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posted by David on 08/31/09

This month we gathered together for a special celebration  of a new stage of responsibility in my life. Prior to my manhood ceremony, Dad and I talked through the responsibility of being a young man. We also talked about some commitments which I made to guide me through my adult years. Some of these included the commitment to give a good report of people, to  court instead of date, to respect my body as a  temple of the Holy Spirit, and to respect authority.

On the morning of my manhood ceremony, Dad and I had just finished   reviewing my salvation testimony when suddenly I heard a great shout of exclamation coming from downstairs. Dad smiled and said "I think my friends are here. Why don’t you go meet them." I was quite puzzled by this and looked out the window and was completely taken by surprise to see Kenan and Joshua Wilkes! I was so honored that they had traveled all the way from VA for this special event. Other friends, family, and church family made me feel so supported for which I am very grateful! Thank you everyone!

The Lord blessed us with good weather that afternoon at Sportsman’s Lake. I was baptized by Dad and Pastor Epling. What a privilege and honor to be identified with Christ as I enter manhood.

5 Comments » | posted in Family News

posted by Donald on 08/28/09

In a speech by Bill Federer I was reminded of the unique ways in which the Christian world view balances freedom and responsibility.

1. According the Christian world view, rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are granted by the Creator rather than on human authority alone. Therefore we are accountable (responsible) to Him.
2. According to the Christian world view, we are made in the image of God and have every reason for equality. Therefore we are responsible for our treatment of others.
3. According to the Christian world view, we may be encouraged to govern ourselves from within before it becomes necessary to be governed from without. Therefore we are responsible for ourselves–in every word, thought, action, attitude and motive.

Truly freedom is not the license to do as I please. It is the power to do as I ought. Picture living in that kind of freedom and imagine for one instant YOUR lifetime lived entirely upon the power to do the things you know you ought to do. God gives us that power in Jesus Christ.

Our founding fathers stated their definition of liberty often. Even Plato, though he failed in many ways to live up to it himself, said that “self-conquest is the greatest of victories”. Edmund Burke who from England objectively witnessed the French Revolution, made this summary statement “But what is liberty without wisdom, and without virtue? It is the greatest of all possible evils; for it is folly …”

Therefore, as long as our freedom remains and there is life in our limbs let us take seriously the words of another man who was an eyewitness in the first churches both of the fruits of liberty and the grip of license. Paul wrote: Brethren, you have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another (Galatians 5:13).

4 Comments » | posted in Family News

posted by Michael on 08/25/09

The most obvious problem with all this “health care reform” or “health insurance reform” stuff is that that there is no possible way the government can pay for it. Creating a commission of “health experts” to oversee Medicare might squeeze out a couple billion dollars of waste to help out, but that’s not much compared to the trillion required. “Spend more money.” That’s getting to be an awfully overused solution to a problem that didn’t really originate from a lack of money. The government can’t keep just giving everybody what they want.

But the deeper problem with the whole thing is more government control. I don’t want the government to force me to get insurance if I don’t want it. I don’t want the government to mandate what has to be covered. I don’t want an assigned doctor deciding what services I am to receive. If the government can mandate what’s in a basic care package, what will stop their intentions of mandating something that is morally wrong in the future?

We might need change: if people are going to get better care, we’re going to have to come up with more caring people; people who will follow their consciences and live by the Golden Rule that Christ gave us rather than a sole motivation for money. America, if we give Uncle Sam a grip on health care, we’re just making the hole in the dyke a little bigger once again. It is not wise to put your trust in man for help.

5 Comments » | posted in Politics

posted by Mom on 08/24/09

Ring! Ring! “Hello, yes, Dad, we have to eat at 5:00 so that we can meet Don at 6:15 and Judy at 6:30 because the program is at 7:00 and Chris will be disappointed if we aren’t there!”

“Are you sure you can be here by 5:00?  It is 4:15 right now.”

“No problem, Dad.  I’ll call Evelyn and tell her to be at your house at 5:00 too.”

Where did the time go?  I thought I had all afternoon! How can I  have the promised dessert (rhubarb crunch) ready in 15 minutes?  It would take 40 min. just to bake it.   Hum…  I’m glad Esther had diced some fresh rhubarb and made granola before she left for Virginia.  I will make rhubarb sauce!  We can pour it over ice cream and sprinkle the granola on top!

Here is the rhubarb sauce recipe.  It is also very good on plain yogurt, topped with granola.

Combine 3½ cups of diced rhubarb, 1 cup sugar, and 2 T. of orange juice.  Let stand 10 minutes.  Stir, cover, heat to simmer.  Cook, stirring several times.  Increase heat slightly as juice cooks out, until rhubarb is tender but not mushy.  Serve warm or cold.

We were late for Chris’ program but not because of a late meal!  We ate our supper on time!

6 Comments » | posted in Recipes

posted by Donald on 08/21/09

Some tasks are time-consuming, others are not. Some require concentrated planning and effort, others are better accomplished day by day over a long period. Some are hard, some are easy. Some are indoors, some are outdoors.  Some bring about visible changes that you love to look back on, others tend to be less appreciated.

One job that came up was particularly time-consuming, and less visibly-appreciable. However, the longer it was put off the more problematic it would become. The job was … digging up a tree–two trees actually.

Trees of Heaven have little practical connection with their name; almost a counterpart to the betel nut tree in Taiwan; a weed disguised as a tree. It’s roots grow long and break easily. Thus even when it is uprooted the risk remains that a new tree will sprout from one small root left behind. Thoroughness is required.

As I worked on this project, I knew it would be worth it all in the end because a few days labor now was going to save many days later. I also thought about the root of bitterness. It too requires great pains to uproot. May I encourage you to uproot that evil tree with thoroughness whatever the cost.

When the task was completed to my satisfaction I snapped a couple pictures before filling in the holes, gathering the tools and leaving the woods for the last time. Back at the house, no beautiful landscaping could be seen–but things were different. There was simply the peace of knowing that no longer did the deceptive Tree of Heaven have a root. It had been taken care of.

Thoroughness

Knowing what factors will diminish

the effectiveness of my work or words

if neglected.

7 Comments » | posted in Possessing the Land