Jewel # 451 (July 29, 2021)

 

Flashlight Fish

"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

Some Amazing Fish  (Part 1)

"In six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is.”  Exodus 20:11

There are over 34,000 species of fish in the world, and new ones are being discovered all the time.  All have been designed by the Creator for the particular part of the ocean, river or lake in which they live, so that they may find food and resist their enemies.

Among these are about 80 kinds of South and Central American freshwater fish that have built-in electricity.  Some of these that live in deep, dark waters can turn headlights and taillights on and off as they swim.  Others, contacting an enemy fish or one they want for food, turn on a powerful electric current to stun or kill the fish.

Still others in this group, swimming in waters too dark to see through, send out electric signals (like radar) and find their way without difficulty.  Some talk to each other through this means.  A little three-incher has the appropriate name of flashlight fish. When chased by an enemy, it swims in a zigzag pattern, turning on a light located near its eye while “zigging” and turning it off when “zagging.”  This completely baffles the enemy which doesn’t know where it will show up next and eventually gives up the chase .

One of the strangest of all fishes the orange sea dragon, related to the sea horse.  The sea dragon is well-named.  Seen from the side, it has a horny head with bulging eyes.  Its narrow, wavy body twists into odd shapes as it swims.  Then it has growths all down its long, snake-like tail with similar growths along the top and bottom of its body.  This whole design make it look like a dragon or piece of seaweed drifting in the current.  When the female lays eggs, she drops them on a sticky part of the male.  He carries them round for many days before they hatch and leave him.

The nine-to twelve-inch bat-fish walks and sits like a toad and almost looks like one as it crawls along the ocean floor.  It is covered with what it look like bony warts all over its skin.  When resting, it uses its flippers like elbows, its head lifted up and supported by them.

Many of these fish appear to be completely hidden in the dark, deep homes they occupy.  But a Bible verse asks these questions: “Can any hide himself in secret places that I cannot see him? saith the Lord.  Do not I fill heaven and earth?” (Jeremiah 23:24). Another verse speaks more plainly about people: “His eyes are upon the ways of man, and he sees all his goings” (Job 34:21). When we think of this, it should make us try to please Him in all that we do.

(to be continued)

Love you all - Grandpa         

Jewel # 450 (July 11, 2021)

 

"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

Man’s Good Friend — the Dog 

(Part 2) 

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

by My great power and and by My outstretched arm.”

Jeremiah  27:5

With few exceptions, dogs are among the most outstanding of all animals and have amazing ways of showing their many skills and abilities.

What other creature can match the faithful loyalty of a dog to its master, no matter what kind of person he or she may be?  Most people will avoid a drunk person asleep on a sidewalk or in a dirty alley, but not so with his dog.  It will stay beside him in daylight or darkness, rain or shine, and guard him from harm.

Or what better care could a blind person have than that of a Seeing Eye dog as it leads him or her safely across streets, on and off buses, in and out of buildings—always ready and eager to help its blind master?

Think of how a dog can find its way where it has never been before, walking great distances, perhaps footsore and starving, back to its master who has abandoned it hundreds of miles from home.

For another example of their skills, let’s look at sheepdogs and the duties they carry out so well.  There are many breeds that can do this work and prove very helpful to the shepherd.  The Border collie is the one used most in England and North America.

Sheepdogs are very necessary where sheep graze in open fields.  Training for this work starts while the dogs are still puppies, and they soon become skilled at rounding up sheep that stray from the flock.  In addition to what they do without having to be told, their masters may signal them to drive the flocks out to pasture, keep them in one specific area, or bring them back to the corrals.  A master’s signals, which may be by voice, arm motions or different whistles, instruct the dog to turn left or right, ahead or back, wherever the master wants them to go.  Trained dogs can even separate one half to the flock to one place and the other half elsewhere.  Their remarkable abilities in this work are amazing to watch.

God told Adam to “have dominion over. . . every living thing that [moves] upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:28), but when sin came into the world, that privilege was spoiled in many ways.  However, God has graciously permitted man to be superior over dogs and other animals.  We should be grateful to Him for this kindness.

Above all else, let’s thank Him that through faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, each of us may have forgiveness of our sins and the promise of everlasting life with Him in heaven.  Do you have this forgiveness for your sins?

Love you all - Grandpa