Who has had the biggets impact on mankind? One Solitary Life

Look through the annals of history and you will find many great and or powerful figures. Alexander the great, Gandhi, Muhammad, Columbus, Washington, Martin Luther, Napoleon, Constantine, Nero, Ramses, Moses, Noah, and so forth. The list goes on and on. Each of them has had a significant impact in the lives of those they came in contact with and for future generations.

But I have to agree with Reynold Price from Time Magazine when he writes "It would require much exotic calculation... to deny that the single most powerful figure-not merely in these two millenniums, but in all human history- has been Jesus of Nazareth"

Even our calendar is based upon his birth. His life and death continue to impact generation after generation. Wars have been fought in his name. The Power of his name is claimed by millions to heal, to save, to bring life, to bring joy. 167 years after Rome crucified him they worshiped him as a nation. The worlds most popular religions embrace him as an educator and teacher and some as God.

This one man, whatever you think of him, has influenced your life. You may love him, hate him, not believe in him, worship him as God, or just not care about him. But you can't escape his continuing influence in the world of man.

What did Jesus do that was so great? James Francis summarized his life.

"Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another obscure village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty, and then for three years He was an itinerant preacher. He never wrote a book. He never held an office.

He never owned a home. He never set foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place where He was born. He had no credentials but Himself.

While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against Him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves.

His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth while He was dying -- and that was His coat. When He was dead, He was taken down and laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.

Nineteen wide centuries have come and gone and today He is the centerpiece of the human race and the leader of progress. I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that ever were built, and all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as that One Solitary Life. "

Merry Christmas...... and stuff...

Christmas is almost here. But I seem to be missing that "Holiday Spirit". We decided to refrain from buying anyone but the kids gifts. We have no room for a tree, so we bought a Rosemary bush (thanks to the Seniors for that idea). I like it, but everyone else thinks it's too small.

But beyond that, I haven't got into the Christmas music. We've no place to hang stockings this year. I haven't gone shopping for anything yet. I haven't even gone out to look at lights yet.

Why? I think I'm a bit put off by the commercialization of it all. Denny's had up "Merry Christmas" signs in mid November. You here all about Santa Clause and Frosty and Rudolph and Charlie Brown's Christmas (though they do read the Christmas Story). Trees and decorations galore.

Or I get funny looks when I tell people I don't lie to my kids about Santa Clause. I guess I'm just tired of everyone celebrating "Christmas" but not Christ.

There is a reason for Christmas. We get so wrapped up in Christmas that we forget about Christ. We forget to celebrate God. We forget this is about the birth of the Savior of the world. That little fact has become an afterthought. "Oh yeah, and that Christ fellow. What did he do again?"

Well Merry Christmas to you all. May the Grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. Now and always may he keep you blameless till he comes again.

19 children... oh my....!

The Duggard's have just brought into this world a 19th child. This phenomenon has inspired news, reality shows, and gawking. Many are amazed, some are horrified. "It's not right to bring that many children under one roof" "it irresponsible" "how can they afford it".

In a world where condoms, chemical suppression and sometimes murder of unborn, and medical doctors deliberately killing of the unborn, I guess surprise at a family who adheres to God's command of "be fruitful and multiply" should be expected. It has become 'wrong' to have a big family.

Now I am a father of three. I tell you, they are a handful. Discipline and order are seemingly unattainable states in my house. I can't fathom trying to maintain the order with 6 times as many. Yet I myself came from a family of 7 kids. We had our issues, but the food was still cooked, the house was still cleaned and we all had beds to sleep in.

My grandfather was one of seventeen. No one was knocking at his parents door in amazement. This was "normal". Families had children. Sometimes the children died. Sometimes the mother died. Sometimes hardships were faced. Not enough food, large families under one small roof, ect. Hardships that today would be considered "abuse" brought families together. Struggles brought self-reliance and family reliance. Life happened and no one was amazed.

God says Children are a Blessing. That blessing doesn't stop at one or two, but continues on even if you have 21 or 22. God gives praise to a family "whose quiver is full". I've read God's Word numerous times in my life. Never have I seen anywhere God saying "you shouldn't have any more children". In fact quite the opposite. Numerous stories of women bearing children in "old age".

Children are a blessing no matter the age of the parent. Many children bring many blessings. Yes, there is hardship, yes raising children is a difficult task, yes it requires large sacrifice on the part of the parents. I will admit to days I'd like to throw the whole lot of my kids out the window. But God's plan is perfect. The blessing I will receive throughout my life because my children far out weigh the immediate concerns of hardship and frustration.

Thank God, He has blessed me with a family. May I do well for the quiver of Children He has given me. And never look upon those who choose to obey God's command as "strange" or "irresponsible", but blessed by God. For every child is a gift from God to you the parent.

Selective writers block

Nothing to write. Why is it I am overwhelmed with thoughts I feel like sharing throughout the day, but when I get home and finally sit down to do some sharing, I draw a blank? That's been happening alot lately. Annoying.

So long, and thanks for the fishes

Friends are easy to make. Lifelong friends are irreplaceable.

In less than a week my oldest and best friend (outside of my marriage that is) will be moving to Maryland. God has blessed him with a job in a Christian Law firm out there.

For me this is both a joyous and sad event. Joyous in knowing how this will bless his family. Sad in knowing that there is a good chance we may never live in the same city again.

When I came back to California I was blessed with all of my childhood buddies. Soon only three of us will be left. My family is all gone. And LA becomes more of a cesspool everyday. It seems the only thing left to stay here for is the Sunshine.

Of the three remaining I will probably be the only one to leave. The other two have heavy investments in family here. But where shall I go?

I've been contemplating that thought for years. So, will it be CDA, Id; Spokane, Wa; Boulder, Co; Chesapeake, Va; Maryland; New York; Tennessee; Do I have good reason to go to any of these places or to shun them? What is the best move for my family? Alas, only God really knows. All I know is that LA isn't the place to be, nor California for that matter.

Where ever I go, it will hopefully be my last big move. I think my Grandpa had it right when he settled in one place and made it his home. So I guess I better choose wisely.

I bid farewell to a lifelong friend and look forward in great anticipation to the day when I can say to California once and for all "so long, and thanks for the fishes"

Another year has passed!

I woke up this morning and was officially another year older. 33 years since God brought me out the womb.

This is the age the Lord was when he was killed on a cross. Thinking about his knowledge, wisdom, power, and faith at my age, I find myself lacking. He was a carpenter, he could fish, he was self sustaining. He was content to sleep where his head lay. He was a man of prayer, educated and knowledgeable. A man of strength and sacrifice. He inspired men, he confounded scholars, he challenged Rome, he faced his accusers and detractors head on. He was a only 33. Maybe it helped that his father was God.

I'm reading a biography on John Adams. At 15 he passed the Harvard Entrance Exam (which was to translate a passage into Latin) and was a full fledged lawyer by his early 20's. He studied civil law in Greek and Latin. And he was a farmer. Once again, I find myself lacking.

I've often sat with a lawyer friend of mine contemplating what we would do if/when the world as we knew it ended? We are both very intelligent men, educated, husbands and fathers. We both can do well well in a society where we make profit off of our intellect. But if we had to farm; build shelter; fish; hunt; gather; basic survival stuff, could we? What talent do you possess dear reader that will keep you alive when the supply train of instant goods is gone?

I label myself educated, but I can only speak and read one language. I don't know much about woodworking, metallurgy, carpentry, fishing, hunting, plumbing, electrical work, ect. I'm a decent general mechanic, but never had the opportunity to specialize in anything but Nuclear Power.

Most of history is a mystery to me. I've not read most of the "classic authors". I don't know law, or philosophy. I know enough science to know I don't know enough. Biology, health, healing, ect, all mysteries to me. In fact I'm astounded by what I don't know. The list is long.

I have a great potential for learning and understanding. But I seem to have a great void when it comes to the practical application. This thought disturbs me. Can I support and my family on the potential of my mind? Can a non-craftsman survive?

At the same time I look at the world around me and realize I am better educated than most. I am often looked at as a leader, creative thinker, hard worker, ect. Are these qualities that will help me feed my family in the years to come? Will the world still be willing to pay me for my mind, for my ability to organize and plan?

I often feel like the man behind the curtain.

There is no question that I'm a capable man, the question is, what am I capable of?

Boy, I think too much.

The 30 Day Challenge!

I just read an article about a man who, as an experiment, completed a challenge I'm not sure I'm up for. He voluntarily agreed to do whatever his wife asked for 30 days.

He discovered some interesting facts in the month. A lesson we all should learn, is that it's not the big gestures that matter, but the accumulation of small gestures. He learned the "river of minor grievances" his wife has against him. He learned that both he and his wife were full of "sass" at that it was much better to fill their banter with niceness.

I don't think I'm ready for this challenge. But it did get me thinking. We are called to love our brides as Christ loved the church. It's a hard calling. Christ sacrificed much for his church. He was always giving. Never taking. He was a servant and he called us to be servants. How many of us husbands serve our wives? I'm not saying be submissive robots, like this challenge, but servants. Do we even know what that means? Do we know our wives needs? Do we know her "minor grievances"? Do we treat her with "sass" like she's a drinking buddy?

Next week my Pastor begins a 4 week class on marriage. I've been listening to his advice on Marriage longer than I've been married. I keep coming back because I always learn more. And I'll most assuredly go away with a fresh reminder of the challenge before me and my failings as a husband. My wife will assuredly walk away with the same. It's good to be reminded that we're not perfect. It's good to be reminded that our spouse is not perfect. It is an unreasonable expectation that your spouse be perfect.

As a wise man (my pastor) once told me, "Marriage isn't a 50-50 proposition, it's a 100-100 proposition". You have to give your 100% and you have to do so even when your spouse is giving 10%. Too often we think "I'll start giving, when he/she starts giving". Marriage isn't a give-take agreement. If you don't give unconditionally, you will fail. If you wait until your spouse starts "giving" you will never start.

Choose to full fill your wedding vows regardless of your spouse. The second you make your fulfillment of your vow conditional on your spouses fulfilment of their vow, you begin the road to failure.