Streak-chested (Spectacled) Antpitta (Hylopezus perspicillatus) by Ian
The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; (Proverbs 30:25 KJV)
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. (Proverbs 6:6-8 KJV)
Last week’s Sunday Inspiration featured the “first four bird families, taxonomically, in the Passeriformes Order (Songbirds)” This week we will continue with the next three families. They all have “ant” birds in them; Antshrikes, Antwrens, Antbirds, Antthrushes and Antpittas.. The Thamnophilidae – Antbirds family does have a few Bare-eyes.
Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. (KJV)
Let everything that has breath and every breath of life praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!) (AMP)
Let every living creature praise the LORD. Shout praises to the LORD! (CEV)
This week the Hyssongs came to our Young At Heart (55 plus) gathering and sang for us. They did a fantastic program of song and praise to our Lord. Last year when they came, they gave me permission to use their music in these Sunday Inspirations. (They are copyrighted and need permission-please, do not copy)
I have purchased their latest CD ~ “Right Time – Right Place” and wanted to share this song, “God Is Great.” Trust you will enjoy their song, what it says, and enjoy our avian friends and some others singing their praise.
Laughing Kookabura at Lowry Park Zoo by Lee 12-26-14
Here are a few quotes about Psalm 150 from two commentaries:
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD! (NKJV)
Constable – Psalms 150
The inspired poet called on every person to praise Yahweh for His powerful deeds and supreme greatness (10 times out of the 13 uses of “praise” in this psalm). This psalm serves as a final doxology, bringing the collection of psalms to a solemn and joyful conclusion.
“The conclusion of the Psalter is this extravagant summons to praise, which seeks to mobilize all creation with a spontaneous and unreserved act of adoration, praise, gratitude, and awe. There are no ‘bases’ given; no reason needs to be given.” [Note: Brueggemann, p. 167.]
Biblical Illustrator – “IV. By whom (verse 6). Here the psalmist reaches the climax in his exhortation; he has exhausted language; he can particularize no more; he rushes to the culmination; he demands a universal outburst of adoration; he calls upon all in whom the breath of life is to help swell the “hallelujah chorus!” O what a thrilling crash of melody! what a volume of perfect harmony, when animate and inanimate creation, with all creatures, rising rank upon rank, order above order, species above species, purged from corruption, delivered from all evil, and attuned to the euphony of the skies—when “everything that hath breath,” the consecrated breath Divine—“shall join in one harmonious song, and crown Him Lord of all!” (J. O. Keen, D. D.)”
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Let everything that breathes praise Jehovah. Praise Jehovah! (LITV-TSP)
But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark. (Genesis 8:9 KJV)
And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places; (Isaiah 32:17-18 KJV)
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. (Psalms 16:9 KJV)
Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) by J Fenton
And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. (Psalms 55:6 KJV)
Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee. (Psalms 116:7 KJV)
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29 KJV)
Are we resting like we should, knowing that God Is In Control?
Common Potoo (Nyctibius griseus) by Daves BirdingPix
“For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. (Psalms 27:5 ESV)
Considering yesterday’s blog, the song, “Hide Thou Me” came to mind. This song was used before, but it is so appropriate. Today’s Inspiration features the birds in the Frogmouth and Potoo families. You will see how the Lord has provided for them to HIDE through their behavior and coloration He has given them.
He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe is as good as dead; his eyes are closed. ~Albert Einstein
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And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. (Genesis 1:31 KJV)
We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. (Psalms 78:4 KJV)
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But the LORD has been my defense, And my God the rock of my refuge. (Psalms 94:22 NKJV)
The herds shall lie down in her midst, Every beast of the nation. Both the pelican and the bittern Shall lodge on the capitals of her pillars; Their voice shall sing in the windows; Desolation shall be at the threshold; For He will lay bare the cedar work. (Zephaniah 2:14 NKJV)
I enjoy “trying” to find bitterns. They can be right challenging because of the way the Lord designed them to be “hidden in plain view.” The American Bittern, at the top, landed right in front of us at Circle B last year. Otherwise, he would have blended right in and he would have been missed. Bitterns are also a Bird of the Bible.
American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) by Bob-Nan
Bitterns belong to the Ardeidae- Herons, Bitterns Family and most are well hidden while they search for food. “Bitterns are a classification of birds in the heron family, a family of wading birds. Species named bitterns tend to be the shorter-necked, often more secretive members of this family. Bitterns usually frequent reed beds and similar marshy areas, and feed on amphibians, reptiles, insects, and fish. Unlike the similar storks, ibises, and spoonbills, herons and bitterns fly with their necks retracted, not outstretched.” (Wikipedia)
Sunbitterns, which I added, are members of the Eurypygidae – Sunbittern Family. These comments from Woodland Park Zoo, show how their design helps hide them. “With its slow, deliberate walk on orange-colored legs and its long neck held parallel to the ground, the sunbittern resembles the sun-flecked forest interior. This spectacular frontal display is for threat or defense rather than courtship and is usually accompanied by a low hiss and bowing.”
“… they have vividly colored middle webs, which with wings fully spread show bright eyespots in red, yellow, and black. These are shown to other sunbitterns in courtship and threat displays, or used to startle potential predators. (Wikipedia)
This ability to hide brought to mind these verses:
Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings, (Psalms 17:8 NKJV)
For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock. (Psalms 27:5 NASB)
Hide me from the secret counsel of evildoers, From the tumult of those who do iniquity, (Psalms 64:2 NASB)
Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?” says the LORD; “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the LORD. (Jeremiah 23:24 NKJV)
Since today is “Mother’s Day” here in the United States, it is appropriate to remember them.
My son, keep your father’s command, And do not forsake the law of your mother. Bind them continually upon your heart; Tie them around your neck. When you roam, they will lead you; When you sleep, they will keep you; And when you awake, they will speak with you. (Proverbs 6:20-22 NKJV)
Let your father and your mother be glad, And let her who bore you rejoice. (Proverbs 23:25 NKJV)
He grants the barren woman a home, Like a joyful mother of children. Praise the LORD! (Psalms 113:9 NKJV)
Greater Painted Snipe (Rostratula benghalensis) by W Kwong
“HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER,” which is the first commandment with promise: “THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU AND YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH.” (Ephesians 6:2-3 NKJV)
But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. (1 Thessalonians 2:7 NKJV)
I know this is not the typical Mother’s Day song, but listen to the words. It is a journey being a mother from the day you become aware a child is on the way. Mothers make decisions many times daily and need to “Stay Close To Me (the Lord)” as they travel through “motherhood.”
You enlarged my path under me, So my feet did not slip. (Psalms 18:36 NKJV)
I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word. (Psalms 119:101 NKJV)
My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside. (Job 23:11 NKJV)
As you watch the birds, notice their feet. The Lord has given each of them very specific feet that our necessary for their needs. Does He not provide us with the needs that we have and help us walk with Him?
And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. (Revelation 21:19-20 KJV)
Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? (Matthew 21:42 KJV)
And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. (Mark 16:4 KJV)
Siberian Stonechat (Saxicola maurus) by Nikhil Devasar
And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, (Luke 22:41 KJV)
For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: (Acts 17:28-30 KJV)
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 KJV)
And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. (Revelation 4:3 KJV)
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. (Isaiah 28:16 KJV)
According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. (1 Corinthians 3:10-13 KJV)
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Jesus Rolled Back The Stone from the Hyssongs’ “Expecting Miracles” Album
(Music and photos are used by permission. If copied, you must obtain permission also.)
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 KJV)
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Listen to music as the slideshow presents some of the Lord’s beautifully created birds.
Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus 