December 27, 2011

Natural or exhibitionist?

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Tim Challies, one of my favorite bloggers, posted an interesting article about breastfeeding in public. I have not had to deal directly with this issue, but found the discussion quite interesting.

I was not breast-fed and we adopted our son, so my wife did not breastfeed him either. So we have not had to even consider the whether-or-not-to-breastfeed-in-public topic, although my libertarian bent would probably put me in the leave-the-decision-in-the-hands-of-the-mother camp.

Read the article. See what you think.

December 24, 2011

Silent Night - Sleep in heavenly peace

Luke 2:1-14

1In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Stille Nacht by Mannheim Steamroller on Grooveshark

8And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!

December 23, 2011

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I took this impromptu photo of our group’s chief of staff at the Christmas party the week before last. Usually everyone looks goofy wearing antlers and weird Christmas ties and sweaters, but I thought Kristin actually looked pretty good in this picture.

Merry Christmas to all.

December 21, 2011

My dream for the New Year

I know my messages should be about Christmas right now, but this video made me hope for everyone’s New Year’s Resolutions. Please... do this:

What have you done today to make the world a better place for someone else?

I love life! Thank you, God, for this short time on earth.

UPDATE :Okay... This is my New Year’ resolution: Improve the world for at least one person—every single day. Whether I know them or not. It’s not about me. It’s about the Savior who redeeemed me. Here I come, world!

December 14, 2011

A tribute to a great lady - Joan Barb

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his past Sunday evening, December 11, a very bright light that had shone for only 66 years expired. It was her birthday, but it was also the last day she was to be with us. It was as if a star had winked out. At least, that’s how my wife put it. I was simply at a loss for words.

My memories of Mrs. Barb include the fact that she was the only person I ever knew who actually looked stylish in an AWANA uniform. You could knock on the front door of their house at any time of the day or night and the whole family (including all 8 kids) would come out to sit and talk with you as if they had nothing else to do in the whole world except devote all their attention to you. On those unexpected, crazy-hour visits their house was always in perfect condition. It seemed unnatural—and I believe it was. The Barb home was a Spirit-filled home.

1 Thess. 4: 13–17

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

It began at the head—Bob Barb—a quiet and unassuming man, but a man who exuded character and strength. And he has continued to display that character and strength over the past six years as his wife, Joan, suffered with dementia.

All of us know adults who try to manipulate teenagers. They sit and watch, ready to pounce with venomous intensity. But few people knew of such a woman as Joan Barb. She sat and watched the teenagers. She looked at the worthless collection of angst, hormones, and dissatisfaction and saw through all of that to the diamonds that were buried down deep inside. Once she spotted the diamond, she made her move—encouraging each teenager to pour all of their effort into those areas of good that lay buried and often dormant beneath the ugly surface.

Joan Barb was a true encourager and she impacted more people’s lives than can be counted.

She left behind 8 wonderful children and almost 20 grandchildren... and a husband who loved her every step of the way.

Yes, it’s true. A star has winked out. But perhaps that’s because stars don’t belong here on earth. They belong in heaven, where Joan Barb is now—shining brightly as she enjoys the company of the one she loved more than her grandchildren, more than her children, even more than her husband—Jesus Christ. She had to leave us because Jesus really wanted her to be with him. He’ll bring us along one of these days too. And I hope that when I go I will leave this earth with the grace with which Joan Barb left this mundane place to be with the divine.

Goodbye, our dear friend, Joan. We love you and we will miss you.

December 09, 2011

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I walked out the front door of our house last week to this scene. I love living in Front Royal!

Cello Wars

I love the Star Wars movies. I love the cello. I love creative musicianship.

This video combines them all and adds a large dollop of fun.

December 01, 2011

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I went for a short ride around town the day after Thanksgiving to find a good scenic place so I could photograph an amazingly beautiful sky. Not far from my house I passed this shed on the side of the road, so I stopped and took a few pictures and made this HDR composite. It really was a beautiful day.