Remember (by Stephen Simpson)

This past Sunday evening I preached a message for our Lord's Supper service. In that message I emphasized the phrase "do this in remembrance of me" and gave 9 things that we are to remember when we gather around the Lord's Table.

1. Remember that Jesus came to this earth for a specific purpose. (Matt. 20:28 & 1 Tim. 1:15)
2. Remember that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life.
3. Remember that you and I were born totally depraved. (Rom. 3:10, 23)
4. Remember that blood had to be shed for our sin. (Heb. 9:22)
5. Remember that Jesus Christ was betrayed.
6. Remember that Christ died 'for us.' (1 Cor. 11:24, 15:3, 2 Cor. 5:21, Gal. 3:13)
7. Remember the horrible suffering that Christ endured. (Is. 53; John 19)
8. Remember that Christ restrained Himself.
9. Remember that Christ's death satisfied the wrath of God.

May we always remember the death of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Birds of the Bible - Eagles II (by Lee Dusing)

Since today is the Fourth of July, what better bird to feature than our Bald Eagle. I have decided to re-post the Birds of the Bible-Eagles, with a few updates. Here in North America we have the Bald Eagle (our National symbol) and the Golden Eagle. The Bald Eagle’s "bald spot" doesn't appear until they are 4 or 5 years old and develop a white head and tail. The Bald Eagle is only in North America. In Israel you might see a Short-toed Eagle, Great or Lesser Spotted Eagle, Steppe, Imperial, Golden, Booted, or Bonelli’s Eagle.



I love to watch an eagle flying; it stops me in my tracks. We are lucky here in Polk County to have many this time of the year. (Update: It's now Summer and most have gone north until Fall.) Stay alert and also visit the South Lake Howard Nature Center to see a pair sitting either on the tower or at the nest. Ask most anyone there and they will point out the nest. (Update: They did not produce any eaglets this spring, but the nest is still there.)



Eagle on Tower Near Lake Howard and Eagle in Nest at Lake Howard Nature Park.

• Job 9:26 – “Like an eagle swooping on its prey.”
• Pro 30:19 – “The way of an eagle in the air”
• Jer 49:22 – “fly like the eagle, and shall spread his wings”
• Hab 1:8 - “They fly as the eagle that hastens to eat.”
• Pro 23:5 –“They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.”
• A great eagle with great wings, long-winged, full of feathers
• As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings
• From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off

An African Eagle

“Birds display a wide range of patterns in flight. Swifts and swallows use a fast, gliding motion. Ducks and geese have sustained, powerful flight. Birds of prey such as eagles and falcons usually catch their targets by swooping from high in the sky, capturing their victims after a swift dive—which may reach speeds of 250 kilometers an hour (165 mph). As the bird swoops to the ground, it spreads its powerful wings to act as a brake.” (“Created to fly,” Creation 16(3), June 1994)

Click link to see a Bald eagle hovering and landing on rock.

Bald Eagle hovering and landing


For those of us in the “older generation,” Job 9:25-26 (NKJV) reminds us that we need to stay active for our Lord because our life passes by swiftly. "Now my days are swifter than a runner; They flee away, they see no good. They pass by like swift ships, Like an eagle swooping on its prey.”



A few more facts about eagles:

• Eagles are mentioned in hymns such as:
  
  They That Wait Upon the Lord –“They shall mount up with wings as eagles:”
  
  The Mercy Seat – “Ah, there on eagle wings we soar,”
  
  Art Thou Afraid? – “On eagles' wings they mount, they soar, Their wings are faith and love,”
• In Israel, the eagle is the largest bird and has an eight foot wing span.
• There are at least 25 verses in the Bible that mention the eagle.
• The eagle is an "unclean" bird.

Today may be Independence Day here in the United States, but there is One we should never declare our Independence from, because:

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31 NKJV)

VBS Summary (by Stephen Simpson)

In case you missed Sunday night's VBS report, here are some unique statistics about VBS.

• Wednesday of VBS was our largest day with 244 kids who came.
• We had over 275 different kids registered for VBS.
• Our offering for the week was $1055.32. This included 86 rolls of pennies, 20 rolls of nickels, 23 rolls of dimes, & 24 rolls of quarters.
• About 20 ladies attended our MUM's class.
• Over 3000 cookies were willingly consumed.
• Several children made a profession of faith in Christ.

We are praising the Lord for all He did during VBS.

Birds of the Bible - Cormorant (by Lee Dusing)

Last week's Bittern blog mentioned Isaiah 34:11,

"But the cormorant and the bittern shall possess it; the owl also and the raven shall dwell in it: and he shall stretch out upon it the line of confusion, and the stones of emptiness."

That verse, along with Leviticus 11:17 and Zephaniah 2:14, put the cormorant on the "unclean" list and predicts of the destruction of Nineveh, where only the animals and birds will inhabit the city. Again, God has created and provided for another interesting bird kind.
We have the Double-crested Cormorant in this area at our many lakes. Here in North America, we have the Brandt's, Neotropic, Great, Red-faced and Pelagic Cormorants. Worldwide there are 36 species. A very close relative see here is the Anhinga. Many of the cormorants live and fly over the oceans.
An interesting article from Institute for Creation Research, "Water, Water Everywhere ... And Not A Drop To Drink," by Donna L. O'Daniel, mentions the Double-Crested Cormorant in, "Avian Salt Glands"

"But seabirds have their own desalinization systems to deal with excess salt taken in by drinking seawater and feeding in the ocean, in the form of glands that lie inshallow depressions in or above the eye sockets....
The avian salt gland has made it possible for seabirds not only to exist but to maintain homeostasis in an otherwise hostile environment. Truly, 'the salt gland is one of the most effective ion transport systems known.' But how did such a system arise? There are only two possible explanations for the origin of avian salt glands: Either they evolved along with the birds themselves, or they were created within the birds by God as He spoke the feathered creatures into existence (Genesis 1:21)."

Another article From Creation Matters - Volume 8, Number 1 January / February 2003 states:
Let the Birds of the Heavens Tell You
"Domesticated cormorants have been used for centuries in the Orient to catch fish for human consumption (Hoh and Leachman, 1998). Several families in Wucheng, China, carry out a brisk fishing business by letting these highly skilled, winged fishers do their work for them. With a wood block on a long bamboo pole, the human fisherman brings back his cormorant from the water as it delivers a freshly caught fish in its beak. Such fishing at Wucheng was better years ago, but recently one of the fishermen reported catching anywhere between 10 pounds and 100 pounds in a day by using cormorants."

Pictures of Double-crested Cormorants, by Dan, Lake John Rockery in Lakeland

Birds of the Bible - Bittern (by Lee Dusing)

In North America we have the American (23” with a 42-50” wingspan) and Least Bittern (11-14” with a 16-18” wingspan). Both dwell in marsh or wetland habitats and are very difficult to find. God has designed them with plumage and behavior (standing very still with the head pointing up) that helps camouflage them. They eat frogs, small fish, snakes and bugs, etc.
The bittern is an interesting find in the Bible.

I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water: and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the LORD of hosts. (Isa 14:23)

Again judgment is being given and the names of the new inhabitants are given. Only the birds will dwell there.

But the cormorant and the bittern shall possess it; the owl also and the raven shall dwell in it: and he shall stretch out upon it the line of confusion, and the stones of emptiness. (Isa 34:11)
Ninevah will be barren and the bittern and pelican will be singing from the vacant windows. The herds shall lie down in her midst, Every beast of the nation. Both the pelican and the bittern Shall lodge on the capitals of her pillars; Their voice shall sing in the windows; Desolation shall be at the threshold; For He will lay bare the cedar work. (Zep 2:14)

American Bittern Picture with permission from Gramps (Les)

A YouTube of a Bittern. I do not know the language, but it shows how the Bittern is camouflaged so well.

Birds of the Bible - Under His Wing (by Lee Dusing)

This week’s Birds of the Bible will divert from the introduction of a specific bird to a part of the bird. We had the privilege several weeks ago to visit a “rookery,” (a place where many birds have nests and raise their young. The Wood Storks had their wings spread out to keep the sun off of their young, which is a common behavior of birds. Birds also use their wings to protect them when danger is nearby and for warmth. It reminded me of the many Scripture references and songs about the protection or shadow of the wings.
Psalms 61:3-4 (KJV), says, “For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle forever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah. “
Covert as defined by the Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
–adjective
concealed; secret; disguised; covered; sheltered.

–noun

a covering;
cover; a shelter or hiding place; concealment or disguise
Also called tectrix one of the small feathers that cover the bases of the large feathers of the wings and tail.

Just a few of the Scriptures are:

Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings, From the wicked who oppress me, From my deadly enemies who surround me. (Psalms 17:8-9 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)
To the Chief Musician. Set to "Do Not Destroy." a Michtam of David When He Fled from Saul into the Cave. 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)
Because You have been my help, Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. (Psalms 63:7 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 91:3 NKJV)

The wing has been mentioned in many hymns such as:
God Will Take Care of You – (by Civilla D. Martin, 1869-1948)
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

Under His Wings (by William O. Cushing, 1823-1902)
Under His wings I am safely abiding;
Tho' the night deepens and tempests are wild.
Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me;
He has redeemed me, and I am His child.

Refrain:
Under His wings, under His wings,
Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
Safely abide forever.

Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!
How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
There I find comfort, and there I am blest.

Under His wings, O what precious enjoyment!
There will I hide till life's trials are o'er;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me;
Resting in Jesus I'm safe evermore.

Two other hymns that mention the wings are:
Praise Ye the Lord!
Praise ye the Lord, who o'er all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen How thy desires e'er have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?
And,
God Be with You Till We Meet Again
God be with you till we meet again;
'Neath His wings protecting hide you,
Daily manna still provide you;
God be with you till we we meet again.

Father's Day (by Stephen Simpson)

Sunday is Father's Day. It is a time for all of us to honor and remember our fathers. As I think about Father's Day I approach it in two different ways.

First, I think of my father, Gary Simpson. My father is my hero. He has set an incredible example of Godliness for me to follow. He has loved my mother for almost 40 years of marriage. He has loved me and my brother and he loves our wives and our children. He has supported me in everything I have ever done. I have never been ashamed of my father. I have never been embarrassed by my father. I have always highly respected my father. When I think of him, I pray that I will be just like him. So, as I approach Father's Day, my first thought is to honor my father. I love him. I appreciate him. I respect him. I honor him.

My second approach to Father's Day is to consider my own role as a father. This will be my second Father's Day as a father. This day reminds me of my tremendous responsibility to be a Godly father to my daughter Abigail and any future children that the Lord blesses me with. Father's Day serves as a wake-up call. It causes me to evaluate the job I've done as father over the past year. It causes me to pray that I will do a better job this year.

As I approach Father's Day, I pray that one day my children will look at me in the same way that I look at my father.

From Khrushchev to the USS Tang and Lots of Other Stuff (by Peter Brock)



Summer is here and it's time to grab a good book. After spending time in the Word of God, I really enjoy finding a book that interests and/or challenges me. I am presently reading through The Day of Battle and Why We're Not Emergent: By Two Guys Who Should Be. I hope to move to another book on my list soon. The Discerning Reader has some very interesting books in it's latest book review as well. Take some time to look through the lists and I'm sure that you'll find something that will challenge, encourage, or teach you something.

Birds of the Bible - Glede and Kite (by Lee Dusing)

This week I am presenting two species, mainly because of the similarity between them. Again, these birds are from the lists of "unclean" birds. The Glede mentioned in Deut. 14:13 is interpreted as Glede, Red Kite, or Vulture, depending on which copy of the Bible you use. When "Googling", most articles list the Glede as extinct or a Kite.

Red Kite

(KJV) And the glede, and the kite, and the vulture after his kind,
(NASB) and the red kite, the falcon, and the kite in their kinds,
(NKJV) the red kite, the falcon, and the kite after their kinds;

The Kite is also mentioned in:

Leviticus 11:14 KJV) And the vulture, and the kite after his kind;

That said, the Glede and Kite:

• In the "Falconiformes Order" which includes Hawks, Eagles, Falcons, Kites, etc.
• Have large hooked bills
• Very good eyesight used for finding prey while soaring
• Are known to eat carrion

"The kite is a migratory bird that stays in Israel during the summer, especially in the mountains of southern Judea, in the trackless wasted west of the Dead Sea, and in the wilderness of Beersheba.
The red kite or glede is a medium-sized bird of prey. The edges of the upper part of the bill overlap with the lower one, forming sharp scissors. The tail is forked or cleft like that of a fish. Its loud cry often includes sharp whistling notes. Other Holy Land species include the black kite and the black-winged kite." Tyndall Bible Dictionary

In Central Florida, we see the Swallow-tailed Kite.

Birds of the Bible - Swan (by Lee Dusing)

Swans are birds of the family Anatidae, which also includes geese and ducks. Swans usually mate for life. The number of eggs in each clutch ranges from three to eight.In North America we have at least four swans: Mute (60”), Trumpeter (60”), Tundra (52”), and Whooper (60”). There is also a Black Swan of Australia and a Black-necked Swan in South America. Swans are large, long-necked waterbirds that have a short duck-like bill and short legs. Many are seen on ponds, lakes, reservoirs and coastal bays. The Mute Swans are semi-domesticated. The Tundra Swan is sometime split into two species, Bewick’s and Whistling Swans.
The Swan is listed in Leviticus and Deuteronomy in the list of “unclean” birds.

And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier-eagle, (Leviticus 11:18 KJV)
The little owl, and the great owl, and the swan, (Deuteronomy 14:16 KJV)

Mute Swan pictures (click on for larger view) taken at Bok Sanctuary in Lake Wales. They were irritated because the worker was mowing the grass beside the water and they kept following him back and forth. They had their wings arched back in frustration, but we thought they were beautiful like what I think “angel’s wings” might look like.

Birds of the Bible - Cranes (by Lee Dusing)

The 15 species of Cranes worldwide are: Black Crowned, Black-necked, Brolga, Demoiselle, Eurasian, Grey Crowned, Hooded, Red-Crowned, Sandhill, Sarus(tallest flying bird-6’ tall), Siberian, Wattled, White-naped, and the Whooping Crane(tallest N. American flying bird-5’ tall). A link to pictures and information about these cranes is at: International Crane Foundation

Cranes are tall birds from 3 to 6 feet tall, with wingspans over 6 feet. They fly with their neck straight out and their long legs trailing. They chatter and call when flying. We have plenty of Sandhill Cranes here in Central Florida walking around the neighborhoods. They seem pretty tame sometimes and will eat out of your hand. They have been bringing a small flock of Whooping Cranes to Florida every fall that follow an Ultra Light Aircraft from Wisconsin. We have a few non-migratory Whooping Cranes in the area that I have seen in a cow field off US 27.

Sandhill Cranes and Babies in our yard

Cranes migrate by following known paths taught them by their parents, or substitutes. Migrating birds know when and where to go and when to come. When God created them, He put that information in them. Plans are for a future blog about migration.

Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail with looking upward: O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me. (Isaiah 38:14 KJV)

"So did I chatter - … The idea here is doubtless that of pain that was expressed in sounds resembling that made by birds - a broken, unmeaning unintelligible sighing; or quick breathing, and moaning. " Barnes Commentary

Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD. (Jeremiah 8:7 KJV)

"The instinct of the migratory birds leads them with unfailing regularity to return every spring from their winter abodes in summer climes (Son_2:12); but God’s people will not return to Him even when the winter of His wrath is past, and He invites them back to the spring of His favor."
Jameison, Faussett, and Brown Commentary

Sandhill Cranes(grey) at the Plate River and some Whooping Cranes(white)

God is Not Great...Huh? (by Peter Brock)

Today I want to direct your attention to a subject that, as believers in a self-existent God, is vital for us to understand in today's culture. I'm referring to the "new atheism". Quoting from Al Mohler's book, Atheism Remix, "The New Atheists, are in their own way, evangelistic in intent and ambitious in hope. They see atheism as the only plausible worldview for our times, and they see belief in God as downright dangerous." Men such as Richard Dawkins (The God Delusion) and Christopher Hitchens (God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything) are just two of the men that are actively and stridently spreading the New Atheist agenda. Allow me to quote again from Al Mohler's book as he sums up the argument. "Evangelical Christians simply cannot surrender biblical authority, propositional revelation, and biblical theism in order to meet the various challenges presented to us in the twenty-first century. In the end, the existence of the supernatural, self-existent, and self-revealing God is the only adequate starting point for Christian theology. God possesses all of the perfections revealed in Scripture, or there is no coherent theology presented in the Bible... The New Atheists are certainly right about one very important thing—it’s atheism or biblical theism. There is nothing in between.Let me challenge you to think through this matter from a biblical perspective, and as you do, may you grow more in love with Yahweh, our almighty self-existent God.