A box of cards...still have them!

A while ago when my family asked what I wanted for a gift, I told them a box of cards. What? Yes, a box of cards. I'm not a card writer, but need to be. You hear of someone who has a baby (like my daughter-in-law Susan), or someone who has a birthday, or anniversary, or just needs encouragement. If I had some cards, I told my kids, I could send them when I was thinking about it. So, guess what I got for a gift from Jason & Liz and their children?..... a box of cards. It's a beautiful box, and had all types of cards in them.... and still do! I look at it often and think, "hey! I should send a card", but then sit down til the thought passes.

Anyway, if you're reading this and you're like me... then here's an easy way with a few pushes of the keyboard to send a card to my new grandson Ryan Scott and his mom Susan and his dad Scott right at the hospital and it doesn't cost you a dime!

http://www.stfrancishealth.org/default.asp?link=send_a_card

You just put Susan Elwart down and pick the look of the card and type a small message. It's so simple and you're already sitting down, so what could be easier!

Susan is doing good, but Ryan has been struggling some with his breathing. Scott tells me today he's doing much better, but still has a few days in the hospital just to make sure.

I appreciate you thinking of them and especially praying for them!

Signed, a Dad and Grandfather

and I didn’t speak up because...

It seems like today, we have two types of people. No not Republican or Democrat, or liberal or conservative. The people I'm talking about are people who just want to get along regardless of the consequences or as long as it doesn't affect them right now and those people who want to stand up for what they believe and for the rights of others who have legitimate convictions. The "convinced" and the "unconvinced"

When I was just a lad, my mom taught me if confronted, just run away. That worked until one day the "confronter" backed me up into a corner until I couldn't run away.

Now, I'm not into standing up just to start a fight, in fact, I hate fighting. I believe we should try if possible to live in peace with all men. But sometimes that's not possible. Sometimes you have to stand up for what you believe and do it unashamedly.

Right now, I'm just going to leave this quote for you to think about. The link that follows is interesting background to it. You may find it interesting. After reading it, you may think I'm talking about the war in Iraq. I'm not but it could be used for that. Sometime down the line we'll explore this more, but here it is for now.

First they came for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up, because I wasn’t a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up, because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn’t speak up, because I was a Protestant.

Then they came for me, and by that time there was no one left to speak up for me.

by Rev. Martin Niemoller, 1945

It's a Boy!

Congratulations to Scott and Susan on the birth of their baby boy.

Ryan Scott (after Scott Ryan)

Born 3/28/06 at 11:09 am
Wt. 6 lbs., 1 oz.
19 inches


Mom is doing okay and Ryan is having some difficulty breathing on his own (about 70+ percent).

This grandpa asks that you pray for them.

Ryan follows his big sister Lauren. (When she was born she could fit inside a baseball cap!)

A Passion for Life

I was talking to my son Scott tonight. He and his wife Susan are expecting their 2nd child. As a matter of fact, they are having it tomorrow! They already have a name picked out and Susan's mother is there to help watch their baby Lauren, then to help Susan and their new arrival.

They've been to the doctors throughout the pregnancy and are as prepared as any expecting parents can be. But due to some complications, there is some uncertainty along with this pregnancy. For that, I ask you to pray for them and the doctors, and to thank the Lord for the blessings they've been in my life.

Scott was born after a hard labor. Right out of the womb he was passionate about life. Like most newborns he made himself known. As Scott grew up he was always concerned about other people. He cared for their feelings, and if you wanted a friend that was loyal to the end, that was Scott. If Scott cared for you, he did it with a passion, and didn't care what anyone thought.

I remember one time he brought a girlfriend home (sorry Susan :) ), along with his best friend. While Scott was out playing ball with his brothers and other friends behind the house, his girlfriend and best friend stayed behind to talk with us. Kind of strange, but it became clear to Dolly and I when the two started flirting with each other. Scott was oblivious to this and when confronted with it wouldn't believe that anyone he trusted in would do something like that. That didn't matter to Scott. He wasn't a fairweather friend. Most people would have walked away from a situation like that, but not Scott. He remained friends true and true. I wouldn't have, but not Scott. Scott trusted and stuck to people through thick and thin. I probably never told him, but actually admired him for that. As I look back, he was like my mom and dad in some ways. They loved me even when I was unlovely. Not for personal gain, but just because they loved me.

Years later when I became a Christian, I found out that God loved me even when I was unlovely, and still does in spite of how I trip and stumble through life.

Anyway, tonight as Scott and Susan are trying to get through the night trying to anticipate the outcome of the morrow, I pray for them. I know that God is in control. Nothing will be a surprise to Him.

Knowing their passion for life, I empathize with them. Hoping and praying that everything will turn out okay, but if it doesn't knowing that God will be with them through it all.

When you see a loved one suffering, you'd rather take their place than have them go through it. That's what God did for us, and that is the attitude that Scott displays in his life with the ones he loves.

Thank You Scott, for your passion and your caring for Life.

Dad

Broccoli and Chains!

Now, I like vegetables like most people and enjoy eating a variety when I can, but, does it seem to you that somebody is pushing just a little too much broccoli? Seems like whenever you get the vegetable of the day, it's broccoli! Kind of like the guy who convinces all the juice people to mix cranberry juice in their drinks.

So, I'm walking out of the restaurant tonight with my lovely daughters and another one of those rare mysteries of life pops up. Chains! I've never quite figured out what it is about having a chain around your license plate. Is it a security thing, or a symbol of strength? Or a secret club? How did the inventor of this thing ever think about it? "Hey, I bought too much chain at the store. Can't take it back. What should I do with the extra? Put it around my lawn to keep the neighbor kids from running across it? Nah! I'll put it around my license plate! That will look good!" :)

Test and Approve all things...

Yesterday, we had the privilege of having Dr. Combs preach to us on Romans 12. Dr. Combs is a professor at the Detroit Theological Seminary. Through the years I've had the opportunity to talk to him and have found him to be not only highly intelligent, but one of the finest, most genuine men I've known.

a phrase "test and approve" caught my ear as he spoke. This phrase is from Romans 12...

Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

He used the illustration about a person who had a gold mine. This gold mine had not only gold, but "fools" gold. To get the real gold he had to test it. This was a very laborious task so he hired someone to do it for him. This person he hired was not very smart. Once the hired man tested the gold he gave it to the owner of the mine and was paid a few dollars for the task. You see, Dr. Combs explained, this hired man could do the test, but did not value it. He didn't know the worth of the gold.

And that's where my mind veered off! We "renew" our mind by replacing old "false standards", by "true standards". We test things in life based upon some kind of standards. Not necessarily correct standards, but standards nevertheless. How can we know the value of the test if we use the wrong standards? Where will that lead us?

Test and approve, Test and approve. That principle could also be used in other parts of life. Raising children is a great blessing, but has great responsibilities. We try to raise them with good values. And most of the time because they think the parents know everything, the children follow those values. This hopefully carries on to their adult life. It's a joy to see your children do right! It makes it all worth while.

But as my mind wandered in church (sorry Pastor), I thought that we often go through life testing things, using others' standards or the wrong standards. And if that's the case, then how can we value something correctly if we use the wrong criteria? How can that be? Sometimes the way we test things is by what other people (parents, teachers, coaches, friends, doctors, nurses, etc.) believe because we respect them. But, did you ever hear the Bible verse in from Matthew 15:13-14 .... "If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit." ?

or from Isaiah 2:22 Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?

Now we're getting in deep.... or at least I am!

As humans, we may look at a person and because they look succesful, or talk successful, or have great power, or wealth, or position, etc. they must be right. And they may be..! But many times things on the surface are totally different beneath. Every day in the news you hear stories about some leader who is exposed for some dastardly deed they've done. As the reporters interview the victim, or the neighbors you hear, "he was such a good person, caring loving, and everyone loved him. I can't believe he did this". Or what about the people who believed the Korean scientist who said he made a breakthrough of cloning only to be found out later and condemned for his lies? If you're one of the people that followed or believed them, now what do you do?

Following man has its' hazards. If we follow man because they follow God, then that's a different story. But it still puts the responsibilities on our shoulders. Test an idea but make sure it follows Gods' standards and Gods' truths. Don't just do it because others do. Make sure when you test something you're not using false standards. That takes some digging. You can't just go a prison and ask the prisoners if it's okay to steal. You can't go to a con man and ask if buying the Brooklyn Bridge is a good deal. You're not going to get a true answer. You may have to look deep and hard to try to find out what the real answer is. "That's the way we've always done it", or "That's the way we've always believed" has crippled our search for truth through the ages.

Know the value of things you believe in. Life isn't cramming for some eternal test and getting by because you know the right answers. Knowing the answer is not the end. Godly wisdom (or application) of our knowledge is what's really needed.

Is it better to know much and do little? Or, to know little but do much with it?

So what's the point of this "test and approve all things"? To me, it's to look for truth (not just believe whoever you trust today), verify it with God's word, and to try to apply it in our every day life. Know its' value, tell others, then most importantly, give God the praise for it.

Something to think about

All religion tries to reach out to God.... but fails

In Christianity God reaches out to man

You may have heard that "all roads that lead to God are good"...... NOT!

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men
I Timothy 2:1-6

non-frontal synoptic scale low-pressure system over tropical or sub-tropical waters with organized convection

The other day I saw an article on a typhoon. Hadn't used that word in a while so I thought I'd look it up.

The terms "hurricane" and "typhoon" are regionally specific names for a strong "tropical cyclone". A tropical cyclone is the generic term for a non-frontal synoptic scale low-pressure system over tropical or sub-tropical waters with organized convection (i.e. thunderstorm activity) and definite cyclonic surface wind circulation (Holland 1993).

Tropical cyclones with maximum sustained surface winds of less than 17 m/s (34 kt, 39 mph) are called "tropical depressions" (This is not to be confused with the condition mid-latitude people get during a long, cold and grey winter wishing they could be closer to the equator ;-)). Once the tropical cyclone reaches winds of at least 17 m/s (34 kt, 39 mph) they are typically called a "tropical storm" and assigned a name. If winds reach 33 m/s (64 kt, 74 mph)), then they are called:

"hurricane" (the North Atlantic Ocean, the Northeast Pacific Ocean east of the dateline, or the South Pacific Ocean east of 160E)
"typhoon" (the Northwest Pacific Ocean west of the dateline)
"severe tropical cyclone" (the Southwest Pacific Ocean west of 160E or Southeast Indian Ocean east of 90E)
"severe cyclonic storm" (the North Indian Ocean)
"tropical cyclone" (the Southwest Indian Ocean)

So, you walk into a restaurant and tell your friends, "Hey, guess what I just saw? ... a non-frontal synoptic scale low-pressure system over tropical or sub-tropical waters with organized convection!"

I've written 9 books... but 8 aren't done yet

Because the Lord has blessed me in so many ways, from time to time people tell me... "you should write a book". Just what I need to make my head bigger than it already is! After being married for 25 years or so, Dolly and I thought, "hey! let's write a book about raising children" What a great idea, or so we thought. Sounds like a great idea until you actually start to write it.

What's the idea of the book? (raising children)
Where do we start (write why we wrote the book)
Write an introduction thanking God and all the family and friends who helped us

now what?....Oh great! Before the day was through we had writers' block already!

Okay, let's write the book to our children, so they would see how and why we did it, others could look in and maybe help them too. Somehow I think we didn't do a good job on the "why" of parenting.

So, we started writing down a list of things that were important to us in the raising of our children. The first chapter would be about "Having a true personal relationship with God through his Son Jesus Christ". Everything in life would start there and the other chapters would follow.... or so we thought.

But after several days of trying to "boil it down", I came to the conclusion that if I had to be honest, our book would have many chapters with blank pages. You see, although God blessed us in many ways, we were not the perfect parents (duh!). And it wouldn't be right to act like we knew it all! Those blank chapters would represent what we didn't do right, what we ourselves still had to learn. We would have chapters in the book, but blank pages, so anyone reading it could fill in the blanks based upon what the Bible said about it, and what they learned by working to apply it.

Time went on and we put the book writing adventure on the side. After Dolly passed away, I told one of my daughter-in-laws that if they wanted to know what my wife was like, to look at their husband, and they would see some of what their husbands' mother was like. And so it goes, we were blessed with 9 children, one is with the Lord and the other 8 are still kickin'. Look at their lives and see in a small way a reflection of what Dolly and I taught them (good and bad).

Our children are the living books of the result of what we thought was the right way to "train up a child".

How Could I Forget Joy !?!

I've been accused by some of my other children that Joy gets all the attention because she's the "baby". Well guys, I didn't even put her name in the links until she and Sher reminded me.

Actually, being new to blogging, I copied the links off of Joy's site and of course her name wasn't on there.

Each one of my children is very special to me and sometime we'll tell their stories, but here's the story behind Joy.

If you've read the profile, you'd see that I'm the father of 9 children. Only 8 are living today and here's the story behind it. Dolly (my wife) and I believed in doing things naturally, eating naturally, and having natural childbirth. We had 5 boys at home so when Dolly was pregnant again we were ready (or so we thought). Dolly always had long and difficult labors and this time was no different. When it was time to have the baby, Sabrina Marie was born, a healthy baby, and we were happy. On days like these the children would stay in another part of the house (upstairs for this one) until the baby would be born, then they would come and look and hold the baby. But to our surprise, there was another baby left to be born (no not Joy), but Sher Helen.

Sher was born breach, and we were concerned about her, but she seemed to be doing fine. We were all excited about the twins along with the rest of our family. 10 days later, though, Sabrina died in my arms in the early hours of May 20th. The doctors said it was S.I.D. and our family dealt with it. May 20th was also my sister's birthday. Forever after that, when my sister's birthday came, it was also the anniversary of our daughters death. I felt terrible for losing my daughter, and I felt bad because it brought sadness on my sister's birthday. Well, being a young buck, and thinking I had the world in my hands, this got my attention. At the funeral, one of Dolly's uncles talked to me about how great God was and it gave me a peace I had never felt before. As we tried to work through this death through the summer months, Dolly and I went to a wedding in August. I couldn't take it anymore! I grew up religious, but nothing seemed to satisfy. I had a brother-in-law and sister-in-law that seemed like they actually believed in the religion they were in. It seemed like they practiced what they preached. That night I said to Dolly that I would like to talk to them about God. She looked at me puzzled but went to ask them to come over. "They're coming over tomorrow night". It's no good, I need to talk to them tonight! I have no idea why (at least not then). Ron and Helen and Robert came over and asked what questions I had. "None, just wanted to hear more about God". They were puzzled, but just went and explained how they realized they were sinners and no one but Jesus Christ could pay for their sins and they got saved, and their life was never the same after that. They finally left wondering what our meeting was all about. That night (just around midnight) I realized that a good part of my life I was trying to do what I thought would please God, failing miserably, of course, and never knowing what he required. I realized that night that nothing I could do would ever give me that relationship with God that I didn't have. Then and there, I asked God to forgive me for my sins and to save me because I trusted that Jesus Christ was the only one that could pay that penalty.... and He did! My life has never been the same after that!

So, what's that got to do with Joy? I'm getting to it.

Dolly had another child, Jackie, our marine son and both of us (Dolly and I) grew in the Lord. soon, Dolly was pregnant again with our 9th child. God had brought us through the storms of life and had taken care of us. Our 9th child was born on May 20th! (my sister's birthday) Dolly said, let's call her "Joy" and we did. You see, in life people are looking for happiness, but happiness doesn't satisfy, it's only temporary, like buying a new car and the newness fades away after a short time. But, joy on the other hand is contentment. Contentment in knowing that God is in control, He loves us, and cares for us even when we are uncaring. Joy reminds me each day that God is so good! Who is this God that cares for us so much that He even allowed us to have Joy on my sister's birthday? I am always amazed because of who I am, and what I've done, that He still loves me. In the Bible, it says "who am I that thou art mindful of me?". Why does He love us so much? I don't know, but I know He does and find much comfort in knowing that.... much joy!

Taste It!

Why does your wife say "Oh! this milk is spoiled!....taste it!" ???

Toys

Like I said in the previous posts, "children are a blessing". They really are.

Several years ago, our family was gathering together to walk into a funeral parlor. The funeral was for my wife Dolly. This was the time that the family got to see her first. After her going through some very tough times with cancer, the Lord saw it in His wisdom to take her home to be with Him. As a family, we had gone through times that brought us closer together and closer to God. Days and nights in the hospital many many times to the point where our cars would just automatically head for Oakwood hospital had got us to the point of numbness. We knew the Lord had it all under control (that's for another story), but we were tired and didn't know how we would react to the sorrow of losing someone you loved and then seeing her lifeless body.

As we got ready to go in, one of my granddaughters (all dressed up with a purse in her hands), announced cheerfully, "Hey guys! I got toys!". She was ready for a long day with her cousins and friends and wanted to let them know she came prepared!

I loved her and that phrase! It was another one of those times that children taught us that we are born, grow up, die, and others take their place. Regardless of how we feel, life goes on.

Life is so precious. We don't have forever to do right and have the right relationship with God through His son Jesus Christ. We don't have forever to make things right with our loved ones and friends. God gave me a great and godly wife, who gave me great children, and precious grand children. Thank you Lord for your grace in my life. For giving me your Son, and for giving me my family. Thank you Olivia for bringing toys to show that God is good and that life goes on.

Speaking of Children

I've been pushing a couple movies I saw on TLC to my kids. It was about a family of 18! Yes, 18. All from 1 set of parents. Now my kids know I'm pro-family and big families at that. I'd recommend the movies to everyone. It's amazing to think of 1 family that large, but that's not why the movies were promoted by me. I wanted them to see that there's more to a family than just size, or keeping them happy by giving them whatever they want, whenever they want.

This family (with children between newborn and 16) were building a 7,000 square foot house by themselves! Each child contributed to the project, was given their own drill and seemed like they enjoyed it. Now I've heard some say, that a child couldn't do that. Well, they did and did a good job. You have to watch it to see what I mean. I remember going over to my relatives when I was young. Their children milked cows, drove the tractor (much to my envy), planted, and did many other things today's families would only think an older person or adult would be capable of. Farm families worked together because that was the way it worked.

Today's family (some of them at least) seem to get by with dvd's, gameboys, sports, etc. to get them through the day. Now, I'm not against those things, but would like to see a little more practical application of the abilities God has given us.

Years ago, I went to help put some metal library shelf parts on the 2nd floor of a building with a group of other men. As we trudged up the stairs hour after hour, I wondered where the young people were. "Oh, they're at practice exercising for their sport"! Boy, bending, lifting, carrying, going up and down stairs seems like pretty good exercise to me.

There's a bond that forms between a family, or group of young and old people, that are working together that can't be duplicated anywhere else. Older teaching younger as they do the every day tasks that come about.

Teaching your children how to work together with good work ethics, will last them a lifetime.

If you get a chance watch these movies on TLC.

http://health.discovery.com/convergence/duggars/duggarfamily.html

IT

The other day Sher and I went to my grandchildren's school for a program on character. It was a sweet program and they all (5 of them) did a great job on their parts!

After the program we went to the classrooms to see them and their works. Passing through the Kindergarten class I stopped to say hi to Mrs. Hubbard. "I've been bragging on you today", I told her. At lunch with some friends I told them about the first word the kindergarteners learned to read. You see, a few years back I worked on the computers at their school. Next door to the class was the computer lab. The door was open and as I worked, I could listen to Mrs. Hubbard teaching those innocent wide-eyed children.

"Okay, children, we're going to learn to read our first word today!" she said enthusiastically. "Our first word is 'IT' , now let's all say it together.......IT". Wow! It, the first word they learned to read. As an adult dealing with every day issues of life, death, cancer, etc. hearing these young children learn to read their first word "IT", it just put life in perspective. No matter what the circumstances in life, life goes on. Things grow and die, and new things take their place. I tried to imagine my life as simple as that. The big thing of the day for them was to learn the word "IT"! I could picture them coming home and telling their parents "Mommy, I learned how to read today, I learned how to read IT!".

Children are such a blessing in life. And just when you get caught up in the deeper things of life, you have a moment like that. They put it all in place!

....and thank you Mrs. Hubbard for IT !

"Ararvadar" ????

Ararvadar "Uh-Rar-Vuh-Dar" is a word I made up in college. It's kind of like when Brian Regan says "Take Luck!", instead of "take care" & "good luck" put together. Ararvadar in the Elwart vernacular means "catch ya later, we'll pick up where we left off the the next time I see you".

Sucked In

Well, it finally happened. After a year of blog-stalking and the pressure :) of not having a blog, I relented.

Why? Because like other bloggers, I feel I might have something to say that may help others work their way through life.