Birds of the Bible - Swan Loyalty (Lee Dusing)

Black Swan nest at Lake Morton

Dan and I went to Lake Morton in Lakeland. The Swans were building nest all over the place. When we were there several months back, one of the couples was just starting their nest. Now it is quite huge and they have even put a fence around it.

Swans are one of the Birds of the Bible listed in Deuteronomy 14:16 and Leviticus 11:18 as being one of the unclean birds that the Israelites were not to eat.

And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle (Leviticus 11:18 KJV)

Here is an excerpt about the Swans and their loyalty to each other. This is from Creation Moments:
(I Corinthians 7:10) “Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband.”

"Most water fowl are faithful to one mate over long periods of time. However, the swan is a champion of marital fidelity.

In North America, they are called Whistling Swans or Tundra Swans. Another member of the same species is usually found in Europe and Asia, where it is called Bewick's Swan. Researchers report that each has a unique pattern of yellow and black on its bill, making individuals easy to identify. This allowed researchers to trace their lives over many years.

Mute Swan on Nest at Lake Morton

These beautiful creatures have relatively long life spans. One individual was traced for 26 years. Typically laying four eggs in nesting season, they breed for most of their lives. They are highly territorial. In a face-off for food or nesting area, the largest male is usually the winner. When there is a disagreement, the males face each other while their mates cheer them from the sidelines. Single swans enjoying a nice discovery of food are often driven off by couples. Couples are faithful for life. Researchers say that they have recorded no cases of divorce among successfully reproducing couples. Nor do they report any case of marital infidelity among swans. If a mate is lost, the survivor often takes over a year to settle down with another mate. In one case a survivor waited for six years.

Marital fidelity is also God's instruction to humans. Today many factors are allowed to challenge marital fidelity. Often infidelity before or after marriage is portrayed as simply normal. But if swans can manage fidelity, we humans have no excuse for infidelity."

For more information, go to:
Birds of the Bible - Swans Page
Experts stunned by swan 'divorce' at Slimbridge wetland
Bewick's Swans aka Tundra Swans

Congratulations to Pastor and Jill on 15 Years at FBC

 

March 1st, 2010, marked Pastor and Jill Osborne's 15th anniversary at Faith Baptist Church. We honored them with a special recognition service and gift.  Below you can view pictures from that service as well as a video that was shown.

Psalm 22 - The Psalm of the Cross (by Lou Gentry)

During the Easter and Christmas seasons, we hear much about the prophecies from the Old Testament which Christ fulfilled during these advents. Perhaps one of the least heard is the one found in Psalm 22, which some biblical editors have entitled, "Psalm of the Cross." In this psalm the writer, probably David, is figuratively describing the depth of his suffering; however, his thoughts were so shaped by the Holy Spirit that many of the actual details of the Lord's crucifixion are presented in verses 14-18. Some have said that while Isaiah 53 describes the theological significance of Christ's death, Psalm 22 relates the historical event itself.

What is amazing about these verses is that the torturous and inhumane method of execution by crucifixion did not exist at the time this psalm was written. Death by crucifixion was invented by the Persians around 600 B.C., hundreds of years after this psalm was written.

The specific fulfillment of prophecy within Psalm 22:14-18 include: "My tongue clings to My jaws" (v. 15) is a description of thirst, fulfilled in John 19:28; "They pierced My hands and My feet" (v. 16) denotes the cruel details of crucifixion, fulfilled in John 20:25; and, "They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots" (v. 18) is a description of the soldiers casting lots for the seamless robe of Christ, fulfilled in Matt. 27:35. This latter prophecy is almost as amazing as the one on crucifixion, in that some unbelievers maintain that Jesus deliberately tried to fulfill Old Testament prophecy in order to make Himself out to be the Messiah. however, even if one accepted this argument as it might apply to the other aspects of this psalm, the Roman soldiers (who were oblivious to the Scriptures) never intended to verity the veracity of the Bible by fulfilling prophecy. yet the psalmist accurately predicts the actions of these soldiers some 1,000 years before the Lord's death on the cross.

There can be no doubt that Jesus is the Messiah predicted in the numerous prophecies of the Old Testament.

Related Links:

• Listen to some Easter Sermons on our website

Birds of the Bible - Dove Eyes and Voice

Here are some interesting thoughts about the Eyes and Voice of a Dove. We recently had an Eurasian Collared Dove land in our yard today. What a lovely bird, with such a soft color. I always enjoy watching them.

The Eyes of A Dove:

How beautiful you are, my darling, How beautiful you are! Your eyes are like doves." (Song of Solomon 1:15 NASB)

Solomon is describing his love with terms that today we do not hear in that connection. How romantic to have your eyes compared to a dove's eyes. At first it seems rather weird, but when you know what dove's eyes actually look like, you realize that they ARE very beautiful.

Then she describes Solomon.

"His eyes are like doves Beside streams of water, Bathed in milk, And reposed in their setting. (Song of Solomon 5:12 NASB)

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible says of this verse, referring to the meekness of Christ:
"his eyes are like "doves' eyes"; not fierce and furious, but loving and lovely; looking upon his people, under all their trials and afflictions, with sympathy and concern, to deliver them out of them: and like the eyes of doves. "

The Voice of A Dove:
Then in chapter 2, Solomon goes on to use the dove again to describe her voice.

"Come, my shy and modest dove-- leave your seclusion, come out in the open. Let me see your face, let me hear your voice. For your voice is soothing and your face is ravishing." (Song of Solomon 2:14 MSG)

"It is fixed: She is stripped, she is carried away, And her handmaids are moaning like the sound of doves, Beating on their breasts." (Nahum 2:7 NASB)

Audio by Andrew Spencer of Mourning Dove's song.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible says, "as with the voice of doves, tabering upon their breasts; mourning like doves, inwardly and secretly, not daring to express their sorrow more publicly, because of their enemies; but knocking and beating upon their breasts, as men do upon tabrets or drums, thereby expressing the inward grief of their minds; see Eze_7:16."

Audio of Mourning Dove beating its wings by Andrew Spencer

Sounds are from Xeno-canto.org

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See the Dove and Pigeons Page
Doves are in the Columbidae Family of the Columbiformes Order

Birds of the Bible - Fowl of Every Wing

In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell. (Ezekiel 17:23 KJV)

Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias) by Lee at Zoo

The phrase "Fowl (or Birds) of Every Wing" caught my interest. Remembering the article I recently wrote about the Sunbittern with it's beautiful wings, I thought that might be neat to show some of the other bird's fancy wings. Also, since I have been busy updating the Birds of the World pages, I thought that showing different birds from around the world would be interesting for you. But, first, what is that verse referring to anyway?

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible summarized Ezekiel 17:23 as a future prophecy referring to Christ,
"In the mountain of the height of Israel - He shall make his appearance at the temple, and found his Church at Jerusalem.
Shalt bring forth boughs - Apostles, evangelists, and their successors in the Gospel ministry.
And bear fruit - Multitudes of souls shall be converted by their preaching.
And under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing - All the nations of the earth shall receive his Gospel.
In the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell - Trust in him alone for salvation, and be saved in their trusting."

Bay-backed Shrike (Lanius vittatus) by Nikhil

"But it left room for the sovereignty of God, who would bring down the high tree and exalt the low tree, who would dry up the green tree and make the dry tree to flourish. His grace would take the little forgotten branch of the house of David and raise it up in Israel upon the mountain of His power, where He would cause it to become a goodly cedar, bearing fruit, and sheltering all that would seek the protection of its shadow. All the powers of the earth should know the word and the works of Jehovah." (John Darby' Synopsis)

"Both the Jews and Gentiles will be gathered into it." (Geneva Bible Translation Notes)

"and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell; by whom are designed converted sinners of all sorts, and of all nations, Jews and Gentiles; compared to birds, because weak, defenceless, and timorous; exposed to danger; and wonderfully delivered; are subject to wander and go astray; and for their chirping and warbling notes: now these may be said to "dwell" under the "shadow" of the "branches" of this "goodly cedar", Christ and his church; that is, under the ministration of the word and ordinances, which is a very delightful and refreshing shadow, a very safe and fruitful one, Son_2:3; and here saints choose to dwell, and determine to abide and continue, as it is their interest and happiness so to do; and what a flocking and tabernacling of these birds here will there be in the latter day, where they will chirp and sing in the height of Zion? Isa_66:4; compare with this Mat_13:32; where our Lord is thought by some to allude to this passage." (John Gill's Exposition)

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) Female by Nikhil

"under it ... all fowl — the Gospel “mustard tree,” small at first, but at length receiving all under its covert (Mat_13:32); the antithesis to Antichrist, symbolized by Assyria, of which the same is said (Eze_31:6), and Babylon (Dan_4:12). Antichrist assumes in mimicry the universal power really belonging to Christ." (Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown)

"under it ... all fowl — the Gospel “mustard tree,” small at first, but at length receiving all under its covert (Mat_13:32); the antithesis to Antichrist, symbolized by Assyria, of which the same is said (Eze_31:6), and Babylon (Dan_4:12). Antichrist assumes in mimicry the universal power really belonging to Christ." (Life Application Study Bible)

There are other commentaries I could quote, but these are sufficient to understand that these "fowl of every wing" represent those who from around the world have accepted or will accept Christ the Lord as their Savior. (Gospel Message) We have shelter and refuge under this tree. There was a tree of life in the Garden of Eden, but access to it was forbidden because of sin, but two verses in Revelation speak of future access to that tree.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. (Revelation 2:7 KJV)
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. (Revelation 22:14 KJV)

All commentary quotes are from e-Sword which is a free Bible program. More of the "Fowl of Every Wing" will be covered in future Birds of the Bible.

Happy St. Patrick's Day (by Lou Gentry)

Did you know...

St. Patrick, "the patron saint of Ireland," was born in Scotland? As a young lad, Patrick was kidnapped by a band of pirates. They took him to Ireland where he was sold into slavery. Patrick said of his experience, "It was while I ate the bitter bread of that hateful servitude in a foreign land, that the light divine broke upon my benighted soul and I called to remembrance the holy things which I had been taught in my dear old home..." Patrick's heart was transformed from bitterness, and he because a new creature in Jesus Christ. By faith in the Redeemer, by trusting in the blood shed for his sins, this young man in the depths and darkness of the forests of Ireland found the Savior of the world.

After six years of slavery, Patrick escaped, but he had revenge in his heart. However, it was a most unusual revenge! It was the noble revenge of sharing the gospel with the very people who had held him captive! For Patrick believed that God had called him to return to the land where he had been enslaved to witness to others. It is said that he baptized over one hundred thousand persons in his service to Christ. Paraphrasing the apostle Paul, Patrick is alleged to have said, "For me, life is Christ."

As St. Patrick's Day rolls around each year, rather than just wearing green to celebrate the day, perhaps knowing the background on the man will move us to ask ourselves, "How can I live for Christ this day?"

(taken, in part, from New Every Morning: A Daily Devotional, by Dr. D. James Kennedy)

Fight for Joy with Fervent Prayer

Some more from John Piper's book When I Don't Desire God.

What do you do when you don't desire the Word of God? Or when you read it and don't see anything that gives you joy? Or when your joy is weak and disintegrates before the allurements of the world? What do you do if you are not satisfied in the God of the Bible, but prefer the pleasures of the world? Did Paul or the psalmists or the celebrated saints of history ever struggle with this? Yes, they did. And we should take heart. We all struggle with seasons of lukewarmness and spiritual numbness of heart. There are times in the lives of the most godly people when spiritual hunger becomes weak, and darkness threatens to consume the light, and everything but the vaguely remembered taste of joy evaporates...

How then do we fight for joy when our desires languish and we may have no inclination for the Word of God? The answer we are focusing on in this chapter is prayer. The key to joy in God is God's omnipotent, transforming grace, bought by his Son, applied by his Spirit, wakened by the Word, and laid hold of by faith through prayer. (p. 137-138)

May God help us to never stop fighting!

Birds of the Bible - Pleasant to the Sight

And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:9 KJV)

While searching for articles about birds I came across this article. The quote below is also appropriate for birds. I believe many of them definitely qualify as "pleasant to the sight."

"The answer that came to my mind was suggested by Genesis 2:9, where we read that God created fruit trees not only good for food but also "pleasant to the sight." We normally expect to find aspects of beauty as well as utility in the artifacts of human creation; how much more should we expect beauty to abound in the handiwork of God! Even creationists seem to forget that God is not only the Great Engineer, but the Great Artist as well.

Unfortunately, just like the engineering marvels of God have been corrupted by mutations and other effects of the bondage to corruption occasioned by our sin (Romans 8:18-20), so its beauty has been marred. The God whose faithful care daily sustains what He has made will not leave it so. But with the creation that "groaneth in travail," we also wait for that time when "they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, but the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea" (Isaiah 6:11)." (From, Nature's Challenge to Evolutionary Theory, by Gary Parker, Ed.D., ICR)

Thought you might enjoy seeing some "Pleasant to the Sight" birds. It was hard to narrow the choices down. These are from the Non-Passerines. Used the Passerines last week.

And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:9 KJV)

While searching for articles about birds I came across this article. The quote below is also appropriate for birds. I believe many of them definitely qualify as "pleasant to the sight."

"The answer that came to my mind was suggested by Genesis 2:9, where we read that God created fruit trees not only good for food but also "pleasant to the sight." We normally expect to find aspects of beauty as well as utility in the artifacts of human creation; how much more should we expect beauty to abound in the handiwork of God! Even creationists seem to forget that God is not only the Great Engineer, but the Great Artist as well.

Unfortunately, just like the engineering marvels of God have been corrupted by mutations and other effects of the bondage to corruption occasioned by our sin (Romans 8:18-20), so its beauty has been marred. The God whose faithful care daily sustains what He has made will not leave it so. But with the creation that "groaneth in travail," we also wait for that time when "they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, but the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea" (Isaiah 6:11)." (From, Nature's Challenge to Evolutionary Theory, by Gary Parker, Ed.D., ICR)

Thought you might enjoy seeing some "Pleasant to the Sight" birds. It was hard to narrow the choices down. These are from the Non-Passerines. Used the Passerines before.

Thoughts for Those Yet Unborn

The past two Wednesday evenings Pastor Osborne continued in his sermon series entitled The Dark Side. He preached part 1 and part 2 of a message from Psalm 139:13-18 entitled Thoughts for Those Yet Unborn. He concluded with these three thoughts:

1. Since we do not originate the life of the unborn, we do not have the right to end it.
2. Since we do not know the plan God has for unborn children, we must allow that plan to take place.
3. Since our thoughts are not God's thoughts and we cannot even imagine the purposes God has for the unborn child, then we must have faith in an all-knowing, all-powerful, everywhere present God.

For you formed my inward parts;
You knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:13-14a (ESV)

Adoniram Judson - Rules of Holy Living

This humbled me deeply as I read through it. It's not about the rules, it's about the glory of God as Judson prays at the end.
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Rules adopted on Sunday, April 4, 1819, the era of commencing public ministrations among the Burmans.

1. Be diligent in secret prayer, every morning and evening.

2. Never spend a moment in mere idleness.

3. Restrain natural appetites within the bounds of temperance and purity. "Keep thyself pure."

4. Suppress every emotion of anger and ill will.

5. Undertake nothing from motives of ambition, or love of fame.

6. Never do that which, at the moment, appears to be displeasing to God.

7. Seek opportunities of making some sacrifice for the good of others, especially of believers, provided the sacrifice is not inconsistent with some duty.

8. Endeavor to rejoice in every loss and suffering incurred for Christ's sake and the gospel's, remembering that though, like death, they are not to be wilfully incurred, yet, like death, they are great gain.

Re-adopted the above rules, particularly the 4th, on Sunday, August 31, 1823.

Re-adopted the above rules, particularly the 1st, on Sunday, October 29, 1826, and adopted the following minor rules:

1. Rise with the sun.

2. Read a certain portion of Burman every day, Sundays excepted.

3. Have the Scriptures and some devotional book in constant reading.

4. Read no book in English that has not a devotional tendency.

5. Suppress every unclean thought and look.

Revised and re-adopted all the above rules, particularly the second of the first class, on Sunday, March 11, 1827.

God grant me grace to keep the above rules, and ever live to His glory, for Jesus Christ's sake.

A. JUDSON.

Wordless Birds

American Yellow Warbler by J Fenton

This GOLD bird reminds us of Heaven. The Bible tells us Heaven has a street of gold! But the best part about Heaven is that God, who created you and me, lives there. The Bible, God's Word, says: "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." --- John 3:16 Jesus, God the Son, is in Heaven preparing a place for all who put their trust in Him. (John 14:2-3) God is holy and perfect. He cannot allow anything in Heaven that is less than perfect, so there's one thing that can never be in Heaven. Can you think of what that might be?

Barbados Blackbird by Val Lee

It is sin! That is what this DARK bird reminds us of. Sin is anything you think, say, or do that does not please God, like lying, cheating, being selfish, or hurting others. The Bible says: "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." --- Romans 3:23 That means everyone, big or little, young or old! No matter where you live or who you are, you have sinned. Everyone is born with a "want to" to do wrong. God says that sin must be punished (Romans 6:23), and the punishment for sin is to be separated from God forever in a place of suffering....a place called Hell. But God has a wonderful plan so that you will not have to be punished for your sin!

Cardinal by Aestheticphotos

God sent Jesus Christ, His perfect Son, to be born as a little baby. Jesus lived a perfect life....He never sinned. When He was grown, wicked men nailed Him to a cross. This bird is RED reminding us of Jesus' blood. The Bible says that without the giving of blood there can be no forgiveness of sin (Hebrews 9:22). So Jesus Christ willingly died to take your sin punishment. "...Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures."--- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 Now, because of what Jesus has done for you, you can have your sins forgiven. Read on to see how!

Fairy Tern by Bob-Nan

The Bible says: "As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believed on His name." --- John 1:12 The WHITE bird reminds us of a CLEAN heart. How can you have a clean heart? A = Admit to God you are a sinner and want to turn away from those sins. B = Believe in Jesus Christ, that He is God's perfect Son who died for your sin, was buried, and rose again. C = Call on Him to save you from your sin. Would you like to do that right now? He has promised to hear, and once you are His child, He will never leave you (Hebrews 13:5). Take a moment and talk to God right now. It will change your life forever. Only one more color! What can it mean?

Green Parakeet by Daves BirdingPix

The GREEN bird stands for things that grow. When you ask God to forgive you and save you, you become His child. God wants you to get to know Him better and to grow to become more like Him. These four things will help you grow:

1. PRAY (talk to God every day)
2. READ & OBEY THE BIBLE (to know what He says, then do it)
3. TELL OTHERS ABOUT JESUS
4. GO TO A BIBLE-BELIEVING CHURCH (where you can learn more about pleasing Him)

As a child of God, if you should sin again, stop and tell Him about it. He promises in His Word... "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." --- 1 John 1:9 Ask God to help you live a life to please Him! Share the Good News of this story with someone else.

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The Wordless Book has been used for many years by CEF (Child Evangelism Fellowship). These words are from CEF.

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The Gospel Message

The Wordless Book
Story of the Wordless Book

Once you receive Jesus as your Savior, then you have joy and peace in your heart.

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:8-9 KJV)

This bird's singing reminds us of the joy a Christian has in their heart after salvation and it spills out in a song and hopeful in telling others of what Christ did in their hearts.

Make An Appointment With the Word of God

Some more from John Piper's book When I Don't Desire God.

In chapter 7, Piper writes about The Worth of God's Word in the Fight for Joy.

A thousand interesting things compete for our attention to the Word of God. I confess that after fifty years of loving and reading and memorizing Scripture, I can be lured away from appointed times in the Word by something as insignificant as a new computer device. The illusory pleasure of newness can temporarily trump the far superior benefits of keeping my appointment with the Word of God.

This is evidence in me of what Paul calls indwelling sin (Rom. 7:17, 20, 23). It is part of the remaining corruption lingering after the death of the old self (Rom. 6:6). I am not proud of it. It grieves me. At times it frightens me. It is part of the reason I speak so much of the fight for joy. I know this sinful inclination must be fought to the death. It is this fight Paul has in mind when he says, "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you" (Col. 3:5). We will speak shortly about how the Word helps us do that. But first we must fight just to keep our appointments with the Word. (p. 96-97)

I have found it very helpful to look at my time in God's Word as an appointment that I must keep. It is an appointment that I must not be late for. I must not allow other things to crowd it out.