My Christmas Letter

Merry Christmas from my family to yours.

These are our kids in a great moment, with no homework, no conflicts, no illnesses, no crisis, no special activities, having fun. We spent a week in Orlando where this photo was taken. I'm not going to say too much about them. Whatever I told you about them last year, they're somewhat the same, just add a year. Add a drivers license, an almost drivers permit, remove one set of braces, thinking about two more sets of braces; district chorus, soccer, basketball, field hockey, ballet - all on our list of activities for the year. Add another 400 hours of spare time on Fridays and Saturdays from February through July, some new colored siding, some air nailers, scaffold and sweat, and we have a like new looking house!

Thank God we've all been healthy and blessed one more year, and I didn't fall off the scaffold. We wish the same for you and your family.

We're looking forward to celebrating Christmas. One of my favorite moments is Christmas Eve, first at First Baptist Church, Charlottesville for the Christmas Eve worship service; then spending the evening with family; and Christmas day at home.

May God Bless you this Christmas, and I wish you a Happy New Year!

Miracle on Mainstreet - Kids Musical

We were truly blessed last night to witness the children praising God in this celebration of Christmas musical. The singing and drama were fantastic! I enjoyed hearing my daughter tell the story of Christmas, the account from the Gospel of Luke. I could hear the angels again saying to go to Bethlehem and see the Christ child, in a manger, wrapped in swaddling cloths!

The Nutcracker Ballet

These girls are amazing, dancing on pointe through many of the songs of the ballet. I can't imagine trying to even stand like this, and they are dancing, and jumping, and twirling. This was the probably our 10th or 11th year to celebrate Christmas with another performance of the Nutcracker Ballet.

Congratulations to Mrs. Patrica Dodd for her continued committment to the arts in our community. I enjoy working and conversing with Mr. Bill Dodd on this annual holiday event.

Nutcracker Ballet - Saturday Night at 6PM

The Chesterfield School of Ballet presents:

The Nutcracker Ballet

Saturday Night at 6PM

at the Prince George County High School

tickets are about 6 to 8 dollars

all with young children should plan to attend.

also the old with sentimental hearts who enjoy Christmas parties!

Glory to God in the Highest!

And ... peace ... at Thomas Dale ... and good will towards men. It was an awesome ending to a great concert tonight. The combined choruses and orchestra were together, and a full audience was standing for the closing song. I'm thankful that Handel wrote this music centuries ago, so that now it's traditional and can be sung in a public school, without fear of the ACLU lawsuits. The message is a clear as the day it was written, "Hallelujah: for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever. King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Hallelujah!"

Thank you to Mr. Johnston, Ms. Harmon, and Ms. Stanfield for their conducting of the students in tonight's beautiful concert!

A Precious Diamond Willow

This was a special gift from a friend, which brought me back 30 years to the memory of my grandpa. We share the same initials, JH. One day I remember that a friend of my grandpa's was exploring through his pasture along the Tolna Coulee by his farm, searching for diamond willow. Later the friend returned with a finished diamond willow cane as a gift. The diamond willow is a unique wood, lightweight and strong, and perfect for making walking sticks and canes. The diamond willow is found in the colder climates of the northern US, Canada and Alaska. The branches of the willow form an indention of the bark, and when cut and finished for canes, forms the characteristic 'diamond' shape.


I'm looking forward to another winter camping and hiking trip to the George Washington National Park, along the Appalatian Trail in late January or early February. I'll be bringing my new diamond willow hiking stick, and I'm sure that in a quiet moment along the trail, the stick will remind me of my grandpa, and the family who've gone on before me. I've had moments like this before, and I'm proud to say that I've shed a few tears, remembering those good times, now past. It helps me to keep on, knowing that God will give through me to the memory of those who come after me.

A New Beginning

How appropriate it was for our pastor to speak from John 3:16 on this day of a new beginning in our church worship center. The message that Jesus said to Nicodemus in Chapter 3 of John is that he needed a new beginning. All that he had done in life was not sufficiently religious enough to please God. The Creater/Redeemer God of the universe said that he needed a rebirth. The human heart is far from God, and God has given us His Son to show us the new way.

We sure enjoyed experiencing the new space to worship. Our pastor reminded us that this building is just a box; and, although a big one and nicely furnished, it doesn't compare to the place of worship that God has placed in our hearts, where He really desires to be worshipped! The new box was almost full, with 951 people. That's still a small chuch in comparison to the 70,000 plus who gather Sunday afternoons in several cities across our land. We have room for growth!

Nativity for Biblical Beauties

I enjoyed coming home yesterday to a house full of teenage girls, making these nativity sceens from chocolates and graham crackers. Kay has been hosting a group of girls from Erin's 8th grade class and this was their special activity for the month. I'm amazed that even simple goodies can be transformed into a celebration of the birth of our Saviour.

Choir Location

This was us last week.

This is us tonight.

What a difference one week makes!

Disney - Extra Magic and FastPass

We started at the Magic Kingdom, riding the Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain and laughing at Monster's Inc.
The second day we went to Epcot and rode Soarin', the Auto Test Track, and Mission to Mars. Our favorite was probably Soarin', but almost became ill on the Mars Mission.
The third day, and we were on to MGM Studios, probably our favorite of the four. The girls went around and around on the Rockin' Roller Coaster, and up and down on the Tower of Terror. Also fun was the Great American Movie Ride.
The fourth day, and we were back to the Magic Kingdom and added rides on the Pirates of the Carribean, and even though I thought we could skip it, It's a Small World. We also rode the ride to Never, Never Land, and a ride on the cars.
The last day we started at Animal Kingdom, minus two teenagers who had to sleep in late, but they caught up with us midway at the Animal Kingdom. There we road the Kilamonjaro Safari to see some of the park animals and took some good photos. We took in a noontime show of the Lion King, and watch the girls ride the Expedition to Everest roller coaster. We closed out the last day back at MGM for dinner at Mama Melrose, and watched the parade of the High School Musical. The girls went back to the Rockin' Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror, and we chilled out at the tribute to the Chronicles of Narnia.
Our best meals of the week were at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridan to have dinner with Cinderella and the Prince. The step's also showed up to say hello. At Epcot, we ate at the Coral Reef, which was probably our best food stop of the trip. At Magic Kingdom, the Liberty Tavern was a great stop to greet Goofy, Pluto, Chip, and Minnie Mouse. I can't remember the exact name of the drive-in theater at the MGM, but it was an experience watching the terrible old movies out of the 50's and 60's. The meal at Mama Melrose at MGM was definately better.
We had a good stay at Port Orleans, Riverside in adjoining rooms. We rode the boat once back from our shopping experience at Downtown Disney. Otherwise, we rode the shuttle buses to each location.

Transforming the Worship Center

Sunday afternoon, we set up chairs in our new worship center! Some key individuals can be seen in multiple photos giving great directions. The names Paul and Karen quickly come to mind. We now have sending capacity for up to 800 people. I like how our pastor describes this, not as seating capacity for us to sit down and simply fill up space; but as sending capacity for us to be filled up with the Lord, and go, to tell others.

I had a high vantage point from which to snap these photos, having set up scaffolding 20' high at the front of the worship center to place the video screen. It's pretty cool, one button sends the screen down, and a second button sends it back up. There are up and down limit switches to prevent the screen from going too far in either directions.

We filled God's House with His Word, now we need to see that His House is filled with His Spirit, and of the glory of the knowledge of the Lord.

Monday Night Football

It was a great game in Baltimore. The Ravens lead almost all but the last minute of the game ... And that's the minute that counts in the record books! Brady and New England, have not lost a game all year. This would have been their first... except for a couple of 4th down conversions by the Patriots. The Ravens defense could not hold out until the end even though they'd played a great game. The loudest roar from the 70,000 in the stadium was when the defense sacked Brady twice in a row.

This had been my first NFL football game to attend since September 1984 when I went with my dad to see the Vikings in the Metrodome. We wished we would have left that game after the first quarter, because the Vikings were crushed by the San Diego Chargers, something like 44 to 3. Bud Grant was coaching then again, the year after his retirement.
If I follow my current schedule of attending NFL games, I should be returning by the time I turn 70!

Last night, the game was exciting until the deal was sealed with a penalty for defensive pass interference in the endzone by the Ravens. The Patriots definitely took the prize, and may be headed back to the Super Bowl, and the way they looked, ... undefeated.

OK, I have to put this self photo up to show that I was there. My wife actually likes this photo of me. She must see something that I don't!!!

Filling God's House

I like the story that Pastor Joel from First Baptist Church in Charlottesville told one Christmas Eve, about a child who wanted to fill the church for Christmas. The child first demonstrated how it could be done, by lighting a candle in the middle of the sanctuary. The light from that one candle could be seen throughout every darkened corner.

I was excited by two things this week. First, we joined in with many attenders of our church at Ironbridge Baptist, to fill our new worship center with God's word. This began on Wednesday evening at 7Pm and is nearly complete now as I write this at 8AM Sunday morning. As I entered the worship center from the far corner, I could hear the voice of the reader of the chapter and verse that were before me. Immediately I was reminded of the story from Pastor Joel, and now added to the story, that the spoken Word of God can fill the recesses of even the largest room.

The second thing I was encouraged by was to rehearse with my youngest daughter, the songs the children will be singing in their Christmas program on December 16th. The song, "Take Your Candle, Go Light Your World," is the highlighted song towards the end of the musical. I love this song. I can't wait to hear it song by the children in this new sanctuary.

There is a candle in every soul,

Some brightly burning, some dark and cold,

There is a Spirit who brings fire,

Ignites a candle and makes His home.

Carry your candle, run to the darkness,

Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn,

Hold out your candle for all to see it,

Take your candle, and go light your world,

Take your candle, and go light your world.

Words by Kathy Troccoli.

I know what we really want to do, is fill God's house with His Word,

and with the light of His Spirit that He places within us,

and with the souls of our relatives, friends, neighbors and coworkers.

Cracker Barrel Encouragement

We've been enjoying the food and fellowship at the local Cracker Barrel for several years now, since I can't remember when. I'm encouraged
each week to meet with a group of dedicated guys. This table is actually too small for the group that comes on a regular schedule. I hope that we've built more than just a social hour, and that we've touched the very heart of God with our Bible study and prayer time.

This week, I stumbled upon a country song, which was playing at a particularly difficult time. It was a busy weekend. There were needed repairs to older vehicles, a fender bender, broken Christmas lights, miscommunication with a close loved one. It should have been a happy beginning of the Christmas season. I needed a big boost of encouragement.

As I listened to the words of this song, I was encouraged, and my spirit was reminded of the truth in God's Word where the encouragement
comes from. My wish, is that all who read this are encouraged as I was, and that every phrase of this song comes true in your life.

• I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow,

Ecclesiastes 3:22 So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work,

Ecclesiastes 11:8 However many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all.

• and each road leads you where you wanna go,

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

and if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.

Matthew 7:14 small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

• And if one door opens to another door closed,

Matthew 7:7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Revelation 3:20'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

John 10:7 So Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the door for the sheep.

• I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,

Genesis 8:6 After forty days Noah opened the window he had made in the ark

• My wish for you, that this life becomes all that you want it to,

3 John 3:2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and
a future.

• Your Dreams stay big,

Acts 2:17 your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish

• Your Worries stay small,

Phillipians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

1 Peter 5:7casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Matthew 6:25" For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Consider the birds of the air...

Matthew 6:27"And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?

• 
  Carry just what you can hold,

Matthew 11:30"For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

1 Corinthians 10:13 God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able,

I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,

John 15:13" Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD appeared to him from afar, saying,"I have loved you with an everlasting love.

• Never look back, but never forget, all the ones who love you in the place you left,

Hebrews 11:39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40God had planned something
better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

John 17:20"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,

• I hope you always forgive, and never regret,

Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

and you help somebody every chance you get,

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

Galatians 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

James 1:27Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress,

• Find God's grace in every mistake,

Jeremiah 31:2 The people who survived the sword Found grace in the wilderness--

Luke 23:34 But Jesus was saying, " Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing

• Thanks be to God for His Word!
• Thanks to the Biblegateway.com
• Thank you to Rascal Flatts for this song:
  My Wish Lyrics

- I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow,

and each road leads you where you wanna go,

and if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,

I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.

And if one door opens to another door closed,

I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,

if it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile.

But more than anything, more than anything...

- My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,

your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,

You never need to carry more than you can hold,

and while you're out there getting where you're getting to,

I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,

Yeah, this, is my wish.

- I hope you never look back, but you never forget,

all the ones who love you, in the place you left,

I hope you always forgive, and you never regret, and you help somebody every chance you get,

Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,

and always give more than you take.

But More than anything, yeah, more than anything...

- My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,

your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,

You never need to carry more than you can hold,

and while you're out there getting where you're getting to,

I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,

Yeah, this, is my wish. Yeah.

- My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,

your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,

You never need to carry more than you can hold,

and while you're out there getting where you're getting to,

I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,

Yeah, this, is my wish.

Been there, paid the bill!

We had a great time in Orlando. Mickey and I had a great financial deal, and we both came away smiling in the end. Mickey had a big bill for salaries, electricity for all the rides we rode, and the cost of food for all the meals we enjoyed. All I needed to do was pay the final bill and enjoy the ride. And we sure did. I hope he can continue to come up with good movies like Narnia. I already have my calendar set for May 16th 2008 to see the 2nd in the series come out, Prince Caspian. I didn't get my picture taken with Buzz or Mater, just Mickey. I may have to go back another time to see Mike Wis..owski, because I laughed so hard when my daughter was called out to answer a question about Chester Virginia, a large Island in the South Pacific with the Eiffel Tower. Her answer was, yes... There's a lot about my home I didn't know!

Ravens/Patriots - Monday Night Football

Guess who I'm taking to a football game? My best friend for the last 20 years, my wife! She's brushing up on the rules so she'll understand what's happening. Don't try to get the code off these, they are especially protected and only allow us to enter the stadium. By the way, the tickets are for the Patriots game; I wonder if they will still be undefeated by then, and the Ravens will knock them off?

Shower The People You Love With Love

Shower The People You Love With Love, How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You, Going to Carolina, but not Our Town from the movie Cars.

I've long appreciated the music of James Taylor, although I only own one song, from the movie Cars, and he didn't sing it at the concert on Saturday night. Thanks to friends who weren't able to attend, my gentlewoman driver daughter and I went to see him in concert at the Siegel Center at VCU.

Oklahoma City

I've had the opportunity to visit Oklahoma this week for the first time. I've counted the number of States in the US I've visited, and I'm now up to 43. I was within 6 miles of the OK border in 1984 when traveling through Texas with the Continental Singers, and now I've finally arrived! I didn't know it could get so cold and rainy here. God is answering my prayer for rain, and I guess I need to be more specific and ask for it east of the Mississippi! It was about 45-deg and rained about 1 1/2 inches by yesterday evening when my coworkers and I ventured downtown to the city. I'd not paid any attention to the weather report, so didn't have a long sleeve shirt, but I did have my raincoat!

Before dinner at Mickey Mantle's in Bricktown, we toured the Oklahoma City Memorial. It's no secret what evil can enter into the heart of a man when seeing face to face the chairs that represent the people who died here. It was an act of pure evil for a man to plan and execute such a violent plan. I can empathize with those who lost loved ones here on that terrible day. I hope and pray that a greater good is being experienced these 12 years later.

Greek temples

This was as close as I could get to the ruins from the Greek temple located near the south coast of Sicily, Italy. My Italian work associate who grew up near here brought me after work, and the museum was closed. We could only view it from a distance, so best I could, I set my camera on the roof of his car and captured this shot.

The temple which used to be was from about 2500 years ago, and obviously did not stand the test of time, the standing seam metal roof customary in our time is long gone. I don't know that I'd enjoy the pew seating without a brick wall to block the sometimes harsh Mediterranian winds. I imagine that the reason it didn't survive was because the congregation didn't possess the one item in this world that is eternal, the Word of God.

Well, as a member of Ironbridge, I did my homework and visited Ironbridge.org to schedule my time to Fill God's House with His Word. As we do this, I'm sure that 2500 years from now, and if God taries, Ironbridge will not be a museum, lacking a roof, that is closed on a Wednesday night!

Psalm 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

God's Creation

I love this photo of the Giant Panda at the National Zoo in Washington. A friend's daughter took this photo who I'm envious of because the Pandas were never out the days when I visited. The photo is a reminder to me of how God created the animals according to their kind. My faith in a Creator God was challenged today at the local book club as we gathered to read the book, The Making of the Fittest, by Sean Carroll. The local group is a little 'left leaning,' so I expected some macro evolutionists would be present, and I'll loose no pride in saying that this group is more intellectual than myself. The writer went to great length to support the notion of an old universe; a chance that anything can happen; and that because we are here among the living creatures possessing DNA; that evolution must have occurred as Darwin theorized. I was asked by the group leader, what to me was more important to me, my believe in the creation, or my belief in the redemption (of Jesus); and my initial response was, redemption. The inference was that the credibility of Christians wanes as deep held beliefs in both are maintained, because in the view of science, the creation story (as told in Genesis) is an alogory. I'll maintain that our God is both Creator and Redeemer; in my view, the universe He created is complex in its nearly infinite dimensions to the cosmos; and is equally complex in the microscopic dimensions of the DNA molecule of life, and the proteins and amino acids that support that life. I believe that even if the world were 4.5 billion years old, that would not be enough time for chance to reveal what we observe in this one photo.

Genesis 1:24 And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

Washington Monument

Ripstickin' at Dick's

Dick's Sporting Goods gave us a little taste of heaven here on earth; where us old men could have a little fun together, climbing the rock wall and testing out the new ripsticks. In the video you can see my friend trying out the new skateboard like ripstick. If I had shown the video of his son riding it, it would have appeared like a promotional video as he turned circles around the store. For us who've had a hard time standing on a skateboard with 4 wheels, try this new one with only 2! The trick is to wiggle the back wheel by twisting your foot and ankle, it gives it a kick... My friend asked which one I thought they should get, red or blue, and of coarse, I said, red! (livethered.com) Dick's sold it for a 10% discount because

We climbed the rock wall together, 40 or 50 ft high; I climbed next to my daughter. She got to the top first, and seriously thanked me for not passing her on the way up, because she may have become disheartened. I was simply thinking of my little girl's feelings, so I took it slow.

While our wives and other kids hung out, shopped and etc, we played 2 on 2 basketball, into overtime with the G's overcoming the H's with 3-pointer from downtown. We also toured the Petersburg Battlefield, ate well, and wasted a little bit of ice cream!

Kindergarten buddies!

I have a kindergarten buddy coming to visit! I betchya can't guess which two we are - we are next together in the photo. We've been friends for almost as long as our mothers were friends. We've been a lot of places and have met new people since then, but there's no one who knows you like an old friend, except the Lord Himself. I like the Steve Green kid's version of Proverbs 18:24, where the kid mistakenly hears the verse that there is a friend who "stinks", then is corrected by Steve that there's a friend who "sticks." A good friend hopefully doesn't stink, but really sticks together. My friend is bringing his wife and two of their 5 kids. His wife has been a good friend to my wife which has made our friendship doubly blessed.

Proverbs 18:24 There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Beignets (been-yays)

I had to do a search to determine how to spell it, as it wasn't part of my childhood vocabulary. The closest that I can remember to the wonderful taste of beignets is my mother's and grandmother's donuts; they dropped the circular dough in the deep fryer, and they were so good when hot and dipped in a little (a lot) powdered suger.

The first time I learned about beignets was my trip to New Orleans in April 2006, and I enjoyed them again just a year ago with a group of 10 men from my church. This was a little taste of heaven in a city that had just experienced the worst of this world in the destruction from hurricanes Katrina and Rita. It's good to see the hand of God touching the lives of people there who lost a lot. We continue to hear about the lives being changed from the work that goes on there. It's good to know that the work we did there has had a deep impact on those we helped.

1 Corinthians 3:11-13 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work.

Great game Twisters!

The Twister won, 2 to 1 in a close game. Competition was tight, and they played hard! What a great time to play, the end of September, 9am Saturday morning, the grass was still wet, and the ball was throwing water as it sput from a good kick down the field. The team really played as a team, and everyone played their positions well.

Happy Birthday Mom

This flower is posted in memory of my mother on her birthday. She was born 75 years ago, the oldest in a family of 10 kids. She married and had 6 kids of her own. I enjoyed her company as mom for eleven years of my life. My favorite photo of her is one my sister found and sent to me a couple years ago. It shows my mom kneeling down to hug and kiss me when I was still a preschooler. I know now how blessed I was in that moment.

This flower was grown by my mother-in-law and it is a beautiful reminder of a mother's love for her children.

Proverbs 31: 26 Faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed.

Orange Pickin'

I looked back two years through my photos to see that oranges were coming in season at this time of year. But not in Virginia, I was in the middle of Sicily, at a place called the Valle dei Margi. They are on a 250 acre active orange grove and run an agri tourism bed, breakfast, dinner and conference center. I was hosted by a local Sicilian man who I'd been working with for the past 3 years and he brought us to this great spot located about 30 minutes south of Catania. Another coworker, an American and first time visiting Italy, thought I knew everything about Italy so asked if there were snakes in these parts. I'd never seen one in the 5 or so trips that I'd make to Sicily, and the only thought that came to mind of a snake in the Mediterranean, was from the story of the Apostle Paul when on his journey to Rome, was shipwrecked, wintered on the Island of Malta, and was bitten by a viper. I retold the story from Acts 28:3 as I remembered it, and when our Sicilian friend returned, we asked him the same question. It was an amazing confirmation to me of the truth of the Bible in his answer, in clear Sicilian english, "here in Sicily we have the deadly viper snake."

Acts 28:3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand.

Look to the heavens!

In my last note I talked about apple pickin’, and now I’m gonna do some cherry pickin’; going back through my old photos to find some of my favorites. I love this shot of these skywriters in the airspace above my home, spelling out my address on this side of heaven. I’ll refer often to the Biblegateway.com as they do a great work of making God’s Word easily available to all on the net. As this verse says, the Lord is looking down from heaven on us, and we need to look beyond the clouds, directly into His sights. To be seen by God is a great gift. Who doesn’t long to be seen by a famous person, and then go and tell everyone they know about it. It’s the same with God; He sees me, and I want to tell others how blessed I am.

Psalm 14:2: The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.

Apple pickin'

Sunday afternoon was a great day for a family outting, and where better than an apple orchard on the edge of the Blue Ridge. The apples were ripe, tasty, and plentiful. I've pre-scheduled our next return for September 21st of 2008 to return to Carter Mountain near Charlottesville, as it was the fulfillment of a dream for my wife. As soon as we returned home, we pulled out the apple pealer, a great product from the Pampered Chef, and after a short time a fresh apple pie was baking in the oven. What can be more all-american than this?

One of my favorite Bible verses to go along with today, talks about a special time for today; God setting eternity in the heart of man; and His making everything appropriate in its time ... Ecclesiastes 3:11

Thank you for the great apple pie!