At the time of this writing, Google shows 9,621 news items about Sarah Palin for the past hour. I also heard about an hour's worth of TV news coverage of her resignation. All of the talking heads and pundits seem to be trying to figure out what she is up to. Will this help/hurt her in a Presidential run in 2012? In 2016? Has she committed political suicide? Will she spend the next two years writing a book/boning up on foreign affairs/raising money/ building support/etc? Was she run out of office by the criticism/family attacks/ethics complaints/etc? Is there some deep dark secret or scandal that she is trying to keep from coming to light? I actually heard one joke that possibly she had recently been to Argentina (!?!)
Maybe, just maybe, she is resigning so that she can be Mom. Maybe she recognizes that the most important task she will ever have is to invest herself in the lives of her children. Maybe she really does have her priorities straight.
If so, then she has my renewed respect.
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Friday, July 3, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Latayne Scott Blog Tour - Mormon Mirage
Latayne Scott is answering questions today about her book The Mormon Mirage.
Here is one question from me:
Latayne, in conversations with Mormons they trumpet their "family friendly" lifestyle. I get the impression that this is the glue that holds many Mormons to their erroneous beliefs. How can we convince them that the "forever family" of orthodox Christianity is superior to what they believe? I often get the impression that Mormons fear family abandonment if they leave their faith.
(Update: Latayne's answer is contained in the comments below.)
Here is one question from me:
Latayne, in conversations with Mormons they trumpet their "family friendly" lifestyle. I get the impression that this is the glue that holds many Mormons to their erroneous beliefs. How can we convince them that the "forever family" of orthodox Christianity is superior to what they believe? I often get the impression that Mormons fear family abandonment if they leave their faith.
(Update: Latayne's answer is contained in the comments below.)
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Two Things That I Learned This Past Week
1) Since 1929, pedestrians have had the right-of-way in Connecticut. (Courtesy of an editorial in the Danbury News-Record.)
2) You cannot buy postcards in Connecticut. (Courtesy of personal experience.)
We spent the past week in Connecticut, visiting the graves of my ancestors (nine generations in three cemeteries), took a side trip to the Boston area to visit my wife's mother's cousin, and also visited with my Dad's cousin. Whenever we visit somewhere on vacation my wife makes it a point to buy a fistful of postcards and then mail them out to family and friends. Most of our travels are in the south or the west, and you can always find postcards at drug stores, grocery stores, tourist traps, etc. However, it appears that this is not the case in Connecticut. Asking clerks in stores resulted in puzzled looks, and one young lady in the Rite-Aide drug store in Danbury told us: "I don't think that I have ever seen a Connecticut post card. We don't get many tourists here."
We also discovered a bit of my wife's family history:
2) You cannot buy postcards in Connecticut. (Courtesy of personal experience.)
*****
We spent the past week in Connecticut, visiting the graves of my ancestors (nine generations in three cemeteries), took a side trip to the Boston area to visit my wife's mother's cousin, and also visited with my Dad's cousin. Whenever we visit somewhere on vacation my wife makes it a point to buy a fistful of postcards and then mail them out to family and friends. Most of our travels are in the south or the west, and you can always find postcards at drug stores, grocery stores, tourist traps, etc. However, it appears that this is not the case in Connecticut. Asking clerks in stores resulted in puzzled looks, and one young lady in the Rite-Aide drug store in Danbury told us: "I don't think that I have ever seen a Connecticut post card. We don't get many tourists here."
We also discovered a bit of my wife's family history:
Friday, February 20, 2009
A Wise Twelve Year Old
"A person's a person, no matter how small."
For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
-(ESV)
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
-(ESV)
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
You can't make this stuff up
Virtual infidelity leads to reality divorce.
Just a reminder that infidelity is a thing of the spirit, not the body.
And this second thing you do. You cover the Lord's altar with tears, with weeping and groaning because he no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand. But you say, “Why does he not?” Because the Lord was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth. “For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the Lord, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.” - Malachi 2:13-16 (ESV)
Just a reminder that infidelity is a thing of the spirit, not the body.
And this second thing you do. You cover the Lord's altar with tears, with weeping and groaning because he no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand. But you say, “Why does he not?” Because the Lord was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth. “For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the Lord, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.” - Malachi 2:13-16 (ESV)
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
(Almost) Like Crack Cocaine
We have been on the road the past week, visiting family in Missouri. On Sunday night we found ourselves in the vicinity of Lambert's Cafe in Ozark. Since we had eaten at the Sikeston Lamberts during a church building trip in 1988 we decided to see if this other location was as memorable as the first.
Recognize that in 1988 the line for the restaurant wrapped twice around the building, and we stood in line with people from five or six states for a little over an hour. This time there wasn't a line, but a sign-up booth. We were told that the wait would be 30-40 minutes, and then found a seat on the porch. In about 25 minutes our name was called, and we were ushered to our table. I had barely warmed my seat when a steaming hot dinner roll was tossed in my direction. I am glad that I was expecting it, due to our prior dining experience, and my heightened reaction time allowed me to make a clean catch. Also, even before our order was taken a nice young person with a bucket full of fried okra came by and deposited some on the paper towels that we ripped off of the roll on our table.
We ordered dinner and coffee, and were very quickly served. The coffee was the hottest that I have ever been served, and came in a 32 oz. insulated mug. The dinner portions were huge, and accompanied by additional servings of okra, macaroni and tomatoes, fried potatoes, and black eyed peas that were circulating through the restaurant. Additionally, the roll thrower was busy tossing them across the aisles.
Towards the end of our meal I had one more roll, and when my wife looked at me askance I told both the young man tossing them and our server that they were like crack cocaine! Of course, my wife then wanted to know how I could make that comparison, and I could only plead that this observation was not grounded in experience, but that they appeared to be as addictive.
If you want to know more, check out the Lambert's website.
I have never been tempted to try crack cocaine, but I know that I would never pass up a Lambert's throwed roll!
Please note that Lambert's Cafe does not take credit cards, but will take a check from anywhere in the country, with proper ID.
Recognize that in 1988 the line for the restaurant wrapped twice around the building, and we stood in line with people from five or six states for a little over an hour. This time there wasn't a line, but a sign-up booth. We were told that the wait would be 30-40 minutes, and then found a seat on the porch. In about 25 minutes our name was called, and we were ushered to our table. I had barely warmed my seat when a steaming hot dinner roll was tossed in my direction. I am glad that I was expecting it, due to our prior dining experience, and my heightened reaction time allowed me to make a clean catch. Also, even before our order was taken a nice young person with a bucket full of fried okra came by and deposited some on the paper towels that we ripped off of the roll on our table.
We ordered dinner and coffee, and were very quickly served. The coffee was the hottest that I have ever been served, and came in a 32 oz. insulated mug. The dinner portions were huge, and accompanied by additional servings of okra, macaroni and tomatoes, fried potatoes, and black eyed peas that were circulating through the restaurant. Additionally, the roll thrower was busy tossing them across the aisles.
Towards the end of our meal I had one more roll, and when my wife looked at me askance I told both the young man tossing them and our server that they were like crack cocaine! Of course, my wife then wanted to know how I could make that comparison, and I could only plead that this observation was not grounded in experience, but that they appeared to be as addictive.
If you want to know more, check out the Lambert's website.
I have never been tempted to try crack cocaine, but I know that I would never pass up a Lambert's throwed roll!
Please note that Lambert's Cafe does not take credit cards, but will take a check from anywhere in the country, with proper ID.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
An Update
Even though I finished reading John Owen's Mortification of Sin, I have not posted on it for more than two weeks. During that time we celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary, and hosted an event attended by approximately 50 family members and friends at which we renewed our vows. Hectic is the single word that I would use to describe the past three weeks, and as a result I am not even going to attempt to catch up on posting my thoughts on last month's reading.
Onward and upward, we move on to William Bridge's A Lifting Up for the Downcast, a series of 13 sermons on Psalm 42:11. Hopefully I will be more diligent in my postings here during the month of July.
(When you look at the funny hat I am wearing, just remember the two words that keep you married for 30 years: "Yes Dear".)
Friday, May 9, 2008
A Public Apology...
...to every living thing that has ever died.
I just returned from the veterinarian's office, where I had our beloved family dog, Cora, put to sleep. She was just nine years old, and had been in good health up until this past week when she began showing symptoms of kidney failure. She spent 48 hours in the animal hospital, but even after extensive treatment she was still showing blood tests levels that were off the charts, even with some improvement. We thought that maybe she wasn't eating due to the hospital setting, and brought her home last night to see if that would help. Everything that she ate or drank was vomited up within a minute, and she began to show signs of shutdown, to the point that she was unable to walk before noon today. She had a very peaceful passing, but one of the last things I told her was "I'm sorry". Now, I might not be thinking too clearly at present, but I really should be sorry.
I should be sorry that death is the result of man's sin. In Romans 5 we read:
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin (Romans 5:12a, ESV)
When you stop and think about it, puppy dogs, and gold fish, and every other living thing dies because man sinned. Death is the result of sin.
For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. (Romans 8:19-22, ESV)
All of that groaning, all of that pain, all of that suffering, all of that misery is the result of OUR sin. Yes, God will make all things right, and break the curse of sin and death, but death and suffering in creation are the result of sin. Not sin in puppy dogs, but sin in men.
Yes, Cora, I truly am sorry.
I just returned from the veterinarian's office, where I had our beloved family dog, Cora, put to sleep. She was just nine years old, and had been in good health up until this past week when she began showing symptoms of kidney failure. She spent 48 hours in the animal hospital, but even after extensive treatment she was still showing blood tests levels that were off the charts, even with some improvement. We thought that maybe she wasn't eating due to the hospital setting, and brought her home last night to see if that would help. Everything that she ate or drank was vomited up within a minute, and she began to show signs of shutdown, to the point that she was unable to walk before noon today. She had a very peaceful passing, but one of the last things I told her was "I'm sorry". Now, I might not be thinking too clearly at present, but I really should be sorry.
I should be sorry that death is the result of man's sin. In Romans 5 we read:
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin (Romans 5:12a, ESV)
When you stop and think about it, puppy dogs, and gold fish, and every other living thing dies because man sinned. Death is the result of sin.
For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. (Romans 8:19-22, ESV)
All of that groaning, all of that pain, all of that suffering, all of that misery is the result of OUR sin. Yes, God will make all things right, and break the curse of sin and death, but death and suffering in creation are the result of sin. Not sin in puppy dogs, but sin in men.
Yes, Cora, I truly am sorry.
Cora
1998-2008
A very good dog
1998-2008
A very good dog
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Failure, the Teacher
Yesterday I was able to learn from, and to teach from, failure.
Personal, humiliating, embarrassing, failure. Failure spelled with a capital "F".
The male members of my extended family embarked on a quest this past weekend to climb the highest peak in Texas, at 8,749 feet elevation, at Guadalupe Mountains National Park. I last visited this park and successfully hiked to the top at age 19 (more years ago than I wish to reveal). The plan was that our generation of dads was going to share the hike with our sons and then commemorate their achievement at the top. Since my brothers-in-law are dedicated Christians (two of us are pastors and a third is also ordained and serving as a Bible College professor) we had intended this commemoration to accomplish several goals, to include:
a) forging a stronger bond with our sons and nephews, and they with their fathers, uncles, and cousins.
b) an opportunity to pass on a legacy.
c) a chance to share some guidance and truth.
d) an occasion to support one of our nephews who had lost his father this past year.
For this short service each one of us older men was assigned a topic. Mine was to talk about the fact that we don't remain on top of the mountain, and that coming down represents life, and its attendant failures and difficulties.
Things started out well as we had dinner together the previous night, and then set out for the park early Saturday morning. Everyone had the right clothing and gear, plenty of water and trail provisions, and a good attitude. The weather was colder than expected, the winds were higher than previously forecast, but we were raring to go, and off we went.
Well, it wasn't long before we encountered a potentially serious problem. One of my brothers-in-law started to experience dizziness and problems seeing. We had not gone very far, and we did not want to have a casualty on our hands. While the main group went on two accompanied him back to the visitor's center and planned to rejoin us. I was in the lead, trying to keep a sane pace (about 1.6 mph), but almost half way through, just below 7,000 feet, I realized that I was almost at my limit. Sharp stabbing pains were felt in my thighs each time that I climbed over a step or boulder, and I realized that if I was to continue I would become a liability for the group. It was amazing just how much steeper this mountain had become since the last time I climbed it! I pressed on a bit further until both my GPS and my barometric altimeter indicated that I had exceeded the 7,000 ft level. I then bid goodbye to the group and began a slow, contemplative, journey back to the parking lot. Going down I passed the other two members of our party returning and apprised them of my condition.
At the bottom I discovered that my oldest brother-in-law was feeling better, and we kept each other company the rest of the afternoon. The rest of our group returned in two groups between 4:15 and 5;00 PM. We then had our ceremony at the bottom, which was best due to the fact that the winds were howling up above and conditions only allowed them enough time to look around and snap some pictures.
When it was my time to share I began with a completely different demeanor than would have been the case if I had been one of the victorious ones. I believe that my modeling failure was every bit as important as talking about it.
What did I tell them? Basically the following:
a) Failure is inevitable.
b) When failure is the result of bad choices or bad behavior it is imperative to repent of them, confess the failure, and receive God's forgiveness.
c) When failure is not due to one's actions there is a need to trust God and cling to Romans 8:28. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (ESV)
Did I wish that I had been able to achieve the top? You bet. I am a normal red blooded guy and the fact that I failed was embarrassing. It will probably result in my receiving some good natured teasing in the future. However, I can see the "good" that God has orchestrated out of it. Here are a couple of the resulting "goods";
a) I was able to engage my brother-in-law (the other failure) in very satisfying and productive conversation as we awaited the return of the group. He has been my brother-in-law for almost 30 years but I now know him better than ever before.
b) I was able (just barely) to make the 6 hour drive back home last night so as to be able to preach today. I don't know what I was thinking when we planned this trip, but if I had completed the climb I would not have been able to safely travel afterwards.
c) I was able to model in a productive manner (I hope) the proper attitude towards failure before my peers, my son, and my nephews.
d) This trip, even with its failure, was most profitable due to the quality of the conversations that I had with my 26 year old son during our drive and at other times. I believe that our father-son bond is stronger than ever.
Failure? I hate it. Always have, always will. Yet, I realize that it is inevitable as long as I inhabit this body of flesh. It can either destroy us or it can be channeled to improve us and give God more glory. It is not fun, but it can be directed positively. After all, we don't get to live on the top of the mountain every day.
Personal, humiliating, embarrassing, failure. Failure spelled with a capital "F".
The male members of my extended family embarked on a quest this past weekend to climb the highest peak in Texas, at 8,749 feet elevation, at Guadalupe Mountains National Park. I last visited this park and successfully hiked to the top at age 19 (more years ago than I wish to reveal). The plan was that our generation of dads was going to share the hike with our sons and then commemorate their achievement at the top. Since my brothers-in-law are dedicated Christians (two of us are pastors and a third is also ordained and serving as a Bible College professor) we had intended this commemoration to accomplish several goals, to include:
a) forging a stronger bond with our sons and nephews, and they with their fathers, uncles, and cousins.
b) an opportunity to pass on a legacy.
c) a chance to share some guidance and truth.
d) an occasion to support one of our nephews who had lost his father this past year.
For this short service each one of us older men was assigned a topic. Mine was to talk about the fact that we don't remain on top of the mountain, and that coming down represents life, and its attendant failures and difficulties.
Things started out well as we had dinner together the previous night, and then set out for the park early Saturday morning. Everyone had the right clothing and gear, plenty of water and trail provisions, and a good attitude. The weather was colder than expected, the winds were higher than previously forecast, but we were raring to go, and off we went.
Well, it wasn't long before we encountered a potentially serious problem. One of my brothers-in-law started to experience dizziness and problems seeing. We had not gone very far, and we did not want to have a casualty on our hands. While the main group went on two accompanied him back to the visitor's center and planned to rejoin us. I was in the lead, trying to keep a sane pace (about 1.6 mph), but almost half way through, just below 7,000 feet, I realized that I was almost at my limit. Sharp stabbing pains were felt in my thighs each time that I climbed over a step or boulder, and I realized that if I was to continue I would become a liability for the group. It was amazing just how much steeper this mountain had become since the last time I climbed it! I pressed on a bit further until both my GPS and my barometric altimeter indicated that I had exceeded the 7,000 ft level. I then bid goodbye to the group and began a slow, contemplative, journey back to the parking lot. Going down I passed the other two members of our party returning and apprised them of my condition.
At the bottom I discovered that my oldest brother-in-law was feeling better, and we kept each other company the rest of the afternoon. The rest of our group returned in two groups between 4:15 and 5;00 PM. We then had our ceremony at the bottom, which was best due to the fact that the winds were howling up above and conditions only allowed them enough time to look around and snap some pictures.
When it was my time to share I began with a completely different demeanor than would have been the case if I had been one of the victorious ones. I believe that my modeling failure was every bit as important as talking about it.
What did I tell them? Basically the following:
a) Failure is inevitable.
b) When failure is the result of bad choices or bad behavior it is imperative to repent of them, confess the failure, and receive God's forgiveness.
c) When failure is not due to one's actions there is a need to trust God and cling to Romans 8:28. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (ESV)
Did I wish that I had been able to achieve the top? You bet. I am a normal red blooded guy and the fact that I failed was embarrassing. It will probably result in my receiving some good natured teasing in the future. However, I can see the "good" that God has orchestrated out of it. Here are a couple of the resulting "goods";
a) I was able to engage my brother-in-law (the other failure) in very satisfying and productive conversation as we awaited the return of the group. He has been my brother-in-law for almost 30 years but I now know him better than ever before.
b) I was able (just barely) to make the 6 hour drive back home last night so as to be able to preach today. I don't know what I was thinking when we planned this trip, but if I had completed the climb I would not have been able to safely travel afterwards.
c) I was able to model in a productive manner (I hope) the proper attitude towards failure before my peers, my son, and my nephews.
d) This trip, even with its failure, was most profitable due to the quality of the conversations that I had with my 26 year old son during our drive and at other times. I believe that our father-son bond is stronger than ever.
Failure? I hate it. Always have, always will. Yet, I realize that it is inevitable as long as I inhabit this body of flesh. It can either destroy us or it can be channeled to improve us and give God more glory. It is not fun, but it can be directed positively. After all, we don't get to live on the top of the mountain every day.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Christmas Day 2007
"Silently, how silently..."
Our family Christmas traditions are as follows:
1) Christmas Eve Candlelight Silent Lord's Supper Service.
2) All of the family over to our home following the service to eat and exchange presents.
3) Spend Christmas Day quietly and in contemplation of our Savior's birth.
This year was no different. After the service we all enjoyed a meal prepared by my wife of posole and tamales (it's a "New Mexico thing"!) along with my parents, both of our children, our son-in-law, and all of our grandchildren (Eleven of us in all). We exchanged presents and then off to bed.
My wife had to work today, so I am "silently" enjoying this day and taking stock of my blessings, along with seeking God's guidance for the next year.
Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
- 2 Corinthians 9:15 (ESV)
Our family Christmas traditions are as follows:
1) Christmas Eve Candlelight Silent Lord's Supper Service.
2) All of the family over to our home following the service to eat and exchange presents.
3) Spend Christmas Day quietly and in contemplation of our Savior's birth.
This year was no different. After the service we all enjoyed a meal prepared by my wife of posole and tamales (it's a "New Mexico thing"!) along with my parents, both of our children, our son-in-law, and all of our grandchildren (Eleven of us in all). We exchanged presents and then off to bed.
My wife had to work today, so I am "silently" enjoying this day and taking stock of my blessings, along with seeking God's guidance for the next year.
Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
- 2 Corinthians 9:15 (ESV)
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