Tag Archives: Jesus

Why Red?

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My backyard bird feeder is always alive with flashes of red. The Northern Cardinals are daily visitors for free helpings of sunflower seeds. As one catches my eye, I ponder, why red?

Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Red Northern Cardinal Bird

Northern Cardinal; Clarke County, GA. ©www.williamwisephoto.com

Most animals blend into their surroundings. But not the Cardinal. He flashes about in a scarlet garment heralding his presence for all to see. Why would a small bird, an easy prey, want to wear such colors? As I meditate what creation would speak, red conjures two images: the stain of sin and the source of salvation.

THE STAIN OF SIN…

Red catches our attention, and normally for something of which we must take heed. We use it on our warning signs and labels; red hangs at every intersection to prevent disorderly collisions.

In Isaiah 1:18, red is used as a bold simile illustrating the blatant sins of the people. All that they do and say is stained with the crimson of sin. Although sin may blend in as the “norm of society”, it stands out to God’s eyes. Isaiah the preacher points out this scarlet warning sign, and begs the people to heed the warning and repent.

THE SOURCE OF SALVATION…

But another profound Biblical use of the color red is that of blood. From the blood of Abel, through the atoning sacrifices of the Israelites; of the thread in the window which saved Rahab and her entire family, to the saving Blood shed upon Calvary’s cross, the entire Bible is stained red with blood.

Though normally a gruesome sight for most, the red blood of the Bible is hope; it is cleansing. The sins of the people of Isaiah’s day stand out like red stained clothing. But it is the red colored blood of the new covenant which is able to remove that stain.

“Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood”
Revelation 1:5

Though I may be pushing things by stretching the color of a bird into a mini-sermon, I’d rather have the red Northern Cardinal remind of the warning of sin and of the hope of salvation, than to stand for a red-robed religious official for whom it is said the Cardinal is named!

Hi, I’m wildlife photographer and nature writer William Wise. I was saved under a campus ministry while studying wildlife biology at the University of Georgia. My love of the outdoors quickly turned into a love for the Creator and His works. I’m currently an animal shelter director and live in Athens, Georgia with my wife and two teenage daughters, who are all also actively involved in ministry. Creation Speaks is my teaching ministry that glorifies our Creator and teaches the truth of creation. William Wise Nature Notes is my wildlife and birding photo blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder of God’s creation. I am also a guest author at Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures and The Creation Club. — “What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations.” Psalms 104, The Message.

Lee’s Five Word Friday – 12/23/16

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Lord Derby's Parakeet (Psittacula derbiana) by Wilhelma Zoo©WikiC

WAS SPOKEN OF THE LORD

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“Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,” (Matthew 1:22 KJV)

Lord Derby’s Parakeet (Psittacula derbiana) by Wilhelma Zoo©WikiC

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More Daily Devotionals

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Lee’s Four Word Thursday – 12/22/16

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Australian King Parrot (Alisterus scapularis) Male Closeup by Ian

KING OF THE JEWS

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“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 2:2 KJV)

Australian King Parrot (Alisterus scapularis) Male Closeup by Ian

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More Daily Devotionals

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Lee’s Two Word Tuesday – 12/20/16

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Eastern Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla tschutschensis) by Bob-Nan

THE EAST

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“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,” (Matthew 2:1 KJV)

Eastern Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla tschutschensis) by Bob-Nan

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More Daily Devotionals

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Golden Eagle – Noah and the Dove

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Mourning Dove by Reinier Munguia

Mourning Dove by Reinier Munguia

Noah and the Dove ~

Golden Eagle

Golden Eagle ©PD

Golden Eagle ©PD

Hi again boys and girls! It’s me, the Golden Eagle. In case your wondered my nest is in sunny Florida! I think there are close to 400 different species just in this state! Hey, have you started to keep your journal yet? Write done the birds you see, what the birds are doing, what time of day that you see the birds, and anything that might be out of the ordinary! This Bible and bird journey should get very interesting!

And he waited yet another seven days, and again he sent the dove out from the ark. Then the dove came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth; and Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth. So he waited yet another seven days and sent out the dove, which did not return again to him anymore. (Genesis 8:10-12 NKJV)

This whole wide earth was at one time, in the past, covered with water! Now that is really not hard to believe. Even today, the earth is covered with water, about 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered with the stuff! In our Solar System we are the only WATER PLANET! Every mountain was at one point covered with water. Scientists have even found sea shells on the top of Mt Everest! Your average Scientist thinks that Noah’s flood is just a myth, and that the surface of Mars was shaped by a flood! The truth of the Bible teaches us that the surface of the Earth was shaped by water! The Grand Canyon of the United States was carved out by a lot of water in a little bit of time. Of course the evolutionists say that the Grand Canyon was formed over millions of years by a little bit of water, the Colorado River.

White Dove ©©

White Dove ©©

On the wings of a snow white dove! The DOVE is a beautiful bird. It flies ever so gently with the color of a white snowflake. Sometimes even people today liken the Holy Spirit of God to the dove. White in holiness and purity, flying here and there, the Holy Spirit whispers to our minds and to our hearts that JESUS is indeed the Son of God, Heaven is real, the Bible is true, and after death there is something more in God’s wonderful purpose for you and me!

Hey kids! Start reading at least one chapter in the Bible each and every day! And don’t forget to join the ranks of the birders of the world! Until next time, this is the Golden Eagle soaring away into the sunset and my next meal! See Ya!!!

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Keep A Journal

Bible Birds – Doves and Pigeons

More from Golden Eagle

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Little Yeshua & This Is God – Faith Baptist 2013

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“Little Yeshua” and “This is God” were part of the Everlasting Light Cantata – A Christmas Carol For A Dark World. The solo was by Caleb and the duet was sung by Jessie and Christina. The messages of these songs  are tremendous. When you consider that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Creator, put on flesh, so that He could redeem us is an awesome thought.

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He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:10-14 KJV)

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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. (John 1:1-5 KJV)

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Here are two more videos from yesterday. If there is interest, more will be added later.

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The Eyed Sparrow

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Russet Sparrow (Passer rutilans) by Nikhil Devasar

Russet Sparrow (Passer rutilans) by Nikhil Devasar

Keep and guard me as the pupil of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings (Psalms 17:8 AMP)

His Eye Is On The Sparrow

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Savannah Sparrow singing by Ray

Savannah Sparrow singing by Ray

I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

House Sparrow by Ray

House Sparrow by Ray

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Song Sparrow in white flowers by Daves BirdingPix

Song Sparrow in white flowers by Daves BirdingPix

I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) by Nikhil

Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) by Nikhil

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis) ©WikiC

Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis) ©WikiC

I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

I [the Lord] will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. (Psalms 32:8 AMP)

Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; (Psalms 33:18 KJV)

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Written by Civilla D. Martin, 1905.

See:

More Birds in Hymns

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Nuggets Plus – Watchout

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Coppersmith Barbet (Megalaima haemacephala) by Clement Francis

Coppersmith Barbet (Megalaima haemacephala) by Clement Francis

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If the Coppersmith Barbet chicks
don’t return
to their nest early
their parents will not allow them in!
If we don’t return
in to the kingdom early
would Jesus take us in?

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. Mathew 25:13

Nuggets Plus – Watchout ~ by A J Mithra

Lee’s Addition:

What a beautiful bird, but also what a solemn warning.

The Coppersmith Barbet, Crimson-breasted Barbet or Coppersmith (Megalaima haemacephala), is a bird with crimson forehead and throat which is best known for its metronomic call that has been likened to a coppersmith striking metal with a hammer. It is a resident found in the Indian Subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia. Like other barbets, they chisel out a hole inside a tree to build their nest. They are mainly fruit-eating but will take sometimes insects, especially winged termites. They belong to the Megalaimidae – Asian Barbets Family.

I found AJ’s remark about the youngster failing to get back to the nest on time interesting and found these remarks on Wikipedia.

Coppersmith Barbet (Megalaima haemacephala) by MAMuin

Coppersmith Barbet (Megalaima haemacephala) by MAMuin

Keeps solitary, pairs, or small groups; larger parties occasionally on abundantly fruiting Ficus trees. Fond of sunning themselves in the morning on bare top branches of tall trees, often flitting about to sit next to each other. The flight is straight, with rapid flaps.

They compete with other cavity nesting birds and frugivores. Megalaima asiatica have been noted to evict them from their nest holes, while Red-vented Bulbuls have been seen to indulge in kleptoparasitism, robbing the male of berries brought to the female at the nest.

The nest holes are also used for roosting and some birds roost alone in cavities and these often roost during part of the day. Immatures will roost with the parents but often return to roost early so as not to be prevented by the parents from entering the roost cavity.

Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. (Matthew 25:1-13 ESV)

See:

Coppersmith Barbet – The Fruit-giver – by ajmithra

A J Mithra’s Other Articles

Birds of the World – Asian and African Barbets

Thankful For The Lord’s Birds

Formed By Him – Copper Birds

Megalaimidae – Asian Barbets Family

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Birds In Christmas Hymns – The Friendly Beasts (Re-post)

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Baudet Donkey - Shaky and Brown

Baudet Donkey – Shaky and Brown

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)

Words: Un­known au­thor, 12th Cen­tu­ry; trans­lat­ed from French to Engl­ish by an anon­y­mous trans­lat­or.

Music: Or­i­ent­is Par­ti­bus, med­ie­val French mel­o­dy

Birds in Christmas Hymns

Birds in Christmas Hymns

The Friendly Beasts

Jesus, our Brother, strong and good,
Was humbly born in a stable rude,
And the friendly beasts around Him stood,
Jesus, our Brother, strong and good.

“I,” said the donkey, shaggy and brown,
“I carried His mother uphill and down,
I carried His mother to Bethlehem town;
I,” said the donkey, shaggy and brown.

“I,” said the cow, all white and red,
“I gave Him my manger for His bed,
I gave Him hay to pillow His head;
I,” said the cow, all white and red.

“I,” said the sheep with curly horn,
“I gave Him my wool for His blanket warm,
He wore my coat on Christmas morn;
I,” said the sheep with curly horn.

“I,” said the dove, from the rafters high,
“I cooed Him to sleep that He should not cry,
We cooed Him to sleep, my mate and I;
I,” said the dove, from the rafters high.

Thus all the beasts, by some good spell,
In the stable dark were glad to tell
Of the gifts they gave Emmanuel,
The gifts they gave Emmanuel.

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) by Quy Tran

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) by Quy Tran

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More Birds in Hymns

See ~ Wordless Birds

Most information from The Cyber Hymnal – The Friendly Beasts

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Birds In Christmas Hymns – This Endris Night (Re-post)

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Superb Fruit Dove (Ptilinopus superbus) by Ian

Superb Fruit Dove (Ptilinopus superbus) by Ian

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7 KJV)

Words & Music: 15th Century –  This Endris Night

Birds in Christmas Hymns

Birds in Christmas Hymns

This Endris Night

This endris night I saw a sight
A star as bright as day;
And ever among a maiden sung,
Lullay, by by, lullay.

This lovely lady sat and sung,
And to her Child did say:
My Son, my Brother, Father, dear,
Why liest Thou thus in hay?

My sweetest bird, thus ’tis required,
Though Thou be King veray;
But nevertheless I will not cease
To sing, By by, lullay.

The Child then spake in His talking,
And to his mother said:
“Yea, I am known as Heaven-King,
In crib though I be laid.

For angels bright down to Me light:
Thou knowest ’tis no nay:
And for that sight thou may’st delight
To sing, By by, lullay.

“Now, sweet Son, since Thou art a king,
Why art Thou laid in stall?
Why dost not order thy bedding
In some great kingès hall?

Methinks ’tis right that king or knight
Should lie in good array:
And then among, it were no wrong
To sing, By by, lullay.

“Mary mother, I am thy Child,
Though I be laid in stall;
For lords and dukes shall worship Me,
And so shall kingès all.

Ye shall well see that kingès three
Shall come on this twelfth day.
For this behest give Me thy breast
And sing, By by, lullay.

“Now tell, sweet Son, I Thee do pray,
Thou art my Love and Dear—
How should I keep Thee to Thy pay,
And make Thee glad of cheer?

For all Thy will I would fulfill—
Thou knowest well, in fay;
And for all this I will Thee kiss,
And sing, By by, lullay.

“My dear mother, when time it be,
Take thou Me up on loft,
And set Me then upon thy knee,
And handle me full soft.

And in thy arm thou hold Me warm,
And keep Me night and day,
And if I weep, and may not sleep,
Thou sing, By by, lullay.

“Now sweet Son, since it is come so,
That all is at Thy will,
I pray Thee grant to me a boon,
If it be right and skill,—

That child or man, who will or can
Be merry on my day,
To bliss Thou bring—and I shall sing,
Lullay, by by, lullay.

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Some of the archaic terms require explanation:
This endris night: The other night, a few nights ago
Veray: True
Light: Alight
No nay: Undeniable
Methinks: I think
Pay: Satisfaction
Fay: Faith
Boon: Favor
Skill: Reasonable

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Red Turtle Dove (Streptopelia tranquebarica) by Nikhil Devasar

Red Turtle Dove (Streptopelia tranquebarica) by Nikhil Devasar

More Birds in Hymns

See ~

Christmas Gospel Presentation

Wordless Birds

Most information from The Cyber Hymnal – – This Endris Night

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Birds In Christmas Hymns – The Friendly Beasts

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Baudet Donkey - Shaky and Brown

Baudet Donkey – Shaky and Brown

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)

Words: Un­known au­thor, 12th Cen­tu­ry; trans­lat­ed from French to Engl­ish by an anon­y­mous trans­lat­or.

Music: Or­i­ent­is Par­ti­bus, med­ie­val French mel­o­dy

Birds in Christmas Hymns

Birds in Christmas Hymns

The Friendly Beasts

Jesus, our Brother, strong and good,
Was humbly born in a stable rude,
And the friendly beasts around Him stood,
Jesus, our Brother, strong and good.

“I,” said the donkey, shaggy and brown,
“I carried His mother uphill and down,
I carried His mother to Bethlehem town;
I,” said the donkey, shaggy and brown.

“I,” said the cow, all white and red,
“I gave Him my manger for His bed,
I gave Him hay to pillow His head;
I,” said the cow, all white and red.

“I,” said the sheep with curly horn,
“I gave Him my wool for His blanket warm,
He wore my coat on Christmas morn;
I,” said the sheep with curly horn.

“I,” said the dove, from the rafters high,
“I cooed Him to sleep that He should not cry,
We cooed Him to sleep, my mate and I;
I,” said the dove, from the rafters high.

Thus all the beasts, by some good spell,
In the stable dark were glad to tell
Of the gifts they gave Emmanuel,
The gifts they gave Emmanuel.

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) by Quy Tran

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) by Quy Tran

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More Birds in Hymns

See ~ Wordless Birds

Most information from The Cyber Hymnal – The Friendly Beasts

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Nuggets Plus – Firefly – The Light house..

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Fireflies in a field in Germany WikiC

Fireflies in a field in Germany WikiC

Firefly – The Light house.. ~ by ajmithra

Nuggets Plus

Nuggets Plus

Male firefly dive deep,
flashing light
and
turn upward to make
“J” shaped pattern of light
to attract the female…
Do you know
the LIGHT called “J”
that came down from above
to save us
and
to mate with us?

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12)

For more Nuggets Plus – Click Here

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