Jewel # 418 (Sept. 19, 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 Miracle of the Honeybee

“Eat thou honey, because it is good; and sweet to thy taste: so shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul.”  Proverbs 24:13-14 

The honeybee is much too interesting to describe in one article.  Today we will look at the specially-designed body structure.

Bees have six legs, and each pair has a special purpose.  The front pair is specially adapted to clean off the insect’s antennae or wipe pollen off its face, mouth and large eyes.  The hinged middle pair is used to pack pollen into the collecting baskets on the hind legs.  In addition to carrying these baskets, the hind pair works with the middle pair to tamp the pollen into pellets, which are used in the hive.  Each leg also has sharp tips for walking over rough surfaces, and cushions between the tips give a grip on smooth surfaces.

Two flexible antennae on the front of the bee are covered with thousands of tiny plates.  These give the bee sensitivity to touch and also a keen sense of smell.  Then there are the two specially designed wings that enable the bee to carry heavy loads of nectar and pollen for long distances.  When flying, the the front and back wings attach to each other by hooks, which then make one large, strong pair of wings.  However, to enter small flowers or the hive cells, these wings separate, fold down and overlap.  Incidentally, a bee flies with its wings moving in a figure eight pattern, which allows it to move up or down, backward or forward, or hover like a hummingbird.

A bee has five eyes—three small ones in a triangle on top of its head, and a large compound eye on each side of the head.  The compound eyes, with many smaller plates called facets, somehow pick up the sun’s rays and act as a compass wherever the bee may be at any time.

The bee has a wonderful ”chemical factory” inside.  This changes the nectar it gathers into honey.  The same organs produce beeswax too.

No other insect has a tongue designed like a bee’s that penetrates into deep pockets of flowers.  The body shape and structure are also designed to carry pollen from one plant to another.  The bee is God’s chief pollinator of flowers.

Proverbs 16:24 says, “pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”  How happy life would be if we all used pleasant words with as much energy as bees use in gathering their honey.  But it is only by knowing the Lord Jesus as our Saviour that we have a new nature, which delights in pleasant words and helpful works.  Proverbs 22:17-18 tells us, “Apply thine heart unto My knowledge.  For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.”                  

Love you all-Grandpa

Jewel # 417 (Sept. 10, 2020)

 

Sea Anemone                                                                               Clown Fish                                                                       Damselfish

“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

Pretty But Deadly!

"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”  (Ephesians 6:11)

The sea anemone, Living on the bottom of the ocean in certain places, is not a plant but an unusual sea animal.  It can move slowly, but it usually anchors itself to a rock and stays there.  Its “flowers,” though pretty, are equipped with tiny poisonous threads that wrap around the unfortunate fish that swims too close.  These poisonous threads paralyze the fish, and then the tentacles slowly drag the fish into the anemone’s hidden mouth, which means the end of the fish. 

But there are a few fish that are not bothered by the anemone and can swim around its tentacles without fear.  These fish eat the pieces of fish that fall out of to the anemone’s mouth, as well as catching other little fish that come close to the anemone before it can catch them.

One of the fish immune to the poison of the anemone is the little clown fish, a very pretty, brightly-coloured fish decorated with a few wide, white stripes.  When not eating, it often snuggles down for a rest on the colourful tentacles of the sea anemone, which don’t affect it.

Another fish that is immune to the sea anemone’s poison is the damselfish, which is a favourite food of some larger fish.  When pursued the damselfish will dash into the “petals” of the anemone.  It has been know to even dive through the anemone’s mouth into its stomach without any harm and soon finds its way back out.  No one can explain how it can do this without being killed, but it is an amazing example of the Creator’s ways with what He has created.  The Bible says of the Creator, “All things are possible unto Thee” (Mark 14:36).    

One more sea creature that has no fear of the sea anemone is the anemone shrimp.  It lives right inside the anemone’s many tentacles.  Sooner or later a large fish, spotting it there, will stop and open its mouth wide, wisely staying out of reach of the anemone’s tentacles.  The shrimp quickly swims out and picks parasites off the fish’s teeth that it can’t get rid of by itself.  When that job is finished, the fish swims away and the shrimp returns to its strange home.

Sea anemones, although very beautiful, cause the death of many fish.  It reminds us of Satan, our enemy, who puts attractive temptations in the pathway of everyone, young and old.  At times he makes himself look like “an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14), to trick us into taking the deadly bait he holds out.

If the Lord Jesus is our Saviour, He is our strong protector and will keep us in in His ways.  He tells us to put on "the whole armour of God” (Ephesians 6:11), so that we can stand strong against Satan’s tricks.     

Love you all - Grandpa     

Jewel # 416 (Sept. 7, 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

A Living Bomb

“God made . . . everything that creeps upon the earth after his kind.”  Genesis 1:25

A strange beetle called the bombardier beetle baffles scientists.  It bombs its enemies with a bad-smelling, boiling-hot fluid that it shoots out by an explosion inside its body.  Scientists know what chemicals make up this fluid, but they cannot figure out how the beetle controls its exploding. 

The bombardier has two chambers inside its body where the chemicals it manufactures are stored.  It also has another part where it mixes them.  Before mixing, it adds a third chemical called an ”inhibitor.”  This mixes with the first two chemicals to keep them from exploding.  These mixed chemicals are stored in its body until needed.

As long as the inhibitor is present, the “bomb” cannot go off.  But this little insect, in one of the many wonders of God’s creation, can “explode" this bomb whenever it wants.  The beetle makes sure it is in front of its enemy.  Then it forces the chemical mixture into a final chamber where a liquid from another part of its body is present.  This liquid overcomes, or inactivates, the inhibitor, causing the whole mixture to explode with a definite “bang”.  It is discharged through a special nozzle in this chamber with considerable force.  It either kills its enemy or chases it away.  It is so well equipped with ammunition that it can explode this mixture 10 to 20 times before running out.  Then, within a day, its tanks refill.

How did this beetle get its storage tanks?   When did it learn about making the chemicals and how to mix them without blowing up itself?  Who taught it how to make the explosion at the right time?  Could we believe the theory of some who claim that these things just happened?  Or could we believe that the beetle added one part at a time over millions of years?  No.  Such teaching is not only unreasonable, but it is also contrary to God’s Word, the Bible.  It can easily be seen that any bombardier beetle that did not have all its functions working together correctly would destroy itself before it could make necessary changes.

The Lord God, the divine Creator, designed the bombardier beetle and made it complete with its amazing features when He first placed it on the earth.  Scripture tells us, “Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did He” (Psalm 135:6).  All His wonderful works show the pleasure He had in creating them.  The many varieties also show us His unlimited power and wisdom.

But we should pay attention to another Bible verse that says, “Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding” (Psalm 119:73).  When the Lord God made mankind, He had a special purpose in mind.  It is His delight to give understanding to every person concerning His love.  God gives everlasting life to all who love His Son and trust in Him as the Saviour of sinners.

Love you all - Grandpa 

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