Tuesday, October 28, 2008

We are His people

the sheep of his pasture. God feeds us daily, with new mercies and new ingredients into our lives he pours to make us who he wants us to be.
God is in charge of what you are to do and to be and even these disappointments can, by His grace, be used for His glory and for your good.
Study hard, my boy! Find those holes in your mind like 8x4 and 2+3 and fill them with the information and see what God will do with them...

Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) had a very negative view of youth, as we sometimes do who can't keep up with the youthful enthusiasm. He wrote to the curiosity of the pleasures of sin for a season and what they can afford or not. Learn, listen and use the gifts of humor and reasoning to reason with your generation for good.
He wrote under the pen name of Mark Twain and as the second book on the order of the gospel of Mark he did all to tell us what Jesus is not about. He is right. Jesus is not about that. Encourage the good and overcome evil with good!

Friday, October 24, 2008

I find it amazing how many of the men that

God used had some disability of some sort. Cervantes is a wonderful example of using what you have to God's glory. Despite tremendous disability and among a time period where ordinarily, no accomodations were made for such disabilities, as is the case today, ie. wheel chair accessibility to places; Cervantes rose and utilized imagination and intellect to create some of the most alegorical masterpieces in history. In my opinion, he captured the spirit of the angel of light deceiving the church in his day. Don't go through life and miss the wonder of reading Don Quijote'.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

The Best in the World!

A most direct,gentle spoken and humble man was Arthur Ashe. Of all of the men that I listed, he is the only one of them that I actually got to see on this earth. He was soft spoken and concentrated. He was intense in his concentration and discipline. His book, Days of Grace show a man who loved his family and gave himself to them with a passion. Read that book, my son and learn to discipline your body as well as your mind.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Tears for Mr. Inventor.

"I didn't win the representative contest. I didn't get chosen for the choir." I will cry about it and I will cry with you, my son. Disappointment is just that "dis"-"appointments". Appointed by God to meet you in your need. All appointments are not yours to keep. Some appointments are for others. This is the season for you to get to know your brothers and sisters because they will be gone soon and you will be sad that you spent so much time with people who really don't mean anything to you and missed the opportunity to spend time with the ones who are most special.
I cannot go back and retrieve my baby brother. He is gone and I was on the volleyball court and in the books, when I could've been dandling him on my knee. For what? I knew not that he would be gone.
No theology, no study, no song, no privilege is equal to the privilege of coming home to the ones you love. You are their representative and singer and king and priest and hope and helper. Outside, they cannot see who you are. At home, we can see you as you really are. Our Ethan!


Everybody has limitations. I hear that Teddy Roosevelt had asthma growing up. This is hard to imagine with his "bully for you" strong male persona. He grew up and became president of the United States and in his youth his time with Momma and Papa running him up and down the street were more important to our nation, ultimately. Hanging out with fools will make you foolish. Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child. We have cemented the foolishness in our age. Learn from your elders and appreciate the wonderful examples that God has given you in your home for this season.

Monday, October 20, 2008

God's boys are good boys!






How can a young man keep his way pure? Ethan, loves God and loves his family and his inventions and making the world a funny place to live in. I just love seeing that about him.
This weekend I was astonished at the strength and physical helpfulness that I received from him, not having to ask numerous times. He is not yet trusted to complete the task to my liking but a good effort is noted. I love how he doesn't take it for granted that I will accept his effort, but he asks me, "am I finished with this?" No! is said a number of times and I have to point out what completion means to me. I would rather have him complete the job without the numerous interjections and interactions about basic things such as what does it mean to pick up the toys from the floor. He is becoming a responsible 9 year old and that means picking up and much interaction will make him the kind of man that can communicate effectively to other's his intentions and expectations. I have to remember that when I am barking out the orders and engage him in the process as well.


The fact that Horatio Nelson grew up in a large, God-fearing and godly family contributed to his effectiveness as a leader of men in his generation. He had a way with men to cause them to spend themselves past where they were and to show courage unto death that attracted people to him and made him a hero at Trafalgar.
I don't want you to follow Horatio in war, my son. I want you to beat your swords to plowshears and follow Horatio to lead men to be courageous in fighting against their lusts and against the enemies of their souls and families, in the same way that Horatio influenced men to be courageous for the things of this world.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

First Visit to COLD STONE ICE CREAM PARLOR!

Part of being in a big family is having birthdays happen 8 times a year. Everybody says birthdays are like Christmas in our house. I don't know but it is fun to enjoy oneanother's company over a bowl of hand crushed candied ice cream.




Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Got your glasses?

Got milk? Where are your glasses, Mr. President? Even if you are not president, Ethan, you are going to need your glasses.
I loved your new invention, Mr. Inventor. Your drawings are small, but intricate. Your ideas are useful and creative. Keep up the good work, but don't quit your dayjob, being my precious son and studying with your teacher.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

This month he's running for President!

Do I have to call you Mr. President when you win the election son? He was not so enthusiastic about running when I told him that he would have to wear his Sunday clothes everyday when he is the President.













Just trying to encourage him to take a little more initiative about the way he looks. Now I realize that it does take alot more effort from a whole family for a boy or a man to become President. Thank you Barbara Bush and thank you Laura Bush for being there for the man that we call President right now George W., because if it is such an upheaval in our emotions to run for 4th grade President, imagine the strange and interesting things that have happened in the Bush household lately.

And another thing, I was a little annoyed that Obama didn't give us any idea who his advisers are. At least we know a little about McCain's advisers, even if we don't agree with their strategies but who are Obama's other than Biden.