Our Charlie Brown Christmas Tree...

Blistering Cold...

It could be a stretch... then again...

Our Costco Trip tonight:
Noticed that the signs in Hayden showed all single digit temps, then recalled that the van has this temp thing above the rear view mirror. So, from Hayden to Home, here is a list of varying degrees...

Hayden 1°
Garwood 0°
Chilco -5°
Silverwood -16° **
Athol -13°
Careywood 2°
Cocolalla -6°
Dufort 0°
Home 2°

**This is the coldest that I aver recall seeing registered on a thermometer, and it lasted for a few miles. The temperature dropped so fast that the panels and windows of the van were popping loudly. I slowed down for fear that the elastomer seal on the windshield may have frozen and the noises I was hearing might be the sound of that seal breaking because it was no longer flexible. Some of it might have been ice breaking away too, but the road was no rougher, no blowing snow or anything to explain it - just the cold. It was loud and unnerving and then the temperature climbed again, only moving a few degrees at a time - no scary popping noises after that either.

Do You See What I See?

If you are reading this, then it is likely that you are a friend or family member, and it is more than likely that you are very familiar with the Christmas story. Perhaps, as with myself, we can be too familiar. Every year, Christmas programs, meals, gatherings and the rest all meet in a perfect storm of laughter and love and burn out. The busy schedules, the hectic sometime frantic stuff does not go unnoticed by anyone. This year we have a bit more on our minds as some of our friends and neighbors survive mortgage foreclosures, perhaps bankruptcies, or lay-offs and dwindling finances. I pray constantly as I think of these things, and it has gotten personal this year already, with my own company having to make major adjustments to survive an uncertain market. Change is upon us this Christmas. It may not be good change.

Sometimes, while I sleep, some theme from the day(s) before will play in my head with the quality and repetition of a CD player on "Repeat". Tonight's theme was the song, "Do You See What I See?" It is a good song – not about that mushy, light stuff that many of the more modern Christmas songs jingle about. It speaks of the Star that came at the time of the Christ-child, fulfilling prophecy.

When I first awoke, I did not think much about this, but as I had to step out on the cold, snowy deck to get more firewood, I became a bit more awake; so from the unusual combination of drowsiness and adrenaline, came a somewhat different angle on the meanings that are described in some way in this tune. The first that occurred to me was the fulfilling of prophecy in the birth of the Messiah, who was sent to free His people from their sins. Hundred of prophesies foretold of Him, and many of them were fulfilled just in His coming – Emmanuel – God with us.

I don't want to retell the story, because it is readily available to you in the first chapters of Matthew and Luke. This morning, though, the star mentioned in the song brought a different light on things… (Get it? "…different light…) The nation of Israel at the time of His birth was occupied by Rome. The Jews longed for their freedom and looked hopefully for the coming King, who they were told would free them. There were Pharisees and Sadducees and priests who were allowed by the Romans to do some amount of the governing. There were lots of poor people. There were lots of sick and lame people. I imagine there were a few wealthy people too. All of them were looking for the coming Messiah spoken of by the prophets for hundreds of years.

We know from the story that the star shown brightly when Jesus was born, and that the Wise Men came from very far away to worship Him. And we also read that God sent angels to tell shepherds of it, "Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth, peace, good will toward men…"

Peace, good will toward men… Hmmm… It may nearly be impossible to imagine the many ways that each of us might personalize that and construct our own image of earthly peace and good will. The Jews of that time certainly must have done that, because most of them, excluding the shepherds that the angels told, didn't seem to have noticed His arrival. Yet, the Magi came from the East, following only a star to honor Him. Apparently, the King that the Jews had in their minds was not a poor baby born in "low estate". Apparently, their imagination did not conceive of the true meaning of many prophecies concerning their King. Yet, we have shepherds and wise men who did figure it out.

Shepherds and wise men… What a contrast! The shepherds were not bad men, I am sure, they were poor though. The Magi were presumably very wealthy and educated on the other hand. So, it occurs to me this morning, in the particular fashion that even familiar things can, that the star was visible to all, shepherds, wise men, Pharisees, Sadducees, wealthy, poor, rulers and subjects. Although all had some idea of their own about what Christ would be, but relatively few had the faith to recognize Him at His birth.

This did not change much with His maturity. Later, we read that though He healed the sick and the lame, even raised one man from the dead, they killed Him. Likely, for some it was jealousy and rebellion, but for all that participated, there was certain blindness to God's plan to save men from sin. They had hope, though. I would say that it was rather misplaced hope in some image of a conquering king however, and not in a humble servant.

With this in mind, what am I expecting this Christmas? Am I missing anything that has been made obvious?

I doubt that I would have noticed the Messiah like the Magi without the benefit of my parents' and my church's teachings. I doubt that any of us will see angels proclaim much to us this Christmas, either. At least not heavenly kinds of angels. So, my challenge this morning is to look for God this Christmas? He has come and He is among us already, though perhaps not in the ways that you would expect. But more than that, He will be returning one day to rule and reign as the conquering King of Heaven and Earth.

I hope that you will consider what the Christ means? Sin and bondage, Hopelessness and Fear need not hold us captive any longer. We have hope in Christ – eternal hope, that is based upon His work to change our hearts and lives as only He can.

30 Second Commute

There is a certain amount of discretion to be shown... ...and today, I pulled out the Lappy and am getting to work. Not planning to take a chance, and grateful for a job that is somewhat mobile.

30 second Commute - Virtual Work!

Commuting

I hear the word and think of California, Seattle or Chicago first, then I think gratefully of my own commute to work. I often wish I had a camera along – like the Lancinator – and post some beautiful pictures here now that I blog.

 

Think Bill Murray in that old movie, "What About Bob", I blog! I'm a blogger!.

 

I love to catch up with everybody – after the kiddos are in bed and things are calm. What a great deal! It just means that you all have to keep up too – and me.

 

Which brings me back to this morning... I can't recall a more perfect looking morning. I slept in accidentally, so the sun was out. But the river from at least where Dufort meets it, was frozen all the way across and nearly to the round house on the point. (Most of you know where I mean… for the rest that is a few miles.) This requires near or below zero temperatures and I can't recall seeing it do this so early in the season. Anyway, the sun, the snow, the ice, and, where there was open water, the steam… Remarkable.

 

I was energized. Mostly I was energized by the sights, but some of it was cold inside the car – it never did really warm up. Some of the excitement was also the result of trying to drive on ice while looking at the beauty of Idaho.

 

The coffee tasted good at work too.

Global Warming, Er… Climate Change

Those of you whom have met me long enough to talk about the weather ought to be well aware of my opinion about the money-making, power stealing, circus formerly know as Global Warming. The last two years being cooler than predicted and the last two winters being slightly um…. …winteryererer has changed the term to "Climate Change". FYI – the "science" behind it is a little premature, even if you only believe that the Earth is 8-10,000 years. In my opinion, if the Earth is older, then the amount of data that now exists becomes even more anecdotal…

 

Based on this logic, I propose a new theory. Since last year was colder than the year before, and it looks like this winter is colder yet, let's dig up news stories from 1974 or so and generate public fear about the coming ice age. We can petition the government and universities for grants to do endless studies that propagate both our evidence and our expert opinions while paying ourselves salaries – from inside our nice, warm homes
offices laboratories. If anyone of us is smart-looking enough, we can talk about our opinions TV and how the weather will change our lives forever, unless we can find a way to get every one to stop driving SUV's. (The pollution from these vehicles is blocking the sunlight that is desperately needed to warm the Earth, and provide energy for plants, etc.) I think there could be a book deal in here somewhere too!

 

So, how 'bout it? We would have to jump on this… I see that the lack of solar activity is at its 30 year low again, so it is only going to keep warming, over the next 15 years before it cycles back downward again.

 

I just got in from bringing wood to the house. This piece started to seem a little more arid as I wrote and as my brain thawed back out. But then little humor (very little) can be a nice reprieve from time to time…

 

Seriously, I love this weather. I thank God every day it is cold like this because he has faithfully provided me with firewood from all sorts of people over the years. As I tear into the pile, I remember where that log came from and think of the friends, family, neighbors and even some that I hadn't met before who offered me wood from some pile or another or a truck to get it here. I am mildly concerned that ½ of a cord a day will leave us a little short though… J

Surf's up, dude… (Might need to add coffee to the thaw routine…)

Seasons of Winter

So, it is 3:39 AM. I have been rattling around since shortly after 2 AM, concerning myself with the weather and the fire. The wind picked up and seems to have shifted for good from south to north. The snow picked up too. So, I stoked the fire and opened my Bible to where I left off before bed. Matthew 6. Hmmm… One of a few of my life passages, yet I am not yet fully convinced that I have it down. My wife might smirk at that understatement. I certainly don't have this down to a science due to my fretting… "Do not worry…" it says.

 

I think I did not used to worry. But then I think that I also used to jump off of cliffs at Green Bay too. I remember the day that I last looked over the edge and thought to myself, "Why am I doing this?" and walked away, never again tempted to prove my manhood in that manner. Something changed in me. Perhaps it is the natural inclination of wisdom, or it could be age – less testosterone, greater fear of heights, etc. I know that some of it is the natural progression of things, you know, "Old-Guy stuff." We get beat up a bit as we go along. We learn that we are indeed "vincible," that ignorance is not a part of the armor that protects us, and that wisdom and prudence sometimes look a lot like cowardice to some. But worry? Hmmm…

 

I have been thinking about that a lot lately. The economy is on the skids. I hear through the news daily how the gears are grinding down throughout the nation and I grow more frustrated at the ignorance and folly that seems to be in charge. I see people who have mandated stupidity blaming greedy CEO's and greed for the problems. I think to myself (what I understand may be attributed to Oprah or to Rush), "There is nothing so expensive as ignorance…". There is plenty of blame to go around, but as winter sets in, I sit by my warm fire and ponder just how long will this take and how deep will it get? Is it worry? To some extent it certainly is. Is it prudence, to some extent, yes.

 

I chide myself on the worry topic all the time, but no amount of chiding and self-yelling can fix sin. We are not told, "Try not to worry," after all; but we are instead commanded. "Do not worry" – just as we are commanded to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. It is not a suggestion intended to make us feel better, so when I worry, when we worry, it is sin. OK, so I have done the whole honesty thing, now what? I am not cured. I still have a lot on my mind. My prayers are filled with questions and not answers, mostly one-sided conversations that never seem to end and though I eventually find peace and do sleep, eventually worry returns.

 

Is it lack of faith? After all, if I had faith, would I not be able to move mountains? If I had faith that God would fix the economy and a thousand other things, then yes, faith might be just the thing. The problem is, it is partly my faith that is troubling me. You see, I am reasonably certain that calamity does not come without a reason. Amos, Job and some other examples come to mind here. Some great examples also come from the Pilgrims and also the Old Testament Israelites. We see repeatedly where people forget God and He brings some measure of judgment on them. You see, I believe that God is in the business of redeeming the lost, and healing the sick. The problem is that we don't think that we are lost or sick; so, I am concerned that there is no easy way out of this. I think that we need a serious time of national examination, confession and revitalization of our hearts toward the things of God. I simply worry that this is not in the cards, to put in pagan terms. I think we have had a series of warnings, and now I see us simply applying our best human fixes to things (money, mostly) that require moral and spiritual renewal.

 

That brings me back to Matthew 6, which I enjoy reading by the fire, at 2 AM. And Matthew 7. And similar passages in Luke, though I stay in Matthew most. Anyway, Matthew 5 through 7 are part of the famous Sermon on the Mount, so it is good to read the entirety together. Tonight, (this morning) I read though 7 and beyond and something made more sense. Putting it into words makes it seem a little bit simple, especially since it has been taking a while for me to put it into words in the first place; but there is a concept in there where Jesus Himself says, "…do not cast your pearls before swine…". I have a MacArthur study Bible, and though I often try to be spiritually macho and just "let the Spirit lead me" as I read, tonight (this morning) I read the notes on this. He points out that Jesus did not heal the unbelievers. I thought, "What?!" It never even occurred to me like that before. Sure, He says to them things like, "…your faith has made you whole…" and scolds them in other places for having so little faith too, but… …If He cured someone, wouldn't they believe then? Obviously not.

 

In these same passages, Jesus says that He came to those who needed Him. The Pharisees did not need Him, for instance. After all, they were sons of Abraham and teachers of the Law. "Hmmm…" I say. This is part of what the Lord is constantly doing – trying to warn, trying to point out how much we need Him, trying to give us mercy. Yet we, even in the Church, have a nasty habit of believing that we are OK.

 

This last part ties in to some previous posts/comments that lead to this: I cannot, no matter how hard I try, conjure up a little more faith. The Bible says, "…faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God…". So, it is imperative that we be rooted, grounded, thoroughly immersed in it so that, in times of trouble (or not) we can first recognize our need, then repent of sin, then tell others how much they need God and how much He loves them. God will not cast His pearls before swine. He wants people to come to a place of need, and belief in Him.

 

There is another idea in Matthew 6 that we need to remember: He causes it to rain on both the just and the unjust. He knows when the sparrow falls. He clothes even the most common flower in beauty that men have failed to match with their finest cloth. He is capable of taking care of each of His own, and has promised this. In fact, He tells us to ask for everything from our daily bread to, well, "anything" to put it literally. I know that we are in troubled times. I know that there are a lot of things to be "concerned about", but I know that God has our concerns in mind. Why? Two reasons that I can think of: 1) He is our Father and He is crazy about us; 2) He wants us to focus on kingdom things – like feeding His sheep and telling others about His love. Oh yeah, one more reason – 'cause He says so over and over.

 

So, my worry sin? I will probably keep falling from time to time because I still have that sin nature on this side of Heaven; but I intend to keep falling back into Scripture and I continually find that great, familiar peace of knowing that God has a purpose and a plan. While I am still truly grieving the state of things – especially our great nation and those who are suffering – I look forward to seeing God work too. In the meantime I pray that we see the need.

I am praying for an early spiritual spring…

References: Amos 3 thru 4; 6:1-6; 8:5-8; 9:13-15; Matthew 5-10;

Vow of Poverty?

Yes, I have not been active on the blog thing lately. Or is that no…?

I have been mostly busy with a work-related project and just have not had time to work through anything for this.

But there is a thought that I have been tossing around… so, catch! Maybe you can toss it back if you don't like it…

Last month I mentioned the Dominicans and the Jesuits. I guess the story really stuck with me. They took a vow of poverty, and dedicated themselves to serving the Lord and sharing the love of Christ. Some of them left relative comfort to do this. This kind of ministry is not for everyone but could be for anyone, and it still exists today. We see it in the lives of missionaries who are invested almost entirely in the Kingdom, not in worldly wealth.

So, we know this, but what does it mean to us – why write about this?

I was particularly impressed with the spread(s) that I found before us at Thanksgiving. On the big first meal, I ate a sample of most of the dishes that I hadn't had before (and some mashed potatoes), and that was all. I had no room left for turkey… I was pleasantly full.

This made me think of those monks… and pilgrims… and people all around the present world who regularly go without. (Not trying to start some kind of guilt trip, just me thinking…)

Is there any relation between thankfulness and the monks? I don't know if there was before now, but in my thinking there seems to be a bit of a link.

I have to align my attitude on occasion because I get attached to things here so easily. They aren't mine, I know. Just a steward… So, the whole vow of poverty is not such a long jump any longer. The true disciple holds "his" blessings with an open hand.

So, one way to think of it? I have, as a Christian, taken a vow of poverty, and as I mature and obey, I learn to invest God's blessings into those around me.

This is why I love the Holidays – it starts with Thanksgiving and it ends on a resolution…

God’s Protection

http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=33168

This morning, when I awoke, I did the normal routine headed for coffee and sat down to enjoy the fresh ground (French roasted) goodness. The girls were watching the Israelites escape Egypt through the Red Sea in the animated movie, The Prince of Egypt, and asked, "Did the water really do that?" I answered, "Yes", and they got the Bible version of the story read to them to refresh us all.

That done, my thoughts went to stories I had heard of people's finding chariot wheels in the Gulf of Aquba and a quick Internet search dredged this article up.

Whether or not the artifacts ever become evidence is perhaps irrelevant. I am a skeptic in matters concerning such things. No one will allow such things to become more than circumstantial lest it lend some credence to the Bible. I am refreshed to remember the God of the Bible, however, in such stories as this.

In Exodus, it is plain to see that God's plan from the start was meant to put the Israelites in an "impossible" position from which there was no escape, and which would convince them of His ability to save them. (And their inability… I might add…)

I wasn't planning to write of this – so I have to get ready for church in a big awful hurry!!! I hope that this is a good reminder for all of us as it has been for me!

Thanksgiving Season

About this time each year I make an effort to pick up one of my favorite books for a re-read. This one falls in the rare category of "purely-enjoyment-but-educational-too". Other books are different; I read them start to finish in short order. Time permitting I read some books for the pure entertainment now and then, such as a Tom Clancy novel. Most often, I try to read a book with some significance, however, so that I am learning something by reading. It is rare to be able mix the two.

I am especially grateful to read this one, and I rarely finish a whole chapter in one sitting, just because I relish the story so much that I often re-read each sentence, paragraph – more than once I have even re-read the chapter that I read the night before.

It is a wonderful, sometimes tragic story in which the supernatural works in the things of men, both to evil and to good, in evil men and in good men. But it isn't the Iliad or the Odyssey, nor some legend of Viking lore. Instead, it is the story of the founding of our United States – history (Gasp! Groan!). The book that I love is The Light and the Glory by Peter Marshall and David Manuel.

I hesitate to mention any of the story here, because I cannot tell it in the captivating way that they have written it, and any attempt by me would only diminish that. But, in light of what I have been learning from it, I am going to explode if I don't express some of it…

 

The Characters:

Christopher Columbus, the famed explorer, was a man of dual purposes, who at times showed sacrificial, penitent humility to God, while at other times showed supreme arrogance and disobedience. In his times of humility and obedience he found providential blessing and miraculous workings. In his times of arrogance, he found hardship and "bad luck". He was on the one hand desirous to be a Christ-bearer, and on the other hand he was at times consumed with greed and lust for power and honor. He died an ultimate failure – not having brought Christ to the New World, but terrible calamity. He was a shame to the Spanish who called him "Admiral of the Mosquitoes".

Spanish and Portuguese– these explorers brought a few priests, monks and the like to assuage their conscience in a terrible search for wealth and power that resulted in bloody conquest and oppression of the South and Central Americas. The cruelty of the marauders was perhaps greater than that of the natives on whom they lavished their evil greed.

Dominicans, Jesuits and Franciscans – The authors name these men tiny points of light in a dark time, "Those first friars… …may have been tiny pinpricks of light, but the pins grew sharper and light grew brighter wherever they were posted." Because of the selfless pursuits of these men to serve and love God, the natives of the New World began to see the love of Christ. The church proper of that time was performing the Inquisition and Martin Luther had just then posted his 95 Theses in 1519. Even in the darkness of those days, God was working events to His purposes.

 

There is much, much more. I hope to relate more of this, but for now I wish us to consider these things? Columbus was perhaps one of the most stubborn, arrogant and self-deceived men of which I have read. The natives were a blood-thirsty culture who practiced human sacrifice and sometimes cannibalism, but were perhaps outdone in their inhumanity with the exploits of the "civilized" nations of Europe. The friars of the time were a rare hope in a dark time, but in them we find the redemption of God in an otherwise awful recitation.

 

It is plain to me that the Evil One is constantly at work to blind, corrupt and to pillage the hearts of men, robbing them of joy, hope, and love, instead filling them greed, lust, and fear as hopeless substitutes. From this God is looking for men of any status to turn fully to Him, to seek His Kingdom at any cost that some might be saved. But it is not a small hope in a vastly dark time, the possibilities are immense. As we fully know we are greatly indebted to such men. It is because of their Godly commitment that we have the benefit of surplus with which to either honor God or to selfishly lavish upon ourselves.

 

Even in the worst of cases, these men also had a choice. They could have remained in the comforts of the stations to which they were born. Most of them left relative comfort and wealth to serve the Lord, taking vows of poverty and working alongside the native of the New World… Some lost their lives to natives they served, barbarically, ritually, filleted by fearful people who did not yet understand the love they were offered. Yet in the deaths of these selfless men, they witnessed the power of God and many were turned even then.

 

I hope that as I write, you will consider purchasing this book for your library. And I hope to add to this post. I would like to relate to you some of the details of the famed Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving. I am grateful for the testimony of such a cloud of witnesses… Our history is full of them, and it is good for me to remember that in the present it is always hard to distinguish the hope we have while in the midst of the evils of the age.

 

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe…" Ephesians 1: 18, 19

Subprime Primer

This is the funniest thing - but I found hard to laugh at... a little too much truth involved.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzJmTCYmo9g&feature=related

(I haven't had time to learn to encode this - sorry...)

Post Election Linking

http://www.informz.net/pfm/archives/archive_680951.html

(Sigh...) I hope that someday we all learn to be who we are... I can't help but feel undermined by those who would label themselves conservative... I think it would be a different day in America if some had done what they were hired to do...

So in the meantime, I defer to the thoughts of deeper thinkers, bigger men...

Getting the Most…

A very long time ago I took tennis lessons from Mr. Browning. Anyone who remembers Mr. Browning knows that he was very passionate about particulars, but then, he was passionate about almost everything that I ever watched him do, whether or not it lent itself well to his particulars. He was passionate about his wife, his dog, tennis, his house and his fence (for the dog)…

Two of my friends and I worked in the summers for him, building his fence, and painting his house in return for pay – and occasionally, tennis lessons. It was my first paying job. I rarely spoke to Mr. Browning on a very personal level. I was pretty quiet then…

He was frustrated with my reply to him one day. I believe we were putting the snow tires on his little blue Honda – something that none of us did well at the time. It was one of those jobs where he was showing us how to do it, but wasn't entirely sure himself either. Later I would spend eight years changing tires for a living. Anyway, I don't recall the question or the answer that I gave, only that he had me stand up and practice looking him in the eye, speaking it to him firmly.

I was pretty shaken at the time, perhaps embarrassed. I can't remember too many of his words because I was so shaken – sort of like my wedding – I know it happened and I have the images stuck in my brain, but I have no idea what the pastor said.

I wish that I could remember Mr. Browning's words specifically, but he told me all the things that my Dad had tried to tell me too. Only, when it comes from someone who isn't your parent and the meaning is, "You have something to offer, so act like it," I knew that he wasn't just saying it 'cause you're his kid…

Mr. Browning was once a professional tennis player. I found out while working for him that he was also an engineer, former military. He was old when I knew him, retired and yet… very busy.

I admired him. I was also a little afraid of him too. In tennis, he could beat people half his age, all the while making perfect, effortless returns. Sometimes, he would tell us how he sort of toyed with them a bit – I think to test their game a bit, he was never demeaning. He could put "English" on that ball that made the opponent scramble just to touch it. He pretty much made them return the ball to where he stood just by making them have to work so hard to get to the ball – He didn't have to do much running around.

We took lessons from him as I said, a part of the work arrangement that we had. One of the first lessons was his version of the proper swing. I came in thinking that it took a lot of force, strength and the rest. But he took great pains to demonstrate that the "trick" was a rather relaxed pendulum style of swing that hardly felt like effort at all.

This was not something that I came to master in tennis, but I found later that this technique is applicable to many different sports in different ways. Baseball, golf, bowling and volleyball each have a certain motion in which the most energy is developed from the most efficient swing – not necessarily the strongest. And the good swing is the one that you hardly feel. It comes with a natural energy that drives the ball with remarkable accuracy and force.

I see it other things besides sports too. Today, I got to help some friends out getting wood. I loved it. On the one hand, it is work. But when thanked for the help, it is natural to say, "No sweat", catch myself, and laugh, "well I guess it was a little bit…" These friends are different though, than I think most friends that other people have.

I can think back to years of our helping each other out like this - the projects, the goals, the dreams and heartaches. Today, though, I was grateful to share a good day of work, and to laugh. I know that sometimes it is a difficult thing to swing – time and effort to go do something, but a day like today was one of those swings that Mr. Browning would have been proud of. Today was a perfect swing for me… I loved every minute.

So, you have something to offer! Stand up and find somewhere to use it! Somewhere around you there is somebody working their tail off when you could show them how the good swing works. Maybe you need to test your swing out a bit too? Getting the most from your swing is not always the strongest effort, but the best effort is always the most efficient swing… a natural fitting thing that nobody else can do the way you do it.

It takes a very long time to reduce these kinds of things to words. Still, some of you will read this and might know exactly what I mean.

Colossians 3: 17

Summer Vacation Slideshow

Does anyone remeber the old slide shows where the neighbor down the road would cook up popcorn and invite you over to watch his endless slide show about his vacation to the coast? Me either... ...but I recall a certain Veggie Tales spoof on the theme, so I thought it was worth a shot.

Except I am going to do it without pictures.

Popcorn?

Lights?

OK...

This summer we took one of the three weeks of summer and went to Branson... I did not go with high expectations, it was just another place in another state far away, only it doesn't feel so far away when you can get there in less than a day's flight. Whew! (I ran out of breath!)

We packed the kids and the kids' things and crammed one pair of extra socks and two pairs of underwear in the remaining baggage. (slight exxageration, but you get the picture)

Missouri was not on my list of places to go. It just never ocurred to me. My lovely wife's family, it turns out originates from here. That was the start of my falling for that neck of the woods.

We were primarily in Branson, but ventured out to Blue Eye and other surrounding towns. We got to hear stories of growing up in the Ozarks, of swimming holes and of rougher times. I admire in a jealous way those who had that time of history and that place in the world to dwell.

Hills and hollers of the sort that you might picture in "Where the Red Fern Grows" make viewing a vast expanse something of a rarity. The bluffs and the creeks and the trees made a rare impression on me - I had long given up the idea that anywhere else would impress me after growing up in our own mountains and evergreens before seeing the countryside in Missouri. The hollows could swallow you up and the world really could forget you left so much as a boot print.

Which brings me back to what started my reminiscence in the first place. While we were there, we were treated to an area attraction, "The Shepherd of the Hills" show. The show is based upon the book of the same title, and which I read start to finish mostly last night. Since I missed a goodly part of the show (we did have the kids), the book filled quite a bit in for me.

The basic idea is that a city-slicker moves out to the Ozarks, the very place where the show and the exhibits are now. It unravels life in simpler yet difficult times, and how a man searching for relief from his former life starts anew only to find that his life preceded him.

The lessons that he learns and the life that he loves is summed up in this paragraph, which is also in the show.

"He who hears and sees too much is cursed for a dreamer, a fanatic, or a fool, by the mad mob, who, having eyes, see not, ears and hear not, and refuse to understand.
"We build temples and churches, but will not worship in them; we hire spiritual advisors, but refuse to heed them; we buy Bibles, but will not read them; believing in God, we do not fear Him; acknowledging Christ, we neither follow nor obey Him. Only when we can no longer strive in the battle for earthly honors or material wealth, do we turn to the unseen but more enduring things of life; and, with ears deafened by the din of selfish war and cruel violence, and eyes blinded by the glare of passing pomp and folly, we strive to hear and see the things we have so long refused to consider."

So, that's my slide show.

God bless you tonight... May He meet you where you are, and may you have the eyes to see and the ears to listen. From His creation to his Holy Word, He is calling us to Himself...

The Autumn is here, the Summer faded from green to gold. Your life might be today in the verdant Spring, but I am tonight reminded of how fast it goes... I pray that you give your ear and your embrace to One who loves and cares for you.

Notes to Self, Part 4

Houses:

1. It is nice to have a house, but not worth an ARM. We did a 30 yr fixed, but if we did it again, we would get a 15 year fixed. We told ourselves that we would pay our 30 yr. fixed in 15. Yeah, Right. Love the house, not the mortgage. (Anyone else heard of the American Nightmare?)
   
2. Lots of things break. Be prepared to replace well pumps, sump pumps, dishes, sheets and toilet seats. (Not kidding, the seats are on the "Honey-Do" list right now.)
   
3. Lots of things wear out. 5 years later, the carpet is nasty…
   
4. Kids are hard on things. Don't waste money or love on knock-knacks. (Yes, I misspeellt it on purpose…)
   

Gardens:

1. Unless you have the ability and time to garden 40 acres, you are going to lose money here; unless there is some kind of food shortage. It is a great hobby though, and it does produce unbeatable fruits and vegetables. (The seeds are cheap enough. It is the time spent weeding, deer-repelling and frost protecting that dings ya.)
   
2. Get a hunting license. Maybe the garden will produce food after all.

Internet speeds...

http://tech.msn.com/howto/articlepcw.aspx?cp-documentid=6555722&page=2

This is sort of interesting - I don't know what it means, of course...

Notes to Self, Part 3

(Cont'd from Part 2)

Money:

1. It isn't ours. We are just the stewards.
   
2. The best place to find some is from work. (2 Thessalonians 3:6-8)
   
3. The best place to lose it is while not at work. (2 and 3 seem like "small shovels" until you realize that work is the single largest wealth building tool in the arsenal…)
   
4. The best way to keep it is with a real budget – Internet banking does not count, but it can help.
   
5. The budget will not work if you don't work it out together, you, your money and your honey.
   
6. The best way to invest it is to put it somewhere that you can't get to it and you can forget about it for more than five years at a time.
   
7. Take at least a day to pray, and to talk to your honey before making a large purchase.
   
8. That said, "Debt is DUMB." Don't argue with anyone about this until you have watch the Dave video about new cars... (Click here or see the link in the side bar...) Then, think about the big bank buildings, their fancy furniture and shiny floors... Hmmm?
   
9. Jesus talks a lot about money in the Bible, so pay attention.
   
10. I put some of my favorite links for money, etc. on the blog... Browse around in them to get a little more interesting stuff.
    

A little more commentary: Things that I learned from Dave

1. "If you can't pay cash for it, then you can't afford it." This is hard at first. While you can't afford anything that doesn't fit on your budget, there is never a time that it is justifiable to use "Other People's Money (OPM)" for "things."
   

   James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

2. "The blessings of God do not come with strings attached." If He wants His kids to have something good, then He will find a way to bless them with it.
   

3. "The budget is great for getting control of your finances." "Your money, on paper, on purpose, every dollar has a name." For the first few months, we kind of struggled to get this to work. I would even say that it was hard for me from time to time to stay on it for the first year, perhaps. But once we could see the progress that we had made over time, we became more motivated and the budgeting has really gotten to be a great tool.
   
4. Money can tear your marriage apart, or it can be a great exercise in teamwork. I would tell anyone that doing the Dave Plan (Baby Steps) was the best thing that happened in our marriage since the wedding!

Things I learned about money from Scripture:

1. The borrower is slave to the lender.
   (Proverbs 22:7)
   
2. Money can be a great tool or a terrible master.
   

   Luk 18:18-23 And a ruler asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" (19) And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. (20) You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.'" (21) And he said, "All these I have kept from my youth." (22) When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." (23) But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.
   

3. Things and Stuff aren't all that shiny on day two.
   

   Mat 6:19-21 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, (20) but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (21) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
   

Finally: If there is anything that can seperate the believer from the clear principles in Scripture, it is the allure of Money, Things and Stuff. If you get nothing else from my own lessons, get this one down. Life full of money issues is empty of God, who wants a relationship with you.

Life filled with God is fulfilling. Money, things, stuff and places are empty without Him.

I thank God for the Biblical teachers about this, and I only wish that I had listened earlier... Sometimes we are hard-headed and have to bang ourselves up a bit before we'll listen, a terrible trait, I know; and one that will cost me for the rest of my life - no exxageration.

This is a Test...

This is a test.  This is only a test.  If this were not a test, then the link provided would take you to the Windows Live Blog Writer - which seems to be a better experience than the other version that I have used so far...

I have liked Microsoft Word 2007 as well, but has anyone else found anything better?

I case you read fast, click here to get Windows Live Writer...

Posting about Post-Its (Can I do that with a trademarked product?)

This is pretty impressive... They have taken engineering to another level. Not a higher level.

Post-It Notes in the office...

Attitude – Cont’d

Peter says pretty much the same thing again in the following chapter... …But seems to have an added twist that is a little clarifying.

1Pe 3:14-17
Anyway, in an effort to be concise (and at the risk of losing something)...

The basis of our honor to governors (authorities and their laws both) is our honor of God Himself. He sets up kings and deposes them…

1Ch 29:11-12
(11) Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.
(12) Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.

Proverbs 16: 12-15

There are lots more – I certainly have not exhausted this study. No kings have been set up without His oversight.

Have there not been evil kings? I have to wonder how Peter could have written what he did here, while under the boot of Rome.

Daniel 9:12-14

The passage in Daniel is one way that we might be able understand – though it is about Israel, particularly. We see that in spite of warnings, the people did not repent. They did not turn.

The often quoted passage, "…if my people who are called by my name will turn from their wicked ways…" is just as applicable. I would note that this too is Israel, but I believe in the principle of the matter – that God pays attention to His children.

This is not to say that His children will not experience persecution, trial or difficulty. Peter seems to be writing to people who were facing this. Instead of telling them to revolt, he tells them to what?!

So there are two types of suffering – That which is deserved, and that which is for righteousness' sake. Peter admonishes us to be of the latter version…

Finally, Paul really hits this in Romans 13… The whole chapter is commentary on this idea.

I am "free" as a citizen in this country to debate ideas, to vote my conscience and to a lesser degree than at earlier times to speak freely. I am responsible as a Christian to be a good citizen, supporting and honoring the authorities and laws insofar as they honor God. I am not free as a Christian to arbitrarily follow the laws that I like and discard the ones that I do not.

This is one reason that it is so important to take your voting seriously. J

On the flip side, it is also one reason that I should mind my manners in the political realm of ideas.

Attitudes…

I keep having to check it. You who know me well enough, are fully aware that I have some strong opinions about political happenings. What follows may be something of a surprise, but it is ultimately where I put my final opinion… …aside.

1Pe 2:11-21

(11) Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

(12) Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

(13) Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

(14) Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

(15) For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

(16) As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

(17) Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

(18) Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

(19) For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

(20) For what glory is
it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for
it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

(21) For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Take note of 13 and 14… Could be a prickly one, but what do you think? Even without a study of the Greek in this, I need more humility. But where is the balance? Fear God. Honor the king. Hmmmm…

We have looked a lot at our liberty as Christians in church lately, so 16 is a perfect blend into that topic.

20 reminds me of Job in taking the good and the bad with humility before God. As if that isn't enough, 21 finishes pulling the rug out from under me – Christ who could have smitten those who killed Him and started over, subjected Himself to the agony and shame of the cross.

Praying for our 2^nd Monday… enjoy the coffee and leave a tip?

God Bless!

Notes to Self, Part 2

Ahh yes, the first Monday of the week. Let the coffee, tea or Pepsi warm you up along with a personal top-ten quick auto-version of Notes to Self...

Cars:

1. Check the spare tire inflation now and then.
   
2. Check the oil.
   
3. Change the oil.
   
4. Check the fuel. Add fuel when the gauge gets to "E". (A little honesty never hurt anyone, right?)
   
5. Chain saw gas actually will work in a pinch. (I did this and it beats walking!)
   
6. Pack your chain saw about nine months out of the year if driving down Dufort to go to work. Wind, thunderstorms and snow can trap you with trees in the road on one or both sides of your car. I haven't figured out the powerline thing yet though. They look a little too zippy, dancing all around like that...
   
7. Check the tires for inflation and wear. Even one of the Presidential candidates recommends this.
   
8. Wash the windshield. I recommend "Invisible Glass" from Stoner. Seriously the best cleaner I have ever seen for auto glass - Your eyes will thank you in the glaring sun and the oncoming headlights...
   
9. A trustworthy and reasonable mechanic is worth his weight in autos. These days the electronics are just downright fickle…
   
10. Last, but not least, don't let your car own you. Be sure to check out this video – you might be glad you did!
    

Notes to Self, Part 1 of ?

Remember the old Saturday Night Live bit with Norm? His anchorman character would give some piece of "news" at the end of which he would pull out a mini tape recorder (yes, it was the height of technology) and start a pithy line with "Note to self…"

There are a few times where I think it would be great to have a "note to self" before I learn just how important it is. Like when you realized that you just sighed deeply (not romantically) while your wife is telling you about something about something that matters. Of course about the time you notice your own sigh yourself, she has stopped mid-sentence, eyes narrowing, one eyebrow raising, inquisitively… Is "inquisitively" the right term? Well, I haven't had this happen, but I know people who have, and lived to tell about it… …umm… …later.

Or, how about that time you were a bit low on time getting to work, found that one tire was low on air, and then found out that the spare was flat too? Me either, but now you have your own note to self, "Check the air in the spare now and then." See, that was easy, and now you won't be late for work.

Check out my growing list and see if you can add some notes of your own?

Wife:

1. Call her sometimes from work. She thinks that you are forgetful for some reason… It also has the benefit of having a hot meal about the time you walk in the door.
   


2. Call her sometimes when not at work. Ditto of #1.
   


3. Call her sometimes when nowhere near a phone. (She will call someone else's phone until she finds someone who knows where you are otherwise…)
   


4. Hug her when you think about it. Maybe when you don't. She usually likes this, except when you haven't called from somewhere all day. Then you had better wait a little while.
   


5. Three little words: "I love you." You know this, she knows this, but she wants you to say it out loud sometimes.
   

Kids:

1. Give lots of hugs and wrestle them around a bit. The hugs are a good stress reducing activity for the Dad and the wrestling will get the kids all riled up and happy. The happiness and hyper-ness will wear them out for bed, but the biggest benefit is that Mom gets a minute to herself (albeit permeated with shrieks and wails of wrestling kiddos), which is a well-deserved stress-relief for her.
   


2. Ask them about what they did today. This will have varying degrees of response. My youngest doesn't speak very much English yet, but she understands that Daddy and I are having a talk right now. The jibberish is really quite interesting though.
   


3. Put them to bed at the same time every day. No humor here. It works. Routine is your best friend.
   


4. Pray with them and let them pray too. I think God listens extra well to the little ones, and it makes me smile when they thank God for every little thing that is visible in the room.
   

More to come… Money, Houses, Cars and Gardens! Add your thoughts and I will post the best ones later!

Cheers for now…

Least Expectations Explanations

The adage goes, "...it is better to under-promise and to over-deliver, than to over-promise and under-deliver..." Since the latter is easier than the former, well, you see my dilemma.

I expect that the Least Expectations is a spin on the great Dickens novel, but I am loathe to expect much from myself, so that's where this works for me.

There are great writers to be sure, but in my estimation the most important writings are often the most overlooked. They are not the easiest to read, but they are provoking, perhaps life-changing if you don't mind another cliche`.

I read a passage this morning in Psalms 32: 9 that caught my attention. It reads,"Don't be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding, whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check, otherwise they will not come near to you."

The obscurities of the ages might tempt some to ignore the meaning behind such a writing as this. Upon some oversight, I had not noticed this one myself. The speaker in this is God Himself, who in the previous verse offers His instructions, counsel and His care. The point is that He wants us to know Him in a personal way. He does not desire the kind of relationship that a rancher has with his stock. (picture the western cowboy lasso-ing his mount for the day's work...) He wants us to come to Him without His causing or our begrudging.

Does it take an act of God to get you to pray?

Hmmm... In this time of upheaval in the political and financial world, or maybe in personal things, this is a great reminder to me of His intent for us.