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posted by Daniel on 03/29/09

Have you ever gotten lost while trying to read through Leviticus and Numbers? You dutifully stumble through your three chapters for the day, only to close your Bible wondering, “What was all that about?” Me too! I knew God included them for a purpose, but I would always seem to get hung up on all those bewildering details and specific descriptions of just exactly how God wanted the Tabernacle to be.

Last weekend our family had a great vacation to Pennsylvania for a visit with our Aunt Judy and Uncle Wayne. We had a blast playing pool, ping-pong, foosball, basketball, celebrating Grandpa’s birthday, and enjoying Aunt Judy’s delectable meals. On our way home we stopped at Cacapon State Park for an inspirational outdoor Sunday Service with several other homeschooled families.

But a highlight of the trip for me was Saturday, when our Aunt and Uncle took us on a nearby tour of a replica of the Old Testament Tabernacle. It was much simpler than I thought! Unfortunately photography was not allowed inside, but we all now have a clear mental picture of the brasen altar, the golden candlestick, the Ark of the Covenant, the veil which set apart the Holy of Holies, and the overall size of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. We were blessed with an excellent tour guide who made learning about the significance of each item in the Tabernacle a fun experience, and who even took the time to answer our personal questions. The tour totally transformed my perspective of the Tabernacle! Now I am looking forward to reading the Old Testament, because I have the bigger picture and will be able to appreciate better the precise instructions God gave for building, using, and maintaining His holy habitation, as well as the symbolism it holds for our bodies as tabernacles of the Holy Spirit.

8 Comments » | posted in Family News

posted by Daniel on 10/14/08

Who likes books on theology? Long discourses on religious beliefs always seemed boring and needless to me. However, in Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis takes the ordinary Christian doctrines we are all familiar with and expounds on them in a fascinating and exciting new way. He offers rational explanations for why things are as they are, and proposes Christianity is the only valid answer to life’s questions. The books forces those who are undecided about Christianity to face the facts and either accept Christ or reject Him. But it is also excellent for those who already believe, because it helps them to understand more fully the basic principles of their faith and share them persuasively with others.

Mere Christianity challenged me to take my personal convictions seriously. What do I believe? Why? It also opened my eyes to the effectiveness of using analogies and illustrations to get points across and make them more interesting to others. I especially appreciate how C. S. Lewis used his literary expertise to explain magnificent truths so clearly.

“Look for yourself, and you will find in the long run only hatred, loneliness, despair, rage, ruin, and decay. But look for Christ and you will find Him, and with Him everything else thrown in.”

Author: C. S. Lewis
Publisher: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc.
Date: 1952
Genre: Theology

7 Comments » | posted in Book Reports

posted by Daniel on 09/2/08

We could not believe it was already time to leave! The six days with the Van Essens had been full of fun and activity, and, as is the case any time you visit good friends of like faith, the time had flown by.
We were so thankful for the encouragement, fellowship, and hospitality the Van Essen family had shared with us, along with a glimpse of the beauty and majesty of Ontario.

But as we packed up the van and said our final farewells, we had one last adventure to look forward to. Just before crossing the border into the United States, we stopped to see Niagara Falls. As we approached we could hear the thunder of the water crashing over the falls in the distance. Drawing nearer, the magnificent view opened up before us, and we soon understood why this is such a popular tourist attraction. We made sure to  get a family picture since all 10 of us were there.

Our entire family being together and the drenching spray, cool steady breeze, and breath-taking view all combined to provide a spectacular climax to a fabulous family vacation!

7 Comments » | posted in Family News

posted by Daniel on 05/19/08

Recently David, Jonathan, Michael, Esther, and I went on a short fishing trip with the Elliots and Pitcocks, two other families in our home school group. This event was unique because, believe it or not, it was the first time I had ever been fishing!

Though the weather seemed a little chilly at first, it
turned out to be an excellent day for fishing. After Mr. Pitcock, an experienced fisherman, explained the basics and got me started, I threw my first cast into the lake. From watching everyone else it had looked simple, but I soon began to see how much “skill” there really is to fishing. My first cast splashed into the water just a few feet from shore. I couldn’t help but think how silly it must have looked, and quickly began reeling in the line before anyone could see what I had done. However, I suddenly noticed it was becoming harder to pull in. To my surprise, I found that in the few seconds the bait had been underwater a small bluegill had bitten the hook! “Beginner’s luck”, they say – but I think “beginner’s blessings” would be more accurate. That was definitely a memorable first catch.

Fishing with lights and nets is usually compared to witnessing, and
I’m sure there is an abundance of analogies which could be drawn to illustrate effective ways to share the Gospel. But Satan also is a fisher of men. While we were fishing, I couldn’t help but think how similar the lures we used were to his temptations. This was the first time I’d had a close look at the many different sizes and types of lures that are used to deceive the fish. Whereas younger, smaller fish may fall for a simple worm, it takes something larger and more deceptive to seduce a bass. Satan also has different temptations which he uses for separate purposes, and a variety of methods to employ on Christians of differing maturity levels. Sometimes the roaring lion adopts the garb of a fisher-man, and patiently waits along the shore, “seeking whom he may devour…”

When responding to the next temptation the
master deceiver dangles before us, may we look past the attractive lures he offers to the deadly consequences which lurk behind them.

2 Comments » | posted in Family News

posted by Daniel on 11/20/07

Hunting season has finally arrived. Knowing it is always wise to sight in your gun and check it out ahead of time, Dad decided to get our his muzzleloader, 44, and 308 last weekend for some target practice as a family. James and Dad made a target and nailed it up about 50 yards behind the barn. Then we opened fire!

Both Jonathan and David’s shots were remarkable! I didn’t really do that great, but overall everyone did very well. Dad and Michael agreed that of the 25 or so shots we fired, almost all of them would have brought down the deer.

We were all grateful for the opportunity to familiarize ourself with Dad’s firearms, prepare for hunting season, and just enjoy the thrill of pulling that trigger. We were also reminded of how fortunate we are to be able to exercise the freedom granted us in the 2nd amendment, and how thankful we should be for its supporters.

We are all itching to get out in the woods and do some real shooting!

2 Comments » | posted in Tidbits