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.

Upward has ended! (by Stephen Simpson)

Yes, it is hard to believe, but Upward Soccer 2008 has ended. During Soccer season, my responsibility was administrating the Concession Stand. Allow me to share some of our 'consumption statistics' with you. During the 2008 Upward Soccer season the following was consumed:

• 900 bottles of Water
• 700 Hot Dogs
• 700 Hamburgers
• 1100 cans of soft drinks
• 400 bottles of Gatorade
• 300 bags of chips

Thanks to all who willingly spent their dollars in support of our Upward Sports Ministry.

Birds of the Bible - Dove and Turtle-Dove (by Lee Dusing)

The Dove is probably recognized by most people, even though they may not know which specific kind they are viewing. White doves are released at weddings and other special occasions. The symbol for the dove is displayed many times. The coo of the mourning dove is heard and most recognize a Rock Pigeon (formerly a Rock Dove). We do not have Turtle-Doves here in America; they are in the Orient, Asia, Africa and Europe.
The dove family (Columbidae) ranges from about 6.5” to 12” and seem to be gentle. Doves tend to be monogamous and both male and female produce a “crop milk” to feed their young the first few days. Most birds regurgitate food for the young from the beginning. Doves do not make the most elabroate nests, often they are on the ground and flimsy. Many were domesticated and were used for sacrifices. They are considered “clean” birds in the Bible. There are at least twenty references to doves in the Word of God.

• The first mention of the Dove is in Genesis 8:8-13 when Noah released her from the ark. She was released three times, but came back two times because she “found no rest for the sole of her foot.” They do not eat carrion as the raven does. Most are ground feeders and she had nowhere to feed that was dry. The second time she came back with an olive leaf, and then never returned the last time.
• (Genesis 15:9, Leviticus 5:7 and 12:6-8, Luke 2:22-24) all refer the Dove and Turtle dove being used for sacrifices.
• David was distressed and wrote “…Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. (Psalms 55:6 KJV)
• Isaiah 38:14 says, “I did mourn as a dove…” We have a Mourning Dove.
  The Lord used the dove when he told His Apostles, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” (Matt.10:16)
• The dove became a symbol of The Holy Spirit at Jesus’ Baptism (Mat 3:16; Luk 3:22; John 1:32).

There is more to be said, but when you find the Dove in your Scripture reading, you will have a mental picture of them. The Hymn writers have used the dove in songs like:
Sunshine in My Soul – Eliza E. Hewitt, 1851-1920
There is springtime in my soul today,
For when the Lord is near,
The dove of peace sings in my heart,
The flow'rs of grace appear. Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove - Isaac Watts, 1674-1748
Come, Holy Spirit, heav'nly Dove,
With all Thy quick'ning pow'rs;
Kindle a flame of sacred love
In these cold hearts of ours.
Pictures are from Reinier Munguia (In Order-Mourning, Eurasian Collared, Ground, and White-winged Doves)

Marital Pests (by Pastor Osborne)

(originally posted on May 13, 2008)

This past Sunday morning, Pastor Osborne preached a message entitled Exterminating Marital Pests from Ephesians 5:13-21. Here are the five destructive pests that Pastor Osborne pointed out.

1. The Pest of Confusion (v. 15)
1. Propaganda against marriage
2. Complexity of relationships
3. Immaturity
2. The Pest of Busyness (v. 16)
1. Irritability
2. Lack of Communication
3. Impatience; Preoccupation
4. Feelings of Disconnection and Distance
3. The Pest of Insensitivity (v. 17)
1. Calloused
2. Impervious to Your Spouse's Feelings
3. Inconsiderate (I don't care)
4. The Pest of Escapism (v. 18)
1. Running away from Responsibility
2. Running away from Pain
3. Running to a destructive habit
5. The Pest of Stubbornness (v. 19-21)
1. Holy Wedlock turns to Unholy Deadlock

Pastor Osborne closed with three steps to Exterminate the Pests in your marriage.

1. Admit that the pests are there.
   
2. Communicate all the ways to control them.
3. Start Right Now!