Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? (Isaiah 58:7)
***
Gravity from A J
The power of gravity decreases
as we head away from the earth
but, it never really fades away…
In our journey towards
the Heavenly Authority,
it is easy to keep away from
earthly desires
when we shift our focus from
the creation to the Creator,
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (Colossians 3:2)
***
Mullberry from A J
Mulberry fruits, leaves,
roots and bark are used
to treat ailments from cough to tumor!
But, God asked David to wait
for its leaves to move
before he went after his enemies!
Want to be a winner?
Wait before you war!
For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (Habakkuk 2:3)
One of my readers of the blog had this in his post. After checking the internet, I found that it was free to use. So, now I am sharing it. I think it is adorable. Not sure who originally put it together, but, thank you.
When I showed it to Dan and ask him what I could write about it, he gave me the following example:
All those birds are from different species, yet they are all heading in the same direction. The Bible tells us:
And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, (Acts 17:26 NKJV)
Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people—saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” (Revelation 14:6-7 NKJV)
And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, (Revelation 5:9 NKJV)
Praise the Lord that it matters not where you are from, the Lord Jesus Christ has made salvation available to “whosoever.”
I came across several interesting articles from Answers in Genesis that deal with changes within the species. Having just updated the pages to the I.O.C. 3.4 Version, there were several new species added. Where did they come from? Some of them were subspecies that had been elevated to a species status. At least one, was a newly discovered species. So, how do we look at this as Christians that believe in creation and not evolution?
An article from Answers asks, “Do Species Change?” by Paul Garner. It actually gave Darwin credit for realizing that there was not a fixity or immutability of species.
Before the time of Charles Darwin, a false idea had crept into the church—the belief in the “fixity” or “immutability” of species.1 According to this view, each species was created in precisely the same form that we find it today. In his famous book, On the Origin of Species, first published in 1859, Darwin set out to demolish this widespread view.
The article goes on to show how Darwin went too far. It is a very interesting article worth reading. Do Species Change?
Thick-billed Murre (Uria lomvia) by Daves BirdingPix
“Seabird Study Said To Solve the Evolutionary Mystery of Flightlessness” by Dr. Elizabeth Mitchell discusses how the Penguin became flightless and use the Thick-billed Murre as a possible example. They compare the amount of energy used to swim and/or fly. “Murres, able to fly and to execute penguin-like wing-propelled dives, were the focus of the study because researchers believe their performance provides a living model of the penguin’s evolutionary past….” Also, the bone structure is discussed. I like the wrap-up by the article writer, Dr. Elizabeth Mitchell.
Yet this fact just demonstrates a great design—an ideal “form” for a diving, flying seabird—and confirms nothing about the evolutionary path of any bird, let alone the flightless penguin.
God created birds on the fifth day of Creation week about 6,000 years ago. They reproduced “after their kinds” as the Bible describes, only varying within their created kinds. Biology does not demonstrate the evolution of flight or flightlessness or the evolution of any kind of creature into a different kind.
Our Creator used His Omnipotence and His Wisdom to create the fantastic and varied creatures for us to enjoy, especially the birds. They are there in front of us all to see, observe and try to understand more about them and their development. How we look at them is where the differences in how this came about is where the creationist and evolutionist part ways.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1 NKJV)
or
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts… who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. … And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind… (Romans 1:20-28 NKJV)
Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight. (Proverbs 26:2 NKJV)
Wanted to share an article I came across about Swallows.
A recent article from the UK’s Daily Mail declared, “Swallows are evolving shorter wings because they keep getting hit by traffic.” Now, the article explains the results of a recent study from the journal Current Biology. The study examined cliff swallows, both living and dead, that build their mud nests on highway overpasses, to see if there were certain traits in swallows that favored their survival. The researchers argued that natural selection should “favor individuals that either learn to avoid cars or that have other traits making them less likely to collide with vehicles.” The study found that the swallows that survived had shorter wingspans, while the ones that died had longer wings…..”
“three enthusiastic brothers, ages 10, 11, and 13, are combining their interest in writing, creationism, and web design to launch the Virtual Creation Zoo. Their goal is to declare the glory of our Creator, and these three boys are doing it! “
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (Philippians 4:6 NKJV)
I want to thank all of you who have been praying for me while I went through my eye surgery on Monday. As you can see, my left ey is just barely pinkish. The follow up visit on Tuesday was great. The eye Doctor said all was looking good and they test me at 20/20 for distant vision. Last week I couldn’t even see the Big E at the top of the chart.
My close vision is not so well and will have to be corrected with reading glasses. (They put in a “distant vision” lens) I have actually been going around with no glasses on for the first time in years. I also was noticing the leaves on the trees again, not just green trees.
As I said in a reply to the first article, I knew lots of people were praying for me. With four attempts to put in the IV and four nurses trying, I stayed calm. That is not my normal behavior when that happens. At the time, I could feel your prayers and I am very thankful for every one of them. The Lord was very close to me and helped the nurses and the doctor to do their jobs well.
We have been having VBS at our church this week and we have been helping with the photos. Dan caught me while I was sitting down on the job. My photos have actually turned out decent this week.
One of the classes – VBS 2013 by Lee
The colors are so crisp and bright, I can hardly wait to get out on a birdwatching adventure soon.
Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful. (Psalms 147:1 NKJV)
In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV)
Thanks to all of you who kept me in your prayers 6 months ago when I had the “Pucker” on my retina removed. At that time, they said that for some reason cataract development would accelerate. Well, it did. Tomorrow morning, I will be having cataract surgery on my left eye. The retina has been healing for 6 months and the okay was given to have this surgery.
I am ready for it. I have seen “bi-winged” birds and extra stop lights, extra headlights on cars and other double “ghost images” because of the blurred vision. I have been struggling to see my monitor to produce my blogs. The size of the fonts has been increased to assist my ability to read the screen. Even with that, it has been challenging at times. Two blogs are scheduled; one for tomorrow and one for Tuesday. Hopefully, that will give time for this new surgery to heal.
I have also not visited as many of your blogs recently like I would have enjoyed because of this situation. Expect visits again, soon, Lord willing.
Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow, June 24th, if you think of it. I am not expecting any problems, but any surgery has risk. The Lord already knows the outcome and I am trusting Him to be right there with me through this.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (Philippians 4:6 NKJV)
I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me. (Psalms 13:6 NKJV)
Oh, magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together. (Psalms 34:3 NKJV)
And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” (Matthew 21:22 NKJV)
Sumatran Laughingthrush (Garrulax bicolor) “Joe Cool” by Lee
The hearing ear and the seeing eye, The LORD has made them both. (Proverbs 20:12 NKJV)
He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see? (Psalms 94:9 NKJV)
“For His eyes are on the ways of man, And He sees all his steps. (Job 34:21 NKJV)
“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You. (Job 42:5 NKJV)
Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law. (Psalms 119:18 NKJV)
Bali Myna (Leucopsar rothschildi) at Lowry Park Zoo by Lee
Yesterday, we went over to the Lowry Park Zoo for a little while and were able to record several interesting birds and the Singing Dogs from Australia. I was especially pleased to hear the Bali Myna making a neat little call or song. Here is a video of it that I put together. This is another bird from the Lord’s Creative Hand.
God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, which the waters brought forth abundantly, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good (suitable, admirable) and He approved it. (Genesis 1:21 AMP)
These photos were taken at Palm Beach Zoo last month.
Bali Myna (Leucopsar rothschildi Palm Beach Zoo by Lee
He was displaying and this is another view of him.
Bali Myna (Leucopsar rothschildi Palm Beach Zoo by Lee
Here is a video of the Bali Myna at Palm Beach displaying:
The Bali Myna is a highly endangered species and many of the zoos are trying to preserve them through there breeding programs.
Bali Myna (Leucopsar rothschildi) Sign at LPZ
This bird is a member of the Sturnidae – Starlings Family. The Bali Myna (Leucopsar rothschildi), also known as Rothschild’s Mynah, Bali Starling, or Bali Mynah, locally known as Jalak Bali, is a medium-sized (up to 25 cm long), stocky myna, almost wholly white with a long, drooping crest, and black tips on the wings and tail. The bird has blue bare skin around the eyes, greyish legs and a yellow bill. Both sexes are similar.
The Bali Myna is restricted to the island of Bali in Indonesia, where it is the island’s only endemic vertebrate species. (An endemic subspecies, the Bali Tiger, has been extinct since 1937.) The bird was discovered in 1910, and in 1991 was designated the fauna symbol of Bali. Featured on the Indonesian 200 rupiah coin, its local name is “Jalak Bali”.
In its natural habitat it is inconspicuous, using tree tops for cover and–unlike other starlings–usually coming to the ground only to drink or to find nesting materials; this would seem to be an adaptation to its noticeability to predators when out in the open. The Bali mynah often gathers in groups when it is young to better locate food and watch out for predators. The vocalizations are a variety of sharp chattering calls and an emphatic twat.
The Bali Myna’s diet includes fruit, seeds, worms and insects.
During breeding season, males attract females by calling loudly and bobbing up and down. The birds nest in tree cavities, with the female laying and incubating two-three eggs. Both males and females bring food to the nests for chicks after hatching. (Wikipedia with editing)
Oh, I almost forgot to show you the Singing Dogs from Lowry Park Zoo. They were doing their thing causing all the others to make noise also. They are from New Guinea and music is playing in the background.
Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus 