Retreat

Sonya and I are going on a spiritual retreat this week so the blog will be taking a rest too. No computer, TV, phone, etc as we get away to rest, renew, and spend time with God and each other. Here's a link to the place we are going.

DEER RIDGE

Here's a link to the Bed & Breakfast that it is housed at.

HIGHPOINT

Would you mind taking some of the time you waste reading my blog each day (both of you) to pray for us this week? We are wonderfully blessed and happy so don't try to read anything into this :) we just want all that God has for us this week.

Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Week: Proverbs 31:29-31 29 "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 31 Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Scripture of the Week: Ephesians 6:18-19 18 "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,"

Quote of the Week: "The reason why many fail in battle is because they wait until the hour of battle. The reason why others succeed is because they have gained their victory on their knees long before the battle came...Anticipate your battles; fight them on your knees before temptation comes, and you will always have victory.” Reuben Archer

Back when I was a kid...

Earlier this week one of my boys (anonymous:) asked if we could get a riding lawnmower this year. I kindly reminded him that it only takes a half hour to mow our yard and that it would take twice that long to turn a rider around. Then he asked if we could get the front yard rolled since it's bumpy sometimes and hard to mow. After this second attempt I saw my opening to share my story of growing up with a "When I was a kid" story. Sonya saw the setup coming, rolled her eyes, and knew he'd asked for it. I then began to wax eloquent on mowing my yard growing up. It took 8 hours to mow our yard with only a push mower and that there was hardly a flat section to it. My parents thought riding lawnmowers were introduced by the Communists to try and weaken the strength of the American worker. (OK, they never said that or even believed that, but it was the only logical reason I could come up with)

But even better than another one of my childhood stories to bless my children with was our trip to Quincy for a couple of days this week to share the joys of real yardwork with them in person. Mom and Dad are celebrating 50 years on the old homestead (17 acres, 15 now that they changed the highway) and the old yard had become a little too much. So all us kids are trying to give a few weekends this year to get the yard back up to snuff and keep it healthy and strong. 6 hours of mowing and 8 hours of raking (times 7 of us) and we're almost 75% done! Lots of mud, sore muscles and a few blisters, but hopefully I won't hear the bumpy yard complaint for a while.

I took a few pictures to give you a piece of my "When I was a Kid" story.

Here's a picture form across Hwy 96. The trees will really fill in during the summer.


Here's a closer picture. They rebuilt the highway on this stretch a couple years ago. Don't even get mom started about the workers who put all these rocks here...

This is the cliff that runs along the backside of our property. It's probably a couple hundred feet high here and overlooks Burton Creek. The creek is running high and muddy with all the rain. I think it's bigger than the Kishwaukee River in Sycamore on a good day though.


Here's an old road that runs up the backside of our property along side of the cliff. The cliff is about 40 feet to the left just over the ridge.

Did I mention how long it took to mow the yard with a push mower when I was a kid? And that was before these fancy wheel drive push mowers too.....

Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 26:12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Scripture of the Day: Ephesians 6:2-3 2 "Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."

Quote of the Day: "Go the extra mile, it's never crowded." Unknown

Hug a Tree!

Hi, my name is William and this is my brother Larry and this is my other brother Jerry.

Thanks to all of our workers this week as we makeover the church this summer. There will be lots of opportunities to be blessed this year so keep your ears open. The kids were doing a work-a-thon to raise money for camp this last weekend and one of the girls (age 8) commented after she'd been scraping glue off a wall for about 45 minutes, "This is fun!" For the first time in over 12 years you can walk up the back stairway off the old basement without stepping over something. Great work kids!

Don't miss all the fun this summer!

Today is Earth Day 2008. I'll avoid the debates and propaganda, but will say, "What an Awesome God!" I haven't seen the intelligent design documentary "Expelled" yet but Ethan and some of his friends went and saw it Friday night. The incredible intricacy and wonder of creation brings glory to our God. So be a good steward of the creation but worship the Creator today. Hug a tree and say "Awesome God!"

Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 22:12 The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.

Scripture of the Day: Romans 1:18-25 18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

Quote of the Day: "If one starts with an impersonal beginning, the answer to morals eventually turns out to be the assertion that there are no morals." Francis Schaeffer

Love on the Run

Love is such a central theme and foundation in the life of the believer, but true love is not lived out in discussion, theology, and solitude. Real love is lived out every day of our lives. Sometimes it's accompanied by wonderful feelings and other times it is obedience pure and simple.

The last two Sundays we've been looking at Love on the Run out of Romans 12. It's love in the everyday life. It's love when it doesn't feel good. It's love even when it hurts. It's the love that happens on the Thursday afternoon at work and the Tuesday evening at home. In the traffic jam, the supermarket, or the ball field. It's the day to day life of the believer. Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount said, Matt. 5:43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Last week we called this a stretching love. Real love stretches us and grows us. And yet only in love do we full live out the call of the believer. We love the time on the mountain tops, but the crops are grown in the valleys.

Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 21:2 All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.

Scripture of the Day: John 13:35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. [Jesus]

Quote of the Day: "Our love to God is measured by our everyday fellowship with others and the love it displays." Andrew Murray

Expelled

I've been to a movie theater about 5 times in the last 20 years but I may try to make it again this weekend for Ben Stein's movie "Expelled." It's a documentary on the struggle over Intelligent Design in academia and our culture. I've not seen it so I can't endorse it but check it out for yourself at:

EXPELLED


It opens at the Market Square 10 today in DeKalb.

Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 18:2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.

Scripture of the Day: Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Quote of the Day: Ben Stein's film Expelled makes a powerful case for "Intelligent Design" in explaining the origins of life and the creation of the universe. It also exposes an entrenched and aggressive Darwinist establishment in academia that suffocates all competing points of view. Highly qualified professors and scientists who dare to question evolutionary orthodoxy are systematically excluded or summarily dismissed. It is political correctness run amuck on university campuses.

Stein sets out on a mission to find out why I.D. is most often "expelled" from the public square, and what he discovers in this riveting documentary is incredibly enlightening. I recommend the film enthusiastically. — Dr. James Dobson

Rufus in the House

Elizabeth has entered the working world this week as a dog sitter. She's pretty tired after just a half day and a restless night. I'm sure both of them will sleep well tonight.

One of the side family benefits has been Sonya realizing that those "wouldn't it be nice to have a little baby around" feelings are unfounded. It's actually kind of nice to have your kids old enough to care, dress, and feed themselves. Sleeping through the night isn't bad either.

If you ever need prayer any time of the day or night you can e-mail a request to the national A/G prayer center. Or you can call direct at 800-4-PRAYER. Put it in your phone's memory or save the link in your favorites.

PRAYER


Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 16:16 How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!

Scripture of the Day: Mark 7:28 "Yes, Lord," she replied, "but even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs."

Quote of the Day: "One verse in every six in the first three Gospels relates either directly or indirectly to money. Sixteen of our Lords forty-four parables deal with the use of misuse of money. A loving, joyful, liberal giving to the Lord’s work is an acid test of a spiritual heart, pleasing to God." William Allen

Thanks!

Thanks to everyone who donated clothing for the IL Teen Challenge 10 Million Pound Challenge. Larry & Jerry took a full pickup truck load to the Chicago center yesterday. Teen Challenge is an incredible ministry and on our monthly mission's giving list. Check them out here.

IL TEEN CHALLENGE

Here's a link to the Long Island Teen Challenge. Jimmy Jack was one of my teammates in college and in my wedding. He has an incredible testimony of the power of God to deliver and change a life. He founded this Teen Challenge after college and is still the pastor/director there.

LONG ISLAND TEEN CHALLENGE


Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 15:9 The LORD detests the way of the wicked but he loves those who pursue righteousness.

Scripture of the Day: Luke 20:20-26 Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. 21 So the spies questioned him: "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" 23 He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24 "Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?" 25 "Caesar's," they replied. He said to them, "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." 26 They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.

Quote of the Day: The difference between death and taxes is death doesn't get worse every time Congress meets. Will Rogers

Peer Pressure

I was going to recap my sermon outline today, but our Suppers for Eight group gave me way to much fodder for my blog this week. Every time someone would tell a story someone else would comment that it was going to be in my blog this week. From dogs, to dating, to memories, to Hickeytown. We laughed and had a great time together with the family of God. Fellowship, breaking bread, prayer, love, friends. What a great combination. We deliberately mixed up the ages, stages of life, and length at Bethel for our Suppers for Eight groups and still there is this incredible unity that only comes from being in the family of God. I get to go to church every Sunday with my best friends. Awesome!

Be Refreshed!


Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 14:1 The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

Scripture of the Day: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Quote of the Day: I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Awesome Creator

Here is a link to a neat article about the man who led the humane genome project and how he came to faith in God. I don't believe the theory of Theistic Evolution, but the rest is interesting.

HERE

Here a link to the new Creation Museum outside of Cincinnati that will give you a little better idea of creation.

CREATION MUSEUM

We haven't made it to the museum yet but would love to some time this year. We do have several friends who have been there and the reviews have all been outstanding.

Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 8:27-29 I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep, when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep, 29 when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.

Scripture of the Day: Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Quote of the Day: ‘This most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent Being. … This Being governs all things, not as the soul of the world, but as Lord over all; and on account of his dominion he is wont to be called “Lord God”, or “Universal Ruler”. … The Supreme God is a Being eternal, infinite, absolutely perfect." Sir Isaac Newton

The Awesome Word

We went through Psalm 119 in Bible study last night, or at least we went through some of it. At 176 verses (longest chapter in the Bible) there was no way we were going to cover it all. But it's a meditative prayer/poem of the awesomeness of God's Word. Every verse contains some reference to the Word: precepts, promises, commands, law, decrees, statutes, etc. There were several themes that kept jumping out though. Liberty, Life, Stability, and Light. Too often we view the Word as dry or constraining, but the truth is that it's alive and gives light and life to us. Here are just a few highlights from the 176.

v. 1-2 1 Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. 2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.

v. 9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. (My favorite verse during college)

v. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

v. 32 I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free. (cool verse)

v. 37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.

v. 71-72 It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.

v.89 Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.

v. 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

v. 120 My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws.

v. 165 Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.

Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 3:1-2 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, 2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.

Scripture of the Day: Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Quote of the Day: "Yes, it is a press, certainly, but a press from which shall flow in inexhaustible streams, the most abundant and most marvelous liquor that has ever flowed to relieve the thirst of men! Through it, God will spread His Word. A spring of truth shall flow from it: like a new star it shall scatter the darkness of ignorance, and cause a light heretofore unknown to shine amongst men." Johannes Gutenberg.....Among the specific contributions to printing that are attributed to Gutenberg are the design of metal movable type, the invention of a process for making such type in quantity (mass production), the use of oil-based ink, and the use of a wooden printing press similar to the screw olive and wine presses of the period. His truly epochal invention was the combination of these elements into a practical system. (Wikipedia)