Pity the Bugs

Source: 16 Valvulas. No idea who or what they are. I should have put a real photo here, but I liked this one, and you don't really want to see photos of bugs, do you?

So, none of my children are afraid of bugs. I'd say that's a good thing. Jo was at the living room patio door the other day, trying to catch a moth. When he just couldn't get it, he tried to at least smuch [:slap with the hand with the intent to murder:] it. He didn't succeed in that, either. If his sisters cry, "there's a bug!" he'll come and pick it up and throw it into the trash can. Great job, boy - you're hired! Anyhow, apparently the girls don't mind bugs, either, at least not really small ones. This morning Ch came to me with a little beetle of some kind in her hands, telling me,

It's not dirty or mean, so don't kill it, but it just wants to get some rest.

Yes, ma'am. Shortly thereafter, La had another one like it. Life (our house?) is a zoo.

Marine Debris

Thoughts Regarding a Biblical Perspective on Domesticated Animals

What is the significance of our domesticated animals in the kingdom of God? Does He care about life and death of a pet? How much should a Christ-ian care? Which sacrifices are appropriate, given that there are many people we could sacrifice for instead?

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.

John 10:11

Is this verse relevant? It is a metaphor, no doubt. However, in order for the metaphor to work, there must be a shepherd who would literally give his life for the sheep. Let's remember that this is likely a hired shepherd, too. Note also the significance: Christ uses this metaphor to describe his death on Calvary, with which He bought eternal life for all humanity! Clearly, then, Jesus Himself affirms that animals are not just objects of little or no value.


Counter-Point:

It isn't right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.

Mark 7:27

Does this say anything about domesticated animals? Firstly (according to my understanding), dogs were not really domesticated then. They were roaming freely, and stole what food fell off the table. They didn't get a bowl of food better than what 95% of the world population get to eat. Yet, the principle that stands behind Jesus' words is clear: humans have a greater value than animals. Applied to our lives, how much energy, effort, and resources can be put into animals as long as there are countless humans in need of care?


The Conclusion

You didn't seriously think I'd burn my fingers by posting a conclusion here and now?

Wichita Mountains Unedited

PhotoShop will only be in the mail tomorrow, so I have to post this one unedited. I like it too well to wait any longer, though.

Oklahoma Weather

Don't put those warm coats away just yet. According to a co-worker I talked to a moment ago, Oklahoma had snow on June 3rd, 1969. I hear it didn't stick, though.

Camping Worries Conquered

Gary Smalley has a video series on married relationships in which he suggests that the greatest bonding time for families happens during camping trips, because that's when so many things go wrong. Of course, he wasn't familiar with our situation, which is why he is so far off.

We prepare things thoroughly. Looking over Ly's shoulder, it appears that she had a two-page, type-written packing list, which I believe had two columns on each page. We arrived at the camp ground in time to pick a beautiful spot. The ground did not slope. We set the tent up without any problems whatsoever, the air mattress worked flawlessly, and everything turned out as desired. Going swimming was fun for the girls, though Jo hated the cold water (we're talking H-A-T-E-D!). At night, the lantern gave a nice light, and we had enough flashlights that no one had to go to the bathrooms in the dark. Ly had prepared a menu that included all the necessary food groups, including fruit. Jo went to sleep without too much trouble, and Ch and La did pretty well, too, considering that this was their first camping trip ever. As we were fixing to shut it all down I looked around, and everything had gone so perfect that I almost felt bad that we had cheated the camping complications. We had managed to plan the worries out of camping. It was nearly as if I had broken a new toy.

The rain started at 2 a.m.

Waylaid at Home

As we arrived home this evening, someone was already waiting for us. On the bathroom windowsill near our entrance, a black ratsnake lay in expectation. A friendly neighbor knew what to do and brushed it into a trashcan, and took it to the lake, so that it could continue hunting rats and the like. The adventures never stop...

Wichita Mountains

Is this a great world or what?

Birding

I spent some time watching a bird in our backyard just now. We have many pretty birds, including blue jays and cardinals, among others (they appear amazingly beautiful if you grew up where I did - virtually none of our birds had any color). Anyhow, I saw a bird I hadn't seen before (though I suppose I really should have): a Gila Woodpecker. They have a beautiful red cap, and this one (a male) had a deep black chest (OK, maybe all the males do). Trying to find out what it was, I ran across the Birds of Oklahoma web site. They have photographs of lots of native birds, making it easier to identify them if you're ignorant like me. Used to be, you'd have to buy a book for this, and now it's just "out there on the Internet." It's a great time to be alive.

Oh, yeah, I better be careful about doing too much birding. If I watch them too often, I'll want this.