Pastor Claude Thomas Online Blog

By Peter Bankss

What is bird ecology and conservation and why is it so important? Ecology is the study of animals and how they relate to their environment. Bird conservation is the study and science relating to birds that are threatened by the dwindling of natural resources. It is a way to try and conserve these birds and prevent them from dying off.

Therefore, bird ecology and conservation would be the science that revolves around the bird population and the environment. Scientists have learned that the human race has made quite an impact on the birds in the world. In fact, some have already become extinct or on the verge of extinction due to the impact humanity has made on the earth. The study of bird ecology and conservation can help to find ways to undo some of the damage that has been done or at the very least help to prevent more harm from being done.

Humanity is not the only thing that affects birds and their environment. Other animals that are natural predators play a big role in how birds of all kinds impact the earth. The change in the weather even has an effect on the bird population and their habitats.

The study of bird ecology and conservation has taught scientists how the natural order of things should be when it comes to their habitat and food source. They have learned their mating habits and migration routes which play a huge part in the natural order of things. Scientists will know when things have been thrown off-balance and with further studies can determine how this will shape the world a few years into the future.

Birds follow a certain behavior pattern that could have a big impact on the earth if it were to be drastically changed. This happens when a species becomes extinct or when the weather changes dramatically causing confusion among the birds. They aren’t sure when to migrate, mate or do any of their natural functions when nature is out of whack. This in turn has an impact on everything else including society.

Bird ecology and conservation studies are essential to the health and well-being of the bird species. The way they eat, live, mate and even take care of their young will affect the world in some way. Therefore, it is important to study them and learn how they are related to the environment. This is the only chance of protecting and conserving the natural order of things to help enhance the quality of life for the future generations to enjoy.

By Lance Winslow

As our human urban sprawl continues we find that we are crowding out some of the native species in our neck of the woods. Of course, humans will need to have adequate territory, but it also makes sense to leave some of the area readily available for those species which have inhabited such regions for 10s of thousands of years. Indeed, most would agree that it is only fair to share.

In areas were suburban a life meets an open field that leads to wilderness, often the wild life comes up and makes themselves at home along the fence line or impedes onto the property of the humans. Can you blame them? Especially considering that humans live where there is water and they water their lawns and everything is nice in green and plush. Actually, they develop their own little eco-system, more insects, critters, birds and food supply.

Still the humans will complain that the animals are causing them problems. This is rather silly considering the wildlife and nature was their first. It’s kind of like going to a park where there are lots of kids playing and leaving two dozen cupcakes on the picnic table and walking away and then returning in an hour and a half and being pissed off that all the cupcakes have been eaten. What on earth did you expect?

By Pastor Claude Thomas
I awoke to my father’s voice as he gently shook me. “It’s time to go to the mountains, bud.” I got out of bed, pulled on my clothes, and prepared myself for the day. Over the roads in the misty morning, my brother and I traveled with dad to the mountains for a day of trout fishing. Dad taught me how to catch those trout. I watched as he cast that lure so gracefully in the ripple of the stream or in the eddy of the current and reeled the trout in with strong carpenter’s hands. I learned how to catch fish watching and listening to him.
My father birthed within me a distinct affinity and love for the mountains and the trout stream. He developed and nurtured that love through our frequent trips, and I learned the joy of fishing.
He left me a legacy that will last. However, the legacy is more than learning how to make my way along a trout stream. It is one of giving. He not only provided me the opportunity to discover the wonder of the mountains and trout fishing, he did more. He invested himself in me. His greatest legacy was that he gave.
My father’s influence on my life has inspired me to instill in my four sons an appreciation for the wonder of the mountains and the joy of fishing along with teaching them the lessons that my dad taught me so well. I have learned that legacies that last are those that are birthed out of love, inspired through commitment, and solidified in sacrificial giving.
What is it about a lasting legacy that is so appealing to us? The answer is that it implies that we are making a difference now in such a way that it will have lasting affects. With that in mind, I am convinced the idea of a lasting legacy motivates us to Christian giving for three reasons.
First, I am persuaded people want to make a significant difference in the lives of others now. When you give in the name of Jesus you are making a difference in the lives of others for time and eternity.
Second, I believe people need to know what they are doing is right. So, from time to time, teach a series of lessons on the Biblical basis for giving.
Third, I believe people want to follow the example of people they admire and love. When Christian leaders are givers in the name of Christ they set an example that will inspire others to give.
And finally, and most importantly, look to Jesus, our supreme example, a see how He gave Himself for us and made the difference in us. We point to Him as our example.
You and I are never more like Jesus than when we are giving. And the inspiring example is a legacy that lasts!

Author: Karl Augustine
All children are different and respond differently to divorce. Depending on the characteristics of the children - age, emotional maturity, happiness, resiliency to trauma - the easier or more difficult it will be for children to weather a divorce.

As a parent, you should know your children better than anyone…use your best judgment with your children during considering divorce. This “divorce and children” article is for parents who are certain that they would get a divorce if they didn’t have children and want to decide what to think about regarding the effects a divorce would have on their children.

This article on this web page does not suggest that divorce is the correct course of action for you and it in no way should be taken as a form of counseling to you. This article is merely to spark you to think logically and then make your own decision about divorce and your children.

As previously stated, every child is different and subsequently, every child responds to divorce in a different way.

If you think there’s a definitive answer about how divorce affects children, you are mistaken. There’s been hundreds of books written about this subject and a plethora of studies done regarding divorce and children, all citing differing opinions and using different statistical constraints and inputs. But, statistics can only go so far…if you know your children better than anyone else, you will know best how they’ll be affected by a divorce.

How divorce affects children and what you should do if you’re staying married solely because you have children is complicated issue.

Here’s some things you may want to consider if you’re a parent who is staying married just because you have children:

Children and divorce consideration 1: Make sure that you are, in fact, only staying married just because you have children. Often times people use the children as an excuse not to get a divorce because they aren’t really sure that they want a divorce or have some other fear regarding divorce. Those fears can be present due to finance, self-confidence, living arrangements, or other personal issues.

Before you really take the next steps in deciding whether or not to get a divorce because of your children, rank your reasons for divorce and make sure that you’re really certain you’d get a divorce if you didn’t have children.

Children and divorce consideration 2: Make sure ‘guilt’ isn’t the real reason that you aren’t getting a divorce.

The ‘guilt’ referenced above is the guilt brought on by thinking that your divorce will hurt your children. In and of itself, this feeling of guilt is a selfish one if you haven’t really examined carefully if a divorce will have an adverse effect on your children. If you aren’t getting divorced because of guilt in this regard, but you still have an unhappy marriage that is affecting your children, then you aren’t really staying married for them, you’re staying married for you because you feel guilty…this is selfish.

Children and divorce consideration 3: Once you’ve clearly defined that you are in fact, not getting a divorce solely because you have children, examine why you think divorce will adversely affect your children.

Remember, divorce can have a negative effect on children initially, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that a divorce will be a negative influence on your children forever. Decide whether or not your children have the resiliency, the intelligence, the emotional health, and the support they’d need to mitigate the adverse effects that a divorce would have on them. Will they be happy after the initial shock of the divorce is worked through?

Children and divorce consideration 4: Once you’ve really defined what you believe to be negative effects on your children due to divorce, think about what your children’s life will be like in the immediate and distant future if you do actually go through with the divorce.

Ask yourself, “Can I create and maintain a healthy environment for my children if I do get a divorce?”

One thing that is a critical factor in this decision is the feasibility of you and your spouse getting a divorce amicably. If you and your spouse can go through a divorce amicably, and you both can agree to always put your children’s welfare above your own, you will be one step ahead.

Again, make sure you are certain a divorce is necessary to create the right type of environment for your children. Assure that there is absolutely no way you can rekindle your marriage.

Usually, divorce represents the first real trauma of a child’s life. Keep this in mind when your making your divorce decision. Divorce is a serious step and nothing should be done until your’re certain that divorce is the best course of action. Getting a divorce without making sure that divorce is the right thing is selfish on your part and is the wrong thing to do to your children… after all, they deserve your best effort!

One thing should remain constant…that you and your spouse will always be there for your children, no matter what.

Author: Analeese Burnabaker
Are you hoping to expand your family by adding a child or children to your home? If so, then you are probably busy considering all of your options for becoming a parent. Of course, there is the option of having your own biological children, which most people go for, but then there is also the option of adoption.

Quite honestly, I had never seriously considered the option of adoption until quite recently. I have been married for many years and have had no problems getting pregnant, and I always just assumed that adoption was only for people who had trouble having biological children of their own. I am so grateful that my perspective was expanded recently by a friend.

I guess it was ignorance that led me to believe that adoption was only a backup plan for couples who were trying to have a family. Perhaps because I didn’t know anyone who had gone through an adoption for a child simply because they felt like they wanted to. That is, until I met my friend Kate.

Kate and her husband have been married for several years. They are able, as far as they know, to parent biological children, yet they have decided instead to go with adoption for building their family. As Kate told me this over coffee one day, I couldn’t help but stop her and ask why. Why would she and Mike go through the somtimes awful process of adoption when they could get pregnant on their own? And why, more importantly, would they put themselves through all of the emotional trauma that comes with adoption when they could just have their own kids?

Kate laughed and then began to explain the process that she and Mike went through in deciding on adoption. She explained to me that they simply have become overwhelmed with the amount of need in the world and they have determined that adoption is one small but significant way that they can contribute to making the world a better place. Kate and Mike believe that everyone has a role to play in making the world better, and for them, they are committed to adoption. They are committed to taking children into their homes that might otherwise bounce from home to home in the foster care system and never actually be adopted.

If you are looking for a way to do something great for a child, for your family, and for the world, consider adoption. Of course, it is a much more complex issue than I can discuss here. Do some research, talk with your spouse and anyone you know that has gone through the adoption process.