Scary thoughts from John Kerry

As most of you know, I am one who will call a political duck a duck. I am a conservative- yet I have no problems pointing out the flaws of the Rebublican party. I also have no troubles pointing out what I find to be problematic in the Democratic party.

Today we look at, the great former candidate for president, John Kerry. Being a man in the Democratic party you would think that he would attempt to stand up for the little guy. You know, the blue collar guys in the factories, the minorities who are struggling along, and those with a grudge against the upper-middle-class.

I would assert that Mr. Kerry is in actuality quite the bigot. His quote today was over-the-top! He claims that if one does poorly in school that it is a sure ticket to Iraq. Wow- way to win votes Mr. Kerry! The last time I checked, our military was an all volunteer military, as well as one that had many people with advanced degrees serving in it.

I guess that Mr. Kerry thinks our military is for what society deems as retards, drop-outs, and those with learning disabilities. Hmmm... which one was he- he served in the military?

Popcorn and a Movie

Popcorn and a movie was always a staple in my home growing up. Actually when we went to my grandpa and grandma's house as a child, my siblings and I would be allowed about 4 ounces of beer with our popcorn and movie (but that is for another time).

A favorite of Anna and Owen is to have popcorn and to watch Anne of Green Gables. Any of the three in the series are a fine choice for them. Anna thinks that the third is a bit tiring and over-the-top, but it is still good.

Anna also thinks that the drama is great and that Gilbert is a swell guy.

At times Owen gets annoyed with Anne of Green Gables because of her feminism.

Feminism! Anna exclaimed to Owen- explain yourself, as her face sunk in disbelief!
I guess that Owen thinks that Anne is a little too career focused and that she should be honest with Gilbert about her feelings for him and quit trying to be the strong independent type.

Owen likes the strong women, don't get me wrong- but he would prefer a little bit of honesty- he says that integrity is far better than bravado.

Owen, you have so much to learn!

I want to be JUST LIKE you... NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

What if our (or anyone's) children grew up to be just like us? That would be horrible!

Personality- we desire so much more for our children.
As for intelligence- man! I hope that they learn something before they turn 20.
Looks- well, let's not go there.
Spiritual life- we pray that they never know a time when they did not love the Lord Jesus Christ.
Overall character- we hope that they learn from our downfalls and desire to please God in all things.

Of course, we could not be just like our parents. We know that through the fall of Adam in the Garden that we are just like him by way of sin. If we were all just like our parents though there would not be those that are redeemed by Jesus Christ. I guess that we would desire that our children would be just like God their Heavenly Father, and their Eldest brother, Jesus Christ the Righteous.

Oma, Opa, and Tante Heidi

We enjoyed a quick trip to Chicago this week. We wanted to see Oma for her birthday, plus the winter is coming which means that they will slip off to Florida and pretend that the snow does not happen. We may just show up at their Naples' door sometime this winter. Unannounced of course!

Of course, Oma spoiled the children. Owen was especially flirtatious towards her. He thought that his cuteness would outweigh the fact that he terrorized their home!

Anna and Opa had a great conversation about life and things. They seem to marvel at all of the attention that Oma and Owen require!

Here are the children outside of their home. They have a nice maple tree that we took some pictures under. Oma tried to get the kids to stay for a week or so, but we had to convince her that it was best they went home with us. (Could you imagine?)
We went out for drinks and dinner for Oma's birthday. I cannot tell you how old she is- but the year that she was born rhymes with rineteen morty.
I thought of VanTil's statement about the non-Christian's use of epistemology. He equates the unbeliever with a boy sitting on a grandfather's lap and slapping him in the face. (Both enjoying the benefits of his company as well as abusing that closeness.)

Anna quickly became a least favorite as she got frosting on Irma's new couch that she had custom made and imported from...Germany...of course!
Here is another of Anna and Larry. She thinks that he is a really neat Opa.
Tante Heidi showed up after hours of training people in the art of naturalpathy. We discussed the joys of training new hires and how it can be quite frustrating. (Not YOU though, dear Pine Rest reader, __insert__your___name___here, you caught on VERY fast!)

Anna really did not want to go home. When we got into the car and headed back to Grand Rapids, she continued to say that we were not going home and that we forgot to get Oma and Opa and Tante Heidi.

Off We Go!

We are off to Chicago to celebrate Oma's birthday! Be back tomorrow.

Owen and Nate

For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
Proverbs 3:12

Gretchen had her baby!

Congratulations to Corey and Gretchen Johnson on the arrival of their little girl

NATALIE ROSE!

Sorry that she was not the 300,000,000th baby in the United States, but that is not really all that important now is it?

Hope all is well with baby and mama!

Bunch o' Sickos

So the entire clan here on Union Avenue is sick. The process has been going on for over two days. Owen was the first to come down with hyper-emesis and he has graciously passed that on to the whole family.

We have spent many hours in the middle of the night changing sheets and washing towels- quite fun really. It sure does a great job at testing how patient and loving one can be towards the family.

While we we lay sick, Anna and I decided to go over her Bible verse for the week.

CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART O, GOD (Psalm 51.10a)

Here is a little conversation that we had over the meaning of the text:
Anna: Papa, do you have a clean heart?
Papa: Yes, Anna.
Anna: Does mama have a clean heart?
Papa: Yes Anna.
Anna: Do I have a clean heart?
Papa: I hope so Anna.
Anna: Did Jesus buy me a clean heart?
Papa: Yes, he did Anna.
Anna: I want a clean heart.
Papa: Then you have to ask Jesus for one.
Anna: Can I ask Jesus for a blue heart too?

*Anna thought that the word clean was green!
Maybe theological discussion is not at its best when one is ill!

NATHAN'S HELPMEET blog has been deleted. If you link it, please delete it, as for some reason it has been taken over by an odd search engine. Plus, why link it if it has been deleted.

Danke.

Golth 101

Anna has become quite obsessed with what she calls golth. Golth for her is most fun on the driving range, but even kitchen utensils have become golth-clubs.

I cannot wait until next spring when I can take her to Indian Trails to golth with me. I already have her little pink set of golth clubs picked out (of course I cannot purchase it now since Lydia is less than satisfied with my last eBay purchase!)

There is still hope for making an ARP golf team- of course it will be in 13 years!

Work Makes Free

I worked from 3 pm Monday until 7:30 am Tuesday. I am too tired to do the math.

De Vos on Abortion

I was wrong in my interpretation of De Vos' words on the current abortion laws. We will see what tonight's debate brings.

I am so confused... why don't I just get an absentee ballot and sell it to the highest bidder!

Southfield Reformed Presbyterian Church

Please pray for us as we travel to Southfield Reformed Presbyterian Church this weekend.

Nathan will be preaching both services and hopes that the Lord blesses the people of Southfield through the preaching of the Word. I am quite excited to have the opportunity to preach in such an historical church in Michigan's history. (This church is older than our state!)

Pray also that as we get to know these brothers and sisters in Christ bridges will be built to further the kingdom of God in Christ. Pray for us.

*It was also brought to our attention that Rev. Rick Miller of Dutton United Reformed Church had a stroke this week. Pray for him, his family, and his congregation as they work through this tragic event.

Be At Peace

The following is found in "The Fruit of Her Hands" by Nancy Wilson, directed towards women, but applying to all Christians. This is in light of The Director's recent post on Wendler Cottage. This is quite helpful and we thank Marion for her summation:

Be at Peace

Nancy Wilson

[Wo]men who want to be at peace with other [wo]men must come to understand the very important difference between principles and methods. A dictionary defines a principle as "a basic truth, general law, or doctrine used as a basis of reasoning or a guide to actions or behavior." A Christian [wo]man must learn to think biblically; [s]he must derive her/his basic principles of living from God's Word. The world eagerly presses its principles regarding marriage and child-rearing upon us. But if we learn to think like Christians, we can discern between worldly and Christian principles.

A method, in contrast, is "a procedure or way of doing something." In other words, we use methods to apply our principles. For example, a sound mothering principle is "All Christian mothers should feed their babies." This principle could easily be substantiated in Scripture, and few, if any, would take issue with such a fundamental principle. In spite of general agreement on this and other related principles, however, much disagreement exists on the method of applying this simple precept. Some women breastfeed their babies; some bottle feed. And of course there is the question of schedule feeding vs. nonschedule feeding, when to wean baby, and so forth.

Within a Christian community, families will certainly share many common principles, but their methods will vary. Sometimes an overzealous allegiance to method will lead to confusion and controversy, for the method of feeding baby can become larger and more important than the principle of feeding baby. Suddenly, pressure is exerted to convince women to join the group and support a particular method.

Of course, this is not an argument that all methods are equal--they are not. Some methods are inferior to others. Rather, the point is that the methods of others are not really our business. If a friend asks for advice on a method, we may of course give it. But when sharing a method, we must remember we are not on a moral crusade.

Young Christian [wo]men are particularly vulnerable to this wrong kind of pressure. When the sisters get together they very naturally "talk shop" about children. This can provide an overzealous type quite an opportunity to apply pressure. If the young women feel inexperienced, a woman with "a strong case" for her method can exert a great influence. The young Christian woman can be made to feel that she isn't really dedicated unless she adopts "the method."

Because every family is a distinct cultural unit, it is good that our methods differ. God did not intend for us to walk in lockstep with one another. This is not altered when some families have inferior methods; we may deem their methods to be unwise. And remember, there are others, wiser than we, who see the inferiority of some of our methods! We ought to rejoice in a common commitment to biblical principles, and rejoice in the variety of methods God's people employ.

If we become overzealous for conformity to our method, strife between Christians will commonly result. I have talked to women who, because they felt strongly about one way of feeding babies, became critical toward their sisters who used a different method. This should not be! "Be at peace among yourselves" (1 Thess. 5:12-13). Certainly the [wo]men of the church ought not to be squabbling about whether or not to schedule feed their babies! Who cares? What someone else does in this regard is no one else's business. It is not a moral issue, and we have no business fighting over it.

We do not honor God if we are critical or defensive. How our friends feed their children is not our concern.

The biggest danger is when people begin to think their own methods of applying biblical principles are the most spiritual, for the really committed. If we fall into this trap, then it becomes an issue of first importance for us. The result is a feeling of superiority over others who differ. This obviously leads to self-righteousness, envy, jealousy, defensiveness, and quarrels.

As we grow in grace, may we all learn to discern the difference between principles and methods, and relax, and keep the peace, when our friends' methods are not our own.

(From A Hedge of Courtesy)

But another aspect to this whole question of different methods needs to be addressed and that is the question of common courtesy. How do we treat our friends when we differ with them over methods? Do we criticize them behind their backs? The Bible calls this backbiting. Do we openly criticize them? Do we tell them their method is inferior to our own? That can be arrogant or just plain rude. Do we make officially "polite" but loaded comments which express our displeasure and disapproval of their application of God's principles? Do we try to embarrass them to make ourselves look better? This is not courtesy.

Can Christians ever discuss their methods? Certainly! But the hedge of courtesy and good manners should be firmly in place. If it is not, defensiveness and hurt feelings will be the common result.

More here...

Lighter Than DeVos and/or Attachment Parenting

Nothing makes a better chaser to a couple of good blog-uments than pictures of our children playing. The best one is the action shot of Owen being thrown off of the merry-go-round. Enjoy!

Another Thought

A 'pro-life' candidate has said that if he were elected governor and the opportunity to change the abortion laws in this state were given to him he would not do it.

"The current laws in the state of Michigan are sufficient."

The question was then reasked and the response repeated by the liberal media questioner. It seems as though he was quite surprised by the candidate's response.

If you do not believe it- check the transcript. And, no, I am not a Democrat. I just cannot support any candidate that does not uphold what the LORD requires of us.

The LORD hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? -Micah 6.8

Naughty Naughty

This picture was taken Sunday before we left our house for church in the morning. It totally reminds me of the kid that would be type-cast in a movie as the uber-brat that does nothing but defies his parents and reeks havoc on the entire neighborhood.

Good thing that our Owen is so sweet that he would never be mean or raise a hand to anyone.... even baby George who visited this evening. Okay, so maybe he is totally 'boy' and tries to hit, throw, punch, and break...but he is held accountable for these things!

Mr.Sandman Bring Us A Dream

Happy Birthday, Mackie!

We hope that you have a great day and want you to know that we are thankful for you in our lives! You have been a joy to be around and, of course, our children love you, too!

Psalm 22

So, how old are you? We guess 22? Weren't you 21 last year?

And Another

Here is another sleepy time photo that I thought would be a great follow-up. Notice there are no Elton John glasses. Also observe that Owen is sleeping and that Anna is totally faking. Think how many muscles it takes to make a fake sleeping face versus a real one like Owen's face.