed inside a nice safe home with people who cared. That taste often is what it takes to help people to see just how good the Lord truly is.
When the verse is written out we can see a message hidden in those words.

For God so lo V ed
that He g A ve
His on L y
b E gotten
so N
tha T
who so ever w I ll
shall N ot
p E rish
WILL HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.

VALENTINE. The symbol we use today to show love for one another.
This verse tells the sum total of the bible story itself. The GREATEST LOVE the world has ever known came to SEEK AND TO SAVE A LOST WORLD from their own sins. And RETURN them to God from which WE ALL came from.

Gods Touch

The last several days the news has been airing the stories of the mass bird and fish deaths all over the world. There is so much talk of all this being signs of terrible catastrophes yet to come. It really distresses me how quick we are to blame God for all this.
I read a devotional from someone the other day that really makes sense. I'd like to share it with you. The reading was about Elijah looking for God in the world of disasters. It's found in 1 Kings 19:12 'After the earthquake came the fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. But after the fire came the gentle voice.'
The earthquakes we see and hear so often we look at all the devastation and cry why this happened, God in not in the earthquake. We see floods and all the damage they bring, God is not in the flood. Intense winds, now all the birds and the fish that are falling from the sky and washing up on land. These are not caused by God.
God is found in the small things. The gentle whisper in the wind. In the people that find the ones who are spared. God is with the living. When Job faced his trials and lost all his family and then suffered from the boils. All he had to do was blame God and the devil would have stopped it. But Job couldn't. His faith and trust in God saw him through his trials. God was with him every step of the way. So long as Job had faith God was with him.
That is always where God can be found. God is a LIVING BEING. HE is there for the living not the dead. He keeps us always in his care. In our prayers. In the world itself. He is that gentle voice of the wind that speaks ever so softly to us as long we keep our ears and eyes set on him and helping others.
Don't be among those sitting and waiting for the last days. Be among those he will find doing his work. Living among the people. Enjoy the lives we're given.
That is where we will find God. HE will be found in the small things.

Wonders of the Season

This morning after Christmas I woke to the scene of fog and frost on the trees. The clouds are dark and dreary. Not at all a welcome sight to wake up to. But today something else caught my eyes. The welcome sight of a craftsman at work.
The weather reports give all manner of weather across the country. Most times I am concerned over them, especially when I have things to attend to. But not today. On this blustery morn I am able to enjoy the panoramic view that is before me. We didn't get the promised snow we were warned of. That doesn't concern me.
For the true beauty of the season is in the snow itself. High intense winds carry the snow far and wide. In those first moments after the snow has fallen it's white blanket covers everything. The trees branches, bushes, the landscape around us. Before we venture out into the world making our mark upon the freshly fallen snow with all that white snow covers all things.
We are able to see it's freshness, feel the newness of the morning when the world wakes up with the first rays of the sun it gives us it's true beauty. Spread across the world before us we can see the master craftsman hands at work. The winds sculpting the landscape in ways that are truly wondrous.
It's those first moments that give us the best memories to enjoy. Like a freshly blooming flower in the spring we can take it with us to enjoy the whole day through. Long after it has melted away we are able to recall it like a breath of wind taking us back to that moment to enjoy once again.
It's said the best things in life are free. Opening our eyes to the wonder of the winters beauty crafted by the master is free. There is nothing like it in life. It is a blessing for us to behold. Give thanks for the blessings in your life today and everyday.

David

This week we finished our study on the life of King David.
David is an imteresting figure of the bible. He had a remarkable life. He started out as a simple shepard tending his fathers flocks playing a harp when he was first chosen by God to become king of a great nation.  His was a  simple heart full of love for his God and duty to his people.
He had to suffer many trials and suffering to fulfill the destiny to which he was called. His first trial of his faith came when he willingly chose to stand before all Isreal to chalenge the giant Philistein Goliath . Before Sauls great army  David stood before Goliath armed only with his slipshot and few well choosen stones. His only army was a prayer on his lips to defeat the giant who dared to mock God.
Faith, devotion, and love saw David bring down a giant before his peolpe. Truist in a higher power saved him and guided him all his life. But still he was a man. A man with all the weaknesses of all people during our lifetimes.
King Saul became Davids father-in-law best friend to his son Jonathan. A friendship that lasted the test of time. The longest most enduring friendship.  Jonathan didn't care for the thrown of Isreal. He realised early on that David had been choosen by God to succeed his father. He loved as his own soul. A friendship that brought them closer than brothers.
Jomathan didn't agree with his father pusuing David through the long years across the desert lands. But a dutiful son followed his father. Where David loved his God and followed him unto the end of his life. Saul turned his back on God. God regretted having made Saul king because he no longer walked with God.
What a bitter end came of his life.
God allowed and evil spirit to enter into Saul which guilded him the rest of his life. God only allowed this to happen because Saul made a concsious decision to no longer follow the will of God or listen  to his devine will for his service as the king of Gods chosen people.  His end came in battle after consulting with the witch of Endor.
That is never a wise choice. Once we make that final choice to walk away from God deny his love and fellowship to be part of us we have then left ourselves open to the winds of fate to claim us and take from all things that matter. Saul couldn't beare the loss of his sons in battle before him. And since no other sword in battle could pierce his armor Saul then resorted to the only thing he had left. He took his own life by falling on his own sword.
The main focus of the study this week was not of David and Saul. But of David and one of Sauls soldiers. Joab. A ruthless man who cared not for God or love of King and country. But for self, Which lead to betrayal.
David was stilll a man with all our shortcomings, so his sin with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband and dedicated servent Uriah started David's life on it's ultimate downfall. Though God had forgiven David of his sin. God had set in motion events that would later play out to betrayal and murder within his own house.
Joab seeking only what was best for himself failed to awknowledge that he didn't know what was best. He sought only self interest glory and praise. What he got in the end was his own death at the word of Soloman. David's son and God's chosen heir to the thrown.
The price for rejecting God is high. God forgives us of all our sins. There is no sin that God will not forgive as long as we seek him with an open and repentant heart. His grace will cover a multitude of sins.
The only sin God cannot forgive is the sin of turning away his holy spirit. When we choose to openly deny God we greive away his love. His longing to welcome us back into his loving and gracious presnce. We seperate ourselves from God then there is nothing he can do for us. The winds of fate will be free to set upon the most greivous of all things the devil desires to thrust upon us.
So many lives are lost when they choose to walk away from God and his loving and forgiving spirit.
No life is ever a perfect row to hoe. But in Gods hands we find the much easier to bare because we are not walking the streets alone. God promised to walk with us. At our side throught the fires of strife. The wieght never sets up a permenant wall before us. God takes so much upon himself for us that we truly are blessed to know just how much love it has taken for us to stand at the feet of God.

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