What a Change He has wrought in his life!

I think that it was nice they decided to establish the first day of summer on my son Jason's birthday! Happy birthday son!

Dolly and I decided before we were married that when our children were born, she would have them at home. Of course, that was shocking to many, but that was a natural choice to us. The great day arrived and we were all set! We had everything we thought we needed and had practiced up on the breathing techniques. Breathe Breathe relax.... breathe breathe relax. Yep, we were ready. But minutes turned into hours and hours turned into anxious moments. At the time we lived upstairs from my parents. My dad was sleeping on the couch downstairs waiting and I went down to talk to him. "Dad" I said, waking him up from a sound sleep. "Dad, I'm not sure but I think something is wrong, we're going to take Dolly to the hospital". "She's probably not ready yet", he calmly stated. But we went any way. Better to be safe than sorry. Hit every red light along the way and got to the hospital. "We'll take her and you fill out the forms" the nurse said as they whisked her away. Nervously I started filling out the forms and before signing read the small print on the standard entrance forms. "...knowing that medicine is not an exact science..." What! That's all I needed to read. "....the hospital may at its' choosing take tissue samples.." I rushed up the stairs with the form to find Dolly. "She's doing fine and is about ready to deliver", they told me. What a relief! "Dolly, they said you were about ready to deliver and you are doing okay". "Let's go home, I want to have it at home", she said.

As we got her up, there was a flurry of activity. The nurses running around trying to find the doctor. "You can't just leave! Your wife is about to have the baby". But we were determined to go. "You have to sign a release as we can't be responsible for what happens". It's funny, but on the same form to release them from damages and to leave the hospital there is also a release for them to do surgery! Looking back I realize that it's a standard thing as the release information is just a paragraph or two and so it just saves paper to have multiple releases on the same page.

Back to the story, so we got Dolly in a wheelchair and left. A half hour later Jason was born at home! Our first born and the first grand son on dad's side.

What a joy to be blessed with a fine healthy boy. We were so proud of him and enjoyed being new parents.


As Jason got older he grew to dislike going to school. He didn't like studying the traditional way, but whatever he set his mind to, he did very well. He had lofty goals, but to be honest, I couldn't figure out how he would achieve them without schooling. But he was so determined you couldn't help but encourage him. He liked doing rugged things and playing sports and he could learn quickly by doing, but school wasn't on his plate. We were happy the day came that he graduated from high school!

Being self-employed Jason worked for me in the office as my receptionist. At the time (early 80's I also did computer consulting on the side and had AutoCad (computerized drafting software). While he worked for me he played with AutoCad and seemed to enjoy it. But he didn't really like working in the office. Working for your dad though, you don't have a choice! Jason wanted more than that. Many times he would tell me that he'd like to try out new software and hardware and test new things.

When he graduated from high school, a friend of mine who owned his own business, was looking for someone to work for him. The person he was looking for was someone who had some experience working with people, answering the phone, and using computers (which at that time for PC's was still in its' infancy). So Jason fit the bill, got the job and was earning a couple dollars an hour more than the typical high school graduate.

He enjoyed drafting, but his heart was with the new technology and it wasn't long before he was in charge of the computers. Web sites were coming into being, but his company wasn't interested in it at the time so he took off looking for something that would fit the bill. Eventually he ended up working for his present company. Now he had an opportunity to hone his skills, which he did. You'd think a guy like that would have a hard time making it, being in a profession that had a very steep learning curve, but you don't know Jason! When he came up to a task that required greater expertise, he'd find someone who did and delegate the task to them. He was a born administrator! Instead of getting stuck in the mud trying to do it all himself, he delegated and as a result helped grow that division of his company.

Nowadays he's in charge of designing websites that cost in the 10's of thousands of dollars or more. ... arranging meetings with executives with large corporations... problem solving...and because his company does every thing first class, he gets to try out the latest and greatest.

I'm so happy that he's achieving this part of his dream but wait there's more!

The best part is that after Jason moved out of our house after high school, he fell in love, got married and the Lord got hold of his heart and turned him around 180 degrees. And what a difference the Lord made in him!

There is so much good that happened in his life, that I think I'll have to devote another article to it. Maybe I'll ask him to give his testimony.

But to give you the short version.... Jason became head of Information Technology at his company... married a sweet wife Elizabeth.... they have 4 great children, he gets to try out the latest and greatest hardware, he loves the Lord, and to top it off, believe it or not, started attending Seminary to become a Pastor. Yes, he went back to school!

It's been a joy to see him and Elizabeth grow together, and make an active effort to serve the Lord and to consistently raise their children the way the Bible teaches.

I know his mom would be so proud of him, as I am, and thankful to the Lord for our first born!

Happy Birthday, Jason!

The life we live, and the things we pass on...

A Letter to the sons, daughters, and daughter-in-laws whom God has given me the privilege to be part of my life.

Note: The picture on the left is the most recent I have (Hint. Hint) but only part of the quiver the Lord has given me.

For quite some time my thoughts and prayers have been with you daily and have burdened me much.

I'm writing this to you who are witnesses of the grace God has so richly given you and to whom God has given to be over others and influence their lives.

As a dad this is my appeal to you. Take care of the family God has entrusted you with. Watch over them willingly, not just because it's your responsibility. Watch over them not because of what you will get out of it, but because I know you are eager to serve God and show it by the life you live. Lead your family by your good example.

While you are young and have the opportunity, you need to give respect and listen to those that are older than you. Submit yourselves to them as hard as it may sometimes seem. Put the needs of others before yourself in your family and extended family. Do this with a knowledge that what you have in life is not because of what you or others may have done, but because of what God has given you and is working through you. Try to attempt to look at your life as God might. In God's timing, which is perfect, God will honor you for it!

God wants us to give whatever worries we have to Him BECAUSE He cares for us.

Life doesn't always go the way we plan, but you need to be careful you don't give up or give in when it doesn't. Always be on the alert! These are times that Satan our real enemy, is actively looking for someone that just "lets go". When times get tough, or our pride makes us think that we've got it all together. God commands us not to just let things happen, we need to actively take a stand against him.

You've been raised in the knowledge of the Lord and you've all made professions of faith. Be strong in that faith God has given you. If you start feeling sorry for yourself, know this, that there are Christian brothers and sisters ALL OVER THE WORLD going through the same kind of problems you are. So you're not alone!

God didn't have to, but He loved us so much that he called you to put your faith and trust in His son Jesus Christ. And get this, He did something that is "amazing", unfathomable, and undeserved....! After you've suffered for a little while God Himself will make you "strong, firm, immovable, and not subject to change". The comfort for us as Christians is knowing that ALL POWER is God's not just for a little while, but FOREVER!

I'm writing this because of the encouragement His Word has given me. My purpose is to try to encourage you and give you the assurance that God's grace is with you NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS!

Love, Dad

I Peter 5 - paraphrased

Time Flies

I was talking to Scott the other day and he mentioned something about his kids. His kids!?! Wow! It seems like only yesterday that Scott and Susan got married (actually it was about 5 years), and now they are the proud parents of 2 children.

When Scott and Susan moved away I thought I'd never know much about their lives or be able to see their children grow up. But thanks to Susan and blogging, she's managed to capture her family on film and put it on the blog. Even Scott has put a few videos on to show us how big the kids are getting.

Hopefully, they will be coming up to visit soon so we can see them and hug them.

I've watched them in the last several years (from afar) growing up as fine young adults and have been pleased with how the Lord is working in their lives.

Happy Anniversary Scott and Susan! Have a great life!

Bloom where you're planted

Happy Anniversary to Shane and Holly!

What makes a couple buy a home in the country just so they can have a large enough place for their family to grow up in? As I said in "Oh It's Nothing", they are a humble couple, with a heart for hospitality, and serving the Lord in the garden where the Lord has planted them.

Over the years, I 've seen them mature and grow into a couple that any parent would be proud of.

Thank you Lord for Shane and Holly.

Ties That Bind

Listening to the radio today for some reason reminded me of a time my wife, Dolly and I got involved in making ties. Back in the early 70's when we were first married and I was finishing up my last year in Chiropractic college in Iowa. We so enjoyed doing everything together and were involved in making things. One day we were talking about what we could do to make money to help promote Chiropractic. I have no idea what gave us the idea, but we decided we would make ties and sell them at a Chiropractic convention where hundreds of Chiropractors would be attending. We would then give the money to promote Chiropractic.

At the time, we were living by the college in Davenport, Iowa. We were renting rooms upstairs and became friends with some of the roomers. The next thing you knew, Dolly, Larry (one of the roomers), and I were going downtown to the fabric store to look for material. We came back with all sorts of patterns, conservative, loud, Mickey Mouse, Three Stooges, Woody Woodpecker, and whatever else was on sale and tickled our fancy.

If you've ever watch The Three Amigos, there's a scene where the good guys asked the towns people what was the one good thing they could do and that maybe could be used to fight off the bad guys. They answered with "We can sew".

And so we did! We "sewed like the wind". Feverishly we worked through the night (as usual we had the idea a day or two before the convention in Georgia) and ended up with a few hundred ties to sell!

It was a lot of fun, and work, doing something we thought would help.

Those were crazy times. Making them together and laughing about the whole thing was pure enjoyment.

How About Spats?

'''Spats''' are a type of shoe accessory worn in the late 19th and early 20th century. They were stiff fabric covers attached to the top of the shoe and extending up the lower part of the leg. Spats, especially white ones on highly-polished black shoes, form part of the stereotype dress of a wealthy young man of the era, along with a top hat and a cane. Other common colors were gray, tan, and black. Though often a fashion accessory, wool felt spats were also worn to keep the ankles warm.
Spats were an evolution of the 18th century "Spatterdashes," a version of the similar (but strictly practical rather than decorative) articles known as [[gaiters]] that are still worn today, to prevent mud getting into walking boots. In their heyday, spats served a similar function in dressing up shoes even if they got dirty.

I've never worn spats, but have seen them in some old movies we watched a while back. They evidently had a purpose in the beginning, but later became a "fashion statement" for wealthy men.

Recently, my friend Bob got hired in another state and within a week he was off to work. It was quite a shock to me from which I'm still recovering.

He was buying some new clothes for his new job and I e-mailed him to tell him I thought he should buy some spats to make an impression on his new job! With the return e-mail he replied .... "Dan, Your suggestions are always appreciated…and quite frequently rejected." :)

Bob and I go back about 20 years or so where we found our first love - Jesus Christ - in Taylor, Michigan. A few years ago, I started attending a church in the area and before long, Bob and his wife Suzette started attending also. We became close friends and spent many happy times sharing our faith, "solving the world's problems", and just enjoying each others' company (esp. at Famous Dave's Restaurant where we ordered exactly the same thing almost every week!). In life, you may have a lot of friends, but you only have a few close friends, and Bob was, and is, one of them. As much as we got together to encourage him and Suzette, to be honest, they were an encouragement to me. If you've been reading this blog for a while, you'll remember the Mother of all Rummage Sales we went to. I still laugh when I think about that.

You go along in life trying to do right, trying to make a difference, and then Whop! things change and the next thing you know you're saying good bye. We did have one last lunch at Famous Dave's (and ordered the same thing!). It was hard to say good bye, almost like a loved one dying. My uncle would just say, "deal with it", and I will, but for now I want to think about how fortunate I was that God brought Bob and Suzette in my life. They made a difference. Suzette and Sue B. brought our age group together with our "Friends" get togethers.

Among the many areas of service Bob gave to our church, his passion was and is our Growth Partners for Men that he started. When Bob got saved, another church member came along side him and discipled him and helped him get a good start in his Christian life. Bob never forgot that and when he came to our church (Community Baptist Church) he wanted to do the same for others. The last time I talked to him I think Bob said there were over 40 people involved in helping one another grow in Christ!

On the last Sunday he was here, the night before he left for his new job, Bob arranged for two men to get together and get in involved in that ministry! You know he loved that ministry because everyone had said their good byes and he was still working to get people together!

We wish Bob and Suzette well as they start their new adventure. I'm hoping they find a good church and continue their minstry there. They'll be a blessing there as they were here.

With today's technology we will continue to communicate via e-mails and such and keep up on each others life and our families, but it won't be the same. When I drive past Famous Dave's it will remind me of them, and thank the Lord for the good times we had together.

Jack and Jill

..er Jonathan and Isabelle.

Tonight I went to see Jonathan and Isabelle graduate from kindergarten. When I got there and looked at the list of graduates there were several children that we knew from our church.

So, congratulations, Jared, Susannah, Jordan, Isabelle, Jonathan, Sydney, Ava, Marissa, Ben, Michael, Keith, Hope, and Joshua! The future is ahead of you :)

But getting back to my grandchildren.... They were so excited to be graduating. It is simply amazing watching them how much they learned.... They sang several songs, had several lines to say, did the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, To the Christian Flag, and to the Bible. They recited the 23 Psalm by heart, and did a little play about "Little Bo-Peep". Each child was well rehearsed and really did a great job, but getting back to my grandchildren...

Jonathan and Isabelle ran off to the back of the auditorium during the play and on queue they came skipping up the aisle and well....

check out the video

Isabelle (sunflower) is at 1:24
"Jack and Jill" are at 2:00-2:20 and 3:14 to 4:01

Note: no children were injured in filming this movie!

Children bring a freshness to life that adults seemed to have forgotten. It was well worth the time we have on this earth to raise them up according to God's teachings, to love them, and to share in their excitement also.

What I Want To Do

Romans 7:14-25

We know that the law is spiritual;
but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.
I do not understand what I do.
For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.
And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.
As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.
I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.
For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.
Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.
For in my inner being I delight in God's law;
but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.
What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?
Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

Sigh!

Guess What Dad!! ??

Yesterday I was walking on the grass by the baseball field where my grandson Zach was playing in his little league game. There was Isabelle standing behind the crowd waving me over. With a big smile on her face she gleemed, "Guess what Papa!?" You knew she had something important to say because she couldn't wait for me to guess so she told me, but just telling me wasn't enough. Her mom let her call her dad who was in Los Angeles on a business trip. Boy she was beaming! "Dad" ,she said with a big smile on her face, "Guess what?" "I lost a tooth!" Then she went into great detail about how her tooth was loose and she asked her mom to buy her an apple to help get it out, but it didn't work. "I felt something sticking out, so I just pulled it out!", and there it was in all its' glory... a missing tooth!

As an adult you deal with all sorts of "important" issues of life. I'm not sure what kind of trip her dad Jason had in his whirlwind 1-1/2 day trip. Times like that trying to make connections, put your best face forward for your boss, or client. Sometimes presentations don't go so good, then rushing off to catch the next flight and then you get an "important" call from someone you love. Someone who wants to share the most important thing in their life that day with their dad.

If you watch TV you'd think the best thing a person could have is a 3 star diamond ring, or a new elegant classically styled luxury car, or to win the lottery. On and on the commercials go pushing whatever they think we need. It's little wonder that in God's eyes the heart of a child is precious to him. In Matthew 19, verse 14 Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

With so many complicated things in life, it's the simple joys that make me stop and thank the Lord for how good He is to me. It reminds me that even though He is the Creator, that he is interested even in the little things of life. He knows when even a sparrow falls to earth. Matthew 10:28-31 says, "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."

What more could we ask!

Thank you Isabelle for the sweet reminder!