Creatures Great and Small – Spiders

 

WARNING – If you have a phobia of spiders you may want to skip this post. :-)

Proverbs 30:28  The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces.

I dislike spiders pretty much.  I can tolerate some of the garden variety outside where I know they will help reduce the flying bug population, but I don’t want them in my house and I loath them in my bedroom.  My husband and I have each had a significant spider bite at some point in our lives, though, thankfully, neither of them were brown recluse bites as far as we know.  Spider bites can be very nasty.  However, as a photographer and artist I have to admit that there are some that are really quite beautiful in a horrible sort of way. :-) 

I haven’t figured out how to look up spider varieties online and actually find what I’m looking for so these are not named here (as yet).  There must be a fantastic number of types out there.

This first spider is not exactly “beautiful”, but I thought its color was amazing.  I took this photo in Tennessee where we used to live.

 

This spider was in my garden in Tennessee.  I thought it was interesting.

I didn’t realize how interesting it would be with the flash, though!  Quite metallic, isn’t it?  It looks like a piece of jewelry.

I ran across this red velvet “beauty” here in Texas.  I assume it’s a tarantula of some sort, but I couldn’t identify it, as usual.

This spider on a fig tree here in Texas was photographed by my husband.  It is such a vivid green color, that despite its less appealing qualities, I’m going to include it. :-)  There are some interesting “braided” stripes on its back which are hard to see at this angle.

Here is a close-up of its very ugly face and many eyes – and its very prickly legs.

If you recognize any of these spiders please leave a comment telling me what they are.  Thanks. :-)

Random Acts of Blogging

 

The next two weeks are going to be kind of busy for us.  We’re expecting company over the weekend and then we ladies have a bridal shower next week, and my husband and I have been invited to a “game day” at some friends’ house.  This doesn’t really mean much to my readers except – I only have one scheduled post for the next two weeks as of this writing.  Not a good thing.  I usually try to get ahead on that when we’re going to be busy so as to avoid too many holes.  Well…we’ll see what happens.  So, I decided to scrounge up some things off of my hard drive that I’ve stored at various times and see what I could come up with. :-)

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Random quote I read this year in a book.

“Her few ideas are like three or four marbles on a level floor; they have no power to move themselves, but roll equally well in any direction you push them.” (James Lane Allen)

Ok, I’m a little weird, but I liked it. Does it describe anyone you’ve ever known? :-)

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I’m not usually much for jokes, but here’s one my grandpa used to like to tell. :-)

A preacher visits an elderly woman from his congregation.  As he sits on the couch he notices a large bowl of peanuts on the coffee table.  "Mind if I have a few" he asks.  "No, not at all" the woman replied. They chat for an hour and as the preacher stands to leave, he realizes that instead of eating just a few peanuts, he emptied most of the bowl.  "I'm terribly sorry for eating all your peanuts, I really just meant to eat a few." "Oh that's all right" the woman says. "Ever since I lost my teeth all I can do is suck the chocolate off them."

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These are supposed to be actual bumper stickers.  Some my family have actually seen.

ACTUAL BUMPER STICKERS:

"Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine."

"I love cats...they taste just like chicken"

"Out of my mind.  Back in five minutes."

"Laugh alone and the world thinks you're an idiot."

"Sometimes I wake up grumpy; Other times I let her sleep"

"Tow-ers will be violated"

"Montana --- At least our cows are sane!"

"The gene pool could use a little chlorine."

"It is as BAD as you think, and they ARE out to get you."

"I took an IQ test and the results were negative."

"Time is the best teacher; Unfortunately it kills all its students!"

"Make it idiot proof and someone will make a better idiot."

"He who laughs last thinks slowest"

"Always remember you're unique, just like everyone else."

"Lottery: A tax on people who are bad at math."

"Consciousness: that annoying time between naps."

“Save the whales. Collect the whole set.”

“Visualize whirled peas.”

“I love dolphins.  They taste great.”

“If you can read this you are too close!”

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Random Picture:

Laugh Out Loud!

A favorite picture of my nephew taken by one of his parents. :-)

Sew Much for That

 

This photo has absolutely nothing to do with this post –
except that I liked it because it was peaceful and cheerful.
If you continue to read you will understand why today, that is enough. :-)

Yet another weekend is going by without a Sew Happy Saturday post here.  Last week was OK to miss.  I don’t remember my reason, it has skipped my mind, along with a lot of other things.  But, I’m allowed to skip the sewing post once in awhile because I gave myself permission not to post one every week.  :-)

I had illusions of making a quick, fun project today and getting a post up about it.  Who was I kidding?  My mom and I canned 8 pints of pepper relish today – with several breaks and a couple naps thrown in for good measure  (an act of kindness to my husband).  Now, as I write, I’m getting dinner.  OK, cooking the chicken.  Mom is making spinach, and the rest is leftovers to be added to the pan at the last minute.  (Ah…leftovers, how I love thee now that I keep house myself!)  My husband is reassembling our reluctant washing machine to see if it will work for us for a little longer.

Do I sound a little overwhelmed by life right now?  I should because this week has seemed rather overwhelming to me….well, this month…this year!  What in the world happened to it?  We’re already at the end of May?!?!  What??

In January my Mom had hip replacement surgery.  That was all that happened in January, if you know what I mean.  In February we were helping her with her therapy and I was surviving the winter – as usual.  March was focused quite a bit on getting ready for family to visit in April – family we hadn’t seen in almost 5 years.  So, yeah, it was a big deal!  In April they were here – for a week and a half – and yet it seemed like two days and the whole month all at the same time.  Also, mixed into March and April was yard and garden work and a lot of other things.  Well, May has been a little tamer, but can we talk about catching up – just a little?  Maybe? :-)

And, then there’s June.  In June we are expecting more family to visit.  We have a wedding among our friends, which wouldn’t be a big deal except we’re committed to help – in a small way.  Also there are things I want(ed) to sew for her!  SO much.  Argh.  We also have some church and friends’ activities we wish to attend.  And, this isn’t even mentioning much about all the chores that really, really need to get done!

Now I realize that to some of you this totally misses the mark for “overwhelming”.  I know.  A lot of people live much busier lives than we do.  But, if you only knew how little I’m used to this, and how really unable I would’ve been to do all this a few years ago…

At the same time, with all that and the regular everyday things crammed in, I’ve read too many books, spent too much time reading online and watching many quilting videos, and who knows what else.  Writing…oh, yeah.  I’ve been writing.  And actually doing a little sewing.  Sigh….but the wasted time…  How can we waste so much time right in the midst of feeling so terribly busy?  I haven’t figured that one out yet.

But, when it all comes down to it, after the close scare we got last week about very severe storms here (which the Lord so kindly vetoed!), I have been trying to refocus.  You know, thinking about Moore, Oklahoma (and Granbury and Cleburne, Texas), and thinking about the possibility of it coming here, well, I just want to try to DO the things that are important in the eternal picture more and leave behind the things that don’t count – lay aside more weights that are dragging me down unnecessarily.  We all have weights that we have to carry, so to speak, but I want to think more again in terms of that laying aside of weights that I was focused on last year.  It’s time for a little revival and reorganizing of thoughts.  Maybe I’ll even go back and reread those posts myself.  I never did feel like I finished that series properly.

Yesterday I did decide to lay aside some of the “Very-Urgent-Things” that were nagging to be done, and instead I went and did some other things that needed to be done that would give me more joy (and some pleasant outdoor exercise).  They were the sort of jobs that give a sense of accomplishment when you finish, with not so much of the “Oh-good-I-get-to-do-this-chore-again-right-away-why-did-I-bother” feeling.  (“Forget the vacuuming, I’m going out to prune that photinia bush!”)  Guess what?  I felt a lot better at the end of the day!  And, while “digging” in the garage, I found various things that three different family members have been asking about for some time – things that were in “The Pile” in our garage!  So, I had the added blessing of making other people happy too.  Wow.  Does that feel nice, or what? :-)

Another small tip I actually remembered to put into use this week (thanks to the friend who was praying for me) – when you feel overwhelmed and like you just can’t manage it, instead of crying or getting angry, which may be easy but may have difficult complications, find something that tickles you (like this crazy run-on sentence) – even if you have to make it up – and then just laugh out loud! :-)  Stress relief does not require anger or crying to vent.  Sometimes a good long laugh or singing at the top of your lungs will really do the trick!  And, if you have kids, the great thing is that they will probably join you, even if they are laughing at your maniacal laughing/singing. ;-)

And, in case you didn’t catch it, this post is a steam letting rant cleverly disguised as (feeble) humor. ;-)  But, since dinner is now ready, it’s time to go clear off the table so that I can set it.  My parents are coming to eat with us since Mom is making part of the meal, so I do need to make the room for a proper meal – that’s a good thing tonight.  Once my husband proofreads this for me (and eliminates the parts that are really too nonsensical to publish), I’ll try to get this posted before mid-night.  Maybe.  If it’s important enough. ;-)

How about you?  Has life been just a bit too overwhelming this week, spring, year?  Let’s see if we can reconsider some things and try to simplify and clarify our lives a little – lay aside some weights (Again!) – as we head into June, shall we? :-)  I double-dog dare you. ;-)

James 1:23-25  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. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Creatures Great and Small – Caterpillar Evening Wear

 

Isn’t this caterpillar beautiful?  I don’t know what kind it is, but it’s fuzzy silver coat with black stripes and red spots looks quite elegant in this flash picture.  I took this photo years ago when my family was living in southern Arizona.

Many, if not all, caterpillars devour plants and are the enemies of gardeners and farmers.  This is why the Lord said, And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.  Joel 2:25-26

Thoughts on Weather and A Poem by Annie Johnson Flint

 

Romans 14:8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

Years ago a dear, elderly lady in our church family was in bed one night when some very severe storms were going trough our area.  Her daughter called her and told her she needed to “take shelter”.  Now “Grandma Irene”, as we lovingly and respectfully called her, lived in a single wide mobile home.  Her neighbors on both sides lived in mobile homes, and it was a bit of a walk across the road to a stick built house for an older lady who had trouble walking.  She said to her daughter that she was going to stay put, adding a statement that went down in our family history – “The Lord knows right where I am.” 

Some of us do not have a good option for “taking shelter” when these events happen, but as children of our heavenly Father we can rest in the assurance that He knows right where we are, and as another friend once said, “…nothing is taking Him by surprise.”

I may have posted this poem here before. I can’t remember at the moment. But, with the sever weather that has been and is sweeping the central U.S. it came to mind and seemed like a good reminder.

The Double Clasp

The Saviour's hand - how close its hold,
That none can loosen, none can break.
No powers of heaven or earth or hell
That loving clasp can ever shake.

And over Jesus' wounded hand
The Father's hand of strength is laid,
Omnipotent to save and keep;
Thus is our surety surer made.

So, one beneath and one above,
Father and Son their hands unite.
How safe, how safe the ransomed are
Within that clasp of tender might!

Annie Johnson Flint

John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and my Father are one.

Hiding In Thee Medley – A good reminder.  Poor photography, but a lovely medley of comfort and assurance. 

[Tornado photo by D. Casper. Used by permission.]

A Friendly Word of Caution

 

Some rather unusual events have been taking place here in the U.S. in relation to “the man at the top”.  Various and sundry things have been coming to the attention of the general public and some of them could bring some serious consequences to him.  The obvious temptation for many Christians and conservatives will be to rejoice over this man’s fall, if indeed he does fall. 

Now, there are many references of the wicked falling into their own snare or trap in the Bible.  One that certainly applies is Proverbs 11:5,  The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.  And verse 10 of the same chapter says, When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

Some people may use this as an excuse to rejoice at the fall of a man who has seemed intent on doing many unrighteous things.  But, I think we need to also take Proverbs 24:17-18 into account and be cautious in our reaction.  This passage says, Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

There is a tendency among some people to speak of dignities and those in authority in a way that is neither respectful nor prudent.  This has seemed to grow worse over time and the foolish words have seemed to become more bold.  Sadly, there are Christians who are participating in this, which is something that ought not to be so. 

The Apostle Peter warned us about this.

2 Peter 2:9-13  The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.  Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;

This is not a small matter!  This is very strong language here.  And, notice they specifically “despise government” and “are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.”  Yet we see that the angels, who are greater in power and might, do not rail against them before the Lord.  Who are we do so?  And, is not everything we say “before the Lord” since His Spirit dwells within us? 

This is something we need to take very seriously!  Think how often one can hear people railing against “the powers that be” in church meetings, fellowship times, and gatherings of any sort.  Think how often we can read disrespectful things posted on social media such as Facebook, Twitter, etc.  As followers of our Lord Jesus, we need to each ask ourselves, “Am I guilty of this?”

Jude warns us of similar men in his short epistle.  Jude 1:4  For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.  In verses 8-10 he continues,  Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

Now the implication here is that the “dignities” are of a demonic or devilish nature.  But, it is important to remember that men and women that are in powerful authority positions are often closely related to spiritual wickedness in high places. The more power a man or woman has, the more desirable they are to the satanic forces in furthering their evil schemes.  It seems to me that this is why Peter mentioned government almost in the same breath with speaking evil of dignities. 

Remember in the book of Daniel that when the messenger from heaven came to Daniel, the messenger was hindered by the prince of Persia.  Daniel 10:13  But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.  This is an amazing verse, and I think that we probably cannot have a perfect understanding of it, but it gives us some glimpse into the strange realm of the spiritual powers in high places and of the warfare that occurs there unbeknownst to us.  Consequently, we ought to use great discretion in speaking of those spiritual powers, and of their human servants who are in roles of authority.

Ephesians 6:11-13  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

If this country has a chance to mend its ways and if it should take that opportunity and make changes for good, thank God for that.  If an evil man falls into his own trap, this is the just judgment of God.  But, let us be careful that our own speech is becoming to OUR king, the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Philippians 1:27  Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ…

Titus 2:7-8  In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

Romans 12:17-19 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

The Thousand Word Project – Up Close and Prickly