Deadheading Flowers... & Church?

We're still into 90 degree days in Augusta, GA though the weekend is forecast to see a nice drop into fall temperatures. It's the perfect time to do some yard chores in preparation for the change of seasons.

I have a large butterfly bush at the corner of our front porch. It's a lot of fun through spring and summer as it attracts butterflies and bees with those fragrant flowers, as well as putting on a great show of purple. Of course, to extend the flowers, and produce more, you've got to deadhead the plant a number of times to get the best production. Do you know about deadheading flowers? It's a maintenance job in a garden, yet it's a way of preparing for more production and extending a season.

As I'm reaching over my head to clip the multitudes of spent flowers of my butterfly bush I'm also noticing the new areas where new growth will spring to life. The bees are still working the plant, lighting on the flowers as I'm working. I'm clipping at a living plant hoping to create more life and extend the summer just a little longer. I'm sometimes cutting off flowers that are still pretty but on the tale end of vibrant. I'm cutting with tomorrow in mind, not yesterday.

My mind drifts to that familiar passage in John 15:1-2:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."

Where is God at work pruning in your world working to create more life? What must go in order for there to be more production for the Kingdom?

What does this mean for you as a Christian?
What does this mean for your church?
What does it mean for your denomination?

UFO in Georgia!

OK, it's not quite a UFO, but I love this curious yard monster! We had some rain the other day after a long, hot summer and a new neighbor moved in beside my driveway. Thursday I had to do a little yard work and took advantage of the time by taking a few early morning pictures.

On the Farm

Another interesting week on the farm... literally.

My mother in law has been in ATL all week undergoing a cataract procedure. While that may sound like a standard one day, outpatient experience in her case it is not.

She lost her right eye to the standard cataract procedure 9 years ago.

Within 24 hours she went from sight to losing her eye.

So, you can imagine she put this 2nd procedure off as long as possible.

Now during the interim don't imagine she's been sitting on a couch whining or regretting what happened. She got on with her life rather quickly. She kept working on their 13 acre farm as she loves the garden, the flowers, the animals, and to be outside. She's continued to run a weekly nursing home ministry which she's led for many years. She even continued deer hunting sitting in a tree stand, and kills deer every year.

Did I mention how exceptional my in laws are?!

My mother in law has an extraordinary faith. She comes from good stock having been raised on "the other side of Walton's Mountain." If you know of that area from books and TV you can imagine the rural Nelson County VA families who were strong, self sufficient, and very practical.
This week while the in-laws have been taking care of business I've been going out at lunch or after work to check on their animals, feed them, pick up eggs, etc. While they don't have as much as they once did they still keep ten goats around, have 8 hens, plus the standard issue dogs and cats. Multiple stories here-- including the hen who prefers not to be in the coop who's a runner and the goat who got stuck in the fence-- all in all merely typical farm happenings.

They will return Thursday night. And I'll be back to my "normal" schedule. But for a few days it was good to take care of those who always try so hard to take care of us. I guess I'll return to my regular city ways though I'll miss picking up the fresh eggs, feeding the goats some cracked corn, and walking out to the barn.

OOPS that reminds me, better go change these shoes!

Bald Eagles in Augusta

It turns out we've had a larger influx of bald eagles this winter in our area. I'm not sure what that's about, but I'm going to keep my eyes open. That sight is worth looking for!
http://blogs.augusta.com/node/2115

Did You Know Helium is Endangered?!

Kim, the administrative assistant for mission and children's ministry at my church, was calling around town this morning trying to find some other business to supply us with a helium tank. She spoke with someone who supplies helium tanks for rentals, but he said they weren't taking any new customers AND gave the rationale. He explained about the rising cost of helium and that eventually there will be NO helium!

WHAT?!

No helium balloons? No Goodyear blimp? No medical application?

Like many natural resources helium is irreplaceable and nonrenewable. Helium is being consumed very rapidly in the United States. There are still large reserves in Russia but it has not been marketed to this date. While capturing and recycling the element is an option that hasn't been practiced in many applications yet. Find more info at http://news-info.wustl.edu/tips/page/normal/10754.html

Helium is endangered!

It's really strange to think my grandchildren might not hold a helium filled balloon.

What kind of world would that be?

I wonder what other things might disappear if we don't get serious about taking better care of our world for our grandchildren and for their grandchildren.

Solar Powered Radio/ Projector/ CD Player

I've traveled to a few remote locations with mission teams. These villages are so far back in the bush, or up the mountain, or away from any cities that they seldom see visitors, don't have electricity, and therefore have few of the basics which we count on in the West. This sometimes makes it a challenge to know what our team might best do. And then you get into questions of what to leave to help the lives of those we've spent some time with. We sometimes dig wells, establish medical clinics, and look for ways to enhance the education of children & teens in the schools. We've also found another option thanks to a friend in our church in Augusta.

His organization offers solar powered products including FM radio, audio Bible which uses solar but also has a hand crank generator recharge, an "all in one" unit, and they continue to develop items of use to missionaries, mission agencies, and those that are served in remote areas around the world.

See Bob's work at http://www.the-ctc.org/products.htm

A Shade Tree in Wrens GA

Last Saturday we were roofing a house, and all of us enjoyed the shade of a pine tree. While the group was at lunch at the church I stayed behind to keep an eye on the tools and to talk with the homeowner JoAnne. After a visit with JoAnne I had the peace and quiet of the shade tree before the team arrived. I looked up when I heard some noises overhead and a couple of small birds were flitting around and then hanging from the limbs upside down.

I think they were Eastern Wood Pewees. Check them out at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Eastern_Wood-Pewee.html#fig1

So, I was staring at them as they were staring at me. This is what I saw. I'm curious what their blog shows! :)

Keen Eyes & Sharks Teeth

I'd read the internet chatter about Myrtle Beach. Many online whined there where no teeth to be found, and a few bragged about their finds. My teenage son claimed to have seen a fin early in our beach visit, so I had hope. There's little else like finding a treasure in a handful of broken shells.

Let the average Joe or Sally hit all the tourist hot spots. As for me and my time, I love the hunt for shark's teeth!

I'm still not very good at finding the things. The hunt requires some characteristics which I tend to lack:

• a keen eye- it's tough for me to pick the shapes out of all the other material
• looking in the right places- it seems like small items attract other small items
• persistence- you can't give up

My teen & I did all right today, and found a half dozen teeth while the others played in the surf. We've got some other commitments tomorrow though I hope they don't interfere too badly with the hunt. I'll add the pictures later. But don't ask me any specifics. All I can tell you is Myrtle Beach does still yield a generous number of shark's teeth if you work at it.