Eastern Towhee

 A pleasant afternoon walk in the deep woods along a creek on a sunny, cloudless day was just what I needed to clear my mind. God has taught me quite a bit as of late about busyness and the constant noise of modern technology that my mind has grown accustomed to and dependent upon. God has been only a part of the noise, and His jealousy and my compartmentalizing Him drew me to the woods. Along the walk, I heard a a distinctive song coming from the trees. Tchew-heee! The winter barren tree branches just starting to bud were still clear enough to see the Eastern Towhee. I continued walking, and he continued to fly from tree to tree as if to follow. He puffed up to show off his colors, then continued in song.

Evolutionary scientists tell us that the birds' songs and color are purely for function; to attract mates, to warn off predators, and to communicate during lookout. I have curiosity to such a blanket assumption. When I took these shots, my mind filled with wander to cry "who gave your song, and who painted your feathers?" When we hear a beautiful song, or see beautiful colors,
we go beyond function. Our eyes and ears glorify our Creator. Our sensory organs sense our creative Creator. God did not create purely out of function, and perhaps His common grace allows for a common recognition of beauty. God's saving grace permits our new eyes to recognize the beauty of the Creator.

Eastern Garter Snake

 

 If the black widow article did not creep you out enough, here are some photos of an Eastern Garter Snake I found moving around the yard while I was doing some landscaping. Whenever I see a snake, even this harmless non-venomous species, I recall that serpents pose a universal fear that spans human history and cultures. There is good reason, for the snake is a symbol that serves as a constant reminder of the fall. The very real snake in the Garden of Eden, abused by the crafty devil, deceived the very creatures charged with dominion over the animals. This animal is cursed to crawl on its belly and eat dust, giving humans that primal fear that dates back to the fall and immediate explanation of the curse of disobedience to our Creator. This serpent told us we would not die, just simply gain wisdom and be like God. We are now cursed with death and complete corruption of our entire makeup. The totality of our depravity as humans needs little further investigation than the 11 o'clock news, and, thus the depths of our souls shutter at the mere image of a snake. We are cursed to death.

The magnificent grace of our Creator follows that immediate reminder of our common, primal fear. The serpent's head will be crushed by a bruised heel of the offspring of the first woman, Eve. Jesus not only crushes the snake's head, but is the second Adam that is victorious in His sinlessness and triumphant over death. Snakes are a symbol of a tragedy we humans brought upon ourselves declaring rebellion against God. Snakes also pose as a reminder of the coming end to the reign of evil and death. The victory has been won, and we who have our faith in Christ need not fear snakes.

Black Widow Spider

 

The much maligned and mythologized Latrodectus, or black widow spider, remains a terrifying sight for unsuspecting humans. I captured the about shot near my home. This is a female, known by her distinct red hourglass on her abdomen. She spun her web inside what appears to be a mole's entrance hole, which is a good spot for her credulous and curious prey (insects, not moles or people). 

Jonathan Edwards said, "of all insects, no one is more wonderful than the spider, especially with respect to their sagacity admirable way of working." God, with His wonderful creativity, detailed the black widow as a powerful predator and a giant in her universe. She has a hard exterior for defense, spins a silk that is among the largest in diameter in the world to catch fast and heavy prey, as well as a venom 15 times more potent than that of rattlesnakes. She is fast, with an acute sense when prey touches her web, quickly wrapping her victim and injecting a digestive enzyme before carrying it into the rear defenses of her web for safe dining. The delicacy of this planet that houses the living is known on the micro and macro level. Such fine detail, such intricate work, such fine tuned engineering gives praise to our Maker, even such His creativity in such a fearfully made creature as the black widow spider.

Smithfield, Kentucky

Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting down for a luncheon for pastors in Henry County at Our Best Restaurant in Smithfield, KY. The food was very good, and the prices were reasonable. I highly recommend a visit. The restaurant is locally owned and operated, and it is such the rare scene of a community restaurant in a rural area.

While entering the restaurant, immediately my attention was drawn to the abandoned mill across the street. This is an old flour mill, and at the beginning of the 20th Century, was considered the best flour mill in Kentucky. I am going to dig around town a little in the not so distant future and post a more in depth article. A few things to consider as a teaser until then: (1) there was an old general store in town, I will get pictures inside and out if I am able to find the owner. (2) I am going to find out who the current owner of the mill is, and see if I cannot get inside for some good shots. (3) I have unearthed some documents on the history of the town that a college may have existed in Smithfield. Until then, enjoy some grub at Our Best and these photos.

Drennon Springs

 

Drennon Springs is located halfway between Pleasureville and Carrollton, KY. The landscape is breathtaking, and on this clear day quite photogenic. The sulphur-saline spring the Native Americans used, apparently for healing (according to the sign), has long been out of service. The church (Drennon Christian Church, Disciples of Christ) that rests near the spring site is a very fitting white painted wood structure surrounded by woods and a cemetery.

I am fascinated to hear that the area was staked out by the McAfee Company by Jacob Drennon and Matthew Bracken, under the command of Colonel Hancock Taylor; however, George Rogers Clark is the man who received settlement rights to the land from then Governor of Virginia Patrick Henry (whom the county is named for). Quite a bit of history is in this site. Clark built a log station here in 1775, yet abandoned the area after a Native American raid killed some of the other settlers in 1787. Apparently, the sulphur spring was used by a medical doctor named Robert Hunter for healing, and a few cabins were erected nearby by others swearing by the medicinal properties of the spring. It was in the 1830s that the spring developed some popularity. In 1847, AO Smith built an elegant hotel, which housed wealthy and some famous travelers who had come to enjoy the healing properties of the spring. However, the cholera outbreak in 1849 witnessed a complete abandonment of the area.

A high hill overlooks the scenery of the bottoms known as Drennon, and the weathered road, farm fences, flooded creek, and distant church is quite a display of God's handiwork. The roads to and from Drennon are beautiful landscapes as well.

Tornado in Eminence

 On March 1st, approximately 5 AM, a destructive tornado touched down near Eminence. The local news described the personal experiences of homeowners Gregg Williams and Janet Spies. Three homes were a total loss, and the roofs of nearby houses and a barn sustained some damage. Driving by the scene, I could see the power of this tornado, which is estimated at EF-3, dead center of a 5 point scale marking destructive force of a tornado.

Seeing the debris, I recalled the line from the movie Twister describing what an F-5 tornado was like. Scott Thompson's character (known as "Preacher") stated, "The finger of God." This middle of the pack type of tornado is powerful, and it is right that God is sovereign over something that seems to random in destruction as a tornado. My own reflection is to marvel that even the most destructive tornado or hurricane does not display the majestic power of our God. And in this personal story, a tragic loss of earthly treasures, even with such items of sentimentality, shows how such a massive, destructive force like a tornado has a gentle, life-sparing story in that not one lost their life.

If you are interested in supporting those hit hardest by this tragedy, a relief fund has been set up at
Farmers Deposit Bank
Eminence Tornado Victims Account
P.O. Box 126
Eminence, KY 40019

Peace in the Wild Things

 There exists in me a small craving for the wild. Not in the evolutionary sense, rather in a primitive sense. It seems we grieve most when the structures in our lives that are made by human hands collapse. I found myself in the thick of woods at Stevens Creek near Gestville, KY. The recent rains have surged water through this ancient creek, and the falls and small rapids seem to bring a peace. Some find a level of comfort in man-made ponds and manicured lawns, yet I find a bit of restoration in wild creeks, woods, and animals.

I reflected on a poem by fellow Henry Countian Wendell Berry, entitled The Peace of Wild Things. It is good to reflect and think far from man-made structures, distant from traffic noises, apart from the daily grind. It is here, in the wild, I am drawn to my Creator through Christ. In His beautiful craftsmanship undisturbed by human interaction I find comfort and feel life inside of me.

God is an artisan, the Artisan. Who can carve out mountains and tell the oceans to stop at the banks? It seems when we creatures attempt the same, to tame the wild, our efforts fail. Yet, when we find peace in the wild things, and let this untamed Lion tame us, we are at rest. We find peace in Him. Go away for a few hours, find a stream or a lake, soak in the wildness of things, reflect on the majesty of our God, and find peace.