Saturday, April 28, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
Esther Lester
He wanders around the bird refuge like King of the Roost - pretty much having the run of the Welcome Room and the Wellness Center. He climbs up into several different cages to perch, or commune with the various residents. He's one of the gentlest and most charming birds at the refuge.
When guests arrives he's often found welcoming them with a hearty cry of "Hi (L)Ester" as he marches confidently over to them, high stepping happily along in his pigeon-toed bounce (or should that be parrot-toed?) We're never sure if he's introducing himself as Lester or Esther - (apparently he's a male) so I'll just call him Esther-Lester. Because of his affectionate ways he's often called "Esther Lester Pester." He is the proto-typical Mollucan Cockatoo of whom it has been said: "They would surgically attach themselves to you if they could". They're just that affectionate.
Today Lester charmed France after she'd been cuddling him a while. He marched around the compound until he found a scrap of paper. This he picked up and marched back over to France and placed the paper on France's foot. France placed it back into his beak and picked the bird up. At which point Lester carefully inserted the paper into the front of France's coat as if to say: "It's for you! Don't drop it."
Later in the day, after more cuddles, I saw Lester Esther find a peanut on the floor under another cage. Again he took this and set it down in front of France. She picked him up then picked up the peanut and tried to give it back to him. He just stared at her as if to say: "Hey, are you dense or something!? It's another gift!"
He then cuddled into her arms and promptly fell asleep.
What a Don Juan!
By the way. Esther-Lester has a large cancer tumor on his tail-end. He received several treatments for it, but finally he was getting too ill. A tumor reduction surgery was performed and for now the cancer seems to be in remission. I don't know how much longer we'll have the wonder of his company, but he's an inspiration. If I ever face a serious illness, I hope I can weather it with the sweetness and charm and just plain Joy of Life as little Esther-Lester.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Stormin' Norman'
Another of my favorites (I have many) at the World Parrot Refuge, is Norman. He's an African Gray Congo. I don't know much about him yet, except he was a 'wild caught' bird and from there I think he was owned by a breeder. From the way his right wing continually droops (you can see it in the photo), I'd say it was probably broken at some time and never healed properly. A lot of birds are injured when being netted in the wild, and over half of them die before reaching "market..."
Norman does his own thing - he's a rather solitary fellow. He methodically goes after the shoes of anyone who invades his corner. One of the cleaners playfully responds by pretending to chase him and then he 'runs' (i.e. slowly) under the big cage for shelter. Perhaps it's all part of his game? A way to interact?
On our first meeting I didn't find him overly-aggressive so I gently offered my finger to touch his beak and see his response. He very gently took it in the tip of his needle sharp beak and bit me. Ouch! I'm not sure with Norman if it's meant entirely as an act of aggression or as a way of getting a reaction? But he's definitely not a bird who's been handled a lot in a way that he likes. His message is basically, Okay - I may find you mildly amusing, but don't bug me.
I go and say hi to him regularly and I've discovered some sounds he likes. He makes them to me and I make them back. I offer him tidbits of food but I haven't discovered his "to die for" treats yet that might help me win his trust.
It took a year to win the trust of France's little African Gray Timneh when she came to live with us. And she was hand-raised. So, given Stormin' Norman's background, it might take me ten or twenty or fifty years to accomplish this with him. But he's a parrot. He has time. Grays live something like 50 or 60 years as I recall.
I'll keep you posted, and perhaps I'll include photos of my bandaged fingers from time-to-time as I 'lose' some of the engagements along the way - ha ha..
Monday, April 23, 2007
Woodstock in Coombs
The bird, not the music concert...
The Parrot Refuge is now home to these two very precious cockatoos:
If you look closely at the little fella on your right, I think you'll see a strong resemblance to this famous bird from the Charlie Brown comic strips - Woodstock:
The resemblance is even more apparent when you see his profile.
The two birds were kept in a cage barely big enough for one love-bird (you can see the top of it in the photo) for something like 18 years - with one useless 'toy' to keep them company. Since they've arrived at the refuge the expression I see in their eyes is one of great relief. They seem to be thinking: "This must be heaven! I'm so glad to be here!"
Woodstock is very shy about strangers approaching him, but today when he saw me eating a granola bar he came closer and asked to have it. It was almost as big as his head. He took it over to the far side of his cage-top and slowly munched down the whole thing. What a cutie.
The Parrot Refuge is now home to these two very precious cockatoos:
If you look closely at the little fella on your right, I think you'll see a strong resemblance to this famous bird from the Charlie Brown comic strips - Woodstock:
The resemblance is even more apparent when you see his profile.The two birds were kept in a cage barely big enough for one love-bird (you can see the top of it in the photo) for something like 18 years - with one useless 'toy' to keep them company. Since they've arrived at the refuge the expression I see in their eyes is one of great relief. They seem to be thinking: "This must be heaven! I'm so glad to be here!"
Woodstock is very shy about strangers approaching him, but today when he saw me eating a granola bar he came closer and asked to have it. It was almost as big as his head. He took it over to the far side of his cage-top and slowly munched down the whole thing. What a cutie.
Magnolia, sho' nuff...
I always associate Magnolia blossoms with the 'south' ... but apparently we have them planted around here too. Beautiful trees!
Thursday, April 19, 2007
5. The Bacteria Revolution
In my on-going series discussing the Marshall Protocol, (it's been a while since post no. 4)...
In 1999 the CBC Radio show, "Ideas" presented an award-winning documentary entitled "The Bacteria Revolution." It featured evidence for the theory that so-called "occult" bacteria cause many illnesses not previously attributed to bacterial pathogenesis.
THE BACTERIA REVOLUTION
http://www.cbc.ca/ideas/shows/bacteria/index.html
(oops - no longer available online but the audio and/or transcript can be ordered.)
Here's a page with an illustrated, readable version:
http://www.radio.cbc.ca/programs/ideas/shows/bacteria/bacteria.html
Here's a newspaper article that summarizes some of the above documentary:
http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/18/40/News/feature.html
In 1999 the CBC Radio show, "Ideas" presented an award-winning documentary entitled "The Bacteria Revolution." It featured evidence for the theory that so-called "occult" bacteria cause many illnesses not previously attributed to bacterial pathogenesis.
---------------------
IDEAS:
THE BACTERIA REVOLUTION
Friday, May 28 & June 4, 1999
CBC Radio One, 9:05 pm
Do stress and anguish and improper diet cause heart attacks, ulcerative colitis, cancer, and dozens of other diseases - or could they be caused by germs? New discoveries by infectious disease specialists and new ideas from evolutionary biology suggest that previously unsuspected bacteria are responsible for a wide spectrum of human illness. Science journalist Colman Jones reports groundbreaking research from a New York conference and talks with international experts about the scientific and political battles being waged over the cause of diseases from Lyme to AIDS.
Canadian Science Writers' Association
1999 Science in Society Journalism Award
Radio Items 25 Minutes and Over
http://www.cbc.ca/ideas/shows/bacteria/index.html
(oops - no longer available online but the audio and/or transcript can be ordered.)
Here's a page with an illustrated, readable version:
http://www.radio.cbc.ca/programs/ideas/shows/bacteria/bacteria.html
Here's a newspaper article that summarizes some of the above documentary:
http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/18/40/News/feature.html
--------
Yolanda Adams
Yoland Adams is not a household name singer like say Celine Dion or Barbara Striesand. But she has had some high profile appearances. The woman can SING.
I have an early album where, like in this song, she really shines singing a style that is more like black gospel / jazz / scat singing. She has a very loyal fan base in the church and gospel niches I think. Did I say, the woman can S-I-N-G.
To say she's had in impact on many people's lives would be an understatement, judging by this introduction:
I have an early album where, like in this song, she really shines singing a style that is more like black gospel / jazz / scat singing. She has a very loyal fan base in the church and gospel niches I think. Did I say, the woman can S-I-N-G.
To say she's had in impact on many people's lives would be an understatement, judging by this introduction:
What makes me what I am?
We humans have the capacity to do something that no other creature on earth (as far as I know) can do. In fact we are required by our very nature to do this. Believe.
Our self-awareness and free-will demand that we choose what we will believe to be true and untrue. And upon which grand ideas and concepts we will base our lives. No-one expressed this better than Rich Mullins in his song, "Creed:" -- "I believe what I believe is what makes me what I am."
Thanks to someone for posting this Rich Mullins song on Youtube.
A few more words from this deep-thinking, deep-feeling songwriter.
"Nothing makes me feel as inadequate as trying to put language on what I saw today." --Rich Mullins
"Deliver us from evil - from moral duplicity and weakness, from laziness and spiritual complacency, from those lies we tell ourselves from our fear of facing the truth." --Rich Mullins
"I think I would envy me too, if I didn't know me better..." --Rich Mullins
"I did not read the Bible today. I am not very good at being religious and don't really feel too bad about not being too good. I do wish that I loved God and His creatures more..." --Rich Mullins
"The best that can happen is that someone can catch a glimpse of the glory you're hinting at." --Rich Mullins
"If you live real good, I can guarantee you are gonna get beat up real bad!" --Rich Mullins
Our self-awareness and free-will demand that we choose what we will believe to be true and untrue. And upon which grand ideas and concepts we will base our lives. No-one expressed this better than Rich Mullins in his song, "Creed:" -- "I believe what I believe is what makes me what I am."
Thanks to someone for posting this Rich Mullins song on Youtube.
A few more words from this deep-thinking, deep-feeling songwriter.
"Nothing makes me feel as inadequate as trying to put language on what I saw today." --Rich Mullins
"Deliver us from evil - from moral duplicity and weakness, from laziness and spiritual complacency, from those lies we tell ourselves from our fear of facing the truth." --Rich Mullins
"I think I would envy me too, if I didn't know me better..." --Rich Mullins
"I did not read the Bible today. I am not very good at being religious and don't really feel too bad about not being too good. I do wish that I loved God and His creatures more..." --Rich Mullins
"The best that can happen is that someone can catch a glimpse of the glory you're hinting at." --Rich Mullins
"If you live real good, I can guarantee you are gonna get beat up real bad!" --Rich Mullins
Beach of A Thousand Stairs...
I think we've found a new contender for the title: "Beach of A Thousand Stairs..."
It's worth the effort...
The long climb
But we made it!Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
A Special Note from Hannah
Hi Everyone,
So I wanted to share this song with all my friends and family. I first heard it at the end credits of the movie 50 first dates and then was reminded about it in a T.V. commercial. I think it's so beautiful the way it is sung and with the music i think it's even better than the original song and i'm a huge Wizard of Oz fan so that's saying a lot. After is What a wonderful world but it doesn't sound depressing here. If you look what is written at the end you'll see the man died at the young age of 38. I hope you'll watch and listen to the whole thing as it only takes a few minutes. I think you'll like it. Tell Me what you think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFs6pQjklSU
Hannah
So I wanted to share this song with all my friends and family. I first heard it at the end credits of the movie 50 first dates and then was reminded about it in a T.V. commercial. I think it's so beautiful the way it is sung and with the music i think it's even better than the original song and i'm a huge Wizard of Oz fan so that's saying a lot. After is What a wonderful world but it doesn't sound depressing here. If you look what is written at the end you'll see the man died at the young age of 38. I hope you'll watch and listen to the whole thing as it only takes a few minutes. I think you'll like it. Tell Me what you think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFs6pQjklSU
Hannah
The Allegory of Life...?
I like the way this video 'plays out' like a melo-dramatic Great Allegory for the current human predicament.
It is something we all need - The Great Hero Story - to create in us a calling toward the best of what we are to be - and to avoid descending into the worst of what we can be... And this Great Story is told in the Bible... As someone recently said - If Jesus hadn't existed, we'd have had to make him up.
Now how much of the story is a literary device to find the sense of our existence out of our circumstances, and how much is God's revelation either in Allegory or in Actual Living Events -- well that's a choice we are all free to make.
Personally, I believe that an Omnipotent God can easily tell His-Story (History - get it? ;-) in real life events. But either way, it's the heart of the story that is important and the ultimate effect it has on our lives and how we choose to live.
Many have chosen to turn the Bible story into a nightmare for themselves and others - one way or another. Sad! But others have chosen to make the story a blessing for themselves and others. I think that's the point. As God said to Abraham of his descendants: "I will make you a blessing to all the peoples of the earth..." In fact, I'd go so far as to say that what we choose to do with the story, is ultimately how God's judgment is worked out. We all reveal who we are by what we choose.
Anyway, here's the first part of the video (embedded below).
Here's a page where the entire series is listed and linked:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=691C137F437B0B23
Light of the World (part 1):
It is something we all need - The Great Hero Story - to create in us a calling toward the best of what we are to be - and to avoid descending into the worst of what we can be... And this Great Story is told in the Bible... As someone recently said - If Jesus hadn't existed, we'd have had to make him up.
Now how much of the story is a literary device to find the sense of our existence out of our circumstances, and how much is God's revelation either in Allegory or in Actual Living Events -- well that's a choice we are all free to make.
Personally, I believe that an Omnipotent God can easily tell His-Story (History - get it? ;-) in real life events. But either way, it's the heart of the story that is important and the ultimate effect it has on our lives and how we choose to live.
Many have chosen to turn the Bible story into a nightmare for themselves and others - one way or another. Sad! But others have chosen to make the story a blessing for themselves and others. I think that's the point. As God said to Abraham of his descendants: "I will make you a blessing to all the peoples of the earth..." In fact, I'd go so far as to say that what we choose to do with the story, is ultimately how God's judgment is worked out. We all reveal who we are by what we choose.
Anyway, here's the first part of the video (embedded below).
Here's a page where the entire series is listed and linked:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=691C137F437B0B23
Light of the World (part 1):
Sunday, April 15, 2007
just for Terri
So, today we were able to lounge around a little before going to church because now that our little church is growing so much that we've had to split into two services, we only have to show up at 10:30 AM to visit for half-an-hour with the early birds before our service begins.
I actually liked the smaller gathering because it gave me more time to visit with both the 'early birds' and with fellow 'night owls' ... and I see some faces that were previously lost in the crowd (well only 150 - but in our little hall it seemed like a lot). This morning we were about 50 or 60 for the second service and it was cozy.
Our pastor, Ted, gives excellent sermons. He doesn't "preach" and do all the "theatrics" that some do - rather he just calmly, humorously, enthusiastically presents thoughtful messages that expound the bible and our life as 'church.' All-in-all this is a genuine congregation with a wide variety of age groups and backgrounds and interests, but all with genuine love for God and one another. Very cool.
France tried to tease me by making sure some folks new it was my 58th birthday today - but that's okay. We went for lunch at MacDonalds' so France could get another Mdme. Alexandre "Wizard of Oz" doll, did some errands and came home.
I then played for a while on my birthday present - some new digital drum equipment... mmmusic!
Here's a place where I've posted some "noodlings" as I explore the machine:
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=MesFavoris
One sample:
I actually liked the smaller gathering because it gave me more time to visit with both the 'early birds' and with fellow 'night owls' ... and I see some faces that were previously lost in the crowd (well only 150 - but in our little hall it seemed like a lot). This morning we were about 50 or 60 for the second service and it was cozy.
Our pastor, Ted, gives excellent sermons. He doesn't "preach" and do all the "theatrics" that some do - rather he just calmly, humorously, enthusiastically presents thoughtful messages that expound the bible and our life as 'church.' All-in-all this is a genuine congregation with a wide variety of age groups and backgrounds and interests, but all with genuine love for God and one another. Very cool.
France tried to tease me by making sure some folks new it was my 58th birthday today - but that's okay. We went for lunch at MacDonalds' so France could get another Mdme. Alexandre "Wizard of Oz" doll, did some errands and came home.
I then played for a while on my birthday present - some new digital drum equipment... mmmusic!
Here's a place where I've posted some "noodlings" as I explore the machine:
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=MesFavoris
One sample:
Sunday, April 8, 2007
It's all about ME!
If you share my sense of humor - you'll like this. For others, remember - it's called ironic humor - or - humor with a message (think about it):
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Spring is busting out all over...
It's getting mild lately - we had 18C on the scale yesterday. Today I took these snap shots of some local flowers starting to bloom. I don't know what this white flower is but it's right next to our front window. A couple are out and many others are budding...
The Cherry trees are in full bloom - a strong wind would take the petals away like snow flakes. The colour is a very delicate light pink - lovely. There are other darker pink trees around which are apparently ornamental crab apple trees...
The Cherry trees are in full bloom - a strong wind would take the petals away like snow flakes. The colour is a very delicate light pink - lovely. There are other darker pink trees around which are apparently ornamental crab apple trees...
Friday, April 6, 2007
Good Friday Service
(This script is by Audrey Veal who presented it at our Good Friday Service. I have included reasonable facsimiles from Youtube for the songs that were used to illustrate the story...)
A cry pierces the brooding darkness. “It is finished!” He breathes his last. Jesus is dead. Spurred on by the approaching Sabbath his followers remove the body and carry him to a borrowed tomb. The disciples and some women watch as Jesus is laid on the stone shelf – hard and cold as death itself. Jesus’ mother turns away as the stone that seals the tomb is rolled into place. It is too final. No more good mornings, just this final good bye. Jesus is gone. As the sun dips lower in the sky the mourners filter away.
An era has ended. Jesus is dead. We as human beings have brutally murdered God’s son! How did we get here? How could we have fallen so far?
Let’s return to the birthplace of sin and of death.
God created Adam and Eve and placed them in Eden: a paradise on earth. He provided everything they needed: a safe place to live, abundant food, a relationship of complete trust with each other and a perfect relationship with himself. God’s only expectation was for us to respond to him with trust and love.
Real love involves choice. So God gave Adam and Eve the choice to demonstrate their love and trust by obeying him by not eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. He warned them that if they ate it they would die. In love God gave them freedom to enjoy everything except for this one tree. Remember, without choice there is no love.
Satan came and planted doubt in their minds. Can God really be trusted? Is he really worthy of undivided love? Eat from the forbidden tree and see for yourselves what God is truly like.
They ate, and death came. Physical death was not immediate. Instead, their pure trust and love for each other died and they clothed themselves with leaves to cover their shame. Their absolute trust and love of God died, for now they feared him and hid from him. They even lost their relationship with the earth, as they would now battle against thorns and briers the rest of their earthly days. Their sin infected everything that God had declared as good.
Adam and Eve had betrayed God, they certainly deserved death but instead God gave them a promise. One day he would send a savior who would set all things right.
Unfortunately, the dead, sin-scarred hearts of Adam and Eve didn’t die with them but were passed down to the next generation. Spurred by jealousy their first born son brutally murders his brother. And this same dead-heart gene is passed down to each succeeding generation.
Jealousy, hatred and envy mark our world. Lust for power and control reign. Battles rage and wars continue. Betrayal, abandonment, conditional love and lack of trust envelop us like a cold, grey fog. Daily we hear of another car bomb in Baghdad. North Korea presses for more power and control as it postures with nuclear weapons. Pickton is accused of murdering numerous prostitutes – if convicted he will be the worst serial killer in Canadian history. Children are bullied at our local schools. We walk past street hucksters pretending they are not there. We yell at our children. We withhold love from our mates. If we are honest with ourselves we have to admit that we each have inherited a heart that is sin-scarred and dead.
God used the Old Testament sacrificial system as a daily reminder of our fallen place. Endless sacrifices for endless sins. Day and night the brazen altar belched the black smoke of burning flesh; a continual reminder of our sin-filled hearts. We are trapped with no hope of escape. How desperately we needed God to send that special man who would set all things right.
Like those who offered endless sacrifices; good intentions, strong will or powerful religious convictions cannot free us from sin’s allure. For we don’t need greater willpower – we need a new heart. We have a need, God promises to provide, “I will cleanse you from all your sins and I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” God promised to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. Through the coming savior he will deal with the punishment we deserve and give us the new heart that we need.
Isaiah paints a picture of what life is like. He describes us like the living dead, like people wandering in a land of deep darkness. But the savior will come like a great light illuminating our lives with hope.
Years pass. One generation succeeds another, and another as we wait for God’s promise to be fulfilled. Then one ordinary day God steps into human history. The angel Gabriel appears to Mary and Joseph and promises that Mary will miraculously give birth to God’s son. He will be given the name Jesus for he will save the people from their sins. Within the year the Savior is born.
In those days a typical young Jewish man learns his family trade, marries and raises a family. But at 30 years of age Jesus embarks on a different mission. On a Sabbath he stands in the synagogue and reads from Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
For the next 3 years Jesus fulfills this prophecy. He befriends the outcasts, touches the lepers and heals those without hope. Day after day he teaches them and shows them what real spiritual love is like. An excitement begins to spread throughout the land; this is the Savior that God promised at the beginning of time.
But not everyone is glad for the growth of Jesus popularity. Repeatedly Jesus has run-ins with the religious leaders. He doesn’t meet their expectations or follow their man-made traditions. He hangs out with sinners – he actually lets a prostitute anoint him with perfume and wipe his feet with her tears. He even forgave sins, something only God has a right to do. The very presence of Jesus threatens their position of religious leadership. Repeatedly they attempt to trap him in some sin or controversy, but each time they fail.
Animosity continues to grow. Secret meetings are held. How to deal with Jesus? How to be rid of him and not lose public face? Religious leaders begin planning and plotting. As jealousy grows, hatred takes root and festers in their hearts. The high priest grows impatient. He is tired of the endless meetings. There is really only one solution. Is no one willing to give it voice? He rises and states. “We should do what is best. Kill this one called Jesus.” The leaders look to one another; “He must die, but how without inciting a riot among the people?” Within days Judas supplies an answer. He offers to betray Jesus into their hands. “On Passover Jesus will go to the garden to pray, arrest him there. The one I offer a kiss to is Jesus.” The deal is struck. Passover is just days away.
These are the religious leaders. They know the Scriptures. They keep the law faultlessly. These are the ones called to shepherd God’s people. These are supposed to be God’s men. Yet they don’t recognize Jesus as the Savior, they view him as a threat. Religious activities or appointed position is no guarantee of a pure heart. Don’t judge them too quickly. By nature we are no different. What happened in your heart the last time you felt threatened?
Passover, Jerusalem is bursting with pilgrims. The most important holy day has arrived. Followers have traveled great distances to celebrate and offer a perfect lamb as a sacrifice for sin. Yet when Jesus and his disciples pass through the city gates their mood is somber. The opposition against Jesus is thick. The scent of his impending death seems to be everywhere. As they wander through the streets people turn and stare. Some point. Some look away. As they pass a family they hear a young boy ask, "Isn’t that the one called Jesus? Do the leaders really want him dead?”
Accompanied by lengthening shadows Jesus and his disciples climb the steps to the upper room reserved for their Passover meal. Lamps are lit, the men recline around the table, and bowls of food are brought in. This is a night to celebrate. But hearts are heavy - the men are quiet; each trying to suppress the words Jesus spoke on their journey here. “In Jerusalem, I will be betrayed to the religious leaders. They will condemn me to death and will turn me over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the 3rd day I will be raised to life!”
Jesus leads these men, his trusted friends in the Passover meal. As they are eating Jesus takes bread, gives thanks and breaks it, and gives it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat, this is my body broken for you.” Then he takes the cup saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
Judas slips out to notify the religious leaders. After singing a hymn, Jesus and his friends walk to the garden and pray.
Approaching torches illuminate the mob of angry men. Jesus rises and waits with his disciples. Judas steps forward and places a kiss of betrayal on his cheek. Heavily armed guards step forward to arrest Jesus. He turns to the priests and religious leaders; “Everyday I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour when darkness reigns.” The soldiers step forward and grab Jesus. A scuffle breaks out; Peter draws his sword and slices off an ear. Jesus cries out, “It is enough!” Jesus is bound and beaten and dragged away. His disciples disappear into the darkness of the night.
Jesus is marched to the Jewish ruling council, which has secretly gathered this night. They hold a mock trial with false witnesses but none can agree. Moved by frustration the high priest blurts out the question that burns in each one’s heart, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the living God?” Jesus is not intimidated by the corrupted power and the evil that permeates the room. He stares the high priest in the eyes and answers, “Yes, I am.” Color drains from the priest’s face. “Blasphemy!” he shouts as he tears his clothes. “Do we need any more evidence? He is worthy of death!” The religious leaders rise up in agreement. They spit in Jesus’ face and strike him with fists.
Rome has forbid Jews from enacting the death penalty. Dawn comes and Jesus is dragged before the Roman Governor. Pilate knows Jesus is here on trumped up charges. He knows the religious leaders are here out of jealousy over Jesus’ popularity. The gathered crowd shouts, “Crucify him! Crucify him! Let his blood be on us and his children!” It’s hard to believe that just a week ago we were crying out in praise to Jesus as he entered the city. Now we cry out for his death. How fickle are our stony hearts.
Pilate doesn’t want a riot, not with Caesar breathing down his neck. So he goes against his gut and gives the Jews what they call for. Even Pilate, a Roman governor cannot escape the power of a sin-seared heart. He knew what was right. He wanted to do what was right. But not when it comes to risking his own skin. All of us will sink to any depth for self-preservation.
At the command of Pilate, Roman guards lead Jesus out to be flogged. Thorns are twisted into a crown and thrust into his scalp. They drape him in a purple robe and strike and mock him. Jesus is stripped and lashed to the flogging post. Bruised and bleeding he stiffens in anticipation of the whip. The bone studded leather strips bite through his flesh – again and again. It seems as if it will never end. Blood splatters on his assailants. Blood drips to the pavement and gathers in red pools. We brutalize God’s son. This is the punishment that we deserve because of our sin filled hearts.
Jesus along with 2 thieves are led like animals to the slaughter. Slowly, laboriously the 3 condemned men make their way through the crowded narrow streets. Straining they lug their crosses through the city gates and stumble toward the crucifixion hill.
The crowd follows to the crucifixion site like people trailing behind the end of a parade. Guards move forward and restrain the crowd. Upon reaching Golgotha, Jesus is pushed backwards onto the crossbeam, his shoulders pressed against the wood. The legionnaire places the point of a heavy, iron spike on Jesus’ wrist and with forceful blows, drives it through Jesus’ wrist deep into the wood. Quickly he moves to the other side and repeats the action. The crossbeam with Jesus nailed to it is lifted into place on the upright beam. The left foot is now pressed backwards against the right, and a nail is driven through the arch of each. Jesus is now crucified.
In small groups, interspersed among the gathering crowd, the disciples watch.
Time passes. The sun rises higher in the sky and its relentless heat beats down on the crucified men. The people who pass by hurl insults at Jesus, “Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” The religious leaders sneer at him, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ – the Chosen One.” Even the soldiers come up and mock him saying, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”
As Jesus suffers on the cross we sneer, hurl insults and mock. Dead hearts always strike at the powerless. It makes us feel greater and more powerful. Jesus is so unlike us. Instead of crying to God for revenge he prays, “Father forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.”
Jesus’ arms fatigue, and great waves of cramps sweep over his muscles, knotting them in deep, relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps Jesus is unable to push himself upward to breathe. He fights to raise himself and gasps a short breath.
One by one the disciples drift to the foot of the cross as they keep their silent vigil. How they long for the horror to end. How they wish today had never come. In the smallest corner of their hearts they hope beyond hope that perhaps God will intervene – and Jesus will be spared.
It is now noon. A gasp of fear ripples through the crowd. All eyes dart to the heavens. Darkness has fallen and its only midday. For 3 long hours the sun ceases to shine.
A cry pierces the darkness. “My God, my God why have you forsaken me?” Jesus has become sin in our place. For the first time in eternity Jesus is cut off from His Father. The pain of the flogging and crucifixion pales in comparison. Now His suffering truly begins. Jesus is suffering these unimaginable horrors as his Father lays on him the punishment we all deserve.
Hours of limitless pain, cycles of twisting, joint-rending cramps. Jesus struggles for each breath. John is there beside Mary, Jesus’ mother. John’s strong arms encase her like a shield against he gore of the cross. Yet Mary’s eyes are riveted on her son. For now there are no tears – there is only numbness mingled with agony.
Jesus can feel the chill of death as his life ebbs away. He knows the time is near, and in a tortured voice declares, “It is finished!”
Jesus is dead, the show is over, and the crowd disperses. Those who are left now begin to grieve. He is gone – Jesus is dead. Slowly the sun begins its descent in the western horizon. Joseph of Arimathea returns with permission to remove the body. Gently but with haste they remove the lifeless body and lay him on the burial cloth. Mary presses forward and kneels beside the broken body of her son. With tenderness she covers him with the cloth, her hand caresses his bruised and bloodied cheek, her tears begin to fall.
Mary is not the only one who grieves the loss of a son this day. God as his Father grieves for his innocent son who has been brutally murdered. God has every right to annihilate us all. We have murdered his beloved son, our Savior.
1 Peter 1:19-20 reads, God “paid with Christ’s sacred blood . . . Jesus died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. This was no afterthought … God always knew he was going to do this for you.” The only way God could give us new hearts of flesh and enable us to escape this hopeless, torturous state was for his son suffer and die in our place. God used our most heinous act against him and his son to give us true life for eternity.
A hand rests on Mary’s shoulder, “Mary, come away. Let them take him to the tomb. We need to be done before sunset and the Sabbath begins.” John lifts Mary to her feet and follows the makeshift burial procession to the tomb. The disciples lay Jesus’ body on the cold, stone ledge and leave. The huge stone is rolled into place. The tomb is sealed.
An era has ended — but in 3 days a new one will begin.
A cry pierces the brooding darkness. “It is finished!” He breathes his last. Jesus is dead. Spurred on by the approaching Sabbath his followers remove the body and carry him to a borrowed tomb. The disciples and some women watch as Jesus is laid on the stone shelf – hard and cold as death itself. Jesus’ mother turns away as the stone that seals the tomb is rolled into place. It is too final. No more good mornings, just this final good bye. Jesus is gone. As the sun dips lower in the sky the mourners filter away.
An era has ended. Jesus is dead. We as human beings have brutally murdered God’s son! How did we get here? How could we have fallen so far?
Let’s return to the birthplace of sin and of death.
God created Adam and Eve and placed them in Eden: a paradise on earth. He provided everything they needed: a safe place to live, abundant food, a relationship of complete trust with each other and a perfect relationship with himself. God’s only expectation was for us to respond to him with trust and love.
Real love involves choice. So God gave Adam and Eve the choice to demonstrate their love and trust by obeying him by not eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. He warned them that if they ate it they would die. In love God gave them freedom to enjoy everything except for this one tree. Remember, without choice there is no love.
Satan came and planted doubt in their minds. Can God really be trusted? Is he really worthy of undivided love? Eat from the forbidden tree and see for yourselves what God is truly like.
They ate, and death came. Physical death was not immediate. Instead, their pure trust and love for each other died and they clothed themselves with leaves to cover their shame. Their absolute trust and love of God died, for now they feared him and hid from him. They even lost their relationship with the earth, as they would now battle against thorns and briers the rest of their earthly days. Their sin infected everything that God had declared as good.
Adam and Eve had betrayed God, they certainly deserved death but instead God gave them a promise. One day he would send a savior who would set all things right.
Unfortunately, the dead, sin-scarred hearts of Adam and Eve didn’t die with them but were passed down to the next generation. Spurred by jealousy their first born son brutally murders his brother. And this same dead-heart gene is passed down to each succeeding generation.
Jealousy, hatred and envy mark our world. Lust for power and control reign. Battles rage and wars continue. Betrayal, abandonment, conditional love and lack of trust envelop us like a cold, grey fog. Daily we hear of another car bomb in Baghdad. North Korea presses for more power and control as it postures with nuclear weapons. Pickton is accused of murdering numerous prostitutes – if convicted he will be the worst serial killer in Canadian history. Children are bullied at our local schools. We walk past street hucksters pretending they are not there. We yell at our children. We withhold love from our mates. If we are honest with ourselves we have to admit that we each have inherited a heart that is sin-scarred and dead.
God used the Old Testament sacrificial system as a daily reminder of our fallen place. Endless sacrifices for endless sins. Day and night the brazen altar belched the black smoke of burning flesh; a continual reminder of our sin-filled hearts. We are trapped with no hope of escape. How desperately we needed God to send that special man who would set all things right.
Like those who offered endless sacrifices; good intentions, strong will or powerful religious convictions cannot free us from sin’s allure. For we don’t need greater willpower – we need a new heart. We have a need, God promises to provide, “I will cleanse you from all your sins and I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” God promised to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. Through the coming savior he will deal with the punishment we deserve and give us the new heart that we need.
Isaiah paints a picture of what life is like. He describes us like the living dead, like people wandering in a land of deep darkness. But the savior will come like a great light illuminating our lives with hope.
Years pass. One generation succeeds another, and another as we wait for God’s promise to be fulfilled. Then one ordinary day God steps into human history. The angel Gabriel appears to Mary and Joseph and promises that Mary will miraculously give birth to God’s son. He will be given the name Jesus for he will save the people from their sins. Within the year the Savior is born.
In those days a typical young Jewish man learns his family trade, marries and raises a family. But at 30 years of age Jesus embarks on a different mission. On a Sabbath he stands in the synagogue and reads from Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
For the next 3 years Jesus fulfills this prophecy. He befriends the outcasts, touches the lepers and heals those without hope. Day after day he teaches them and shows them what real spiritual love is like. An excitement begins to spread throughout the land; this is the Savior that God promised at the beginning of time.
But not everyone is glad for the growth of Jesus popularity. Repeatedly Jesus has run-ins with the religious leaders. He doesn’t meet their expectations or follow their man-made traditions. He hangs out with sinners – he actually lets a prostitute anoint him with perfume and wipe his feet with her tears. He even forgave sins, something only God has a right to do. The very presence of Jesus threatens their position of religious leadership. Repeatedly they attempt to trap him in some sin or controversy, but each time they fail.
Animosity continues to grow. Secret meetings are held. How to deal with Jesus? How to be rid of him and not lose public face? Religious leaders begin planning and plotting. As jealousy grows, hatred takes root and festers in their hearts. The high priest grows impatient. He is tired of the endless meetings. There is really only one solution. Is no one willing to give it voice? He rises and states. “We should do what is best. Kill this one called Jesus.” The leaders look to one another; “He must die, but how without inciting a riot among the people?” Within days Judas supplies an answer. He offers to betray Jesus into their hands. “On Passover Jesus will go to the garden to pray, arrest him there. The one I offer a kiss to is Jesus.” The deal is struck. Passover is just days away.
These are the religious leaders. They know the Scriptures. They keep the law faultlessly. These are the ones called to shepherd God’s people. These are supposed to be God’s men. Yet they don’t recognize Jesus as the Savior, they view him as a threat. Religious activities or appointed position is no guarantee of a pure heart. Don’t judge them too quickly. By nature we are no different. What happened in your heart the last time you felt threatened?
Passover, Jerusalem is bursting with pilgrims. The most important holy day has arrived. Followers have traveled great distances to celebrate and offer a perfect lamb as a sacrifice for sin. Yet when Jesus and his disciples pass through the city gates their mood is somber. The opposition against Jesus is thick. The scent of his impending death seems to be everywhere. As they wander through the streets people turn and stare. Some point. Some look away. As they pass a family they hear a young boy ask, "Isn’t that the one called Jesus? Do the leaders really want him dead?”
Accompanied by lengthening shadows Jesus and his disciples climb the steps to the upper room reserved for their Passover meal. Lamps are lit, the men recline around the table, and bowls of food are brought in. This is a night to celebrate. But hearts are heavy - the men are quiet; each trying to suppress the words Jesus spoke on their journey here. “In Jerusalem, I will be betrayed to the religious leaders. They will condemn me to death and will turn me over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the 3rd day I will be raised to life!”
Jesus leads these men, his trusted friends in the Passover meal. As they are eating Jesus takes bread, gives thanks and breaks it, and gives it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat, this is my body broken for you.” Then he takes the cup saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
Judas slips out to notify the religious leaders. After singing a hymn, Jesus and his friends walk to the garden and pray.
Approaching torches illuminate the mob of angry men. Jesus rises and waits with his disciples. Judas steps forward and places a kiss of betrayal on his cheek. Heavily armed guards step forward to arrest Jesus. He turns to the priests and religious leaders; “Everyday I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour when darkness reigns.” The soldiers step forward and grab Jesus. A scuffle breaks out; Peter draws his sword and slices off an ear. Jesus cries out, “It is enough!” Jesus is bound and beaten and dragged away. His disciples disappear into the darkness of the night.
Jesus is marched to the Jewish ruling council, which has secretly gathered this night. They hold a mock trial with false witnesses but none can agree. Moved by frustration the high priest blurts out the question that burns in each one’s heart, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the living God?” Jesus is not intimidated by the corrupted power and the evil that permeates the room. He stares the high priest in the eyes and answers, “Yes, I am.” Color drains from the priest’s face. “Blasphemy!” he shouts as he tears his clothes. “Do we need any more evidence? He is worthy of death!” The religious leaders rise up in agreement. They spit in Jesus’ face and strike him with fists.
Rome has forbid Jews from enacting the death penalty. Dawn comes and Jesus is dragged before the Roman Governor. Pilate knows Jesus is here on trumped up charges. He knows the religious leaders are here out of jealousy over Jesus’ popularity. The gathered crowd shouts, “Crucify him! Crucify him! Let his blood be on us and his children!” It’s hard to believe that just a week ago we were crying out in praise to Jesus as he entered the city. Now we cry out for his death. How fickle are our stony hearts.
Pilate doesn’t want a riot, not with Caesar breathing down his neck. So he goes against his gut and gives the Jews what they call for. Even Pilate, a Roman governor cannot escape the power of a sin-seared heart. He knew what was right. He wanted to do what was right. But not when it comes to risking his own skin. All of us will sink to any depth for self-preservation.
At the command of Pilate, Roman guards lead Jesus out to be flogged. Thorns are twisted into a crown and thrust into his scalp. They drape him in a purple robe and strike and mock him. Jesus is stripped and lashed to the flogging post. Bruised and bleeding he stiffens in anticipation of the whip. The bone studded leather strips bite through his flesh – again and again. It seems as if it will never end. Blood splatters on his assailants. Blood drips to the pavement and gathers in red pools. We brutalize God’s son. This is the punishment that we deserve because of our sin filled hearts.
Jesus along with 2 thieves are led like animals to the slaughter. Slowly, laboriously the 3 condemned men make their way through the crowded narrow streets. Straining they lug their crosses through the city gates and stumble toward the crucifixion hill.
The crowd follows to the crucifixion site like people trailing behind the end of a parade. Guards move forward and restrain the crowd. Upon reaching Golgotha, Jesus is pushed backwards onto the crossbeam, his shoulders pressed against the wood. The legionnaire places the point of a heavy, iron spike on Jesus’ wrist and with forceful blows, drives it through Jesus’ wrist deep into the wood. Quickly he moves to the other side and repeats the action. The crossbeam with Jesus nailed to it is lifted into place on the upright beam. The left foot is now pressed backwards against the right, and a nail is driven through the arch of each. Jesus is now crucified.
In small groups, interspersed among the gathering crowd, the disciples watch.
Time passes. The sun rises higher in the sky and its relentless heat beats down on the crucified men. The people who pass by hurl insults at Jesus, “Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” The religious leaders sneer at him, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ – the Chosen One.” Even the soldiers come up and mock him saying, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”
As Jesus suffers on the cross we sneer, hurl insults and mock. Dead hearts always strike at the powerless. It makes us feel greater and more powerful. Jesus is so unlike us. Instead of crying to God for revenge he prays, “Father forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.”
Jesus’ arms fatigue, and great waves of cramps sweep over his muscles, knotting them in deep, relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps Jesus is unable to push himself upward to breathe. He fights to raise himself and gasps a short breath.
One by one the disciples drift to the foot of the cross as they keep their silent vigil. How they long for the horror to end. How they wish today had never come. In the smallest corner of their hearts they hope beyond hope that perhaps God will intervene – and Jesus will be spared.
It is now noon. A gasp of fear ripples through the crowd. All eyes dart to the heavens. Darkness has fallen and its only midday. For 3 long hours the sun ceases to shine.
A cry pierces the darkness. “My God, my God why have you forsaken me?” Jesus has become sin in our place. For the first time in eternity Jesus is cut off from His Father. The pain of the flogging and crucifixion pales in comparison. Now His suffering truly begins. Jesus is suffering these unimaginable horrors as his Father lays on him the punishment we all deserve.
Hours of limitless pain, cycles of twisting, joint-rending cramps. Jesus struggles for each breath. John is there beside Mary, Jesus’ mother. John’s strong arms encase her like a shield against he gore of the cross. Yet Mary’s eyes are riveted on her son. For now there are no tears – there is only numbness mingled with agony.
Jesus can feel the chill of death as his life ebbs away. He knows the time is near, and in a tortured voice declares, “It is finished!”
Jesus is dead, the show is over, and the crowd disperses. Those who are left now begin to grieve. He is gone – Jesus is dead. Slowly the sun begins its descent in the western horizon. Joseph of Arimathea returns with permission to remove the body. Gently but with haste they remove the lifeless body and lay him on the burial cloth. Mary presses forward and kneels beside the broken body of her son. With tenderness she covers him with the cloth, her hand caresses his bruised and bloodied cheek, her tears begin to fall.
Mary is not the only one who grieves the loss of a son this day. God as his Father grieves for his innocent son who has been brutally murdered. God has every right to annihilate us all. We have murdered his beloved son, our Savior.
1 Peter 1:19-20 reads, God “paid with Christ’s sacred blood . . . Jesus died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. This was no afterthought … God always knew he was going to do this for you.” The only way God could give us new hearts of flesh and enable us to escape this hopeless, torturous state was for his son suffer and die in our place. God used our most heinous act against him and his son to give us true life for eternity.
A hand rests on Mary’s shoulder, “Mary, come away. Let them take him to the tomb. We need to be done before sunset and the Sabbath begins.” John lifts Mary to her feet and follows the makeshift burial procession to the tomb. The disciples lay Jesus’ body on the cold, stone ledge and leave. The huge stone is rolled into place. The tomb is sealed.
An era has ended — but in 3 days a new one will begin.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Gethsemane prayer ...
While I'm reviewing this Jesus Christ, Superstar video, I thought I'd post a couple more favorite clips:
The Garden of Gethsamane:
While this song is powerful, I personally find the actor plays the role with a touch too much 'bitterness.' In my own "head movie" version, Jesus, though confused and tired and struggling deeply with this final step God requires, comes to a more resigned conclusion, and the "Take me now, before I change my mind." line, conveys the sense of "Hurry, before I lose my courage and resolve to face this..."
I have seen another clip of a stage production where another actor captured that same sentiment I imagined. I'll post that if I find it.
Found one - not the one I'm after. I think this singer gives a great performance. What I like is in another key line, when "Jesus" sings: "What you started - I didn't start it..." And that is not a cry of frustration but rather realization. Realization that this is all God's doing, not a human endeavor. Therefore the line inspires the confidence and strength to go on to "see the saga through..."
See if you like this version (unfortunately, it's not from a play, but a solo presentation - oh well):
Well, you know - for this song, it's pretty hard to beat Ted Neely's 1973 performance in the original motion picture version. Go Ted.
The Garden of Gethsamane:
While this song is powerful, I personally find the actor plays the role with a touch too much 'bitterness.' In my own "head movie" version, Jesus, though confused and tired and struggling deeply with this final step God requires, comes to a more resigned conclusion, and the "Take me now, before I change my mind." line, conveys the sense of "Hurry, before I lose my courage and resolve to face this..."
I have seen another clip of a stage production where another actor captured that same sentiment I imagined. I'll post that if I find it.
Found one - not the one I'm after. I think this singer gives a great performance. What I like is in another key line, when "Jesus" sings: "What you started - I didn't start it..." And that is not a cry of frustration but rather realization. Realization that this is all God's doing, not a human endeavor. Therefore the line inspires the confidence and strength to go on to "see the saga through..."
See if you like this version (unfortunately, it's not from a play, but a solo presentation - oh well):
Well, you know - for this song, it's pretty hard to beat Ted Neely's 1973 performance in the original motion picture version. Go Ted.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
By his stripes...
As Easter approaches I return to one of my favorite re-tellings of the event that changed the world - The crucifixion of Christ.
This 2000 production of "Jesus Christ, Superstar" is a made-for-video production of a stage play. As with earlier versions it represents an attempt to contextualize the story into a modern setting and in that way helps us see the relevance two thousand years later. It is a wonderful work of art and like good art it is meant to provoke a reaction - to resonate with us on a deep level. And like the actual Biblical account this telling includes the actions of both those who loved Jesus (despite times of confusion) and those who despised him and plotted to get rid of him.
In all literature, decisions must be made regarding how to protray the interactions of the key characters - Ciaphas the High Priest and Pilate the Roman Governor for example. Who was the instigator? Who caved in to what pressures? Also, how do we convey the struggles that Jesus had within his own flesh - his moments of self doubt yet ultimate obedience - (i.e. "If it be possible, take this cup away from me..." and "My God, Why have you forsaken me"). How does a being who is fully divine and fully human face these situation? It's hard to know and we are forced sometimes to elaborate from the sparse language of the scriptures.
I think this version does an excellent job with all these difficult production choices, and of course the music and lyrics are as powerful as ever.
One of the most dramatic scenes for me, is the scourging - when Pilate has Jesus whipped before crucifying him, perhaps in an attempt to satisfy the blood-lust of the crowd short of having to crucify him. Rather than trying to 'out gore' other versions, the producer creates a symbolic representation of how each human being who has ever lived (or will live) contributes to our need for Christ's sacrifice. How the sin that lies within each of us requires redemption.
So, I invite you to clear any pre-conceived notions of how this part of the story should be told, or how you've seen it presented before, and meditate on this version. I think it's powerful and humbling. (note: at the end of this scene as we see Jesus crawling, it is towards the cross)...
This 2000 production of "Jesus Christ, Superstar" is a made-for-video production of a stage play. As with earlier versions it represents an attempt to contextualize the story into a modern setting and in that way helps us see the relevance two thousand years later. It is a wonderful work of art and like good art it is meant to provoke a reaction - to resonate with us on a deep level. And like the actual Biblical account this telling includes the actions of both those who loved Jesus (despite times of confusion) and those who despised him and plotted to get rid of him.
In all literature, decisions must be made regarding how to protray the interactions of the key characters - Ciaphas the High Priest and Pilate the Roman Governor for example. Who was the instigator? Who caved in to what pressures? Also, how do we convey the struggles that Jesus had within his own flesh - his moments of self doubt yet ultimate obedience - (i.e. "If it be possible, take this cup away from me..." and "My God, Why have you forsaken me"). How does a being who is fully divine and fully human face these situation? It's hard to know and we are forced sometimes to elaborate from the sparse language of the scriptures.
I think this version does an excellent job with all these difficult production choices, and of course the music and lyrics are as powerful as ever.
One of the most dramatic scenes for me, is the scourging - when Pilate has Jesus whipped before crucifying him, perhaps in an attempt to satisfy the blood-lust of the crowd short of having to crucify him. Rather than trying to 'out gore' other versions, the producer creates a symbolic representation of how each human being who has ever lived (or will live) contributes to our need for Christ's sacrifice. How the sin that lies within each of us requires redemption.
So, I invite you to clear any pre-conceived notions of how this part of the story should be told, or how you've seen it presented before, and meditate on this version. I think it's powerful and humbling. (note: at the end of this scene as we see Jesus crawling, it is towards the cross)...
Saved and Renewed!
If you don't know what the World Parrot Refuge is, check out the previous post.
Here are a couple of the residents just 'hanging out'...
Parrots are intelligent little creatures who need social interaction and stimulation. One way to keep them occupied is to give them plenty of wood and other things to chew and pull apart. 
They go through toys and branches and always need more to "play" with...
David is the 'crew chief' (that's just my description - don't know if it's his real job title), and he sets me to work making some new toys for the birds.
We have bags and bags of abandoned toys from the local SOS 'thrift' store...
And lots of STUFFIES too. Some parrots just like to cuddle...
My job is to string these old toys and some chunks of clean wood, onto wire to make dangling, colorful chew-toys of various sizes. Some don't have holes and need to be drilled.
I sorted them into piles to have quick access to some general size categories when I need them. David explained it's best to have the small toys at the bottom of a chain so if/when the parrots perch on the toy, the droppings won't collect on larger toys below...
Here are some finished toys -- laid out on the floor...
And here's a love bird who seems to be expressing his gratitude for all the nice toys!
Judith runs the gift shop and reception area. She's obtained a great variety of interesting , bird-related souvenirs and gifts.
A local artist produced these portraits of the birds and donated them to the gift shop to help raise funds. This and other ways of supporting the refuge are gratefully accepted!
I'll keep you posted as my adventures continue. I missed my Monday session this week as I was travelling. But I plan to make this a regular 'thing'...
Here are a couple of the residents just 'hanging out'...
Parrots are intelligent little creatures who need social interaction and stimulation. One way to keep them occupied is to give them plenty of wood and other things to chew and pull apart. 
They go through toys and branches and always need more to "play" with...
David is the 'crew chief' (that's just my description - don't know if it's his real job title), and he sets me to work making some new toys for the birds.
We have bags and bags of abandoned toys from the local SOS 'thrift' store...
And lots of STUFFIES too. Some parrots just like to cuddle...
My job is to string these old toys and some chunks of clean wood, onto wire to make dangling, colorful chew-toys of various sizes. Some don't have holes and need to be drilled.
I sorted them into piles to have quick access to some general size categories when I need them. David explained it's best to have the small toys at the bottom of a chain so if/when the parrots perch on the toy, the droppings won't collect on larger toys below...
Here are some finished toys -- laid out on the floor...
And here's a love bird who seems to be expressing his gratitude for all the nice toys!
Judith runs the gift shop and reception area. She's obtained a great variety of interesting , bird-related souvenirs and gifts.
A local artist produced these portraits of the birds and donated them to the gift shop to help raise funds. This and other ways of supporting the refuge are gratefully accepted!I'll keep you posted as my adventures continue. I missed my Monday session this week as I was travelling. But I plan to make this a regular 'thing'...
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