The Word tells us “Two are better than one! and when I look at our Tawny Frogmouths (below) they provide an excellent example.

Meet our resident Tawny Frogmouths. I always think of them as “owls”, but they aren’t really classified as owls. However like an owl they appear wise with their big penetrating eyes.

During the day our “Froggies” I call them Freddie and Frannie, (all our resident birds I have names), sleep high up in one of our palm trees. Whether it be in sunshine or in rain they are there. You have to look twice to detect them as they blend in so well with the palms.

And they are a pair. You never see one without the other. It is easy to tell the difference between the male and female.

Don’t you just love his dominant, but protective stance. He is there,  looking after his partner. Brings to mind a Bible Verse.

 ^“Two….are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.  If one ..falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NLT

Always on the alert. Even when half asleep.

“A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT

I couldn’t resist the opportunity to add one last thought, as their wise appearance brings the concept of wisdom to top of mind. The Bible tells us there is a difference between God’s wisdom and that of this world. Now looking at this fellow below, how could you doubt that?

Blessings,

Marilyn

Think about the names we are given and the names we are called through our lives. Do they define us?

HI, THANKS FOR STOPPING BY MY BLOG COMING FROM THE GREAT LAKE DOWNUNDER IN AUS!

When I was young I had a pretty all yellow canary in a cage. Canaries were more common as a pet then. Now more Aussie’s would own budgerigars.

Canaries were whistlers and very uplifting, whereas budgies chatter and are people friendly. Plus owners like to teach them to talk. Some have quite a broad vocabulary.

Putting my canary outside for fresh air in my young informative years required intense responsibility due to the presence of butcher birds which lived in the area and were said to hypnotize canaries in their cages. This allowed the predator to get its beak into the cage and kill the canary. And so we had to observe them very closely.

Butcher Birds incidentally are native only to Australasia and are of the magpie genus. Butcher Birds, however are not the only birds to kill the chicks of other birds. Kookaburras do too, and there are others.

No one ever told me what a Butcher Bird looked like and I imagined they were like crow or even a buzzard – big and mean. Their name was defined by their habits. When they kill baby birds, they tend to ‘hang’ their food on a twig – like meat on a butcher’s hook!

In our garden on the Quiet Side of the Great Lake we have two resident butcher birds. Yes, they are a couple. I was pleasantly surprised to find that these are very cute little birds. Take a look!

Not only is the butcher bird, (I call ours Billy), cute to look at, he has one of the most musical bird-calls and songs, a little like the Australian Magpie of the same family who is larger and is also a great caroller.

Take a listen just follow the link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlAb-ObjIH4

My perception of this bird was based on his name. Meat hanging on a butcher’s hook is not a pretty sight. And so it begged the question:

“What’s in a name?”

Some people don’t like the name they were given at birth, and they let those bad feelings define them. Others are given nick names – some of them cruel and find themselves so defined.

The wonderful thing is in our salvation God sees us through Christ – perfect and pure and He delights in every one of us. The Bible says so – many times. As a child of God you are special. He meets you at the point of your life where you are and with all the baggage you are carrying, no matter the sin; thankfully He doesn’t leave you there. In His grace He brings forgiveness, love, joy, peace eternal life and so much more.

I love this quote: “God is love. He didn’t need us. But he wanted us. And that is the most amazing thing.”  ~ Rick Warren – Christian author and preacher

Enjoy your week,

Blessings,

Marilyn

“Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7 (NIV)

In the Book of Leviticus God commanded His people to use hyssop in the ceremonial cleansing of people and houses.

In the Christian life purity of heart is what we strive for.

In the Bible white is a symbol of purity, innocence and holiness. As a writer on one website states:

“In our understanding of the symbolism of colors, “snow-white” is considered the ultimate in white, the whitest of white, as pure and unsullied a white as possible. David’s expectation was that God’s cleansing power would exceed even that ultimate white – “I shall be whiter than snow.” We can only relate this to absolute spiritual, moral perfection, the very state in which Almighty God exists.”

http://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Topical.show/RTD/CGG/ID/5142/White-as-Symbol-Purity.htm

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When I see an Egret with their snow-white feathers – we have a few locals out front in the Great Lake – I think of purity, sanctification (being made right with God – forgiven and justified), spiritual and moral perfection. Just to see their spotless white feathers, reminds me of my sin and that it’s time to pray.

Psalm 51 (The Passion Translation) is entitled “A PRAYER OF REPENTANCE” below are a few beautiful words that really spoke to me.

“Wash me in your love until I am pure in heart…

….Fill me with pure thoughts and holy desires,

ready to please You.

O God, my saving God,

Deliver me fully from every sin

For the source of your pleasure is not in my performance

Or the sacrifices I might offer to You.

The fountain of your pleasure is found

In the sacrifice of my shattered heart before you.”

Psalm 51:10,17 TPT

Even the young (you can see his beak is still black), are pristine and perfect.

Enjoy your week,

Blessings,

MARILYN

MAKE A SPECTACULAR SOUND OF JOY!

Hi! and thanks for stopping by my blog,

I love to sing! Anyone who knows me well would know that. Give me music with a beat and I’m into it. I’ve been a performer and been a worship leader. My favourite is the latter because it leaves out the “me” part and lets me lift up my praise and worship to my God in heaven and give Him the glory.

We humans love to make a joyful noise. Some of us sing, some may hum, others whistle, still others play musical instruments. But have you noticed that most of God’s Creation is also capable of making a joyful noise. Elephants trumpet, frogs croak, birds sing or squawk, my dog yips with excitement. I believe that even those creatures which appear silent give praise their maker in the way only they can. Whales and dolphins have a special sound and love to frolic in the water. Trees and flowers glow with vibrant colours of health. isaiah writes: “You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands!” (Isaiah 55:12 NLT)

I love sulphur crested cockatoos – they always seem to be about fun. In the wild they make a rather raucous noise, but raucous or not – it is full of joy!

The scriptures on the photos below are all taken from Psalm 33 (The Passion Translation – TPT), which is a psalm of King David’s and is entitled, ‘A Song of Praise’.

Lastly, top billing goes to the Australian Magpie whose warbling is something to behold.

Magpies are very creative. They make up their own signature melodies. They are also great at mimicking the sounds they hear. We have one who sings the first line of the children’s rhyme “Old MacDonald had a Farm” and repeats the last few notes, three times. Quite inventive.

If you are feeling down today, lift up your own song of praise. The God who loves you will delight in it! And you will feel blessed too.

Blessings,

Marilyn

THE HEAVENS DECLARE THE POWER OF GOD….

Thanks for stopping by my blog coming from the Quiet Side of the Great Lake Downunder in Aus!

Sometimes we have bad storms that boom out their thunder over the Great Lake while the forked lightning in stark contrast illuminates the lake below and the landscape around it.

From the second story of our home we can see the storms approaching over the trees. The distant rumbling of the thunder and the moan of the wind as it begins to approach can be heard long before it sweeps across the lake. It is eerie.

But as all of Creation does, it brings to front of mind the Great Creator Himself as the elements demonstrate the power of our living God.

Psalm 29 comes to mind, and the following are verses from the Passion Translation.

“His tympanic thunder topples the strongest of trees.

His symphonic sound splinters the mighty forests.” Psalm 29:5

I always think of God riding his chariot through the stormy skies when I experience storms. It is somehow wild, but comforting to know he is near watching over us.

The voice of the Lord echoes through the skies and seas

The Glory-God reigns as He thunders through the clouds. Psalm 29:3

So powerful is His voice, so brilliant and bright,

How majestic as He thunders over the greatest waters! Psalm 29:4

I trust your week is not stormy, and rather be filled with sunshine and joy!

Blessings,

Marilyn