We took a morning drive, (instead of walking today). Lo and behold there were not just 2,4,6…but 8 deer 🦌 🦌 🦌 🦌 🦌 🦌 🦌 🦌 running along the sidewalks of suburbia!

We felt blessed to spot such a rare occurrence in this beautiful neighborhood.

Last week, we watched two full grown coyotes roaming the wetlands for their jack rabbit snack. The week before, one of our friends showed us a picture of a huge cougar crouched in a tree (not more than two miles from our home).

Are the predators drawing closer to the neighborhoods because of the abundance of game?

Those who are greedy for unjust gain may in fact try to infiltrate the community. They are the ones who desire to take advantage of all this delicious “game”, but is that a legitimate reason for the rest of us to join in?

Rather, it’s important to hold back our consent. It may seem unpopular and even scary when the entire group dynamic is greedy for gain.

More importantly, wisdom teaches us not to be enticed by their “fake” values but to value life itself. The amassing of wealth through the demise of the innocent brings about cultural collapse.

Wisdom teaches us to value the innocent instead of taking advantage of their trusting hearts. Jesus loved the children for this very reason. He encouraged His disciples to have faith like a child.

I watched the Prime Video selection, “Little Boy”, yesterday and appreciated the film’s message of powerful faith being as small as a grain of mustard seed. It may have been satirical but the overall message of how love overcomes hatred was not missed.

Our Heavenly Father has indeed given us wisdom through Christ Jesus our Lord. May we possess wisdom vs. desire for unjust gain. Lord, help me to trust your Word and embrace your values. -Teresa #Ibelieve #eternalife

Proverbs 1:10-19English Standard Version

¹⁰ My son, if sinners entice you,
    do not consent.
¹¹ If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood;
    let us ambush the innocent without reason;
¹² like Sheol let us swallow them alive,
    and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
¹³ we shall find all precious goods,
    we shall fill our houses with plunder;
¹⁴ throw in your lot among us;
    we will all have one purse”—
¹⁵ my son, do not walk in the way with them;
    hold back your foot from their paths,
¹⁶ for their feet run to evil,
    and they make haste to shed blood.
¹⁷ For in vain is a net spread
    in the sight of any bird,
¹⁸ but these men lie in wait for their own blood;
    they set an ambush for their own lives.
¹⁹ Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain;
    it takes away the life of its possessors.

Read full chapter