Veritas est Gladium

Because I have no where else to go....

2012-03-01T13:05:00.001-08:00

I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. (Psalm 40:1-5 KJV)

Because I am a sinner....

2012-02-28T16:23:00.001-08:00

Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me: for I am poor and needy. Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me. (Psalm 86:1-7 KJV)

Because I need to live it...

2012-02-27T17:13:00.001-08:00

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been .my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. (Psalm 63:1-8 KJV)

Because I need to hear it.....

2012-02-26T19:29:00.001-08:00

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments. I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word. Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me thy judgments. (Psalm 119:105-108 KJV)

And as of late....

2012-02-22T19:11:00.000-08:00

.... I have been:

Watching the Sunrise

Working on Planters

Talking on the phone - a lot - fixing people's wiring and setup issues, ordering them parts etc.
Sorting through data on Excel. Excel is awesome BTW.
Working on maintaining a budget. That takes discipline... :-/
Reading - I'm almost on page 400 of Berkhof's Systematic!
Continual involvement in Church activity (Security and Ref Day primarily)
Walking my dogs with Grace every night...
Enjoying fellowship and discussion with good friends.

Watching the Sunset

TV Dinner Relationships

2012-02-13T10:54:00.000-08:00

You pop it in the microwave and sixty seconds later you've got an entire meal before you.

As Americans, we have been brought up to expect results. And fast. We want to be efficient in our day to day activities, finding out ways to make this activity go faster, or use less energy to free up time for the other 100 activities that are waiting on our to-do list. Our mentality has become one of industrialism in all areas of life. We have come to the point where we meet someone for thirty minutes, then we can claim we're their friends - FaceBook official to boot.

But relationships don't work that way. They take work. They take time. And because you're reading this, you are most likely from 21st century, and you probably didn't understand what I just said - in fact I don't probably understand what I just said. We don't live in the same place our whole lives, we Church hop at least once every five years - no make that five times a year. You have 500 FaceBook friends, but you've alienated your whole family and there's at least two families in your Church that you can't get along with - but at least you have a blog with 50 followers.

We live on the substance of quasi-relationship 'TV dinners', grabbing them as we exit the door, but we were not made to be satisfied by it. We were made for something greater, something that that is a joy to eat - though admittedly, it is much harder to prepare. But the joy of it completely blows away our modern shallow relationships.

Go work out the relationships God has placed you in.

Keep Calm and Carry On

2012-02-13T10:52:00.000-08:00

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

~ Proverbs 3:5-6

It's interesting how life works. For two months life is flying by - drastic changes are made, sometimes good, sometimes painful - but life is changing. Then there are parts of your life where God just wants your life to grow slowly. It may seem so slow that you feel like your not even moving.

For those who know me, you probably know that I struggle with times like this... I like change, hard work, traveling and continual movement. I've gotten better at being patient, but at times the impatience still rushes back in like a flood...

But we must keep calm and carry on.... as the British saying goes. God has everything in hand. Perhaps for a minute we have the audacity to even mention the thought that we know better than God... but I can assure you, we're don't.

To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:

²A time to be born,
    And a time to die;
A time to plant,
    And a time to pluck what is planted;
³A time to kill,
    And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
    And a time to build up;
⁴A time to weep,
    And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
    And a time to dance;
⁵A time to cast away stones,
    And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,
    And a time to refrain from embracing;
⁶A time to gain,
    And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
    And a time to throw away;
⁷A time to tear,
    And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
    And a time to speak;
⁸A time to love,
    And a time to hate;
A time of war,
    And a time of peace.

~ Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Keeping Young

2012-02-08T07:35:00.000-08:00

“Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, "Do it again"; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, "Do it again" to the sun; and every evening, "Do it again" to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we.”
― G.K. Chesterton

Standing on the Promises

2012-02-02T06:44:00.000-08:00

All I can think of at this point is that song I have sung so many times....

"Standing on the promises of Christ our King....."

He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

~ Romans 4:20-25

Covenantal Theology

2012-01-24T16:16:00.001-08:00

The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29 KJV)

And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. (Genesis 17:7 KJV)

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. (Acts 2:38, 39 KJV)

What are Children anyway? Why is it that we are to train them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord? Why is it that they are supposed to obey their parents "in the Lord" (Eph. 6)? How does the Lord view your children?

Are your children pagans?

Are they somehow in an 'in-between' stage between a disciple of Christ and a pagan? Does such a thing exist?

Or is a child of a Christain one who is a disciple of Christ, and therefore shuld be baptized per Matthew 28:19?

Needless to say, I can't force feed you the answer. Go read your Bible and see what it says. We live in such an individualistic society that when someone starts to talk in covenantal terms, you'd think a bomb blew up.

God Bless,

Emil

Friends

2012-01-21T18:54:00.001-08:00

I love fellowshipping and working with friends.

*Your latest 'Just say'n' update... :-)*

Off to Indiana

2012-01-13T19:25:00.001-08:00

And it looks like I'll be traveling to Fort Wayne Indiana for next week. We'll be setting up at a farm show out there. Just because it's so fitting, here's a quote:

Promise me you'll never forget me because if I thought you would I'd never leave.

- Winnie the Pooh

To live with your Boots on

2012-01-12T09:08:00.000-08:00

Man was created in the image of God and commanded to subue the earth and to have dominion over it (Gen. 1:26-27). Not only is it man's calling to exercise dominion, but it is also his nature to do so. Since God is the absolute and sovereign Lord and Creator, whose dominion is total and whose power is without limits, man, created in His image, shares in this communicable attribute of God.

- R. J. Rushdoony

Men don't go to battle in flip-flops y'all. Don't sit on your couch all comfortable with where you are currently at. Strive and live for the Kingdom of God. I'm hardly the best example, I fall, but by the Grace of God I stand back up.

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV)

For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. (Proverbs 24:16 KJV)

A Liturgy of Faith

2012-01-10T04:07:00.000-08:00

¹In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.

²Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.

³Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.

⁴Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.

⁵For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.

⁶By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee.

⁷I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.

⁸Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.

⁹Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.

¹⁰For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,

¹¹Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.

¹²O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.

¹³Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.

¹⁴But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.

¹⁵My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.

¹⁶I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.

¹⁷O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.

¹⁸Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.

¹⁹Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!

²⁰Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.

²¹Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.

²²I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.

²³My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.

²⁴My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.

- Psalm 71

A liturgy of Repentance

2012-01-08T07:01:00.000-08:00

1Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

3For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

9Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

13Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

15O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

16For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

18Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

19Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

-Psalm 51

Bow Ties

2012-01-07T14:48:00.000-08:00

So... Recently I was introduced to wearing bow ties.... In my mind, so far - I like them much more than the ties that are commonly worn today. Much more manly in my opinion - and besides, it takes much more intelligence to tie a bow tie than your typical, normal, and boring tie worn these days.... ;-)

And speaking of tying bow ties, the first step in being introduced to bow ties was of course learning how to tie one... Which I have learned after my Pastor graciously loaned me a bow tie in the interim as I learn how to tie it. It took a few attempts, but finally I got it down to the point that I can tie one half-way decently. And, since I love step by step directions (you get bonus points if it comes with drawings or pictures) here's how to tie a bow tie: (taken from Here.)

Step two, naturally, must be to buy one.... This is probably the hardest step, because I'm the sort of person that hates trying to pick something like that out. (And is awful at it to boot)

It has been recommended to me that I buy one from Here. Now the hardest part is to pick one out.....

So this has been my latest adventure (In the midst of long work days, reading Berkhof's 'Systematic Theology', having good conversations/fellowship with good friends, traveling to Indiana for work, and burning the candle on both ends).

But most of all, I am seeing more and more that God is good, He is very, very good.

God Bless!

2012 Resolutions

2011-12-31T19:52:00.000-08:00

Stuff I'd like to accomplish in 2012:

1. Read and study at least one book per month on Biblical history/theology.

2. Learn how to Waltz well.

3. Travel all over the US to meet other like minded Christians.

4. Work. Hard.

5. Decide if I want to pursue further education before I get married.

6. Grow in my ability to stand in God's Word and find my confidence and hope in Him.

7. Grow in both spiritual and physical strength daily.

8. If I move closer to my job, I would like to start volunteering as either Firefighter/EMT or as Auxilary Police.

9. Learn to find joy in every second of the life God has given me.

There are many other things I would like to do this next year... But they won't make it on this public list ;-)

Live the next year for the Glory of your Creator. Don't ever forget His love and sacrifice for you... For there is no other reason to live...

Merry Christmas Eve!

2011-12-23T22:05:00.000-08:00

Yeah, well, so much for the plan of posting more... :-).

Life has been WAY too busy to put any time in wiring on here... Traveling (like to the Messiah in Chicago this past week, which was AWESOME BTW.). And work... And more work, and more work... :-). Then reading Berkhof's Systematic Theology in my spare time makes for a full life!

God is Good, life is so busy and exciting...l I can't wait to see what he brings me through in the next year!

Anyway, seeing as it is currently 12:10 CST, I will wish you a very Merry Christmas Eve - May your life be filled with the joy of your Saviour!!!!

Day 2

2011-12-15T14:49:00.000-08:00

I want to be more consistent and reliable in what I do. :-)

"Rise and rise again, until Lions become Lambs"

Something bigger than myself day 1

2011-12-13T17:02:00.000-08:00

So, since I'm off FaceBook for a while, I'm going to post some on my blog.

The next couple months, I'm going to post a dream or goal I have for my life. There's only two rules for this game:

1. They have to be specific - no use me just repeating WSC Q&A # 1 - it's true, and good, but in order to bring a little more purpose to a man's life, it is good to be specific.
2. They have to be short and concise. Just 'cause that's what I love being.

And just so you know, they won't be in order of importance, that would be extremely difficult.

So, Day 1:

Become a Leader who leads by example.

PS, I'll explain why I'm doing this after I'm done... :-)

Sitting In a hotel...

2011-12-12T20:00:00.000-08:00

In Indianapolis.

Man, I'm glad I gave a family, cause this gets lonely. (I'm in Indianapolis for a business trip until Thursday- so if you happen to be driving by the State Fair grounds, feel free to stop by the Indy Farm Show.... You'll see me there. :-)

But anyway... I'm glad for Christian community. don't take it for granted y'all.

And I have a better post coming up... I'm just tired from a 15 hr work day... Good night... :-)

To love would be an awfully big adventure....

2011-12-07T17:07:00.000-08:00

I heard this song on the way home from work today.....

'Nuff Said...

Praise

2011-10-20T05:08:00.000-07:00

¹O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

²To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

³Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

⁴Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

⁵My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:

⁶When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.

⁷Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

⁸My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.

⁹But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.

¹⁰They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.

¹¹But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

~ Psalm 63

So many times, we forget why.

Why am I alive? Why do I work so hard? Wouldn't it be easier to just give up and die off like the rest of the world is doing? Isn't it easier to just bankrupt the nation?

Yes, it is easier.

But we are called to something greater.

We are called to live our life for Christ. We are called to die to ourselves and serve others - even when we don't understand. Even when it hurts and doesn't benefit us. Even in the early morning and late nights when we're tired and patience runs short.

Christ has died

Christ is risen

Christ will come again.

Amen.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
~ Hebrews 12:1-3

Just remember....

2011-10-17T05:07:00.000-07:00

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
~ Proverbs 3:5-7

It's so easy to forget... so easy to get caught up in yourself.... so easy to lay aside the promises of God for the false security of man.

We are so willing to trust in ourselves, while God and His word fades away in the distance.

Even when you aren't sure what your next step should be, follow God. Follow His Word. Take His promises and never let go. Hold onto them for dear life.

Because in the end - they're all you'll have to hold on to.

Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

~ Psalm 73: 25-26

Amen.

A quote......

2011-10-13T19:22:00.000-07:00

Here's a quote from a book I'm reading in my spare time..........

"Our tone should always resonate with the humility of one who speaks with authority under the authority of another (2 Tim. 4:2). Ultimately, our awareness of the divine activity that empowers our words defines our preaching. As the Spirit of God uses our words to communicate his truth, we speak for God. Despite the frailties and the foibles of our expressions, the Spirit burns away the dross of our preaching to refine Christ's very words in others' hearts. Martin Luther pictured this more vividly than we may find it comfortable to consider: "Now let me and everyone who speaks the word of Christ freely boast that our mouths are the mouths of Christ. I am certain indeed that my word is not mine, but the word of Christ. So must my mouth be the mouth of him who utters it." This powerful image should caution us never to speak with a tone that compromises Christ's authority or contradicts his care. We represent him. Therefore, we must consider how he would speak were he to address our listeners with the truths committed to our care. If the words we are saying came from Christ's mouth, how would he say them? Our words must reflect his character as well as his truth if our preaching is to remain true to him."

~ Bryan Chapell; Christ-Centered Preaching, Redeeming the Expository Sermon

Another song...

2011-10-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

I Love it....

Thanks to Luke and Shelby Courtney for the suggestion..... I haven't been on FaceBook.. so I'm pretty far behind when it comes to 'new' stuff......

It's odd.....

2011-10-06T18:30:00.000-07:00

.... How God calls us to pursue things, even though, in the end, they may not turn out the way we planned them.

It takes faith to believe - faith to understand - faith to live.

May God be given all the glory for our faltering attempts to follow His call, and may He give us the grace to do it again, and again, and again, and again, and again, till we rest in His arms.

Amen.

A quote....

2011-10-04T15:23:00.000-07:00

From Doug Wilson....

"In a home taught by an evangelical husband, there should by many graces that are simply part of an aroma which is pervasive in the home. Such a man should never speak to his wife without affection and courtesy. He must never lose his temper when correcting the children. When he sins, he should make all appropriate restitution. He must be a rock in his home, a small pebble that somehow by the grace of God pictures the Rock that is Christ."

A long day....

2011-09-27T19:33:00.001-07:00

Have you ever felt like you're physically and mentally completely exhausted, but don't want to stop?

Sometimes, it's just better to wait until the next day... hm.... I was about to wish that there was more than 24 hours in a day... but on the other hand, I think it's the Grace of God that there isn't...

G'night ya'll.

A couple of passages that have been on my mind....

2011-09-21T19:38:00.000-07:00

⁵ But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, ⁶ to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, ⁷ to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. ⁸ For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
~ 1 Peter 1:5-9

⁹ Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; ¹¹ not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; ¹² rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; ¹³ distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
~ Romans 12:9-16

These two passages hit me harder yesterday/today than they ever have before.... But I didn't post them to share why they affected me.... I posted them in prayer and in hope that they would cut you as well.... for truly it is said:

¹²For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
~ Hebrews 4:12

Amen

Quote for the day 9/13/11

2011-09-13T18:40:00.000-07:00

"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.

"Citizenship in a Republic,"
President Theodore Roosevelt, Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910

One of the reasons I love quotes so much is that they paint a brief picture of an idea in your mind. This quote from Theodore Roosevelt is no exception.

But what picture does it paint?

In my mind, I see him casting a partial vision of what manhood should look like. We no longer know of men who are willing to live their lives for anything more than their selfish comfort, or, if they are willing to do daring things, they do them for selfish reasons. The men of today have lost something - they have lost the vision for living for anything beyond themselves.

In attempting to live for ourselves, we have found death and purposeless life. In attempting to gain, we have lost.... It's the paradox of life that Christ talks about in Matthew 10. "He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it."

We must take up our cross, denying our flesh, and live our life striving to live for Christ - and may we, by His Grace and mercy, lose our life every single hour of every day for His glory and for the building of His Kingdom.

Start with the redemption and grace of Christ. And may God call men who are willing to die and live for the Glory of God.

The Purpose of all things....

2011-09-12T18:37:00.000-07:00

Is to drive us to Christ - on our knees, with a further understanding that I am nothing, and that God is everything.....

That no matter how hard I try to walk by my own strength, I'll just fall down....

And yet, God is always there to pick me up - to show me that I can't stand by my own strength....

God's Grace truly does work in marvelous ways......

I'm too tired to keep typing... I've worked hard today and it's time to go to bed.. 'gnight ya'll...

What are words?

2011-09-10T19:23:00.000-07:00

Life

2011-09-09T16:57:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I posted an update on my Blog regarding it's author.... Not that anyone really cares... :-) But... I still think it's a good idea to record all the 'real' stuff that's happening in my life, stuff that I wouldn't normally put on FaceBook. So here we go..... (this might get a little boring for some of you....)

1. Work. Yup, lots of it. Did you know that it's not easy being a young man in an economy wherein about 75% of college grads are under-employed or non-employed? Especially when you want to live a life (as much as possible) that is debt free. I'm not complaining (far from it) I think it's a good challenge for young men in an age where we aren't challenged enough. It's a good kind of hard.... but it's hard nevertheless... :-)

2. Books. Well... ok, reading books.. :-) the last few (ok, about 5) months I've read:

The Institutes of Biblical Law by RJ Rushdoony
The Baptized Body by Peter Leithart
Through New Eyes by James Jordan
By This Standard by Greg Bahnsen
Reforming Marriage by Douglas Wilson
The Masculine Mandate by Richard Phillips
Man in an Iron Mask by Alexandre Dumas
Currently reading What did you Expect? by Paul David Tripp

Next up will probably be Standing on the Promises by Douglas Wilson and Christ-Centered Preaching by Bryan Chapell

Each of these books were/are an excellent read - challenging me in my theology, and perhaps even more than that, how I live my life. (yes, even 'Man in an Iron Mask by Dumas.. :-) Reading books is a great past-time for me... Right now, as I am single, working, and living at home - is a great time to expand in my reading of literature, one of the things I love to do... but couldn't do it much during college due to my studies.

3. Working on remodeling. I actually just finished my biggest job of the summer: refinishing all the oak trim for the two rooms we are remodeling. It was a lot of work.... but it looks beautiful now....

4. Enjoying life with family and friends...... God has been so good to me... both in the family He's given me, the Church I've been blessed with, and the friends I've made all over the US this year. God has truly blessed me further than, sadly, I am often willing to admit in this area.

Yup... that's about it folks.... that's about all I do from early morning until late at night every day... every week... :-) God is good.... I'm still an awful writer.... I'm still a sinner.... and I'm still continually attempting to seek God's will, vision, and purpose for my life...

But I'm still rejoicing in the life and amazing measure of Grace God has given me.... God is good... and may His Kingdom come... may His will be done.... On earth as it is in Heaven.

Amen.

Thoughts

2011-08-14T18:47:00.000-07:00

Why is it that we cannot stand the sins or faults of others? It seems that among the Christian community, there are many who are skilled in their ability to tear someone else's life apart, showing every fault - and if they're really good, can even label them with many of the -isms of our day.

I'm not saying we shouldn't sound forth the call of faith and repentance to both those who are within and without the church; what I am saying is this, if we, as Christians, simply took the same measure we use against others toward ourselves, we could not stand up to it.

May to God that we spend less time criticizing the faults of others, and more time exposing our own sins - and if you're anything like I am, if you gave just as much effort in putting your life in subjection to Christ's reign as you do in criticizing others, I think that we will both be well on our way to a well balanced view of the subject.

Profound Words

2011-08-12T13:38:00.000-07:00

From RC Sproul Jr.

The hard reality is that the more we grasp the sinfulness of man the more we must watch for the sinfulness of those we hope will teach us wisdom. We are indeed all sinners, which explains why even the most pious among us take wrong turns theologically. But even those who take wrong turns know and teach that the Bible is the map. And what that map always shows us, not surprisingly, is our own sin.

Which means that the ones we ought to be listening to are those who are least likely to tell us what to think, who are most likely to tell us where to look. Those who speak, who write about their own sin, those are the ones who have been given wisdom. Those, on the other hand, who are most quick to point out the sins of others, that is where we need a godly skepticism. Sinners speak of their own sin and God’s grace and pronounce peace. The proud, on the other hand, speak of the sins of others and pronounce judgment. In short, where the gospel shows its impact is where we see ourselves. Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner.

Read the entirety Here.

Family Economics Conference 2012

2011-08-11T17:49:00.001-07:00

Is combined with Liberty Day!! Ok, I'll give it to you all... that was a good idea... :-)

http://familyeconomics2012.com/

http://www.libertyday.net/2011/07/2012-conference-information.html

Gold

2011-08-10T15:19:00.000-07:00

Intraday High just hit 1809.10, it closed today at 1794.40. Can you say Wow?

I don't trust the FED or Ben Bernanke for that matter, but at the same time, let us remember:

²⁴ “If I have made gold my hope,
Or said to fine gold, ‘You are my confidence’;
²⁵ If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great,
And because my hand had gained much;
²⁶ If I have observed the sun when it shines,
Or the moon moving in brightness,
²⁷ So that my heart has been secretly enticed,
And my mouth has kissed my hand;
²⁸ This also would be an iniquity deserving of judgment,
For I would have denied God who is above.
~ Job 31:24-28

A Currency based upon debt and a belief that somehow we can proclaim to the watching world that our success is because of our abilities, and not based upon the blessings of God will lead to destruction. But as we watch this happen to America, don't forget the above passage either.

The Strength to Pursue

2011-07-24T19:32:00.000-07:00

There are times in your life when you will want to quit.

You'll want to give up and somehow reason with yourself that really - it's not worth it.

You'll be tempted to believe that you have no future....

You'll be tempted to call God a liar - and hold onto the lie that his promises aren't true.

Here's a few passages I simply need to hear right now....

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you." ~ Philippians 3:13-15

"God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged." ~ Romans 3:4

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." ~ 1 John 4:4

"O lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee: Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry;" ~ Psalm 88:1-2

Life

2011-07-09T19:33:00.001-07:00

It is so easy to live for yourself - to be self-centered in just about everything you do. In this world of Online Social Networking, living that way is not only accepted, it is even considered the norm!! We pass our day letting everyone know what we've been up to, then we go to our blog and post our latest new-found knowledge or experience - all for the sake of the benefit of others of course. The world is such a wonderful and comfortable place when everyone else is stoking your ego. It can be as simple as having conversations with people on a day to day basis.... who do you talk about? Is it all about what you've been doing this past weekend, how you've made another accomplishment, set a new record, enjoyed doing this thing or the other thing... without even considering how the other person has been doing?

It's always about how you've been suffering, how you think you deserve better. How you're so proud of your latest accomplishment.

I admit that I often do this, and pray for God's forgiveness in this area. I get on FaceBook, to see how many people liked my post - or even better yet, actually commented!!!! I get on my blog, to make a sad attempt at writing, because you know... I have knowledge I need to put on writing, I mean... I read all these books, and I gotta get it out of me sooner or later!!! The truth is, so often I do these things for my own selfish reasons, which, if I did them in real life, they would be considered obnoxious. I am so obsessesed with what others do to make me feel proud, that I forget who I am. I am a servant of the reigning King of Heaven - not created for my own glory, but for Christ's.

The essence, in my mind, of cultivating relationships and removing yourself from your selfishness is to live for Christ.... And when your theological rubber meets the road in your understanding of the Church, you will also understand that you must also live for your Brother and Sisters that you do see.... for how can you claim to love Him who you do not see, when you do not love those whom you can see?

Christian Community....

2011-07-04T10:09:00.000-07:00

....Is one of the best gifts God has bestowed upon us. May we learn to better appreciate it - and work the implications of it into our lives.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

~ John 13:34

Thoughts

2011-07-02T19:19:00.000-07:00

To take that which you understand about how you should live, and apply it to how you live, is one of the most difficult leaps you must make in your life.

Music for your enjoyment....

2011-06-29T18:25:00.000-07:00

ICHE

2011-06-04T03:41:00.001-07:00

3,000 people.

Wow, I don't think our state's homeschooling convention has ever had that many people at it.... And my guess is that there'll be even more today.

God is good - and may he be glorified through It.

Blessings

2011-05-30T19:22:00.000-07:00

Why is it that God continues to bless us despite the fact that we don't deserve it?

I know the answer... but for some reason, knowing the answer this time doesn't seem to be enough.

Truly it has been said that the Lord surpasses all understanding.

Vacation this year...

2011-05-28T14:08:00.000-07:00

Is going to be HERE.

And no... I'm definitely NOT excited.. ;-)

The devil closest to you.....

2011-05-27T18:53:00.000-07:00

...Is always more prominent than the devil who is far away.

Or, another way to say it is that the people who are closest to you - are going to be the people you know the faults of best. We can often look at the people that are distant, and believe that somehow, they must be better than those who are around us. In doing this, not only do we create a false version of others, we create a false view of ourselves and what we deserve. We become discontent with the people God has put in our lives for our joy and sanctification.

It's such a simple fact, and yet, like all simple things, they are the things we tend to miss the most. It's just like us, as reformed folk, to go straight to the 'complex', without first considering that which is so 'simple' and 'common'. I'm not saying we should push aside our systematics.... I'm simply saying that we can often strain too many flies and in the process swallow a few camels....

In fact, practically our whole social system is based upon the lie that people are better with shallow and distant relationships. You get to know other people a little.... and then it's time to move on to new people. It's as if you can spend ten minutes a day reading someone's FaceBook statuses and somehow consider them a friend! I won't deny it, relationships are hard - but we are called to them nevertheless. And not begrudgingly either..... :-) Yeah, I'm one to talk... ;-)

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. ~ Hebrews 12:1,2

Blessings

2011-05-21T18:02:00.000-07:00

Take a minute and listen to the song...

Living in the reign of Christ

2011-05-20T08:11:00.000-07:00

I've been reading RJ Rushdoony's 'Institutes of Biblical Law' Currently I'm on about page 610 - only about 200 pages left!!! :-) Anyway, here's a quote from Rushdoony (though not from the Institutes I believe)

History is the battle of Christ versus anti-christ, and man's basic need is redemption through the blood of Jesus Christ and then life in Christ and under God's law, now no longer a bill of indictment against man, but a charter for life.

R. J. Rushdoony

In Christ's death, Death was conquered.

In Christ's Resurrection, Victory is won.

To God be the glory.

Pride

2011-05-10T06:59:00.000-07:00

None have more pride than those who dream that they have none. You may labour
against vainglory till you conceive that you are humble, and the fond conceit of your
humility will prove to be pride in full bloom. It apes humility full well, and is then
most truly pride. Pride is a sin with a thousand lives; it seems impossible to kill it, it
flourishes on that which should be its poison, glorying in its shame. It is a sin with a
thousand shapes; by perpetual change it escapes capture. It seems impossible to hold
it; the vapoury imp slips from you, only to appear in another form and mock your
fruitless pursuit. To die to pride and self one would need to die himself.

~ Charles Spurgeon

A good movie

2011-05-06T04:45:00.000-07:00

I saw this a while back - and really enjoyed watching it, so I thought I'd share!! :-)

The Grace of God

2011-05-04T19:19:00.000-07:00

We often are discontent with what God has given us - by looking at what someone has or done and claiming that they don't deserve what they have as much as you deserve it - after all, you've worked so hard - much harder than they have, right? You've worked so hard for a certain goal, but you get passed by for someone else.

Being discontent is a sin that will rob you of all your joy - and with it, all your gratefulness for what you do have. In comparing your worthiness to another human, you are simply comparing one undeserving person to another. That's why it completely distorts your view of life - it takes your view of mankind and places it in a position of deserving even the common grace of God.

Ultimately, it places us in contempt of the very God we claim to serve. In contempt of His Grace, in contempt of His love. Instead, we should live every second praising the Lord who has created and saved us. It is much like CS Lewis described Aslan's Country - The further you go in, the larger and more real it all becomes.

A good song......

2011-04-02T17:39:00.000-07:00

Dominion

2011-04-01T06:49:00.000-07:00

Men were created, by design – by God’s design - to take dominion over all things. They were made to strive and fight for something. In our culture, we have tried to dumb down, calm down, and remove this essential aspect of being a man. I do not mean to promote a brutish view of man – only a view of man that is Biblical and reflective of the attributes I see in Scripture of what a man should be. And what I see – both, sadly, in myself, and in the culture around me, is a stark contrast to what I believe we should be.

So, I’ve claimed there’s a problem… but I haven’t given a solution, now have I? But then… I don’t have a solution. God does. It’s called the Gospel. Whether you agree with me or not – pursue God, pursue His Word, understand that you (and I) are far from perfect, and believe. Believe that Christ atones for your sins, putting you in a place to stand before God - covered by His Blood. If you believe this, your life will show it – and the Gospel will change you. We live in a culture that has lost its purpose, and we must find it – in Christ.

On the center of Truth

2011-03-03T18:31:00.000-08:00

As privileged Christians in one of the most economically blessed nation in the history of this world, (despite how we have despised and destroyed that blessing) we tend to think that the world revolves around us. The pride and self-conceit of what we know we deserve is astounding. We, for some reason, believe that we deserve the best without actually investing our time and effort into anything productive. We have been separated from real life - both physically through the audio and visual media - and even through the methods we use to teach people. We take people out of what real life consists of and we don't teach them how to apply what they have learned. This mentality of entitlement and a separation from reality is destroying us.

But - to stick to the title of this post.... :-)

What I'm trying to drive at here is that at the center of reality is Christ - and if you want to learn how to operate in it, then here's where your journey must start:

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."

~ Proverbs 9:10

We cannot find our fulfillment in a pseudo-world. Building Christ's Kingdom is the only work that will truly fulfill what we were made to do: To Glorify God and Enjoy Him forever. And I can assure you, when you gaze into the glory of Christ, all other imitation realities are shown for what they are - cheap renditions that fade away in a moment.

On Rich Truth

2011-02-12T18:42:00.000-08:00

Here's something I wrote part of a while back, and just finished it up tonight - take it with a grain of salt - it's quality isn't all that great... but I love the Screwtape Letters so much I'd try it a little bit.

Dear Grim,

I hear word that you are slowing losing your subject to the opposition. He has joined the side of our enemy, with the normal fervor of a new convert to their religion. You must understand this: your mission must not fail. Our master will not be pleased with your poor conduct and you can be sure that he has a long memory of past faults. This is the first assignment you have been given after your extensive training period in our methods of the distortion of truth; of which you seemed to pass with flying colors, however, by the current course of events, it would seem you have quickly forgotten your training.

I have also heard that he has joined the ranks of those who are commonly referred to as 'Reformed'. In this perhaps you may have a way to cause your subject to fall and thereby returning yourself to your previous standing in our esteemed order. These people who call themselves Reformed seem to have a fervor to delve deep into the Opposition's truth and a knowledge of the book they commonly refer to as the 'Bible'. If you cannot create a level of complacency in the study of their book and and an ignorance of the truth that is contained therein, then you may still have a few ways to pervert his soul. One is to create a pride and arrogance in his increased knowledge of the Scriptures. This is a very dangerous route to take, and you must be very careful to keep him ignorant of his pride and arrogance, but this is one of the most potent way to undermine his fervor and revert him to - at a minimum - a means to repel others from the truth he has found. His pride may even lead him back to our ranks, which is your ultimate objective.

Another and sometimes even more effective method of causing him to fall is to make his knowledge completely abstract and of no use to everyday life and living. This has proven to be a wonderful method for those who are on guard against pride. They see the truth they are reading, and may even know it intimately, but they lose themselves in the abstract knowledge of their Creator and their study of the Bible becomes utterly useless in a practical sense -they take their knowledge and store it in their brain to be spit back out at those that disagree with them. They may be right, but in the end, their tendency to remove works from faith will destroy the very faith they claim to defend.

I expect a positive report from you soon,

Screwtape

In keeping with the title of this blog

2011-02-01T17:12:00.000-08:00

So let me start with the title. Why did I chose 'Veritas est Gladium'? I will be the first to admit that my Latin is rudimentary, but I wanted to portray this passage in a quick and simple phrase.

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. ~ Hebrews 4:12

But how does this passage apply to Truth? We can find part of the answer to that in John 17:17.

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

This passage makes an undeniable connection between the two. God's word is truth; what God speaks is that which exists. The power of truth and the affect it has had upon the world is simply unquantifiable; it holds the very atoms of our life together, and it is that which takes us from that which we deserve as sinners and places us in God's grace; as forgiven and loved children of God. That - in essence - is why I chose this as the title of my blog. Herein I hope to post my thoughts and ponderings on truth. I want to have a training ground if you will to practice sword-play. Ultimately my objective of writing on this blog is that by exploring truth, I will become more like it. And that is the ultimate objective of life is it not? To become conformed to God's reality. The truth that set this world in motion: His Word.

Another song I enjoyed listening to....

2011-01-22T17:37:00.000-08:00

Leather Project - Dagger Frog

2010-12-18T13:51:00.001-08:00

So this past year I got a dagger for my Birthday from some of my friends at Church.... This one. It's an awesome dagger, nice and sharp - and is very well made. (as I would expect from Cold Steel) But any edged weapon needs a frog to accompany it right? And no... I don't mean one of those tiny (or maybe not so tiny) animals from phylum Chordata, sub-phylum Vertebrata, class Amphibia and order Anura which you may occasionally find hoping around your yard or climbing up a tree - instead I mean this kind of frog. (Definition #2)

frog²

1. (Clothing & Fashion) (often plural) a decorative fastening of looped braid or cord, as on the front of a 19th-century military uniform

2. (Clothing & Fashion) a loop or other attachment on a belt to hold the scabbard of a sword, etc.

3. (Music / Instruments) Music another name (esp US and Canadian) for nut [11]

[perhaps ultimately from Latin floccus tuft of hair, flock²]

(taken from Here)

So... seeing as I have the materials and tools to do it. (and hopefully the skill as well) I decided to make my very own frog. So I drew the pattern, (after taking some ideas from the internet), cut out three pieces of leather, and started working on it! (By the way, calipers work great for measuring dimensions for leather projects) I wanted it to be completely black, so I dyed the leather black, and used black lacing around the edges.

Here's piece #1 - It's not quite complete, it needs 8 silver eyelets, then it will be ready to attach to piece #2. (And I know.. sadly the holes are not precisely straight... but I guess since it will be underneath the dagger I can forgive myself .07 in. or so.)

Here's Pieces #s 2 & 3

Here's the two together! The smooth (skin) side of Piece #1 will eventually be attached to the smooth side of Piece #2.

I'll post sometime in the future about the finished product!

A quote....

2010-10-24T19:30:00.000-07:00

"Although my memory's fading, I remember two things very clearly. I'm a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior." ~ Amazing Grace the Movie

I'm just so tired from Reformation Day..... wow, that was exhausting. But these two things are currently filling my mind... I am a great sinner, and Christ is a great Savior... May God take my work, which is done by a man with feet of clay and a heart of stone - May he take that work and use it for His glory. May he take the rags that I have worn and change them into a wedding garment fit for the wedding of the King of kings and Lord of lords. May we all trust Him - that He will conform us to His image - for His glory alone. What else is there worth living for?

A deer head

2010-09-02T16:41:00.001-07:00

So, some of ya'll will remember that last fall I killed a 10 point buck and that I sent it off to be cleaned off by this type of beetle.

Anyway, here's a picture of what it looks like now!! :D Once I get it, I'll be making a wall mount to put it up on in my room.

Another Latin Phrase...

2010-08-30T19:24:00.000-07:00

Sarcalogos est Senior of incompertus

Translation into English: 'Christ is Lord of the unknown'

God created us with a sense of time - he created us with a limited amount of knowledge. We cannot know that which is in the future, and to say that we know that which we do not know would commit a logical contradiction. We must trust that Christ is truly the Lord of the unknown, without this trust our eyes are dimmed to a further knowledge of God's glory and power - and to deny this realm of creation to his reign would be to deny all of it to His reign.

"In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ." Eph 1:11-12

The nature of young men

2010-08-29T19:25:00.000-07:00

The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head. ~ Pro 20:29

A good sermon....

2010-08-24T15:08:00.000-07:00

I listened to for the second time today.

Music

2010-08-24T03:36:00.000-07:00

Did I ever mention I really like a good violin player?

I was listening to these two songs last night while working on various projects. Definitely worth listening to.

Life as of late

2010-08-19T19:16:00.000-07:00

I admit, I have completely neglected this blog since I started working full-time, but other priorities came first!

I'll forewarn all readers that this is going to be a very boring post. :-) Just basically outlining what I've been doing as of late. (which other than working - hasn't been much)

~ I've been studying for a CompTIA Network+ Certification

~ I've been trying to read some good theological books (Keith A. Mathison, RC Sproul etc)

~ Other than those two things, I've been living life! Working around the house (we're starting another remodeling project, pictures are probably forth-coming), and we had tons of fruit picking this year.... and I mean tons!

Oh, and my Graduation date from TESC is December 10th 2010.... so I'm looking forward to getting my degree at that time! :D

Like I said - a boring post, but hopefully I will be able to provide more interesting posts sometime in the future. (one can always hope)

BSBA in General Management

2010-07-22T19:42:00.000-07:00

I have now officially completed one more land-mark in my life - I have officially completed the requirements for my BSBA. To God be all the Glory!!!!!

Now on to the next mile, journeying on to the next land-mark.... May the Lord be given the praise for the success thus far, and may He be given the glory for all that occurs in the future!!!

Marketing Communications

2010-07-21T14:44:00.000-07:00

Praise the Lord!!! I passed Marketing Communications!!! They updated my transcript today with the information!

Now to wait for the results from the Operations Management test... Should get the results back for it in the next week....

TN Trip Part #2!

2010-07-08T20:26:00.001-07:00

Well, I've not really been taking pictures *hides* but here are some I took tonight... Emil and Daniel Stouffer decided to have a wood splitting contest, and so I *tried* to take pictures of it, but, as you might know, with the camera I was using it's rather hard to take pictures of a moving object in bad light. So here's my attempt....

And then this last picture, to show you that we weren't working the whole time down here.

The TN trip part 1!

2010-07-07T12:00:00.000-07:00

Well, I meant to post earlier, but we've been rather busy.... Emil and I are here in TN, working on flood repair stuff, well, at least he is. I'm here in the kitchen, (as usual :D) working with Mrs. Evans and Grace to feed the guys.

So without further ado, here's the pictures......

The Kentucky/Illinois bridge!

Almost there......

We thought the cow looked absolutely hilarious....

And finally there!

Paris, the home of.... the world's largest catfish?

The work group by the barn (or what was left of it). This is one of the places they've been working at this week.

Jonas decided he wanted a tractor ride..

And I saw this tractor.... I LOVE oldish tractors!

~Grace

Creation Museum post #2

2010-07-03T19:51:00.000-07:00

Here's some of the pictures I promised ya'll from the Creation Museum!!!

My three sisters and a friend we adopted for the weekend! ;-)

Walking down the path to the Botanical Gardens... You know, I try to make a good body-guard if anyone's ever interested ;-)

Ducks. I don't know what kind - but it was pretty funny watching them walk around

Ruth - take this photo at face-value ;-)

If you will remember my friend from my last visit to the Museum? he has new riders... though I must admit, they make much better subjects for pictures than I do.

If I knew there was some of these alive today - it would be my dream to go hunting for one.

That's right folks... You better not miss it!!!

One of the many flowers Grace and I took pictures of.

I thought this thing was awesome!!!

Grace posing for a picture with some flowers in the gardens

For those who don't know, I like to take pictures of animals and things of that nature - in other words, anything but people. We got some pretty neat pictures of Bumble-Bees who were enjoying the flowers as much as we were.

The absolutely most funnest bridge to walk across... Seriously, it's really fun to swing it back and forth as you walk across. :D

That's right!!! Y'all come back now, ya hear? ;D

I have quite a few more pictures, but that'll be in my #3 post on the Museum. So stay tuned!!!

Milliarium Proximus

2010-07-02T14:43:00.000-07:00

Or, 'Last (or nearest) Milestone'

Tomorrow I will be taking Operations Management TECEP. Lord willing this will be the last test required for my degree. My mind is starting to wander.... and it's getting hard to concentrate on studying!!!

But focus I must... and study I must... So back to the books I go!!

A Mysterious Photo

2010-06-30T16:47:00.000-07:00

Sorry, ya'll will have to wait for the post about the Creation Museum... that post will have to come later... I'm getting ready for several things right now...

Anyway, Here's a photo - it shouldn't be too hard to figure out..... but..... I don't feel like saying what it's a picture of, and I can assure you, it will entail some more pictures on the blog!! So what do ya'll have to lose? :D

Creation Museum

2010-06-27T18:16:00.000-07:00

For the past few months, I have been coordinating a group trip to go down to the Creation Museum. Sadly, in the end (due to circumstances none could control) only our family was able to go. (along with a friend). The best way I know to describe the trip was 'refreshing'. I always love to read through all the exhibits and simply be reminded of the work of God in every area of our life and throughout the entire history of creation. Here is the first picture, which summarizes the entire purpose of the Museum as well as everything else in existence. The next post will contain more pictures of our journey through the Museum.

Another good Generations Radio Broadcast - Family Economic series

2010-06-26T10:31:00.000-07:00

This one has both Kevin Swanson and Voddie Baucham, so how could it fail to be good? ;-)

And please remember, the selection of audio links on this blog is based upon the quality of discussion, not the topic covered. :-)

Also, I just started the Family Economic series from Kevin Swanson's 'Family Economics Conference' back in February. So far it's been great!!!

Business Policy Epilogue

2010-06-26T06:42:00.000-07:00

Praise the Lord!!!!! I just checked my transcript and I officially passed the Business Policy TECEP!!!!!!!

114 credits officially passed, still waiting on 3 credits (Marketing Communications) and I plan on taking my last test next week!!!

(I'm ecstatic about it, if you can't tell :D

What I've been listening to while studying #2

2010-06-24T07:47:00.000-07:00

Beethoven's 7th Symphony. Thus far it is my favorite of Beethoven's Symphonies.

A prayer for the day

2010-06-22T17:27:00.000-07:00

O Lord, fill me with an intense desire to glorify you in all that I do. May I take every opportunity given to me to proclaim that glory even when I am most discouraged to do so. I pray that every task I perform will be done with the sole underlying purpose of bringing more glory to the only being truly worthy of it: You. May joy, sorrow, trial, and blessing drive me further into your glory, which is the very substance of life itself. And may your glory be the driving force which makes my life worth living and challenges worth overcoming. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Seven days and counting...

2010-06-22T05:44:00.000-07:00

Until my Operations Management test.

Let's see if I can do this.... I practically started studying last night.

A bird in the front yard

2010-06-19T18:59:00.000-07:00

For those who may not know this about me, I have (and probably always will) an interest in a sport called Falconry (some basic info about it here). So it obviously interested me that we have a pair of Falco sparverius (American Kestrel, or the Sparrow Hawk) nesting high in one of the trees in our front yard.

Here is some info I took out of my Audubon field guide for birds on Falco sparverius:

Description: 9-12" W. 21". A jay-sized falcon, often seen hovering. May be recognized in any plumage by its rusty tail and back. Adult male has slate-blue wings. Female has wings rusty like black, narrow bands on tail. Both sexes have 2 black stripes on face.

Voice: Shrill killy-killy-killy

Habitat: Towns and cities, parks, farmlands, and open country.

Nesting: 4 or 5 white or pinkish eggs, blotched with brown, placed without nest or lining in a natural or man-made cavity.

Range: Breeds from Alaska and Northwest Territories east though Maritime Provinces, and south throughout continent. Winters north to British Columbia, Great Lakes, and New England. Also in American tropics.

Unlike larger falcons, the "Sparrow Hawk" has adapted to humans and nests even in our larger cities, where it preys chiefly on House Sparrows. In the countryside it takes insects, small birds, and rodents, capturing its prey on the ground rather than in midair like other falcons. The female does most of the incubating and is fed by the male. As he nears the nest with food, he calls; the female flies to him, receives the food, and returns to the nest. After the eggs hatch, the male continues to bring most of the food. The young stay with the adults for a time after fledging, and it is not uncommon to see family parties in late summer.

So, while we were roofing on Friday night, I noticed one of the American Kestrel eyas was on the ground!!! As I watched, it grabbed a hold of one of our smaller trees and started to climb up it. (which was quite the interesting sight, watching it climb up with it's talons and beak while flapping it's wings for aid in climbing). Once we came down from the roof for a break, Ashton took a few pictures of it. It was gone in the morning, so hopefully the little guy learned how to fly! (pardon the rhyme :-)

Here's the best one we got of it. (click on it for a larger view)

This is a better shot for two kinds of people: 1. Those who want more than one picture in the post, and 2. Those who may want to identify one in the future. (taken from: http://animal.discovery.com/guides/wild-birds/gallery/american_kestrel.jpg)

Operations Management

2010-06-16T10:18:00.001-07:00

Well... now I'm on to my (Lord willing) last test!!!!

Operations Management TECEP

Here's the test break-down

I. SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT (20%)

A. Systems concepts

B. Systems organization

C. Operations strategy

D. Process management

E. Management of technology

F. Work-force management

II. SYSTEMS DESIGN (20%)

A. Location analysis

B. Layout analysis

C. Capacity analysis

D. Work systems design and analysis

III. SYSTEMS PLANNING, ANALYSIS, AND CONTROL (60%)

A. Optimization models and methods in production planning

(Linear programming, transportation models, CPM, PERT, queuing, Monte Carlo, etc.)

B. Total quality management

C. Statistical process control

D. Supply-chain management

E. Forecasting methods

F. Aggregate planning

G. Material requirement planning

H. Just-In-Time systems

I. Material requirement planning

J. Work methods and measurements

K. Managing projects

L. Inventory management

M. Scheduling

N. Productivity and operations

It consists of 100 multiple choice questions to be answered in three hours. I haven't really started studying for it yet - I'm trying to stick a little bit of studying time here and there while we're re-roofing our house this week, but it's been pretty busy. As of right now I have it scheduled the 29th of June, at 1 pm. So it's about time I get the rubber burning!!!!!

Now the question is.... if I do pass all three of these TECEPs, what am I going to do without college to study for?!?!?! ;D That has been the primary reason for posting as of late. Maybe I could take Mr. Riggenbach's suggestion and take all our chairs in our house, measure them with a Micrometer, and then get some statistical information out about it... Or maybe I could just post about all the studying I'll be doing for computer networking... Or maybe I should ask ya'll what I should post about? hm... maybe this calls for a poll... I'll have to think about that. :D

Marketing Communications

2010-06-15T06:32:00.000-07:00

And off I go to take my second TECEP; Marketing Communications.

Prayers would definitely be appreciated. To God be the glory - whatever the results!!!

I'm sorry to all those who posted comments and I haven't responded yet... I'll post back when I'm done taking my test. :-)

As an aside... I completely blame my sister... it's totally her fault... ;-) I really enjoy Classical music - But she got me stuck this morning on Luigi Boccherini - so here's one of his best known pieces for you to listen to.

Funny quotes

2010-06-14T06:16:00.000-07:00

I'm about ready to start studying today... and wanted to start it out with a laugh, so I went to the CP! forums and just started reading some funny quotes. Here's some of them!! :D

"When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car. "

The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits
-- Albert Einstein

Three guys walked into a bar. The fourth ducked.

Did you hear about the Buddhist who refused Novacain during a root canal? His goal: transcend dental medication.

What do you call a blonde who dyes her hair? Artificial Intelligence!

Why did the blonde get fired from the M&M factory? She was throwing out the Ws!

A policeman pulls a blonde over for speeding, and--as is customary--asks to see her license.
The blonde, furious, rolls her eyes and snaps, "I wish you police guys would get your act together!
Just yesterday one of you takes away my license, and today you expect me to show it to you!!!"

I have recently discovered that people in the Bible smoked! If you look in the KJV at the story where Rebekah first meets Isaac, it says that "Rebekah lighted off her camel...."

If you say the word "gullible" slow enough, it sounds like "elephant."

Ok... now it's time to study :D Those gave me a good chuckle...

Surprise Birthday Party

2010-06-13T17:50:00.001-07:00

Well..... I was going to put up a post about my Birthday Party... but...

I have approximately zero pictures... :-(

So...

Anyway - my Family had been planning a Surprise Birthday Party for this past Monday (the 7th, one day before my Birthday), so they invited somewhere around 80 people to the Party, which the Ryken's hosted. There was wonderful fellowship, games, and food!! :D

Since I'm without pictures all I can do is say thanks...

to...

My Parents and family - for all their work - planning - cooking - and just for everything!! :D

The Ryken Family - for their wonderful hosting of the party!!

Lily Riggenbach and Lenna Candler - for their wonderful help with cooking!!

The Price Family - for bringing the volley-ball net!!

Colton Evans - for making the Italian Cream Soda!!

All those people who helped us get the chairs and tables to and from the Church!!

So, now I'm officially 19 - I'm almost graduated from college -... I guess I should start acting it?

Eh, maybe not... ;-)

The exhilaration of aimlessly walking around in the rain getting soaked - Driving down the highway rocking out to Bach and Beethoven - washing dishes while singing songs and laughing - and just plain 'ol enjoying life - I pray will never get old. Even when I am. :D

Another good Generations Radio Broadcast

2010-06-09T18:56:00.000-07:00

Next up will be a post on my Surprise Birthday party this past week!!! :D

Thoughts from my notes on today's Sermon

2010-06-06T15:57:00.000-07:00

We must face our sin as it really is - An offense to the nature of a perfect, almighty God - Which deserves eternal damnation. And we must also face the Grace of God as it truly is - a gift we cannot deserve - a gift whose design can only be explained in that it's purpose is to magnify His glory - from a God we cannot even begin to understand without the power of it.

Off I go...

2010-06-02T07:11:00.000-07:00

... To take my Business Policy test... :-)

They finally got it in.. and now it's time to go take it!!!!

Prayers are appreciated!!

I'm waiting.....

2010-06-01T06:16:00.001-07:00

For the Library to receive my test.... ack.. oh well :-)

So... as soon as the Library gets my test, I'll be running over there to take it!!! I now have to keep my knowledge level at the 'ready to take test' level for the Business Policy, while also studying for my Marketing Communications test!!!

Understanding Young Men

2010-05-31T12:20:00.000-07:00

Update on College 5/29/10

2010-05-29T17:32:00.001-07:00

So... Apparently TESC didn't send my Business Policy TECEP to the local library I'm taking the TECEPs at until this past Thursday (5/28). I'm hoping that the library will receive it by the first of June, but... there's no guarantee.

In the mean-time, I've also been studying for the next TECEP, which is Marketing Communications. Thus far it's actually been very interesting!!! (it helps quite a bit when you're studying something that's interesting :-) I have this test scheduled for 6/15/10.... that is if TESC sends it off in time....

Here's the breakdown for this test!

I. BASIC CONCEPTS (25%)

A. The communication process and marketing communications

B. The marketing mix and the communications mix

C. Integrated communications and relationship marketing

II. COMMUNICATION MIX COMPONENTS (25%)

A. Personal selling

B. Advertising and sales promotion

C. Direct response and interactive media

D. Public relations and publicity

III. IDENTIFYING AND DEFINING TARGET MARKETS (15%)

A. Consumer behavior and the buyer decision process

B. Market segmentation and target marketing

IV. COMMUNICATION PLANNING AND EXECUTION (25%)

A. Planning and communication strategy

B. Creative strategy

C. Creative execution: art and copy

D. Evaluating communication performance

V. MEDIA PLANNING AND EXECUTION (10%)

A. Media strategy: print, electronic, digital

B. Print, electronic and digital media production

I'm using Contemporary Advertising by Arens, William F. to study for this one. (also, this website has been helpful) This test has 7 one page essays (ten options to choose from) as well as 30 multiple choice questions. I've been told that it's a hard test.... so... I'm going to prepare for it as if it will be. I'd rather prepare for a test as if it's hard - pass - and think it was easy, than prepare for it as if it was easy and pass by the skin of my teeth -- or fail....

Continued prayers would definitely be appreciated as I finish my coursework -- and perhaps even more once I'm done....

Doings as of Late....

2010-05-27T12:46:00.000-07:00

Title explains all!! ;D

So... to start out we went to Ben and Tiffany's wedding!!! (this is at the rehearsal) Congrats ya'll!! :D

As usual, I was being the center of the party... ;-)

Did I mention I love my sisters? :D All five of the Bandy children seem to have an innate ability to make some of the oddest facial expressions... lol

After the wedding we had the Pickle family over, but I don't seem to have any pictures of their stay... Needless to say, we had a great time!! :D

So... next up was CPC's Spring Presbytery meeting up near the IL/WI border!!! This is Pastor Marion Lovett and the four men who were ordained this year.

All the Elders of the CPC laying their hands upon the new Elders

Anthony Hector and I always had plenty to talk about.... especially when it involved pizza... ;D

Grace has a wonderful talent of taking flattering pictures of people while they eat :D

Coffee anyone? :D (actually, coffee had no involvement in the making of this photo)

*Photo credit goes to quite a few people... Ashton's camera changed hands so many times...

Muzzleloader Update #3

2010-05-27T12:24:00.000-07:00

Ok!! so.... finally here's the latest update on my Muzzleloader!!

The Butt-stock is completely finished - wood has been completely sealed with tung oil, and will probably now need to be re-oiled once every few years. (depending upon the climate it has been in) I polished the brass, going from a 400 grit emery cloth, then stepping down to a OOOO steel wool. I probably should have stepped down from the 400 grit to a 00 steel wool before going to the 0000 steel wool, but it should be fine. I know the stock's finish is very light, but that's what I was trying to get!!

Left hand side of the rifle

Right-hand side of the rifle

The fore-end has also been sealed with tung oil, but next up I need to fit the barrel to the fore-end, which requires drilling two holes completely through the stock (from one side to the other, not from the front to the end). This is so that I can fit two metal pins through the stock and also through two pieces of metal which will dove-tail into the bottom of the barrel. This helps to ensure that the barrel is secured to the stock. I should have this accomplished by the end of June.

A photo inspired from personal experience...

2010-05-25T14:20:00.000-07:00

Photo credit: http://www.alaska-in-pictures.com/exxon-victim-2901-pictures.htm

Thoughts on a quote

2010-05-25T10:40:00.000-07:00

I know... I wanted to post about something else first.. but... I thought this quote (that is associated with my studies) is very applicable to real life as well. And I know that it is from Abraham Lincoln, but I won't destroy the truth of this statement and what it's implications are in real life just because of things he did of which I disagree with.

"If we can know where we are and something about how we got there, we might see where we are trending -- and if the outcomes which lie naturally in our course are unacceptable, to make timely change."

~ Abraham Lincoln

In other words, if we believe the course we are walking in diverts us from that which we believe God mandates for our life, we should immediately remove ourself from it, and place our feet back where they belong - by God's grace - on His path.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

~ Ps. 23:3

I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.
How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.

~ Ps. 119:101-106

Of making an attempt at focusing on studies...

2010-05-19T06:28:00.000-07:00

Well, this morning I can't seem to focus on studying. So I figured I'd write up a post about my next test(Business Policy TECEP) to spark my interest in the subject. :-)

HERE is the test breakdown/info about the test.

Thus far, it seems like a relatively easy subject to cover and study. It seems to focus quite a bit on generalities and strategic policy decisions (hence the name :-)

The test breakdown is as follows:

I. INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW OF STRATEGY (10%)

Key concepts: Mission, Vision, Crafting Strategy, Strategy as a Process

II. CONCEPTS AND ANALYTICAL TOOLS (15%)

Key concepts: Industry Structure, Competitive Forces, Company's Resources, Value Chain

III. CRAFTING STRATEGY: THE SINGLE BUSINESS COMPANY (25%)

Key Concepts: Generic Strategy, Strategic Choice, Industry Stage

IV. CRAFTING STRATEGY: DIVERSIFIED COMPANIES AND GOING INTERNATIONAL (25%)

Key Concepts: Diversification, Related vs. Unrelated Diversification, Strategies for Diversification, International Strategy

V. EXECUTING THE STRATEGY (25%)

Key Concepts: Core Competencies and Capabilities, Execution Techniques, Corporate Culture, Ethics

It is a three (3) hour test with thirty multiple choice, five short answers, and three essays. They gave this statement regarding the essays:

The three essays will test your knowledge of the concepts and issues involved in managing and strategizing for an organization. While the content of your essays is more important than their length, you will be expected to provide complete answers.

I believe I read somewhere that they gave one page per essay, they definitely are not as long as my Managerial Communication essays, so I'm not worried about the time restraint. The primary difficulty of a TECEP (from what I understand) is not that the material is hard to learn, so much as it is to learn all the information that they could cover in the test in a short amount of time instead of learning it in a normal schedule. (like in a class)

As far as studying materials, I am using 'Crafting & Executing Strategy' by Thompson, Strickland and Gamble. Also, I have found THIS website to be very, very helpful to summarize the material I am reading and learning about.

Well, after writing all that, I feel like I can focus (at least a little more) on my studies!! My next post will be pictures of the progress I have made on my Muzzleloader. (that statement is meant for those who are anxiously awaiting this post ;-)

Prayer for the Day

2010-05-17T07:55:00.000-07:00

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

~Psalm 119:23-24

TECEP Business Policy...

2010-05-13T17:10:00.000-07:00

So, up next is the Business Policy TECEP!!!! I got this email about it today:

Hi Emil,

The Business Policy TECEP exam has been revised and the updated test description is attached. The new test will be administered starting July, 1 2010. If you intend on completing the exam prior to July 1 or have already completed the exam, please disregard this email.

Best Regards,

Teresa Figueroa
Office of Test Administration

Praise the Lord!! I scheduled this test for June 1st!!! And I also plan on taking all my TECEPS before July, so if they are also revising all other TECEPS, I don't need to do the revised version on the other two TECEPS which need to be completed!!! (the primary reason I'm so happy is because I've had some bad experience with the revised versions of tests, and this is my first TECEP... so... I'm trying the easiest (relatively speaking) TECEP first :-)

Also, prayer would definitely be appreciated as I take these three tests, because from what I've been told, I'm cramming them in a little closer to each other than most people do. (so I can get done ASAP, and also, there may still be a possibility of graduating in September, however slight it is, if I can get done before July 1st)

I'll be updating further as I go along!

Business Law II DSST Update

2010-05-12T04:27:00.000-07:00

Praise the Lord, I passed Business Law II with a 54! (44 and above is a pass)

All the resources I suggested in my first post still hold true. They seemed to well prepare me for the test - Though I would definitely suggest also going through quite a bit of the scenario questions at the end of each of the chapters in the Barron's book. They helped prepare me for the scenario based questions in the actual test. The REA guide helped me some, but I doubt I could have passed it with just that. And again, I definitely recommend the PDF. file as well as any links Freeclepprep.com gave to help study.

~ Definitely know all there is to know about Commercial Paper - both facts about it, as well as how to figure out scenario problems. This would also include know about real defenses vs. personal defenses, as well as knowing a lot about HIDC, and who has primary/secondary liability.

~ Know contract law

~ Know which UCC articles apply to what subject.

~ Definitely know Creditor/Debtor relations. This is one area I didn't study enough. Know about how to perfect debt, various information about collateral, as well as who gets priority when a person defaults.

~ Know Wills

~ Know the various rules regarding product warranty, Perfect tender etc. (Laws regarding the sales of goods)

Watching the World go by...

2010-05-09T14:19:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, it's nice to just sit and talk with family and/or friends... watching the world go by...

But... many times it is more enjoyable to watch the world go by with someone else!!! So here's a couple pictures Grace and I took of ourselves today...

Smile - It makes people wonder what you're up to...

We were quite enjoying our time together.. :-)

Muzzleloader Update #2

2010-05-08T06:16:00.000-07:00

The essence of a rifle is function. If a rifle will not function, then what is it worth? At the same time, a rifle can function perfectly, but it handles, feels and looks more like an ugly cinder block than a weapon. Then there is a third type of rifle. It was built for function, but also feels alive in your hands -- like it is an extension of your body.

Preparation is key when working on guns. It may take you hours to prepare for a task that only requires minutes or seconds to carry out. Patience is of the utmost importance.

Currently, I'm finishing the stock on my Muzzleloader. Hopefully it will be done by the 12th-13th of May. I'm hoping to give it at least 20 applications of Tung oil. For this rifle, I wanted a lighter oil finish which would darken the grain while also keeping the wood a lighter color. Also, Tung oil has excellent sealant properties, which is required for a gun-stock, due to the fact that the moisture level in unsealed wood varies, expanding and shrinking, which can significantly effect accuracy. Pictures will be put up when it's done!