So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:6-7 NKJV)
Here is a special video sent to me by James J. S. Johnson. It is about kids telling the story of Cwismus (Christmas) by the Mobberly Kids. Enjoy.
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (1 John 1:1 KJV)
Please Click Here To See The Card
Here is the video they used with it:
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A friend sent this to me and I trust you also are as moved by it as I am. Tears are still flowing as I type this.
Bearded Scrub Robin (Cercotrichas quadrivirgata) ©WikiC
In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty. (Proverbs 14:23 NKJV)
The Old World flycatchers are a large family (321 Members), the Muscicapidae, of small passerine birds mostly restricted to the Old World (Europe, Africa and Asia). These are mainly small arboreal insectivores, many of which, as the name implies, take their prey on the wing.
The appearance of these birds is very varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls. They are small to medium birds, ranging from 9 to 22 cm in length. Many species are dull brown in color, but the plumage of some can be much brighter, especially in the males. Most have broad, flattened bills suited to catching insects in flight, although the few ground-foraging species typically have finer bills.
Old World flycatchers live in almost every environment with a suitable supply of trees, from dense forest to open scrub, and even the montane woodland of the Himalayas. The more northerly species migrate south in winter, ensuring a continuous diet of insects.
Depending on the species, their nests are either well-constructed cups placed in a tree or cliff ledge, or simply lining in a pre-existing tree hole. The hole-nesting species tend to lay larger clutches, with an average of eight eggs, rather than just two to five.
Ferruginous Flycatcher (Muscicapa ferruginea) by MAMuin
“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “HE CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR OWN CRAFTINESS”; (1 Corinthians 3:19 NKJV)
Because this Muscicapidae family is so large, this Sunday Inspiration and next week’s will be divided. The reason for this is so the slideshow is not too long. This will divide them in taxonomic order about half way.
Slideshow of Muscicapidae in taxonomic order – First Half
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. (Matthew 2:1-2 KJV)
“Wise Men Still Seek Him” – Trio and Choir
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“Heaven’s Announcement” – message by Pastor Osborne last Sunday. About the birth of Christ.
Shepherd ©Flickr
Muscicapidae – Chats and Old World Flycatchers
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“The works of the LORD are great, Studied by all who have pleasure in them.” (Psalms 111:2 NKJV)
While updating our passes at Lowry Park Zoo last week, I found this startled “Turkey” insisting that he was not a “Turkey”
Startled Non-Turkey at Lowry Park Zoo (cropped)
To me, he had wattles like a turkey!
Well, maybe it’s not a turkey after all. It is actually is a Guineafowl. Plus, they are not even in the same family.
Helmeted Guineafowl (Numida meleagris) at Lowry Park Zoo
Turkeys have to keep a low profile during the Christmas season as you have learned from several of Emma’s stories about the Commander Turkey. Reginald, Turkey Commander
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 1:18 NKJV)
Here are some of the decorations as you enter the zoo:
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Pheasants and allies – Phasianidae
Reginald The Turkey Commander on Christmas
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Seahorse at Lowry Park Zoo by Lee
HOW THE SEAHORSE GOT ITS SQUARE TAIL
“And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31a)
Evolutionists and creationists alike enjoy gazing upon the elegant seahorse swimming lazily about the aquarium. However, only creationists are able to see that the seahorse bears the unmistakable stamp of design – all the way from the top of its horse-shaped head to the tip of its unique square tail.
Researchers found that the tail’s square segments created more contact points with the surface that it is gripping when compared to a tail with round segments. Credit: Michael Porter/Clemson University
Researchers found that the tail’s square segments created more contact points with the surface that it is gripping when compared to a tail with round segments. Credit: Michael Porter/Clemson University
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2015-07-seahorse-tail-square.html#jCp
Researchers found that the tail’s square segments created more contact points with the surface that it is gripping when compared to a tail with round segments. Yes, I said square tail. This striking design makes the seahorse considerably better at gripping and grasping than if it had curved sections in its tail. When you look closely, you will see that the tail is made up of about 36 square-like segments that progressively taper off in size along the length of the tail. By using a 3D printer to duplicate the tail and submitting it to crushing tests, an international team of researchers has now discovered that the squared sections also provide the seahorse with much better armor than a cylindrical tail.
“Almost all animal tails have circular or oval cross-sections – but not the seahorse’s,” said Michael Porter, lead investigator and assistant professor in mechanical engineering at Clemson University. Porter’s research group is now using 3D printing to help them develop new structures and robotic systems.
Although evolutionists will tell you that the seahorse’s unique tail only appears to be designed, they act as if the tail really was designed! After all, how intelligent would it be for them to pursue new technologies based on the tail of a seahorse that has no intelligence behind it at all?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, it is so obvious to me that creatures like the seahorse were designed by You. I pray that You will use me to make others aware that all of creation points directly to You! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Notes:
Phys.org, “Why the seahorse’s tail is square,” 7/2/15. http://phys.org/news/2015-07-seahorse-tail-square.html#jCp. Photo: Researchers found that the tail’s square segments created more contact points with the surface that it is gripping when compared to a tail with round segments. Credit: Michael Porter/Clemson University. (Fair Use)
Seahorse Skeleton Macro ©WikiC
Lee’s Addition:
Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! (Psalms 107:8 NKJV)
He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; The LORD is gracious and full of compassion. (Psalms 111:4 NKJV)
I am always amazed when discovery’s like these are discovered. Yet the deniers of His Creation fail to give credit where credit is due.
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Snowy Egret and Lee Gatorland by Dan
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV)
While we were at Gatorland, I had the delight to be able to get really close to a Snowy Egret. I was taking a photo of him when he got so close I couldn’t focus the camera. I backed the zoom out and realized just how close we were.
Snowy Egret stepped so close it blurred my shot.
I tried to give my camera to Dan to get a photo of me and the Snowy. That spooked him and he flew off a few yards. I coached him back and thankful he came.
This time I handed Dan my camera down low and he stayed put. The following photos are what Dan took of the close encounter with my Snowy Egret friend. I could have touched the bird, if I had wanted, but have you ever seen that beak up close? Looked like a sharp needle from my point of view.
I am very thankful that the Lord created such a neat bird and helped him not be afraid of me. I am glad the Lord lets us have joy from just watching His critters.
A friend sent me this and thought I would share it.
O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.
(Psalms 67:4 KJV)
Black-capped Chickadee by Dave’s BirdingPix
Thought you might enjoy watching Black-capped Chickadees being fed by hand. Video from LesleytheBirdNerd. It is one of the YouTube birders I follow. I like the music also.
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? (Matthew 6:26 KJV)
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, Measured heaven with a span And calculated the dust of the earth in a measure? Weighed the mountains in scales And the hills in a balance? Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, Or as His counselor has taught Him? (Isaiah 40:12-13 NKJV)
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Black-capped Chickadee – All About Birds
Black-capped Chickadee – Audubon
Black-capped Chickadee – Wikipedia
Black-capped Chickadee – National Geographic
Black-capped Chickadee – What Bird
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“He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.”
“I think that evolution is absolutely the death knell of Christianity.” No, those aren’t my words. These words were spoken by atheist Frank Zindler, and they make it very clear what the origins debate is really all about. It is nothing less than the front line in the battle between two incompatible faiths.
In step-by-step fashion, Zindler described how he reached that conclusion. “The most devastating thing that biology did to Christianity,” he said, “was the discovery of biological evolution.” In other words, he starts out by declaring that evolution has been proven, which, as you know, is very far from the truth.
He goes on to say that evolution means that Adam and Eve never really existed. In his own words, “Now that we know that Adam and Eve never were real people, the central myth of Christianity is destroyed.”
And why is that? He continues, and I quote: “If there never was an Adam and Eve, there never was an original sin. If there never was an original sin, there is no need of salvation. If there is no need of salvation, there is no need of a savior. And I submit that puts Jesus, historical or otherwise, into the ranks of the unemployed.”
Yes, atheists foolishly think that evolution is the death knell of Christianity. In reality, biology – with its established fact that life comes only from life – points directly to our Creator. Biology is actually the death knell of atheism and evolution.
Prayer:
“Lord Jesus, I pray that You will use me to he lp others see that life comes only from life and that the original Life that started it all was You! Amen.”
Notes:
Frank Zindler quote taken from debate with William Lane Craig held in 1993 at Willow Creek Community Church. Photo: American atheist Frank Zindler.
©Creation Moments 2015 (with permission)
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That is very interesting. I can’t believe how they (evolutionist) just say something is true and that’s it. It is settled, as far as they are concerned. No evidence, no proof, just declare it’s true. My Bible says that God created it and He says He is truth. Science shows many evidences of the Universal Flood and a catastrophe, but evolutionist won’t believe it, because they have “declared” that God doesn’t exist.
The big question for all of us, is who are you going to believe?
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32 KJV)
And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. (John 14:16-17 NKJV)
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (Romans 1:19-25 KJV)
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Eastern Rosella Gatorland by Dan
“I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.” (Genesis 9:13 NKJV)
What a delight for me to find two Eastern Rosellas in the little free-flight aviary at Gatorland last week. We have been there two other times, but not when the aviary was open.
Because of Ian’s Bird of the Week articles about the Rosella, these two caught my eye. Never did get a decent photo of them, but never the less, we enjoyed seeing them in person. Dan’s photos were better, of course. They seem quite pale compared to Ian’s photo of one in the wild.
Eastern Rosella (Platycercus eximius) by Ian
“The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” (Genesis 9:16 NKJV)
This Rosella reminds me of the colors of a rainbow. Maybe the Lord gave us this beautiful bird to remind us of his promise, even on a non-rainy day.
Here are just a few photos from the aviary:
Ian’s Eastern Rosella photos at Birdway
Psittaculidae – Old World Parrots
Enjoy seeing the really good photos and newsletters from Ian Montgomery:
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Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) by Robert Scanlon
I know all the birds of the mountains, And the wild beasts of the field are Mine. (Psalms 50:11 NKJV)
This weeks Sturnidae Family is rather large with 123 species presently. (Twenty-three are Mynas; three are Rhabdornis; one Coleto and the rest are Starlings.) Here in the U. S., when we think of a Starling it is a very the plain Common (European) Starling. Yet other Starlings are very colorful and beautiful creations from our Lord.
Golden-breasted Starling at National Aviary by Lee
The name “Sturnidae” comes from the Latin word for starling, sturnus. Many Asian species, particularly the larger ones, are called mynas, and many African species are known as glossy starlings because of their iridescent plumage. Starlings are native to the Old World, from Europe, Asia and Africa, to northern Australia and the islands of the tropical Pacific. Several European and Asian species have been introduced to these areas as well as North America, Hawaii and New Zealand, where they generally compete for habitats with native birds and are considered to be invasive species. The starling species familiar to most people in Europe and North America is the common starling, and throughout much of Asia and the Pacific, the common myna is indeed common.
Bali Myna (Leucopsar rothschildi Palm Beach Zoo by Lee
Starlings have strong feet, their flight is strong and direct, and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country, and they eat insects and fruit. Several species live around human habitation and are effectively omnivores. Many species search for prey such as grubs by “open-bill probing”, that is, forcefully opening the bill after inserting it into a crevice, thus expanding the hole and exposing the prey; this behaviour is referred to by the German verb zirkeln (pronounced [ˈtsɪʁkəln]).
Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) Eggs ©WikiC
Plumage of many species is typically dark with a metallic sheen. Most species nest in holes and lay blue or white eggs.
Metallic Starling (Aplonis metallica) by Ian
Starlings have diverse and complex vocalizations and have been known to embed sounds from their surroundings into their own calls, including car alarms and human speech patterns. The birds can recognize particular individuals by their calls and are currently the subject of research into the evolution of human language.
Stripe-headed Rhabdornis (Rhabdornis mystacalis) ©©
James J. S. Johnson just wrote about the murmuration of the Starlings in Choreographed Choir on the Wing: Birds of a Feather Flock Together. “The starlings are generally a highly social family. Most species associate in flocks of varying sizes throughout the year. A flock of starlings is called a murmuration. These flocks may include other species of starlings and sometimes species from other families. This sociality is particularly evident in their roosting behavior; in the non-breeding season some roosts can number in the thousands of birds.” (Most information from Wikipedia)
Starling Murmuration
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Many of the family members in random order:
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“Once Upon A Tree” ~ Choir – and – “Sing To Jesus” ~ Angel Long & Jessie Padgett
Sturnidae – Starlings, Rhabdornis
Ian’s Bird of the Week – Metallic Starling
Starling – Wikipedia
Blue-and-yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna) by Lee
Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. (Psalms 119:127 KJV)
On Tuesday, Dan and I took a ride over to Gatorland in Orlando. Just wanted to share a sequence of photos of some Blue-and-yellow Macaws (Ara ararauna) I took. One allowed me to get a nice view of him (or her) and then walked over to its friend. (Click on photos to enlarge)
Blue-and-yellow Macaws are also known as Blue-and-golds.
They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. (Proverbs 8:9-11 KJV)
Psittacidae – African and New World Parrots
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Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus 