The Sunscreen Video: Good for Summer Good for Life?

The Sunscreen Video...

I have known people that lather on baby oil to get a tan lying naked on the beach and people that only venture out into the sun with a parasol dressed head to toe....

Sunscreen has grown in popularity over the years as people become more educated about the damage the sun can inflict upon us. When the heat is on pour the sunscreen on they say...I agree...

Sunscreen is used to keep your body safe and this is good we need to be protected from the harmful effects of the sun...for everything else I recommend Sonscreen as we need our lives...even our very souls protected by the Son...

Are you protected...?

This message brought to you as a public service by Creation on the Blade...

The Colour of Purple Creativity!

The creation of PURPLE…

The word 'purple' comes from the Old English word purpul which originates from the Latin purpura. This in turn is derived from the Koine Greek πορφύρα (porphyra), name of the dye manufactured in Classical antiquity from the mucus-secretion of the hypobranchial gland of a marine snail known as the Murex brandaris or the spiny dye-murex.
- - Wikipedia: Purple: Etymology and definitions

The Creator created PURPLE and humans devised a method to apply purple to our lives by harnessing predatory sea snails….

Haustellum brandaris, also known as Bolinus brandaris or Murex brandaris, and commonly known as the purple dye murex or the spiny dye-murex is a species of medium-sized predatory sea snail…
- - Wikipedia: Murex brandaris

Forget horses, dogs and other animals! Humans have worked with predatory sea snails! This means we can think of PURPLE as a predatory colour!

We have decided to take the colour of PURPLE creativity beyond predatory sea snails! Creation on the Blade and Life on the Blade are now both over two years old and we have found that our creativity is bursting their boundaries! It is time we thought for something new…

So following the example of predatory sea snails we are going PURPLE! How PURPLE you ask…Well visit our brand new blog and you tell us:

THE PURPLE BOOKMARK

Ground Squirrel Photo

Just a ground squirrel photo you say? Just a little rodent you say? Well then just imagine this cute little guy as a bulky ferocious carnivore stealthily stalking its prey preparing for the dash for dinner.

Alright perhaps you prefer his furry cuteness…What do you say is he nicknamed Fangs or Fuzzy?

Photo by Chocolate Girl

Yellowstone Castle Geyser Photo

Yellowstone National Park is packed full of spectacular geysers and one of the most spectacular is Castle Geyser. It is located at the Upper Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park and is a must see if at all possible if you are visiting the park. We loved watching Castle Geyser “blow its top” coming back for several encores….did I say spectacular…yes and here is why…

The geyser has a 10-12 hour eruption cycle. The geyser erupts hot water for about 20 minutes to a height of 90 feet (27 meters) before changing to a noisy steam phase for 30-40 minutes.
- - Wikipedia: Castle Geyser

Photo by Chocolate Girl May 2008

Yellowstone Grizzly Bear Photos Sow and Cub Coming and Going

The spectacle of grizzlies gathers paparazzi from far and wide at Yellowstone National Park. One grizzly bear grabs people’s attention but two draws a crowd. This sow and her cub were upon a bank above the road which was in turn perched upon a high steep cliff face.

Vehicles were parked helter skelter along the cliff edge often appearing as though they were going to go cliff diving. However the big show was the grizzly mom and cub coming and going above the traffic.

Mom was turning over rocks looking for nice huge furry fatty moths to chow down on. The park rangers kept an eye on us beararazzi as we watched the grizzly bears wander through their natural cafeteria…moths anyone?

Photos by Chocolate Girl June 2008

Yellowstone National Park Photos Bison Close Up

Yellowstone National Park is well known for its Bison and photos of them cannot convey the privilege of seeing them close up…

When we first entered Yellowstone National Park we were greeted by a large herd of Bison that we shared the road with. They marched along one lane of the road and we drove past them in the other lane. Cowboys monitored the herd as tourist observed the scene with ogling eyes. In the weeks to come we would get to know these animals well. They carry certain majesty of size, power and the way they carry themselves.

Later on in our visit we were walking through one of the beautiful glades and met this Bison close up.

Want to see a Yellowstone geyser then click here.

By Chocolate Girl

Darwinius Masillae Ida the Missing Link? Science and Religion…

Darwinius masillae Ida the missing link?

"This specimen is like finding the Lost Ark for archeologists" and "It is the scientific equivalent of the Holy Grail. This fossil will probably be the one that will be pictured in all textbooks for the next 100 years. [1]

Over time the Church and religions along with science have made grandiose claims. At times the Church has moved beyond what the Biblical text teaches…stretching into hypothesis. Likewise science has been caught teaching hypothesis as theory and theory as fact.

In advertising there are some that make wild promises that are largely not believed by consumers. Commonly it is best to not overstate your case or some people will disregard your message. It is always best to tell the truth…but of course we do also like to be heard above the “white noise” of the media blitz.

God makes extravagant claims….

God claims Earth and everything in it, God claims World and all who live on it.
He built it on Ocean foundations,
laid it out on River girders.
- - Psalm 24:1-2 (The Message)

However these claims are justified if indeed the God of the Bible is omnipotent etc…in other words if it is true then it is true…

Believing that God is God seems to me to take far less faith or trust than believing the claims made of Darwinius Masillae. Is it an interesting and valuable find? Certainly! Does it “prove” the evolution of species and more specifically humans in the way the scientist are pressing as is advertised as per the “missing link”? No. No more than the discovery of the Lost Ark or Holy Grail would support all the claims of Scripture.

Where does your trust lay?

[1] Darwinius masillae: Publicity and media coverage

Above Image from: PLoS one.og

Earth Day 2009 Rescue the Planet

Earth Day “is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment.”[1] Yet it seems to have expanded to mean “rescue the environment” or “rescue the planet.”

This is when it becomes a political issue. Being aware or appreciating the environment of this beautiful planet…our environment….our home we call Earth is one thing but to declare that it needs rescuing is another.

The Earth is part of the creation and it is truly magnificent as such. To enjoy the rapids of rivers, the depths of canyons, the pinnacles of peaks, the scent of flowers, the spots, stripes and diversity of creatures, warm sand, surging surf, blue sky and green jungles is pure pleasure for me and I suspect for you also.

Then comes the questions of rescue. Rescue from what or whom? Although I love the environment what reason can I provide to others as a genuine reason why they should care about the environment.

What does a rescued environment look like? How do we know when such a rescue is successful? If it is all about “liveability” (whatever that really means) and diversity of species how comfortable and “safe” do we need to be and how many creatures do we need to succeed at diversity?

Many on the political left criticize the war in Afghanistan, they say it is not winnable, that we cannot measure victory; they say we should not tell other cultures what to do…yet many of these same people are gung ho about rescuing the planet. They say its winnable yet they give no score needed to win…they say every culture should be on side for this rescue…yet they are at war with those who disagree…

The opposite is said by the political right they are in favour of the war but often deny that there are any real environmental issues. They say no rescue is needed for the environment and that if there are environmental problems they have nothing to do with humans…yet they are often those espousing great love for family but are seemingly not caring about the water, food, or air those families will need to survive…

As a follower of Jesus I am neither the political left nor right. I support the Biblical model of Biblical-Guardianship-Stewardship-Cultivation.

Do I believe that sea turtles for example are as important as people? The question is a non-starter. God created sea turtles this must mean they are important to Him therefore they must be important to us. We are told we have Guarded-Stewardship of this planet, this piece of creation. This means we must do our best to protect it while we also live among it. Yet we are also to cultivate it. So we are not to completely take a hands off approach…indeed this is impossible. I would also endeavour to say that if we value people as much as we say we do then we will want to enable people in living in the most engaging and appreciative manner towards our environment. Thus their lives are enriched…and the finite beauty of creation directs us to the infinite beauty of the Creator Who still being outside of time and space has left His “finger prints” upon His creation…let us be delicate in how we cultivate His garden…

Step outside…venture to places off the “beaten track”…look…listen…breath…feel…be a CSI….Creation Scene Investigator…the creation makes clear it is we humans that need saving…we need rescue…and God is willing to be our Lifeguard…


The above photo is by me….

[1] Wikipedia: Earth Day

Surfing Oahu North Shore White Caldron

By Livingsword

Surfing the Oahu North Shore….

Waves unceasingly crashing the shore….Juggernauts of power….

When danger comes your way do you surf it or do you boil?

Golden Grass the Story of a Second Anniversary Love is in the Details

The Sun shone with the heat that only August can supply. A heat that was comforting generating contentment and a sense of all is well in the world…

The grass is tall and glistening golden with the sun radiating upon it. The wind is still and insects can be heard flitting about while most birds shelter in the shade….

We have our hats on to keep the direct noon Sun off our heads. We walk along the lingering trails that lead everywhere and nowhere. We stop to sip some water and admire the vast panorama the mountains on the horizon are prominent and gorgeous. Mount Baker just across the border always snow capped a massive sentinel majestic and exhilarating…

The sky is an endless blue; the tall grass rustles with a forlorn solitary breeze. The grass tickles my legs as shorts are the order of the day….

Surrounded by the momentous natural beauty that sinks peace into the soul we allow ourselves to move beyond experiencing simply the grandiose but also “God’s details” of creation…

The grass that glows, the grass that flows with the wind, the grass that grows and grows, the grass that tickles, the grass that inspires, the grass that is food for some and home for others, the grass that makes me sneeze, the grass that so very often is thought of not at all but perhaps as a task to be mowed…

The grass that will tell you a story when you take some time to get real close….

This is perhaps a bit like Creation on the Blade…2 years old today…a story told both far and near, a story much more popular than we dreamed…big numbers and little numbers yet a story is told….and we thank you for living the story with us….as you are not a number but a friend…a person whom God loves…for as He has poured a story into every blade of grass so has He with you…what is your story and what are the stories of those who in your life tickle you…dare we ask you…and dare you ask others…

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Thank you for being part of the story with us….a story we plan on growing a lot over this coming year…with you…

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Above photo by Chocolate Girl