Guest Post

Here's a well-spoken post, in response to Piper's questionable position on a sensitive matter:

Simply Shooting: Pious Nonsense

Sounds like I may be closer to being a PCA guy than I originally thought.

:-)

Things I'm Learning in Montana, part 1

I'm learning a lot since our move to NW Montana.  All of these things have been (or are being) learned and tested by experience, not merely read about (though I found some helpful links, should you choose to experience these things on your own).  Of course, this list is being constantly appended...

• What it means to actually experience 4 distinct seasons of the year.
• How to preserve a bear hide.
• Uses for bear fat.
• How to butcher a deer.
• How to make venison jerky (after two very inedible attempts).
• That gleaning fruit is a perfectly acceptable (and free) way to harvest hundreds of pounds of Flathead cherries and apples.
• That if you're suddenly the recipient of 200 lbs of cherries, rush out and buy a cherry pitter ASAP.
• How to install a VHF mobile radio in an ambulance, fire truck, etc.
• How to solder wire.
• How to drive a snowmobile (or "snowcat", as they're called here).
• How to get a snowmobile stuck and un-stuck.
• How to dress for cold weather.
• How to drive on ice and snow... safely.
• How to do "donuts" on icy parking lots.
• How to repair a headlight after hitting a deer.
• That deer are extraordinarily unpredictable.
• How to walk into a gun show, slap down cash, and walk out with a firearm -- the same day.
• That the U.S. Constitution isn't the bastion of virtue I originally thought it was.
• How to use a chainsaw.
• Why they call this "Big Sky Country" (no infernal skyscrapers to obstruct the view!)
• That in Montana, even though it's spelled C-R-E-E-K, it's pronounced "crick".

...And last, but certainly not least:

What an amazing family I've been blessed with, and that I get to enjoy the experience with them.

 

How Are You Connected?

How how much time are you spending on social networks?  How how much money are you spending to entertain yourself and your family by electronic means?  How many hours do you spend on email during any given week?  And honestly, is your iPad stealing attention away from your family and other relationships?

Maybe its time to ask ourselves, "Are all these things really beneficial to me, or have they become a substitute for (or usurper of) authentic human -- and divine -- interaction?"

This week, I'd like to encourage you to put down the iPad, ignore Facebook, and physically meet with (or call) a friend or family member -- just to talk and spend time together.  Even more important, heed and obey the words of the King:

"But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
(Jesus, Matthew 6:6 ESV)

These spiritual relationships in Christ are the only thing on this earth that have the potential to last for eternity.