It is that time of year again for Vacation Bible School at South Tampa Fellowship Church. It is also the time of year I remember all the dear people who have moved away far from this church family and me in particular. VBS makes me miss them. Check back for updates on the happenings!

I am reminded that the body and the spirit are two entirely separate entities. The body is the temporary home of the spirit a temple if you will. Yesterday at church one of my friends and a fellow manly man was strolling up the sidewalk to the church.

Last week I saw him on several occasions with a bandage wrapping his forearm and you can bet I was anxious to see the damage. I asked him how and he said it was the result of a car accident.

Now that the gauze was no longer present I quickly asked to see the injury. It is a beauty and I can imagine the scene of the accident was very bloody. I have had my share of stitches and the experience is a mixed one. It always strikes me funny as the doctor numbs the wound and begins to vigorously scrub the area inside and out. For an experience physician the procedure is routine and they think nothing of sewing you back up.

This is where I start pondering. I have an abiding faith in the God of the Bible and I have been aware from an early age of God’s Word concerning the body. Seeing the stitches reminded me that the body in little more than a suit of skin and flesh and bone. When the body gets torn, ripped, or cut we have it sewn back up and carry on with life.

There will come a day for each of us when we will no longer reside within our body as we once knew it. Our body will eventually wear out just like an old comfortable outfit and it will be thrown away, with much pomp and circumstance in many cases, where it will return to the dust God made it from.

When we know the truth about the body we can live in liberty!

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28

But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:23-25

And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. Romans 8:10

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Romans 8:13

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:26

As alway it is a decsion for each individual. It is a responsibiltiy given to each person by a wise and loving God. When you hear the truth you will do somthing with it. The only question is what?

I was out late last night driving a friend all over creation. After I dropped him off and began the return home I noticed something in the head lights that made me stop and investigate. There were hundreds of May Beetles reproducing in the median of the dark secluded road I was traveling.

Species:
Phyllophaga spp. [Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae] Distribution:
Over 100 species of Phyllophaga occur in North America.
Hosts:
The adults feed on the foliage of various trees and shrubs. Each species seems to prefer a different set of trees. The larvae are white grubs that can damage turf.
Damage:
The adults emerge from hiding places in the soil or turf at dusk. These adults fly to trees where they mate and feed by making small irregular holes in the leaves. If this feeding occurs when the tree leaves are still expanding the small holes may increase in size and cause the leaves to have a general tattered look. This is most common on oaks and maples.
Description and Life Cycle:
Different May/June beetle species take from one to three years to complete their life cycle. The C-shaped white grubs feed on a variety of roots and organic matter. They occasionally damage turf but are rarely a problem in ornamental beds. The adults range from 1/2- to one-inch in length and they may be light tan to reddish-brown to black in color. Some are covered with fine hair but most are only lightly covered with hairs. They are usually noticed when attracted to lights at night. Generally, mature adults overwinter and these emerge in May and June to mate and feed on plant foliage. By morning, the adults return to the soil to begin laying eggs. Some species apparently feed and lay eggs over several weeks while other species may only feed for a night or two. The eggs take about two weeks to hatch and the small C-shaped white grubs begin feeding on organic matter and plant roots located in the soil. These grubs mature slowly and most species molt into the second instar during the first year. This partially mature larva digs deep into the soil in the fall and winter to escape freezing temperatures. In the next spring and summer, the grubs return to feed and molt one more time. These third instar grubs may mature by August to October and these dig deep into the soil to pupate. Some species feed as grubs for several summers before pupating and a few species complete development in a single season. The adult beetles are formed by late fall but these remain dormant until the next spring.

I ran around taking pictures and captured the image of this predatory beetle having a feast.

The ancient peoples were able to easily identify the time of year by so many of God’s creatures! The rhythms of creation are even more instructive about time and place than modern calendars. We are only vaguely aware of the world around us and would be well served to tune into the real world and its signs and wonders.

My brother and his wife had a great time in the Greek ilses.

Every time Joe would give us a call we could hear the excitement in his voice.

Here he is wandering ancient ruins with his granny glasses on.

Joe has a special way with God's creatures. He's regular Doctor Doolittle.

Unfortunately sometimes he says things that get him in trouble with his little friends. Lets all agree he should be thankful these were not squirrels!

Athina we love you! Thank you for saying yes to a life with Joe.

Went to Cedar Key with a couple of top notch fellas yesterday!

Here is the route we took in the boat.

What an amzing slice of old Florida. I could go on and on but alas I am a lazy one.

Use this link to see a few more images we captured!

I heard the drumming of wings and the tapping of exoskeleton on the front porch window this night. I jumped up and exited the home to find this large specimen hovering around. Once I had him in hand I could not get his hooks out of me. These insects are amazingly powerful for their small size and they are built like little tanks or tanks are built like them.

Life span: Adults live for approximately two months. Grubs usually take under 12 months to become adults. Diet: Adults will eat apple or banana slices and also seem to enjoy fresh grape leaves. Grubs fare best on a diet of medium-decayed hardwood. Notes: Females tend to be a little larger than males, and are usually a little lighter in color. They will lay eggs in substrate that is almost completely rotten wood. During pupation, the larval skin is shed but left nearly intact to form a loose outer covering. Common Names: Spotted pelidnota, spotted June beetle, grapevine beetle.

We had big doings at South Tampa Fellowship this evening. First our very own children's choir sang some songs and danced some dances!

They were spectacular under the lights!

Then the Go Fish Guys entertained us all with a really great production! These guys can really sing and the music they sing is sophisticated and positive!

These guys have paid their dues! Check out the products here

Our church is having a big production which means an all out overkilling light and sound stage set up. Amazing light array!

These are the folks that make it all happen….for a fee of course!

For each little pair of shoes there is a little pair of feet. My friends. We love them and we even like them. They are to be learned from, Jesus say so.