ORRIN MORRIS: Self-pollinating hepatica is one the earliest wildflowers to bloom in spring
In the Bible, the word family is much broader than father, mother and children. The biblical usage is what we refer to as the extended family. The family may include several hundred people from great-grandparents to the children and grandchildren of all younger brothers, nieces, nephews, and cousins.. The
ORRIN MORRIS: The reddbud is also known as the Judas tree
This month will probably start the burst of spring blooms. I have already seen chickweed, dandelion, saucer magnolia, and henbit in bloom. Soon we will see redbud. The redbud (Cercis canadensis) has another name, the Judas tree.
ORRIN MORRIS: Moss verbena a metaphor for how to find righteousness with God, neighbors
The diversity of the wildflower kingdom is minor compared to the diversity of humanity. Every individual is unique although he or she dwells within a family, a community or a culture.
ORRIN MORRIS: Chickweed reminds us we 'have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God'
Most of the year my garden plot has been covered with chickweed. We have sprayed some with herbicides but not those close to the cool weather crops. Some chickweed we pulled up by hand.When spring comes, I will till the garden but all I will do is fold under the seeds that were on top and bring up from underground the seeds that were tilled under last fall. Soon these pesky plants will sprout, bloom and produce seeds. The cycle in the fight with chickweed continues.
ORRIN MORRIS: The unique and exotic pool sprite exists in our own front yard
Charles Darwin's observations have made a profound impact on modern thought. There are at least two issues his theory of evolution did not address: how, when or where life began and how to explain gravity.
ORRIN MORRIS: Oconee bell reminds us of the diversity of God's world
One of the most frequently repeated verses in the Bible was first recorded by King David when the Ark of the Covenant was finally brought to Jerusalem -- his song of praise in 1 Chronicles 16:7-36. In verse 34, we read "O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good; for His mercy endureth for ever."This very phrase is repeated five other times in the Psalms (106:1, 107:1, 118:1 and 29; and 136:1).
ORRIN MORRIS: Fragrant virgin's bower can trigger allergies, cause dermatitis
The concept Jesus taught us when instructing us "to love our neighbor as ourselves" is of divine dimensions. We are to relate generously, putting the well being of those who are the objects of our love above our personal desires and pleasure.
ORRIN MORRIS: Fragrant virgin's bower can trigger allergies, cause dermatitis
What will the new year hold for you and me? We don't know, but hope is vital to our daily activity. We hope for improvement in our health, our income and our security. We hope to maintain strong family ties, enduring friendships, and stable communities.The New Testament writer Paul, in First Corinthians 13, concluded "now abideth faith, hope and love: but the greatest of these is love" (v. 13). Faith, hope, and love are interdependent. The true attitude of love always reflects in tangible actions.
ORRIN MORRIS: Shepherd's needle can cover your pant leg before you know it
Sheep herders were the first mortals to hear the angelic announcement. Once I became old enough to learn what it meant to shepherd sheep, I wondered why they were chosen to first hear the good news. Theirs was a tedious and smelly job. Furthermore, sheep are among the lesser intelligent animals and require constant vigilance.
ORRIN MORRIS: Shepherd's needle can cover your pant leg before you know it
The Gospel writer Luke includes in his account of the Christmas story the announcement to the shepherds.
ORRIN MORRIS: Christmas cactus prefer a tropical climate, but can bloom indoors during winter
The Christmas Season deserves a focus on some plants that actually bloom during this time of year. Thus, we are going to depart from the straight and narrow to examine the Christmas cactus. My mother had one for at least 30 years. As a child, I saw them in neighbors' homes during Christmas in Nebraska. As a teenager dating, I saw them in my girlfriends' homes around Christmas. As a pastor, I saw them in parishioners' homes.
ORRIN MORRIS: Christmas cactus prefer a tropical climate, but can bloom indoors during winter
The Christmas Season deserves a focus on some plants that actually bloom during this time of year. Thus, we are going to depart from the straight and narrow to examine the Christmas cactus. My mother had one for at least 30 years. As a child, I saw them in neighbors' homes during Christmas in Nebraska. As a teenager dating, I saw them in my girlfriends' homes around Christmas. As a pastor, I saw them in parishioners' homes.
ORRIN MORRIS: Lily-of-the-valley symbolizes purity, and is a treasured gift
In the middle of the 19th century, a gospel tune was written entitled "The Lily of the Valley." Based on Song of Solomon 2:1 it reads,"I have found a friend in Jesus,. He's everything to me,. He's the fairest of ten thousand to my soul;. The Lily of
ORRIN MORRIS: Morning glory thrives in vegetable, flower gardens
"Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation."
ORRIN MORRIS: Harlequin glorybower is known by many other names, including tree-of-good-fortune
Jesus instructed His disciples in the Sermon on the Mount, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you"(Matt. 7:7). The wildflower for today required a lot of seeking to identify its name and origin.. One of our
ORRIN MORRIS: Harlequin glorybower is known by many other names, including tree-of-good-fortune
Jesus instructed His disciples in the Sermon on the Mount, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you"(Matt. 7:7). The wildflower for today required a lot of seeking to identify its name and origin.
ORRIN MORRIS: Primarily found in Texas, autumn sage grows well in Georgia
When I was a child, Thanksgiving was a celebration at the end of the harvest. The fields were filled with shocks of corn, and the snow fences were installed across the prairie landscape. The shelves in the cellar were filled with "canned goods" and bushel baskets were brimming with Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, apples, and anything else that could be stored.One of the Biblical descriptions of a thanksgiving celebration is made by the prophet Jeremiah. He described the return of the Hebrew people from Babylonian captivity in these terms: "And they shall come and shout for joy on the height of Zion, And they shall be radiant over the bounty of the Lord -- over the grain, and the new wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; and their life shall be like a watered garden, and they shall never languish again" (31:12 ).
ORRIN MORRIS: Primarily found in Texas, autumn sage grows well in Georgia
When I was a child, Thanksgiving was a celebration at the end of the harvest. The fields were filled with shocks of corn, and the snow fences were installed across the prairie landscape. The shelves in the cellar were filled with "canned goods" and bushel baskets were brimming with Irish
ORRIN MORRIS: Fragile Indian pipes live only a few days, and die when touched by humans or animals
When I was a child back in Nebraska we spent class time reviewing the significance of the Thanksgiving holiday. The first lesson was how the early European settlers were aided in many ways by the natives who taught them how to live from this new land. After the first harvest was completed, a feast was held.Whether fact or embellished lore, the feast was a celebration to give thanks for the abundant crop made possible by mutual support between families, clans, tribes, races and religions.
ORRIN MORRIS: Devil's bite endangered in the North but not the South
The first time I was aware of Halloween, the children who visited our house in Omaha, Neb., frightened me. I was so scared that Mom had to hold me. Those big kids had scary faces and were dressed like ghosts, pirates, witches, and vicious animals.. Mom told me about Halloween
ORRIN MORRIS: Colonists used wild indigo as a dye for clothing, linens
In chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation there is a phrase used at the end of the special instructions to the seven churches of Asia, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." That is sound advice for all of us, especially
MORRIS: Abundant catchfly plants found in dry woods, fields
Gifts are hard to accept when we have done nothing to deserve them. I think it is as hard to accept cash as it is to accept an object when we have done nothing worthy of such generosity.. On the other hand, many of us find it easier to accept
ORRIN MORRIS: Buds, blooms, seed cases coexist in the prairie dock
Psalm 40:5 reads, "Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which Thou hast done, and Thy thoughts toward us; there is none to compare with Thee; if I would declare and speak of them, they would be too numerous to count."That verse summarizes my feelings of wonder at
ORRIN MORRIS: God has created a world of unique creatures, including us
This fall, Jennifer Baker and I are teaching about 50 children at the Sketching Pad in Olde Town Conyers. Perhaps the most important principle we teach them is, "You are unique.". No two students develop at the same speed, so we try to lead them not to compare their
ORRIN MORRIS: Fall brings false foxgloves to roadsides, embankments
The Creator has put the seasons in order, even as He set the moon and stars in the heavens. In Genesis 1:14, the biblical writer noted, "And God said, 'Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be
ORRIN MORRIS: Visit to outcropping can be good for the soul
Life has been, is and will be filled with many uncertainties, disasters and illnesses. Some are the results of our bad choices, others are the consequences of bad choices made by others, and others are the result of the vagaries of life.
ORRIN MORRIS: The word 'blessed' is deeper than words like lucky, happy
In the art of sketching, the ability to see as an artist is very important. A person who is good at sketching will see shapes, values (shadows and highlights), and textures.
ORRIN MORRIS: Orange daylily is a lazy gardeners best friend
Charles Dickens began "A Tale of Two Cities" stating, "It was the best of times; it was the worst of times." That is the way I look at the current situation -- locally, nationally and internationally.
ORRIN MORRIS: Let's pray the rain returns to south Georgia
This has been an unusual summer with dry spells and occasional afternoon rain. At times this summer we have gone two weeks with extremely high temperatures and no rain. My lawn and garden have suffered to the extent that the leaves on the tomato plants wither and lawn grass turns yellow. Then the local weather pattern shifted and the late afternoon showers returned, then went away.
ORRIN MORRIS: Sacred lotus reminds us of spiritual thirst
Today we examine a wildflower that lives in water.
ORRIN MORRIS: God is always present to comfort, guide, restore
Through centuries of speculation many different concepts have evolved that are called religion. These religions are a vital part of the culture that has nurtured them. In general, each religion describes the good behavior to be rewarded and the bad behavior to be punished.
ORRIN MORRIS: Church is where Godly virtues are nurtured
Attitude is determined by how you look at life. Some people complain because God put thorns on rose bushes. Others praise Him because He put roses on thorny bushes.
ORRIN MORRIS: Bittersweet is part of nightshades
"O Lord, how many are Thy works! In wisdom Thou hast made them all; The earth is full of Thy possessions" Ps. 104:24.
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