What creature glides through the ocean with a tail like a monkey and a head like a horse? The seahorse, of course! Seahorses are very unique with their long noses, upright bodies, and curling tails. So?.what exactly is a seahorse? Discover God's incredible designs in these one-of-a-kind creatures of the sea.

Here?s our trail map:

What Exactly Is a Seahorse?How Is a Seahorse Like a Vacuum Cleaner?Why Do Male Seahorses Have Babies?How Does God Prepare Us For Growing Up?

Related Lessons to listen to next:

What Is a Shark?s 6th Sense? With Marine Biologist Michael Lane - Lesson 45: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/6d415944-5436-4f3c-810f-7ab3cf20591a/How Do Fish Breathe Underwater? The Curious Ways Creatures Breathe - Lesson 68: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/0fc09da4-deab-42ce-9e57-2a2d5e9a2d8c/

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Apologia?s Swimming Creatures Zoology Curriculum: https://www.apologia.com/shop/zoology-2-advantage-set/Explore Apologia?s curriculum and classes: https://www.apologia.com/Save 20% and get a FREE speaker using code Nat20 at https://www.sherwoodkids.com/nat20 (offer valid through March 31, 2026)Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/memberGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Seahorse Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/why-do-male-seahorses-have-babies/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?You saw my body as it was formed. All the days planned for me were written in your book before I was one day old.? Psalm 139:16 (NCV)

??For I know the plans I have for you,? says the Lord. ?They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.?? Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

?Teach me to do what you want,

because you are my God.

Let your good Spirit

lead me on level ground.? Psalm 43:10 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Chondrichthyes: Cartilaginous fish. Fish with cartilage instead of bones.Bony Fish: The largest fish category consisting of fish with bony skeletons.Hippocampus: Genus (category) of fish with seahorses.Pivot Feeding: A rapid way a seahorse catches food by quickly snapping their head and sucking in water like a tiny vacuum to pull in prey.Brood Pouch: A special pouch on a male seahorse where the female's eggs are placed. The male incubates the eggs inside the pouch until they are ready to hatch.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements.

Why are arctic foxes white? What makes honey sticky? How many candles would the oldest turtle have on its birthday cake? Today we?re answering questions sent in by curious kids!

A special thanks to this episode?s sponsor, Master Books! Grow in faith, wonder, and wisdom with trusted books, curriculum, and resources: https://www.masterbooks.com/

Lessons mentioned in this episode:

Can Bees Dance? Lesson 35: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/98aedf4a-bc84-4346-9278-cb70a9cf238f/How Hot is the Sun? Lesson 112: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/a8b48d2c-aa2c-46d9-a224-3c34a07fc1ff/Lesson 31: What Is The Difference Between A Turtle And Tortoise? https://player.captivate.fm/episode/dccb26a1-9dde-498f-8d6d-573f1478e243/Lesson 55: What Color Is a Polar Bear? https://player.captivate.fm/episode/a3b88247-2cd8-46c3-81fa-502bc421ecfb/

This podcast contains paid sponsor ads.

Maybe you have found sea glass on a beach, but where does sea glass come from? Is sea glass natural? Discover how God designed sand to make glass, and how beautiful sea glass reminds us God is writing amazing stories in our lives.

Here?s our trail map:

How Is Sea Glass Made?How Does Sand Make Glass?How Does Sea Glass Tell Stories?How Does God Write Our Stories?

Related Lessons to listen to next:

How Is A Pearl Made? Exploring Seashells and Mollusks - Lesson 46: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/61f83e79-70ab-4daa-a3ff-f8f3b0b2d681/What Is Lava Made Of? Lesson 88: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/b7d70399-b50e-47e4-b257-a18a6cce297d/

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

General Science 2: Survey of Geology & Archaeology (Curriculum Pack): https://www.masterbooks.com/general-science-2-curriculum-packExplore books, curriculum, and resources by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/Try CTCMath for free and with a 12-month money back guarantee: https://ctcmath.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/memberGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Sea Glass Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/how-is-sea-glass-made/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story?those he redeemed from the hand of the foe.? Psalm 107:2 (NIV)

?You saw my body as it was formed.

All the days planned for me

were written in your book

before I was one day old.? Psalm 139:16 (NCV)

?We also have joy with our troubles, because we know that these troubles produce patience. And patience produces character, and character produces hope. And this hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts. He gave us his love through the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to us.? Romans 5:3-5 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Sea Glass: Bits of broken glass that have been tumbled by ocean waves over many years. Waves and sand smooth the glass and give it a frosty look.Weathering: When rocks or minerals are slowly worn down by nature, like through water, wind, or chemicals.Sand: Bits of rocks or minerals that are 0.0625mm to 2mm in size.Volcanic Glass: A rock that forms when lava from a volcano cools so quickly that it doesn?t have time to grow many or any crystals. Also called obsidian and made mostly of silica.Fulgurite: A natural glassy tube made when lightning hits sand or a rock and the heat melts the silica.Redeem: To buy something back.

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Is it true that a woodpecker?s tongue wraps around its brain? Discover the amazing ways God designed woodpeckers as avian acrobats and what they teach us about Jesus taking the impact of our sins.

Here?s our trail map:

Why Do Woodpeckers Peck On Trees?Does a Woodpecker?s Tongue Wrap Around Its Brain?Do Woodpeckers Hurt Trees?How Does God Shield Us From Harm?

Related Lessons to listen to next:

How Do Wood Duck Babies Survive a 60-Foot Fall? Lesson 53: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/7df63827-a6cc-4e50-a3f2-4afee0e19933/Why Is Nature Musical?: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/076641d2-bf3c-4eaf-b810-ef1f1b256e65/

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Save 20% and get a FREE speaker using code Nat20 at https://www.sherwoodkids.com/nat20 (offer valid through March 31, 2026)Explore books, curriculum, and resources by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/memberGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Woodpecker Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/does-a-woodpeckers-tongue-wrap-around-its-brain/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.? Psalm 3:3 (NIV)

?But he took our suffering on him

and felt our pain for us.

We saw his suffering

and thought God was punishing him.

But he was wounded for the wrong we did;

he was crushed for the evil we did.

The punishment, which made us well, was given to him,

and we are healed because of his wounds.

We all have wandered away like sheep;

each of us has gone his own way.

But the Lord has put on him the punishment

for all the evil we have done.? Isaiah 53:4-6 (NCV)

?For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.? 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NLT)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Cavity Nest: A nest inside a tree often made by a woodpecker.Drumming: Rapid pecking of a woodpecker to communicate with other nearby woodpeckers.Zygodactyl: A four-toed foot design with two facing forward and two facing backward, built for gripping.Hyoid Bone: A long bone wrapping around the woodpecker?s skull that allows its tongue to move in and out and stabilizes its brain.Capillary Action: When liquid climbs a surface because it sticks to itself.

Some but not all sources used for research (*additional information from some sources may present conflicting worldviews)

https://answersingenesis.org/birds/what-we-knew-about-woodpeckerhttps://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/hole-story-how-woodpeckers-make-homes-forest/https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/how-to-recognize-woodpeckers-by-their-drumming-sounds/

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements.

Credits:

Woodpecker sound credit: Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sap sucker video clip: Paul Danese, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Is a ?sawtooth shark? a real animal? And how do they use their nose like a metal detector, sword, and shovel? Discover the mystery of this often confused creature and how God designed sawfish with a long jagged nose to find and catch their next meal.

Here?s our trail map:

What Is a Sawtooth Shark?Why Do Sawfish Have a Saw?Are Sawfish Born With Saws?How Can We Tell What Is True From What Is False?

Related Lessons to listen to next:

How Do Fish Breathe Underwater?: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/0fc09da4-deab-42ce-9e57-2a2d5e9a2d8c/What Is a Shark?s 6th Sense?: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/6d415944-5436-4f3c-810f-7ab3cf20591a/

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Discover God?s designs in crabs and other ocean creatures with Apologia?s Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day course: https://www.apologia.com/shop/zoology-2-course-set/Explore all of Apologia?s award-winning curriculum and courses: https://www.apologia.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/memberGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Sawfish Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/are-sawfish-born-with-saws/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Further Research:

An excellent article on sawfish by Creation Ministries International: https://creation.com/en/articles/wonderfully-designed-sawfish

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?There used to be false prophets among God?s people, just as you will have some false teachers in your group. They will secretly teach things that are wrong?teachings that will cause people to be lost. They will even refuse to accept the Master, Jesus, who bought their freedom. So they will bring quick ruin on themselves. Many will follow their evil ways and say evil things about the way of truth.? 2 Peter 2:1-2 (NCV)

?The time will come when people will not listen to the true teaching but will find many more teachers who please them by saying the things they want to hear. They will stop listening to the truth and will begin to follow false stories.? 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NCV)

?...The Bereans were eager to hear what Paul and Silas said and studied the Scriptures every day to find out if these things were true.? Acts 17:11b (NCV)

?Really, there is no other Good News. But some people are confusing you; they want to change the Good News of Christ. We preached to you the Good News. So if we ourselves, or even an angel from heaven, should preach to you something different, we should be judged guilty! I said this before, and now I say it again: You have already accepted the Good News. If anyone is preaching something different to you, let that person be judged guilty!? Galatians 1:7-9 (NCV)

?Let the teaching of Christ live in you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and instruct each other by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.? Colossians 3:16 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Spiracle: A special breathing hole located behind each eye that brings in water to flow over gills, so a creature can breathe while resting on the bottom of the ocean.Rostrum: A long, flat, saw-shaped snout with sharp ?teeth? along the edges.Dermal Denticles: Teeth-like scales covering the skin of sharks and rays.Chondrichthys: Fish including sharks and rays that have cartilaginous bodies instead of bones.Cartilage: Strong tissue in a body that is flexible. Ray: A category of chondrichthyes (cartilaginous) fish with flat bodies and large pectoral fins, mouths and gills on their underside, spiracles for breathing, and some have whip-like tails.Ampullae of Lorenzini: Jelly-filled sacs (pores) that allow sharks and rays, including sawfish, to sense the electrical field and find food using electrical currents.Ovoviviparous: Babies grow inside the mother and are born live, but they?re fed by a yolk sac (not a placenta) and no hard egg is laid.

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Why do kangaroos hop? Can they walk? Do all kangaroos have pouches, and what are they for? Discover God?s wild and wonderful design in kangaroos and how they?re designed to move forward?never backward.

Here?s our trail map:

Do All Kangaroos Have Pouches?Why Do Kangaroos Hop?Can Kangaroos Jump Backward?How Does God Help Us Move Forward in Faith?

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Explore books, curriculum, and resources by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/Save 20% and get a FREE speaker using code Nat20 at https://www.sherwoodkids.com/nat20 (offer valid through March 31, 2026)Subscribe to the Ginger Hubbard podcast for biblical parenting advice and encouragement: https://www.gingerhubbard.com/podcastNat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/memberGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Kangaroo Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/do-all-kangaroos-have-pouches/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?Brothers and sisters, I know that I have not yet reached that goal, but there is one thing I always do. Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead, I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above.? Philippians 3:13-14 (NCV)

?Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.? Psalm 37:5 (ESV)

?Forget the former things;

do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness

and streams in the wasteland.? Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)

??For I know the plans I have for you,? says the Lord. ?They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.?? Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Marsupial: A group of mammals that have very tiny babies which are born early. Most have a pouch in which their baby or babies crawl into. Inside the pouch, the baby drinks milk and stays warm and safe as it continues growing.

Marsupium: A pouch on a mother marsupial?s belly where her tiny baby or babies stay safe and warm after being born. Inside the pouch are nipples so the babies can drink milk and keep growing.

Macropodidae: A family (category) of marsupials meaning ?big feet,? including kangaroos, wallabies, wallaroos, tree-kangaroos, pademelons, quokkas, and other creatures known for large feet for hopping and tails for balancing.

Saltation: Moving by jumps or hops instead of walking.

Pentapedal Locomotion: Moving by using five feet. Or in the case of kangaroos, four feet and one tail.

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How much does a black bear eat each day? Do flamingos fly? And why does a giraffe have hooves? Curious questions from you listeners guide us into God's wild and wonderful world on this special kid-made episode!

Episode Links:

Explore Apologia's award-winning science courses and curriculum at: https://www.apologia.com/

Episodes Mentioned:

Lesson 23: Bears Don't Hibernate ? 4 Cool Ways God Designed Creatures to Rest: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/3511d4f1-617f-4742-b3f9-ab6c55f1ea50/Lesson 9: Are All Black Bears Black?: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/78e0351c-b224-40f7-9041-7627d528eef2/Lesson 31: What Is The Difference Between A Turtle And Tortoise?: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/dccb26a1-9dde-498f-8d6d-573f1478e243/Why Do Giraffes Have Spots? Lesson 105: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/57dc20eb-2e33-4b58-9765-fa726c5ba736/Why And How Do Leaves Change Colors? Lesson 49: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/38cf2f29-1a36-4c54-81ba-becb473615a2/Can a Narwhal Get a Brain Freeze? Lesson 102: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/5beea601-57de-4eaf-a8d7-9f95a80f57cf/

This podcast contains paid advertisements.

Dung beetles do more than roll poop?they roll it straight while walking backward in the dark. How? Meet the scientists who answered that question?using beetles, moonlight, and tiny cardboard hats.

Here?s our trail map:

Why Do Dung Beetles Roll Piles of Poop?Why Do Dung Beetles Collect Dung?How Is a Dung Beetle Like a Tiny Beetle Astronomer?How Can We Use God?s Word to Find Our Way?

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Explore books, curriculum, and resources by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/Save 20% and get a FREE speaker using code Nat20 at https://www.sherwoodkids.com/nat20 (offer valid through March 31, 2026)Subscribe to the Ginger Hubbard podcast for biblical parenting advice and encouragement: https://www.gingerhubbard.com/podcastNat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Dung Beetle Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/why-do-dung-beetles-roll-piles-of-poop/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.? John 16:13 (NIV)

?Your word is like a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.? Psalm 119:105 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Sphere: A perfectly round solid shape with no corners and no edges. Every point on a sphere is the same distance from the center, so it looks the same from every side.Chemoreceptors: Sensor organs on a dung beetle?s antennae that allow it to sense animal scat from far away.Brood Ball: A dung ball that a mother dung beetle lays an egg in and buries. Then the egg hatches, the brood ball serves as first food for dung beetle larva.Detritivores: Creatures that eat dead or decaying things?and even animal waste?and mix it into the soil. Then tiny decomposers (like bacteria and fungi) finish breaking it down into nutrients.Dorsal Rim Area (DRA): The DRA is like a special compass area of their eye designed to see patterns in the night sky.

Some but not all sources used in research:

Supernavigators: Exploring the Wonders of How Animals Find Their Way (David Barrie)Atlas Obscura: Wild Life: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Living Wonders

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements.

Why do ostriches not fly? And is it true ostriches bury their heads in sand when they are scared? Discover how God designed ostriches?the largest bird on earth?with pogo stick legs and feathery eyelashes, and what ostriches can teach us about facing our fears head on.

Here?s our trail map:

Why Don?t Ostriches Fly?How Is an Ostrich Like a Pogo Stick?Do Ostriches Bury Their Heads in the Sand?How Can We Face Fears?

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Save 20% and get a FREE speaker using code Nat20 at https://www.sherwoodkids.com/nat20 (offer valid through March 31, 2026)Explore books, curriculum, and resources by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/Subscribe to the Ginger Hubbard podcast for biblical parenting advice and encouragement: https://www.gingerhubbard.com/podcastNat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Ostrich Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/do-ostriches-bury-their-heads-in-the-sand/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?So don?t worry, because I am with you.

Don?t be afraid, because I am your God.

I will make you strong and will help you;

I will support you with my right hand that saves you.? Isaiah 41:10 (NCV)

?Remember that I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don?t be afraid, because the Lord your God will be with you everywhere you go.? Joshua 1:9 (NCV)

?I asked the Lord for help, and he answered me.

He saved me from all that I feared.? Psalm 34:4 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Keel Bone: A special bone God designed many birds with that allows them to fly. It is a tall ridge on a bird?s breastbone where the big flight muscles attach. It works like a boat?s keel, giving a strong place for wing muscles to push from so birds can flap and fly.

Tendon: Flexible collagen tissue in a body that connects muscles to bones. They are kind of like elastic chords. They make it so that when our muscles move, the connected bones move also.

Nictitating Membrane: A bird?s ?third eyelid? that slides across the eye to keep it clean and wet.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements.

We know about massive dinosaurs, but how small were the smallest dinosaurs? Did dinosaurs swim and fly? Ken Ham, the founder of Answers in Genesis, joins us as we discover God?s wild and wonderful designs in dinosaurs.

Episode Links:

Dinosaurs for Kids: https://www.masterbooks.com/dinosaurs-for-kids-hardback-singleDinosaurs of Eden: https://www.masterbooks.com/dinosaurs-of-eden-revised-hardback-singleKen Ham?s Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/authors/ken-hamExplore Christ-centered books, curriculum, and resources by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/Visit the Creation Museum: https://creationmuseum.org/Visit the Ark Encounter: https://arkencounter.com/

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements.

Why do decorator crabs dress up? Are they trying to be fancy, or do their costumes serve a purpose? Do they use duct tape or hot glue to stick slimy seaweed and prickly urchins to their shells? Learn how and why decorator crabs decorate themselves and what their elaborate outfits teach us about our own appearances.

Here?s our trail map:

Why Do Decorator Crabs Dress Up?How Do Decorator Crabs Stick Things to Themselves?What Happens When a Decorator Crab Molts Its Shell?How Can We Dress Ourselves in God?s Goodness?

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Discover God?s designs in crabs and other ocean creatures with Apologia?s Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day course: https://www.apologia.com/shop/zoology-2-course-set/Explore all of Apologia?s award-winning curriculum and courses: https://www.apologia.com/Try CTCMath for free and with a 12-month money back guarantee: https://ctcmath.com/Subscribe to the Ginger Hubbard podcast for biblical parenting advice and encouragement: https://www.gingerhubbard.com/podcastNat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Decorator Crab Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/why-do-decorator-crabs-dress-up/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?...God does not see the same way people see. People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart.? 1 Samuel 16:7b (NCV)

?Create in me a pure heart, God, and make my spirit right again.? Psalm 51:10 (NCV)

?Therefore, as God?s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.? Colossians 3:12 (NIV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Majoidea: A superfamily of crabs in the ocean commonly called spider crabs. Marine Crabs: Species of crabs designed to live in ocean waters with gills to breathe underwater, and spend most of their time in the water.Land Crabs: Species of crabs designed to live on land with specially made gill chambers for breathing.Decorator Crab: Crab species in the Majoidea superfamily that attach materials and living things from their environment to their shells for camouflage. Exoskeleton: A hard outer covering that protects an animal?s body. As the animal grows, it molts its exoskeleton and grows a new bigger one.Carapace: The hard top part of a crab?s exoskeleton. It covers and protects the crab?s head and body.Setae: Tiny bristles or hairs on an animal?s body. They can help with gripping, sticking, or sensing. Decorator crabs have setae on their exoskeleton to attach materials to.Mutualistic Relationship: Where two living things benefit from one another.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements.

Can a massive moose swim through water? And what are their giant antlers for? Discover one of the largest land animals in North America and what they can teach us about being good listeners.

Here?s our trail map:

Is a Moose a Big Deer?Can Moose Swim?Why Do Moose Have Massive Antlers?How Can We Listen Well For God?s Voice?

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Try CTCMath for free and with a 12-month money back guarantee: https://ctcmath.com/Explore Christ-centered books, curriculum, and resources by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/Parents and caregivers: hear remarkable stories of God?s work in real people through the Compelled Podcast: https://compelledpodcast.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Moose Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/can-moose-swim/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Moose Antler Amplification Test: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2008/mar/21/medicalresearch.animalbehaviour

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.? John 10:27 (ESV)

?Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.? Matthew 7:24 (NLT)

?Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ??This is the way; walk in it.?? Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Cervidae: A family (category) of mammals including moose, elk, caribou/reindeer, and different species of deer. In most species, males grow and shed antlers each year, they have split hooves. They are ruminants meaning they have four stomach compartments and chew cud.Herbivore: Creatures that eat only plants, such as leaves, grass, fruits, or vegetables.Antler: Branching bones that grow on the heads of deer family animals. They grow each year covered in soft velvet, harden for the season, then fall off (shed) and regrow.

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How did God use a pigeon save lives during World War I? Discover the incredible story of Cher Ami, a pigeon who saved the lives of almost 200 soldiers. Angela O?Dell shares this story from the Real Cool History for Kids Podcast.

Join the adventure and discover more amazing stories in history told from a biblical worldview: https://angelaodell.com/real-cool-history-for-kids-home-page/

Besides light and warmth, what is so special about the sun? Discover how God Set the Stage for life when he placed the sun at the center of our solar system, and how this solar design reflects his faithfulness to us.

Here?s our trail map:

What Is the Sun and How Does it Rise?How Hot is the Sun?How Does the Sun Hold Our Solar System Together?How Does the Sun Help Us Spend Our Time Well?

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

God's Design for Heaven & Earth: https://www.masterbooks.com/gods-design-for-heaven-earth-set-mb-editionExplore Christ-centered books, curriculum, and resources by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/Try CTCMath for free and with a 12-month money back guarantee: https://ctcmath.com/Parents and caregivers: hear remarkable stories of God?s work in real people through the Compelled Podcast: https://compelledpodcast.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Sun Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/how-hot-is-the-sun/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?And God said, ?Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.? And it was so. God made two great lights?the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning?the fourth day.? Genesis 1:14-19 (NIV)

?For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.? Colossians 1:16-17 (NIV)

?Teach us to number our days,

that we may gain a heart of wisdom.? Psalm 90:12 (NIV)

?You saw my body as it was formed.

All the days planned for me

were written in your book

before I was one day old.? Psalm 139:16 (NCV)

?So be very careful how you live. Do not live like those who are not wise, but live wisely. Use every chance you have for doing good, because these are evil times.? Ephesians 5:15-16 (NCV)

?The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;

where morning dawns, where evening fades,

you call forth songs of joy.? Psalm 65:8 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Sun: The closest star to earth and the center of our solar system, made mostly of gasses including hydrogen and helium.Sun?s Corona: The outermost layer of the sun?s atmosphere extending for millions of miles into space.Mass: Mass is the amount of matter (or stuff) in an object.Gravity: An invisible pull between things that have mass.Orbit: The path one space object follows around another because of gravity.Habitable Zone: The ring around the Sun where a planet can be not too hot and not too cold, so liquid water can exist on its surface. This area is designed for life.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements.

Can elephants swim? Do turtles make noise? Why is milk not the color of a cow? We are answering curious questions from listeners and discovering how curiosity helps us explore God's wild and wonderful world.

Episode Links:

America?s Story: American History Homeschool Curriculum from a Biblical worldview: https://www.masterbooks.com/americas-story-seriesExplore all of Master Books Christ-centered books, curriculum, and resources: https://www.masterbooks.com/

Episodes Mentioned:

Why Do Elephants Squeak?: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/880f710e-9de5-4d1b-a7fe-87f2d0b493e2/What Is Light? https://player.captivate.fm/episode/4eb19e42-31c5-4143-8e42-a5a0eb63daed/What Is The Difference Between A Turtle And Tortoise?: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/dccb26a1-9dde-498f-8d6d-573f1478e243/

This podcast contains paid advertisements.

Do we need plants to live? Why did God fill the earth with plants before making creatures and people? Discover how God builds plants from air, and uses those plants to clean the air around us! and how seeds grow and spread to fill earth with tasty, useful, and life-giving plants.

Here?s our trail map:

How Do Water, Light, and Air Build Plants?How Is Fruit Made?Why Is Earth Full of Plants?How Can We Grow Good Fruit?

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Try CTCMath for free: https://ctcmath.com/Discover God?s designs in plants with Apologia?s Exploring Creation with Botany course: https://www.apologia.com/shop/botany-course-setDiscover all of Apologia?s curriculum and courses from a Biblical worldview: https://www.apologia.com/Parents and caregivers: hear remarkable stories of God?s work in real people through the Compelled Podcast: https://compelledpodcast.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree God Made Plants Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/how-is-fruit-made/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Learn about pollination on these Nat Theo Lessons:

Can Bees Dance? Lesson 35: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/98aedf4a-bc84-4346-9278-cb70a9cf238f/Why Are Bats Great Gardeners? Lesson 40: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/e2851257-6ed1-477e-bd47-2321e54de717/And How Does God Clothe Wildflowers? Lesson 97: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/96e5b692-3e42-4765-9800-eff0993f350b/

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?Then God said, ?Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.? And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning?the third day.? Genesis 1:11-13 (NIV)

?You make the grass for cattle

and vegetables for the people.

You make food grow from the earth.? Psalm 104:14 (NCV)

?Then God said, ?I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.?? Genesis 1:29 (NCV)

?Because of this, since the day we heard about you, we have continued praying for you, asking God that you will know fully what he wants. We pray that you will also have great wisdom and understanding in spiritual things so that you will live the kind of life that honors and pleases the Lord in every way. You will produce fruit in every good work and grow in the knowledge of God.? Colossians 1:9-10 (NCV)

?This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God?s wonderful grace.? Colossians 1:6 (NLT)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Photosynthesis: A process controlled by light that puts things in a plant together to turn them into energy.Chlorophyll: A green pigment (that gives plants their green colors) and allows a plant to soak in sunlight.Carbon Dioxide: A gas in the air around us that we breathe out.Stomata: Tiny holes or slits on leaves that let a plant take air with carbon dioxide in, and let air with clean oxygen out.Plant Ovary: A space deep inside a flower where seeds are made.Ovule: A tiny part inside a plant?s ovary that, once pollen reaches it, makes a seed.Seed Dispersal: How seeds move away from the parent plant to grow in a new place.

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We enjoy water everyday, but how much of Earth?s water can we actually drink? And where does it come from? Discover how God set the stage for life when he created bodies of fresh water. We?ll visit Psalm 104 to see how God shaped mountains, valleys, and springs to care for his creatures, then dive into groundwater and underground aquifers to learn how water moves beneath our feet. Finally, we meet Jesus at Jacob?s well (John 4) to understand the gift of Living Water that never runs dry.

Here?s our trail map:

How Much Fresh Water Is on Earth?What Does Psalm 104 Say About God?s Water System?Why Is There Water Underground?How Is Jesus Like a Water Well?

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Save 20% and get a FREE speaker using code Nat20 at https://www.sherwoodkids.com/nat20 (offer valid through March 31, 2026)Explore books, curriculum, and resources by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/Parents and caregivers: hear remarkable stories of God?s work in real people through the Compelled Podcast: https://compelledpodcast.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/memberGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree God Made Water Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/how-much-fresh-water-is-on-earth/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?And God said, ?Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.? And it was so. God called the dry ground ?land,? and the gathered waters he called ?seas.? And God saw that it was good.? Genesis 1:9-10 (NIV)

?You built the earth on its foundations

so it can never be moved.

You covered the earth with oceans;

the water was above the mountains.

But at your command, the water rushed away.

When you thundered your orders, it hurried away.

The mountains rose; the valleys sank.

The water went to the places you made for it.

You set borders for the seas that they cannot cross,

so water will never cover the earth again.? Psalm 104:5-9 (NCV)

?You make springs pour into the ravines;

they flow between the mountains.

They water all the wild animals;

the wild donkeys come there to drink.

Wild birds make nests by the water;

they sing among the tree branches.

You water the mountains from above.

The earth is full of the things you made.? Psalm 104:10-13 (NCV)

?When Noah was six hundred years old, the flood started. On the seventeenth day of the second month of that year the underground springs split open, and the clouds in the sky poured out rain.? Genesis 7:11 (NCV)

Jesus at the well: John 4:5-15

?...Jesus stood up and said in a loud voice, ?Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. If anyone believes in me, rivers of living water will flow out from that person?s heart?? John 7:37-38 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Freshwater Spring: Where water comes out of the ground naturally, all on its own.Groundwater: Water beneath the earth?s surface.Aquifer: An underground area made of sand, gravel, or other sediments that groundwater moves through.Artesian Spring: Where freshwater is pushed by pressure out of the ground to above the earth?s surface.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements.

What is the atmosphere and how does it keep us alive? Discover how God Set the Stage for life by carefully engineering the sky and air around and above us. Travel through the five layers of the atmosphere and discover how God carefully protects us through his design of waters above and below.

Episode Links:

God's Design for Heaven & Earth: https://www.masterbooks.com/gods-design-for-heaven-earth-set-mb-editionDebbie Lawrence?s books: https://www.masterbooks.com/authors/debbie-lawrenceExplore Christ-centered books, curriculum, and resources by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Scriptures In This Episode:

?Then God said, ?Let there be a space between the waters, to separate the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth.? And that is what happened. God made this space to separate the waters of the earth from the waters of the heavens. God called the space ?sky.? And evening passed and morning came, marking the second day.? Genesis 1:6-8 (NLT)

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We see and use light every day, but have you ever wondered what is light? Why can we see colors? And how did God use light at the very beginning?We?re exploring how light travels in waves and photons, why objects bounce colors into our eyes, and even how creatures glow using living light (bioluminescence) and reflective light (biofluorescence). We?ll hear how in Genesis 1:1-5 God said, ?Let there be light,? and see how that shines into our lives today. Get ready to discover the amazing science of light ? and the One who IS the Light!

Here?s our trail map:

What Is Light?How Do Colors Work?Where Can We Find Light In Nature?How Is God Light?

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Save 20% and get a FREE speaker using code Nat20 at https://www.sherwoodkids.com/nat20 (offer valid through March 31, 2026)Discover all of Apologia?s curriculum and courses from a Biblical worldview: https://www.apologia.com/Parents and caregivers: hear remarkable stories of God?s work in real people through the Compelled Podcast: https://compelledpodcast.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/memberGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree God Made Light Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/how-do-colors-work/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

And God said, ?Let there be light,? and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light ?day,? and the darkness he called ?night.? And there was evening, and there was morning?the first day.? Genesis 1:1-5 (NIV)

?Before the mountains were born

or you brought forth the whole world,

from everlasting to everlasting you are God.? Psalm 90:2 (NIV)

?...God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.? 1 John 1:5b (NCV)

?In the beginning there was the Word (Jesus). The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were made by him, and nothing was made without him. In him there was life, and that life was the light of all people. The Light (Jesus) shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overpowered it.? John 1:1-5 (NCV)

?But you are a chosen people, royal priests, a holy nation, a people for God?s own possession. You were chosen to tell about the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.? 1 Peter 2:9 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Light: Energy that helps us see things.Light Waves: Tiny waves of energy that travel through space (an area).Bioluminescence: ?Living Light.? Light created by creatures through a chemical reaction in their bodies.Biofluorescence: When a creature absorbs light and re-emits it as a different color, causing the creature to glow when light is shined on them.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements.

What is a water bear? And how does it survive space travel? Discover a microscopic animal that might be the toughest creature on earth: the tardigrade!

Here?s our trail map:

If a Water Bear Isn?t a Bear, What Is It?How Does a Tardigrade Grow Up?How Is a Tardigrade the Toughest Animal on Earth?How Does God Help Us Endure Hard Things?

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

America?s Story: American History Homeschool Curriculum from a Biblical worldview: https://www.masterbooks.com/americas-story-seriesExplore all of Master Books Christ-centered books, curriculum, and resources: https://www.masterbooks.com/Explore Apologia?s award-winning curriculum at https://www.apologia.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Water Bear Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/what-is-a-tardigrade/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/askAn excellent video about tardigrades from Answers in Genesis (Used in researching this lesson): https://youtu.be/FcMPpXSAeV4?si=P8PeUmKY1a9ah8Sd

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?How many are your works, Lord!

    In wisdom you made them all;

    the earth is full of your creatures.? Psalm 104:24 (NIV)

?So don?t worry, because I am with you.

    Don?t be afraid, because I am your God.

I will make you strong and will help you;

    I will support you with my right hand that saves you.? Isaiah 41:10 (NCV)

?...the joy of the Lord is your strength.? Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)

?But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;

    let them sing joyful praises forever.

Spread your protection over them,

    that all who love your name may be filled with joy.? Psalm 5:11 (NLT)

?I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.? John 16:44 (NLT)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Tardigrade: Meaning ?slow stepping.? A microscopic animal (without any bones) and with eight legs (often called a water bear).Tardigrada: A phylum (large category) of animals including only tardigrades, with more than 1,200 unique species.Microscopic: Something so small that you cannot see it with only your eyes. You need a microscope to see it.Invertebrate: A group of animals that don?t have a backbone.Cuticle: A tough and flexible outer layer that covers a tardigrade's body, which the tardigrade molts and regrows as it gets larger.Piercing Stylet: A hard, sharp mouthpart the tardigrade uses to pierce food and eat the fluids inside.Hypertrophy: An increase in the size of a tissue or organ (growth) caused by cells getting larger, not by making more cells.Cryptobiosis: A process that dramatically slows down metabolism to survive harsh conditions.Tun Stage: During cryptobiosis when a tardigrade rolls up into a protective ball and dries out to survive harsh conditions.Cyst Stage: When a tardigrade creates extra cuticle layers around its tun state for extra protection.Dsup: A damage suppressor protein that shields a tardigrade?s DNA from damage.TDR1: A DNA repair machine found in tardigrades. When DNA gets damaged, TDR1 repairs the broken spots so the cell can work normally again.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements. 

In this listener favorite re-release episode, enjoy our family's favorite Christmas storybook, Why Christmas Tree's Aren't Perfect.

See our Ponderosa pine Christmas tree: https://www.instagram.com/p/DDXP83NRggm/

Order your copy of Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect: https://www.amazon.com/Why-Christmas-Trees-Arent-Perfect/dp/1501825836

Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect was read and recorded with permission from Guideposts books.

Why do opossums play dead, and how tiny are their babies? Why does an opossum?s eyes glow at night? Discover God?s design in North America?s only marsupial, the opossum!

Here?s our trail map:

Why Do Opossums Have Pouches?How Small Is an Opossum Baby?Why Does an Opossum Play Dead?Did Jesus Actually Die On the Cross, and Why?

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Try CTCMath for free and enjoy their 12-month money back guarantee: https://ctcmath.com/Marvels of Creation 3-book set by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/marvels-of-creation-3-book-packExplore all of Master Books Christ-centered books, curriculum, and resources: https://www.masterbooks.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Opossum Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/why-do-opossums-play-dead/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?But one of the soldiers stuck his spear into Jesus? side, and at once blood and water came out.? John 19:34 (NCV)

?And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.? Philippians 2:8 (ESV)

?Christ had no sin, but God made him become sin so that in Christ we could become right with God.? 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NCV)

?Christ himself suffered for sins once. He was not guilty, but he suffered for those who are guilty to bring you to God. His body was killed, but he was made alive in the spirit.? 1 Peter 3:18 (NCV)

?But God shows his great love for us in this way: Christ died for us while we were still sinners. So through Christ we will surely be saved from God?s anger, because we have been made right with God by the blood of Christ?s death.? Romans 5:8-9 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Marsupial: A group of mammals that have very tiny babies which are born early and then crawl into a pouch on the mother?s belly to keep growing. Inside the pouch, the baby drinks milk and stays warm and safe.Nocturnal: Creatures that are mostly active at night.Tapetum Lucidum: Reflective layer in some eyes that reflects light.Marsupium: A pouch on a mother marsupial?s belly where her tiny baby or babies stay safe and warm after being born. Inside the pouch are nipples so the babies can drink milk and keep growing.Thanatosis: A safety reaction some animals use when they are in danger. Their bodies go limp and still, sometimes with eyes open, so a predator thinks they?re dead and loses interest.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements. 

Image Credit of baby possum: Garst, Warren, 1922-2016, photographer, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Western_pygmy_possum_walking_on_person%27s_hand_-_DPLA_-_e2b0a4d441a2c7683320f0740e5a20f7.jpg

Gary Meszaros (Photo Researches, Inc): https://www.nwf.org/Magazines/National-Wildlife/2015/AprilMay/Animals/Opossums

Why do adult axolotls look young? And how exactly do axolotls regrow body parts? We are diving deep into axolotl DNA and discovering how God designed these magnificent and mysterious amphibians.

Here?s our trail map:

Are There Still Axolotls in the Wild?How Do Axolotls Regrow Body Parts?Why Do Axolotls Never Grow Up?How Can We Grow Up In God?

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Try CTCMath for free and enjoy their 12-month money back guarantee: https://ctcmath.com/Explore dinosaur books for kids by Master Books: Dinosaurs for Kids: https://www.masterbooks.com/dinosaurs-for-kids-hardback-singleDinosaurs by Design: https://www.masterbooks.com/dinosaurs-by-designDinosaurs of Eden: https://www.masterbooks.com/dinosaurs-of-eden-revised-hardback-singleMaster Books Dinosaur Bundle: https://www.masterbooks.com/dinosaur-basketNat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Axolotl Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/how-does-an-axolotl-regrow-body-parts/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Some but not all resources used in research:

Axolotl populations in the wild: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/1095/53947343#populationAxolotl mRNA regeneration: https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2023/07/how-an-ultra-sensitive-on-off-switch-helps-axolotls-regrow-limbs.html#:~:text=Further%20experiments%20showed%20that%20axolotl,protein%20synthesis%20occurred%20during%20regeneration. (*mentions evolution)

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?I tell you the truth, you must change and become like little children. Otherwise, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. The greatest person in the kingdom of heaven is the one who makes himself humble like this child.? Matthew 18:3-4 (NCV)

?When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.? 1 Corinthians 13:11 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Regenerate: To grow back or be made new after something is hurt, lost, or broken.RNA: Copies of DNA, instructions for building cells.mTOR: A tiny control switch inside cells that tells them when to grow, make and repair (by making new proteins)Paedomorphic: When an animal is grown up but still keeps baby or juvenile features.Neotenic: An animal grows up without losing its baby features because its body develops more slowly. It can be an adult (able to have babies) while still looking young.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements. 

Why do giraffes have spots, and do those spots serve a purpose? Why are giraffes so tall, and do they get dizzy when they stand up? And how does being the tallest land animal help keep themselves and other animals on the savanna safe? Discover God?s amazing design in giraffes and how they show us excellent engineering in nature.

Here?s our trail map:

Does a Giraffe Get Dizzy?What Do Giraffes Teach Us About Engineering?Why Do Giraffes Have Spots?How Are Giraffes Like a Watchman?

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Apologia?s Zoology 3 Land Animals Course: https://www.apologia.com/shop/zoology-3-course-set/Explore all of Apologia?s Zoology courses: https://www.apologia.com/subject/science/zoologyDiscover Apologia?s Christ-centered and award-winning curriculum: https://www.apologia.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Giraffe Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/what-is-special-about-a-giraffes-heart/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?You are worthy, our Lord and God,

    to receive glory and honor and power,

because you made all things.

    Everything existed and was made,

    because you wanted it.? Revelation 4:11 (NCV)

?How many are your works, Lord!

    In wisdom you made them all;

    the earth is full of your creatures.? Psalm 104:24 (NIV)

?I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way.

    What you have done is wonderful.

    I know this very well.? Psalm 139:14 (NCV)

?Human, I now make you a watchman for Israel. Any time you hear a word from my mouth, warn them for me.? Ezekiel 3:17 (NCV)

?If the Lord doesn?t build the house,

    the builders are working for nothing.

If the Lord doesn?t guard the city,

    the guards are watching for nothing.? Psalm 127:1 (NCV)

?I look up to the hills,

    but where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,

    who made heaven and earth.

He will not let you be defeated.

    He who guards you never sleeps.? Psalm 121:1-3 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Giraffidae: A family (category) of animals including giraffes and okapi.Heart Ventricles: Two chambers in the bottom of a heart that pump blood out of the heart into the rest of the body.Irreducible Complexity: Something has many parts, and needs all of those parts at the same time to keep working. If anything is removed, it will break.Thermoregulation: How an animal or person keeps their internal body temperature stable.Watchman: Someone who keeps a lookout for danger to protect others.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements. 

How do wild horses find food and stay warm in winter? Discover God?s designs in domestic and wild horses. Uncover the secrets to their strength and how horse power points us to the much greater power of our Creator.  

Here?s our trail map:

How Did God Design Horses to be Strong?Did God Make Horses to Help Humans?How Do Wild Horses Stay Warm?Should People Trust In Horses?

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Support Nat Theo: https://erynlynum.com/giveMarvels of Creation Book Set by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/marvels-of-creation-3-book-packDinosaur Books by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/apologetics/dinosaursExplore books, curriculum, and resources by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Horse Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/how-do-wild-horses-stay-warm-in-winter/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?Job, are you the one who gives the horse its strength

    or puts a flowing mane on its neck?

Do you make the horse jump like a locust?

    It scares people with its proud snorting.

It paws wildly, enjoying its strength,

    and charges into battle.

It laughs at fear and is afraid of nothing;

    it does not run away from the sword.? Job 39:19-22 (NCV)

?Then God said, ?Let us make human beings in our image and likeness. And let them rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the tame animals, over all the earth, and over all the small crawling animals on the earth.?

So God created human beings in his image. In the image of God he created them. He created them male and female. God blessed them and said, ?Have many children and grow in number. Fill the earth and be its master. Rule over the fish in the sea and over the birds in the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.? Genesis 1:26-28 (NCV)

?You put them in charge of everything you made.

    You put all things under their control:

all the sheep, the cattle,

    and the wild animals,

the birds in the sky,

    the fish in the sea,

    and everything that lives under water.

Lord our Lord,

    your name is the most wonderful name in all the earth!? Psalm 8:6-9 (NCV)

?The godly care for their animals?? Proverbs 12:10 (NLT)

?Horses can?t bring victory;

    they can?t save by their strength.? Psalm 33:17 (NCV)

?You can get the horses ready for battle,

    but it is the Lord who gives the victory.? Proverbs 21:31 (NCV)

?Some trust in chariots, others in horses,

    but we trust the Lord our God.? Psalm 20:7 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Muscle: A stretchy part inside a body that can tighten and pull. Muscles help parts of the body move or stay still.Extensor Muscles: A group of connected muscles that run along the top of a horse from its neck and along its back to its tail. Flexor Muscles: The group of connected muscles beneath a horse?s spine.Biomechanics: The study of how living things move like machines.Sebaceous Gland: Tiny glands in a horse?s skin that create oil (called sebum) to protect their skin and hair.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements.

What is it like in the Nat Theo studio? Are there monkeys swinging around, tanks of exotic fish, or fancy lighting? We're going behind the scenes and sharing what it's like (and what it takes) to make Nat Theo happen. We are also sharing an exciting goal for 2026 and inviting you on the adventure! Finally, we are answering questions from curious listeners.

Give a one-time or monthly gift. Every gift goes directly toward producing Nat Theo and reaching more families in 2026: https://erynlynum.com/give

Please note: Nat Theo is not set up as a non-profit and gifts are not tax-deductible.

Have you ever wondered how sharp a lion?s teeth are? Or why lions have to hunt and how do they do it? Discover God?s designs in lions including how they work together in prides, care for lion cubs, and what they can teach us about God?s grace in a fallen world.

Here?s our trail map:

Where Do Lions Live?How Do Lions Raise Families Together?How Sharp Are Lion?s Teeth?How Can We Glimpse God?s Goodness In Carnivores?

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Grab your copy of Wonders of Creation and discover God?s designs in a fallen world: https://www.masterbooks.com/wonders-of-creationExplore books, curriculum, and resources by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Lion Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/how-sharp-are-a-lions-teeth/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?God said, ?Look, I have given you all the plants that have grain for seeds and all the trees whose fruits have seeds in them. They will be food for you. I have given all the green plants as food for every wild animal, every bird of the air, and every small crawling animal.? And it happened.? Genesis 1:29-30 (NCV)

 ?Now the earth was corrupt in God?s sight and was full of violence.? Genesis 6:11 (NIV)

?Everything that moves, everything that is alive, is yours for food. Earlier I gave you the green plants, but now I give you everything for food.? Genesis 9:3 (NCV)

?Then wolves will live in peace with lambs,

    and leopards will lie down to rest with goats.

Calves, lions, and young bulls will eat together,

    and a little child will lead them.

Cows and bears will eat together in peace.

    Their young will lie down to rest together.

    Lions will eat hay as oxen do.? Isaiah 11:6-7 (NCV)

?He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death, sadness, crying, or pain, because all the old ways are gone.? Revelation 21:4 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Sub-Saharan Africa: The large area of Africa made up of many countries that is south of the Saharan Desert.Asiatic Lion: A protected species of lion living in the Gir Forest of western India.Lion Pride: A family group of lions that lives together?usually related females and their cubs, plus one to a few adult males?who share food, protect each other, and defend their territory.Lioness: A female lion.Matrilineal: A family system where related females (mothers, daughters, sisters) stay together and pass the family group on through the mother?s side.Allomothering: When females other than a baby?s own mother help care for it.Canine Teeth: A set of four long, sharp teeth lions use for gripping and holding onto prey.Carnassial Teeth: Sharp molar teeth lions use for shearing meat.Obligate Carnivore: Animals that rely on meat for the nutrition they need. They must eat meat.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements. 

Have you ever heard of the ?Unicorn of the Sea?? Discover how the narwhal inspired the unicorn myth, why its long tusk is so special, and what happens when this Arctic whale faces danger and experiences ?brain freeze.? Just like narwhals can panic when threatened, we can feel overwhelmed too?but God gives us peace and clear minds as we trust Him.

Here?s our trail map:

Are Narwhals Unicorns of the Sea?What Is a Narwhal?s Horn?Can a Narwhal Get a Brain Freeze?How Can We Stay Calm When Scary Things Happen?

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Grab your copy of Wonders of Creation and discover God?s designs in a fallen world: https://www.masterbooks.com/wonders-of-creationExplore books, curriculum, and resources by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Narwhal Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/narwhal-facts/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth had disappeared, and there was no sea anymore? The One who was sitting on the throne said, ?Look! I am making everything new!?? Revelation 21:1, 5 (NCV)

?For God did not give us a spirit of fear. He gave us a spirit of power and of love and of a good mind.? 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLV)

?You will keep in perfect peace

    all who trust in you,

    all whose thoughts are fixed on you!? Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Cetaceans: Scientific order (category) of mammals including whales, dolphins and porpoises.Marine Mammal: Mammals (warm-blooded, have hair or fur, breathe air through lungs, and feed their babies with milk) that live in or near the ocean for their whole lives.Unihemispheric Sleep: When a creature allows part of its brain to rest while the other part of its brain is still active and alert.Nerve Endings: End points of nerves that send messages from different parts of the body to the brain to tell it what is being felt.Panic: When someone suddenly feels very scared or worried and has trouble thinking clearly about what to do.Disorientated: When someone feels confused about where they are or which way to go.

Some (but not all) sources used in researching:

History of unicorn myth and narwhals: https://www.cshwhalingmuseum.org/blog/from-narwhals-to-unicornsNarwhal Tusks: https://whalescientists.com/narwhals-tuskNarwhal Tusks: https://oceanographicmagazine.com/Narwhal Tusks: https://www.britannica.com/science/What-Does-a-Narwhal-Use-Its-Horn-For

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements. 

What is it like hovering in the water above countless hammerhead sharks? Or raising baby corals in aquariums? Or scuba diving at night beneath the moonlight? Dr. Robert Carter from Creation Ministries International shares what it?s like (and what it takes!) to honor God as a scientist and professional diver on this special guest episode.

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Creation Ministries International: https://creation.com

Grow together in faith, wonder, and wisdom with Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/

Explore Apologia?s award-winning courses and classes: https://www.apologia.com/

Free Coral Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/coral-reef-facts/

Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

This podcast contains paid advertisements.

Is coral a plant or animal? Discover the incredible ways God designed coral to build itself and create entire underwater communities. Joining us is coral ecologist Dr. Robert Carter who works with Creation Ministries International. Let?s dive in and learn about these amazing mystery creatures!

Here?s our trail map:

What Is a Coral?How is a Coral Different From a Coral Reef?How Does a Coral Build Its Own Home?What Important Work Did God Give Corals to Do?What Do Coral Reefs Teach Us About Hospitality?

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Creation Ministries International: https://creation.comApologia?s Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day course: https://www.apologia.com/shop/zoology-2-course-setExplore Apologia?s award-winning courses and classes: https://www.apologia.com/Try CTCMath for free for one week: https://ctcmath.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Coral Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/coral-reef-facts/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?When God?s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.? Romans 12:13 (NLT)

?When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves. Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others.? Philippians 2:3-4 (NCV)

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements.

Have you ever seen a coyote ice skating? Hear stories of real life coyote encounters and discover how God designed these amazing wild dogs to live in many habitats and raise their young (spoiler alert?they regurgitate their food like birds feeding their chicks). And answer the question: Are egg-snatching coyotes good or bad?

Here?s our trail map:

Can Coyotes Ice Skate?How do Coyotes Raise Their Pups?Are Coyotes Good or Bad?How Can We Know What Is Good or Bad?

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Order Wonders of Creation: Design in a Fallen World: https://www.masterbooks.com/wonders-of-creationGrow together in faith, wonder, and wisdom with Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/Try CTCMath for free at: https://ctcmath.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Coyote Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/coyote-facts/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?Then God said, ?Let the earth be filled with animals, each producing more of its own kind. Let there be tame animals and small crawling animals and wild animals, and let each produce more of its kind.? And it happened.

So God made the wild animals, the tame animals, and all the small crawling animals to produce more of their own kind. God saw that this was good.? Genesis 1:24-25 (NCV)

?The Lord has told you, human, what is good;

    he has told you what he wants from you:

to do what is right to other people,

    love being kind to others,

    and live humbly, obeying your God.? Micah 6:8 (NCV)

?Lord, tell me your ways.

    Show me how to live.

Guide me in your truth,

    and teach me, my God, my Savior.

    I trust you all day long.? Psalm 25:4-5 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Canidae: The dog family including wolves, jackals, foxes, coyote, and domestic (pet or working) dogs.Monogamous: When an animal has only one mate (partner) at a time.Litter of Pups: Group of coyote babies.Regurgitating: When an animal brings food back up from its stomach to feed its babies.Weaning: When a baby animal slowly stops drinking its mother?s milk and starts eating solid food on its own.Biological Control: A biological control means using one living thing to help control (or reduce) another living thing that could cause problems.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements.

Discover God?s amazing design in the world?s largest rodent?the capybara! Meet this calm, expert swimmer with chisel-sharp teeth and learn how it points us to keep returning to the goodness of God?s Word again and again.

Here?s our trail map:

Why Do Capybara Destroy Everything In Sight?Do Capybara Know How to Swim?Why Do Capybara Eat Their Poop?How Can We Get More and More Goodness From God?s Word?

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Save 15% off your entire order* with the code ?nattheo? at https://generations.org/Discover God?s designs in nature with the God Made? series: https://store.generations.org/products/god-made-science-bundleTry CTCMath for free at: https://ctcmath.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Capybara Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/capybara-facts/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?The word of God is alive and active?? Hebrews 4:12a (NIV)

?They love the Lord?s teachings, and they think about those teachings day and night.? Psalm 1:2 (NCV)

?Rain and snow fall from the sky

    and don?t return without watering the ground.

They cause the plants to sprout and grow,

    making seeds for the farmer

    and bread for the people.

The same thing is true of the words I speak.

    They will not return to me empty.

They make the things happen that I want to happen,

    and they succeed in doing what I send them to do.? Isaiah 55:10-11 (NCV)

?When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart?s delight?? Jeremiah 15:16a (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Rodent: A type of mammal that has special teeth designed for gnawing. Their front incisor teeth keep growing and they must chew on things to keep them short and usable.Rodent Incisors: Special strong, sharp front teeth that never stop growing.Reserve Crown: The hidden part of a rodent?s front tooth that stays under the gum and keeps growing. As the tip of the tooth wears down from chewing, the reserve crown slowly moves up, so the tooth never runs out and always stays sharp.Herbivore: Creatures that eat only plants, such as leaves, grass, fruits, or vegetables.Semi-aquatic: An animal that lives part of the time in the water, and part of the time on land.Cecotrophy: When some animals eat certain soft droppings that they made earlier so they can digest their food a second time.Cecotropes: Soft, nutrient-rich droppings made by some rodents including capybara. These special droppings are eaten by the animal so food can be digested a second time, letting them absorb extra vitamins and nutrients they didn?t get the first time.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements. 

*Nattheo coupon at generations.org is good through 12/31/2025

Is a cuttlefish a cuddly fish? Meet a color-changing, quick-escaping cephalopod with a built-in jetpack. Discover how God designed the cuttlefish to survive in the ocean and what it teaches us about running from the dangers of sin and temptation.

Here?s our trail map:

Is a Cuttlefish a Fish?Is a Cuttlefish Cuddly?Do Cuttlefish Have a Jetpack?How Can We Make a Quick Getaway From Danger?

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day Course by Apologia: https://www.apologia.com/shop/zoology-2-course-set/Explore Apologia?s courses and curriculum: https://www.apologia.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Cuttlefish Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/cuttlefish-facts/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?But run away from the evil desires of youth. Try hard to live right and to have faith, love, and peace, together with those who trust in the Lord from pure hearts.? 2 Timothy 2:22 (NCV)

?But you can trust God, who will not permit you to be tempted more than you can stand. But when you are tempted, he will also give you a way to escape so that you will be able to stand it.? 1 Corinthians 10:13b (NCV)

?So give yourselves completely to God. Stand against the devil, and the devil will run from you.? James 4:7 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Mollusk: A phylum (category) of animals that have soft bodies. Some have shells for protection. Some crawl on one big foot (like snails), some have two shells that open and shut (like clams), and some swim using arms and jets (like squids and octopuses).Cephalopod: A class (smaller category than phylum) of mollusks including octopuses, squid, cuttlefish, and nautilus.Calcium Carbonate: A mineral or material from nature found in things like animal shells, egg shells, chalk, and limestone.Cuttlebone: The internal shell of a cuttlefishMantle: A special organ in a mollusk that creates a shell.Hyponome: Siphon organ on cephalopods used for many purposes including jet propulsion.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements. 

How can wildflowers inspire your art? Award-winning author and artist Ruth Chou Simons shares how God?s wildflowers inspire her work and art even in difficult seasons. 

Episode Links:

Order The Way of the Wildflower: https://www.amazon.com/Way-Wildflower-Meditations-Unburden-Anxious/dp/1400244412Ruth Chou Simons Website: https://ruthchousimons.com/Save 15% on your entire Generations Ministries order* using the code: nattheo at: https://generations.org/Generations God Made? Science Bundle: https://store.generations.org/products/god-made-science-bundleGet full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Wildflower Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/wildflower-pollination/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements. 

What does it mean that God clothes the wildflowers? Discover the fuzzy sweaters, waxy coats, purposeful colors, and variety of perfumes God clothed wildflowers in so they can fulfill his plans and purposes. Joining us today is Ruth Chou Simons as we learn how wildflowers remind us to not be afraid, but trust God for all we need.

Here?s our trail map:

Why Did God Make Wildflowers?How Does God Clothe Wildflowers?How Does God Paint Wildflowers?What Is a Wildflower?s Perfume?How Do Wildflowers Remind Us to Not Be Afraid?

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Order The Way of the Wildflower: https://www.amazon.com/Way-Wildflower-Meditations-Unburden-Anxious/dp/1400244412Ruth Chou Simons Website: https://ruthchousimons.com/Save 15% on your entire Generations Ministries order* using the code: nattheo at: https://generations.org/Generations God Made? Science Bundle: https://store.generations.org/products/god-made-science-bundleTry CTCMath for free for one week: https://ctcmath.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Wildflower Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/wildflower-pollination/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?Brothers and sisters, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected.? Philippians 4:8 (NCV)

?Then God said, ?Let the earth produce plants?some to make grain for seeds and others to make fruits with seeds in them. Every seed will produce more of its own kind of plant.? And it happened.? Genesis 1:11 (NCV)

?Consider how the lilies grow; they don?t work or make clothes for themselves. But I tell you that even Solomon with his riches was not dressed as beautifully as one of these flowers.? Luke 12:27 (NCV)

?Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.? 1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Pollinator: A creature that helps spread pollen, which helps plants grow.Trichomes: Small hairs or outgrowths on a plant that help protect it.Cuticle: A waxy protective layer on the outermost layer of plant leaves that protects from water loss or UV rays.Bee Purple: A combination of yellow and ultraviolet light that is invisible to us humans but bees can see.Nectar Guides: Easy-to-see designs such as stripes or spots used to guide pollinators to the flower?s nectar inside.Osmophores: Especially cells on flower petals that give off chemical scents (called Volatile Organic Compounds) to draw pollinators.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements. 

Why do beavers work so hard building dams and lodges? Discover how God designed beavers just right for the tasks at hand, and what these natural engineers can teach us about our work.

Here?s our trail map:

What Makes a Beaver?s Fur, Tail, and Teeth Special?Why and How Do Beavers Build Dams?Why Is a Beaver?s Work Important?How Does God Help Us Do Good Work?

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Save 25% on The Origin Series by The Science Dilemma: https://sciencedilemma.samcart.com/referral/JOMTEcvo/o7DCTN842btBrX9hListen to The Science Dilemma Podcast: https://www.thesciencedilemma.com/podcastExplore Apologia?s award-winning curriculum and courses: https://www.apologia.com/Marine Biology Trips by Evidence 4 Faith: https://evidence4faith.org/marine-biology/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Beaver Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/beaver-dams-for-kids/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?For we are God?s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.? Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

?In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people.? Colossians 3:23 (NCV)

?May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;

establish the work of our hands for us?

yes, establish the work of our hands.? Psalm 90:17 (NIV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Rodent: A category of mammals that have special teeth designed for gnawing. Their front incisor teeth keep growing and they must chew on things to keep them short and usable.Semi-aquatic: An animal that lives partly on land and partly in water.?Beaver Wool?: A beaver?s underfur. The soft, fluffy layer of fur close to its skin.Guard Hairs: Long, stiff hairs on the outside of a beaver?s fur that act like a raincoat. They are an extra layer of protection over the underfur.Beaver Dam: A wall that beavers build across a stream or river using sticks, mud, rocks, and plants.Beaver Lodge: A house made of sticks and mud, partly above water and partly submerged, where beavers live with their family.Beaver Canal: A waterway, like a little stream, created by a beaver to connect it to other ponds and their favorite food sources.Keystone Species: A plant or creature that is very important for keeping other plants or creatures in its ecosystem alive. Establish: To set up something that will be strong, steady, and lasting.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements. 

Thunderstorms can be both frightening and beautiful. Today we explore God?s designs in the atmosphere and weather systems, and discover God?s power and protection in storms.

Here?s our trail map:

What Is the Atmosphere?What Makes a Thunderstorm?How Does Lightning Work?Does God Control Storms?

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Save 15% on your entire Generations Ministries order* using the code: nattheo at: https://generations.org/Generations God Made? Science Bundle: https://store.generations.org/products/god-made-science-bundleSave 25% on The Origin Series by The Science Dilemma: https://sciencedilemma.samcart.com/referral/JOMTEcvo/o7DCTN842btBrX9hListen to The Science Dilemma Podcast: https://www.thesciencedilemma.com/podcastNat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Thunderstorm Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/gods-power-over-stormsAsk your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/askAnswers in Genesis Quote: https://answersingenesis.org/geology/catastrophism/a-dark-and-stormy-world

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?Then God said, ?Let there be something to divide the water in two.? So God made the air and placed some of the water above the air and some below it. God named the air ?sky.? Evening passed, and morning came. This was the second day.? Genesis 1:6-8 (NCV)

?He fills his hands with lightning and commands it to strike its mark.? Job 36:32 (NCV)

?That evening, Jesus said to his followers, ?Let?s go across the lake.? Leaving the crowd behind, they took him in the boat just as he was. There were also other boats with them. A very strong wind came up on the lake. The waves came over the sides and into the boat so that it was already full of water. Jesus was at the back of the boat, sleeping with his head on a cushion. His followers woke him and said, ?Teacher, don?t you care that we are drowning!?

Jesus stood up and commanded the wind and said to the waves, ?Quiet! Be still!? Then the wind stopped, and it became completely calm.

Jesus said to his followers, ?Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith??

The followers were very afraid and asked each other, ?Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!?? Mark 4:35-41 (NCV)

?Lord, you are my God.

I honor you and praise you,

because you have done amazing things.

You have always done what you said you would do;

you have done what you planned long ago?

You are like a shelter from storms?? Isaiah 25:1,4b (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Atmosphere: A protective layer of gasses that is held in place by gravity, including the air we breathe.Gravity: An invisible force that pulls objects toward each other. Earth?s gravity pulls everything toward the center of earth.Troposphere: The lowest layer of Earth?s atmosphere, where we live, breathe, and where almost all weather happens.Water Vapor: Water that has turned into a gas you can?t see.Water Cycle: The way water moves around the Earth?going from the ground to the sky and back again.Lightning?s Electrical Charge: The invisible ?energy? that builds up in storm clouds and makes lightning.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements. 

*nattheo code at Generations.org is valid through December 31, 2025.

Is a Giant Panda actually a bear? Discover the amazing ways God designed the Giant Panda to live, thrive, and munch on an amazing amount of bamboo each day!

Here?s our trail map:

Is a Panda Really a Bear?Do Pandas Only Eat Bamboo?Why Are Panda Babies So Tiny and Pink?How Can We Practice Depending on God?

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Try CTCMath for free for one week: https://ctcmath.com/Save 25% on The Origin Series by The Science Dilemma: https://sciencedilemma.samcart.com/referral/JOMTEcvo/o7DCTN842btBrX9hListen to The Science Dilemma Podcast: https://www.thesciencedilemma.com/podcastNat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Panda Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/are-pandas-really-bears/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?How many are your works, Lord!

    In wisdom you made them all;

    the earth is full of your creatures.? Psalm 104:24 (NIV)

?Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

    do not depend on your own understanding.

Seek his will in all you do,

    and he will show you which path to take.? Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

?So don?t worry, because I am with you.

    Don?t be afraid, because I am your God.

I will make you strong and will help you;

    I will support you with my right hand that saves you.? Isaiah 41:10 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Ursidae: The bear family including the giant panda, sun bear, sloth bear, spectacled bear, American black bear, Asiatic black bear, brown bear (including grizzly and Kodiak), cave bear, and the polar bear.Sesamoid: A long piece of wrist bone that creates a false thumb, like a sixth finger, in a panda?s paw that they use for grasping and holding.DNA: The code inside the tiny cells that build all living things in nature.Bamboo: A type of very tall, fast-growing grass that grows in forests, mostly in Asia. Cellulose: A strong material that makes up the cell walls of plants. It?s what gives plants their shape and helps them stand tall.Altricial: When an animal baby cannot move or find food on its own, and is dependent on its mother for some time after birth.Dependent: To need someone or something to help you, support you, or take care of you.Precocial: Animals that are born or hatched ready to walk, run, and find food right away, and are not very dependent on parents after birth.

Some but not all resources used for research:

https://www.pdxwildlife.com/pandas-vs-grizzlies/https://answersingenesis.org/mammals/giant-panda-veggie-bear/

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements. 

Have you ever wondered how snails have babies, if they're born with shells, or why snails are so slimy? Discover God?s amazing designs in these little creatures that are probably crawling around your yard right now!

Here?s our trail map:

What Is a Snail?Is a Snail Born With a Shell?Why Do Snails Make Slime?How Does God Help Us Have a Shield of Protection?

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Save 25% on the Origin of Life Series by The Science Dilemma. Use code NAT25: https://sciencedilemma.mysamcart.com/nat-theo/Try CTCMath for free for one week: https://ctcmath.com/Marine Biology Trips by Evidence 4 Faith: https://evidence4faith.org/marine-biology/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Snail Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/are-snails-born-with-shells/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?So God made the wild animals, the tame animals, and all the small crawling animals to produce more of their own kind. God saw that this was good.? Genesis 1:25 (NCV)

?So God created human beings in his image. In the image of God he created them. He created them male and female.? Genesis 1:27 (NCV)

?But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.? Psalm 3:3 (NLT)

?Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.? Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)

?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 (NCV)

?I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless?? Psalm 101:3 (ESV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Invertebrate: A group of animals that don?t have a backbone.Mantle: A special organ God designed many creatures with that is sometimes used to create a shell.Calcium Carbonate: A mineral or material from nature found in things like animal shells, egg shells, chalk, and limestone.Hermaphrodite: A creature with both female and male parts in its body.Snail Foot: The big, flat, soft part on the bottom of its body that it uses to move around on.Suprapedal Gland: A gland at the front of a snail?s foot that creates mucus.Snail Mucus: A thick, slippery fluid made mostly of water, proteins, and special sugars.Epiphragm: A protective shield a snail creates to keep itself safe. It uses its mucus and, in some species, calcium carbonate, to form a solid barrier at its shell?s opening. Pneumostome: A small opening on the side of a snail?s body that lets air in, over the lungs, and out.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements. 

What makes alligators and crocodiles different?and what can their powerful jaws teach us about our words? Join us as we explore God?s design in these amazing creatures and uncover a surprising connection between reptiles, the food chain, and the Bible.

Here?s our trail map:

How Are Alligators and Crocodiles Different?How Do Alligators and Crocodiles Swallow Their Prey?How Do Alligators and Crocodiles Care for Their Babies?How Do Our Mouths Bring Death or Life?

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Explore Apologia?s award-winning curriculum and courses: https://www.apologia.com/Try CTCMath for free for one week: https://ctcmath.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Alligator Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/alligators-vs-crocodiles/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.? Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)

?When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need?words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you.? Ephesians 4:29 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Reptiles: A group of cold-blooded animals that have backbones, dry, scaly skin, and usually lay soft-shelled eggs on land.Cold-blooded: A cold-blooded animal relies on its environment, or the conditions around it, to stay cool or warm. They cannot keep their own bodies warm like humans and warm-blooded animals can. Crocodilia: An order (smaller category) of reptiles including alligators and crocodiles, caiman, and gharial.Apex Predator: Animals at the top of the food chain. No other animals hunt or eat them. They are the biggest and strongest hunters in their environment.Palatel Valve: A special flap at the back of an alligator or crocodile?s throat that seals off their airway when eating, so water does not go into their lungs or respiratory system.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements. 

Meet one of the cutest creatures God made?the pika! This tiny mountain mammal lives high up in the tundra and teaches us big lessons about preparing for hard seasons so we can live and thrive in God?s plans and purposes.

Here?s our trail map:

What Is a Pika?What Is Life Like on the Tundra?Why Do Pika Pick Flowers?How Can We Store Up What We Need for Hard Times?

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Try CTCMath for free for one week: https://ctcmath.com/Explore Apologia?s award-winning curriculum and courses: https://www.apologia.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Pika Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/american-pika/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.? Psalm 119:11 (NIV)

?Let the teaching of Christ live in you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and instruct each other by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.? Colossians 3:16 (NCV)

?We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, sure and strong?? Hebrews 6:19a (NCV)

?But I have hope

    when I think of this:

The Lord?s love never ends;

    his mercies never stop.

They are new every morning;

    Lord, your loyalty is great.? Lamentations 3:21-23 (NCV)

?And this hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts. He gave us his love through the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to us.? Romans 5:5 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Lagomorphs: A group of animals that includes rabbits, hares, and pikas. They look like rodents but have four front teeth instead of two.Tundra: A cold, treeless place where the ground stays frozen most of the year. Only small plants grow, and certain animals God designed to live in such a harsh ecosystem.Talus: A slope of broken rocks at the base of a cliff or mountain that provides shelter for animals.Haying: When an animal gathers and dries plants to store and eat later.

One of the resources used for numbers in this episode: https://californiasciencecenter.org/funlab/ever-wonder/2023-09-13/how-pikas-can-survive-extreme-conditions-with-johanna-varner

A resource used for information on the pika cuteness factor: ?The Pika Book That Will be Good for My Mom?s Podcast? By Will Lynum.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements.

What do shark fins, magnet-powered cells, animal bruises, fur, octopus moms, and owl necks all have in common? They?re questions curious kids like you asked?and we?re answering them in this special episode.

These questions came from young listeners just like you. Each one leads us to discover more about the amazing ways God designed nature.

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Save 10% with code NATURE at Christianbook.com: https://www.christianbook.com/Get full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubAsk your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?...Stop and consider the wondrous works of God.? Job 37:14 (ESV)

This podcast includes paid advertisements.

It seems impossible to watch an otter and not smile. God designed river and sea otters in amazing and playful ways. Join biologist Jill Smith and Eryn Lynum as we discover what makes otters so amazing!

Here?s our trail map:

What is the difference between a sea otter and a river otter?How is a sea otter like a pool noodle?How do otters help protect God's creation?Why do otters make great parents?How can we stay safe through a healthy community?

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Jill Smith?s Website, Nature Education Cards, and Book, Nature Unveiled: https://jillsmith.my.canva.site/life-long-learnerTry CTCMath for free for one week: https://ctcmath.com/Save 10% with code NATURE at Christianbook.com: https://www.christianbook.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Otter Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/river-otter-vs-sea-otter/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?Let us think about each other and help each other to show love and do good deeds.? Hebrews 10:24 (NCV)

?Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.? Ecclesiastes 4:9-10  (NLT)

?Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.? Romans 12:10 (NIV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Mustelidae: The animal family that includes otters, weasels, ferrets, badgers, and wolverines.Semi-aquatic: An animal that lives partly on land and partly in water.Holdfast: The root-like part of kelp that anchors it to rocks on the ocean floor, keeping it from floating away.Sea Otter Raft: A group of sea otters floating together on the water?s surface, often holding paws to stay connected.Community: A group of people (or animals) who live, work, or spend time together and help each other.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements. 

Platypuses have been called the strangest animal on earth, but is it true? Discover this amazing creature with its duck-like bill, beaver-like tail, otter-like webbed feet, reptile-like claws, snake-like venom, and that lays eggs like a turtle!

Here?s our trail map:

Why Does a Platypus Lay Eggs?How Is a Platypus Venomous?Why Do Platypus Have a Bill?What Does Scripture Say About Being Different?

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Try CTCMath for free for one week: https://ctcmath.com/Save 10% with code NATURE at Christianbook.com: https://www.christianbook.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Platypus Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/why-does-a-platypus-lay-eggs/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/askA great book for learning about God?s designs in creature: God Made Animals by Generations Ministries

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?How many are your works, Lord!

    In wisdom you made them all;

    the earth is full of your creatures.? Psalm 104:24 (NIV)

?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 (NCV)

?I have given them your teaching. And the world has hated them, because they don?t belong to the world, just as I don?t belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world but to keep them safe from the Evil One. They don?t belong to the world, just as I don?t belong to the world.? John 17:14-16 (NCV)

?Christ accepted you, so you should accept each other, which will bring glory to God.? Romans 15:7 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Mammal: A group of animals that have hair or fur, are warm-blooded, have a backbone, (most) have live births, and feed their babies with milk from their bodies.Monotremes: A small group (order) of mammals that lay eggs instead of having live births. Monotremes include the duck-billed platypus and four types of echidnas.Platypus Spur: A spike on the insides of a male platypus?s ankles that injects venom into an opponent.Crural Gland: A pocket inside the male platypus?s thigh that, during mating season, produces venom that the male platypus injects through the spur on its ankle when battling other male platypuses. Carnivore: A creature that only eats meat from other creatures, not plants.Mechanoreceptors: Tiny sensors on a platypus?s bill that help it feel movement and pressure changes under the water.Electroreceptors: Tiny sensors on a platypus?s bill that help it feel electrical charges from nearby creatures.

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Explore the world of lava?what it is, where it comes from, and how God uses volcanoes to show His incredible power and unshakeable love! 

Here?s our trail map:

What is Lava Made Of?How Are Igneous Rocks Made?How Does a Volcano Erupt?How Do Volcanos Point to God?s Power?

Eryn's Books:

The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:

Save 25% on Apologia?s award-winning curriculum through August 31, 2025! https://www.apologia.com/Try CTCMath for free for one week: https://ctcmath.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Lava Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/what-is-lava-made-of/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?The mountains shake in front of him,

    and the hills melt?.? Nahum 1:5a (NCV)

?The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,

    before the Lord of all the earth.? Psalm 97:5 (NCV)

?...on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened.? Genesis 7:11 (NIV)

?Now the springs of the deep and the floodgates of the heavens had been closed, and the rain had stopped falling from the sky. The water receded steadily from the earth. At the end of the hundred and fifty days the water had gone down.? Genesis 8:2-3 (NIV)

?You clothed the earth with floods of water,

    water that covered even the mountains.

At your command, the water fled;

    at the sound of your thunder, it hurried away.

Mountains rose and valleys sank

    to the levels you decreed.? Psalm 104:6-8 (NLT)

??The mountains may disappear,

    and the hills may come to an end,

but my love will never disappear;

    my promise of peace will not come to an end,?

    says the Lord who shows mercy to you.? Isaiah 54:10 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Lava: A natural material that has come out of a volcano and can cool down and harden into rock.Magma: Hot, melted rock that is deep underground.Igneous Rock: A rock that is made by lava cooling down and hardening into a rock.Elements: The basic building blocks that everything in nature is made of.Intrusive Igneous Rock: Rock that forms while still Inside the earth or underground, when magma cools slowly. Because it cools slowly, it grows big crystals you can often see.Extrusive Igneous Rock: Rock that forms after magma has exited a volcano or come out of the earth or underground, when lava cools quickly. Because it cools fast, it has tiny or no crystals, so the rock might feel smooth or glassy.Volcanic Glass: Special kinds of extrusive igneous rock that forms when lava cools very fast, so fast that it doesn?t have time to grow any crystals. That?s why it looks shiny and smooth, almost like glass!Volcanic Eruption: When a volcano explodes or spills out hot lava, ash, and gases from deep underground.Effusive Eruption: A gentler volcanic eruption when hot lava spills over and flows out of the volcano.Explosive Eruption: A dramatic and violent volcanic eruption causing hot lava, rock fragments, and ash to quickly explode out of a volcano.Sovereignty: Supreme power and authority.

Some (but not all) sources used for Genesis flood research:

https://answersingenesis.org/the-flood/psalm-104-flood-or-day-three-of-creation-weekhttps://answersingenesis.org/geology/mount-st-helens/i-got-excited-at-mount-st-helensThe Genesis Flood: The Biblical Record and its Scientific Implications, John C Whitcomb and Henry M Morris

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What do you get when you mix the colors of a peacock, the eyes of a chameleon, the punch of a boxer, and the shell of a crab? Meet the Peacock Mantis Shrimp?a creature so unique, scientists are studying it to understand how to design cars, airplanes, and armor!

Here?s our trail map:

What Is a Mantis Shrimp?Can the Mantis Shrimp Punch Through a Glass Aquarium?How Does the Mantis Shrimp See Its Underwater World?Are There Things in This World We Cannot See?

Episode Links:

FREE Activity Guide and Bonus Video for this lesson!: https://nattheo.myflodesk.com/x6uw96zq8yTry CTCMath for free for one week: https://ctcmath.com/Save 25% on Apologia?s award-winning curriculum through August 31, 2025! https://www.apologia.com/Order Eryn?s 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/0825448891Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Mantis Shrimp Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/mantis-shrimp-punch/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/askOrder Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?How many are your works, Lord!

    In wisdom you made them all;

    the earth is full of your creatures.? Psalm 104:24 (NIV)

?Through his power all things were made?things in heaven and on earth, things seen and unseen, all powers, authorities, lords, and rulers. All things were made through Christ and for Christ.? Colossians 1:16 (NCV)

?Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.? 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NLT)

?If you declare with your mouth, ?Jesus is Lord,? and if you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved. We believe with our hearts, and so we are made right with God. And we declare with our mouths that we believe, and so we are saved.? Romans 10:9-10 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Crustacean: An animal with a hard shell on the outside, jointed legs, and no bones inside. Most but not all live in water.Stomatopod: A category (order) of crustaceans commonly called the mantis shrimps. They live in ocean waters, commonly in coral reef areas. They are aggressive and are carnivorous, meaning they eat other creatures.Cavitation: A process where the mantis shrimp creates a bubble by the power of its punch that collapses, causing a shockwave of incredible force including sound, light, and heat that stuns or kills prey.Dactyl Club: Front appendages on a mantis shrimp made of three layers of materials to be strong and lightweight.Biomimicry: When people study designs in nature to create better products and technology, using inspiration from nature.Compound Eye: An eye made of many, many tiny lenses working together.

Some Resources and Sources from this lesson:

By Design: Evidence for Nature?s Intelligent Designer?The God of the Bible, Dr Jonathan Sarfati: https://usstore.creation.com/product/2419-by-design-2024-book

Wonders of the Ocean Realm: Sherri Selligson: https://www.amazon.com/Wonders-Ocean-Realm-Marvels-Wild/dp/1496486463

Dark matter and energy:

Believing is Seeing, Michael Guillen, PhD, Former ABC News Science Editor: https://www.amazon.com/Believing-Seeing-Physicist-Shattered-Necessity/dp/1496455584https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/dark-matter/en/#:~:text=The%20Short%20Answer:,than%205%25%20of%20the%20universe.

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Do you have a nature collection? Have you ever had or held a fossil? David Rives of David Rives Ministries joins us to share his adventures in fossil finding and how his collection turned into one of the largest creation science museums!

Episode Links:

David Rives Ministries: https://davidrivesministries.org/Creation Club Magazine: https://davidrivesministries.org/magazine/Wonders Center & Science Museum: https://wonderscenter.org/Order Eryn?s 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/0825448891Join the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubOrder Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615

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With its folded front legs and watchful eyes, the praying mantis looks like it's deep in prayer?but is it really? In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of the mantis: from its amazing hunting skills and five incredible eyes, to whether female mantises really eat their mates. Along the way, we'll discover how even the strangest creatures in nature reflect the creativity of our amazing God?and how creation itself can teach us to worship Him.

?Here?s our trail map:

What Is a Praying Mantis?Is the Praying Mantis Really Praying?How Does a Praying Mantis Hunt?Do Female Praying Mantises Eat Their Mates?How Does Creation Worship God?

Episode Links:

Get 10% off with code NatTheo10 and enjoy a FREE week of the Flourish Family Bible Curriculum: https://treehouseschoolhouse.com/pages/free-week-of-flourishTry CTCMath for free for one week: https://ctcmath.com/Order Eryn?s 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/0825448891Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Praying Mantis Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/praying-mantis-facts/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/askOrder Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?So God created human beings in his image. In the image of God he created them. He created them male and female.? Genesis 1:27 (NCV)

?But ask the animals, and they will teach you,

    or ask the birds of the air, and they will tell you.

Speak to the earth, and it will teach you,

    or let the fish of the sea tell you.

Every one of these knows

    that the hand of the Lord has done this.

The life of every creature

    and the breath of all people are in God?s hand.? Job 12:7-10 (NCV)

?Let the skies rejoice and the earth be glad;

let the sea and everything in it shout.

Let the fields and everything in them rejoice.

Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy.? Psalm 96:11-12 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Mantodea: An order, like a category, of insects that have long bodies, long folded front arms, and triangular heads. They are known for their unique and efficient hunting strategies.Mantis Religiosa: A specific species of insect in the mantodea order. It?s the one we often think of when we think about the praying mantis.Raptorial Forelegs: The praying mantis?s front legs that are strong and spiky, made for grabbing and holding onto prey?like built-in prey-catching tools!Ambush Predator: A creature that stays very still and waits quietly for its prey to come close, then quickly jumps out to catch it?like a surprise attack.Compound Eye: A special kind of eye made of many tiny lenses that help insects like the praying mantis see movement and what?s around them.Psuedopupil: A dark spot you see on some insect eyes, like a praying mantis or a fly. It looks like a real pupil, but it?s not. It?s caused by how light is absorbed and reflected.Ocelli: Tiny simple eyes on top of a praying mantis?s and other insect?s heads that help them sense light and dark.

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Why would a bird pretend to be hurt? Meet the clever killdeer?a ground-nesting bird with amazing tricks to protect its eggs! Discover how it uses camouflage, fake injuries, and even scent-hiding strategies. Plus, learn what the Bible says about truth and being genuine.

Here?s our trail map:

What Is a Killdeer?Why Would a Bird Build a Nest on the Ground?What Is the Killdeer?s Broken Wing Act?Why Does a Killdeer Chick Leave Its Nest Right Away?How Can We Recognize Tricks From Truth?

Episode Links:

Explore the Answers Bible Curriculum by Answers in Genesis: AnswersBookstore.com/bibleExplore Apologia?s Live Classes: https://www.apologia.com/live-classesExplore Apologia?s Self-paced Classes: https://www.apologia.com/self-pacedExplore Apologia?s award-winning science curriculum for grades k-12: https://www.apologia.com/subject/science/Order Eryn?s 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/0825448891Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Killdeer Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/killdeer-bird-facts/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/askOrder Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?So you must stop telling lies. Tell each other the truth, because we all belong to each other in the same body.? Ephesians 4:25 (NCV)

?Your love must be real (genuine). Hate what is evil, and hold on to what is good.? Romans 12:9 (NCV)

?But people who are evil and cheat others will go from bad to worse. They will fool others, but they will also be fooling themselves. But you should continue following the teachings you learned. You know they are true, because you trust those who taught you.? 2 Timothy 3:13-14 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Plover: A category of small to medium-sized birds that live near water, like beaches, lakes, and muddy fields. They have short beaks and long legs, and they like to run, stop, and peck at the ground to find food like insects and worms. Killdeer: The killdeer is a plover that grows about 9-11 inches long with brown backs, white bellies, and two black stripes across their chest. Their eyes are bright red or orange.Ground Nester: A type of bird that makes its nest on the ground instead of in trees or bushes. They lay their eggs right on the dirt, grass, or rocks, and their eggs usually blend in so they don?t get noticed by other animals.Egg Incubation: When a bird sits on its eggs to keep them warm and safe until the baby birds are ready to hatch. The bird uses its body to keep the eggs cozy, and sometimes it gently turns the eggs with its beak or feet. Turning the eggs helps keep the baby birds growing inside healthy and warm, with all the nutrients it needs to grow into a baby bird.Preening Oil: Special oil that birds make to keep their feathers clean, smooth, and waterproof.Olfactory Camouflage: A design in some creatures allowing them to change or hide their scent or smell to blend in with their surroundings.Precocial: Birds and other animals that are born or hatched ready to walk, run, and find food right away.Brooding: When a bird sits on its eggs or stays close to its baby birds to keep them warm and safe. The parent bird does this to help the babies grow strong and stay protected.Deception: Tricking someone or something by making them believe something that isn?t true.Genuine: Being real, honest, and not pretending. If someone is genuine, they really mean what they say or do.

Some resources used for research:

https://www.audubon.org/news/injury-or-illusion-why-bird-broken-wing-may-not-be-what-it-appearsA guide to Bird Behavior, Volume II by Donald & Lillian StokesAudubon Nature Encyclopedia, Volume 6What It?s Like to Be a Bird, David Allen Sibley

Killdeer Song recording from CornellLab All About Birds: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Killdeer/sounds

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Have you ever wondered what?s really going on inside an anthill?or how ants can carry things way heavier than themselves? Discover how God designed ants to work together like a tiny, efficient team?and what their super strength teaches us about the incredible power God puts inside us!

Here?s our trail map:

How Does an Ant Colony Begin?How Do Ants Work Together?Where Do Ants Get Their Super Strength?How Does God Give Us Super Strength?

Episode Links:

Try CTCMath for free for one week: https://ctcmath.com/Explore the Answers Bible Curriculum by Answers in Genesis: AnswersBookstore.com/bibleOrder Eryn?s 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/0825448891Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Ant Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/ant-facts-for-kids/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/askOrder Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

?Go watch the ants, you lazy person.

Watch what they do and be wise.

Ants have no commander,

no leader or ruler,

but they store up food in the summer

and gather their supplies at harvest.? Proverbs 6:6-8 (NCV)

 ?...?Let the earth be filled with animals, each producing more of its own kind. Let there be tame animals and small crawling animals and wild animals, and let each produce more of its kind.? And it happened.? Genesis 1:24 (NCV)

And you will know that God?s power is very great for us who believe. That power is the same as the great strength God used to raise Christ from the dead and put him at his right side in the heavenly world.? Ephesians 1:19-20 (NCV)

?With God?s power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine.? Ephesians 3:20 (NCV)

 ?...?My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you.? So I am very happy to brag about my weaknesses. Then Christ?s power can live in me.? 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NCV)

?So don?t worry, because I am with you.

Don?t be afraid, because I am your God.

I will make you strong and will help you;

I will support you with my right hand that saves you.? Isaiah 41:10 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Ant Colony: A group of ants that work very hard together to hatch and grow more ants so their colony can grow. In the ant colony, ants have different jobs so that the work can be done most efficiently.Efficiency: When a job or task is done in a way that saves time and energy.Nuptial Flight: A special time when queen ants and male ants fly into the sky to mate, so the queen can start a new ant colony.Worker Ant: Female ants that do not lay eggs, but have many different jobs in the ant colony.Ant Antennae: The two feelers on an ant?s head that help it smell, touch, and talk to other ants.Ant Pheromones: Special chemical smells that ants make to send messages to each other.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements.