Palawan Hornbill

The palawan hornbill (Anthracoceros marchei), which the Filipinos call talusi, is a small forest-dwelling bird--it is approximately 21-25 inches long. It weighs approximately a pound and a half. This bird is predominantly black with a white tail, a dark green gloss on its upperparts and a large creamy-white beak with a casque typical of the hornbill family. The calls of a palawan hornbill sound like "kaaww" or "kreik-kreik."

Nine species of hornbill live in the Philippines and the palawan hornbill is endemic to Palawan Island, but has also been seen on nearby islands of Balabac, Busuanga, Calauit, Culion and Coron. Most visiting birdwatchers travel to St. Paul's National Park to view this bird. It acts as a bio-indicator due to its sensitivity to environmental changes. It is officially classied as "vulnerable" and its numbers have reduced by at least 20% in the last ten years due to habit destruction and hunting for food and the live bird trade.

Palawan hornbills are usually seen in pairs or small noisy family parties, and have a communal roosting. They are usually seen in fruiting trees at the forest edge, but also feeds on insects and small reptiles. The palawan hornbill gathers fruits in a gular pouch, then processes and spits out seeds where they are able to thrive, away from the competing parent tree. Scientists estimate that there are up to 10,000 palawan hornbills on earth.

The palawan hornbill is another example of our God's wonders. It has its own features and characteristics and needs and contribution to this planet. YOU have a unique place here on earth. God created YOU for an important reason. Examine YOUR heart and YOUR life, and strive to determine WHO YOU need to be. Share YOUR thoughts and insights and dreams with others. Let me hear from YOU.

John Willis

The Vision of the Plumbline--Amos 7

As pointed out in an earlier blog, the third section of the Book of Amos contains five visions. Three of these visions appear in Amos 7. Then a fourth vision appears in Amos 8. And, finally, the fifth vision appears in Amos 9. This blog is devoted to a brief treatment of Amos 7. This chapter falls into two parts.

I. The First Three Visions of Amos. Amos 7:1-9.
a. The first two visions communicate the same message. Amos 7:1-6.
1. The vision of the locusts. Yahweh showed Amos that Yahweh was "forming" [creating] locusts when the Israelites most needed to harvest their crops. The locust plague wiped out this crop. When Yahweh revealed this vision to Amos, Amos made an "intercession" in behalf of Israel. Amos cries out:
"How can Jacob stand?
He is so small!"
In the minds the Israelites, they were "the most powerful nations on earth" [see Amos 2:13-16; 6:13]. But in the mind of Yahweh and Amos, they are VERY SMALL. When Amos makes this intercession, Yahweh responds by GRACE; Yahweh CHANGES HIS MIND and HIS PREDICTIONS, and gives his people another chance. Throughout history, this is the way Yahweh works. Verses 1-3.
2. The vision of the devouring fire [drought]. Yahweh showed Amos that Yahweh was calling a fire to devour the land of Israel. Yahweh sent a drought. Just as in Amos's response to the locusts, here again Amos makes an intercession in behalf of Israel, using the same words. And again, Yahweh agrees and changes his mind and his predictions, and gives Israel another chance. Verses 4-6.
b. The third vision: the plumbline. Amos 7:7-9.
1. Yahweh showed Amos that Yahweh was standing beside a wall built with a plumbline with a plumbline in his hand. Yahweh declares that he is setting a plumbline in the midst of his people Israel. His point is: "I WILL NEVER AGAIN PASS BY THEM." Yahweh had given Israel chance after chance after chance [as illustrated by the first two visions; see Amos 4:6-13]. Yahweh declares that Amos can and must not make an intercession for Israel any more. Israel has hardened her heart, and hence Yahweh will never again pass by Israel--Yahweh will punish Israel. Verses 7-8.
In these two verses, there is a "technical" interpretation. Some scholars argue that the Hebrew word 'anak here means "tin" rather than "plumbline." Then the idea would be that the Israelites are like "tin," and therefore cannot resist the attacks of the invading Assyrians. See John H. Hayes, Amos the Eighth Century Prophet, pages 204-206. This may be true. But all scholars admit that we really do not know what this term means. The New Revised Standard Version still reads "plumbline," and this makes good sense in this context. The idea is that Yahweh originally built Israel by a "plumbline," the law of Moses. Now, Yahweh requires the Israelites to measure up to this standard. When this happens, the Israelites fail the test. Hence, Yahweh will punish them through the Assyrians. Either interpretation fits. Study this for yourself, and share your ideas with others and with me. I need all the help I can get.
2. Yahweh announces two punishments of the Israelites. First, Yahweh through the Assyrians will overthrow the land of Israel. Second, Yahweh through the Assyrians will overthrow the dynasty of Jeroboam II [this is the dynasty of Jehu]. Historically, both of these events occurred.

II. The Conflict between Amos and Amaziah, the priest of Bethel. Amos 7:10-17.
a. When Amos declares Yahweh's third vision, announcing the fall of the dynasty of Jehu and of North Israel, the rich, powerful, prestigious priest of Bethel, Amaziah, reproves and rejects Amos' message. First, Amaziah the priest of Bethel sends a message to king Jeroboam II, accuses Amos the prophet to be a traitor, a "Judas Iscariot," a "Benedict Arnold," and reports that Amos predicted that Jeroboam II will die by the sword, and Israel will go into exile. [The second prediction is accurate, but the first is not. Amos actually predicted that the "house" or "dynasty" of Jeroboam will come to an end [see verse 9], not that the king Jeroboam II will die by the sword]. Second, Amaziah confronts Amos and commands Amos to leave North Israel and never enter into this land again or preach there, because Bethel is "the king's sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom." Amaziah scornfully denounces Amos as a "SEER," implying that a "seer" is a lowly person. Verses 10-13.
b. Amos responds by declaring that he was not "trained" to be a prophet. He was "trained" to be a HERDSMAN and a DRESSER OF SYCAMORE TREES, whose job was to take care of a special kind of sheep and to cut the hard bulbs of the flowers to allow the bugs to come out so the tree could grow properly. While Amos was doing his work, Yahweh told him specifically to go to North Israel and proclaim Yahweh's message to the the Israelites there. This is a brief description of the prophetic call of Amos. Verses 14-15.
c. Finally, Amos proclaims Yahweh's message to Amaziah in two parts. Verses 16-17.
1. Amos quotes Amaziah's previous message: Amos, Do not prophesy against Israel. Verse 16.
2. Amos responds to Amaziah's command: Yahweh declares that Amaziah's wife will become a prostitute in Samaria, Amaziah's sons and daughters will fall by the sword, the land owned by Amaziah will be parceled out by land among the invading Assyrians, and Israel will surely go into exile to Assyria. Verse 17.

Amos 7 contains several powerful messages of God that we all need to heed. Share YOUR thoughts and insights with others. Let me hear from YOU.

John Willis

Catmas Carols

Evelyn and I have three cats: Boots, Siam, and Catalong--and it is Christmas time. Our cats now apply normal Christmas carols to their own thoughts. Let's peek in and listen to THEIR carols.

We Three Cats

We three cats of Orient are
Terrified to get in the car.
Why go out for celebrating?
We'll stay right where are are. Oooh--

We're not happy with a trip yet.
Seems they always end at the vet.
These excustions are diversions
We'd just as soon forget. Oooh--

We three cats are Siamese,
Himalayan, and Tonkinese.
Bring us gifts of meat with gravy
And mild kinds of cheese. Oooh--

Chorus:
Home is heaven. Home is good.
Home is where we get our food.
Why go out for Christmas parties?
Frankly we're not in the mood.

The First Meow

The first meow,
the angels did say,
Was to certain white Persians
On rugs where they lay.
On rugs where they
Lay trying to sleep.
Having dreams about cat life
That were so deep.
Meow, meow, meow, meow,
They'll get to do what they want, somehow.
Meow, meow, meow, meow,
They'll get to do what they want, somehow.

Oh, Come

Oh, come all ye furful,
Hungry and well-rested,
Oh, come ye, oh, come ye to
The master bedroom.
Come and behold them
Snoring loudly 'neath the sheets,
For now it's time to wake them,
For now it's time to wake them,
For now it's time to wake them,
On this Christmas morn.

Meow, choirs of felines,
Meow in expectation.
Meow till you get you Mom
And Dad out of bed.
Glory to food
In the cat dish.
Oh, come let us enjoy it,
Oh, come let us enjoy it,
Oh, come let us enjoy it,
Breakfast at last!

O! Little Town of Cat Mayhem

O! Little town of Cat Mayhem,
What mischiefs among you lie?
They look angelic in their sleep,
But there's nothing they won't try.
And in the dark night shineth
Alert, translucent eyes
As they attack the Christmas stockings
Carrying off the prize.

These are "songs" written by Laurie Loughlin. I hope you enjoy at least one of these. This book has several more.

Have a wonderful Christmas--and enjoy your cats. They are a pleasure. Share YOUR experiences with others. Let me hear from YOU.

John Willis

Those Ease in Zion--Amos 6

Amos 6 is the second "Woe Oracle," beginning with the word "Woe" or "Alas" in verse
1. This oracle falls into three parts. This blog attempts to offer a brief study of Amos 6:1-14.

I. Yahweh rebukes the wicked rich and powerful leaders in Israel. Amos 6:1-7.
a. Here Yahweh is concerned about BOTH Zion [=Jerusalem, thus south Judah] and Samaria [=North Israel]. The so-called leaders of these two nations are rich and powerful and in control. Thus they are "at ease" and "feel secure." All the people come to these leaders to "cow down" before them so they can do whatever they wish. [Many leaders of the USA and American universities and churches adopt precisely this same role. We all need to hear the message of Amos here]. Verse 1.
b. Yahweh through Amos summons these hearers and readers to go to the nations around Israel and Judah and see how these nations compare. In the days of Jeroboam II and Uzziah, Israel and Judah are superior to all these nations. But, they take advantage of their situation and make this "an evil day," a time of "violence." Those in control oppress and mistreat the rest of the people. Verses 2-3.
c. The rich powerful in control hold extravagant parties or festivals. Here they lies on beds of ivory and lounge on their couches, since people in the ancient Near East did not have chairs and tables for their meals, but stretched out their beds and couches and lay on their left arm as they ate. [Evelyn and I have experienced such practices in Thailand]. They eat mutton and steaks. As the eaters enjoy their meals, professional musicians sing idle songs to the sound of the harp and like David improvise on instruments of music. [The picture is like a band with singers entertaining the banqueters]. They drink wine by the bowl and anoint themselves with perfumes to present themselves pleasant. Verses 4-6a.
None of these practices is sinful in any way. [As an aside, some isolated individuals and uninformed local churches in Churches of Christ and others have used Amos 6:5 to "prove" that the Bible opposes the use of instrumental music in worship. A slight study of this verse in contact indicates that Amos 6:1-7 does not refer to a worship assembly setting, but a normal banquet, as at the civic center. God does not reprove people to lie on bed or eat mutton or steaks of use perfume. Note the context!!!].
d. Verse 6b shows the problem: "They are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph [=North Israel]." Rich, powerful, controlling leaders are oppressing the helpless poor and needy. But their conscience does not prick them. They happily run over good people to get their way. Therefore, Yahweh says, they will go into exile and their revelers will pass away. Verses 6b-7. Again, Yahweh through Amos proclaims that the sinful people of Israel will go into exile--see 5:27; 7:11, 17.

II. Yahweh declares that He will decimate the people of Israel. Amos 6:8-10.
a. Yahweh proclaims that he "hates," "abhors" "the pride of Jacob." The pride of Jacob is the fortresses and cities in which the Israelites take pride, that is, their military strength. See Amos 2:13-16; 8:7. Yahweh does indeed condemn people who are arrogant, but the meaning here is the military fortresses in which the Israelites take pride. Verse 8.
b. The Israelites will attempt to defend themselves from the invading Assyrians, but to no avail. Yahweh will empower the Assyrians to destroy the Israelites so that only a tenth of the people will remain. Verses 9-10.

III. Yahweh announces that an invading "nation" is about to overthrow Israel. Amos 6:11-14.
a. The Israelites pride themselves in their wealth and power and possessions. They have "great houses" and "little houses." They arrogantly brag: "Have we not by OUR OWN STRENGTH defeated our enemies? Verses 11, 13. Unfortunately, we ourselves often assume that we can defeat any people on earth BY OUR OWN STRENGTH. Human beings do not have strength. Power comes from Yahweh alone.
b. In contrast, Yahweh desires "justice" and "righteousness," while these wicked rich, powerful, domineering leaders of the people turn justice into poison and the fruit of righteousness to wormwood. Yahweh through Amos presents two questions to emphasize that Yahweh's sinful people are foolish or living out of character. Horses do not run on rocks, and oxen do not plow under the sea. Hence, godly people must not practice injustice and unrighteousness. YET, these "religious" people do this very thing. Verse 12.
The comments of Francis I. Andersen and David Noel Freedman, Amos, Anchor Bible 24A, page 529 are "on target," and need our thoughts here.
"The pronouncements of the Book of Amos should not be absolutized into stand in indictments of the cult as such, no matter how conducted, no matter what the accompanying state of the nation. The bible generally has a very negative estimate of religions, because most of them are false and even the true one is continually liable to corruptio. The shrines and ceremonies, sacrifices and songs here denounced and renounced were, after all, instituted by Yahweh and expected by him. It is precisely for this reason that it was so easy for the people to deceive themselves into believing that their conscientious and doubtless sincere obedience to this part of Yahweh's Torah assured his presence and their safety. It also explains why it was so difficult, unexpected, and unacceptable for the prophet to carry his point. It was becuase they were so religious that they did not repent. It could even be tha, in the face of the plagues of 4:6-11, they intensified their shrine attendance and increased their offerings as activity likely to secure God's favor. . . .But substance of true repentance is defined otherwise by Amos. It is when they establish justice in the gate that the Lord will be gracious; when righteousness rolls down Yahweh will listen, look, smell, and accept their worship."
c. Because of the sins of Israel, Yahweh announces that he will raise up "a nation" to overthrow them throughout the land: "from Lebohamath [in the north] to the Wadi of Arabah [in the south]." Verse 14. The Book of Amos never mentions the name of the nation about to attack Israel. But historically, it is clear that this nation is the Assyrians.

What are YOUR thoughts and insights on Amos 6? Great messages of God appear in this marvelous chapter. Share YOUR understanding with others. Let me hear from YOU.

John Willis

The Legend of the Christmas Prayer

My wonderful wife Evelyn called to my attention a tiny book written by Brian Morgan entitled "The Legend of the Christmas Prayer." This tiny book edifies everyone. This will life YOUR heart. Here is the story:

Once upon a Christmas time, long ago,
a man who had a big heart, but little money,
dreamt he could give his friends endless riches.
When he awoke, the dream kept running through his mind, over and over.
Finally, he asked himself:
"If I could give my friends anything, what would I give?"
He smiled as he began to think of all the wondrous things he could buy for them.
But then he thought: "I'm a happy man, yet I have none of those things."
And he began to think that perhaps real wealth could not be measured in riches.
Perhaps there were gifts of greater value than the things money could buy.
In the still of the night, he pondered these things
and thought of Christmas and what it meant to him.
Taking out his quill, he began to write on a parchment scroll:

On the first day of Christmas,
I pray for you joy in abundance and laughter,
for laughter cures our ills and joy makes our spirits soar.

On the second day of Christmas,
I pray for you a sigh when you need one,
for a sigh clears the heart as a cough clears the throat,
and with a sigh comes acceptance of what we cannot change.

On the third day of Christmas,
I pray for you tears when you need them,
for tears clear the eyes to see the stars
and cleanse the soul to let healing begin.

On the fourth day of Christmas,
I pray for you serenity,
for fights and wars start in individual breasts
and that is where they must end.

On the fifth day of Christmas,
I pray for you wisdom,
for our priceless gift is the gift of choice--
and we should use it well every day, in word and deed.

On the sixth day of Christmas,
I pray for you patience,
for most troubles pass if we wait them out,
and success comes with persistence.

On the seventh day of Christmas,
I pray for you courage,
for there may be many pitfalls and dangers ahead
and problems can only be solved when they are faced.

On the eighth day of Christmas,
I pray for you compassion,
for we cannot help others until we understand them,
and we cannot understand them until we walk in their shoes.

On the ninth day of Christmas,
I pray for you a willingness to work,
for work turns dreams to reality--
whether the dreams are ours or belong to those we can help.

On the tenth day of Christmas,
I pray for you unwavering faith,
for faith shapes our morals and our destiny
and draws us closer to God.

On the eleventh day of Christmas,
I pray for you a mind full of hope,
for hope determines our attitudes,
sets our goals, and creates our ideals.

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
I pray for you a heart so full of love
that every day you must give some away
to those whose paths you cross.

And with each prayer, the man realized he was not giving a gift at all,
but hoping that his friends would find the gifts they already had within them.
Each time he wrote a prayer, a marvelous thing happened.
It seems to him that the prayer, although offered for his friends,
remained in his heart and produced in him the very thing he prayed for them.
The man copied his scroll and sent the Christmas prayer to special friends,
and that is where the legend of the Christmas Prayer is lost in the mists of time.
The man was never heard of again but, over the years,
the Christmas Prayer began to appear all over the world.
People in obscure village and big cities would receive at Christmas time
a copy of the scroll from a friend.
And so the wonder multiplied, until the story finally reached YOU.

I hope and pray this prayer reaches YOU. Thank YOU Brian Morgan for this wonderful story. And thank YOU, my marvelous wife, for sharing this story with me. Let me hear from YOU.

John Willis

Let Justice Roll Down Like Waters--Amos 5:18-27

Following three oracles in Amos 3-6, namely: 3:1-15; 4:1-13; 5:1-17, each beginning with the summons or call: "Hear this word" in 3:1; 4:1; 5:1, there are now two "Woe" or "Alas" oracles in 5:18-27 and 6:1-14, each beginning with the term "Woe" or "Alas" in 5:18 and 6:1. Several English translations add "Woe" or "Alas" in 6:4, but this is not in the original Hebrew. This addition is probably to keep the hearer or reader following the line of thought. This blog is a brief study of the first "Woe" oracle in 5:18-27. This falls into three parts.

I. "The Day of Yahweh" is very near. Amos 5:18-20.
a. Christians initially assume that "the Day of the Lord" is the second coming of Jesus Christ at the end of the world. While this term may occur a few times in the Bible, usually "the Day of the Lord" is a commonly relatively near future to come. "The Day of the Lord" may be a time of salvation or deliverance, or it may be a time of punishment and destruction. Each context must determine the meaning of this phrase or expression.
b. Amos 5:18 indicates that the people of Yahweh, the Israelites, assumed that "the Day of the Lord" will be a time of deliverance from hostile enemies. For them, this "day" will be a "day" of "light," deliverance, salvation. Verse 18.
c. Yahweh through Amos proclaims that this day will be a time of "darkness," punishment, destruction, because of the sins of the Israelites. Verses 18, 20.
d. When this day comes, there will be no escape. It is like a person fleeing from a lion and encounters a bear, or a person goes into a house and rests his hand on the wall to rest from travel, and a snake bites him and kills him. Verse 19. [Note once again, the recurring references to "lions" throughout the Book of Amos].

II. Yahweh Desire Justice and Righteousness. Amos 5:21-24.
a. "Justice" and "righteousness" in the Bible mean impartial arbitration, equitable treatment, or adherence to an ideal that is right. Deuteronomy 16:18-20; 24:17 demonstrate that "justice" and "righteousness" refer to non-biased juridical decisions in which the judge or jury avoids preferential treatment of litigants based on gifts, money, or the status of the litigants [bribe]. These text specifically teach that God's people must not deprive the orphan, the widow, the poor, or the alien of "justice" and "righteousness." THIS is the central message of the entire Bible. See James 1:26-27.
b. Those who claimed themselves to be the "religious" people of God prided themselves in festivals, solemn assemblies, burnt offerings, grain offerings, offerings of well-being, songs, and harps. Verses 21-23. Throughout Exodus through Deuteronomy, Yahweh through Moses commanded the people of God to do precisely these things to please God and worship God and glorify God. But now, Yahweh through Amos denounces and rejects all of these "religious" practices. But these denunciations must be read in the context of verse 24 [see below]. Yahweh is certainly not opposed to worship services, animal and grain sacrifices, religious songs, and religious hymns sung with the harp and other musical instruments. On the contrary, Yahweh is very much in favor of all these practices. But verse 24 emphasizes that there is a much deeper issue here. [As an aside, isolated individuals and local church groups in Churches of Christ sometime argued that Amos 5:23 proves that God is against the use of instrumental music in worship. Fortunately, most people realize that Amos 5:23certainly does not support this idea. This same verse denounces the use of "songs" in worship. But the reason for this is the heart and activities of the worshippers, not singing or using instrumental music in public worship].
c. Verse 24 emphasizes the "real problem." The people of Yahweh went to church and performed a variety of external religious acts, but during the week they abused and mistreated and blackballed and oppressed their fellows. They PRACTICED injustice and unrighteousness, the very opposite of what Yahweh desires: "justice" and "righteousness." Once the people of God learn how to treat others in a godly, loving, gracious, generous way, they may be ready to approach God in public worship.

III. Yahweh's Exile is Near. Amos 5:25-27.
a. Once again, Yahweh announces that Yahweh will send an enemy to overthrow his sinful people and carry them into exile. The Israelites indeed brought sacrifices and offerings to Yahweh forty years during the wilderness wanderings, but this was not the primary concern of Yahweh or of Israel. Nor should it be now. Verse 25.
b. Many Israelites are worshipping foreign gods: Sakkuth, Kaiwan, their images. Verse 26. [Here one needs to consult several commentaries and articles on this verse. One finds that there are several interpretations of these deities. It seems inappropriate to delve into the detailed arguments on these various issues about the nature of these deities. PLEASE do your own study on this tiny point].
c. Because of Israel's sins, Yahweh will take them into exile. Verse 27. Historically, this happened in 721 B. C., when the Assyrians overthrew Samaria, the capital of North Israel, and carried the Israelites into captivity. The idea of Israel "going into exile" is a major theme throughout the Book of Amos. See for example 5:5; 6:7; 7:11, 17; etc.

What are YOUR thoughts in response to a study of Amos 5:18-27? Share YOUR ideas and insights with others. Let me hear from YOU.

John Willis

Greater Bamboo Lemur

The Greater Bamboo Lemur (Prolemur lemur) is a large, greyish browm lemur with white ear tufts. It is approximately 16 inches long and its tail is between 17 and 22 inches, giving a total of approximately 26 inches long or longer. It weighs a little over 5 pounds.

This animal feeds almost exclusively in Giant Bamboo, preferring the shoots but also eating the pith and leaves. Scientists do not know how their metabolism deals with the cyanide found in the shoots. Their typical daily dose of this food would be enough to kill human beings. Its only predator is the Fossa, but raptors are also suspected. This animal lives only in southeastern Madagascar in the rainforest.

Experts estimate less than 200 living Greater Bamboo Lemurs because the bamboo crop is so sparse. Scientists think the males outnumber the females. Males have been observed taking the pith away from females that have put significant effort into opening the bamboo stems.

The Greater Bamboo Lemur is another example of our God's creativity and awesomeness. It is amazing that God continues to create and sustain so many various animals and birds and plants and fish and many other things on earth. Each is unique. YOU are unique. God created YOU in HIS image. Rejoice in your existence and life and sustenance. God bless YOU daily.

Share YOUR ideas and experiences with others. Let me hear from YOU.

John Willis