Category Archives: Christian

Parrot Mountain’s Prayer Garden

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And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. (Matthew 14:23 KJV)

The Prayer Garden at Parrot Mountain is very peaceful and lovely. Thought I would share some of those photos this time. At the entrance there are two angel statues and then as you enter.

Angel

Angel

There are three crosses and some signs with verses:

Parrot Mountain Landscape and Signs

Three Crosses and Signs

As you go in further there are more signs, a garden tomb with an angel and a place where the Savior was lain. More signs and walkway with sculptures in them. Here are more of the photos of this area of Parrot Mountain.

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Parrot Mountain in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Fellowship in the Smokies
Peaceful Stream
Salmon-crested (Moluccan) Cockatoo at Parrot Mountain
Are You Missing Something?
Sharing The Gospel

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Peaceful Stream

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Trees along the Roaring Fork Drive

Trees along the Roaring Fork Drive

The trees have not turned that much yet, but the two videos below are just relaxing to watch. In about two weeks or so the leaves should really be at prime.

He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers. (Psalms 78:16 KJV)

But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. (Amos 5:24 KJV)

Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:11 NKJV)

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Fellowship in the Smokies

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Mountains from the Tuckaleechee Retreat Center Lodge

Mountains from the Tuckaleechee Retreat Center Lodge

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1Jn 1:7)

We just spent four nights at the at Tuckaleechee Retreat Center in Townsend, Tennessee. They call it “Fellowship in the Smokies.” We were at the edge of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, near Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Those two towns are very “tourist” minded and have many attractions that have little to do with the beauty of the area. It is hard to see the commercialization of such a beautiful area created by Our Lord.

The Tuckaleechee Retreat Center is the national headquarters of the Children’s Bible Ministry. They open up a couple of weeks this time of the year for visitors, like a big group (13 couples) from our church and a few from other churches. We are fed a fantastic breakfast, have an informative time and then are free for the rest of the day.

Stream on Roaring Fork Nature Drive

Stream on Roaring Fork Nature Drive

Dan and I went into Gatlinburg to the Roaring Fork Auto Nature Dive to see some birds. One turkey seen, one Pileated Woodpecker heard, and a small waterfall later, we finished the drive.
Cars and people were everywhere and needless to say, we were somewhat disappointed.

Back at the Lodge, we had great fellowship with our friends and some new ones we met. We ate out at some nice restaurants with our friends and just had a relazing and enjoyable time.

The roads are very curvy in the mountains and I said, “I’m not going back over those mountains into Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge again.” It was hurting my back somewhat.

Stream through the park - SMNP by Lee

Stream through the park – SMNP by Lee

The next morning, I was told about Parrot Mountain, with lots of Parrots. Other birds also. Run by Christian people and from a “Christian Perspective.” Have you ever heard of “eating crow”? Well, I swallowed my words and went. :) Am I glad we went.

You will have to wait until we arrive home in a few hours. Then I can get the photos ready. I have had the blog on “auto-pilot” this week and am glad WordPress lets us schedule articles for the future. (The only day not scheduled was this one.)

Taken Friday morning before we all left.

Fellowship in the Smokies — at Tuckaleechee Retreat Center.

Fellowship in the Smokies — at Tuckaleechee Retreat Center.

Tuckaleechee Retreat Center

Children’s Bible Ministry

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Not Sure What Happened!

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Please re-check the last article I posted this evening. I went to fix one thing and it wiped out most of the article. It is now the way is was supposed to be.

Great Grey Owl

I am still looking for remarks or a story that could be posted as to what you think that expression is saying.

Great Grey Owl (Strix nebulosa) ©Peter K Burian at www.peterkburian.com

Great Grey Owl (Strix nebulosa) ©Peter K Burian at http://www.peterkburian.com

Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: (Job 5:17 KJV)

Interesting Things – Echida ~ From Creation Moments

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Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus setosus) ©WikiC

Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus setosus) ©WikiC

WHAT’S PART MAMMAL, MARSUPIAL AND REPTILE?

“He hath made His wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.” (Psalm 111:4)

While all living things defy evolution, some do it more clearly than others. The echidna is one example of a creature that obviously challenges evolution. This Australian marvel is often called the spiny anteater. However, it has little resemblance to anteaters in other parts of the world.

Interesting Things from Smiley CentralEchidnas are classified as monotremes, which are egg-laying mammals. While the adults have no teeth, a hatchling echidna escapes from its egg with an egg tooth. Adults have a long snout and an even longer sticky tongue that catches ants. The hatchling is protected and nursed in a marsupial-like pouch. As it grows it develops the long spines of an adult. If the echidna sounds like a strange creature, its mating habits are even stranger. At mating time echidnas form “trains.” A large female leads the train, followed by up to seven males, the smallest being the last car of the train. They walk single file until the female finds a tree she likes. Then the males dig a trench around the tree and seek to drive each other out of the trench. Only the victorious male is allowed to mate with the female.

With its mammalian, reptilian and marsupial features, the echidna challenges evolution. Evolutionists would have a hard time explaining what forces would produce a creature that is apparently related to no other. The best explanation for the echidna is that it is the work of an infinitely creative and powerful Creator.

Prayer:
Dear Father, Your unlimited creativity fills me with joy. Amen.

Notes:
Science Frontiers, p. 129, “Echidna Eccentricities.” Photo: Western long-beaked echidna. Courtesy of Matma Rex. (CC-BY-SA 3.0)  ©Creation Moments 2015 (with permission)

Echidna ©WikiC

Echidna ©WikiC

Lee’s Addition:

Thinking about this photo and how the Lord created this critter to be protected brings several great passages to mind:

And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” (John 10:28-30 NKJV)

For the LORD will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught. (Proverbs 3:26 NKJV)

He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. (Psalms 121:3 NKJV)

I would love to show you a Puggle, the name for a baby Echida, but I couldn’t find one that gave permission to use. Click this link to see one, Those in Awana, know the name “Puggle”

Lord Bless Your Day!

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Creation Moments – Echida

Creation Moments

More Interesting Things

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How Well Do We Reflect?

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Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) by Ray Barlow

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) by Ray Barlow

These photos by Ray Barlow have just been running around in my mind. It’s about the same as when you hear a song and then for days you hear it and hum the song.

How close are we walking with the Lord Jesus Christ? Are we near and close enough to touch base once in awhile like the photo below?

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) by Ray Barlow

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) by Ray Barlow

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. (James 1:22-25 NKJV)

Are we spending more time in reading, praying, attending church, and having fellowship with other believers? Getting closer to the Lord to where we are starting to reflect Him in our lives.

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) by Ray Barlow

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) by Ray Barlow

As in water face reflects face, So a man’s heart reveals the man. (Proverbs 27:19 NKJV)

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) by Ray Barlow

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) by Ray Barlow

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV)

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Lord Bless your day as you consider these verses. I trust we all will strive to be more like Jesus and others can see Him in us.

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Gospel Message
Birds of the Bible – Fly Like An Eagle
Thanks to Raymond Barlow for the permission to use these photos.

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The Chase Begins…

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Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) by Lee

Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) by Lee

While we were at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum we wanted to see as many birds as possible. Birds from this part of the country were to be prize catches. We spotted a wren and we both turned our cameras on it. We had just arrived and it was the first native bird we saw.

Well, let the chase begin because that bird would not stay put, nor would it come out in the open. Here is a series of photos we took trying to get a “whole bird” photo:

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13 KJV)

The Wren was not trying to avoid us, he was only searching for something to eat and we were searching for it.

As you can see, it finally came out in the clear. Those of you who like to photograph critters will understand the joy and agony of attempts like this. After all these attempts, I later found out that we had seen Cactus Wrens before, so it wasn’t a new “Life Bird.”

Later, we saw Cactus Wrens several more times and they showed off and didn’t give us such a hassle as the first one. Oh, the joys of birdwatching!

Here are some more Cactus Wren photos with the more cooperative birds:

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: (Psalms 139:23 KJV)

Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD. (Lamentations 3:40 KJV)

I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (Jeremiah 17:10 KJV)

Trust you enjoyed this adventure of our search for the Cactus Wren. They are members of the Wrens – Troglodytidae Family that has 84 species.

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Wrens – Troglodytidae Family

Wren – Wikipedia

Sea To Sea in 2015

Wordless Birds

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Arizona-Senora Desert Museum – Vacation

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Desert Mus-Tucson by Lee

“He found him in a desert land And in the wasteland, a howling wilderness; He encircled him, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye. (Deuteronomy 32:10 NKJV)

The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, Even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, The excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, The excellency of our God.
(Isaiah 35:1-2a NKJV)

We spent three days in Tucson, Arizona and were able to see the Arizona-Senora Desert Museum. The plants are so different from what we see normally, though we see a few cactus now and then. There were plenty of neat plants to see and of course birds to watch.

Cactus Flower - Arizona Living Desert Museum by Lee

Cactus Flower – Arizona Living Desert Museum by Lee

Today you will get to see some of the plants and scenery at the desert museum. As mentioned before, the Lord has made so much variety in this world, it is amazing. Just enjoy some photos of this very interesting place.

Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, ‘HE GAVE THEM BREAD FROM HEAVEN TO EAT.'” Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
(John 6:31-33 NKJV)

What a delightful place! We really enjoyed seeing  the beautiful flowers and weird plants that are beautiful in their own right. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

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Sunday Inspiration – Independence Day

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Bald Eagle (close up) LP Zoo by Dan

Bald Eagle (close up) LP Zoo by Dan

The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. (Psalms 16:5-6 ESV)

Here in the United States, yesterday was celebrated as “Independence Day” or more commonly called the “Forth Of July.” The Lord has blessed the country through the years because the people chose to look to the Lord, the Creator, for guidance. Today is another story, but that is not the point of this article.

We really should be celebrating “Dependence Day” to thank the Lord God for giving us the privilege to be born and/or live here.

So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. (Romans 9:16 ESV)

We are thankful for this country and while the Orchestra plays the “Military Medley” enjoy some of the sights of the Land of the Home and the Brave. These are just photos from some of our recent trips that make me appreciate our country. Many are military, but also museums, scenery from our great land of the free and nostalgia things from the past.

P.S. Other than the Eagles, I gave the birds a rest. :)

And He made from one [common origin, one source, one blood] all nations of men to settle on the face of the earth, having definitely determined [their] allotted periods of time and the fixed boundaries of their habitation (their settlements, lands, and abodes), So that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after Him and find Him, although He is not far from each one of us. For in Him we live and move and have our being; (Acts 17:26-28a AMP)

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“Military Medley” ~ Faith Baptist Orchestra

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Sunday Inspirations

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Tombstone Shootout – Vacation

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Tombstone AZ 2015 by Lee

After quickly passing through New Mexico, (NM Going West), Interstate 10 brings you to Arizona. While stopped at the Welcome Center, again to get maps and brochures, we were told to not miss stopping in Tombstone. We dove the about 25 miles south of I-10 to get there, but well worth the detour.

Have you not asked those who travel the road? … (Job 21:29a NKJV)

We both grew up watching “westerns” and even remember riding one of these as a kid. So, going to Tombstone brought back lots of memories.

Tombstone AZ 5-9-2015 (86)

They have a reenactment of the Shootout at OK Corral, so we watched it. I have a clip of the beginning of it, just to whet your taste. If you want to see it, go to Tombstone. At the end of the video is a Jester, or whatever you want to call him, entertaining some kids.

Many people were dressed up and after talking to several of them, not all were workers in the different businesses. Some where just townspeople who dress and come to town to just be part of the “happenings” like this man and his dog.

Local residents

Local residents

Thinking back, we never took a single photo of a bird in Tombstone. Either they were not around or we were just too busy seeing all the sites. Not to worry, there are plenty more bird photos to come. Stay turned! :)

“The very mention of Tombstone brings to mind images of the lawless Old West, gunfights at the O.K. Corral, epic feuds between the Earps and the Mclaurys and Clantons, Gold Rush fever and the promise of silver and gold. The heritage of the American West is still alive here today, where historic saloons, post offices and the famous Boot Hill cemetery stand restored and painstakingly preserved alongside more modern, tourist-focused recreations of period architecture.” From TripAdvisor

As Christians, we have a different type of “Fight” to get involved in:

The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:14 NKJV)

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:12 NKJV)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. (2 Timothy 4:7-8 NKJV)

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Tombstone, Arizona – Wikipedia

Tombstone Web

In case you missed the last few Vacation articles:

Good News

 

 

New Mexico Going West – Vacation

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New Mexico Welcome Center

New Mexico Welcome Center

After almost 900 miles traveling through Texas, we zipped through the 164 miles of I-10 through New Mexico. After seeing the Mount Cristo Rey along the way, we were in New Mexico and out before to long. We stopped at the welcome center and picked up the usual maps and brochures. As I was walking back to the car I noticed a nest near the door. Back to the car to get the camera and take a few photos. It was a Barn Swallow. My first New Mexico Barn Swallow and bird photos of its nest.

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) New Mexico Welcome Center by Lee

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
New Mexico Welcome Center by Lee

Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight. (Proverbs 26:2 NKJV)

We made a stop in Deming, New Mexico to eat at a restaurant we had eaten in fifteen years before. Si Senor’s was great then in 1999 and great in 2015.

New Mexico

New Mexico

Back on the road again. We saw the wide open spaces and tried to image crossing this area in a wagon train. Yuk! We were riding on an interstate. Yeah!

Cattle Feeding places

Cattle Feeding places

And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:25 NKJV)

For every beast of the forest is Mine, And the cattle on a thousand hills.
(Psalms 50:10 NKJV)

Passed lots and lots of cattle feeding places. Not sure if they were getting them ready to ship out by trains or what.

Truck with Hugh Tires NM

Truck with Hugh Tires NM

A truck passed us carrying the largest tires I’ve ever seen before.

New Mexico

New Mexico

He putteth forth his hand upon the rock; he overturneth the mountains by the roots. He cutteth out rivers among the rocks; and his eye seeth every precious thing. (Job 28:9-10 KJV)

As you can see, there is not much greenery through this part of New Mexico. The rock formations were interesting to see and wonder how these were shaped after the flood?

New Mexico

New Mexico

“But as a mountain falls and crumbles away, And as a rock is moved from its place; As water wears away stones, And as torrents wash away the soil of the earth; So You destroy the hope of man. (Job 14:18-19 NKJV)

So ends New Mexico going west on I-10.  “Vacation Goal” None really, so just traveling along to San Diego. Stay tuned! Arizona is next and we saw some very interesting places.

Mount Cristo Rey – Vacation

Birds of the Bible – Swallows

Wordless Birds

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Mount Cristo Rey – Vacation

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Leaving El Paso, Texas

Leaving El Paso, Texas

We finally arrived in El Paso, Texas, (May 9th) spent the night and then headed to New Mexico. On the way out of El Paso, I was just taking a few photos when we saw a cross on top of a mountain.

Cross on a mountain - El Paso, Texas

Cross on a mountain – El Paso, Texas (Bird Flying By)

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18 KJV)

That caught my eye and then we started wondering how they got it way up there.

Cross on a mountain - El Paso, Texas

Cross on a mountain – El Paso, Texas

As we continued on I-10, we came to the spot where we saw the answer to that. It is not the best photo, but can you see the back and forth road up the side?  Would not want to be the one who built that “road.”

Road up mountain

Road up mountain

And then zoomed in:

Road up mountain - cropped

Road up mountain – cropped

What I didn’t know until this article was being written is that the cross is more than what it appeared to us. It is actually a cross with a statue of Jesus Christ on it. It is also in New Mexico, not Texas as we thought, though we were seeing it from Texas. (El Paso is at the western tip of Texas where New Mexico and Mexico all meet.) Also, these facts have changed this blog from scenery to about an interesting site.

“Summary: At the top, there is a statue of Jesus Crist. It is the largest such statue in the world. At 42.5 feet, it is larger than the one in the Andes Mountains by 1 foot. The project was begun on 29 Oct 1933, and completed 6 years later on 29 Oct 1939.” (From)

“One of the most iconic images in El Paso is the statue of Mount Cristo Rey — the Christ of the Rockies. The magnificent monument overlooks three states and two nations”

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. (Galatians 6:14-15 KJV)

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2 KJV)

I am so glad that Christ is no longer on the cross, but died, resurrected Himself and is now with the Father interceding for those of us who have accepted Him as our Personal Savior.

Gospel Message

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