Jewel # 384 (Dec. 23, 2019)

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

The Prickly Hedgehog

I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, 

by My great power and by My outstretched arm.  

Jeremiah 27:5

Unless you have traveled in northern Europe, Asia, southern and eastern Africa or New Zealand, it is not likely that you have ever seen a wild hedgehog.

There are people in England who make friends with hedgehogs and tame them by setting out food at night, which is when these animals do their hunting.  They usually eat any kind of insect, slug, caterpillar, small mammal or snake they may come across as well as leaves, nuts, seeds and birds’ eggs.  And this is why some people keep them as pets—to get rid of insects and other house pests.

Although when fully grown they are only about nine inches long, the Creator has provided these unusual little animals with an excellent means of protection from harm.  Except for their smooth heads, the backs of hedgehogs are covered with a complete armour of sharp, bristly spines (like a porcupine’s) down to their stubby tails.  These spines normally lie flat while the hedgehogs are resting or searching for food.  But when a dog or other animal threatens them, they roll into round balls, tucking their heads into their chests and drawing their legs up tight, which leaves the sharp spines pointing in every direction.  A dog or other creature that is stupid enough to grab this black, prickly ball in its mouth immediately yelps in pain and is left with some of those spines stuck in its mouth, nose or tongue—a rather painful lesson to learn!

Hedgehogs have this name because they make their homes under bushy hedges, hiding there in the daytime and coming out only at night.  A male and female pair stay together throughout their lives.  In nests of woven moss and grass, they raise three or four little ones each year.  The young ones’ spines at first are soft and few in number, making them look like young birds.  Hedgehogs hibernate in winter, but may come briefly to search for food and then promptly return to the nest.

These funny little creatures remind us again of the pleasure our Lord, the Creator, had in bringing so many varieties of life into the world.  But we read in the Bible that His greatest delights are with men and women, boys and girls.  For all who will accept the Lord Jesus as their Savour, He has prepared a place in heaven where all will be peace and love, which will be a wonderful change from this world of sin, sickness and death.  Have you heard or read that wonderful message,“Happy is that people, whose God is the Lord" (Psalm 144:15)?  

Have you confessed to Him your need of a Saviour and accepted His wonderful promise of eternal life?    

Love you all - Grandpa    

    

Jewel # 383 (Dec. 12, 2019)

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

The Big Gobbler

I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are Mine.   Psalm 50:11 

The thanksgiving holiday is a time when many homes have a turkey dinner.  This is a custom that started over 200 years ago when the Pilgrims made a feast to thank God for their bountiful crops.  

Native Americans who were invited brought wild turkeys, and this tasty meat proved to be so popular that the annual feast usually includes roast turkey.

The wild turkey, which lives throughout much of North America, is a resourceful creature.  It has excellent sight and can spot intruders before they can come near.  Its bronze colours help it to blend into the brush.  It can run from danger at speeds of 15 miles an hour or take to the air at more than 50 miles an hour!

A wild tom is an interesting sight, particularly when he is seeking a mate.  He approaches a hen with loud gobbles, and the pouch-like area at the front of his throat, called a wattle, becomes brilliant red.  With his breast and body feathers puffed out, he spreads his wings to the ground and fans out his multi-coloured tail, then struts around in a proud manner.

The hen makes her nest in dry leaves for the four-week incubation of a dozen eggs.  Almost immediately after hatching, the chicks can feed themselves, and the hen trains them to  find nuts, berries, fruit, seeds and insects.  They are not aware of it, but we know it is the Creator’s care that provides for all their needs.  The Bible says, “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap . . . yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.  Are ye not much better than they?” (Matthew 6:26).  He certainly does count us “much better than they” and wants you and me not only to know of His deep love for us, but His wonderful invitation to live with Him in His heavenly home.

As soon as the young turkeys can fly, they leave the nest and roost in trees at night, which is much safer.  In about two years, they are fully grown and weigh from 20 to 30 pounds.

If a rattle snake shows up, the hens puff out their feathers, and with loud hissing they usually frighten it away.  But if it continues to threaten them, a tom turkey soon shows up, and the snake is doomed.  Striking the tom, all it gets is a mouthful of feathers.  The tom’s sharp beak soon kills this enemy. 

These birds of the forest are clever, but the Bible tells us God has made us wiser that they are (Job 35:11).  This wisdom is given so that we might seek the Lord and answer His promise:  “I love them that love Me; and those that seek Me early shall find Me” (Proverbs 8:17).  

Are you wise enough to follow God’s instruction?    

Love you all - Grandpa  

Jewel # 382 (Dec. 4, 2019)

Common Marmoset                 Pygmy Marmoset

Golden Marmoset

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

The Lively Marmosets

Consider it in thine heart, that the Lord He is God in heaven above,

and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.”  

Deuteronomy 4:39

If you think monkeys in the zoo are interesting, you would really enjoy seeing the miniature marmosets in the rain forests of Central and South America and Mexico.  These are true monkeys but are the world’s smallest ones.  With few exceptions, a full-grown marmoset is only about the size of a small kitten, but at first glance their long, furry tails make them look nearly twice as large.

They are captivating little creatures, with small round faces surrounded by a long cap of white fur.  The rest of their fur is a variety of colours.  Their diet is made up of fruits, insects and the green stems and leaves of shrubs and tees.

Unlike most animals, baby marmosets are cared for mostly by their fathers.  It is not uncommon to see a tiny one clinging to its father’s back as he scampers through the trees, but at feeding time it goes back to its mama.

God has given us marmosets in many varieties, one of which is known the golden marmoset, named for its bright, silky, golden fur.  It is truly a beautiful little animal.  But perhaps the most graceful of all is one called silky marmoset.  Its fur also has a golden sheen but is more chestnut in colour.

The smallest is understandably named the pygmy marmoset.  It is only about the size of a large mouse.  Its lovable appearance includes long, soft fur behind its ears, draping over both sides of its head, like an expensive cape and almost hiding its pretty face and large mouth.  The rest of its fur is rather dark, and its long tail is circled with light-coloured rings.  Many people consider the pygmy marmoset the prettiest of all monkeys, large or small.

Another, almost as small, is called the buffy-headed marmoset.  Its light-brown face, inquisitive, dark-rimmed eyes and black chin whiskers account for its name.  Its heavily furred arms and legs are dark or light brown or sometimes blackish.  This one lives in small groups apart from the others, and it is difficult to get more than a quick glance at one as it scampers through the lower branches of the deep jungles of Brazil where it lives.

It’s good to know these interesting creatures are always under the Creator’s care, as the Bible verse tells us: “The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works” (Psalm 145:9).  Have you ever thanked Him for His extra-special care over you and His love in providing a way of salvation for you? Have you accepted Him as your Saviour?  

“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Proverbs 10:13) 

Love you all - Grandpa