Jewel # 234 (December 22, 2015)

“They shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, 

in that day when I make up

MY JEWELS.”

(Malachi 3:17)

To my dear grandchildren,

The friendly Dolphin

“Happy is he . . . whose hope is in the Lord his God:  which made heaven, 

and earth, the sea, and all that therein is.”

(Psalm 146:5-6)

Below the ocean’s surface, a dolphin is giving birth to a baby which will be about three feet long and weigh more that 100 pounds.  Coming up occasionally for air, the mother will require an hour’s time to bring her baby into the world.  If this baby would be born headfirst, like most other creatures, it would drown, for it must breathe air.  So God has provided that it will be born tail first, and it won’t need to breathe until immediately after birth.

With birth completed, the newborn will go to the surface for air with its mother’s help.  Then she will turn on her side to let her baby nurse.  Soon another dolphin will swim close and look the baby over carefully.  The mother will not be concerned, because this is an “auntie” that will help in the baby’s training and protection until it matures.

Dolphins have never been know to purposely hurt a person and are quick to make friends.  They seem to enjoy swimming alongside ships, and, because they swim very fast, they sometimes go great distances, often swimming in large circles around the ships.

Dolphins are friendly with each other and communicate by means of squeaks, clicks and whistles.  When one is injured, others stay with it, guiding or pushing it out of danger.  Should one be unable to rise to the surface for air, others will swim under it to lift it to the surface.

These graceful creatures spend their entire lives in water and have no way of surviving on land; yet they are air-breathing mammals.  Their bodies are remarkably streamlined for fast movement through water so they can easily catch fish, their main food.  Thecommon dolphins grow to 15 feet long and weigh a 1000 pound or more.  The bottle-nosed dophins usually seen performing in water shows, are closer to 6 feet long and weigh about 250 pounds.

How wonderful that God has populated the world with so many interesting creatures.  And a verse from he Bible tells us that all creatures, including humans, are dependent on Him for life:  “The eyes of all wait upon Thee; and Thou givest them their meat in due season.  Thou openest Thine hand and satisfies the desire of every living thing” (Psalm 145:15-16).        

In the same psalm we are told, “The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth.  He will fulfill the desire of them that fear Him: He also will hear their cry, and will save them” (vss 18-19).  This is His invitation to us to call on Him for the salvation of our eternal souls.

Have you made your call to Him?

Love you all,

Grandpa 

Attachments area

Preview attachment imgres.jpg

imgres.jpg

Jewel # 233 (December 16, 2015)

"They shall be Mine, saith the Lord of Hosts,

in that day when I make up 
MY JEWELS.”

(Malachi 3:17)

To my dear grandchildren

The Arabian Horse

“Hast thou given the horse strength? Hast Thou clothed his neck with thunder (flowing mane)?"

(Job 39:19)

Compared to other horses, Arabian horses are small.  They usually don’t grow taller than 15 hands (60 inches).  Paintings and drawings of Arabians have been found in Arabia, dating back to the time of Noah.  This tells us that they have been important in the lives of people for a long time.  No doubt they are important to their Creator, too, because the Bible tells us that all things were created for His pleasure (Revelation 4:11). 

Arabian horses’ hair is usually gray and freckled brown, but they can also be red, painted (white with brown patches), black and any other solid colour.  No matter what colour hair an Arabian horse has, its skin underneath is always black.  This helps prevent the horse from getting sunburned.

When Arabians gallop, they can reach speeds up to 35 miles per hour.  When they run, they arch their necks with their delicate heads and hold up their tails, which makes them look very elegant.

Many people consider the Arabian horse the most beautiful of all horses.  Their prominent eyes, large nostrils, small muzzles and flowing manes set them apart from other horses.  They have a broad chest, a strong back and sloped shoulders to give them powerful strides.  Did you know that Arabian horses have 17 ribs?  Most other horses have 18.

Right now, the United States has the largest Arabian horse population in the world.  It was not always so, however.  In the early1700s, Arabian stallions were brought to America to begin a breeding program.  This effort came to a halt during the Civil War, and most all of the Arabian horses were wiped out!  But being quite hardy, these animal made a comeback later in the 1800s, and they are likely to stay around.

They adapt well and have favourable dispositions when treated well by their owners.  It is amazing how God created these beautiful and elegant animals, yet so hardy and tough.  He has given this breed all that it needs to survive the desert as well as in colder climates.

Many Arabian people breed and care for purebred Arabian horses.  They sometimes bring their horses inside their tents for protection from theft, because they are so valuable to their owners. Although they are  great friends, they can also have fiery habits, running and kicking wildly.  These horses are eager to please, though, and are quick learners.

God loves and cares for us too.  Just as He has provided for the needs of this beautiful animal, He has provided for our need of salvation through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  He has given us His Word, the Bible, along with the faith to believe it and the peace to enjoy it.  Being able to pray is another provision God in His love has given us.   

“My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory” (Philippians 4:19).

Love you all,

Grandpa

Jewel # 232 (December 6, 2015)

Attachments area

Preview attachment imgres.jpg

mgres.jpg

“They shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts,

in that day when I make

up MY JEWELS.”

(Malachi 3:17)

To my dear grandchildren,

African Wild Dogs

“Every beast of the forest is Mine . . . and the wild beasts of the field are Mine.”

(Psalm 50:10-11)

African wild dogs, or African painted dogs, or Cape hunting dogs, live in packs of 5 to 30, which are often made up of family groups.  Almost always on the move, they stay just a few days in one spot, then move on to another place, maybe 25 miles away.  About the size of wolves, some weigh 40 pounds and can outrun just about any other animal.  They are vicious hunters; however, they only kill for food.  They themselves have few natural predators, but lions are their main enemy.  The dogs’ numbers are declining due to loss of habitat, human hunting and disease outbreaks.

For about three months each year, a pack stays near the dens where as many as 16 pups are raised with much care.  Adults and young spend much time together, playfully pushing their muzzles into each other’s mouths.  When they are ready for a pack hunt, one or two adults stay behind to guard the pups.

The pups are really cute with inquisitive faces, bright eyes, and big saucer-like ears pointing forward.  They usually have tan-coloured backs, but their sides and underparts are a blackish-brown with white patches on their throats and legs.

A dozen adults may spot a herd of impalas or other animals and set out to capture one.  Several dogs chase part of the herd while their companions go after any that may have broken away.  When one impala finally gets separated from the others, a single dog continues chasing it.  Apparently knowing that the victim will run in a wide circle, the rest of the dogs leave the impalas they have been chasing and cut across the circle to get in front of the tiring victim.  With dogs all around it, the impala soon gives up; the chase is over and the pack moves in for the kill.

The dogs always eat as much of the food as they can but do not quarrel over it as some wild animals do,  Eating their fill, they return to their dens and bring up portions for the pups and the guards that stayed with them.  Later when the pups are big enough to join these hunts and an animal is caught, the older ones let the young ones eat their fill first.

The care these wild dogs give their young helps us to think kindly of them. Many of you have parent who have not only shown you love and care in every way, but who also knew the importance of telling you of God’s love.  They have explained about the precious Saviour who gave His life to wash away the sins of all who admit to Him that they are sinners and accept Him as their Saviour.  

Have you done this?  

And have you ever thanked your parents for telling you about Him?  

Love you all,

Grandpa

Attachments area