Jewel # 437 (Feb. 26, 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

The American Buffalo (Bison)

Part 1

“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 

The buffalo or, more correctly, the bison has the distinction of being the heaviest land animal of North America.  Some bulls weigh up to 2,200 pounds, but cows are smaller.  The buffalo is from nine to nearly 12 feet long and as tall as six and half feet from the ground to the top of its hump.  They are strong and tough and can live through storms that kill other beasts.  They are also great runners.  They can run up to 30 mile an hour for long distances!  

When native Americans were the only people  west of the Mississippi River, there were millions of bison forming herds, often as far as the eye could see on the prairies of middle America, from Mexico north into Canada.  For the Native Americans, the buffalo was their main food, and they made teepees, blankets, clothing and other essentials from the hides.  God provided plenty of grass and water, and even though the Native Americans killed many, it did not make much difference since so many calves were born every year that their numbers just  continued growing.

But as settlers moved west after the Revolutionary War, it became a different story.  It is easy to understand that the settlers, like the Native Americans, found buffalo a good source of food and hides.  Unfortunately, as they settled the land, they not only used buffalo for these purposes, but they also determined to get them off the land they wanted to farm.  As a result, many thousands were killed just to get rid of them.

Hunters from the eastern part of the country and “sportsmen,” even from Europe, went west with their guns, thinking it was great sport to see how many they could kill.  There was no thought about using the meat or hides.  All of this leaves a sad picture of that part of American history.  The result was that, around 160 years ago, instead of millions of buffalo, there were only about a thousand left in the United States and Canada combined.

Bison are part of God’s creation, and He surely had the Native American people in His thoughts in preparing such an abundant supply to meet their needs.  Many people today are sad and ashamed to think of the way the bison were deliberately killed.  God, who said, “I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are Mine”  (Psalm 50:11),  must have been displeased to see this cruelty and waste.  However, we can be happy to know that His watchful eye and care are over the bison that are beginning to flourish again.

(to be continued) 

Love you all - Grandpa    

Jewel # 436 (Feb. 21, 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

Let’s Talk About Spiders

"The spider takes hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces.”  Proverbs 30:28  

While most of us do not particularly care for spiders, they are an interesting example of how God ”hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise” (1Corinthians 1:27), because no one fully understands how spiders function.

Have you ever watched a spider spinning its web?  You may wonder where the silk thread comes from.  It comes from silk glands in its abdomen.  The liquid silk is forced through silk spinning organs, called spinnerets, as the spider moves.  Most spiders have two to six spinnerets, each with a different opening.  These produce the different kinds of silk needed.  For instance, when the spider needs a dragline for lifting itself up and down, it uses a spinneret that makes a coarse, strong silk. When making its web, an entirely different type of silk is required, and it uses other spinnerets.  It also produces cottony silk for holding and hiding its eggs.  Some silk glands produce liquid silk  that becomes dry outside the body, while others produce sticky silk that remains sticky.  All spiders spin silk, but not all spiders make webs.

How did the spider learn to use the correct spinneret for a certain kind of silk?  How did it learn to use two spinnerets at the same time when it needs extra-strong silk?  How can it travel with ease over sticky silk that will trap everything else?

The spider, lurking at one side of its web, waits for vibrations to signal that something is caught in the web.  If the vibrations are very light, it ignores them.  But medium vibrations mean food, so it hurries across the web to kill and eat the victim.  However, if the vibrations are strong, it means something too large to handle is out there, and the spider will quickly cut the victim loose before it ruins the web.  How does the spider know how to interpret these signals?

Here is the answer to all these questions.  Spiders did not have to “learn” how to make a web or where to place it.  When the Lord God created them, He gave them these remarkable skills.  These skills are often called instincts, and these enable them to live their amazing lives.

If the Lord God has such interest and care over these little creatures which are here today and gone tomorrow, how much greater is His concern for every person to whom He has given an everlasting soul.  He tells us, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3).  This wonderful love caused the Lord Jesus to go to the cross to die, “The just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18).  

Have you accepted Him as your Saviour?

Love you all - Grandpa        

Jewel # 435 (Feb. 10, 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

The Lion and Other Carnivores  (Part 3)

“How unsearchable are God's judgments, and His ways past finding out!”  Romans 11:33

Have you ever asked, “Why does God allow lions to kill and eat other animals?"  This is a good question.  When God created these great beasts, death, the shedding of blood, and eating flesh were unknown (Genesis 1).  But Adam and Eve were warned by God that if they disobeyed His commands, death would result.  As we know from the Bible, they did disobey, and immediately they saw an example of the penalty of sin when God killed animals to provide them with clothing.

After sin entered into the world and after the flood, God oversaw a change in many of His creatures, allowing some to become flesh eaters—carnivores—while others remained vegetarians.  This certainly is an evidence of how dreadful sin is in God’s sight.  The animals He had created for His pleasure were now to display the penalty of death through their activities, certainly not pleasing to Him.  But in His perfect way, He saw that the needed changes were made in the appetites and bodies of these animals so they would hunt and then be able to digest the food they now ate.

Happily, in a coming day, the Bible tells us the original peaceful order will return.  This will be after those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ have been called into heaven and after God’s rightful anger against the world that has refused His love results in His terrible judgment on them.  Then an earthly people pleasing to the Lord will live on earth, and the animals will be changed to be as they were when God first created them.  One Bible verse that talks about this says, “The calf and the young lion . . .  shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox” (Isaiah 11:6-7).

All life now is dependent on the minerals, vitamins and nutrients provided in the soil by the Creator which come to us in vegetation, fruits, seeds and nuts.  So how do lions and other carnivores that don’t eat vegetation get this important nutrition?  The answer is another wonder of God’s ways.  As a grazing animal, such as an antelope or zebra, eats vegetation, these important necessities are deposited in its body and then are carried into the body of the carnivore that eats it.

God has also planned for the good of the herds from which lions hunt.  Many of the animals that are killed are not healthy.  It is a mercy that they are killed quickly rather than lingering on as weak and sickly animals to die a slow death.  Also, if the herds were not made smaller in this way, they would get too large for the food available for them, and many would starve.  So, we see God’s wisdom in all things.  “Touching the Almighty, we cannot find Him out:  He is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice” (Job 37:23).

Love you all - Grandpa     

Jewel # 434 (Feb. 4, 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

The Lion—King of Beasts (Part 2)

"Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions?” Job 38:9

While male and female lions often hunt together, either as a single pair or in groups, it is usually the females that circle around and drive the prey towards the hidden males.  With a sudden rushing leap, a male pounces on the victim, and death comes quickly.  In spite of the fact that they must kill to survive, lions only kill when hungry and never for the sport of it.  Although they are not aware of it, they are dependant on the Creator for their food supply.   The Bible states, “The eyes of all wait upon Thee; and Thou givest them their meat in due season” (Psalm 145:15).

Lions hunt antelopes, zebras, springboks, wildebeests, impalas and some smaller animals.  However, they do not always do their own hunting.  Sometimes they come upon other animals feeding on something they have captured and will drive the animals off and take over the prize.  On other occasions, they watch the sky for vultures.  These carnivorous birds quickly drop to the earth when they see a dead animal.  Following this lead, the lion finds food without the work.

As strong and fierce as they are, lions are not always successful in their hunting; swift animals often escape.  At times, the lion itself becomes the victim.  When zebras and giraffes are pursued by a lion, thy will sometimes watch until the lion is right at their heels and then give a vicious kick to the lion’s face.  Many a lion has had its jaw broken and been forced to give up the chase.  With such an injury, it cannot eat and will eventually starve to death.

The lions who have taken part in a big feed will lie down together and sleep off the meal in places where they are well hidden.  At such times, with the lion’s stomachs full, a person or animal could walk by them and not be bothered.

Although the big male looks very noble he doesn’t always measure up to the the title.  If food has been scarce or if he is extremely hungry, even if a female has made the catch, he will not let her or the cubs eat until he has eaten his fill.  This sometimes results in the cubs starving to death.

The lives and habits of these huge beasts remind us that this world is full of trouble—the result of sin which is seen on every hand.  There are many evil things around us which Satan, the “roaring lion,” uses to capture careless people, so a place of safety is most important.  The Bible tells us of a sure place of safety: “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and He shall thrust out the enemy from before you.”  (Deuteronomy 33:27).  Is He your hiding place?    

(to be continued)

Love you all - Grandpa    

Jewel # 433 (Jan. 25, 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

The Lion—King of Beasts (Part 1)

"A lioness . . . brought up one of her whelps: it became a young lion, and it learned to catch the prey.” Ezekiel 19:2-3 

Lions are the most famous members of the cat family.  They are among the fiercest of animals and live in Africa, southern Asia and India.  Six to twenty will live together in a group called a pride.

When hidden in tall grass or rocks, they are hard to spot.  Hunters have sometimes almost walked into such a group before seeing them.  Like a house cat snoozing much of the day, they spend 20 hours a day sleeping or resting.  Perhaps this helps them to live for 18-20 years.  Do you think God cares about them?  Yes, He cares for all of His creation.  The opening Bible verse shows that He has made even lions to care for their young. 

A lioness, temporarily leaving the pride, gives birth to two, three or four cubs about every other year.  The cubs weigh around three pounds at birth and are blind and helpless, and the lioness nurses and trains them for about three months before retuning to the pride.  Then she and other mothers take turns babysitting for each other.  If the cubs do not do as the lioness wants, they often get picked up by the loose skin at the back of their necks.

At two months they accompany their mother to a “kill” for their first meal of meat.  Soon she teaches them to stalk and capture their own prey.  Female cubs stay with the pride, but male cubs are chased from the territory by their fathers when they are between two and three years old.  These young males wander and hunt together until they are fully grown.  Then they challenge males in other prides and may take over the prides. 

A full-grown male, weighing 500 pounds, may stand four feet high and measure eight to ten feet from nose to the end of his tail.  He is a handsome animal, dressed in yellow-gold with a shaggy mane and penetrating eyes.  The female is smaller and has no mane.  Strong creatures, they can carry animals in their mouths weighing as much as twice their own weight.

The big male is famous for his frightening roar which terrifies nearby animals so that they jump up and run.  But the lion often soon catches them and can disable or kill some prey with one swipe of a paw.

How we need God’s warning to us:  “Be sober, be vigilant;  because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). A place of safety from our enemy Satan is most important.  God offers you that place of safety:  “In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and His children shall have a place of refuge”  (Proverbs 14:26)  (to be continued)               

Love you all - Grandpa

Jewel # 432 (Jan. 15, 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

Well-Named Hornbills

The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works.  Psalm 145:9

Hornbills are among the largest birds in the world.  Some are about four feet long.  Their main food is fruit but lizards, mice and small birds are also in their diet.

A most amazing variety, the Malabar pied hornbill, lives in the jungles of Ceylon.  About the size of a turkey, it has a huge curved beak in white, orange and black colours, almost as long as its main body.  On top of this beak is a high black and orange cap, which looks like  something that was glued on.  The rest of its body is coal black, except for white patches under its big tail and chalk-white throat.  It nests in fruit trees, where it finds plenty to eat.

Far away in China and Thailand is another species, the rufous-necked.  Its huge beak is black on the top and yellow underneath, contrasting with the bright scarlet colouring of its whole body, except for coal-black wings and back and long white tail feathers.

Another one, called the Oriental, nests in natural holes in the trunk of big trees.  It also has a huge beak (but without the cap) which, when open,  looks much like two yellow bananas side by side.  Its wings are a combination of speckled black and white, and most other body features are a soft white.

The female of the Oriental has an unusual way of raising her young ones.  When ready to lay two or three eggs, she she first lines her nest with fresh grass and leaves.  Then she squeezes through the narrow opening and closes all but a top slit with gooey material applied by her beak locking herself inside!

When incubating her eggs, her male faithfully brings food to her, inserting it through the open slit in the entrance.  After the eggs hatch, she opens the hole, leaving the babies inside, but from the outside she again closes it, leaving a slit at the top as before.  She and her mate then feed through that slit until they are big enough to be released and take care of themselves.

There are others, such as the black-feathered ground horn bill of Africa with an unusual beak (horn) surrounded by huge pouches of deep red bare flesh.  But these few provide typical samples of this unusual part of God’s creation.

The Lord is indeed good to all His creation, as mentioned in the opening Bible verse.  Two other verses in the same chapter say, “All Thy works shall praise Thee, O Lord; and and Thy saints shall bless Thee.  The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him. . . in truth” (Psalm 145:10,18).

Are you one of the happy people who know Him as your Saviour?  Do you call on Him in prayer daily?

Love you all - Grandpa  

Jewel # 431 (Jan. 8, 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

Likeable Phalangers

“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.”  Ecclesiastes 12:1

Phalangers, or cuscus, are animals about as big as a house cat.  They live in trees in the forests of Australia, New Zealand and New Guinea.  They are active at night and rest in the daytime out of sight, often stretching out along the branch of a tree.  Their tails are like an extra hand to them, 

curling tightly around branches or helping them as they travel swiftly through the trees.

There are several species of them, ranging in size from as small as a mouse to as large as a cat.  Most of them have soft, thick fur in pretty colours.  Their strong tails are wooly, except for the tips, which are covered with coarse scales.  Their claws are ideal for climbing.  Most of them eat insects, small birds and tiny animals, 

but others are more interested in vegetable dinners.

Females have up to six tiny babies—hairless and helpless at birth.  After being carried and fed for a few months in their mother’s pouch, the babies become covered with fur and are then able to come out and learn how to care for themselves.

One species is named the spotted cuscus.  It is considered by many to be the prettiest of all.  Its  greyish white fur has odd-shaped  patches of red.  In addition to strong claws, its hind feet have fleshy pads which give it a firm hold on smooth branches.  Like the others, it is a night hunter.  

Its food includes small animals and birds, 

as well as quantities of leaves.

The great flying phalanger has a blackish-brown silky coat on its back and and is white underneath.  It is about 20 inches long, plus a tail of the same length.  

Like the flying squirrels, the Creator has provided it with a special loose skin that stretches out between its front and hind legs as it glides through the air, 

jumping from one tree to another.  It also uses its tail as a rudder.

Smallest of all is the pigmy flyer, only five inches long, including its tail.  The newborn babies, carried in the mother’s pouch, are not much larger than a big ant.

Many others species, all of which are examples of the wonders of God’s creation in which He took much pleasure.  In a coming time, 

those who know Hm as their Saviour will give Him their praises in the beauties of heaven.  

Up there we may learn much more about the wonders of His creation.

  

Will you be there?

Love you all - Grandpa