Category Archives: Plus

The Cracked Pot ~ by Brad Stanton

by

1

The Cracked Pot

00000765

I found this story some time ago and wanted to share it because it is sooo good.

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck.  One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. 

For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his master’s house.  Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.  But the poor cracked pot was ….

See the rest of the story. The Cracked Pot.

 

(Brad is one of the followers of this blog. He has many interesting articles on his site.)

*

For The Sheer Joy of Variety! – Creation Moments

by

3

 

Greater Painted Snipe (Rostratula benghalensis) by W Kwong

Greater Painted Snipe (Rostratula benghalensis) by W Kwong

FOR THE SHEER JOY OF VARIETY!

“Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?” (Isaiah 45:9)

Did you ever try to plan all the details of a simple project? How many plans do you think the Lord had to make when He created living things? A billion? A billion times a billion?

The hierarchy of biological classification’s eight major taxonomic ranks

The hierarchy of biological classification’s eight major taxonomic ranks

We all know that it takes time to plan the most simple project. Did you ever think about the planning God had to do when He created all the different kinds of living things? Our word “species” today includes many creatures that the Bible counts as being the same “kind” – as when God created the kinds. But God did design the genetic information that allowed the kinds to produce these variations.

Yes, God’s act of creating living things was much more than just wishing. Just think that there are more than 20,000 different species of bees – some with very complex societies – and their own languages! The figures and the beauty of it all makes one wonder at God. Why are there 4,500 different species of sponges? Why are some creatures – never seen by humans until this century – so eerily beautiful? For that matter, why have so many different kinds of beautiful flowers?

The variety in the creation reflects some of the joy of creation that God felt, and shows us the incredible unbridled creativity of our wonderful God. The fact that there is only one species of human – all related – confirms the human history related in the Bible.

Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, I know that I shall never have Your ability to plan and carry out those plans. I confess that too often I waste the time and energy You give me because I don’t even bother to use the abilities You have given me. Forgive me for Jesus’ sake, and for His sake help me to be more like You in this. Amen.
Notes:
Diagram: The hierarchy of biological classification’s eight major taxonomic ranks. The biblical “kind” is roughly the same as the “family” classification.
(Used with permission of Creation Moments©2014)

Lee’s Addition:

We mention the Lord’s fantastic variety in His avian creations often. This article fits right in with those thoughts and thought it should be shared.

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

*

I selected different photos for the same article on my other site:

Creation Moments’ – For The Sheer Joy of Variety!

*

After Their Kinds – Creation Moments

by

3

American Robin (Turdus migratorius) in nest ready to eat WikiC

American Robin (Turdus migratorius) in nest ready to eat WikiC

AFTER THEIR KINDS

And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:12)

How wonderful! Your dog has just had puppies! But do you now have to sort through the litter and make sure there are no baby giraffes or kangaroos?

New born Welsh Springer Spaniel puppies ©WikiC

New born Welsh Springer Spaniel puppies ©WikiC

No, not a single giraffe or kangaroo in the litter!In God’s account of creation in Genesis 1, we repeatedly read that both plants and animals were created to reproduce “after their kind.” Genesis 1, in speaking about the creation of plants, repeats three times in just two verses that they are to reproduce “after their kind.” We see the same phrase repeated later in the chapter when animals are created. This is not just empty repetition. God is stressing a fundamental principle that all things reproduce “after their kind.” Mother dogs have puppies and mother cats have kittens. You can count on it.

Why does God stress this principle? Even before creation, God knew that humans would eventually sin and then seek to hide their responsibility by trying to explain things without a Creator. God knew that this idea of evolution would capture the faith of millions over the history of the world.

God stresses what our experience shows so that He might be harder for us to hide from. All things do reproduce after their kind. And despite evolutionists’ strong faith in evolution, they cannot offer one established scientific fact to explain how one kind of creature might eventually make a completely different kind!

Prayer:
I thank You, Lord, that You have made it hard for men to deny You. Yet men still deny You, seeking explanations and excuses outside of Your Word. I know that I, too, can do this, for I am both saint and sinner. I ask that You would correct me when I seek outside of Your Word what is so richly provided to me in Your Word. Amen.

Notes:
Photo: No, not a single giraffe or kangaroo in the litter!
Used with permission of Creation Moments ©2014

See:

Creation Moments – After Their Kind

More Creation Moment and Interesting Things articles here

*

 

The Creator and His Love

by

1

Long-tailed Broadbill (Psarisomus dalhousiae) babies ©WikiC coracii

Long-tailed Broadbill (Psarisomus dalhousiae) babies ©WikiC coracii

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:16-18 KJV)

This blogs’s byline is “Birdwatching From A Christian Perspective.” I thoroughly enjoy watching the birds that our Creator has uniquely created. But above all, as a Christian, the sacrificial offering of the Lord Jesus Christ as the Perfect Lamb, known as the Crucifixion, is key to my belief. Without it, I would be still lost in my sins. Also, the fact that the Lord resurrected Himself, is key to my eternal life. This was all remembered this last weekend.

On Easter Sunday, we had a fantastic service. I would like to share it with you. It is divided into five parts. The first one is shown here and there are links to the other four parts. Our choir, orchestra, solo and message, “Who Is Jesus?”, by our Pastor were very honoring to the Lord.

*

*

*

Sunday Inspirations

*

 

 

Deep-Frozen Squirrel ~ by Creation Moments

by

4

Artic Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus parryii) (eating mushroom) ©WikiC

Artic Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus parryii) (eating mushroom) ©WikiC

Deep-Frozen Squirrel ~ from Creation Moments

Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places. Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north. By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened. (Job 37:8-10)

Researchers have discovered a species of mammal that can actually survive being frozen for several weeks.

SmileyCentral.com

Scientists were amazed to find that the little Arctic ground squirrel can allow its body to drop to 27 degrees F – that’s five degrees below the freezing point of water – for up to two weeks at a time during its unusual Arctic ground squirrel eating a mushroom eight-to ten-month hibernation period. After the two weeks at this very low temperature, the squirrel rouses itself, returns to normal body temperature, takes care of a few bathroom duties, and then returns to a state of nearly frozen hibernation for another two weeks. The squirrel usually comes out of hibernation for its short summer in June. It has only two or three months before the ground freezes again and it returns to hibernation, so the squirrel is very busy eating and mating for two short months. You could say that the Arctic ground squirrel sleeps most of its life away.

Scientists say that the Arctic ground squirrel is the only mammal that is able to allow its body temperature to fall below freezing. If they can find out how the squirrel does it, they believe the same method might be used to preserve transplant organs for longer than a few hours. So once again, scientists expect to learn new medical methods by studying how the Creator does the same thing.

*
Prayer:
Dear Father, Your understanding and wisdom in designing the creation are so great that even those who do not want to recognize You still expect to learn from You. As they do so, make it ever more difficult for them to deny You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Artic Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus parryii) ©Nunavut ©WikiC

Artic Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus parryii) ©Nunavut ©WikiC

Notes:
“Squirrel makes its body subfreezing to hibernate,” Minneapolis Star Tribune, Saturday/July1/1989/8A. Photo: Arctic ground squirrel eating a mushroom. Courtesy of Ianaré Sévi. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. (Used with permission of Creation Moments 2014)

Lee’s Addition:

Arctic Ground Squirrels Are No Stiff – Deseret News

More Interesting Things

Wordless Birds

*

 

Noah Movie Review: An Unbiblical Film

by

7

Ark with Animals ©CreationWiki

Ark with Animals ©CreationWiki

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1 NKJV)

A group of Answers in Genesis staff attended the opening of Noah last night in a local movie theater. With all the Hollywood hype and news surrounding the controversial film, we were surprised at the low turnout, with only twelve other people in the theater. We had heard many negative reports but were hopeful, based on other comments, that there may have been some redeeming qualities of the film. However, those hopes were dashed against the rocks harder than Hollywood’s ark when it ran aground in the film. This point should be one that jars us to attention, realizing that our hope is not in a Hollywood film but in something infinitely more redeeming in quality: the person and work of Jesus Christ.

There are four elements from the biblical account …. Noah Movie Review: An Unbiblical Film

*

 

Creation Moments’ – Designed For Flight

by

1

Peregrine Falcon Flying Over Niagara Falls

Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, [and] stretch her wings toward the south? Job 39:26

Many textbooks tell young people today that birds are modified reptiles. Suppose, they say, that millions of years ago the scales on some reptiles began to fray along the edges. In time, they say, the frayed scales turned into feathers and birds were born.

Designed for Flight The elegance and beauty of the feather make this story hard to believe. Can sticking a feather on a lizard produce a peacock? The bird’s feather is only a small part of the complete flying system of the bird. Even with very careful planning and redesigning, a reptile doesn’t have what it takes.

A bird needs massive breast muscles for flight. In some birds, 30 percent of the body weight of the bird is breast muscle. By comparison, in humans, breast muscles are only about 1 percent of body weight. A bird also needs an extremely high metabolism and blood pressure to deliver the energy those muscles need for flight. Birds have a higher metabolism than any other creature; they also have the necessary high blood pressure. Finally, as is well known, birds need light skeletons. The man-o’-war has a wingspan of seven feet. But its entire skeleton weighs only a few ounces – less than its feathers!

Even the most clever rebuilding of a reptile cannot produce a bird. In fact, birds have very little in common with reptiles. The entire being of the bird, from body to brain, has been specially designed for flight by a Creator who clearly knows everything there is to know about flight.

Prayer:
Father in heaven, the beauty, grace and huge variety of birds You have created are some of the most beautiful creatures on earth. As I thank You for them, fill me with new wonder over the wonderful work of Your hands. Amen.

Notes:
Vandeman, George. 1991. “The miracle of flight.” Signs of the Times, May. p. 25.

Designed For Flight ©Creation Moments 2014

Interesting Things

*

Interesting Things – The Master Artist

by

0

Deep Sea Fish - Watercress darter - Creation Moments

Deep Sea Fish – Watercress darter – Creation Moments

THE MASTER ARTIST
in
God’s Design

And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:9 KJV)

SmileyCentral.com

For example, the Earth could get along with a lot less color. All those beautiful sunsets and sunrises actually serve no purpose, and neither does each one have to be different from every other. Many flowers have Watercress dartercolors that attract their pollinators, but few flowers actually need color for this purpose. But then, flowers in black and white certainly would be dull. There are many beautiful deep-sea fish that don’t need their bright and beautiful colors at all. Some of these fish live so far below the surface of the water that only a small amount of blue light reaches those depths. Where these fish live, everything always looks a very dim blue. Yet, some of these fish have incredibly bright coloration that they and their friends never see.

Here we have to ask the evolutionist what value could it have been for this fish to develop all these bright colors when they can serve no purpose for survival? In Genesis 2:9 we read that when God created the fruit trees for food, He also made them “pleasant to the sight.” They didn’t need to be. Clearly, God does indeed appreciate beauty and has created works that human artists can only try to copy.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, I thank You for all the beauty You have created in the world. I ask that You would help us to gain a better appreciation for it, and find better ways to preserve it. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Notes:
Gary Parker, Ed.D., “Nature’s Challenges to Evolutionary Theory,” Institute of Creation Research, Impact Series, October, 1978, No. 64. Photo: Watercress darter.

(Permission by Creation Moments ©2014)

Magnificent Hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens) by Judd Patterson

Magnificent Hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens) by Judd Patterson

Lee’s Addition:

This article goes along with the many things written here about our beautifully created birds.

I am so thankful that the Lord likes color and beauty. When heaven is described, it usually tells of the various “precious stones, “streets of gold,” and other wonderful sights that we cannot comprehend.

Surely the Creator has given us these brilliantly colored birds, fish, flowers, butterflies, trees in the Fall, and numerous other things, to give us a “glimpse” and “taste” of what heaven will look like, color wise.

*

Creation Moments – Master Artist

“Nature’s Challenge to Evolutionary Theory” – Institute of Creation Research

Watercress Darter – Wikipedia

More Interesting Things

*

 

Panda – Plus

by

1

Shhhh! I'm reviewing...

Shhhh! I’m reviewing…

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. (Proverbs 17:22 KJV)

This Email was called Panda Therapy. Not sure who the therapy was for. Made me put a smile on, so guess that is therapy.

(The captions are very clever, though I modified a few of them.)

*

Is it any wonder the world has fallen in love with these animals?

*

Mom? Can you come and get me down - now?

Mom?
Can you come and get me down –
now?

*

You go. I'll just stay here and rest my head a little bit.

You go. I’ll just stay here and rest my head a little bit.

*

Shhhh! I'm reviewing...

Shhhh! I’m reviewing…

*

Pardon me but do you have a napkin?

Pardon me but do you have a napkin?

*

Pandas looking for lost earrings....

Pandas looking for lost earrings….

*

Oops! Slight miscalculation.

Oops!
Slight miscalculation.

*

On the count of three---Lift!

On the count of three—Lift!

*

Mom? Can you come and get me down - now?

Mom?
Can you come and get me down –
now?

*

Kung Fu Panda...bring it on!

Kung Fu Panda…bring it on!

*

It wasn't me! I didn't steal this bamboo shoot! It was just sitting here - I promise it!

It wasn’t me! I didn’t steal this bamboo shoot! It was just sitting here – I promise it!

*

I'm sure there's a way out somewhere - I saw an ant go this way yesterday

I’m sure there’s a way out somewhere – I saw an ant go this way yesterday

*

I'm not coming out. You'll have to come in and and get me

I’m not coming out.
You’ll have to come in and and get me

*

I'll give you 2 seconds to get off me or I'm calling Mom.

I’ll give you 2 seconds to get off me or I’m calling Mom.

I cannot believe that I'm stuck in this tree again. What is the matter with me?

I cannot believe that I’m stuck in this tree again.
What is the matter with me?

*

Dear Martha Stewart... I have this brown stain on my nice, white, fluffy seat

Dear Martha Stewart…
I have this brown stain on my nice, white, fluffy seat

*

Does this log make my seat look fat?

Does this log make my seat look fat?

*

Forgive me Father, for I have sinned...

Forgive me Father, for I have sinned…

*

Paparazzi! Could we have a little privacy please?

Paparazzi!
Could we have a little privacy please?

*

Betcha can't see me.....

Betcha can’t see me…..

*

Absolutely nothing accomplished. The perfect day for a panda

Absolutely nothing accomplished.
The perfect day for a panda

Lee’s Addition:

O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. (Psalms 34:8 KJV)

The Lord created some of the most adorable and neat animals. I realize they are wild and need to be treated that way, but still He placed them here for us to find enjoyment from their antics. I am sure some other neat captions could be made for these photos. Enjoy!

*

See Other Plus articles:

*

Shutterfly’s Faces of Nature

by

0

Shutterfly - Penguin - at Faces of Nature

Shutterfly – Penguin – at Faces of Nature

Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” And I said, “I see a branch of an almond tree.” (Jeremiah 1:11 NKJV)

Received an email from one of our readers who wanted to share her site that shows Faces of Nature.

Brown Hooded Longbeak at Faces of Nature

Brown Hooded Longbeak at Faces of Nature

” I am a nature enthusiast and photographer from Langhorne, PA.  I take photos of “Faces in Nature” – items that resemble faces which occur naturally in our surroundings – I don’t change or Photoshop – they are as I find them.  I have over 100 but lots of birds as it turns out.”

Here is one on the “lighter side.”

Angry Bird at Faces of Nature

Angry Bird at Faces of Nature

If you would like to check out all of Susan’s “Faces of Nature” at Shutterfly: CLICK HERE

I think my favorite is a “White Toucan”

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2 KJV)

*

Story of Jonah ~ by Mary Margaret

by

2

A friend sent me this link to a young girl telling the story of Jonah. It is amazing and she is doing all from memory. She looks as time as if she is reading, but she isn’t.

*

*

Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. (Jonah 1:1-3 KJV)

*

Largest Creature on Earth ~ from Creation Moments

by

1

Skeleton of a blue whale

And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:21)

Many people think that the greatest of the dinosaurs were the largest creatures ever to live on Earth. But while a few of the very largest dinosaurs may have been longer than the blue whale, the blue whale has the largest actual body size of any creature that ever lived.

The blue whale can reach a length of 100 feet and weigh up to 170 tons. That’s about as much as a whole town of twenty-seven hundred people! It has to eat a million calories a day, which is equivalent to about 1,000 banana splits. The blue whale’s tongue weighs more than an elephant and its arteries are big enough for a man to swim through. Its heart, which has to pump the whale’s entire supply of eight tons of blood, weighs 1,000 pounds.

In addition to its great size, the whale is intelligent. Besides showing forth God’s great creative power and imagination, the whale also shows us that neither size nor other standards of human measurement give us an indication of how God places value on things. Though we human beings are not the largest, nor the only intelligent creatures on Earth, we are the only ones responsible to God for the way we live. That is why, when sin separated us from our Creator, He sent His only Son to save and restore us to Himself.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me not to measure things in a worldly manner. Instead of focusing on the creation, including myself, let my focus be on You and what You have done for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Notes:

“So You Think a Dinosaur is Big.” Does God Exist? May-June, 1989. Photo: Skeleton of a blue whale, Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Ontario. Courtesy of D. Gordon E. Robertson. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

©Creation Moments 2014

*

More Plus Articles

*