My Drive Home

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Hawk Hunting

This fella has been menacing the neighborhood wildlife. We have seen him kill baby rabbits and robins. We even saw him swoop down and grab a big cat. The cat did a flip 4 feet off the ground and never knew what hit him.

On this day he was hunting squirrel as we watched him attack a nest, He wound up empty-clawed.




We tracked him and moved in closer but he got away.

A party for your children

There is an interesting post at The Henry Institute about strange ways Americans are indoctrinating politics into their children. Here are some excerpts:

Now there's a new genre of children's literature designed to catechize youngsters in "party values." Political activist Jeremy Zilber has written a new book for children, Why Mommy Is a Democrat. The book features cute pictures of a cuddly maternal squirrel teaching her little ones why "Democratic values" are best. "Democrats make sure we all share our toys, just like Mommy does," the book notes. "Democrats make sure we are all safe, just like Mommy does."

The book promo assures us that it uses "warm and non-judgmental language" but with "numerous subtle (and not-so-subtle) swipes at the Bush Administration and the Republican Party."

. . . I find this kind of humorless political propaganda for the kindergarten set a bit scary. It's not "Uncle Joe" Stalin surrounded by smiling children, mind you, but, even so, it's a bit strange. And I would say the same thing about a GOP version: "Republicans protect us from terrorists and evildoers, just like Daddy does." In fact, the conservative versions already exits: think Fox News spin-caster Bill O'Reilly's children's book. Can Ann Coulter for Preschoolers be far behind?

At first I couldn't put a finger on my discomfort with this until I realized: it's Sunday school material. In Red and Blue America, we've so privatized our religious convictions ("We're going to let Johnny choose whether or not he goes to church, and which one") that all we have left is our political identities. And so much separates us now that it really matters why Mommy is a Democrat or why Daddy is a Republican, or vice-versa.

I suppose such children's books and radio programs and television shows will only continue. Intentionally catechized Christian little ones may seem stranger and stranger as hyper-partisan America raises up its children in the nurture and admonition of Caesar.

Red and Blue Toddlers?
Sunday, January 29, 2006

Flipping Chevys

I got an e-mail from my friend David last night where he stated:

'My brother, Richard, had been working on a expensive '69 Firebird. A friend/dealer owned the car and Richard had done all the work on it. Real nice car. Some guy wanted to buy it, drove down, took it for a test drive and the thing ended upside down in your dad's front yard. Nice.'

I confirmed this story with Pop Preston. Here is his account:

It was a 1967(I believe) Chevrolet Super Sport two door hardtop. The guy lost if after he came out of the curve(when he probably goosed it). It turned almost all the way around and and slid across the road toward our yard, taking out one of those new reflective curve indicator signs. The steel post broke off at the base and the whole sign landed not far from our front door. The car slid sideways, almost facing the direction it came from, up our bank into our yard and flipped upside down trapping the driver and female companion. They were trapped for quite some time while the fire dept. raised the back of the car enough to get the driver's door open. Amazingly, the couple crawled out and didn't seem to have a scratch even though the top was pretty well smashed in. They appeared to be in their late forties or early fifties. If the car had caught fire, they may not have survived. The next day I asked the attending officer if he filed any charges against the driver. He charged him with having an invalid operators license. I am wondering if they had any insurance.

Good Weekend

I finished a book this weekend, the Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler. I liked it. I found out this morning that it was made into a movie as well (1988). Hopefully Hollywood video will have it today. One other thing, John Williams wrote the score to the movie, so I know at least the music will be good!














Yesterday at church we had a baptism, it was wonderful. The mighty hand of God took the hardened heart of a man who has served time in prison and who confessed in the baptismal waters of murder, and made a tender man who needs a Savior! So sweet.

My Bro's Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRO!

Happy Birthday to my brother who turns 40 today. What a great brother I have.



Your birthday message from me:

Snow Days

Pictures we took on our walk this evening; it was 55 degrees this morning when I left for work.

Clocky

What's a Clocky?
Clocky is an alarm clock for people who have trouble getting out of bed. If you hit the snooze button, Clocky will roll off of your nightstand, fall to the floor, and run around the room searching for a place to hide. Minutes later, he'll call out for you to find him. It comes in different colors too.

Goodnight

We went to see Last Holiday this evening. Queen Latifah played the main character, I like her. It was a feel good movie and a good chic flick. We went with Chip and Katie from downstairs.

I bought this with some of my Christmas money (Thanks Pop Preston!). It charges on the wall, so no cords AND a dustbuster is in the handle. It has two settings so that you can vacuum and not disturb anyone and it works really well on our hardwood floors. Oh, we also got this pretty color too.

Have a nice evening. More tomorrow.

Update of our Week.

Well, sorry for not blogging for a couple of days.

Here is what has been going on:
Brian started a new class on Monday and finished it today. He is not sure what he made on his test, but I am sure he did well. His teacher, Dr Parker, actually lives in one of the twelve apartments in our building. He is also the Director and owner of the Trinity Institute, a study/retreat center in Tehuacana, Texas.

I painted our bathroom for the fourth and final time last night. I will post pictures once I get it cleaned up.

I have also been keeping myself busy reading on the current actions of the IMB (International Mission Board).The primary concerns are that the IMB has passed new policies that hold extra-biblical regulations regarding a candidate's baptism, and making a doctrinal statement concerning tongues that the Baptist Faith and Message never touches and would actually disqualify the IMB's president from service on the mission field. See this article from Christianity Today for more information.

Wade Burleson, an IMB trustee, has been very outspoken against the new policies. You can read his open letter to the Southern Baptist Convention here. Please be in prayer for this brother. During meetings this week in Virginia, the trustees made the motion to censure Wade for 'gossip and slander' for making public explainations regarding the policy changes through his blog. They cannot officially remove him as a trustee without a 2/3 majority vote from the convention. We will see. If you are interested in reading up on this, here is a good place to start; this explains the differences from the old policies to the new policies.

When Brian and I came to Southern this summer, we had an interview with the IMB and experienced the new policies first hand. Anyway if this affects you at all and you would like to voice your opinion, drop a comment and I will send you the information of your IMB representative. It is important that members within the SBC church know what is going on. Please be gracious and loving in all things.

What's the Date?

At the bank today, while standing in line, the little old lady next to me asked me if it was "202 or 203?"

I asked her to repeat herself, "202 or 203"?

I said "the year is 2006, is that what you mean?"

She said with a chuckle "Oh heavens, I am a little behind aren't I?"

I waved at her as she got into her car and drove away.

World on Fire

Check out this video by Sarah McLachlan. World on Fire
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Where's Shawn?

I thought you would enjoy seeing pictures Shawn has taken since he has been in New Zealand. Great photos Shawn!


Cascade creek cascade trail in Waitakere Forest



Muriwai Beach with black sand



Gannet colony at Muriwai Beach






Huge ficus tree near Auckland museum



Flora



Fern at Arataki Center in Waitakere Ranges



Shawn in fernery Auckland museum



Shawn driving BACKWARDS in Auckland



Shawn & Delinda

Happy New Year

Here are my resolves for the new year.

1. Spiritual
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)

I resolve to spend quality time with the Lord everyday.

2. Family
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (NIV)

I resolve to be an encouragement to my husband.

3. Home
Titus 2:5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. (NIV)

I resolve to keep my home tidy.

4. Physical
1 Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (NIV)

I resolve to exercise and lose some weight

5. Social
Romans 12:13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (NIV)

I resolve to practice ministries of mercy.

6. Work
Proverbs 14:23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. (NIV)

I resolve to work harder.

7. Financial
Proverbs 3: 9-10 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. (NIV)

I resolve to give generously.

8. Wisdom
Proverbs 24:3-4 By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. (NIV)

I resolve to watch less television and learn new things (playing the guitar, cooking, making soap, etc).

9. Recreation
Ecclesiastes 8:15 So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun. (NIV)

I resolve to be more organized, so I have more time to have fun.

43things is a neat website to keep up with all of your goals. It shows you how many other people are interested in what you are, and links you to people who have completed goals for advice.

Radiate

I've got this feeling that i can't contain,
being with you is like winning the publisher's clearing house sweepstakes,
like a snow day and i get to sleep as late as i want to you know you turn me into goo.

you radiate
warm fuzzy feelings.

If everyone knew someone like you there wouldn't be any war,
you glitter sparkle twinkle shimmer like a shining star,
now i don't want to say anything mean or hurt anybody's little heart,
again next time i'll hold my breath and count to ten (hhhhh).

I wanna radiate
warm fuzzy feelings
you radiate
warm fuzzy feelings.

I radiate to you you radiate to me we’ll start a revolution
spread a warm fuzzy disease,
you make me feel so good i wanna wear dayglo
i’m feeling unicorns and rainbows,
I’ve got a warm fuzzy feeling i’ve got a warm fuzzy feeling
burning deep-down in my soul.

"Radiate"
The Way We Are (1999)
Flemming & John