August 30,
2004
It's
amazing,
isn't it,
that the
month of
August is
coming to a
close---wasn't
it just
Father's
Day?
No, wasn't
it just a
few weeks
ago that
we were
planning all
the things
we were
going to do
this summer?
Ahhhhhhhhhhh,
Summer '04
is fast
becoming
simply
memories and
pictures to
look back
over and now
it's time to
look ahead
to autumn
and winter.
Kathryn's
box of books
and study
materials
came in the
mail.
If the
weight of
the box is
any
indicator,
this is
going to be
a very heavy
year of
study for
her! I
suspect
there's
going to be
a great
benefit to
us all as
she studies
and makes
application:
on us, her
unsuspecting
subjects.
I'm sitting
here at my
computer
desk and on
one of the
shelves to
my right I
gaze at her
books:
titles such
as, The
Human Body,
Growing 101
Herbs That
Heal, The
New Complete
Book of
Food,
Naturally
Healthy
Woman...
and then
there's
mine: The
Fifteen
Minute Meal
Planner... I
smile---wondering
if my life
has reached
the stage
where I
don't have
time to make
a long term
commitment:
just the
fifteen
minute sort.
She's not
intimidated
by the study
schedule or
the volume
of required
reading for
the course
and for
that, I'm
very
thankful and
anticipate a
great year
ahead.
I have
another
Kindergartener
this year
and our last
"little"
will begin
"pre-school"
work, too.
Ahhhh...
another one
of the
bittersweets
of
motherhood.
The days are
long and the
years fly by
and the
running is
exhausting
and the
sitting
melancholy.
I'm writing
an article
on the
bittersweets
such as
these.
I remember 6
years ago
the seeming
assault to
my senses,
the raw deal
of
motherhood:
there are
finish
lines---and
the race is
*so* over
when it's
over!
My boys---my
all in
all---my
boys grew
up, one
married and
then the
other moved
out, and I
was stunned
at the
finality of
it all.
They were
never coming
home [to
live] again
and I was
never going
to be their
mother in
the same way
ever again.
It was so
over.
Then a new
normal.
Now these
very very
most
familiar
"visitors"
come in and
make
themselves
totally at
home in *my*
house---open
the fridge
and gulp
down gallons
of milk and
ask when the
cinnamon
rolls will
be ready...
these
visitors who
question
when I began
doing things
thus and so,
when did I
start
letting the
little kids
do thus and
such.
These most
dear
*visitors*
that are as
much a part
of this home
as the frame
that
supports the
roof or the
foundation
that
supports the
walls, and
yet... soon
it's time
for them to
go... home.
August 29,
2004
Today's our
son and
daughter-in-law's
6th
anniversary!
Amazing how
the days are
long and the
years... O,
the years
*fly* by!
That dear
couple...
six years
and now the
third
blessing is
on the way.
God has been
so gracious
to them---so
very
gracious.
Well... we
sure enjoyed
catering the
wedding
reception...
and what a
joy it was
to share the
special day
for our
friends.
We always
count it a
privilege to
do things
like we did
for this
wedding.
To have the
honour of
preparing
the foods
and setting
up the room
and serving
the guests
is really a
treasure to
us. My
husband
joined me in
all the
shopping,
and my
daughters
helped in
the
preparations
and our
friends,
Kelli &
Kristin,
also came
and spent
the whole
day---never
tiring and
never
slowing and
yet it was a
very long
day!
So... sweet
memories of
another
couple
joining in
marriage and
the great
honour to
serve them.
August 27,
2004
The more
time goes
by, the more
I'm
convinced
that the
upcoming
presidential
election
will not be
decided in
voting
booths or
mailed
ballots---no
hanging
chads this
time
around---and
it's not
going to be
spectacular
ads that get
Kerry
elected or
Bush
reelected.
It's not
going to be
a book or
even a
smear-campaign
that gets
one of them
elected.
Kerry would
be wise if
he were to
simply save
his money...
just not
spend
another
dime,
really.
Newspaper
reporters
are doing a
fine job of
campaigning
for John
Kerry---they've
left
reporting
and have
taken up
editorializing...
and on the
front page,
no less.
No, he
wouldn't
have to
spend or
lose another
dollar and
they'd still
be paid the
same salary,
they'd still
show up for
work at the
newspaper
companies
turned
campaign
headquarters
for whom
they write.
Yes, it'd
still be one
fiery
campaign,
alright, and
all Kerry
would have
to do is
wake up each
day---and
not much
else.
It's
becoming
apparent
that it
doesn't
matter what
he does or
doesn't do,
anyway.
This
election's
not at all
about the
selection of
the best man
to represent
our country.
It's a
pretty sad
day when it
doesn't
matter who
*is* in
office---it
seems it
only matters
that the guy
who's there
now: won't
be.
Now.. what
I've been
mulling over
is this:
Philippians
4.8
"Finally,
brethren,
whatsoever
things are
true,
whatsoever
things are
honest,
whatsoever
things are
just,
whatsoever
things are
pure,
whatsoever
things are
lovely,
whatsoever
things are
of good
report; if
there be any
virtue, and
if there be
any praise,
think on
these
things."
I was simply
in awe of
the mercy of
the LORD as
He brought
this to mind
and
situations
that have
been
difficult
lately,
schedules
that have
been
demanding,
relationships
that have
been
strained
suddenly
were made
very easy,
light and
comfortable
and it's all
because I
have had
this
priority out
of order and
the moment I
realized it,
and began to
think on
things that
were honest,
just, pure,
lovely, of
good report,
virtuous,
and
praiseworthy---to
really think
on these
things, my
countenance
was changed,
my outlook
was changed
and I no
longer can
see the
things the
same way.
The more I
strive to
have the
mind of
Christ---that
is: to think
on these
things, the
more I see
life
situations
are simply
opportunities
for me to
see Him
work, to see
Him be
glorified,
to see His
Hand in them
all---and to
be a willing
vessel He
can or will
use.
more later.
August 26,
2004 I sure am
questioning
why some
people are
seeing ads
on our
site---pop-ups
and all...
how
annoying!
We chose a
long time
ago to go
with a host
such as we
have in
order to
avoid such
annoyances
to readers
(and
ourselves)
and we've
been glad
and haven't
minded the
expense---but
now I'm
irritated
with what
some are
experiencing.
I never see
them---so I
don't know
what the ads
look like or
what's being
offered.
Plus---maybe
even as
important,
when I set a
link in one
of these
blog
entries, I
never link
to a site
that I've
seen
questionable
material or
ads.
However---when
I link to a
news-story,
I guess I
ought to put
a
disclaimer---when
I read and
subsequently
linked there
wasn't a
problem---what
happens in
the interim
might be a
different
story.
I have been
glad for
some readers
to bring to
my attention
when some
bozo takes a
legitimate
link and
messes it
up.
This is
apparently
happening
more and
more.
P-rn sites
are taking
expired
"Christian"
or
"religious"
domains and
utilizing
them---just
to be
obnoxious ,
I guess.
Never seeing
who they're
offending---they
make no
sense---they're
just hateful
schemers.
I suppose
we're going
to see a lot
more of all
this as the
moral fiber
of our
society
deteriorates
and slides
further and
further into
the abyss.
Even so,
Come, LORD
Jesus.
Preparations
are well
underway for
the wedding
reception we
are doing
this
Saturday!
The bride
and groom
have some
really fun
ideas as to
how they
want things
to be and so
this has
really added
to the fun
of the
preparations
and things
we're going
to be
making.
I'm not so
sure I'd
like to be
in the
catering
business
every week,
but the
weddings and
banquets
we've done
have sure
been a lot
of fun---and
to me,
that's a
wonderful
thing---to
be able to
do something
we love for
someone else
and then to
have them be
pleased---what
a blessing!
We chatted
with Timothy
again
tonight---so
glad to have
downloaded
IM
6.2----------we've
had some
very funny
and very
lively
conversations.
He also
showed me on
map-quest
where he
walked today
and some
spots he
hopes to go
to soon.
Perhaps even
the Library
in Long
Beach.
Then,
Imagine
this: he
went to a
church on
Catalina...
he said it
was small
but that
there was a
true
emphasis on
evangelism
and a true
joy in the
LORD, there.
Interesting---then
a quick
search
yielded that
there is a
house church
on the
island, too.
I will be
interested
to hear what
happens
there.
God works in
marvelous
ways!
You notice
I'm not
*even*
commenting
on all the
activities
in the
political
circus!
Suffice it
to say:
Incredible.
Grown
men---the
behaviour of
some is
really
beyond
foolish.
I s'pose
I've said
too much
here
already.
more later.
August 25,
2004
Finally, I
talked with
our son
Timothy---rather
chatted
online.
What a
blessing it
is to have
the
computer!
As time goes
on, however,
I am either
going to
have to get
much faster
on the
keyboard or
I am just
going to
have to quit
IM'ing
altogether
as it is too
difficult to
carry on
three
conversations
at once!
In addition,
there are
always at
least two
people
nearby when
family is on
IM.
I've often
wondered
lately about
the things
that are
part of our
lives today
that weren't
available
even 15
years ago.
It's pretty
phenomenal
how quickly
things have
changed, how
technology
has changed
the
world---and
how many
things have
become
necessities
because of
changing
technology.
I suppose
they once
said the
same thing
about
telephone
stands by
the sofa to
hold the
phone and
the
phone-book.
Or later,
those
enormous
television
cabinets
that had to
be made to
hold the
television
set.
Funny.
August 24,
2004 Our
daughter,
Kathryn,
will begin
studying
Shonda
Parker's
Professional
Herbalist
course
this year.
She'd been
praying
about what
to do for
her
schooling
and how to
best use the
time in this
season of
her life.
So, Wes and
I really
encouraged
her to pray,
to wait on
the LORD for
His leading
and to be
patient
waiting for
direction
and
provision.
It is quite
thrilling to
have her
home, to
have her
planning
this course
of study and
to see the
Hand of the
Saviour in
her life.
We felt that
as she has
this time
and desire
to study,
that the
professional
course would
be a
reasonable
plan and
might
possible
help her see
some of the
ways the
LORD is
preparing
her for her
future.
She's such a
blessing to
us all and
we pray the
LORD will
continue to
use her and
use this
course to
increase her
understanding
of Him, His
creation and
His
provision as
well as
deepen her
walk with
Him---daily
depending on
His
provision
for
strength,
wisdom and
understanding.
(I'm pleased
at the
prospect of
having her
teach and
encourage
all of us
here in our
home!)
I took some
time today
to redo
links and
eliminate
dead links
on a bunch
of pages...
my, how time
has flown!
Some of the
pages
haven't been
updated for
years!
Ooooops!
So...
several of
the assorted
recipe pages
have been
updated.
Many have
not ;-)
I was just
mulling over
some letters
I have
received,
precious
letters from
women in
different
places with
special
needs,
facing
unique
situations
in their
lives---who've
written
letters I
want to
respond to
and I was
realizing
through the
reading of
these
letters that
I am so
grateful to
the LORD for
the
opportunity
of my life.
I don't
often value
my life---in
fact, there
have been
seasons
where I have
so *not*
valued my
life that I
wished it
wouldn't
have to go
on---that I
wouldn't
have to face
the next
thing
(whatever
that was at
the time)
and yet, God
in His mercy
didn't
answer my
foolish and
selfish
request.
One of the
reasons I
write to
women---one
of the
reasons I
blog, is
because I
find the
Lord
encouraging
me through
seasons---growing
me though
life's
circumstances
and He
continues
giving me
opportunities
to learn and
to grow and
to share
with women
who are in
or have been
in or are
going to go
through "the
next
season"---perhaps
with dread.
It's perhaps
difficult
for some
women to
fathom how
lonely many
women are,
how
challenging
some women's
lives have
become, how
hopeless
some women's
lives seem
to them.
For women
who haven't
faced
disappointment
or
loneliness,
the prospect
of such is
unfathomable---but
for the
women who
have faced
or are
facing grief
or anguish,
the reality
is ever
present in
the theatre
of their
minds and/or
in the
reality of
their daily
living.
So...
blogging...
I blog for
me, I blog
for my
children, I
blog for
those who
never
receive a
helping hand
or rarely
have an
encouraging
call from a
friend; I
blog for
those who
hope someone
will shed
some light
on the path
or who'll
understand
the pain in
their heart;
I blog for
those who
want to know
what it is
to live in a
loving
family---what
it is to be
a wife and
mother;
I blog for
those who
don't know
Jesus but
know He's
calling them
and want to
know more; I
blog for
those who do
know Him and
seek to know
Him
better---walking
with a
sister who
feels the
same and
seeks that
high
calling.
So I
blog---so
humbled at
the mercy
and goodness
of the LORD
that, I
being in the
way, He'd
choose
me---He'd
use me.
By the way,
next
time I think
I have my
hands full,
I'm going to
remember
this mom who
had
two sets of
twins in the
same
year!
The odds of
birthing two
sets of
twins are
quite
amazing---apparently
something
like 2%
chance in
that woman's
childbearing
years, so
imagine
twice in the
same year!!
Whew!
August 23,
2004 I
received a
nice letter
from a
subscriber
to my
Welcome Home
letters---her
interest was
in
House
Church
and some
questions
regarding
fellowships
that meet in
homes.
I took an
interest in
her address
and took at
look at her
website that
focuses on
stamping.
From there,
I took a
look at the
Stampin Up
website.
It's sure
amazing, the
proliferation
of stamping,
scrapping,
journaling,
cardmaking,
etc., etc.
I love sweet
memories of
our friend,
Beth, and
her stamping
business
which she
began
something
like
thirteen
years ago.
I had the
great
privilege of
receiving
many
beautiful
stamps and
lots of
encouragement
and
instruction
in stamping
techniques.
Here's a
confession:
we still
have about
10 shoeboxes
of pictures,
no photo
albums, a
couple very
sparsely or
unfilled
baby books
and
thousands of
digital
images... I
doubt I'll
ever do all
the things I
dream of
doing---however,
perhaps one
day a spark
of creative
genius will
take over
and
magnificent
books will
materialize
form all
these
photographs
and images.
Probably not
this week,
though.
We order
many of our
foods/grains
from
Azure
Standard
in Oregon.
Trouble is,
it's a
"once-a-month"
process and
therefore
timing and
prior
planning is
absolutely
necessary.
In order to
make sure
we'll have
what we need
and to not
*over-purchase*
I need to
pay
attention to
levels in
bins and
jars.
I use
"frosting
buckets" that
I got years
ago from a
local
bakery.
They're a
perfect size
as they hold
1 gallon
less than a
25#
sack---so I
put part of
the product
in a gallon
jar and the
rest in the
sealed
bucket that
I use for my
"store" for
each item.
I really
like the
variety and
the quality
of the foods
we order.
Now we have
a wonderful
advantage of
having our
drop-ship
location so
close to our
home!
This makes a
huge
difference
for me!
I suppose I
*could*
order via
UPS, but we
have a group
of ladies
whose orders
exceed the
minimum for
the monthly
truck
delivery.
If you live
in the
Snohomish
area and
you'd like
more
information
on how you
might be
added to the
members of
our route,
you can
write to me.
Bob's Red
Mill is
a company
Azure
represents
and I sure
like their
products---from
flours and
grains to
cereals and
mixes for
whole grain
biscuits and
rolls.
August 22, 2004
Happy Sunday to
you. May
the LORD bless
your day.
August 21, 2004
Had a good long
day
yesterday---we
came to the end
of the boxes of
peaches we'd
ordered so the
canning is all
done for the
week! Here
are some pics of
the day. I
put them in a
page of helps
for canning.
My sweet Kathryn
did most all of
the set up for
the day!
She's amazing to
me! She
thought of
everything
without even
being reminded!
How grateful I
am for the
blessing of the
LORD in her!
Hannah also is
my sweet gift!
She worked
beside me all
day. Our friend
Kelli livened up
the work by
bringing us
yummy coffee's
from
Starbucks---woohoo!
I think that's
what contributed
to the staying
up until 3:30
this morning!
Well, we have
lots of plans
for the week
ahead, so more
canning will
have to happen
after next week.
Next, it's pears
(very time
consuming *but*
yummy!) and then
italian prunes
and applesauce
from our italian
prune & apple
trees!
Well, many blogs
to read, much
news to peruse
and thoughts to
decipher!
More later!
August 18, 2004
I was wondering
how Roger
Bennett of
Legacy-5.
is doing---and
like I often
say: O, what an
incredible
journey-to-health
he is
traveling.
I was
discouraged by
the news of his
blood
infection---I
find myself less
optimistic as
the different
pieces of news
fall into place.
I'm not so
optimistic as it
is when the "C"
word is
mentioned and
yes, I have read
much on
Dr. Lorraine Day's
site; even
still, cancer is
for me one of
the things I've
never personally
seen many
survive.
And yet, I do
seek to be
optimistic and
more than that:
to trust in the
LORD. His
ways are
perfect.
And, yes, as our
old friend
Janet, before
*and* after she
was ill, (and
then died of
cancer) used to
say, "We'll all
die on time."
Ah, yes, I
understand that
a little more
than I used to.
What I do trust
is that God is
sovereign and
His will is
perfect and He
is working all
things together
for good---now,
good may not
*seem* good to
me at a given
moment, but I
can fully trust
that whatever
concerns me, God
is in it or is
allowing it for
my good. I
ponder this
quite often and
I don't question
Him as to why He
allows what He
does in my life
or in the
world---most of
the time.
My family like
to use IM to
communicate back
and forth.
Today our oldest
son sent a link
to liven up the
already [too]
lively IM.
Here you go, if
you want to add
some pizazz to
your IM.
We're missing
Timothy so very
much today.
It's going to be
a long long
seven weeks, I
can tell that
right now.
In addition to
him just being
pure comedy
around our home,
he's an
incredibly hard
worker! I
miss his zeal to
accomplish as
much as possible
in as little
time as
possible!
I miss his humor
and quick wit.
I miss his
impersonations
and his
insatiable
desire to learn
new things about
anything at all!
It's hard for me
to be glad he's
on a boat at
Catalina...
probably
*really*
roughing it, no
less, while so
many are missing
him here and
all... Oh well,
we've all got
much room for
the LORD to work
in us to
continue molding
us into vessels
He can use!
We're making
plans to be at
the believer's
conference at
Deer Lake near
Spokane for
Labour Day.
Our whole family
sure looks
forward to this
special time
away
fellowshipping
with the
brothers and
sisters in
Christ!
But first!
We have much
canning to do
and much school
preparation as
well---oh, and
weeds, did I
mention the
weeds in the
garden?!
August 17, 2004
Well, Timothy
got off okay...
even sent me an
email letting me
know that he'd
arrived safely
in Long Beach
and that the
plane only
crashed twice.
Nice guy, eh?
So... here the
children have
already begun
the asking when
will Timothy
come home?
Today's our
grandson's third
birthday.
Tara made a
lovely party for
him... a delicious
assorted
salad dinner
which several of
us contributed
to and then and
a 'watermelon'
cake for his
celebration.
She saw the idea
for the cake at
Martha Stewart's
site.
You can see pics
of it there and
I hope to put up
pictures soon.
It was really
nicely done!!
She's quite
remarkable!
I forgot my
camera so will
have our son
send them over
the mail.
You'd likely
never believe
the events of
the day... so
I'll spare you
the details;
suffice it to
say, it's been
such an eventful
day that it's
time to fall
into bed for the
night and pray
for a beautiful
sunrise.
Brought home
another
truckload of
sand for the
sandbox which is
now enclosed so
a vehicle cannot
easily access
the area---poor
planning!
THAT's why i
need to rest up!
August 16, 2004
I'm remembering
our friends
whose son was
killed six
months ago
today---it was a
Monday, much
like today, a
day of working
and busyness and
schedules and
then it was a
day of
tremendous
sadness.
That sadness
lingers to this
day.
That family will
never be the
same...
actually, in
many ways, none
of us will ever
be the same.
For, it is from
that time that
our family began
making some
changes about
some things we
did because of
"tradition" and
really didn't
have a very good
reason for doing
them.
For example, my
husband (and our
children) has
always worn a
suit and tie "to
church" and
always to
weddings,
funerals,
memorials, etc.,
etc. When
he was preparing
to go to
Justin's
funeral, he
pondered what
he'd wear and
then he decided
that he would
not wear a
suit---but he
would wear what
would seem most
appropriate---not
a suit.
Then... on the
folder we
received for his
service, there
was a quote:
Judge a man by
his fruit, not
by his suit.
Now, I don't
believe that
that was
technically
"suit" as in
jacket and
matching slacks,
but rather, the
outward
covering.
That statement
meant a lot to
Wes, and to me
and from that
day to this, I
have resisted
feeling judged
for wearing
actual suits
and have
determined to
rather be very
very sure that
my outward
appearance isn't
a cover for what
is or is *not*
on the inward
heart.
I
didn't
understand a lot
of what that
young man
thought or why
he did some of
the things he
did. I'm
not sure I ever
will, but one
thing I know and
it is that God
truly does, in
fact, create us
for
ourselves---not
for others---to
BE---not to
SEEM. I
read that many
years ago and
haven't
forgotten it.
It's been
interesting over
the months...
because as
changes have
slowly occurred
in our
home and family,
I realized some
things I'd not
known and in
addition,
because of some
hurtful
situations, I've
had to really
examine the what
and why of what
we do daily.
Those situations
practically
paralyzed me
emotionally and
amazingly, as I
have discovered
at other times
in my life, the
hurt is
generally
one-sided; so
that was really
eye opening.
I liken it to
holding
bitterness
against
someone---when
that happens,
only the bitter
person is
harmed.
The offender
goes
on---oblivious
to the pain
they've
inflicted by
their criticism
or
insensitivity---or
worse: abuse.
That's where
forgiveness,
short accounts
and a
determination to
just walk with
the LORD and let
Him be the
blessed
controller of
all things.
As things began
occurring to us
a few years ago
and we began to
question the
traditions of
men and
religion, we
began to wonder
what is church,
anyway?
And why do we
*go* to
church---the
religious
building---if we
*are* the
church? If
we *are* the
church, then why
do we act like
attendance at
the religious
building *is*
the walk?
Why do we act
like that is
tantamount to or
a definition of
faith? We
used to *never*
*ever* miss a
"service" and
*never* dress
inappropriately
for the
religious
activity---but
then what is
faith, what is
the walk?
What is it to be
a Christ
follower?
What is it to be
faithful?
Is it measured
by attendance,
by positions, by
numbers of years
of service?
Is it measured
by performance?
Oh---please do
not
misunderstand---I
so believe that
many many things
will necessarily
and
appropriately be
apparent in the
life of a Christ
follower---but
not necessarily
things that
people have come
to believe
equate
faithfulness or
even faith.
Ah... so the
learning.
The walking with
Jesus. The
life---the
response to the
saving life of
Christ.
O---what blessed
assurance!
A blessing to
know that Justin
is safe with
Jesus---and
that's what's
really important
no matter what
happens in this
life. In
the end, it's
just Jesus.
Everyone has to
come to that
point where they
decide what are
they going to do
with the most
important fact
of History.
What do you do
with Jesus?
Hebrews
4.13 And
there is
no
creature
hidden
from His
sight,
but all
things
are open
and laid
bare to
the eyes
of Him
with
whom we
have to
do.
More on this
later. For
now, I must
scurry
about---our son
is leaving from
SeaTac in a few
short hours for
seven weeks in
California.
Poor boy...
seven weeks on a
boat. ;-)
Here we were
tonight...
getting some
last minute
things done...
August 15, 2004
This is the Day
the LORD has
made! Let us
rejoice and be
glad in it !
August 14, 2004
My dad's last
name was
Bears---yes,
really: Bears...
a name I was
given at birth
but didn't carry
after the age of
8. He
loved his name,
he loved his
heritage, he
loved people...
In the nearly
five years since
his passing, I'm
all the more
grateful that I
had opportunity
to know him---I
so loved him!
I recall that
first
conversation
when I was an
adult, I
instantly
recognized the
voice I hadn't
heard since I
was a child. I
instantly knew:
this is my
daddy. He
was at once a
stranger and my
familiar daddy.
Strange---it
was. I
have a fondness
for bears
because of his
fondness.
He collected
them before they
were trendy to
collect.
He had
lithographs and
paintings, plush
and ceramic,
books and
photographs of
bears---teddybears.
Here he was a
big man (one
thing I didn't
inherit:
height!) and he
was a fabulous
chef and... he
loved teddy
bears!
Though I didn't
grow up side by
side culinary
enterprise, I've
always had an
innate interest
in food
preparation and
presentation.
I've loved
cooking ,
collecting
cookbooks and
any sort of
utensil and
dishware and the
only thing I
like more than
making dinner is
making
reservations for
dinner! ;-)
I get that from
my daddy *and*
my mother and my
husband, too.
So... bears;
that's the
reason you see
bears here and
elsewhere on my
site.
A little
stirring about
John Eldredge---the
man's man,
presenting a new
paradigm for
biblical
manhood.
Maybe, in
reality, it
wouldn't be all
that bad if men
were more like
Mr. Rogers
(meek, humble,
soft-spoken,
sensitive,
gracious, giving
and forgiving)
and yet knew
when to employ
that daring
courage, a
Braveheart-type---shoot
'em up
protector,
valiant warrior
sort of man of
God.
Instead, men
don't seem to
know where or
what they ought
to be.
Society has
confused the
course of
manhood and left
men sort of
groveling to be
things they
never saw
modeled.
Sort of a
conundrum of
being what they
know deep down
they're created
to be, afraid of
being shot down
for being that
way, attempting
to be leaders in
their homes and
yet having wives
who want to wear
the pants (and
so, by default
they let them),
determined to
not be how their
fathers were and
yet by their
very nature
falling into
similar
behaviours they
viewed as
children.
They've heard:
be brave, don't
cry, be a
man---then: hey,
why don't you
have feelings?,
why don't you
express emotion?
They wonder and
wander
around---what in
the world am I
supposed to
do/be anyway?
No wonder
Eldredge is
popular---no
wonder there is
a willingness to
overlook his
theological
quirks (sin vs.
wounds, a world
a war sin nature
etc., etc.), no
wonder men want
to be a William
Wallace---a
Braveheart---no
wonder it
appeals to them
to see in print
things they've
always wanted to
see---picturing
themselves on
some sort of big
game hunt and
rapid water life
adventure.
Men have felt
dead and here's
a guy who seems
to understand
that---he seems
to epitomize and
articulate what
they've
known---they
really are wild
at heart, no
wonder it
appeals to them:
someone giving
them
"permission" for
a battle to
fight, an
adventure to
live, and a
Beauty to
rescue.
No wonder it
appeals to women
who've longed to
be the Beauty
they'll rescue.
I'd still read
and apply with
caution----yep,
men are wild at
heart.
I mull over what
I read... then I
mull over what
I've read in the
Word... then I
contemplate:
It takes a very
very strong man
to remain
quiet---to stand
still and see
the salvation of
the LORD.
The Master was
quiet before His
accusers---He
rebuked the
devil, He did
nothing but the
will of the
Father. He
turned the
tables and drove
out the
moneychangers.
The Lord Jesus:
"Take my yoke
upon you, and
learn of me; for
I am meek and
lowly in heart:
and ye shall
find rest unto
your souls."
Matthew 11.29
Wes and Timothy
and Sean went to
hear
Ray Comfort
this morning.
What an
interesting
guy---if you've
never heard him,
he's really got
an incredible
way of talking
to people and
witnessing the
gospel!
You've got to
have a bit of
time as you
peruse his
site---listening
to testimonies,
listening to his
preaching the
Word. His
approach is
different than
most
evangelist's in
that he doesn't
start with
offering people
a plethora of
exciting
benefits of
salvation or of
walking with
Jesus or being a
Christian.
Instead he
starts with the
Ten
Commandments---he
begins where
people are and
doesn't make
promises where
they will be if
they "accept"
Christ.
He's one of our
favourites---so
I'm very glad
they have an
opportunity to
hear him today.
August 13,
2004 The sound of
airplanes
overhead is a
common
occurrence here
at our house,
but what's not
so common is the
rumble of
military jets
overhead.
And that's what
we've been
hearing for the
last half hour
or so.
Could it be the
President's
visit in Medina
this evening?
I wonder.
Well, there's way too
much in the news
today---commenting
on a couple of
things may seem
to invalidate
other stories
but such is not
the case.
Interestingly,
there are days
that have so
many "headlines"
that it's truly
difficult to
reflect on
each---and,
imagine, these
are just a
smattering of
what's really
going on in the
world!
Reality is that
lives are being
lost, battles
are being fought
and won,
weddings and
marriages,
births, deaths,
disappointments,
losses and
triumph's are
what's really
going on in the
real world (in
addition to
those
sensational
headlines in the
Star!).
A homemaker is
winning the
battle that
threatens to
crush her:
laundry, debt,
disarray... A
man is winning
the battle that
would destroy
his home: prnography.
A teenager is
winning a battle
to stay pure in
thought and
deed. A
mother is
winning the
battle to press
on to teach her
children in the
face of
adversity and
fatigue. A
grandmother is
reflecting on
years gone by
and wondering if
she made a
difference in
the life of
another; she's
winning the
battle by living
as an example to
her children.
A father is
winning the
battle by
staying on the
job in a factory
where the pay is
not commensurate
with the effort
expended year
after year.
These are the
things that make
up real life.
And then,
there's a
hurricane that's
threatening the
lives and homes
of
thousands in
Florida, the
dramatic and
flamboyant chef,
Julia Child
has passed away,
President
Bush
is visiting the
state of
Washington,
The Olympics
begin
today---still
honouring
little-g gods
2700+ years
later. As
with any sport,
there are a few
who
dampen the
spirit of the
games.
I was thinking
about Julia
Child who, like
Martha Stewart,
made difficult
things
achievable and
cut through
socio-economic
strata's to
encourage
development of
skills in
cooking and
presentation.
Simple
homemakers to
culinary giants
benefited from
her techniques
and
forthrightness.
At 6'2" she
towered over
most guests I
ever saw her
cooking with and
yet she seemed
to have an
ability to have
everyone at
ease.
So... Julia
Child, dead at
91.
I
have a couple of
blogs I read
sort of
semi-regularly.
Yes, that's a
solid
indefinite.
So, I have a
blog I read that
frequently tends
to sum up what I
might have
written on a
given topic.
Well, what I
might have
written had I
the same
ingenuity,
insight and
ability, that
is. Though,
sometimes, I do
have a thought
or two worth
recording and/or
reading.
They're fleeting
and usually come
to me when I can
least write and
then never
remember them.
That might have
seemed
like an arrogant
statement---I
assure you, it's
not from a
position of
strength or
confidence that
I write, but
from a position
of weakness and
willing
vulnerability.
So, anyway, this blog
caught my eye
this morning
because of
references to
John Eldredge
and others...
even Bill
Gothard and Rick
Warren.
You may know
that I have been
cautious of the
ministries of
the latter two
and am ambivalent
in some ways
regarding the
former. I
think everyone
who likes John Eldredge
probably, like
me, is willing
to overlook some
of the skewed
theological
positions or
suppositions he
takes or makes.
So, then, I
smiled as I read
his assessment
that Eldredge
builds his
foundation from
the particular
and makes his
theology revolve
around that
assumption.
David Wayne
the "jollyblogger"
asserts that John Eldredge builds
from a
"controlling
paradigm."
Though, John Eldredge
does, in fact,
have something
going for him
and his appeal
is
understandable.
Men want to be
manly and women
want manly
men----no matter
how much it's
perpetuated that
women want soft,
tender,
sensitive,
kinder-gentler
men.
Women need to
know their
husband or
father will be
survivors,
they'll be
protectors, that
they'll come
through.
As Eldredge states in
one of his
books, "...the
Christian male
of today seems
to think that
the epitome of
being a
Christian man is
to become a kind
of Mr. Rogers
type character -
the meek and
mild guy who
wouldn't hurt a
fly. Eldredge
says that the
William Wallace
type of
Braveheart, or
the Maximus
character in
Gladiator is a
better role
model." Now,
who'd argue with
that---well,
perhaps lots of
people but the
problem is, that
Eldredge builds
on that premise
rather than
concluding or
drawing that
premise from the
Word of God.
I noted that
David Wayne
included some
thoughts on
others who build
on this same
method. He said
in his blog:
"Many years ago
I heard someone
ask John
MacArthur what
he thought about
the ministry of
Bill Gothard.
MacArthur said
that one of
Gothard's main
problems is that
he generalizes
from the
particular."
He then
appropriately
noted that we
all do this...
we tend to build
our position
from *our*
perspective,
don't we?
Eldredge's work does,
though, tend to
push a man to
decision, to
action, to take
a stand. I
think that's the
appeal he has
to both men and
women.
That's the
anecdotal sort
of evidence upon
which his
"theological"
foundation is
laid and which
is, I'd say, the
same approach
Bill Gothard
takes for many
of his "basic
principles."
Well, you can be
sure this is
going to be
twisted...
'seems that
Michael Reagan
will be a guest
speaker at the
Republican
National
Convention which
begins at the
end of the
month. Any
speech he might
give will likely
be far different
than that of his
brother, Ron,
who addressed
the DNC a couple
of weeks ago.
I was amazed
listening to Ron
Reagan; he so
smoothly and
succinctly gave
what was
tantamount to
and
end-all-be-all,
cure-all source
for health: stem
cell research.
I comment on
this because of
the nature of
his talk, he
inferred that
the cures were
already present,
that these cures
might be
prevented or
blocked because
of people who
care more about
their
theological
positions than
the health and
well-being of
the American
people.
Such emotionally
laced charges
make it hard to
disagree with
the man---but
wait! He's
talking about
creating life to
kill it to
*attempt* to
give better
quality life to
others.
Inferred is that
if you're
against such a
noble effort and
such sincere
intentions, then
you're a self
righteous
ignoramus.
But what about
life? What
about the
sanctity of
life? A
society that
uses life to
form a spare
parts banking
system of sorts
is a sin-sick
society.
It seems that
all the
commotion over
same s-x
"marriage" and
the ridiculous
illegal actions
and judicial
misconduct is
really an
attempt of the
enemy to just
wear down the
opponents.
That's the way
the enemy seems
to work---erode
the resolve,
break down the
barriers little
by little until
the sin
inundates and
pollutes the
society.
The unthinkable
becomes the
assumed
behaviour and
that behaviour
becomes the norm
and normative
behaviour
becomes a force
to be reckoned.
Amazingly, the
actual numbers
of the group in
question are
proportionately
small---but like
"movie-stars"
who set trends
and social
agendas, the
numbers are
proving to not
need great
quantity to have
great sway in
some arenas and
*appear* to have
greater
influence than
actually do.
I think of it
like the tooth
ache that can
render a man
incompetent to
function---a
very small area
of decay
bringing down an
otherwise
healthy,
exuberant man.
Indeed, that's
what sin does.
My friend told
me:
The difference
between "inside
the box" and
"outside the
box" is that
outside the box
is bigger.
Hmmmm...
I'm thinking on
that one,
tonight.
Well, that, and
I am hearing
lots of noise
from the
"Freedom Fest"
a christian
concert of
sorts.
I was
going to
link to the
promoter's
website---but,
then, I thought:
uh-no, I don't
think so.
I mull over in
my mind: what
would the LORD
Jesus think
about being
taken to a
"concert" about
Him that [to me]
seems like
nothing about
Him and
everything about
the world.
So, then...
another: Hmmmmm.
August 11,
2004 Sometimes,
thinking
"outside the
box" means one
needs to *be*
outside the box
to *think*
outside the box.
But there's an
element of risk
and fear outside
the box---for
the box itself
provides a
measure of
safety and
predictability .
We all tend to
prefer the
secure and
conventional to
the
vulnerability of
the uncertain.
To me, that's
the huge
difference
between the
institutional or
traditional
"church" and
gatherings of
believers who
fellowship
outside the
structure.
Meeting house to
house or
"outside the
box" is
diametrically
opposite the
structure of the
institution---and
yet very much
potentially the
same---if (like
in some home
schools) the
believers
attempt to
duplicate the
system on a very
small scale.
Outside the box
requires a
different kind
of walk, a
different
application of
faith.
'Just happened
to be at home on
Sunday
morning---I
listened to a
sermon on the
radio
(University
Presbyterian
Church -
Seattle) and
marveled at his
comments and the
Scripture that
he was using as
his text.
He emphasized
that the Lord
does not dwell
in tents made by
men's hands---he
said it's not
buildings but a
walk with God---fellowcitizens
with the
saints...
builded together
for an
habitation of
God through the
Spirit.
God cannot be
contained in a
building.
(Ephesians 2) He
continued on,
exhorting the
willingness to
participate in
God's divine
plan. I
then began to
think on the
text of the
previous chapter
in Ephesians
(1.22-23) what
God has done:
"And hath put
all things under
his feet, and
gave him to be
the head over
all things to
the
church,
Which is his
body, the
fullness of him
that filleth all
in all."
But the
Christian
"church" doesn't
look much like
this today, does
it?! But
what we seek...
in meeting
together house
to house---what
we long for and
do seek: Christ:
the Head of the
church: filling
all in all: our
Rock and
Redeemer.
That's outside
the box thinking
and, my-o-my,
it's a very open
and vulnerable
place to be.
True fellowship
is great and
sweet;
opposition is
strong. We
see that, more
and more, we are
understanding
why it's easier
to stay in the
box. But
to do that would
be a fatal move.
Christ is the
Head of the
church---believers
across the
world: His body,
the fullness of
Him that fills
all in all.
Where is and
what is
the church?
I need to
add a disclaimer
of sorts as my
thoughts may
appear critical,
judgmental or
even
mean-spirited
*against* the
"church."
I don't believe
that people in
the system are
unbelieving, nor
do I think that
people in the
system are
necessarily
there because
they *want* to
be. In
fact, I think
that being a
very hard worker
in the system
demonstrates a
sincere desire
to obey the Word
and follow the
LORD---the
system works
best that way.
But when we take
a look at the
Scriptures, we
don't see a
system, we see
Christ. We
don't see
hierarchy, we
see Christ.
We don't see
programs,
methods,
amusements,
seeker-sensitive
evangelism,
etc., etc.
We see the work
of Christ, the
Holy Spirit at
work, the Word
of God: sharper
than any
two-edged sword.
God doesn't need
gimmicks or
games or
flashy-worldly
youth programs
any other thing
man devises to
build His
church.
There is
generally enough
in the "system"
to warrant
remaining, for
those who
remain.
After all,
where the Spirit
of the Lord is
there is love
and I believe
it's that love
that keeps
people in even
flawed systems.
2Corinthians
3.17 "Now the
Lord is that
Spirit: and
where the Spirit
of the Lord is,
there is
liberty."
One of the
things I most
pray for lately
is that sweet
liberty---liberty
to love and walk
with the LORD
and to walk with
believers inside
and outside the
system.
I'm seeing this
is easier said
than done
because
believers *in*
the system are
at odds with
believers
*outside* the
system and too
much time has to
be spent on
defending either
position.
Whether
conscious or
not, the system
divides
believers---though
those *in* the
system think
it's those
*outside* the
system that
cause the
division.
But again, where
the Spirit of
the LORD is
there is
liberty.
Liberty is
sweet. Now
my prayer is
that liberty
will be sweet
for everyone.
This liberty is
not always
smooth, not
always
beautiful, not
polished, not
predictable, not
definitive, not
always
comfortable, or
a hundred other
things that seem
to be integral
parts of the
system.
But---this
liberty *is*
total dependence
on the LORD of
Lords.
Andrew's
Sixth
Birthday
-
Cupcakes
&
Peanut
butter
Pies!
And
a
rarity,
to
have
all
the
family
home
*and*
remember
to
have
a
picture
taken!
Here,
our
11
children,
our
daughter
in
law
(pregnant!),
2
grandchildren
and
Michael's
friend
Lindsay.
Now...
to
have
everyone
*looking!*
would
be
neat,
too! |
The
Lord
has
been
very
merciful
to
us
all. |
August 10,
2004 That story in
Women's
Wallstreet
has now become a
four part
article
regarding
"Terror in the
Skies."
Others have
taken note of
this and have
added stories of
their own.
A recent
Newsmax article
indicates this
is happening
nation wide.
Problem is, some
of the warnings
are seen as
political
smokescreens or
convenient ploys
of the Bush
Administration---nothing
would be
surprising in an
election
year---however,
the fact is
politics or no,
terrorism exists
and whether the
cautions or
alerts are for
political gain
or are
authentic, it's
not worth the
gamble to write
them off.
Obviously the
enemy knows
this, but more,
the enemy will
not be appeased
and this isn't a
political war.
Jihad [Robert
Spencer;
Islam Unveiled]
is not about
what goes on in
this country and
our puny
election, it's
about radical
Islam's
determination to
destroy the West
and advance the
agenda of
destruction and
of bringing the
world into
subjection.
When
tempted to go
off the deep end
over all the
political
fiasco's from
terrorism,
elections,
judicial tyranny,
even to local land
use, I'm mindful
of the
Scripture:
"And he changeth the
times and
the seasons:
he removeth
kings, and
setteth up
kings: he
giveth
wisdom unto
the wise,
and
knowledge to
them that
know
understanding:
He revealeth
the deep and
secret
things: he
knoweth what
is in the
darkness,
and the
light
dwelleth
with him."
Daniel
2.21-22
It's so easy to
get caught up in
all of it, to
consider the
issues and
determine to "do
something" about
them. What
really can be
done?
Calling or
writing has
seemed to have
little to no
effect on the
minds of the
representatives
whose minds are
set on their
course and whose
eyes seem
blinded by
personal gain
and ignorant of
Spiritual Truth.
Interestingly,
when moral
absolutes are
presented, it
seems those who
present them are
labeled
intolerant are
the only ones
held to a
standard.
And so...
prayer.
Pray---pray the
God of all
knowledge, the
God of all
comfort, the God
of the beginning
and of the end
will be merciful
and save our
nation.
Allegiance to
God and prayer
for His purposes
to be
accomplished
seem to be the
only actions
worth
pursuing---inherent
in both is
faithfulness to
Him and
acknowledging
His purposes in
all things.
Had a
nice note from a
reader regarding
the Constitution
Party as I had
commented on the Dems and
Republicans
yesterday.
I was trying to
recall the name
of a local
candidate
running in the
Constitution
Party a few
years ago.
I'll have to do
some reading.
I often wonder
if this country
will ever be
more than a two
party
legislature or a
plurality of
parties in the
system?
August 9,
2004 Another special
day at our
house... another
birthday: today
Andrew is six!
Well, I'm
actually sort of
glad that I
wasn't blogging
during our stay
in California
over the last
couple of weeks.
Had I blogged,
you'd have
gotten a really
odd slant of the
Democrat
convention.
Ahhh... my first
of a litany of
pet peeves:
Democratic.
Democrat-Democrat-Democrat...
I see nothing
that resonates
democratic at
all. But
lest I appear to
be against
Democrats and
therefore
aligned with
Republicans, I
am neither.
Though I am, in
this state, a
registered
Republican.
Unlike the news
stations I
listen to at
home, I listened
to or watched
television which
to my dismay was
a lot of
sludgeovision.
I think the most
disconcerting
was the speech
by former
(impeached)
president
Clinton.
It's hard to
believe that
just a few weeks
previous, this
same man who
received high
accolades for
the convention
speech, had been
interviewed and
asked why he did
what he did
[affairs] and he
had replied:
"Because I
could." ---this
same man was
being lauded as
such a great
orator and
communicator.
Thus proving the
pride of life
and the ends
justifying the
means.
Acclaimed for
his speech,
Clinton was
reveling in the
moment and
amazingly, like
John Kerry,
talked of
"Washington" as
if it were a
person or a
place he'd never
known or
occupied.
Amidst the
clapping, I
wondered (aloud)
where have these
people been?
Seems John Kerry
is condemning
Bush for
continuing to
read to school
children and for
his six minute
delay in
responding to
the aid advising
him that America
had been
attacked on
September 11,
2001.
Nevermind that
he, himself had
apparently sat
in a daze for
seven times that
long on the same
morning.
He's getting
plenty of
opportunity to
practice the
posturing role
and
the face of biz
as usual
while behind the
scenes a whole
lot of
communication/protection/surveillance
is going on!
O, see all the
rhetoric and
smearing... most
amazing that the
loudest
contenders or
defenders are
people who spend
their whole
lives playing
fictional
characters or
impersonating
others.
more later...
August 7, 2004
Too much
sorting to blog.
Sorting socks,
sorting laundry,
sorting
newsbytes,
sorting
thoughts,
sorting plans...
August 6,
2004
This,
floating about
in the mail, is
a copy of part
of an address attributed to
Bill Gates to the
graduating class
of Mount Whitney
High School,
Visalia,
California.
After driving
through the
valley of
central
California
(where Visalia
is located) last
week, I imagine
they'd be
ecstatic if Bill
Gates ever
visited them...
but then, had he
really visited
the school, he'd
have referenced
farming, not
"burger
flipping" when
commenting on
opportunity in
that area---and
in reality, this
whole speech
sure doesn't
sound like Gatespeak
or geekspeak or
nerdspeak at
all.
Rule No. 1: Life is not fair. Get used to it. The average teen-ager uses the phrase "It's not fair" 8.6 times a day. You got it from your parents, who said it so often you decided they must be the most idealistic generation ever. When they started hearing it from their own kids, they realized Rule No. 1.
Rule No. 2: The real world won't care as much about your self-esteem as much as your school does. It'll expect you to accomplish something before you feel good about yourself. This may come as a shock. Usually, when inflated self-esteem meets reality, kids complain that it's not fair. (See Rule No. 1)
Rule No. 3: Sorry, you won't make $40,000 a year right out of high school. And you won't be a vice president or have a car phone either. You may even have to wear a uniform that doesn't have a Gap label.
Rule No. 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait 'til you get a boss. He doesn't have tenure, so he tends to be a bit edgier. When you screw up, he's not going to ask you how you feel about it.
Rule No. 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping. They called it opportunity. They weren't embarrassed making minimum wage either. They would have been embarrassed to sit around talking about Kurt Cobain all weekend.
Rule No. 6: It's not your parents' fault. If you screw up, you are responsible. This is the flip side of "It's my life," and "You're not the boss of me," and other eloquent proclamations of your generation. When you turn 18, it's on your dime. Don't whine about it, or you'll sound like a baby boomer.
Rule No. 7: Before you were born your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way paying your bills, cleaning up your room and listening to you tell them how idealistic you are. And by the way, before you save the rain forest from the blood-sucking parasites of your parents' generation, try delousing the closet in your bedroom.
Rule No. 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers. Life hasn't. In some schools, they'll give you as many times as you want to get the right answer. Failing grades have been abolished and class valedictorians scrapped, lest anyone's feelings be hurt. Effort is as important as results. This, of course, bears not the slightest resemblance to anything in real life. (See Rule No. 1, Rule No. 2 and Rule No. 4.)
Rule No. 9: Life is not divided into semesters, and you don't get summers off. Not even Easter break. They expect you to show up every day. For eight hours. And you don't get a new life every 10 weeks. It just goes on and on. While we're at it, very few jobs are interested in fostering your self-expression or helping you find yourself. Fewer still lead to self-realization. (See Rule No. 1 and Rule No. 2.)
Rule No. 10: Television is not real life. Your life is not a sitcom. Your problems will not all be solved in 30 minutes, minus time for commercials. In real life, people actually have to leave the coffee shop to go to jobs. Your friends will not be as perky or pliable as Jennifer Aniston.
Rule No. 11: Be nice to nerds. You may end up working for them. We all could.
According to Snopes:
"No,
this list didn't originate with Microsoft head Bill Gates. This is much like the speech attributed to Kurt Vonnegut in 1998. The Internet was swept with a narrative that has come to be known as the
sunscreen speech. That work of inventive fiction was actually the product of Chicago Tribune writer Mary Schmich."
This list is the work of Charles J. Sykes, author of the book Dumbing Down Our Kids: Why American Children Feel Good About Themselves But Can't Read, Write, Or Add. ...Many versions of this list omit the last three rules:
Rule No. 12: Smoking does not make you look cool. It makes you look moronic. Next time you're out cruising, watch an 11-year-old with a butt in his mouth. That's what you look like to anyone over 20. Ditto for "expressing yourself" with purple hair and/or pierced body parts.
Rule No. 13: You are not immortal. (See Rule No. 12.) If you are under the impression that living fast, dying young and leaving a beautiful corpse is romantic, you obviously haven't seen one of your peers at room temperature lately.
Rule No. 14: Enjoy this while you can. Sure parents are a pain, school's a bother, and life is depressing. But someday you'll realize how wonderful it was to be a kid. Maybe you should start now. You're welcome.
"Advice columnist Ann Landers has printed the first ten items (uncredited) several times, and the list has been used by radio commentator Paul Harvey. The prize for misattribution, however, has to go to The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, which printed the list twice in three weeks in mid-2000, the first time crediting it to "Duluth state Rep. Brooks Coleman of Duluth," and the second time to Bill Gates.
"
|
August 5, 2004
Finally bloggin'
after a
wonderful trip
to California...
seeing friends
and family,
celebrating
Jennifer's
graduation from
the Orange
County Sheriff's
Academy, and
seeing lots of
old favourite
sites!
Glad we're back
home... and
getting back
into normal
living in the
real world! ;-)
More tomorrow...
for now, here're
a few snaps of
the days in
California.
It was
beautiful.
|