Things I write down

Books from the Library in August

2009-08-22T07:42:00.000-07:00

Things checked out Sat 8 Aug 2009

1. The Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich
2. Training the Samurai Mind edited by Thomas Cleary
3. The Wikipedia Revolution
4. Born to Run by James Grippando
5. Newton and the Counterfeiter by Thomas Levenson
6. Absolute Rage by Robert K. Tanenbaum
7. Seven Pounds DVD - Will Smith
8. First Do No Harm DVD - Meryl Streep

9. Idiots Guide to Renewable Energy
10. A couple of books on numbers that did not like

Took a while to watch both DVDs but they were well done. The Ketogenic diet in "First Do No Harm" comes up again - this time to cure epilepsy in some children - more or less true story - see Charlie Foundation.

The Accidental Billionaires is the history of facebook pioneers Eduardo Saverin and Mark Zuckerberg. Well written, but depressing in that the whole reason it got started was because two socially inept Harvaard nerds could not get dates. Zuckerberg screws all his friends and has no moral standards but ends up the richest billionaire in history by the time he is 25. Sums it up for me what the book said about his business card :

CEO --- Bitch!

The Wikipedia Revolution was fun and a good read and got me wiki-wiki interested!

Returned The Samurai Mind without reading - glance through it and was not attracted to it.

Born To Run - read about 147 Pages but could NOT get into it.

Newton and the Counterfeiter - looks good but did not read - returned but may get later

Any book that begins with Idiot's Guide to anything should be left to those it is addressed to!

Rechecked Absolute Rage. Another lawyer (Robert K. Tannebaum) who writes. Good writer, (not an Idiot's guide to anything!) good story, good color, and more words to collect. Karp the tall jewish all-american ex-basketball player loves the law and justice in that order. His beautiful - one eyed - with a mafioso mindset - loves justice and law in that order. Two precocios identical twins 10 yr old boys are brilliant but totally unlike each other - Zig and Zag. The older college age daughter, Lucy who speaks 57 languages is having her mind studied by Carnegie Mellon and MIT. She is the only Christian in the bunch as a practicing Catholic and somehow keeps her virginity inspite of great temptations! Well written and I have read some of his other stuff and may start reading all of his stuff soon.

Two books that I had on hold came in:

Medusa by Clive Cussler (with Paul Kemprecos) I imagine Paul Kemprecos is doing most of the writing but who knows. I has a great list of the Clive Cussler books borken into various series with his various co-authors. I have read most of the Dirk Pitt novesl but want to preview all the books and see what I may have missed or what is new to me. If you like adventure - you will like Cusslerr.

The Doomsday Key - by James Rollins. I have become a fan of this young writer. Born 1962 in Poland. An ex-Catholic. Really like his Authors' Note to the Readers: Truth or Fiction in his afterwords in which he explains some of the reasearch into his books and what things have a grain of truth and what is made up. Usually lists other books to back-up some of his research. A good story write who out Dan Brown's Dan Brown as far as I am concerned. Fairly prolific. I plan reading all his stuff.

SPY by Ted Bell

2009-05-28T16:19:00.000-07:00

OK. I started it last night - 27 May 2009. On page 14 of 483 pages. Most notable thing so far is a guy from Belize wearing a shirt that says: You Better Belize It!

More to come....

What I have been reading

2009-05-28T12:08:00.000-07:00

I have NOT been writing on my blog. I have been reading quite a bit. Mainly fiction. I like to escape from the "real world" I finally finished reading all of Robert B. Parker's Spenser series.

For a little review of 2008 fiction wise:

1. Nov - The Last Oracle - James Rollins
2. Dec - Sandstorm - James Rollins

For 2009: So far - as of 28 May 2009 (roughly in this order)

1. Naked Prey - John Sanford - a bit gritty even for me!
2. Now & then - Robert B. Parker
3. King Solomon's Mines
4. Pale King & Princes - Parker
5. Walking Shadow - Parker
6. The Widening Gyre - Parker
7. Catskill Eagle - Parker
8. Zero Option - P.T. Deutermann
9. Spider Mountain - P.T. Deutermann
10. Bright Futures - Suart M. Kaminsky - Lew Fonesca is back!
11. Plague Ship - Clive Cussler (and Jack DuBrul - maybe all him?)
12. Spook - Bill Ponzinni (The nameless detective - named Bill ?)
13. Blood Relatives - Ed McBain
14. Genesis Code - John Case
15. Promise Me - Harlan Coben

Gave up on McNally's Dilemma by Lawrence Saunders - too cute for me!

Also Non-fiction wise, I have looked at:

Robert B. Parker Companion - Dean James & Elizabeth Foxwell
(a few good things and a lot of filler, good resource list in back)
Pain Free - Pete Egoscue

I keep trying to read a little on:

1. Reasons for Faith - by Kyle Oliphint
2. Christ Centered Preaching - Bryan Chappel

Have lost my momentum on Oliphint - wish he would just get to the point!
In danger of loosing it on Chappel's book

It appears I found a few new authors I want to read more of:
1: James Collins - already had read a few - out Dan Brown's Dan Brown
2. P.T. Deutermann
3. Harlan Coben
4. John Case - pseudonym for husband / wife team

I buy a few books, but library books take priority. So I am reading James Collins's
Amazonia on the side because I bought it for a dollar and am half way through. I like it, but like I said Library books take priority. Why can't I quit checking them out for a while!!!

Also Geraldine Branom of Commerce (96) gave me a copy of her favorite mystery writers and loaned me a sleuth book where the detective is a Rabbi and solves his crimes using logic of the Talmud. Have NOT tried it yet...

My masseuse asked me how many books I read a year. My estimate is around 50, but I really don't know. I just know I want to be reading something most every day. I am a slow reader.

I am going to quit making promises or predictions, but I think it would be cool if I would start documenting each book as I read it and note when I started and finished and make note of some of the things I write down from each book.

For example I learned the following from my reading this year:

POSH = Port Out, Starboard Home - Comes from the days when the well-to-do on their trips on ships between Britian and India would request cabins on the side shaded from the sun. So that is how we got POSH.

BOLO = Be On Look Out - you hear it NCIS a lot too.

Movies - really disliked: No Country For Old Men
Really highlights existentialism of todays culture - especially the ending
The villian did have a unique faithfulness to his philosophy
But overall = YUK, YUK, YUK

I know I really have trouble expressing my opinion - but there you go!

Confess your sins and repent. Then Love God and do whatever you want!

The key is your understanding of the AND connective!

Commencement Address from Father to Son

2009-05-25T19:29:00.000-07:00

A Commencement for Keli & Richey Goodrich
by Richey's dad – Monday 25 May 2009

You have not totally escaped a commencement ceremony. It is perhaps fortunate that I am not an official commencement speaker. Such persons are like a corpse at a funeral. You can't have a funeral without the corpse but you really do not expect the corpse to say much. Since I am unofficial I will try to break that stereotype. Commencement actually marks a beginning more then it does an end.

I want to tell Keli and Richey something that Albert Mohler often tells his graduates. It is a good news - bad news story and something you all ready know. The bad news is that after all this time, effort and education you are still fundamentally unqualified for gospel ministry. The good news is so are all your professors and indeed all men. The good news is that the Holy Spirit will equip you and allow you to use that education to glorify God. More good news is he has given you a godly Proverbs 31 wife that has made possible that education and is bearing us godly covenant children. She is to be honored and blessed as much as you Richey in this commencement in your life and ministry.

My one piece of practical advice – also something I gleaned from listening to Albert Mohler and my own life experiences is: Remember who your friends are and keep up with them especially those of your church and seminary family. That old adage; that it is not what you know but who you know is certainly true. It is the penultimate truth for any one who finds that fulfillment in Christ.

Both of you are in the process of fulfilling the following Proverb in the life of both your parents:

Proverb 23:22-25

Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding. The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him. May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!

Now as both your earthly father and an elder in the Presbyterian Church In America, I call all three of you up here to lay my hands on you and give you this blessing from Numbers 6 (24-26). (to be followed by a Holy Kiss that Presbyterians have a hard time applying!)

The Lord Bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face to shine upon you
And be gracious to you;
The Lord turn His face toward you
And give you peace.

Love, Dad

Bless

2009-02-16T10:50:00.000-08:00

Patrick Lafferty taught us that Bless is perhaps the 2nd "highest" word in biblical vocabulary. Right next to Glory! Bless means seeking the highest good of another.

When we bless God we mean that we are regarding Him highly! No less than He deserves!

It is easy to say and hard to mean. It is not meant to be used lightly. The hardest thing and the thing that only Christ can do through us is to Bless our enemies.

When we forget...

Our brethren Bless us when they point us back to the Cross.

"Stare at the Cross". The "church must live with a humble mind" so that our "heart can be aligned with that of God"

So let it "start with prayer" So that we can rise up and truly Bless others - even our enemies!

"It is a journey not an event"

Lord Bless You!

Ode to Mom at 79

2009-02-12T07:07:00.000-08:00

This was actually done for her birthday 31 Jan 2009 (1930 was the first!)

Ode to Mom at 79

I hope this does NOT bomb;
This is an Ode to my Mom

Today she will be 79
Aging like fine wine

In her all her family Delight
Yes, we Know that is right!

She is really not getting old
She is just turning into Gold

Really Mom it is NOT that weighty
After all you could be turning 80!

unlike

The poor benighted Hindu.
who does the best he kin do.
who sticks to his cast from first to last,
And for pants makes his skin do.

She is clothed in God's Righteousness

My blessed Mom is one who
Trusts in God Who really can do
She is a child of God from first to last
Jesus is much better than a Hindu

Mom be blessed and have Fun
says your oldest son!

Love, Richard

A Good Wife is from the Lord

2009-02-05T11:39:00.000-08:00

I feel sorry for most of you guys because you do NOT have a wife like mine! We have been married 33 years. She is 5+ years older then me. The plan is - statistically speaking anyway - that we die at the same time.

I thought I was here to take care of her. Mostly it works the other way. I earn the money - just barely. It seems she does most of the rest. I don't now how much money we have or where it is. I would be lost if I had to shop or cook or do the taxes. In other words I am basically helpless.

Lately I have been visiting a lady who is in a nursing home. For the first time. Her husband - a preacher of 59 years - broke his hip and had a heart attack and we did NOT know if he was going to make it. There has been lots of prayers. She got to hear her husband voice today after a successful partial hip replacement. She may actually get to lay in that bed next to him again in a few days. Here I am trying to minister to her to tell her of the Lord's comfort.

And yet if my wife is away for more than a few hours I start to cry. I have to feed myself. I can't find anything in this house I built for us about 25 years ago.

Man I can't even put on my own shoes in the morning because when I wake up my back hurts so much. So while she is fixing me breakfast she puts on my socks and shoes and then asks what else can I do for you honey!

So I am really sorry for you other guys!

If she goes before me - I know I am going to need some suicide counselling!

You may have all that life can offer, but I would not trade...

Because a Good Wife comes from the Lord.

(maybe someday I will tell you about my son!)

Where is your faith?

2009-01-24T09:19:00.000-08:00

"Men who have excessive faith in their theories or ideas are not only ill prepared for making discoveries; they also make very poor observations. Of necessity, they observe with a preconceived idea, and when they devise an experiment, they can see in its results, only a confirmation of their theory. In this way they distort observation and often neglect very important facts because they do not further their aim... But it happens further quite naturally that men who believe too firmly in their theories, do not believe enough in the theories of others. So the dominant idea of these despisers of their fellows is to find others' theories faulty and to try to contradict them. The difficulty, for science, is still the same."

by Claude Bernard, An Introduction to the Study of Experimental Medicine, 1865
(as quoted in Good Calories, Bad Calories, by Gary Taubes)

Not only does the above quote speak of bad science, it can also speak of bad theology and misplace faith! Observe the fact that Jesus is Lord God and that you have a puny intellect and that great men of God over his-story may have observed more than you and adjust your faith an thinking accordingly. Perhaps this is why while I encourage everyone to think for themselves, that thinking needs to be a humble thinking that takes into account his-story and the observations of others with far better intellect and powers of observation then ourselves! Good thinking demands us to listen and think about what others have to say!

Perhaps this is why I am still comfortable saying I am a strict subscriptionist to the Westminster Confession of Faith. I have thought about it. That does NOT mean that good, godly, devout, and well trained scholars of today should not try to write a new confession! Go for it, but remember to think in community over his-story.

May God be praised and keep us humble but not intellectually or spiritually lazy!

The facts are: There is a triune God and Jesus is fully man and fully God!

I am Home

2009-01-15T10:43:00.000-08:00

Sorry! I have NOT written in a while. All kinds of excuses. My back has been hurting. I have been setting up my work office at home. Yes, I now work mostly at home.

One of the things my wife hears me say a lot - Is I want to Go Home!

I say it anytime I am away from home for a while...

For the Christian on a more cosmic scale this should always be our fondest desire!

To be Home with Christ!

The "Commonplace Book"

2008-12-13T13:18:00.000-08:00

Well Gigi (my mom) brought over a box from Amazon with yet another exasperated sigh - "more books"

Well the three books were all about how to read books - with a plan - something I have been lacking except for my Bible reading!

1. How to read the Psalms - Tremper Longman III

2. How to read a book - Mortimner J. Adler

3. The Well-Educated Mind - Susan Wise Bauer

#1 was recommended by my son, Richey, when I expressed a desire to understand the Psalms more. This was his number one recommendation. He had another one... older and perhaps more "classic"

#2 was a book I had looked at before and had known of for some time and now consider a bit of a classic. I first heard about when reading Howard Hendricks or watching him on video. They simply call him the Prof at Dallas Theological Seminary.

#3 was a a book that my pastor, Greg Fields recommended when we started talking about having a broader education and perhaps a classical education would be good for our roles as elders in the PCA.

Well I have started reading #3. I have been "Writing Things down" in my little journals which I carry with me almost everywhere - even to the movies! In fact many people remember me as the man who "writes things down" I hear comments like he takes that little notebook everywhere. I think they are just jealous because they are not a disciplined as I - or they would say nerdy! Now that I reflect on it my passion for my little books started a church - mainly to remember peoples names and maybe the pastors sermon and things like that. Selfishly it gave me a reputation for having a wonderful memory. And here I was "cheating" all the time! I won't tell if you don't!

I found out I am in good company. In this treatise on a classical education I discovered that my type of journaling which is different than most journaling started out as an "artificial memory". I write down a lot of quotes from books. The journal of Thomas Jefferson from his colllege days was entirely a collection of quotes from the books he had read. Looks like I am in good company!

Here is an observation of what I write in my journals and indeed in my books:

Journal:

- Quotes
- vocabulary words - ones I dont know, or just like
- new events
- new people
- books listed in my books
- new things
- ideas I like
- dialog that I particulary like - esp from Spenser series
- record a list of characters for some of my novels with lots of characters

Books: (I almost always read with pencil or pen in hand)

- write my name, phone number, and day got the book,
and where got the book from, and if a present who gave it to me

- Write my indexes in the flyleafs

- underline parts of book I like

Amazingly I found this type of activity a good practice from the recommendation found in this book on acquiring a classical education.

Lately I have lamented on the fact that there is so much to read and I have so little time left to do so! Both Bauer and Adler have reading lists for what they consider to be the really good books. Now I have a plan if I want it!

I am tempted to start with Bauer. She seems to have fewer books and also some guides to beef up your grammar, spelling, and other things to enable your reading. If I make it through her list and I may NOT read all she recommends I can always start on Adler!

They both indicate a chronological order starting with the older books first. Others have lamented on their random reading which is largely what mine has been with a proclivity toward sensational fiction!

BTW, Bauer start with categories and fiction is always the easiest category. I knew I tended to be lazy in my reading - largely reading for entertainment and escape.

But, now that I am WRITING THINGS DOWN, I want to step it up a notch and get a plan. Afterall time is running out! Someday it seems I can barely walk with my back problems.

Hopefully By the Grace of God He will allow me to read until my end! I hope so...

So I am putting some of my other reading aside - a bit anyway - not totally - the impulsive / compulsive part of me will get me to perhaps finish a some things. And there is always some required reading and relaxing reading. I usually like to be reading several things at once.

Now my serious reading starts with Bauer and Adler and who knows where that ultimately take me...

But, my morning reading and the reading that informs my prayers will by His Grace always and continually be:

The Scriptures especially the day's Proverb and Pslams (in the morning)

For in the morning you will hear my prayers Oh Lord!

71 and a new Plan and New Birth

2008-12-11T06:18:00.000-08:00

I have not written anything down in a while! I have a new plan. For example today is the 11th. So I read Proverbs 11. And Psalms 11, 41, 71, 101, 131. And the new part concerns Ps 119. On any 31st I read just Ps 119 in its entirety. On other days like today I read Ps 119 verse 11, 41, 71, 101, 131, 161.

Today I was really moved by Ps 71 and Ps 119:71. My son Richey has recommended Ps 119:71 to me before:

"It was good for me to be afflicted that I might learn you decrees"

A good reminder and fits well with a good understanding for Ro 8:28 also!

As for Ps 71 - Do yourself a favor and read the whole thing! There are many of the usual themes. God as a refuge. God not forsaking us even in our old age. God's destroying our enemies and our exortation to Praise Him.

Every time I read it (and I must have read it 3 times already!) a different verse sticks out to me!

On first reading it was verse 15:

"My mouth will tell of your rightousness, of your salvation all day long, though I KNOW NOT ITS MEASURE"

If that part about NOT knowing its measure does NOT get to you maybe you better have a heart transplant! There is much to that one verse - like hope for those that you might be praying for - especially the lost! We do NOT know the MEASURE of His Salvation!

And of course on every reading there is verse 6 which is particulary poignant when contemplating new births (like Mille Grace Goodman) or the new life of my grand-daughter Hadassah Joy Goodrich:

"From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb.

I will ever Praise You."

Big Al's Totally Twisted Balloons and Thanksgiving Day Bash

2008-11-27T19:48:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Bash at the Goodrich's was particularly entertaining when Richard's sister Debby Nouri, husband Ali, and boys Max & Hamed brought their neighbor and friend Al Curlett and his mom Margie. Margie is 84 years young.

Al makes his living as a balloon sculpter and entertainer in various venues in and around Denton. You might catch him working for tips in some of the local area restaurants like Luby's.

It is rumored that some families call BEFORE going to their favourite local restaurant in Denton and environs to see First if the Balloon Man is there...

Or as Al prefers to call himself:

Big Al's Totally Twisted Balloons.

Hopefully I will put more of our balloon sculpting and general good time. My son Richey and his wife Keli brought some entertainment of their own - Hadassah Joy!

Education System is Living a Lie

2008-11-21T10:36:00.000-08:00

I said I would write down things from the four most fascinating books I read in 2008. I said I would start with Good Calories, Bad Calories. But, here I go digressing!

Something from "Real Education" by Charles Murray p11 in the Introduction:

"The lie is that every child can be anything he or she wants to be. No one really believes it, but we approach education's problems as if we did. We are phobic about saying out loud that children differ in their ability to learn things that schools teach. Not only do we hate to say it, we get angry with people who do. We insist that the emperor is wearing clothes, beautiful clothes, and that those who say otherwise are bad people. .......

When the facts get in the way, we ignore them. Try to think of the last time you saw a newspaper story about No Child Left Behind that mentioned low intellectual ability as the reason why students don't perform at grade level.....

Everyone wants only the best for every child. But its effects play out in the lives of young people in devastating ways"

MORE - from REAL EDUCATION later.....

Reasons to be Humble

2008-11-21T06:19:00.000-08:00

I was much challenged, broken, and encouraged by the men's Bible Study at THC on this Friday morning. James 4:11-5:6

I or anyone could study those verses on our own. But! But, it is NOT the same. The Church is about community and needing one another and seeing the Trinity model and work through community. WE NEED THE CHURCH!

v14b:

"....You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanished. Instead you OUGHT to say the Lord's will be done... Instead you boast and brag... Anyone then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins..."

Do you see the connections - there are many and profound....

Humility comes from recognizing our sins - not every detail perhaps - but sins of omission also!
I see it in my broken relationships and those all around me. Do we put enough effort in them to try to speak the gospel in them - just via little things like making the effort - not expecting anything in return. Do NOT expect non-Christians to act like Christians and even Christians to act like Christians.

What great omission for us is NOT saying and BELIEVING:

The Lord's Will I will do this or that...

We are FAR too presumptions about our plans. Will the Lord help you to mend that relationship. Do NOT presume. Maybe He will, maybe He wont. And you do NOT know which!

It does NOT mean do not make the effort - we tend to be such control freaks at times - I know I am as an engineer. I always want to fix stuff... But ultimately only the Lord fixes stuff!

So Go and Do - but always with the attitude..

The Lord Willing

And do we REALLY want His Will? Perhaps that is our BIGGEST category of sins of omission in general. Most of the time we really want our will be done and God to just assist.

Did Christ want His will be done when He went to the cross? If you thing he did NOT struggle in His human nature in that read the account again!

LORD YOUR WILL BE DONE - and it was and will be!

My 4 Best Books of 2008

2008-11-20T17:52:00.000-08:00

I am going to start writing down stuff from the four most fascinating and thought provoking books I read this year so far. Of course this is NOT including that most important and fascinating book of all the Bible!

1. Inspiration & Incarnation by Peter Enns

2. Good Calories, Bad Calories by Gary Taubes

3. Revoltion: A Manifesto by Ron Paul

4. Real Education by Charles Murray

Since I have NOW bought them all and have started re-reading with Good Calories, Bad Calories I will start there. It has so many fascinating quotes on the so-called scientific process, on philosophy, and even on theology through the philosophical lens there is much to be learned by man's inability - especially in the medical sciences with misconception after misconception in the long and varied history and anthropology of OBESITY!

I will love thee, O Lord my strrength

2008-11-18T09:20:00.000-08:00

I am writing things down from my reading in Prov 18, Psalms 18,48,78,108,138

Here I will focus on Psalm 18. Many years ago before my son was born we used to sing a song from Psalm 18. Those were King James days for us:

3) I will call upon the Lord, who is worth to be praised: so shall I be saved from my enemies.

46) The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.

These words and mine own are part of my prayers for those I pray for and especially for the people of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Greenville, Texas.

Quotes about Human Reasoning

2008-11-15T18:06:00.000-08:00

"A small error at the outset can lead to great errors in the final conclusions"
- Thomas Aquinas

"A colleague once defined an academic discipline as a group of scholars who had agreed not to ask certain embarrassing questions about key assumptions"
(from Health and the Rise of Civilization by Mark Nathan Cohen)

"There are stranger things in this world than in all your philosophies, Horatio"
(from Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 5)

versus

"as if God could not do more things than human reason can conceive"
From Reasons for Faith by K.Scott Oliphint

Most Christian Place on Earth?

2008-11-15T16:48:00.000-08:00

According to a chart in Samuel P. Harrington's "Who Are We?" this Harvard historian/political scientist shows on page 91 that Nigeria is the most "religious" nation on earth. A bit of Google shows maybe 45% are Christian. Some list about 85% for the USA. Of course the real problem with this is how you define:

Chrisitian

Given how the elections turned out in Nov 2008 I MUST doubt that 85% number for the USA.

There is a YouTube Video that indicates Mizoram, India (800,000) people may perhaps be the MOST Christian place on earth.

What I look forward to is that Day of Restoration when the statistics will truly be 100% because Christianity will be RIGHTLY DEFINED by the one it is named after:

CHRIST

Order of the Denominations

2008-11-15T16:07:00.000-08:00

1. The Charismatics "save them" and pull them out of the ditch
2. The Baptists feed them
3. The Methodists organize them
4. The Presbyterians educate them
5. The Episcopalians introduce them to society...

Then the cycle repeats itself....

What is really ironic to me is that it reflect my own 30 year church history. I am now a reformed Presbyterian and am a bit fearful of any more "progress" in my denominational journey!

I can't tell you where I first heard this directly but his initials are JDH and is know to teach church history in the Dallas, Texas area.

A Tale of Three Kings - A Study in Brokenness

2008-11-15T15:38:00.000-08:00

I wanted to write down some books I have read recently. Then I came across this book in my shelves. I had mentioned it to Mr. John Hanusa. The Hanusa's are my reading buddies. However, I think I need to visit the Ingrams too! Mrs. Ingram has some works by Francis Schaeffer I have not read yet. Give me a good excuse to visit our most "mature"couple in our church. Anyway I digress.

Gene Edwards (18 July 1932) grew up in East Texas and went to college at East Texas State University in Commerce. I can't figure out when I read it although the latest copyright in the book is 1992. I know I was attending Aldersgate Church at the time and perhaps Pastor Chuck Ballard suggested it?

Anyway it contrasts three Kings: David, Saul, and Absalom

It is a VERY good read and VERY convicting. I probably need to re-read it and read some other books by Gene Edwards.

Anyway, Mr. Hanusa that is the book I was wanting to tell you about in one of our conversations a Sunday or two ago. It is also where I get this expression I use sometimes:

"God is not talking"

The actual expression used in the book is:

"God will not tell"

Westminster Presbyterian Church at the Hanusa's

2008-11-15T14:30:00.000-08:00

We just asked Virginia & John Hanusa and Tracy & Greg Fields to simply act like they did when they got married!

I think the Hanusa's may have outdone our Pastor and his wife. I am not sure, its your decision.

Anyway this lovely couple - and I am talking about the ones staring lovingly into each others eyes hosted us at their beautiful home - north of Greenville, Texas.

They are such a gracious couple and real students! In fact I think I may have pictured the two couples who perhaps have a similar passion for reading as I do. To be honest I may have a lot of reading to do to catch up with Mrs. Hanusa. (I even got a tour of their libraries - I have my eye on some of their books)

One of the fun and great things about a small church is we all know each other and like each other enough to meet in a living room, eat together and really have fun! This couch became the focal point for some other pictures you may see soon.

Mr. Hanusa cooked and carved the turkey and Mrs Hanusa controlled her kitchen! Being from the "old country" (Iowa!) she is a marvelous cook. There were many wonderful dishes that we all brought. However, I wanted to give a recipe from our wonderful hosts. Specifically this is one of Mrs. Hanusa's recipes for a wonderful dressing with raisins in it!

Hint: The Raisins make the dish - IMHO

My stomach is still excited about it!

Aunt Mildred's Rice Dressing (for a large turkey)
--------------------------------------------------

Cook - 1 cup of rice

Saute
2 medium onions
4-6 stalks of celery
1 lb. of pork sausage

Add
a few slices of bread soaked in water
2 eggs
handful of rasins
poultry seasoning

Bake in an oven as usual for any dressing

Then share with the church and watch their eyes roll back in their heads as everyone chomps down on that delicious dressing.

Now that is a recipe.

Let me give another wonderful recipe:

Love God and each other. True community in the Church is the most beautiful recipe for peace, harmony, love, and joy that has ever been devised when the creator and designer of it is the

Triune God who models community perfectly!

The Soul of America and the Abortion Issue

2008-11-14T12:29:00.000-08:00

The Soul of America
(For Such a Time as This)
by Rev. Dr. Laurence L. White
of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Houston, Texas 77091
Speech given in October 1998, in California

For a PDF of the whole article go to:

http://www.osl.cc/pdf/Soul.pdf

As history repeats itself, they smile reassuringly, as they tell us, "The soul of America, you can leave that to us." And we have.....

America is great," deToqueville said, "because America is good. And if America ever ceases to be good, then she will also cease to be great." .....

My people perish for lack of knowledge. America will not turn from the path of destruction until the Christians of this land stop blending in and going along. We cannot allow ourselves, our churches to be used and abused by politicians, by political parties. God is not the mascot of the Republican Party. God is not a Democrat. God is not even an American, which may come as something of a shock. But of this one thing, we can be absolutely certain, the Lord

God Almighty hates the murder of innocent, unborn children.

-------------------------------Richard adds
Amen and Amen!

God Willing - I plan to talk about my chuch home

2008-11-14T08:49:00.000-08:00

God Willing I want to write down things about my little PCA Church in Greenville, TX.

Westminster Presbyterian Church

Partly how much I have grown to love it, its Pastor Greg Fields, and the people there! I hope to liven it up with some pictures! We are tiny, but Our God is HUGE!

Now, I know there are some folks there that may be getting nervous. Wondering what I might say. I will NOT tell of any of their sins - I have TOO many myself!

I will tell of the grace they show and the love we have for each other.

We are getting together this VERY weekend for our Thanksgiving Fellowship in a wonderful place in the country north of Greenville, TX

It is a Secret so don't tell anyone. I am VERY excited about being there!

Brokeness and The Only Solution

2008-11-14T06:58:00.000-08:00

I am writing down about the brokenness I see in my own life and all around me. All relationships are profoundly affected by that "Cosmic" Fall (I got that word from my son, Richey!) I hope you know the one I am talking about - the fall of Adam and Eve. And that is NOT just metaphor. It is a historical event that happened For Real in Time and Space. Please do NOT forget that!

There is ONLY one answer and it is found in one thing and one thing ONLY!

The REDEMPTION and RESTORATION of ALL Things by Jesus Christ and in the power of the Triune God!

The Christian has this SURE HOPE. Oh how I despair for those who do NOT have this Hope!

For the Christian:

Be UNSHOCKABLE when it come to the Depravity of ALL men and women but AMAZED and GRATEFUL for the:

Absolute Holiness, Wisdom, Power, Love, Mercy, and long-suffering of the:

Triune God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - One in Subtance, Three in Person

"Trust and Obey for there is No Other way to be Happy in Jesus"

As for me - my longing at this point in my life is to be an:

"Instrument in the Redeemers Hands"

Father, Son, Brother

2008-11-13T10:57:00.000-08:00

One of the highlights of my week is going to lunch with my son. I usually pay. Sometimes I get confused who is the father and who is the son. What makes it even more confusing is we are brothers too!

Brothers in Christ!

How can that be you ask - you did ask didn't you?

Well lets consider Scripture. Christ has many children and yet He tells us to call him brother! What an amazing thing that The Savior would call us brother.

We can ONLY call Him brother because He paid for us. The price we could never have paid.

BTW, my son paid for lunch today - for my birthday. He is a good son!

As to my brother who is Christ, I like most of all to call Him -

LORD

Can't Pray - You Have Not Read!

2008-11-13T05:05:00.000-08:00

I write things down. Nothing better than gleanings from today's Proverb and Psalms:

Prov 13:13: He who scorns instruction will pay for it - (I have been here lately!)

(then)
Prov 13:15 teaching the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death

v22 - A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children (Hi Hadassah!)

(one I particularly like - with my low carb diet!)
v25 - The righteous eat to their heart's content

----------- Then the Beautiful Psalms 13, 43, 73, 103, 133

(1st let's Preach the Gospel to ourselves)
Ps 43:5 - Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God

(think the wicked ultimately triumph - read ALL of Ps 73)
v17 - ...till I entered the sanctuary of God then I understood their final destiny.

(encouraged by and reminded of our Shalom!)
v25 - Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has NOTHING I desire besides YOU!

v16 - My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the STRENGTH of my HEART and my
portion FOREVER

v28 I have the Sovereign Lord my refuge. I will tell of all your deeds
(so what are you waiting for - Go Tell!)

THEN THERE is PSALM 103 - Only Reading it yourself will ultimately do!

Praise the Lord O my Soul

- forget NOT all His benefits ... as a Father has compassion .... and His righteousness with their children's children...

PRAISE THE LORD O MY SOUL!

Concluding with Psalm 133

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity ...
For there the Lord bestows his blessing even LIFE forevermore!

Christian READ that Proverb and those Psalms and come back and tell me if you can that you can't

PRAY and PRAISE the Triune God!!!

Pray through the Psalms & Proverbs

2008-11-11T06:29:00.000-08:00

Let me write this down Big and Plain:

Christian are you struggling in prayer. Fighting Depression? Pray through and with the Psalmist. And the Proverbs, which are wisdom literature. And WE need wisdom! Here is my plan:

Take today's day. For Example 11 Nov -

Read and pray while reading Proverbs 11

Read 5 Psalms (30 apart) starting with the one that coincides with the date. For example today read Psalms:

11, 41, 71, 101, 131

Learn how to cry out with the Psalmist for yourself and others. Notice the trend how lament and anguish of the Pslamist tends to turn toward hope, trust, and praise to the Almighty God, especially as you work your way toward the end of Psalter.

There is a trend there as there should be in our crying out to the Lord. Try it you will like it and know what I am taking about.

For example as I am getting older I found great solace this very day in Psalm 71:

71:18 Even when I am old and gray do not forsake me, O God

2008-11-10T17:56:00.000-08:00

OK, it has been a tough Monday so here is another one:

I write things down. I said that didn't I? I even write a lot of words down.

Here are a couple I hope I NEVER use or hear again:

1. Absolutley

2. World Class

Sorta makes me want to start composing some sentence with all my most hated phrases in them.

Something inane like:

ABSOLUTELY, WORLD CLASS. I KNOW that's RIGHT!

Then it started happening to me personally ---

First I heard it at the LA Fitness in Rowlett. A guy was giving a prospective member a tour of the weights:

"We got world class weights"

Well they just looked like any other weights I have ever seen. I refrained myself from interrupting and saying "What makes these weights world class - say versus what the Dallas Cowboys use"

And then a few days later on an early trip to work I went into Tom Thumb just as they were opening and I head this:

"Tom Thumb's world class butcher is ready to serve you - say hello world class butcher"

And the butcher would say: "I am ready to give you world class service"

And it went on and on as someone prompted each store employee to introduce his particular brand of world class service.

It was too EARLY in the morning. I was barely awake. I just wanted to get out of there. So I grabbed my goats milk and ran - not walked for the register.

When I got there and she rang up my milk she asked me something about how I was going to pay and I exuberantly exclaimed in a loud voice:

"Oh ABSOLUTELY I want to pay with my WORLD CLASS credit card"

She looked at me like I was nuts!

And here I was just wanting to:

"Get Jiggy Wit It"!

2008-11-10T16:45:00.000-08:00

I am an electronics engineer. I can identify with Lord Kelvin:

"In physical science the first essential step in the direction of learning any subject is to find principles of numerical reckoning and practicable methods for measuring some quality connected with it. I often say that when you can measure what you are speaking about, and express it in numbers, you know something about it; but when you cannot measure it, when you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge is of a meagre and unsatisfactory kind; it may be the beginning of knowledge, but you have scarcely in your thoughts advanced to the state of Science, whatever the matter may be." [PLA, vol. 1, "Electrical Units of Measurement", 1883-05-03]

I have been frustrated with my Osteopathic doctors (DOs vs MDs). I like them in that they are more oriented toward treating the "whole person" (whatever that means - but it sounds good!) and are more into "preventive medicine".

However, several of them that I have dealt with also have something "on the side" to sell: Usually supplements of some kind or some unconventional treatment such as:

1. BIA Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (a height/weight chart told me about the same)
2. Live Blood Analysis (most MDs say this is an out-right SCAM!)

Oh and of course all their supplements are better because they come from a "live source"!

How dare you if you ask them for the research to back any of it up!

Like double-bind or triple-blind or even single-blind studies. Evidently you are the only one who is supposed to be blind. Trust me they say - I am a doctor.

Unfortunately human beings being what they are the smartest of us is too often easily deceived. And that includes doctors.

I found something called EBM (Evidence-Based Medicine). At least I found it in theory. I have not located any clinicians in the Dallas area yet. The gist of it would satisfy Lord Kelvin perhaps. The idea is that you need to do those *-blind studies over a large enough population. Do them in as reliable and objective a way as practical. Measure the results using APPROPRIATE statistical measurements. Accurately report meaningful results. Then perhaps you know what you are talking about! That is what I want anyway!

BTW, the best research I have EVER read on the topic of obesity is Gary Taubes 600 page book:

"Good Calories, Bad Calories" (wanted to title it "Fat is a Big Fat Lie!")

(As a scientific journalist par excellent he has exhaustive research over the last 150 years that shows that clinicians do NOT pay attention to their own research or what is obviously true)

I am so tired of hearing it is good for you because it comes form a "live source"!

Well castor beans are all natural and organic. But if you eat too many you could die!

However, to put things back in perspective it is true:

Not everything that can be counted counts and not everything that counts can be counted.

Consider love, beauty, peace and God.

Pascal (IQ = 180 maybe) said:

The heart has its reasons of which reason knows nothing.

So in some things you MUST have faith in your World View - your philosophy if you will. Everyone has a philosophy and a theology about most every thing even if only by default.

But a good philosophy when it comes to people is to understand we are all flawed even if made in God's image.

I still want to find a EBM (evidence-based medicine) physician for example. I do NOT have much faith in the other kind when it comes to "preventive medicine" anyway! I trust that if and when they kill me I will go to Heaven.

Comments?

Writing Things Down

2008-11-09T14:29:00.000-08:00

As I have gotten older I have acquired a new hobby. I write things down. Perhaps it is a response to a memory that is not quite as good as it once was (now that I am almost 56). Most likely though it has something to do with my calling as a ruling elder in the PCA. At some point I began to realize I was interested in a lot more things. I wanted and lamented not having a broader education. I have started to identify with the saying "youth is wasted on the young"!

I am challenged from the perspective of a Chrisitian of the reformed persuasion that I needed a broader education. Something like the old fashioned classical liberal education. Speaking of a Real Education I highly recommend reading a book by that title by Charles Murray. It has really opened my eyes to many "real education" issues. My dad told me many things when I was young and now that I am older then he was when he died many of them are coming back to me.

He told me a couple of things back then... He said too many people go to college - even in his day. He said college should be for those who want and have the God-gifted ability to learn the deeper things and broader things of a "real education" He also told me that the most wonderful thing that college teaches you - or should teach you is not only on how to learn on your own, but an even more valuable thing - How to unlearn!

I might even put it another way: How to think! Many of us with the ability give up on thinking on our own. Sometimes it is just too painful, takes too much energy; all the usual excuses. It is a gift of God. Therefore not to be wasted. It does NOT in anyway mean that people who have that gift are any way superior to those that do not. I appreciate the gifts of a good athlete or musician or poet or a talented auto-mechanic. They are all made in the image of God. In fact it seems that athletes if VERY good may receive numerical compensation that far exceeds - what I anyway think - their contribution to society. So one seeks to pursue his or her passions in life as God has gifted them. You can't take out what God has not put in. I love education, my own and others. I want to see young people pursue their gifting in whatever God has put in them.

Unfortunately our post-modern society has set it as an expectation that a college education is the entry level requirements for most decent jobs. What a waste! That demeans BOTH people and the whole college experience...... More thoughts later