One Cool Cat!

Bobcats are truly some cool customers! Their ability to master their environment allows them to thrive in the wild ! Bobcats survive due largely to their uncanny ability to "fly under the radar."
Bobcats are natural scouts and spies. By taking every precaution, they enjoy the distinction of being the most accomplished spy ewe could ever think of !




"Purr"..ty nice spot! I'm branching out my hunting expedition!

Bobcats are the most extremely challenging to hunt of all our wild creatures. The Bobcat's phenomenal instincts and ability to adapt have served it well. .Their acute senses & suspicious nature, help fuel their belief that it is better not to be seen or heard! Bobcats, in the truest sense of the word, are "Born to be Wild"! Bobcats are the happiest, roaming in the territory God intended for them to be!



Ewe Know I'm at the "Top of my Game", when I'm in the Wild!

Sheep are truly happy & joyful as well, when they are roaming in the pasture designed for them by the Shepherd! Psalm 23 says , "He makes me lie down in green pastures.." If Ewe are a sheep, " Green Acres is the place to be"! That's where satisfying nourishment is available & Ewe will be the healthiest!

 



 When it comes to good food, I'm all ears!

The Shepherd knows the BEST "Restaurants"!

Shepherds long to lead sheep to places where they can eat & drink till they are satisfied! This is their joy & what they were created to do!

TRUST ME! I know how to take care of EWE!

.As Ewe graze today in pastures that the Good Shepherd has prepared for Ewe, Rejoice!  He knows what food is truly satisfying!

"He restores my soul;He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake." Ps.23:3

Snake, Rattle, & Roll!

The Massasauga Rattlesnake is a very shy & non-aggressive snake. It is content making every effort to avoid confrontation. It dwells mostly near the shores of swamps, marshes, ponds, streams & lakes of  mid-western North America. Escaping into rocks & using camouflage help it to live at peace in its environment.





That's right. I'm looking at EWE! "Don't Tread on Me!"

The Massasauga has a very powerful, yet slow-acting venom.It is content only using it in an extreme situation! Venom is primarily saved tor prey, such as rabbits, rats, & large birds. 



I'm thinking that ewe might reconsider ewe-r decision to come any closer!

Sheep are also very mild-mannered & will avoid conflict if at all possible. The minute they sense danger, they will attempt to escape, frantically avoiding the intruder.

I herd a coyote! Let's get out of Dodge while the Gettin's Good!

Shepherds understand the nature of sheep & attempt to calm them with their physical presence. Sheep tend to be much more at peace, & content, when their Shepherd is nearby!

 

Ewe know ewe are safe when ewe-r Shepherd is here!

 

As Ewe live life today, seek the quiet contentment that only comes from the Good Shepherd's soothing presence! 

 

"Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way..."2Thes.3:16

Gator Tales

True Shepherds understand that the occupation of sheepherding requires a tremendous amount of commitment from the Shepherd. He must be willing to unselfishly give himself to the sheep on a regular basis.

Now Ewe know that living life on the edge is dangerous!

Sheep are labor intensive! They require long hours of directing, guiding, feeding & protecting. The generosity of the Shepherd will very often determine the quality of life of the sheep! As a mother tends to her lambs, so a Shepherd must tend to his flock.

Hay little Lamb Chop! Make sure ewe eat all ewe-r veggies!

Generosity is defined in Webster's dictionary as: 1. the quality of being generous; a)nobility of mind; magnanimity b)willingness to give or share; unselfishness. Generosity can be seen in the world of nature in the life of the American alligator. It illustrates generosity by giving just the right amount at just the right time!

Anyone want to join me  for a Bite to eat?

 

The mother Alligator must give the right amount of time when constructing the nest.Using its mouth & front paws, the gator constructs a nest in 3 days using both dry & damp vegetation.It forms a mound ever so carefully that will hold 20-70 eggs in the hollow center.This process forms a natural incubation chamber.  

 

I'm preparing my "nest-egg" for retirement!

 

The Alligator mother waits 9-10 weeks before approaching the nest. She lays her head near the structure & grunts. Then she listens for an answer from the young inside. Timing is so important here! If she uncovers the eggs too soon or too late, it could spell disaster! Giving the right amount at the right time is critical!

 



EWE "CRACK" me up!

Long distance is NOT the next best thing to being there!

 

Shepherds understand, more than most people, the generosity that vulnerable sheep require on a regular basis. They willing GIVE because of their love for the sheep!

 



I Love what I do because of EWE!

The Good Shepherd illustrated generosity by  giving  just the right amount at  just the right time for Ewe & me! That's Good News for us because He called & we answered !

 

"But do not forget to do good and share,for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." Heb.13:16

 

Stand Ewe-r Ground!

Sheep sometimes can find themselves "out in the cold " due to their natural tendency to wander! They easily become separated from the flock & vulnerable to danger.



Do Ewe know where the rest of the flock went? They must be lost!

The unsuspecting sheep is unaware of all the "Possibilities" this little excursion holds; "Lions & Tigers & Bears Oh My!" Besides predators, there are numerous other difficulties . There are food concerns, weather, treacherous terrain, & natural disasters!
 

Independence Day has arrived! "The Hills are alive with the Sound of Music!"
 

Thank goodness there is a Resolute Shepherd who notices that the sheep is missing! He immediately sets out on a search & rescue mission to recover the stray sheep. He understands the danger involved, yet refuses to back away from the challenges of recovering the lost sheep.

 

I will carry ewe back the whole way if necessary!

 

The Shepherd's resoluteness, defined as:"an unwavering & fixed refusal to budge or back down", is observed in the world of nature in the Badger. This tenacious member of the weasel family will hold its ground when confronted. The Honey Badger, located in Africa & India, is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most fearless creature in the world!

 

Are Ewe feeling lucky? Ewe better think twice!

 

The Badger has 2 in. claws which enable it to dig itself out of sight in 90 seconds. With  its vicious long teeth & powerful  jaws, A Badger is even able to fend off a dog up to 4x its weight!

 

When it comes to digging, I'm Baaa...D!

 

Sheep are protected from their "Tendency" to wander, by a Resolute Shepherd, who has devoted himself to their safety & care! They truly have "Someone Looking out for EWE"!



Oh No! Not AGAIN! HAS anyone out there seen my Shepherd?

 

Our Good Shepherd is resolute about seeking & finding His Sheep! He is relentless when it comes to saving EWE! Now that's a comforting thought Ewe can Live with! 

 

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast,

immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord ."1Cor.15:58

 

Persistence Pays off!

Arctic Terns are famous for their annual long distance migration. The bird leaves its breeding grounds in the Arctic Circle & flies to Antarctica in winters, which covers around 22,000 miles. This is the longest distance traveled yearly by any bird & is a wonderful display in the world of nature of Persistence!

Do I look like a World Traveler? Come Fly With Me!
 

Persistence according to Webster is: The act of persevering; persistence in anything undertaken; continued pursuit or prosecution of any business, or enterprise begun. "The king-becoming graces . . perseverance, mercy, lowliness." --Shak. [1913 Webster. The Arctic Tern  clearly possesses this trait!



It's time for me to take ewe out to lunch, My Treat!

The Arctic Tern is able to complete this phenomenal journey by persistence. In accomplishing smaller, more achievable goals,each day it's able to concentrate on covering approximately 150 miles!Through a great deal of Persistence, it is able to fly around the world in 20 weeks!



My favorite tune is,"I'll Fly Away"!

 

Sheep require persistent care & attention from the Shepherd  in order for all to be well in their world! Sheep are mentioned quite often in the Bible,largely due to their stark similarities to humans!

 

 

 I have a face that only my Shepherd could Love!

 

Shepherds understand Sheep! They know how to order their world when there's chaos.They know how to find them when they go astray.They also know they need protection from predators, weather, bugs, & each other! As they persist in caring for the needs of the sheep, their love becomes more & more obvious to the sheep!

EWE are Precious to Me! I would die for EWE!

 

Observing the persistence of the Good Shepherd in both His Love & Pursuit of EWE, is  deserving of only one appropriate response. Thank EWE, Lord!

 

"As the Father knows Me,even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the Sheep."Jn.10:15

Diligence

The Beaver energetically works from dusk to dawn buzzing through trees in order to have an adequate supply of food & housing materials. The largest rodent in the U.S. is a picture of Diligence in the world of nature.

Ewe just have to "Stick" with it if ewe want to get anywhere in this world!

 The Beaver is a skilled engineer in building dams, elaborate canals, & underwater homes. It also is a diligent groomer & uses rather unorthodox methods to rid itself of annoying fleas & parasites. For example, it finds a particular mound of dirt containing ants. As it rolls around in the mound, the ants enter its fur & eat all the unwanted guests!



Ants help me to "Take a Licking & Keep on Ticking!"

 

Sheep require diligent care on the part of the Shepherd. The Shepherd is responsible for every aspect of the sheep's life & must diligently monitor each area. Nutrition, health care, & safety from predators are daily concerns of the Shepherd. 

 

When Ewe are born a sheep, Ewe need a lot of Guidance!   

 

Webster defines Diligence as:1. The quality of being diligent; carefulness; careful attention; -- the opposite of negligence.The definition clearly identifies the importance of this character trait being associated with a Shepherd!

Here ewe go my precious lambs-Just a Hop, Skip, & a Jump!

 I work hard at caring for EWE! I Love what I do!

Knowing that all the details of Ewe-r life are being monitored by the Good Shepherd is a very comforting thought! While He diligently works on Ewe-r behalf,  Ewe can rest in Him !

 

"There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest,"...Heb.4:9,11a

 

 

 

 

Initiative

Shepherds that are real leaders must initiate most of what occurs in the life of a sheep. What the sheep will eat, where they will sleep, & what they will drink is all initiated & planned by the Shepherd!




Ewe Know I have no sense of direction! I'm Lost without Ewe!

The 1913 Webster dictionary defined Initiative as follows: Character Trait manifested in a readiness & ability to initiate action; an enterprising spirit; a go getting attitude; energy & drive; & get-up-and-go. A Shepherd possessing this character trait will tremendously benefit the life of the sheep!

"!
Shepherding is not for the "Couch Potatoes"!

In the world of nature, Initiative can be observed in the life of the

 Raccoon. A Raccoon displays initiative in its desire to explore the world around it by investigating everything that sparks its insatiable curiosity!

I was just curious.Do ewe have any "Will work for Food" signs?

Raccoons are famous for eating out of trash cans. They are able to open lids, gates, & cabinets rather easily! They catch crawfish  by allowing it to pinch its finger  in the water. With one sweep the raccoon pulls it from the water into its mouth.Now that's Initiative! It also catches clams in a similar fashion,only needing to use its teeth to force the clam open.

Curiosity killed the cat but I'm still here! Show a little Initiative!

Shepherds that take the proper Initiative find that they lead more content sheep! The flocks can rest, knowing that their Shepherds "Have their Backs"! 

 LIFE under the care of my Shepherd really "LIGHTENS" my load!

As Ewe face ewe-r day & all that it holds, recall the "Love"
"Initiative of the Good Shepherd! Coming to earth to die for Ewe & me is Good News that should put a smile on Ewe-r face!

 

"In this is love, not that we loved God, but that  He loved us and sent His Son..." 1 John 4:10