FOOD - Facts, Folly, or Faith?!!!

I guess my fascination with food facts began about 40 years ago

when the doctor discovered I had hypoglycemia.

At that time, I began to devour books on nutrition,

and actually became quite obsessed with health food.

(My older two children can vouch for that,

and still joke about my cookies that tasted like cardboard!)

As time passed, I think I became a little more balanced.

 ...But then about two months ago, a friend challenged me to do a small experiment

regarding the use of my microwave oven.

I started with two healthy plants,

 

and watered one with tap or distilled water,

and the other with water I had cooled after microwaving it for four minutes.

In a little more than a month, the one with the microwaved water 

seemed to grow taller and spindlier,

while the other one grew fuller, but was shorter.

Facebook friends gave me feedback as I posted weekly updates and photos.

One of them said that if I used water only, without any soil

the results would be more reliable,

stating that both plants were getting nutrients from the soil.

So, I broke off a few sprigs off each plant and placed the microwaved watered plant

in microwaved water, and the other in regular tap water.

They both looked droopy and looked like they were going to die in less than 24 hours!

 (Tap water plant on left, microwave water on right)

I began to think that this experiment was quite inconclusive,

and thought about calling it quits.

In the meantime, I looked up quite a few verses

 about what the Bible had to say about food.

Here's a few of the verses:

"Accept other believers who are weak in faith 

and don't argue with them about what they think is right or wrong  

For instance, one person believes it's all right to eat anything. 

But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables.  

Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don't.  

And those who don't eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, 

for God has accepted them."

Romans 14:1-3

"Do not be attracted by strange new ideas.  

Your strength comes from God's grace, 

not rules about food, which don't help those who follow them."  

Hebrews 13:9

"Don't let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink..."  

Colossians 2:16

And this one was kind of scary!

"Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, 

giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons... 

commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received 

with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.  

For every creature of God is good, 

and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving , 

for it is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer."

1 Timothy 4:1-3

But I think the best advice came from this verse:

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink,

or whatever you do,

do all to the glory of God."

1 Corinthians 10:31

So, anyway, I had quite a surprise today when I went to water my plants.

I had left the small shoots in the little vases,

and expected them to be totally dead by now.

The plant in tap water (on the left) was showing some signs of life,

but what amazed me the most was the plant on the right

which was placed in microwaved water.

Talk about the dead being raised to life!

That's what it looked like to me!

So does that mean I should continue using my microwave?

I have no idea!

So what have I learned from this?

For one thing, I think my experiment was full of flaws and inconclusive!

I think God is interested in My HEALTH,

as noted in a previous post on Rock4Today .

I'll probably continue to use my microwave for some things,

but maybe not so excessively!

I'd love to hear your opinions if you'd like to leave a comment!

The Majesty of Doves

Ring-necked turtle doves are supposed to be rare for this area.

This cold winter I had a couple of them under my feeder,
and they appear to have stuck around.

Their cooing can be heard nearly all day,
so I think they are multiplying...

...although the female didn't act too impressed with the male's antics today!

I watched for about 10 minutes as he put on quite a show,
fluffing out his wings and making himself look like a Thanksgiving Turkey!

When he finally got her attention...

he rose up and flew away.

I felt so privileged to get these shots!

What a majestic and simply beautiful bird!

Not long after he flew, the female also took flight.

Did you know that in the Bible the Holy Spirit of God is likened to a dove?

 Luke 3:22  says:

"And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him,

 and a voice came from heaven which said,

 “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”

Bishop T.D. Jakes is doing some great teaching on the Holy Spirit this week on TV.

If you can't find him on your channel selection,

his series will soon be available on-line at this LINK,

probably when the June 2014 broadcasts are added to it.

Quite some time ago I did a post on Rock4Today entitled The Beloved.,

which is the name mentioned for Jesus in the verse above.

Click on the highlighted letters to take you to it.

Thanks for your visit!
To see any of the above pictures in greater detail, simply click on the photo!
For wonderful birding photos,
visit Stewart's Wild Bird Wednesday! 

Cracks in the Wall

 

 

The Power of Words!

 

One day last week I had the television on a Christian channel

 while working around the house, and something caught my ear.

It came from the book of Job, one of the oldest books in the Bible.

First I heard this familiar verse from Chapter 1 verse 10:

"You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property.

You have made him prosper in everything he does."

But then this speaker went on to quote Chapter 3 verse 25:

"For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me,

And what I dreaded has happened to me."

He felt that it was the power of Job's words that had entrapped him;

 that it was the speaking out loud of his fears that brought on Job's troubles.

Whether that was so or not, I'm not sure.

I do know that Proverbs 18:21 says,

"The tongue has the power of life and death..."

The wisest man who ever lived stated,

"Do not be quick with your mouth,

Do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God.

God is in heaven and you are on earth,

 so let your words be few."

Ecclesiastes 5:2

Maybe our words create cracks in our walls,

weaken them,

and by self sabotage we knock down our own protection...

...And maybe that's why Job finally said,

"I put my hand over my mouth"!

Job 40:4

Like King David, I need to pray this prayer every day:

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be acceptable in Your sight,

O LORD, my Strength and my Redeemer."

Psalm 19:14

Or to put it more easily understandable:

"LORD, fill my mouth with worthwhile stuff,

And nudge me when I've said enough!"


I haven't got a new Rock4Today posted yet this week,
...still pondering which one to do!



A Visit with the Eaglets

The Fear of Letting Go

A friend had told me if I wanted to see the eaglets before they flew from the nest,

that I better go on out and take a look.

So, this evening I gave a friend a call,

and asked if she would like to go eagle watching with me.

It's always fun to share the experience!

 

 



We found one eaglet sitting on the edge of the nest,
but no parents in sight.

The trees were in full foliage,
so there weren't many vantage points to view the nest.

Before long the eaglet on the edge of the nest began stretching his wings.
 

His sibling seemed to be watching.
We wondered if they took turns stretching their wings,
or if one was more developed than the other.

The brave one acted like he was going to fly off the nest.

You can see that he would even raise off the nest a short distance...

...but fear, or self restraint kept him from letting go,
and his talons would tightly grasp the limb.

 

The eaglet's fear of letting go reminded me of a poem that I wrote some time ago.

I wrote it after hearing a talk from a young man 

who had been a part of our church youth group.

 He spoke passionately about Jesus being able to meet all our needs,

and entitled his talk

"Am I Enough?"

 

His talk deeply touched me, and I went home and wrote this poem.

 

"Am I enough?" Jesus asks me,

looking gently in my eyes.

"Am I enough? Come take my hand;

Come fly the friendly skies!"

 

Trust in Me;

Am I not enough?

Trust in Me,

Although the way seems rough.

Trust in Me;

I'll never leave your side.

Trust in Me, My child,

I'll always be enough.

 

There may be storms around me,

Thunder roaring in my ears,

Yet He is always with me,

He'll save me from my fears!

 

Trust in Me;

Am I not enough?

Trust in Me,

Although the way seems rough.

Trust in Me;

I'll never leave your side.

Trust in Me, My child,

I'll always be enough.

 

 

Although we didn't see the parent eagles at the nesting sight today,

 I'm sure they were near.

With a cry from one of their babies,

they would have come rushing to the aid of the eaglet.

 

This reminds me of the story of Peter,

who boldly jumped out of the boat and began walking on the water toward Jesus.

I don't know how far Peter sank in the water,

but Jesus was right there to lift him up,

"stretched out His hand and caught him".

(If you're unfamiliar with that story, you can read it HERE).

 

Like Peter, and also like David in Psalm 40,

God continues to be there for me and for you,

and lifts us out of some of the terrible "pits" we fall into.

"He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,

Out of the miry clay,

And set my feet upon a ROCK..."

(Click on the work ROCK to see my most recent Rock4Today!)

 

Thanks for dropping by!

 

 

 

 

 



Stop, Look, and Listen!

Lessons from the Road Runner!

This past winter I did a post on this little guy,
(...to see it click HERE!)
and was quite surprised to see him again.
He appeared disappointed not to find any of my small birds,
and headed in the direction of the street.
(I had just removed my bird feeders for the summer.)

Arriving at the road, he stopped and looked both ways before crossing!

A car was coming, and he quickly changed his direction!

Today just happens to be the

National Day of Prayer.

We are being asked to "Stop, Look, and Listen", so to speak,

and to pray for our nation.

Although many groups throughout the United States of America

will be praying between noon and 1:00 o'clock today,

God's ears are always open to our prayers, no matter what time.

 

The theme verse for today is 2 Chronicles 7:14 which says:

"If My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves,

and pray and seek My face,

and turn from their wicked ways,

then I will hear from heaven,

and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

 

If we pray, I know He will hear us, for He always keeps His promises!

His RAINBOW in the sky attests to that!

 

Would you join me in prayer for our nation today?

 

 

 



Eagles, Hawks and Wild Turkeys!

Wild Bird Wednesday!

Last week was a great week for bird photos.

My neighbor across the street called me up and said,

"Esther, I know you'll want to see this.

Bring your camera.

There's an eagle in the tree in my back yard!"

I could hardly believe it!
I'd been running to the lake on the other side of town to get pictures of eagles,
and here was a big one right on the edge of our neighborhood duck pond!

It made him a little nervous as I went in closer and closer
to try for some great shots,...

...And off he flew!

Just a couple of days later I spotted a large bird high in a tree top
as my husband and I were on our way home from Searcy County.

My husband graciously pulled over so that I could "zoom in".

The large bird seemed unafraid, and just looked at us
until my husband got out of the truck and made some noise...

...so that I could get a photo of him in flight.

A red-tailed hawk is what my husband thinks this is...
What do you think he is?
Majestic! That's for sure!

Just before the Marion County line we encountered these turkeys.
"Walk on left facing traffic!"
...I don't think these wild turkeys had heard that line!

Thanks for stopping by!

And in case you're wondering,

I came back from a blogging break on Rock4Today.

(To see that post, click on the highlighted letters above.)

The "River of Life"

What Grandparents do in their "spare" time!

Our grandson had been looking forward to a float trip
on the Buffalo National River.

It was evident that area businesses were gearing up for the floating season,
but my grandson and his buddies couldn't afford to rent canoes.

No problem!
"Grampa Gary" to the rescue,
providing a canoe and a kayak,
...and paddles, of course!

It was decided that Buffalo Point would be the place
from which the float trip would start.

His group was anxious to get started on their trip,
but I got them to pause long enough to capture
a few photos with my cell phone.

The river looked peaceful and quiet as they carried
the canoe and kayak down to the water's edge.

I wasn't sure how they were going to fit all their gear
into their small boats!

This placard by the place they put in the river proclaimed the Buffalo River to be
"The River of Life".
I found that very interesting,
because of what the Book of Revelation says about the
 River of Life in Revelation 22. 
It states that it flows from the Throne of God,
and only those whose names are written in the
Book of Life
will see this River of Life!


 



(Billy Graham has an excellent video available called "The Cross"

that shows how you can have your name written in the "Book of Life".

Click HERE to see it!)

 

 

My husband didn't sleep very well that night;

I often found him missing in our bed.

He was concerned about the kids out on the river,

and spent considerable time praying for their safety.

 

Consequently, the next morning we headed out earlier than planned to pick them up...

Gary was afraid they would over shoot the place where they were to land.

 

As we went, I couldn't help but notice businesses getting ready
for spring float trips and guided fishing tours.
 

We drove past the abandoned mining town of "Rush" on our way to the river.

The group was already there waiting for us,
although we were nearly 3 hours early!
They were relieved not to have to wait for us,
and Gary was extremely relieved that they were all okay
and had not gone past the selected landing!

Minutes after we arrived a ranger dropped by,
checking to see if all was okay.

The satisfied look on our grandson's face as they loaded up,
made it all worthwhile!

If you've followed many of my posts,

you know of my love for the Buffalo National River!

To see a related post, click HERE!

 

(To see any of these photos more clearly, just click on them to enlarge them!)