posted by Michael on 07/15/08

Here is a letter I recently read and was very impressed with, but was quite surprised to find out who wrote it. It opened my eyes afresh to the seriousness of forsaking Christ! See if you can guess out who wrote it with such authority. I can provide a couple hints if needed. By the way, do you real-ize Christ’s payment for your sin? Do you understand the awe of eternal rewards compared to the vanishing world? Is the judgement day real to you?

“To Mr. Harding

“So oft as I call to mind the dreadful and fearful saying of God, that he which layeth hold upon the plough, and looketh back, is not meet for the kingdom of heaven; and, on the other side, the comfortable words of our Saviour Christ to all that, forsaking themselves, do follow him, I cannot but marvel at thee, and lament thy case, which seemed sometime to be

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3 Comments » | posted in Historical Glimpses

posted by James on 07/12/08

During my 4th of July celebrations, one event stood out among the rest, namely, a patriotic Photo Scavenger Hunt. As a photographer, I thoroughly enjoyed this activity. But the neat thing about it is that everyone is involved, photographically talented or not. Each team of about seven people was given several different things to act out as a team under a certain time limit. The action was then carried out, photographed, and at the end, submitted to be judged. I was amazed at all the different ideas each team came up with. The game is perfect for any type of celebration, is easy to coordinate, and inspires creativity. Here are a few shots from our team:

This picture emphasizes a comment made about the size of the room where the Declaration of Independence was signed: "I can’t believe we all fit in here!" Our team squished into the front seat of Mr. Gothard’s 1973 Oldsmobile.

In this picture, we are humorously depicting "camouflage."

Our team writing their "John Hancock’s." We quickly made the textured paper using beige colored paper, some water, and, believe it or not, crushed coffee beans.

Here, we were directed to recreate a famous work of art. Mrs. Johnson, who took the picture, had to lay flat on the ground to get just the perfect angle. This one is my favorite of them all.

In this picture, we are trying to spell the name of one of the signers. Can you guess what it says? The answer is J. Penn.

The last one here is our team with Old Glory. We were out of time, but I think it turned out pretty well for it being a quick snapshot.

So, if your looking for a fun, creative, and all-inclusive game to play at the next event you’re coordinating, I heartily recommend a Photo Scavenger Hunt!

5 Comments » | posted in Photography, Tidbits

posted by Donald on 07/11/08

Thanks to everyone for their participation. I’m glad that I could be a part of your celebration this year even if it did come from afar and necessitate a week of suspense. After all, the role of a teacher is to raise questions before answering them right? So, the points of interest …
1. July 4 became an official national holiday in 1941. (Answer D) Of course it was celebrated before but it took till 1941 to officially become a holiday–believe it or not.
2. July 4 is the date on which new stars were added to the flag for new states that had entered the Union. (True)
3. All of the following are flag-flying days: Christmas, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. (A, B, C and D)
4. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark had the honor of celebrating the first Fourth of July west of the Mississippi. (B)
5. Almost all our fireworks (as well as American flags!) come from China. Their “pyrotechnic mixtures” date back to the 11th century.
6. In the production of fireworks, sodium is used to create green or yellow, lithium is used for red and copper actually helps make blue!
7. This year, Iowa was responsible for producing most of the United States’ hot dogs and sausages. (C)
8. Last year California produced about 75% of the country’s lettuce and a full 96% of the country’s processed tomato products which would include ketchup.
9. Yes, according to tradition, the Liberty Bell cracked when it tolled the death of Chief Justice John Marshall not long after sixty years of use. It’s first two versions were defective and would not have lasted even that long. Today the Liberty Bell is tapped rather than rung on the Fourth.
10, 11. The Bald Eagle does live only in North American and acquires it’s white head at about five years of age. (True, C)
12. Since 1776 the US population has grown from about 2.5 to 304 million. (D) “In the multitude of people is the king’s honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince” (Proverbs 14:28).
13. Virginia is called the Mother of Presidents: seven of her first twelve presidents were born there–Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Harrison, Tyler and Taylor. Woodrow Wilson also came from this state.
14. Three of our presidents passed away on July 4th, Adams and Jefferson within hours of one another on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration. As a matter of fact, Adams and Jefferson were the only signers of the Declaration that later became president.
15. According to records kept by Jefferson, the weather during July 4, 1776 was in the 70’s. (C)
16. The Declaration of Independence begins with “When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another . . .” (When)
17. God alone can judge men’s hearts. Jefferson and Franklin were more outspoken in their views than most of the other signers of the Declaration (and are thus quoted more often at present) and while John Adams seemed to turn away from the God of the Bible later in life, founding father James Wilson’s faith could also be questioned. Nominal religion aside, God used them as in the case of Franklin’s bringing the Constitutional Convention to prayer in it’s deliberations, reminding them that if God cared for the least of sparrows, He would care also for the fledgling nation.
18. Reagan was one who believed that “We are a nation under God”. This quote is taken from January 201 981.
19, 20. It says something about the nature of the Republic when Britain, our former adversary, has become our 6th-closest partner in international trade. Also, from statistics for 2003, but for Japan it was also the nation which sent America the greatest number of tourists.
Last but not least (drumroll please), the frame of the Statue of Liberty was designed by Gustave Eiffel, who engineered the Eiffel Tower.

1 Comment » | posted in Historical Glimpses

posted by Michael on 07/8/08

On Independence Day, our family happened to read Psalm 124  in our morning devotions.  We could hardly believe how perfectly it fit the occasion!

As you read the chapter, relate it to these historical facts:

1. God protected the armies under George Washington by sending a heavy fog to allow them to escape from Long Island.

2. The taking of the British Fort Ticonderoga is an example of God fighting for us. Ironically, the gate was left open and as Ethan Allen rushed in leading his American troops, the guard’s riffle failed to fire at point blank range! Within minutes Captain Delaplace surrendered the fort to the Americans.

3. Amos Fawnsworth, a militiaman wrote: “About fifteen of us squatted down in a ditch on the marsh and stood our ground. Notwithstanding the bullets flew very thick, there was not a man of us killed. Surely God has a favor toward us….thanks be unto God that so little hurt was done us, when the balls sung like bees round our heads.”

4. God used the weather to play a large role in Washington’s surprise attack at Trenton on Dec. 25, 1776

5. It was the direction a horse chose at a split in the road that revealed Benedict Arnold’s treason, saving West Point and Washington’s life.

6. It was an unbelievable French navy victory and a miraculous and sever weather change that prevented both victory and retreat for the British at Yorktown, ending the war.

The American Militia was not in control of the fog… or the flooding… or the direction of the horse… or the miniature hurricane at Yorktown. Even Clinton, the British commander-in-chief of Cornwallis was forced to acknowledge the intervention of Divine Providence.

Psalm 124

1. If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say;

2. If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us:

3. Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:

4. Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:

5. Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.

6. Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.

7. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.

8. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

5 Comments » | posted in Family News

posted by James on 07/6/08

I have celebrated the 4th of July in many different places. Over the years, I remember celebrating with friends in Manassas, Winchester and Fairfax VA, with family in Salem and Morgantown WV, and away from home in Indianapolis IN. This year, I happened to be in Hinsdale, IL.

The morning started off with, well, catching up on sleep. But of course I was ready for the day by the time the Hinsdale Parade started.

 
At noon, many of the staff gathered on the "hill" for some recreation, namely ultimate frisbee and volley ball.

In the late afternoon, we enjoyed a traditional 4th of July picnic into which much hard work and careful decorating had been invested. It was more than a picnic as we also enjoyed the outcome of the homemade dessert contest.

To conclude the afternoon, Mr. Barth gave an invigorating speech on freedom and gratefulness. Cheers went up for "Mr. Barth for president!"

The 4th of July just doesn’t seem complete without fireworks. In the evening, at a nearby park, and with camera in hand (rather, on a tripod), we enjoyed watching the amazing display of colorful fire bursting in air. Also over the years, I can remember trying to photograph fireworks. This time, I could work based on experience and was amazed at how truly simple such a complex subject can be captured.

These times of celebration are important. They help us to review what God has done in the past and be inspired to trust God in the present. I look forward to celebrating America’s birthday many more times in many more places in the future.

3 Comments » | posted in Family News, Photography