Saturday, February 28, 2009
The Death of the Ford Van
Jenette accidently found a telephone pole the hard way this morning. She was being careful on the snowy road, but she slipped off anyway. Life is rough sometimes. She walked away with a busted lip and a very distraught spirit. God took care of her, so I am very thankful. This has been a hard day.
Lessons in the Night Sky
"Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all He created." James 1:16-18
Jenette and I had our date today - we went to a workshop at a local tree nursery about growing fruit trees. We are looking forward to starting our journey with fruit trees. Our family can easily eat an entire case of apples in just one week, so a little family orchard is something we are wanting to get established. We are still wrestling with where and how to plant the trees - we essentially live on a classic Missouri glade, with little but rocks beneath the ground's surface.
While it is freezing cold tonight, just two days ago it was quite balmy. We took the opportunity to do some stargazing on Wednesday night. It was truly a perfect night - no wind, just a little cool, and a clear, moonless night. In fact, it was warm enough that we could hear spring peepers starting to sing their song for the first time this year. Hopefully all those little frogs won't freeze to death tonight.
One of the great things about living here at the camp is that there is a great place to observe the night sky - away from city lights and open enough to see the whole sky. It's on the south property, away from all the lights, out on the open glade that is only used as a cow pasture for right now.
We saw Orion so clearly - and Pleades as clear as I have ever seen. Canis Major (the Big Dog) is one that I have never noticed before, but we saw that one, as well as Cassiopeia and Ursa Major (and Minor) - We pointed out the North Star (Polaris), Sirius, and Venus - so bright that it dominated the sky. The Milky Way was bright and obvious - especially after we had been out there for an hour or so. Joel is our family's official science teacher (by popular vote and by expert status), so I let him do most of the instruction. The kids wanted to quote Psalm 19, so we did that. It was a beautiful night. To sit and consider the glories of the night sky is something that many people never do - yet it just shouts out the power of God and the smallness of people.
Joel told me a quote he read in a book or heard somewhere - that if you put three grains of sand into a cathedral, that the sand in the cathedral would be more dense in filling up the cathedral's space than all the known stars filling up the space of the universe. Of course the assumption there is that the universe has some limited, known space, which is little more than just a random guess by so called scientists.
We have a little book about space and stars that someone gave us, and it begins like this: "In the beginning, there was nothing..." Obviously, without any reference point or reality or truth, everything else in the book is questionable. Without Polaris being fixed in space as we look at it, it wouldn't have guided sailors and adventurers all over the world for hundreds - even thousands of years. Without a point of reference, there is no reality or truth to live by. The book might has well have started, "in the beginning, giant pink bunnies played basketball with plastic mannequin heads." Because if one ridiculous nonsense statement could be made, the option is left open for many others.
If I don't fix my life and the lives of my children on the one reference point - the reality of God and His interaction with us in His Word, then my children can and will believe anything about the world, themselves, and their interaction with God. Is it any wonder that our culture is so twisted, when we haven't pointed the next generation to their spiritual North Star?
Our culture is more like the thinking of a toddler, instead of being "mature and complete," as it says in James. One of the delightful things that happened the other night was that Josie found something and lovingly gave it to Jenette. (Well, actually, she threw it at Jenette). Josie has this fondness for finding random things and giving them to people. Sometimes, she throws it when she is trying to give it to us. She is always very excited about giving something to someone, so she almost squeals in happiness: "Hee, mommy," (or daddy, or whoever.) "Hee" in Josie-ese is translated into English as "Here."
So, out there in the dark, looking at the stars, Josie finds something, and being the very helpful little girl that she is, says "Hee, Mommy!" and tosses this thing at Jenette. Jenette is somewhat startled and dismayed to find that Josie had thrown a cowpie at her. After we turned on the flashlights to find the flung dung, Jenette's panic subsided when she realized that it was a fairly dry pie.
All the other kids and I were thankful that Josie had chosen her mother to endow with such a glorious gift.
Jenette and I had our date today - we went to a workshop at a local tree nursery about growing fruit trees. We are looking forward to starting our journey with fruit trees. Our family can easily eat an entire case of apples in just one week, so a little family orchard is something we are wanting to get established. We are still wrestling with where and how to plant the trees - we essentially live on a classic Missouri glade, with little but rocks beneath the ground's surface.
While it is freezing cold tonight, just two days ago it was quite balmy. We took the opportunity to do some stargazing on Wednesday night. It was truly a perfect night - no wind, just a little cool, and a clear, moonless night. In fact, it was warm enough that we could hear spring peepers starting to sing their song for the first time this year. Hopefully all those little frogs won't freeze to death tonight.
One of the great things about living here at the camp is that there is a great place to observe the night sky - away from city lights and open enough to see the whole sky. It's on the south property, away from all the lights, out on the open glade that is only used as a cow pasture for right now.
We saw Orion so clearly - and Pleades as clear as I have ever seen. Canis Major (the Big Dog) is one that I have never noticed before, but we saw that one, as well as Cassiopeia and Ursa Major (and Minor) - We pointed out the North Star (Polaris), Sirius, and Venus - so bright that it dominated the sky. The Milky Way was bright and obvious - especially after we had been out there for an hour or so. Joel is our family's official science teacher (by popular vote and by expert status), so I let him do most of the instruction. The kids wanted to quote Psalm 19, so we did that. It was a beautiful night. To sit and consider the glories of the night sky is something that many people never do - yet it just shouts out the power of God and the smallness of people.
Joel told me a quote he read in a book or heard somewhere - that if you put three grains of sand into a cathedral, that the sand in the cathedral would be more dense in filling up the cathedral's space than all the known stars filling up the space of the universe. Of course the assumption there is that the universe has some limited, known space, which is little more than just a random guess by so called scientists.
We have a little book about space and stars that someone gave us, and it begins like this: "In the beginning, there was nothing..." Obviously, without any reference point or reality or truth, everything else in the book is questionable. Without Polaris being fixed in space as we look at it, it wouldn't have guided sailors and adventurers all over the world for hundreds - even thousands of years. Without a point of reference, there is no reality or truth to live by. The book might has well have started, "in the beginning, giant pink bunnies played basketball with plastic mannequin heads." Because if one ridiculous nonsense statement could be made, the option is left open for many others.
If I don't fix my life and the lives of my children on the one reference point - the reality of God and His interaction with us in His Word, then my children can and will believe anything about the world, themselves, and their interaction with God. Is it any wonder that our culture is so twisted, when we haven't pointed the next generation to their spiritual North Star?
Our culture is more like the thinking of a toddler, instead of being "mature and complete," as it says in James. One of the delightful things that happened the other night was that Josie found something and lovingly gave it to Jenette. (Well, actually, she threw it at Jenette). Josie has this fondness for finding random things and giving them to people. Sometimes, she throws it when she is trying to give it to us. She is always very excited about giving something to someone, so she almost squeals in happiness: "Hee, mommy," (or daddy, or whoever.) "Hee" in Josie-ese is translated into English as "Here."
So, out there in the dark, looking at the stars, Josie finds something, and being the very helpful little girl that she is, says "Hee, Mommy!" and tosses this thing at Jenette. Jenette is somewhat startled and dismayed to find that Josie had thrown a cowpie at her. After we turned on the flashlights to find the flung dung, Jenette's panic subsided when she realized that it was a fairly dry pie.
All the other kids and I were thankful that Josie had chosen her mother to endow with such a glorious gift.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you
I have been memorizing 2 Timothy and studying it in the light of my role as a parent. I think that application is valid in the sense that Timothy was a young leader of a Church - a local family of God that most likely got along like many families do. Those who are immature (like my little girls) are constantly bickering because of their selfishness, and those who are older and wiser (my now four budding young adults) have to exercise great patience with the little squirts and great discernment in their interaction with the wider world. Paul spoke to Timothy as a father to a son - the letter is almost like an impassioned plea for Timothy to stay the course - to endure as a Godly leader.
So, in the sense of application, I take it that way as well - I need to stay the course -to endure hardship, to remain faithful in the ministry and duty of teaching and training my own children to be Godly adults. I think that parents too many times forget that we are not supposed to be "raising children," but we are to be training our children to be godly adults.
"...and of this gospel I was appointed a herald, and an apostle, and a teacher," Paul says in 2 Timothy 1:11. I think that defines my role as a father - I need to be a herald - an announcer and proclaimer of warnings and blessings, in advance of the coming King. I need to be an apostle - a communicator of a specific message directed to my kids - that they are sinners and they need to humbly offer their lives to the Lord. I need to be a teacher - to explain to them what the Scripture means to the best of my ability. It was the lack of guidance in these key areas that led the Israelites to falter - because they didn't pass it down to the next generation.
It's interesting that many key Bible leaders did not pass down their faithfulness to God to the next generation. We are only one generation away from complete Biblical ignorance.
So, I am trying to take my role seriously. Trying to tackle this with the kids, we did a study last night about understanding the Scripture. I think my lesson went a little long, as they were kind of getting squirrelly toward the end, but that's how it goes sometimes. It has helped greatly since we have been putting Josie in bed before our Bible Study. She is the reigning "Queen of Squirrelly" and the class clown at age 23 months.
Anyway, I reminded them that three questions we should always ask when approaching the Bible are:
Or, another simple way to put it is, read it, understand it, and apply it. We have been digging in to James - helping them read, understand, and challenging them to apply it. Even through the squirrellyness - (is that at word?) - we have had some great discussions.
Does Christ-likeness just ooze into a young person's life? Obviously not, as I have simply observed eight children as they grow through all their issues. In fact, it is exactly the opposite, as UN-Christ-likeness actually oozes out of a young person's heart because our hearts, even as small children, are hardened against righteousness. I have thought many times before that someone might call me a "one point Calvinist," because I do think we are evil, and completely prone to sin.
If that evil is not trained out of the child, it will take root in his little life and become a monster.
Paul says in 2 Timothy 1:13-14 -
I think Paul is talking about the Salvation that God gives us (if you look at the context), but again, I am thinking about being a godly herald, apostle, and teacher to my children in applying these verses. Is it not equally true that I need to be keeping as the pattern of right teaching what God says in his Word? And I need to be guarding this thing that has been entrusted to me - the spiritual health and guidance of my children - it has been entrusted to me, and to me alone, with the help of my wonderful wife.
Fathers, what are we waiting for? The reason this generation is morally bankrupt and Biblically ignorant is because we have become too friendly with the world. We spend more time and energy pursuing our careers and our pleasures than seeking God and teaching His Word. We have ignored Moses' warnings to not forget God's commands. We have ignored Moses' call for fathers to teach their children diligently who God is and how we need to live for him. Even in the Christians homeschooling movement, it is primarily led by women - moms who teach their kids.
Where are the parenting Elijahs? - Fathers who will call out this generation and cause a ruckus by asking "How long are you going to waver between the two sides of the fence? Who are you going to serve?"
I hope that some day, when I croak, my kids will remember that a relationship with God and the diligent knowing, understanding, and applying of God's Word was more important for me to pass on to them than anything else.
If you are a dad, reading this, then I encourage you to obey the Scripture and make a concerted effort to teach your children who God is and how to live for Him by giving them the Word! That's what I want to do, what I am trying to do, and I ask any godly man to help me stay at it by keeping me accountable.
So, in the sense of application, I take it that way as well - I need to stay the course -to endure hardship, to remain faithful in the ministry and duty of teaching and training my own children to be Godly adults. I think that parents too many times forget that we are not supposed to be "raising children," but we are to be training our children to be godly adults.
"...and of this gospel I was appointed a herald, and an apostle, and a teacher," Paul says in 2 Timothy 1:11. I think that defines my role as a father - I need to be a herald - an announcer and proclaimer of warnings and blessings, in advance of the coming King. I need to be an apostle - a communicator of a specific message directed to my kids - that they are sinners and they need to humbly offer their lives to the Lord. I need to be a teacher - to explain to them what the Scripture means to the best of my ability. It was the lack of guidance in these key areas that led the Israelites to falter - because they didn't pass it down to the next generation.
It's interesting that many key Bible leaders did not pass down their faithfulness to God to the next generation. We are only one generation away from complete Biblical ignorance.
So, I am trying to take my role seriously. Trying to tackle this with the kids, we did a study last night about understanding the Scripture. I think my lesson went a little long, as they were kind of getting squirrelly toward the end, but that's how it goes sometimes. It has helped greatly since we have been putting Josie in bed before our Bible Study. She is the reigning "Queen of Squirrelly" and the class clown at age 23 months.
Anyway, I reminded them that three questions we should always ask when approaching the Bible are:
1. What does it say?
2. What is the author's intended meaning (AIM)?
3. How do I put this into practice in my own life?
Or, another simple way to put it is, read it, understand it, and apply it. We have been digging in to James - helping them read, understand, and challenging them to apply it. Even through the squirrellyness - (is that at word?) - we have had some great discussions.
Does Christ-likeness just ooze into a young person's life? Obviously not, as I have simply observed eight children as they grow through all their issues. In fact, it is exactly the opposite, as UN-Christ-likeness actually oozes out of a young person's heart because our hearts, even as small children, are hardened against righteousness. I have thought many times before that someone might call me a "one point Calvinist," because I do think we are evil, and completely prone to sin.
If that evil is not trained out of the child, it will take root in his little life and become a monster.
Paul says in 2 Timothy 1:13-14 -
"What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you. Guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit, who lives in us."
I think Paul is talking about the Salvation that God gives us (if you look at the context), but again, I am thinking about being a godly herald, apostle, and teacher to my children in applying these verses. Is it not equally true that I need to be keeping as the pattern of right teaching what God says in his Word? And I need to be guarding this thing that has been entrusted to me - the spiritual health and guidance of my children - it has been entrusted to me, and to me alone, with the help of my wonderful wife.
Fathers, what are we waiting for? The reason this generation is morally bankrupt and Biblically ignorant is because we have become too friendly with the world. We spend more time and energy pursuing our careers and our pleasures than seeking God and teaching His Word. We have ignored Moses' warnings to not forget God's commands. We have ignored Moses' call for fathers to teach their children diligently who God is and how we need to live for him. Even in the Christians homeschooling movement, it is primarily led by women - moms who teach their kids.
Where are the parenting Elijahs? - Fathers who will call out this generation and cause a ruckus by asking "How long are you going to waver between the two sides of the fence? Who are you going to serve?"
I hope that some day, when I croak, my kids will remember that a relationship with God and the diligent knowing, understanding, and applying of God's Word was more important for me to pass on to them than anything else.
If you are a dad, reading this, then I encourage you to obey the Scripture and make a concerted effort to teach your children who God is and how to live for Him by giving them the Word! That's what I want to do, what I am trying to do, and I ask any godly man to help me stay at it by keeping me accountable.
My Latest Read
What a fascinating book. This is a trilogy of three books, Black, Red, and White. This trilogy will challenge you to consider the love of our Savior in a wonderful way. I had thought before that C.S. Lewis had done fiction about the redemptive work of Christ in a way that no one else could. Dekker has an "edgier" work here for sure, but he demonstrates God's great love and wisdom here in a powerful way.
Be warned, though, it's hard to put down!
jc
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Out on the wild frontier
We went for a hike today at Talbot Conservation Area. Josie wouldn't cooperate for this picture, but we all had a good time in general!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Bill Gothard - General Teachings/Activities
Bill Gothard - General Teachings/Activities
It looks like good ole' Bill Gothard is still around. Gothard has a lot of good in his teaching, with a focus on marriage and parenting. This is unfortunate because many Christians are following his "system" instead of following Christ. I have been familiar with Gothard stuff for a long time, and it seems that little of it has changed. Read the article that I have linked to for a good review.
Here's another link to a good Gothard review.
It looks like good ole' Bill Gothard is still around. Gothard has a lot of good in his teaching, with a focus on marriage and parenting. This is unfortunate because many Christians are following his "system" instead of following Christ. I have been familiar with Gothard stuff for a long time, and it seems that little of it has changed. Read the article that I have linked to for a good review.
Here's another link to a good Gothard review.
The brother in humble circumstances & other things.
Things I have been thinking about:
1. James 1 (I finally finished memorizing James)
James 1 says that the brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position, but the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.
It is amazing sometimes to think about the amazing depth and cultural relevance that just one small verse of Scripture can bring. Our family studied this verse tonight (Jenette had to take the two little ones out - they were howling like monkeys). Kids can think about such deep things when they are challenged to. Jason said that it was interesting that rich people are compared to a wild flower - not a flower in a garden that is cared for and is constantly tended to. I couldn't help but think of all the so called beautiful, and famous and popular people who bring so much attention to themselves by the fame, beauty, power or whatever. But each of them are nothing but a wild flower that will pass away even while they go about their business.
But James also says that God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. At the risk of being too "flowery," I would rather be a dandylion in God's garden than a daffodil in the world's ways.
As I look around and listen to the news about the government spending money it doesn't have to do things it shouldn't do, I also can't help but think that our country is very much like that wild flower. Maybe it used to be within God's garden - tended and cared for, but the forces of worldly freedom and worldly thinking have moved the flower out into the wild places of the world. Sadly, I think that sometime in the future, the blossom will fall and the beauty will be destroyed.
I have been studying Deuteronomy, and there is a constant call to the Israelite nations to either obey God and continue with God's blessing, or forget God and fall under curses. Not only have we forgotten God, but it seems like our country's leaders have gone past all wisdom and have gone straight to outright foolishness.
God, help me to continue to be a "brother in humble circumstances." I want to inherit the kingdom He promised to those who love Him.
2. More "extreme gardening."
My project to actually have a back yard for the kids has been moving along - we actually can get to the creek now, and after another day out there, I think the kids will actually be able to get in the creek without fighting through a million rose vines. We have found the perfect tree for a tree house, although it is still in the uncleared area. We also transplanted six small pine trees from a forested area of the camp to our front yard.
3. Prayer for the Camp
I am praying that MBC will be blessed because of my efforts - like Joseph, whom God blessed because of his faithfulness. I am praying for 2000 campers and 200 decisions.
4. Being the Spiritual mentor and teacher that I need to be for the 8 J's
We have changed some of our routines to help make this work better. I am making progress in this area. I think this is an area that got kind of lost (at least in the regular practice) in our coming to work at MBC transition. After spending several hours praying the other day one of the conservation areas nearby (I'm glad there weren't any hunters there!) - I have seen the importance of getting this back into regular practice.
1. James 1 (I finally finished memorizing James)
James 1 says that the brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position, but the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.
It is amazing sometimes to think about the amazing depth and cultural relevance that just one small verse of Scripture can bring. Our family studied this verse tonight (Jenette had to take the two little ones out - they were howling like monkeys). Kids can think about such deep things when they are challenged to. Jason said that it was interesting that rich people are compared to a wild flower - not a flower in a garden that is cared for and is constantly tended to. I couldn't help but think of all the so called beautiful, and famous and popular people who bring so much attention to themselves by the fame, beauty, power or whatever. But each of them are nothing but a wild flower that will pass away even while they go about their business.
But James also says that God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. At the risk of being too "flowery," I would rather be a dandylion in God's garden than a daffodil in the world's ways.
As I look around and listen to the news about the government spending money it doesn't have to do things it shouldn't do, I also can't help but think that our country is very much like that wild flower. Maybe it used to be within God's garden - tended and cared for, but the forces of worldly freedom and worldly thinking have moved the flower out into the wild places of the world. Sadly, I think that sometime in the future, the blossom will fall and the beauty will be destroyed.
I have been studying Deuteronomy, and there is a constant call to the Israelite nations to either obey God and continue with God's blessing, or forget God and fall under curses. Not only have we forgotten God, but it seems like our country's leaders have gone past all wisdom and have gone straight to outright foolishness.
God, help me to continue to be a "brother in humble circumstances." I want to inherit the kingdom He promised to those who love Him.
2. More "extreme gardening."
My project to actually have a back yard for the kids has been moving along - we actually can get to the creek now, and after another day out there, I think the kids will actually be able to get in the creek without fighting through a million rose vines. We have found the perfect tree for a tree house, although it is still in the uncleared area. We also transplanted six small pine trees from a forested area of the camp to our front yard.
3. Prayer for the Camp
I am praying that MBC will be blessed because of my efforts - like Joseph, whom God blessed because of his faithfulness. I am praying for 2000 campers and 200 decisions.
4. Being the Spiritual mentor and teacher that I need to be for the 8 J's
We have changed some of our routines to help make this work better. I am making progress in this area. I think this is an area that got kind of lost (at least in the regular practice) in our coming to work at MBC transition. After spending several hours praying the other day one of the conservation areas nearby (I'm glad there weren't any hunters there!) - I have seen the importance of getting this back into regular practice.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Fireproof Movie
What a great movie. I have not been too excited about movies recently, because there is so much garbage in them, but this was a real winner. Made by the same guys as Facing the Giants, this one was so much better. I liked that this movie demonstrated the sin of selfishness in all it's ugliness. Our culture is just so full of people like the couple they portray in this movie. I think the writers and directors did a great job of creating characters that people could identify with.If you haven't seen it yet, you need to.
Duggars Book
My latest read - another great example about how God uses ordinary but faithful people to bring glory to Him. Everyone asks us if we have seen this family on TV - of course, only having 8 kids makes our family look, well, small in comparison. This book was a bit of a family history - I guess I would have liked to see it go a little deeper, but I liked the overview. I would really like to meet Jim Bob Duggar some day - just to talk about life and the importance of obedience. This family has taken lots of hits - lots of negative stuff. It's amazing how much vitriol one Godly family can produce. And isn't it great that the Discovery Channel is the one sending out their message? I pray that I will have the faith and obedience of Mr. Duggar.
Well, today was another day of "extreme gardening," as I like to call it. We pushed back toward the creek just a bit more today, cut up several more huge trees, and burned lots and lots and lots of thorns. I got a brush blade for the camp weedeater and it made the going really easy with those rose vines. Jenna enjoyed sitting on the log stacks. You can see Joel and Jon in the background working on burning rose vines. Our back yard has come a long way. We still have a long way to go.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
A great book for Teens by Teens
I really liked this book - it blows away the cultural myth and expectations of that dreaded animal "the teenager." Joel liked this book too. I think he could relate to much of this book, being the oldest of eight and being in a family living and working at Camp. I would encourage not just youth, but parents as well to read this. Here is a quote from the authors:
Most people don’t expect you to understand what we’re going to tell you in this book. And even if you understand, they don’t expect you to care. And even if you care, they don’t expect you to do anything about it. And even if you do something about it, they don’t expect it to last. We do. – Alex and Brett
I hope to see more in the future from these young writers.
jc
Eric's Blogosphere: The Economy & Our Opportunity
Eric's Blogosphere: The Economy & Our Opportunity
From the mind of my great friend, Eric Keller.
I think this is well said. Churches that are nervous about going out of business in this recession should be asking themselves if they are truly following God's plan for their Church. Is it possible that God will use this time of economic trouble to weed out Churches that are not faithful to Him and His Word?
Has anyone noticed that the Church of today is so unlike the New Testament Church that we don't even recognize it anymore?
jc
From the mind of my great friend, Eric Keller.
I think this is well said. Churches that are nervous about going out of business in this recession should be asking themselves if they are truly following God's plan for their Church. Is it possible that God will use this time of economic trouble to weed out Churches that are not faithful to Him and His Word?
Has anyone noticed that the Church of today is so unlike the New Testament Church that we don't even recognize it anymore?
jc
Thursday, February 05, 2009
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