Bird

The Bird Was Watching Me

/ Bill Jones / 2 Comments
Bird Watching Me

Bird Watching Me

“For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird,” Proverbs 1:17 ESV

Not sure if the bird is watching me (I wasn’t spreading a net, just taking a picture) or happened to look my way. But, it does show why this proverb is true. It’s useless to try to snare a bird if they see what you’re doing.

“but these men lie in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives. Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of its possessors.” Proverbs 1:18-19 ESV

But then, the real point is made – those who are greedy for unjust gain, set traps for themselves, and walk straight in, even though they see the end coming.

God’s Faithfulness – Springtime is Here!

/ Bill Jones / 4 Comments
Dogwood, Cardinal and Springtime

Dogwood, Cardinal and Springtime

Some of our Winter days were more like Spring than the days since Spring began last week – it’s been wet and a bit cool (though,nowhere near as cold as some of you were). But, there are definitely signs of the change  in seasons – with trees and azaleas blooming everywhere. God’s faithfulness continues (Great is Thy Faithfulness!).

Sharon pointed this shot out to me – the dogwood blooms, bird feeder, fence and pump house.  “And wouldn’t it be great to get a cardinal in it!”.  So, when I went outside to take the shot,  the cardinal and the Lord blessed it.

It made me think of how the Lord blesses us even when we’re not expecting it. All the little (and big) surprises He gives us  if we just pay attention. What a wonderful God we have!

“O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.” Psalms 117 KJV

Was That Bird Smoking a Cigar?

/ Bill Jones / 4 Comments
Female Cardinal with Seed

Female Cardinal with Seed

No, this little lady didn’t stop by the back yard to enjoy a cigar – it just looks that way. Looks like an imitation of Edward G Robinson, or maybe Bugs Bunny with a carrot. Either way it’s an interesting shot that looks like she was posing.

As with all of God’s great Creation, there is so much beauty, wonder and delight. How marvelous!

“So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:21 ESV

Bible Study – Cherish the Knowns, Work on the Unknowns

/ Bill Jones / 7 Comments
Three unknowns

Three unknowns

Since I’ve started a bit of “birding” in the backyard, I’m discovering just how many unknowns I have. Here are three unknowns that decided to get a bite to eat at the same time. I thought I was fairly knowledgeable from my Boy Scout days (which I admit was quite a while ago), but, I’ve gone beyond my knowledge level of the cardinals, mockingbirds, and bluebirds – and realized my ignorance.

When I say “gone beyond”, though, I don’t mean I’ve forgotten them. I have learned that we have the Northern Cardinals, Northern Mockingbirds, and Eastern Bluebirds. But, whether I knew the more specific name or not, the bright red of the male cardinals will always make them a favorite of mine. The songs of the mockingbirds are beautiful, and the blue of the bluebirds is amazing.

It reminded me of Bible Study. As we’ve heard and read the Bible through the years, we’ve probably had more exposure to the well known, and appropriately well loved, verses and passages – “For God so loved the world..”, “The Lord is my Shepherd…”, the Christmas and Easter stories, etc. But, it’s also probable that even though they are familiar, the Holy Spirit has given us additional insight, understanding, and application of these passages at different times. By continuing to study and listen, we learn more about what we thought we knew completely.

And, if we expand what we read and hear to include the whole Bible, we learn more about our glorious God. Things we may have had in the back of our mind become clearer because there is wisdom throughout the entire Bible.

Thanks to help from some of you, I’ve learned of the Pine Siskin and the Chipping Sparrow, and now can enjoy my knowledge of them also. But, the red of the male cardinal will always be a favorite and the blue of the bluebird will always be amazing. As we search the Scriptures, we will discover more verses that will become cherished – but we will always rejoice and be comforted and amazed that “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life” John 3:16 NKJV