Aaron's family

The Beautiful Nadler Family ~ Aaron's mother and dad, sis and bro-in-law.   I spent Christmas in Danville, Ca with these Lovelies.
John/Jen, Mark/Debbie, Aaron/Danielle (Daron)

God “whispers” to us in our pleasures, “speaks” through our conscience, and, if these voices are not heeded, “shouts” to us in our pains.  C.S. Lewis

Voyage of the Dawn Treader ~ take in a meaningful movie

{C.S.} Lewis intended the details in the Chronicles of Narnia to add up to something. Lewis’s storytelling in the Chronicles of Narnia, and in all his fiction, was intended to provide insight into the human condition—penetrating insight, I would claim—and to reveal truths about life, our life. In a world where fewer and fewer works seek to do this, and fewer and fewer critics find merit in those that do, I would argue that perhaps one reason these books and their film adaptations are so widely popular is because they are so widely needed.  
Devin Brown is a Lilly Scholar and Professor of English at Asbury University, where, among other duties, he teaches a class on Lewis.

Feb 2nd ~ Good but not safe

Browse Inside A Year with Aslan: Daily Reflections from The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis

In some ways an agonizing week:  Friday ended with a "Will you forgive me?" tearful confession to a student.  He said "Yes."


Robin Mark's celtic tune offers a balm.

the inexplicable wonder of Apprenticeship

Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis - explodes misconceptions about the life of faith, offering a much more radical and engaging vision of the place of each human being in the cosmic drama. As Lewis himself summed up his view of the Christian life: “If we let Him—for we can prevent Him, if we choose—He will make the feeblest and filthiest of us into a god or goddess, dazzling, radiant, immortal creature, pulsating all through with such energy and joy and wisdom and love as we cannot now imagine, a bright stainless mirror that reflects back to God . . . his own boundless power and delight and goodness. The process will be long and in parts very painful; but that is what we are in for. Nothing less.”  
David C. Downing from C.S. Lewis blog

Attitash Mountain Biking

Grab your women and children

The other shoe is about to drop.  It is time to stop flapping our gums about "tightening the belt."  It is time to do it!  DeNile is not a large river in Egypt, it is what we do to ourselves to prolong the inevitable.  Denial ~ whistling past the graveyard, pretending that All Is Well.  The gig is up.  Our country is insolvent.  


This excellent article lays it out:  
http://www.americanthinker.com/printpage/?url=http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/12/the_only_thing_that_will_save.html


If you've got the nerve, read 'em and weep.

Weekly Republican Address 12/11/10: Rep.-Elect Kristi Noem (R-SD)

Doesn't this just make you crazy?  Like a pyro to fire, this image draws me.  Not sure why.

Quote of the week

Why is so much deception necessary, if your case is good?  Thomas Sowell

All is Well - Michael W Smith

feminist rock 'n hard place

"Sarah Palin had everything the liberal feminists had said they were working for all these years. She was a self-made woman with a family, a career, and influence earned through hard work. However, Palin couldn't possibly be a feminist because she was conservative, loved her husband, and, most importantly, was pro-life."   Robert Eugene Simmons Jr.  

A life of obedience starts early

http://www.elisabethelliot.org/devotional.html

Elisabeth Elliot's Daily Devotional

Title: A Child's Obedience

Author: Elisabeth Elliot

Questions from a young mother: "How can I train my twenty-month-old to come to me? How many times do I say 'Come here' before I go and grab him?"

The very first time you tell the child to do or not to do something (come here, don't touch, sit still), (1) make sure you have the child's attention; (2) look him straight in the eye (let him know he has your attention); (3) speak in an even, normal tone, address him by name, give the command; (4) give him a few seconds to let the message sink in; (5) speak his name again, and ask, "What did I say?" Since training should begin long before he is talking, he will not be able to verbalize the answer, but he should obey. Children always are way ahead of their parents' idea of what they can understand. (6) Tell him once more: "Mama said come, Andrew." If he does not obey, spank him. After the first time or two of practice, spank after you've spoken once.

To make a habit of repeating commands is to train the child to believe you never mean what you say the first time. If the first lesson in obedience is carried out as above, the child learns quickly that you mean exactly what you say. I know it works--my parents taught us this way, and I watched them train my younger sister and brothers. I found that it worked with my daughter Valerie.

If you run after the child and physically force him to do what you say (e.g. grab him when he doesn't come, take something away when he touches it), you are training him not to pay attention to your words. He knows he can get away with anything until forcibly restrained.

Now about spanking. The book of Proverbs speaks of the "rod of discipline," (22:15) and says, "Rod and reprimand impart wisdom, but a boy who runs wild brings shame on his mother" (29:15, NEB). "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him" (13:24, NIV). My mother used a very thin little switch from a bush in the backyard. We knew there was one in every room, readily available to administer a couple of stings to our legs if we disobeyed. Valerie keeps a thin wooden paint stirrer handy in the house, and also in her purse. One or two firm "paddles" on a small outstretched hand are language that an under-two child understands very clearly.

Don't imagine that following this advice will mean that your child will be punished twenty times a day. The wonderful thing about these simple rules is that punishment needs to be used very seldom, if you start soon enough. If you begin at the beginning to show the child you are serious about obedience, you will not need to undo the months or years of raising your voice, repeating commands again and again, rushing after him. You will have control. The child will be learning to trust the word of authority (which will make it much easier later for him to believe that God means what He says) and your life together will be much more peaceful and happy.

Suppose your child is already twenty months or three years old and you have not taught him to obey? Then you must both pay a price, but I believe it can be done. Set aside a whole morning to start over. Talk to him, tell him how much you love him, tell him, "This morning we are going to learn the most important lesson you will ever have to learn." Let him see that you are in earnest. Start practicing the beginner's rules.

A word of caution: spanking, in my opinion, should be for deliberate disobedience only. When a child spills his milk or stuffs peanuts up his nose or pours your talcum powder all over the carpet, he is not being disobedient. He is only acting his age. You have not forbidden him to stuff peanuts up his nose. If you have, and he does it anyway, spank him. If, in defiance, he dumps his milk on the floor, spank him. But childish mistakes and messes must be pointed out, and by all means he should be made to rectify them or clean them up as best he can. Think of punishments that will fit the "crimes," but reserve the stick or the switch for deliberate disobedience. He will soon learn that when he defies you, a spanking follows as sure as the dawn follows the night--even if you are in church or the supermarket. Take him out to the car and spank him. Explain the whole system to him again (after the spanking), if necessary. Put your arms around him, assure him of your love, and change the subject.

Daily devotions courtesy of Devotions.org, a ministry of Back to the Bible. 

run Sarah run

"Has she given anyone a reason to say that she would say one thing and do another? No. You can say that she's not qualified -- that's your opinion and you're entitled to it. But know this, with Palin you'll always get the truth."  American Thinker comment


http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/12/sarah_palins_charisma.html


That, my Fine Feathered Fickled Friends, is the point.  The Cogent Point!  The woman is a truth-teller.  And for that, I love her.


P.S.  "Sarah is endowed with the wisdom that comes from a life of hard work, scrupulous honesty, and from bearing and raising 5 offspring, running a successful family business for 25 years with her devoted husband, and hunting down, killing, preparing, cooking and eating her own food. Her husband built their house. She and (Todd) are the prototypes of American independence of spirit and self-reliance. She is far more of a complete woman than any of her female critics, many of whom, I suppose, do not even do their own nails.  She is happier and more fulfilled than any of them..."  AT comment (could not say it better myself, so why re-invent the dat-gum wheel; just cut and paste)

driftless direction

Trendy sayings reflect prevailing thought.  Take a popular favorite, "Random!"  Now that's a well-used adjective. 
  "It's just so random!"  or "Random acts of kindness."  Is there such a thing?  Isn't an act of kindness always intentional?  

Random connotes 'aimless' or 'without rhyme or reason.'  Haphazard. I think of Seinfeld which is incoherently random.  Or the dolefully popular "Friends."  The centerpiece of these friend relationships is random acts of fornication.  Just happens.  Everyone falls into bed with everyone.  

Dallas Willard sums up the folly:  "Most people live their lives in a perpetual state of drift."  

A leaf floating on a creek.  random

Where's Molly? I know where Danny is

This story of a brother who found his institutionalized sister after 40 years had me in a watery heap.  It could have been my story.

My brother, Daniel Brown Houser, was born on my seventh birthday, September 19, 1957.  Danny had Down's Syndrome and a hole in his wee little heart.  My mother fed him with an eye-dropper because he could not suck.  My good folks were on the verge of placing my brother in an institution but he contracted the measles and died.  He was 18 months old.  

The story of Jeff and his sister Molly is eerily similar.  Their reunion was featured on CBS.  

http://cnettv.cnet.com/brother-seeking-sister-asks-where-molly/9742-1_53-50096582.html

To think that my brother is whole and of a sound mind reminds me that "All Things Work Together For Good For Those Who Are The Called According to God's Purpose."  My brother Danny is spending eternity with Mother and Daddy.  And some day I will join them.  Glory beyond imagining.  

Morgan and Isaiah home for a weekend visit.

Why do I feel like this get-up may be featured at Gabriel and Elissa's May 14th wedding?
Have mercy

Come unto Me

Communion:  We come at the Lord's invitation.

One pastor reflected:  "I would watch the people approach the altar rail, all sorts of people - the young and the old, the mighty and the frail, the honored and the despised, the joyful and the tortured - all would kneel, all would stretch out their hands to receive something that a material world cannot give: hope, forgiveness and deliverance."

God Will Take Care of You

Morgan and Isaiah (7 mos on the 16th)

SELF-esteem vs. living to God, dying to self

 Elisabeth Elliot's latest Daily Devotional contrasts the Scripture "*To lose your life, is to gain it" with the cultural belief that above all things one should booooost their own self-esteem.  Elisabeth quotes a physician:

"If you're like most Americans, chances are you are at risk for low self-esteem. Sure, you felt bad at your kids' school's Career Day when you were the only parent who didn't own his own company.  You probably never imagined that a negative self-image might be holding you back in life. You just thought you were no good.  But now you know that there are no bad people, only people who think badly of themselves."

Elisabeth and I agree:  "HogWash!"  The best way to like yourself is to become a Good Person.  We're all in process.

Let us remember and give Thanks

Not interested in sentimental tripe; just simple Thanks to the brave souls who put my freedom ahead of their convenience and comfort. Thank you

Elisabeth Elliot's timeless wisdom

Events themselves, the seemingly insignificant happenings of every day, reveal the will of God. They are the will of God for us, for while we live, move, and have our being here on earth, in this place, this family, this house, this job, we live, move, and have our being in God. He "pulls strings through circumstances," as Jim Elliot said, even the bad circumstances (see Genesis 45:8, 50:20).

Freedom

Sometimes I peruse a blog written by a west coast woman.  Some of the posts leave me deflated.  Grieved to the core.  The blogger's thoughts often represent a widely-accepted definition of human freedom.

Here are some quotes lifted from the blog-writer:

"They say if you can remember the 60s, you weren't there."

“Even though Prop. 19 (legalizing weed) didn't pass (in California), we all enjoyed the aroma of marijuana on the train. Party on! {And pass it our way!}”

“Yes, San Francisco has always offered refuge to society's castoffs.

San Francisco's always been a bit different.

We elected gay politicians to public office before it was considered possible.

...the beauty of San Francisco lies in its acceptance of everyone, millionaire and misfit, alike.”

It might surprise the blog writer, but this “All are Welcome” invitation was precisely Christ Jesus’s; only with a condition.  (All promises are counter-balanced with conditions.)  Jesus said, “All may come.  But you will be changed.  Transformed from death unto Life.”

The cultural definition of freedom goes something like this as exemplified by the blogger’s thoughts:  to be free is to be liberated from restraint.  Freedom to do as I like.  

But here’s a diamond thought, turned angle upon angle:  “When we speak of freedom as something to be highly prized, we mean a positive power or capacity of doing or enjoying something worth doing or enjoying."  T.H. Green

Does freedom mean “Leave me alone to do what I damn well want.  I’m not hurting anyone!”

Is that, in the end, bondage rather than liberation?

Or are their boundaries to freedom.  Is a person truly free who loves that which is worthwhile?  “Whatsoever things are true, noble, lovely and worthy of praise...”


So pass the bong if you will and call it "My right!"  But doing that which is unworthy and calling it 'freedom' is no freedom.

"You shall know the Truth.  And then you will be free.”

"Yet this place is within the rule of the Great King.  Is it not so?"
Sir Knight of the Splendid Way

Two stinkin' cute

Do you love this?  A peapod and a leopard.  Be still my heart!  

Run the race set before you

Goals are good.  Robert always had something worthwhile for which he was aiming.  His motto:  "If you shoot for nothing, that's what you hit."

My riding goal this season was 912 miles which equals 2.5 miles per day for 365 days.   Good Neighbor, Larry, graciously flicked a photo in celebration of the Race Well Run, if I do say so myself.

Socialism and reality

http://www.americanthinker.com/printpage/?url=http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/10/socialism_and_reality.html

Worth pondering

two glad stories

$2.59.  That's what was in one of my accounts last night.  Not to worry, payday draweth nigh.  Sometimes being close to the belt is fun.  You know, interesting.  How will the Good Dear Lord provide?  Psalm 37 says, "I was young and now I am old but never have I seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread."  That's the truth.

So when Kayla, my new Renter's 10-year-old daughter, asked me if I'd like some pasta, I just had to laugh.  "Do you deliver, Kayla?"  She trudged back up the stairs with a huge plate of yummy pasta - enough for tomorrow night as well.  I hopped down to tell Susan the story of God's provision.  Not that I was without sustenance.  Plenty to eat in the house, in fact I was just munching on white cheddar and a ripe pear when Kayla came up.   But, not gonna lie, the pasta was delisch and kept me from spending my last buck on bread.  

Then while munching my dinner, my Good Neighbor, LarBear, called to say that they had noticed a delivery on the front porch today.  When I looked, it was a small package from Elissa.  It was a Grandma Photo Album of Isaiah and Morgan ~ a Brag Book, Elissa calls it.  Beautiful!  Now that was the best!  I was so excited, a spot of marinara sauce splashed onto the last page.  Oh happy day

SD's next congressWoman

Roll Call's Stu Rothenberg,who wrote about the race and interviewed Noem, (says), 'She's a terrific candidate -- personable, articulate, attractive, not easily ruffled . . . very polished."

Zer0 alive and well

What's black with a face only a mother could love and a fetish for Joy's dinky undah-wear?  Z-dog, of course!


It all started with a late Sunday night phone call from JoyFul: "Zero is really sick, Mom.  I'm going to take him to the clinic." 
The x-ray revealed a cloudy something-or-other in the tummy that was pretty much going to cost the grand-dog his life.  Joy was crying so hard I could not understand her the next morning.  She was fully prepared to say "GoodBye" to her 2-year old pug.  


The reasons for Joy's affection are clear:  Zero was a down-on-his-luck canine that the Kids discovered a year ago.  Joy has always pulled for the under-dog which may explain Z's love of underwear. 


Upon learning the cost of the surgery, Nathaniel said, "Let's have the surgery."  Nathaniel likes Zero but pretends he doesn't.  I don't think he is as smitten as Joy over the pug.  So why did Nathaniel say "Yes" to the surgery on their budget?  Because he had recently earned some extra scratch and Nathaniel loves Joy.  


Thankfully the PugSter is home, new neck-ware and all.  He is a couple of pounds lighter after the removal of 2 - or three - pair of Joy's you-know-what.  Under-dog eats underwear.  Go figure.  
Joy is never so happy to have Zer0 home and Nathaniel is never so happy to have Joy joyful again.  


This note from Joy is featured on the Navratil kitchen bulletin board:  "I love a boy.  He has red hair."  I can see why. 

Where's A-man?

It makes no sense

Remember Chad Arnold who was languishing with chronic liver disease?  Chad was edging toward death before his brother, Ryan, stepped in to offer his healthy liver to replace Chad's battered one.  

Today my hair-cutting gal, Tammy, asked me how Chad was doing.  Although Chad's health is tenuous, he is alive while his younger brother is not.  Ryan's heart failed the third day after surgery.  A vibrant healthy young man placed himself in harm's way to assure that Chad would live.  

"How does Chad live with the guilt?  He is alive while his brother is not.  And what about Ryan's wife.  Is she angry at Chad?"  Tammy inquired.  

The answer is beyond this world:  It involves 2 facts ~ our lives do not stop when we cease to breath and a whisper from another realm reminds us that in loss, there is gain.  In sorrow, there is comfort.  With guilt - warranted or false - there is redemption.  Ryan's wife, Shannon, assured Chad that he was released from condemnation over the death of Ryan.  This brave and beautiful woman offered Grace.  Chad is released to live.  To love.  Shannon is released through her kindness.  

We will all gather again.  Until then, on this shore, Grace abounds.  

The GrandSon is 6...mos

Happy blessed 6-month birthday Little Lad
You are loved.  Both of you.

the best movie ever

The movie's theme: diligent perseverance.
Sometimes the flip of a coin can mean the change of a lifetime.
"Oh Happy Day, when Jesus washed, He washed my sins away."
 

Hap-Happ-Happy 25th, Sweet Lovie

Is this cute or what?  Look at JoyFul workin' the pipe.

I like weather

Feisty weather reminds me that God is the weatherMan and not me.  Rain and sleet humble me.  God is in control; that is the most peaceful thought imaginable.

Remember, it was during a raging squall that Jesus aroused His slumbering self and said, "Peace.  Be still."  His Twelve learned Who was in charge.  It was Jesus and not them.

September 19th online Verse of the Day

"One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple." Psalm 27:4

As usual before rolling out of bed this birthday morn, I checked the NIV verse of the day.  I was astonished to find that it was Psalm 27:4, my life verse.  Highlighting that particular verse among the thousands of verses in Scripture was the Father's birthday gift.  Because He cares for me.  Astonishing

One decade closer to Eternity

Not the best picture in God's great green globe, but at least we can see the birthday candles gleaming from my jacket.  What in the world?!  


Joy, Nathaniel, and KimO at the Silver Moon Supper Club.  These booths are a splash from the past reminding me that Frank Sinatra may appear at any moment.


We missed Daron like crazy but they provided the beyond-scrumptious vino:  Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel 2007.   I am very thankful that Gabriel and Elissa brought Morgan and Isaiah to meet Noy over Labor Day.  We celebrated the big Bday then and last night we were still ringing in the next decade of my joyous life.


Thanx to all who gave a shout-out, sent a gift or phoned.  I am loved beyond reason.  Thank you

1/2 Daron's bedroom

New fall color splashed on the entryway half of Aaron and Danielley's bedroom.
Danielley said it looks like the mom's latest hair color.
"Dat-gum, it does look like the Doo!"

the Father's attention to detail

"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven."   Matthew 18:10

Remembering the declaration of war

While watching again the September 11, 2001, story of Tower One being hit, then the second tower, the Pentagon and finally United Flight 93 burying itself in a Pennsylvania pasture to avoid the Capital, I was struck with this reality:  These acts were a declaration of war.  


2 Corinthians 10
 3For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.  


Ephesians 6
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Peter said last night that he would have jumped from the tottering towers.  "I am not afraid of heights but would hate to be burned alive.  I would have jumped."

Oh God, may none of us ever face that heinous decision.  

Hate-filled Islam followers would destroy America if given an open door.  Beware the open door.  I'm not going to type a caveat such as "Some Muslims are peace-loving and mean no harm." Those do not worry me.  The reality is that some would rather kill themselves than see me live.  

God protect Americans - one and all - and defend us against those who abhor God and His peaceable ways.

Dallas Willard's insight is worth listening to:
http://dwillard.org/resources/Audio/FrankPastoreShow-2009Sep11.mp3