In the Jungle

This particular video is an attempt to give an insight into my family's sense of humor and nightly dance sessions.

My wife says I'm the hippo & She's the mutt

A Rabbit Trail

It was one of those hot summer days and Kit and I managed to steal away to our favorite swimming pool. Physically as well as metaphorically, we found ourselves alone in the deep-end. I was dangling from the diving board while Kit easily treaded water by my side. Instead of stagnating by the wayside, we were discussing and solving some of life's more "deeper" issues. I count these brief interludes as blessings from God especially since it allows the both of us to connect and bond in a special and lasting way. Among the substance found in our conversation, often expressed through my daughter, there is silliness which I unabashedly admit to. Guilty!

The "teaching moment" took a rabbit trail in the swimming pool and it was my fault.

Kit asked;
“Dad, where did you learn to be a dad?”

I considered her question a moment and replied
“Kit you taught me how to be a dad” as expected my answer surprised her.

“What do you mean? How did I teach you to be a dad?”

“Well sweetheart, it was mostly trial and error. You see when you were born your mother and I were looking for the manual that was supposed to come with you. This manual was to show us how to raise you, feed you, and what to do when you cried. Anyway, we must have left the manual at the hospital because when we got you home we were clueless. There were times we didn’t know what to do with you , so we just left you outside”

Kit rather panicky replied (rightly so) “YOU DID WHAT!!”

Silliness is a path to substance. Is it not!

"Behold, Children are a gift from God" Psa 127:3

A Small Tribute

If you are a soldier; you will understand.

If you are not a soldier; never forget.

A Soldier never will.

John the Baptizer

I recall the morning Kit and I were studying the book of John. Specifically, I was relating the story to her of the day John the Baptist sees Jesus. John announces “behold the lamb of God!”

I stopped the story and asked;

“Kit why did John just call Jesus a Lamb?”

Kit, in her best mimic of an old billie goat, whinnied

“Weeell, I’llll Teeellll Yooouuu”.

During the conversation, Kit asked if she could tell the story, instead of me, of the day John met Jesus. I couldn't wait to hear it. Her account of this story is as follows.

“John the Baptizer (not Baptist but Baptizer) was in the desert and he was shouting. He was shouting so loud and long that all the people that heard him asked, John what are you shouting about?"

According to Kit John’s reply was, “ I am shouting because I know a person who can tie his shoes better than I can, and you’ll know him to because a white bird will land on him”

“As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. “
Luke 3:16

A Mountain Stream & Epic Adventure

Some close friends and I went camping along Wilson Creek in the mountains’ near Boone this past weekend. We actually hiked about 2 miles up a mountain to our site. We camped right along the creek down stream from a scenic water fall. The camp site was near perfect, the weather was comfortably cool and the foliage was incredible in diversity of color. The scenery reminded me of a patch work quilt covering the mountain in shades of gold, red, yellow, green and brown.

We built a fire and cooked beanie weenies and roasted marsh mellows. Later in the afternoon, we swam in the mountain stream and yes it was very cold. The sound of laughter from my younger more adventurous camping friends, already swimming between the scarp face, lured me into the water. The rush of the stream over the slick gently tilting shale rock was perfect for body surfing. The water from these falls often led to a gentle pool in which it was easy to find your self stuck! Inside these areas, the flat bottom rock was indeed very slick, and no bare foot traction was to be gained while fighting the current. In order to get out of these pools we had to completely lie down and swim. I still shiver from the memory, and after a few moments I was laughing just as hard as my younger camper buds.

All was good until the snake.
"No more laughter, no more fun, snakes in the water, time to run" (ahhh that one works...)

Our adventurous spirit was squashed as we flailed, kicked, and clawed our way up the bank, and out of the water at the first sight of that snake! I recall someone, not me, screaming like a little girl.
Ok, our flight mode had kicked in that's all! And besides this was not a gimmick snake. Sometimes people "see things" in the water that "looks" like a snake. Things like; floating twigs, a length of misshapen rope, a ripple in the water all are easily mistaken for these deadly creatures, and this, dear reader, was the real deal. He was pretty too, bright orange with a yellow diamond design down his back...kind of looked like a water moccasin. Pretty darned sure it was venomous 40 footer water snake. Nothing else could've chased me out of the water.

Remind me to tell you of the Epic Battle that ensued with us trying to kill it with mountain size boulders.

To be Found Faithful

In a way, the devotional below reminds me of my on wife who recently became President of Household Affairs. I have watched her grow closer to her saviour, her children, and Me ever since she left the work force. No amount of income could compare to the value she has added to all of our lives by being home.

A Faithful Woman
OS Hillman

"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her." Proverbs 31:28

She was the "Vice President of Household Affairs" for her entire adult life. She had a husband, four daughters, and one son whom she managed. Her calling was not to the workplace; it was to the home. It was a calling that she fulfilled well. She often went beyond her job description to fulfill menial tasks like sewing clothes for her twin girls, playing dolls, and even playing catch with the only boy in the clan. Things were going along well until midway in life a telephone call came that changed everything. The caller informed her that the love of her life had been killed in an airplane crash. She was in her early 40's, still beautiful, with five kids to raise on her own in spite of the fact that she hadn't worked in the business place for nearly 20 years. The death of her husband removed their steady upper middle-class income, and she was now faced with the greatest test of her life. At her lowest moment, wondering how she was going to make it, she cried out to God. God answered, "Trust Me, Lillian." Those audible words became the strength that she needed to care for her family for the next 40 years. From that moment on, she came to know her Savior personally and shared Him with her family. Her children came to know Him as well. Grandchildren became the recipient of her prayers, and they came to know Him too. She was building an inheritance in Heaven, one prayer at a time, one soul at a time. She never remarried; Christ became her Husband. Whatever wisdom and encouragement has come to you through these devotionals, it is only as a result of one who answered the call to the greatest and most important workplace there is: the home. You can thank my mom, Lillian Hillman, for whatever grace you have gained from these messages throughout the year, because she remained faithful to the call to invest in those she was called to love and serve. "Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her."

What Would You Do If You Saw A Lion?

During one of our morning devotions, my daughter and I were discussing the kingdom of heaven in Isaiah 9 and 11. As most healthy Christians, Kit really enjoys talking about heaven. On this particular day, I read the passages that talked about what life in heaven would be like. We focused specifically on the section that says the "lion will lay with the calf and a child will take care of them both".

I was attempting to engage her in the story in order to make this more of a reality for her, so I asked;
“Kit, what would a lion do if it saw a calf today?"

“It would eat him!”

“You're exactly right Kit. Now, what would you do if you saw a lion in our back yard?”

Without a moment’s hesitation Kit replied, “I would run!”

“Me too! Well in heaven, we want have to be afraid of the lion because he will be our friend”

Kit considered this for a moment, I could just see the wheels were turning, and as her face lit up with realization, She replied,
“OOH! I get it. In heaven, Cats won't scratch, birds won't peck, And lobsters won't pinch!”

Strenght in Weakness

I read a short story this morning during my personal devotion. I have pasted it below for consideration.

“A dear friend of mine who was quite a lover of the chase, told me the following story: ‘Rising early one morning,’ he said, ‘I heard the baying of a score of deerhounds in pursuit of their quarry. Looking away to a broad, open field in front of me, I saw a young fawn making its way across, and giving signs, moreover, that its race was well-nigh run. Reaching the rails of the enclosure, it leaped over and crouched within ten feet from where I stood. A moment later two of the hounds came over, when the fawn ran in my direction and pushed its head between my legs. I lifted the little thing to my breast, and, swinging round and round, fought off the dogs. I felt, just then, that all the dogs in the West could not, and should not capture that fawn after its weakness had appealed to my strength.’ So is it, when human helplessness appeals to Almighty God. Well do I remember when the hounds of sin were after my soul, until, at last, I ran into the arms of Almighty God.”

-A. C. Dixon.

Talking Mice, Fire Ants, and A Dragon

I enjoy sharing stories of the conversations that my oldest daughter and I have had over the years. She has a Wonder for Life of near mythological proportions. To hear her speak of Dragon Flies, Fire Ants, and Humming Birds one would think these creatures exist nowhere else in the universe. Her life, at every moment, is a fairy tale filled with fantastic color, talking animals, and invisible friends. In my daughters world; the phoenix rises from the ashes, Cinderalla becomes a queen, the frog becomes a prince, the scrooge becomes a good friend and Pinocchio becomes a real boy. Oh the dreams she dreams! One day she will marry a prince and live in a castle with talking mice and friendly dragons.
“Dad, you can live in the castle too and travel the world with me!”

Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow

----Langston Hughes (Dreams)

Dinner with A Scientist

Several years ago Kit, my oldest daughter, and I went out on a date. We went to a movie and then out for pizza--just the two of us. During dinner we had the following conversation:
"Dad, did you know I'm a scientist?"
I replied, "You know, I've heard that about you--that you're a scientist"
"Well dad I've been thinking about the moon. And you know how some scientist think the moon is made out of rock?"
"Yes, you know I've heard that scientist think the moon is made out of rock"
"Well dad, since I'm a scientist too, I don't think the moon is made of rock"
"Really, well what is the moon made of if not out of rock?"
Kit leaned across the table and replied;
"The moon is made of cheese Dad"
"Oh! Well what kind of cheese?"
and in a serious manner she replied,
"Mexico cheese Dad; the moon is made of Mexico Cheese"

Sweetheart you know what the moon is made of and how too keep a smile on dad's face.
When you look up to the sky and see the sun, moon and stars--the whole heavenly creation [do not worship or serve them] for the Lord your God has assigned them to all the people of the world.
Deut 4:19