Patti Wolf

Monday: Deception

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
Colossians 2:8

At first glance you’d think this was a beautiful sunset. It wasn’t. I took a photo of the sun rising last week on a chilly morning. Though the warm hues seemed to shout, “Bedtime!”, it was the beginning of a new day.

This led me to think of others things in life that can deceive us. Of course, advertising is a great example of sharing false information. Commercials, most likely, are at the top of the list. Every pictured hamburger shown across the television screen is not delicious.

Then there’s campaign advertising. This can be the most deceitful verbiage that crosses our paths. “Lies, lies lies!” my momma use to say decades ago. How does one know who to vote for? Is it the person who tells the least amount of lies?

I think we live in a society that thrives on deception. The act of deceiving seems to come natural for many. Honesty is a quality often missing in the lives of people. So how can the act of deception turn to truth? I would suggest by one person at a time. Let it start with each of us. Think before you speak.

Fall Colors & Hues

Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God.
I Corinthians 2:12

A patchwork covers my woodland,
it warms a cold day like a lit fire;
brings to life the shaded woods.

It reminds me of abundant gifts given;
given by the unseen Holy Spirit at
the point a heart surrenders to Christ.

Some colors are vibrant and seem to
shout their ever presence in space;
while other meekly blush their hues.

Some spiritual gifts are bold and used
to reach the masses in gathering spaces;
others are humble gifts in secret corners.

What value is a autumn’s display?
It pleases the eye of the beholder,
excites the heart and warms the body.

Unless one tromps an autumn wood,
drives passed a tree-lined country road
or sits among the last hurrah of growth;

they cannot grasp the emotions tangled
among thinly lined branches still clinging,
as spiritual gifts wait like leaves to fall!

Monday… Time flies!

The world is passing away and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God continues to live forever.
I John 2:17

More than a decade has fluttered away like the monarch butterflies that migrate south. I really can’t tell you where time has gone. Yet, here we are, with a little girl who has grown into womanhood.

I’ve enjoyed the years of grand-parenting. I will admit, my stamina is not like it once use to be. It’s still thrilling when anyone of my grandkids come for a visit, as time moves forward.

Time is something we have no control over, except for being on time. Or how we may use our time. As a follower of Jesus, it’s important to consider what we do with our time. There are so many things the world has to offer us. Often, our eyes are distracted on worldly pursuits instead of considering spiritual things.

It’s a new week. What is God calling you to do? Maybe it’s to help to train a child or grandchild? Or perhaps, to refresh your time to pray for others. Some may need to rekindle their time by reading the Word of God. Most of us will be given opportunities to monitor our day in a way that will glorify God. What choices will you make?

Changing of Fall

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8

Wren has long gone, inky darkness veils
morn as cars rumble and fumble in the
thick cold air; I miss wren’s sweet song.

Stillness hangs in trees, as machines
replace the melody of birds long gone
south while I linger as seasons change.

Once again autumn comes in all array
to lend a splendid show; sweet with color.
Yet, I miss wren’s early morning song.

Long black mornings moan loss, a duet
I understand for one clear voice is my.
Crisp air ushers in my thinly opened window.

For moments, I stretch to recall the cheery
song when sun shown bright at fading night.
I resolve, I will miss wren’s song till spring.

I am reminded that all doesn’t change;
for One whom seasons dutifully obey
is constant, ceaseless and continual!

Monday’s: Woolly Bear

But we all, with unveiled faces, looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from gloryto glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
II Corinthians 3:18

Woolly bear caterpillars, also called woolly worms, have a reputation for being able to forecast the coming winter weather; as legend has expressed. If the rusty band is wide, then it will be a mild winter. The more black there is, the more severe the winter. Can this weather lore be true? Or is it more realistic to believe there are greater changes?

After years of testing this theory, the results showed evidence that the coloration of the woolly bear did give a weather prediction. However, be careful for not all woolly bears enjoy this talent. Evidently, totally black woolly bears are not weather projectors.

If that is true, the woolly bear in my photo can tell us nothing so breath easy. Hopefully, a rough winter us not upon us! Yet, he was a charming find climbing five feet in the air on my elderberry bush.

Totally black woolly bears are just another species in the same category as the rust and black ones. Woolly bears hatch twice a year, usually June and September. The second generation of caterpillars are the “weather prophets,” according to specialists.

These critters enjoy violets, lambs quarter (different from lamb’s ear), and clover. Their goal in life is to find a place to hide for the winter. Woolly bears spend the winter as larva. Then in the month of May, they emerge as the Isabella moth. The fuzzy, brittle bug now takes on the shape of a fragile, delicate moth. Their transformation has been completed.

If those who are followers of Jesus and come before the throne of God daily with opened minds (unveiled faces) to receive the hope of the gospel (our salvation); then another transformation (final glorification) will one day take place in our lives. Unlike the woolly bear, it will take more than a season before a complete spiritual change happens. It takes a lifetime of exploring the Word of God.

Hide your heart in God who continues to transform us daily, if we’re willing, until our final day of glorification in heaven. The day when those who have accepted Jesus’ great sacrifice will join Him for eternity. Read His Word.

Lost

Long evening shadows cast
a stark, vivid veil across
autumn’s evening sky;
tells secrets from the past
before a multitude was loss.

In days of peace with man,
when tranquility daily rose
long before the greatest lie;
then changed God’s plan,
He covered sin with clothes.

The sky now displays scars,
of mankind’s daily choice;
God sent His only Son to die
and brighten gloomy stars
to declare with clear voice:

“… and through Him to reconcile
all things to Himself, whether
things on earth or things in
heaven, having made peace
through the blood of His cross.”

Colossians 1:20

Monday: Who Cares

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32

I spent Saturday watching football. Yeah, it was cold and gloomy. I didn’t sit in the stands of a professional game, like the Greenbay Packers, or chat over the television about the last play. I sat watching my grandsons. It’s where the heart of the game first clutches the heart of a boy.

Having raised three boys myself, and now blessed with five grandsons, I have experienced their passion for the game. One of them, I won’t mention Barry’s name, could aim a ball perfectly as a toddler. I still remembered the college game my son, Jess, played after my mom died. It was the best performance game of his life. He had dedicated the game to his grandmother’s memory. Most boys have a special love for football. Boys and football seem to go together.

This weekend I saw something else displayed about the game. It wasn’t the interception made by, Barry, although that was fantastic with just a few seconds in the first half. It wasn’t even the great run Oliver, one of my younger grandsons, made at his tag-football game. It was the compassion of a young man who patiently spent a Saturday afternoon teaching six-old boys the game.

It’s Monday, you all have the opportunity to show a kindness to those you’re in contact with. Intercept that blessing, run with a Fruit of the Spirit and make a touch down that could change a life.

Fog

Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”
Acts 14:17

Autumn seeps in hushed;
thick fog clings to the damp earth,
a crane flaps good-bye.

The goose overhead
honks a cranky farewell,
as birds fly south.

A lonely cricket
plays a wistful merry tune;
spring’s eternal song.

Fall stirs emotions,
along with tumbling leaves
telling all it’s time.

Time to store nuts
or fill the pantry shelves;
thank God for His care.

Seasons simply fade,
all under God’s great design;
tell the end of time.

Monday: Sunday Scaries

Anxiety in the heart of a man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.
Proverbs 12:25

What is it about anxiety that keeps us away from living peaceful lives? Is it the phone call from the doctor with the bad news which brings unrest? Or the child who’s gotten injured during a sports game and a parent’s heart wavers? Going to funerals or to hospitals aren’t usually the most inviting thing one cares to do. What about when Christmas creeps up quickly, and you haven’t purchased all those treasured gifts, then panic may run through your veins. There are so many things in our lives that can cause anxiety.

Most recently, I heard from one of my son’s, there is now a label placed on Sunday’s anxieties called “Sunday Scaries”. Evidently, it’s the condition that people have on any given Sunday as they reflect on the fact they have to go back to work on Monday.

One would think Sunday could be restful, since the Bible asks followers of Jesus Christ to set aside one day of rest to reflect on God. This day, in our culture, usually is understood as Sunday. So why are people walking around with the anxieties of what will happen on Monday the day before it comes?

May I suggest, to look at Monday as a new opportunity. If Sunday is spent contemplating on God and having good Christian fellowship, we can be filled with the right attitude as Monday comes around the corner. Mondays can be the time in which we can show the gift of helps to our employers or to those that we serve in the workforce. It can be the day we have a new challenges to share the gospel message with those who are lost in our workplace. Yes, I know there will be challenges. But if we are filled with Holy Spirit, we can allow Him to use us in a way to glorify God.

Just a reminder, one of the main reasons we’re on this earth, as believers in Jesus Christ, is to glorify God. And for the moments of anxiety, we can remember the Bible verse which talks about being concerned with each day in itself, instead of the days to come. Perhaps, our burdens will not be as difficult to bear if we remember God is with us.

“Sunday Scaries”, can be turned into “Sunday Sharing” of what God has done in our life the week before. And how we look forward to what He will do in the days ahead.

Hope you enjoy your next Sunday!

Not sure were you’re at:

Goldenrod… You should LOVE it!

Let’s solve a myth

This time of the year roadsides and meadows are filled with gold, in the form of Goldenrods (Solidago species). These marvelous late-blooming plants are very important to fall pollinators and migratory butterflies such as Monarchs. Since goldenrod’s blooming period of late summer and fall coincides with the blooming period of ragweed, they are frequently blamed for hay-fever symptoms. Some homeowners may hesitate buying goldenrods because they believe that they would cause allergy symptoms like runny and itchy nose.

Goldenrods, however, are innocent of these accusations. Their polled is heavy and sticky. It does not get blown in the wind, but sticks to visiting insects, as with other insect pollinated species. These specific characteristics of goldenrod pollen make it unlikely to make it to our respiratory system.

As mentioned the real culprit for your allergy woes is Ragweed (Ambrosia species). Ragweed is an insignificant-looking plant that blooms about the same time as goldenrods. The flowers are inconspicuous and the plants blend very well into surroundings. Ragweed species don’t contain nectar, so they are not insect pollinating plants. They rely on wind to carry their pollen. Ragweed pollen is very small and is spread by wind, aggravating many hay-fever sufferers. These plants don’t just cause allergy symptoms but also dermatitis or rash if you handle them without gloves.

https://www.tennesseenaturescapes.com/

Goldenrods abound in late summer and early fall. And so does hay fever. But guess what? Goldenrod pollen does not float in the air so it can’t get in your nose to make you sneeze. The real culprit is ragweed. And mugwort. And grasses. All of these have abundant windborne pollen.

https://edgeofthewoodsnursery.com/

When summer begins to fade, for many, seasonal allergies are just getting started. What’s really to blame? This time of year, fields of gold can be seen all over Minnesota and throughout the metro. Goldenrod, with its showy flowers, is in full bloom in August and September.

Allergy sufferers, between their sneezes and eye rubbing, frequently cast blame on the goldenrod for their suffering.

But that blame is misplaced. Goldenrod, contrary to popular belief, is NOT the culprit of most allergies this time of year. In order for pollen allergies to be activated, pollen must be windblown. However, as indicated by the bees and butterflies, goldenrod attracts these pollinators to disseminate their pollen grains – and does not rely on wind.