Stand-Off, Squirrel versus Bluejay - Mixed Nuts in the Middle

 

 Bluebirds are loved because they are harder to find, but abundant in our area.

 Bluejays are rascals with big personalities. They sing out for their friends and screech "jay" when they are unhappy - or just hungry.

I had some mixed nuts that were stale, so I thought the creatures would enjoy them. "Nothing happened!" as they say in ELDONA. I looked later and in one corner of the barrel lid was a resolute squirrel. In the opposing corner, a large Bluejay, come to claim his prize. In the middle, mixed nuts.

Neither budged, doubtless because a move - as Nimzowitsch observed - can easily be a weakening. Pecking at the squirrel could mean being grabbed by its greedy paws and sharp claws. Jumping the Bluejay could mean sailing through the air and landing on the ground.

In a flash, the Bluejay snatched a large nut and took off, all in one motion. The squirrel and I were stunned. The jay ate his prize far away, but the squirrel stayed for a seven-course meal.

Nearby I have the so-called squirrel proof bird feeder, full of "squirrel food," as the package said. That means mostly corn, a few tiny peanuts in a shell, and a few sunflower seeds. It is ideal for all the small birds, and it sees action all day. The squirrels seem to look at it as beneath them. They are a troop of at least five who constantly search the barrel tops for various deluxe food items, from raw peanuts (no shell) to frozen blueberries, which definitely attract a lot of birds.

I have set up two cinder blocks to serve as mini-dining tables. I sprinkle some food on them twice a day. I learned they were also great step-stones to the barrel tops and steps down as well. The squirrels run from the kiddie pool to the block to the barrel and back again, according to who is fighting and winning the food.

 The Goldfinch is just a colorless finch until the new livery arrives. Then he is a flash of color eating his favorite seeds.

LCMS (and WELS) - Changing Testament to Calvin's Covenant

 

From: Tom Fisher <tomfisher99@yahoo.com>

To: Pastor Greg Jackson <greg.jackson.edlp@gmail.com>

Sent: Sunday, June 12, 2022, 03:46:00 PM CDT

Subject: Letter to LCMS President Harrison

Please post the following letter I wrote to LCMS President Harrison and signed my name. I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ especially in Holy Communion.

June 12, 2022

Dear Pastor and President Harrison,

I am always thankful for the pastoral care you gave me years ago at Zion!!  I was so upset and troubled about the liberalism in our dear synod.  Now I am even more deeply troubled by LCMS pastors and even district presidents changing Christ's last will and testament into a Calvinistic covenant during the words of institution.  This Sunday morning central Illinois district president Mark Miller changed Christ's last will and testament into a Calvinistic covenant during the words of institution. Now "that little word 'testament' is a short summary of all God's wonder and grace fulfilled in Christ." (Martin Luther, LW, vol. 35, pg 84). I firmly believe Christ my Testator gives me His last will and testament, bequeathing to me forgiveness of sins and eternal life in Holy Communion. Luther confirmed this when he said: "So in this matter, you must above all else take heed to your heart, that you believe the words of Christ, and admit their truth, when He says to you and to all, ' This is my blood, a new testament, by which I bequeath to you forgiveness of all sins and eternal life." (Martin Luther, LW, vol 35, pg 84)  It is unthinkable and impossible for me to agree to any changes to Christ's last will and testament... Why?... Because it is a horrible sin to me to change Christ's last will and testament.  Martin Chemnitz the second Luther, shares my belief:

"For since Christ instituted His supper in the form of a testament, it is also not allowed at another time to distort even a man's covenant, if it is confirmed by adding or subtracting: how much greater sin it is therefore to change or mutilate the testament of the Son of God." (Martin Chemnitz, Ministry, Word, and sacrament, CPH, 1981, pg. 122). Now many in our synod we're very unhappy when our new hymnal held to this little word 'testament' in Holy Communion.  Many argued against this favoring 'covenant' instead. But "that little word 'testament' is a short summary of all God's wonder and grace fulfilled for us in Christ." (Martin Luther, LW, vol 35, pg 84) So our synod wisely held with 'testament' in opposition to all the corrupted modern translations (NKJV, ESV, NIV etc.) Trusting Luther's Bible and the King James Bible and the clear meaning conveyed by the Greek word itself: 'testament'. 

Pastor and President Harrison, I urge you to please confirm LCMS pastors and district presidents hold to Christ's words as they stand in the Bible and our liturgy. "That little word 'testament' is a short summary of all God's wonder and grace fulfilled in Christ." (Martin Luther, LW, vol 35, pg 84)

I am unable to partake of Holy Communion from LCMS pastors and district presidents who change Christ's Last Will and Testament into a Calvinistic covenant.

In Christ,

Tom Fisher

Bird and Squirrel Spa Opens with a Splash

 

Sassy and I took our morning walk first, because she insisted. Next, I watered a few places in the Rose Garden and the Butterfly Garden. Roses and Borage are doing well. Mature Joe Pye is growing fast heaven-ward, twice engulfing a rose bush. The roses still bloom, wrapped in scented leaves, and I cut excess JPs back to allow some sun.

I needed to wash and refill the kiddie pools re-imagined as bird baths. Instead, I dumped the dirty water and put a sprinkler nearby to fill the pools and provide a water-park for everyone. They already had some popcorn on the two barrels.

I came back to a happy bird and squirrel riot. The food was gone, squirrels and birds were having mock battles over the water. One squirrel made a flying leap into the pool, scaring birds away. They came back to harass the squirrels.

A bit later, two pools and a shallow dish had water for everyone and "dry" areas for landing. I turned off the water to preserve the shallows and allow vegetation to drip down for that outdoor shower experience.

Birds and squirrels are happy to use up the food I sprinkle around, but they love water the most during a drought.

We can see in the layers of Creation, the purpose for each creature (not evolute). They are divinely programmed, engineered for certain tasks, which they carry out tirelessly. Birdlings and squirrelings get fed when they are young and vulnerable. They learn how to get their own food. The obvious answer is "Eat at Jacksons and leave us alone. The trouble with you is you are spoiled. Spoiled rotten!"

When the creatures splash the water, the tiny animals flourish - earthworms, slugs, beetles, ants, moles, spiders of all kinds. Enemies do not wipe out the competition but control it with measured, carefully determined (by Whom?) measures. Daisies are now blooming, attracting a type of outdoor fly that plants eggs on, in, or inside destructive-to-plants insects. The babies hatch and devour the unfortunate victims, then mature into parents who lay eggs on, in, or near the insects they devoured as new-borns.

Free Online Source for Books and Video - https://erenow.net/

 A. E. Smylie helmed the licorice factory in Moline, clearly immune to the jokes about his ironic name. 

The Lutheran Librarian, Alec Satin, sent me a link to the most incredible site for free historical books - https://erenow.net/

Welcome to Erenow

“A generation which ignores history has no past — and no future.”