Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Some info on Oregon
Oregon is a state on the West Coast of the U.S. that's well-known for its incredibly diverse and beautiful landscapes. It has a little bit of everything, from a rugged coastline to snow-capped mountains and even high deserts.
Some of the most famous places and things to see in Oregon include:
* Crater Lake: This is the deepest lake in the U.S., formed in the caldera of an ancient volcano. Its water is known for being a stunning, deep blue.
* The Oregon Coast: The entire coastline is publicly owned, so you can always access the beaches. You'll find dramatic cliffs, sea stacks, and charming coastal towns. The iconic Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach is a popular spot.
* Mount Hood: Oregon's highest peak, it's a major destination for hiking in the summer and skiing and snowboarding in the winter.
* The Columbia River Gorge: This is a huge, scenic river canyon with many beautiful waterfalls, including the famous Multnomah Falls.
* Portland: The state's largest city, it has a reputation for being unique and quirky, with a vibrant food scene (especially food trucks) and a focus on art and eco-friendly living.
* The Willamette Valley: Known for its lush wine country, particularly for its Pinot Noir wines.
The state is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, offering opportunities for hiking, camping, fishing, and much more. It also has a strong focus on sustainability and is known for its craft beer and farm-to-table dining scenes.
So I got this flag counter on my blog. Had 5 from US
That's great! It's always cool to see where your blog visitors are coming from. Getting 5 from the U.S. is a nice start, especially since you like blogging on platforms like Blogger and WordPress. It sounds like a fun way to track your audience.
No worries
“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
Matthew 6:34 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.6.34.KJV
Don’t Worry
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
Philippians 4:6 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/php.4.6.KJV
Weed Whacker
Ah, the classic summer soundtrack: insects and yard tools! That weed whacker sound probably means someone nearby is doing some late afternoon lawn maintenance — pretty common this time of year, especially with the weather still warm and the grass growing fast.
It’s kind of funny how those two sounds — nature and machinery — blend together. One’s ancient and rhythmic, the other loud and modern. If you’re trying to relax, though, I can totally understand how it might feel a bit disruptive.
Want something calming to balance it out? Maybe a nature soundscape, a peaceful verse, or even a short guided reflection?
Locust Noises Outside (or whatever they are)
The strange noises you're hearing outside — like locusts or something similar — are actually quite normal for late summer in Pennsylvania. Here's what's likely going on:
🦗 What You're Hearing: The Summer Insect Chorus
Pennsylvania is home to a rich variety of night-singing insects, especially in August. The sounds you're hearing could be from:
1. Katydids
- These are large green grasshopper-like insects.
- Their call sounds like “ka-ty-did” — a harsh, rhythmic pulse repeated every second.
- They often sing in unison, creating a chorus from the treetops [1].
2. Crickets
- Crickets produce a steady, high-pitched chirping sound, especially at night.
- Their song is created by rubbing their wings together (stridulation).
- Ground crickets, tree crickets, and field crickets all contribute to the nighttime soundscape [1].
3. Cicadas
- Cicadas are louder and buzz during the daytime, not night.
- Their sound is a raspy, electric-saw-like buzz that can last for 15 seconds or more [1].
4. Conehead Katydids & Meadow Katydids
- These produce rapid buzzing or high-pitched trills, sometimes resembling a bug zapper or a faint ticking.
- Some species are so high-pitched that not everyone can hear them [1].
5. Locusts (Grasshoppers)
- True locusts are rare in Pennsylvania, but grasshoppers are common.
- They produce clicks, chirps, and dry rustling sounds, especially when flying or in dense vegetation [2].
🌙 Why It’s So Loud Right Now
Late summer is peak season for insect mating calls. Males sing to attract females, and the warm nights amplify their activity. The mix of katydids, crickets, and grasshoppers creates what some call “nature’s orchestra” — a sign that the seasons are slowly shifting.
If you’re curious, I can help you identify the exact insect by sound or even guide you to recordings so you can compare. Want to explore that?
References
Prayer
Here’s a gentle prayer for calm and clarity — something you can hold onto in moments when your mind feels overwhelmed:
🙏 A Prayer for Calm and Clarity
God of peace,
In this moment of weariness and swirling thoughts,
I come to You seeking rest for my heart and clarity for my mind.
Quiet the noise within me, and help me breathe deeply in Your presence.
Remind me that I don’t have to carry everything alone —
That You walk with me, even when the path feels uncertain.
Give me wisdom to see what matters,
And peace to let go of what I cannot control.
Help me trust that You are working, even in the waiting.
Thank You for Your love that never fails.
Amen.
If you’d like, I can personalize a prayer just for you and your kids — or share a verse to reflect on as you wind down. Whatever you need, I’m here.
Parallels?
That’s a deep and thoughtful question — and it shows how seriously you’re engaging with both Scripture and the world around you.
📖 Jeremiah 29 and the Consequences of Ignoring God's Word
In Jeremiah 29, God speaks through the prophet to the exiles in Babylon. While He offers hope and restoration to those who seek Him with all their heart (Jeremiah 29:11–14), He also warns of severe consequences for those who ignore His word:
“I am sending on them sword, famine, and pestilence… because they did not pay attention to my words… but you would not listen.” (Jeremiah 29:17–19) [1] [2]
This judgment was directed at those who remained in Jerusalem and continued in rebellion, trusting false prophets and ignoring God's repeated calls to repentance.
🌍 Can This Apply to Today — Especially to Israel’s Situation?
While we must be careful not to directly equate ancient prophecies with modern political events, there are spiritual principles in Jeremiah 29 that can resonate with today’s world — including the conflict in Israel and Gaza:
1. Ignoring God’s Voice Leads to Brokenness
Just as ancient Judah faced exile and suffering for ignoring God’s word, today’s world — including Israel — can experience turmoil when spiritual truth is neglected. The Bible consistently teaches that justice, mercy, and humility before God are essential for peace (Micah 6:8).
2. False Prophets and Misleading Voices
Jeremiah warns against those who speak lies in God’s name. In today’s context, this could reflect how political or religious leaders sometimes use spiritual language to justify violence or division. The Bible calls for discernment and truth, not manipulation.
3. Hope Amid Exile and Conflict
Even in judgment, God promises restoration. This is a powerful message for those suffering in Israel and Gaza — that God’s heart is for healing, peace, and reconciliation, not endless war. Jeremiah 29:11 is often quoted to remind us that God’s plans are for hope and a future, even when things seem bleak.
💡 A Thoughtful Parallel
The exile in Babylon was a time of national crisis, identity loss, and spiritual reckoning. In many ways, the current conflict in Israel and Gaza reflects similar themes: displacement, fear, and the need for deep soul-searching.
Jeremiah’s message is not just about punishment — it’s about returning to God, seeking peace, and trusting His timing. That’s a message that can speak to any nation, any people, and any parent thinking about the future for their children.
Would you like to explore how to pray through this chapter — maybe for your kids, or for peace in the world?
References
Jeremiah 29
Jeremiah 29 is a deeply hopeful and instructive chapter, especially when you're thinking about your children and the future. Here's a thoughtful breakdown of its key themes and how they might speak to your heart:
🌿 Context of Jeremiah 29
This chapter is a letter from the prophet Jeremiah to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. They were far from home, feeling lost and uncertain about their future. Jeremiah’s message is both practical and spiritual — a call to live faithfully even in hard circumstances.
✨ Key Themes & Encouragements
1. Live Fully Where You Are
“Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce…” (Jeremiah 29:5)
Even in exile, God encourages His people to live, grow, and invest in their communities. It’s a reminder that even in uncertain times, we can create beauty, stability, and love — especially for our children.
2. Seek Peace and Pray for Others
“Seek the peace and prosperity of the city… Pray to the Lord for it…” (Jeremiah 29:7)
This verse invites us to be peacemakers, to care about the world around us, and to pray for healing — a powerful message for parents who want to raise compassionate, grounded children.
3. God’s Promise of Hope
“For I know the plans I have for you… plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
This is the heart of the chapter — a promise that God’s plans are good, even when the path is unclear. It’s a reassurance that your children’s lives are held in grace, and that the future is not just survivable, but filled with purpose.
4. God Is Near
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)
This verse reminds us that God is not distant. When we or our children seek Him sincerely, He promises to be found — offering guidance, comfort, and strength.
💬 Reflective Thought
Jeremiah 29 is a message of hope in the midst of hardship, and a call to trust, build, and believe in a future shaped by love and divine care. If you’re thinking about your kids and what lies ahead, this chapter offers a gentle but powerful encouragement: even in uncertain times, God is working for their good.
Would you like to explore how this chapter might guide your prayers or decisions as a parent?
Something hopeful for the future
That’s a beautiful question — and a hopeful one in itself.
Here’s something hopeful for the future, especially when thinking about your kids:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
— Jeremiah 29:11
This verse reminds us that even when the world feels uncertain, there’s a divine plan unfolding — one that includes peace, purpose, and promise. It’s a reassurance that your children’s lives are held in something greater, and that love and hope can guide them forward.
Would you like to reflect more on this verse, or explore others that speak to parenting, protection, or trust in the future?
11For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.
15Because ye have said, The LORD hath raised us up prophets in Babylon; 16know that thus saith the LORD of the king that sitteth upon the throne of David, and of all the people that dwelleth in this city, and of your brethren that are not gone forth with you into captivity; 17thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will send upon them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them like vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil. 18And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them: 19because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the LORD, which I sent unto them by my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; but ye would not hear, saith the LORD. 20Hear ye therefore the word of the LORD, all ye of the captivity, whom I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon:
and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I know, and am a witness, saith the LORD.
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