Jesus prayed nothing less for us than absolute oneness with Himself as He was one with the Father.
From John 17:20-21: “I ask not only on behalf of these but also on behalf of those who believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one. As You, Father, are in Me and I am in You, may they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me.”
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) was a Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher. Following his death from an illness while in Egypt during World War I, his wife took on the task of transcribing the detailed notes she had written from his lectures and sermons. Gertrude Hobbs Chambers’ efforts resulted in the publication in 1924 of MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST. I frequently read from this devotional, and it has greatly deepened my faith and understanding of God’s Word.
This informative post will be published on Saturday in place of my regular one. You are invited to participate with the opening question.
Brain Teaser Question
I am an odd number. Take away one letter, and I become even. What number am I?
(answer found at the end of this post)
Featured Facts
One of the most dangerous of all arachnids (spiders) in the United States is the black widow. The female black widow is well known for her poisonous venom, nimbleness when moving, and ability to remain solitary and secretive.
Here are a few quick facts about the black widow spider:
Diet: Carnivore (eating other insects caught in its web)
Size: Females (1 inch) are about twice the size of males (.5 inch)
Habitat: Wooded, shaded areas; fallen logs; crawl spaces and basements
Female black widow spiders possess a body that has a distinct, shiny appearance. The abdomen is almost round in its shape. Males have white and red marks on their abdomen, and their legs are longer than those of females.
The life cycle of the black widow begins with the female laying between 100-400 eggs, which are stored in a brown, papery sac. She will guard the eggs for about 20-30 days until hatching begins. Spiderlings will transition from orange, brown, and white in color to more and more black with each molting. They will need about three to four months to fully mature.
The female black widow’s red hourglass mark on her underside serves as a warning to other insects, birds, and humans that she is dangerous. While her bite is venomous, only humans who are very young or old are most at risk of more serious complications or even death. The male black widow presents no danger at all.
The venom found in a female black widow is about 15 times stronger than a rattlesnake’s. Swelling may occur around the wound with other symptoms of cramping, sweating, and chills. Since the spider is considerably smaller than the rattlesnake, the volume of released venom is much less. A close relative of the black widow, the Australian redback spider, has more potent venom.
Cannibalistic behavior is sometimes observed with black widow spiders. After mating, the female may sometimes eat the male, but this doesn’t occur as often as most people think. Of course, the name “black widow” refers to this phenomenon. Some spiderlings may consume smaller siblings–especially right after birth.
Top left and moving clockwise: enlarged view of female’s shape, contrast with the male’s size and shape, female’s distinctive red hourglass mark, papery sac filled with eggs, spiderlings after hatching. (courtesy of Pinterest)
As we sometimes need to weather another storm, there is no greater feeling than making another safe landing.
Do you write a daily journal? This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts. Thanks to many of you for adding so much to my journal.
This series of poems (written in the German-inspired style of Elfchen or Elevenie) shares a total of eleven words in each poem, with a sequence by line of one, two, three, four, and one words.
One’s unwavering faith coupled with trust in God’s promises yields an outlook filled with hope.
Do you write a daily journal? This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts. Thanks to many of you for adding so much to my journal.
If you don’t have peace, it isn’t because someone took it from you; you gave it away. You cannot always control what happens to you,but you can control what happens in you.
From Isaiah 26:3: “Those of steadfast mind You keep in peace,in peace because they trust in You.”
John Maxwell (born 1947) is an American pastor, author, and speaker. He has written numerous books about leadership, with a Christian point of view.
Interaction with the world beyond our precious walls opens our senses to the daily peace sown by our Creator.
Do you write a daily journal? This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts. Thanks to many of you for adding so much to my journal.
Big Sky Buckeye 