Have you ever referred to someone as “loony” who had some bizarre behavior or ideas? That concept is behind the name of the zany cartoon characters on ‘Loony Tunes’. Another name for the moon is ‘Luna’, and people used to be considered crazy when they stared at the moon.

But, another possible origin for the term ‘loony’ might be from the bird named a loon. Loons have this hilarious half-run, half-flap across the water for hundreds of feet before getting enough speed to left into the air. The reason is they have solid bones, unlike most birds. The additional weight makes it difficult to get airborne.

Loons also look funny on land because their legs are set farther back on their bodies then other birds. Walking is so diffcult that many loons simply ascoot across land to their nesting places.

But, because of their weight and leg placement, loons can dive deeper, farther, and faster. This is essential for catching fish and escaping predators. That gives extra meaning to Hebrews 11:34, which says, “Out of weakness they were made strong.”

Tags: weak

We now have two cats, a male and a female. Both have been fixed. The male is still young and playful. The female is older and very docile. They’re still testing their territory with each other.

Both cats know they can trust us. We’re the ones who feed and water them. But, they don’t trust strangers. When a strange car drives up, they’ll both run out the back door and find a hiding place. But when they see its either Anita or I, they come out of hiding and want our attention.

They both know who owns them. They can tell by our provision. Do you know who owns you? Do you trust who owns you? Think about this today.

Tags: faith, hiding, ownership, trust

Back in December 2004 there was a great earthquake deep under the sea in Asia. A resulting Tsunami destroyed hundreds of miles of coastline villages and thousands of lives were lost. But amazing survival stories began to leak out.

A news report said that only 7 of the remote Indonesian island of Simuelue’s 75,000 inhabitants died when 30-foot waves struck just half an hour after the quake. For decades, the people had heard stories told by their grandparents of giant waves that killed thousands on this same island in 1907. So, when the ground shook and the sea retreated from the shore, the people recalled their grandparents’ warnings and fled to high ground.

There is a moral, cultural, and economical earthquake going on in our world right now. We’ve got to be blind not to feel it shaking. But, will we run for high ground while we still have time? The book of Revelation warns: “Come out from among her.” Heed the warnings.

Tags: earthquake, flood, sanctification, warning

I remember a couple of years ago the weather man was predicting a particularly bad snowstorm. The day before wasn’t bad at all, calm and sunny. But the weather man said it was going to change big time. The day before the storm schools announced they were closing, supermarket shelves went bare and tire dealers worked overtime.

Meteorologists are trained to predict weather changes. High-tech measuring instruments, satellite imagery, and modern communications systems make it much easier for people to get severe weather warnings and make plans accordingly.

And when people believe a warning, they take steps to prepare. Believing the warning is the key. When people really believe, they take action.

If we really believe the warnings given us in the Bible, we will take action to change our paths accordingly. I believe there is a storm coming in our spiritual lives. And I plan to be ready. How about you?

Madame Marie Curie holds her place in history as a pioneer in the study of radioactivity. In 1903, she was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize, capturing the honor in physics. Then, in 1911, she received a second Nobel Prize, this one in chemistry.

Such a wonderful contribution did not come without tremendous sacrifice. Madame Curie died of leukemia caused by prolonged exposure to radioactive materials. Even today, after 100 years, scholars who wish to read her hand-written journals and lab papers must wear protective clothing because these archives are still radioactive.

No one today would approach radioactive material without the proper protection. Radiation is something like sin. It seems harmless on initial contact, but it poisons the body and begins a slow death process. No one should approach sin without proper protection: the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:11).

Tags: sin, warning

Mill Pond, England, is a very passive place. Crime is nil, industrial pollution is non-existent, and it is a near idyllic environment. However, even in a peaceful place like Mill Pond, danger lurks in hidden places.

There are many water fowl that like to hang out on Mill Pond. Across one corner of the pond are some power lines. A number of swans have been killed because they didn’t see them as they approached the pond.

The power company eventually placed red flags on the power lines over the pond. Now the swans can see the danger and avoid it. Since the red flags were installed, not a single swan has died.

God has placed some “red flags” warning of danger in the Bible. He does that because He cares about our success and doesn’t want to see His people get hurt, not because He wants to control us or keep us from fun.

Let’s pay attention to the “red flags” He puts in our lives.

Tags: danger, warning