Jewel # 190 (Oct. 4, 2014)

        

“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,

Hitchhiking Birds

“He giveth to the beast his food, 

and to the young ravens which cry.”

(Psalm 147:9)

The energy needed by birds demands a plentiful supply of food, and usually much time is spent finding it.  Some, like the kingfisher, dive into the water for theirs.  Others, such as robins, search in the soil for worms and insects.  Swallows are one kind that captures insects in the air.  Others use an easier way.

The small, graceful, white-plumed cattle egrets ride on the backs of wild and tame animals.  As the animals graze in grassy areas, they disturb insects in the grass, which are caught by these hitchhikers.  Even crows will ride on the backs of of pigs while they are rooting in the ground, swooping down to snatch the grubs and worms that are turned up.  Cowbirds ride on the backs of grazing cattle and catch the insects stirred up by the cows’ hooves.

The oxpecker, with its red bill and orange and black feathers, frequently perches on the neck of an impala to remove ticks from the impala’s ears.  Sometimes it clings to the sides of rhinos, water buffalo or hippos, eating parasites out of their loose folds of skin.  Certain starlings, as well as the tick bird, also ride on the backs of these big animals.  Cattle egrets also follow farm machines, fires and airplanes to catch insects.  

Other unusual birds include the phalaropes in the Arctic and the carmine bee-eater of South Africa.  Both gray and red phalaropes will perch on the exposed fin of a killer whale and feast on parasites.  The bee-eater rides atop another bird - the big hori bustard.  As the bustard walks through meadows, it stirs up food for itself as well as its little passenger.

In the British Isles, the pied wagtail perches on the head of a fallow deer and catches the pesky flies that bother the animal’s eyes and sometimes cause blindness.  Often this bird’s young ones also ride on the deer’s back while the mother is busy up front collecting flies to bring back to them.

All of these birds, and many others, help their hosts by catching the annoying insects and parasites that bother them.  The birds are very welcome as riders, and if the animals could talk, they would probably thank them for the relief and comfort their service provides.

It has been the joy of the Creator to give these birds and animals a companionship which benefits each other.  It is another example of how“the Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all his works" (Psalm 145:9).

But as wonderful as God’s care is over all living things, His care and love for you is much greater.  That love has provided His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  On Calvary’s cross He was punished for the sins of all who will admit they are sinners and accept Him as their Saviour.  Then God delights to call these His own sons and daughters.

Have you accepted and thanked Him for that love?

I love you all,

Grandpa  

Jewel # 189 (Sept 28, 2014)

“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,

Crazy as a Loon

“Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed:

for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

(Joshua 1:9)

Walking along a mountain trail in the Cascade Mountains near Seattle, Washington, we were startled by a loud, laugh-like cry nearby.  Puzzled, we we went on walking and soon heard it again.  To investigate, we left the trail and soon came to a small lake.  There swimming around we saw two large birds with black heads, white breasts and beautifully speckled black-and-white wings.  Our wondering about the strange calls we had heard was soon answered when one of the birds opened its long, sharp beak, raised its head and gave out the loud laugh-like cry.  And so we were introduced to the common loon.  

The bird spotted us and took off, kicking the water vigorously with their webbed feet until they rose above the surface.  With necks outstretched and wings flapping rapidly, they were quickly airborne and soon out of sight.  This beautiful display made us decide to learn more about them.  

We learned that great numbers live on small, isolated lakes in Canada and the northern United States and some seacoast areas.  When on land they seem awkward, for the Creator designed them for the water where they are excellent swimmers, both on the surface and underwater.  They swim faster than most fish, which form their main food supply.  They have wonderful vision, and before diving submerge their heads, turning them from side to side to locate prey.  Then with a quick dive and underwater swim, they make their catch.

Loons are from two to three feet long, with a wingspan of about five feet, and weigh from ten to fourteen pounds.  Their life span is about thirty years.  In April a pair incubate two eggs for about a month.  The new born hatchlings are cute, with coal-black soft down.  Soon they are swimming with the parents, sometimes riding piggyback.  The parents feed them and care for them for about three months.

Groups of adult loons often join in choruses of hoots, cries and yodelling.  The strange-sounding result is what produced the expressions “crazy as a loon” and “looney.”  Actually, they are among the world’s outstanding birds.  Canada, which has a high population of loons, has a one-dollar coin with an image of a loon on one side.  This coin is commonly called a “loonie.”

Loons are another example of the wonders of God’s creation and are included in His words, “I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are Mine” (Psalm 50:11).  Another Psalm tells us, “The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works” (Psalm 145:9).  This is specifically true of every boy and girl, man and woman on earth.  

Have you thanked Him for His love and care for you? 

I love you all,

Grandpa

Jewel # 188 (Sept. 18, 2014)

"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 Anteater

“The mighty God, even the Lord, hath spoken, and called the earth from the 

rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.”

(Psalm 50:1)

The anteater, a very unusual animal, lives in the damp, tropical forests of Mexico and Central and South America.  There are a number of species, ranging in size from just seven inches long to the giant anteater which can grow to six feet long.  You  might be frightened if you happened on one of these in the wild, with its tube-shaped head, coarse, gray hair striped with white and long bushy tail.  Actually, they do no harm unless they are attacked.  Anteaters live in burrows, in hollow logs or sometimes in trees.  They are mostly active at night or at dusk.  Some live for 25 to 30 years.  

This animal has been designed by the Lord God to serve a very special purpose.  God has given it features that look unusual to us, but they are exactly right for what He designed it to do.  As its name indicates, the anteater searches for and eats large numbers of ants and termites, serving a useful purpose by controlling the populations of these insects.  They sometimes also eat spiders.

The anteater’s head, with its tiny ears and long, tapered snout, are its most outstanding features.  Anteaters walk on their knuckles to keep their claws from getting dull.  It has no teeth, but that long snout holds a foot-long, sticky tongue that whips out with lightning speed and reaches deep into the winding tunnels of ant nests for its dinner.  It also uses its tongue to lick up any ants on the surface of the ground.  It has dense, long fur that protects it from ant or termite bites.  Since some anteaters live in trees, they also have prehensile tails, much like a monkey’s that can wrap around a branch.

Equipped with strong legs and sharp claws, the anteater defends itself well, and most animals know better than to attack it.  However, the strong front claws are used primarily for ripping open ant and termite nests, where it soon wipes out the colony.  Strong leg muscles also help it to roll over rocks where ants hide.

The anteater is not aware of it, but it depends upon God to direct it to its food.  “The eyes of all wait upon Thee; and Thou gives them their meat in due season” (Psalm 145:15).  Are you aware that this is also true of you?  “In God’s hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind” (Job 12:10). 

How important it is to remember our dependence upon God.  He not only has provided the way of salvation through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, but He also prepares the hearts and souls of those who will trust in Him.  Can you say, “We are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ.  This is the true God, and eternal life” (1 John 5:20)?

Love you all

Grandpa      

Jewel # 187 (Sept. 12, 2014)

“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,

Gratitude

Some 40 years ago, it was a familiar sight on Friday evenings, to see an elderly man slowly walking along a Florida beach with a large bucket of shrimp.  The sea gulls would fly, flocking to him, and he would feed them until his bucket was empty.

Many years before, in October 1942, Captain Eddie Rickenbacker (1890-1973) was part of an aircrew flying a mission on a B-17 aircraft.  Somewhere over the South Pacific it lost radio contact and direction in the trackless ocean.  The aircraft finally ran out of fuel and the pilot had to ditch the plane in the ocean.  For many days, the crew floated helplessly in safety rafts.  They daily faced the blazing sun, bad weather, and huge sharks - the worst enemy being starvation.

After 8 days their rations had been used up.  To keep their courage and sprits up, the young aircrew prayed, sang hymns and quoted Bible verses daily.

On the ninth day, after they had prayed for deliverance and sung together, the men began to doze off in the oppressive heat.  Captain Rickenbacker had pulled his hat down over his face to protect it from the sun as he dozed.  But he was awakened out of his stupor by the distinct sensation that something had landed on his head.

He seemed to know it was a sea gull.  Oddly, the other men had awakened too.   They were silently staring at him and the sea gull on his head, none  daring to make a movement or utter a sound.  With a silent prayer for help, Captain Rickenbacker desperately grabbed for and caught the sea gull! 

That sea gull was the means by which the men were saved - saved by a sea gull, uncharacteristically flying hundreds of miles from landfall.  Its flesh served both as food for the men, and as bait which enabled the crew to catch fish.  Though they spent another 3 or 4 weeks in the ocean, that lone sea gull had provided them the means of their survival until, ultimately, they were found and rescued.

Captain Rickenbacker never forgot that sea gull.  So it was that, even as an old man, every Friday evening he would feed the sea gulls, remembering that one which, on a day long past, gave itself without a struggle, to save his life and the lives of all the aircrew.

“. . . I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20)

Love you all,

Grandpa     

Jewel # 185 (Aug. 29, 2014)

“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 Barbary Ape

“The eyes of all wait upon Thee. . . . Thou openest Thine hand,

and satisfies the desire of every living thing.”

(Psalm 145:15-16)

Its fun to watch monkeys in the zoo, especially when they do tricks their trainers have taught them.  Even King Solomon found them interesting and brought some to Jerusalem, probably as part of his zoo.

There are many species of monkeys and apes in God’s creation, and He has supplied everything they need.  Since they do look a little like humans, some people think that humans and monkeys are related, but the Bible assures us this is not so.  There are many differences, both in body structure and intelligence.  Apes  and monkeys are part of the animal creation.  Man was formed separately and is distinct and superior to all other created things. The Bible says, “God created man in His [God’s] own image” (Genesis 1:27) .

The Barbary Ape is actually a monkey rather than an ape.  It is a native of Africa but is also a famous resident of the Rock of Gibraltar where it was found when the British came there in 1704.  These apes live in large colonies of several dozen, with a powerful male as their leader.  He is responsible for the behaviour of those in his colony, although the young ones being full of play and mischief are given lots of freedom.  Babies are lovingly nursed by their mothers and cling to their mother’s fur for the first few weeks of life.  They eventually grow to be about three feet tall.  They have excellent memories and are always curious about anything new or strange.

Like most monkeys, the Barbary ape is a great climber and very acrobatic even though it has no tail.  Most of its time is spent searching for food, which includes fruit, leaves, roots, seeds, locusts and lizards.  Its sense of smell is poor, but its sight and hearing are excellent.

Barbary apes live where there are many dangerous scorpions that have deadly, poisonous stingers in their tails.  But this ape has no fear of them. When a scorpion is spotted, the ape quickly pounces on it in just the right way.  Then the tail with its poisonous stinger is twisted off, and the ape has a scorpion dinner.  How long do you think it took these apes to learn this trick?  Actually, they did not need to learn it, because God gave them that ability when He created them.

We are impressed with God’s  watchful care over these interesting apes.  But the psalmist was thinking of something even more impressive when he exclaimed, “How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God!  How great is the sum of them!” (Psalm 139:17). 

Have you thought of God’s loving care in providing a Saviour for you?  He invites you to come to Him through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, that you might have your sins forgiven and have everlasting life.

Love you all,

Grandpa    

Jewel # 184 (Aug 10, 2014)

To my dear grandchildren,

Man’s Friend - the Horse

“In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses,

HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD.”

(Zechariah 14:20)

Isn’t it amazing that some large animals like horses, which can weigh 2000 pounds or more, can be taught to obey a boy or girl weighing less than 100 pounds?  God arranged this in creation and declared in Genesis 1:26 that man should dominate all living creatures.

Centuries ago men discovered that a horse’s mouth could be used to control it.  Between its front and back teeth is an open space.  A metal bar, called a bit, is placed there and a bridle is attached to it.  This is then used to direct the horse wherever the rider wants it to go.  

King David in the Bible wrote about horses: “Be ye not as the horse . . . whose mouth must be held in with a bit and bridle” (Psalm 32:9).  This advice warns us not to resist God or He may have to turn us in the right direction by some stronger action.

A horse keeps its “baby teeth” until it is five years old, and then new, strong teeth replace them.  But over the years these wear down, so an experienced horseman can tell a horse’s age by counting its teeth and looking at their condition.

Have you noticed that horse’s eyes are situated more on each side of its head than in front like yours?  The Creator gave it this extra safety precaution so it can see to each side.  They have larger eyes than that any other land animal.

A horse’s entire body helps it to receive sounds.  Besides its ears, its hooves sense sound and pass it on through its bones and nerves.  A horse has sharp hearing and can move its ears to catch sounds from almost any direction.  Its ears are also a clue to its disposition.  Straight foreword - it is interested and usually friendly.  Laid back - look out!  It may be angry or annoyed.

God gave the legs and feet of a horse a special design.  As a horse runs, its foot hits the ground with a powerful force.  An elastic ligament above the hoof stretches out so the full force of the animal’s great weight does not hurt the lower part of the leg.  This feature prevents the leg bones from breaking and becoming useless and allows it to gallop and jump without harm.  Yet a horse can sleep standing upright.  Its legs are provided with “lock-joints” which remain firm and straight even though the horse is sound asleep.

These wonderful animals did not develop their unusual abilities by themselves.  Everything about them shows the wisdom of the Creator when He placed them among earth’s animals.

The psalmist said, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God" (Psalm 20:7), and “Blessed is the man that trusts in Him” (Psalm 34:8).  

Are you trusting in earthly things or are you trusting in God?

Love you all,

Grandpa

         

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Jewel # 183 (Aug 2, 2014)

“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 Ever-Present Cockroach

“His eyes are upon the ways of man, and He seeth all his goings.

There is no darkness . . . where they may hide themselves.”

(Job 34:21-22)

There are 3500 species of cockroaches, about a dozen of which are in Canada and the United States.  They are found in the kitchens, bathrooms and cupboards of rich and poor alike and also in restaurants, grocery stores and food storage places.  The largest is four inches long and the smallest is one-eighth of an inch long, and lives in the tropics.  They dislike bright light and usually come out only at night.  You might catch a glimpse of them as they scurry to hide when a light is turned on.

Cockroaches, closely related to grasshoppers and crickets, are mostly black or brown.  These unpleasant pests are well equipped for survival.  Their strong legs are covered with bristles and their jaws have sharp cutting blades capable of handling tough items, including food scraps, paper, cloth, glue, soap, leather and even electric cords.  

Before feeding, they use their antennae and special feelers to “inspect” the food to determine if it is safe to eat.  Through this “inspection,” they sometimes avoid poisons intended for them.  Spraying with insecticide in their concealed hideouts does not do much good either.  The pressure-sensitive hairs on their bodies also inform them when danger is near, sending them running away in a fraction of a second.  Even their endurance is remarkable.  

Tests have shown they can survive a month without water and three months without food!  Cockroaches can survive underwater for a half hour.   No wonder they are hard to get rid of!

Preferring warm, dirty, damp places, they are frequently surrounded by filth, which they eat and which clings to their legs.  They sometimes are transported to other places when they hide in paper bags and cartons and they are known to carry disease.  However, they are industrious in grooming themselves by brushing their bodies with their legs.

We are not told why the Creator included the cockroach when He brought so many insects into the world.  Perhaps one purpose is to impress on us that the world has been spoiled by sin and to remind us of Satan who also “grooms” himself to appear sometimes as “an angel of light.”  But in spite of this deceit, the devil is man’s worst enemy.

The Apostle Paul was aware of Satan’s evil activity and that those who do not turn away from his influence will, in a coming time, be under God’s solemn judgement.  “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me out of this body of . . . death?”, he cried.  Finding the answer, he happily responded, “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 7:24-25).

Have you also accepted Christ as your Saviour so that you can now give thanks unto the Father “who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son” (Colossians 1:13)?

I love you all,

Grandpa