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.

Photo Book

Click here to view this photo book larger

Turn your favorite photos into a photo book at Shutterfly.com.

Does the Bible teach Disarmament?

It is my assertion that the Scriptures do not teach disarmament.  Here is a concise compendium of Biblical teaching on the matter, thanks to Mercy Seat Church in Wisconsin:

http://www.mercyseat.net/gunapologetic.html

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for RIGHTEOUSNESS"... NOT "rights"

Seeking righteousness "fits the bill" far more than the Bill of Rights.  Thanks to Dr. Ted Weiland for this thoughtful distinction between the two:

Rights, Rights, Everyone Wants Their Rights « CONSTITUTION MYTHBUSTERS

Listen up, "Sheepdogs"!

 
Listen, dog. We are all "sheep", according to God's Word.  Listen to the words of the prophet Isaiah:
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." (53:6)
No matter how much we protector-types fancy ourselves to be "Sheepdogs", and somehow more prepared to deal with the predators of the world (particularly the two-legged kind), make no mistake about it:
In God's eyes, "All we like sheep have gone astray."
Praise the King and Lord of the universe, that HE has mercy on us all!

The Basics

This very secure shoe-tying method has kept my laces snug for years, with no accidental "unties".  It takes a bit of practice, but is great to teach to your kids.  Enjoy!

(Special thanks to Ian's Shoelace Site for the excellent documentation of this excellent knot!)

Venison Report, ongoing...

So, after marinating the meat in my "secret sauce" for about 3 days, I dehydrated it at 170 degrees in my oven (propped open about 1") overnight.  In the morning, I sampled a piece...

...and my face shriveled up like a Fresno raisin.  "Holy antlers, Batman!  That's salty stuff!"  I must have soaked it in the sauce too long, I mourned.

Later that day, I stumbled upon a sample of my friend Michael's venison jerky, and tried a piece.  Now granted, Michael is about as close to a Montana Mountain Man as I'll probably ever meet:  if it can be done in Montana, he's done it.  Twice.  And well.  As the jerky melted in my mouth, making my teeth lazy, all I could think was "Dang that guy!  He got it perfect!  How'd he do it??"

I humbly and embarassingly admitted my failure to Michael last Sunday, in hopes of getting some helpful advice.  When I got to the part about my use of a cup of salt (!) in my "special sauce", he just winced and chuckled a bit.

"What recipe did you use?", he asked.

"Something I got... off of... the... internet...", my voice trailed off, in reply.

More chuckling.  Then a sincerely kind and encouraging smile:

"You know, just a couple tablespoons of salt, or a little bit of soy sauce works much better", he said.

I questioned, "OK, but doesn't that decrease how long the jerky will 'keep'?"

"Well," he smiled (and his eyes lit up like a child's), "with my recipe, I'm not worried about how long the jerky will keep... I worry about how long I can keep the jerky!"

I thought back to how scrumptious that sample was... and how I uncontrollably finished the bag... and I saw his point.

Next time, I'm going with "handed down" preservation recipes... not Googled ones.

Have a great week!

Tip of the Week

This one comes to us from the New Life on a Homestead blog.  I pray you never need this one, but just in case you do:

The Easiest Way To Clean Vomit From Carpet

What am I listening to today?

Today, I'm learning about setting up "Bug-Out Land" from Jack Spirko at The Survival Podcast.  For those of you who are looking into preparing a piece of land for "leaner times", this will definitely give you lots to think about.  Enjoy!

http://www.thesurvivalpodcast.com/hands-off-self-sufficient-bol

Venison Report, cont'd

Well, here's the meat: sliced thinly and soaking in the "special sauce" for 3-4 days...