Church in the home Wednesday evenings 2nd Dec 2009
The chapters of Hebrews 6 to Hebrews 11, lay down the fundamentals of the office of a priest and covers 4 particular priests or types of priests
Heb 6:20, Melchizedek, who was a priest without father, without mother, without genealogy Hebrews 7:3, (the order of Melchizedek)
Hebrews 6:20, Jesus, who became a High priest after the order of Melchizedek
Hebrews 7:5, the sons of Levi who received the priests office
Hebrews 10:19, those born again brethren are to have boldness to enter into the holy place (by the blood of Jesus), and are collectively referred to as “a royal priesthood” in 1 Peter 2:9
This remarkable section which traces priestly duty and ordinance leading to Jesus as our High priest, and his tearing down of the veil at the entrance to the Holy of holies in the temple. While high priests under the Levitical protocol had to offer sacrifices for their own sins and for the sins of the people every year, Jesus did this once when he offered up himself and his blood now cleanses our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
This Jesus who was made a priest not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life (Heb 7: 15 & 16) and as such he is able to save those for all time those who come to God through him, because he always lives to make intercession for them Heb 7:25 (loosely from the REV – Revised English version)
Neil J Bourke
7-Dec-2009
http://www.stfonline.org/
http://www.truthortradition.com
http://www.biblicalunitarian.com/
http://www.biblegateway.com
woensdag 9 december 2009
dinsdag 1 december 2009
Church in the home Wed 18th Nov 2009
Don’t Blame God
Old Testament versus new testament. In the New there are new truths. The old attributes certain things to God, our loving heavenly Father. The devil is in control of our physical environment. God hid the Devil in the old testament via the way things were written.
Ephesians says "we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against" … there is no old testament verse like that.
There are new truths in the new testament, look in John 1 : 17 for instance, Grace & truth came through Jesus Christ. What truth?
V.18 Truth came by Jesus Christ, and he made known the Father, In the OT God took the credit for good and evil, but in the NT Jesus and God gave believers the power to understand the position of the devil in the World, and gave them the enablement's to counter some of the acts of the devil.
1 John 5:19 Where does the flooding, slavery, hunger, war come from – not God, “The whole World in under the control of the evil one” NIV.
God is good, God is loving,
Matt 4 states that the devil was tempting Jesus with all the kingdoms of the World… how did he get them? Jesus did not contest his ability and authority to give them. Jesus himself will reign over them some day, Jesus resisted temptation. God gave rulership of the World to Adam who gave it to the devil at the fall.
Heb 2 :14 Jesus also took flesh and blood, … to destroy him who holds the power of death.
Numbers 21:4-9 these verses attribute these acts to God. In aramaic this has the meaning of allowing or permission.
Listen to the whole teaching "Don't blame God" by clicking on the link below.
Keep praying and labouring in prayer. God and Jesus and the people of this world need your intercession. Speak in tongues as much as youcan. Pray with your understanding and be specific and clear.
God Bless
Neil J Bourke
24/11/2009
http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=925
Old Testament versus new testament. In the New there are new truths. The old attributes certain things to God, our loving heavenly Father. The devil is in control of our physical environment. God hid the Devil in the old testament via the way things were written.
Ephesians says "we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against" … there is no old testament verse like that.
There are new truths in the new testament, look in John 1 : 17 for instance, Grace & truth came through Jesus Christ. What truth?
V.18 Truth came by Jesus Christ, and he made known the Father, In the OT God took the credit for good and evil, but in the NT Jesus and God gave believers the power to understand the position of the devil in the World, and gave them the enablement's to counter some of the acts of the devil.
1 John 5:19 Where does the flooding, slavery, hunger, war come from – not God, “The whole World in under the control of the evil one” NIV.
God is good, God is loving,
Matt 4 states that the devil was tempting Jesus with all the kingdoms of the World… how did he get them? Jesus did not contest his ability and authority to give them. Jesus himself will reign over them some day, Jesus resisted temptation. God gave rulership of the World to Adam who gave it to the devil at the fall.
Heb 2 :14 Jesus also took flesh and blood, … to destroy him who holds the power of death.
Numbers 21:4-9 these verses attribute these acts to God. In aramaic this has the meaning of allowing or permission.
Listen to the whole teaching "Don't blame God" by clicking on the link below.
Keep praying and labouring in prayer. God and Jesus and the people of this world need your intercession. Speak in tongues as much as youcan. Pray with your understanding and be specific and clear.
God Bless
Neil J Bourke
24/11/2009
http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=925
Church in the home Wednesday evenings 27th Nov 2009
Church in the home Wednesday evenings 27th Nov 2009
“Is there death after life”, is the title of a book by Graeser, Lynn and Schoenheit, and in it are laid down some of the fundamentals of the subject, the state of the dead.
The bible is clear on this subject and so should we.
In Hebrews 2:14 the one who holds the power of death has been declared, and clearly revealed and that is the devil. Jesus Christ took flesh and blood and shared in our humanity so that by his death he could destroy him who holds the power of death. (Loosely NIV)
1 Corinthians 15:26 clearly states, “the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death (KJV)
The reason there is death is stated in Romans 5:12,
“Wherefore as by one man (Adam) sin entered the into the world, and death by sin; so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” (NIV)
There is an escape from death and that is, in this day and time in 2009, through Jesus Christ, and specifically an adherence to the instructions given in Romans 10: 9,
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth, the Lord Jesus,
and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him
from the dead, thou shalt be saved”(KJV)
1Thessalonians 4: 16, 17 paint for us a glorious future, and is a stark contrast to the ill-founded belief that death is in fact an entrance to life itself.
If death is not “really” death, but merely a passing on to something even greater than “life”, then the need for resurrection (Jesus Christ’s resurrection, the 1st & 2nd resurrections) and raising of the dead in Christ (1Thessalonians 4: 16, 17) are all unnecessary and give false hope. But this is not the case and God and Jesus Christ will have to bring all power to bear to give new life to those who have acquired it, and not only life, but everlasting life.
Neil J Bourke
1-Dec-2009
http://www.stfonline.org/resources/websites.html
http://www.biblicalunitarian.com/
http://www.truthortradition.com/
“Is there death after life”, is the title of a book by Graeser, Lynn and Schoenheit, and in it are laid down some of the fundamentals of the subject, the state of the dead.
The bible is clear on this subject and so should we.
In Hebrews 2:14 the one who holds the power of death has been declared, and clearly revealed and that is the devil. Jesus Christ took flesh and blood and shared in our humanity so that by his death he could destroy him who holds the power of death. (Loosely NIV)
1 Corinthians 15:26 clearly states, “the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death (KJV)
The reason there is death is stated in Romans 5:12,
“Wherefore as by one man (Adam) sin entered the into the world, and death by sin; so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” (NIV)
There is an escape from death and that is, in this day and time in 2009, through Jesus Christ, and specifically an adherence to the instructions given in Romans 10: 9,
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth, the Lord Jesus,
and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him
from the dead, thou shalt be saved”(KJV)
1Thessalonians 4: 16, 17 paint for us a glorious future, and is a stark contrast to the ill-founded belief that death is in fact an entrance to life itself.
If death is not “really” death, but merely a passing on to something even greater than “life”, then the need for resurrection (Jesus Christ’s resurrection, the 1st & 2nd resurrections) and raising of the dead in Christ (1Thessalonians 4: 16, 17) are all unnecessary and give false hope. But this is not the case and God and Jesus Christ will have to bring all power to bear to give new life to those who have acquired it, and not only life, but everlasting life.
Neil J Bourke
1-Dec-2009
http://www.stfonline.org/resources/websites.html
http://www.biblicalunitarian.com/
http://www.truthortradition.com/
zondag 15 november 2009
Church in the home wednesday evenings 11/11/2009
Church in the home Wednesday evenings 11/11/2009
The gift of holy spirit
In the Netherlands this specific time of year seems to start the season for the giving and receiving of gifts. Children go from door to door singing Saint Martin songs and in exchange they get something tasty to eat. The 5th and the 25th of December are looming large as well. God has been gracious to us and made available gifts as well.
1Cor 15
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
For us, getting a gift of life has to be the greatest gift of all, since by man, Adam, came death.
Why did God make this gift available?
Romans 5
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
The reason we needed the gift of live was because we had inherited death, by one man, Adam,
1Corinthians 15,
45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
Adam was created in the image of God, (formed out of the earth giving him a body (body), became a living soul when God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (soul), and was created in Gods image, (spirit), ) here in 1 Cor 15:45 Adam is characterised as having being made a living soul, whilst Jesus, the last or second Adam was made a quickening spirit. The bible promises that we too will be made like Jesus with a new body at his appearing.
Ephesians 1
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
The earnest in verse 14 means a token or a downpayment, a pledge or a deposit, until Jesus comes back and changes our bodies. The gift we have is not everlasting life itself but a promise of everlasting life.
But the question remains, what should we believe in order to be sealed with that holy spirit of promise?
Romans 10: 9 & 10 give a clear instruction on this.
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Though we are now saved by “works” we still have to exert some effort in carrying out the instruction of Romans 10:9&10. This is strictly not to be confused with works, but confession and believing. Doing this will result in a wonderful transformation in the life of an individual. That person Young or old, male or feamale, free or in captivity, rich or poor, will be born again. Lets look at 1 Peter 1: 22, & 23 to get more insight on this.
1 Peter
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Born of incorruptible sed, and that seed is Christ (Genesis 3:15 is the first mention of this seed in the bible) Whereas being born of corruptible seed (our natural, flesh and blood nature inherited from our natural parents) brings with it the possibility of a natural death, but being born again of incorruptible seed gives us the pledge of everlasting life , or life in the age to come.
This being born again is a gift..
Ephesians 2
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God
We all delight in receiving Gifts, but what gift can compare to this gift of God, being saved from wrath, the curse, death, and complete destruction.
How do we know we have this pledge of life in the age to come
Acts gives us a clear guidence
Acts 2
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance
Speaking in tongues is the God given manifestation on the outside, of the gift on the inside.
Luke 24
49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Jesus foretold of the coming comforter, holy spirit, and said that it was a promise of God that it would be available to believers, and that those who received it would be endued with power.
Acts follows on from the record in Luke and shows that the apostles were carrying out the instruction given to them.
Acts 1
1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
Jesus gave some instructions as to the receiving of the promise of the father, the holy spirit, which is recorded in the gospel of John
John 20
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, receive ye the Holy Ghost:
Peter in Acts 2 states that Jesus did receive the promise of the Father and was authorised to shed this forth, and this he duely did for the First time on the day of Penetcost as recorded in Acts 2.
Acts 2
32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
Peter at the end of his speaking forth to those present on that day and summarises very clearly what God’s will was and is
Acts 2
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Repent here can be equated with the earlier verses of Romans 10: 9, & 10, that is confessing and believing.
Luke (the author of Acts) makes the point by revelation from God, that the believers, the receivers of the promise of the Father would be baptised with holy ghost (or holy spirit) ushering in a new era distinct from the era of water baptism .
Acts 1
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
In our walk with God, we are exhorted to continue along the spiritual road that we started on when we got born again, received the holy spirit, were baptised with holy spirit, when we became endued with power from high, and in Galations this is expressed as folows..
Galations 3
2 This only would I learn of you, received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
We are not to seek spiritual perfection through Works of the flesh. Sure, good works in the flesh, are a necessary part of the Christian walk, but there is a spiritual and a natural side to our lives. God wishes us to speak in tongues and operate the other manifestations of the gift of holy spirit zealously.
In Acts Peter ministered to believers who had “received the Word of God” namely they believed Romans 10:9 & 10, but they had not been led into a full experiential and practical Christian lifestyle where worshiping God in spirit plays an essential part.
Acts 8
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received (dechomai Gk.) the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive (lambano Gk.) the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received (lambano Gk.) the Holy Ghost.
What happened when Peter laid hands on them is not specifically stated here but it was so impressive that Simon (the Sorceror) wanted to pay money to the apostles to get this power.
The greek words dechomai and lambano are particularly interesting in their usage in this section of scripture.
Acts 19 records a similar experience to that of Acts 8., when Paul ministered to believers who had been baptised with the baptism of water only. The result of the ministering was that thoise ministered to spoke in tongues.
Acts 19
1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
7 And all the men were about twelve.
This may well have been what Simon had seen and heard in the record in Actss 8.
1 Corinthians lucidly states that speaking in tongues, is for the Christian believer, a real, concrete , and tangible way of bringing the gift of holy spirit Which has been born on the inside, into manifestation on the outside.
1 Cor 12 : 3
3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
Amplified version:
1 Cor 12
3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking under the power and influence of the [Holy] Spirit of God can [ever] say, Jesus be cursed! And no one can [really] say, Jesus is [my] Lord, except by and under the power and influence of the Holy Spirit.
Neil J Bourke, 15/Nov/2009, Almere, The Netherlands
The gift of holy spirit
In the Netherlands this specific time of year seems to start the season for the giving and receiving of gifts. Children go from door to door singing Saint Martin songs and in exchange they get something tasty to eat. The 5th and the 25th of December are looming large as well. God has been gracious to us and made available gifts as well.
1Cor 15
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
For us, getting a gift of life has to be the greatest gift of all, since by man, Adam, came death.
Why did God make this gift available?
Romans 5
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
The reason we needed the gift of live was because we had inherited death, by one man, Adam,
1Corinthians 15,
45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
Adam was created in the image of God, (formed out of the earth giving him a body (body), became a living soul when God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (soul), and was created in Gods image, (spirit), ) here in 1 Cor 15:45 Adam is characterised as having being made a living soul, whilst Jesus, the last or second Adam was made a quickening spirit. The bible promises that we too will be made like Jesus with a new body at his appearing.
Ephesians 1
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
The earnest in verse 14 means a token or a downpayment, a pledge or a deposit, until Jesus comes back and changes our bodies. The gift we have is not everlasting life itself but a promise of everlasting life.
But the question remains, what should we believe in order to be sealed with that holy spirit of promise?
Romans 10: 9 & 10 give a clear instruction on this.
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Though we are now saved by “works” we still have to exert some effort in carrying out the instruction of Romans 10:9&10. This is strictly not to be confused with works, but confession and believing. Doing this will result in a wonderful transformation in the life of an individual. That person Young or old, male or feamale, free or in captivity, rich or poor, will be born again. Lets look at 1 Peter 1: 22, & 23 to get more insight on this.
1 Peter
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Born of incorruptible sed, and that seed is Christ (Genesis 3:15 is the first mention of this seed in the bible) Whereas being born of corruptible seed (our natural, flesh and blood nature inherited from our natural parents) brings with it the possibility of a natural death, but being born again of incorruptible seed gives us the pledge of everlasting life , or life in the age to come.
This being born again is a gift..
Ephesians 2
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God
We all delight in receiving Gifts, but what gift can compare to this gift of God, being saved from wrath, the curse, death, and complete destruction.
How do we know we have this pledge of life in the age to come
Acts gives us a clear guidence
Acts 2
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance
Speaking in tongues is the God given manifestation on the outside, of the gift on the inside.
Luke 24
49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Jesus foretold of the coming comforter, holy spirit, and said that it was a promise of God that it would be available to believers, and that those who received it would be endued with power.
Acts follows on from the record in Luke and shows that the apostles were carrying out the instruction given to them.
Acts 1
1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
Jesus gave some instructions as to the receiving of the promise of the father, the holy spirit, which is recorded in the gospel of John
John 20
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, receive ye the Holy Ghost:
Peter in Acts 2 states that Jesus did receive the promise of the Father and was authorised to shed this forth, and this he duely did for the First time on the day of Penetcost as recorded in Acts 2.
Acts 2
32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
Peter at the end of his speaking forth to those present on that day and summarises very clearly what God’s will was and is
Acts 2
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Repent here can be equated with the earlier verses of Romans 10: 9, & 10, that is confessing and believing.
Luke (the author of Acts) makes the point by revelation from God, that the believers, the receivers of the promise of the Father would be baptised with holy ghost (or holy spirit) ushering in a new era distinct from the era of water baptism .
Acts 1
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
In our walk with God, we are exhorted to continue along the spiritual road that we started on when we got born again, received the holy spirit, were baptised with holy spirit, when we became endued with power from high, and in Galations this is expressed as folows..
Galations 3
2 This only would I learn of you, received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
We are not to seek spiritual perfection through Works of the flesh. Sure, good works in the flesh, are a necessary part of the Christian walk, but there is a spiritual and a natural side to our lives. God wishes us to speak in tongues and operate the other manifestations of the gift of holy spirit zealously.
In Acts Peter ministered to believers who had “received the Word of God” namely they believed Romans 10:9 & 10, but they had not been led into a full experiential and practical Christian lifestyle where worshiping God in spirit plays an essential part.
Acts 8
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received (dechomai Gk.) the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive (lambano Gk.) the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received (lambano Gk.) the Holy Ghost.
What happened when Peter laid hands on them is not specifically stated here but it was so impressive that Simon (the Sorceror) wanted to pay money to the apostles to get this power.
The greek words dechomai and lambano are particularly interesting in their usage in this section of scripture.
Acts 19 records a similar experience to that of Acts 8., when Paul ministered to believers who had been baptised with the baptism of water only. The result of the ministering was that thoise ministered to spoke in tongues.
Acts 19
1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
7 And all the men were about twelve.
This may well have been what Simon had seen and heard in the record in Actss 8.
1 Corinthians lucidly states that speaking in tongues, is for the Christian believer, a real, concrete , and tangible way of bringing the gift of holy spirit Which has been born on the inside, into manifestation on the outside.
1 Cor 12 : 3
3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
Amplified version:
1 Cor 12
3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking under the power and influence of the [Holy] Spirit of God can [ever] say, Jesus be cursed! And no one can [really] say, Jesus is [my] Lord, except by and under the power and influence of the Holy Spirit.
Neil J Bourke, 15/Nov/2009, Almere, The Netherlands
zondag 8 november 2009
Church in the home, Wednesday evenings the 28th Oct. 2009
Church in the home, Wednesday evenings the 28th Oct. 2009
Bible study guide on the truth or tradition web site..
http://www.truthortradition.com/pdf/BibleStudyGuide.pdf
sample of the contents taken from the abovementioned web site….
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction to the Principles and Keys of Bible Study……………………………..……5
Principles of Biblical Interpretation……………………………………………………...13
Keys to Properly Understanding the Scriptures……………………………………….…25
Errors in Transmission………………………………………………………………...…27
Errors in Translation………………………………………………………………….….33
Errors in our Understanding…………………………………………………………..…49
The Administrations In Scripture Chart…………………………………………………85
We studied some of the sections in this Bible study guide especially pages 34-38.
How the bible came to us, how it was first written is an important aspect of bible study as this gives us even more confidence in it and it’s promises, and it’s authorship.
Early Greek texts were written in uncial script, e.g. THATIFYOUCONFESSWITHYOURMOUTHJESUSISLORDANDBELIEVEI
NYOURHEARTTHATGODRAISEDHIMFROMTHEDEAD (from Romans 10:9)
Chapter divisions date from app. 350 A.D.
In the 800’s A.D. a font that used only lower case letters was developed probably to save space and valuable ink and parchment, e.g. thatifyouconfesswithyourmouththatjesusislordand thatgodraisedhimfromthedead….
Chapter divisions, verse divisions have all been introduced by man and while very useful for day to day reading and study of the bible, there are some unusual choices made which in fact divide the bible in such a way as to stem the natural flow of a topic. Examples are given in the Bible study guide. Punctuation can also aid in reading and understanding the bible. However when punctuation can make a difference between right dividing the word of truth and wrongly dividing the word of truth, then great care must be taken. An example oft quoted is the verse, Luke 23:43, when Jesus speaks to those crucified with him.
The bible study guide is freely available on the web site notes above, and I urge ye all to download it and read it for your own exhortation.
Neil J Bourke
http://www.truthortradition.com
http://www.stfonline.org
http://www.biblicalunitarian.com/
Bible study guide on the truth or tradition web site..
http://www.truthortradition.com/pdf/BibleStudyGuide.pdf
sample of the contents taken from the abovementioned web site….
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction to the Principles and Keys of Bible Study……………………………..……5
Principles of Biblical Interpretation……………………………………………………...13
Keys to Properly Understanding the Scriptures……………………………………….…25
Errors in Transmission………………………………………………………………...…27
Errors in Translation………………………………………………………………….….33
Errors in our Understanding…………………………………………………………..…49
The Administrations In Scripture Chart…………………………………………………85
We studied some of the sections in this Bible study guide especially pages 34-38.
How the bible came to us, how it was first written is an important aspect of bible study as this gives us even more confidence in it and it’s promises, and it’s authorship.
Early Greek texts were written in uncial script, e.g. THATIFYOUCONFESSWITHYOURMOUTHJESUSISLORDANDBELIEVEI
NYOURHEARTTHATGODRAISEDHIMFROMTHEDEAD (from Romans 10:9)
Chapter divisions date from app. 350 A.D.
In the 800’s A.D. a font that used only lower case letters was developed probably to save space and valuable ink and parchment, e.g. thatifyouconfesswithyourmouththatjesusislordand thatgodraisedhimfromthedead….
Chapter divisions, verse divisions have all been introduced by man and while very useful for day to day reading and study of the bible, there are some unusual choices made which in fact divide the bible in such a way as to stem the natural flow of a topic. Examples are given in the Bible study guide. Punctuation can also aid in reading and understanding the bible. However when punctuation can make a difference between right dividing the word of truth and wrongly dividing the word of truth, then great care must be taken. An example oft quoted is the verse, Luke 23:43, when Jesus speaks to those crucified with him.
The bible study guide is freely available on the web site notes above, and I urge ye all to download it and read it for your own exhortation.
Neil J Bourke
http://www.truthortradition.com
http://www.stfonline.org
http://www.biblicalunitarian.com/
zaterdag 24 oktober 2009
Wednesday evenings Church in the home 21-October -2009
Title: Oh Kingdom, come.
Ps. 145: 10&11 Thy saints shall speak of the glory of thy Kingdom.
Matt 3: 1-2 John the Baptist preached saying, repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matt4: 8 Devil tempts Jesus with all the Kingdoms of the world and the glory of them.
Matt 4: 23 Jesus preached the gospel of the Kingdom.
Matt 5: 1-5 The sermon on the mount, Jesus said the meek shall inherit the earth, and as for the "the poor in spirit", theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Matt6: 8-13, the "Our Father", ... thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Oh happy day, of the promise of life in the Kingdom.
Matt 6: 33 Seek first the Kingdom of God and its righteousness...
Parables: about the Kingdom
Matt 13: 3-23 the sower and the seed
Matt 13: 24-30 Tares and the wheat
Matt 13: 31-32 Mustard seed
Matt 13: 33 Leaven hid in the meal
Matt 13: 44 Treasure hidden in a field
Matt 13: 45-46 Pearls of great price
Matt 13: 47-50 A fishing net cast in the sea
Acts 1: 6-8 ...wilt thou restore the Kingdom to Israel?... it is not for ye to know ...but ye shall receive power..
Acts 28: 31 Paul, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching those things, which concern the Lord Jesus Christ..
Colossians 1: 13 .. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son.
1 Thess 4 : 17 So shall we ever be with the Lord (Jesus Christ)
Zechariah 14: 4 and his feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives.
Revelation 19: 11ff and I saw heaven opened and behold a white horse and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True. ...
The saints, the children of God, those born again of incorruptible seed in this the administration of the secret, will forever be with the Lord, and the meek and poor in spirit will inherit deserved rewards in the kingdom, in both the Millennial and the eternal kingdoms. Praise the Lord that he gave himself a ransom for many, that we today can have hope in a wonderful life in a new world. Dat een nieuwe wereld komen zal, waar brood genoeg en water stroomt, voor allen. Amen.
dinsdag 20 oktober 2009
Wednesday evenings church in the home 14th Oct 2009
Dear All,
God Bless in the name of Jesus Christ. We were exploring the Bible and how we can believe it to get to know God, Jesus His Son, and the bright promises that are promised to us. We read from Exodus how God did wonders for the Children of Israel under Moses in bringing them out of the land of Egypt and the yoke of bondage that that was. In the wilderness of Shur, Exodus 15:22 and onwards, the bible says they went 3 days without water. They came to the Marah, and the waters (well) of Marah, but the water was bitter. However God had mercy and when Moses threw in the "tree" into the waters they became sweet and they could drink. When they came into the wilderness of Sin, Exodus 16 1- 36, they were hungry, and God once again provided them with meat in the evenings, quail, a small game bird, fell on the camp, and in the morning there was a delicious breakfast ready to be picked up off the ground, namely Manna. We read the first part of these scriptures then broke out to the video clip below, where we were shown the "tenacity" of the scriptures, in other words the bible was shown to be the most reliable of all ancient manuscripts. After the app. 10 minute clip, we finished reading the rest of the passage in Exodus as far as Exodus 16: 36.The youtube link for the first part of the mini series "The Bible, you can believe it" is given below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E78cKkWmo3Q
The reading of this seemingly unbelievable passage in scripture became even more real when we saw the explanation of the reliability of the Word of God, the Bible.
More teachings like this can be found at
http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1010
God bless
Neil & Vivienne Bourke
http://truthortradition.com
http://www.stfonline.org
http://www.biblicalunitarian.com
God Bless in the name of Jesus Christ. We were exploring the Bible and how we can believe it to get to know God, Jesus His Son, and the bright promises that are promised to us. We read from Exodus how God did wonders for the Children of Israel under Moses in bringing them out of the land of Egypt and the yoke of bondage that that was. In the wilderness of Shur, Exodus 15:22 and onwards, the bible says they went 3 days without water. They came to the Marah, and the waters (well) of Marah, but the water was bitter. However God had mercy and when Moses threw in the "tree" into the waters they became sweet and they could drink. When they came into the wilderness of Sin, Exodus 16 1- 36, they were hungry, and God once again provided them with meat in the evenings, quail, a small game bird, fell on the camp, and in the morning there was a delicious breakfast ready to be picked up off the ground, namely Manna. We read the first part of these scriptures then broke out to the video clip below, where we were shown the "tenacity" of the scriptures, in other words the bible was shown to be the most reliable of all ancient manuscripts. After the app. 10 minute clip, we finished reading the rest of the passage in Exodus as far as Exodus 16: 36.The youtube link for the first part of the mini series "The Bible, you can believe it" is given below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E78cKkWmo3Q
The reading of this seemingly unbelievable passage in scripture became even more real when we saw the explanation of the reliability of the Word of God, the Bible.
More teachings like this can be found at
http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1010
God bless
Neil & Vivienne Bourke
http://truthortradition.com
http://www.stfonline.org
http://www.biblicalunitarian.com
dinsdag 6 oktober 2009
Church in the home Wednesday evening 7th Oct 2009
Life:
Genesis 1 : 20, & 30 both nephesh = 754 times in the Hebrew old testament. In the AV and the RV 472 times it is translated as "soul”. and in the other 282 places it is rendered by 44 different words. The English word "soul" is always Nephesh except Job 30: 15 and Isaiah 57:16.
Genesis: 2:7 and God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.
Eccl.7:12 wisdom giveth life to them that have it..
Deuteronomy 30: 19 therefore choose life (see Deut 29: 1, 5, 10-12, 17, 20, 26-29,. Deut 30: 1, 2, 10-20.
Prov 1:7, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledgeProv 19:23 The fear of the Lord tendeth to life
Zoe - life in all its manifestations
Matthew 4: 4 - It is written, man shall not live by bread alone...quoted from Deuteronomy 8: 3
Luke 10: 25-28 - what shall I do to inherit eternal life
Luke 12: 15 - a mans life consists not in the things which t he abundance of things which he posseseth.
John 6: 48 - I am the bread of life.
John 10 : 10 .. I am come that they may have life and have it more abundantly...
John 20: 1, 11-17 The first day of the week..., But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping,: and as she wept, she stooped down and looked into the sepulchre, and seeth two angels in white sitting...
Romans 6:23 - for the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Bios - the life which we live, manner of life, means of living.
1Tim 2: 2 - that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life (bios).
2Tim 2: 4 - no man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life (bios)
1 Thess 4: 13-18
Rev 19: 11-16 And I saw heaven opened and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called faithful and True,....
Rev 20: 4 - 6, - and I saw thrones, and they sat upon them and judgment was given to them..
Rev 20: 11-15 And I saw a great white throne and Him that sat on it......
Rev 21: 1 -4 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first Heaven and the first .....
Rev 22: 3-5 and there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of His lamb shall be in it.....
Genesis 1 : 20, & 30 both nephesh = 754 times in the Hebrew old testament. In the AV and the RV 472 times it is translated as "soul”. and in the other 282 places it is rendered by 44 different words. The English word "soul" is always Nephesh except Job 30: 15 and Isaiah 57:16.
Genesis: 2:7 and God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.
Eccl.7:12 wisdom giveth life to them that have it..
Deuteronomy 30: 19 therefore choose life (see Deut 29: 1, 5, 10-12, 17, 20, 26-29,. Deut 30: 1, 2, 10-20.
Prov 1:7, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledgeProv 19:23 The fear of the Lord tendeth to life
Zoe - life in all its manifestations
Matthew 4: 4 - It is written, man shall not live by bread alone...quoted from Deuteronomy 8: 3
Luke 10: 25-28 - what shall I do to inherit eternal life
Luke 12: 15 - a mans life consists not in the things which t he abundance of things which he posseseth.
John 6: 48 - I am the bread of life.
John 10 : 10 .. I am come that they may have life and have it more abundantly...
John 20: 1, 11-17 The first day of the week..., But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping,: and as she wept, she stooped down and looked into the sepulchre, and seeth two angels in white sitting...
Romans 6:23 - for the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Bios - the life which we live, manner of life, means of living.
1Tim 2: 2 - that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life (bios).
2Tim 2: 4 - no man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life (bios)
1 Thess 4: 13-18
Rev 19: 11-16 And I saw heaven opened and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called faithful and True,....
Rev 20: 4 - 6, - and I saw thrones, and they sat upon them and judgment was given to them..
Rev 20: 11-15 And I saw a great white throne and Him that sat on it......
Rev 21: 1 -4 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first Heaven and the first .....
Rev 22: 3-5 and there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of His lamb shall be in it.....
zaterdag 3 oktober 2009
Wednesday evenings Church in the home 30/Sept/2009
We had a wonderful evening last Wednesday, the 30th of Sept. 2009, when we had, Neil J, Vivienne, Neil P, Eoghan C, Jim W, Orlaith, Jaimie. Shaunna, Mary Calpin, Hans Peter & Mary Jo, Christian, Danielle, Cees & Analore Witteveen, with us to fellowship round the bible and prayer. The subject of the "Two Adams" was expounded by N.J. Bourke
Wednesday evenings Church in the home 30/Sept/2009
Two Adams
Jesus Christ is the Last Adam, a man like Adam who could undo what Adam did. The Last Adam, by dying on the Cross-, sacrificed himself as an offering for the sin that the first Adam introduced into the world. This Adamic parallelism establishes one of the most foundational biblical truths regarding Christ, one that allows us to see the entire span of the Bible: two men, two gardens, two commands, two decisions, two deaths, two universal results, two races of people and two Paradises. (http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=371)
Romans 5: 12-24
Romans 5:12
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.
Romans 5:14 (NRSV)
Yet death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who was to come.
1 Corinthians 15: 19-26
V 21, by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
V 22, as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
V 26, the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
Genesis 1: 26- 31
Genesis 2: 15-25
Genesis 3: 1-15
V 15, the promised seed to redeem man (kind).
1 Corinthians 15: 45-58
V 45 The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. (KJV)
John 5: 26 For as the father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself. (KJV)
Wednesday evenings Church in the home 30/Sept/2009
Two Adams
Jesus Christ is the Last Adam, a man like Adam who could undo what Adam did. The Last Adam, by dying on the Cross-, sacrificed himself as an offering for the sin that the first Adam introduced into the world. This Adamic parallelism establishes one of the most foundational biblical truths regarding Christ, one that allows us to see the entire span of the Bible: two men, two gardens, two commands, two decisions, two deaths, two universal results, two races of people and two Paradises. (http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=371)
Romans 5: 12-24
Romans 5:12
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.
Romans 5:14 (NRSV)
Yet death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who was to come.
1 Corinthians 15: 19-26
V 21, by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
V 22, as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
V 26, the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
Genesis 1: 26- 31
Genesis 2: 15-25
Genesis 3: 1-15
V 15, the promised seed to redeem man (kind).
1 Corinthians 15: 45-58
V 45 The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. (KJV)
John 5: 26 For as the father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself. (KJV)
maandag 21 september 2009
Church in the home Wednesday 23rd Sept 2009
This is the basis of the teaching I gave in the Summer holidays 2009 in Ardmore. I am going to teach it again on Wed. 23rd Sept 2009.
Heb 1 : 1 , 2, 5, + 13 V. 1 by his Son, V 13 is quoted from Ps. 110: 1 (quoted 7 times in the NT)
Ps 1101: 1 The Lord (Jehovah) said unto my lord (adoni).
Heb 2: 1,8,9-11, 16,17, 18,
Heb 4: 11-16 esp. V 15 tempted / our infirmities
1 John 1 : 1-4 We have fellowship with God and Jesus.
1 Cor 1 : 9 God has called us unto the fellowship of His son Jesus Christ our lord.
1 Cor 1 : 21 - 27 Jews and Greeks, a stumbling block, and foolishness. - foolish and wise.
John 4: 20-26 Our fathers worshiped (it was "worth it") in this mountain, .. worship in spirit and in truth.
Acts 2: 1-4, + v.30- 36 The original outpouring, the resurrection of Jesus the Christ, his reception of the holy spirit, and his sheding forth of same on those who believe. That same Jesus whom ye have crucified.. God has made both Lord and Christ..
This is half of what I taught in Ardmore, and it is enough for Wednesday night coming the 23rd of Sept. 2009
Heb 1 : 1 , 2, 5, + 13 V. 1 by his Son, V 13 is quoted from Ps. 110: 1 (quoted 7 times in the NT)
Ps 1101: 1 The Lord (Jehovah) said unto my lord (adoni).
Heb 2: 1,8,9-11, 16,17, 18,
Heb 4: 11-16 esp. V 15 tempted / our infirmities
1 John 1 : 1-4 We have fellowship with God and Jesus.
1 Cor 1 : 9 God has called us unto the fellowship of His son Jesus Christ our lord.
1 Cor 1 : 21 - 27 Jews and Greeks, a stumbling block, and foolishness. - foolish and wise.
John 4: 20-26 Our fathers worshiped (it was "worth it") in this mountain, .. worship in spirit and in truth.
Acts 2: 1-4, + v.30- 36 The original outpouring, the resurrection of Jesus the Christ, his reception of the holy spirit, and his sheding forth of same on those who believe. That same Jesus whom ye have crucified.. God has made both Lord and Christ..
This is half of what I taught in Ardmore, and it is enough for Wednesday night coming the 23rd of Sept. 2009
vrijdag 18 september 2009
Church in the home Wed 16 Sept 2009, Ten, two commandments and eat, drink, and remember.
Last Wed. we met as a family, Neil J, Viv, Eoghan, Jim, and Orlaith, though Neil P. was not there unfortunately.
The ten commandments, (Ex. 20) were studied, and after that some more commandments running into Exodus 21. So many more things to do in the bible besides the ten. But Jesus Christ rolled them all into one, in Matthew namely, 1. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind and strength, 2. and thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Then we moved from there to ! Cor 10 where it talks about communion (full sharing in) then to the gospels, Luke in particular which describes the "last supper" and Jesus institution of the concept of communion, eating, drinking, and remembering the real significance of the broken bread representing the broken body, and the shed blood and its significance respectively.
Then back to 1 Cor 11 where the behaviour in the church and particularly the love feasts was not a praiseworthy item for the Corinthian church, and Paul sets them on the right path with reproof.
Sin and sickness are linked but Jesus has and is the answer.
May we eat drink and remember, and be healthy.
Neil J Bourke 19 Sept 2009
The ten commandments, (Ex. 20) were studied, and after that some more commandments running into Exodus 21. So many more things to do in the bible besides the ten. But Jesus Christ rolled them all into one, in Matthew namely, 1. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind and strength, 2. and thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Then we moved from there to ! Cor 10 where it talks about communion (full sharing in) then to the gospels, Luke in particular which describes the "last supper" and Jesus institution of the concept of communion, eating, drinking, and remembering the real significance of the broken bread representing the broken body, and the shed blood and its significance respectively.
Then back to 1 Cor 11 where the behaviour in the church and particularly the love feasts was not a praiseworthy item for the Corinthian church, and Paul sets them on the right path with reproof.
Sin and sickness are linked but Jesus has and is the answer.
May we eat drink and remember, and be healthy.
Neil J Bourke 19 Sept 2009
zondag 31 mei 2009
Neil P developments
Sunday 31-May 2009
After Chipriani's closed almost 2 weeks ago, or more, Neil ketp working for the old Boss, VJ doing some wrapping up on the book keeping side.
Then last Friday week he got a DJ spot in the restaurant / cafe "President", and then on Saturday afternoon (yesterday) he was asked to start in the Kitchen doing the "cold" things. He sent me ans SMS then called. He did that and could have a job with them on an ongoing basis. Viv and I went to see him last night , i.e. Saturday 30th May, and he was finished and sitting at the bar chatting to the barmaid. He showed us the DJ table, a "Pioneer" and very good indeed, at least 5,000.00 euro worth.
Last Friday night Neil got an hour in radio Flevoland between 20.00h and 21.00h He gave a very short interview (30 seconds) before he started. He was playing techno house .. or something. That went well, and he said that there was probably app. 1000 listeners at the time.
After Chipriani's closed almost 2 weeks ago, or more, Neil ketp working for the old Boss, VJ doing some wrapping up on the book keeping side.
Then last Friday week he got a DJ spot in the restaurant / cafe "President", and then on Saturday afternoon (yesterday) he was asked to start in the Kitchen doing the "cold" things. He sent me ans SMS then called. He did that and could have a job with them on an ongoing basis. Viv and I went to see him last night , i.e. Saturday 30th May, and he was finished and sitting at the bar chatting to the barmaid. He showed us the DJ table, a "Pioneer" and very good indeed, at least 5,000.00 euro worth.
Last Friday night Neil got an hour in radio Flevoland between 20.00h and 21.00h He gave a very short interview (30 seconds) before he started. He was playing techno house .. or something. That went well, and he said that there was probably app. 1000 listeners at the time.
Birding Sunday 31-May-2009
Birding
Kromsloot park, Sunday 31/5/2009
Sunny day, little breeze, all to play for sheep that eat giant inedible “berenklauw” blocking the swing close gate with new locks.
A long list of usual birds, but as usual the park also holds some surprises.
Blackbirds X 8
Blackcap X 7
Black and white wagtail X 1
Blue tit X 3
Buzzard X 1
Carrion crow X 3
Chaffinch X 2
Chiffchaff X 8
Cuckoo X 1
Common tern X 1 – first time in 2009
Coot X 10
Feral pigeons X 8 flying
Garden warbler X 7
Greenfinch X 3
Great Crested Grebe X 1 not seen in the park since January 2009
Great spotted woodpecker X 1
Grey lag goose X 15 flying
Hobby X 1- always a delight
Hedge sparrow X 1
Jay X 1
Lapwing X 2
Lesser whitethroat X 6
Mallard X 1
Marsh warbler X 3
Nightingale X 1
Purple heron X 1- keeps showing up, now considered a resident
Reed bunting X 4
Reed warbler X 15
Song thrush X 1
Starling X 6
Tree creeper X 2 – gave us a good close up view together with his his pitched call
Willow warbler X 6
Woodpigeon X 7
Wren X 6
I probably missed a few but there you go, can’t win them all?????
Interesting ones underlined, and in bold…..
A fox, lazily and nonchalantly nosing round in the meadow, never even got suspicious though we were I must say reasonably far away.
No swans, widgeon, goldfinches, goshawk, kingfisher, bearded tit (this time) great egret, great tit, grey heron, long tailed tit, tufted duck, waterhen, nonnetjes, gadwell,
Kromsloot park, Sunday 31/5/2009
Sunny day, little breeze, all to play for sheep that eat giant inedible “berenklauw” blocking the swing close gate with new locks.
A long list of usual birds, but as usual the park also holds some surprises.
Blackbirds X 8
Blackcap X 7
Black and white wagtail X 1
Blue tit X 3
Buzzard X 1
Carrion crow X 3
Chaffinch X 2
Chiffchaff X 8
Cuckoo X 1
Common tern X 1 – first time in 2009
Coot X 10
Feral pigeons X 8 flying
Garden warbler X 7
Greenfinch X 3
Great Crested Grebe X 1 not seen in the park since January 2009
Great spotted woodpecker X 1
Grey lag goose X 15 flying
Hobby X 1- always a delight
Hedge sparrow X 1
Jay X 1
Lapwing X 2
Lesser whitethroat X 6
Mallard X 1
Marsh warbler X 3
Nightingale X 1
Purple heron X 1- keeps showing up, now considered a resident
Reed bunting X 4
Reed warbler X 15
Song thrush X 1
Starling X 6
Tree creeper X 2 – gave us a good close up view together with his his pitched call
Willow warbler X 6
Woodpigeon X 7
Wren X 6
I probably missed a few but there you go, can’t win them all?????
Interesting ones underlined, and in bold…..
A fox, lazily and nonchalantly nosing round in the meadow, never even got suspicious though we were I must say reasonably far away.
No swans, widgeon, goldfinches, goshawk, kingfisher, bearded tit (this time) great egret, great tit, grey heron, long tailed tit, tufted duck, waterhen, nonnetjes, gadwell,
maandag 25 mei 2009
Birding 19th May 2009, Kronslootpark, Almere
Neil J Bourke, Almere Plot: Kromslootpark langs the A6, Almere. After buckets of precipitation, and a somber morning at home, doubtingwhether to go out to Amsterdam, or not, and what about flying lessons forJim, no, not on such a rainy morning, and will I go to the Rode Hoed thismorning or not… The afternoon broke clear and bright with patchy areas of cloud. The birdswould be as happy as the dove when the rain stopped after 40 days and 40nights, and would resound all round the park, surely! Muddy entrance hinders us at first but all plastic wellington boots canhandle even the most unfriendly terrain. Is that a purple Heron, or two,yes over the very first plain there are two purple herons in a courtshipflight. We could go home now I thought. And all round a cacophony of summervisitors, from Willow warblers, to Cuckoos, to reed warblers, chiffchaffs,whitethroats, swifts, barn swallows, house martins, reed buntings, andgarden warblers, and some not exotic as green finches, something with theabbreviation “WH” coots, black headed gulls, carrion crows, cormorants,gadwell, (pair) mallard, with soup ducks, grey geese, wrens, blackbirds,wood pigeons, long tailed tits, great tits, blue tits, chaffinches, pair ofgoldfinches, (same place as last Thursday) startling, blackcap, widgeon,(pair) just like last Thursday, great spotted woodpecker, buzzard, muteswan. An admirable list in any one’s books. But let me mention also theHobby, which was sighted not once but several times, and one time eatingsome small prey on the wing, what a sight? Now this is noteworthy indeedand it is only Thursday that we saw him / her last, but it always remains athrill to see it. My wish is to see the Hobby hunting low down (it wasalways high over the treetops today) and for instance chasing dragonfliesover one of the water features in the park. Nevertheless my excitement could hardly be contained when I heard a newsound (to me at least) and staring into the reeds from where it came, Ispied a light coloured bird most unlike the SBNB’s (small brown nondescriptbirds) so prevalent in undergrowth, and with the aid of binoculars the trueidentity was unveiled, namely my First sighting (I purportedly heard onelast year with Wim C in the Oostvaardersplassen) of a bearded tit. Anotherone to chalk down. WOW. With the aid of my secretary, Vivienne, I was able to walk unhinderedthrough the park as Vivienne wrote down the names of the birds as wewalked, a very convenient method of bird counting, and one, which I think Iwill continue using as long as I can. Maybe with some training I may beable to dispatch Viv on her own to the park to do the counts whilstcatching up on some much needed theory on birds back in my library. Question: Why so few song thrushes, Robin, magpies, collard doves,dunnocks, wrens, in the park? Where have all the ducks gone?Another question: where were all the marsh warblers today, and why don’t Ihave meadow pipits, and sky larks, and tree larks, and all the other birdsthat Wim has? The golden oriel keeps avoiding the “park” as well.
Birding 24th May 2009
Birding 24th May 2009
Location: Kromslootpark, Almere
Time: 08.00-09.00h
And the Lord said let there be a host of Startlings decend on the park, and let them eat all that goeth before them, and let there be such a din that all other pleasant birdsong be drowneth out, and let them infest every tree and bush, and cover the plains and paths as locust, young and old alike, and it was so.
What a difference a week can make. A deluge of common or garden startlings, yet they were all in the park on this morning. Have they no homes to go to, like that working class housing estate they were born in?
Aided by my assistant (Vivienne) we noted the plague that decended upon the normally hetrogenously populated mixed vegetation that is the KSP, and if a stranger should have dared to take his constitution for the first time that morning, I am sure he would have left with a most skewed opinion of the fair place.
Nevertheless unperturbed (well we were) we strove on hearing
1. Bearded tits X 4 - sighting of the day I would say, looked like a family, all staying very close together.
2. Blackbirds X 8
3, Blackcap X 7
4. Blue tit X 1
5. Buzzard X 1
6. Carrion Crow X 4
7. Chaffinch X 2
8. Chiff Chaff X 6
9. Common whitethroat X 6
10. Cuckoo X 4
11. Cormorant X 4
12 Coot X 10
13. Garden warbler X 4
14. Goldfinch X 2 (pair)
15. Greenfinch X 1 (particularly quiet)
16. Mallard ( the tame sort who did not bother to interupt their sunning) X 2
17. Mute swan X 3 (flying)
18. Reed bunting X 2
19. Reed warblers X 18
20. Song thrush X 1
21. Tree creepers X 3
22. Willow warblers X 4
23. Wigeon X 1 (drake)
24. Woodpigeon X 3
25. Wren X 6
No woodpecker, Hobby, purple heron, grey or common heron, great egrets, great tits, long tailed tits, lapwing, tufted duck, gadwell, great crested grebe, meadow pipits, hedge sparrow (Dunnock) black and white wagtails, moorhen, magpie, jay, bluethroat, harrier, goshawk, sparrowhawk, nuthatch, .... of course I may have missed them but still ........ What I simply cannot understand is the absence of the swifts, house martins, and barn swallows, which were in abundance last week. This birding remains a mystery indeed.
Neil J Bourke 25th May 2009
Location: Kromslootpark, Almere
Time: 08.00-09.00h
And the Lord said let there be a host of Startlings decend on the park, and let them eat all that goeth before them, and let there be such a din that all other pleasant birdsong be drowneth out, and let them infest every tree and bush, and cover the plains and paths as locust, young and old alike, and it was so.
What a difference a week can make. A deluge of common or garden startlings, yet they were all in the park on this morning. Have they no homes to go to, like that working class housing estate they were born in?
Aided by my assistant (Vivienne) we noted the plague that decended upon the normally hetrogenously populated mixed vegetation that is the KSP, and if a stranger should have dared to take his constitution for the first time that morning, I am sure he would have left with a most skewed opinion of the fair place.
Nevertheless unperturbed (well we were) we strove on hearing
1. Bearded tits X 4 - sighting of the day I would say, looked like a family, all staying very close together.
2. Blackbirds X 8
3, Blackcap X 7
4. Blue tit X 1
5. Buzzard X 1
6. Carrion Crow X 4
7. Chaffinch X 2
8. Chiff Chaff X 6
9. Common whitethroat X 6
10. Cuckoo X 4
11. Cormorant X 4
12 Coot X 10
13. Garden warbler X 4
14. Goldfinch X 2 (pair)
15. Greenfinch X 1 (particularly quiet)
16. Mallard ( the tame sort who did not bother to interupt their sunning) X 2
17. Mute swan X 3 (flying)
18. Reed bunting X 2
19. Reed warblers X 18
20. Song thrush X 1
21. Tree creepers X 3
22. Willow warblers X 4
23. Wigeon X 1 (drake)
24. Woodpigeon X 3
25. Wren X 6
No woodpecker, Hobby, purple heron, grey or common heron, great egrets, great tits, long tailed tits, lapwing, tufted duck, gadwell, great crested grebe, meadow pipits, hedge sparrow (Dunnock) black and white wagtails, moorhen, magpie, jay, bluethroat, harrier, goshawk, sparrowhawk, nuthatch, .... of course I may have missed them but still ........ What I simply cannot understand is the absence of the swifts, house martins, and barn swallows, which were in abundance last week. This birding remains a mystery indeed.
Neil J Bourke 25th May 2009
zondag 29 maart 2009
Birding 29-March-2009 Kromslootpark Almere
Birding Sunday 29-March 2009
Kromslootpark, Almere
It seems almost as cold now as it did in January when the canals were frozen, or maybe it’s my eyes, which run with tears at any temperature (and a little wind) below 15 deg C. This does pose a problem at times when I wish to face into the wind and catch a glimpse of a singer and all I see is a watery shimmering image as if every bird brought great emotion to me causing me to whell up in tears. No, no nothing of the sort, simply some inherited allergy to cold wind.
Chiff chaffs as if they had never been away and as if they had always been here, that’s what meets and greets when I open the car door this morning. Often the first bird you hear when the car is parked and the door is opened sets the tone for the day. In January it was the great tits, then in Feb, the Song Thrushes, now the Chiff chaffs. Don’t they have any other utterance other than their namesake?
Great tits, jays (more solitary than groups as was the case some weeks ago), Meadow tits, Lapwing pair, Carrion Crows, Grey lag Geese, Blackbird, Coots, Tufted ducks, long tailed tits, Reed buntings, is this sounding monotonous, just like last Sunday? Copy paste. Look there goes another birder; maybe this is my friend Van de Berg, from de Haven. Sure enough, I caught up with him. His tally this morning, sparrow hawks, buzzards, and such like, and an over flying flying great egret. I mentioned my suspected sighting of an Osprey yesterday (Saturday during the hockey match in Zeist) No too early he said. I am not so sure as I got a good look at the two black markings on the undersides of the wings, and it was nothing like a harrier or buzzard, or kite. So I mark that one down as a sighting then, though uncorroborated. Must rush I said. Irish dancing competition in Geldrop this morning, must wake the kids and get them going.
Sure enough later on as I sped towards home, I met a buzzard, more Reed buntings, and a high flying great egret. Chaffinch in the same place as last week, a robin also in the same place, Chiff chaffs everywhere, well at least 8 of them. It looked liked the gadwells were down in number, together with the pair of swans (there are 2 pair as far as I can see in the park) they paint a serene sight, content to tolerate even living in harmony together. A pattern is starting to appear like painting by numbers. The disappearance of the song trushes, which some weeks ago were dominating the soundscape, has given way to a less melodious fellow who only sings his namesake. How about that the great spotted woodpecker in exactly the same place as last week, what did I say about pattern.
Van de berg (the man I met earlier) said he was waiting and hoping for his first “FITIS” or willow warbler of the season. I too. How many more this morning in Holland were keeping their ears peeled for the falling leaf, decrescendo, of the much loved Spring guest to the barbarous north. I have to say that I too this morning was disappointed in my expectation, and must wait a while longer to hear him. Van de Berg also mentioned a Kleine Plevier or little ringed plover, which he saw last week in one of the flooded plains which I must admit I missed, distracted maybe by the 4 X lapwing circling in the same area. here were also...
Grey heron
Nonnetjes (Smew) one duck and two drakes, flew away very quickly.
2 Black and white or pied or whatever they are called wagtails
wrens - maybe 3 or 4
blue tits but quiet
Hedge sparrows
The goldies were not so obvious I must say so these are a no no. Last week there was a cloud of them. but they move from copse to copse and one may well miss them. On the other hand they could have moved on.The homeward bound leg of the journey promised little except the predictable, when a small, darting metallic blue, scythe like winged bolt, caught the side of my eye. There it was, and though they saw “one swallow does not make a summer,” this barn swallow, certainly made my day, if not my spring or summer. Happy Holidays. Neil J Bourke 29-March- 2009
Kromslootpark, Almere
It seems almost as cold now as it did in January when the canals were frozen, or maybe it’s my eyes, which run with tears at any temperature (and a little wind) below 15 deg C. This does pose a problem at times when I wish to face into the wind and catch a glimpse of a singer and all I see is a watery shimmering image as if every bird brought great emotion to me causing me to whell up in tears. No, no nothing of the sort, simply some inherited allergy to cold wind.
Chiff chaffs as if they had never been away and as if they had always been here, that’s what meets and greets when I open the car door this morning. Often the first bird you hear when the car is parked and the door is opened sets the tone for the day. In January it was the great tits, then in Feb, the Song Thrushes, now the Chiff chaffs. Don’t they have any other utterance other than their namesake?
Great tits, jays (more solitary than groups as was the case some weeks ago), Meadow tits, Lapwing pair, Carrion Crows, Grey lag Geese, Blackbird, Coots, Tufted ducks, long tailed tits, Reed buntings, is this sounding monotonous, just like last Sunday? Copy paste. Look there goes another birder; maybe this is my friend Van de Berg, from de Haven. Sure enough, I caught up with him. His tally this morning, sparrow hawks, buzzards, and such like, and an over flying flying great egret. I mentioned my suspected sighting of an Osprey yesterday (Saturday during the hockey match in Zeist) No too early he said. I am not so sure as I got a good look at the two black markings on the undersides of the wings, and it was nothing like a harrier or buzzard, or kite. So I mark that one down as a sighting then, though uncorroborated. Must rush I said. Irish dancing competition in Geldrop this morning, must wake the kids and get them going.
Sure enough later on as I sped towards home, I met a buzzard, more Reed buntings, and a high flying great egret. Chaffinch in the same place as last week, a robin also in the same place, Chiff chaffs everywhere, well at least 8 of them. It looked liked the gadwells were down in number, together with the pair of swans (there are 2 pair as far as I can see in the park) they paint a serene sight, content to tolerate even living in harmony together. A pattern is starting to appear like painting by numbers. The disappearance of the song trushes, which some weeks ago were dominating the soundscape, has given way to a less melodious fellow who only sings his namesake. How about that the great spotted woodpecker in exactly the same place as last week, what did I say about pattern.
Van de berg (the man I met earlier) said he was waiting and hoping for his first “FITIS” or willow warbler of the season. I too. How many more this morning in Holland were keeping their ears peeled for the falling leaf, decrescendo, of the much loved Spring guest to the barbarous north. I have to say that I too this morning was disappointed in my expectation, and must wait a while longer to hear him. Van de Berg also mentioned a Kleine Plevier or little ringed plover, which he saw last week in one of the flooded plains which I must admit I missed, distracted maybe by the 4 X lapwing circling in the same area. here were also...
Grey heron
Nonnetjes (Smew) one duck and two drakes, flew away very quickly.
2 Black and white or pied or whatever they are called wagtails
wrens - maybe 3 or 4
blue tits but quiet
Hedge sparrows
The goldies were not so obvious I must say so these are a no no. Last week there was a cloud of them. but they move from copse to copse and one may well miss them. On the other hand they could have moved on.The homeward bound leg of the journey promised little except the predictable, when a small, darting metallic blue, scythe like winged bolt, caught the side of my eye. There it was, and though they saw “one swallow does not make a summer,” this barn swallow, certainly made my day, if not my spring or summer. Happy Holidays. Neil J Bourke 29-March- 2009
zondag 15 maart 2009
Birding 15-March-2009, Kromslootpark, Almere
15-March-2009
Kromslootpark, Almere.
A deceptive sunny morning with respect to the cold. I nearly left my warm scarf and hat in the car, but was I glad I took them with me. My gait was steadfast but not hurried as there was much to enjoy and digest. Angry grey lags welcomed me to leave as I arrived. Unperturbed I pressed on and was met with even more geese and a lone lapwing, a first this year (2009) in the park. Coots and Tufted abound as usual. A robin, singing at last. Blue, great and long tailed tits, voor geen goud….Corvids, Carrion Crows watching me. Are Jays and magpies corvids? No Hooded, no Raven, no Jackdaws, they only like houses. Song thrushes, many singing. Wrens making a comeback, so silent in January, are not any more. Deep down in undergrowth hidden from prying eyes but not from prying ears. What is that I hear, it couldn’t be, but it is time they were back, yes indeed a Chiffchaff. Loud and clear, high as can be. A clear sign to the winter, your days are numbered. Blackbirds also deep in undergrowth emit a strange single note so unlike their song, no song just a warning. Water hens, goldies, greenies, they are everywhere and yet so hard to see. A repetitive chirp, new kid on the block I would say, far seeing glasses to the rescue, yes, another sign, on the highest twig on the highest branch on not the highest bush, nevertheless a Reed bunting in practice, and another, and another how many is that now…a female skulks in the reeds, scared in a new land. The second lake holds 120 Tufted duck. Will they all stay for the summer holidays? One widgeon amongst them. Where are all the mallard gone? A high pitched single note, first strong then getting weaker, what does that mean? Well if it is noted along a stretch of water I would tend to think of a kingfisher. No sighting though. Must ask Wim. Also about that mysterious nondescript brown bird which say 2 weeks ago flying away from me, the size of a skylark, today 2 of them, tree top height, straight line, what is it? Could it be a tree lark. Definitely not singing like a lark.
Jus round the corner a frenzied Kingfisher darts back up stream well above head height, to where the first doubts were sown. See there you go, not so bad after all. The gadwell lake (later on in the park) holds 25 gadwell. There are no other ducks with them. S the tufted duck and the gadwell agree to disagree, and are living apart now. Quite a sizeable flock I would say, a pure race indeed. Once again where are all the mallard gone? Two buzzards dancing together in the air, their presence a give away by the short “plaintive mewing” (as described by Kirkman & Jourdain – British birds) though I have been fooled by Jays plaintively mewing as well especially in the early part of the year. But what is that in the sky near them, and heading my way, is it a harrier, viewed from almost the same position as two weeks ago? No it is a goshawk, hunting up and down the wooded south section of the park, and there is another one, following the first that has landed in the meantime, I mean in the meantime in the tree. So large, so graceful powerful, dangerous. I have to go back and look, no need they are coming back over my head, ranging, stopping, off again. Phew, what a sight, clearly one larger that the other, a pair, not exactly “baltzing” but jointly hunting. While the binoculars are pointing skywards time for some more observations, lesser black backed gull, cormorants, and I think curlew. Heading on back home, a lone startling passes by. More Reed buntings in a separate field of rushes. A lone greenfinch resplendent in the low morning sun chirrs on top of a bush. Extra virgin olive oil. My lone lapwing is still on the plain, calling to who ever would like to hear. Could this be a nest. To be continued.
Kromslootpark, Almere.
A deceptive sunny morning with respect to the cold. I nearly left my warm scarf and hat in the car, but was I glad I took them with me. My gait was steadfast but not hurried as there was much to enjoy and digest. Angry grey lags welcomed me to leave as I arrived. Unperturbed I pressed on and was met with even more geese and a lone lapwing, a first this year (2009) in the park. Coots and Tufted abound as usual. A robin, singing at last. Blue, great and long tailed tits, voor geen goud….Corvids, Carrion Crows watching me. Are Jays and magpies corvids? No Hooded, no Raven, no Jackdaws, they only like houses. Song thrushes, many singing. Wrens making a comeback, so silent in January, are not any more. Deep down in undergrowth hidden from prying eyes but not from prying ears. What is that I hear, it couldn’t be, but it is time they were back, yes indeed a Chiffchaff. Loud and clear, high as can be. A clear sign to the winter, your days are numbered. Blackbirds also deep in undergrowth emit a strange single note so unlike their song, no song just a warning. Water hens, goldies, greenies, they are everywhere and yet so hard to see. A repetitive chirp, new kid on the block I would say, far seeing glasses to the rescue, yes, another sign, on the highest twig on the highest branch on not the highest bush, nevertheless a Reed bunting in practice, and another, and another how many is that now…a female skulks in the reeds, scared in a new land. The second lake holds 120 Tufted duck. Will they all stay for the summer holidays? One widgeon amongst them. Where are all the mallard gone? A high pitched single note, first strong then getting weaker, what does that mean? Well if it is noted along a stretch of water I would tend to think of a kingfisher. No sighting though. Must ask Wim. Also about that mysterious nondescript brown bird which say 2 weeks ago flying away from me, the size of a skylark, today 2 of them, tree top height, straight line, what is it? Could it be a tree lark. Definitely not singing like a lark.
Jus round the corner a frenzied Kingfisher darts back up stream well above head height, to where the first doubts were sown. See there you go, not so bad after all. The gadwell lake (later on in the park) holds 25 gadwell. There are no other ducks with them. S the tufted duck and the gadwell agree to disagree, and are living apart now. Quite a sizeable flock I would say, a pure race indeed. Once again where are all the mallard gone? Two buzzards dancing together in the air, their presence a give away by the short “plaintive mewing” (as described by Kirkman & Jourdain – British birds) though I have been fooled by Jays plaintively mewing as well especially in the early part of the year. But what is that in the sky near them, and heading my way, is it a harrier, viewed from almost the same position as two weeks ago? No it is a goshawk, hunting up and down the wooded south section of the park, and there is another one, following the first that has landed in the meantime, I mean in the meantime in the tree. So large, so graceful powerful, dangerous. I have to go back and look, no need they are coming back over my head, ranging, stopping, off again. Phew, what a sight, clearly one larger that the other, a pair, not exactly “baltzing” but jointly hunting. While the binoculars are pointing skywards time for some more observations, lesser black backed gull, cormorants, and I think curlew. Heading on back home, a lone startling passes by. More Reed buntings in a separate field of rushes. A lone greenfinch resplendent in the low morning sun chirrs on top of a bush. Extra virgin olive oil. My lone lapwing is still on the plain, calling to who ever would like to hear. Could this be a nest. To be continued.
Birding 1-March-2009, Kromslootpark, Almere
Also no report written on the day, so the memory fades along with the details. Viv was with me this time, and we had the pleasure of seeing a harrier (Hen Harrier I believe) and a buzzard at the same time in the air, circling above us in the sky. The distinctive slender wings and tail of the Harrier juxtaposed against those of the Buzzard. A telling contrast given the running claims of a walking partner of Viv’s who is claiming most buzzards to be harriers. The trots van Flevoland, de Bruine Kiekendief, an emblem is all too easy to dream into the silhouette of our more common “preyer”.
Birding 22-Feb-2009 Kromslootpark, Almere
Birding
22-Feb-2009
There was no report made on the last Sunday in February, (22nd Feb.) but certainly one thing stood out and that was the song thrush fall, whose full song echoed from every corner of the Kromslootpark. Being one of my favourite bird sounds I was enthralled at the variation, the sharpness of tone cutting through the morning chill. Who would stay and who would travel further northwards, there is surely not enough space for all of them. Then again the fertile soil that is the polders, has treasures untold, and the bird density in the “park” is tremendous.
Naturally great and blue and long tailed tits did abound as usual, though they had to work hard to make themselves heard. The grey lag geese and the meadow pipits remained a fixture of the plain nearest the car park. The jays continued their dance along the path before me, leading me on as if to a wonderful discovery, then dodging away laughing as if to say, only fooling!
22-Feb-2009
There was no report made on the last Sunday in February, (22nd Feb.) but certainly one thing stood out and that was the song thrush fall, whose full song echoed from every corner of the Kromslootpark. Being one of my favourite bird sounds I was enthralled at the variation, the sharpness of tone cutting through the morning chill. Who would stay and who would travel further northwards, there is surely not enough space for all of them. Then again the fertile soil that is the polders, has treasures untold, and the bird density in the “park” is tremendous.
Naturally great and blue and long tailed tits did abound as usual, though they had to work hard to make themselves heard. The grey lag geese and the meadow pipits remained a fixture of the plain nearest the car park. The jays continued their dance along the path before me, leading me on as if to a wonderful discovery, then dodging away laughing as if to say, only fooling!
woensdag 18 februari 2009
Irish dancing: NL Qualifying rounds for the Awards at the Irish open May 2009
The NL Qualifying rounds for the Awards at the Irish open May 2009 were held on Sunday the 15th of Feb. 2009 in Maasland the Netherlands. There was plenty of interest and a pleasant day was had by all. The dancing lasted 5 hours and Shelly (Richella Ni Dochartaigh, Registrar with CRN Ireland) was the Judge for the day.
Attached two photos taken by Louise Vriethoff, mother of Isabelle who danced several dances on the day.
One photo is of 3 of our children, L toR. Orlaith, , Eoghan, and Jim
The other photo is of the dancers of the Almere School, with Jarno the teacher in the grey suit.
Birding Monday Morning 16th Feb 2099
Date: 16/02/2009
Location: Kromslootpark, Almere
Warm and wet could describe the conditions at least underfoot, a starkcontrast to the past few mornings when the frozen unyielding ground borehard into the soles of my boots. The softer weather had brought the waterbirds to the fore. A skating coot darted from the reed beds as weapproached. Later on more coots were heard and mallard and Smew and tuftedduck, along with the considerable numbers of geese all made for a mixed morning. Notable was the spotting of the lone tree creeper and the pair of Goldcrests- busy feeding low down in the bushes. Where were all the finches then, after last weeks abundance of goldies and greenies, not a sign ofeither to be seen. All headed north in the hope of finding virgin groundfor the season ahead I suppose. An angry long tailed tit crossed our paths we crossed his. The blue tits were once again in full song, and the last of the meadow pipits, making use of the “unflooded” parts of the plain still as wary as ever not giving us any benefit of their doubt, keeping their distance as usual. It was a rather rushed run through the park due to some pressing family matters. There were probably some I missed, but nevertheless 19 bird types, and with the promise of more to come only round the corner. Will the smew stay round and breed? To be continued. Thanks toVivienne my wife for accompanying me this morning.
Blackbird,
blue tit,
great tit
Swan,
Carrion crow
Grey lag geese
Jay
LOng tailed tit
Meadow pipits
Song thrush
Starling
Wood pigeon
Wren
goldcrest
Tree creeper
Tufted duck
Smew
Coot
Mallard
Location: Kromslootpark, Almere
Warm and wet could describe the conditions at least underfoot, a starkcontrast to the past few mornings when the frozen unyielding ground borehard into the soles of my boots. The softer weather had brought the waterbirds to the fore. A skating coot darted from the reed beds as weapproached. Later on more coots were heard and mallard and Smew and tuftedduck, along with the considerable numbers of geese all made for a mixed morning. Notable was the spotting of the lone tree creeper and the pair of Goldcrests- busy feeding low down in the bushes. Where were all the finches then, after last weeks abundance of goldies and greenies, not a sign ofeither to be seen. All headed north in the hope of finding virgin groundfor the season ahead I suppose. An angry long tailed tit crossed our paths we crossed his. The blue tits were once again in full song, and the last of the meadow pipits, making use of the “unflooded” parts of the plain still as wary as ever not giving us any benefit of their doubt, keeping their distance as usual. It was a rather rushed run through the park due to some pressing family matters. There were probably some I missed, but nevertheless 19 bird types, and with the promise of more to come only round the corner. Will the smew stay round and breed? To be continued. Thanks toVivienne my wife for accompanying me this morning.
Blackbird,
blue tit,
great tit
Swan,
Carrion crow
Grey lag geese
Jay
LOng tailed tit
Meadow pipits
Song thrush
Starling
Wood pigeon
Wren
goldcrest
Tree creeper
Tufted duck
Smew
Coot
Mallard
zondag 8 februari 2009
Birding Sunday Morning 8 Feb 2009
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Birding
Sunday Morning 8 Feb 2009
Place: Kromslootpark, Almere, Flevoland
With light transient snow showers trading places with radiant spells of sunshine, a still slippery underfoot urged caution as I scaled the wooden entrance bridge to the Kronslootpark. The familiar early season sound of great tits dominated as was expected. A pair of carrion crows deftly took to the air and landed in the first prairie to graze. Jays joked with each other in the higher treetops on the motorway side, whose speeding occupants competed with the few full-throated avian tenants. Blue tits and a flock of long tailed tits with their deceptive high-pitched notes and chirring almost blend into the background tapestry. Twittering goldfinches and the odd greenfinch herald a hope of Spring to come. Not a few Goldfinches either I must say but a flock of between 40 and 50 must be the highlight of the mornings observations. Merrily seeking out what ever there was to devour high in treetops of Alder trees from the cones, they relished each others company and the security it brings. 5 wrens were spotted, 4 up on last week’s meagre count. Starlings, a brace of mallard, over flying grey lag geese, woodpigeons bolting from perching posts as I approached, singing Dunnocks. The frozen waters limited the water birds, as was the case last week also. The flock of small brown grazing birds, identified as meadow pipits by Wim Calame was still present, shying away as usual. A lone Song Thrush, a Buzzard, Blackbirds showing some familiar mating and posturing behavior were also evident.
Sunday Morning 8 Feb 2009
Place: Kromslootpark, Almere, Flevoland
With light transient snow showers trading places with radiant spells of sunshine, a still slippery underfoot urged caution as I scaled the wooden entrance bridge to the Kronslootpark. The familiar early season sound of great tits dominated as was expected. A pair of carrion crows deftly took to the air and landed in the first prairie to graze. Jays joked with each other in the higher treetops on the motorway side, whose speeding occupants competed with the few full-throated avian tenants. Blue tits and a flock of long tailed tits with their deceptive high-pitched notes and chirring almost blend into the background tapestry. Twittering goldfinches and the odd greenfinch herald a hope of Spring to come. Not a few Goldfinches either I must say but a flock of between 40 and 50 must be the highlight of the mornings observations. Merrily seeking out what ever there was to devour high in treetops of Alder trees from the cones, they relished each others company and the security it brings. 5 wrens were spotted, 4 up on last week’s meagre count. Starlings, a brace of mallard, over flying grey lag geese, woodpigeons bolting from perching posts as I approached, singing Dunnocks. The frozen waters limited the water birds, as was the case last week also. The flock of small brown grazing birds, identified as meadow pipits by Wim Calame was still present, shying away as usual. A lone Song Thrush, a Buzzard, Blackbirds showing some familiar mating and posturing behavior were also evident.
At least 17 different species were spotted.
zondag 1 februari 2009
Birding 1/Feb/2009
Birding
1/Feb/2009
Location: Kromslootpark, Almere.
Time: 08.30-09.45h
Freezing conditions, most water frozen, little bits not frozen in some sheltered positions. No ducks, coots, moorhens, geese, rails, herons, swans, divers, dabchicks to be seen.
Tits were the main fare of the day, with many active / singing great tits, blue tits, 2 groups of long tailed tits particularly vocal in the old reed beds, whilst the group spotted in the trees remained somewhat silent being as they were, more intent on feeding. 1 Marsh (glanskopmees) or Willow (Matkopmees) tit, the one that makes the 4 single notes in a row. Vogelwerkgroep Meijendel recording has the Willow tit recorded as making 3 single notes, however I have heard the same note except 4 times in a row. Still a bone of contention for me. One pair of Dunnocks (hedge sparrows) giving what was a somewhat off-putting alarm call, but on close visual inspection the identification of Dunnock was indisputable.
Several blackbirds, several jays, 3 pairs of carrion crows, 1 or 2 common starlings who were in the company of a small flock, (maybe 20) of Meadow tit like birds, but more the size of a rock pipit, very wary, eschewing my proximity, and without the aid of binoculars, I was unable to decipher any unique features, except to say that the underside of the tail was completely dark brown, and easy to spot as the birds did a half turn in the air as they alighted from the wide open ground where they were grazing. Question for Wim Calame. Is this some strange artic bunting??
Always nice to see and hear are the goldfinches several of which were heard in the distance and also pair very close by, glinting in the morning sun. Wrens were conspicuous by their absence.
1/Feb/2009
Location: Kromslootpark, Almere.
Time: 08.30-09.45h
Freezing conditions, most water frozen, little bits not frozen in some sheltered positions. No ducks, coots, moorhens, geese, rails, herons, swans, divers, dabchicks to be seen.
Tits were the main fare of the day, with many active / singing great tits, blue tits, 2 groups of long tailed tits particularly vocal in the old reed beds, whilst the group spotted in the trees remained somewhat silent being as they were, more intent on feeding. 1 Marsh (glanskopmees) or Willow (Matkopmees) tit, the one that makes the 4 single notes in a row. Vogelwerkgroep Meijendel recording has the Willow tit recorded as making 3 single notes, however I have heard the same note except 4 times in a row. Still a bone of contention for me. One pair of Dunnocks (hedge sparrows) giving what was a somewhat off-putting alarm call, but on close visual inspection the identification of Dunnock was indisputable.
Several blackbirds, several jays, 3 pairs of carrion crows, 1 or 2 common starlings who were in the company of a small flock, (maybe 20) of Meadow tit like birds, but more the size of a rock pipit, very wary, eschewing my proximity, and without the aid of binoculars, I was unable to decipher any unique features, except to say that the underside of the tail was completely dark brown, and easy to spot as the birds did a half turn in the air as they alighted from the wide open ground where they were grazing. Question for Wim Calame. Is this some strange artic bunting??
Always nice to see and hear are the goldfinches several of which were heard in the distance and also pair very close by, glinting in the morning sun. Wrens were conspicuous by their absence.
dinsdag 27 januari 2009
Bird watching Sunday 2009_0125
I can't remember what I saw if anything this day. I I will not fill in anything.
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