Jewel # 312 (Feb. 21, 2018)

“And 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

Amazing Sled Dogs

“In the Creator’s hand is the soul of every living thing,

and the breath of all mankind.”

(Job 12:10)

Every March one of the world’s most interesting races takes place.  It covers 1000 miles of snow- and ice-covered land, rivers and lakes between Anchorage and Nome, Alaska.  This is perhaps the toughest of all races ever run and takes the competing teams two weeks or more to finish.  The people involved run most of the way at the rear of their heavily loaded sleds.

These sleds are pulled by a dozen or more strong dogs, usually including Alaskan malamutes and Siberian huskies, all of which have been trained for months by their owners.  The dogs are selected for strength, endurance and ability to work together in teams.  All have thick fur, enabling them to withstand the extremely cold conditions.  This thick fur has coarse outer hair and another coat of fine hair next to the skin so that they never get “soaked to the skin.”  When resting or sleeping their heavily furred tails wrap around their bodies, helping to keep them warm.

But it is not only in this amazing race that sled dogs are needed; they are needed for more practical purposes in the freezing climates of Greenland, Europe and Asia as well.

Trappers and prospectors, for instance, could not get along without them in places where no other transportation is available.  Natives of those areas also find them a real help in getting around in cold winter months.

Many of these sled dogs look fierce and untamed and occasionally fight between themselves, but they are usually friendly with their master.  Some owners take special care of them when on trails of harsh snow and ice, putting special boots on their feet and ankles, but leaving the toes uncovered.  This is because they have very thick fur on their toes, and their strong claws give them a good grip on slippery surfaces.

But it is not only in the frozen north that sled dogs are popular.  In parts of Europe and other countries, dogs of various varieties pull carts loaded with cans of milk, firewood and other items, as well as children enjoying a ride.  At times just one dog will pull these wheeled carts.

As we consider different animals, it’s not difficult to see how the Creator has designed each one in a special way for its own life pattern.  More importantly, we should consider how He has provided for each of us in a special way.  The Bible tells us in many places how He cares for us.  Here is one: “Many, O Lord my God, are Thy wonderful works . . . and Thy thoughts which are to us-ward. . . .  They are more than can be numbered” (Psalm 40:5).  

Have you ever thanked Him for His loving care over you?  

Love you all - Grandpa 

Jewel # 311 (Feb. 13, 2018)

And 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

Fooling the Enemy

“Hide me under the shadow of Thy wings, 

from the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly  enemies.”

(Psalm 17:8-9)

If the Creator hadn’t provided a means of protection, many creatures wouldn’t have a chance of fighting back or escaping from their enemies.  Many of their enemies would devour them with one bite, if the opportunity presented itself.  Here are some examples of the Creator’s protection.

Several small beetles are coloured bright red, orange, or yellow, others are plain-coloured, and still others are a combination of the two.  Each of these beetles is either poisonous, has a terrible taste or has a bad smell.  As a result, many creatures have learned to avoid them, as well as those with similar colour combinations, as they are not able to distinguish one from the other.

A wide variety of caterpillars, wasps, bees, flies and even small birds have been given distinctive markings of various kinds.  These creatures are protected from harm because they don’t look like something edible.  Some resemble stones, sticks, blades of grass or other none-edible objects. 

 Some caterpillars cover their backs every day with flower buds, leaves or grass.  An unusual variety of beetle plasters its back with mud each day.  Another one, which lives on chalk-white cliffs, powders its entire body with fresh, white  dust, making it practically invisible to its enemies.

One of the most amazing insects is an orange and black fly by the name of zonose. Its wings, which are spread out while resting, are transparent but have black, matched markings on each wing that look exactly like a jumping spider’s legs, including other black spots on its body—all contributing  to its disguise.

In the oceans in many parts of the world, large fish will gobble down smaller fish.  However, one called the cuttelfish can change its colour in less that a second to blend perfectly with it surroundings.  In fact, there are a great many fish that can do this very same thing.  When they see an enemy approaching, they seem to sense that their colouring hides them.   They remain perfectly still while the enemy swims by without even being aware of their presence.

These are just a few examples of helpless creatures being protected from cruel enemies by means of fooling them or being invisible, using the remarkable and interesting camouflages the Creator has provided for them.  Of course, they are not aware of His care, but He kindly looks after them just the same.

Those who know the Lord Jesus as their Saviour are often aware of our enemy, Satan, who never tires of trying to discourage or harm us by evil suggestions and teachings.  Our opening Bible verse should be our constant prayer, guide and encouragement.  

Do you know the Lord jesus Christ as your Saviour?

If so, you can ask Him to hide you under the shadow of His wings.

Love you all - Grandpa  

Jewel # 310 (Feb. 5, 2018)

“And 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

A Great Imitator 

“The heart is deceitful above all things . . . who can know it? I the Lord search the heart.” (Jeremiah 17:9-10)

Known as walking stick, or stick insects, these relatives of katydids, crickets, grasshoppers and earwigs come in many varieties throughout North, Central and South America, as well as Asia.  North America alone has about a dozen different kinds.  Some measure only two to three inches long, but in Asian countries some may be twelve inches long when stretched out on a branch. The larger ones, when roasted, are considered a very tasty food by the natives.

Walking sticks usually remain perfectly still on twigs or even flat blades of grass or leaves.  Their long, slender bodies look so much like a part of the tree or plant that insects coming from behind innocently climb up and walk along their backs.

Unlike most insects, these strange brown or green creatures have no wings but have six long, flexible, thin legs, all about the same length, that seem awkward in climbing over twigs and branches.  When folded under their bodies, their legs look like a part of a branch itself.

Walking sticks remain motionless on the twigs, branches or leaves, blending so perfectly they are nearly invisible.  Their strange appearance hides them from their enemies.  Even people searching for these unusual creatures may walk right by one lying on a bare branch and not discover it until, by chance, the person thinks he is grabbing a branch for support and discovers it trying to wriggle away from his hand.  

These insects are greedy leaf-eaters, sometimes damaging walnut, oak, locust, hickory, cherry and other trees.  The female usually drops one hundred or more eggs to the ground, one at a time, which will hatch the following spring.  They are neglected, and few survive.  As the young grow, they shed their skin five or six times.  

In many ways these walking sticks represent an illustration of the deceitful ways of Satan and his efforts to spoil our personal lives.  How much better to have our trust in the Lord Jesus, our Creator, and ask Him to help us do what these Bible verses tell us: “He that will love life, and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no dishonesty. . . . For the eyes of the Lord are over the honest and true, and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil” (1 Peter 3:10-12).          

Love you all - Grandpa