Thursday, January 31, 2008

Migrating Geese - January 31, 2008


The Canadian Goose gander (male) struts before his mate. The pond had about 20 visiting geese who were not as relaxed as the geese who spend the summer in the pool.

Prov 20:29 The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head.

They were suspicious of my intentions and soon took flight.

Deu 32:30 How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?



Three geese showing the graceful and powerful wings in flight.

2 Pet 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.



One group flew towards me for this lovely view. Strength and beauty, magnifying the glory of their creator.

Isa 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
Isa 12:3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
Isa 12:4 And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.
Isa 12:5 Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.





Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Buzzard Bazaar - January 22, 2008

We call it a Buzzard, but the book calls it a Turkey Vulture, because of the turkey like red face. Maybe a redneck? It has no vocal organ, its only vocalizations are grunts or low hisses.

Zec 10:7 And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the LORD.
Zec 10:8 I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased.
Zec 10:9 And I will sow them among the people: and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and turn again.


The wings are beautiful as it takes flight. They range from Southern Canada to the bottom of South America.

Isa 40:31 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.


The Vulture has a keen sense of smell, eating dead animals and fish. The feathers look somewhat like a turkey. They may live in the wild up to 16 years. He beats his wings as he climbs higher.

Psa 61:2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Psa 61:3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.




The wings span is about 6 feet, as it soars in the air currents. They resemble the eagle from a distance.

Psa 17:6 I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.
Psa 17:7 Show thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.
Psa 17:8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,




Tuesday, January 15, 2008

The Great Blue Heron - January 14, 2008



My old friend Henry, the Blue Heron with a lump in his throat, cannot believe it is me out early on a frosted morning. Herons eat small fish, occasionally they choke on fish too large to swallow. Jesus used small fish to feed a multitude, twice.

John 6:9 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
John 6:10 And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
John 6:11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
John 6:12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
John 6:13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.




There were several Herons seen as I walked around the ponds this morning. This one looks like a porter guarding the ducks, perhaps from me, a stranger as they pass by.

John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
John 10:2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
John 10:3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
John 10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
John 10:5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.



A River Otter feasts on a bass, as the heron watches from the distance. Who is this ugly rat tailed competitor? There were several Otters in the pond that was once the home of the beavers.

Mal 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Mal 3:11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.




A Heron flies from my approach; the friendship is one sided. They nest in trees. Half of their young do not survive the first year. The life span of these Herons is 15 years. They range from Alaska to Mexico and the West Indies. The cold winter mornings bring them closer, perhaps because there are fewer walkers with their barking dogs. I find it hard to get up in the cold to walk, but I am rewarded by doing so. Come on Henry, just one hug? Why do you keep flying away? Perhaps another day?

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

Monday, January 14, 2008

After The Storm - January 14, 2008



The winter storm blew apart a warehouse behind my work place. Looking up; a view of the distant mountains shows them all covered with snow in the pink morning light. It is rare that all the surrounding mountains are covered with snow. The snow did not come where we are. When storms come, look up.

Psa 5:2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.
Psa 5:3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
Psa 5:4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.

Isa 25:7 And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the veil that is spread over all nations.
Isa 25:8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.

Frost on the top of my car formed a skeletal pattern. Even ice shows the art work of our Lord.

Job 37:9 Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.
Job 37:10 By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.



Power was out for most homes in our Northern California area, from the 70 mph wind. Some homes were without power for five days. An Osprey suns himself in the afternoon sun.

Psa 37:35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
Psa 37:36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
Psa 37:37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.
Psa 37:38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
Psa 37:39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.
Psa 37:40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.



New grass and new kids, enjoy the beginning of life. It is a new year, so let's make the most of it. Storms of life come and go, but we know who is in control. Our Father has us in his hand and he places us where we may serve him. These baby goats are at a farm on the road leaving the park.

Gen 27:9 Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth:
Gen 27:10 And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his death.

Heb 9:13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?