Jewel # 415 (August 29, 2020)

 

“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 Snail Kite

He sends the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills. . . .  By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation.  Psalm 104:10-12

Although snail kites are found in Cuba and parts of South America, the only place in North America where they are found is in Florida, on the shores of Lake Okeechobee and a few other freshwater marshes.  These birds are part of the hawk family and are an endangered species.  They were first given the name Ever-glade kite, but the more descriptive name of snail kite was eventually substituted as their eating habits were discovered.

These birds look much like crows; all feathers are slate black with their wings having a bluish sheen.  Tails have a white band with white underparts.  Their only other colouring is orange-red on their legs and feet, facial skin, and orange-red eyes with black pupils.

They usually make very crude nests in driftwood and twigs, where the female lays two or three light-gray eggs speckled with dark-spots. Occasionally nests are also made in tall reeds at the water’s edge.  Because these birds are rare, in some areas bird watchers have provided nesting spots in large wire containers, a foot or so off the ground, where eggs can be laid.  Chicks hatched in these are in less danger from snakes and other creatures that would harm them.

The female’s feathers are lighter in colour than her mate’s, helping her to be more concealed from enemies.  This is a kind provision of the Creator, giving her protection when unable to defend herself while sitting on the nest.

The snail kite’s unusual name comes from its main food source - a freshwater snail, with the uncommon name “apple snail,"that is abundant in certain lakes and marshes.

You may wonder if they eat the snails shells and all.  No.  The Creator has provided them with strong, hooked beaks.  The sharp upper half has just the right curve to reach inside the snail shell.

After lifting the snail out of the water, the kite slides its beak inside the shell far enough to cut the muscles that anchors the snail to its home.  In just a few seconds, the bird has swallowed a tasty treat or perhaps it will carry it back to its nest.

Adult birds usually eat only snails and may eat fifty in one day.  However, if they have a poor snail catch, they may substitute small turtles, snakes, fish or large insects.

These birds, like all others, are a part of the Lord God’s wondrous creation, and He watches over them with loving care.  But His love for you and me is much greater, as He has declared: “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3). 

Have you thanked Him for His loving-kindness to you? 

Love you all - Grandpa       

Jewel # 414 (August 22, 2020)

“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

Kaibab Squirrels Are Different 

“God made the beast of the earth after his kind . . . and God saw that it was good.”  Genesis 1:25

Some time ago we considered some of the squirrels, including the ground and flying species, but we don’t want to overlook the unusual Kaibab squirrels.  These live on the bluffs overlooking the Grand Canyon of Arizona.

The Kaibabs, or tasseleared squirrels, have some features and habits quite different from those in other parts of North America.  Their unusually long hair provides pretty colouring and warmth.  Their faces and ears are black, speckled with white, and they have a deep-red band running the length of their brown backs and almost pure-white tails.

These squirrels have been called “prisoners of geography.”  This is because the areas surrounding them for miles are mostly desert, and the deep Grand Canyon with the Colorado river running through it all form natural boundaries that keep them in an area from which they cannot escape, nor can other squirrels come to join them.  But the Creator had His own purpose in keeping them separate and has well provided for their every need.    

There are an estimated 20,000 Kaibab squirrels, making their homes in the pretty pine forests growing on the northern rim of the canyon, high above the river.  Visitors enjoy watching then scramble about the trees and tall grass.

Their diet includes twigs, pinecone seeds, mushrooms, toadstools and other fungi, as well as plants and other seeds.  Someone watching closely estimated that one squirrel alone seemed to eat about a thousand pinecone seeds (which are very small) in one day.

These particular squirrels don’t store food for winter as most other squirrels do, but during the winter months they find nourishment in chewing the tender ends of new growth on pine tree branches.  Another reliable winter food for them is a fungus that grows on the roots of the trees and is easily found when a squirrel scrapes away the ever present layer of fallen leaves and pine needles.  This fungus satisfies their hunger with its good taste and rich nourishment.

The Creator has wisely provided these little animals with an instinct to move to a different territory every year or so.  Thus a region that has fed great numbers of them is given time to renew its particular section of forest.

Thousands of visitors go to the Grand Canyon every season, and those touring the north rim find much pleasure in discovering the pretty pine trees sheltering such great numbers of these cute little squirrels.  We hope many of the visitors realize that, besides the magnificent Grand Canyon, the little kaibab squirrels living there are another example of the wonders of God’s creation!    

Love you all - Grandpa   

Jewel # 413 (August 18, 2020)

               

"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

Unseen Helpers

“By Him were all things created, that are in the sky, and that are in earth, visible and invisible.” Colossians 1:16

There are a great number of creatures that, unseen by most people, are very helpful to us.  Worms, for instance, munch their way through the soil day and night, fertilizing it and making openings for water and nitrogen to reach plant roots.  Bats fly unseen through dark nights, feeding on great numbers of mosquitoes and other insects.

There are also other forms of life not visible without a microscope—billions and billions of microorganisms.  One of these is bacteria, without which we could not survive!  Some bacteria cause a chemical change called fermentation. These special helpers are essential in making alcohol, bread, cheese, buttermilk, yogurt and many more food items.  Bacteria that live in the digestive tracts of man and animals help in the digestion of certain foods.

Bacteria are also very important and useful to man in other ways.  Certain of these helpers cause decay of dead animal and vegetable matter, dissolving this matter into plant food in the soil and gases in the atmosphere. Even oil spilled on the ground or in a a lake is dissolved by bacteria in time.  Their activity is most important in garbage dumps where tons of waste material are discarded every day.  If it were not for the bacterial process of decay, the earth would become covered with dead material, and all living things would gradually die out.  Even in the mining of copper, zinc, uranium and gold, it wouldn’t be possible to make metal out of the ore without these tiny assistants.

No matter how clever scientists are, they could never produce such microscopic forms of life that do such a vast number of helpful things and without which we could not exist.  These invisible forms of life didn’t just happen to be in the world by chance.  No, the were planned!  Our beginning Bible verse explains that they are on the earth because the Lord God, the Master Designer and Creator of everything, has placed them here as helpers for every kind of life.  They serve us in many ways, helping each one of us in our daily lives.  God alone has made these invisible forms of life, and they will continue in their unseen activities while the world lasts.

When we think of bacteria and other wonders of God’s creation, may we proclaim with the psalmist, “O come let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.  For He is our God; and we are the people of His pasture”  (Psalm 95:6-7).

He will be pleased with your worship and thanksgiving after you have accepted His Son, the Lord Jesus, as your Saviour.  

“He loves you and has said, "He or she that comes to Me . . . I will in no way cast out” (John 6:37).

Love you all - Grandpa       

Jewel # 412 (August 6, 2020)

 

"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 Bad-Tempered Camel

"The multitude of camels . . . and the dromedaries . . . shall come.  . . .  Their riders shall show forth the praises of the Lord.”  Isaiah 60:6

A camel is not a pretty animal, nor is it known for its good behaviour.  It is one of the most awkward of all domestic animals and among the most difficult to manage.  It has several bad habits, such as biting people or animals and spitting on strangers.  Still, this animal is very useful to desert dwellers, where it is known as "the ship of the desert.”

The Arabian Camel, sometimes called a dromedary, has only one hump, but the Bactrian species has two.  These humps serve a very useful purpose.  When the animal is well fed, the humps store fat and stand erect and firm.  As it travels across the desert without food for  several days, the camel can absorb the nourishment stored in these humps.  Then the humps shrink and become flabby.  But when the camel feeds again, the humps resume their proper shape.

Camels can go without water for days or even months, depending upon the time of year.  They need less water in cooler months but will drink five gallons a day in hot weather.  They also get some moisture from their food.

There are many ways the Lord has made special provisions for this large animal.  Each foot has two wide, smooth, hard pads so it can walk easily on hot sand.  At rest periods, it folds its front legs, dropping its forepart to the sand.  Then it folds its long hind legs, and the whole body drops down.  Its knees and chest, which would be painfully scraped by the sand in the process, have been given thick, hard pads for protection.

During sandstorms, men cover their faces with cloths to survive, whereas a camel needs no special care.  An extra eyelid, heavy eyebrows and long lashes protect its eyes, while its large nostrils automatically close to narrow slits to keep the sand out.

The special needs of this peculiar animal were provided for from the very beginning by an all-wise Creator.  Without this care, they would never have survived in the harsh deserts.

As we think about how the camel’s special needs have been taken care of, it is a reminder that God has made a promise to those who love Him.  To those who trust in His Son, the Lord Jesus, He has promised to “supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”  (Philippians 4:19).  This assures us that there is no limit to what He can do for every boy and girl, man and woman.

He delights in all His creatures, but for mankind He has made special provisions, not only for this world, but also for the world to come.  He has given the promise of eternal life in heaven to all who accept His Son as Lord and Saviour.

Have you accepted this wonderful gift?

Love you all - Grandpa