 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  Fuzzy hatchling yellow Canada Goose babies easting greass near a pond in Monroe, GA USA. Branta canadensis. These babies hatched in April 2018. Spring is all about new beginnings. Winter’s lifeless branches and twigs begin to burst forth with green verdure. A vast array of colors bloom in the petals of previously dormant seed and bulb. The golden warblers pass through on their biannual migrations. And new life bursts forth from the white eggs of duck and goose. It is no wonder why we celebrate the new life Easter during this springtime celebration!
And on this fine spring morning the eggs of the two Canada Geese have hatched! The proud parents now cruise the pond with six yellow fluff-ball babies swimming close by. Such cute little chicks! I could fill memory card after memory card with their images. I will enjoy watching their progress as they grow over the next few weeks.
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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  Wisteria is flowering plant in the legume family, woody climbing vine native to China, Korea, and Japan and as an introduced species to the Eastern United States. Pollen causes seasonal allergies for many people. Photographed in spring in Monroe, GA, USA "What a lovely description of the beauty of the Earth God prepared for mankind. He placed the first couple in the middle of a garden. Our loving Creator gave us everything we see around us to enjoy and provided us with exquisite senses of sight, hearing, feeling, tasting, and smelling to experience them to the full. Even after they disobeyed, creation did not lose all of its beauty and comfort." From Exceeding Gratitude for the Creator's Plan by Dr. James P. Gills Genesis 2:8 And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. Thursday 12:27 PM - mostly cloudy and breezy today, but warm. Turtles basking, wrens calling, and hanging gardens of wisteria growing.  Carolina Wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus, songbird sitting on tree twig in spring in Georgia, USA. In summer it can seem that every patch of woods in the eastern United States rings with the rolling song of the Carolina Wren. The Carolina wren Thryothorus ludovicianus is a common species of wren that is a resident in the eastern half of the United States of America, the extreme south of Ontario, Canada, and the extreme northeast of Mexico.  Wisteria is flowering plant in the legume family, woody climbing vine native to China, Korea, and Japan and as an introduced species to the Eastern United States. Pollen causes seasonal allergies for many people. Photographed in spring in Monroe, GA, USA  Carolina Wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus, songbird sitting on tree twig in spring in Georgia, USA. In summer it can seem that every patch of woods in the eastern United States rings with the rolling song of the Carolina Wren. The Carolina wren Thryothorus ludovicianus is a common species of wren that is a resident in the eastern half of the United States of America, the extreme south of Ontario, Canada, and the extreme northeast of Mexico. 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  Walton County, Georgia. March 23, 2018. An American Coot, Fulica americana. This individual arrived in January 2018 and remained through spring. Audubon writes Coots are tough, adaptable waterbirds. "It has been my observation that even people of faith, born-again believers in Christ who love their Creator-redeemer, often lack appreciation for His creation. They fail to comprehend the wondrous beauty all around them. Their lack of knowledge of the handiwork of their Creator keeps them from full appreciation of the eternal benefits of life they have been given." -- From Exceeding Gratitude for the Creator's Plan by Dr. James Gills Psalms 103 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits…  Domestic Mallard hybrid duck - Walton County, Georgia. March 23, 2018  An American Coot, Fulica americana, swimming on blue water pond. This individual arrived in January 2018 and remained through spring. Audubon writes Coots are tough, adaptable waterbirds. Although they are related to the secretive rails, they swim in the open like ducks and walk about on shore, making themselves at home on golf courses and city park ponds. Usually in flocks, they are aggressive and noisy, making a wide variety of calls by day or night. They have strong legs and big feet with lobed toes, and coots fighting over territorial boundaries will rear up and attack each other with their feet. Often seen walking on open ground near ponds. In taking flight they must patter across the water, flapping their wings furiously, before becoming airborne. 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 John 18:1-2 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which He entered, and His disciples….for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with His disciples.  Cherry Tree Blossom, Walton County, Georgia. March 9, 2018 "God has a special love for gardens, it seems, designing them especially so that they best suit His highest creation - mankind. When he created Adam and Eve, He planted a garden for them to enjoy and to tend. And He came to commune with that first couple there in the cool of the day. "In the New Testament, we read that Jesus retired often to pray in a garden place. Even in the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and the tomb where our Savior was laid it was in that garden. It was in that garden that He revealed the fact of His resurrection to the world. "As we cultivate the soil of our hearts, we prepare a beautiful garden for the Lord to come and commune with us, and we with Him. Filled with appreciation for our Creator, our hearts will then be characterized as a garden of prayer." Quoted from "Exceeding Gratitude for the Creator's Plan" by Dr. James P. Gills  Cherry Tree Blossom, Walton County, Georgia. March 9, 2018  Pink, white and violet buds and blossoms of the Cherry Tree in March, Georgia, USA. A cherry blossom is the flower of any of several trees of genus Prunus, particularly the Japanese cherry, Prunus serrulata, which is called sakura. Each year, Macon GA hosts the annual International Cherry Blossom Festival. Also known as the Pinkest Party on Earth. Photographed in Monroe, Georgia, USA.  Pink, white and violet buds and blossoms of the Cherry Tree in March, Georgia, USA. A cherry blossom is the flower of any of several trees of genus Prunus, particularly the Japanese cherry, Prunus serrulata, which is called sakura. Each year, Macon GA hosts the annual International Cherry Blossom Festival. Also known as the Pinkest Party on Earth. Photographed in Monroe, Georgia, USA.  Pink, white and violet buds and blossoms of the Cherry Tree in March, Georgia, USA. A cherry blossom is the flower of any of several trees of genus Prunus, particularly the Japanese cherry, Prunus serrulata, which is called sakura. Each year, Macon GA hosts the annual International Cherry Blossom Festival. Also known as the Pinkest Party on Earth. Photographed in Monroe, Georgia, USA.  Pink, white and violet buds and blossoms of the Cherry Tree in March, Georgia, USA. A cherry blossom is the flower of any of several trees of genus Prunus, particularly the Japanese cherry, Prunus serrulata, which is called sakura. Each year, Macon GA hosts the annual International Cherry Blossom Festival. Also known as the Pinkest Party on Earth. Photographed in Monroe, Georgia, USA.  Pink, white and violet buds and blossoms of the Cherry Tree in March, Georgia, USA. A cherry blossom is the flower of any of several trees of genus Prunus, particularly the Japanese cherry, Prunus serrulata, which is called sakura. Each year, Macon GA hosts the annual International Cherry Blossom Festival. Also known as the Pinkest Party on Earth. Photographed in Monroe, Georgia, USA. 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  White snow falling on camping fire pit and canoe in winter. Pine trees and snow flakes. Athens, Clarke County, Georgia. USA. In the Book of Job, God poses a series of rhetorical questions to confront the arrogant knowledge of Job and his counselors. God’s point was to prove man’s inferiority through Job’s inability to answer this inquisition concerning the wonders of nature. Failing an effective riposte, Job admits defeat: “Then Job replied to the LORD, ‘I am nothing-- how could I ever find the answers? I will put my hand over my mouth in silence. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say.’" (Job 40:3-5) Sure, Job and his similarly ‘primitive’ friends were unable to answer. But what about today? Doesn’t ‘advanced’ man now possess the knowledge to answer God’s inquiry? We have measured the “recesses of the deep” (Job 38:16) - the Challenger Deep in the Pacific Ocean - at 35,814 feet by direct measurement from submersibles and by sonar bathymetry. We now “perceive the breadth of the earth” (Job 38:18) to be 3,959 miles in equatorial radius, and 3,949 in polar radius. We know light is “electromagnetic radiation within a certain portion of the electromagnetic spectrum” (Job 38:19). We have unlocked the mysteries of dew point and understand the formation of dew and frost (Job 38:28). We have charted the movements of the constellations with pinpoint accuracy down to the fraction of a second (Job 38:31-33). And the Mountain Goat breeds yearly between November and January and has a gestation period of 180 days. Job 38:22 "Have you visited the treasuries of the snow? Have you seen where the hail is made and stored?
Let’s ask an expert for a prediction concerning today’s simple snowfall. “The bottom line is that I still can’t delineate a DEFINITIVE zone of where it will be heaviest or most likely. That will come down to random chance affects of meso-scale forcing like frontogenetic lift that can’t be resolved until we see it on radar and satellite... I hold to what I’ve said earlier about being absolute in amounts or locations so my hand is forced to broad-brush more than I like to or want to, but sometimes its the nature of the beast.” I guess we don’t really snow it all, after all! Athens-Clarke County, Georgia  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  Total solar eclipse of the sun photo passing under cloud taken at 2:26 PM EST from Monroe, Georgia, USA Monday, 2:26 PM - Today is the day. The climax of much media buildup. The Great American Total Eclipse will be visible here in Monroe, Georgia beginning at 1:07 PM, peaking at 2:38 PM, and ending at 4:02 PM.
My first look through the viewing glasses was at 1:18 PM. Wow! You can actually see it. A small dark, rounded edge of the moon was passing over the upper right edge of the sun. I went in and out of my office repeatedly over the next several hours making sketches of the eclipse progress. At approximately 2 PM, I could notice it getting a bit dimmer outside. By 2:20 it was noticeably dim, like wearing light sunglasses. And at the maximum, it was clearly much dimmer than normal. It was like late evening, but quite different. The long-shadows and ‘golden hour’ glow of evening were missing though it wasn’t as bright as midday. I wasn’t planning any photographs because I had read a special solar filter was needed. But when a coworker took a somewhat successful shot with his iphone, and didn’t burn up its sensor, I decided to try. I set my camera on a tripod and put a polarizer on my 300mm lens. Using live-view, I centered the sun in the frame and focused to infinity. With ISO set to 100, I choose a ridiculously fast shutter speed of 1/2000 seconds, and a tiny aperture of f/36. It worked. I was able to document the eclipse well enough and not burn up the sensor on my camera! Several shots looked like a detail-less banana on a black background. The most interesting shots were when the sun passed under the edge of a cloud. Walton County, Georgia, USA  Statue of Liberty at night. Liberty Island in New York. June 15, 2017 The United States was founded upon the great and costly stone of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 1 Kings 5:17 And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house. "Inspiring" – in one word, that is how I could describe my trip to New York for my nephew’s graduation from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point. Standing on our feet with hands on heart as the National Athem played; current and veteran members of each branch of the Armed Forces standing for recognition as their branch’s song filled the stadium; my dad watching his grandson graduate from the same academy from which he graduated 45 years prior; a retired U.S. Marine administering the oath of enlistment to his son the day before Father’s Day; and the sight of Lady Liberty standing tall in the night. All inspiring. The United States of America is the greatest country to have ever stood on this earth throughout all of history! The story of America is an inspiring story. The lives of the Founders are wrought with inspiration. But what inspired the Founders? What inspired them to risk all, including their lives, to establish this great nation and its freedoms? That point is argued and debated by many, but what were their own words?
"When we view the blessings with which our country has been favored, those which we now enjoy, and the means which we possess of handing them down unimpaired to our latest posterity, our attention is irresistibly drawn to the source from whence they flow. Let us then, unite in offering our most grateful acknowledgments for these blessings to the Divine Author of All Good." James Monroe, 5th United States President "While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian." George Washington "Patriotism is as much a virtue as justice and is as necessary for the support of societies as natural affection is for the support of families. [Patriotism] is both a moral and religious duty…What did not Moses forsake and suffer for his countrymen! What shining examples of Patriotism do we behold in Joshua, Samuel, Maccabeus, and all the illustrious princes, captains, and prophets amongst the Jews! St. Paul himself almost wishes himself accursed for his countrymen and kinsmen after the flesh. Even our Savior Himself gives a sanction to this virtue. He confined His miracles and gospel at first to His own country." On Patriotism, October 20, 1773. Benjamin Rush. “Heaven has crowned all its other blessings, by giving [America] a fairer opportunity for political happiness, than any other Nation has ever been favored with.” George Washington, Circular Address to the States, June 8th, 1783 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  Eastern Bluebird, Sialia sialis, birdhouse nest box, garden arbor birdhouses. Athens, Georgia, USA. April 2, 2017. Thank God it’s Saturday. Finally, an opportunity for some backyard birding! Lighting the propane heater, I prepared my spot on the patio for a morning of relaxation: binoculars, camera, coffee, eBird app, notebook and pen, fill the feeders. I can relax in this beautiful scene my heavenly Father has prepared for me… and also meditate upon the future home He is preparing for me! After noting the different bird species in the flurry of activity at the freshly filled feeders, my eyes were drawn to the pair of Eastern Bluebirds. The male and female repeatedly crisscrossed the yard, alighting here and there upon the nest boxes, spending a moment in thought, and then moving to the next. Although it is still only February, they are preparing for spring.  Eastern Bluebird, Sialia sialis, birdhouse nest box, garden arbor birdhouses. Athens, Georgia, USA. April 2, 2017. When my family moved into our current home in Georgia, after we were comfortably settled, it was time to prepare a backyard bird sanctuary. In addition to the small pond, feeders, fruiting shrubs and honeysuckle vines, I wanted to prepare a home for the Bluebirds and built three nest boxes. To my surprise, the very first season, the bluebirds began preparing a home for their young and have had two clutches per season every year!
And since He so graciously has been preparing a home, we should be preparing our hearts! Luke 12:43-47 “Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing... And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.”
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 Why Red?My backyard bird feeder is always alive with flashes of red. The Northern Cardinals are daily visitors for free helpings of sunflower seeds. As one catches my eye, I ponder, why red?  Red male Northern Cardinal, backyard birding, Monroe, Walton County, Georgia, USA Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Most animals blend into their surroundings. But not the Cardinal. He flashes about in a scarlet garment heralding his presence for all to see. Why would a small bird, an easy prey, want to wear such colors? As I meditate what creation would speak, red conjures two images: the stain of sin and the source of salvation. THE STAIN OF SIN...Red catches our attention, and normally for something of which we must take heed. We use it on our warning signs and labels; red hangs at every intersection to prevent disorderly collisions. In Isaiah 1:18, red is used as a bold simile illustrating the blatant sins of the people. All that they do and say is stained with the crimson of sin. Although sin may blend in as the “norm of society”, it stands out to God’s eyes. Isaiah the preacher points out this scarlet warning sign, and begs the people to heed the warning and repent. THE SOURCE OF SALVATION...But another profound Biblical use of the color red is that of blood. From the blood of Abel, through the atoning sacrifices of the Israelites; of the thread in the window which saved Rahab and her entire family, to the saving Blood shed upon Calvary’s cross, the entire Bible is stained red with blood.
Though I may be pushing things by stretching the color of a bird into a mini-sermon, I’d rather have the red Northern Cardinal remind of the warning of sin and of the hope of salvation, than to stand for a red-robed religious official for whom it is said the Cardinal is named!
I want to thank The Creation Club for posting this article on their website! The Creation Club was formed by David Rives Ministries to give gifted writers and contributors a place to share their content relating to Biblical Creation. Check out their website for tons of great content on Biblical creation. 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  Tufted Titmouse, Baeolophus bicolor, songbird perched in pine tree in Athens, Georgia, USA. Blue sky. Photo Taken On: December 30, 2017 "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was." James 1:23-24 Sunday, 12:09 PM - Every Sunday morning for the last few months during, a feisty little Tufted Titmouse flies up to the window during the preaching and repeatedly attacks his reflection. He believes the image to be a rival interloper invading his territory. Because the bird doesn’t like what he sees, he decides to fight the reflection. While I watched this aggravated avian, my pastor continued to preach from the book of James. In the letter, James describes the Word of God as a mirror that reflects what manner of men we are. We have our own self-image, but it is often very different than how others perceive us. And certainly, our image of ourselves is always quite different than how God sees us. But the Bible has a way of revealing who we really are; a true reflection, as in a mirror. Often, as the mirrors image comes into clear focus, we don’t like the image that we see, and like the Titmouse, we fight against that reflection.
When we see our true reflection in the mirror of the Word of God, let us not fight against it as the church Titmouse. Let us not walk away and “forget what manner of men we are.” But let us be doers of the Word, and as Today’s English Version translates, let us “submit to God and accept the Word that He plants in our hearts” (James 1:21 TEV). Another lesson learned if we will listen to what creation speaks!  A Tufted Titmouse battles his reflection in a church window. Athens, Georgia. February 5, 2017. 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 "...like two young roes that are twins, which feed among the lilies." Song of Solomon 4:5  Texas Hill Country Whitetailed Deer, Driftwood Texas south of Austin ASHAMED?Normally, I’m not ashamed to quote the Bible. Since I gave my life to Jesus in 1993, I’ve had the regular habit of witnessing to friends, coworkers, door-to-door and street preaching at crowded University of Georgia football games. Because of what Jesus has done for me, I am not ashamed of the gospel.
However, there is one book of the Bible I may be a bit ashamed to openly declare. Not because I fear reproach, but because it makes me a little bashful! The Song of Solomon is a beautiful book of poetry describing the exchanges between two young lovers. There is enough poetic romance there to make anyone blush! But through this wonderful poem, God expresses His love for His creation. GOD’S LOVE OF CREATION… God’s love for His creation is revealed in the poem's expression of the beauty of nature; in the turning of the seasons which inspired these young lovers. “For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; the fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.” (2:10-13)
It is clear that God loves His creation, and His intent is that we enjoy it as well. Yes, it is true, as Christians we are not living for this world, but the next. But while here, God wants us enjoy and appreciate the beauty that is found here, and to give glory to our Creator.
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  Waning crescent moon photographed at sunset October 2018 in Athens, Georgia. Processed shooting star meteor added. Ephesians 1:8 He has showered down upon us the richness of his grace—for how well he understands us and knows what is best for us at all times. (TLB) A waxing gibbous moon hangs about 45 degrees above me to the south. I sit and enjoy a quiet evening on my back patio with my family. As the sky darkens to a deeper blue, the long bright trail of a “shooting star” blazes across the sky. It originated just below the moon and fired in a somewhat downward angle to the east until it faded out near the tree line.
“Wow!” I exclaimed, just after this meteor blazed across the sky. My wife and kids sitting with me all said, “What?”, so I knew I was the only one to see it. In much the same manner, so many people never notice these wonders of God. While we sit in ignorance, giant masses of stone are hurtling toward our planet. Not only are we are ignorant of our danger, but we are ignorant of His grace. Yet He protects us still! Unfortunately, one day His protection will be lifted and a great judgment – a judgment that has long been withheld because of His immense mercy and longsuffering – will take place. Our souls must be prepared against this day. Not by building underground meteor shelters, but simply in recognizing and accepting His grace and salvation. That same grace which covers our planet in a protective atmosphere is sufficient to save all in the day of wrath. "And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter." Revelation 8  Processed shooting star comet meteor added over photograph of a last quarter moon taken in Athens, Georgia in July, 2017. 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 Tuesday, 8:32 AM - The mowers passed by the shelter ponds yesterday, making a clear view into the swampy area by the firing range. A raccoon made a clear impression in the mud at some point overnight. True, I never saw the raccoon, but his prints were unmistakable and could not be confused with any other animal.
What kind of impression am I leaving behind? Are my emails and conversations scathing or uncaring? Do I leave a clean print, or are my hands muddied like a raccoon in the mud? Even if they don’t know me directly, am I making a lasting and edifying mark on someone else’s life?
 William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, landscape, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder of God’s 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  August 26, 2016; 7:19 PM. Athens, Georgia Friday, 9:19 PM - Athens, Georgia And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth. Genesis 9:12-17 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  "We live in the face of death, but it has resulted in eternal life for you." 2 Corinthians 4:12 New Living Translation Wednesday, 11:16 AM - Nature does not always live up to the romantic notions we have of a calming, peaceful walk in the woods, along pristine trails, besides pure waterfalls. Within the wild, we are often confronted with the harsh reality of survival and death. Though we spend much unconscious effort pushing the reality of death out of our view and consciousness, the certainty of death ever surrounds us. On a hot, muggy Wednesday afternoon I walked to the gravel road that circles the upper pond. Wiping sweat and spider webs from my face as I walked among the dry, dead leaves and pine needles crunching underneath my feet I noticed a morbid scene: the remains of a Blue Jay. It was just a pile of feathers; no bones; no body; no blood. The scene brought up many questions, but only two facts could be ascertained: it was a BlueJay, and it was no longer alive. The scene seemed to raise more questions than it answered. What got it? How did it get it? Was it a fledgling or an adult? Where was the body? Was it plucked and then eaten? Why didn’t it consume the feathers? How could a bird with the capability of flight get caught? Was it caught by another bird, like a hawk? The questions could flow unending. Death often raises questions, especially when it is that of a younger person we feel it was too early to lose. Why did she have to die? Why did God take them? What happens after death? Where do we go when we die? Why happens to our body? Does our mind live on? What can I do to live longer? Even the Christians of Paul’s day had questions in the face of death: “But someone will ask, ‘How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?’”[i] While considering this photo of the Jay’s remnants and being faced with a journaling ‘dead end’, on a random urging, I put my journal away and flipped to a random entry in the book More than Words. That random entry happened to be “death”. It read, “The death of the body, of course, occurs when physical life leaves it. The Old Testament recognizes the fact that we all die. But the death of Jesus Christ brought about an enormous change in the way Christians think about death. The New Testament teaches us that Christ Himself experienced death and in so doing destroyed its power: He rose from the dead.” Though death can raise many questions, the death and resurrection of Christ are great and certain facts. “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”[ii] Though it seems contradictory and is truly a paradox, it is nevertheless true: life comes from death; and nature teaches us as much. It may seem cruel, but some other animal goes on living, nourished by the death of this Jay. It is cruel, but by Jesus’ death comes our life. And not only eternal life, but a more fulfilled life in the present. Although we must still be prepared to meet God, the Christian does not need to be afraid and walk his entire life in anxiety, questioning death. As Paul again wrote, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” [iii] [i] 1 Corinthians 15:35 English Standard Version
[ii] 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 [iii] 1 Corinthians 15:55, 57 King James Bible |
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In December 1993 I came to know the Designer and Creator of this wonderful planet and its creatures: Jesus Christ.
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Donations help support the animal shelter adoption photography equipment and adoption website hosting and domain fees. Thanks for your support!
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