Do Not Offend One of These Little Ones

posted by Esther on 02/6/10

Its great to be in the schools again! This session I have also been taking training which has been very helpful and improved my teaching skills. During training one Monday afternoon, Amy read this to us and it renewed my vision for the work here. It discribes our work well. Think of a child whose life you are touching as you read the following:

“When a boy or girl thrusts his small hand into yours, it may be smeared with chocolate ice cream, or grimy from petting a dog; and there may be a wart under the right thumb or a bandage around a little finger. But the most important thing about his hands is that they are the hands of the future. These hands are the hands that someday may hold a Bible or a Colt revolver; play the church piano or spin a gambling wheel; gently dress a leper’s wound, or tremble wretchedly, uncontrolled by an alcoholic mind. Right now that hand is YOURS. It asks for help and guidance. It represents a full-fledged personality in miniature to be respected as a separate individual whose day-by-day growth in Christian adulthood is your responsibility."

Wow. Lord, be our Guide!

2 Comments » | posted in Family News

The Faith of Washington, from the Desk of Washington

posted by Donald on 02/4/10

No People can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible Hand, which conducts the Affairs of men more than the People of the United States. Every step, by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation, seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency. And in the important revolution just accomplished in the system of their United Government, the tranquil deliberations and voluntary consent of so many distinct communities, from which the event has resulted, cannot be compared with the means by which most Governments have been established …”

-George Washington, April 30, 1789

First Inaugural Address

for his Fellow Citizens of the Senate and the House of Representatives

(Second paragraph)

1 Comment » | posted in Historical Glimpses

Pic of the Month: January ‘10

posted by James on 01/31/10

Nope, I haven’t forgotten about posting the Pics of the Month! I just figured it would be better to post them on the last day of the month instead of the first; that way, each picture will actually have something in common with the month it’s supposed to represent. When December rolls around, how can I post a picture of the spectacular fall foliage I shot in November? In March, are we are not slightly tired of seeing the glistening snow of February? It can now just as well be the Pic from the Month as it is a Pic of the Month.

Moonlit Midnight

Every year, it has been a goal for me to get a new, cozy picture of our house nestled in the Appalachian foothills of West Virginia at wintertime. You know, it’s like getting a family picture. Sometimes there is never a good snowfall, so you have to get creative. But this year, there was the most phenomenal combination of environmental elements I had heretofore experienced: a full moon hanging in a partly cloudy sky spread out over a charming landscape blanketed in deep snow. Completely enchanted. The last time I ever remember a similar combination (that met my standard of perfection) was seven years ago. Seven years ago! The fact that the temperature was in the teens that night didn’t deter me from venturing out into the dreamy wonderland.

Using a tripod was essential. Turning on all the lights inside the house helped it to look extra cozy. A wide angle lens reached into the sky to lasso in the moon. And a little processing in Photoshop developed the sky, making it look exactly as it did on that glorious, enchanted, moonlit midnight.

9 Comments » | posted in Photography

Update from Indy

posted by James on 01/29/10

The Father’s Conference here at the Indianapolis Training Center is progressing very well! It is quite exciting that Robert, Esther, Daniel and myself have been able to help out, from washing dishes and preparing food to running video cameras and manning book tables. It’s a first for all four of us to be working on the same Conference together, and we are greatly enjoying it! Please pray that the truth would continue to be spoken and that these mighty leaders of the future would be encouraged and equipped to be a Psalm 112 father:

“Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD,
that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
His seed shall be mighty upon earth:
the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
Wealth and riches shall be in his house:
and his righteousness endureth for ever.
Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness:
he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth:
he will guide his affairs with discretion.
Surely he shall not be moved for ever:
the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
He shall not be afraid of evil tidings:
his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is established, he shall not be afraid,
until he see his desire upon his enemies.
He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor;
his righteousness endureth for ever;
his horn shall be exalted with honour.
The wicked shall see it, and be grieved;
he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away:
the desire of the wicked shall perish.”
~ Psalm 112:1-10

10 Comments » | posted in Family News

Our Walls Can Declare the Glory of God: a Picture with a Story

posted by Donald on 01/28/10

Wall space is wonderful space. In Israel the Ten Commandments were placed on the doorposts, which, like walls, are conspicuous places that children and adults would both see often. I also remember the story of a widow whose husband and sons were all lost at sea. Even when her youngest son grew up, he too wanted to be a sailor. Trying to dissuade her resolute son she finally asked him what motivated him so strongly. He pointed to a picture on the wall that he and his brothers had beheld often: a picture of a beautiful ship at sea.

Here at home Dad and Mom have hung a lot of our pictures and this January picture-hanging was one of the first things we did when we had a free weekend. There was one picture however that was not of our own making.

On my next-to-last evening in Chaojhou, Taiwan, a Taiwanese teacher painted an original picture in the traditional Chinese style, titling it with his signature, stamp, the date, and my life verse, Matthew 6:26. From there I rolled it up and carried it on the train, through the rigor and heat of summer camps, and finally on the long trip home in August. Mom had been waiting to see it in it’s place on the wall ever since.

Using another scroll of tapestry material and an adhesive similar to Elmer’s glue, we found a way to hang it, completing the project last night. It is hanging up now. It is a tribute to the birds and plum tree blossoms in Taiwan and also to a friend who would not let me leave without a gift. Most importantly, it “pictures” the wondrous way God uses His Word, creation, and our common interests and skills as a daily reminder of His glory.