I'm hanging out at Starbucks after a visit with my neurologist. He confirmed I do still have a brain. He said most of it is still working. That's good news, I think.

Bluejay Bluer that blue...

the time is finally here joy, peace and love appear... #Christmas

Close-up of a male Pileated Woodpecker. Males have a red cheek stripe, while females have a black cheek stripe.

The trumpeting call of a Sandhill Crane hanging in the air. I heard a Sandhill Crane pair calling down the trail and wondered if I could see their call in the current conditions.I quickly tootled over to the Cranes, working to get an angle of where their call could be seen

Evening Prayer - Christmas Eve: Loving God, on this Christmas Eve, may our hearts make room for Your coming and Your being born. May we recognize how different our world could be if Your governance and reign were allowed to prevail. On this night, may we ponder and pray. Amen.

“When we reach the time of Mary’s visit with Zechariah’s wife, Elizabeth, we find the two women praising God and Mary delivering a song for the ages, while the man remains silent. The man, a righteous priest, was silenced, while God gave Mary utterance, recorded in scripture, /1

Morning Prayer: Loving God, grant us Your grace necessary for us to live with patience in this day... • patience with the unknown • patience with our healing • patience with unexpected change • patience with frustrations • patience with ourselves Grant us grace. Amen

Blue Jays having a bit of a scrum in the snow.

A male Pileated Woodpecker checks a spot in the bark for tasty ants.

Evening Prayer: Loving God, we welcome Your calming Presence at the end of this day. We welcome Your comforting Spirit as we seek rest. We welcome Your assuring grace as we think about the uncertainties. We welcome Your healing mercy for those in need of wholeness and hope. Amen.

A male Eastern Bluebird about to dine on a berry. I believe this a Greenbrier plant, but I could be off on that.

Female Finch Savoring that last bite...

Morning Prayer: Loving God, lead us into those places where deeper reflection and awareness can take place. Slow us down inwardly so we can pay attention to where You are present in our life and active in our world. Be our Light and hope in the darkness that surrounds us. Amen.

Thus, if a storm tried to cross, before it got there, it would fall apart. It’s due to something called the Coriolis Force (caused by Earth’s rotation and its changing circumference at latitude) which increases north and south, but is zero at zero degrees. Image via NOAA.

On this LAST DAY OF HURRICANE SEASON, an interesting fact. Did you know no tropical cyclone has ever crossed the Equator!? That’s because it’s physically impossible. Storms need “spin” to develop and survive. But at the Equator there is zero spin… 1/

Impressions Flood my mind Memories Of a time long past Feelings From so many angles Gratitude That all are tied To you...

Enjoy Sunday with this Lively gray sky 🤍☁️ and snowy ❄️🌲 pine tree branch straight from my balcony! Monochromatic is the new Confetti! 🎉😂🌞 #photography #Nature #Snow #Sky #Tree #PineTree #Monochromatic #EastCoastKin #WestCoastKin #Canada #Toronto #Ontario #BlackAndWhite #Art

Here’s my Advent playlist. open.spotify.com/playlist/3UH...

Happy Advent! Are you reading something this season? Here are some recommendations. Leave a comment with your favorite Advent devotionals. open.substack.com/pub/nijaykgu...

Good morning Jesus. Almost ready for church. No wait a minute. We are church. It’s not where and when we gather. It’s identity. Thank You for Ekklesia. I am called out for Your purpose. Not mine or anyone else’s. I’m ready to shine Your love anytime, anywhere. Welcome to church!✌🏼

Male Cardinal Through the maze...

Nature's stained glass...

Bluejay A moment of bird zen...

Good morning Jesus. Psalm 118 says with Yahweh on my side, what can people do to me? You also said don’t fear people. When I, by faith, know I am whole and complete in You, what can anyone do to me? I am who You say I am, not what “they” say, think or do! Hello new creature.✌🏼

Morning Prayer 🌄 Loving God, as we experience the changing of seasons around us, may Your Spirit guide us through the changing of seasons within us. Be with us in the transitions of life and help us to know what we need to shed and what we can embrace. Grant us Your wisdom. Amen.

“But what goes out of the mouth comes from the heart. And that’s what contaminates a person in God’s sight.” ~Jesus

“Nothing is hidden that won’t be exposed. Nor is anything concealed that won’t be made known and brought to the light.” ~Jesus

“Evil may appear to have the day, but it is God who has the eternity. Our trust is not in what we see now but in the faithful love of the One who holds all history.” ~Henri Nouwen

Stilts pretty much by definition have #SkinnyLegs. #BirdOftheDay #birds #photography

Good night Jesus. One of the most rewarding things about disciple-making is to see truth begin to take root in someone. The body language shift. The peaceful but surprised look of realization. Got to experience that again today. It never gets old seeing You make all things new!✌🏼

“Christians should take a stronger stand in favor of the weak rather than considering first the possible right of the strong." ~Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Morning Prayer 🌄 Loving God, we give thanks for celebrations that remind us of the gift of life and the gift of friends. May we welcome the moments of celebration and receive the gifts life offers us. Help us to steward our lives in such a way that honors its giftedness. Amen.

A people who refuse to despise one another are immune to authoritarians because an authoritarian’s power depends on certain groups of people despising other groups of people. This is why there’s so much power in Jesus’ words, “love your enemies.” It is an act of resistance.

A Christianity that believes it needs a president, legislation and a government to ensure its survival is a Christianity that is centered on the worship of its own power rather than faithfully relying on the power of God. God is just its mascot for its political ideology

In the era of megachurches, author @karenswallowprior.bsky.social spotlights the small church she now attends, which quietly serves its community. She argues that “small is faithful, too,” and simple worship reflects the authentic purpose of church life. julieroys.com/a-word-for-t...

A Least Bittern kicks cattails out of the way as he takes flight to another part of the lake.

Morning Prayer: Loving God, may Your grace be with us... ~ when the day gets overwhelming ~ when the struggles feel disheartening ~ when we can't keep from stressing ~ when we're worn out from persevering May Your grace strengthen and sustain us and encourage us when needed. Amen.

Evening Prayer: Loving God, grant us Your grace for the challenges we are facing. May Your grace supply our need for strength, peace, assurance, and hope. Keep in Your care those who are sick and in need of Your healing mercy. May they feel cared for and held in Your love. Amen.

Guns are the leading cause of death for children and teens in America. And yet they are trying to restrict access to Tylenol, but not to guns.

Go Bulls! #USFBulls

Wow another win this morning. Connections Puzzle #809 🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟪🟪🟪🟪 🟨🟨🟨🟨 🟦🟦🟦🟦

From the Orthodox Barbie archives: “There is a good reason why defenders of adulterous pastors always trot out the example of David rather than New Testament apostles. That is because there are no known examples of the disciples of Jesus committing adultery. /1

Wow, this doesn't happen very often for me. Wordle 1,531 2/6 🟩⬜🟩⬜🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Evening Prayer: Loving God, we give thanks for Your Divine guidance that leads us through our days even when we're not even sure where we are going. As way opens, may we trust in You as we take each step. May we have the courage to keep stepping into the unknown with You. Amen.

Belted Kingfishers chasing each other around the pond.

Female Red-winged Blackbirds do most of the feeding of the young, however males - like this one with a beakful of food - will also assist. Males are most likely to feed the oldest nestlings when there are multiple active nests on his territory.

Morning Prayer 🌄 Loving God, as we awaken to this new day, may we also awaken to the possibilities that exist within this day. May we awaken to the reality of Your guiding and strengthening Presence. May we awaken to moments of wonder and beauty that remind us of grace. Amen.

DAILY GROWING EDGE Make it your intention to live this day from the abundance of your own gifts, abilities, calling, and voice. You don't have to compete or compare yourself with anyone. Live your authentic presence.

Tree Swallows (a juvenile top left and an adult bottom right) pirouetting over the pond.