Nuggets Plus – Honey and Frogs by A J Mithra

Honey Bee from AJ

Honey Bee from AJ

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Nuggets Plus

Nuggets Plus

It takes

one ounce of honey

to fuel a honey bee’s flight

around the world!

The name of the Lord is

sweeter than honey.

We have been eating

His words for so long…

But,

How much had it fuelled us

and how far have we travelled

For God’s sake?

How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Psalm 119:103)

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Male Darwin Frog ©©

Male Darwin Frog ©©

Male Darwin Frog (Rhinoderma darwinii)

takes its mate’s eggs in its mouth

 when they show signs of life

and they stay there

till they emerge as fully grown froglets..

Life and death is in our mouth…

How do we use it?

Have a blessed day!

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. (Proverbs 18:21)

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Archey’s Frog by Ian Bell from AJ

Archey’s Frog by Ian Bell from AJ

A male Archey’s frog of New Zealand

carries its young one in its back

until they are mature enough

to survive on their own!

But,

We have a God who keeps us

In His eyes..

Not until we turn adults

But, all through our lives..

Have a blessed day!

Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, (Psalm 17:8)

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A J Mithra’s Articles

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Independance Day – 2013

Uncle Sam Eagle at Titusville by Dan

Uncle Sam Eagle at Titusville by Dan

Happy Fourth of July!!

May you enjoy your day and may you remember our founders and their sacrifices to form our country. More than that, may you remember the Lord and His Word which provided the principles to govern this country.

Unfortunately, many today are trying to remove those principles from our laws and morality. Today, many are:

“You shall not at all do as we are doing here today—every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes— (Deuteronomy 12:8 NKJV)

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise. (Proverbs 12:15 NKJV)

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts. (Proverbs 21:2 NKJV)

Our leaders are more worried about being “politically correct” instead of doing what is right based on the Word of God. Chunk by chunk, Christianity and it’s principles, which guided our Founding Fathers, are being removed from our country. In place, things that are clearly taught as sin are now the “right” of the people to do, while the “rights” of Christians are being taken away. We are on the way to becoming a pagan nation. So this year, the 4th of July is sadder than last year.

Yet, the Lord has still allowed us to live in the greatest nation, because of those great Founding Fathers that believed in God. They applied the principles found in God’s Word to found this great nation. I am thankful that, so far, we still have the privilege to openly worship our Lord in our churches. I am thankful the Lord let me be born here.

The Bald-headed Eagle (Bald Eagle) - Birds Illustrated by Color Photography, 1897

The Bald-headed Eagle (Bald Eagle) – Birds Illustrated by Color Photography, 1897

George Washington
1st U.S. President

“While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.”

--The Writings of Washington, pp. 342-343.

John Adams
2nd U.S. President and Signer of the Declaration of Independence

“Suppose a nation in some distant Region should take the Bible for their only law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited! Every member would be obliged in conscience, to temperance, frugality, and industry; to justice, kindness, and charity towards his fellow men; and to piety, love, and reverence toward Almighty God … What a Eutopia, what a Paradise would this region be.”

--Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, Vol. III, p. 9.

“The general principles, on which the Fathers achieved independence, were the only Principles in which that beautiful Assembly of young Gentlemen could Unite, and these Principles only could be intended by them in their address, or by me in my answer. And what were these general Principles? I answer, the general Principles of Christianity, in which all these Sects were United: And the general Principles of English and American Liberty, in which all those young Men United, and which had United all Parties in America, in Majorities sufficient to assert and maintain her Independence.

“Now I will avow, that I then believe, and now believe, that those general Principles of Christianity, are as eternal and immutable, as the Existence and Attributes of God; and that those Principles of Liberty, are as unalterable as human Nature and our terrestrial, mundane System.”

--Adams wrote this on June 28, 1813, excerpt from a letter to Thomas Jefferson.

Thomas Jefferson
3rd U.S. President, Drafter and Signer of the Declaration of Independence

“God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever; That a revolution of the wheel of fortune, a change of situation, is among possible events; that it may become probable by Supernatural influence! The Almighty has no attribute which can take side with us in that event.”

--Notes on the State of Virginia, Query XVIII, p. 237.

“I am a real Christian – that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus Christ.”

--The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, p. 385.

John Hancock
1st Signer of the Declaration of Independence

“Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual. … Continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us.”

--History of the United States of America, Vol. II, p. 229.

Benjamin Franklin
Signer of the Declaration of Independence and Unites States Constitution

“Here is my Creed. I believe in one God, the Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by His Providence. That He ought to be worshipped.

“That the most acceptable service we render to him is in doing good to his other children. That the soul of man is immortal, and will be treated with justice in another life respecting its conduct in this. These I take to be the fundamental points in all sound religion, and I regard them as you do in whatever sect I meet with them.

“As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the system of morals and his religion, as he left them to us, is the best the world ever saw, or is likely to see;

“But I apprehend it has received various corrupting changes, and I have, with most of the present dissenters in England, some doubts as to his divinity; though it is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an opportunity of knowing the truth with less trouble. I see no harm, however, in its being believed, if that belief has the good consequence, as probably it has, of making his doctrines more respected and more observed; especially as I do not perceive, that the Supreme takes it amiss, by distinguishing the unbelievers in his government of the world with any peculiar marks of his displeasure.”

--Benjamin Franklin wrote this in a letter to Ezra Stiles, President of Yale University on March 9, 1790.

The above quotes from our Founding Fathers are from Christian Quotes of the Founding Fathers. (See for more quotes)

Bible and Flag

Bible and Flag

Then Jesus said … “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32 NKJV)

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” (John 3:16-21 NKJV)

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Wordless Birds

Falling Plates

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Prayer Request – Eye Surgery Tomorrow

Bali Myna (Leucopsar rothschildi) by Lee

Bali Myna (Leucopsar rothschildi) by Lee

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)

(Black and White) Sumatran Laughingthrush (Garrulax bicolor) by Lee

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)

Crested Coua (Coua cristata) by Lee LPZ

Crested Coua (Coua cristata) by Lee LPZ

My Mom And Me – Email

(Received this as an email. – Not sure who to credit them to.)

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Here’s your AWE! for the day!!!

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Bring forth every living thing that is with you of all flesh–birds and beasts and every creeping thing that creeps on the ground–that they may breed abundantly on the land and be fruitful and multiply upon the earth. (Genesis 8:17 AMP)

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Nuggets Plus – Prairie Dogs and Deer

Praire Dog - National Zoo ©WikiC

Praire Dog – National Zoo ©WikiC

Nuggets Plus – Prairie Dogs and Deer by A J Mithra

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Nuggets Plus

Nuggets Plus

Prairie Dogs – Squirrel like rodents build listening room in its underground tunnel to listen for danger before going outskirts…

Do we have the habit of listening to God’s voice and direction before we go out?

Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. (Psalms 143:8 KJV)

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalms 119:105 KJV)

Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) ©WikiC

Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) ©WikiC

Deer prefer to live in its established territory for life and even prefers to starve than to leave its territory!

God promised to give us feet of deer and place us high above the rock ..

But do we live in His territory?

He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. (2 Samuel 22:34 ESV)

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(Thoughts by a j mithra, layout by Lee and verses by God)

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Nuggets Plus

AJMithra

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Subject: Modern Day Noah

Lesser Striped Swallow (Cecropis abyssinica) ©WikiC

Lesser Striped Swallow (Cecropis abyssinica) ©WikiC

Received this as an email and thought you might enjoy a smile or a groan. (I’m still working behind the scenes on the Birds of the World. (Swallows at the moment.)

A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. (Proverbs 15:13 NKJV)

Noah's Ark ©©Flickr elmada

Noah’s Ark ©©Flickr elmada

And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. (Genesis 6:13-14 KJV)

Subject: Modern Day Noah

In the year 2005, the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in the United States, and said, “Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me. Build another Ark and save 2 of every living thing along with a few good humans.” He gave Noah the blueprints, saying, “You have 6 months to build the Ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights.”

Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard, but no Ark. “Noah!” He roared, “I’m about to start the rain! Where is the Ark?”

“Forgive me, Lord,” begged Noah, “but things have changed. I needed a building permit. I’ve been arguing with the inspector about the need for a sprinkler system. My neighbors claim that I’ve violated the neighborhood zoning laws by building the Ark in my yard and exceeding the height limitations. We had to go to the Development Appeal Board for a decision. Then the Department of Transportation demanded a bond be posted for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the passage for the Ark’s move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it. Getting the wood was another problem. There’s a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the spotted owl. I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls – but no go! When I started gathering the animals, an animal rights group sued me. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodation was too restrictive, and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space. Then the EPA ruled that I couldn’t build the Ark until they’d conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood. I’m still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many minorities I’m supposed to hire for my building crew. Immigration and Naturalization is checking the green-card status of most of the people who want to work. The trades unions say I can’t use my sons. They insist I have to hire only Union workers with Ark-building experience. To make matters worse, the IRS seized all my assets, claiming I’m trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species. So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10 years for me to finish this Ark.”
Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky.

Noah looked up in wonder and asked, “You mean you’re not going to destroy the world?”

“No,” said the Lord. “The government beat me to it.”

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What A Wonderful Savior

He is Risen from an e-mail

Tomorrow is Easter and many will attend church for many reasons. Some will go to show off a new outfit, some will go because it is the one time a year they always go, and many of us will go because it is our normal Sunday habit. Whatever the reason, it is a celebration of the resurrection of Our Savior. Yesterday, Good Friday, His death on the cross was commemorated.

Many of us have the knowledge of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Knowledge is one thing, belief is another. Many can quote John 3:16, even those who do not believe in Christ as their Savior:

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)

I like Easter and like many, I used to attend church once a year, no matter where I went to church; Catholic, Luther, Methodist, Baptist. Then in 1959, my sister’s father-in-law, Dulin, accepted the Lord as his personal Savior. He accepted the Gift that is offered by Christ’s sacrifice for our sins. He then started telling my sister and her husband, Sharry and Joe, about the Lord and so in February 1960 they were saved, by accepting the Lord. You guessed it, they started telling me about how Christ died for me and that I could be saved by believing in the Lord and accepting His gift of salvation.

So on March 20, 1960, after being invited to church with them, I decided to break a record and go to church two times in one year. Not having been raised in a Christian home, I wasn’t perfect, neither was I bad, but as I listened to Pastor Charlie Kittrell preach, I realized that I WAS a SINNER and I need Christ as my Savior. It finally clicked. The knowledge finally got from my head down to my heart. Praise the Lord I was led to the Lord that morning. My life has forever been changed.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV)

So this Easter is my 53rd as a new creature in Christ. Praise the Lord, what a Wonder Savior He has been to me these many years. Am I prefect? No way, but I am forgiven and when I do mess up, I John 1:9 is always there to remind me to ask forgiveness. That is not to be saved again, but to return to fellowship with the Lord.

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 KJV)

I was 16 then and this year I’ll turn 70. What a wonderful life the Lord has given me. He provided a super Christian husband that has put up with me all these years. We will be celebrating our 50th in July this year. Blessings and challenges, but Christ has always been there as we have tried to live for Him. We both had the privilege of graduating from Bob Jones University, though it took me 16 years to get through. (Speak of a slow learner :) ) We also have a fantastic church with a great Pastor and staff. Plus, He has given me an enjoyment of His creation, especially His birds. On and on I could go, but it all is from the Lord.

What about you? I trust you know Him also. If not, please consider what this weekend is all about. It is a celebration of God’s Son coming to earth and paying for our sins by His death on the cross. (short version) Best of all, it doesn’t end there. He is Risen! Death could not keep Him because  He was God in the Flesh. He loves you enough that He died for your sins. Won’t you accept His gift of salvation?

Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. (Romans 5:18 KJV)

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23 KJV)

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. (2 Corinthians 9:15 KJV)

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8 KJV)

Sharing The Gospel

Gospel Presentation is narrated by Pastor Nathan Osborne III and music is by Sean Fielder from Gospel Presentation

You Don’t Have to Be a Christian to Call on Jesus – Re-blogged

jesus-on-donkey-wikiped

Sandra Connor has written an excellent article called

You Don’t Have to Be a Christian to Call on Jesus.

“Here comes Jesus!”

“Jesus of Nazareth is coming!”

“Do you see Him yet?”

“Here He comes!”

“Here comes Jesus!”

Excitement was rampant, and cries of “Hosanna” filled the air. Shouts of joy and triumph could be heard for miles along the road, and people rushed to lay palm branches and their personal garments as a carpet of welcome. Jesus of Nazareth was coming to Jerusalem.

This carpenter-teacher who had journeyed among them for nearly three years, teaching them, healing them, feeding them, forgiving them, raising their dead. This miracle worker, this wise man, this man who was gentle enough to draw crowds of children to his side yet bold enough He would soon drive money-changers from the temple with a whip — this man whom many claimed was the prophesied Messiah of Jehovah — this man was coming again to Jerusalem! I’m sure, had we been there, we would have heard the message repeated over and over again for miles: “Here comes Jesus! Here comes Jesus!”

For the rest of the article – You Don’t Have to Be a Christian to Call on Jesus.

Sandra is a Christian writer who has some very interesting articles and books worth checking out.

Sandra Conner…By the Book

Nuggets Plus ~ Rooster – Stiff neck..?

Rooster from the Philippines ©WikiC

Rooster from the Philippines ©WikiC

Rooster – Stiff neck..?

Nuggets Plus

Nuggets Plus

Roosters need to fully extend its neck..
Or else, they would never
be able to crow..

Did God call those
who were not worshipping
as the stiff-necked I wonder..

Well, if we were crowing roosters,
we would be dawn worshippers for God,
and would be waking up those who are asleep
through our crowing, I mean singing…

By the way are we stiff-necked?

Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. (Acts 7:51)

Regards,
Yours in YESHUA,
a j mithra

Please visit us at:

Crosstree

ajmithra21

See:

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Singing In The Rain – Rejoicing

Today at 10:00 we say, “until we meet again” to a Deacon, Head Usher, Marine veteran and a dear friend at our church. He went on to glory last Saturday and this is in honor of him and an encouragement for his dear wife and all of us his friends.

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14)

(Below was taken from the 2000+ Illustrations.)

Rejoicing Always

A saintly woman who had suffered for weary months from a painful illness said to her pastor, “I have such a lovely robin that sings outside my window. In the early mornings as I lie here, he serenades me.”
Then a smile brightened her thin features as she added, “I love him because he sings in the rain.”

That is the most beautiful thing about a robin. When a storm has silenced every other songbird, the robin sings on. That is what the Christian who is with Christ may do. Any one can sing in the sunshine. You and I should sing on when the sun has gone down, or when clouds pour out their rain, for Christ is with us.

American Robin Singing

European Robin Singing Rain or Shine

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Interesting Things – The Amazing Camel and It’s Creator

What an amazing animal! God did some very special engineering from the git-go! None of this “grocery store” new and improved nonsense. He got it entirely right the first time.

The Amazing Camel and It’s Creator

(From Moody Press)

If you ever doubted that God exists, Meet the Very Technical, Highly Engineered Dromedary Camel.

When I’m hungry, I’ll eat almost anything-A leather bridle, a piece of rope, my master’s tent, Or a pair of shoes.

My mouth is so tough a thorny cactus doesn’t bother it. I love to chow down grass and other plants That grow here on the Arabian desert.

I’m a dromedary camel, the one-hump kind That lives on hot deserts in the Middle East.

My hump, all eighty pounds of it, Is filled with fat-my body fuel-not water as some people believe. My Mighty Maker gave it to me because He knew I wouldn’t always be able to find food As I travel across the hot sands. When I don’t find any chow, my body automatically Takes fat from the hump, feeds my system, And keeps me going strong. This is my emergency food supply.

If I can’t find any plants to munch, my body uses up my hump. When the hump gets smaller, it starts to tip to one side. But when I get to a nice oasis and begin to eat again, My hump soon builds back to normal.

I’ve been known to drink twenty-seven gallons of water in ten minutes. My Master Designer made me in such a fantastic way that In a matter of minutes all the water I’ve swallowed Travels to the billions of microscopic cells that make up my flesh.

Naturally, the water I swallow first goes into my stomach. There thirsty blood vessels absorb and carry it to every part of my body. Scientists have tested my stomach and found it empty Ten minutes after I’ve drunk twenty gallons.

In an eight hour day I can carry a four hundred pound load A hundred miles across a hot, dry desert And not stop once for a drink or something to eat. In fact, I’ve been known to go eight days without a drink, But then I look a wreck. I lose 227 pounds, my ribs show through my skin, And I look terribly skinny. But I feel great! I look thin because the billions of cells lose their water. They’re no longer fat. They’re flat.

Normally my blood contains 94 percent water, just like yours. But when I can’t find any water to drink, The heat of the sun gradually robs a little water out of my blood. Scientists have found that my blood can lose up to 40 percent of its water, and I’m still healthy.

Doctor’s say human blood has to stay very close to 94 percent water. If you lose 5 percent of it, you can’t see anymore; 10 percent, you can’t Hear and you go insane; 12 percent, your blood is as thick as molasses And your heart can’t pump the thick stuff. It stops, and you’re dead.

But that’s not true with me. Why? Scientists say my blood is different. My red cells are elongated. Yours are round. Maybe that’s what makes the difference.

This proves I’m designed for the desert, Or the desert is designed for me. Did you ever hear of a design without a Designer?

After I find a water hole, I’ll drink for about ten minutes And my skinny body starts to change almost immediately. In that short time my body fills out nicely, I don’t look skinny anymore, And I gain back the 227 pounds I lost.

Even though I lose a lot of water on the desert, My body conserves it too. Way in the beginning when my intelligent Engineer made me, He gave me a specially designed nose that saves water. When I exhale, I don’t lose much. My nose traps that warm, moist air from my lungs And absorbs it in my nasal membranes.

Tiny blood vessels in those membranes take that back into my blood. How’s that for a recycling system? Pretty cool, isn’t it. It works because my nose is cool. My cool nose changes that warm moisture in the air From my lungs into water.

But how does my nose get cool? I breath in hot dry desert air, And it goes through my wet nasal passages. This produces a cooling effect, and my nose stays as much as 18 degrees cooler than the rest of my body.

I love to travel the beautiful sand dunes. It’s really quite easy, because My Creator gave me specially engineered sand shoes for feet. My hooves are wide, and they get even wider when I step on them. Each foot has two long, bony toes with tough, leathery skin between my soles, are a little like webbed feet.

They won’t let me sink into the soft, drifting sand. This is good, because often my master wants me to carry him one hundred miles across the desert in just one day. (I troop about ten miles per hour.)

Sometimes a big windstorm comes out of nowhere, bringing flying sand with it. My Master Designer put special muscles in my nostrils that close the openings, keeping sand out of my nose but still allowing me enough air to breathe.

My eyelashes arch down over my eyes like screens, keeping the sand and sun out but still letting me see clearly. If a grain of sand slips through and gets in my eye, the Creator took care of that too. He gave me an inner eyelid that automatically wipes the sand off my eyeball just like a windshield wiper.

Some people think I’m conceited because I always walk around with my head held high and my nose in the air.

But that’s just because of the way I’m made. My eyebrows are so thick and bushy I have to hold my head high to peek out from underneath them. I’m glad I have them though. They shade my eyes from the bright sun.

Desert people depend on me for many things. Not only am I their best form of transportation, but I’m also their grocery store. Mrs. Camel gives very rich milk that people make into butter and cheese. I shed my thick fur coat once a year, and that can be woven into cloth. A few young camels are used for beef, but I don’t like to talk about that.

For a long time we camels have been called the “ships of the desert” because of the way we sway from side to side when we trot. Some of our riders get seasick.

I sway from side to side because of the way my legs work. Both legs on one side move forward at the same time, elevating that side. My “left, right left, right” motion makes my rider feel like he is in a rocking chair going sideways.

When I was six months old, special knee pads started to grow on my front legs. The intelligent Creator knew I had to have them. They help me lower my 1000 pounds to the ground.

If I didn’t have them, my knees would soon become sore and infected, and I could never lie down. I’d die of exhaustion.

By the way, I don’t get thick knee pads because I fall on my knees. I fall on my knees because I already have these tough pads. Someone very great thought of me and knew I needed them. He designed them into my genes.

It’s real difficult for me to understand how some people say I evolved into what I now am. I’m very technical, highly engineered dromedary camel. Things like me don’t just happen.

They’re planned on a drawing board by Someone very brilliant, Someone very logical.

John 1:1 says,
“In the beginning was the Word.
And the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.”
The Word means “logical, intelligent One.”

(Received in an e-Mail, but found it on the Lakeside Church of Christ website. Not sure who to give the credit to. Could not find it on the Moody site. We do know the ultimate credit goes to – The Creator.)

Thoughts and Prayer for those in Newtown, CT

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 KJV)

Yesterday during our morning service at Faith Baptist Church in Winter Haven, FL, our pastor had some thoughts and prayer for those in Newtown, CT. They are not the only ones affected by what happened there this last week at the Sandy Fork Elementary School. I feel all of us here and around the world  find what happened hard to “get our minds around it.” We were all moved by what was said and prayed.

Here is that part of our service. I just wanted to share it and also let those who are affected by this know that you are in our prayers. We love you and feel your pain and sorrow. Lord Bless you with a peace that only He can give.

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(There is about a 2 minute spot where there is an echo, but it clears back up.)

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