The Nature of Hope

Raccoons teach us how to adapt to scary and uncertain times. While most of us just think they are cute and wash their food, they can teach us so much more about adapting to new landscapes in our lives.

Head to the website to add your thoughts to the "Nature Insights" session here: https://LaurieKehler.com/raccoon. Learn from others how to see God in nature more!

A last minute gift guide for the nature lover!

Whether it's the holidays, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day or a birthday, sometimes we need a gift QUICK. And we want it to be cost-effective, nature-focused, and original. This list of ideas will serve you well.

Some of these ideas are DIY, some are small but useful, and some are free!

(You can download the free bird-themed planner at: Lauriekehler.com/birdplanner)

Happy Gifting!

We all use a compass in life, whether we realize it or not.

In this podcast I read the Compass chapter from my latest book, This Outside Life - Finding God in the Heart of Nature. I really love this chapter because I think it’s so relatable. Both for me, and people I meet who are seeking direction for their lives.

View the website page for more details here.

There are many tips and tricks out there to plan your perfect garden. And this is the best time of year to do so! Catalogs abound with delightful offerings.

I talk about what a perfect garden looks like, sources for creating one, and what a perfect life looks like. (I don't think you'll be surprised—you already know this!)

Make sure to download the free resource for planning your perfect garden at www.LaurieKehler.com/perfectgarden.

Do you feel comfortable approaching God? Do you think He wants to hear from you?

Learn about the bold little chickadee—about whom Emerson said was a, "scrap of valor" for his bravery. And how this little bird is the most likely to eat out of your hand! You'll also learn how to support these small little birds during the winter so they survive the tough conditions.

We then talk about how the Bible says we can approach God boldly. And why this is true. Plus, download a free poster to remind you to be confident before God.

Peck, Peck, Peck. It's just so darn easy and fun to do! And I've noticed it's easiest to peck at the people we don't even know. Maybe they've made a big stand on social media about a moral issue you don't agree with. Maybe they seem to be absolutely flouting God's word and darn it, it really bothers you.

Take for example, the “Christian Kardashians” of our world. They're incredibly famous, they have huge followings, they get a lot of screen time, and they are guests on everyone's blog and podcast. But some of their views can be extremely polarizing. It's hard not to peck!

But then my husband, Tom said,

Ouch! So, we explore that word, orthodoxy. And I talk about how Jesus felt about the church leaders' orthodoxy. (Hint: read Matthew 35: 31-46). This verse pretty much deals with how we should treat those we don't agree with on social media, in the pulpit, in Washington.

And by the end, you'll see why the chicken crossed the road!

Today we are talking about aromas. Favorite smells. Like coffee brewing, bacon on a cold morning, lilacs in spring, and the top of a baby's head. Heavenly aromas!

Everyone has their favorite smells, and so does God. We will talk about the science of smell , and why aromas trigger memories. And why dogs can smell so much better than us, and how aromas can tell us whether we are lost or found. And how we can be the fragrance of Christ, even while playing ping pong.

Parts of this topic are from my book, This Outside Life: Finding God in the Heart of Nature.

God has your name inscribed on the palm of His hands. And it's not the name that kids have teased you with. It's not the name your family gave you, or the name you call yourself ("I'm such an idiot.") We talk about the power of your name, the power of His name, and the Red-Winged Blackbird.

Read the podcast notes on the blog/podcast page at: LaurieKehler.com/red-winged-blackbird.

Starfish. That name is beguiling and it kind of hints at magic—as if they had spent their allotted time in the heavens and then retired and fizzled down to a sparkling plunge in the sea. Why do they want to trade neighborhoods? Is the ocean a more inviting place than space?

Occasionally starfish wash up on shore so we can look at their helpless estate. Their rosy and golden hues make them look like water colored accents on our sandy shores. On closer inspection, their arms are limp and soggy underneath. A few tube-like feet on their underside may wave at us in defenseless resignation.

And usually we are moved to throw them back into the sea. It seems the right thing to do. They are the darlings of beach-combing parents with their children because we know we can touch, pick up, and examine starfish without fear. They are the lumpy but quaint accessories that charm our coastlines.

The sea star despite its docile looks and charming shape is a powerful predator. I talk about how they crack open tough shells and how we too, can crack open tough situations with persistent prayer.

Did you know the Berlin Wall came down as a result of persistent prayer? It wasn't about Reagan and Gorbachev, it was about a little pastor on the East German side praying diligently. And then the whole community began to pray. Then they took to the streets....and well, you know the rest. But you'll hear about all of this on the show.

Also, I have a cute poster you can download for free. It has a watercolor starfish and a reminder about persistent prayer.

The last thing we want, is to be on the receiving end of a big dump load of manure.

But it happens. People cut us off, walk out the door, ignore us, attack us, accuse us, thwart us, and generally just dump on us. Or we do foolish things to ourselves. And then it hits the fan.

But God. Two of the most hopeful words—but God. But God can transform all this #$%* into a wonderful growth medium, from which beautiful things can grow.

So I talk about how to create a compost pile. Who first discovered this? What kitchen scraps can go in and what can't?

And then we learn how God uses all our stuff and spins it into something wonderful.