Bird, Faithful Unto Death. Black Skimmers. Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. Update.

 

For "Scripture Sunday":

Faithful Unto Death

An Amazing Fact: "After a forest fire in Yellowstone Park, a National Geographic photographer joined some forest rangers on their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno’s damage. As they hiked through the burnt forest, the photographer found a scorched bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree. Somewhat curious of the eerie sight, he gently struck at the bird with his boot. When he did, three tiny chicks scurried out from under their dead mother’s wings.

The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had led her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise. She could have flown to safety but refused to abandon her chicks. When the blaze arrived and the heat scorched her small body, the mother remained steadfast. Because she was willing to die, those under the cover of her wings would live.

The mother bird’s instinct to protect her young at the cost of her own life describes a quality infrequently found among humans. During the shootings in the Aurora, Colorado, movie theater this last year, some people ran for their lives, leaving their own children behind. But others threw themselves over their family at the cost of their own lives.

It reminds me of the Bible verse: “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16).
Jesus did not hesitate to give His life for a world soon to be enveloped in an unquenchable forest fire. Christ wept out the words, “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!” (Matthew 23:37). Our Savior stretched out His arms over us, to shield us from the penalty of sin. Christ died in order that we might live.

The picture of a mother hen quietly sitting over her cute brood of little peeping chicks makes us smile. But the picture of Calvary is like the bird that died in the fire at Yellowstone, with outstretched wings, faithful unto death."
KEY BIBLE TEXTS
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
- Psalms 91:4

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Black Skimmers

An Amazing Fact: "Black skimmers are graceful black and white gull-like birds. They get the name “skimmer” because the birds love to fly just above the surface of the water, with their lower bill skimming through the water for fish. Skimmers have elliptical-shaped eye pupils that allow them to tolerate the bright sun on the sand or shell surfaces where they love to rest and nest.

In 1968 a flock of 38 black skimmers decided to set up housekeeping on a large Dow Chemical parking lot made of oyster shells. The Texas chemical company was pleased to host the birds, hoping it would improve their environmental public image. Then one day someone removed the shells from the parking lot and the colony of black skimmers moved elsewhere. Removing the bird’s habitat caused a great deal of negative publicity for the chemical company, so Dow immediately ordered that the oyster shell parking lot be restored.

But the skimmers didn’t return. Dow consulted a wildlife expert who recommended placing a pair of plastic decoys on the shell surface. It worked! Soon, a few live skimmers noticed what appeared to be two of their own kind enjoying this new real estate, so they joined them. Eventually the lot was again covered with nesting skimmers. When left to
themselves skimmers will always face away from the wind. But when the decoys were placed with their head facing into the wind, the real skimmers copied them. And when the decoys were placed very close together and off by themselves, the real skimmers began their nesting rituals.

The Bible teaches that in the last days many will be led astray by false christs and false prophets. How can we tell the difference? We will not be deceived if we know the real from the fake. That comes from studying the Bible very carefully. When we are daily in the Word of God looking at Jesus, we will know the true from the false. Paul’s advice to Timothy sums it up well:   “But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them” (2 Timothy 3:13, 14).
KEY BIBLE TEXTS
For there shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
- Matthew 24:24

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Red-cockaded Woodpeckers at W.G. Jones State Forest, Conroe, TX.

"This video is an introduction to the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis). These birds live in mature pine forests in southeastern United States. You will learn about habitat requirements, see inside a nest cavity and see the banding of nestlings."

and more:

Vacuum Cleaner Improves Endangered Woodpecker Habitat

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If Dolly Parton had my money, she'd be flat busted!

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Update:

I am feeling a lot better and even had a yard sale on Friday.  There wasn't a lot of traffic, but at least it was shady, as we had installed a 10' x 20' canopy in front of my carport.   There were 3 seven foot long tables crossways under it.  Then three more tables were in my carport.  There were a few more tables behind the carport, in the sun, so nobody hardly looked at those items.  Mostly this yard sale was to sort out a bunch of stuff and gradually we will get it packed up to go to different places.

My son, Kevin came to visit Friday evening. He had just had some pins and a rod taken out of his leg from a tree-felling accident a few years ago.

Yesterday morning, Saturday, Ray, Jay and I went to the service at the church on FM 1097, and we enjoyed a great service and potluck. Not many there this Sabbath due to the holiday and sickness, but those who were present had a wonderful time together.

Today, Sunday, Ray pressure washed the side of the 2-sided carport where the yard sale items have been stored, before we pack what is left back up on the shelves there. Then we got items on the three tables under the canopy packed back up.  These things are the items that would sell better at the flea market. 

Even though we still have several tables to empty, we already have a few boxes of stuff for donating to different charities when we go to Conroe for shopping day.