  www.snowcrystals.com | There is still snow on the ground after six (6) days which is very unusual for where I live. So my thoughts continue to contemplate the snow! “Snowflakes are all extremely symmetrical.” Or are they? But I thought that ALL snowflakes form symmetrically, each with six sides. And yet, most are less ideal shapes, less perfect six-fold symmetry. You can prove this for yourself if you simply go outside and take a close look at some falling snow. You will soon realize that the beautifully symmetrical specimens are hard to find! The rather unattractive irregular crystals are by far the most common. Even on the best of days, you can search for hours to find just a few beautifully symmetrical specimens. Alas, the vast majority of snow crystals are not even close to perfectly symmetrical. God designed man to be perfect in the beginning. And yet today, we find ourselves anything but perfect! We all have our flaws, failures, and unattractive characteristics, even though we try to hide them. But just as God can form irregular crystals of snow into beautiful, winter wonderlands of white, He can and will recreate us with His miracle of love to reflect His beauty and glory! All we must do is ask... “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow;..." Isa. 1:18 |
 It is windy and snowing outside, making winter's blast so cold. And yet, the world is being recreated into a beautiful world of white. But why does it look white? Snowflakes are accumulations of tiny ice crystals and ice is clear.
Snowflakes are tiny ice particles which are totally colorless. Snow is translucent, which means that light does not pass through it easily (like it would transparent glass), but is rather reflected. It’s the light reflected off a snowflake’s faceted surface that creates its white appearance. But why white? The reason we see objects as colors is because some wavelengths of light are absorbed while others are reflected (remember, light is a spectrum of colors). The object takes on whatever color light is reflected. (For example, the sky is blue because the blue wavelengths are reflected while the other colors are absorbed.) Since snow is made up of so many tiny surfaces, the light that hits it is scattered in many directions and will actually bounce around from one surface to the next as it’s reflected. This means no wavelength is absorbed or reflected with any consistency, so the white light bounces back as the color white. Every snowflake is unique and many snowflakes will refect the glory of God. Everthing in creation points to our Creator. Do I reflect the glory of God? That's why we were created... “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow;..." Isaiah 1:18 "...whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." I Corinthians 10:31
---The principle involved in freezing ice is one of nature's most remarkable creations for the support of life. As water is cooled in the autumn, it contracts and settles to the bottom of the pond or lake until it reaches the temperature of 39 degrees Fahrenheit. At this point it ceases to contract and starts to expand again. Thus the colder water floats on the the other, and when it begins to freeze, it does so at the top. The ice floats on top of the lake, where it will meet with the first warm weather in Spring. If it were not for this wise provision, the ice would freeze on the bottom of the lakes where it would not be able to melt until the whole lake had been warned.
The growth of mistletoe had little to do with the bird droppings, and a lot to do with the birds themselves. Mistletoe seeds are extremely sticky and often latch onto birds’ beaks or feathers or the fur of other woodland creatures, hitchhiking to a likely host tree before dropping off and starting to germinate. Mistletoe is toxic to people, but the berries and leaves provide high-protein food for many animals.
Application: Mistletoe attaches itself to various trees, drawing from their supply of sap to carry on its own growth. In return it gives nothing. It is a one-sided, vary selfish arrangement. Never be like the mistletoe. Many clubs will close 2013 with a party for pathfinders. Here are a few simple ideas...
How High? There are several ways to measure the height of a tree or flagpole or building. The following is the "Jumping Thumb" method:
Measure the height of a Pathfinder. Have him stand against the bottom of the tree you want to measure. Back off a convenient distance and hold a stick upright at arm's length. Sight so that the end of the stick seems to touch the Pathfinder's head. Put your thumb where his feet come. Holding your thumb tight against the stick, jump your thumb up to your buddy's head. Notice where the tip of the stick comes on the tree now, and holding the stick firmly, jump you thumb up again to this point. Find out how many times you can measure off your friend's height on the tree. Multiply this number by your friend's height and you have the height of the tree (or flagpole). Not everyone remembers to carry an umbrella to church. So it is time for Pathfinders to step up and fill the gap. Uniforms are not necessary, but a smile, umbrella(s) and a supply of cards will equip you for a unique outreach. When a car arrives in the parking lot, the Pathfinder in a poncho or under a small umbrella hurries to the car with a large umbrella for the person(s) to use getting into the church. Umbrellas can be collected at the door and used for others in need.
The cards can read: "I am a member of the ____________ Pathfinder club. I'm providing this FREE umbrella service to you because Jesus' love is free to everyone. This is my way of saying "Thank you for supporting the Pathfinder club in our church. Acts 20:35 says, It is more blessed to give than to receive. I am giving you my time and Christian love. Thanks for letting me serve you today." ______________________________ Pathfinder name (Rain boots or dry shoes may be needed. Often members who come early and remember an umbrella will loan theirs to the club. Bright ribbons can be tied on the handle of the umbrellas that Pathfinders are using. A thank you card to the umbrella owners adds a thoughtful gesture.) "This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it or use it for good. What I do today is very important, because I'm exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving something in its place I have traded for it. I want it to be gain, not loss; good, not evil; success, not failure, in order that I shall not forget the price that was paid for it."
Jesus paid for my life on Calvary. Let me never forget that He has bought me with a great price and I want to live each day for Him. Survival Tip: Pack a small bag of regular Fritos corn chips in your pack for an emergency fire starter. (Pack a second bag if you are tempted to eat them.) Six to eight (6-8) chips and a match is all you need to get your fire started.
A wood carrier makes gathering kindling and tinder for your fire a whole lot easier. If you you are allowed to collect wood at your campsite, try this out.
What you need: an old sweatshirt or long-sleeved shirt What to do: 1. Spread your shirt on the ground, with the arms stretched out. 2. Place sticks of wood up and down (not across) the torso of the shirt. 3. When you have about two armfuls of wood laid on the shirt, pull the sleeves in tightly and tie the know The shirt should hug the wood. 4. Hoist your bundle onto your back, using the sleeves to hold on to; or you can tie the shirt around your waist or shoulders. Now your hands are free to pick up extra wood or litter on the way back to camp. |
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