Firearms saving lives

In addition to my recent Facebook posts highlighting how proper use of firearms can protect life, here's another story with a righteous ending:

Passers-by rescue children from icy river crash - Life

I know my posts have been very brief lately, and kind of hinder the goal of keeping you in the loop about our goings-on, so I aim to rectify that quickly and thoroughly.  Until then, thanks for your patience, and keep coming back.  :-)

Christmastime is here...

...and the Mrs. is rockin' the Spritz cookies.  Mmmmm!

Cover Story in the local newspaper

I read this, and it made me somber and grateful:

‘I’m really thankful to have work’

Merry Christmas, part 1

It's Monday, the week before our first Christmas in Montana... and so far, a moderately white one, PTL!  Here's something else I've noticed, that's much different than my experience lately, having grown up in Southern California:

There are many, many signs -- on local businesses, mind you -- that boldly (defiantly?) proclaim MERRY CHRISTMAS.  They're everywhere!  And what's more -- people actually say that greeting to you, as well.  I think that is very, very cool.  If you think that's cool, too, please leave a comment here, or send me an email.  It'd be nice to hear from you.  Tell me what's been most meaningful to you this Christmas.

Now, I'm headed home to enjoy another of my family's Christmas traditions -- home-made "psghetti & meat bulbs", from scratch.

Merry Christmas!

"To Be One"

We are thoroughly enjoying this amazing documentary film about 3 inspiring courtships that represent such victories in the midst of such relational catastrophe, these days.  Amazingly enough, the family of the bride in the first story — Ashley (Haymond) Baird — have become such dear, God-sent friends to our family, that we are sure that the Lord has been guiding us to this very place in the Flathead Valley of Montana.  If you are a parent and desire to "add fuel to the fire" of multi-generational holiness in your family, pick up this DVD from Amazon.  Enjoy!

Aspirin, or a guillotine?

Internet piracy bill: A free speech 'kill switch'

Agenda

Another faith-filled week in beautiful Flathead County, Montana.  Totally out of what was once familiar to me, unable to trust in anything but the constant companionship and provision of the Good Shepherd, and the sweet love of my family.  By this time of year, I was expecting to be bowled over by how mind-numbingly cold it had become, with snow everywhere, right?  Well, not so much.  It hasn't really stayed below 20 degrees at night, and the snow that came a few weeks ago has mostly melted away.  Hah!  Montana Winter, you ain't so tough!


(Of course, in a month or two, my new hometown will have the last laugh, and all my little chest-beating trash talk will be trampled like the grit they pour on the icy roads every year.)

Anyway, tonight Jenna and Emily and I went to our friends' house, a dear family with whom we Calvi's worship the Great King every Sunday.  (Caleb and Chloe got to practice their babysitting skills this evening, for which they are rapidly earning the nickname of "the dynamic duo".  They did great -- when we came home, their little sisters were nestled all snug in their beds, and the house was clean and organized... wow!)   One of the cool things about our home church family is that we will occasionally get together and watch some informative DVD, discuss it in light of the Gospel, and pray over what the Lord would have us do with this knowledge, if anything.  Tonight's feature was a new documentary called simply, "Agenda".  I won't tell you what it's about, but I will say this:

Make it a high priority to watch this film.  Then, host a get-together with some friends or family and watch it together.

There are things we should be aware of, details that could change the life-choices you make, the things you would pursue.  Perhaps "Agenda" will reveal something(s) that will shape you for years to come.  At the very least, watching it with others will make for some lively discussion, and will help to clarify the worldview of those in the room.

You can buy it from the movie's website, or from Amazon.  Once you've seen it (the whole movie, not just the trailer), post a comment here to tell me what you thought.

Chloë

Happy, Happy 10th Birthday Chloë... My double-digit midget!

I'm on a Montanan, Ray-dee-o...

Today is the first in a long line of radio upgrade installations for Flathead County Road & Bridge dept., getting all their road plows (etc) ready to keep the roads safe this Winter.  I'm blessed to be serving the hardworking people of Kalispell, and blessed to be working with my hands.

WOS-dom

There's a thread that seems to run through a life lived among wide-open spaces (WOS).  The WOS-man (or -woman) knows how to hunt most wild game, and has the trophies to back up the claim.  He has an assortment of hand-made trout lures, which he uses every spring off the banks of the [insert river name here].  He has the ability to deal productively with every season of the year -- snow or shine.  Spent more than half his days on the back of a horse, or driving a John Deere, or some other studly activity.  The WOS-man owns a 300-acre ranch at the base of the Northern Rocky Mountains, which has been in his family for 4 generations.  He can survive anything, build anything, learn anything and be trusted.  Makes his (very lucrative) income by being his own boss.  Above all and in all and through all, he honors his Maker by living a life of wholehearted faith, simplicity and humility.

Well, as much as I want to be the WOS-man, I'm not there yet.  And given the legacy that I was born into, I may never be.  But that's OK.  Because you can't attain WOS-dom living in a large Southern California city.  You have to pull up stakes and move.  And even then, it may not be possible for you.

But it just might move your children toward WOS-dom.

Yes, they can learn to hunt!  (--Together with you, of course.)  They can learn to fish and plant and grow and build and sacrifice and save and dream and lead.  And by you having the faith to trust God's promises (in places like Joshua 1:9), you can bring about A Different Legacy, for generations to come.  And faith can change the course of history, one generation at a time.

(Thanks for sitting in on my little pep-talk to myself.  :-)