blog-for-hislambs

Ever Hear of Hair Ice?

Sat, 23 Apr 2011 00:26:07 +0100

What on earth is HAIR ICE? You will find this truly fascinating!

As I thought about the intricacy and delicate nature of these particular ice formations and how every individual strand of Hair Ice (or Ribbon Ice) was formed, I couldn't help but think of God!

As, Dr. James R. Carter, Professor Emeritus Geography-Geology Department, Illinois State University writes, the name Hair Ice is, "most appropriate describing the hair-like nature of those fine needles. Note that in this and other photos, the hairs of ice do not grow from linear fissures in a stem, but rather appear to come out of pores in the wood. As such they are similar to hair on a head.

Another observer,Joaquim Mittendorf wrote, "Most of the numerous white branches had very thin and up to 3 cm long 'hairs'." Plainly this is a phenomena of geology and man has given this special form of ice it's descriptive name. We know in reality it is not human hair, but is like a parable of something that is similar and only like human hair in appearance.

These photos show the beauty of snow and ice in many of its forms, including Hair Ice, and as we view them we can't help but think of something even more amazing and wonderful... that of the human body and yes the structure of each individual human hair. God's Word reminds us that, "we are fearfully and wonderfully made."

God's Word also speaks about the fact that He loves us and knows all about us, down to the very numbers of hairs on our heads! God is that intimately interested and concerned about us. God has provided the way to bridge the gap that our sin has caused allowing us to be forever united to Him through faith in His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ who gave His life to redeem us for His own.

We are able to have a real and living, personal relationship with Him if we will but repent and confess our sins, trusting only in Him and His gift of Eternal Life & then living for Him.

Yes, this Hair Ice is very beautiful, but how much more beautiful is the fact that God created you and loves you and that you can be transformed into the beauty of Christ eternally. Visit this link if you would like to know more about God's remedy for sin. Something new to think about for 2010.

I never knew such forms of ice existed! What a demonstration & amazing record we see here of God's Creation. Each find is unique & full of wonder. To learn more, visit Further study on Hair Ice-amazing photos. Scroll about a 1/3 of the way down the page. Interesting information. Enjoy.

© Copyright Dr Richard Murray and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

From Such Treasures, Flee! Poem

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 03:35:49 +0100

From Such Treasures, Flee!
Is your treasure where your heart will dwell?
A place where moth and rust cannot fell,
Destroy, crush, despite all time and stress—
Or is your hoard earning less and less?
Will it endure through Eternity?
If not, from such treasures run—yes, flee!
Better to dwell with a “heart contented”
Than with prayers, treasures circumvented.
Can you answer honestly tonight,
That your treasure is in Him, sealed tight?

Excerpt by permission: The Treasure of His Company By Jan Howlett Pg.32

MBVA46F2RJKH

Song Birds, Not Fighter Jets! Devotional Exerpt

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 03:37:46 +0100

Taken from The Treasure of His Company 2005

Author: Mrs. Jan Howlett

Publisher's Imprint: Essence Publishers

Little Willy gladly curled up in a cozy ball on my lap, purring away contentedly. It had been a long, cold winter, but now we were both basking in the sunshine.

As earlier storm clouds drifted away, the air was warming up; yet the atmosphere was still fresh and fragrant, and that sweetness drew out many beautiful songbirds, chirping and singing their hymns of praise to our Heavenly Father.

The gardens were filling with the lovely colours of crocus and tulips. The scent of lilac trees wafted by as the promise of new buds were forming on our Wygaleigh bush. As I relaxed, the effects of the strengthening moments of quiet with the Lord, and with Willy, washed over me. I breathed in the fresh air and raised my face upwards to the warmth of the sun’s rays.

As I did so, I couldn’t help notice that the heavens were unusually busy with all sorts of birds, large and small, zipping back and forth between the houses and the open backyards—some with definite purposes, while others were just playful, social skirmishes. Mrs. Robin was scolding one of her brood, and a small dog barked in the very far distance.

Indeed, it was fascinating to watch the birds dart in and out, flying freely from tree to tree, without once crashing into each other or into the buildings. They were wonderfully skilled, and their sense of distance was so precise that they never seemed to give it a second thought, but to my eyes it was God’s amazing creation at work.

These little moments shared over a morning cup of tea on the back step were like mini vacations for me, and I was very grateful for these tranquil moments. But all of a sudden, that peacefulness was rudely interrupted by a loud bang, like a gun going off. The sound seemed to come from a distant building site. It startled both Willy and me.

Instantly I was reminded of the televised 2003 Iraq war, with the sound of bombs dropping out of war planes, exploding on their intended targets. Those sounds were fresh in my mind only because a few days earlier our quiet morning was suddenly shattered by the unnerving roar of a fighter jet screaming through our air space, literally just above our heads! Sighting a military jet is a very rare occurrence, in spite of the fact that Camp Borden is not far from where we live.

Consequently, in light of the age of terror alerts, concern and a chilling sense of danger instantly and boldly intruded on my peace of mind. Wondering why our solitude was being infringed upon, everyone raced to the window to see what was happening. I use the word infringe to describe this scene because the associated sound of that jet spoke of the need for protection, the warding off of evil intention and a need to restore peace.

Yet, as I sat on the step with Willy sleeping blissfully on my lap, the picture of birds busy at living life and playing with carefree abandon brought forth a flood of praise, because they were just birds and not fighter jets on a mission to kill and destroy invading enemies.

I shot up a prayer of thankfulness that the sounds in my ears were that of these musical songbirds and not, in fact, the roar of war planes warning of impending danger. How glad to know the quiet fluttering of their little wings were not plumes of smoke and that the loud bang I had heard earlier was not a massive bomb detonating.

Yes, I was grateful for the peacefulness of my morning with my dear little Willy. Even more than this momentary respite, I was all the more thankful for the indescribable gift of knowing God’s Eternal peace in my heart because years earlier I had come to know His Son, the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, as my own personal Lord and Saviour.

This morning was an extra-special time for me with the Lord and His creation. He had used many beautiful songbirds to remind me of the peace and safety I have in Him, as I trust in His all-sufficient care and Salvation.

Yes, the roar of jets and the sense of danger may cause concern and real distress, but nothing can separate me from my Saviour, or the Peace that He is or the Peace that He alone provides (Romans 8: 38-39).

I said my goodbyes to little Willy and went back to face the day’s work with a deep joy in my heart, knowing that no matter what I might face from day to day, my Saviour is my great Protector.

Now, every time I hear God’s songbirds, I also remember my true treasure of Peace is Jesus.

Bent But Not Broken Poem

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:56:36 +0100

BENT BUT NOT BROKEN

In spite of fierce winter gales and deep crushing snows
The Mountain Hemlock with striking beauty still grows.
Its needles are as delicate as the tall Firs
Dainty to the touch and just as soft as feathers!

And yet, if we try to break its great bough, at length,
We will learn that deep therein lies its might and strength.
Though winds whip at it and the ground begins to shake
Yes, it will bend and yield, but NO IT WILL NOT BREAK!

Neither bitter earthly storms, no matter how fierce,
Pull its strong roots from the ground nor its foothold pierce.
Though its form is bent low by the heavy snow floor,
It will straighten, proud and noble just like before!

So, if we be storm-tossed by harsh, trouble-bent winds
We need not crumble though pressed by such disciplines;
For our strength, The Anchor Who holds all of God's flock
Is rooted and entwined in Christ, our Lord, our Rock!

Though afflicted in many ways but not now crushed;
Perplexed, but not without hope, if silent or hushed;
Persecuted, but not utterly forsaken;
Struck down? Perhaps, but not destroyed or mistaken!

So, like the Apostle Paul, we do not lose heart,
And like Mountain Hemlocks, to us God's Truths impart.
The strength of Christ's Life is ours if we but partake
When WE must bend and yield, then…
   NEITHER WILL WE BREAK!

By: Jan Howlett
Expcerpt from Jan's Book
   The Treasure of His Company

“The Lord upholds all those who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.”

veqahku3im

Thinking Outloud Famous Quote

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 03:42:25 +0100

“But though we cannot by our own act

lift ourselves out of the pit,

take hold of the hand

which offers us out of it.”

J.C. Augustus Hare, Guesses At Truth

Taken from Flowers Along The Path, Esther Carls Dodgen,

Barbour Publishing Inc. © 2001, p. 48. Used with permission.