Flight 7…

April 29, 2010 by a j mithra

Flight 7… – by a j mithra

Number seven signifies completeness and that is the reason GOD took rest on the seventh after creation..

The wing shape of birds has its basis in survival value…
There are Seven Basic Wing Shapes and arrangements for different flying styles;

1. FAST TAKEOFF AND DODGING WINGS

Sooty (Blue) Grouse (Dendragapusfuliginosus) byIan

Birds such as pheasants and grouse that usually inhabit dense cover and need to dodge quickly between obstructions have wings that allow twisting flight at short distances..

Built for fast takeoff and dodging, this type of wing is relatively short but broad and cupped,
with flexible tips that can be set at varied angles without twisting the whole wing.

GOD expects us to be swift to hear, swift to lend a helping hand to the poor and the needy..

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, …….. (James 1:19)

2. SOARING BIRD’S WINGS

Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus) by Daves BirdingPix

Soaring Birds tend to have broad wings. The Turkey Vulture has extremely broad wings for soaring. The breath of this wing type and the arrangement of the slotted primary feathers make it most efficient for soaring over land.

Black and Turkey Vultures, Red-tailed Hawks, Broad-winged hawks, Northern Harriers, Condors, Ravens, and some gulls have this kind of wings.

GOD wants us to wait in HIS presence and get wings of an Eagle to soar high even above storms… How long do we wait in HIS presence?

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

3. HIGH SPEED AND MANEUVERABILITY FLIGHT WINGS

White-throated Swift by Dave's BirdingPix

Some birds of prey and most other fast-flying birdshave developed High Speed Maneuverable wings. These wings of swifts, swallows, shorebirds, and waterfowl, and other small-to-medium-sized birds with rapid flight. Are extremely flat, moderately long narrow, and triangular, and tend to be swept backwards, like the wings of a high-speed jet fighter.

How many of us hasten to give our tithe and offering?
How many of us hasten to honor the servants of GOD?

Look at Abraham,

And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. (Genesis 18:6)

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) by W Kwong

4. SLOW FLAPPING FLIGHT WINGS

The kind of wings characteristic of Slow Flapping Flight are large and distinctly arched.

Herons, Egrets, and Ibises have this type of wing, and their style makes them immediately recognizable as belonging to one of those families, even when see from a distance.

GOD expects of us to be

….slow to speak, slow to wrath: (James 1:19)

5. LONG DISTANCE OCEANIC SOARING WINGS

Christmas Frigatebird (Fregata andrewsi) by Ian

Seabirds, such as Shearwaters and Albatrosses, have a high-aspect wing, but one that is adapted for Long Distance Gliding — long, narrow, flat, and pointed, with no slotting of the primary feathers. The longest feathers are the outermost primaries.

Pointed wings like these are best suited for Long Distance Oceanic Soaring. Other birds with this type of wings are Gulls and Frigatebirds, which glide almost endlessly above the sea.

God wants to set us on high place; HE wants us to be high above everyone around us… But, not until we love HIM the way HE loves us…

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

6. LONG DISTANCE GLIDING WINGS

Black-necked Stork (Jabiru) (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) by Ian

Still another Long Distance Gliding variation is found in the type of wing typical of storks and some vultures, a slotted, high-lifting structure. The wings are broad to provide more wing surface and short to make use of subtle variations in air currents.

We are on a very long journey; a journey of righteousness, a journey of perseverance, a journey of faithfulness and a journey of love…How calm are we on our journey?

And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. (Mathew 5:41)

7. MOTIONLESS FLIGHT

Green-crowned Brilliant (Heliodoxa jacula) Reinier Munguia

Hummingbirds’ wings are pointed and swept back, and they rotate at the shoulder, not at the wrist, as do those of most other birds. This allows the wing to be turned over in midstroke, so that backward motion cancels forward motion and the bird remains motionlessly poised in the air to sip the nectar of flowers. This bird then can execute Motionless Flight.

GOD created everything and took rest on the seventh day… HE created man on the sixth day so that, man shall worship HIM on the seventh day which is the first day for man on this earth…

Even in the list of flying styles of birds, the seventh flying style is MOTIONLESS FLIGHT… The birds seem to lay emphasis on the importance of the seventh day isn’t it?

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. (Psalms 46:10)

Have a blessed day!

Your’s in YESHUA,
a j mithra

Please visit us at: Crosstree

Updated on 8/8/11
Sorry about not crediting Paul Noll’s explanations and quotes of wing types. (Per comment)
See Bird Wing Shapes, by Paul Noll.
Lee

The White-crowned Sparrow – The Restorer

April 28, 2010 by a j mithra

White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) by Ray

The White-crowned Sparrow – The Restorer ~ by a j mithra

Bird watchers who have flocked to north Norfolk, UK, to see a rare sparrow have boosted the funds of a local church. They have donated so much money to Cley church; there are plans to feature the bird in a new stained glass window.

A rare bird’s appearance in a coastal village, which has attracted hoards of twitchers from across the country, has swelled church coffers.

The white-crowned sparrow is normally found in America, but it turned up 3,000 miles off course in Cley in January and is still being spotted feeding and flying around the village. The medium-sized sparrow has only been seen four times before in Britain and Ireland and its appearance in Richard and Sue Bending’s garden prompted an influx of bird watchers.

They have gathered en masse outside the home of Richard and Sue Bending. It was last Thursday that retired clergyman Mr. Bending, 60, and wife, 59, a retired librarian, first spied the bird scratching among leaf litter in their walled garden. The couple – who consider themselves bird-lovers but not die-hard twitchers – thought that the visitor, with its striking black-and-white striped head, was unusual but could not find it in their book of native varieties. We borrowed a book from the library, it was then that we realized it could be a White-crowned Sparrow,” said Mr Bending

Although Cley Reserve, run by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, attracts thousands of nature lovers, the village visit by the bird – with distinctive black and white stripes on its head – has lifted the village’s profile on the bird-spotting map.

The presence of this rare bird had inspired people to give for God…

Has our presence inspired people to do something for God?

Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart (2 Corinthians 3:3)

It’s the first occasion a white-crowned sparrow has ever been seen in East Anglia.

Araripe Manakin – The Indicator of Environmental Quality…

April 23, 2010 by a j mithra

Araripe Manakin (Antilophia bokermanni) by ©AGrosset

The Araripe Manakin is endemic to a very small ribbon of forest at the foot of the Chapada do Araripe escarpment, in Brazil…

It seems particularly fond of the moist forest near the streams and springs that flow out of the escarpment…

The survival of these birds depends upon the availability of water resources..

Have we ever felt that our survival also depends upon JESUS, the LIVING WATER?

Unfortunately, this supply of water also generates the biggest threat to the species as the area is a bit of an oasis in that region, and the supply of water has led to the development of both agriculture and recreational facilities…

Many of us are dry in spirit, but, instead of looking up to the Pillar of Clouds to wet our spirit,
where are we looking?

JESUS said,

but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up unto eternal life. (John 4:14)

Araripe Manakin (Antilophia bokermanni) by ©AGrosset

Found along the slopes of the chapada (plateau) in the lower and middle stories of tall forests where there are plenty of vines, as well as clearings…

It is associated with water springs and is therefore a good indicator of environmental quality..

If we live on JESUS, THE VINE, the world would look at us as an indicator of the spiritual quality of the church….

For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and streams upon the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: (Isaiah 44:3)

Your’s in YESHUA,
a j mithra

Please visit us at: Crosstree

Lee’s Addition:

The Araripe Manakin is in the Pipridae Family of the Passeriformes Order.

See:

Araripe Manakin

Birds of the Bible – Church Camp In Philippines

April 23, 2010 by Lee

Wanted to share some information on what the Lord has done through this website. This will be a two part article. I just heard about some of the results of a church camp that took place a few weeks ago. The ECBF Junior camp in Daraitan, Tanay, Philippines. Below is a video they just released on YouTube.

I got involved when Myra left a comment on our site at Birdwatching From A Christian Perspective. She asked permission to use some of the material for an upcoming camp. Of course, permission was granted and we have communicated several times since then through comments and e-mails.

I’ve asked her to do a write-up about the camp and that will be in Part II. Here are some things that I have learned through our contacts. I am sure Myra won’t mind me sharing these.

“I learned about birdwatching from an American missionary several years ago. I didn’t know it was possible to birdwatch where I live — Taytay, Rizal, a rather crowded town east of Manila. The missionary said they could birdwatch where they live which was not far from where I live. So have been a casual birdwatcher ever since. I watch butterflies too.”, by Myra

Then as camp grew near, she sent me a partial section of the camp manual. When I received it, I wept from the knowledge that the Lord was using my small efforts on this blog to help others around the world. Here is part of that manual:

Let’s Be Bird Watchers!

Bakit mabuting libangan ang bird watching?

“Ang ibon at mga hayop ay marunong pa sa iyo, Sa kanila ay magtanong at ikaw ay matututo.” Job 12:7
Masdan ninyo ang mga ibon: hindi sila naghahasik ni nag-aani o kaya’y nagtitipon sa bangan. Gayunman,pinakakain sila ng inyong Amang nasa langit. Hindi ba’t higit kayong mahalaga kaysa mga ibon. (Mateo 6:26)
Sapagkat ang buhay ay higit na mahalaga kaysa pagkain, at katawan kaysa pananamit. Isipin na lang ninyo ang mga uwak: hindi sila naghahasik ni nag-aani man; wala silang bangan ni kamalig, gayunma’y pinakakain sila ng Diyos. Gaano pa kayo – higit kayong mahalaga kaysa mga ibon. (Lucas 12:23-24 )
Para maging birdwatcher:

Look around – magmasid.
Look for birds that are common near you. Where? Sa ibabaw ng mga poste, sa mga linya ng kuryente, sa mga parke, sa garden spots ng resort o subdivision.
Listen! Each bird has the own different note or song: Psalm 104:12(birds sing) ; Ecclesiastes 12:4 (birds make sounds); Song of Solomon 2:12 (birds have voices)

Some birds -maganda ang boses
Some birds- sintonado / malakas / masakit sa tenga ang boses
Some birds- madaldal.
Some birds- madakdak.

After you find birds to watch, observe them.
How? Take note of their:

Colors
Size (Tiny, Small, Medium, Large, Very Big)
Sounds
Beak (Pahaba, deretso lang, naka-curve, matulis, etc.)
Posture (hukot, deretso, laging nakatingala)
Wings (mahaba, maiksi, matulis, pabilog, etc.)
Tail (long, short, patulis, parang fork, parang pamaypay, etc.

Movements. What are they doing? Kumakain / naghahanap ng makakain / gumagawa ng pugad / may dala-dalang damo. Malikot, sa lupa naglalakad, sa bukid nakatayo , nakatayo sa ibabaw ng kalabaw

Assignment: Use some of your free time during this camp to bird watch. Describe below some of the birds you see or hear.

Like many of you, I can not read much of it, but they could and so can our Omnipresent and Omniscient Creator who knows all languages.

One more excerpt from her email I received this morning and then you can see how their camp went.

“There are a few pictures in the video that show us under some trees on a hill. That’s where I asked the kids to be absolutely silent for ten minutes and just try to listen to as many bird calls as possible. I heard at least five bird calls coming from all directions and so did many of the kids. One of the staff said those ten minutes took away months of stress. You helped in more ways than you thought you did!”

Listen to this, O Job; Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God. (Job 37:14 NKJV)

The American Dipper – The Intercessor

April 22, 2010 by a j mithra

The American Dipper – The Intercessor ~ by a j mithra

American Dipper (Cinclus mexicanus) by Daves BirdingPix

A chunky bird of western streams, the American Dipper is North America’s only truly aquatic songbird. It catches all of its food underwater in swiftly flowing streams by swimming and walking on the stream bottom. Dipping may help them deal with a crazy visual field that is constantly in motion…

Maybe the relentless up and down motion changes the light angle, allowing dippers to see into the water. Or it may help them remain oriented next to the forever moving current. Or it may be a way of communicating near noisy streams–except that dippers sometimes dip even when they’re alone….

Unless we are in communion with GOD, the Light, through prayers, we will never be able to deal with the visual field that is constantly in motion. We will never be able to see the Light at the end of the tunnel…

Do we have a personal relationship with GOD?

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (Mathew 6:6)

Formerly known as the water ouzel, this bird was rechristened by ornithologists several years ago because of its curious habit of dipping, bending and straightening its knees. So who knows?

Maybe their habit of dipping just helps these little birds keep fit for those incredible dives into raging torrents…

They’re absolutely amazing….We can’t even stand up in these streams, but here are these tiny birds that dive right into raging white water.”

Those who kneel before GOD, can stand before anything…

Prayer helps us stay fit and is the secret behind coming out unscathed, even after diving into the raging water…

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. (Mathew 21:22)

Young birds may practice dipping while still in the nest, and adults do it repeatedly when resting between feeding dives, while courting, during territorial disputes and when alarmed…

The dipping rate tends to rise with the degree of arousal to as many as 60 dips per minute.

Do we teach our children about the importance of prayer when they are young?

How many times do we dip, I mean, kneel before GOD during alarming situations?

…that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children. (Deuteronomy 4:10)
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. (Luke 21:36)

American Dipper (Cinclus mexicanus) by Ian

The American Dipper chooses a nest site, invariably along a stream, that provides security from floods and predators. Availability of suitable nest sites appears to limit its populations. To be able to survive in cold waters during the winter, the American Dipper has a low metabolic rate, extra oxygen-carrying capacity in its blood, and a thick coat of feathers.

Unlike most other songbirds, but similarly to ducks, the American Dipper molts its wing and tail feathers all at once in the late summer. The bird is flightless during this time.

American dippers occupy an unusual niche in the songbird world. Inextricably tied to racing streams, they routinely feed where few other terrestrial animals dare to go. They rear young just feet from churning whirlpools. They are splendidly adapted for their aquatic life-style, yet even in the wilderness have trouble finding appropriate nest sites. Abundant oil from an oversized gland above the tail keeps dipper feathers virtually waterproof. A flap of skin covers the nostrils while submerged, and translucent eyelids permit underwater sight. Dippers rarely venture more than a few yards from water, and even when airborne they follow a stream’s zigzagging course….

Our lives would be safe when we dare not venture away from the Living Water and just follow the course of JESUS, the Living Water…

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (John 10:27)

Dippers build their traditionally elaborate nests over the fastest moving part of a stream normally on mid-stream boulders or rock ledges just above the water….

Researchers discovered that area bridges offered a viable alternative as nesting sites. And in subsequent research, the biologist found that bridge nests in the valley actually produced more young than the natural nests in her study area…

Bridges actually are a key to dipper’s reproductive success in many areas….

We are the key to the extension of GOD’s kingdom… Do you know that?

GOD has called us to bridge the gap between the lost and the LAMB…

The success of populating the flock of GOD depends on our availability…

GOD is searching for someone who would stand in the gap for HIS people, are you ready to bridge the gap?

And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. ( Ezekiel 22:30)

Have a blessed day!

Your’s in YESHUA,
a j mithra

Please visit us at: Crosstree

Lee’s Addition:

Dippers are in the Cinclidae Family of the Passeriformes Order. There are 5 Dippers in the family; White-throated, Brown, American, White-capped, Rufous-throated Dipper.

Video of an American Dipper

The Inspired and the Inspiring Rose-breasted Grosbeak

April 20, 2010 by a j mithra

The Inspired and the Inspiring Rose-breasted Grosbeak – by a j mithra

Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) by Rob Fry

The Rose-Breasted Grosbeak lives and breeds in North America, but then migrates to Mexico and Central America. East of the Great Plains, the deciduous woodlands belong to the rose-breasted grosbeak with its colossal white bill, an appendage that is often stained with wild berry juice.

This bird is considered as the most stunningly dressed of all our Neotropical migrants.Yet the “rosebird” of olden days is heard more often than seen as it flies through the forest penthouse, whistling and if inspired, it may sing all night. Who is our inspiration?

When JESUS becomes our inspiration, we cannot but sing 24×7….
Why is it hard for us to praise HIM at all times? Is it because we don’t love HIM the way HE does?
Why is it not possible for us to say like David?
Just think!

I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. (Psalm 34:1)

Rose-breasted grosbeak nests are so loosely built that it is sometimes possible to count the eggs from below. The parent birds share incubation duties and the male Rose-breasted Grosbeak participates in incubation of the eggs, accounting for about 1/3 of the time during the day, the female incubates over night….

The female bird incubates overnight?
Do we understand what the bird seems to teach us about its overnight incubation?
We feel so nice to call ourselves as the bride.. Isn’t it?
But, the question is, does the church – the so called bride, watch and pray for the lost?

Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (1Thessalonians 5:5,6)

Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) by Quy Tran

The male will care for the fledglings while the female starts a second nest. She becomes so possessive of a good mate that other females vying for his attention will be driven away. Both sexes sing quietly to each other when they exchange places. The male will sing his normal song while near or actually on the nest. The female song is generally a simplified version of the male song. Occasionally, the female sings full “male” song, apparently to deceive its mate about the presence of intruders and force him to spend more time at the nest..

Our worship has the power to force JESUS to spend more time with us…
It is easy to praise God when we are in the comfort zone, but singing in times of trouble, not only brings HIS presence, but also deliverance…
After all, our LORD dwells among the praises of the angels in heaven…
Remember, HIS presence is the essence of life…

But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. (Psalm 22:3)
Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.” (Psalm 150:6)

Have a blessed day!

Your’s in YESHUA,
a j mithra

Please visit us at: Crosstree

Lee’s Addition:

The Grosbeaks are in the Cardinalidae Family of the Passeriformes Order. In fact, the Family is the last one in the Passeriformes order. The 45 members of the family include not only the Grosbeaks (17), but the Dickcissel (1), Chats (3), Cardinals (2), Pyrrhuloxia (1), Saltators (14), Buntings (7).

Birds of the Bible – Little Brown Jobs

April 16, 2010 by Lee

An interesting video from YouTube by SmellLikeDirt caught my interest. Take a look and then I’ll comment on it.

The Sparrow has been written about before, but it is always nice to find out something else new about them. We know that the Lord created all the birds, but it seems as though the Sparrow just doesn’t get the attention like the more colorful birds. After watching the video, I trust you saw how God has provided for them to keep their species alive.

White-throated Sparrow by Ray

It is interesting about the behavior patterns of the different patterns of coloration. The White-throated Sparrow is a passerine bird of the American sparrow family Emberizidae. The White-throated Sparrow is 17 cm (6.75 inches) in length with a wingspan of 23 cm (9 inches) Typical weight is 26 grams (0.91 oz).

There are two adult plumage variations known as the tan-striped and white-striped forms. On the white-striped form the crown is black with a white central stripe. The supercilium is white as well. The auriculars are gray with the upper edge forming a black eye line.

On the tan form, the crown is dark brown with a tan central stripe. The supercilium is tan as well. The auriculars are gray/light brown with the upper edge forming a brown eye line. Both variations feature dark eyes, a white throat, yellow lores and gray bill. There is variation and some individuals may show dark lateral stripes of each side of the throat.

Most of us are just average people and sometimes may feel like you are not that important to others. But God loves us, even more than the sparrows and He hasn’t forgotten them.

Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. (Luke 12:6 NKJV)

It’s true that the Sparrows are looked down on and sometimes just called, “Little Brown Jobs,” but they are created the way God wanted them in His plan for them. As Christians, not everyone can be the leader or the one in the “lime-light.” If that were true, then where would the followers be?

For in fact the body is not one member but many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. (1 Corinthians 12:14-18 NKJV)

The Surrendered Anhinga

April 15, 2010 by a j mithra

The Surrendered Anhinga – by A J Mithra

Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) By Densie Russell

Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) By Denise Russell

The Indians who live near the Amazon River in South America call it “Anhinga.” In North America it is called “water turkey,” “snake darter,” or “darter.” This strange bird goes by several names. It has a long tail that accounts for its nickname, “water turkey.”

The Anhinga swims with only its head above the water While swimming, the long neck and the head may be above the surface with its body below and this has resulted in another nickname, “snake bird.”

Some Anhingas live in Asia, in Africa and in Australia and in America, from southern Arkansas to Argentina and they are quite common in Florida.

People may call you by your first name, last name, surname or even nicknames, but,JESUS not only calls you by your name but gives you a new name too…

As long as Jacob was Jacob, he was a wanderer, but, GOD gave him a new name, Israel, only after Jacob accepted that he is a fraud..

After which, Israel was no more a wanderer, but the most powerful nation on the face of the earth…
GOD gives us a new name only when we repent…

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. (Revelation 2:17)

Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) By Denise Russell

It finds its food in the water. It eats insects, frog eggs, fish and even small alligators. It spears fish with its long beak, so, sometimes it has to swim to shore and pry the fish off its beak by rubbing on a rock or tree limb.

Mating pairs are monogamous. Anhingas have been seen performing rituals when changing egg incubation duties they intertwine necks and pass nesting material when changing positions.

The Anhinga is frequently seen soaring high in the sky overhead. It is a graceful flier and can travel long distances without flapping its wings, much in the manner of a Turkey Vulture.

Among birds, the Anhinga is the best fresh-water diver. It goes down quietly and hardly makes a ripple. Unlike like other birds who spend most of their days in water (like a duck), an Anhinga’s feathers are not waterproof. But, this weakness allows the Anhinga to dive deeper than birds with waterproof feathers. But, it also has it downfalls.

When an Anhinga swoops down into a body of water to capture its food, its feathers quickly become water-logged. When an Anhinga is water-logged, it is unable to fly. Thus the Anhinga must dry itself off by holding its wings outstretched, allowing the sun to dry the feathers….

This bird is a good example of “I CAN DO ALL THINGS WITH GOD”

Anhinga Dryed at Lake Hollingsworth by Dan

They are not water proof , yet they dive very deep..
They cannot fly when they are water-logged, but, they look up to the sun, to dry themselves, so that they may soar high and fly long distances…

You may not be quality proof, but still, you can fly high and dive deep…
People may consider you as useless but GOD sees you as “USED LESS”

Whom are you looking for help?

If you are one among those who try to do things with their own strength, its time to look at these birds for awhile before you proceed further in life…

When they spread their wings to dry them, these birds seem to say, LORD I have nothing and I need You, to go down deep into the Living Waters and to lift me high, so that I may fly like an Eagle…

Take away all that is unwanted in me Lord and make me dry, so that,I may say,

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

I surrender all, I surrender all,
All to thee my blessed Savior,
I surrender all…

Have a Crucified day with GOD!

Your’s in YESHUA,
A J Mithra

Please visit us at: Crosstree

Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) with a speared fish by Ian

Lee’s Addition:

Anhingas are in the Anhingidae Family of the Pelecaniformes Order.

A J, nice article and, yes, the Anhingas are a daily occurance here in Florida, by the water.

Out of the Mouth of Babes…

April 10, 2010 by a j mithra

Out of the Mouth of Babes… – by A J Mithra

American Tree Sparrow (Spizella arborea) w chicks©USFWS

A research team from the University of Bristol discovered recently that when a songbird chick opens wide, its parents see ultraviolet areas of the mouth that are invisible to humans. The researchers speculate that the ultraviolet highlights around the edges of the mouth make a more conspicuous target in a dark nest…

Paul and Silas opened their mouth wide in their dark prison cells, and GOD delivered them…
When you are in the dark, just open your mouth wide, and worship JESUS, so that, THE LIGHT may shine on you…

For thou wilt light my lamp: Jehovah my God will lighten my darkness. (Psalms 18:28)

Previous research on begging focused mostly on the colors that humans can see, such as red and yellow. But now, researchers believe that some species can assess their chicks’ hunger based on the color of their gapes. The hungrier a canary chick is, the redder its gape. This is true of some other finches that, like canaries, eat seeds regurgitated by their parents, but it isn’t true of insect-eaters….

Common Waxbill (Estrilda astrild) by Daves BirdingPix

The reasons for the vivid colors of nestlings’ mouths aren’t fully understood. Estrildid finches, such as these Zebra Waxbill chicks from Africa, have boldly decorated mouth markings whose purpose is still a mystery. The color of the gapes shows the level of chick’s hunger…

GOD knows the hunger of our inner man…
What are we hungry for? Fame or fortune?
Are we hungry for JESUS, the Living Bread?

Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Matthews 5:6)

It’s also a mystery why the insides of the mouths of some nestlings have crazy designs. The nestlings of various species of Estrildid finches in Africa, Australia, and Asia,have bizarre black-and-white patterns inside their mouths, including dots, horseshoe shapes, and blobs.

In Africa, Whydah and Indigo bird species lay their eggs in the nests of Estrildid finches, and their nestlings’ mouths match those of their hosts…

What kind of a design do we have in our mouth?
Do we have an arrogant mouth? (1 Samuel 2:3)
Or a lying mouth? (1Kings 22:22)
Or a deceiving mouth like that of the Whydah and Indigo species?

Let us pray for a GOD taught mouth… (Exodus4:13)
And a mouth which sings the song of witness… (Deuteronomy 31:21)
Let us ask GOD to give us a mouth of a child,
which is the most powerful weapon on earth….

Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou established strength, Because of thine adversaries, That thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. (Psalms 8:2)

Have a mouth filling day!

Your’s in YESHUA,
A J Mithra

Please visit us at: Crosstree

Birds of the Bible – Leaving the Ark

April 9, 2010 by Lee

Wompoo Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus magnificus) by Ian

In my reading this week, I read something that I had overlooked before. We know that the animals, birds and all critters came to Noah two by two to be placed in the safety of the Ark.

And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female. Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive. (Genesis 6:19-20 KJV)

We have written about that before in Birds of the Bible – Foundation #3 when the critters went in and Foundation #4 when they came off. What I discovered is that the attitudes or instincts of them changed when they came off.

Noah let the Raven out and it didn’t come back, but the dove did because it didn’t find a resting place for it’s feet.

But the dove found no place to set her foot, and she returned to him to the ark, for the waters were still on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took her and brought her into the ark with him. (Genesis 8:9 ESV)

Then 7 days later Noah let the dove out again and this time returned with an olive leaf.

He waited another seven days, and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark. And the dove came back to him in the evening, and behold, in her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth. (Genesis 8:10-11 ESV)

Some commentators had this to say:

Oriental Turtle Dove (Streptopelia orientalis) by Nikhil

“then he put forth his hand and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark: she hovered about it, and got near the window, which Noah opened and took her in; which may represent the gracious reception sensible souls meet with from Christ, who apply to him; he kindly embraces them, and they find room in his heart and affections, fullness of everything they want, and security from all danger.” (Gill)

“And as Noah put forth his hand, and took the dove, and pulled her in to him, into the ark, so Christ will graciously preserve, and help, and welcome, those that fly to him for rest.” (Matthew Henry)

What I noticed and believe is that the Dove did not fear Noah and allowed itself to be brought back in twice. The dove returned needing shelter, but also not wary of the humans on board. This lack of fear demonstrated by the dove may help explain why the animals, birds and other critters had no problem coming to Noah to be loaded on board the Ark in the first place. Of course, God brought them there, as we know, but the lack of fear may have made it easier for them to get them in.

Now, watch what happens in Genesis 9:1-3:

And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. The fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth and upon every bird of the heavens, upon everything that creeps on the ground and all the fish of the sea. Into your hand they are delivered. Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything. (Genesis 9:1-3 ESV)

Right there that lack of fear ended.

Today, those of us who love to go bird or critter watching know about that fear they have of us. Because of that fear, they are able to steer clear of being trapped, caged, or eaten. Do we fear satan enough that we steer clear of his traps, cages, and falling prey to him?

To me it is amazing that no matter how many times we read over a passage of Scripture, the Lord allows us see new things to help us grow and appreciate our Creator and Savior even more. Never tire of re-reading a passage of God’s Word. His Word is alive just as He is.

Thick-billed Murre – Did GOD Create Us To Fall?

April 8, 2010 by a j mithra

Thick-billed Murre – Did GOD create us to fall? – by A J Mithra

Thick-billed Murre (Uria lomvia) by Ian

Thick-billed Murres are unique birds..
They are flightless but their swimming migration may span enormous distances when these birds probably swim 1600 km (1000 miles) and they can dive as deep as 100 meters…

The deepest recorded dive of a Thick-billed Murre reached a depth of 210 metres (690 feet). The birds can move at a speed of 2 metres per second (6.5 feet) under water. Diving birds can stay under water for up to three minutes.

Most of their life is spent on water…

It is only for breeding that they come return to the shore where they lay their eggs on a rock or on the edge of a cliff, without building a nest. The interesting part is their eggs are designed not to roll when disturbed…

Thick-billed Murre (Uria lomvia) with egg by Ian

GOD not only takes care of the birds, but,
HE also takes care of its eggs….

HE knows that these birds spend all their lives on water, and so HE designed its eggs to stay still even at the edge of a cliff…

If GOD can care so much for little birds, will HE not care for you?

Did HE not created you in HIS image?
GOD did not create us to fall but, to stand high above the others..

HE not only cares for you but,HE also cares for your future…

HE wants to see the world through you that’s why HE calls you as
THE APPLE OF HIS EYE..
HE wants to work through you, that’s why HE has

CARVED YOU IN HIS PALM..

CHEER UP FOR YOU ARE UNIQUE…

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. (Matthew 10:29)

Have a blessed day!

Yours in YESHUA,
A J Mithra

Please visit us at: Crosstree

Lee’s Addition:

The Thick-billed Murre is in the Alcidae – Auks Family of the Charadriiformes Order
See Also:
When I Consider! – Guillemot (In the same family as Murres)

Interesting Things! – Techy Ants

April 8, 2010 by Lee

SmileyCentral.com

High-Tech Ants

Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day. (Genesis 1:31)

Ant - Wikipedia

Why do ants like electricity and why can they sense microwaves? If evolution were true, how would ants evolve a love for electricity in only the short time that man has been producing it? For what purpose would they have evolved the ability to sense microwave radiation long before man was using it?

It has been well established that ants like to build their nests around electrical equipment. They are often found around electrical meters. They are famous for building their nests around airport runway lights. They seem to be particularly fond of electrical relays. No one knows why. Now we learn that unlike any other multicelled creatures, they can survive inside a running microwave oven, perhaps enjoying your food as it cooks! How can they do this? It seems that ants can detect the invisible wave pattern of microwaves inside the oven. These patterns leave some areas of the oven low in microwave radiation while other areas are high in radiation. Ants simply avoid those areas where the radiation is strong enough to kill them. Incidentally, you can see these patterns by lining the tray on the floor of your microwave oven with marshmallows. You will notice that some will become very cooked while others are barely touched by the microwaves.

If evolution were true, how would ants develop the ability to deal successfully with conditions that did not exist? It makes more sense to conclude that our Creator, Who knows the future, made the ants as He did for reasons we still must discover.

Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus

Birdwatching from a Christian Perspective

Tag Archives: Christian

Flight 7…

The White-crowned Sparrow – The Restorer

Araripe Manakin – The Indicator of Environmental Quality…

Birds of the Bible – Church Camp In Philippines

The American Dipper – The Intercessor

The Inspired and the Inspiring Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Birds of the Bible – Little Brown Jobs

The Surrendered Anhinga

Out of the Mouth of Babes…

Birds of the Bible – Leaving the Ark

Thick-billed Murre – Did GOD Create Us To Fall?

Interesting Things! – Techy Ants

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