Thoughtful Thursday: Wildlife Tourism

Any of you who know me, or have read my blog for a while, may know that I am passionate about animals. I love animals, and I wish I could take care of them all. I wish I could do more. But I'm human. And it really isn't my calling. I've been called in a different direction, and that's okay. I am so happy to be writing this blog, and it has given me a chance to share God and His Word with all of you. Which I love doing. The new format also allows for a chance for me to share these other things with you in the form of what I call "Thoughful Thursday," where I muse about a variety of things that interest me, and things I am passionate about.

Today I have to talk about a news story I read last week. It's not pretty, and it may be too strong for you. If you read the article title and think it might be, feel free to skim it. I'm going to do a brief summary, but even I won't go into everything, so this post will be safe-ish.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2019/06/wildlife-tourism-update-on-elephant-gluay-hom/

So, this news story is about wildlife captivity (particularly elephants) and the way they are treated for "entertainment," or "tourism." These animals live in horrible conditions, and it's just disgusting. They don't live natural lives. They are chained. Beaten. They live on concrete. They don't get enough food. They are forced into interaction with people whether they feel up to it or not.

And as a side note: that is how people and animals get hurt.

Why? Why do people do this?

Simple answer: Greed. They use these animals for a profit.

Now, I know some of you are saying "But what about zoos? What about ranches that use horses?"

Well, I say it's all about the purpose and the quality of the lives these animals have.

Most zoos have animals in captivity who have never been wild, and they use them to educate the public, and to aid conservation efforts. It is, perhaps, not the ideal way to see these animals, but with so many being hunted to extinction, it's hard to see many of them in the wild. So you have to consider the quality of the care they receive and whether they are stressed or not. And you can tell. Even if you've never been around that species of animal before, if you really look, and don't go in with a preconceived idea, you can tell.

Ranches have used horses for work for ages. Longer than you or I have been alive, I guarantee it. And it's about the quality of their lives. Are they healthy? Safe? Do they work hard but also get time to rest and play? And to a horse, running, jumping, herding, and rodeoing can be play too. They're very smart, and form close bonds with people, just like dogs do.

Also, are they being handled properly? With the right kind of training? The right kind of reinforcement?

So, my point is that it's important to judge the quality of the places we're visiting. To research before giving them our money. Are they worthy of our time and money?

So many places do not consider the animals at all, especially abroad, where regulations are very different from America. Their only interest is in how much money they can make while spending as little as possible on the animals in their care.

Please, please, please, beware of these places. Spend your money wisely. Do not help promote or advance these places.

But, and this is a doozy: do not hate those who do it. I know that's often hard. Animals and children are big triggers for all of us. But it's important to remember that we are supposed to love and pray for our enemies, as well as our friends.

So, today I ask you to pray. Please pray for these people, and others like them. And keep in mind when you're traveling, that not all wildlife attractions are the same.

Okay! That's enough of that heavy stuff. God has been dealing with me about getting back to my blog, so I'm going to be doing my best to write up some other posts, hopefully very encouraging, and not as heavy as this one.

Love y'all! Until next time.

Worship Wednesday: God Is Always With Us

God is with us through it all. No matter what we're going through, whether it's something amazing or terrible, God is there. When we rejoice he rejoices with us, and when we weep, He weeps with us. When we feel alone, He is still with us. And when we are surrounded by enemies (sorrow, despair, depression, exhaustion, stress), He is with us, ready to fight for us. All we have to do is ask.

God doesn't promise a life free from troubles. He promises to be with us through them. He is faithful to stand by us, to help us, and to fight for us.

For today's Worship Wednesday, I was originally going to share Another in the Fire, by Hillsong, because I've been singing it since Sunday, but I realized that was the last post I shared, so I'm choosing a different song today.

In case that song doesn't speak to your soul today, I do encourage you to listen to Another in the Fire as well. Play them both on repeat.

And remember, the waves and wind know His name. When the storms come and the fire surrounds you, you are not alone. The One who created all things is with you, always, forever, and faithfully. Let go and let it be well with your soul today, for your God is God Almighty.

Worship Wednesday: Another in the Fire

Good morning, everyone!

Today is another Worship Wednesday. The worship team sang this song at church on Sunday, and I knew I had to share it with all of you. It's such a good song, and it touched my heart. It was exactly what I needed to hear.

Another in the Fire is a song about praising God in the storm, but it's more about how God is standing with us in the middle of our troubles, helping us and protecting us. Unlike similar songs, this one doesn't conclude when the storm is over; rather, it's just about being in the middle of our problems.

Which is where I am right now. God isn't only with us when the storm is over. We don't just praise Him when it's over. So, no matter your storm, I pray this song uplifts you and returns the praise to your heart, and that you remember that God is always with you in the fire.

And if you're interested, here is the interview where they talk about writing the song:

Worship Wednesday: The God of All My Days

Hello everyone! It's been a little while, hasn't it? I've been really busy with graduate classes (it's already my second week!) but I wanted to take a moment to share the song that's been in my head this week, because I just have the feeling it will be a help to someone.

So, for this Worship Wednesday, I share with you Casting Crowns: God of All My Days.

Happy New Year!

Happy new year, everyone!

It's going to be really weird not blogging every day, so I wanted to take this chance to wish you all a blessed new year, and to give you an update on why I can't blog every day this year.

I'm starting school again. I'm going for my Master's degree this time. In Library Science. I'm super excited!

I'll still be reading my Bible every day, since it has become such an essential part of not only my mornings but also my life. And this year, I'm starting with the psalms. I usually try to read the psalms at least once a year, since Psalms, along with Proverbs, are my two favorite books of the Bible.

This year I'm doing it a little differently though. I'm going to read one psalm a week so that I can begin to memorize them, and really let the meaning sink in. I'm not sure how effective that will be, and I may try to keep you updated, but I also may not have time to post much with the demands of classes.

So, I just wanted to give you a quick update for the new year.

If there is anything you would like to see me blog about, or anything you would like me to research and discuss, please leave a comment below. I will make a note so that I can come back to the topic when I have time.

Happy New Year! Stay safe, everyone!

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 365: Eternity

Good morning, everyone!

Today is the last day of 2018, which means, we did it! I read through the whole Bible in a year, and you made it through all of these blog posts. I hope you learned as much as I did. It's going to be really weird not blogging every day.

Without further ado, on with today's post! Today I read Revelation 20-22.

First of all, an angel comes down and binds Satan for a thousand years in the pit.

Then, those who were beheaded because of their belief in Christ, and who would not accept the mark of the beast came alive to reign with Christ for those thousand years.

After that time, Satan is once again freed to deceive the people of the earth. He will gather them for war against the saints, but he will not succeed. This, my friends, is his downfall. Finally, Satan is overcome, and thrown into the lake of fire along with the beast and the false prophet where he will remain for eternity, tormented forever because of his wicked deeds.

Then comes God's judgment of all people for their deeds - either righteous or wicked. Those whose name was in the Book of Life, Jesus will speak for them - "I died for their sin. They are Mine," and they will enter into eternity with God. But those whose name is not written in the Book of Life, who did not repent of their wickedness, will be cast into the lake of fire along with Satan, where they will remain for eternity.

After that, God creates a new heaven and a new earth, and for those whose name was in the Lamb's Book of Life, there will be no more sickness, sorrow, pain, war, or death. Rather, we will live forever with God, in eternity.

Revelation 21:5 - And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true."

Revelation 21:6-8- Then He said to me, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega. The beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

Do you know Jesus today? Do you want to drink from the water of life? It won't cost you anything. Jesus already paid the price for your sins. All you need to do is repent, sincerely, and ask Jesus to be Lord of your life. Then, learn of Him, so that you may know how to walk blameless before Him. But if you mess up, as we all have and do and will, He is more merciful than I could ever explain. His mercy is enough to cover all your sins. And His grace is enough to get you through each day, no matter the trial. Dear friend, I hope you choose to serve the Lord God Almighty today, so that we may meet again in eternity with Him.

God bless and keep you all. Thank you for taking this journey with me.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 364: Christ Victorious

Good morning, everyone!

I have a cat laying on my arm right now, so typing this is hard. He's really cute though. All warm and snuggly...

Moving on.

Today I read Revelation 17-19.

There was a lot I don't understand, but I got the basics, I think.

I don't know who Babylon is supposed to be, and I don't understand all the imagery associated with it.

What I did understand is that Babylon is a city (or several cities) or a country. And this place blasphemes, deceives, and seduces people away from God. It (or its rulers) kill God's people, too.

But then Christ shows up. Glorious, eternal, and victorious. And even though the kings of Babylon (I think. Correct me if I'm wrong. Please.) wage war against Him, they cannot even hope to compete.

John is being shown this by an angel who says:

Revelation 17:14 - "These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen faithful."

So Babylon falls.

After that, there is a "fourfold Hallelujah" which rings out in heaven. Crying, four times, Hallelujah to God. The voice of the multitude praises God's judgments and praises Him for avenging his people by His judgment on Babylon who slew so many.

Revelation 19:6 - Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns!"

Soon after, Christ comes to make war against the beast. And the beast and the false prophet will be seized and they will be thrown into the lake of fire. 

Christ is victorious. Eternally victorious.

Hallelujah. The Lord God Almighty reigns victorious.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read 20-22.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 363: The Beasts and the Plagues

Good afternoon, everyone!

Today I read Revelation 13-16.

In today's reading, the beast appears. And the beast does miracles, including a fatal wound healing. And the world marvels and worships the beast. The beast speaks blasphemies against God and is allowed to make war with God's people.

Then another beast appears. This one has all the authority of the first beast and causes all those on earth to worship the first beast. This second beast is a deceiver. And it is given to this beast to cause those who do not worship the image of the first beast to be put to death.

Those who do not accept the mark of the beast will be killed also.

After this time, Jesus appears with the 144,000, and these chosen sing a song of praise to God.

After this, God's word will be preached throughout the earth.

And some will heed the warning and choose God.

After this, there will be seven plagues upon the earth, yet no one will repent, instead cursing and blaspheming God because of their torment.

Yikes! That was a lot today! I confess that I didn't understand all of what I read today, but I tried to give you an overview of what I did understand.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Revelation 17-19.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 362: Seals and Woes

Good morning, everyone!

I have no idea what happened to my numbers, but we have 365 days in the year, which means today is actually day 362. I don't know what went wrong. I was 10 days behind, but I fixed it. So, I just don't know anymore. If anyone is really bored and wants to find out, feel free, but I'm too busy at this point to go back and figure it out. Sorry!

Anyway, today I read Revelation 9-12.

And I didn't understand any of it.

Well...

Most of it.

I understand that more of the seals are opening, and that the woes are coming on the earth. God is releasing the angels to bring plagues and pestilence on the earth. The stars begin to fall.

And the ones who are attacked are those who do not have God's seal, who are not God's people.

And it gets really bad.

But all I can do is give you an overview, because for all that I can explain what happened, the meaning is a bit lost. As I mentioned earlier, I didn't understand the book of Revelation the last time I read it. But at least this time it doesn't scare me. I think I understand it a little better now, but not enough to really talk about it.

When there is something I understand, I will be sure to share it with all of you.

Until then, I hope you'll still join me tomorrow when I read Revelation 13-16.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 359: The First Seals

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read Revelation 4-8.

In today's reading, John has a vision of God on His throne, with heavenly creatures continually crying "Holy, holy, holy!"

And a vision of Jesus, appearing as a Lamb who was slain, and the same heavenly creatures crying "Worthy, worthy, worthy!"

Then, John has a vision of the seals that will be released to allow war, famine, pestilence, and death on the earth.

Then, he sees a vision of 144,000 of the tribes of Israel - sealed for God.

There is a lot of imagery in the book of Revelation, and I still don't understand all of it, but I feel like I understand more than I did last time.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Revelation 9-12.