Robins and Worms

   I ran/walked today. It was misty and drizzling with a temperature of 42º. For us in the northeast, that falls somewhere between warm and raw. There wasn't much wind. There weren't many robins.
   There were, however, many worms.
   There were so many that I gave up on an even cadence to avoid stepping on them every stride or so.  Because I was running without music, I mused about worms and robins and rain and wet side walks. You are now privy to my thoughts on the matter. You're welcome.
1. In the space of 1-2 miles, I normally see 10-15 robins. Today, I counted 3. Do robins dislike the rain?
2. In the space of 5 feet, I counted up to three worms.
3. Do robins feel about soggy worms the way I feel about zucchini noodles?
4. Is that night crawler bathing in the puddle the same one I rescued yesterday?
5. Is it silly to have a moral dilemma about whether I should rescue a worm?
6. Do worms really drown in water? do they like water? what drives them out during the rain?
   And lastly, what am I doing out in the rain?

Mulberry trees

The summer after we moved, I was delighted to find we have a mulberry tree growing in the back yard. In Manasquan, we had both a white and a purple/black mulberry tree. The white berries were sweeter and grew in greater numbers. Both trees were good for climbing up onto the garage roof. Its presence brings a host of happy memories.

We now fast forward to yesterday. Looking out my kitchen window, I noted how the rain had made the mulberry trunk more yellow, making it stand out against the snow and browns of late winter (yes, winter - this seems to be a national complaint that spring is so long in coming this year).

When I was walking home from work, the wind was whipping among the tree tops. I thought of when God told David to wait to hear a noise in the tops of the mulberry trees. It meant that God was fighting for David. I mused about it for a little while but didn’t really pray into it. I thought of how God might be fighting for me in a vague sense.

This morning, what was in my Bible reading but II Samuel 5:22-25? 

22 And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. 

23 And when David enquired of the Lord, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees. 24 And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the Lord go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.

25 And David did so, as the Lord had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.

Whoa! How cool is that? 

These are my conclusions:

1. Dare to ask God to speak.
2. Expect to hear God answer.
3. It’s good to learn as much scripture as you can. Why? It’s one clear way to hear what God is saying.
4. If a verse comes to mind, look it up, read it and pray how to apply it to your life.

Blessings,

me

"I go to prepare a place for you."

This morning, “I go to prepare a place for you” is in my head. It is found in John 14. 

John 14 King James Version (KJV)

14 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

   

I’m leaning toward the notion that this may tie to my thoughts yesterday about pitching in Rephidim. (I may blog that study at a later point.) 

   John 14 is usually interpreted to mean that Jesus is building a place in heaven. Could it refer also to kingdom living here on earth? 

   If John 14:1-3 can indeed refer to kingdom living, then I could infer that Jesus is preparing something for me and coming to meet up with me at that place.

   If this is true, then what is my response? How do I prepare? It’s always safe to start with prayer.

   Heavenly Father, I thank You that You sent Jesus to prepare a place for me (put in your name or anyone else's). Please guide me (or him or her) with Your Holy Spirit to do Your will when I (or he or she) get(s) to that situation. I ask in Jesus’ precious name, amen.