Ode to Men

I pray I can lead my son into this type of manhood.  Thanks for the encouragement, Mrs. Lewis!

Click here: Ode to men

Lunchtime Literature

It's lunchtime, and I know you've been looking for something challenging to read while you munch that leftover pizza.  Take 15 minutes to read this two-part article from Brandon Smith at http://www.alt-market.com/ and Stewart Rhodes of http://www.oathkeepers.org/.  Then, please post a comment or send me an email about how this article affected you.

"Getting Off the Globalist Chessboard"
http://www.alt-market.com/articles/96-getting-off-the-globalist-chessboard-an-introduction
http://www.alt-market.com/articles/232-getting-off-the-globalist-chess-board-safe-haven-relocation

God bless you, and let freedom ring.

The Leap of Faith... part 1

Psalm 139
⁵ You hem me in, behind and before,
   and lay your hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
   it is high; I cannot attain it.  ⁷ Where shall I go from your Spirit?
   Or where shall I flee from your presence?
⁸ If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
   If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
⁹ If I take the wings of the morning
   and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
¹⁰ even there your hand shall lead me,
   and your right hand shall hold me. 

Psalm 56
¹⁰ In God, whose word I praise,
   in the LORD, whose word I praise,
¹¹ in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
   What can man do to me?

Joshua 1:9
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”


I have a couple of things I'd like to share with you.

I am first and foremost, a Christ-follower.  He has bought me at the cost of His own blood, and I am amazed that He would even regard me, let alone redeem me!  To God be the glory, great things He has done.

I maintain that the United States Constitution represents providential brilliance in the forming of a great nation, and that it is still the best way to govern a free republic.  Insofar as our elected officials (or the interests that steer them) deny this, we are doomed to reenact the tyranny that has plagued every other nation that has rejected man's unalienable, God-given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Finally, I believe that my first "church" is the wife and children that the Lord has blessed me with, and consider it my great privilege and utmost responsibility to lead them well, so help me God.  Frankly, I'm replaceable in every other sphere of my existence... but to my family (especially the aforementioned), I get one shot to be the man they can respect.  I've always said that the husband/father will lead his family to heaven or to hell... but he will lead them.  I intend to never abdicate this role, so help me God.


When we moved to the heart of the "American Redoubt", five months ago, we knew it was a huge risk.  Yet, we were — and remain — convinced that it is a risk worth taking.  Back in April 2011, when my dear bride and I became prayerfully resolved that we must make this move, there were SO many questions... far more than we could answer for ourselves, let alone explain to others.  Nonetheless, we had irreversibly begun the process of "waking up" from the "American Dream", and our alarm clocks wouldn't be "snoozed".  These alarms (in no particular order) had names like:
Molotov Mitchell, James Wesley Rawles, Dr. D. James Kennedy, John Taylor Gatto, Brandon Smith, OathKeepers, JPFO... but more importantly, the Bible, and the Constitution (in that order).  We were beginning to understand that most Americans — and yes, even most church-going Christians we knew — have been lulled into a drowsy apathy by the pursuit of affluence, as well as by the debt-driven activity of our Federal Government, among many other reasons.

Nine family-enriching years of Biblical home education has given us the clarity to determine that we weren't cut out to be "sheeple".  So, we voted with our feet.  As painful as it was to say "so long" to dear family members, we left the most liberal (and populated) state in the union.  Yes, it has cost us greatly, in many ways.  Yet, the Lord has proven that the promises of His presence and provision are true.  We are warm.  We are in good health.  We eat well, and are building friendships with mature believers.  I have steady employment, and what's more, I get to explore this incredible countryside as part of my job.  Best of all, the Mrs. and I get to introduce our children to a different way of life, before they grow out from under us.  We believe it's a risk worth taking.  And we've been assured by our Creator that He will be with us and sustain us.

Thanks for taking the time to read.  I would encourage you to check out the materials linked in this post, and find your own "alarm clocks".  Tempus fugit.

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.