Rumination

Thanksgiving

2009-12-04T09:54:00.000-05:00

I wasn't planning on posting another Bolivia blog, but so much happened at the end that I decided to do one more.

I did make it safely back to the USA for which I am thankful. Steve (one of the pilots) flew to Guayara on Nov 20 and we then took off Sunday morning for the city of Trinidad and ultimately Santa Cruz. We had to do Trinidad because we needed to pick up a couple passports which two of the missionaries had been trying for about a month to have returned to them so they could travel. Kody, one of the passengers on the plane was one. He really needed to get his back from the government office because his plane was leaving for the U.S. Monday morning, about 9 hours after my flight. Thankfully the Immigration office sent someone to the airport in Trinidad with the two passports (one for another missionary back at the school). Blessing number one.

We arrived in Santa Cruz after a wonderful flight. If all Mooneys are like the one we flew in, I'm sold. It was comfortable (for the most part). I had pretty good leg room (not that cockpits are spacious).

Some pictures of the Mooney and our flight:

Steve loading the cargo with Kody helping.

This is the Cessna 182 stationed in Guayara for use with medical flights. They hope to get the flights back up and running soon.

Cessna 182

The Mooney is a rather clean aircraft (drag wise). It is good for transporting personel and cargo over distances. Steve was able to get the burn rate down around 7 gallons per hour (we were at 65% power, but then we had about a 40knot tailwind which got us up to just over 200kts/hr = over 230mph) on our flight, which was quite nice.

I just got my stuff in up front and plugged in my headset (on the right)

View of the control panel. It is nice that the plane has two different GPS systems.

A reason I didn't sit in the back... The front seats did move forward once we got in though the backseaters had to get in first. I was the last one in since I was by the door.

The cargo. Thankfully we each had an allowance of 50lbs/person for luggage. The rest we had to ship via a local airline.

We are loaded up and almost ready to push the plane out of the hangar.

The Bolivian jungle below. The province of Beni is flat jungle so there aren't really what you'd call landmarks.

A quick look around the cabin. I was using my camera for this so the video quality is not that great. I was hoping I could see some of the instrument data in the video, but can't.

You can also see this on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCS9zYukZBA

First attempt at a cabin photo...trouble in the back though... Pictured: Steve on the right front and Kody in the back.

Well, out of the two photos everyone got in. Pictured, me, Keila, Kody

We landed in Santa Cruz after a rather enjoyable flight. After we went to the apartment and dropped off our stuff Kody, Keila, and I then went out to an internet cafe and a pizzaria!!! Mama mia! The pizza was nice (advertised as NY style pizza). That was a blessing, a chance to relax a little.

Around 8:00pm someone called a taxi for me to take me to the airport. My flight left at 12:15AM. I wanted to get there in plenty of time (I don't like getting to airports late). We waited and waited - no taxi. Called the taxi company again and cleared up a little confusion on their end (Keila had called for a taxi the next morning and they thought the taxi for me and her were the same one) and they said a taxi would be there shortly. Well, around 9:20pm or so, Richard and his wife to live in the apartment (more like a house) and help the travelers to pass through the GMI apartment/compound gave up on the cab company and flagged down a taxi. Another blessing! It was 9:30PM when I left the apartment for the airport which was 30 minutes away.

We were driving along and finally got on the road heading out of town towards the airport. My driver was working his way through traffic when we came upon a semi. We were in the left lane (not there are what we'd recognize as traffic rules though they do have traffic rules) and the semi was in the right just ahead of us. My driver flashed his lights and honked and proceeded to accelerate past the semi. Well, I don't know what was going on in the cab of the semi, but the semi ended up slamming into our right side, smashed the whole side of the car in. Thankfully no injuries. My driver sped up and to get out of the situation then pulled over to take a look...he wasn't too happy but the car could still drive and we were ok, another blessing! Thankfully he kept on the job and we kept driving. Down the road a ways we stopped at a toll booth and asked the operator where the airport was (this was the taxi's first time to that airport). We drove past it!!! I was already looking at the time pondering where he was taking me and praying that we'd get to the airport in time.

I knew most of what I was going to have to do when I got to the airport and I wanted enough time, enough time for me to do the various booths - checkin with the airline, airport tax booth, exit tax booth, airline booth again, security, immigration (plus pay a fine for overstaying my visa), gate, and a new one for me - airline security (first time for me ever being searched by airline security, but maybe AA doesn't trust Bolivian screening as they searched everyone boarding the flight). Well, we turned around and finally made it to the airport at 10:30PM. Another blessing! I wish now I had taken a picture of the taxi, but I wasn't in the mood to hang out. After getting everything done that I needed to (except for the unbeknownst airline security check) I got to the gate just after boarding had begun...wew. God is good.

School Photos

2009-11-10T11:47:00.006-05:00

Primary Grades with teachers Sarai & Lyli. Lyli is also the Principal of the primary school.

Third Year. Front Row: Carla and Grecia. Back Row: Samuel, Franz, Max, Noel, Juaquin, Omar, Alcides, Jhunior.

First Year...and since I can´t use my computer at this particular cafe and I can´t remember all the names, you´ll just have to enjoy the picture for its artistic qualities...:) The cafe and I use different word processors and I don´t have the time to use my computer to convert...sorry.

The School

I´m dying in this photo, my right knee is still hurting from my jogging mishap. Front Row: Elizabeth, Helen, Lyli, Keila, Sarai. Middle: Kody, Me, Gabriel. Third Row, Susie and Cornelio, Clint (Mindy is taking this photo). Back Row: Mamerto & Estela, Sandra & Enrique, Ruan & Tara.

International Food Fair

2009-11-03T08:48:00.006-05:00

The Food Fair!
For the past three years the school has had an international food fair that has also served as an outreach tool. The staff purchase the supplies for their respective countries and work with students who sign up to make and serve the food. This year was a success as well and along with the outreach being done in Yata has opened an opportunity for the school. Please see the previous blog about the opportunity to open a church in Yata. Pray that God will bless this opportunity.

It is also nice to think that three weeks form today I will wake up in Michigan!

In continuation from the photo posted on last week's blog...

Ooops!! Obviously I didn't cover my trail well enough as the Mexicans raided the American booth claiming I held them up down yander...ahem... Not in the picture, but definately present were Keila and Lyli.

Thankfully we were able to reach an amiable solution to the situation, though I still wish that it included some burritos. Left to Right: A sponsor of the USA booth, Teachers: Sarai, Lyli, and Keila. You can learn more about Lyli's and Keila's stories if you contact GMI and request the "Having Nothing, Having It All" DVD.

(www.gospelministry.org)

Setting up the auditorium and booths. Devorah exhibiting her enthusiasm for Mexico.

Kody directing the chime choir. Teacher Sarai and Enrique (in the background) were the masters-of-ceremony.

Tara directing the choir.

Kody playing the piano. The title of the piece is “Malagueña”.

Raul and Rimberto putting their practice to work.

Nurse Susie helping set up the Belize booth. Susie met her husband Cornelio in Belize. They have lived in Tennessee for a number of years before coming to Bolivia.

The Belize booth all set to go.

The Bolivian group preparing their food.

The Bolivian booth under construction.

Chicha de Mango. They pealed the mangos and boiled them.

Bolivia all ready to go.

Canada cooking away preparing their Chili and garlic bread. They also served cornbread. Mindy (left) and Helen (right) led the food preparation.

The Canadian team setting up.

Oh Canada…from covered wagons, chili, cornbread, and garlic bread it seems awfully American. ;) The food was good, the cornbread and chili was especially nice. The garlic bread was good too and it was braided.

The Mexicans setting up.

The Mexican team.

The South Africans. Tara focused solely on the S.A. side of things this year since there were four other Americans but thankfully she went up front with us and helped us sing the national anthem.

Franz demonstrating the proper pose for sautéing onions.

Onions getting chopped by Euridice.

The apple cake getting mixed up. It isn’t the healthiest cake, but wow, it is good.

The oven warming up for the biscuits and the Canadians’ garlic bread.

Team USA cooking biscuits, gravy, and apple cake. We served mashed potatoes and gravy to our team for lunch.

Jhunior cutting more onions!

Gabriel cooling off the potatoes for lunch. We had mashed potatoes and gravy…yum.

I had to wash Old Glory because it had been tucked away in a hut. Carla and Ximena rushed over to get their picture taken with the flag as it was drying. It was nice to get it cleaned up and flying for a few minutes.

We didn’t get our biscuits into the oven in time so we had to reheat the oven. When the oven is heated the fire is put out and the logs removed.

Franz working the oven.

Please continue to keep the school and staff in your prayers.

Drum Role...

2009-10-27T14:05:00.003-04:00

This past Sunday we had the annual international food fare at the school. Students signed up for the various countries represented at the school. I of course was with the United States booth. It was a big success, so big infact, that I will have to finish uploading the photos next week!

Please make this paragraph a special prayer request. Last Sabbath the mayor of the village of Yata and his wife came to church at the school for the first time. That God will continue opening doors in Yata and working on the mayor's heart and his wife's heart. The mayor wants to give the school some land in Yata for a church! He wants to do the deal before his term ends at the end of the year! Right now, there is one...one woman in the village of Yata who is an Adventist. The school trucks a number of people to the school each Sabbath for church so having a church in Yata would be a huge blessing and open the door for more outreach. This is hot off the press so please pray that God will move this forward.

Despite the mission service oriented theme of the food fair there was a few minutes of time for some goofing off...

The Mexicans, teachers: Sarai, Keila, and Lyli encountering trouble on their way to Canada in a covered wagon. From what I understand, the bandit was after the burritos that the Mexicans had made. It is obvious from how baggy his clothes are that he either acquired clothes that were too big or his success in this line of work has been limited.

Close Your Eyes and Dream On!

2009-10-20T09:44:00.008-04:00

This is a post about food! Most of these pictures depict what we get per that meal for a serving. Not all of these meals are mine for a particular reason… I am thankful for the food though there are particular dishes (just like at home) that I avoid. Seasonings are different down here which can add a different twist to a familiar dish (such as black beans and rice, a favorite of mine). The school also seeks to cook things the kids will eat. We are dealing with a different culture and the school does try to plan menus that are culturally sensitive…somewhat anyway though a number of these wouldn't be considered Bolivian. The standard meal here in the lowlands (if one can say such) is rice, chicken, and yucca. Needless to say we don’t exactly replicate that…

I was going to reorganize the pictures, but given the number plus I'm using my touchpad mouse I'll leave them in the order they are in. So sit back and enjoy and maybe, just maybe at the end of this post you'll be hungry...or not...haha - sorry, humor greases many an axle. All-in-all, God has been good and has provided.

Sabbath Breakfast: sweet roles (generally 2 per person) and Bolivian style oatmeal or non-chunky granola (I guess a number of the Bolivians don't like chunky granola). It isn't all that uncommon for one to find little sugar ants inside the role as it is taken apart.

Bolivian style oatmeal is a little bit of oatmeal in sweetened water (essentially). 'Gringo style' is would be more in line with what we are used to.

Sabbath Lunch: This is a somewhat common dish for Sabbath, at least when there is soymilk Sabbath morning. The patties are made from the…curd(?) that is strained out while making soymilk. Rice again… Sometimes there will be a leaf of lettuce accompanying.

While Lyli cooked up the tofu (next picture), Kody and I made the curried potatoes. Making our own meals isn’t all that common but makes for a nice treat.

A rare treat – Lyli cooked up some scrambled tofu and thankfully I was able to see what she put in it. The tofu has to be brought from the USA.

One of the additives I use from time-to-time.

Friday night: Pizza!... Putting it into a hot skillet and slightly searing the top and bottom adds a nice touch.

Majadito…I’ll just say this isn’t a favorite of mine… :)

Lentils and Rice is a normal fare. This occasion they deep fried some eggplant in a batter and served it. I was able to nibble on a couple pieces of the eggplant before I let it slide a different direction than down my throat…

Probably my favorite meal – lentil hamburgers! Two per person is the serving with no condiments. I am thankful to whoever invented ketchup! I have been using ketchup on rice as well.

Another rice and bean dish with beet salad.

Potatoes with a ‘salsa’ and salad. I generally skip the salsa since I don’t care for the seasoning and just add some salt to my potato. As noted earlier the students don’t really like potatoes, so potatoes really are for the sake of the gringos.

Sabbath Supper: bread and popcorn. Generally two pieces of bread and a cup of popcorn per person.

Yes this is spaghetti. It is not like one would expect…

When there is ‘excess’ rice, use ketchup…at least that is what I do. I am so thankful for the ketchup.

Rice and I don’t know what along with beet salad and a leaf of lettuce.

Corn bread. Generally one piece is what is served per person – that is the meal.

Black beans and rice without potato. This is one of my favorite dishes though I tend to add a bit more salt.

Black beans with potato and rice. Potatoes aren’t all that popular here in the lowlands, it is a highlander food.

Rice and sort of like a potato soup.

Peanut Soup which I have yet to bring myself to try though others vouch for its palatability.

Lots of rice, salad, and peas. More than I can eat now.

Well, these are the majority of meals. Missing are burritos, plantain and salsa, and saltanias. There are other foods which do appear from time to time, but are not the general fare. The cost of these meals for everyone comes to around $500USD ($b3500) per week which is why developing agriculture at the school is so important.

“When the Lord gives a work to be done, let not men inquire as to the reasonableness of the command or the probable result of their efforts to obey. The supply in their hands may seem to fall short of the need to be filled; but in the hands of the Lord it will prove more than sufficient.” –PK 243:1

“The call to place all on the alter of service comes to each one. We are not all asked to serve as Elisha served, nor are we all bidden to sell everything we have; but God asks us to give His service the first place in our lives, to allow no day to pass without doing something to advance His work in the earth. He does not expect from all the same kind of service. One may be called to ministry in a foreign land; another may be asked to give of his means for the support of gospel work. God accepts the offering of each. It is the consecration of the life and all its interests, that is necessary. Those who make this consecration will hear and obey the call of Heaven. –PK 221:3

I wrote this blog middle of last week. In the mean time I have been doing some reading and would like to share a couple excerpt with you:

Chap. 117 of “Conflict and Courage” - "Give Me This Mountain"

I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me. . . . Now therefore give me this mountain. Joshua 14:11, 12.

Before the distribution of the land had been entered upon, Caleb, accompanied by the heads of his tribe, came forward with a special claim. Except Joshua, Caleb was now the oldest man in Israel. Caleb and Joshua were the only ones among the spies who had brought a good report of the Land of Promise, encouraging the people to go up and possess it in the name of the Lord. Caleb now reminded Joshua of the promise then made, as the reward of his faithfulness: "The land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's forever, because thou hast wholly followed the Lord." He therefore presented a request that Hebron be given him for a possession. . . . His claim was immediately granted. To none could the conquest of this giant stronghold be more safely entrusted. . . .

Caleb's faith now was just what it was when his testimony had contradicted the evil report of the spies. He had believed God's promise that He would put His people in possession of Canaan, and in this he had followed the Lord fully. He had endured with his people the long wandering in the wilderness, thus sharing the disappointments and burdens of the guilty; yet he made no complaint of this, but exalted the mercy of God that had preserved him in the wilderness when his brethren were cut off. . . . The brave old warrior was desirous of giving to the people an example that would honor God, and encourage the tribes fully to subdue the land which their fathers had deemed unconquerable. Caleb obtained the inheritance upon which his heart had been set for forty years, and, trusting in God to be with him, he "drove thence the three sons of Anak." . . .

The cowards and rebels had perished in the wilderness, but the righteous spies ate of the grapes of Eshcol. To each was given according to his faith. The unbelieving had seen their fears fulfilled. Notwithstanding God's promise, they had declared that it was impossible to inherit Canaan, and they did not possess it. But those who trusted in God, looking not so much to the difficulties to be encountered as to the strength of their Almighty Helper, entered the goodly land. -CC 123

What would happen if we each said what Caleb did? What if we each chose a street, a neighborhood, a town, a city, a county, a region, a nation and said ‘Lord, I want to win that for you”? What would happen? Caleb wanted that mountain and he went out and took it for God, he acted and God blessed.

The Generator

2009-10-13T13:23:00.004-04:00

This is a quick post about the generator. It is amazing how God works. The generator is a General Electric 30KW diesel generator from the 1980’s. It was purchased by the town of Yata (which is about a 10 minute drive from the school) new so the town could have power. After the purchase no one wanted to pay for the electricity (to cover the cost of the fuel), they all wanted it for free. As a result of this failed attempt to electrify the town of Yata this generator ended up sitting having been used very little. Over time someone ended up taking the starter off of the generator before finally being sold to the school. A previous director of the school heard of the sale and decided to take a look. He was able to purchase an approximately $20,000USD generator for $1,000USD! Granted it had sat awhile and who knew if it would start since there was no starter (which helped get the price down), but still, it was a steal. God provided a little used generator that only needed a new starter at an amazingly low price!

Ruan recently did a “temporary” hook-up of the generator, inverters, and a new set of batteries. Hopefully someday an electrical contractor or electrical engineer can come down and take a look at the system and help to wire a more permanent hook-up for the three phase system. Just the short time that the generator and batteries have been hooked up has been a real blessing as we don’t have to be concerned about losing electrical power so quickly. We can have our laptops plugged in at night! Don’t have to shower by candle light anymore either.

But before the generator photos:

Can you guess what this is?

This is a cashew. We won’t be eating the nuts, but we will eat the fruit. Do a little research on the web about cashews and you will find that there is a dangerous process involved in getting to the nut because the nut is surrounded by a toxic fluid.

The General Electric 30KW diesel generator. The battery on the ground is for the electrical start. At the time of the photo Ruan & Clint where doing some work on the electrical setup of the generator (hence the tube jutting from the left side).

Ruan hooking up cables to the electrical panel. This panel used to be in the electrical shack and used to provide the school with power from a solar panel. I think the inverter on the panel (the white and green box at the top) is a 2.5KW inverter. The batteries under the panel are the new heavy duty batteries. I cannot lift up one end! It took three guys (two pushing, one pulling) to move one of those batteries a couple feet and it took all their effort to do that much.

Yeah...

Behind the electrical panel is the ‘new’ inverter which is a 5KW inverter.

This inverter is really nice as it has a digital screen and a menu for different options.
You might notice a discrepancy in my math…a 30KW generator and only 7.5KW in inverter capacity. That would be correct. The school needs more inverters (or just a more capable one) which would really help with the recharge time on the batteries.

A wasp nest on the underside of the beam (made out of mud).

A Quick Note

2009-09-29T15:05:00.002-04:00

Yup, I am still alive and unfortunately typing on a spanish keyboard. We have found a couple internet cafes that are fairly nice that have internet. Some we don't like going to as they are not that easy to work with. I try and post some pictures first thing next Tuesday. This one was looking quite promising until I realized the USB ports on the computer were not working. Ah well such is life at times. At least I know that if I have to come back here next week that this place lets me plug in my laptop.

My Hut...and a Few Additions

2009-09-15T10:08:00.007-04:00

Wow, back in town for my day off! It was nice sleeping in till 6:30 this morning! In the past week a wonderful thing happened - Ruan got the diesel generator (30KW) and a new set up batteries (very beefy ones) up and running (I'll put some pics up next week). The generator story is rather something I think but I'll save that for next time. It is nice to have consistent electricity (not to mention actually being able to plug in laptop computers at night without them draining the old batteries).

So until next time:

A picture from church with Ruan preaching last Sabbath. I’m in the cheap seats in the back – full sun. The school trucks in some villagers from Yata for church. There is one lady in the village who is an Adventist...she was recently baptized.

My hut from my seat in the ‘back row’ of the chapel. You might look at the siding and think something is growing up the wall...that is true, termite tunnels.

The view upon first entering my hut. We need to hook up the water and put in a drain (a pipe out the wall) and find the gas canister for the stove that hopefully is somewhere on campus. This is not to mention that the thatched roof is about a year old and I think we are going to have some leaks come rainy season...

Kody’s ‘office’ area (he teaches) and the bedroom area in the back. This was just after church hence the clothes hanging off the bed. :)

View from the bedroom. The tub on the right is my wash bin (we wash in the stream). Thankfully one of the students washes my clothes (except the undies).

View out the front window of our bedroom. It is very dry right now, I guess this is the driest dry season that many at the school have seen in the past four or so years.

View out the back window of our bedroom.

Hard at work! There are moments that I wish this is all I did, but alas that is not the case. This is Sabbath afternoon and I am fighting the urge to take a nap. I forgot to shave Friday night but thankfully I did that evening. For various reasons shaving has been reduced to once per week. Now that we have more reliable electricity the frequency should increase a little.

…well…uh…I am supposed to be working on my sermon for this Sabbath.

Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!

Well at the end of the day…there was nothing to plug my headset into and I couldn’t decide between the two pictures. I brought my aviation headset down here hoping to get a ride or two on a mission plane. Hopefully I will be able to before I return. There is a Cessna 182 sitting at the hangar in Guayara because it isn’t being flown right now. They really could use more pilots down here. The 182 was used for flying into remote villages for medical evacuation flights and other purposes. A couple weeks ago the father of one of the students showed up at the school – he is the chief of his village - and asked for medical care for his village (his brother-in-law had died not too long ago from an infection). Unfortunately right now there is nothing we can offer since the plane needs a pilot. The need is great.

The Garden

2009-09-08T14:21:00.004-04:00

I must say, I'm quite impressed with myself. :) I've posted two blogs. Seriously, it takes about 4 hours here to do what I could have easily done in an hour at home on the internet. Back home I used to be able to download 1GB in an hour. Here I'm not thrilled to try 20MB! Ah well, such is life, at least there is a connection that I can actually upload with.

Ruan and Tara preparing to leave for Guayara yesterday for a day off because it was Tara's birthday. The dirt bikes are a necessary tool because the road outside the school is very hard on vehicles. Someday, in the not to distant future, the road will be paved (contractors are building up layers of dirt in preparation) and the trip to Guayara or Yata will be much nicer but until then these bikes do plenty of work.

I cleaned out the garden shed yesterday, hosed it down, and organized everything. This cockroach was one of the inhabitants. That is a true 2x2 (actual 2 inches by 2 inches - the boards you buy from the lumber yard are actually smaller than the dimensions they are named. This is the result of smooth lumber rather than rough sawn).

Thankfully, this cockroach is no longer with us...

My office... This is the garden shed. I pulled everything out and this is midaction and post cockroach era. The boards in front are left over from construction on the future girls dorm and will be used for stakes. Keila's house (& other female staff) is to the left and back near where the trees form a canopy over the trail.

Some tools, magnesium salt (found a bit more in the shed) for fertilization, tools, etc.

The shed is a few feet to my back. In front is squash, then beans, then bell peppers in the back. Two sections of tomatoes are to the right and papaya are to the left of the photo. In the far back (around the trees) you'll see some plants that are several feet high, that is Yucca (yooka).

The papaya patch with a out-of-use compost barrel. I have started a compost pile so I'm not sure what I'll do with the barrel since it just isn't big enough. Compost is going to be more of a long term project & goal and not a sole solution to the plants nutritional needs.

To the right of the previous photo. Bottom right of the photo is beans. In the back two section is the tomatoes. The farthest section in the back you might be able to make out some tall posts (don't really show up well in black and white). I just put those in last week. Given I only had a dull handsaw to use I left them long and only cut if I could get two posts out of the effort as the sun in September is harsh. I will be nailing boards between the posts which will support string that will wrap around the tomatoes plants as the plants climb. The water tank in the background is the main watertank for the school. The water is pumped up from the stream.

The banana trees in the garden.

Lettuce! I don't know what the variety is, but it does rather well. The garden shed is in the background.

The challenges for the garden is the soil, disease, and water (too little during dry season which we are in and too much during rainy season which begins around November). The soil is poor and given the environment disease is easy to come by. The Mittleider Method will take care of nutritional needs (we will be starting the weekly feeding this week I think) and weekly fungicide will help the plants. Once I am able to find a workable balance between feed and fungicide, I'm going to start planting the seeds I brought down.

For more information on the Mittleider Method visit: http://www.foodforeveryone.org/

Week Five!

2009-09-08T13:23:00.008-04:00

Wow, it is hard to believe that tomorrow will make five weeks! I've included some pictures of the past week in this post.

This is one of the more relaxed Saturday nights that have happened since I've been here. Left to right: Ruan, Kody, Tara, Lyli. Work is slowly being done to improve the electrical system at the school. Some nights there is enough electricity whereas others it gets drained quickly. We try not to have computers plugged in after 4:30 or so since that is when the solar panel doesn't get sun anymore.

I don't understand the intrigue. Ruan & Tara were working on Sudoku problems.

Inside the future girls dorm. I am standing in what will be the courtyard looking at the chapel. The entrance will have a gate to secure the building. Here Ruan is talking with several of the students who are doing the stucco.

Left to right: Noel, Max, Joaquin

Well, on Monday I was picking up some 4x4 posts that were beside Keila's house to use in the garden for the tomatoes. I kicked the board and turned it over and there was a scorpion. I wasn't sure if it was dead or alive as the tail was flat to the side and it didn't move so I nudged it with my boot and it was alive! It hustled under the board to which I responded by standing on the board but that didn't do anything. So I picked up the board and moved it and the scorpion started my direction (sort of) so I picked up a brick and thus ended its last charge.

The crazy thing is this morning for worship in the cafe I sat down next to Keila (the staff tend to sit at a table or stand around it). We stood up for prayer and I saw a scorpion scurry from just behind my boots to hide under the bench (there is a board along the ground that connects to the two legs as reinforcement). Needless to say I wasn't all that thrilled and Keila had flipflops on so she picked up the bench and I...uh...ushered the scorpion to the happy hunting ground.

Time has flown during the past weeks and priorities begin to change. It is a totally different world to be out and 'on the front lines' as some have called it. It is but isn't the same as doing a short term mission trip. Do take the time to be involved in your church for it won't get done any other way. I would encourage you to reread Revelation 3:14-21. Lets trade what will burn for that which won't.

Quick Pics

2009-09-01T14:43:00.005-04:00

Just a few quick pictures since last time.

The past week I have been sick. As a result I have periodically had the following view...

Hard life... While the hammock was nice, being healthy is by far the more enjoyable option.

I got better just in time. Lyli (a teacher from Mexico who lives with Ruan & Tara) decided to whip up some biscuits and topping. The topping was tomato based with TVP. I don't normally eat biscuits and gravy but this was good! What you see in the fry pan at the bottom of the picture is a sauce she made to put on chips. Saute'ed onion, tomato, green pepper, cheyenne, a little tomato paste (I think).

This here is actually pan (bread). They are rolled into balls and rise a little then flattened and put into the oven.

Cody going back to our hut.

Helen talking to one of the boys at the dorm.

Ruan's dad preparing to show some of the boys how to do a different style of stucco.

A bird I saw Monday night.

Uh...From Somewhere in Volibia

2009-08-18T16:09:00.016-04:00

What is a life worth? Not just physical life, but spiritual life. Would you choose your school over your family knowing that you will be disowned for the sake of your own life? Would you sneak your little brothers and sisters out of the house at night and put them on the bus to an orphanage for the sake of their lives?

There is a student who can say yes to those questions. She is 17 now but not all that long ago Mary (not her real name) witnessed her uncle hack her mother to death with a machete. She decided to leave her father’s house (he owns a brothel) and go to the Gospel Ministries run orphanage here in Bolivia. In time the staff at the orphanage encouraged Mary to come here to the school outside Guayaramerin. She did not want to go but with the encouragement of the missionaries she came. She has come to realize that the staff care for her and she is developing a relationship with Christ. She is tasting and seeing that God is good, that the Bible can be relied upon, that eternal life is worth the sacrifices now. She still struggles greatly, but she has seen a better Way and wants that. Recently (July) Mary went to her father’s house and snuck her little brothers and sisters out of her father’s house one night and sent them to the GMI orphanage were she had been so they can have the same opportunity that she has.

Before I came down here I viewed the school as, well, more of a school. I was looking at it from my perspective from academy. But that view was a little shortsighted. Nothing against academy, but a lot of the students were from Adventist homes and had at least a basic knowledge of the Bible. Here, the majority of students don’t know the Bible among many other areas of knowledge that we in the developed western countries take for granted (work ethic, washing one's hands, etc). The school has even had parents say that they don’t want their kids and to take them. Please keep this school in your prayers as it continues to fill a multifaceted void in the lives of many students.

I'm never lost, I always know where I am...right here! This picture was taken on a trail that was hacked through the jungle for the sawmill (which is mobile). On Sabbath a couple of us took a group from Texas on a walk through the jungle...to the pineapple patch. It was more bushwacking than a walk. I ended up being the pathfinder for the group by pushing on ahead into the jungle to find the path then the group would follow with a couple of machetes. It is amazing how fast stuff grows.

Girls Dorm: there will be a gated entrace to fill the space on the left side. The dean's apartment & office is on the right side (front).

Inside the girls dorm.

Cafeteria which also acts as a classroom.

'Termite House' (Classroom & nurse's office)

Director's House (Ruan & Tara)

House for female staff

Elementary hut on the left (back), electrical shack (left front), Girls Dean's current house (middle back on stilts), classroom (right hut).

Boys dorm (far left), workshop, carpenter's shed (middle with lumber), my house (male staff - with the laundry), Work Coordinator's house (back right).

Chapel with extension.

Setting up a log for the sawmill. The log needs to be up off the ground about a foot. We then built the sawmill around the log.

There is a rope (actually several braided together) because the weight of the log kept snapping the chains. This particular type of wood is dense and the bugs don't eat the heart wood (though they do eat the sap wood - the outer white ring just under the bark). This is actually a smaller tree from others they have done.

Sawmill setup. This section of the trunk had some rot but we still got a number of boards. The other trunk section was much better.

Bestia (beast) who I am presently working on wooing. Ruan & Tara brought her to the school from the hangar in Guayara because people wouldn't have anything to do with her because she is black...bad luck. She was malnourished but is doing better. She still has some hangups (hence the name Bestia) but I think I'll be able to reduce the intensity.

Banana

Papya

Pineapple - different variety than what we eat in the states - sweet, tasty, can eat the heart.

Today we have thankfully delivered the final load of an order of lumber and are going to stop by the sawmill in town to pick up sawdust to start a garden patch with the seeds I brought. The Mittleider method is what I'm going to be using for this patch. The sawdust will be mixed with sand and planted.

A Couple Verses

2009-07-03T22:59:00.007-04:00

This is a little rough and I'm sitting here with a couple mental blocks but I'll post anyway. There are two verses that I got to thinking on more and more this evening:

Psalm 40:17 ~ But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

I was reading a friend's blog earlier this week and this verse was in one of the chapters that he recommended to his readers. I skimmed the chapters and read a number of the verses in each that I had highlighted in my Bible. Verse 17 is not highlighted but it caught my eye. It is a wonderful reminder and promise of who God is.

“But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me…” I didn’t ask God to think upon me, to love me, yet He loved me before I ever knew of Him and determined to give Himself for me. I have nothing in and of myself to commend myself to God. I have done nothing to encourage or deserve His thoughts let alone His love. What a God! I am thankful that God didn’t wait for me to love Him first. It doesn’t end there! I can look to God for help and deliverance from whatever I am facing! And I think this is where the second verse comes in because if this second verse isn’t integrated into our lives, the second part of Psalm 40:17 won’t happen on our end because we will crumble.

Matthew 4:4 ~ But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

What does this mean in practicality? How does this look in day-to-day life? I think the following excerpt from the book Last Day Events helps to illustrate this.

Enoch walked with God three hundred years previous to his translation to heaven, and the state of the world was not then more favorable for the perfection of Christian character than it is today. And how did Enoch walk with God? He educated his mind and heart to ever feel that he was in the presence of God, and when in perplexity his prayers would ascend to God to keep him. {LDE 71.1}

He refused to take any course that would offend his God. He kept the Lord continually before him. He would pray, "Teach me Thy way, that I may not err. What is Thy pleasure concerning me? What shall I do to honor Thee, my God?" Thus he was constantly shaping his way and course in accordance with God's commandments, and he had perfect confidence and trust in his heavenly Father, that He would help him. He had no thought or will of his own. It was all submerged in the will of his Father. {LDE 71.2}

Now Enoch was a representative of those who will be upon the earth when Christ shall come, who will be translated to heaven without seeing death.--1SAT 32 (1886). {LDE 71.3}

Enoch had temptations as well as we. He was surrounded with society no more friendly to righteousness than is that which surrounds us. The atmosphere he breathed was tainted with sin and corruption the same as ours, yet he lived a life of holiness. He was unsullied with the prevailing sins of the age in which he lived. So may we remain pure and uncorrupted.--2T 122 (1868). {LDE 71.4}

Let us remember God's love for us and accept it by walking with Him this week by living (in every aspect of life) by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Susan G. Komen

2009-04-27T11:58:00.004-04:00

Well, yesterday I did my first 5K! The shoes at the top of the picture are my running shoes. The ones on the side I got for making enough practices.

ARRGG! Shiver Me Timbers, Swab Those Decks!

2009-02-27T21:13:00.009-05:00

After way too long (including several years in a box) I am finish with this model of a Sharpie Schooner!

Extracurricular Activities

2009-02-01T20:00:00.004-05:00

Well, my first apple pie was successful despite some minor glitches that really were not noticeable: slightly short of sugar because I used some apple juice concentrate with the granny smith apples then added sugar to taste, but I could have used a tad bit more. I also forgot the salt in the crust, but it wasn't noticeable in the pie - from past experience, I think the crust could stand a slight reduction in the amount of salt anyway. The crust is an oil crust which can be found at the following location: Flakey Pie Crust (oil)

I used my mom's Le Creuset Braiser to prep the filling. I used over 4lbs of Granny Smith apples, which are a little tart. I pealed, cored, sliced the apples and place in the braiser along with 1 can partially frozen apple juice concentrate (next time I want to try apple cider but will have to boil that down first). I added about 3(?)T of corn starch and placd on low heat. The fabulous thing about Le Creuset enameled cast iron is that it uses low heat (and holds the heat) which makes it wonderful for chili, soup, and such. One does have to be careful not to hit the pot with metal utensils as enamel is glass and can break, but with a little care, these pots will provide a lifetime of wonderful results.

Cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar were added to taste (I based it off of my mom's recipe, but altered it a bit). I did not cook the apples all the way because they would finish cooking in the oven. The pie pan used was by Emile Henry - it cooks very nicely and is deep (lots of filling).

After I arrived home Sunday morning one thing I did was dig out my models from deep in my closet. I have two models that need working on. The first one is a "Sharpie Schooner" and is pictured below. The masts I gently put in place for the picture.

Sharpie Schooners were used along the coast of Florida and other gulf states as a fishing boat and as a coastal trader in a slightly different configuration. This one is setup as a fishing boat and would have had livewells along the outside which would allow water to flow into the wells through holes in the hull and provide the catch with fresh seawater - this would keep the catch alive.

I am having to do some minor repairs on the main sail and the fore sail before assembly of the masts, sails, and rigging. The jib (the triangular sail) is set to go. There is a box partially visible on the left side of the above picture. In that box is my other model that I have been putting off because it will be a rather involved and somewhat costly project. In addition I'll probably want to get some help on it.

The boxed model is a radio controlled P-51D Mustang. I have to buy the radio and servos (little motors to move the control surfaces) and a few more items for it before I can seriously begin on this project. When complete, this plane will have a wingspan of 3ft and a fuselage length is just over 28 inches.

My main areas of concern with this is mounting the engine, getting the right propeller, and the skin of the aircraft. The skin of the aircraft is almost like ceran rap but heavier which is then heated with a heat gun and shrunk to the frame...sort of like how aircraft used to be made with cloth as the skin. But the most worrisome part for me is mounting the engine.

This is the engine! The little grey knob on the right side is the needle valve (leans or enriches the fuel/air mix). The black blob on the left of the engine above the crankshaft is the carburettor. The little silver nob on top of the cylinder head is the glowplug which ignites the fuel. You'll notice a nipple on the side of the muffler - that is to bleed off some of the exhaust and inject it into the fuel tank so as to maintain possitive pressure in the fuel tank.

Anyway, those are the highlights from this weekend. Just a thought - it takes time and effort to build a model, epecially one out of wood (after working with wood, I'll never touch a plastic model again). It also takes care, concern for quality. This is similar to the Christian experience. A Christian, with God's help, builds a life through choices. If they are good choices, the result will be a masterpiece to which Jesus will say 'well done' when He returns. This boat, this airplane, are simply an accumulation of small things (a choice to cut here or there, glue, a touch of paint, etc.) that come together to form a thing of beauty. Something that I try to remember through the day: are my small choices, the seemingly insignificant words and acts, are they benefitting or detracting from the goal of a masterpiece?

Sometimes a choice is made that does detract, which can lead to bigger issues - much like the problem I am having with the main sail - the main gaff is broken. The main gaff is the piece of wood on the top side of the main sail (if you save the last boat picture to you computer then zoom in you'll see 3 little pins around the gaff to hold it in place on the green mat) that holds the sail up - the main boom is the piece of wood along the bottom of the main sail. I took a piece of dowel and sanded it down and tapered it per the blueprints. I then had to drill a couple holes it in - well, I think I might have been a little thin or perhaps I should have done the hole before sanding, but the drilling ended up going through one side of the gaff which then made it weak and it eventually broke. So my current repair operation. I made choices, which in hindsight led to the problem.

This isn't that big of a deal as I think I can blend things in and mostly mask the defect, but what if this was a real ship. Lives would be on the line. In a real ship the best option would be to discard the bad part (and I may end up doing this if the patch doesn't come out well enough) and make a new one. So in life at LEAST one life is on the line with each choice you and I make, our own life. Aim for the best workmanship possible in building your life...I hear there is a Carpenter who does excellent work and His blueprints (the Bible) are available to all.

The Pearl

2008-12-12T19:44:00.005-05:00

Back in elementry school I went to Hawaii for vacation one year and had the chance to tour the Dole pineapple factory in Honolulu. There was a gift shop that was selling pearls...and you got to pick which oyster you wanted. This coloration is called "champaign gold".

Matthew says:

13:44 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
13:45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 13:46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it."

When this man sold all he had for this one pearl of great price what did he get? What was his gain?

"What was the result of the outpouring of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost? The glad tidings of a risen Saviour were carried to the uttermost parts of the inhabited world. As the disciples proclaimed the message of redeeming grace, hearts yielded to the power of this message. The church beheld converts flocking to her from all directions. Backsliders were reconverted. Sinners united with believers in seeking the pearl of great price. Some who had been the bitterest opponents of the gospel became its champions. The prophecy was fulfilled, "He that is feeble. . . shall be as David; and the house of David . . . as the angel of the Lord." Zechariah 12:8. Every Christian saw in his brother a revelation of divine love and benevolence. One interest prevailed; one subject of emulation swallowed up all others. The ambition of the believers was to reveal the likeness of Christ's character and to labor for the enlargement of His kingdom." {AA 48.1}

This is the first time I have really taken a good picture of this pearl and I have never before seen it like this. To the naked eye it looks more 'light gold' (like a gold car), not this amberish color. I will say this, this is the closest I have ever come with a photograph to being able to depict somewhat the color of molten gold. I think molten gold is one of the prettiest things I have seen and this is the closest I have come to matching the hue (quite accidentally).

From the book Christ Object Lessons

Chap. 9 - The Pearl

The blessings of redeeming love our Savior compared to a precious pearl. He illustrated His lesson by the parable of the merchantman seeking goodly pearls "who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it." Christ Himself is the pearl of great price. In Him is gathered all the glory of the Father, the fullness of the Godhead. He is the brightness of the Father's glory and the express image of His person. The glory of the attributes of God is expressed in His character. Every page of the Holy Scriptures shines with His light. The righteousness of Christ, as a pure, white pearl, has no defect, no stain. No work of man can improve the great and precious gift of God. It is without a flaw. In Christ are "hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Col. 2:3. He is "made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." 1 Cor. 1:30. All that can satisfy the needs and longings of the human soul, for this world and for the world to come, is found in Christ. Our Redeemer is the pearl so precious that in comparison all things else may be accounted loss. {COL 115.1}

Christ "came unto His own, and His own received Him not." John 1:11. The light of God shone into the darkness of the world, and "the darkness comprehended it not." John 1:5. But not all were found indifferent to the gift of heaven. The merchantman in the parable represents a class who were sincerely desiring truth. In different nations there were earnest and thoughtful men who had sought in literature and science and the religions of the heathen world for that which they could receive as the soul's treasure. Among the Jews there were those who were seeking for that which they had not. Dissatisfied with a formal religion, they longed for that which was spiritual and uplifting. Christ's chosen disciples belonged to the latter class, Cornelius and the Ethiopian eunuch to the former. They had been longing and praying for light from heaven; and when Christ was revealed to them, they received Him with gladness. {COL 116.1}

In the parable the pearl is not represented as a gift. The merchantman bought it at the price of all that he had. Many question the meaning of this, since Christ is represented in the Scriptures as a gift. He is a gift, but only to those who give themselves, soul, body, and spirit, to Him without reserve. We are to give ourselves to Christ, to live a life of willing obedience to all His requirements. All that we are, all the talents and capabilities we possess, are the Lord's, to be consecrated to His service. When we thus give ourselves wholly to Him, Christ, with all the treasures of heaven, gives Himself to us. We obtain the pearl of great price. {COL 116.2}

Salvation is a free gift, and yet it is to be bought and sold. In the market of which divine mercy has the management, the precious pearl is represented as being bought without money and without price. In this market all may obtain the goods of heaven. The treasury of the jewels of truth is open to all. "Behold, I have set before thee an open door," the Lord declares, "and no man can shut it." No sword guards the way through this door. Voices from within and at the door say, Come. The Saviour's voice earnestly and lovingly invites us: "I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich." Rev. 3:8, 18. {COL 116.3}

The gospel of Christ is a blessing that all may possess. The poorest are as well able as the richest to purchase salvation; for no amount of worldly wealth can secure it. It is obtained by willing obedience, by giving ourselves to Christ as His own purchased possession. Education, even of the highest class, cannot of itself bring a man nearer to God. The Pharisees were favored with every temporal and every spiritual advantage, and they said with boastful pride, We are "rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing"; yet they were "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." Rev. 3:17. Christ offered them the pearl of great price; but they disdained to accept it, and He said to them, "The publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you." Matt. 21:31. {COL 117.1}

We cannot earn salvation, but we are to seek for it with as much interest and perseverance as though we would abandon everything in the world for it. {COL 117.2} We are to seek for the pearl of great price, but not in worldly marts or in worldly ways. The price we are required to pay is not gold or silver, for this belongs to God. Abandon the idea that temporal or spiritual advantages will win for you salvation. God calls for your willing obedience. He asks you to give up your sins. "To him that overcometh," Christ declares, "will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne." Rev. 3:21. 118 {COL 117.3}

There are some who seem to be always seeking for the heavenly pearl. But they do not make an entire surrender of their wrong habits. They do not die to self that Christ may live in them. Therefore they do not find the precious pearl. They have not overcome unholy ambition and their love for worldly attractions. They do not take up the cross and follow Christ in the path of self-denial and sacrifice. Almost Christians, yet not fully Christians, they seem near the kingdom of heaven, but they cannot enter there. Almost but not wholly saved, means to be not almost but wholly lost. {COL 118.1}

The parable of the merchantman seeking goodly pearls has a double significance: it applies not only to men as seeking the kingdom of heaven, but to Christ as seeking His lost inheritance. Christ, the heavenly merchantman seeking goodly pearls, saw in lost humanity the pearl of price. In man, defiled and ruined by sin, He saw the possibilities of redemption. Hearts that have been the battleground of the conflict with Satan, and that have been rescued by the power of love, are more precious to the Redeemer than are those who have never fallen. God looked upon humanity, not as vile and worthless; He looked upon it in Christ, saw it as it might become through redeeming love. He collected all the riches of the universe, and laid them down in order to buy the pearl. And Jesus, having found it, resets it in His own diadem. "For they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon His land." Zech. 9:16. "They shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels." Mal. 3:17. {COL 118.2}

But Christ as the precious pearl, and our privilege of possessing this heavenly treasure, is the theme on which we most need to dwell. It is the Holy Spirit that reveals to men the preciousness of the goodly pearl. The time of the Holy Spirit's power is the time when in a special sense the heavenly gift is sought and found. In Christ's day many heard the gospel, but their minds were darkened by false teaching, and they did not recognize in the humble Teacher of Galilee the Sent of God. But after Christ's ascension His enthronement in His mediatorial kingdom was signalized by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost the Spirit was given. Christ's witnesses proclaimed the power of the risen Saviour. The light of heaven penetrated the darkened minds of those who had been deceived by the enemies of Christ. They now saw Him exalted to be "a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." Acts 5:31. They saw Him encircled with the glory of heaven, with infinite treasures in His hands to bestow upon all who would turn from their rebellion. As the apostles set forth the glory of the Only-Begotten of the Father, three thousand souls were convicted. They were made to see themselves as they were, sinful and polluted, and Christ as their friend and Redeemer. Christ was lifted up, Christ was glorified, through the power of the Holy Spirit resting upon men. By faith these believers saw Him as the One who had borne humiliation, suffering, and death that they might not perish but have everlasting life. The revelation of Christ by the Spirit brought to them a realizing sense of His power and majesty, and they stretched forth their hands to Him by faith, saying, "I believe." {COL 118.3}

Then the glad tidings of a risen Saviour were carried to the uttermost bounds of the inhabited world. The church beheld converts flocking to her from all directions. Believers were reconverted. Sinners united with Christians in seeking the pearl of great price. The prophecy was fulfilled, The weak shall be "as David," and the house of David "as the angel of the Lord." Zech. 12:8. Every Christian saw in his brother the divine similitude of benevolence and love. One interest prevailed. One object swallowed up all others. All hearts beat in harmony. The only ambition of the believers was to reveal the likeness of Christ's character, and to labor for the enlargement of His kingdom. "The multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul. . . . With great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; and great grace was upon them all." Acts 4:32, 33. "And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." Acts 2:47. The Spirit of Christ animated the whole congregation; for they had found the pearl of great price. {COL 120.1}

These scenes are to be repeated, and with greater power. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost was the former rain, but the latter rain will be more abundant. The Spirit awaits our demand and reception. Christ is again to be revealed in His fulness by the Holy Spirit's power. Men will discern the value of the precious pearl, and with the apostle Paul they will say, "What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." Phil. 3:7, 8. {COL 121.1}

Vomit...Hmmm....Tasty?!

2008-11-21T17:49:00.016-05:00

This is not a cheddar broccoli soup. This was potato soup. The cream stuff on the side is what it should look like, not yellowish-orange.

I like my mom's potato soup recipe. 10lbs potatoes (peeled; if I'm using yukon gold I scrub and leave the skins on), a clump of celery, 2 yellow onion, celery seed, salt. Chop up the potatoes, celery, onion into the pot. Fill pot with water till just over the vegies (say 1"). Bring to a boil then simmer until done (potatoes cooked, celery cooked). Season to taste with the salt and celery seed (be very careful how much celery seed goes in). It will thicken in a day. Makes a wonderful soup for the winter months.

The stuff above I'll have to admit sat on the counter for 3-4 days before I decided to wash out the pot upon whence I discovered the illustrated predicament...and smelled it too.

Contrast the above situation to the following picture. Looks good, tastes good, is good; completely opposite the stuff pictured above.

While not potato soup (chili really), this soup is none-the-less very good, wholesome, healthy. Smells oh so so good, the smell fills the apartment. Tastes even better! Oh so tasty and good.

Do you have a mental picture of each in your head? Imagine the taste of each permiating your mouth. Imagine the smell working its way up your nostrils, into your nasal cavity and tingling the recepters. Imagine the texture of each on your tongue. Imagine swallowing...do you swallow each with the same ease? Are you gagging on the first? How is your body reacting to the yellowish putrid slime?

These two substances in the pot could not be more opposite. I would like to propose that such is the relationship of sin to what God wishes for each of us, a Christlike character...only the contrast is even more pungent. The distastefullness, the putridness of sin is far worse than my forgotten potato soup and a taste of Christ's character is far more excellant than any chef, amateur or professional, could create.

Just a couple passages:

Proverbs 26:11 "As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly."

But for God's grace each and everyday, this would the natural result of human efforts to be free.

Unfortunately many times we choose the slime, thinking it is good. I've done it. But what is it really? I have had a cut on my foot that got infected. As a result I have had a glass sitting on my computer table containing a mixture of bleech and water with which to periodically swab the area. I have left the glass there for about a week now. Multiple times I have almost instinctively reached for the glass to take a drink. It looks like water, doesn't smell and my mouth tingles for the moisture even though I know what it is. The problem is, if I followed that impulse, I would be drinking poison. Such is sin.

Isaiah 28:7 "But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. 28:8 For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean. 28:9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:'

If I may be granted a little illustrative leeway in the above passage: equate the wine here to sin given that we know fermentation is a Biblical representation of sin and given the description we know that this is fermented wine (fermented grape juice). If I may ask - could we see here illustrated not only some of the effects of sin (spiritual effect) but also how to effectively counter it? Sin, one could say, is spiritual intoxication (among other things it dulls the mind and will and enslaves dragging the consumer to destruction) and the only effective counter is to saturate the mind with the Word, here a little and there a little - a fortress is build stone by stone, brick by brick. Saturating the mind with the sweet savor of Christ's character of which we learn of in His Word is the only effective counter to sin. Which do you want? The indulgence of a moment or Christ

Sharp

2008-11-01T16:29:00.008-04:00

Ecclesiastes 10:10

If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.

This machette was given to me a number of years ago. It is from the Dominican Republic.

The sticker of authenticity. Despite the sticker, there is a problem...at least what I think of as a problem.

Look carefully at that edge. Looks rather ragged doesn't it. It isn't a nice clean refined edge.

This is a wetstone. This particular stone has a very fine texture. It is meant for refinement of an edge. A stone of more coarse texture would be used to create the edge at first, then a fine textured stone would be used to refine the edge, which would make it sharper.

The verse talks about applying wisdom to make sharpening easier. If I was sharpening a blade on this stone, I'd use water or a light oil. By so doing, the sharpening precess is inhanced. Particles of steel and stone don't congregate in the area of sharpening clogging the process. God's wisdom will make the process of so many things in life easier if one seeks and asks for it. Human effort by itself can only do so much, but heavenly wisdom added to human effort creates the best outcome.

The result is a clean, fine edge (this is just for the illustration...I don't have the guts to use that stone on this knife).

Another illustration: Many areas of our lives may be like the machette, in need of refining. Sometimes it takes an abrasive applied by pressure to produce a finished result. By seeking God's wisdom, that period of sharpening may be reduce as a result. Just as the water or oil provides for more effective sharpening, so heavenly wisdom provides for more effective learning experience.

I don't know about you, but I want to be willing to learn my lesson(s) by asking for God's wisdom and applying it to situations and learn from them quickly rather than having to have more pressure applied so the lesson gets through my head.

BOOKCASES!!!

2008-10-18T14:38:00.006-04:00

FINALLY!! Finally I have bookcases! I am so thankful to be able to get my books out of boxes and onto shelves were they can be used.

The canisters on the floor I have yet to figure out what to do with.

My babies. The picture is a picture of Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial.

These I am especially thankful to get out and usable.

These are some nursery books...don't ask. My favorite are the four season books on the right. Stories about about a colony of mice.

Accent pieces... An idea for a thought-are we willing to be sharpened every day?

My pearl! Thats right, champaign gold to be exact, at least that is what I was told the color was. I twas a little kid and I picked are particular clam; the rest is, well you see what is left.

A Quick Post.

2008-10-10T22:01:00.006-04:00

The other day I was able to take a picture of a some additional birds in the swamp.

This evening I was relaxing a little bit, contemplating and doing a project. I have one of those "seals" or stamps if you will that will make an impression in paper. I got mine to use in my books rather than writing my name in. I got to thinking as I was going from one book to the next. This isn't the most perfect illustration but it is simple and shows the point.

All too often our lives look like Charlotte's Web. For whatever reason our lives are entangled.

God, if we let Him, will impute His Son's righteousness to us. That imputed righteousness covers us so that it is what God sees.

Thankfully God doesn't want to stop at the application of His Son's righteousness. He wants to impress His character upon us, so that we become like the original. So when people look at us, they have an idea of what the original is like.

Through sanctification we are wrought into the image of Christ.

Whether Soup or Chili, Caution is Needed.

2008-10-03T20:38:00.004-04:00

Last Friday my parents came down for a short visit. During that time my mom whipped up a pot of chili for me which I just finished today...yum yum. I decided to try and copy my mom's recipe. The chili that I generally make is bean based while her's is home canned tomato based so I'm sort of on new ground even though I've eaten it for years. I started to make a nice big batch that would last me oh, a week plus. It fills almost the whole pot!

As it was cooking I came to the conclusion that I made a nice big pot of soup rather than chili! It will thicken, but I don't think it will thicken to the point of being chili.

It has 6 quarts of canned tomatoes (dumped strait in-these have tomato halves then filled with water when canned so just dumping in provides a fair amount of fluid), 1.5 yellow onions chopped (1 large, 0.5 medium), 2 medium green peppers chopped, 3 'fresh' tomatoes chopped, 2 large cans of La Preferida black beans (dumped strait in), 2 cans of Kidney beans (dumped strait in) 3 bay leaves, salt, garlic powder, chili powder, basil, oregano, ground sage, marjoram, cilantro. Season to taste! DOH! I just remembered I forgot to put in the instant Barley! BRB. OK, let it boil for a good while till stuff is cooked (the raw veg) then add a box (small...maybe 2 cup box and turn off stove) of the instant barley.

Since moving into an apartment my cat has found temporary lodging with my parents...which is very good for him. He can be out all the time. Since he has been allowed outside he and my parents' cat have gotten along much better. One good thing is that Gato is gennerally on the porch to sleep during the day and goes out at night and Annie does the opposite. An interesting difference is that I think Gato is more alert than Annie though neither are as alert as my last cat which was born wild.

Annie especially is quite casual about being outside (much like my Grandma's last cat) and doesn't seem to realize that there are dangers out there. She will sleep out in the open in a defenseless manner and terrain. A couple months ago I was out patrolling for one of the woodchucks on the list when I stumbed upon a fur ball that shot towards the bushes. Thankfully I like to confirm identities and I realized it was Annie.

I was talking to my dad today and he mentioned that he and my mom think a coyote got Annie. She has been missing since Monday night. They have called, searched the property, and driven around on the roads to no avail. She was a beautiful, long legged, seal-tip siamese with tortoise shell pattern on her ears and two legs.

Just a short thought here. We know that Satan is out looking for us but do we act like he is?

1 Peter 5:8 says - "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"

Do we let our guard down? Do we place ourselves in positions which leave us vulnerable? Do we occupy the high ground (which is militarily the better option) or do we place ourselves in the valley where we are more easily attacked? Do we avoid ambushes when we recognize them?

When Union and Confederate troops first engaged at Gettysburg, Union cavalry was able to hold off the first elements of Lee's army long enough to allow leading elements of infantry to reinforce and for the rest of the army to arrive. The general by being proactive bought enough time for the Union army to arrive which allowed them to eventually occupy the high ground.

2 Sam 22:3, 4 - "The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies."

Life is a battlefield. More specifically, the war is being fought for the control of our minds, that is part of what the Great Controversy is about, minds.

Do we really truely recognize that reality? Do we take measure to ensure success? Do we reiforce our position or move to better ground? Do we place sentries at various points to warn of attack? Do we prepare to counter attack by having weapons and ammunition ready?

In closing and in light of the Sabbath School lesson, I am thankful that God is loving, merciful, and able to aid us as we solidify our possitions for Him.

The Unguarded Citadel.--By beholding we become changed. Though formed in the image of his Maker, man can so educate his mind that sin which he once loathed will become pleasant to him. As he ceases to watch and pray, he ceases to guard the citadel, the heart, and engages in sin and crime. The mind is debased, and it is impossible to elevate it from corruption while it is being educated to enslave the moral and intellectual powers and bring them in subjection to grosser passions. Constant war against the carnal mind must be maintained; and we must be aided by the refining influence of the grace of God, which will attract the mind upward and habituate it to meditate upon pure and holy things.--2T 479 (1870). {1MCP 74.2}

29, 30 (Luke 11:21-23). Stronger Than the Strong Man.--"He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth." He who is with Christ, maintaining His unity, enthroning Him in the heart, and obeying His orders, is safe from the snares of the wicked one. He who unites himself with Christ will gather to himself the graces of Christ, and will give strength and efficiency and power to the Lord by winning souls to Christ. When Christ takes possession of the citadel of the soul, the human agent becomes one with Him. By cooperation with the Saviour, he becomes the instrument through which God works. Then when Satan comes and strives to take possession of the soul, he finds that Christ has made him stronger than the strong man armed (MS 78, 1899). {5BC 1092.5}

My Favorite Building In Town

2008-09-26T21:28:00.006-04:00

This is a site that greets me everyday as I leave school. I think this is one of, if not the prettiest state capital buildings in the United States. The interior is stunning as well.

It is a privilege to see this building everyday. To be in the presence of the institution that this building represents. This building represents many things, but to me a legislature represents freedom most of all.

This evening I was listening to a song and I started to ponder some of the words. It goes something like this:

What a Friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Ev'rything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit,

Oh, what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Ev'rything to God in prayer!

I had to ask, do I really realize the privilege I have, a privilege that is far greater than being in the presence of the seat of freedom for this state, when I am praying? Maybe a better way of saying it is do I treat prayer and approach prayer as the privilege it is? There is a saying that goes something like 'you don't know what you have until you loose it' - somewhat the antidote to 'familiarity breeds complacency.' What would life be like without prayer? What would it be like without knowing that God hears? I am thankful that God has provided such an avenue as prayer.

I am not a fan of forwards, but this was funny.

2008-09-17T17:13:00.002-04:00

An elderly man on a Moped, looking about 100 years old, pulls up next to a doctor at a street light. The old man looks over at thesleek and shiny car and asks, 'What kind of car ya got there, sonny?'The doctor replies, 'A Ferrari GTO. It cost half a million dollars!''That's a lot of money,' says the old man. 'Why does it cost so much?' 'Because this car can do up to 320 miles an hour!' states the doctorproudly. The Moped driver asks, 'Mind if I take a look inside?' 'Noproblem,' replies the doctor. So the old man pokes his head in the window and looks around. Then, sitting back on his Moped, the old man says, 'That's a pretty nice car, all right...but I'll stick with my Moped!' Just then the light changes, so the doctor decides to show the old man just what hiscar can do. He floors it, and within 30 seconds the speedometer reads160 mph.

Suddenly he notices a dot in his rear view mirror. It seems to be getting closer! He slows down to see what it could be and suddenly WHHOOOOOSSSSSHHHH!! Something whips by him going much faster! 'What on earth could be going faster than my Ferrari,the doctor asks himself.? He presses harder on the accelerator and takes the Ferrari up to 250 mph. Then up ahead of him, he sees that it's the old man on the Moped! Amazed that the Moped could pass his Ferrari, he gives it more gas and passes the Moped at 275 mph and he feeling pretty good until he looks in his mirror and sees the old man gaining on him AGAIN.

Astounded by the speed of the old guy, he floors the gas pedaland takes the Ferrari all the way up to 320 mph. Not ten secondslater he sees the Moped bearing down on him again! The Ferrari is flatout, and there's nothing he can do! Suddenly the Moped plows into theback of his Ferrari, demolishing his rear end. The doctor stops andjumps out and unbelievably the old man is still alive. He runs up tothe banged-up old guy and says, 'I'm a doctor...is there anything I cando for you?' The old man whispers, 'Unhook my suspenders from your side view mirror'.

Before I call it a night.

2008-09-14T20:31:00.010-04:00

Ha...the war room. Well, here it is, where it all happens.

Thursday I heard a rather audible 'crack!'

This is what I saw looking out from my balcony. A tree had split. As you can see, there is a small little swamp behind my apartment.

What was more interesting and what I never would have known since I am in my study 90% of my time home, was that there were two critters back there and they caught my eye as I was taking the previous picture.

I don't know where in my boxes of books I might find my bird book, but I believe these are Sandhill Cranes.

I'm thankful that tree broke, otherwise I wouldn't have known what was in my backyard!

Wow, A Praise.

2008-09-04T20:50:00.002-04:00

It really didn't hit (no humor intended) till tonight that during the past week, I have had a number of close calls while driving. I don't think I've had this many so close together before. I've almost been hit by another car twice within the past week and then tonight happend for which I am thankful for God's protection. It was a dark and stormy night tonight. Rain, headlights-not the easiest to see things against the blacktop at times if the reflections and headlights. Well, as I was accellerating from a stoplight here in town I thankfully noticed something pink. Lo-and-behold there probably no more than two car lengths, in front of me was a little old lady crossing the street at a very slow pace. She was hard to see, probably another second and my brakes would not have stopped me in time. As I slammed on the brakes (she didn't seem to notice) thoughts of a body flopping over my hood popped into my mind...very bad timing, I have to get home and work on Torts! Thankfully I stopped in time and she made it across the road. I'm very thankful that all that happened was my heart skipping a beat and my computer flying down to the floor. I am also very thankful that the other times didn't result in anything either.

Where You Tend a Rose, A Thistle Cannot Grow

2008-07-16T15:16:00.006-04:00

The title is taken from the book "The Secret Garden". There are at least two movies by that name of which I'd recommend the Hallmark version. Anyway, since I am moving, I didn't plant a garden though I did empty out my compost bins (see earlier post) and put compost on my garden. Low and behold, the weeds loved the compost and shot up. The past couple weeks I have noticed I am developing a jungle out there so this afternoon I have been pulling weeds. The line "where you tend a rose, a thistle cannot grow" is certainly true. I have found two thistles so far but pulled them up before the idea of a post hit me. If I had been carefully tending the garden, these weeds would never have had a chance, they would never have gotten such deep roots or become so pervasive. Anyway, tis like life. Bad habits, sin, faults, thoughts are like thistles and are easy to deal with early on but much more effort is required later on. By being careful to tend one's own garden, it is much easier to keep thistles out.

The situation at the time of the photo shoot. However, the back row has been completed at the time of this post.

These are the weeds from one bed!

I struck gold! Unfortunately no, but I did open up an ants nest which was quite interesting. There were eggs eveywhere and the ants were frantically trying to retrieve them.

Some eggs resting peacfully.

The corridors are amazing!

RED ANTS!

A fly observing all the excitement.

I started to look for a thistle for this post but didn't find anymore, I guess two was my limit. However, I found a pepper plant and...

two tomato plants! They must have sprouted from seeds from last year's garden.

Some Words of Wisdom

2008-06-17T21:11:00.002-04:00

Some good advice I thought I'd share.

http://path2prayer.com/article.php?id=375

Just looking at the first paragraph, I'm thankful Jesus doesn't treat me the way I deserve.

As the Paint Dries

2008-06-04T20:58:00.005-04:00

I'm currently waiting for the paint to dry downstairs - the end is in site! I should be done with painting tonight (the AC helps)! All that is left is some touch up in the bathroom, finish the electrical, clean, and the hardest part - build out the door frame so I can then put on the trim around the two exterior doors.

A picture of what happens to those who do drive by water balloon attacks!

GASP! Hardware!

Replacing plugs and switches is a pain, but it does add a nice touch.

I received this book yesterday, 'Delighted in God'. It is the story of George Muller as written by Roger Steer. I believe this is going to be a very good book. I read the intro, ch 1, and part of ch. 20 today. The author noted that ch. 20 outlines some basic principles of prayer so I had to take a look. I've read very little of the book yet already it is really making me think. I'd like to share the principles that Muller gave:

1) Our requests must be according to God's will

2) We mustn't ask on account of our own goodness or merit, but 'in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ'-John 14:13, 14; Psalm 66:18 "If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened." 'That is,' he said 'if I live in sin, and go on in a course hateful to God, I many not expect my prayers to be answered.'

3) We must exercise faith in the power and willingness of God to answer our prayers. 'This is deeply important,' Muller said. 'In Mark 11:24 we read, "Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours", 'Whatever you ask for' - of whatever kind - 'believe that you have received it, and it will be yours'. I have found invariably that in the fifty-four years and nine months during which I have been a believer, that if I only believed I was sure to get, in God's time, the thing I asked for. I woul despecially lay this on your heart that you exercise faith in the power and willingness of God to answer your requests...To see that He is able you have only to look at the resurection of the Lord Jesus Christ; for having raised Him from the dead, He must have almighty power. As to the love of God, you have only to look to the cross of Christ, and see His love in not sparing His Son, in not withholding His only begotten Son from death.

4) 'We have to continue patiently waiting on God till the blessing we seek is granted. For observe, nothing is said in the text as to the time in which, or the circumstances under which, the prayer is to be answered...We might as well say here is no need to tell Him once, for He knows beforehand what our need is. He wants us to prove that we have confidence in Him, and that we take our place as creatures towards the Creator. [I thought that last part of the sentences was interesting] 'Moreover, we are never to lose sight of the fact that there may be particular reasons why prayer may not at once be answered. One reason may be the need for the exercise of our faith, for by exercise our faith is strengthened. We all know that if our faith were not exercised it would remain as it was at first...Another reason may be that we may glorify God by the manifestation of patience [I had never thought of it like that before]. This is a grace by which God is greatly magnified. Our manifestation of patience glorifies God. There may be another reason. Our heart may not yet be prepared for the answer to our prayer.

"...go on praying; only be sure you ask for things that are according to the mind of God, for He does not desire the death of the sinner...Go on, therefore, praying; expect an answer, look for it, and in the end you will have to praise God for it."

A Friday Picture

2008-05-23T22:16:00.003-04:00

A cousin of mine got married at this little chapel which is in the southern part of the county. I was out and about today and was able to find it again.

Toodling Around the County

2008-05-18T21:33:00.008-04:00

I got back home this afternoon and ended up feeling restless so I went for a drive around the county. Here are some of the pictures I took.

Madron Lake ahead!

Madron Lake

Not Trying to Strain Myself

2008-05-17T20:15:00.002-04:00

I twas enjoying a wonderful afternoon on the veranda, in the 'sun room' actually, at my parents to whence I came on short notice yesterday and got to pressing the boundaries of my contemplative capacity...not really, though I am presently at a standstill. I got to thinking (dangerous).

I remember a preacher asking something along the lines of 'how many souls is something worth' i.e. how many souls is that new BMW worth, how many souls is that new membership to the exclusive country club worth, how many souls is that new flat panel TV worth, etc. Granted, the fellow was a missionary and actively involved in evangelism so one could say that he had ulterior motives, but if money makes a difference in reaching people with the Gospel, then he does have a point in the question.

So a question: What do we take with us to heaven? I'm stuck at three things that we take with us to heaven: 1) Our character (which is made up of our thoughts and feelings), 2) Relationships (with others and with God), 3) Souls (those for whom we have labored). Anything that I missed or err upon?

So I had to ask, do my priorities match God's? Certainly a question to keep in my mind through each day. One thing I just noticed, those three things match the division in the ten commandments. The first four of the ten commandments deal with our relationship with God and the last six deal with our relationship with our fellowman. Anyway, tis time for worship.

Too Many Fumes

2008-05-11T19:08:00.004-04:00

Well I've been getting my house whipped into shape. My goal is to have all the work done by the end of next week at the latest and list it. Tis a bit quicker than I had planned but I need to do my part then see what God does.

And So It Begins

2008-05-07T22:27:00.002-04:00

These boxes represent about 80 percent of my books.

I received confirmation today that my deferment request was accepted so I will begin law school this September rather than this May! So the time is getting close to moving on. I will miss my little pad. My only regret: I wish I would have accomplished one last goal for moving down here. Well, time to get some sleep. Tomorrow I need to paint.

The Mother of All Grubs...

2008-04-27T18:38:00.005-04:00

Today I had the opportunity to finally do some work outside.

Thankfully this year the magnolia tree bloomed. Last year the frost killed the blossoms.

I decided to turn over my compost piles. What I did is empty the uncomposted material into the next bin over. I started with the middle bin since the first bin was started last fall and didn't have anything worth taking out. After I transfered the uncomposted material, I then loaded up the compost and dumped it on my raised beds. I will then turn the beds, mixing it all up.

This is the result, all six beds have at least one load of compost and I have room in the compost binds for my grass clippings.

Look at that! Mmmm-mmm good.

Notice: The following may not be inappropriate for those that are squeemish.

Whilst digging up the middle pile, I leveled off the load in the wheel-barrow and noticed the mother of all grubs!!! Croiky! Look at the size of that thing! (Aussie accent por favor)

Watson, We must investigated further! (English accent obviously)

A Salamander!

I moved the salamander to the undisturbed pile to which it was happy to go.

Now, I don't view wikipedia as authoritative, but here is a link just the same.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mole_salamander

A Short Post of Two Pictures

2008-04-04T22:22:00.003-04:00

Well, everything finally worked out. Mrs. Damsteegt directed me to a great oil crust recipe and I put in the right combination of flax seed flour and cornstarch for this pumkin pie to be free from vegetable shortning, eggs, and evaporated milk and still come out nicely. I might have used a little too much flax flour but over all it worked out well.

A couple weekends ago my parents came down for a visit. We saw this male Eastern Bluebird on the wire outside my house. My mom had seen "him" in my bushes in January as well.

Chap. 28 - Amazing Grace! (from In Heavenly Places)

Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Eph. 1:2. "Grace be to you." We owe everything to God's free grace. Grace in the covenant ordained our adoption. Grace in the Saviour effected our redemption, our regeneration, and our exaltation to heirship with Christ. Not because we first loved Him did God love us; but "while we were yet sinners," Christ died for us. . . . Although by our disobedience we have merited God's displeasure and condemnation, yet He has not forsaken us, leaving us to grapple with the power of the enemy. Heavenly angels fight our battles for us, and cooperating with them, we may be victorious over the powers of evil. We should never have learned the meaning of this word "grace" had we not fallen. God loves the sinless angels, who do His service and are obedient to all His commands, but He does not give them grace. These heavenly beings know nought of grace; they have never needed it, for they have never sinned. Grace is an attribute of God shown to undeserving human beings. We ourselves did not seek after it, but it was sent out in search of us. God rejoices to bestow this grace upon all who hunger for it, not because we are worthy, but because we are so utterly unworthy. Our need is the qualification which gives us the assurance that we shall receive this gift. God's supply of grace is waiting the demand of every sinsick soul. It will heal every spiritual disease. By it hearts may be cleansed from all defilement. It is the gospel remedy for everyone who believes. We may make daily progress in the upward path to holiness and yet we find still greater heights to be reached; but every stretch of the spiritual muscles, every taxation of heart and brain, brings to light the abundance of the supply of grace essential for us as we advance. The more we contemplate these riches, the more we will come into possession of them, and the more we shall reveal the merits of Christ's sacrifice, the protection of His righteousness, His inexpressible love, the fullness of His wisdom, and His power to present us before the Father without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. ~HP 34:1-6

Created For Sure

2008-02-29T21:01:00.008-05:00

I am currently enrolled in the class taking Human Anatomy. I believe the God created this planet as the Bible describes, in 6 literal days and rested on the 7th. Now I have had anatomy before, in high school, but it didn't hit me as strongly before, maybe because it was a Christian school. But this time around I am really scratching my head and at my wits end to understand how someone can see the intelligent design of the human body and accept by faith (I believe) that the evolutionary account is true and yet deride someone who believes in the Biblical account - which actually, I think takes less faith to believe. I believe that they are denying the obvious for the sake of eliminating (in their minds) a higher moral authority than man.

Psalm 139:13-17 - "For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!"

A generalized depiction of a cell. The human body is a living chemical factory. If cellular function doesn't happen as its supposed to, if the proper chemicals aren't produced, transported, diffused as they are supposed to be, the cell will die. Specific chemicals, enzymes, proteins have specific functions which are mission critical. Some of these, if they are not present the whole show stops. One interesting problem for evolution, is that cells only originate from other cells.

Some interesting pictures of fetuses.

The skeleton is an amazing pieces of engineering. There are actually two skeletons. The axial and the appendicular. The axial is the skull, spinal column, thorax and pelvis. The apendicular is shaded green in the picture. When it comes to physical performance, evolution certainly could have chosen a better setup. We are weak when compared to other animals. If evolution were true, I'd think it would be better for the chimp to keep its physical form yet gain the brains of a human.

The skull is amazing. There is quite a number of extremely delicate and specific points on it that have to be right for the brain, nerves, blood vessels to fit properly. It is amazing. DNA is an amazing program.

The multiple systems of the body all work together to form a functioning unit.

Just take a look at the following pictures. Aren't they amazing?!

The fit and function of the vertebral column to the cord is just astounding.

The brainstem plus the Diencephalon(blue)

An Excerpt from the book Education (p128-134):

Since the book of nature and the book of revelation bear the impress of the same master mind, they cannot but speak in harmony. By different methods, and in different languages, they witness to the same great truths. Science is ever discovering new wonders; but she brings from her research nothing that, rightly understood, conflicts with divine revelation. The book of nature and the written word shed light upon each other. They make us acquainted with God by teaching us something of the laws through which He works. Inferences erroneously drawn from facts observed in nature have, however, led to supposed conflict between science and revelation; and in the effort to restore harmony, interpretations of Scripture have been adopted that undermine and destroy the force of the word of God. Geology has been thought to contradict the literal interpretation of the Mosaic record of the creation. Millions of years, it is claimed, were required for the evolution of the earth from chaos; and in order to accommodate the Bible to this supposed revelation of science, the days of creation are assumed to have been vast, indefinite periods, covering thousands or even millions of years.

Such a conclusion is wholly uncalled for. The Bible record is in harmony with itself and with the teaching of nature. Of the first day employed in the work of creation is given the record, "The evening and the morning were the first day." Genesis 1:5. And the same in substance is said of each of the first six days of creation week. Each of these periods Inspiration declares to have been a day consisting of evening and morning, like every other day since that time. In regard to the work of creation itself the divine testimony is, "He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast." Psalm 33:9. With Him who could thus call into existence unnumbered worlds, how long a time would be required for the evolution of the earth from chaos? In order to account for His works, must we do violence to His word? It is true that remains found in the earth testify to the existence of men, animals, and plants much larger than any now known. These are regarded as proving the existence of vegetable and animal life prior to the time of the Mosaic record. But concerning these things Bible history furnishes ample explanation. Before the Flood the development of vegetable and animal life was immeasurably superior to that which has since been known. At the Flood the surface of the earth was broken up, marked changes took place, and in the re-formation of the earth's crust were preserved many evidences of the life previously existing. The vast forests buried in the earth at the time of the Flood, and since changed to coal, form the extensive coal fields, and yield the supplies of oil that minister to our comfort and convenience today. These things, as they are brought to light, are so many witnesses mutely testifying to the truth of the word of God.

Akin to the theory concerning the evolution of the earth is that which attributes to an ascending line of germs, mollusks, and quadrupeds the evolution of man, the crowning glory of the creation. When consideration is given to man's opportunities for research; how brief his life; how limited his sphere of action; how restricted his vision; how frequent and how great the errors in his conclusions, especially as concerns the events thought to antedate Bible history; how often the supposed deductions of science are revised or cast aside; with what readiness the assumed period of the earth's development is from time to time increased or diminished by millions of years; and how the theories advanced by different scientists conflict with one another, --considering all this, shall we, for the privilege of tracing our descent from germs and mollusks and apes, consent to cast away that statement of Holy Writ, so grand in its simplicity, "God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him"? Genesis 1:27. Shall we reject that genealogical record,--prouder than any treasured in the courts of kings,--"which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God"? Luke 3:38. Rightly understood, both the revelations of science and the experiences of life are in harmony with the testimony of Scripture to the constant working of God in nature. In the hymn recorded by Nehemiah, the Levites sang, "Thou, even Thou, art Lord alone; Thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and Thou preservest them all." Nehemiah 9:6. As regards this earth, Scripture declares the work of creation to have been completed. "The works were finished from the foundation of the world." Hebrews 4:3.

But the power of God is still exercised in upholding the objects of His creation. It is not because the mechanism once set in motion continues to act by its own inherent energy that the pulse beats, and breath follows breath. Every breath, every pulsation of the heart, is an evidence of the care of Him in whom we live and move and have our being. From the smallest insect to man, every living creature is daily dependent upon His providence.

"These wait all upon Thee. . . . That Thou givest them they gather: Thou openest Thine hand, they are filled with good. Thou hidest Thy face, they are troubled: Thou takest away their breath, they die, And return to their dust. Thou sendest forth Thy Spirit, they are created: And Thou renewest the face of the earth." Psalm 104:27-30.
"He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, And hangeth the earth upon nothing. He bindeth up the waters in His thick clouds; And the cloud is not rent under them. . . .He hath compassed the waters with bounds, Until the day and night come to an end."
"The pillars of heaven tremble And are astonished at His rebuke. He stilleth the sea with His power. . . .By His Spirit the heavens are beauty; His hand hath pierced the gliding serpent. Lo, these are but the outskirts of His ways:And how small a whisper do we hear of Him! But the thunder of His power who can understand?" Job 26:7-10; 26:11-14, R.V., margin. "The Lord hath His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, And the clouds are the dust of His feet." Nahum 1:3. The mighty power that works through all nature and sustains all things is not, as some men of science claim, merely an all-pervading principle, an actuating energy.

God is a spirit; yet He is a personal being, for man was made in His image. As a personal being, God has revealed Himself in His Son. Jesus, the outshining of the Father's glory, "and the express image of His person" (Hebrews 1:3), was on earth found in fashion as a man. As a personal Savior He came to the world. As a personal Savior He ascended on high. As a personal Savior He intercedes in the heavenly courts. Before the throne of God in our behalf ministers "One like the Son of man." Daniel 7:13. The apostle Paul, writing by the Holy Spirit, declares of Christ that "all things have been created through Him, and unto Him; and He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." Colossians 1:16,17, R.V., margin. The hand that sustains the worlds in space, the hand that holds in their orderly arrangement and tireless activity all things throughout the universe of God, is the hand that was nailed to the cross for us. The greatness of God is to us incomprehensible. "The Lord's throne is in heaven" (Psalm 11:4); yet by His Spirit He is everywhere present. He has an intimate knowledge of, and a personal interest in, all the works of His hand.

"Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth Himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!" "Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: If I make my bed in the grave (see Psalm 139:8, R.V.; Job 26:6, R.V., margin), behold, Thou art there. "If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall Thy hand lead me, And Thy right hand shall hold me." Psalms 113:5, 6; 139:7-10. "Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou searchest out my path and my lying down, And art acquainted with all my ways. . . . Thou hast beset me behind and before, And laid Thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain unto it." Psalm 139:2-6, R.V.

It was the Maker of all things who ordained the wonderful adaptation of means to end, of supply to need. It was He who in the material world provided that every desire implanted should be met. It was He who created the human soul, with its capacity for knowing and for loving. And He is not in Himself such as to leave the demands of the soul unsatisfied. No intangible principle, no impersonal essence or mere abstraction, can satisfy the needs and longings of human beings in this life of struggle with sin and sorrow and pain. It is not enough to believe in law and force, in things that have no pity, and never hear the cry for help. We need to know of an almighty arm that will hold us up, of an infinite Friend that pities us. We need to clasp a hand that is warm, to trust in a heart full of tenderness. And even so God has in His word revealed Himself. He who studies most deeply into the mysteries of nature will realize most fully his own ignorance and weakness. He will realize that there are depths and heights which he cannot reach, secrets which he cannot penetrate, vast fields of truth lying before him unentered. He will be ready to say, with Newton, "I seem to myself to have been like a child on the seashore finding pebbles and shells, while the great ocean of truth lay undiscovered before me."

The deepest students of science are constrained to recognize in nature the working of infinite power. But to man's unaided reason, nature's teaching cannot but be contradictory and disappointing. Only in the light of revelation can it be read aright. "Through faith we understand." Hebrews 11:3. "In the beginning God." Genesis 1:1. Here alone can the mind in its eager questioning, fleeing as the dove to the ark, find rest. Above, beneath, beyond, abides Infinite Love, working out all things to accomplish "the good pleasure of His goodness." 2 Thessalonians 1:11. "The invisible things of Him since the creation of the world are . . . perceived through the things that are made, even His everlasting power and divinity." Romans 1:20, R.V. But their testimony can be understood only through the aid of the divine Teacher. "What man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God." 1 Corinthians 2:11. "When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth." John 16:13. Only by the aid of that Spirit who in the beginning "was brooding upon the face of the waters;" of that Word by whom "all things were made;" of that "true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world," can the testimony of science be rightly interpreted. Only by their guidance can its deepest truths be discerned. Only under the direction of the Omniscient One shall we, in the study of His works, be enabled to think His thoughts after Him.

One last quote: "From time to time we need unitedly to examine the reasons of our faith. It is essential that we study carefully the truths of God's Word; for we read that "some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils [demons]." We are in grave danger when we lightly regard any truth; for then the mind is opened to error. We must take heed how and what we hear. We need not seek to understand the arguments that men offer in support of their theories, when it may be readily discerned that these theories are not in harmony with the Scriptures. Some who think that they have scientific knowledge are by their interpretations giving wrong ideas both of science and of the Bible. Let the Bible decide every question that is essential to man's salvation." -MM 96 (1904)

The Cat

2008-02-29T20:26:00.003-05:00

This morning as I was shaving I heard a commotion, including some clawing sounds, to which I turned around to find the following occuring on my bathroom door. Gato had jumped from the toilet to the top of the door.

Of Smoke and Fire

2008-02-29T20:01:00.004-05:00

The previous post trumpted that there was breaking news. Well, here is the follow-up. I made my first pie back around the date of the last post. I had a terrible craving for some pumpkin pie, homemade pumpkin pie. Forget the store bought stuff...worthless. So, I got the crust recipe from my mom and for the pumpkin used the recipe on the back of the Libby's plain packed pumpkin (NOT the premade pumpkin pie mix). The problem was that I didn't see the part on the recipe that said it made enough for two (2) pies. Thankfully the crust recipe would make two pumpkin pies. Now, this was my first time making crust so I over worked it but was able to get it into the pan (Emile Henry - would highly recommend their pie pans). I poured in the pumpkin mix and realized that I had too much. Not to be overcome by this turn of events, I decided to build higher. When outward expansion is no longer an option, go up. So I took the extra crust and built up the sides of the pie and poured in the rest.

Now, I must say, I got away without using any condensed milk by using Silk Soy milk and a little bit of corn starch. I hope to replace the egg next time with flax meal. I'll have to figure out something else for the crust or else get a different crust recipe as it uses shortning. Anway, I placed the pie in the oven at 425 for 15 minutes then it was to go down to 350 for about an hour. Within about 10 minutes I hear this plop...sssssssss. I looked inside...OH NO!!!! part of the levee gave way! Pumpkin was gushing out of the pie and down the precipace to the oven bottom below!!! There wasn't much I could do but to watch in horror at the fillings demise. I closed the door and hoped for the best. Within five minutes there was a sickening sound...plop....sssssss! I frantically yanked the door open. NO! The other side gave way - there were now two torrents of pumpkin making their way to the bottom of the oven...sniffle. Well, to make the story a little shorter, the pie came out of the oven without any of the extra filling or crust.

The pie was sure good though!

Breaking News!

2008-01-26T09:00:00.000-05:00

Details are still sketchy, but the reports that are coming in say that there was a natural disaster yesterday which involved a levee breaking in two places along with heavy smoke and fire! We will update you with information as it becomes available.

Recently Underline Quotes and Old Pictures

2008-01-18T21:18:00.000-05:00

Presently I am listing to a choir sing "Silent Night" in german. I suppose it is somewhat odd, today has been the first time in at least a year...no, way more than a year that I have played my Christmas CD's and just sat down and listened. I'd say that the time spent thus ranks right up there to listening to Handel's "Messiah". What is it about music such as "Messiah" or "Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen" (Lo, how a rose e'er blooming) that reaches and lifts one's focus to grander themes?

Here are a few quotes that I underlined recently:

"So spiritual is the character of God's work upon the human heart that receives it that it makes every one a new creature without destroying or weakening any capability God has given to man. It purifies every attribute fit for connection with the divine nature." ~MS 1 1987 (MCP 15)

"Science, in order to be fully appreciated, must be viewed from a religious standpoint. Then all will worship the God of science...The attributes of God as seen in His created works can be appreciated only as we ahve a knowledge of the Creator...Knowledge is power for good only whe united with true piety. A soul emptied of self will be noble. Christ abiding in the heart by faith will make us wise in God's sight." ~MS 44, 1894 (MCP 16)

"The promises of God are not for us to claim rashly, to protect us while we rush on recklessly into danger, violating laws of nature or disregarding prudence and the judgement God has given us to use. This would not be genuine faith but presumption..." ~Lt 1a, 1872 (MCP 25)

[Comment: If you haven't seen the new movie "Amazing Grace" I'd recommend you rent it. The following quote made me think of it.]

"Sin affects the entire being; so also does grace." Lt 8, 1891 (MCP 29)

"What gives the proper level to the human mind? It is the cross of Calvary. By looking unto Jesus, who is the Author and Finisher of our faith, all the desires for self-glorification is laid in the dust...As we contemplate the cross, we are enabled to see the wonderful provision it has brought to every believer. God in Christ...if seen aright, will level human exaltation and pride. There will be no self-exaltation, but there will be true humility." ~Lt 20, 1897 (MCP 30)

"The value of man as God estimates him is through his union with Christ, for God is the only One able to raise man in the scale of moral worth through the righteousness of Christ." ~Lt9, 1873 (MCP 30)

[A slight intermission: the music is spectacular - 'Christmas Oratorio: "Jauchzet, frohlocket" (opening chorus) by Bach]

"God calls upon His creatures to turn their attention from the confusion and perplexity around them and admire His handiwork. The heavenly bodies are worthy of contemplation. God has made them for the benefit of man, and as we study His works, angels of God will be by our side to enlighten our minds and guard them from satanic deception." ~MS 96, 1899 (MCP 33)

"From the endless variety of plants and flowers, we may learn an important lesson. All blossoms are not the same in form or color. Some possess healing virtues. Some are always fragrant. There are professing Christians who think it their duty to make every other Christian like themselves. This is man's plan, not the plan of God. In the church of God there is room for characters as varied as are the flowers in a garden. In His spiritual garden there are many varieties of flowers." ~ Lt 95, 1902 (MCP 54)

[Intermission: AHH! - "Messiah - Hallelujah Chorus". Munich Bach Chorus and Orchestra]

"The gospel of Christ becomes personality in those who believe, and makes them living epistles, known and read of all men" ~RH, Dec 15, 1891 (MCP66) [Isn't that amazing?]

"The specific place appointed us in life is determined by our capabilities. Not all reach the same development or do with equal efficiency the same work. God does not expect the hyssop to attain the proportions of the cedar, or the olive the height of the stately palm. But each should aim just as high as the union of human with divine power makes it possible for him to reach." ~Ed 267:1

"We need to follow more closely God's plan of life. To do our best in the work that lies nearest, to commit our ways to God, and to watch for the indications of His providence--these are rules that ensure safe guidance in the choice of an occupation." ~Ed 267:3

Well, back to a rerun of "Jauchzet, frohlocket" by Bach!

Well

2008-01-08T13:27:00.001-05:00

Peas & Pasta wishes to thank the interested readers for their interest in reading. As soon as publishable material is available, it will be published. It is hoped that in the fairly close future the material will be compiled, reviewed, sorted, arranged, modified, embelished, edited, revised, tweeked, reviewed, edited, and published. ~Management

A View of Thanksgiving

2007-11-23T15:34:00.000-05:00

The table is set! Start your engines!

Blueberry pie was one of the options...besides two wonderful pumkin pies...hmmm...yum, yum! The family pie crust recipe & technique results in the best pies I have ever had.

The Pie Spot!

The food will soon takes its rightful place on the table!

I took El Gato with me (that is him on the left). Thankfully he and Annie (my parents cat) got along just fine. They are enjoying their Thanksgiving treat of real wild turkey...just a few feet away!

These dinner roles are the best. Whole wheat & carrot.

The Slaw. Again, the best recipe I have ever had. No one comes close. Just the right amount of dressing (not too much) and the right ingredients.

The "Turkey" & steamed onions....oooooh my.

The potatos! Where would we be without mashed potatos & gravy!?

The Chicken Gravy - quite herby...very good.

Purple Grape Juice

This is my plate...my mom was the only one that had less on her plate than I. Most of mine was potatos, onions, and peas! Oh...I forgot to take a picture of the pot of stuffing. Stuffing isn't a huge draw for me which is why I gave it just a little space on my plate. Too bad I only had one plate full - unfortunately I'm not used to eating so much anymore.

This is the morning after! I went out and walked this morning in the 20 degree weather.

I had to cut my walk short because my toes were getting rather cold. I just had my orange running shoes so the poor little toes got cold.

I hope your Thanksgiving was full of smiles this year. God truely is good!

God is Good

2007-11-19T12:29:00.001-05:00

A quick entry I just read from Adventist Home.

~AH 542 (9T 286, 287)

All that has perplexed us in the providences of God will in the world to come be made plain. The things hard to be understood will then find explanation. The mysteries of grace will unfold before us. Where our finite minds discover only confusion and broken promises, we shall see the most perfect and beautiful harmony. We shall know that infinite love ordered the experiences that seemed most trying. As we realize the tender care of Him who makes all things work together for our good, we shall rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory....

We are homeward bound.

~AH 544 (8T254)

Soon we shall be in our promised home. There Jesus will lead us beside the living stream flowing from the throne of God and will explain to us the dark providences through which on this earth He brought us in order to perfect our characters.

A Spark

2007-11-18T22:50:00.000-05:00

You know, this is the first time that I can think of that I have actually seen the lighthouses working!

Were would boaters be without the light?

It is interesting how easily from our perspective things can look dire.

It is my understanding that it actually takes a rather small light to have an impact. The secret is in the lense, how that spark is projected.

It is nice when walking in life to have a light, a glimmer of hope to hold onto, to look to, to judge one's position by. God's Word is such. The Sabbath School lesson today made me stop and think. Thankfully God's Word is there. Go ahead, click on the picture. Thankfully, like the lighthouse, the darker it seems, the brighter God's Word shines! The Light leads to refuge.

One other thought from the lesson:

"'If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us?' (The Message). How could we possibly think that God would send Jesus to die for us and then turn mean and stingy?" Something to ponder. We all like sheep have gone astray...yet He loved us before we loved Him. What an example God sets for us to live out in our own lives.

Do we put all on the line for others?

A Sunday Evening.

2007-11-05T09:58:00.000-05:00

Peas & Pasta has done it! The experimental pasta sauce has reached maturity and is ready for mass production trials! It took a bit more seasoning than I thought to mask the sweetness, but it is working out well! Yum!!! Yum!!! This is nice because even though I like Prago, my eating habits and the quantity of sauce the Prago jars contain leave with the distinct problem of too much sauce and also of the possibility of it going bad in the fridge. This offers a nice alternative.

Ready to join the pasta! It has been tempting to eat the sauce by itself!

Ready to serve.

An odd thing happened. Some homeless guy showed up at my door yesterday afternoon around 4:00PM. I did feed him before he left and he liked it so much he gave it a thumbs up.

A Fall Day

2007-11-02T20:47:00.000-04:00

When I started making this blog, I hadn't a clue what I was going to write in here. I wanted to come up with some quotes & texts that would be encouraging and possibly go with the pictures. Well, I knocked on my head and there was only an echo so I just started to type in some texts the quote that seemed to be along the same lines. It took several quotes for a pattern to become visible at which point I started following that pattern and formed this blog around that. Most if not all, with perhaps the exception of the very last quote, relate to memorizing scripture, of binding its words to our hearts, and to Bible study.

"My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. Bind them upon they fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart." ~Proverbs 7:1, 3

The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat." ~Proverbs 13:4

"It was made plain that it was essential that fallen man should believe in the word of God, and obey to the letter his commandments. The word of God may be compared to a treasure-house, and the more we search it, the more we find its hidden riches. Here we may behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world. It is in the word of God that we find encouragement to turn our eyes to Christ, to lift up our voice in hope and expectation, saying, "Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me." It is in the word of God that we find what is the effectual remedy for the leprosy of sin. Here it is that we see the ransom that has been provided, hear the gracious invitation, and look upon the mercy of God, that has no parallel, toward those who are rebels and enemies." ~ST, July 2, 1896 par. 4

"Some portions of Scripture are, indeed, too plain to be misunderstood; but there are others whose meaning does not lie upon the surface, to be seen at a glance. Scripture must be compared with scripture; there must be careful research and patient reflection. And such study will be richly repaid. As the miner discovers veins of precious metal concealed beneath the surface of the earth, so will he who perseveringly searches the Word of God as for hid treasure, find truths of greatest value, which are concealed from the view of the careless seeker." ~OHC 205.2

"And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart." ~Deuteronomy 6:6

"We must be better acquainted with our Bibles. We might close the door to many temptations, if we would commit to memory passages of Scripture. Let us hedge up the way to Satan's temptations with "It is written." We shall meet with conflicts to test our faith and courage, but they will make us strong if we conquer through the grace Jesus is willing to give. But we must believe; we must grasp the promises without a doubt." ~AG 262.4

"Several times each day precious, golden moments should be consecrated to prayer and the study of the Scriptures, if it is only to commit a text to memory, that spiritual life may exist in the soul." ~4T 459 (1880).

"Build a wall of scriptures around you, and you will see that the world cannot break it down. Commit the Scriptures to memory, and then throw right back upon Satan when he comes with his temptations, "It is written." This is the way that our Lord met the temptations of Satan, and resisted them." ~RH April 10, 1888

"Hang in memory's hall the precious words of Christ. They are to be valued far above silver or gold." ~6T 81 (1900)

"Keep a pocket Bible with you as you work, and improve every opportunity to commit to memory its precious promises." ~RH April 27, 1905.

"Study the Word of God. Commit its precious promises to memory so that, when we shall be deprived of our Bibles, we may still be in possession of the Word of God." ~10MR 298 (1909)

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." ~Romans 12:2

"Man, fallen man, may be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that he can "prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." How does he prove this? By the Holy Spirit taking possession of his mind, spirit, heart, and character. The rubbish of questionable principles and practices is to be swept away. The Lord desires the mind to be renovated, and the heart filled with the treasures of truth. Truth has a power to elevate the receiver. It has a sanctifying influence upon mind and character.... Only by a continual improvement of the intellectual as well as the moral powers can we hope to answer the purpose of our Creator...." ~OHC 106

"And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes to do them:" ~Deuteronomy 17:19

"Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little" ~Isaiah 28:9, 10

"He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth." ~Proverbs 4:4, 5

"The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him." ~Lamanetations 3:25

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that neededth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." ~II Timothy 2:15

"For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly." ~Proverbs 2:6, 7

"My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding." ~Proverbs 3:11-13

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck." ~Proverbs 1:7-9

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:" ~Proverbs 3:1-3

Only One Unerring Pattern

"Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps. 1 Peter 2:21. Christ demands all. If He required less, His sacrifice was too dear, too great to make to bring us up to such a level. . . . "Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." This is a self-denying way. And when you think that the way is too strait, that there is too much self-denial in this narrow path; when you say, How hard to give up all, ask yourselves the question, What did Christ give up for me? This question puts anything that we may call self-denial in the shade. Behold Him in the garden sweating great drops of blood. A solitary angel is sent from heaven to strengthen the Son of God. Follow Him on His way to the judgment hall, while He is derided, mocked, and insulted by that infuriated mob. Behold Him clothed in that old purple kingly robe. Hear the coarse jest and cruel mocking. See them place upon that noble brow the crown of thorns, and then smite Him with a reed, causing the thorns to penetrate His temples, and the blood to flow from that holy brow. Hear that murderous throng eagerly crying for the blood of the Son of God. He is delivered into their hands, and they lead the noble sufferer away, pale, weak, and fainting, to His crucifixion. He is stretched upon the wooden cross, and the nails are driven through His tender hands and feet. Behold Him hanging upon the cross those dreadful hours of agony until the angels veil their faces from the horrid scene, and the sun hides its light, refusing to behold. Think of these things, and then ask, Is the way too strait? . . . It is a blessed privilege to give up all for Christ. Look not at the lives of others and imitate them and rise no higher. You have only one true, unerring Pattern. It is safe to follow Jesus only. . . . The oftener and more diligently you peruse the Scriptures, the more beautiful will they appear, and the less relish you will have for light reading. The daily study of the Scriptures will have a sanctifying influence upon the mind. You will breathe a heavenly atmosphere. Bind this precious volume to your hearts. It will prove to you a friend and guide in perplexity. You have had objects in view in your life, and how steadily and perseveringly have you labored to attain those objects! You have calculated and planned until your anticipations were realized. There is an object before you now worthy of a persevering, untiring, lifelong effort. It is the salvation of your soul--everlasting life. And this demands self-denial, sacrifice, and close study. . . . It is a great thing to be a child of God, and a joint heir with Christ." ~Testimonies, vol. 1, pp. 240-243. (LHU 41)

Tasty as Time

2007-10-23T21:03:00.000-04:00

While I was waiting for the group to show for the Tuesday night meeting, I noticed that the hue of the sunshine changed to an orangish glow. I ran outside with the camera and snapped some quick pictures.

The leaves agloe

Sunset

And now, zee special presentation from Paeter's Peas & Pasta.

A suggestion for a quick meal option. Now, I admit, this was an experiment and it is still in the experimental stages. I'm not quite happy with the sauce yet, but if you figure it out before I do, do please discreetly contact Paeter's Peas & Pasta with the details.

Take one can of the tomatoes and pour into fry pan or saute pan. Bring to a simmer.

Add whatever seasonings you like in your pasta sauce. Now, this does include black pepper which I didn't realize when I bought it, plus it has sugar...yuck. I think my problem with the finished product is the sugar, but I'm not sure - has a sweet tinge and I don't want that on my pasta sauce.

Boil your pasta. Pour finished sauce over pasta and serve.

Now, add in a generous salad and you should have about two meals worth of pasta. Now, this is certainly not as good as being made from scratch, but it presents the possibility of making a fairly nice sauce quick and easily (once the kinks are worked out) on short notice and in quantities easily consumed by one or two people.

A View of Sunday

2007-10-22T10:39:00.001-04:00

The Crucible & The Flame

2007-10-19T20:20:00.001-04:00

I really like this Sabbaths lesson about the crucible, so I took some pictures to help illustrate it a little.

This is the crucible that I used for this casting. It cradles the gold when the heat is applied.

The centrifuge is cocked, the crucible is in place, the torch is lit.

Applying the flame.

Applying more of the flame.

Pulling the flame away for the sake of the camera.

Full steam ahead!

This picture just does not capture the beauty of molten gold. One has to see it.

The gold is ready, the casting ring is in its cradle - it is time to cast. This gold was placed in the crucible for a purpose, for a reason. I don't just put gold in the crucible to heat it up for the fun of it. The purpose for the gold going into the crucible and under the flame is so that it will be become molten - plyable. You see, there is a pattern that this gold needs to be like. In order for the gold to become like the pattern (which is the mould in the casting ring), it must be place in the crucible and under the flame - only then, can the gold be cast into the mould, and resemble the original pattern.

Casting requires an experienced eye.

One might consider the job done once the gold is removed from the mould. Not so. There are abbrasives that must be used to polish and refine so that the gold will shine.

The end result is a beautiful image of the original pattern.

God places us in the crucible and under the flame for a reason. He doesn't do it for fun. He does it so that we become plyable and purified so that we can resemble the Original Pattern, Jesus Christ. We are to be recreated in His image, by His grace.

Just Some Thoughts

2007-10-18T22:03:00.000-04:00

Before I went for a walk this evening (thankfully got back before the storm) I read a bit out of Adventist Home. I just want to share some of the quotes with you - it is a little long, but do read read each quote.

"Satan is using every means to make crime and degrading vice popular." ~AH 406

"'We are in the world,' they say, 'and we cannot get out of it.' But, parents, we can get a good way out of the world, if we choose to do so." ~AH 406

"To the active minds of children and youth the scenes pictured in imaginary revelations of the future are realities." [Italics supplied] ~AH 407

"Like the body, the mind derives its strength from the food it receives. It is broadened and elevated by pure, strengthening thoughts; but it is narrowed and debased by thoughts that are of the earth earthy." ~AH 410

"Only by the inculcation of right principles can you exclude wrong thoughts." ~AH 410

"Do not permit upon your tables the magazines and newspapers in which are found love stories. Supply their place with books that will help the youth to put into their character-building the very best material-the love and fear of God, the knowledge of Christ. Encourage your children to store the mind with valuable knowledge, to let that which is good occupy the soul and control its powers, leaving no place for low, debasing thoughts...To those who feel free to read story magazines and novels I would say: You are sowing seed the harvest of which you will not care to garner...Through the agency of novels and story magazines, Satan is working to fill with unreal and trivial thoughts minds that should be diligently studying the word of God. Thus he is robbing thousands upon thousands of the time and energy and self-discipline demanded by the stern problems of life." ~AH 410, 411

"No effort should be spared to establish right habits of study. If the mind wanders, bring it back. If the intellectual and moral tastes have been perverted by overwrought and exciting tales of fiction so that there is a disinclination to apply the mind, there is a battle to be fought to overcome this habit." ~AH 411

"The readers of fiction are indulging an evil that destroys spirituality, eclipsing the beauty of the sacred page...Works of romance, fivolous, exciting tales, are, in hardly less degree, a curse to the reader. The author may profess to teach a moral lesson; throughout his work he may interweave religious sentiments, but often these only serve to veil the folly and worthlessness beneath." ~AH 412, 413

"How can Christian parents permit their children to use books so filled with falsehood? When the children ask the meaning of stories so contrary to the teaching of their parents, the answer is that the stories are not true; but this does not do away with the evil results of their use." ~AH 413

"Oh, that the young would reflect upon the influence which exciting stories have upon the mind! Can you, after such reading, open the word of God and read the words of life with interest? Do you not find the book of God uninteresting? The charm of that love story is upon the mind, destroying its healthy tone and making it impossible for you to fix your mind upon the important, solemn truths which concern your eternal interest." ~AH 416

"You cannot build a right character by bringing to the foundation wood, hay, and stubble." ~AH 417 (Lt 32, 1896)

"Unceasing care is needed in cultivating the soil of the mind and sowing it with the precious seed of Bible truth. Children should be taught to reject trashy, exciting tales and to turn to sensible reading, which will lead the mind to take an interest in Bible story, history, and argument. Reading that will throw light upon the Sacred Volumne and quicken the desire to study it is not dangerous, but beneficial. It is impossible for the youth to possess a healthy tone of mind and correct religious principles unless they enjoy the perusal of the word of God." ~AH 417

Well, those statements are pretty clear. May I ask, are the pinciples that one can find in these statements about what the Christian should and shouldn't be reading, are these principles applicable to other areas of life?

What about computer games and movies? What if rather than playing a game, Christians studied the Bible. What if rather than going to see a new movie, or renting a classic, or buying that crazy film - what if Christians studied the Bible - what would be the difference?

"Say firmly: 'I will not spend precious moments in reading that which will be of no profit to me, and which only unfits me to be of service to others. I will devote my time and my thoughts to acquiring a fitness for God's service. I will close my eyes to frivolous and sinful things. My ears are the Lord's, and I will not listen to the subtle reasoning of the enemy. My voice shall not in any way be subject to a will that is not under the influence of the Spirit of God. My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and every power of my being shall be consecrated to worthy pursuits." ~AH409 (7T 64)

FINALLY - I CAN TAKE A SHOWER!

2007-10-15T21:26:00.000-04:00

Well, upon being properly rested after the late night return from alumni weekend, I decided to start a project that I have been wanting to do. My tub drips round-the-clock and I wanted different fixtures. So, using a kit I had purchased last fall, I set to work Sunday evening - totally clueless to where this would lead! You know, inspite of the turn of events, I just want to thank God for His foresite. You see, for Sunday the 7th, I had planned on doing this very project and in anticipation had purchased some materials, including 10 ft. of 3/4" copper pipe. Now, I wasn't thinking things through like I should have and after I got home relized that those items were not what I really needed. But I think God was at work because those very items were used up almost entirely after things went "down-hill".

After I have removed some of the old plumbing. I wanted to not take out too much of the galvanized steel pipe. The cold water line is the one that takes the 90* turn to the left. You can see that there has been leaks in the past.

El Gato keeping an eye on the happenings!

The new valves and tub line in the holes - precleaning.

My work space. I should have had an actual drop cloth and a spray bottle with water...but a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. I wasn't able to finish the project Sunday night, which meant I had to go all night without any water! :(

Wee! Everything is hooked up! Time to turn on the H2O and check for leaks! The end is in sight!!! This was around mid-morning on Monday.

MAYDAY! MAYDAY! MAYDAY! We sprung a leak sir! Well, the cold line screwed into a main line in the basement and had rusted enough that my working on it partially broke the pipe off at a "T" junction. That meant I had to removed the "T" section from the main line in the basement...problem is that I would have to cut a section of pipe to get the "T" out!!! Around this time a fair amount of stongly tinged mild frustration began to set in. Steel pipe isn't easy to work with in my opionion since it has to have threads, can't solder it. This was fast turning into a major project! I had class tonight! I had given up on getting to Algebra today to take a test but I couldn't miss biology lab. I was about ready to start calling people to see if I could utilize their shower. But thankfully prayer prevailed. I realized I had that 10ft. long section of 3/4" copper pipe which would serve wonderfully as the replacement for the main line segment that I would take out. All I'd need would be two more fittings!

The new cold line!

Cold coming out from the basement. Can see the copper/steel junction on the main line.

Given the space I was working in on the main line in the basement I had to do a little detour for the cold supply line to get around the floor joist. As I started to solder the joints, I relized the pipe on the left was the gas line!...great, what next, my house blows up!? Well, thankfully nothing blew up and the solder joints held despite not being too pretty and thankfully the house didn't catch on fire either!

Ah...the other end of the pipe...

Nothing like a little molten solder down the sleave to get one's mind back on task!

Well, its done, the shower works and Tuesday I will scrub the shower! I finished putting away my tools at 4:30PM...that gave me exactly one hour to get a shower/clean up and eat an actual meal before leaving for class. You know I did get a bit frustrated -things fairly quickly went from so-so, to bad, to worse. I don't have awhole lot of patience with "things", especially when those "things" don't cooperate. Many times in life stuff happens. We complain about it and question why God doesn't fix the situation or make it all go away. Could I have done without the added expense, time and frustration that this whole excursion caused? Without a doubt. I would have been happy and thankful without that headache. But you know, I wouldn't have had a chance to practice patience. I would not have had to turn and leaned on God if things had gone smoothly. I would not have had to, with God's help, stop and take my mind off of the problem and focus it on Him.

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee." ~Isaiah 26:3

God gives us the opportunity, the privilage, to have peace in the midst of trouble and difficulty if we will but lean on Him.

In order to lean on Him, we have to have faith in Him. Even though I was not a happy camper, even though I didn't feel happy, content, rosey, or even feel like letting go of the mess and placing it in God's hands, by faith, I can lean on Him, I can give the mess to Him.

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:" ~Romans 5:1

"Faith and feeling are as distinct as the east is from the west. Faith is not dependent on feeling. We must earnestly cry to God in faith, feeling or no feeling, and then live our prayers. Our assurance and evidence is God's word, and after we have asked we must believe without doubting. I praise Thee, O God, I praise Thee. Thou has not failed me in the performance of Thy word. Thou has revealed Thyself unto me, I am Thine to do Thy will. (Letter 7, 1892)"

"Faith is simple in its operation and powerful in its results. Many professed Christians, who have a knowledge of the sacred Word and believe its truth, fail in the childlike trust that is essential to the religion of Jesus. They do not reach out with that peculiar touch that brings the virtue of healing to the soul." (Redemption: The Miracles of Christ, p.97)

One one of the several lessons learned: Enoch walked with God, he did this through continually communing with God...what if I had made continually communing with God a habit - how would this have played out when things got messy?

A Change in Seasons

2007-10-07T22:05:00.000-04:00

I took a break this evening and went outside to take some pictures. There was an interesting combination of things.

I usually thinks of flower buds as part of spring, but this rose has kept producing new flowers throughout the summer. Despite dry weather, that we are in the fall, or that it should get frosted soon, the rose has not stopped working.

Because the rose hasn't stopped and looked at the reasons to stop working, it is able to be a blessing to others.

The end of another year is on the way along with the end of another day.

The next three pictures reminds me of Philippians 4:19 "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." The birds of the air do not worry about what they will eat, God provides for them.

In addition to the mixture already seen are promises of Spring, of new life (Magnolia buds).

Various little clues here and there point to the end of the year. They point in the direction of winter, of the end of the year - a clue here and a clue there. Someone mentioned in Sabbath School (in reference to the lesson) that the sheep don't know the path over which the Shepherd leads. Only a few feet or so of the winding path is visible. The sheep must trust the Shepherd. Similarly, with a compass, one doesn't know what may lie ahead on the trail, but what matters is following the arrow. God doesn't give a detailed itinerary, He expects us to trust Him. Will you?

A Praise!

2007-09-24T12:07:00.000-04:00

I just want to post a praise - I am done with my Windows XP course! Sunday I got to glancing through the last 2/3rds of the book and realized it was pretty simple. So, given that I can take the final five times, I decided to just install the software and take the final exam. I got an "A" and so am done with the course!

My next challenge is to finish up the Algebra. The praise is I am working on the 4th chapter out of 7 so not too much longer and I shall be able to retire the algebra book! So I need to get back to studying as I am skipping class today so I can stay home and do homework (there is no lecture).

I'm thankful that God has created the mind with its capacity to learn and to remember.

This quote hit me - do I use my mind to its greatest potential?

"God has given the human mind great power, power to show that the Creator has endowed man with ability to do a great work against the enemy of all righteousness, power to show what victories may be gained in the conflict against evil." ~BTS, February 1, 1903 par. 5

Bedtime Snack

2007-09-12T21:41:00.001-04:00

This evening after I got home from class (around 9pm) the little bugger was feeling his oats and wanted to fight. The previous blog just doesn't express the extent to which Gato is a public menace. I thought it fitting to release photographs depicting what he becomes just before lights out.

Trouble, trouble, trouble

The attack has started! All paws are in action!

A brief reprieve - whew! I've got him chewing on his tail.

The rouse has been discovered!

Ouch!

Time to finish the job! Let me tell you, those little teeth are sharp!

Gato appears satisfied with the evenings work...

El Gato...

2007-09-12T16:17:00.000-04:00

Well, tis past time to put some pictures up about the little terror that has made my home his.

I doubt anyone realizes what he is really like in the morning!

He loves to sit in my lap, which can become dangerous if he decides it is time to play. Hands and arms become fair game.

The result of yesterday's rambunctious rampage - paw prints on my wall!

This morning I read a section out of Adventist Home and there was a quote that caught my eye:

"I saw that Jesus knows our infirmities and has Himself shared our experience in all things but in sin; therefore He has prepared for us a path suited to our strength and capacity and, like Jacob, has marched softly and in evenness with the children as they were able to endure, that He might entertain us by the comfort of His company and be to us a perpetual guide." AH 281:1

Isn't that amazing?! "He has prepared for us a path suited to our strength and capacity". He intimately understands and knows each one of us and He customizes the path He has for us. I know that is one thing I have struggled with many times, accepting His path. There are plenty of reasons not to do mission work, but even when it may not look like it to me: "the happiest place on earth for him was the place where God would have him to be." PP126:3 This is speaking about Abraham and his willingness to follow God's leading. Learning to trust Him and follow His leading will bring difficulty, sacrifice, happiness, and most importantly, a closer walk with Him. It is also the only experience we would want if we could but see. But we can't see and that can be a problem, but that is were faith comes in. Being willing, in our blindness, to accept God's leading and direction come what may.

The Garden

2007-09-06T13:08:00.000-04:00

This past week some work & harvesting was done at the garden. There was actually quite a bit of weeding to do as no one had gotten out there to tend to it because of hectic schedules.

Kyle weeding the corn. This is the late variety. We missed the best time to pick the early corn so it was dried up. It can be like that with life too. EGW mentions that God provides opportunities, success depends on the use made of them. There is a window of time when a farmer can harvest. When that window of time has passed so has the opportunity - the fruit is now worthless, spoiled because no one picked it. It is like that with life and the Gospel commision - there are people who are receptive to the Gospel, but that may only be for a window of time.

There is a quote from "The Secret Garden" (the Hallmark movie is the better one and goes well with the book). "Where you tend a rose, a thistle cannot grow." These tomato plants were not tended to, trained and so they grew wildly. Plenty of weeds sprang up as well. By the time we tried to bring some order to the growth, they were too old and overgrown to be flexible enough to work with and the weeds were pretty much a lost cause - especially on the side I am standing. It is the same in life. We have to constantly watch for the weeds that spring up in our lives that will hinder the grown of the plant that Christ has planted in each of us. We also have to guide that plant by the Bible and prayer. The Bible talks about training up a child in the way that he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it. If that training isn't done early, habits and traits become set in the character and they are more difficult to remove. Thankfully, Christ is the Master Gardener and He knows how to prune and train us.

Kyle holding some broccoli that has gone to seed. We missed the fruit!

Well, this was about all that the watermellon was good for. Kyle and I both thought we purchased sugar baby mellons, but these are needing to get alot bigger to ripen...nothing like tasting green watermellon!

The mellon is too early, the cucumbers are too late...somewhere in between is just right. God knows each of our hearts and He knows what is just right for each of us.

Somewhere Up North

2007-08-20T18:47:00.000-04:00

Some snapshots from the campout.

The campsite Friday evening.

Along the Pine River

On the way back we stopped at the lighthouse in Silver Lake State Park. Something to remember - as Christians, we are all a lighthouse to those in our sphere of influence.

A recurring theme for worship was character, in one way or another, its development and its influence. The development of a Christlike character is God's ultimate desire for each of us. One nice thing about camping is that there is a chance to reassess priorities and to be removed from the hussle and bussle of the world.

Satan has worked continually to eclipse the glories of the future world and to attract the whole attention to the things of this life. He has striven so to arrange matters that our thought, our anxiety, our labor might be so fully employed in temporal things that we should not see or realize the value of eternal realities. The world and its cares have too large a place, while Jesus and heavenly things have altogether too small a share in our thoughts and affections. We should conscientiously discharge all the duties of everyday life, but it is also essential that we should cultivate, above everything else, holy affection for our Lord Jesus Christ. {AH 404.3}

They Fit!

2007-08-05T21:46:00.001-04:00

Well this weekend I & my cat went up to my parents. I will have to admit, that the idea to hold a competition for a name for the little bugger was appealing as nothing has really hit me for a name. However, I think "Gato" (will probably formally be"El Gato") will probably end up being it as he "seems" to have responded to this a couple times on Thursday & Friday. Anyway after the adventures up north, I brought down two kayaks. Sometime this summer I do want to go down the Saint Joe River and out into the lake.

I am thankful they fit over the car as this is the only place I have for them. Now I did a search of my EGW CD-ROM for something about fitting Christ into our lives, but the word "fit" isn't used in such a manner in her writings. What came up though I think is worth contemplating.

But there are many who claim to be children of God who are resting their hopes upon other dependencies, rather than on the blood of Christ alone. When urged to rest their faith wholly upon Christ as a complete Saviour, many reveal the fact that they have faith in something that they think they can do. They say, "I have a great deal to do before I can be fit to come to Christ." Another says, "When I have done to the uttermost all that I can do, then the Lord Jesus will come to my help." They imagine that they have a great deal to do themselves to save their own souls, and that Jesus will come in and piece out that part which is lacking, and give the finishing stroke to their salvation. These poor souls will not be strong in God until they accept Christ as a complete Saviour. They can add nothing to their salvation. The Israelites were required to sprinkle the door-posts with the blood of a slain lamb, in order that when the angel of death passed through the land, they might escape destruction. But if instead of doing this simple act of faith and obedience, they had barricaded the door, and taken every precaution to keep the destroying angel out, their pains would have been in vain, and would have testified to their unbelief. When the blood was seen upon the door-post, it was enough. The salvation of the house was assured. So it is in the work of salvation; it is the blood of Jesus Christ that cleanseth from all sin. {YI, December 6, 1894 par. 2}

Musings

2007-07-26T13:46:00.000-04:00

"Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barnes; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?" Matt 6:26

Interesting thought.

Tuesday afternoon and evening I spent several hours out on the beach and was given company by a number of sea gulls. There were several issues I was contemplating, one of which was in regards to mission aviation vs. law/other occupation. Now and in the past, the more I have headed towards law, the less settled with it I have become. Since 8th grade the idea of mission aviation has popped up now (due to a particular article in the Adventist Review about a certain mission pilot) and then and each time I have either been talked out of it or pushed the idea out of my head.

What does one say when one asks God for guidance on a particular course of action and then opens a slightly dusty book to the next chapter only to finds the following (and have that happen rather consistently)?:

"Nothing will so arouse a self-sacrificing zeal and broaden and strengthen the character as to engage in work for others." -CS 179:2

"Their need is a vital union with Jesus Christ. Then it can be said of them, 'Ye are laborers together with God.' I want to say to many, You are waiting for some one to carry you to the vineyard and set you to work, or to bring the vineyard to you, that you may experience no inconvenience in labor. You will wait in vain. If you will lift up your eyes, you will see the harvest ripe, ready for the sickle, whichever way you may look; you will find work close by and far off. But of how many will Christ say in the judgement, 'Good and faithful servants'?" -CS 179:3

"It was no light test that was thus brought upon Abraham, no small sacrifice that was required of him. There were strong ties to bind him to his country, his kindred, and his home. But he did not hesitate to obey the call. He had no question to ask concerning the Land of Promise...God had spoken, and His servant must obey; the happiest place on earth for him was the place where God would have him to be." -CS 181:2

"Many are still tested as was Abraham. They do not hear the voice of God speaking directly from the heavens, but He calls them by the teachings of His Word and the events of this providence. They may be required to abandon a career that promises wealth and honor, to leave congenial and profitable associations, and separate from kindred, to enter upon what appears to be only a path of self-denial, hardship, and sacrifice. God has a work for them to do; but a life of ease and the influence of friends and kindred would hinder the development of the very traits essential for its accomplishment. He calls them away from human influences and aid, and leads them to feel the need of His help, and to depend upon Him alone, that He may reveal Himself to them." -CS 181:3

"While many are waiting to have every obstacle removed, souls are dying without hope and without God in the world. Many, very many, for the sake of worldly advantage, for the sake of acquiring scientific knowledge, will venture into pestilential regions, and endure hardship and privation. Where are those who are willing to do this for the sake of telling others of the Savior?" -CS 182:4

It is nice to have a wonderful walk by the lake. It is nice to be content to walk through life stopping now and then to smell the roses.

It is nice to find a comfortable place in life, a place of one's own choosing to be able to take in the enjoyments of life.

God wants us to stretch our wings. He wants us to fly. He doesn't want us to be satisfied down on the ground, stuck on earth.

But all to often we squack and drag our feet or allow our gaze to be diverted from Jesus. Thankfully God is longsuffering, He wants us to soar.

But even with flight, sometimes we are content to fly near the ground, for it is safer.

I think of the following verse. Eagles don't cruise around near the ground. They fly high, they soar, they get up high where currents of air will lift them up. God wants each of us to soar.

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Photographs were taken by a Cannon Powershot G5, 5.0 MP

Sabbath Evening

2007-07-23T11:29:00.001-04:00

Sabbath evening at the beach!

Thanks to Tunisia for being the photographer.

If we take the time in life and look closely we will see interesting things.

In Sabbath School on Sabbath we looked at the lives of Isaac & Rebekah. We also paralleled their lives to those of Abraham and Sarah and realized that the apple didn’t fall far from the tree in that Isaac & Rebekah repeated many of the same (down to being identical) mistakes as did Abraham and Sarah. A thought that hit my mind Sunday afternoon was that though we as apples don’t fall far from our parent’s trees in that we are made in our parents’ image, God doesn’t want us to stay there. By His grace, He transplants us from the base of our parent’s tree to the base of His tree. He wants to make us into His image. We are the apple of His eye for He values us by the price He paid for us.

Psalms 17:7 Show thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.
17:8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings

This next passage is interesting I think, especially verse 9. God has invested His life into each one of us, we are His “portion”. Jesus was the capital (think monetary investments) that He invested into each one of us. We are valued at the price He paid for us. You know what, no matter what, God is not going to destroy His investment. He is not interested in loosing His investment or of it decreasing in value, it (us) are worth far too much. He wants the investment to grow and He isn’t going to do anything that will not be for the betterment of that investment.

Deuteronomy 32:9 For the LORD'S portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.
32:10 He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.
32:11 As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:
32:12 So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him.
32:13 He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock;
32:14 Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape.

Photographs were taken by a Cannon Powershot G5, 5.0 MP

DRUM ROLL!......................

2007-07-18T23:04:00.001-04:00

OK. For ya'll who've wondered if I really do have parents or if I followed the pattern of "from the goo, to the zoo, to you" here are some pictures of el don y doña whilst they were in England recently.

4th Time is a Charm...well not quite, but close.

2007-07-12T17:45:00.001-04:00

This afternoon I paid off all the bills I have received this month after putting it off for about a week. I was running errands and swung by the Post Office and dropped them in the box. As I drove away, a sense of relief came over me. I am free and clear for the rest of the month! Toodling along on the main drag, the thought struck me, "What will the sensation be like when we see Jesus in the clouds and realize we are free and clear?" You know, I am thankful that God offers freedom.

Well, as far as the title goes, today was my fourth time in a week slogging over the sand dunes. My goal at present is for two round trips in an hour - from the car to the waters edge twice. Today was my first time doing two round trips and I might ad, if I hadn't eaten before I left and drunk water on the way to the park or taken pictures along the way and at the beach on the first lap, I probably would have made it in an hour and not 70 minutes. Live and learn...sometimes it takes a belly ache to learn.

Looking up at leaves with the sun shining down.

Beautiful view!

A quote that I ran across recently:

"The elements of character that make a man truly successful and honored among men--the irrepressible desire for some greater good, the indomitable will, the strenuous application, the untiring perseverance--are not to be discouraged. By the grace of God they are to be directed to the attainment of objects as much higher than mere selfish and worldly interests as the heavens are higher than the earth." --Child Guidance 343:4

We have been separated from the world by the great cleaver of truth. Our wrong traits of character are not always visible to ourselves, although they may be very apparent to others. But time and circumstances will surely prove us and bring to light the gold of character or discover the baser metal. Not one of us is known or read of all men, till the crucible of God tests us. Every base thought, every wrong action, reveals some defect in the character. These rugged traits must be brought under the chisel and hammer in God's great workshop, and the grace of God must smooth and polish before we can be fitted for a place in the glorious temple. --4T 540:3

That is a wonderful quote. Think of a statue - I like to think of the statue of David or the Pieta. Each started off as a block of rugged stone. But, through the application of the hammer and chisel, each was refined into a masterpiece.

It is not a conclusive evidence that a man is a Christian because he manifests spiritual ecstasy under extraordinary circumstances. Holiness is not rapture: it is an entire surrender of the will to God; it is living by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God; it is doing the will of our heavenly Father; it is trusting God in trial, in darkness as well as in the light; it is walking by faith and not by sight; it is relying on God with unquestioning confidence, and resting in His love. --AA 51

Photographs were taken by a Cannon Powershot G5, 5.0 MP

By the Hair of My Chinny Chin Chin & Torque My Melon! - or is that two "l's"?

2007-07-10T22:13:00.001-04:00

This evening I went to Floral Lane for a hike. I hiked out to the beach and spent several minutes there but decided to head back as a rather large wall of dark clouds was getting too close. It was a close shave.

The storm clouds - they almost caught me!

Monday I went out to the beach as well and didn't think to take my camera and as a result missed a spectacular sunset. I missed some amazing views this evening as well, which torqued my melon as that made two amazing sunsets in as many days that I have lacked a camera. This evening's sunset made me wonder what the glory of Christ's second coming will be like. I managed to get back and get my camera to snap a couple pictures of what was left of the sunset.

I finished the book "Confrontation" by EGW Sunday and want to include some quotes.

"Oh, wonderful condescension! The Majesty of heaven, through love and pity for fallen man, proposed to become his substitute and surety. He would bear man's guilt. He would take the wrath of His Father upon Himself, which otherwise would have fallen upon man because of his disobedience." -Pg. 17

"In order to elevate fallen man, Christ must reach him where he was. He took human nature, and bore the infirmities and degeneracy of the race. He who knew no sin became sin for us. He humiliated Himself to the lowest depths of human woe, that He might be qualified to reach man and bring him up from the degradation in which sin had plunged him." -Pg. 33

"It was the purpose of God to test and prove the race, and give them an opportunity to develop character by bringing them frequently into trying positions to test their faith and confidence in His love and power. The life of Christ was a perfect pattern." -Pg. 44

"The cost of the redemption of the race can never be fully realized until the redeemed shall stand with the Redeemer, by the throne of God. And as they have capacity to appreciate the value of immortal life, and the eternal reward, they will swell the song of victory and immortal triumph, "Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature," says John, "which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing , and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever."" -Pg. 55, 56

Photographs were taken by a Cannon Powershot G5, 5.0 MP

Breakfast

2007-07-10T10:32:00.000-04:00

Well, I wasted a little bit of time this morning at breakfast...the pictures say it all. If you click on the pictures, you'll get a better view.

Photographs were taken by a Cannon Powershot G5, 5.0 MP

Alabaster

2007-06-30T20:56:00.000-04:00

Matthew 26:6, 7

"And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table."

I heard that story many times growing up and always wondered what alabaster looked like. Now, there is probably a bit of variety in the world of alabaster as far as appearance goes, but a few years ago, my mom bought two alabaster lamps. They are presently residing in the "sun room" which used to be the screened-in-porch. The stone is quite beautiful.

Photographs were taken by a Cannon Powershot G5, 5.0 MP

The Weekend

2007-06-29T14:22:00.000-04:00

This weekend I am house sitting for my parents. Tis where I grew up.

This is the house, the former dog house that is. Looking NW from the patio.

Looking NW from the south end of the house. This is the back yard.

Looking west from the family room.

West side of the house.

South side.

Southern View. Garden on the left and right.

East side.

Eastern View.

North side from the Bee Trail.

Northern view. The Bee Trail is just below and right of the hummingbird feeder.

This bell my parents originally got as a way to call my brother and I back to the house from the woods rather than yelling. We didn't respond to the bell, but the dogs did.

I wandered around the yard and took some pictures of the flowers. I think the pictures speak for themselves. What will the new earth be like?

Lavender

The sun is shining through this lilly. The difference between the lilly without verses with the sun is amazing. Christ wants to shine through each of us.

The flower of a Yucca Lilly.

These roses are climbing roses. My mom got the original plant from her grandmother quite a few years ago, I think close to thirty. The original is still around and my brother took clippings and started two other very robust plantings. I am going to try it at my place.

What is left of a Rootbeer Iris. They are brown & cream and actually quite pretty.

The flower of a Lace Vine.

Photographs were taken by a Cannon Powershot G5, 5.0 MP

Thor Revisited

2007-06-27T16:56:00.000-04:00

I have been meaning to put up an update about Thor but it has been difficult to get pictures of him at a short distance let alone up close. In a post for June 12, I mentioned that I had a goal of getting Thor to eat out of my hand. It took less than a week to get him to take the biscuit out of my hand. However, that has been too close for a picture so I had to settle on the crumbs of the affair. Here is a crumb from the biscuit that fell to the ground as he happily chomped away this morning!

Photographs were taken by a Cannon Powershot G5, 5.0 MP

Just Some Musings

2007-06-24T16:23:00.000-04:00

Thursday I was reading in the book of Psalm when I came across this verse:

Psalm 31:3 For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.

I had to ask, do I make God my rock and fortress or do I try to go on my own, out of sight and out of reach of His guidance and protection?

Before gun powder seriously began to be used and even for awhile after, castles and fortresses were used for protection.

My brother stuck to space legos and I kept to town and castle legos. However, my brother crossed over once and built this mountain castle, for which I supplied the army. Without the fortress for protection and a place to flee to if things became too difficult on the field, my army would soon be destroyed.

2 Samuel 22:2 And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; 22:3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. 22:4 I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, [and] my high tower.

Psalm 71:1 In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion. 71:2 Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me. 71:3 Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.

Psalm 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

The gate can only be opened from the inside.

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

This castle has two gates.

John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Isaiah 26:1 In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. 26:2 Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 26:4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

Something to keep in mind, no matter how impossible something may seem:

Hebrews 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

Isaiah 62:6 I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence.

Psalm 122:7 Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.

Isaiah 60:18 Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.

Under the castle is treasure!

Deuteronomy 28:12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.

Isaiah 33:5 The LORD is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness. 33:6 And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure.

Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

I had to reconstitue my army when I dug it out of the box. I had a bit of work to do to refit my men.

In an army, just like the body, there are various parts and jobs. Each job has its purpose.

The army needs intelligence - it needs scouts. OK, so these characters looks suspicously like Robin Hood and his merry men, but they work for my army. We too need to watch for the enemy. He wants the ground we hold and we need to be watchful and aware.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Matthew 24:43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Mark 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

Archers provide a valuable service to an army. They provide ranged attack. They are able to reach out and touch the enemy. Volleys of arrows can be used to weeken the enemy before they get close enough to fight. Archers are essentially defenseless. They must depend upon the other troops for defense, for safety.

Zechariah 9:14 And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south. 9:15 The LORD of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar. 9:16 And the LORD their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land. 9:17 For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids.

Spearmen/Pikemen are necessary. Spearmen are good against mounted units, but week against infantry such as swordsmen. However, each job has its purpose.

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Cavalry is an essential part of an army. They provide speed and power.

Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. 21:31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.

The prison wagon and escort.

Well, back in the box they went.

Lunch!

2007-06-24T13:46:00.000-04:00

I just went out to my garden to weed and water and found some squash!

I like to pick my squash sooner than this, you can see the bumps on the surface. The left one is about right.

Ready to boil! Then drain and add a little salt. Yum! Yum!

Photographs were taken by a Cannon Powershot G5, 5.0 MP

Camp Meeting 2007

2007-06-24T12:48:00.000-04:00

Sabbath evening just before heading home.

The Pastor was causing trouble in the back row. Notice my left arm and Kyle's right arm.

On the road again!

Photographs were taken by a Cannon Powershot G5, 5.0 MP

Who Has the Details of Your Life?

2007-06-19T12:30:00.000-04:00

I read a statement this morning and it made me stop and think.

"Could it be that God keeps us in Heaven's waiting room to perfect our faith?"

God isn't just interested in having us accept Him, He wants to perfect us, to refine us, to foster growth in our lives so that we become more and more like Him. Once we give our lives to God (and this should happen every day) we enter God's workshop where He works on us.

I have a model ship in my basement that I need to dig out of a box and finish. I started it around two years ago and it is my first model ship and my first model out of wood. It is a model of a small schooner, called a "Sharpie Schooner" which was based off of "Terrapin Schooners". Sharpies were developed in the 1800s and were used into the 20th century around Florida and Gulf Coasts as a fishing/crabbing boat or as a small merchant/cargo vessel.

Near the beginning of construction - the deck & board lines, ribs & keel of the ship. Doesn't look like much, just a skeleton.

Things are starting to take shape. Looks more like a boat and one begins to see what it is supposed to look like.

When God takes each of us, He starts working on us where we are at and works towards the finished product He has in mind.

It may take a bit of time but God has a purpose for each of our lives. He has started building us in Him and He will see it through. Trusting God to work can be difficult and we may not always understand why, but He does have a plan.

Psalm 27:14 "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."

Hebrews 12:2 "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith..."

There is a phrase that I have often heard when discussing legal contracts - "the devil is in the details". A contract may look good on the surface but one has to get down into the nitty-gritty to find out what it really is like. It raises a good point. We may be good overall, but God just isn't interested in the general picture, He is interested in the details too. He pays attention to the small touches that we may more perfectly reflect Christ who is the "real thing" that we are to be modeled after.

Sometimes there might be some small things in our lives that don't fit properly. He wants to fix those as well as the large things.

The conclusion that I came to as a result of that one sentence at the top of this section is this:

Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"

So wait upon the Lord and allow Him to work.

Isaiah 40:31 "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

Photographs were taken by a Cannon Powershot G5, 5.0 MP

The Problem of Thor

2007-06-12T19:41:00.000-04:00

Thor is a German Shepherd-Chow mix who is a very shy and timid dog. From what I understand, the previous owners were not too kind to him. He is also blind in one eye. His current owners are church members and have had him for several years.

The problem is his shyness or perhaps distrust of anyone new.

So, the challenge is to get Thor to trust me enough to eat out my hand.

This evening I came quite a bit closer, he finally allowed me to touch him. He even came up to me to be petted and scratched for a few short moments - that is a major breakthrough.

Thor's favorite pasttime is fetching his favorite toy. The funny thing - I brought him a biscuit and he didn't have the least interest in it...neither did the cat! Hmm...well, I'm not about to taste it to see if they are right, so I may just have to buy a Slim Jim or other such treat.

Photographs were taken by a Cannon Powershot G5, 5.0 MP

A Walk in the Garden

2007-06-12T10:22:00.000-04:00

After going for a walk this morning I watered my garden and came across some little things.

The PEAS! Paeter's Peas & Pasta is happy to announce that the peas are on the way. Now I just have to figure out the pasta part.

As I looked further I noticed that there was moisture on the plants. Without the water the plants would soon die.

Ezekiel 34:26 - And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.

Each droplet, like a small blessing, may be small, but together in the right amounts, they lift us up, they perk us up, they help us get through the hot day, the intense heat. Each little droplet has its part to play to help sustain life - but it has to be absorbed to do any good, to perk up the plant. Do we look for and accept the many little blessings that God provides?

While looking over the plants, I found a lightening bug on one of my bell pepper plants. Now, someone has been eating on my tab when it comes to my pepper plants and I haven't been able to figure out who the culprit is. The leaves are getting a bit chewed up. So, when I saw the lightening bug, I was rather interested. Lucky for him, I figured he wasn't the party at fault for I have a "shoot first, ask questions later" policy right now. As I watched, I noticed he was actually seeking out moisture on the leaf to drink. He didn't have much to work with, but it was satisfying his thirst.

After scanning the vegetation for any other potential threats my eyes fell upon something.

On another corn plant I found this

Psalm 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

This little fly has more than he can accept! (that is my pinkie finger by the way)

Matthew 7:9-11 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Here is one my of cucumber flowers. It looks rather vibrant and alive - that is because it is connected to the vine.

One of my "summer squash" flowers

An interesting part of bringing forth fruit is that the flower dies.

We are to stay connected to the vine to bear fruit just as a branch must stay connected or die. However, "self", like the flower, needs to die to allow room for the fruit, for the character traits and qualities that God wishes to develop in us and for us to be effective witnesses for Him.

John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Photographs were taken by a Cannon Powershot G5, 5.0 MP

Construction

2007-06-04T15:48:00.001-04:00

This page is under construction and may change drastically as ideas are produced and coagulate. Enjoy your peas & pasta.