The Truth Project

We were told in choir last night that our church would be participating in this worldview study produced by Focus on the Family. I visited their website http://www.thetruthproject.org/ and thought this FAQ's answer giving an overview of the study might benefit you too.

Lesson 1 - Veritology: What is Truth?
The Truth Project begins by defining truth as "that which corresponds to reality." This absolute and eternal truth, at the heart of Jesus' mission on earth, continues to be the focal point of the Cosmic Battle in our own time.

Lesson 2 - Philosophy and Ethics: Says Who?
Truth is not simply an academic concept. The way we think about truth has a direct bearing upon the way we live our lives. What's more, our understanding of right and wrong is directly dependent on our worldview: is the universe God's creation or a closed cosmic cube?

Lesson 3 - Anthropology: Who is Man?
The Bible tells us that man was created in God's image but fell from innocence through sin. Modern psychology, on the other hand, asserts that man is inherently good and behaves badly only under the influence of social or institutional pressure. This lesson explores the implications of both views.

Lesson 4 - Theology: Who is God?
Eternal life, according to Jesus, is knowing God in an intimate, personal, and relational way. Such knowledge, which is possible only because of divine revelation, transforms us from the inside out as we begin to see ourselves in the light of His majesty and holiness.

Lesson 5 - Science: What is True? (two-part lesson)
(Part One): Science, the "systematic study of the natural world," brings to light innumerable evidences of Intelligent Design. But Darwinian theory transforms science from the honest investigation of nature into a vehicle for propagating a godless philosophy.

(Part Two): A careful examination of molecular biology and the fossil record demonstrates that evolution is not a "proven fact." Meanwhile, history shows that ideas, including Darwinism as a social philosophy, have definite consequences – consequences that can turn ugly when God is left out of the picture.

Lesson 6 - History: Whose Story?
Does the past have an objective actuality and significance? Or does it, as postmodernist philosophy asserts, exist primarily inside our heads? This tour considers the meaning of history as God’s story and shows us why remembering is so important.

Lesson 7 - Sociology: The Divine Imprint
The order we observe in the natural realm is even more apparent in the social systems God has established: family, church, community, state, labor, and the union between God and man. Life is a series of relationships that flow out of and reflect the Trinitarian nature of the Creator.

Lesson 8 - Unio Mystica: Am I Alone?
Is it possible for the infinite, eternal Creator to dwell within the heart of an individual? The implications of this great mystery, which represents the very core of the Christian faith, are explored at length in this examination of the most intimate of the social spheres.

Lesson 9 - The State: Whose Law?
Of all the social spheres, the state, to which God grants the power of the sword for the punishment of evil and the preservation of the good, has the greatest potential to go awry if it oversteps its authority. The civil magistrate must always remember his place under the sovereignty of God – otherwise, havoc will ensue.

Lesson 10 - The American Experiment: Stepping Stones
America is unique in the history of the world. On these shores a people holding to a biblical worldview have had an opportunity to set up a system of government designed to keep the state within its divinely ordained boundaries. Tour #10 follows the history of this experiment and explores what happens to freedom when God is forgotten.

Lesson 11 - Labor: Created to Create
Contrary to a great deal of contemporary popular opinion, work is not a "curse." God Himself is active and creative, and He calls man to share in the joy of His activity and creativity. Labor, economics, media, and the creative arts all have a role to play in magnifying the glory of the Creator.

Lesson 12 - Community and Involvement: God Cares, do I?
The ethical law and the meaning of the Christian life are summed up in the commandment to love God and one's neighbor. This command is the source of the believer's motivation for self-sacrificial service to the needy and their personal involvement in our culture.

Feasting on Fasting

I believe I mentioned before that Caleb, Andrew and I have been reading through Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney - available in the church library once I return it!

So far, the study had reminded me of things I knew and encouraged me in areas that might not have been emphasized previously but which I was not completely unfamiliar with: Bible Intake (reading, meditating-on, memorizing, hearing), Prayer, Meditation, Stewardship (in time and finances), Worship, Evangelism, Serving.

Today we began reading about fasting & I must admit that I've never closely examined this topic; still haven't since there is only one chapter on it here, but this one chapter contains a feast on fasting compared to my previous study. Here are some nibbles for you.

Christians in a gluttonous, denial-less, self-indulgent society may struggle to accept and to begin the practice of fasting. (OUCH! My toes!!!) Few disciplines go so radically against the flesh and the mainstream of culture as this one but we cannot overlook its biblical significance... Most of us dare not overlook fasting's benefits in the disciplined pursuit of Christlike life.

Fasting is mentioned in the Bible 77 times, baptism 75 times. I mentioned this to my pastor who preached on baptism not too long ago but from whom I've never heard a sermon on fasting. He surprised me by saying he had recently downloaded a free e book about fasting from http://www.elmertowns.com/ . Perhaps a sermon on this topic is in the works?

A biblical definition of fasting is a Christian's (no eternal value for the non-Christian) voluntary (not to be coerced, although may be encouraged) abstinence from food for spiritual purposes (more than just the ultimate crash diet). A broader view... defines fasting as "the voluntary denial of a normal function for the sake of intense spiritual activity"... such as involvement with other people, the media, the telephone, from talking, from sleep, etc.

Matthew chapter 6 makes it obvious that Jesus expected that His followers would fast. [Jesus said] "So when you give...", "And when you pray...", "But when you fast..." No one doubts that we are to give and to pray and there is nothing in all of scripture that indicates that we no longer need to fast, and since we know Christians in the book of Acts fasted (9:9, 13:2, 14:23), we may conclude that Jesus still expects his followers to fast today.

If you are wanting any kind of a blessing for it, fasting is to be done ONLY for God-centered purposes such as to strengthen prayer, seek God's guidance, express grief, seek deliverance or protection, express repentance and the return to God, humble oneself before God, express concern for the work of God, minister to the needs of others (an example was included here of donating the $ one would have spent on food to the needs of those for whom one is fasting), overcome temptation and dedicate yourself to God, and to express love and worship to God.

REMEMBER THAT even at our best we do not deserve what we desire, nor can we force God's hand. Whether or not you receive the blessing you hope for, one thing is sure: If you knew what God knew, you would give yourself the identical blessing that He does. And none of his rewards are worthless.


At the end of the chapter are application questions, in this case asking readers to confess and repent of any fear of fasting. The boys & I agreed that it wasn't something we feared just something we hadn't thought about before & that we didn't enjoy being hungry. We also agreed that we had skipped meals in the past just because we didn't have time to eat and wonder of wonders: WE DID NOT DIE.

Another thing brought up in our discussion was that since fasting is between a person and God, and we are not supposed to proclaim our fastiness to the world (Matt. 6 again) that plenty of people could be observing this spiritual discipline without the rest of us knowing about it. Now don't start looking your fellow believers in the eye to try to spot that "hungry" look. Don't mess with their blessings!


The chapter concludes by asking readers, "Will you fast as the Holy Spirit directs?" and "Will you plan a fast of dedication now as an expression of your willingness to fast from now on?"

My question to you is, "Now that you know that Jesus expects us to practice it, will you closer examine the spiritual discipline of fasting?"

Rock-n-Roll & Rats

Andrew recently purchased a new radio & A/C cover for Sport so that he could replace the stock radio which works sporatically with one containing a CD player. Stan helped show him how it's done complete with back-bending contortionist movements as he climbed under the steering wheel to wedge his head (face up) down by the gas pedal so he could yank wires back into the dash to make room for the radio to fit. Sorry I missed that picture. Trust me, it was a funny sight. Now Andrew has tunes so he can groove all he wants. And with his empowered power windows, he can share with you.

He was thrilled to get a Spurs license plate to hang on Sport's nose the same day the radio cover arrived. He attached it right after opening it then called the grandparents in TX to thank them.

While A & S were completing their installation, Maryn was trying to turn into the driveway. It took longer than usual because of the slow traffic. She was waiting on this large rat snake to cross the road. Smart girl. She knew my guys would be upset if she squashed him - there would be evidence thrashing right there in our driveway and the "not having a SNAKE CROSSING sign" excuse wouldn't justify her. Cries of "murder!" and "snake-killer!" would have filled the air & given her nightmares. Rachel might have cried. Or Andrew. Even though she is not a snake fan, the chastisement would have been hard to bear.

Or maybe she's just nice & knows we like snakes?

Whatever the reason, she waited for him to cross & told the guys about it. Then the hunt was on. Andrew caught the big rat and was only bitten a little. You have to understand that the snake was upset because Stan was holding him down with his boot (isn't that a nice way to say "standing on him" without saying "standing on him"?) otherwise I have no doubt that Andrew would not have been bitten. He is part American Indian, you know (family joke).

The guys estimated that Rat was 4 - 5 feet long. He looked healthy, like he's been doing a good job eating rodents (don't tell Rachel or Maryn because most rodents are small & furry = CUTE). Andrew took him inside to show Jacob (napping in bed - 2 hours of rest the night before, remember?) then released him out back by the fort near our neighbor's jungle but he came back into our yard & curled up under the lawnmower after Stan messed with him a little while & got him to shake his tail and strike at his boot like a rattlesnake wannabe.

He could make mowing the lawn more exciting.

Now you really want to come visit us, don't you? :-)

Chain-up the Genius

While traipsing through blog-land, I saw several which contained links to check out one's blog's reading level. One said high school. Another said JH. I wondered how mine would fare so followed the link.

Query: Does that mean it takes a genius to decipher my ramblings? Kudos to you then!

When I saw this "ranking" (LOL) I had to go jump around in the kitchen & tell the kiddos. They said all the great things kids should say:
"Mom, you're silly."
"It's because you're cool, Mom."
"I always thought there was a genius in the family but I thought it was...Molly."
Yes, the dog. :-)

I love my kids!

Crew update

4-H project books went to work with Stan & should be dropped off at the Ag Ctr on his way home. Caleb & Rachel heaved sighs of relief. They stayed up (late for us these days) until nearly midnight putting them together. Mom is determined to start those painful things at the beginning of the year instead of waiting until the last moment once again. I believe that is my resolution every year about this time...

We have sun today. I'm hoping the towel & water shoes which I hung on the line July 4 will finally dry & I can bring them inside. :-)
NO, I am not complaining about the RAIN. PTL for the rain!
I'm confessing my poor habits in taking care of laundry left on the line. Now you know why we nearly exclusively use the dryer.

Got Andrew signed up for his dual enrollment classes yesterday. 12 hours total. Karen said that one of the classes is the first interactive class they have had. It uses live cameras set up in a classroom here & at the NW campus. The professor is supposed to be here sometimes but I believe will be in Gville a majority of the time. The class is Intro to Theater which satisfies a humanities requirement. We laughed at its code: "THE 1000" because it sounds like a movie. Jacob is planning to take that class also so they should have fun.

Andrew has been assistant coaching for Upwards Basketball Camp at church this week. He's getting to work with the youngest kids. He enjoys hanging out afterwards and playing ball with the other coaches. I believe they finish-up Saturday a.m.

Jacob got home safely yesterday from his mini vacation with Maryn & her family. He discovered on his way there that his waterproof boots had lost their waterproofness so had soggy socks & prune feet but the riding suit worked pretty well. He rode home with his feet in plastic bags to keep his tootsies dry. In my mind that's a funny picture.

He, Andrew & some friends went to the midnight movie for the first showing of Batman the Dark Knight. I heard Andrew drive up just before Stan's alarm went off at 4:20 a.m. Jacob arrived a little while after that (he had to take Maryn home - Andrew said she was wearing a helmet so don't worry.). I was kind and let everyone sleep in until 9:30. Everyone but Jacob, who had to open at work today - out of the house just after 7:30 a.m. I arose before he did so saw him off. He told me he had gotten 2 hours sleep. Do YOU think I felt sorry for him?
NOT EVEN!
Do you?

Stragglers

As you may know (let us bow our heads here for a moment of mournful silence) Stan's work schedule has radically changed from his preferred night owl-ness (home by 1 a.m.) to waking-up the sun (gone before 5 a.m. when it its still dark. No, he didn't kick & scream - HE doesn't do that - that's ME you're thinking about.). In recognizing & trying to synchronize the rest of the family to his work-imposed schedule, I've been encouraging the kids to follow my example & go to bed when Stan does.

Hugs & Kisses.

Turn out the house lights.

Instructions to shower & don their P.J.s.

"Don't stay up too late - remember I'm waking you up EARLY."

My goal has been to wake them up between 7 and 8 a.m. You would think they would be grateful for my assistance in helping them to enjoy as many daylight hours as possible during their summer vacation from schooling.

On the contrary, their goal has been to sleep-in for as long as possible.

You will note that this is one way you can tell the difference between a child and a teen. My little children were up and active much earlier in the day than we desired (Stan was on the night-owl shift so WE wanted to sleep-in) and asking for such mundane things as "breakfast".

Now they'd rather just sleep until lunchtime.

I have continued my morning ritual just moved it up a few hours, invoking my mother's right to torture:

Me: "Good morning sweet children. It's time to wake-up."

Them: "GROAN", tug at covers, roll over.

Me: Turn on lights & Turn off fans (Even in the winter. ???) SOMETIMES I even smooch their sleepy faces before they roll to face the wall.

Doesn't that sound like a lovely way to wake up? (Morning dragon breath not considered)

Me: Opening the daily devotional, reading & inquiring: "Who said that & why? What do you think, Caleb? Do you agree, Rachel? Are you listening, Andrew? Are you awake, Jacob?"

Them:"mutter, groan, whine" stretch, wiggle feet, maybe stumble to the bathroom.

Me: Pray for the day. Not really the best way to get them up since they are supposed to close their eyes & be still to pray...

Them: Attempting to pray & sleep without snoring

Me: "Go ahead and get up now, make your beds, read your Bible, get your clothes on"
Then I open the old hymnal and sing to them. If the other stuff hasn't gotten them out of bed, this should. How well does your singer warble at 7:30 a.m.? :-)

At this point, I go shower & eat breakfast (or visit here with you). They drag themselves out of bed and into the living room where they go back to sleep on the couches or chairs.
They are easier to smooch here.

On days when he doesn't have to open at work, Jacob attempts to sleep-in. We do our best to get him to join our wakefulness. He took today off work, though, then got up EARLIER than when he rises for work. What is the special occasion?

Jacob left this a.m. before 7 headed to Sarasota to spend a couple of days on vacation with Maryn's family at a resort. Poor kids haven't seen each other for TWO WHOLE DAYS so I know the reunion will be sweet: hearts, rainbows, little flowers falling from the sky...

He is riding Lurch so please remember him in your prayers for his safety today - should be there by noon and his ride home sometime tomorrow. Remember we've been blessed with RAIN - PTL! - so he may be riding through that but Stan picked up a motorcycle rain suit for him yesterday so he won't resemble a wet rat just a rumpled one.
Yes, he wears a helmet when he rides on the road (so no nagging!) but would you recognize him if I uploaded a photo of him with it on?

Mini Saga: The Continuing Story

As all good sagas have a beginning, this one starts here:

http://37blessings.blogspot.com/2008/04/mini-saga.html

When last we visited Dr. Stan, Mini and Red, we were hoping a successful transplant could be accomplished by the time Stan's M & D arrived. Alas, our patient is still hospitalized, er, garaged and the transplant has not occurred.

So, why the saga update?

Well, because there is more to the story, of course!

Act 4 - BB

Did I tell you that Mini has an A/C that works great even in the FL summertime? It sucks all the humidity out of the air and keeps everyone comfortable except for Rachel who needs a blanket. Obviously, we cannot use Mini's A/C without Mini but we've been missing that particular aspect of Mini more and more everyday.

Sometime before Christmas we noticed that BB (our beautiful burgundy Buick) would occasionally blow smoke out the A/C vents. This smoke smelled like burning leaves and was visible. We would react very calmly:

"Quick! Shut it off!"

"Get the windows down!"

"Do we need to pull over?"

This did not happen every time we used the A/C and it actually took a little while to convince the good doctor that the problem was with the car and not just our encountering smoke from burning piles of leaves where people were cleaning up their back yards because for several months he was not with us when BB was smokin'.

Then he experienced it for himself. After examining the car, he decided that some leaves must have gotten into the A/C blower motor from the outside vent and were catching on fire. Yes, burning leaves. No, not from back yards.

Oh, goodie. And me without an extinguisher.

He said we could still use it & the car would not explode as long as we turned the A/C off whenever it blew smoke.

Soon after that we noticed that while the air from the A/C is cold, it just doesn't seem to blow into the car very well. It SOUNDS like gale force winds but actually there is little to show for all the bluster.

Ah, well. That good old 4/55 A/C has been around a long time. Hot air in the face is better than no air at all.

You know, when Stan & I got married we had old vehicles with crank handles to work the windows. I thought we were really moving up in the world when we got our first car with power windows. Luxury. Plus, they were fun! Everyone could work their own window but the real power hound was the driver. The driver had control over all the windows right at her fingertips, raising and lowering at will - all four at once if she so desired. "Buwha ha ha ha ha!"

Unless of course, the car was turned off. Then you sat in the heat and could do nothing without the keys except open the doors. Then I really missed those manual windows.

BB was our 2nd car with power windows.

BB was our 1st car to have the window's motor short out - but just the one controlling the front windows. This happened just a week or so before Stan's folks arrived in May.

Having just the back windows open seems to cause a vortex sucking more hot air into the front of the car and pulling out any of the cold A/C air. I'm sure there's a scientific theory or science fiction explanation but I just know it made things HOTTER. So we came up with a temporary fix.

This little fan keeps the air moving and propels some of the cold air into the back seat. Rachel is wanting to add a spray water bottle. I think duct taping some blue ice to the front of the fan might cool us off better. We are remembering to put sun shades in the windows, look for trees to park under and keep sweat rags in the trunk. Not really! They're in the glove box.

We've been thankful that weather conditions have not seemed as hot as last summer, perhaps because of all the rain we've been getting (PTL!!) or maybe global cooling? Jacob has been choosing to ride Lurch to church so as not to overstuff the clown car. (Riding Lurch has its own drawbacks. Remember it's been RAINING daily.)

(Here is where we must pause briefly to ponder the reason for all these vehicles, namely CHILDREN, actually leaving the nest, uh, car. No more sweet conversations. No more breaking up backseat wrestling matches. No more singing together at the top of our lungs and waving to anyone who looks like they're listening. No more awkwardly passing out drive-thru food items without dropping, spilling, or hammering whoever is next to you in the nose with your elbow. No more knees in my back bouncing to the rhythm of whatever is playing on that mp3. Ah, sweet memories. Now back to our program in progress...)

BLESSINGS!

Andrew has occasionally blessed us by offering the use of his wheels, Sport. His power windows are still empowered.

We are also thankful that BB's A/C has stopped smoking. And we didn't even have to use the nicotine patch. We are hoping there is no relapse.

Act 5 - Ranger

Speaking of relapses, did you know that less than a year ago Stan replaced Ranger's engine with that of a 90 Mustang? Same engine just a little newer and WORKING. Important that, since this little truck gets Stan to work. And back. At least it's supposed to.

About three weeks ago it started running badly. It sounded awful, had no energy and wanted to die (Ever feel like that?) so Stan began replacing parts. He finally decided that the distributor was the culprit so attempted to get a new one.

Did you notice I said attempted? This was not as easy as you might imagine.

Stan & the helpful employees at Advance Auto Parts (Keep the Wheels Turning) found the proper distributor on their computer and ordered it. It arrived that afternoon. The box had the right part number on it but it was the wrong distributor. Another was ordered. It arrived two days later. Same thing happened. Then they read the box: "The part within may not be what you ordered or need because this is a generic distributor. You can purchase other parts to change out the different parts of this part so that you will wind up with a part that might work to replace your defective part." Or something to that tune.

Neither was happy with that song & dance so they looked-up and ordered four different distributors hoping that one would be the same as the one showing-up on the pc program. All four came in the next day. One looked right so Stan brought it home & tried to put it in. It was too long. He took it back to Advance.

Realize that all this time his truck was not running so he was driving BB to work. Andrew was at camp the first week so we could drive Sport. And the Beast is still drivable (and hungry - no four-course meals at these gas prices). PTL! No one was stuck somewhere without a ride!

Long story short: he gave up on finding the right distributor, bought the generic plus the extra rotor and now the truck once again gets him to work and back without dying but " it still runs bad". He hoped for better today since he reconnected a loose vacuum hose yesterday but that didn't fix the problem.

But what, you ask, does BB & Ranger have to do with Mini?

"I thought this was Mini Saga not All My Children's Vehicles."

I'm glad you asked! Please tell me, how can my favorite mechanic work on Mini when he's fixing everything else?

Act 6

But he HAS been working on Mini. Mini's engine is OUT and she awaits her transplant.

Red's engine is also out and in the garage. Red's robust body is reclining on the slab under the basketball hoop. Andrew gnashes his teeth when he passes by. The brilliant NBA career he was destined for is quickly fading away without the extra shooting practice and all because of Mini's misfortune. This concludes our dramatic interlude.

Do you remember when I told you that while driving Red home Stan noticed a knock in the engine that sounded like something he could fix? When replacing a broken engine with a used engine it is important to fix little things like that first and to replace any little thing that is easily replaced and might be worn.

Be warned. The following picture is not pretty - although I think the guy is a hunk!

Stan pulled the oil pan and saw why Red's oil pressure was running low. Everything was covered in a crunchy black crust.

He pulled the valve covers and saw the same thing. He thinks the engine has not run hot enough and caused the oil to break down into this mess. However it happened, it will have to be cleaned before this engine is a suitable transplant.

See Mini's clean heads? Red can envy them.

That is where we are now in Mini's Saga except for one thing. Stan has been shopping for a bike.

I don't remember if I told you that Stan was given an old '79 Honda cx500. It needs a good amount of work and the friend didn't have time or $ to get it fixed. The more Stan looked at it, the more he found wrong so he started shopping on Craig's List which is where we found both Lurch and Sport for reasonable prices. Stan has been to see at least four since Ranger started giving him trouble. At this point, I believe he has decided to focus on fixing what he has rather than shopping for something else that has its own set of problems. Now the challenge is finding parts for a nearly 30 year old bike. One word: E-BAY!

With another vehicle in line for surgery, Mini is patiently waiting.