![]() Creation Speaks is a Biblical teaching ministry that uses nature writing and photography to glorify our Creator and teach the truth of creation. “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?" Job 12:7-9 Every spring I gaze in awe all spring long as I watch avian parents make run after run to their nests with beaks’ full of bugs for their babies. At times, there are only a few minutes between visits. I marvel at how they have the endurance for such toil and labor and still care for themselves. (At least the entire bird parental process only lasts a few weeks, while for us humans it lasts eighteen or more years!) But “parental care” took a new definition for me as I answered a call back home these last few weeks. My aging father, who so diligently cared for me as an often ungrateful youngster, could no longer live on his own. I regret that being over 800 miles away and involved in the ministry, we couldn’t provide that care personally, but found a wonderful, brand new assisted living complex for him. At least my wife and I know he is being cared for. While the phenomenon of children caring for parents isn’t seen in the bird species, it is a Biblical concept and obligation. In a time of trouble and distress, we read of King David providing for the care of his parents.
Even so, isn’t it just natural to care for those who raised us with such tender love and care until they go into everlasting care with our eternal Father?
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An experience with Coronavirus, as told through my daughter (and, of course, photographed by her father): “Georgia COVID-19 cases reach 200,000 and the death toll rises to 4,000.” In late July, headlines like this filled media outlets and echoed in my mind as I lay on my couch with a sore throat, headache and an increasing feeling of illness. Do I have it? How bad will it get for me? My first thought upon getting sick was that it had to be coronavirus. I had a bit of anxiety, but as the symptoms lightened, I was less concerned. Still I wanted to get tested for the fear of unknowingly spreading it to others. Getting tested was also a whole new, strange sensation. I got the end of a six-inch cotton swab stuck up both my nostrils. It didn’t exactly hurt, but it was uncomfortable. Waiting for my results was the most excruciating period. I went back and forth between saying “I’m definitely positive” and “I’m probably negative.” After just two days I received a call from my doctor with the news: I tested positive. Over the next two weeks, finding things to do wasn’t always easy. My sister and I would spend the majority of the day in our rooms. My mother was constantly cleaning and my father was either taking photographs of birds or editing photos of birds.
When my two weeks of quarantine ended, I wasn’t as nervous for my second test. Although it was only 45 minutes, it seemed like forever as we sat in the car behind the clinic waiting for the results. When the nurse came back out to tell me my results my heart sped up fast. I could tell she was smiling behind her mask when she told me I was negative. It was such a relief. It was nice to tell people I was negative and I could continue with my normal life. I was also thankful that my symptoms were mild in comparison to the many that have suffered, and even died, from coronavirus. - Megan Wise ![]() Creation Speaks is a Biblical teaching ministry that uses nature writing and photography to glorify our Creator and teach the truth of creation. “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?" Job 12:7-9 Whether it be for school, employment, or medical treatment, testing is a fact of life. But the Bible tells us of a more important test… Psalm 26:2 “Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;” For months now we’ve heard about coronavirus testing, testing, testing. So when I came home from work last month and saw my 15-year-old daughter laid out on the couch with a runny nose, headache and sore throat, I knew what had to be done. And when her COVID-19 test came back positive, we knew what we had to do: re-enter that dismal bunker of self-isolation. (Thankfully all her symptoms were fairly minor and she had a quick recovery, other than loss of taste and smell.) Two weeks of Quarantine. What now? While my older daughter lamented about the devastating impact upon her social life, I decided to test myself! No, I’m not speaking of a homemade COVID-19 test, but brushing up my skills on some of those hard to identify shorebirds. I found my old stack of 3 x 5 index cards that I made long before I had a smartphone, each with a bird photo taped to front, and began to test myself. But I wasn’t halfway through the first day of isolation when God began to challenge me. What about your prayer life? How is your Bible reading lately? Like Job’s inquisition from the Almighty, my only answer could be, “Touché, God!” “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” – Psalm 139:23-24 Following God‘s cue, I continued to test myself. Where did I put that prayer list of friends, family, and coworkers? How long has it been since I’ve written a full-length sermon? How about getting the Greek New Testament off the shelf to read a chapter a day? Instead of binge-watching internet videos, I challenged myself to pray morning, noon, night (which proved harder than I thought!). God tests us to prove us and bring us closer to Him; not to frustrate us, see us fail, or wallow in a puddle of self-condemnation. We may not always enjoy testing, but if we will self-test ourselves now, we will be spared that “Final Examination” coming to those that miss the Rapture! “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.” Revelation 3:10 ![]()
William Wise Photography’s Creation Speaks is a Biblical teaching ministry that uses nature writing and photography to glorify our Creator and teach the truth of creation. “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?" Job 12:7-9
"Who died for us, that we should live together with him."
When my daughter tested positive for coronavirus, it was into self isolation for another two weeks. Now, two weeks off of work might sound nice, but I actually enjoy my job. And being unable to get out and observe and photograph this wonderful creation was also a bummer. So when I had a wildlife encounter in my own driveway late one evening, I considered it a gift!
A slow slithering movement on the edge of the grass caught my attention. What looked to be a large-headed snake was writhing just in front of the wheels of my parked truck. As I approached, I discovered a garter snake and its “large head” was actually a Southern Toad being swallowed whole.
I considered this encounter a gift from the Creator to ease my boredom. I’m sure the snake thought also thought this juicy morsel was a gift from his Provider. (But I’m not so sure about the toad!) It was a bit saddening to watch the toad, still fully aware and struggling, to be swallowed alive. But that’s how it is: one must die so another may live.
So too it was with our Savior Jesus Christ. When sin entered the picture, all of us humans were sentenced to eternal death. But One came to die – One innocent and free from the guilt of sin – so that the rest of us could live. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23
I was hoping to film the entire encounter, but as the garter snake became nervous with our presence, I feared he might spit out his meal. So I backed off, went in the house and considered what creation speaks behind the gift of this wild encounter in my own yard.
I want to thank Lee's Birdwatching Adventures for guest posting this blog! Lee's website is about birding from a Christian perspective and has years of articles and content from Lee and other creationists and birders. ![]() Creation Speaks is a Biblical teaching ministry that uses nature writing and photography to glorify our Creator and teach the truth of creation. “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?" Job 12:7-9 As creationists, the pressure from the “scientific community” might make us feel ashamed of our beliefs. But instead of running and hiding, let us hear what Creation Speaks: “In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?” Psalms 11:1 Have you been frustrated in your attempts to photograph a reclusive bird? Have you chased a “nemesis bird” only to come up empty handed every time? Birders and photographers know all too well the wariness of some species. This caution is something that has been programed in them by their Creator. After the Fall, no doubt the cruelty of man toward beast began to rise. And after the Flood, God allowed animals to be food for man. But in His grace toward His animal creation, God put a flight instinct within animals to keep them from being exterminated. Genesis 9:2 says, “And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every bird of the air.” So fear of man is a God-given instinct within animals, but let it not be so with the Christian, especially when it comes to making a stand for the Word of God. I am sometimes criticized and mocked on other nature-related platforms for my belief in a young earth and literal, six-day creation. The instinct to “flee as a bird” might rise up within me when challenged by the “scientific community,” but I take an example – and courage – from a few bold birds that don’t flee because of the fear of man. It seems when all other critters keep themselves hidden, the Mockingbirds are ever visible. Although though the “dread of man” may affect their feathered friends, they are always bold and out front, letting their voices be heard. So when the fear of man comes upon me; when I want to hide my creationist views, or flee from an evolutionist’s mockery, I remember those intrepid avians and make my stand. Why should I flee like a bird to the mountains? My trust is in the Lord! “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:” 1 Timothy 6:20 ![]() William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder of God’s creation. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message These are some random observations for iNaturalist taken with my cell phone when my "real camera" wasn't handy.
I want to thank Lee's Birdwatching Adventures for guest posting this blog! Lee's website is about birding from a Christian perspective and has years of articles and content from Lee and other creationists and birders. ![]() Creation Speaks is a Biblical teaching ministry that uses nature writing and photography to glorify our Creator and teach the truth of creation. “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?" Job 12:7-9 What a gift the Creator has given us! The world and all its psychologists wring their hands looking for relief from distress and anxiety. They drown their fears in medications. But the child of God need not do so. For a simple walk out the door to behold the “Wild Glory” of the Lord brings comfort and peace. “They looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the LORD appeared.” Exodus 16:10 In his autobiography, W. Phillip Keller, author of the popular A Shepherd Looks at Psalms 23, describes a troublesome period in his youth when he is separated from his family, his home, and even his God. Yet it was brief escapes into the wild that renewed his faith. He writes, “In the outdoor world my heavenly Father had supplied a sweet solace for a struggling soul like mine. There was healing for my inner hurts in the quietness of the woods and fields. There was a consolation for my spirit in the wild glory of grass and birds.” When the phone rings off the hook and workplace stress builds, I too need some “wild glory.” And thankfully, the Creator sends it! Each year in late July, a Great Egret returns to the pond behind my office in Georgia. And right on schedule, I saw him out there fishing this week. Standing still and erect, his head cocked to peer into the shimmering water under his long legs, he slowly coils his long neck to finally unleash a quick thrust for a small minnow or larger bream. His appearance isn’t just on schedule with the calendar, but on schedule with my need for some calming from this hectic life.
What soothing; what peace; what intimacy with the Savior can be achieved just by beholding the creation of God! The psychologists can keep their prescriptions. I’ll dose myself with Wild Glory! ![]()
William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder of God’s creation. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message
A frantic friend called me with a “giant rattlesnake” in his yard. Knowing it probably wasn’t a rattlesnake, I kept making excuses to not drive out to his Oglethorpe County home. But he kept insisting, “it will be worth your while.”
On arrival it was, of course, gone from the spot where he first spotted it. After about 5 minutes of flipping logs, my friend saw it over in a nearby brush pile. I love the yells of excitement and fear heard on the video as I pulled this big Eastern Ratsnake out from the debris and onto the open ground! I measured it right at six-feet; probably one of the biggest I’ve caught. It had a squirrel-sized lump in its belly. My friend counted all his chickens and none were missing. ![]() Rescue Furtography Blog is an animal shelter pet photography blog of dogs and cats photography for adoption at the animal control shelter. "Molly" was a precious soul that came into the animal shelter as a stray on July 8, 2020. She was a calm, sweet senior. Although she was very thin and tested heartworm positive, Zen Animal Rescue found room in their heart and home to take her in. She was rescued from the shelter on July 16, 2020! She was sponsored by a pledged donation to the rescue from Anne. A short time later I received an update from Zen Animal Rescue:
![]() Rescue Furtography Blog is an animal shelter pet photography blog of dogs and cats photography for adoption at the animal control shelter. "Sky" was picked up stray by an animal control officer on July 2, 2020. This poor girl's coat and skin was full of mange, but her heart was full of love! Thankfully she was afforded some extra time in the shelter because intake was slower than normal. She was rescued by The DAWG Squad on July 16, 2020. Her rescued was sponsored by a donation from Anne. ![]() Rescue Furtography Blog is an animal shelter pet photography blog of dogs and cats photography for adoption at the animal control shelter. "Tucker" was a cute Beagle picked up by an animal control officer on July 1, 2020. No owner came to claim him and he was rescued by Tampa Bay Beagle Rescue on July 9, 2020. ![]() Rescue Furtography Blog is an animal shelter pet photography blog of dogs and cats photography for adoption at the animal control shelter. "Whitney" was a cute stray kitten that came into the animal shelter on July 8,2020. She was rescued by Altered Feral State the following day!
I want to thank Lee's Birdwatching Adventures for guest posting this blog! Lee's website is about birding from a Christian perspective and has years of articles and content from Lee and other creationists and birders. ![]() William Wise's Creation Speaks is a Biblical teaching ministry that uses nature writing and photography to glorify our Creator and teach the truth of creation. -- “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?" Job 12:7-9 Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Jesus threw an interesting paradox before us when he preached, “Be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” The outcome of combining these two critters can be quite perilous… primarily for the dove! Snakes are often found raiding birds’ nests, seeking to devour eggs and chicks. So why this conflicting counsel from our Lord? A.B. Bruce writes, “The serpent is the emblem of cunning, the dove of simplicity. No creatures can be more unlike; yet Jesus requires of His disciples to be at once serpents in cautiousness, and doves in simplicity of aim and purity of heart. These qualities are not easy to combine; yet the combination is not impossible.” Christians must have serpent-like wisdom and shrewdness in order to make a stand for righteousness in the arena of worldly politics and social unrest; yet have dove-like care and compassion to peacefully present the gospel and welcome the sin-suffering into the flock of God. The apostle Paul was wise-as-a-serpent when utilizing his status as a Roman citizen to escape being mauled by a crowd and unlawfully flogged by the local police. Yet, his dove nature remained on top as he stood for Christ while on trial, even though it may not have been advantageous to his personal outcome. And it may have been a prudent idea for Peter to distance himself from a leader that was arrested for insurrection, but the serpent devoured the dove as he publicly declared thrice, “I know not the man.” I was a bit saddened this past week to watch events unfold in our small town. Citizens from our city, as well as agitators from out-of-town, gathered to condemn our public safety officers and demand the defunding of the police department. But that is not what saddened me, for peaceful protests are the American way. Another group of citizens – many from the local churches – also gathered to show support for our people in uniform. Here was the perfect Christian balance: the “dove nature” desired peace and unity in our community; and the “wise-as-serpents nature” was making a stand for righteousness in the political arena. But as passions rose, the serpent began to swallow the dove… One gentleman who identified himself as local Christian minister, had his microphone snatched away by a protester. In frustration, the minister shoved the protester to the ground. Of course, the media was there to photograph the incident and title it, “Preacher Assaults Protester.” Sadly, the serpent had swallowed the dove when the Christian man lost his temper. A.B. Bruce continues, “Happy are they who can be both serpent and dove; but if we cannot, let us at least be doves. The dove must come before the serpent in our esteem, and in the development of our character. If we invert the order, the dove will be devoured by the serpent: the cause of truth and righteousness will be betrayed out of a base regard to self-preservation and worldly advantage.”
The recent social and political issues are causing a rise among many. Passions are brewing and blood is even boiling. Yet as Christians, we must remember to balance our serpent-like shrewdness while engaged in this arena, with our dove-like nature to win the lost to Christ. For what does it profit if we win the worldly battles, but lose many souls? If we can’t balance the serpent/dove natures, let us at least be doves. ![]() William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder of God’s creation. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message His thick green shell scarred with the signs of a brutal conflict, the giant beetle lay dead. Who knows how long he fought before being vanquished by the rival that disappeared into the night with the mate that the conquered had hoped to win. I couldn’t help but notice this massive beetle on the sidewalk outside the back door of my office. I posed him for a few photographs and uploaded him onto iNaturalist to discover the identity of my find: an Eastern Hercules Beetle. With its large pronotal and clypeal horns, Dynastes tityus is fittingly classified into the “rhinoceros beetle” family. Both its common name and scientific name steeped in mythology. No doubt a reference to the beetle’s size, Tityus was a Greek giant that was so large he split his mother’s womb. And Hercules is, of course, known to most of us as the Greek strongman who fought many battles, or labours. In similar feats of strength, there are many short videos on the internet of Hercules Beetles battling it out with each other. Interestingly, the following morning I found another dead one about ten feet from where I found the first. Since they are reported to be active primarily in the pre-dawn hours, my imagination conjures scenes of battle campaigns between these horned brutes while the rest of us sleep. The only evidence of their nocturnal warfare is the carnage of vanquished foes that lie dead from exhaustion on our sidewalks.
![]() William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder of God’s creation. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message What do you do when you reach toward your kitchen sink and realize it isn’t the spayer nozzle hose coiled up around the knobs? Well, after your finished screaming in panic, you call animal control! This lovely Ratsnake made its way into credit union office in Walton County, Georgia. After a few photos, it was removed and released in a less populated area. Although I haven’t run the statistics, Ratsnakes are at least 80% of the calls we receive to remove snakes from homes. So if you find one coiled up and ready to strike inside your own home, remember, other than giving you a heart attack, ratsnakes are harmless to humans. Instead of chopping it up, call your local animal control or nuisance wildlife remover first. |
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