Davy Crockett

I am finishing a book on Davy Crocket. He was an interesting man. What do you know about him? How did he die? Was he involved in politics? How many wives did he have? You do know he existed, don't you? Maybe he is only a figment of American History's imagination......

Moans Groans and Sighs

Chronologically this is how my day/night went.
3:00 AM I hear a wail from the girls bedroom.
3:05 AM Still wailing: Papa trudges across house....
3:06 AM Sierra says "My back hurts"
Papa says "I can't help your back, I'm sorry..... try to sleep.....
3:10 AM She appears to be asleep..... Thank you Jesus and help her sleep all night
6:30 AM Alarm rings......
7:00 AM Devotions had and coffee brewing
7:30 AM I go to milk.
8:30 AM Cell phone vibrates
"Hello"
"Hello, Honey, Sierra is still running a high fever and won't come down her back still aches..... what do we do????
8:31 AM Cell phone cuts off.....
8:32 AM I call her at the house and tell her to call the Dr.
8:45 AM I tell Lyndon I have to take Sierra to the Dr. I also get into a theological discussion with the neighbor.
8:55 AM While in this discussion I notice calves are out..... We chase calves......
9:15 AM Go to the Dr.
11:00 AM Go to Social Services to get the boys SS #'s
11:30 AM Stop at the accountant's office.....
12:00 PM Stop at wal-mart for Amoxicillion
12:45 PM Stop at Mcdonalds
1:30 PM arrive at home
1:35 PM go to work
6:00 PM Come home
So there it is......
I knew you were wondering what I do all day.......

Prayer Part II

John McArthur has this to say about praying in Jesus name....
1. It means the believer's prayer should be for His purposes and kingdom and not selfish reasons.
2. The believer's prayer should be on the basis of His merits and not any personal merit or worthiness.
3. The believer's prayer should be in pursuit of His glory alone.

Do you agree?

Snacks

What do you consider the perfect snack?

Relating

How do you relate to people when you are in the middle of a heated discussion? Is their a proper way to have a heated discussion? Is it okay to fight?

Prayer

What does it mean to pray in Jesus name? I have tacked this on my prayers for years and I am wondering why we do it. Is it a nice tidy way to finish our prayers off? We pray these tattered prayers and then wrap them neatly in bow using the afore mentioned phrase. Is there significance in the phrase? What is it?

Obstetrics

This afternoon I noticed an older cow was in the early stages of calving. She was losing some fluid. However, I could not see any hooves. (In case you are a novice, calves are born front feet first with the head lying neatly between the front legs.) I decided to let her alone for an hour and then check on her. I put her in the calving pen and went to do some other things. When I returned the calves feet were still absent. I decided to have an exploratory feel. I shoved my sleeve up over my elbow and inserted my hand into the cow. At first I was a little bewildered. I could feel the calves head but could not find any feet. I thought I had a leg but it turned out to be the calves lower jaw. Where were the feet? Groaning I forced my arm gently further into the murky darkness of the cows uterus. Finally, with my arm in the cow to the shoulder, I found leg #1. I wrapped my fingers around the knee joint and was able to bring it around to the proper position. Now back for leg #2. This leg seemed to be a little further away and I could barely get my fingers around it. When I did I was able to bring this one around also. Knowing everything was at the right spot I left her alone. About an hour or so later I checked on her again. I saw the calf was out except for its hips. Before I could get there mamma cow stood up and began to walk in a circle. Thus the calf fell in a heap in the sawdust. A lovely heifer calf. She should be a good one. By the way, when a calf isn't lying correctly the cow will not dilate right. This causes a lot of stress for the cow and the farmer......

Aleya Nicole Zehr

Very Studious.....

 

"Green Wood"

While you ponder your needs I will talk about green wood. Yesterday Sierra went along with me to work in the afternoon. When we walked past the wood pile she said I don't see any green wood. This was in response to something I told Rachel the other day concerning the wood I was burning. I told her it was really green but was working really well. So, Sierra wondered where the green wood was. I had to explain to her that green wood had nothing to do with color and everything to do with moisture.

Needs Part II

I do not know if this will narrow the topic down or not. Should we tell people we have needs or hope they ask. I do not share my needs unless I am sure the other person wants to know what my needs are. Of course, if the person really wants to know they will ask. Is it proper to share our needs/struggles in a church setting? I believe part of my hesitation is fear of rejection. If people really knew who I am they would have nothing to do with me.... Is accountability a part of meeting needs? What is a need?

Needs

This morning our Sunday School class was discussing needs in the church. How do we meet needs in the church? Not just our church but your church, any church. How does your church meet needs? Can a church meet all the needs in the church? Should your church be able to meet all the needs? If parents cannot figure out how to meet needs in the family will the church have the ability to meet eachothers needs?

Heat

What type of heat do you the reader use? There are many kinds of heat people can choose from. Options include heat pumps, indoor wood stoves, gas/propane, oil furnace, radiator/water, and outdoor wood furnaces. When we built our house we put in a Wood Master outdoor wood furnace. Several years later I installed a huge Global Hydronics outdoor wood furnace at the farm. The one at my house heats the house and my hot water. We have lived in our house for roughly eight years and I have never hooked my hot water heater up. The stove at the barn is heating the floor in the milking parlor and the hot water. It is also heating the farm house and is set up to heat the water in the house as well. If you have a source of wood these are, in my opinion, the only way to heat your house. It is so nice to stand in front of a register when my feet are cold and have warm air flowing through my duct system. So again I ask, what kind of heat do you use?

Schedule Change

I have changed our milking schedule, just in case you were dying to know. We are in the process of switching to twice a day milking. We will be milking tonight at 6:00 and tomorrow morning at 7:30 and then Sat. night at 8:30. Cows are animals of consistency so I hate to make to many changes. At this current moment they are rather uncomfortable. They are used to be milked at 5:30, 1:30, and 9:30. Right now they haven't been milked since 5:30 this morning.
One other interesting bit of information for you. The other day I got this certified letter in the mail. This letter said that my cyroscope was not what it should have been. Now I must confess I had no idea what my cyroscope was. I made an informative phone call and discovered this test means that I had water in my milk. Alas, this is true. On the day the ran this test I had forgotten to take the pipe out of the tank and pumped the rinse cycle water into the tank. This allowed me to unintentionally ship an extra 200lbs of milk. People do not like to pay for water in the milk. The penalty for this offence? If I get caught one more time in the next two years they say they will not allow me to ship grade A milk. This would be terrible. Hopefully I don't have another memory lapse.....

Jackson Zehr

Jackson six months old

 

"Good Night, My Son"

My Grandfather and Grandmother wrote a book on Uncle Howard's life. While I was growing up Howard had a very big influence in my life. I received this book earlier this evening and I am looking forward to reading it. Howard was a diabetic most of his life, I believe he was 13 when he was diagnosed. He had a kidney transplant in spring of 2000 and due to some complications passed away. This book was compiled so his youngest child would know what kind of man his father was. How many of you have a book in your home about someone in your immediate or extended family? Would you find a book like this helpful in discovering who you are?

Milk Part II

Where milk really and truly comes from.
Thought you would enjoy a picture of my reality.

 

Milk

Since I am in the dairy industry I thought I would find out how many of my readers actually drink milk. The most important question would be Do you drink milk? The secondary question would be What kind of milk do you drink? Are you a strawberry flavored milk person? Do you only consume milk when it is mixed in your scrambled eggs or some other dish? Do you stear clear of dairy products in general? If this is the case..... to shame.......

Sunday Lunch

What is your typical Sunday lunch meal?

Flip Of A Coin

I wonder how many of you make decisions by flipping a coin. If you need to make a big decision do you flip a coin? Sounds to simple and, well, flippant. I believe their is a definite place for flipping a quarter. If you are trying to decide which job to take or which girl to ask, I say flip a coin. Let's say you decide heads you will ask Sally and tails you will ask Jane. Now, you flip the coin and call HEADS but it lands TAILS!!! Your spirit groans because in all reality you want to ask Sally. This means that the flipping of a coin can be a very helpful tool in making decisions. This theory will work for other aspects of life as well. How many of you have flipped a coin?

Potty Trained

Aleya is now officially potty trained. She had begun crawling up on the changing table because she could not stand wearing a wet diaper. Rachel had started training her sometime ago but we were away from home so much we decided to wait. So two weeks ago Rachel started again and in one week she was trained. I realize their is a large school of thought on when you should train children. I have come to the conclusion that if you are willing to wait until the child is ready the child and the mother will be living a less stressful life. What is your opinion? Should we be training our six month old boys? If I am not mistaken some people try to get this accomplished. I believe it is silly. What do you think?

News Paper

Last night I heard Lester Rouluf, or is it Roll Off, said news papers are of the devil. They are not necessary. He said people think they need to stay up with the news but that if we would read the Bible we could stay ahead of the news. Now I personally think this is a rather harsh stance and yet yesterday in the Lynchburg paper they had a rather indecent picture right smack on the front page. Most news stories really are not very worthwhile either. Does the paper really serve a legitimate purpose or is it another thing to read? Oh, by the way, I did cancel our paper subscription.....
Except for Sundays, of course, I need that nice sports section and the six pages of color comics......

Instruments

I told you I would give you my own opinion so here it is. I took piano lessons for years and I am glad I did. It is very nice to be able to sit at the piano and pound out a song every now and then. I can use my skimpy piano skills to learn difficult vocal pieces also. I do not have a problem with learning to play an instrument.
After taking lessons for quite a long time I discovered an intense longing to learn how to sing properly. When I was 16 or so I was taking piano and voice at the same time from the same teacher. While I was thus occupied a thought crossed my mind. Why am I spending time, energy, and funds on piano when I will never be able to use my skill in a Mennonite service? I decided to drop the piano lessons and focus on vocal training. I realize now that I could have gotten a teaching certificate if I would have stuck with it long enough.
In conclusion I don't have a problem with learning to play an instrument. I do have a problem with the philosophy that says it is okay to have a professional fiddler teach you the fiddle but it is wrong to have a professional singer teach you to sing.

Zehr Clan

L-R Back Row
Laureen. Katie, Korwin, Jon Alan, Rachel, Aleya, Glen, Casey, Ben, Juanita, JoAnna
L-R Front Row
Megan, Marcus, Sierra, Grandma, Jackson, Grandpa, Jayden, Hannah

Survey

I am wondering.....
This may be a very touchy issue....
I don't think it should be but I believe I can understand how it could be.
So, if you don't want to answer that is fine.
Mainly because you won't if you don't want to and I won't know why because I don't know you.
Make sense? I didn't think so....
Anyway, how many of you are adopted or have foster parents? How many of you have adopted or have fostered children?

Perfection Part III

Thanks to Creatora for her thoughts. The preacher, I forget who, said that the difference between perfection and being blameless is in confession. No one is perfect. We all sin. Living blamelessly is asking God to forgive us. Do you agree with this? I like it on the surface but it sure sounds simple. Is Christianity simple? I say yes it is. God expects things of us and these things are fairly clearly stated in scripture. Things like loving your neighbor as your self. When we get right down to it this is really hard to do.
Okay enough rambling......
What do you think?

Perfection Part II

Hmmm, not much reponse on that issue. What to do now? Do you not understand the question? Is it poorly asked? You don't care? Oh well..... (sigh)

Sierra

Sierra
Packed and ready to go to Grandma Kauffman's without her parents for two weeks.
She was very excited.....

Perfection

Is their a difference between blameless and perfect? How can one walk blameless in God's sight and not be perfect? God told Abraham to walk blameless....

Instruments

Is there a place for musical instruments? Is there a place for instruments in our church services? If we cannot use them in our services should we be allowed to use/have them in our homes? Should we spend money and time learning how to play an instrument that we will not use in a worship service?
After you make lots of comments I will post my opinion. Maybe your comments will change my opinion.

Decisions

How do you decide whether or not you should attend a funreal? When the person who died was not a close friend but was someone you knew? You knew the family 15 years ago but were not real close to the children. You know them and yet you don't really.... Does it make any difference how many people will be at the funreal? I don't know what to do.....
Does it make any difference if your parents are going? Does that eliminate some of the should go feelings?
How do you decide what to say to the family? How do you comfort them?

Heavy Heart

My heart is heavy this morning because of two things. The first is the death of Krystal Yoder. I knew Val and Krystal semi well while we were at SMBI. I wonder how their hearts and emotions are this morning. True, Krystal has been sick for some time, but I do not believe anyone was expecting this to happen.
The second is in relation to the mission in Guatamala. To give you the details on this I will post Brian's email.

Dear people,

First, let's keep the facts straight. It's interesting how one hard fact can morph and expand and multiply and divide until it becomes a host of reports far from the original truth. A phone threat can become a kidnapping, a kidnapping can turn into two or three, and soon there were shots fired, and before you know it, one measly phone call turns into a funeral next Friday and all the missionaries are coming home. (And please don't take that last sentence and say "the email said so!")

So let's be sticklers for the truth. If this is announced or discussed in your church tomorrow, you already know the facts straight from the source. There were two phone calls, no more, no less, and nothing else. Tony is out of Guatemala City and in a remote area. The mission is taking extra precautions, but is by no means closing shop.

Since my last report at noon, there were another couple of incidents that added to the pressure, but were unrelated to the threat.

This afternoon, I was trying to get some studying done (extraordinarily difficult) when I got a phone call about Jerlin Lopez, a young married man in our congregation. Jerlin was in an accident, and could I please go check it out? I hurried to the pickup, glanced nervously up and down the street, and drove to the mission. Lowell Yoder went with me, and we stopped to pick up Urbano, the body-shop man. We found Jerlin unhurt, but very shaken. "Why does this happen to me?" he asked.

He had reason to ask. He cut his hand in a miter saw on Monday, and this is his second traffic accident in four weeks. Today he rear-ended a stopped bus, and pretty well totalled his pickup. No one was hurt. He finally came to an settlement agreement with the bus driver, and his newly-painted, mangled pickup was towed away.

I called him this evening. His wife Corina answered the phone, crying. I told her that thousands of people in the States are praying for this extortion threat, and that I would mention their accident in the next update. Surely some of the strength of those prayers will be turned toward them. They're hurting tonight. Why is God allowing all of this?

As I was standing at the accident site, my phone rang. It was Janelle. "There are two men knocking at the front door, and I don't recognize them through the peephole. Do I open?" "No," I advised. "Let them think no one is home!" I called one of the fellows at the mission and asked him to drive down and check on things.

As I stood there, something dawned on me. Whoever made the second phone call must think that my number is the mission number, because he asked for Tony. That means that maybe he doesn't know as much as he lets on. And if he lifted my number out of the phone book... Suddenly it dawned on me that my address is beside the listing for Mennonite Air Missions. So if they come looking, they'd logically come to my place first. It was a silent drive home.

When I got to the mission, Starla informed me that the "unknown men" were actually a man from church and his brother, who wanted to talk to me. It was a relief to know that, but it was hard to shake off my reasonings about the phone book.

When I got home, Janelle and I put into action an idea that we'd been thinking about since noon. Why don't we just pack up and go to San Lucas for the night? The mission rents a house out there, and it's currently empty. We grabbed some food, packed some bedding, and by 5:00, were heading out of our deserted, rutted, dirt street.

When we drove into the gates at the house in San Lucas, we felt like a weight had partially fallen from us. This grassy, wooded area is a far cry from our walled-in, factory-enclosed fort in the city. Here there would be no anonymous phone calls, and at least for one or two nights, we could be away from some of the pressure. Granted, there are still people at Mission Headquarters, but we're only a phone call and fifteen minutes away.

If you need a prayer request on top of the rest, I guess I'll put myself in as an option. I feel a little tired and emotionally spent tonight, and flashes of irritation or emotion are nearer the surface than they should be. Plus, I'm up to preach tomorrow morning, and am still not exactly sure where I'm going with a message. Many people will come tomorrow, many people with many special needs. There is an instruction class of ten to prepare for and teach. Pray for the grace to continue to give when all we feel like doing is crawling into a hole.

Janelle is sitting by the fire, reading me excerpts from Psalm 37, and with those promises, we will rest.

Until later,

Brian Yoder

Survey

How often do you check out the links on my blog?
1. Often (once a week)
2. Occasionally (once a month)
3. Seldom (every six months)
4. Rarely (once a year)
5. Never (never)

Birth Order

I was thinking the other day about the birth order in my family. I have not studied birth order tendencies very much but I do know that second born children tend to react to life differently then first born children. Rachel and I are both second born children. She is the second girl and I am the second boy. Now here is the birth order of my children.
Sierra is the first born daughter. This sounds very simple.
Aleya is our second daughter. However, she is a first born child in her birth family.
Jayden is our first son and third child. However, he is the first born son and second child in his birth family.
Jackson is our second son and fourth child. However, he is the third child and second son in his birth family. How does this work? Sounds very complicated to me. Are these traits based more on environment then anything else?

Church

Is it possible to have church to often? Can their be to many church related activities? Is every church related activity a good activity? How do you decide when to participate in these activities?

David's Delight

While milking the other night, a preacher on the radio was talking about how David put his delight in the Law. He made an interesting point. At the time David wrote the psalm how many books of the Bible had been written? Answer, five. The interesting thing to me was David had Five depressing books to read yet he delighted in them. I have fifty-six books to delight in and have trouble. I have the whole story. I can see part of the big picture. If you only read the first five books wouldn't you tend to be bored and depressed? I think I would be.....

Employee Search

I am now searching for someone to fill some rather big shoes. My hired man will be leaving the end of Feb. He has been great to work with and has done an excellent job. So, I need someone just like him. Willing to work, mechanically inclined, enjoys cows, and good with equipment. If anyone is interested let me know.......
Well, maybe not just like him..... (chuckle)

Sitting Tall

The difference in the two boys is amazing. Jayden is not as stiff as Jackson.
By the way, should we shorten their names? You know, nick names.... Like Jay and Jack???

 

BANG!!! Went the New Year

I was on milking duty last evening and got in the house about 11:10. I usually have devotions before going to bed (the house is nice and quiet). Well, I finished my devotions and was eating my snack and reading The Spirit Of the Disciplines when the lights went out. I was sitting at the kitchen table in total darkness. I looked out the window towards the farm. I saw the dusk to dawn lights were on. While my brain processed this information I saw the lights wink at me and then go dark. It is a very strange feeling to have the world be completely dark except for the light God provides in the night sky. I decided to check on the girls and began to stumble towards their bedroom. I did manage to stay in the upright position but their were a few perilous moments. The current came back on sometime in the night. I heard our printer resetting itself and this allowed me to peacefully go back to sleep. What is your worst or best lack of current story?

Davy Crocket???

Wait; I think these are Davy's younger brothers.
L-R Korwin & Marcus

 

Prairie Lasses

L-R Aleya, Sierra, Hannah, Megan
Front: JoAnna, Katie

 

Home Again

Weary travelers have returned home. It is so much fun to leave home but it is so nice to come home. Rachel is fighting the flu, Aleya has signed a contract with a cold company, every couple weeks she receives another shipment of a viral strand. Tomorrow we try to find a working groove again. It generally takes me several days to figure out what needs to be done on the ranch.
Isn't it interesting, how a house can feel so homey. What makes your home, homey?

Daily Events

So far today I have played a game of Chess, a game of Deep Sea Treasures, and a game of Pig Out. These games are very fun and enjoyable. We have not managed to get our rook game in yet this week. Our day was also filled with time spent at the Erie Wildlife Refuge where we watched a video on baby animals. This was a big hit until the baby wolves were large enough to devour the majestic buck. This caused some alarm among the young lasses. I then spent an hour in the gym playing an assortment of games and settling minor differences and spats. What is you favorite family oriented board or outside game?

Davy Crocket Visits The House On The Prairie

While diligently attempting to post, Ben's trusty laptop locked up. Hence we try again. I was in the midst of posting about my mother's unique ability to find incredible gift ideas. This year she had someone make some bonnets while she made long dresses and pinafores. Currently we have young lasses imagining they are living out on the prairie. They also were given some dolls. Mothering is being nurtured. So, apparently, we have our own living Little House On The prairie. The young men received some homespun hunting garb complete with a Davy Crocket coon skin cap. They have been hunting for wild game in the hall outside the apartment. If you venture down for a visit you may want to be very stealthily. I hear they are an excellent shot.......
My mother has the ability to think outside of the box. Coming up with ideas which generate young lads and lasses to use their imagination. Imagination is a wonderful thing.

Why I Am Not A Mother

I am sure you are dying to know how my day went with the children. The ladies left around ten, taking the two oldest girls with them. This left six children in the house. The day went fairly well until afternoon naps. My boys went down around one-thirty and should have slept until three-thirty or four. Aleya went down at one and should have slept several hours. Not to be my little friend, they were all up by two-thirty. Whining, fussing, and other assorted noises that grumpy children tend to make. After about thirty minuets they all seemed to calm down. I decided to feed the boys a tad early so they could go back to bed. It was then I discovered their were no bottles made and their was only one clean bottle in the entire house. So with Jayden wailing in the background I made one bottle and started the dishwasher. Jayden's Uncle Rod fed him while I consoled Jackson. After several years I thought I would just rinse Jayden's bottle out and reuse it. Why, I didn't think of it earlier I do not know. At some point in the midst of these hectic activities, Aleya and her cousin, Alyssa, decided it was time to start annoying each other. At one point Alyssa told Aleya Okay, I'm just gonna go away...... I must say it made me laugh. So, the moral of the story is this, God made women with the emotional make up to handle these situations with ease while men, in general, throw up their hands in despair.

Kauffman Family

Day After Madness

Well today is the day everyone will begin to return the unwanted and unfitted items they received. I have nothing to return, thank goodness..... just to fill you in on our schedule for today. The ladies would like to go out for lunch, ladies noon out. What does this mean for me? Well it means babysitting. Grandpa will help but you need to remember their are 8 children five years old and younger in the Kauffman family. Hopefully they will all sleep, nice thought anyway. Tonight after work is the guys turn......
I know I keep hammering on this idea but I would like to know what you did to make the time you spent with family special. Or do you dread spending time with your family? Whether you admit it or not this is the way life is for some people. Are you one of them?

Merry Christmas

Did santa slip down your chimney last night? Did he eat the cookies adn drink the milk? If you are wondering why your house is so smokey this morning it is because santa is stuck half way down. If I am not mistaken the dog and the cat ate the cookies and lapped up the milk. Speaking of cats, their was one Christmas about 15 years ago where we picked up a cat for my brother at the pound. This cat was amazing. He was Garfield through and through. However, he was very sick when we got him and wined and fretted causing much distress for several days before his presence could be known. He had the unique ability to playfully swat at things. However, he could become very annoyed with the human race in general. For instance, if he felt he was not getting in the last smack he would lie in wait for you in some obscure corner. When you strolled by he would leap out of the shadows, swatting with precision at vital body parts such as ankles, knees, and toes. He would make one precision strike before dashing off. I was not there when he got sick and died. He lived a life of ease and contentment once he joined our family. I would love to play a game with him again. Who knows, maybe another Cosmo will enter our lives some day and produce many interesting memories for my family. Their will only be one difference. I do not intend to let another Cosmo be the king of our castle.......
So may your Christmas be filled with the joy of giving. May you remember and treasure the greatest gift that has ever been given. God bless you as you and your family make memories that will last longer than any of the monetary gifst you may recieve.

Love Language

Gary Chapman wrote a book several years ago called The Five Love Languages.
1. Words of affirmation
2. Physical Touch
3. Gifts
4. Quality Time
5. Acts of Service
My language is words of affirmation. Rachel's is quality time. Sierra is quality time Aleya is acts of service and Jayden appears to be physical touch. We are not sure what Jackson is yet.
What is you love langauge? Are you aquainted with the book?

Trippen

We have begun the tripping part of the holiday season. I81 was very busy but traffic was moving very nicely. The worst part of our journey has now centered in the Berkley Springs conglomeration, instead of Madison Heights. Rt. 522 is two lanes through WVA and traffic moves at a snails pace. I also drank far to much coffee. This annoys my wife because it lengthens the trip.... The children did very well. We were afraid they would be fussy and crying. Sierra has been with Grandma Kauffman for almost two weeks. It is such an awsome feeling to have a daughter throw her arms around you and snuggle up against you. It sure makes a father feel special. My goal is to some how develope the relationship so she wants to visit with me when she is a teenager. What is the best way to do this? What do daughters want from their fathers?

Food For Thought

I have been developing my culinary skills lately. I enjoy concocting interesting, if not edible, breakfast delights. Tonight when I got home their were no smells to greet my nose. Ah ha, a chance to further develop this skill. I found 1 lb of sausage in the freezer which I cooked in a skillet on the stove. I wasn't to sure where I was headed but sausage was going to a be a major part of the meal. I decided I would scramble some eggs and mix the pork into the eggs. I then discovered we only had five eggs in the house. I poured a nice amount of milk into the skillet along with my five bewildered eggs. By now my wife was beginning to wonder about the edibleness of this concoction and she suggested we toss some cheese to keep the eggs company. I must say this was a very good meal. I now have a recipe for scrambled sausage/cheese/eggs. We shall call them saeseggs. Pronounced sauchyeggs. By the way toast and milk were an integral part of this meal.

Finalized Another One

Carol Anne, the notary who swore us in, is in the process of calling the court room in Fl. to finalize Jayden's adoption.

Lysteria

No, this is not the same as hysteria. This a rare disease found in the bovine species. Well, I don't know how rare it is but it is rarely found in my bovine population. This disease is also known as the circling disease. Cattle are known to begin wandering in circles and other strange symptoms. We had a cow with such symptoms about a month ago. She fell and did not want to get up. This tends to aggravate the human species. After much pleading and other assorted means of bribery, I rolled her frame into the skid-steer bucket and carried her to greener pastures. That evening she was back on her feet but was showing signs of blindness in one eye and an odd determination to go in circles. However, I was still unsure about her disease so I treated her not. The next day I asked for input from another wise dairyman. His advice included calling the vet. What a novel idea. I called the vet. I was advised to give her penicillin and a few other drugs. I gave her, Mandy, 100cc at noon and another 100cc that evening. Then I reduced the rate back to 50cc for four days. Lysteria is a result of bacteria on the brain and penicillin fights this bacteria. The normal dose of this potent drug is 20-25cc once a day. As you can tell the dosage we were using was much higher than this. This morning the test we run to check for antibiotics in the milk showed they were finally out of her system. A month of bad milk. Amazing.
Sometimes I feel like I have lysteria. I tend to go in circles and appear to be blind in both eyes…..
Maybe all I need is a big dose of penicillin........

Home Place

Christianity: What Is It?

What do you think of this? "Christianty is more than realizing you are a sinner and asking forgiveness." Do you agree?

Marriage

I saw a very interesting little article in the paper today. Someone from Cornell has done a survey. They discovered people who are married are happier than those who are not. Those who are living together are happier than those who are only in a significant relationship however, they are not as happy as those who are married. They are suggesting that commitment seems to have something to with one's happiness. I must disagree. To say that people who are married are happier than those who are not seems a little bit ridiculous. I know a lot of people who are unhappily married. They are living in survival mode. I am fairly certain this is a chronic problem in Mennonite churches as well as in the world. The other thing I found interesting about the article was the picture they had put with the article. Imagine a lovely couple sitting on the coach. The gentleman has his arm around the lady and they appear to be enjoying each other. However, in the man's hand was an electronic device called a remote. He has it pointing towards something. Because they appear to be staring at something and not at each other, I assume they are watching TV. Now, I find it hard to believe they can be very happily married if they spend a significant amount of time watching someone else live a fake life......

Computer Games

I am wondering how often computer games are played in your household. Do you as a parent allow your children to play them? How much are they allowed to play. Do you consider them a terrible waste of time? How do you decide whether a game is worth playing? How many hours/minutes do you. the parent, spend playing computer games? This question would also be for those of you who are not parents but spend time on the computer.
I may narrow this down some in a follow up post.

Open Book Test

Those of you who have access to a Hoard's Dairyman will be able to find the answer to this test with relative ease. There will be three questions on this test and the first question is worth 90% of your grade. The other two questions are worth 5% each
1. What is Cheddar Cheese named after?
2. What kind of coffee am I drinking?
3. How much snow did we get this morning?

Resolutions Part II

For all of you who are dying to know my thoughts and opinions on New Years Resolutions I will now attempt to give my thoughts.
After some thinking about it some the last couple of days I have come to the conclusion God may not have as much to do with it as we think. Okay, I now sound like a heretic but hear me out before telling me to take a long walk on the short pier. I know some people who are very disciplined and, since weight seemed to be a hot topic among those who commented I will use it as an example, would not have a problem losing weight. Just because someone is disciplined enough to make something happen doesn't mean they have relied solely on God/Jesus/Christ to help them get the job done. Granted, it would be easier if people would ask God for help. The basic reason resolutions fail is based on one simple fact. This is the fact. Are you ready?
Resolutions fail because Tomorrow Never Comes.
So, why doesn't tomorrow ever come?
1. We don't think we can do it?
2. We don't really care?
3. Nobody else cares?
4. We are basically good people?
5. God isn't a part of our lives or an integral part of our lives.
I don't think you need to be a Christian to achieve your goals but you do need to be a Christian to change your eternal destination. If you want to change your eternal destination you will be concerned about living a Christ Like Life. This is the core of Christianity. Most of my resolutions have been centered around changing something in my life which has spiritual significance. I failed many times because I did not really care. My Christianity was not important enough to me to make tomorrow a reality.

Love Part II

Ah, I see.....
Nobody knows what love is......

Love

What is it? How would you define love? If you were writing or compiling a dictionary; what would your definition be?

Mary, Did You Know?

Mary, Did You Know? Is the title to a song which was written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene. First, I must say Mark Lowry's music and stories gave my mind a new perspective about Christianity and God. This song is another example of his unique ability to paint a picture of thoughts and ideas concerning questions Mary must have been facing. Did she know what was going on? How did she feel when the angel spoke to her for the first time? If you are a fan of the Gaither Vocal Band or Bill Gaither's ministry you will probably be familiar with the song. Here are the lyrics.

Mary, did you know

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy
Would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy
Would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy
Has come to make you new,
This child that you delivered
Will soon deliver you?

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy
Would give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy
Would calm the storm with His hand?

Did you know that your baby boy
Has walked were angels trod
And when you've kissed the little baby
You've kissed the face of God?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear
The dead will live again,
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb.

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy
Was Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy
Would one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy
Was heaven's perfect Lamb
And this child you're holding
Is the great I Am?

A few thoughts about this song that have always amazed me. Mary kissed the face of GOD!!! Did she realize who she was kissing when Jesus was a baby? Sure, she knew He was special but did she know who He was? Did she know He would perform all those miracles? The thought that really gives me chills is about deliverance. She delivered Jesus like any woman delivers a child. Did she know she was delivering the deliverer? Did she know He was heaven's perfect Lamb? The challenge is to remember that Jesus Christ is the perfect Lamb. This is why He came. To be our deliverer. How can we help our children and those around us realize Christmas is more than gifts, food, and good times? How do you do it?

Resolutions

Are New Years Resolutions helpful? Have you ever made any? Did they work? What kind of resolution did you make? I am a resolution skeptic. I doubt they make much difference in any ones life. Why?

Standing Tall

Ice Storm

Year In Review

Some of you may actully get this in the mail, others won't. Don't bore yourself.....

Another Christmas

You know, it amazes me how often this letter of news and events needs to be written. In short, I cannot believe it is almost Thanksgiving. Where the year has gone I don’t know, where all years go I guess.

This year has been full of joy and pain. My brother-in-law, Rod, lost his mother to cancer in February. It was difficult to watch our nieces and nephew grieve over the loss of their Papa Grandma. We drove to Ohio for the funeral in separate vehicles so my wife could stay and help out for a week or so and I could come back home. Several days after I got home Aleya contracted a really nasty virus and was a very sick little girl. Rachel took her to the emergency room at the local Hospital. They then transferred her to a children’s hospital in Cleveland where she was admitted. I specifically remember talking to Carla on the phone and asking her how Aleya was doing to which she responded, “She is dying!” Well, I thought that was what she said. When she said it, she had this catch in her voice and I thought she was crying. This caused some consternation and I asked her to repeat her comment. That was when I realized she had said “Aleya was fine!” I felt like I should be in Ohio so I hopped on a plane, one way ticket, and went to be with them. Aleya was discharged 2 days later and we headed back to VA.

In March we received a call from social services. They were wondering if we would be interested in fostering to adopt, a baby girl. We said yes, and Kari lived with us for 3 months. Needless to say, it was very difficult for us when the judge ruled in favor of her being put into a relative’s care.

The 1^st week of June we were at our Zehr camp out. We had a relaxing week with the family, it helps when the cabin is as big as two or three houses.

The middle of June found my wife and the girls traveling to Ohio again while I went to Harrisonburg,VA to record another album, Deliverance, with Voice Of Praise. We finished recording Friday evening and decided to go home before we began the mixing process on Monday. Saturday night I was busy on the computer till early in the morning, about 1:00. I went to get a glass of water before going to bed and noticed there were 6-7 messages on the answering machine. I hit the play button and heard this message. “Honey, where are you? I need to talk to you! Daneille called and they have a baby boy for us!” This was a surprise to say the least. I was trying to decide what to do when the phone rang. Rachel was on the line and we began to discuss this turn of events. We boarded planes (Rachel in Ohio, and I in Lynchburg) Sunday morning. We had, unplanned, connecting flights in Atlanta and landed in Fort Myers around five. We met Daneille, our baby’s birth mother, and our beautiful little baby boy, Jayden Robert Santello. After supper on our way to the hotel we were blessed with a rainbow in the sky. We thought this was God’s way of showing us we were doing the right thing. God gave us a rainbow when Aleya was adopted and here He had given us another one for this adoption. When the rainbow turned into a double-rainbow we were really amazed and wondered why. Was this a freak act of nature? I think not.

Tuesday morning, as we were preparing to leave Naples, we realized there was a message on our voice mail from Daneille and sounded very urgent. We were afraid something had gone wrong and this was the beginning of yet another failed adoption. When Daneille answered the phone she told us “A boy was born this morning in Daytona Beach, do you want to raise twins?” After praying and calling our parents we made the decision to raise twins! We met our 2^nd precious son Jackson Milo Tyquan Thursday morning at the hospital in Daytona Beach. When we told our family about our 2^nd son they said, “The mystery of the double rainbow is solved! We remembered the double rainbow and marveled at our Father’s confirmation. Finding the new normal has been a long process but we think we are discovering what it is.

Sierra turned five the end of October and has been a big help with the boys. We are amazed how she can quiet Jayden and Jackson when they are out of sorts. She has learned to set the table, empty the dishwasher, help with the cleaning, and other assorted tasks. She taught herself to read this year and often has her nose in a book. She enjoys playing “house” with Aleya. Aleya is often her daughter and Aleya has started to call Sierra, “mom,” even when they aren’t playing. Sierra enjoys going along with daddy to feed or milk, but is very nervous when cows or calves are close enough to touch.

Aleya is a very busy girl who turned two the end of September. It has been a joy to watch her grow. She is the biggest copy-cat of all. Sierra will do something and seconds later Aleya will do the same. She is so full of energy! She loves animals. She is learning to talk which makes everybody smile. She too enjoys going with her daddy. She loves to clean as she walks around with a wet cloth and wipes everything, including her brother’s faces, which they don’t really appreciate. She loves to be a little helper, setting the table is one of her accomplishments. She is also learning how to be a mama and is often seen rocking her babies and carrying the diaper bag on her arm while pushing the stroller and putting her babies to sleep. We have so much fun watching her as she plays.

Jayden is 6 months and Jackson is 5 months old. They have discovered each other and enjoy smiling at each other. Jayden goes everywhere in his walker and has mastered sitting up. Jackson has recently learned to scoot where he wants to go. They never seem to tire of being Sierra’s and Aleya’s real baby dolls.

Rachel has been doing a wonderful job at taking care of all us kids. I have been amazed at the amount of work she gets done. The way she raises our family and is able to make life fun for everyone. God has blessed me with a wonderful wife.

Well, the time has come to close. I trust as you enter into the Merry Christmas season you remember and give thanks for the little boy who came to earth so many years ago. We are thankful for the way God has worked in our hearts the past year. God bless you as you serve Him.

Glen, Rachel, Sierra, Aleya, Jayden, and Jackson Zehr

Finalized

Today at 1:30 Jackson Milo Tyquan Zehr legally became our son. We placed a call to the court house in FL in the precence of a notary. After answering the phone we needed to be sworn in. We said the information we would give them would be the whole truth and nothing but the truth. When Aleya's adoption was finalized the judge asked me why we wanted her. It caught me so off guard I wasn't sure what to say. (What would you say if someone asked you why you wanted your child?) I had been thinking about what I would say this time and then the judge never asked. We will be recieving Jackson's new birth certificate in 4-6 weeks. We are so thankful for the way God is working. Jayden's finalization is in a two weeks or so. I must say adoption is very unique. How many of you have been through an adoption process? Are you adopted or have you adopted?

Memory Lane

I would like to take a very short trip down memory lane. This memory revolves around a snowy evening about twenty years ago. Our family went for a stroll in our corner of winter wonder land. As I recall there was roughly 6 inches of snow. I remember sitting on a sled while daddy did the strolling and we, my brother and I, did the riding. (I believe my sister was riding on the sled my mother was pulling. This journey took us to my aunts house about 300 yards away. I remember making potatoe chips, they were soooo good, and playing table games. (I think we played spoons or something and Uno.) After an evening of fun and laughter we bundled up and trundled back through the snow to the farm house we called home. I find it interesting how my fondest memories revolve around winter and cozy evenings spent wandering through the snow or inside reading while it snowed.
What is your favorite winter memory from years long gone?

Twelve Days Of Christmas Part II

Thanks to J. Herr for finding the website containing this information. Just so you know, this is a cut and paste post of which I take no credit for.......


The Origin of the Twelve Days of Christmas
You're all familiar with the Christmas song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" I think. To most it's a delightful nonsense rhyme set to music. But it had a quite serious purpose when it was written.
It is a good deal more than just a repetitious melody with pretty phrases and a list of strange gifts.
Catholics in England during the period 1558 to 1829, when Parliament finally emancipated Catholics in England, were prohibited from ANY practice of their faith by law - private OR public. It was a crime to BE a Catholic.
"The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written in England as one of the "catechism songs" to help young Catholics learn the tenets of their faith - a memory aid, when to be caught with anything in *writing* indicating adherence to the Catholic faith could not only get you imprisoned, it could get you hanged, or shortened by a head - or hanged, drawn and quartered, a rather peculiar and ghastly punishment I'm not aware was ever practiced anywhere else. Hanging, drawing and quartering involved hanging a person by the neck until they had almost, but not quite, suffocated to death; then the party was taken down from the gallows, and disembowelled while still alive; and while the entrails were still lying on the street, where the executioners stomped all over them, the victim was tied to four large farm horses, and literally torn into five parts - one to each limb and the remaining torso.
The songs gifts are hidden meanings to the teachings of the faith. The "true love" mentioned in the song doesn't refer to an earthly suitor, it refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge which feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, much in memory of the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered thee under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but thou wouldst not have it so..."
The other symbols mean the following:
2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace.
6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed
The torture or persecution is incredible. Apparently persecution is running rampid in muslim countries today......

Twelve Days Of Christmas

This Christmas song is one I used to detest because it is so repetitious. Yesterday I read a short history on the song in a little newsletter. This newsletter was thrown into the trash before I could copy down a few things. Each character in the song has a hidden meaning. For instance, the Partridge in a pear tree is a reference to Christ on the cross. They did this because of the persecution the church was facing. I cannot remember what the other things were types of. Can you help me out?

1936

I heard an interesting story the other morning on the radio. Jerry Edwards, WRVL 88.3 FM, likes to tell his listeners some interesting fact from years past. This storyhappened in 1936. One morning this week he told a story about a father and his son. These men married sisters!!! He would be an Uncle to his dad's children, if he had any. Is it possible he could be his own grandpa?

Opinions

I have discovered in my short life span that my opinion generally doesn't matter. This tends to annoy me. Does my opinion really not matter? Lest this sound like poor me, let me hasten to explain. Do you ever get the feeling when you are talking with someone that they are not listening to you and their main objective in the conversation is to change your mind? Now, I realize their have been many times my opinion has needed to be changed. For years I have never been too vocal about much of anything because I don't want to offend someone or I do not want anyone mad at me. I remember my father telling me 5-10 years ago that it took him 50 years to realize he could have an opinion without feeling guilty about it. Maybe this is why he has now covered his face with the hair that naturally grows there. So I am realizing I can have an opinion and if someone is in disagreement with me that is okay. Is this a common problem or am I the only one with this dilemma?

Traditions

Traditions can be wonderful things. We have eaten several meals by candle light in the last week or so and the girls think it is wonderful. Why? I don't know. I remember as a child we would eat by the light of a candle on special occasions. For some reason it was very special. Another thing we did as a family around Christmas was looking at slides. This was quite an ordeal because we had to borrow the projector and screen from my grandfather. First, we would have some sort of finger food available. We would sit in the living room laughing and reminiscing about life in the good ole days while munching on popcorn or fudge. Of course, the good ole days may have been last week but it was fun to laugh about them. The slides would spark the brain into remembering other interesting stories. These stories always begin with You remember when.... What sort of things are you doing with your family to help them treasure or remember their childhood? What traditions are you establishing in your home that your children will use when they are married.

Moses

Sierra and I were in town this evening and on the way home we were listening to some Bible stories. One of the stories was about Moses and the burning bush. What I found interesting was how he continued to argue with God while looking at a burning bush that would not burn. A miracle. Why did Moses not realize he could accomplish the thing God was asking him to do? Should it not have been obvious God would take care of him? Is this applicable to us today? Does God give us miracles we can use to remember or realize He is in control? I think so. Did Moses not recognize this incident as a miracle? Many times we don't recognize things as miracles. We like to say they just happened. Was this Moses problem? I doubt it, after all the bush talked Moses and told him to take off his sandals. Why is it so hard to follow God's leading when it is so obvious He will watch over us?

Christmas Favorite

O Come All Ye Faithful is my favorite Christmas hymn. First, the song writer calls us to come to Bethlehem and worship. Second, he tells us who God is. Third, he implores the angels to sing. Fourth, He was accepted, by some, as the Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing. After each verse he calls the singer to come and adore Him. It is interesting that he tells the angels to sing. A misconception most people have is that angels sang to the shepherds. This is incorrect. Angels cannot sing they have not sung in scripture since the fall. In fact, the Bible says in Luke 1:28 And having come in, the angel said to her. In the following verse the angel said to her. The angels may have longed to sing but could not. Once again, I wonder what your favorite Christmas song is?

Digital Camera

There are so many choices and we are not sure what to purchase. What would you suggest? Make, model #, etc.

Bulls and I Part II

Slowly I descended from my perch and began to flail my arms and holler. After watching my performance for several minutes Chief Bull seemed to take exception to my antics. He began throwing acres of mud high into the sky with his front feet. This tends to be a sign of anger and frustration and before I knew what had happened I was lying in the fetal position in the mud. How did I end up in the mud? Well, over the next several days I replayed this incident in my mind using slow motion. If my memory serves me correctly Chief Bull came charging in with head down and nostrils flared. The speed of a 1500 Lbs of beef is astonishing. I began to turn my body away from this crazed animal but I was not quick enough. I took a glancing blow to the left side of my upper back. His head was right in my arm pit and I proceeded to rap his hard head with all the energy and muscle I could muster. While I was busy annoying him with these ferocious raps to the noggin, I found my vocal cords and let loose a shrill and piercing NNNNNOOOOOOO!!!!!!! He bounced my puny frame off of the rear tractor tire. While I was lying there in the mud I knew he was going to grind me into human beef patties. I was to scared to get up and walk so I crawled slowly around the back of the tractor, under the wagon tongue/hitch before jumping up and dashing to the fence. As I crawled over the fence and began to go for help I saw Daddy arrive. I went blubbering toward him sobbing out my story,I cannot remember if he saw any of this rodeo or not, he wandered around looking for a big stick. After finding a weapon he stood beside the gate waving his tree limb while I drove through the gate. Daddy shut the gate and we headed home. I remember wandering why they didn't attack Daddy but they did attack me. Strange, I think they knew I was scared and this made them nervous. Needless to say this was the last time I fed these massive creatures until they finished building a drive by feeding bunk.......

Bulls and I

While I was growing up some wise man decided we should raise all our bull calves up to 1200-1500 Lbs. To understand this situation totally you may need to know a few facts. The farm I grew up on was set up as a partnership. The partnership included five men. So we had 120 cow herd supporting 5 families. Raising bulls till they were full grown was suppose to help the cash flow. Now one other bit of information that is needed concerns the weekend work schedule. As I got older I pushed to be used. I was feeding cows by the time I was 11-12 or younger I can't remember. I really was to young but I was able and because of my ability I pushed the guys to let me participate. I did not enjoy milking so I talked the men into letting me feed instead of milking on weekends. This story revolves around a Sunday morning incident when I had to feed the bulls. They were located in a pasture roughly 200 yards from the farm. Due to trees and an assortment of other opaque items you could not see the pasture from the farm. This spring morning I arrived at the gate opened it and drove through. After much agonizing of the mind I decided I should shut the gate because bulls running loose on Sunday morning would make some men rather unhappy. As I drove to the bunk I noticed there was roughly a foot of muck and mud causing the tractor to slide around the hillside. I was hoping the bulls would follow me and be so thankful for the feed could open the gate in peace. After running out the feed I drove back to the gate and was I was not pleased to notice about 30 bulls who were ungrateful for the feed and more interested in watching me open the gate. What to do? After thinking a little I decided the best option was to take another lap by the bunk and hope they would follow me down. A few of them followed me but the mud was deep the tractor slid around so much I could not get back to the gate before they realized I was only teasing them. They promptly gathered around the gate again to see what I would attempt next. The nasty beasts chuckled fiendishly as I sat on the tractor pondering my next move.......

Christmas

We are currently entering the Advent season. I am wondering what your favorite Christmas song is and why? I will post my favorite Christmas song in the next day or so.

Thanksgiving

What I am thankful for.
1. My wife It is a good thing to be thankful for a loving wife. I know of situation where this is not the case, in fact, they almost hate each other.
2. Sierra, for being helpful, most of the time. For loving her siblings.
3. Aleya, for having so much energy. She thoroughly enjoys life.
4. Jayden & Jackson, for their unexpected arrival.
I am thankful God has seen fit to give us these four unique children and for giving us a rainbow to help us remember He is in control and cares about us. I am thankful He has seen fit to place these children in our home regardless of the mistakes we have made and will make in the future. I am thankful my children will be able to overcome my mistakes if they let God rule in their hearts.
What are you thankful for today?

Communion

What is communion? When council meeting and communion come around, twice a year for us, I always have some questions. We practice a close communion not to be confused with closed communion. Close communion is when you can participate if you have made prior arrangements. Should participation in this service be solely based on my relationship with God? If a partake unworthily it is between God and I? Or should my participation be based on accountability to others and God? I wonder if we are correct in our approach. The argument against open communion stems from how little we know an individual. If he/she is living in sin and we commune with them we would be doing an unwise thing. Why? Isn't their sin between them and the Lord? I realize there needs to be forgiveness and accountability to the church body. Should this rule out letting people we do not know participate?

Crashed and Burned

Apparently our nemesis crashed and burned. He was shut down late Saturday evening and upon reawakening on Sunday morning he did not respond well in one particular area. We performed CPR to no avail. After much frustration and anguish I purchased another nemesis and we are currently getting acquainted. So far this version seems to be handling its duties very well. How long his willingness lingers is yet to be determined. What am I referring to?

Mr. Noble

Once again I am in the process of having a unique musical experience. We, VOP, were told we would be welcome to help Rivermont Presbyterian Sanctuary Choir perform the Messiah. The service is tomorrow, Nov. 20 at 6:30 PM. This is the third or fourth time I have been able to help them and I have always enjoyed the experience. This year they asked Weston Noble to come and conduct the performance. He studied under Robert Shaw and has talked about the Shaw method during rehearsals. He taught at Luther College for years, 57 or so I think. He is very good and it has been a pleasure singing under him. Not only is he an excellent musician but he firmly believes what we are singing about. I also had the privilege of standing beside Dr. Komplein in the bass section this morning. He is an excellent bass/baritone soloist. I found it helpful to listen to him. If you are in the area and want to hear a church choir do the Messiah and do it well please come and hear us. These people are doing this because they love to sing and, most importantly, believe what they are singing about.

Survey

I am wondering how many of the folks who visit this site are married. I would like for you to comment and tell me if you are or are not married. If you are married how long have you been attached and how many children do you have? If you are not married are you dating and how long have you been working on the relationship? Are you engaged? Or have you not found any one willing to begin a relationship?

Another

This may be the one you were wondering about Rob. I found this song a couple years ago while I was pounding out some hymns on my piano. Number 54 in the Church Hymnal is where this tune can be found.

God, My King

God, my King, Thy might confessing, Ever will I bless Thy name;

Day by day Thy throne addressing, Still will I thy praise proclaim

Honor great our God befitteth; Who His majesty can reach?

Age to age His works transmitteth, Age to age His pow'r shall teach.

They shall talk of all Thy glory, On Thy might and greatness dwell,

Speak of Thy dread acts the story, And Thy deeds of wonder tell.

All Thy works, O Lord, shall bless Thee; Thee shall all Thy saints adore:

King supreme shall they confess Thee, And proclaim Thy sov'reign pow'r.

Unbelievers have an inaccurate view of God. They may not believe God exists or that God is good. Someday everyone will confess that He is God. We as believers need to be talking about the great things God, Our King has done for us. What has God done for you today/yesterday?

Name Brand

Well, I changed my mind. That is what is so wonderful about blogging.
I was thinking today about the Name Brand dilemma, or isn't it? Do you purchase/wear name brand shirts, shoes, and other interesting items? Is there anything wrong with buying and wearing name brand clothes? I wear some that have been given to me but I would never spend money on shirts. Now I would spend money on shoes, Nike to be exact. Can you be a Christian and support name brand products by purchasing there things?

Good Man

I was saddened to hear Adrian Rogers passed away this morning. He, evidently, had been struggling with cancer and died early this morning. If he lived what he preached he was good man. I hope they continue to use his messages on the radio. He was founder of Love Worth Finding.

My Favorite

Well, I don't know if this is my favorite, but I will start with this one. (I think I am going to take a week and post my favorite hymns.) Part of the reason I like this song is due to the fact it is one of my grandfather's (Grandaddy) favorite songs. It is found in the Church Hymnal # 394.

Call Jehovah Thy Salvation

Call Jehovah thy salvation, Rest beneath the Almighty's shade,

In His secret habitation Dwell, and never be dismayed:

There no tumult shall alarm thee, Thou shalt dread no hidden snare;

Guile nor violence can harm thee, In eternal safe-guard there.

From the sword at noon-day wasting, From the noisome pestilence,

In the depth of mid-night blasting, God shall be thy sure defense:

He shall charge His angel legions Watch and ward o'er thee to keep;

Tho' thou walk tho' hostile regions, tho' in desert wilds thou sleep.

Since, with pure and firm affection Thou on God hast set thy love,

With the wings of His protection He will shield thee from above:

Thou shalt call on Him in trouble, He will hearken, He will save;

Here for grief reward thee double, Crown with life beyond the grave.

When I Call Him my salvation He will care for me. It is amazing how music helps carry the text.

What thinkest thou?

Hark

There is a hymn in the Church Hymnal titled Hark Ten Thousand Harps and Voices which I do not like. I think the music is trite but there is also another reason. Maybe you can explain the lyrics and I will change my mind. One of the verses states Jesus rules the world alone, Hallelujah etc. What does this mean? Jesus doesn't rule the world alone does he? If you have any theological insight on this song feel free to share. Presently, I cringe every time we sing this song.....

News and Notes

Today will be rather busy for a Sunday. After church and lunch I need to dash over and feed the cows so I can come home and dash off to Rocky Mount. Rocky Mount is about an hours drive from my place. VOP has a program at German Town Brick Church of the Brethern tonight. I am looking forward to seeing those friendly people again.
Also, Lyndon's family will be traveling to Washington DC this afternoon and will be flying to Guatemala with yoder pianist's favorite missionaries, Jeff and Crystal. Lyndon and his family will be gone two weeks. You could pray for them as they travel. Jeff and Crystal would appreciate an interest in your prayers as well. Please visit yoder pianist blog by clicking on the side bar link to get more information on Jeff's future plans.

Selections

Let us assume you are in attendence at a song service being held at our church. Let us also assume I am in charge of the service and I am taking selections from the congregation. What selection would you want sung and why? What is your favorite hymn and why is it your favorite?

Ordination

Our church is planning on having an ordination in the spring. This fact has brought several questions to my mind. First, what do you think of the lot? Is this the correct way to chose pastors? Is this the best way? What would be wrong with someone saying I feel called to pastor. My second question is in regards to money. Would it be wrong to pay a pastor? Why do we expect our pastors to work a full time job and still find time to shepherd the flock? And my third and final question, this is similar to the first. Is it wrong to say the nomination needs to be unanimous before you will accept the responsibilty of pastoring? In other words, you would not go through the lot and would only accept the responsibility of pastor if you were unanimously chosen by the church body.

Advice

Once again I bring to you an item of concern and I need your advice. This item is one that concerns my lovely wife. Last night as she was sewing I detected a note of disgust at her machine. My question is this. What type/brand of sewing machine would you recommend? What can I purchase for $200 or less?

Mr. Iron

I had an encounter with Mr. Iron yesterday. This encounter was not very pleasant and has given me a very bad feeling about him and the condition of his wicked heart. Ah, you think I am being harsh! Here are the details surrounding our encounter. I was half finished with my project when he arrived on the scene. I tried to shake hands with him but for some unknown reason he popped me in the face cutting my lip. I held my tongue, mainly because it was wrapped around my bleeding lib. I know it was nothing I said however my actions may have been rather rude. I had grabbed him around the neck and was forcing him between a rear tractor tire and the rim. I see now this must have been most uncomfortable and must be the reason he wrenched free of my death grip and smashed me in the face. I still had to finish my job and proceeded to do so with Mr. Iron's help. However cruel it may seem this was the job he was created to do. Oh, by the way, if you meet someone who introduces himself as Tire Iron beware, he may be carrying a grudge......

Chess

I am not a chess player therefore I know very little about the sport. However, I do have a question regarding this game of war. Why is the Queen the most powerful piece of machinery? I realize the Queen can move in any direction and is able to capture any thing in its path but why the Queen? Why not the Knight or the Castle? Did the individual who invented this past time have a domineering mother/wife/daughter? What would have inspired him to create an individual of the feminine gender to be the most powerful piece of this game?

Pastor Appreciation

What do you appreciate about your pastor/pastors? Here are a few things I appreciate about our leadership team.
1. Honesty: They have the ability to admit they do not have all the answers.
2. Openness: Willingly admit they have failed in certain areas of life.
3. Willingness: Willing to come and help when needed or in a time of crisis. Realize work/money is not as important as souls. Not only in the local church but also in the surrounding community.
4. Desire to reach out into the community.
I am very thankful for the ministers God has placed in my church and my prayer is that God will bless these brothers as they continue to lead their flock into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Gang 

The Big Picture

Why do we question God's goodness? Why does it feel like the bad things that happen to us are so harsh? If God cares about us why does he allow us to face certain situations? I believe part of the answer, if not all of the answer, is based on the fact God is all knowing. God can see the big picture. God can see the whole of humanity beginning with, or before Adam and never ending. God knows what is best for humanity and he allows things to happen for our good. The painful things in life are things that can draw us to Him. If there was no pain would we need a savior? If there was no pain would we feel any need or desire to find the meaning for our lives? The Why I am here? question. What roll has pain played in drawing your heart, soul, and mind to Himself? It is so hard for us, in our finite minds, to realize there is a big picture and God has us in His picture. God does care and the proof of this fact is found in His beloved son suffering through the pain of the cross. Jesus faced pain, the pain of rejection. Jesus felt forsaken he said "My God my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" So I believe to wonder if we are forsaken is a natural response to situations we face. The bible also says Jesus was tempted like we are yet He was without sin. The pain of the cross and the pain of feeling forsaken was also part of God's big picture. I believe Jesus understood this picture but I don't think we will until Jesus returns. Hopefully, when life is over I will be able to see the big picture and some things will begin to make sense.

Judas

I have been reading in Luke this week the account where Judas betrays Jesus. Couple things that surprised me. Luke says, I believe, that Judas was filled with Satan. How, could someone who spent so much time with Jesus be filled with the devil? Was Judas any more wicked than you or I? How could a man who witnessed miracles, physical healing and calming the storm, still end up making such a horrendous mistake?
What will keep us from making this same type of mistake. The mistake of denying Christ.

Loss of Life

I cannot imagine what the family, especially the parents, in Oregon or Washington is experiencing right now! Imagine if you lost five of your best friends in one accident, how terrible. Makes you wonder if God is really in control. Which brings me to another question. Is it okay to be mad at God? Have you ever been mad at God? This kind of experience would tend to make me question God's goodness and be angry with Him for allowing it to happen.

Dallas Willard

I have just started reading The Spirit of the Disciplines written by Dallas Willard. He had some very interesting points in the first chapter. Here is a direct quote: Christianity has not so much been tried and found wanting, as it has been found difficult and untried. Is to err human? Would Jesus have asked us to do something that is to hard? Do we live the Christ like life in entirety, do we adopt His overall life-style? What was His overall life-style? We tend to believe that living as Christ lived only involves loving our enemies, going the second mile, and turning the other cheek. The rest of the time we tend to live just like everyone else. There is no way we can behave on the spot the Christ did when live as everyone else does when we are not on the spot. Asking what would Jesus do? is not an adequate way to prepare ourselves to face the on the spot situations. How did Jesus prepare? Solitude, fasting, silence, service, prayer, celebration. These things are disciplines. What is the secret to the easy yoke? It is simply living as Christ lived in all aspects of the Christian life not just choosing certain times and places to act like a Christian. Is this the problem with people today? I think I am slowly realizing this is what is wrong with my life. How do you find it?