Jewel # 402 (May 12, 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 Shepherd and His Sheep  (Part 1)

“He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom.”  Isaiah 40:11

The Lord has called those who love Him His sheep and lambs.  This is understandable, because these animals always need someone to look after them.  If they see a chance to break away, they quickly get into trouble and usually don’t get back until the shepherd goes out and saves them.  The Lord Jesus does this for all who love Him and know Him as their Good Shepherd.

Most of North America’s sheep are raised in Texas, California, Wyoming, South Dakota and Colorado, as well as the provinces of Canada.  The largest flocks in the world are in New Zealand, where they often cover hillsides.  

Theses woolly animals are called lambs until they are a year old; then the females are called ewes and the males are called rams.  The cries of the lambs sound like they are calling “Ma Ma,” and the mother ewe does her best to keep them near her.  For the first week, the lambs' only food is their mothers’ milk, but soon they start eating grass and hay.  

Like cows, sheep have a four-part stomach, which the Creator has provided to enable them to digest their food.  They eat so rapidly and swallow so fast that they don’t have time to do any chewing.  In fact, they can’t chew, because their upper jaw has only a thick pad with no teeth, although the lower jaw does have teeth.  When they close their mouths around a bunch of grass, they clamp down hard on it and give their heads a strong jerk, and then just swallow the bite.  Later the sheep bring the grass up to their mouths for "chewing the cud.”  Then it passes on to another part of their stomachs.

Large flocks in the western parts of the United States and Canada are watched over by shepherds and their helpful dogs.  This is a lonely job with no human visitors for long periods of time. The shepherds live alone in campers in which there may be a refrigerator and a small stove for cooking and warmth when the weather gets chilly.

It would be a poor shepherd who was not kind to his sheep, as well as to the trained dogs that help him.  The beginning Bible verse tells us of the Good Shepherd who cares for boys and girls who know Him as their Saviour.  He thinks of them as His lambs and the older ones as His sheep.  And He wants you to be His lamb or sheep, too, if you have not yet accepted the Lord Jesus as your Good Shepherd and learned how He will protect you when Satan tries to harm you.  Are you part of the flock He loves so well?   (To be continued)

Love you all— Grandpa      

Jewel # 401 (May 2, 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

Insect-Eating Plants

"I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember Thy wonders.”  
Psalm 77:11

Many animals, birds and insects eat plants, but did you know there are some plants that eat insects?  This is truly remarkable, because plants cannot travel from one place to another to capture their food, and they do not have eyes or ears to help.

One example of an insect-eating plant is the sundew that grows in certain swamps.  The name comes from drops of sticky fluid on its leaves that glitter in sunlight like drops of dew.  The leaves are also covered with small hairs.  If an insect lands on these hairs, the sticky fluid traps it.  Immediately all the hairs near that spot fold in around the insect and hold it captive.  The plant then absorbs its prey into its system, and the hairs go back in place to wait for another victim.

The Butterwort has  fleshy leaves that produce a sticky substance.  When an insect lands on a leaf, the edges curl in and trap it.  The insect dies and is digested by the plant.

The pitcher plant has pitcher - shaped leaves that form a trap for insects.  The lower edges of its leaves fold together to form a tube.  The top edges are open and allow rainwater to collect in the bottom of the tube.  The pitcher produces a sweet juice on the inside that attracts insects.  It grows bristly hairs at the top of the pitcher that all point downward.  Once an insect lands in search of the sweet juice, it passes over these hairs pointing downward that prevent it from crawling back out.  The insect eventually falls into the rainwater at the bottom and drowns.  In time, the plant digests the insect.

One insect we would like to see trapped by this plant is the mosquito.  But the female can fly down into the pitcher, lay her eggs in the liquid and then fly back out safely.  After the larvae hatch and grow, the new adult mosquitoes escape the same way.

A certain wasp in parts of the south bites a hole in the bottom of the pitcher, allowing the rainwater to drain out.  Then it crawls through the hole, making its nest inside without harm.  How did the wasp learn this trick?  Only the Creator God could give it this knowledge.

These unusual plants certainly have no intelligence to figure out ways of capturing food.  Only God could provide food for these plants.  We are reminded that the devil also has many traps in which he catches those who are not careful.  If we know the Lord Jesus as our Saviour and walk close to Him, He is able to protect us from evil.  

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”  

(Proverbs 3:5-6).    

Love you all - Grandpa   

Jewel # 400 (April 25, 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

Be Thankful for Chickens

O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of His praise to be heard.    
Psalm 66:8

Most everyone has seen live chickens and knows that is where the eggs come from that we cook in so many different ways.  In former days, even city folks kept a few chickens in their yards and enjoyed fresh eggs, as well as an occasional roast chicken dinner.  But today they are usually raised by the thousands on what are called poultry farms.  Eggs are shipped out daily from these farms to markets and grocery stores.  More than five billions eggs a year are marketed in the United States alone.

American Indians never saw chickens until the Pilgrims brought some Rhode Island reds with then from England.  Now there are over 50 varieties, including cornish, New Hampshire, white rock, Rhode Island reds, Plymouth Rock and the white leghorn, which is the most common and produces most of the eggs sold in the United States.  Some 450 million hens supply these.  A champion white leghorn can lay 361 eggs in one year, but most lay between 100 and 300. 

Like all birds, chickens actually lay eggs to produce baby chicks.  If they could steal away from the poultry farm and make hidden nests in which to lay 8 to 10 eggs, they would keep them warm under their fluffy feathers for about 3 weeks until they hatched and then take good care of the chicks.  But on today’s poultry farms, that is impossible since the eggs are removed continually.  Incidentally, young hens less that a year old are known as pullets and young roosters as cockerels.

Part of the interesting work of poultrymen is raising chicks in warm areas called incubators.  Special fertile eggs are placed in these incubators, hatching in 21 days.  When it’s time, the little chick inside the shell pecks its way out with its strong little beak.  At first it is not very cute because its feathers are wet.  But after an hour or so it dries off and is so cute you’d want to pick it up and hold its fluffy little body to your cheek.  But you might get a gentle peck from its tiny beak in return.

Although poultrymen must be given credit for their careful work in raising these millions of chickens and marketing their eggs, it is really the Lord God, the Creator, who designed this amazing way of a chicken’s life beginning in an egg.  And He further designed chickens in such a way that poultrymen can raise them for us as a wonderful food supply.

The Bible tells us, “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”  (Philippians 4:19).  As the supplier of everything we need, we should be continually thanking Him, especially for His loving care over us.

Love you all - Grandpa          

Jewel # 399 (April 16, 2020)

    

Mealybug destroyer                       El Formosa Wasp 

Lady Bug

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

Are There Really Any Good Bugs?

“Ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee . . . or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee.”  
Job 12:7-8  

The answer to our question about good bugs is a definite YES!  There are many kinds of insects that are beneficial.  And one way in which they do good is by killing and eating certain other insects that are harmful.  Much of this we are not aware of, because it goes on so quietly and in places we are not likely to visit.

One good insect is called the mealybug destroyer.  It makes its home in certain plants and trees where mealybugs do lots of damage by boring into plant stems.  It eats the sap that is as important to the plant as blood is to an animal.  The mealybug destroyer does a tremendous amount of good.

Another good one in the garden is the lacewing.  This is a pretty little green creature with delicate lace-like wings and a pair of long “feelers” located in front of brilliant eyes.  Possibly some of us have killed these with insect spray without realizing they are good helpers.  They eat countless destructive aphids and other harmful bugs.  

A little wasp by the name of El Formosa has a special appetite for whiteflies, which are harmful insects that do tremendous  damage to all kinds of plants and trees.  Some garden stores sell these beneficial wasps when whiteflies are particularly troublesome, and gardeners use large quantities of them to help fight these pests.

Ladybugs are probably know by most of us as good helpers in gardens.  We should be careful to treat them kindly, and be thankful if you see some on your plants and flowers.

While many snails are harmful in gardens, there are some helpful ones.  One of these is the Decollate variety, marked with a pretty corkscrew tail.  Its principal food is the harmful common garden snail.

Then there is the praying mantis that feeds on many harmful insects and a beetle by the name of seven-spot that eats aphids.  Many farmers purchase them in large quantities from garden stores every year.

Of course, we all know the value of the honey from bees and silk threads from silkworms.  Altogether there are more that 600 “good bugs” that farmers and plant nurseries use to help fight a continual war against harmful bugs.

These harmful insects remind us of what sin has brought into the world.  The good insects speak of the Creator’s wisdom in providing ways to overcome the bad.  It should make us think of the love and grace of God in providing a way for boys, girls and grown-ups to overcome their sins.  God sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, into the world to bear the sins of all who will trust in Him as their Saviour through His death on Calvary’s cross.

Have you let Him wash away your sins?

Love you all - Grandpa    

Jewel # 398 (April 10, 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 Mischievous Raccoon

“God Himself . . . formed the earth and made it; He hath established it,

He created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited.”  

 Isaiah 45:18

In the fading evening light, a family of raccoons come cautiously out of the woods.  Their masked faces make them look like little burglars, which they often are.  Tonight they head for a tree loaded with ripe plumbs.  The kits remain on the ground while the parents climb up and begin shaking branches, causing a shower of plumbs to fall.  Then the whole family enjoys the dinner.

The fruit dinner is a real treat.  Raccoons eat mostly frogs, crayfish, turtle eggs and clams taken out of shallow waters.  Birds' eggs are also a favourite, especially chicken eggs.  Sweet corn is another special treat.  Raccoons stripping ears from the stalks have ruined many cornfields.

Although raccoons weigh only about 25 pounds, dogs are often surprised at a raccoon’s fighting ability.  It will not hesitate to attack a dog two or three times its own size.  When being chased by a dog, it is clever at escaping.  It will wade in water, run along fence tops, climb trees, backtrack and leap down a hillside all to break the scent trail the dog is following.  Occasionally a raccoon may let a dog chase it into a lake.  Then it will grab the dog by its neck and force its head under water until the dog drowns.

In spite of its sometimes nasty nature, a raccoon is a pretty animal.  It has a fox-like face with a black mask around jet-black eyes, erect ears, a black, button nose with whiskers, and a bushy ringed tail.  It is also very smart and soon discovers how to open latches on chicken coops, pry off garbage can lids, unscrew bottle caps, and even open refrigerators if given the chance.

This animal is another of the wonders of God’s creation.  He has given it many life-sustaining  instincts and also an intelligence that allows it to learn things necessary for its survival.  It is found both in the woods of the United States and Canada and in the deserts of Mexico and South America.  Its life reminds us of the verse in the Bible: “The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are  over all His works. . . .  The eyes of all wait upon Thee, and Thou givest them their food in due season.  Thou openest Thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing”  (Psalm 145:9,15-16).    

We think of these provisions of the Creator in connection with every creature, but it is also good to remember this prayer that should be in the heart of every boy and girl: “Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. . . . O satisfy us early with Thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days”  (Psalm 90:12,14).              

Love you all - Grandpa

Jewel # 397 (April 1, 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

Weasels Are Cute but have Bad tempers

Great and marvellous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways.”  
Revelation 15:3

The three most common weasels in North America are the least, the short-tailed and the long-tailed.  The least is the smallest of all, weighing just a few ounces when fully grown and seldom more that six inches long plus a one-inch stubby tail.  It is quite pretty—its back is a light brown, changing to white at its throat and underneath parts.  During winter, those in the far north turn completely white, but those in the south become a spotted brown mixed with the white.  These are provisions of the Creator to conceal them from enemies.

This little one is a real help to mankind, because its appetite for mice and other small, destructive animals helps to keep these under control.  Mice are its main food and are easily caught; this weasel is so small it can follow them through any hole.

The short-tailed is often called an ermine.  This one is twice the size of the least.  During summer, it is a soft brown along the back and sides and creamy white underneath.  Strangely, it is the only one with brown feet.  When it turns all white in winter, it is hunted for its beautiful fur.

The ermine also hunts mice, rats, moles, squirrels, birds and snakes.  The Creator has given it instincts to make rooms in its burrow for storing food for cold winter days.

The long-tailed is the largest of all, measuring up to 18 inches long, plus a black-tipped tail another nine inches long.  Even so, the males weigh only about a pound and the females even less.  This one makes its home throughout North America, except for hot desert areas.  The long-tailed hunts day and night for its food and is a great climber, often chasing its prey out to the end of a tree branch.  It is the fiercest of the three and will even attack a dog or a man if cornered.

Bold hunters themselves, all weasels have numerous enemies, including hawks, owls, foxes, wildcats and coyotes.  But with their thin bodies and speed, they usually escape by diving into a nearby burrow, a narrow crevice, or under a pile of brush.

All these animals are unaware of God’s care, and He does not hold them accountable.  However, every human has been given an intellect and a conscience, and God has given us the Bible for a guide.  We are told: “Let them . . . commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator” (1 Peter 4:19).  This means we should not only trust our earthly lives to Him, but also, most importantly, accept Him as our Saviour to have eternal life safe in Him.

Have you done this?

Love you all - Grandpa    

Jewel # 396 (April 1, 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

Weasels Are Cute but Have Bad Tempers

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.  Hebrews 4:13

As springtime comes to North America, thousands of baby weasels are born in underground dens, hollow logs and other hideaways.  Each nest will have from three to ten or more young ones, so tiny that two dozen together would scarcely weigh a pound.

The Creator has arranged their birth in early spring so they can learn to care for themselves during the warm days that follow.  Before they can be independent, they need the care of both parents since it will be about  a month before their eyes open.  During this time, the mother stays close by and nurses them.  Then for another month, both parents bring solid food and begin taking them outside to teach them how to survive.  When they are about four months old, the little weasels are on their own.

There are many varieties of weasels throughout the world, inhabiting forests, meadows and grasslands.  All have beautiful fur, but underneath that fur is a fierce nature, making them a threat to small rodents and birds.  Actually they are a part of a family that includes badgers, otters, ferrets, minks and skunks.

Weasels are always on the go and full of curiosity, bounding over the ground with snarls, hisses and fearsome noises as they search for prey.  Often they squeeze into burrows when their noses tell them there’s a meal down there.  Although they are small enough to hold in a man’s hand they are not afraid of larger creatures, some going after marmots, woodchucks and even rabbits—all much larger than themselves.  One of their worse offences is breaking into chicken coops and killing chickens, which, of course, makes them unpopular with many farmers.

But in spite of these practices, they are a delightful example of God’s creation with their pretty colouring, bright eyes, large ears and black noses.  Because of the quality of their fur, people hunt them, especially in the winter when their fur is thick and luxurious.  Most of them change colour in the different seasons, from a beautiful brown in summer to pure white in winter—a provision of the Creator to camouflage them from their enemies.

Our opening verse reminds us that God is always aware of all His creatures.  We may be sure that if weasels could, they would thank Him for such wonderful care.  But God did not make us like weasels—we can read God’s Word, the Bible, and know His special care over us.  Everyone is happy who can agree with the words of Psalm 33:21: “Our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.”    

Is that trust and happiness yours?

Love you all - Grandpa