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LISTEN
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Listen (consent and submit) to the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge; (Proverbs 22:17 AMP)
Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) with young ©©
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Author Archives: Lee
Lee’s Seven Word Sunday – 3/6/16
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THE EYES OF ALL WAIT UPON THEE
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The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. (Psalms 145:15 KJV)
White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus) close-up ©©joule_e
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Sunday Inspiration – Finches I
Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) ©WikiC
The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee. (Psalms 145:9-10 KJV)
The Fringillidae – Finches are another large family. With 225 species, the Sunday Inspiration will again have to be divided. This first group includes the Fringilla, Mycerobas, Hesperiphona, Coccothraustes, Eophona, Pinicola, Pyrrhulla, Leucosticte and Carpodacus genus. That is a total of 61 beautiful creations for Our Lord to check out. So, let’s see who they are.
Blue Chaffinch (Fringilla teydea) ©WikiC
The first three are from the Fringilla genus. Common Chaffinch, Blue Chaffinch and Brambling. The Chaffinch and Brambling breed in much of Europe, across Asia to Siberia and in northwest Africa. It prefers open woodland and often forages on the ground.
White-winged Grosbeak (Mycerobas carnipes) ©WikiC
The Mycerobas grosbeaks are a genus of finch in the Fringillidae family. They are colorful finches and are at 20–23 cm the largest species in the family. They are found in the southern Himalayas and across into China.
Evening Grosbeak (Hesperiphona vespertinus) by Ian
Hesperiphona is a genus of grosbeaks in the family Fringillidae (the true finches). This genus is native to the New World.
Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes) ©WikiC
The Hawfinch, along with the Chinese and Japanese Grosbeaks, and Pine Grosbeak are more of the closely related Grosbeak group.
Eurasian Bullfinch (Pyrrhula) by Ian
The seven Bullfinches (Pyrrhula) have glossy black wings and tail feathers. They show a white rump. The legs and feet are fleshy brown. Their short, swollen bill is adapted to eat buds, and is black except for the brown bullfinch, which has a grey or greenish-grey bill. The males can be distinguished by their orange or red breast. Some species have a black cap. All species occur in Asia.
Trumpeter Finch (Bucanetes githagineus) ©WikiC
These next five genus only have six birds; Bucanetes, Agraphospiza, Callacanthis, Pyrrhoplectes, Procarduelis.
Grey-crowned Rosy Finch (Leucosticte tephrocotis) by Ian
The mountain finches are birds in the genus Leucosticte from the true finch family, Fringillidae. This genus also includes the rosy finches, named from their pinkish plumage.
Pink-browed Rosefinch (Carpodacus rodochroa) ©Wiki
The rosefinches are a genus, Carpodacus, of passerine birds in the finch family Fringillidae. Most are called “rosefinches” and as the word implies, have various shades of red in their plumage. The common rosefinch is frequently called the “rosefinch”.
The Carpodacus rosefinches occur throughout Eurasia, but the greatest diversity is found in the Sino-Himalayas suggesting that the species originated in this region.
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“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” (Psalms 23:6 KJV)
“But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning:” (Psalms 59:16a KJV)
“Mercies Anew” ~ by Lisa Brock, accompanied by Jill Foster
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Lee’s Six Word Saturday – 3/5/16
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BEHOLD I SHEW YOU A MYSTERY
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Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:51-52 KJV)
Common Potoo (Nyctibius griseus) ©Jullan Iondono
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Hannah’s Teachable Moment
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) with youngsters by Raymond Barlow
I would like to share a very interesting post from, “Read the Best Books First,” called, The Teachable Moment. Hannah Hancock is a member of our church and writes a blog. But this article, The Teachable Moment is very well worth reading. She, and her husband, Cody, are in the process of adopting some children. What people may say, is what makes this article so relevant to all of us.
“The Teachable Moment
My husband and I are adopting. I don’t talk about it much here on the blog because that’s not what this particular blog is about. I enjoy reading other adoption blogs, and I’ve found a lot of helpful information by reading them and been encouraged by them too, but that’s just not what I’m about in this space.But today, I’m “seizing the teachable moment” as some would say because I’m not very good at doing it in the actual moment.A few weeks ago, a very sweet lady approached my husband and me to ask how the adoption was going or if we’d had any news and what the process was going to look like. This has become pretty standard fare, and most of the time, I think I’m used to it. And despite the fact that I’ve had people asking me why we don’t just have”… continue reading The Teachable Moment
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I learned of this article through our Mission Conference 2016 – Joy and Sadness article on our Faith Baptist Website.
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Birds of the Bible – Parable of the Nest
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) Egg in Eastern Phoebe Nest ©WikiC
Recently, I have been taking some on-line courses through the School of Biblical Apologetics with the Institute for Creation Research. Some of the lessons have been about how the Lord used parables to teach many lessons. Jesses seemed to use some of them like object lessons, where you use something currently in sight. So, here is my attempt to use a parable with birds as the object.
When you observe a bird’s nest with eggs in it and they all look alike, do you assume they are all from the same bird parents? In the picture above, it is obvious that there is a “false member of the family” in the nests.
Sometimes, they really do look the same, but there is a “Brood parasite” in among them. They look so similar that you hardly notice them. Therefore the parents accept them, sit on them, and all is well for a while.
Reed Warbler eggs with Cuckoo Egg in them ©WikiC
But, when the eggs begin to hatch, several things can happen:
Sometimes, while the chick is in the egg, it hears its adopted parents and will actually make sounds like these parents. Therefore the parents feed them, just like its own.
Sometimes, they are so determined, that they actually shove the hosts eggs or the nestlings out of the nest.
Click to see photo of chick pushing egg out of nest.
When they do begin to grow, they become much larger than the adopted parents.
A Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) chick being fed by a Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia Capensis)
Sometimes they really grow.
Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) being raised by a Reed Warbler©WikiC
Now for an application:
“But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.” (2 Peter 2:1-2 NKJV) (emphasis mine)
Some deny the Creation and the Creator of Genesis. Yet, they “accept” the other parts of the Bible. Many other truths of God’s Word are also changed or watered-down to fit the needs of the false teachers.
Those of us who are Christians, should be on our guard for false believers, who may learn to “talk the talk” and may “sound like us,” but they are actually bending or perverting the truth.
“These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. ” (Acts 17:11 NKJV)
“These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.…” (Proverbs 6:16-19 NKJV)
“Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” (Matthew 7:14-15 NKJV)
“For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” (Mark 13:22 NKJV)
Let God’s Word speak for itself. The answers are in the Word of God, if one just searches for these truths.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7 NKJV)
“Cease listening to instruction, my son, And you will stray from the words of knowledge.” (Proverbs 19:27 NKJV)
(Bolding for emphasis on verses is mine)
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Brood Parasite – Wikipedia
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Lee’s Five Word Friday – 3/4/16
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KEEP YOUR TONGUE FROM EVIL
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Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit. (Psalms 34:13 NKJV)
Secretarybird (Sagittarius serpentarius) with open beak©WikiC
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Lee’s Four Word Thursday – 3/3/16
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I WILL COME AGAIN
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And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:3 KJV)
Dove Flying ©Flickr Ian Burt
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Lee’s Three Word Wednesday – 3/2/16
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PRIDE OF LIFE
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For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (1 John 2:16 KJV)
Sage Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) by Kent Nickel
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Lee’s Two Word Tuesday – 3/1/16
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GREEN HERB
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Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food”; and it was so. (Genesis 1:30 NKJV)
Rosy-faced Lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis ) A feral Rosy-faced Lovebird eating seeds in Chicago ©WikiC
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Wordless Toucan
Gold – Heaven
This GOLD reminds us of Heaven. The Bible tells us Heaven has a street of gold! But the best part about Heaven is that God, who created you and me, lives there. The Bible, God’s Word, says: “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” — John 3:16 Jesus, God the Son, is in Heaven preparing a place for all who put their trust in Him. (John 14:2-3) God is holy and perfect. He cannot allow anything in Heaven that is less than perfect, so there’s one thing that can never be in Heaven. Can you think of what that might be?
Black/Dark – Sin
It is sin! That is what this DARK reminds us of. Sin is anything you think, say, or do that does not please God, like lying, cheating, being selfish, or hurting others. The Bible says: “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23 That means everyone, big or little, young or old! No matter where you live or who you are, you have sinned. Everyone is born with a “want to” to do wrong. God says that sin must be punished (Romans 6:23), and the punishment for sin is to be separated from God forever in a place of suffering….a place called Hell. But God has a wonderful plan so that you will not have to be punished for your sin!
Red – Jesus’ Blood
God sent Jesus Christ, His perfect Son, to be born as a little baby. Jesus lived a perfect life….He never sinned. When He was grown, wicked men nailed Him to a cross. The bird’s RED reminds us of Jesus’ blood. The Bible says that without the giving of blood there can be no forgiveness of sin (Hebrews 9:22). So Jesus Christ willingly died to take your sin punishment. “…Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures.“— 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 Now, because of what Jesus has done for you, you can have your sins forgiven. Read on to see how!
White – Heaven
The Bible says: “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believed on His name.” — John 1:12 The WHITE reminds us of a CLEAN heart. How can you have a clean heart? A = Admit to God you are a sinner and want to turn away from those sins. B = Believe in Jesus Christ, that He is God’s perfect Son who died for your sin, was buried, and rose again. C = Call on Him to save you from your sin. Would you like to do that right now? He has promised to hear, and once you are His child, He will never leave you (Hebrews 13:5). Take a moment and talk to God right now. It will change your life forever. Only one more color! What can it mean?
Green – Grow
The GREEN stands for things that grow. When you ask God to forgive you and save you, you become His child. God wants you to get to know Him better and to grow to become more like Him. These four things will help you grow:
1. PRAY (talk to God every day)
2. READ & OBEY THE BIBLE (to know what He says, then do it)
3. TELL OTHERS ABOUT JESUS
4. GO TO A BIBLE-BELIEVING CHURCH (where you can learn more about pleasing Him)
As a child of God, if you should sin again, stop and tell Him about it. He promises in His Word… “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” — 1 John 1:9 Ask God to help you live a life to please Him! Share the Good News of this story with someone else.
The Wordless Book has been used for many years by CEF (Child Evangelism Fellowship). These words are from CEF.
Our Wordless Toucan
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Green-billed Toucan (Ramphastos dicolorus) by Dario Sanches
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A friend shared with me about someone who uses the Toucan to teach the “Wordless Book.”
Other Wordless Birds:
Wordless Birds – With Hummingbirds
Lee’s One Word Monday – 2/29/16
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ROLL
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“Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.” (Proverbs 16:3 AMP)
Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. (Proverbs 16:3 KJV)
Racket-tailed Roller (Coracias spatulatus) Houston Zoo 5-6-15 by Lee
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Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus 