Lessons From the Cliff Swallows

[Asyncritus]

THE SWALLOWS OF CAPISTRANO

There’s a lovely little legend about these birds, the cliff swallows.

Every year on March 18th – Time has newsreel footage of this actually happening some years ago - the swallows return to the town of San Juan Capistrano in California. Many people flock to see the sight, apparently. A song has been written about this: ‘When the Swallows return to Capistrano.’

The previous day, the 17th, the scouts of the flock come sweeping in, then fly back out to sea. On the 18th itself, they come in clouds, to nest and breed. Then, on October 23rd, they fly up, circle the town, saying goodbye it seems, and then fly away.

One fascinating thing is that they are reputed to fly to Capistrano from Goya in Argentina, a distance of some 7000 miles! and back again. The migration does take place – that is a fact, and the legendary bit now follows:

The flight is mostly over water – and swallows can’t swim. They sleep on the wing, according to some accounts – but each one carries a twig in its mouth, and when fatigued, drop the twig into the water, and rest on it as it floats.

Whether the legend be true or not, the astonishing feats of bird navigation and migration defy belief. (The star of this particular show must, I think, be the Arctic tern, which flies from its northern breeding grounds in the arctic, to the Antarctic (some 19,000 km) and back again every year!)

A bit of imagination soon makes these feats quite unbelievable. Imagine flying at 500 - 2000 feet, clouds below, temperature low, not a landmark in sight, ploughing bravely on for 7000 miles in the case of the swallows, right down the western coast of the whole of South America. Finding food somehow, finding rest somehow, driven by some mysterious urge to do this marvellous thing.

Whatever the reason for these flights, they speak in the most powerful way imaginable of the Creator’s powers. That they should do this, heading for a destination they cannot see, with terrible problems they must meet, navigating only with a heavenly guide – it can be nothing else – they do it, unflinchingly, unquestioningly, and heroically.

And in so doing, remind us of the journeys people of God have undertaken because of their faith in the unseen and the unknowable. The birds have no choice – their instinct drives them relentlessly on, but Abraham had a choice – and he did as he was commanded.

In many ways, we have each done the same. We have embarked on a journey in complete faith. There was no way of knowing what the end is going to be – we only have the writings of those who have gone before us. We had, and have, no idea of the difficulties before us. But like those wonderful little birds, we go – not knowing whither we go. “Whither I go, ye cannot come†said the Lord. We follow our heavenly guide to a land far away, invisible to the natural eye, but with a Captain who knows the way, and assures us of success.

There’s no question that some of the birds die on the way. Some are blown off course, some are captured by predators. Some have not the strength for the journey. Some are sick, and some are sad – but they all go nonetheless. And yet, as the Lord says, “one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.â€

It is when we look carefully at what He did say, that we see the full beauty of the saying.

Mt 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

Lu 12:6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

Notice: two are sold for a farthing, FIVE are sold for two farthings.

That should be FOUR, not five in strict mathematical terms. It’s the old ‘buy two, get one free’ deal. And yet, says the Lord, not one of them – not even the extra one that’s thrown in to sweeten the deal – is forgotten before God!

Is that not a most wonderful statement from The Son of God? And doesn't it make our task that little bit easier if we know this? Whatever our circumstances, He cares. And the only thing that will stop us reaching the promised Land is if we should join another flock, find another Captain, or forgetting our goal, head for other destinations.

Join with me in marvelling at these beautiful little creatures, who despite their small size, achieve such great things. Who by their faith in the unseen, discomfit the unbelievers, and may yet save some who take notice of these great facts in the natural world, from the burning.

The Great God of heaven and earth cares for you. He loves you. He calls you to higher flights and greater things. He points us to a land far, far away, but which draws nearer with every day that passes.

Isa.40. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not aint.

“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.â€

 

[Former Christian]

Asyncritus

Neil deGrasse Tyson, at the age of 9, went to a Planetarium. He lived in New York City. He could see around five stars or less on any given night. When he saw the multitude of stars in a presentation at the Planetarium, he was enthralled. So enthralled, in fact, today in his fifties, he’s an Astrophysicist. And he spends a great deal of his time trying to make science interesting to young people today.

But though Tyson was enthralled by nature itself, it didn’t lead him to believe that it was all created by some Supreme Being. He’s an Atheist. Not nearly as militant an Atheist as Richard Dawkins. But believing similar things against religion. He considers religion to be on par with Astrology. An interesting fairytale. He recognizes the contribution of Astrologers to Astronomy, like the creation of the system of constellations. He recognizes the contributions of religion to science, like the contributions of the scientists of the Islamic Ottoman Empire. For one thing our system of numbers we use today, are even still called Arabic numerals. But he can’t see beyond that, in relation to a supernatural realm.

I especially appreciate what he says about UFOs. There is a group of people that have a common habit. They look up. They’re always looking up. Yet the percentage of these people that claim to see UFOs is less than the general public. Why are these aliens hiding from the one group of people who are most interested in meeting them? There’s a couple of his talks on YouTube and they should be listened to. He’s humorous as well as interesting.

So though it can be considered that we’re all on a journey, not all us birds are flying to the same drummer.

When I was about the same age as Tyson, I became enthralled with insects. While insects are everywhere in one form or another, I lived in the country where the kinds of insects observed was very diverse. When watching them, it never occurred to me that they were the work of a Creator. So I, like Tyson, was enthralled by the wonders of nature. But didn’t make the connection to a special creation or a Creator. I thought about nature just as I was taught to think, by my parents, by my peers, by the public school system. The issue of God or anything relating to a God never came up. Even today, when I observe a wonder of nature, I still only think in those terms.

The Bible, being a book centered in a certain idea, an idea where the existence of God is taken for granted, nature is always related back to the creator. “Consider the antâ€, in Proverbs, is said in a context that includes a Creator. One’s world view very much affects how we view nature.

The American Indians do not believe in the Judeo-Christian God. But they have religious beliefs that include a Supreme Being from which all comes and returns to. Many have a greater appreciation for nature than most Christians. So it warms the cockles o’ me heart when I see a Christian even slightly take note of anything in nature, and sees it in relation to their God.

Adam was created and placed in a garden to care for it. I find it sad that Christians as a whole seem to feel that when Adam was taken out of the garden and not permitted to return, it meant that their obligation to help care for the planet was made null and void. They have no concern for the pollution of atmosphere and waters, or for the gradual decease of the rain forests. All of which contributes to what we and every other inhabitant of this planet needs to survive. I’ve talked to few Christians who have any interest in the fact that species are going extinct because of some of our brutal habits toward nature. Seeming to agree with Evolutionists that it’s all a matter of the survival of the fittest. Not realizing that true Evolutionists have more feeling towards the matter than they do.

I find post #1 a good first step. Even though it’s only applied to something personal, a personal walk with God. The next step is to apply this to something more. A realization that there’s more to our surroundings than just ourselves.

FC

 

[childeye]

I agree that the animals from the smallest of bugs to the great whales in the seas and all plants and air and water are a marvel. I also agree it is a travesty that such wonderous creation should be regarded as irrelevant to man's interests. It is said that God tells the squirrels where and when to bury their nuts and the fox where to dig their dens. Beavers are marvelous engineers. They know the masters voice but mankind does not seem to know. You and I excluded of course.

 

[Former Christian]

Childeye

I don't discount the possibility that the fauna and flora could be in some kind of contact with God. It does seem to be intimated in the Bible. What I know for certain is that some animals seem to understand man better than most men understand animals. I'm born and bred country, and that experience says that to me. Even many country people just view animals and plants as a lower order of things, and thus not that important. So who know? But I must also take into account that they are food for us.

The point I made was only in regard to opening our eyes to what's really going on around us. In the name of greed, we're killing ourselves.

Jay Gould, the Evolutionist, called humanity a glorious accident. I wonder how some animals feel about that. If I were an Evolutionist, I would agree with the accident part and think that eventually Mother Nature will rectify that mistake. Maybe by just allowing humanity to destroy itself. But I’m not an Evolutionist.

I remember this ten minute short that came out on TV many years ago. It was during the era that the bomb was still seen as a threat. I saw it much later, in school I think, as a movie about what to do in an emergency. Anyway, it recounts what would happen if the bomb were dropped. In the end , it shows nothing left, and pans toward a small pile of rocks. Something still lived and was coming out. A cockroach. And I understand completely. Now that I’ve lived with the cockroaches for a time, I find they are next to impossible to kill. No matter what one does, some always survive.

So let’s pray that God doesn’t give up on us leaving us to our own devices. Not a prayer that is prayer alone, but prayer that is expressed by our actions.

FC

 

[childeye]

Childeye

I don't discount the possibility that the fauna and flora could be in some kind of contact with God. It does seem to be intimated in the Bible. What I know for certain is that some animals seem to understand man better than most men understand animals. I'm born and bred country, and that experience says that to me. Even many country people just view animals and plants as a lower order of things, and thus not that important. So who know? But I must also take into account that they are food for us.

The point I made was only in regard to opening our eyes to what's really going on around us. In the name of greed, we're killing ourselves.

Jay Gould, the Evolutionist, called humanity a glorious accident. I wonder how some animals feel about that. If I were an Evolutionist, I would agree with the accident part and think that eventually Mother Nature will rectify that mistake. Maybe by just allowing humanity to destroy itself. But I’m not an Evolutionist.

I remember this ten minute short that came out on TV many years ago. It was during the era that the bomb was still seen as a threat. I saw it much later, in school I think, as a movie about what to do in an emergency. Anyway, it recounts what would happen if the bomb were dropped. In the end , it shows nothing left, and pans toward a small pile of rocks. Something still lived and was coming out. A cockroach. And I understand completely. Now that I’ve lived with the cockroaches for a time, I find they are next to impossible to kill. No matter what one does, some always survive.

So let’s pray that God doesn’t give up on us leaving us to our own devices. Not a prayer that is prayer alone, but prayer that is expressed by our actions.

FC

Yes I agree we should do what is right, although I don't think we all will agree on what that is. So it is you are also right that we must pray and turn to God as you say, to not leave us to our own devices. If such actions were possible apart from prayer I do not think my prayer would be very heartfelt. So it is I have no faith in men to be able to fix anything. Regarding the plants water and air, I see things as all the energy of God's Word. Yes there are differing stations but all live to serve God's Glory, and what a wonderous creation that speaks to it. All the animals seem to have very defined characters written in their faces and body language. I could spend hours on end just observing their mannerisms. I don't know why, but once at the zoo I perchance was standing by watching the Rhinos and one came to the only spot close enough where one might be able to touch it. I reached out and he let me touch his or her horn. My hand tingled for days from the point where I touched it and I can't explain why. God's creatures are so cool.

 

[jasoncran]

Asyncritus

Neil deGrasse Tyson, at the age of 9, went to a Planetarium. He lived in New York City. He could see around five stars or less on any given night. When he saw the multitude of stars in a presentation at the Planetarium, he was enthralled. So enthralled, in fact, today in his fifties, he’s an Astrophysicist. And he spends a great deal of his time trying to make science interesting to young people today.

But though Tyson was enthralled by nature itself, it didn’t lead him to believe that it was all created by some Supreme Being. He’s an Atheist. Not nearly as militant an Atheist as Richard Dawkins. But believing similar things against religion. He considers religion to be on par with Astrology. An interesting fairytale. He recognizes the contribution of Astrologers to Astronomy, like the creation of the system of constellations. He recognizes the contributions of religion to science, like the contributions of the scientists of the Islamic Ottoman Empire. For one thing our system of numbers we use today, are even still called Arabic numerals. But he can’t see beyond that, in relation to a supernatural realm.

I especially appreciate what he says about UFOs. There is a group of people that have a common habit. They look up. They’re always looking up. Yet the percentage of these people that claim to see UFOs is less than the general public. Why are these aliens hiding from the one group of people who are most interested in meeting them? There’s a couple of his talks on YouTube and they should be listened to. He’s humorous as well as interesting.

So though it can be considered that we’re all on a journey, not all us birds are flying to the same drummer.

When I was about the same age as Tyson, I became enthralled with insects. While insects are everywhere in one form or another, I lived in the country where the kinds of insects observed was very diverse. When watching them, it never occurred to me that they were the work of a Creator. So I, like Tyson, was enthralled by the wonders of nature. But didn’t make the connection to a special creation or a Creator. I thought about nature just as I was taught to think, by my parents, by my peers, by the public school system. The issue of God or anything relating to a God never came up. Even today, when I observe a wonder of nature, I still only think in those terms.

The Bible, being a book centered in a certain idea, an idea where the existence of God is taken for granted, nature is always related back to the creator. “Consider the antâ€, in Proverbs, is said in a context that includes a Creator. One’s world view very much affects how we view nature.

The American Indians do not believe in the Judeo-Christian God. But they have religious beliefs that include a Supreme Being from which all comes and returns to. Many have a greater appreciation for nature than most Christians. So it warms the cockles o’ me heart when I see a Christian even slightly take note of anything in nature, and sees it in relation to their God.

Adam was created and placed in a garden to care for it. I find it sad that Christians as a whole seem to feel that when Adam was taken out of the garden and not permitted to return, it meant that their obligation to help care for the planet was made null and void. They have no concern for the pollution of atmosphere and waters, or for the gradual decease of the rain forests. All of which contributes to what we and every other inhabitant of this planet needs to survive. I’ve talked to few Christians who have any interest in the fact that species are going extinct because of some of our brutal habits toward nature. Seeming to agree with Evolutionists that it’s all a matter of the survival of the fittest. Not realizing that true Evolutionists have more feeling towards the matter than they do.

I find post #1 a good first step. Even though it’s only applied to something personal, a personal walk with God. The next step is to apply this to something more. A realization that there’s more to our surroundings than just ourselves.

FC

the american indians in general were panthiestic and worshiped nature. the great spirit is in all , and all have the great spirit.the indians in general name the cherokee(the baby in my avatar is of that tribe) have 4 tribes named for each animal. the bear, the wolf, the eagle and one other.

some indians were cruel and mean didnt live in unity with the earth. ever wonder why the peoples of the mountians in new mexico died out? poor farming techniques and deforstation.

 

[Former Christian]

Jasoncran

No doubt the Indians were as diverse as you say. That does seem to be the natural way of man.

We should learn the lesson of the Indians who didn’t properly take care of what they were given. We are doing the same thing today. If they died out, no reason to think we won’t. Those of us who have progeny especially should consider this carefully.

FC

 

[jasoncran]

most indian tribes werent peaceful, the aztecs, and olmecs and toltecs and mayans certainly werent and they are considered american indian as well, just not in the country of america thats all but the atzecs did reach parts of new mexico.

the only peaceful tribe i know of are the cherookee, yes they did war with the creeks (later seminoles) but they werent agressive.

 

[Former Christian]

Jasoncran

The Cherokees were generally peaceful. Will Rogers was a Cherokee as I remember. Maybe why he had so much common sense.

I think we’ve been reading different histories. The Hopi and Navaho were peaceful until the white man came driving them from their land. They fought back to no avail. The Arapahoes toward the North, Wyoming area as I remember, were peaceful until the white man came. The Cheyenne were a divided people some of whom were peaceful, some not. The Chinooks up in the Oregon-Washington area were a peaceful people.

I think like in every culture, there are peaceful people and warlike people. To say all were one way or the other is too much of a generalization. It’s like saying all Muslims are Jihad and out to kill Americans. Or that they are an unsophisticated people that are con artists, not remembering the Ottoman Empire that achieved a greater degree of civilization than the West at the time. In fact again the white man came and destroyed that civilization. When the Muslims conquered the Eastern Roman Empire, they held out peace toward all. Probably more than what was before.

One stereotype of the Indian is that they all are alcoholics and can’t hold their firewater. Most aren’t like that by any means.

The American Indians were a divided people with no central government. The White man came and set one up. Not necessarily a good thing from the perspective of what happened to the American Indians.

FC