Philippine Eagle-Owl (Bubo philippensis) by Bob Kaufman

“By them the birds of the heavens have their home; They sing among the branches. (Psalms 104:12 NKJV)

Myra has become a dear friend through this blog. She lives in the Philippines and enjoys birdwatching. She used some of this blog’s information several years ago for a class in birdwatching at a Christian Camp there. Now, she has written a Birdwatching Devotional and I asked if I could share it with you. Of course, no problem.

Here is an excerpt from her e-mail that tells about it.

Just want to share something I wrote.  I was in a southern province recently to cover the opening of a retreat center run by the organization I work for (http://cctmalungon.blogspot.com/).  I got to bird watch the next morning during my quiet time, and started writing a devotional activity.  I finished writing it yesterday.

I am praying the management of the retreat center will be interested in my suggestions to promote bird watching there, and hoping the attached devotional will be printed out and placed inside each room.

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MRTC Bird-watching Devotional Activity 1

It is often easier to hear birds than to see them, so for this devotional activity, we will simply listen to the sounds they make.  Bring your Bible, a pen, and this sheet. Find a quiet, shady spot. Read Psalm 104:1 – 17, 24 – 28. Notice that the psalmist mentions birds singing among the branches (v.12).  Now close your eyes and listen to the bird sounds around you.

In the space below use tally marks (four vertical and one diagonal line like those used to score games) to make a record of the different kind of bird sounds you hear:

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Which of the following sounds did you hear?

_____Chirp

_____Tweet

_____Peep

_____Warble

_____Cheep

_____Hoot

_____Whoop

_____Trill

_____Whistle

_____Squawk

_____Caw

_____Coo

These are all English words based on sounds made by birds. In the spaces below, write how some of the bird sounds sound to you.  Use your own spelling – spell them the way they sound to you!  For example, “Wit-hooooooo! Wit-hoooooooo! Wit-hooo-tu-ri-ri!

_________________________

_________________________

_________________________

_________________________

_________________________

_________________________

Now reread Psalm 104:12 & 24.  The bird sounds you heard tell us of the wisdom and the infinite creativity with which God made the world. What fun He must have had assigning birds to sing high notes and low notes, long notes and short notes, to make soft sounds or loud sounds and an endless combination of these! Some birds make lovely, melodic sounds, while others are madakdak! Imagine the bird sounds and bird songs Adam and Eve heard in the Garden of Eden. But songs and sounds are just one aspect birds. God gave them feathers of different colors; He gave them beaks and feet of different shapes and sizes for a lot of different uses.  He gave them the wonderful gift of flight.  Praise God for His wisdom!

Now reread Psalm 27 & 28, as well as Matthew 6:25 – 27.   God paid detailed attention to birds when He made them.  Up until today, our Heavenly Father feeds them. When He opens His hands “they are filled with good things.” We, His children, are so much more important to Him than birds.  Rejoice in the attention God pays to the details of your life!  Thank Him for his loving care and faithful provision.

Dear Father, thank you for the birds.  I praise you for the wisdom with which you made them.  I bow in awe and amazement at your infinite creativity. Forgive me Father when I forget that you love me more than you love the birds.  Help me to always remember that to You,  I am more valuable than they. Thank you for your care and provision, for your nearness and presence.  I love you! In Jesus Name, Amen.

Myra Gaculais del Rosario

Malungon, Sarangani – December 13, 2014

Taytay, Rizal – January 8, 2015

“O LORD, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions—This great and wide sea, In which are innumerable teeming things, Living things both small and great. There the ships sail about; There is that Leviathan Which You have made to play there. These all wait for You, That You may give them their food in due season. What You give them they gather in; You open Your hand, they are filled with good. (Psalms 104:24-28 NKJV)

What a gorgeous place to go birdwatching. Malungon Retreat and Community Resource Center

Lee’s Addition:

In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul. (Psalms 94:19 KJV)

One of the reasons to share this is that you or some of the Camp and Home-school groups could use it. Also, it could be a start to writing some of your own devotionals along this line.

You can download the file by clicking this link:

MRTC Bird Watching Devotional Activity 1 by Myra Gaculais del Rosario

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Birds of the Bible – Church Camp In Philippines

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