Outdoor Object Lesson 105: On Firehawks

Key Verse

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9 WEB

Lesson

Australia, the Land Down Under, has many unique and unusual animals. Some are scary, some are cute, and some are just odd. Firehawks might fall into the last category. Wildfires are common in Australia’s grasslands. They are often started by lighting and sometimes by humans. But some birds have come-to-light recently that also contribute to the spread of wildfire. Firehawk is a colloquial term referring to birds that deliberately spread fire. 

There are three known species that practice this odd behavior.  The black kite (Milvus migrans), whistling kite (Haliastur sphenurus), and the brown falcon (Falco berigora) have all been reported to spread fire purposely. These birds make their home in the open grasslands. They prey on small mammals, lizards, insects and other small animals. They have learned that as wildfires spread, the small animals flee the flames in great numbers. So, they perch near the edge of the fire and let the feast come to them. It's easy hunting.

But what if that does not provide enough food? These clever birds have learned that they can speed up the fire by picking up burning or smoldering sticks and drop them a half mile away to start a new fire. This will cause more small animals to flee straight into the talons of the firehawks!1,2 These birds are amazing and cleaver hunters, but their actions remind me of some people I have met. Maybe you know they type of person I am thinking of. They enjoy spreading gossip and discord among others that works like a flame spreading a destructive wildfire. They think it’s funny when they hurt or offend others. These individuals think it’s fun to start arguments or cause problems. They like to be annoying or insult people for pleasure. They are social firehawks! 

These people often spread discord and cause problems because they are hurting on the inside. But how do you deal with someone like that? The bible has a lot to say on this topic. “As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him,” Titus 3:10 ESV. This is good advice. Try to discourage such a person from continuing in their ways. If they do not listen, it is best to avoid them. They are not your friend because they do not have your best interests in mind. 

Sadly, firehawks will always be around. Proverbs 26:20 offers another piece of advice, “Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.” NLT. You cannot always control firehawks or make them go away. But you can help stop the spread of their fire by not participating in their negative comments or gossip. The best thing you can do is pray for them and treat them with kindness no matter how they treat you.

Questions

How does it make you feel when someone hurts your feelings or gossips about you?

Why does the Bible advise us to avoid social firehawks? (read Titus 3:10 again)

Do you think people like that can change? Why or why not?

Is it our job as Christians to try and change or “convert” such people to the love of Christ? If so how?

Have you ever acted like a social firehawk? If so, what are going to do to change that?

Sources

1. Michael Greshko. “Why These Birds Carry Flames In Their Beaks,” January 8, 2018. National Geographic online, accessed from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2018/01/wildfires-birds-animals-australia/. 

2. Mark Bonta, Robert Gosford, Dick Eussen, Nathan Ferguson, Erana Loveless, and Maxwell Witwer "Intentional Fire-Spreading by “Firehawk” Raptors in Northern Australia," Journal of Ethnobiology 37(4), 700-718, (1 December 2017). https://doi.org/10.2993/0278-0771-37.4.700


Written by David F. Garner
Photo credit: pen_ash via www.pixabay.com

Pictured above: brown falcon

Christian Outdoor Object Lesson 57: Keep The Flame Burning

Key Verse

“So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Philippians 2:12 WEB

Lesson

The Protestant Reformation was about telling people about salvation by faith alone. John 3:16 clearly states that whoever believes in Jesus will be saved. So why is there a verse in Philippians talking about working out your own salvation? We can not earn salvation, right? This is true, but there is more to it.

If you have ever built a fire, or seen one built then you know it takes some work. First you need a safe place to build a fire such as a fire ring. Next you need to gather all the materials. You will need to gather several different sizes of wood, some tinder, and a fire source such as a match. Once you gather all the wood you need to separate it into different sizes and make sure it is dry. Once this is done you are ready to begin building your fire.

First put the tinder down in the center. Tinder can be things such as lint, wood shavings, or dry grass. Next add the kindling. Kindling are small twigs and sticks that will catch fire quickly. Finally, you can position the fuel wood around the kindling. This is the big pieces that will keep the fire going for a long time. Now you can strike the match and light the fire. But as you probably already know, your job is still not done. Once the tinder is lit, you must blow and fan the flame so it can grow. You must constantly tend the fire to keep it alive or it will go out. Once you have a roaring fire you must still stoke it and add more fuel.

Following Christ is a lot like building a fire. We receive salvation in an instant and we can do nothing to earn that gift. It is a spark that sets a spiritual fire in our hearts. But as Paul says in Philippians 2:12 we must work to keep the flame alive. We must fight against the temptations of our sinful nature. We must make it a priority to spend time with Jesus. We cannot earn God’s forgiveness. It is free. But we must work to live the way God asks us after we receive salvation to keep the fire in our hearts alive as long as we live. The best part is God will freely give us the strength to do so!

Questions

What did Jesus mean when he said, “take up your cross and follow me” in Matt. 16:24?

How do we receive God’s free gift of salvation?

What is the spark that sets a spiritual fire in our hearts?

What happens if we die before we have a chance to work on living the way God expects?



Written by David F. Garner

Photo Credit: Alexas_Fotos via www.pixabay.com

Only The Brave: A Moving True Story

If you enjoy movies based on true stories than you don't want to miss Only The Brave coming to theaters in less than a week! True story movies are always my favorite because I know the heroes in the story really did those heroic things. Its a reminder that I can look to real heroes for inspiration, not just fictional ones. This story is especially touching because it is still fresh in our memory. It took place only 5 years ago. Also, it brings much deserved recognition to firefighters, everyday heroes who constantly jeopardize their own safety and often go without thanks. Hotshots are elite firefighters. They are more officially know as an interagency hotshot crew or IHC.

Their job is to fight wildfires. This often requires them to parachute into remote places and stay away from family for days and weeks at a time. They work behind the scenes to save property, homes, and even lives. But because they work out in remote places people rarely see what they do and so they receive even less appreciation than traditional firefighters. We should do more to show our appreciation for these men and women who risk and sometimes sacrifice their lives for our safety. One way you can do that is by going to see this movie. This would be a great family movie if your children are old enough. It has received a PG-13 rating. You can also donate to the Firefighter Support Foundation here. Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 WEB. Firefighters truly embody this principle.

Here is a short documentary on the true story by the Weather Channel.

Here is a short memorial video to those who perished. 

By David F. Garner