A Roly-Poly Isn't a Bug! And Other Things That Aren't Always What They Seem

06/13/23 • 24 min

Nat Theo Nature Lessons Rooted in the Bible

Have you ever held a roly-poly? My kids and I recently became roly-poly trainers! We made some fun observations and today we're exploring:

The fascinating life of a roly-poly
What really is a roly-poly?
Are there things in nature that aren't what they seem?
Are there words we use and hear that aren't what they seem?
How can we trace words and things in nature back to their identities?

Note for parents and caregivers: This episode breaks down the concept of "Linguistic Theft." A very helpful read on this is in the book Mama Bear Apologetics, Chapter 4: Linguistic Theft.

Scriptures & Quotes Referenced in this Episode:

“God is love.” 1 John 4:8

“I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love each other as I have loved you.” John 13:34“the Son of Man did not come to be served. He came to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many people.” Mark 10:45

“The solid world (that is, nature), exists. It’s laws do not change. Stones are hard. Water is wet.” George Orwell, 1984

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.” John 14:6

“We are called to be loving, but in love we should recognize and point out false definitions. Disagreement does no equal hate.” Hillary Morgan Ferrer, Mama Bear Apologetics

“We will speak the truth in love.” Ephesians 4:15

“Always be ready to answer everyone who asks you to explain about the hope you have, but answer in a gentle way and with respect.” 1 Peter 3:15

Resources:

Eryn's New Book: Rooted In Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation

Mentioned in this episode:

Order The Nature of Rest

Order Eryn’s new book, The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891

Have you ever held a roly-poly? My kids and I recently became roly-poly trainers! We made some fun observations and today we're exploring:

The fascinating life of a roly-poly
What really is a roly-poly?
Are there things in nature that aren't what they seem?
Are there words we use and hear that aren't what they seem?
How can we trace words and things in nature back to their identities?

Note for parents and caregivers: This episode breaks down the concept of "Linguistic Theft." A very helpful read on this is in the book Mama Bear Apologetics, Chapter 4: Linguistic Theft.

Scriptures & Quotes Referenced in this Episode:

“God is love.” 1 John 4:8

“The solid world (that is, nature), exists. It’s laws do not change. Stones are hard. Water is wet.” George Orwell, 1984

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.” John 14:6

“We are called to be loving, but in love we should recognize and point out false definitions. Disagreement does no equal hate.” Hillary Morgan Ferrer, Mama Bear Apologetics

“We will speak the truth in love.” Ephesians 4:15

“Always be ready to answer everyone who asks you to explain about the hope you have, but answer in a gentle way and with respect.” 1 Peter 3:15

Resources:

Eryn's New Book: Rooted In Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation

Mentioned in this episode:

Order The Nature of Rest

Order Eryn’s new book, The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891

Previous Episode

What is an Axolotl and How Does it Regrow its Brain?

When my kids told me about axolotls, I thought they were mythical creatures! But then we brought one home as a pet. On this episode, you'll hear from my kids what they think about axolotls. We're exploring:

What is an axolotl?
How does it regrow parts of its body?
What other creatures "regenerate?"
How does God, in a similar way, regrow our hearts and minds?

Scriptures Referenced in this Episode:

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV)

"And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart." Ezekiel 36:26 (NLT)

“I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.” Jeremiah 24:7

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

“Do not be shaped by this world; instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.” Romans 12:2

“If anyone belongs to Christ, there is a new creation. The old things have gone; everything is made new!” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Eryn's New Book: Rooted In Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation

Eryn's Instagram Page: Instagram.com/erynlynumauthor

Download free Bible + Nature activities and devotions on Eryn's website: Erynlynum.com/free

Mentioned in this episode:

Order The Nature of Rest

Order Eryn’s new book, The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891

Next Episode

Why Do Sunflowers Follow The Sun?

Once upon a time, I watched the sun disappear! On today's episode, I'm sharing my all-time favorite story about the sun. We're exploring:

Why the sun is so important
How the sun gives energy to plants
Why sunflowers follow the sun all day long
And how in the same way, we can follow God’s light all day long!

Resources:

FREE Printable Summer Verse Cards

Eryn's New Book: Rooted In Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation

Focus on the Family Interview: Helping Kids See God's Glory in Nature

Scriptures Referenced in this Episode:"

Then God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light." Genesis 1:3

“...God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5

“My eyes are ever toward the Lord... Psalm 25:15"

...so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he shows us his mercy.” Psalm 123:2

“In him (Jesus) there was life, and that life was the light of all people. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overpowered it.” 1 John 1:4-5

Terms Introduced:

Helianthus: Sunflower (Helios: Sun, Anthos: Flower)

Heliotropism: When a plant grows toward the light

Photosynthesis: A process controlled by light that puts things in a plant together to turn them into energy.

Chlorophyll: Responsible for a plant's green pigment, and allows a plant to soak in sunlight.

Elaborated Sap: The "super food" of plants. It's created when sunlight, through chlorophyll, turns the minerals from water and carbon dioxide from air into a plant's sugars.

Discover more nature lessons rooted in the Bible at Erynlynum.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Order The Nature of Rest

Order Eryn’s new book, The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891