Giving where there's a NEED

How many of us give from our income, only to those organizations that give us a benefit in some way?  We hear a pastor on the radio who preaches a message that we find meaningful, so we give to his ministry in order to perpetuate it.  We give to our local church because we like the children's programs and worship music.  We give to charitable organizations because they give us a tax benefit at the end of each year.

But when was the last time you gave to someone because THEY needed to be given TO?  When did you last give to someone with no thought for yourself?  When was the last time your "left hand did not know what your right hand was doing"?  Jesus said that's the only way we get rewarded from our Father in heaven.  And He said those are the only kind of rewards would never, ever fade away, never get "spent up".

Do it today.  Ask the Lord "To whom would you have me give today?" -- then, do it immediately and anonymously.  You'll be blessed in ways you never imagined.

Why I'm leaving Facebook

I've been weighing the decision to leave Facebook for quite some time now.  At first, it seemed to be a great way to connect with friends and family, and to get better acquainted with people I've yet to call "friend".  Over time, however, FB gradually became a source of (unnecessary) frustration for me, such that it began to outweigh the supposed "benefits".  I've lost count of the times I've banged my head against the proverbial wall of conversation with people who don't know how to have a civil discourse (or disagreement) about subjects we may not agree on... so why would I "argue" with a "face-person" in a virtual world?  Why would I frustrate myself like that?

Basically, FB pales when compared to the joy of my real (i.e. face-to-face) relationships.  I could give lots more pithy reasons, but it's not really necessary.  I'm done.

You can reach me at riccalvi-at-gmail-dot-com (you know what I mean), or at 406-2-seven-two-2584.

Of course, I'll still be blogging here... it's just that now, I'll have more time to do so!  :-)

Comments, anyone?

Thought you knew about Election probability?

I stumbled across this info, and found it really informative:

Election map

"Thou shalt not...

...Covet"

Yeah, that's a tough one.

It's hard to see (and hear about) friends building houses in the country, when we're having a hard time waiting on the Lord to do something similar in our life.

The Finger of God

Last week, I was able to snap this picture while walking with the family, and the Lord brought a cool "object lesson" to my mind, which I hope to articulate with you.  Here's the picture:

That's my hand, holding my 2-year-old's hand as we walk down the street with the family.  Cassie and I have a particular way we hold hands: She grips my finger (which more than fills her tiny fist) and I wrap my remaining digits around her hand and wrist.  This way, she takes responsibility for following my command to "stay close" and hold on to me, particularly in potentially risky environments.  But far more than her small efforts at clinging to her protective father, it is I, in fact, who is claiming (and walking in) the ultimate responsibility for ensuring her well-being.  I see this as a very reassuring allegory to our walk with our Heavenly Father, as discussed in Philippians 2:12b-13 --

"...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

We who trust in our Saviour are simply and feebly gripping His finger, per se, while He is in fact wrapping His mighty hand all around our very being.  We love Him, only because He first loved us.

So try it, sometime.  On that next little walk with a dear little person, try this grip, and let it remind you of how much God truly loves you, His dear child.

The most wonderful (solid) substance on earth

I've been thinking a lot about wood.  Heck, hardly a day goes by that I don't.  Anyway, as I'm thinning some trees today around the shop where I work, I can't help but laugh at how hopelessly infatuated I am with the stuff.

It bends.
It burns.
It builds.
It stacks.
It floats (with few exceptions).
It is at once remarkably simple and wonderfully complex.
It is used by every culture on every continent throughout all time, world without end.

Some have found some very unusual ways to employ it:

And here's an aspect of wood that continually blows my mind:

It was "invented" in all it's complexity, by the God of the Universe (YHWH), which He preordinately provided for the atoning crucifixion of His One and Only Son — ineffable.



Not much more to say, except:

"Thank God Almighty for wood."

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,

The emblem of suff’ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.


     Refrain:
     So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
     Till my trophies at last I lay down;
     I will cling to the old rugged cross,
     And exchange it some day for a crown.

Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.


(George Bennard 1913 — Public Domain)

Crowded Cabin

Lately, I've been checking out every possible library book about owner-built dwellings.  You know: log cabins, "pole-buildings", even off-beat stuff like cordwood cabins and yurts.  In nearly every case, these manuals are written by people who have successfully built their own home... for a family of three or less.

What the heck?

Is there some unwritten rule that says: "In order to be able to build your own home from scratch, from sustainable resources, without paying an arm-and-a-leg, your birthrate must be less than the average for say, Russia."???  Come on, authors, aren't you aware of the Demographic Winter we're having?

Well anyway, My wife and I are the proud and vibrant (albeit often-harried) parents of five (5!) incredible children.  And yes! --  we fully intend to build our own home, on a strict budget, big enough to accommodate our family and the occasional visitors.  This is a major part of the vision that the Good Lord has planted in our hearts, decades ago, and we believe that He will see it through.  We have a goal of accomplishing this task without debt; for debt, in the economy-to-come, will become the enslaver of hundreds of millions of people.  (Look what it's done to our nation's well-being, thus far!)

So, if you are wandering through your local book retail store (if they even continue to exist apart from Amazon :-), and you happen to spot a title that looks something like "How To Build A Sustainable Cabin for a Large Family Without Completely Losing Your Sanity or Family Unity", buy it on the spot!

After all, it'll probably be mine.

Have a blessed day, friends.

Let's Do Some Reading!

Howdy friends!

Here are two articles I just printed, and plan to read with the Mrs. in the next day or two:

• "Food Forest Gardens", by Jason T.
• "Exchanging Fear for Fear" by Kevin DeYoung

Will you read them with me, and add your comments, below?  Thanks!

Frenetic Blogging Fricassee

 

Here's a new recipe: I like to call it...

"Frenetic Blogging Fricassee"

• 1 lb. of scattered thoughts
• 3 hours of uninterrupted sleep (maximum)
• 1 Allergy Pill
• 102 Pictures of my current Dream
• 2,376 Projects that need starting... or finishing
• 1 anticipation of pizza and ice cream on Fathers' Day

Mix well and sit in bed with a computer in your lap.  Serve promptly.

Anyway, I'd love to be coherent and concise, but I can't, so I hope I don't scare anyone off.  Here goes...

——————

We have been spending lots of weekends working hard (probably harder than some of our kids would like) to gather all three acres'-worth of "firewood" that's been laying all around the property.  One of our favorite meals in the Airstream that has become our "base camp" is Macaroni and Cheese and Wienies (or "MacWienies", as I've heard it referred to).

 Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here are a few...

At the entrance

Showing off their walking sticks

Studying the local flora

We love Montana in the Spring!

Hoping to build a "starter garden" just to the right (South) of the shed, using its roof to catch rainwater for irrigation.

(Unfortunately, my dear Bride was behind the camera for these shots.  Oh well.)

————

Looking forward to doing some boating this weekend, with Grandpa and Grandma, maybe out to Whitefish Lake.

I miss the presence of some dear family and friends back in SoCal.  I so wish they could be here, to see all of this breathtaking beauty.

Both my PC's battery and my body's "battery" are running low.  Please leave a comment if you're so inclined.  Looking forward to hearing from you!

--Ric

Guest Post

A sister in the Lord ("Enola Gay" of the Paratus Familia blog, whom I've actually never met :-) writes today's post.  I pray it admonished and encourages you as much as it did me:

Unintended Consequences