Bird Study

10/10/12

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns. George Eliot

Our summer birds must be in pursuit of a new season as well, because it’s awfully quiet around here.

The flitting and fighting of the hummingbirds at our window feeders ended last Wednesday. Nary a one since then.

As I mentioned in a "Scriptural Bird Watching" blog, I can gain much insight into life lessons while just watching the “goings-on" of birds right outside our kitchen window.

BIRDS---providing a visual “spread” as they come to our backyard to picnic. The feast has really been ours. A feast of never ending chatter---going to miss it---even the jay’s throaty mocking chatter, a raucous ole bird indeed.

Also going to miss….. our robins easing us into the dawn as they search the yard near Grushkin’s fence for fat worms. This week I’ve only seen one.

…..Resident red shouldered hawk---who sits and patrols from the top of Grushkin’s fence and swoops and scares (a striking terror, of sorts) our songirds. Sometimes the fleeing and scattering ones fly right into our windows   Haven’t seen him either, though he did leave a trace of last night’s dinner. Some feathers on the patio and clumps of them in the yard.

During the last days of summer (which extends past the designated calendar date for our birds) our patio resembled a big dining table for the birds (and squirrels) as gold finches still flaunted their colors from atop the umbrella domed feeder, woodpeckers lunched on squares of suet cakes in a little wooden house feeder and carolina chickadees feasted at the cylindrical wired feeder while nearby hummers were taking their last few sips, from their tubes that stick to our windows and are filled with red “hubby” created nectar, before they left us for the winter.

Cardinals offered the male’s brilliant red color, though I am drawn to the muted color of the female with her contrasting orange beak---and both chattered and hopped on the wrought iron table and chairs. A baby was hatched nearby this summer so we watched the mom feed him seeds as if breaking them open on his beak. Though a male, he had a dull coat---as he had yet to gain the brilliance of his manliness or the height of his crest (but a prodigy, none the same) and his mom distinguished herself, for me, as “queen of the moms” as I watched her care for him.

Nowadays I’m only seeing ground feeding doves joining with squirrels as they dig in the grasses weighted with seed that has fallen underneath the feeders---even the chipmunks seem to fill their cheeky pouches there

At twilight the cooing of the dove and the plaintive cry of the whippoorwills no longer blend with the call of the crickets. The crickets are gone too. So quiet.

Most leave. Fewer stay, even with our “buffet” of feeders. Where do they go? Peterson Field Guide to Birds can give us answers as can National Geographic. But….who tells the birds? The Bible gives us that answer---from the creation story in Genesis to Isaiah and the reference from the OT book of Job and on in to Matthew in the NT.

7 But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; 8 or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. 9 Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? (Job 12:7-9) 

“Tell” in verse 7 is a Hebrew word that translates as an explanation by way of illustration. In other words, look at the birds. Study and learn from them. Don’t miss the life lessons God has for you ---even if it comes from something as simple as bird watching.

I’ve enjoyed the lessons and the pleasure of His creation, which brings so much activity and “noise” to our yard.

I’m going to miss it all---farewell, my fine feathered friends! You’ve been a great study!

CROSSWORD CLUES

10/8/12

2 Down. Self importance. 3 letters.

Last weeks USA Today’s crossword puzzle clue had an easy answer. EGO.

This week as I have been preparing a lesson from James 4:1-10, I’ve come face to face with the sin of prIde, which is the result of an over-inflated ego.

An ego, simply stated, that……..

Edges

God

Out

The remedy for that sin, given both in James and Philippians, is humility. A “more of Thee and less of me” concept.

Don’t do anything for selfish purposes, but with humility think of others as better than yourselves. ;(Philippians 2:3, CEB)

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; (Philippians 2:3, NASB)

Putting self before God and others is sin---the clues to that truth are found in God’s word. 

Who inspires all scripture?

Three letters. Starts with G.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: GREENLINE TREK

10/7/12 Nothing says fall in Memphis better than cool temps and glorious foliage. The foliage isn't quite here yet but....the temps are splendid. Morning walks are perfect and sweatshirts are coming out of storage for evening.

Nandina foliage a fave of mine & I LOVE those berries!

Great trekking on Greenline--- haven't tried it, you should--this is the Perkins heading west section.

Someone even left a bit of "art" on the trail for all to see.

GENEROUS??

10/6/12 ARE YOU GENEROUS? That's today's question. A YES to generosity is also God's answer to all of us. His generosity first gave us physical life and then through His Son gave us life everlasting.

Yesterday, daughter, Molly, gave me a gift that touched my heart----small pumpkins. A perfect seasonal gift for a librarian, who in small ways likes home decor to reflect time changes in a "frost on the pumpkins" sort of way. Molly had made them out of pages from "classic literature"--a tattered Jane Eyre found at a garage sale. A small act to some, but a BIG act of generosity to me.

God's word in Deuteronomy 15:4-6 reminds us that "God gives us a rich inheritance, richly blessing us as we are following His commands so that there will be no need for spiritually poor among us."

Whenever God's people live God's way, generosity abounds. (God Tube, 10/6/12)

SHOPPING PARTY TODAY!!!

10/6/12 TODAY....from 10-6p at Impulse Boutique in Collierville (by Huey's at Poplar & Houston Levee).
The Kyle Kiihnl Foundation will receive a portion of the profits, so....
SHOP, SHOP, SHOP!! Thank you, Impulse Boutique!
Remember,
Don't Drive Drowsy ~Just Pull Over~

BIRTH OF A BOOK

10/4/12 It’s Here!!!! My box from Books-a-Million was waiting for me when I came home last night. Michèle Phoenix’s long awaited novel, Tangled Ashes has been published by Tyndale. Having read an unedited version, I can tell you ---it is a must for your bookshelves!! 

This is my own review.....Michèle Phoenix weaves present day human drama in with WWII history. Architect/craftsman Becker arrives in the French village of Lamorlaye to begin restoration on a castle with a shadowy past while dealing with his own past. As always her characters resonate as they try to transcend their own flaws and weaknesses. The author gives insight into the Nazi occupation of France with it's hospital for the Fuhrer as an integral part of the story that lays the groundwork for a surprise conclusion. This book grabbed me at the beginning and held me til the end. Well-written....a worthy read!! 

Just check out this concise synopsis given by Michèle herself on YouTube. 

A MUST SEE of only 1 ½ minutes.

Can order with chance of a free book by clicking  link.

accorDANCE---same word different verse

10/3/12

Studying in the book of James, I sense the Lord is trying to teach me some new steps----those in complete accordance with His word. The accorDANCE is a dance of unity and harmony, as long as God is doing all the leading---which is always in accordance with His law.

Though it helps to have others come alongside, those also desiring to walk according to His good and perfect will, these steps take practice.  Private lessons. Then accorDANCE steps, once learned, can be shared as a way of encouragement, even testifying to God’s faithfulness in one’s missteps along the way!

This “dance” seems to have many facets and I ‘m sure I’ll be “learning” new steps as I go. 2 Kings 16-18 has provided much for deeper consideration. But God….today has me focusing on His love.

 Hear my voice in accorDANCE with your love;…..(Psalm 119:149)

 In accorDANCE with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now. (Numbers 14:9)

Hear my voice. Forgive my sin. Those are the first two steps of accorDANCE!

We would do well to remember that as we are led in the accorDANCE by Him who is our great love.

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES CONTINUE---Don't lose me. Keep checking back.

10/2/12 Don't give up on me---will try tomorrow to "find" blogger help.
Today at the Apple Store, the tech guy was unable to help because both my iPad and AirMac opened all blog entries and info, as did 2 of the store computers----all pictures and all Seeing God's Hand entries. He did mention that blogger had made changes and so problems could have resulted from the recent update---sound familiar. It's the upgrade nightmare we all experience at one time or other.

Might work at computer store----- but, people in different states and even other countries have said that for over a week it doesn't work for them. Only titles of entries appear----& they're unable to get all info. No way to connect for older posts either.

Hope to ask a computer teaching friend to help me tomorrow and then, armed with that info, I'll try to email for blogger help.
 Aggie in France said, "I don't want to lose you." Well, I certainly appreciate her encouraging words because I don't want to lose my readers either.

Please let me know if you are having difficulties as well----since more and more folks seem to be able to pick up Oct. entries, though Sept. ones have disappeared except for those titles, and I can use that info to try to "show" accurately the pockets of problems.
Some people seem to be having no problems but those with problems are increasing exponentially.

INTEGRITY: A MEDITATION OF QUESTIONS

10/1/12 Yesterday’s blog picture of a child’s word sculpture, ”Have integrity”, had me musing that phrase. What does having integrity look life in one’s life?

Then, this morning’s Commercial Appeal quote on the business page caught my eye. The way to live with honor is to be in reality what you appear to be. (Socrates, 5^th century B.C.)

Noted Christian author Chuck Colson, had much the same thought. “We must be the same person in private and in public. Only the Christian worldview gives us the basis for this kind of integrity.”  

Indeed, God’s word has much to say about integrity but one verse that gives credence to these aforementioned thoughts is from Psalms. 

I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart. (Psalm 101:2)

That’s the meaning embedded in both the Socrates and Coulson quotes---where no one else sees, a person of integrity will still choose complete honesty. Ask yourself these questions to see how you fare along those lines of integrity. In the privacy of my own home……. What am I watching? Am I setting worthless things before my eyes? What am I reading? How am I using the computer? What tone of voice do I use with those who are closest to me? Is it different from the voice I use with my church friends?

Those answers will reflect your “true” walk of integrity.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: ARTS IN MEMPHIS

9/30/12 An Artsy Ending To The Month.
From theater in Germantown to Hattieloo in the  Park, statues along a gallery walkway, Symphony in the Gardens (sort of), and school childrens’ word sculptures beneath a flagpole, it’s been a great week for exploring the “arts” in Memphis.

Garden walkway at Dixon Gallery and Gardens

Steel Magnolias at GCT with my T-Cups friends

Hattieloo in the Park---I do so-o-o LOVE Hattieloo, as everyone knows.

My blonde haired grandson loves Hattieloo as well, "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown"

"Have Integrity"---by a young Idlewild Elementary sculptor

Rain didn't dampen the spirits of Memphis Symphony Orchestra's Big Band---we just had to move inside to hear Scott Moore lead the musicians in "Begin the Beguine" and a new rendition of "Rhapsody in Blue"---my parents would have been dancing in the aisles, especially since Scott played the trumpet at our daughter's wedding.