Look At Me! A Fox Show
Posted on July 17, 2007
Filed Under Worldview |
But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Job 12:7-8
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.
There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. Psalm 19:1-4
Seeing a fox is always a thrill for me. We have a den close to our home and so, on occasion, we will see one of them darting through the trees. They are usually very skittish and wary.
That is why, not long ago, I was amazed to see this fox showing off for us with a number of great poses. He was close to an escape route, so he didn’t appear to be worried about us. We had just been to visit my Dad when we first spotted him and since he didn’t seem to care, I drove to within 15 or 20 feet. Although he made several feigns at escape, he would always come back and sit a few yards away. So while my brother-in-law snapped a hundred pictures (aren’t digital cameras great?) this ham of a fox put on a show for us.
As you can see, he was beautiful—a stunning coat of reds and blacks…and a bushy tail with a white tip.
Psalm 19 and Job 12 are favorites of mine because I believe they tell us that God’s creation isn’t just passive in revealing God’s glory and the work of His hands. Look at the activity of His handiwork in these verses! All of it is busily declaring, proclaiming, speaking, displaying, teaching, telling, informing…and, quite frankly, just plain showing off!
That’s why, I suppose, I love the creation. It has so much to say to us…if we will just listen.
Job 12:9 then says this:
“Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this?”
Mr. Fox knows it and he was having a ball teaching us…and telling us…and just putting on a great show.
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26 Responses to “Look At Me! A Fox Show”
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Dr. Del Tackett is president of the Focus on the Family Institute and Senior Vice President to Focus on the Family. He is also the architect and chief spokesperson for Focus on the Family's The Truth Project--a nationwide initiative designed to bring the Christian worldview to the body of Christ.
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Del,
Great photography! The simple things in life are still so profound when we realize the intricacy that is involved in God’s creative power. The most beautiful thing still: We can call him Father and He calls us friend.
I hope your Dad is doing well! He couldn’t be in a better place in this life..in the very palm of the Master’s hand.
Hi Del,
Perhaps its just my browser (perhaps I should be using Firefox–I know, I know that was a terrible joke–)but I cannot see Mr. Fox. Psalm 19 is covering him up
Thought you might want to know…Blessings!
Dear Del,
We prayed for your Dad last week at our class. We hope all is well and that he is gaining strength.
I want to thank you for sharing not only your beliefs but your thought processes with us. I love learning and being encouraged to dig deeper to learn more. In our fast paced society it is important for us to hear that it is okay to take the TIME to read and learn, that is is valuable for ourselves and our sphere of influence. I know you don’t say it outright but that is one of the underlying messages of the Truth Project and your BLOG. Onward and upward for the Kingdom of GOD.
Dr. Tackett
Nice picture of the fox. This creature is unique in his willingness to sit still for the photo you shared with us. Tell your brother-in-law he did a good job. Our whole church has been praying for you and your family. You have brought much sense in this crazy world of ours. Bless you Dr. Tackette, you have made a difference.
Also praying for your Dad…
I was a security guard for many years, and at dawn one Sunday morning I was doing a check at an outdoor complex when me and a distant fox both noticed each other at the same time. We just watched each other for about five minutes, in the silence, amidst the chill, across the newly fallen snow — the only two of God’s creatures around on that still morning. It was beautiful.
Dr Tackett
Nice picture of the fox. We have one that frequents the small open space behind our house and we really enjoy watching it on its daily rounds of hunting.
I have been considering for several days a comment regarding your sink project. Seems a trivial issue considering all the other heavy stuff we are trying to digest from the Truth Project (I was in CS for the conference), but wanted to run it by you.
It seems we all have our moments with DIY projects and usually we justify doing them because we want to save money or we want to satisfy some latent and sometimes imagined skill set. I would like to offer a different perspective, perhaps, on why we might want to choose to use a tradesman for the project. First, this is what he does for a living and we basically deny him the opportunity to do so by not using his services. If, in fact, we can afford to use him we deny ourselves the blessing of helping him provide for his family. Second, we miss the opportunity of sharing Christ with one who may not know him and fellowship with one who does. I believe that stewardship does not always mean looking for the cheapest way out.
Just a thought.
Some may think that I am a tradesman looking for ways to promote my work. I am a retired Navy Seabee Chief and yes, I have worked as a tradesman, but most of my working history is in management in the construction industry.
Best regards,
EAC Don G Moore (SCWS) USN ret.
No words other than, that is so cool!!(and it makes me miss CO) I, too love creation and what he teaches us through it!
Dr. Tackett - thank you for your wondrous view on the life God has given us and the world He has made. Some of us - I myself - tend to let the smoke from the flaming cultural disintegration around us obscure the Light that is reflected from every corner…wonder that we can see if we’ll just keep our eyes open and our chins up! - Trey
Dr Tackett, I’m uncertain as to whether this is the appropriate place or way to contact you, but this certainly falls under the heading of the Glory of God. God in His infinite wisdom has given us yet another example of the value of knowledge, and the truth the all of creation declares His glory. I don’t know whether or not this fellow is a Brother in the Lord or not but God has certainly allowed him to reveal a great miracle. There is a fellow who has learned how to release the energy from salt water, could be used for heat or even power a car. It could even possibly make the value of oil of far less importance. I wanted to send you the attachment so you could view it but I am technologically challenged. Perhaps you could send me a way to attach it to an email so you may view it and comment on it’s potential.
Dr. Tackett,
Thank you for the beautiful picture of the fox. I am a nature lover - and hence a nature photographer as well, so I love pics like this.
On a different note, though also regarding pictures, I absolutely LOVE the painting of Christ’s trial before Pilate that you have hanging in the classroom in the video series. Can you please tell me what the name of that picture is and who the painter is, as I have the PERFECT place for a reprint of it in my office, but cannot find it anywhere…
Thanks again for yoru ministry!
Grace and peace to you,
Scott Long
Dr.Tackett,
Hi my name is Tamara. i am a junior in high school. I am a new believer and I am so hungry for the knowledge of God. Right now my church is doing your program, The Truth Project on sunday evenings. I have learned so much form your program thank you so much.
-Tamara
What a beautiful fox!!! Thank you for sharing it with us. Last winter, we had one wander into the small stand of trees behind our house. It just sat there quietly looking around while I watched it. I imagine it was there for one of the squirrels that grow fat on our hickory nuts and my daffodil bulbs. God frequently uses the natural world He created to teach me lessons about His character, and I love the fact that scripture confirms this. It’s amazing to know that everything He created acknowledges and praises Him!
My prayers will be with your dad and your family.
Keep us updated on how he’s doing.
God’s creation is absolutely amazing and this has once again been shown to us. Last spring when the western Kingbirds came to our area (MT) my husband began to throw moths up in the air for a kingbird we had noticed diving in the air after them. Within a short time “Guy” as he was named would take the moths from my husbands fingers. He’d cruise down from the tress to take it out of his fingers everytime he’d hear his name being called “Guy” Its miller time.” But what was really amazing is the fact that he migrated back up here again after traveling 1000’s of miles and remembered the moths we fed him last year and seems to remember his name. What a blessing he has been and what a beautiful creature God has once again made. Will he come again next yeat????
Dale:
In lesson 3 you make the comment in regard to Maslov that there is no clinical proof for his heiarchy of needs. Where do you get this proof from? I agree with you in this matter, but it has come to my attention that a Christian University where my children attended, use this in at least one of their sociolgy classes. I would like to talk with the instructor in respect to how he uses this information. However, I would like to have the proof or rather “no proof” that you refered to before I do this.
I Love the Truth Project, and it is changing the lives of those in our small group.
Thank you for this wonderful tool.
MKing
Dear Dr Tackett,
This is my first visit to your website, and I really enjoyed the fox, and the article with it. I, too, along with my husband, appreciate the magnificent beauty of God’s creation. We live in Oregon, and have access to millions of acres of pure beauty. There are places, here, that look as if no one has ever been there. We teach a children’s class, and we try to instill in them a respect for the awesome power of God, and His love for us in the things He created for us. Have you ever thought of what kind of mind God must have to create the tiny parts of trees, flowers, animal hair that stops one color and starts another–always remaining the same, even after one coat is shed and another is grown? How about the human body? Hands that have fingers that move independently of each other. Cells that form a body that is always the same, basically. We have hair all over our bodies, just like that fox, but the hair on our heads keeps growing, while the hair on our arms stays the same length. God is so awesome! We see a lot of forests, and lots of waterfalls, in our area, and we are always reminded of the magnificence of our God, and of His love for us! I will keep reading your site! God Bless You!
Dr. Tackett, My husband and I live in Alaska and are blessed to see some of Gods greatest handy work. We were on top of a mountain just yesterday (four wheeling) but it was drizzly with fog obscuring our view. We were still amazed at Gods beauty so we began to worship him and as we did the fog lifted unveiling the most incredible view of valley lakes, meadows and an endless display of dramatic peaks. As you mentioned about the fox showing off Gods creative handy work, we felt as if God was rewarding us, for giving him the Glory, with an overwhelming gift of “showing off” his work to us, allowing us a bigger revelation of who he is through his creation. Honestly, at times I feel like if He shows me any more He will have to give me my eternal body so I can take it in without exploding! In Gods grandest mountain peaks He is amazingly majestic and unfathamable. And yet in some of the most delicate flowers and insects I see that He is truly gentle and humble in heart(Mt.11:29)
Del,
I so GREATLY appreciate your teaching and insights! I have to tell you that foxes are extra special to me as well. They are truly a beautiful creation of our God! For quite some time every time I saw a fox, it was at a moment when the Lord was speaking to me through a song, a thought, etc. Each time, I KNEW that God was saying something important to me.
One day, as I was on the way home, I saw a fox standing right by the road and he just stood there. I backed up and looked closely at him and he continued to just stand there, just as you talk about above. As I traveled on home, I felt that the Lord wanted to say something to me through that appearance. So, as I pulled into the garage and turned off the ignition, I just sat there in the dark and prayed, “Lord, what are all these foxes about? What is it that You want to tell me?” I was led to Song of Solomon 2:15 (NKJV):
“Catch us the foxes,
The little foxes that spoil the vines,
For our vines have tender grapes.”
I believe to this day that it was the Lord directing me in my prayer life for myself and for others. Foxes, as beautiful as they look on the outside and as fascinating as they are to watch, represent to me the things in this life (LIES of the enemy, bitterness, anger, malice, unforgiveness, etc.) that come to STEAL the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control,) ESPECIALLY in young believers, but also daily in my own life.
One day, I watched a fox hunting, pouncing on mice or something - I wasn’t close enough to see clearly what he was catching - in a field near where I work. He caught one after another and just dropped them on the sidewalk. It was “cute” to watch the scene play out, until I realized that it wasn’t “cute” for the prey. It was life, actually DEATH to them, unless they could avoid that fox. May the foxes teach us to guard our hearts and be constantly watching in prayer, that we may not be “taken captive by the empty philosophies” of this world, as you so brilliantly taught in The Truth Project.
Thanks for blessing me so much with this. You are so right!!! The animals, and all of God’s creation, will tell us, if we will just listen. Our Lord’s greatest blessings to you and your family, Del.
Thank you for ALL that you do for the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ!
In His Love,
Ken Albertson
Lafayette, CO
Dear Dr. Tackett,
That Fox is absolutely stunning. What a poser!!
Animals help me to remember my place with God.
They have no problem doing what God created them to do.
They don’t complain, they don’t rebel, they simply live and “enjoy” their time on this planet that God has given them.
Your little fox looks very majextic and thoughtful. Thank you so much for sharing his countenance. And your brother for taking this great shot. Are there any more???
Hi Mr. T,
It is an incredibly beautiful and soft fur!
How lovely the foxes are! A strange story I tell, but true… Last winter I was walking around our country block (MI) and found a fox that had been hit by a car and killed. He still looked perfectly beautiful in his frozen state, so I had my son come back with me and “bag” the fox. We had a friend skin it for us, we scraped the hide and sent it to be tanned. It is now a conversation piece in my son’s college dorm room.
I absoulty love to read your blog! I am a new Christian and after I took the truth project at my church I have since found so much enlightenment in TRUTH! Thanks.
Oh yeah I live in ALaska and for me the Lynx always bless me with little glimpses into true Creation.
I too appreciated your fox. Here in Maryland we don’t get to see many, and when we do, they’re sadly, often road kill.
My husband and I just took your Truth Project training, and are into the second month of praying and slowly watching the CD’s.
I’m excited about how God is going to use the Truth Project in our church.
Thanks for sharing your fox, and being obedient to the Lord in planning and walking out all that it has taken to implement the Truth Project.
Blessings,
Ginger Brindley
Dear Dr. Tackett,
Thanks so much for sharing.
I just love animals and
I really enjoyed reading this story.
Dr T.
The fox is gorgeous! Foxes are a puzzle; reminding us of small dogs but having cat like walk & mannerisms. A fox chose to live in the 3 car garage near my appartment. She had some pups that I could hear playing at night. One night an owl or other bird of prey caught the pups while mom was away hunting. When she came back she howled & howled. Two weeks later she came back again howling & morning for her babies. I felt so bad for her. I never saw her again as she moved on to safer parts.
In His Grace,
Kathy
Dr. T,
Your fox reminds me of the diversity and creativity of our great and glorious “Lord” and “Creator”. It must have been amazing as Adam went through one by one and named all the creatures. What a gift!
When I saw the lesson that Quotes Psalm 19 it made me feel even more blessed because you see I chose that as my life verse soon after I got saved. I usually resite/pray it before I do my daily prayers. It really helps me put God back on the throne of my heart each day.
God Bless and keep fighting the Good fight!
tj
Hi Dr. Tackett,
As an airline pilot I can tell you that this has been an interesting summer to say the least. Last Sunday night we were delayed going to Florida from Atlanta due to a weather delay in ATL earlier in the day. The concourses in Atlanta were just a mess with many stressed out passengers and employees trying to do the best they can with limited resources, time, and patience. Amidst this chaos we finally launched and headed south. As we broke out of the clouds my First Officer and I were given a spectacular view of a full moon in front of us and two dissipating thunderstorms still flashing the incredible power and beauty of God. All I could think about was the psalmist’s words of “the heavens declare the Glory of God”. How true! One of the many blessings I have is to witness firsthand the incredible truth of this declaration regularly. Thank you Sir for everything you do through the truth project. Hope to see you while traversing the “expanse” one day.
Mike
Hello Dr.Tackett
I would like to tell you about an amazing event that had taken place in Southwest Missouri this
spring.[excuse me for taking so long]We enjoyed a very hard late freeze that destroyed the newly developing Oak leaves.The frost left every leaf wilted and brown.I had never witnissed this in the thirty plus years I have lived in this area.Since Oak trees dominate 95% of my property I waited with keen interest to see what would occur next.Would we not have leaves?Would the dieing leaves come back?Would new buds push the dead off?
Well,none of the above.I waited for almost three weeks and noticed new reddish buds forming an inch or so further down from the dead hanging leaves in an area that does not usually bear leaves.We now have trees with fine healthy leaves with the brown dead leaves still hanging on.How can this be? How can a tree learn this death defying maneuver? An event that MIGHT take place once every 10,20,30,or more years certainly does not provide a very effective argument for the evolution of anything.
It is plain to see that the life that God breathed into an oak tree just refused to be denied by a late freeze.
B.L.