August 6, 2012   

Today's Photograph . . . .Martin Luther King, Washington (NPS)

Bible Study Verses

Proverbs 16:1-4 

The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. The Lord has made everything for its purpose,

even the wicked for the day of trouble. (ESV)

Thoughts

On a recent family vacation to Washington DC, I was amazed at the imagination and creativity of man, but overwhelmed by the designs of our supernatural creator.

On the second day of our trip, we were able to visit the White House and see the Washington Monument. Both worthy examples of man's creativity and admiration, but not without visible flaws and needed repairs. On this very same day, we were also able to hear from an expert at the National Zoo share with us the amazing and flawless design of the cheetah, and everything that allows him to be a great hunter and the fastest animal on the planet.

Did you know that God gave cheetahs, special claws for running, but not climbing? Did you know He gave them a sleeker skull with a smaller mouth and a larger nostril cavity to be able to pull in more oxygen for running? Did you know that He gave them the right kind of limbs, a special spine, and muscles needed to hunt its prey at high speeds? Later we listened to another individual share with us the purpose and design of feathers for great birds of flight. After a lengthy explanation, I was slightly amused when he told my children that man doesn't know why or how the feathers were designed in this special way.

Man doesn't have all of the answers, but God, our loving creator does. He has a purpose and a design for everything He makes, including you!

(Michael T)

Action Point

The imagination of man is filled with thoughts, visions, and contradicting plans to do both good and evil. The mind of man is restless, but pure in his own mind. His mind is bold, proud, arrogant, and boastful, yet a vast sea of doubt, insecurity and fear.

The mind is a mystery to its owner, but not to its incredible Designer. The plans of man and the spirit in which he acts out those plans is weighed and measured by God, and He is always sifting through our plans, our impure motives, our thoughts, and our actions.

Sportsmen's Tip of the Day

Sometimes our adventures take place in the city and researching the internet can be especially helpful when it comes to maps, metro-rails, points of interest, fees, and even restrictions for which sites allow backpacks or bags. We found the internet to be very helpful in planning our family trip to Washington DC.