Musings From A Rolling Eyed Turtle

On a trip to Florida , Cheryl and I were walking on the beach and we saw a blue object rolling around in the surf.   As we got closer, we noticed that it was a big plastic bucket, of the five gallon type.   Upon closer inspection, we saw that the top and bottom edges were encrusted with some type of shellfish, probably barnacles. From what I’ve read, barnacles grow on hard surfaces such as rocks and piers.   But they also attach themselves to other hard surfaces such as boats and the hard shells of sea turtles.   They even attach themselves to whales.   But plastic buckets? It seems that it’s one thing to be mobile (attaching yourself to a boat or whale) but it seems that it’s a whole different thing to attach yourself to a plastic bucket that is going to be tossed about and end up who knows where. It reminds me of some truths from the Word of God: “For this reason, we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away fro...

A fixer is someone who solves problems and gets things done.   Sometimes they fix the big messes that people create. Of all the people in the world who didn’t need a fixer, it was Jesus.   In 2 Corinthians, Jesus is described as one who had no sin (2 Cor 5:21). Contrast that with us.   We have a trio of insurmountables against us.   In the book of Romans, we find that we are:   a) helpless; b) sinners; and c) enemies of God (Romans 5).      But the greatest fixer of all time solved the problems by taking care of them:   a) while we were still helpless, Christ died for the ungodly (Rom 5:5); b) while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (5:8); and c) while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son (5:10).   A handler is someone who advises or manages someone in their work , especially someone important or famous .   Sometimes they try to manage the person so that they do no...

The English language can be confusing sometimes.   It can also be downright frustrating.   Take the word “present” for example.   The same word has multiple meanings and multiple pronunciations but all with the same spelling. While some may find that a bit disconcerting, I tend to find it fascinating.   So, for a moment, indulge my fascination: Present:   being, existing, “On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.”   (Acts 5:38) Present:   occurring at this time or now. “It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”   (Romans 3:26) Present:   to come to show (oneself) before a person. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved…” (2 Tim 2:15) Present:   to bring, offer, or give. “I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a...

Eagle Point Park is located above one of the lock and dams on the Mississippi River .   The park is well named.   The eagles majestically soar above the water and then swoop down to catch the fish in the waters near the lock and dam. The prophet Isaiah wrote:   “Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary” (40:31). The opportunity of seeing an eagle soaring above the Mississippi really brings this passage to life.   One summer day, as I was walking through our back ally, I spotted a very large crow hopping along ahead of me.   As I drew near, I expected it to take off in flight but it just hopped away.   As I kept walking, the crow kept hopping away to maintain a safe distance.   Finally, as I drew too near, the crow spread its wings but its left wing stuck out at a strange angle.   No wonder it was hopping; wi...