One of the few old-growth forests in northern Kentucky is the Lloyd Wildlife Area in Crittenden. No axe ever has disturbed the 20-acre plot and never will. It was set aside by Curtis G. Lloyd, an internationally known botanist. When he died, his ashes were scattered here, near an impressive tombstone. One side bears his name and says, “Erected by himself, for himself, in his own lifetime,” and then there is a line from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream: “What fools these mortals be.” On the other side it reads, “How many days, months, years, nobody knows and nobody cares.”

Of course, it is not true that nobody cares. Jesus cares. If He marks the sparrow’s fall, then He knows and cares about the smallest detail of our lives. The very hairs of your head are numbered (Matt. 10:29-31). The old gospel song is right: “Oh yes, He cares. I know He cares.”


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About The Author

A third generation preacher, Mike Shannon is Professor of Preaching at Cincinnati Bible Seminary of Cincinnati Christian University. He has served as a preaching minister, church planter, and college professor. His most recent preaching ministry was at the historic First Christian Church of Johnson City, Tennessee. In his nearly two decades at Cincinnati Christian University, Mike has served as both professor and Dean of the Seminary. He has also been an adjunct professor at Milligan College and Northern Kentucky University. Mike is the author or co-author of several books.

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