Of Tufted Titmice and Hair
A very full morning as usual but a relaxing afternoon. Father may our time together be productive, as You would have it. Amen.
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I’ve been very bad about feeding birds the last couple of years. Weather and varmints (raccoons and squirrels) have wreaked havoc on my feeders, and most need repair. We found a nice one on clearance recently so yesterday, being a pretty decent day out I filled it. While I was at it, I cleaned up another one and decided that and third one could probably be used.
It usually takes a couple of days for birds to find feeders and begin using them. So far today I’ve seen a tufted titmouse and a white nuthatch zooming back and forth from the feeders to trees in the area. While I was watching a downy woodpecker enjoying one of the suet cakes and larger, red-breasted woodpecker flew in to partake of the cake on the other side of the feeder! Oh, the beauty of wildlife!
I love watching titmice flit about (and though titmouses is equally acceptable, they have no connection to the furry little critters – the second syllable is based on the Old English word mase, which means “small bird.”) They remind me of miniature cardinals dressed in grey with a hint of rusty-red under their wings, but they aren’t related to them.
I also very much enjoy learning about birds. The Cornell Labs All About Birds website is full of interesting information. One thing I learned is that you’ll often hear the high, whistled peter-peter-peter song well before you see the bird. (That’s a biblical connection, right?)
Another interesting tidbit I gleaned from Cornell Labs is that Tufted Titmice often line the inner cup of their nest with hair, sometimes plucked directly from living animals. The list of hair types identified from old nests includes raccoons, opossums, mice, woodchucks, squirrels, rabbits, livestock, pets, and even humans.
With that in mind, I got to writing this afternoon. I knew that there was a verse talking about sparrows in particular and that there was one about God knowing the number of hairs on our heads. And lo and behold, they were in the same verse! Matthew 10:29-31 records Jesus saying,
Are not two little sparrows sold for a copper coin? And yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered [for the Father is sovereign and has complete knowledge]. AMP
God loves his creation, and us in particular. He knows if a bird falls to the ground, He knows the number of hairs on your head, and I’m sure He knows if any of your hair lines the inner cup of a tufted titmouse’s nest!
There are so many things in life that can bring us fear and anxiety. God is already there and already knows about those things. All we have to do is trust Him. Jesus’ command is short and to the point. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows – or titmice if you will!
Feb 12th, 2023, Sun, 4:22 pm
Out of the Aisle!
It was a full weekend, with an all-day bus trip and all we did today, Father. Thank You for safe travels and good fellowship. We are blessed on all fronts, to do what we do!
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My trip Saturday was transporting middle schoolers to a robotics competition. I enjoy interacting with their advisor, and I have no problem with the kids either. They are polite, appreciative, and for the most part, listen and abide by the rules and regulations of traveling on a school bus…for the most part.
All students, regardless of grade, tend to lean out into the aisles to talk, play, or share some entertaining tidbit on their cell phones. I’m constantly on my elementary students to get back in their seats. “No heads! No legs! No arms!” they hear me shout. Only occasionally do I have to do so on my older students’ route. But on yesterday’s trip, I think I corrected them three times on the way up, and then after the second time on the way home, I had had it!
I flipped the lights on (which is understood to mean you shut your mouth, the driver has something to say!) and I laid into them! I had had enough, and they were going to sit in silence for a while – torture for just about any student!
After three or four minutes (and passing an Amish buggy!) I got on the in-bus walkie and very straightforwardly gave them what for regarding how they were endangering themselves. I cannot control what may run in front of me and I cannot control someone who might cross the double yellow line, hitting me head-on. They alone can keep themselves protected.
Before turning the lights off, I finished by saying I’d most definitely drive them again. I enjoy taking them to their competitions…they just needed to abide by the rules and regulations.
I didn’t say it out loud but all in all, I like the kids I drive, on my routes, and the many other groups I transport. In fact, I love them all, and if it came down to it I’d probably lay down my own life to ensure their safety and survival.
Too many times I think a lot of humanity has the idea that God may say He loves us, but in reality, He doesn’t like us very much and is actually just waiting for us to screw up so He can nail us for it. We have this picture of Him standing in the heavens, lightning bolt in hand, ready to hurl it at all trespassers of his laws.
I genuinely believe that that is not who God is. He may use things in our lives to discipline us, but by no means does that mean He doesn’t like us. His love is deep and wide, covering over a multitude of sin. He wants us to succeed. His greatest desire is for us to be victorious. And He wants us to be safe from the harm that sin can wreak in our lives. And the safest place we can be in His sheltering arms, not away from His guiding arms and gentle directing voice.
May we find the love and protection You afford, Father. May we strive never to leave Your side in all the comings and goings of life. Amen.
Feb 5th, 2023, Sun, 7:15 pm
It’s More Than a Bracelet
Today has already been full, Father, but a lot of things have been accomplished. May our time be fruitful and may casting my bread upon the waters be greatly multiplied! Amen.
Romans 8:5-6 (<<click here to read the passage)
I’m sure at this point in our lives most of us have heard the phrase, “What would Jesus do?” or at least its acronym – W.W.J.D.? You may have even owned a t-shirt or a bracelet with those words on them. The concept is assuredly sound, but it has been repeated and commercialized to the point where it no longer produces any authentic responses to it, or at least very few.
About 30 years ago Janie Tinklenberg, a youth group leader at Calvary Reformed Church in Holland, Michigan, began a grassroots movement to help the teenagers in her group remember the phrase; it spread worldwide among Christian youth, who wore bracelets bearing the initials WWJD.
She had good intentions for sure! But do you realize that “What would Jesus do?” didn’t start with her?
Reading through my Life Application Study Bible notes on these verses brought to mind a book I read several years ago, entitled In His Steps written by Charles Monroe Sheldon way back in 1896.
That was Tinklenberg’s inspiration. It was impactful for me, as well. (If would be worth the effort to read it yourself!)
A general storyline is that a local Midwest minister while preparing his Sunday message, is interrupted by a homeless man seeking assistance. The minister is busy, so he quickly brushes the gentleman off – thinking nothing of it.
The next Sunday, the gentleman appears in the church after the Sunday sermon. Walking up to the front of the sanctuary, he frankly confronts the congregation. There was no animosity on his part but he clearly lays things out for the comfortable congregants. He speaks of their apathetic lack of compassion for the jobless like him in their community. When he’s done, he collapses, and dies a few days later.
His passing greatly impacts the minister who then challenges his congregation, before any action they take, to ask the question, “What would Jesus do?” Many, who witnessed the events of the previous Sunday, take his challenge to heart and the story goes on to share the many hard decisions made by them and how their actions impacted themselves and so many others.
Paul’s writings to the church in Rome extend a challenge to its recipients, ourselves included.
For those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh [which gratify the body], but those who are living according to the Spirit, [set their minds on] the things of the Spirit [His will and purpose]. Now the mind of the flesh is death [both now and forever—because it pursues sin]; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace [the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God—both now and forever]… AMP
So many times, we set our minds on the flesh – it’s the natural thing to do. But…as followers of Christ, we are called to live according to the Spirit. So what will it be – a pursuit of death – for that is the end result of sin – or a quest of life and peace – in giving ourselves over to Christ? We are called to do – to live, as Jesus did. Amen.
Feb 1st, 2023, Wed, 12:26 pm
TRUE Peace Amid the Cacophony of Pain
Time is passing so quickly! Father, may I make the best use of the time that is at my disposal. There are so many distractions and so much that needs to be done! Amen.
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A portion of the prayer from The Spirit of Jesus in The Valley of Vision.
May his comforts cheer me in my sorrows,
………his strength sustain me in my trials,
………his blessings revive me in my weariness,
………his presence render me a fruitful tree of holiness,
………his might establish me in peace and joy,
………his incitements make me ceaseless in prayer,
………his animation kindle in me undying devotion.
I’ve sort of been stuck on this particular portion of this prayer. I’ve not moved from it for several days in that I have felt led to write about it but have yet to do so.
It resonated with me initially when a dear friend of mine lost her husband. I had been reading the prayer before that, but it truly struck a chord at that time.
All kinds of things plague us in life – disease, financial woes, struggles in all sorts of relationships, employment heartaches…but nothing hits harder than death. Many times, we bounce back from those other “plagues” …but death is final. We carry on with life but part of our support system for doing so is no longer with us.
Indeed the only answer is found in our relationship with Jesus. His Spirit is the only One who can be with us round the clock, seven days a week. Other family members and friends can be there for us but in the dark hours of the night, in those times when there is really no reason for anyone else to be with us…He is.
It isn’t easy – if ever there was an understatement, that is it! – but our relationship with Him is foundational to true peace amid the cacophony of pain and turmoil.
Paul spoke volumes when he wrote these words to the believers in Philippi – and this is one of those passages where I would admonish you to take your time…read it slowly. Read it in the mindset of what you have just read. Stop…and reflect, if a phrase or a word grabs your heart.
Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]. Philippians 4:4-7 AMP
Once more, the portion of the prayer from The Spirit of Jesus in The Valley of Vision.
May his comforts cheer me in my sorrows,
………his strength sustain me in my trials,
………his blessings revive me in my weariness,
………his presence render me a fruitful tree of holiness,
………his might establish me in peace and joy,
………his incitements make me ceaseless in prayer,
………his animation kindle in me undying devotion.
Amen.
Jan 31st, 2023, Tues, 11:20 am
The Curse of Knowledge
A relatively productive day even though there were a few distractions but thank You Father for the ability to focus to get done what I did get done!
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I listened to a couple of TikTok videos today and came across a very interesting one posted by a TikToker(?) labeled @lizardbrainlearning. It dealt with what she called the “Curse of Knowledge”.
She spoke of a Stanford student by the name of Elizabeth Newton. In the 90s she conducted a study in which the participants were to clap out the rhythm of a very familiar song – and they used “Happy Birthday” and several other songs.
They were to clap the song for a bunch of people. But before they did so, she asked them how many people they thought would know the song just from the rhythm of it. The people who participated estimated that about 50% of those who listened to them clapping out the song would know what it was – about 1 in 2 people. In reality, only 2.5% – that is 1 in 40 – guessed correctly!
So, the question asked was, “Why is that?” Why were so many people unable to figure out what the song was? It was obvious to the participants what they were clapping because they knew they were clapping “Happy Birthday” but those listening could not hear it. Those clapping had lost the ability to empathize with those without the knowledge that they had.
The takeaway from the study is that once we learn something, we lose the memory of not knowing it and we lose empathy for people who don’t know it.
My mind leaped to how we reach the world with our knowledge of Christ. Many believers can’t get past the hesitancy to share their faith, but those who make it past that point can get frustrated because oftentimes people don’t seem to be able to grasp what we’re talking about.
The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:13-14 had this to say,
We also speak of these things, not in words taught or supplied by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining and interpreting spiritual thoughts with spiritual words [for those being guided by the Holy Spirit].
But the natural [unbelieving] man does not accept the things [the teachings and revelations] of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness [absurd and illogical] to him; and he is incapable of understanding them, because they are spiritually discerned and appreciated, [and he is unqualified to judge spiritual matters]. AMP
In the next chapter that when he first came to speak to the Corinthian people, Paul goes on to say…
…brothers and sisters, I could not talk to you as to spiritual people, but [only] as to worldly people [dominated by human nature], mere infants [in the new life] in Christ! 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. 1 Corinthians 3:1-2 AMP
So, don’t give up because those listening to our “song” don’t know what we know! We need to change our tactics. Keep it simple. Don’t overwhelm them. Be patient. Be empathetic. Be loving. …and in time many will come to know what we know!
Jan 26th, 2023, Thurs, 7:18 pm