Wednesday, December 10, 2014

3,125 miles

We recently made a trip back east. We enjoyed a little time with some family and friends and spent a lot of time on the roads, as you can see by the title. We just couldn't see everyone we should have visited.

One of our first stops was the John Deere Pavilion in Moline, IL.

We also enjoyed some time at the Creation Museum.
Unfortunately I did not get pictures of the children with their cousins, but we did visit them.  After almost two years it was a real blessing to be with our good friends the Bradfords.  We even got to listen in on a hand-bell practice session. 
I did remember to get a picture of Thanksgiving dinner with Philip, Amrie and their children.  We enjoyed the day together in the home of some friends.  They were away but had graciously allowed us the use of their house. 
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
I Chronicles 16:34

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Autumn

A few pictures of Ezra enjoying the Autumn afternoon.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Dad and Mom

It was so nice to see my parents again after almost a year. I was very busy with work while they were here and didn't think to take many pictures, but we did get a good one of each of them with Ezra.
 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children.
Psalm 103:17

Friday, September 5, 2014

Wise or foolish? (part 3)

Foolishness (afrosunh) = senselessness, recklessness.  While some would see this word used in Mark 7:23 to be equivalent to boasting, I concur with Matthew Henry that “because it is here joined with pride; I rather take it for that rashness in speaking and acting, which is the cause of so much evil”. We could say that the original word is summed up in the word “rashness” (i.e., uncontrolled actions, attitudes, thoughts and words).  It is part of sinful, human nature to live by feelings, rather than thoughtfulness.  Far too many think and act according to their feelings,  never stopping long enough to evaluate themselves; never considering what the result will be of their current actions.   As I mentioned before, many would see their actions, the words they speak, and the songs they sing as silly or fun, but bearing in mind the outcome, a different light may be cast on the things that we allow.

I’m not talking about a long-faced, down-in-the mouth, dreary, no laughter religion!  I am blessed with friends who are truly Christ-like, and they are some of the most joyful, content, happy people on the planet!

What I am talking about, though, are religious people who excuse their foolishness by saying, “Hey, God expects us to enjoy life!”  But when you get to know them you realize that “enjoying life” is an endless string of jokes, a get-together where there is a lot of good food, uncontrolled action in order to get people to laugh, and the list goes on….!


For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.  
I Corinthians 3:19

Friday, August 29, 2014

What will they say about me or you?

This morning I was meditating on the life of Job.  The writer says that he was blameless and upright.  Job honored and worshiped God and kept himself away from evil.  If someone were writing our story could they say that of us?

Job lived thousands of years before Christ.   Is there an excuse or reason in the world why we can’t live like Job or better yet like Christ?

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.
I Peter 2:21

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Wise or foolish? (part 2)

What do the following words have in common?

Stupid, absurd, silly, insane, reckless, ignorant, rash, wicked

You’re right if you said that they are some of the English adjectives which are used to try to capture what the original Greek words “fool”, “foolish”, and “foolishness” meant.  Many of us are very aware that the Bible has a lot to say about the wise person and the fool, but sometimes with familiarity there is vagueness.  Do any of the words above describe some of our thoughts, attitudes, actions or words?


But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.  
James 3:17

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Wise or foolish?

Did you know that "foolishness" is listed together with adultery, murder, blasphemy and other sins?  (Mark 7:20-23)  According to verse twenty-three, foolishness is evil!  Possibly in a later post I'll define what foolishness is Biblically, but for now we can be sure it is the opposite of wisdom!

Consider this verse:  "Dead flies putrefy the perfumer's ointment, And cause it to give off a foul odor; So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor."  Ecclesiastes 10:1

Just a personal thought: there are some things that others would call silly or fun but may actually fall into the category of foolishness!

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.
I Corinthians 3:19

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Summer Evenings

There's something special about the end of day just as the sun slips low in the western sky (as long as the mosquitoes aren't too bad). I enjoy seeing the soft rays of light shining on the surrounding landscape.

Of course it's wonderful to fly a kite on a warm summer evening!
Sunsets are the "icing on the cake".
The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.  Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge.
Psalm 19:1-2

Thursday, July 3, 2014

The Little White Church in the Neighborhood

I recently had the privilege of speaking in this beautiful historic church.  It actually belongs to a museum now, but permission has been give to hold services there this summer.  It was originally built in the late 1800's, in the country, north of where it now sits in town.  Near it's inception the members were visited by circuit riding preachers.


Saturday, June 14, 2014

A Visit...

We were surprised this week to hear that Mr. and Mrs. Howard, our former Regional Director and wife, were in the area.  After more than a year it was a pleasure to be with them again and to have them in our home. 

The children were really excited to see the Howards again! 

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Friends

We were privileged to have the Gualts with us for a visit.  It's hard to believe it's been more than a year since we last saw them in Africa.  We really appreciate them coming a long distance just to be with us for about a day and a half.

"Friends are those rare people who ask how you are doing and then wait for the answer." Author Unknown

Sunday, April 13, 2014

This message a week late...

We are so blessed to have the children God has given us!  We simply can't believe that Isaac came along 11 years ago! May he continue to grow in the nurture and admonition of the Lord!

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Barn Boards

We brought a puzzle back with us from South Africa and wanted to frame it somehow.  After seeing all the old abandoned houses and barns in this area we decided to do a barn board frame.  It was my first attempt so it has some "issues" but overall it turned out alright.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Birthday Blessings

We are blessed with the gift of Ezra's life. We are blessed that he is healthy and strong. We are blessed that he can see. We are blessed that he has reached one year of life.


 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring. Isaiah 44:3

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

The Goal

"Few have a vision statement, a document that seeks to inspire the church [family] by drawing out truths from Scripture and showing how these truths should form the identity of the group and lead to Christ-honoring practice." Finny Kuruvilla

Friday, March 14, 2014

Last Year

I am in the process of sorting pictures....hundreds of them.  I saw this one from last summer that I never shared with anyone. Looking forward to summer!


Wednesday, March 12, 2014

RESULTS

Someone has said that "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results"

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
Galatians 6:7

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Reaching out...

"Is God bored, in you, because you never do anything He cares about?"  Daniel Esh

Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble... James 1:27a

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Is Life Difficult for You?

Though the fig tree may not blossom, 
Nor fruit be on the vines; 
Though the labor of the olive may fail, 
And the fields yield no food; 
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, 
And there be no herd in the stalls-

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, 
I will joy in the God of my salvation. 
The LORD God is my strength; 
He will make my feet like deer's feet, 
And He will make me walk on my high hills.

Habakkuk 3:17-19

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Creation

"God's works are so marvelous that the evolutionist has to say: 'Wow! It had to take billions of years!'" -James Susan

Psalm 111:2-3 The works of the LORD are great, Studied by all who have pleasure in them. His work is honorable and glorious,

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Ezra

Ezra is growing up!  I can't believe he will be one year old in a couple of months.  He is such a happy baby.