Pohutukawa vs Bottle Brush

Some people contend that the New Zealand Pohutukawa is the same as the California Bottle Brush. not so - they are completely different - check it out...

Pohutukawa up close:

The flower "puffs" up and out.

The Bottle Brush up close:

More akin to the kitchen tool - a longer flower.

The Pohutukawa is a large tree giving off a very impressive display at Christmas time, (which is summer time in New Zealand as it is in the southern hemisphere). The flowers can be seen from November to January - peaking in late December:

...whereas the Bottle Brush is more of a bush or smaller tree:

The Pohutukawa is also known as Metrosideros Excelsa (from the Myrtle family) and is native to New Zealand. Other trees such as guavas, feijoas (a magnificent fruit!) and eucalyptus are also in the Myrtle family. There are actually twelve Metrosideros species endemic to New Zealand. It is an evergreen - found mostly in the coastal regions of the North Island. It is drought resistant and smog tolerant. Even though the Pohutukawa can grow quite large, it is often found along rocky cliffs - sometimes holding an almost vertical position in seemingly impossible barren, dry, soils and whipped by salt-laden winds.

The largest Pohutukawa is found at Te Araroa on the East Coast. It is 20 meters high (65 feet), and spreads out to 38 meters (124 feet). The Pohutukawa can also be trimmed and used as a beautiful hedge shrub.

The Pohutukawa has been successfully introduced in Australia, South Africa and parts of California, but the roots can be rather invasive and it has been known to cause damage. At one time, the durable Pohutukawa timber, leaves and bark were used for ship building and a variety of medicinal purposes (such as a cure for dysentery).

The Bottle Brush is the Callistemon Viminalis - native to Australia, but also found in California. It can grow up to 15 meters (49 feet). The Bottle Brush is also a drought tolerant, evergreen species. It attracts bees, butterflies and a variety of birds. The leaves of the Lemon Bottlebrush can be soaked in hot water and made into a tea - it has a slight citrus fragrance.

I believe that the Pohutukawa Is the perfect "Christmas Tree." A stunning sight during the hot summer days of the Southern Hemisphere Christmas season. Just one more way that New Zealand is unique and beautiful.

A reader from California - Hilarie Kelly, has sent a couple of pictures of her ōhiʻa lehua. This is another species from the Myrtaceae family of trees (Metrosideros polymorpha). This tree is from Hawaii. Well done Hilarie!! It is wonderful to see this cousin thriving in the USA.

Meri Kirihimete

"Meri Kirihimete" is "Merry Christmas in Maori -

the language of the Maori people of New Zealand.

We grew up celebrating Christmas holidays at the beach, as this is the middle of the Summer Down Unda. We had to spray fake snow on our windows to get some sort of "Christmas feeling." Santa is known as 

Father Christmas:

I remember seeing Santa arrive at our water ski club on two skis - he fell off and his beard floated on top of the water. At that moment, I had my big revelation that Santa was a fake...Oh well, it comes to the best of us.


A most beautiful native tree flowers in December, and is known as the New Zealand Christmas tree - 

Pohutukawa:

Favorite Christmas meals include Turkey or ham, but the dessert is the crowning jewel of NZ cuisine (named after the famed Russian ballet dancer Anna Pavlova) -

The PAVLOVA:

Both Christmas Day and Boxing Day are celebrated as National holidays. It gives more time for celebrations, cricket:

Surfing:

...and swimming with dolphins that like to hang out with my family who live in Papamoa

Bethlehem - The House of Bread - 7 Things

Here are 7 things that describe Bethlehem - the city where Jesus was born. When Mary, Joseph, the Wise Men and the Shepherds came to Bethlehem, this was the third significant journey to Bethlehem that is recorded in the Bible for us. I am including facts from the first two journeys in this list:

Come to Bethlehem:

• To The City Of God's Praise - (Judah = Praise) Judges 17:9; Ruth 1:1 It is called Bethlehem Judah. Bethlehem was the place where the Lord was honored and exalted.

There was praise before Jesus was conceived – Lu. 1

There was praise before Jesus came – Lu. 1:46-55 (Mary’s song); Lu. 1:64-79)

There was praise right after He was born – Lu. 2:8-14, 20

There was praise 8 days after He was born (Simeon) – Lu. 2:29-32; Anna the prophetess – Lu. 2:38

The Wise Men came to worship Him – they praised God on the journey (Matt. 2:10) and when they saw Him (Matt. 2:11)

Matt. 2:8 Herod Said he wanted to come and worship Him

• To The City Of God's Presence -  Emmanuel Matt. 1:23 Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us; (Is 7:14; 8:8) – God with us.

His name is Emmanuel  - an expression of the incarnation – for He is “God with us.” (Is. 9:6)

The Old Testament begins with man in the image of God – Gen. 1:26

The New Testament begins with God in the image of man – John 1:14

• To The City Of God's Provision - (Bethlehem = "House Of Bread")

Ruth and Naomi left Bethlehem for Moab because of a famine in the place of bread – they returned to Bethlehem during the time of supernatural provision of the Lord.

John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world."

• To The City Of All God's People –  He makes Himself known in the exact way for the heart that needs Him

• Matt. 1:18-24 He came to the poor (Mary and Joseph) He made His coming known in Nazareth (John 1:46 And Nathanael said to him, can anything good come out of Nazareth?) - A little Babe of wonderful destiny was born there in a stable and cradled in a manger.  His Father chose the poor to bring Him into the world, the poor to nurture and care for Him – the poor place as His first home

• Matt. 2:3-8 He came for Kings (Herod) – He made His coming known in the palace - Herod thought Jesus was a threat as King over him. (one man) Matt. 2:8

• Matt. 2:1-2 He came to the Wise Men – He made His coming known in the stars - These thought He was a King for the Jews. (a small group of people) Matt. 2:2

• Lu. 2:8 He came for the working people - Shepherds – He made His coming known in the open fields - The shepherds heard that Jesus  was King for all the earth. (All people)

Lu. 2:10; 14

God chose Ruth (of child-bearing age) – a Gentile – she became a wealthy wife and faithful daughter-in-law

God chose David (about 20 years old) – the youngest – he became the greatest and most remembered King of Israel

God chose Mary (between 14 and 17 years old) – a young, innocent, poor girl – she became the mother of the Messiah

God's choices are not determined by what anyone can measure, see or comprehend. He does not always choose who, or what seems obvious. God often chooses the ordinary so that He can make it extraordinary, and so we might understand that He will use willing and surrendered vessels. He will choose and use the life that is tender and obedient to him. Often His choices seem unreasonable to us.

Lu. 1:38 Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

• To The City Of God’s Promises - Ephratah (Ephrath means fruitful) Micah 5:2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting."

Bethlehem’s population was probably 100 to 200 people when Christ was born – about 30,000 today – this is a startling prophecy and promise for such an "insignificant" little town.

Lu. 1:32-33 – …God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end.

V 37 – for with God nothing is impossible

John 7:42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?"

Titus 1:2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,

You might seem like an insignificant person, but the promises of God pay no respect to your status. Whatever He has promised over your life - He will do.

• To The City Of God’s Peace: Is. 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given: and the government shall be on his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Lu. 2:14 The angels sang “Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace and goodwill toward men.”

Receive the peace of God for your life and circumstances this Christmas.

• To The City Of God’s Purposes – future/destiny. Every journey to Bethlehem had such a significant impact on the future of God's people all over the world. Ruth became the great-grandmother  of David the greatest King of Israel; Samuel (who made the 2nd journey to Bethlehem) anointed young David as the future King. His actions in obedience to God's choice for His people effected the whole world at that time; and, of course, the greatest event in Bethlehem gives purpose to all mankind: 

 Christ the Savior is born!

Funny Christmas

The Road Not Taken

This is such a fabulous poem - long a favorite of mine. It reminds me so much of Psalm 1 which starts with the word "Blessed" and ends with the word "perish." Two roads are offered - one for the righteous and one for the ungodly man. I have not always been successful in my journey towards holiness, but I join the psalmist in meditating on God's ways and planting myself by rivers of water so that I might become established along His paths of righteousness. Hopefully, this path is not such a "narrow" way, and not too difficult:

Matt. 7:13-14 Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

14

The Road not Taken

Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
and sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveller, long I stood
and looked down one as far as I could

to where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
and having perhaps the better claim
because it was grassy and wanted wear;
though as for that,
the passing there had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay in leaves
no feet had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I --
I took the one less travelled by,

and that has made all the difference

Praise The Lord

• Muslims are required to pray five times a day: First time between the first light and sunrise. Second after mid day. Third is at mid-afternoon. Fourth is at sunset, and then finally the fifth time is about one and a half hours after sunset. 

• Buddhists chant and meditate in the morning and evening, although there is no schedule or requirement.

• Hindus pray three times a day, although there are so many branches of Hinduism that it is impossible to give a hard and fast answer. Praying at dusk is given special significance.


How often should Christians praise the Lord?

Ps. 72:5             Praise Him as long as the sun and moon endure

Ps. 119:147       Praise Him before the dawning of the morning

Ps. 57:8             Praise Him when you waken the dawn

Ps. 108:2           Praise Him when it is dawn

1Chr. 23:30       Praise Him when it is morning (Ps. 59:16)

Ps. 113:3           Praise Him when the sun comes up

Ps. 55:17           Praise Him when it is noon

Ps. 42:8             Praise Him when it is evening (Ps. 92:2)

Ps. 141:2           Praise Him when you bring the evening sacrifice

Ps. 113:3           Praise Him when the sun goes down (Mal. 1:11)

Ps. 119:62         Praise Him when it is midnight (Acts 16:25)

Ps. 61:8             Praise Him daily

Dan. 6:10           Praise Him three times a day

Ps. 119:164       Praise Him seven times a day

Ps. 44:8             Praise Him all day (Ps. 71:8; 89:16)

Ps. 145:2           Praise Him every day (2Chr. 30:21)

Is. 66:23             Praise Him from month to month

Is. 66:23             Praise Him from week to week

Ps. 34:1              Praise Him continually (Ps. 35:27; Heb. 13:15)

1Thess. 2:13      Praise Him without ceasing

Phil. 4:4              Praise Him always (Eph. 5:20; 1Thess. 5:16)

Ps. 34:1             Praise Him whenever (Rev. 4:9)

1Tim. 2:8            Praise Him wherever (2Cor. 2:14)

1Cor. 10:31        Praise Him whatever (Phil. 4:8; Col. 3:17)

Ps. 50:23           Praise Him whoever (2Cor. 10:17; 1Jo. 4:15)

Ps. 52:9             Praise Him forever (Ps. 61:8; 75:9)

Funny Kitties

If you are having a bad day, here is a bunch of funny cats that will make you smile:

Spencer

Our delightful wee dog, Spencer (actually he's not really a dog) has just been diagnosed with intervertebral disk disease. In short, this is a problem with the area surrounding the spinal cord and causes severe pain and possible paralysis.

We took Spencer to the E.R. last night and he is on pain meds, anti-inflammatory drugs and bed rest for the next 4 weeks. Hopefully the disc will heal itself, otherwise surgery is the only option.

Please pray for Spencer - he is the cutest and most lovable wee dog you could ever meet.

Spencer as a baby - This is the first day we had him:

Spencer hanging out:

Recent Spencie photo:

Spencer is a Maltipoo - Maltese and Toy Poodle

When Things Need Fixing

Here are some ingenious ways to fix things:

The plug needs grounding

A new stereo for the car:

The latest GPS:

Ice cooler when the fridge goes out:

Don't you hate it when the rain disrupts the satellite service:

An ingenious way to heat the water for tea...

The wiper engine is shot

You can't have the exhaust pip dragging on the ground:

A baby feeder patent is pending:

Those darn cords keep falling down behind the desk:

7 Living Things

In the New Testament, there are 7 things that are “living” that we would not ordinarily consider as living:

—Water: Jn. 4:10; 7:38     Jesus our Living Water; He also flows out of us

—Bread: Jn. 6:51              Jesus is our Living Bread

—Oracles: Acts 7:38        Moses received living oracles

—Word: Heb. 4:12            The Word of God is living

—Way: Heb. 10:20            We come near Him by a new and living way

—Hope: 1Pet. 1:3              Jesus has given us a living hope

—Stones: 2Pet. 2:5           We are His living stones

We are only fully "alive" when we turn our whole life over to Him and allow His life to flow into us and through us.

Optical Illusions

Sometimes things are not quite as they seem...

7 Unchangeable Things

The Lord has made 7 Unchangeable Things for us:

1. Numbers 18:19 (Message) The Lord has made unchangeable covenant promises with His people

All the holy offerings that the People of Israel set aside for God, I'm turning over to you and your children. That's the standard rule and includes both you and your children - a Covenant-of-Salt, eternal and unchangeable before God."

2.  Malachi 3:6 (NKJV) God Himself doesn’t change – ever.

"For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.” (Also Job 23:13)

3. Hebrews 6:17 (WNT) God’s plans and purposes are unchangeable

In the same way, since it was God's desire to display more convincingly to the heirs of the promise how unchangeable His purpose was,

4. Hebrews 6:18 (MSG) God’s Word is unchangeable

God can't break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable

5. Hebrews 6:18 (NLT) God’s promises are unchangeable

So God has given us both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can take new courage, for we can hold on to his promise with confidence.

6. Hebrews 6:18 (NLT) God’s oath is unchangeable – He cannot lie

So God has given us both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can take new courage, for we can hold on to his promise with confidence.

7. Hebrews 7:24 (NKJV) The Lord has made His people into an unchangeable priesthood

But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.