Sinners and Jonathan Edwards (by Peter Brock)

I have just recently begun reading Jonathan Edward's sermon, "Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God", for the first time. I'm only two pages into the sermon and have already been deeply challenged. By all accounts, when Edwards preached the sermon on July 8, 1741 his delivery was careful and controlled so as to appeal to the minds of the hearers and not their emotions. His text was Deut. 32:35. Below is just a portion of the sermon. Hopefully it will whet your appetite to read more of the sermon from Edwards.

"There is nothing that keeps wicked men at any one moment out of hell, but the mere pleasure of God. By the mere pleasure of God, I mean his sovereign pleasure, which is not hindered or restrained by anything. It is only the sovereign will of God that preserves the life of the wicked person. Nothing else preserves the wicked for one moment except God's mere will."

Birds of the Bible - Osprey (by Lee Dusing)

And these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the osprey,

(Lev 11:13 KJV)
But these are they of which ye shall not eat: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the osprey,
(Deu 14:12 KJV)

The Osprey is another bird on the "Do Not Eat" list. Here in central Florida, we see Ospreys quite frequently. Their nest are usually noticeable on platforms placed for them. On a road between Eagle Lake and Bartow, (which I have renamed "Osprey Road") there is a nest in the V structure of almost every power distribution pole. There are at least 15-20 nests in about a mile or so. The Ospreys will show up after the first of the year and stay for about 4 months while they breed and raise their young.

The Osprey is in a family by itself. They widely distributed around the world. They are closely related to the Hawk and the Falcon. They are 21-24 inches long with a wingspan of 54-72 inches. The females are slightly larger and both look alike. Their diet is almost entirely fish, but they do eat small rodents and birds. When fishing, they fly 30 to 100 feet above the water and will hover when they find a fish. They will plunge into the water with their feet under them to catch the fish. "Rises from water with fish gripped in both feet, pauses in midair to shake water from plumage, and to arrange fish with head pointed forward, which reduces its resistance to air, flies with it to" perch or nest to feed young. Can carry up to four or more pounds.

God has designed the Osprey with several interesting features. Their feet have four equal length toes with "long, strong claws, curved about one third of a circle, and completely round." "The lower surface, or pads, of the toes are covered with spicules, which help it hold slippery fishes; also, it is the only hawk that has outer toe reversible as in owls; this enables it to grasp it prey with two toes in front, tow in back. Its plumage is compact, which helps blunt its impact and reduces wetting when it plunges in the water."

All quotes from (The Audubon Society Encyclopedia of North American Birds) and photos by Dan.

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Packer on Peace

Read the following words from J.I. Packer at least twice, they're that good.

What does the Gospel of God offer to us? If we say ‘the peace of God’, none will demur – but will everyone understand? The use of right words does not guarantee right thoughts! Too often the peace of God is thought of as if it were essentially a feeling of inner tranquility, happy and carefree, springing from knowledge that God will shield one from life’s hardest knocks. But this is a misrepresentation, for, on the one hand, God does not feather-bed His children in this way, and anyone who thinks He does is in for a shock, and, on the other hand, that which is basic and essential to the real peace of God does not come into this concept at all. The truths after which this account of God’s peace is feeling (though it misrepresents them, as we said) are that God’s peace brings both power to face, and live with, one’s own badness and failings, and also contentment under ‘the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune’ (for which the Christian name is God’s wise providence). The truth which this account ignores is that the basic pardon and acceptance into covenant – that is, adoption into God’s family. But where this change of relationship with God – out of hostility into friendship, out of wrath into the fullness of love, out of condemnation into justification – is not set forth, the gospel of peace is not truly set forth either. The peace of God is first and foremost peace with God; it is the state of affairs in which God, instead of being against us, is for us. No account of God’s peace which does not start here can do other than mislead. One of the miserable ironies of our time is that whereas liberal and ‘radical’ theologians believe themselves to be re-stating the gospel for today, they have for the most part rejected the categories of wrath, guilt, condemnation, and the enmity of God, and so have made it impossible for themselves ever to present the gospel at all, for they cannot now state the basic problem which the gospel of peace solves.

J.I. Packer, Knowing God, Chapter 18, The Heart of the Gospel, section VIII, p. 176.

Birds of the Bible - The Bird Feeder I (by Lee Dusing)

While thinking about bird feeders and how birds approach them to eat, I started comparing that to how we approach the Word of God.

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: (1Pe 2:2)

Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. (Psa 119:140)
I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. (Psa 119:162)
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psa 119:105)
How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Psa 119:103)

Here are some of my thought about birds at my feeders:

Hummingbird Feeders (Hummingbirds and Orioles)

• Defend It - could be protictive of the Word or keep chasing off others and become distracted.
• Share It (sometimes) - Found nutrition and wants to share it
• Drink on the Wing - In a hurry, made that way
• Sit Sometimes - Enjoy it and reflect
• Keep Returning Often - Can't get enough, or realzes that it's worth returning to often, needs it to live.
• Deep Drink or Sip In-and-out - Long reading or get 'N' go)

Suet Feeders (Woodpeckers, Titmice, Nuthatches, etc 

• Cling to it - (no landing perch) Hangs on to it
  
• Hang On It - even upside down - From different angles, study word, checking all verses

Regular Feeders (Most birds)

• Some eat until stuffed (Doves)
• Some take one piece and fly off
• Some stuff seed in crop and go feed others
• Some chase others away - even if not eating themselves
• Some crowd in and push others away
• Some pick and choose - just want part of Word or sermons
• Some throw seed to the ground in their search
• Some wait underneath to get scraps (ground feeders) - Consider it "food from Above"

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. (Psa 19:7-11 KJV)

All pictures taken by Dan.

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Birds of the Bible - God's Care For Birds (by Lee Dusing)

But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: (Job 12:7 KJV) Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven? (Job 35:11 KJV)

God has promised that He will watch over the birds of the air to see that they are fed.

Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat. (Job 38:41 KJV)
He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry. (Psa 147:9 KJV)
Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. (Luk 12:6-7 KJV)

Let the "Birds of the Air" teach us to put our trust in the Lord especially with the difficult times that are facing us today. With the economy, finances, jobs, problems, health, and other pressures pressing on us, look to the Lord, our Saviour, King, Ruler, Creator, and the All Mighty God who cares about every aspect of our lives and wants to provide all for us. He loves the birds, but He loves and cares so much more about us.

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (Mat 6:25-34 KJV

God Will Take Care of You

Be not dismayed whate'er betide,
God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.

Refrain:
God will take care of you,
Thro' ev'ry day, O'er all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you.

All you may need He will provide,
God will take care of you;
Trust Him, and you will be satisfied,
God will take care of you.

No matter what may be the test,
God will take care of you;
Lean, weary one, upon His breast,
God will take care of you.

Psalm 63:7
Author: Civilla D. Martin, 1869-1948
Musician: W. Stillman Martin, 1862-1935

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Birds of the Bible - Hawks (by Lee Dusing)

Hawks are roughly divided into two groups: Buteos and Accipiters. The "Buteos are chunky hawks with broad wings and short, wide tails. They may soar for hours...with hardly a flap of their wings, and often perch in the open." "Accipiters are slim hawks with relatively short rounded wings and long tails. They are in the woods, and "pursue prey with stealth and agility." Quotes from p.108, Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America.

And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind, (Lev 11:16 and Deu 14:15 KJVR)

"Large hawks were numerous in Palestine. The largest were 2 ft. long, have flat heads, hooked beaks, strong talons and eyes appearing the keenest and most comprehensive of any bird. They can sail the length or breadth of the Holy Land many times a day. It is a fact worth knowing that mist and clouds interfere with the vision of birds and they hide, and hungry and silent wait for fair weather, so you will see them sailing and soaring on clear days only. These large hawks and the glede are of eagle-like nature, nesting on Carmel and on the hills of Galilee, in large trees and on mountain crags. They flock near Beersheba, and live in untold numbers in the wilderness of the Dead Sea." (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)

The Buteos in North America are:Red-tailed Hawk (19", wingspan 50", with a red tail)
Rough-legged Hawk (21", wingspan 53")
Ferruginous Hawk (23", wingspan 56", our largest buteo)
Broad-winged Hawk (16", wingspan 34", crow-sized, soars with wings flat)

Red-shouldered Hawk (17", wingspan 40", red shoulders and chest)

Gray Hawk (17", wingspan 36" )
Swainson's Hawk (19", wingspan 51", brown chest-band)
White-tailed Hawk (20", wingspan 51", soars with wings in a V)
Short-tailed Hawk (16", wingspan 36", small with big-headed look)
Harris Hawk (21", wingspan 46", black tail with white base and tip)
Zone-tailed Hawk (20", wingspan 51", broad white band on tail)
Common Black Hawk (20", wingspan 50", very broad wings)
Accipiters ('built for agility and burst of speed") are:
Sharp-shinned Hawk (12", wingspan 25")
Cooper's Hawk (18", wingspan 32")
Northern Goshawk (22", wingspan 43")

For more pictures see Birds of the Bible Hawks on my blog.

Titus 2:11-14 (by Peter Brock)

I love the truths in these verses. They begin with grace. They then move to Christ's past work in salvation, how we are to magnify Christ with our lives today, and then they point us toward our future hope.

11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,

12training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.