The View from Duck Point September 30, 2006
This is the drive away from the cottage where we are staying for the Eternal Impact Summit.
This is the view from the house on Duck Point. This is one of the quietest and most beautiful places I have ever been. I wake up ever morining with a profound sense of the kindness and goodness of God. From this point it is a run of a little more than four miles around Wolf Lake. Every step is like a postcard picture.
Blog the Northwoods September 29, 2006
I have a treat for you. We are at our Northwoods Conference Center just west of Watersmeet in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We have been participating and speaking for a retreat for single young people called; Eternal Impact Summit. I discovered they have up-graded to wireless here so I am going to send a live report or two. Let me know if you enjoy them.
The Clock is Running September 25, 2006
Between services yesterday I was lured out into the cloudless, cool autumn afternoon. All four of my sons were there in the yard. We played football. I am the all-time quarterback. Wes, the youngest, pairs with Kyle, the oldest. Chuk, the fleet, teams with Daniel, the rising star. It was an aerial display. Every play was a passing play. I am sure I tossed more touchdown passes than any pro quarterback in the nation yesterday. Everybody scored over and over again.
That’s when I had a really bad idea. (more…)
Unexpected Gifts September 18, 2006
Last Monday morning I sent the Stonebridge Newsletter and then got the family together to get bagels and coffee. We drove to Grand Blanc and tried to decide between Panera Bread and Big Apple Bagel. I said; “Wes, why don’t you decide where you want to get bagels?”
Parshallville Mill September 11, 2006
Here in Michigan (we are in Flint hotel-sitting the Inn for one final week) people like to drive the back roads on autumn days and take in the color. During an excursion like that you want to keep your eyes open for apple orchards and cider mills. For the last three years or so we have made a family event of visiting the Parshallville Mill. http://www.parshallvillecidergristmill.com/
At the Parshallville Mill They have fresh apple cider and diet-wrecker cinnamon-sugar donuts. There is an old grist mill there and a dam and water running over rocks reflecting the bright colors of the leaves. There are a couple foot bridges and the proprietor has a nicely-restored old Ford 9-N that brings back sweet memories of my grandpa’s farm in Licking County, Ohio. If you catch them on a slow day they are always eager to talk about cider-making or the history of the mill or area. Its close enough to be convenient and far enough to be an event.
Sometimes our little family outings just don’t work. They get rained out, or the kids fuss, or the parents fuss, or schedule conflicts choke them out, or the budget gets in the way but they are important. They are effort but they are worth it.
I consider it a Dad’s duty to arrange family memories. That requires planning, sacrifice, investment, and selfless energy. Making memories is serious business, but it’s the kind of thing that makes kids want to hang around home and listen to mom and dad, and learn to love and value what mom and dad love and value. Sometimes truth just goes down a lot better with cider and donuts under a flaming Maple on a crisp autumn day beside a gurgling stream. I think that’s the way Jesus did it. When he Jesus re-recruited Peter he didn’t invite him to a lecture. He fixed him breakfast beside the lake at sunrise. He knew what he was doing.
I just think if our families aren’t fun they are not worthy of the name Christian. If there is no joy in our homes there is no evidence of the Spirit’s presence because the fruit of the Spirit of joy. Where families lack joy, they lack the magnetic power that draws children to the One who was anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows. Jesus was a joyful happy man. (See the first chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews verse nine).
Get the Facts First September 5, 2006
“No, Dan, I really am going to have to pass this time. I promised my wife I would have the garage clean this weekend. She is having a garage sale next week and it looks like something exploded in there. I’m going to have to leave the clubs in the trunk this weekend. I’ll have to take a rain check. Maybe next time I can join you.”
The Bluegrass
We have just returned from our annual pilgrimage into the mountains of eastern Kentucky. Every year we try to make our way to Lois’ family reunion on Labor Day weekend. We drove down on Friday. On Saturday we visited and attended the parade and visited some more.
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