Tag Archives: Peace

More Cinquains

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American Yellow Warbler (Setophaga aestiva) singing by J Fenton

American Yellow Warbler (Setophaga aestiva) singing by J Fenton

Thought I would continue with the challenge to another Cinquain. See: Eagle Cinquain

Especially since a friend in South Carolina tried the challenge and sent this Cinquain:

Covid

Scary, deadly

Disruptive, threatening

God is in control of Covid.

Full Peace

Here is my second attempt at writing a Cinquain:

Bright yellow female American Goldfinch perched on pine sapling. ©www.williamwisephoto.com.

Song Bird

Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) by Robert Scanlon

Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) by Robert Scanlon

Making Music

American Yellow Warbler (Setophaga aestiva) by Daves BirdingPix

American Yellow Warbler (Setophaga aestiva) by Daves BirdingPix

Happy and Contented

Sweetly Singing In The Pine Tree

Carolina Chickadee in pine tree (photo credit: FeederWatch.org )

Peaceful

 

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27 KJV)

Song Bird

Making Music

Happy and Contented

Sweetly Singing In The Pine Tree

Peaceful

I still think these look like trees, Sandra Connor. See her challenges at:

Sandra Connor’s Three Day Cinquain Challenge

Trust you are enjoying these Cinquains. Why not send me your attempt, or post them on your blog and send a link to Sandra Connor’s blog and leave a comment here.

Eagle Cinquain

What is the Gospel?

Count It All Joy!

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Joyful Greenbul (Chlorocichla laetissima) Flickr Dave Curtis

Our pastor had another encouraging message for our Wednesday night service. One day we will be able to attend a regular prayer meeting again, but, thankfully, our church is using YouTube and other means of keeping the Lord’s Word before us. This week was no exception.

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:2-6 NKJV)


I trust you will enjoy Pastor Osborne’s message.

Wordless Birds

 

Lee’s One Word Monday – 4/18/16

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Silver-breasted Broadbill (Serilophus lunatus) by Peter Ericsson

PEACE

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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV)

Silver-breasted Broadbill (Serilophus lunatus) by Peter Ericsson

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More Daily Devotionals

Love

Joy

Peace

Longsuffering

Gentleness

Faith

Meekness

Temperance

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Sunday Inspiration – Birds and Peace

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White Pelicans in Flight - Circle B Bar by Dan

White Pelicans in Flight – Circle B Bar by Dan

Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:3 KJV)

Today’s is more about the song that Sean is playing. “I’d Rather Have Jesus Than Anything.” These photos are of birds and places we have had the privilege of visiting to watch the marvelous avian wonders that the Lord Jesus Christ Created. The Lord gives us a peace as we live for Him that is hard to put into words. Maybe as you watch these photos (Lord knows, I’m no photographer, just a birdwatcher who carries a camera) that you can sense the peace I have as I go birdwatching. Also, the Lord has given me a great husband that enjoys seeing these birds as well as I do and he IS a good photographer.

You can know this peace also, when you accept the Lord as your personal Savior.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 KJV)

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

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“I’d Rather Have Jesus” by Sean Fielder (from Faith Baptist Church)

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The photos in this slideshow and the ones on the other site are not quite the same.

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Morningbird – A Voice In The Morning

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Morningbird (Colluricincla tenebrosa) by Margaret Sloan

Morningbird (Colluricincla tenebrosa) by Margaret Sloan

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. (Psalms 5:3 KJV)

The Morningbird (Colluricincla tenebrosa) is a songbird species in the family Pachycephalidae. It is also known a “Brown Pitohui, Morning Bird, Morning Pitohui, Morningbird, Palau Morning Bird, Palau Morningbird, and Palau Pitohui” (Avibase) At the present time it is a bird of “Least Concern” but it is hard to find a photo of it. That is what caught my attention to it. I liked its name. A recording of the Morningbird by Todd Mark (xeno-canto) made a remark that it was the “first loud singer of dawn chorus.” That seems to be appropriate according to the name it has been given,

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. (Psalms 55:17 KJV)

Morningbird (Colluricincla tenebrosa) by Margaret Sloan

Morningbird (Colluricincla tenebrosa) by Margaret Sloan

The Morningbird is endemic to the islands of Babelthuap, Koror, Garakayo, Peleliu and Ngabad in Palau. Its natural habitat is deep primary tropical moist lowland forests. The species is non-migratory. It is apparently commoner on the smaller islands in its range. The feed principally on insects, but also take snails, berries, fruit, and seeds. They feed on or around the ground. Checking the internet, there are many birds called by that name because they sing in the morning, but very few photos. (Margaret Sloan just gave permission to use her photos of this bird, thanks.)

There are videos of a Morningbird Song. Most probably do not know that there actually is a “Morningbird.” Here is one verse of that song:

You are the blood of me
The harvest of my dreams
There’s nowhere I can find peace
And the silence won’t cease

Sorry, but just because a Morning Bird flew away, our lives should not be like those words. We can have peace and knowing the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior is the only real peace anyone really receives. He is the way to peace:

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:1-6 KJV)

Palau Morningbird Pitohui © Mandy Etpison

But to You I cry, O Lord; and in the morning shall my prayer come to meet You. (Psalms 88:13 AMP)

The Morningbird (Colluricincla tenebrosa) is a member of the Pachycephalidae – Whistlers and Allies Family. There are presently 58 species that are assigned to that family by the IOC. Others place it in the Colluricinclidae family according to Wikipedia, yet I can’t find much about that family. They are closely related to the Shrike-thrushes and some sources list it as a Pitohui

(Wikipedia and other internet sources)

Links:

Gospel Message

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Thoughts and Prayer for those in Newtown, CT

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And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 KJV)

Yesterday during our morning service at Faith Baptist Church in Winter Haven, FL, our pastor had some thoughts and prayer for those in Newtown, CT. They are not the only ones affected by what happened there this last week at the Sandy Fork Elementary School. I feel all of us here and around the world  find what happened hard to “get our minds around it.” We were all moved by what was said and prayed.

Here is that part of our service. I just wanted to share it and also let those who are affected by this know that you are in our prayers. We love you and feel your pain and sorrow. Lord Bless you with a peace that only He can give.

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(There is about a 2 minute spot where there is an echo, but it clears back up.)

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Birds of the Bible – Shelter in the Storm

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Under His Wings - ( Male Pink-necked Green Pigeon by Rik Seet)

Under His Wings – ( Male Pink-necked Green Pigeon by Rik Seet)

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by. (Psalms 57:1 NKJV)

In our devotions this morning, we read Psalm 57. The first verse caught my attention because of the shelter from the wings of a bird. Also, I just received again the above picture in an e-mail. Only about the 30th time I have received it. Apparently it is as precious to others as it is to me.

With the Hurricane – Superstorm Sandy just passing by the last few days, this is a good time to remember to put and keep our trust in the Lord.

The beginning of that verse has this title attached: “To the Chief Musician. Set to “Do Not Destroy.” a Michtam of David When He Fled from Saul into the Cave.” David was trying to hide from Saul, just as those up north have been trying to hide from that storm.

“David took refuge under the shelter of God’s wings. He stood “steadfast,” a term indicating firmness, certainty, and determination (v.7). His faith was not blown about by the wind. He clung tenaciously to God. That is why today’s psalm spends more time on the character off God than on the writer’s circumstances.’ (Today in the Word, Day 16, Psalms)

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise. (Psalms 57:7 NKJV)

Another quote, “the prayer (vv 1-4) emphasizes God’s character. He is merciful, protecting, caring, just, and faithful. The enemy may be “ravenous beasts,” but the psalmist can hide beneath His wings as a chick hides beneath a mother bird.”

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by. I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me. He shall send from heaven and save me; He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth His mercy and His truth. My soul is among lions; I lie among the sons of men Who are set on fire, Whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword.  (Psalms 57:1-4 NKJV)

Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) babies ©WikiC (Lukasz_Lukasik)

Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) babies ©WikiC (Lukasz_Lukasik)

Verses 5 and 11 “focuses our attention on God’s chief attribute–His glory and worthiness to be worshiped”

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be above all the earth. (Psalms 57:5 NKJV)

Our prayers and thoughts are with those going through this storm. We have been there in the midst of hurricanes before (Andrew, Charlie, Jean, Frances and those that passed near) and we know it is hard, but there is always a peace that only the Lord can give to get you through. Look to Him.

Wordless Birds

Birds of the Bible

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Birds Versus Hurricanes

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Brown Pelican with broken wing from a hurricane CC

Brown Pelican with broken wing from a hurricane ©©

Here is a link to a very interesting blog from eNature about hurricanes and birds. With Hurricane Irene coming along the coast many will be wondering about the welfare of the birds.

What Happens To Birds When Hurricanes Hit? | Blog | eNature.

While searching for other articles about birds in the storm or hurricane, I found this YouTube produced by Pastor Mark L Johnson of Liberty Hill Baptist Church. It has a great message.

Also, remember:

…Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. (Psalms 57:1 ESV)
Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
(Luke 12:24 KJV)

Birds in Hymns – 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.

For the whole hymn – Click Here

Other articles about this include:

How Birds Stay Safe During Hurricanes by Birding.com

The Secret Relationship Between Birds and Hurricanes by NPR

Where do birds go in a hurricane?

Hurricane Birds

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Birds of Encouragement

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Giant Petrel with chicks

Giant Petrel with chicks WikiC

With all the turmoil going on, it’s time to bring out the Birds of Encouragement again. As you look around right now, it seems that many things of discouragement abound. Our American stock prices are falling speedily as are other countries stocks. People are starving and the bad guys won’t even let the food get to the ones who need it. London is burning up because of violence, etc., etc., etc. The worst thing I read this week was this article http://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/articles/193371/20110805/china-dead-baby-pill-stamina-booster-cannibal-placenta.htm . How far will human depravity go? How long will people try to do what is “right in their own eyes?”

Where do you look for encouragement? If you put your trust in money, it has a way of disappearing. If you think your home or business is secure, it could go up in smoke. If you think you have plenty to eat, famines and starvation could come. What do you do when all around you is falling apart?

Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? (Luke 12:24 NKJV)

Comparing all the versions, they either say “consider”, “contemplate”, “Look at”, or “Give thought to.” They don’t have stocks, or houses, or businesses, or storehouses, YET, they are fed. By who? God.

Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) at Nest by Anthony747

Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) at Nest by Anthony747

The Bible says we are of more value than the birds. If God takes care of them, will He not much more take care of us? But maybe you don’t believe that there is a God. You may just think you got here by chance. That you just got here through millions of years of chance. If so, then this promise will not mean much to you. You will just be “toughing it out” on your own.

For those of us who believe in God as the Creator, and that He has sent His Son to be our Savior, we know that all of these things that are happening are in His control. We also know that He cares about every aspect of our lives, whether we have food, and clothes. We also know that:

Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. (Luke 12:23 NKJV)

That passage, Luke 12:23-31, also tells us to:

Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. (Luke 12:27-31 NKJV)

We do not worship birds or lilies, but we are to look at how they are provided for and that God is willing and able to provide for us also. BUT, we are to seek God, not ignore Him or deny that He exists.

A friend sent me this photo from an email and I apologize for not giving proper credit, but it fits perfectly here.

Under His Wings - (Dove - photographer unknown)

Under His Wings - (Dove - photographer unknown)

Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings, (Psalms 17:8 NKJV)
How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. (Psalms 36:7 NKJV)
He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. (Psalms 91:4 NKJV)
Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; (Matthew 23:36-38 NKJV)

Our pastor recently preached a sermon called “Kicking The Props Out From Under You“. This is a link to the audio of that message.

Our Savior, Jesus Christ, loves you and wants to become your own personal Savior also.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

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Birds in Hymns – The Garden of My Heart

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Superb Fruit Dove (Ptilinopus superbus) by Ian

Superb Fruit Dove (Ptilinopus superbus) by Ian

Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all. (Jeremiah 31:12 KJV)

Words & Music: Hal­dor Lil­le­nas, 1919

The Garden of My Heart


There’s a sacred and hallowed retreat,
Where my soul finds a fellowship sweet,
Where the Lord of my life I may meet,
In the garden of my heart.

Refrain

In the cool of the day He walks with me,
In the rose bordered way He talks with me;
In love’s holy union,
And sacred communion,
In the garden of my heart.

There is naught can disturb or molest,
There my spirit finds comfort and rest,
And my soul is no longer distressed
In the garden of my heart.

Refrain

Shut away from earth’s strife and its din,
And protected from soul staining sin,
For my Savior is dwelling within,
In the garden of my heart.

Refrain

There the dove of sweet peace always sings,
And my faith ever trustingly clings;
And the chime of sweet happiness rings
In the garden of my heart.

Refrain

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See more Birds in Hymns

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