2nd Annual Blogprophet Calendar Auction

The 2nd Annual Official Blogprophet 2010 Calendar auction will begin soon.

Tell your friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The beneficiary of this year’s funds will be the people of Honduras who get their food from a dump.  Trey Morgan has visited this mission and knows the people involved.  He and Steve Tucker will be going down there soon.  Check their blogs for the latest information.

Here is some info on the situation there in the past year:

Go to this link and start at the bottom for the beginning of the story.

Here is the blog of a missionary who lives and serves God in Honduras.

The auction will commence on Monday, December 7th, right here at this blog.

You will bid by leaving a comment, then I will have your email, even if you choose to be anonymous.

The bidding will close on Monday, December 14th.

The winning bidder(s) will send the amount directly to Trey Morgan.

I may provide a sneak peek of a couple of fotos from the calendar.

De Kalb Church of Christ Gospel Meeting/VBS Report

Hopefully, you can see some fotos by clicking HERE!

We had a great time this past weekend with family and the church in De Kalb, NY.  Here’s how it went down:

Thursday wasn’t a great day for travelling.  It was rainy, we hit some construction, we needed lots of potty breaks.  We left home around noon and arrived at Aunt Johnnie’s around 9:30.  The kids were wired and we enjoyed visiting a couple of hours before crashing.

Friday was a laid back day.  There was some preparation to be done for the weekend, but we mostly rested and the kids played.  Aunt Johnnie searched all over and finally bought Eva a tea party set because she said she wanted to play tea party.  At dinner, my cousin Gina was there and I got to meet her boys and husband.  We haven’t seen each other in 19 years.

Saturday was the big day.  A group from the Massena Church of Christ (about 50 miles away) came, plus the De Kalb group and over all we had about 35 for the day, including some who were there part of the day. The Massena congregation has many Canadian members and was where most of the De Kalb members worshipped before beginning the work in their area.

They had tents up because of the threat of rain, but the rain held off.  I taught three lessons on Jesus, and we had a potluck for lunch, and a cookout with leftovers for dinner.  The kids had a blast with VBS.

On Sunday morning we realized why Marisa and I had been having headaches.  Marisa felt real bad on Friday evening and most of Saturday.  My aunt and uncle only drink decaff.  We don’t drink coffee all day but assumed we were getting a dose with 2-3 cups each morning.  Nope.  Ouch.

There were 23 present for worship on Sunday morning.  Four of them, including a toddler were from the Massena congregation.  And our family is included in that total, so the church has about 15 members.

I taught Bible class and preached on Jesus again, and we came back at 6:00pm and even though I didn’t leave NJ prepared to speak Sunday evening, I was able to preach on Faith from Hebrews 11-12 and concluding the weekend of preaching on Jesus by reminding us all to “Fix our eyes on Jesus.”

Monday morning we gathered and packed and then walked across the street to the Amish farm.  My aunt and uncle know and are friends with many of the Amish.  The kids come over and visit them often, usually wanting to watch a John Wayne film or I love Lucy.  Sam and Eva loved seeing the dogs, roosters, calfs, horses, bunnies, etc.  I loved the apple butter we bought.

We had a great time.  I don’t get to see my aunt Johnnie often.  She is my father’s sister (father who died when I was 4) and it is great to keep in touch with the Nicklauses.  We want to go back and see more of the area and visit again and probably will some day.  If it is over a weekend, I will probably preach for them again.

Travelling was easier on Monday with clear skies and less traffic.  The same Cracker Barrel was even better going in the opposite direction.

A Rambling Man

Wow!  I still can’t believe I drove that much.  Almost 2000 miles over four days.  I have never driven so much in my life.  It was crazy.

The craziest part is that I didn’t even begin to consider the drive until Monday and left Tuesday morning.  My folks bought a new car and offered us their older car.  It is the nicest hand-me-down I have ever seen.  Over the weekend, we decided to give our spare car to my sister since she has three teenage drivers (pray for her, really).  So, we knew that a round-trip road trip was a comin’.

It wasn’t until the wife and I checked our schedules that we realized that this past week was the slowest, and therefore, best time to make such a trip for the next 2-3 months.  I would miss the least by traveling that week.

My route from Home was:

• I-78 towards Harrisburg, PA
• I-81 south to Hagerstown, MD
• I-70 and I-68 to Morgantown, WV (Columbia, MD looks like an interesting town)
• I-79 south to Charleston, WV
• I-64 through Huntington, WV, and, Ashland, KY all the way to Lexington.
• Bluegrass Parkway (Martha Layne Collins)
• Western Kentucky (Wendell Ford) parkway
• I-24 to Paducah

Here are some of my favorite people at my favorite restaurant:

Chong's Chinese Buffet and Family.

Some Highlights and Thoughts from the Road:

• I saw a sign for an Amish Flea Market.  I never knew there were such things at Amish Fleas.
• I said a prayer for every “Adult Bookstore” that I passed.  I prayed for the owner and the clients, and even ask for fire to come down from heaven and burn up the building. (Side Note:  Adult Films.  Adult Bookstore.  Adult Living Community.  Isn’t that just ripe for some confusion?)
• One “adult” store was aptly named, “The Lion’s Den.”  Yep, Satan is definitely prowling around there.
• I saw two normal bookstores in West Virginia, and joked to my friend Chris Gallagher, a native of that beautiful state, that that was progress.  My sister added though, that there were only Coloring Book stores. Sadly, when I went inside all the customers had driven over from KY.
• Red Roof Inn had rooms for $45-$50.  Great deal if you just need a bed.
• I slept in Huntington, WV, one night.  Home of Patrick Patterson, UK “star.”  KY lost their Senior Night, must-win, home game to the worst team in the conference-GA Bulldogs.  How sad is that?  They don’t deserve to be in the Big Dance.  And Patrick Patterson may be overrated. Can’t see him being a pro unless he develops a great jump shot.
• Had a great breakfast with FHU buddy Ben Jones in Morgantown, WV.  We got caught up on friends, sports, church.
• I almost died in Charleston, WV on Tuesday night during rush hour.  Three cars in front of me slammed on their brakes.  I don’t know who did what, but I was thankful that no car was close behind me.  My heart was racing for the next ten minutes as I praised God.
• Otherwise, I had easy traffic and great traveling weather.
• I wore my UK sweatshirt and listened to bluegrass music on Wednesday as I crossed over Jordan into the Promised Land of horses, bluegrass, and basketball.  Of course, it was the same day UK lost to GA.
• I stopped by the birthplace of Bill Monroe, “Father of Bluegrass” on Wednesday but the gate was closed.  I just got a picture of the sign by the road.  I couldn’t even see the house that was up on a ridge in Rosine, KY.  I would love to return next year as they celebrate the 100th anniversary of his birth.
• My eyeball hurt Thursday and Friday mornings.  I apparently scratched my cornea over a year ago.  I had lots of trouble one year ago.  I visited the eye doctor, tried various things, and finally it went away.  Then, after months of no eye problems, two days when I needed to drive 1000 miles, my left eye was watery, sensitive, and hurt occasionally.

And here is the what I drove home.  Isn’t she lovely?

2005 Buick LeSabre

My Anti “anti-Christmas rant” Rant

I like the Holidays.  I love Christmas and Christmas music, secular and spiritual.  But this kind of thing bothers me.  I received this poem from a dear Christian lady (I don’t doubt her faith nor the author’s), but I want to respond to its point, as I perceive it.

(*SIGH*) (My reaction/comments are in red from this point on. The poem I received is in black.)

Twas the month before Christmas When all through our land,

Not a Christian was praying   Nor taking a stand.

(This intro could be a great point except for what follows)

See, the PC Police had taken away the reason for Christmas – no one could say. (what power do they have? and what is actually being taken away? did the steal Baby Jesus?)

The children were told by their government schools not to sing,

About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.

It might hurt people’s feelings, the teachers would say

December 25th is just a ‘ Holiday’. (went to a singing program at my son’s pre-K/kindergarten.  they sang a Hannukah song.  They mentioned Kwanza.  Why not? It didn’t bother me one bit. I didn’t expect it to be a christian service.)

Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit

Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!

CDs from Beyonce, an X BOX, an I-pod

Something was changing, something quite odd!

(This section was good.  I wish it were the main point of the poem.)

Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa  (so what?)

In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda. (your point is?? they should only sell those books that agree with my political, religious, or ethnic views?)

As Targets were hanging their trees upside down.

At Lowe’s the word Christmas – was no where to be found.

At K-Mart and Staples and Penny’s and Sears

You won’t hear the word Christmas; it won’t touch your ears.

(Excuse me!  Did baby Jesus sign an exclusive contract with any of these companies?  Why should this matter to a Christian?  Except for xenophobia, why should a Christian care if these stores honor all holidays, or just Christmas, depending on what their Management decides?  Are we actually shocked that they are more concerned with dollars than promoting our faith?  Really?  Are they Christian institutions that have gone astray?? Are Sears and Target supposed to be preaching the Gospel?  Are they ordained by God to tell the good News of Jesus and Santa Claus???)

Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty Are words that were used to intimidate me.

(don’t be intimidated.  Respect others. take a trip out of your little geographical and/or comfort zone.  where I live there is diversity, we accept it and deal with it, instead of griping about it.)

Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen

On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !

(you think this is about more about Jesus or rights and politics?  hmm?)

At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter

To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.

And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith

(How exactly can they “take away our faith?”  Someone please explain to me.  Sure, they can take away conveniences we have had as the overwhelming majority, but that should have nothing to do with our faith, unless we are only going to follow Jesus when the Government and Culture makes it easy, and are on our side, or at least under our thumb.)

Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace

The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded

The reason for the season, stopped before it started.

So as you celebrate ‘Winter Break’ under your ‘Dream Tree’

Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.

Choose your words carefully, choose what you say

Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS , not Happy Holiday !

Please, all Christians, wish everyone you meet, “Merry Christmas!”

NO!!! I am going to be kind and gentle, and treat people with a different faith than mine with kindness in hopes that they will accept Jesus someday.  Instead of forcing Xmas down their throats, I am going to say”Happy Hannukah” or “Happy Kwanza.”  And maybe I won’t get your vote, but I don’t care.  Christmas isn’t about politics or rights, either.  Not about getting what I want (hmm, or is it? The author really seems to be concerned about getting what he/she wants) But it’s not about having things my way.

It’s about God, the Son, giving up rights and glory to come to to Earth as a baby human, taking the form/nature of a humble servant to love and die for everyone,  in order to reach them with the Good News. Why don’t we follow His Example instead of Caesar’s??

How sad and ironic that this author is also missing the point of Christmas and is so tangled up in this world.

Sigh….

Twilight (Update)

Wow!  Thanks to Brad Palmore, I found out that this is a picture of a rare astronomical phenomena.

Read about it at National Geographic.  Cool!  You can see Jupiter and Venus in the foto on the right.  (if the moon were at “9 o’clock” the two planets are at “3″ and “6.”

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My most popular post is a picture of a cloud in the sky which continues to get the most hits even a year later.  I figure this title might draw some people looking for teenage vampire stuff, but no, it’s a literal twilight in New Jersey.  Please click on the fotos for a large view.  Looking at them against a dark background would be nice.  I will add a few more to FB.

twilight over westfield

moon, two stars, tree branches

Signs, Signs, Everywhere…

…Signs!  Here is just a taste of coming attractions. I plan to bore everyone with vacation fotos and details.  My family will enjoy it, the rest of you can click to another blog if you get bored.

This first post is just some fun and silly stuff not related to my kids.  All future posts will revolve around my kids and princesses.

Feel free to click on any picture for a larger view.

Don’t swim too fast!  Or maybe they don’t want the birds flying too fast, or the joggers.  Actually, everyone in Orlando told us that in Daytona Beach, you can drive on the beach.  Apparently, this is a big deal or something.  This was right outside the hotel.

I would like to send this to Jay Leno.  We bought some apple juice for the kids. Notice the brand name at the bottom and the stamp at the top.  Naturally imported concentrate?  Pride in what exactly?

pride in...China?

Do you really want these people counting your money?  Is this the best name they could come up with?

Was the name"1.667 Bank" already taken?

This was a sign on an Amtrak train.  Can anyone who has worked on trains tell me what it means? I am scared, but would like to know.

umm....ahem..hehe...

This one is just for Trey.  It’s only funny because it’s a mecca of “turn left, turn left.”  I can honestly say that the Cracker Barrel next door to the race track was very good.

We were blessed to worship with Bob and Pat Bliss on Sunday morning.  Of course, we arrived late and weren’t able to enjoy a meal with them after worship was over, but at least we got to meet them in person and hear a good lesson on Paul’s Example from Romans 15:23ff.  I bet Bob’s mother-in-law, Jeanne, didn’t know what kind of church he preaches for……..

real church in Daytona Shores

drive-in church

We are apparently getting really close to a “Joe’s Stop and Pray” with Drive-thru communion service.

close fellowship w/o leaving your car

Just kidding, that was a real place south of where we were staying, though.  You actually drive into a drive-in theater lot and turn your radio to a certain station.  Weird, huh?  Here is proof to the blog world that I got to meet the Blisses.

Pat, Bob, Brian, Brian's gut

And here is a cool sign we saw on the way to and from Mt Dora.  Never seen this before…

bear crossing

I will share more about the actual trip, kid stuff, funny stories, and neat things in coming days.  Hopefully this will keep you until then.

I am going to bed!