This is in response to the Discovery Channel program:
The claim of James Cameron and the Discovery Channel that a tomb contains the bones of Jesus is bogus, said leading Biblical and archeological scholars today.
Source: View Press Release
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
A positive review from Evangelical News:
It's not very often that Hollywood positively portrays evangelical Christians, but such is the case in "Amazing Grace," a major motion picture about William Wilberforce's extraordinary leadership in the abolition of slavery. Celebrating the 200th anniversary of the slave trade's demise in Great Britain, "Amazing Grace" opens in theaters this weekend nationwide.
Source: View Press Release
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
A hungry lion was roaming through the jungle looking for something to eat.
He came across two men: One was sitting under a tree reading a book; the other was typing away on his typewriter.
The lion quickly pounced on the man reading the book and devoured him.
Even the King of the Jungle knows readers digest and writers cramp.
Source: www.mikeysFunnies.com
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
My daughter made me a very special treat last night - a chocolate cake. Margaret brought it home with her today when she came back from Virginia. The cake came with a warning tag.
Well, I definitely qualify!
It looks scrumptious.
Margaret does NOT meet the requirements but I decided to be gracious and share some with her - the smaller piece on the left is hers, of course.
There is more to this cake than meets the eye. Sheri fixed this late last night, after a full day, and after attending night school class, and while suffering from undiagnosed appendicitis. She was determined to have it ready for Margaret to bring home to me today.
By the way, it is DELICIOUS!!!
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
A few weeks ago a seventy year-old friend of ours, Don Morris, passed away. Don had just been out for a walk. He came home and he and his wife sat down to watch TV. His wife said he made a kind of gurgling sound and then he was gone. Just like that.
Yesterday one of our TFC coworkers, Volunteer Chaplain Bob Chidester, died in a truck accident. According to the news reports he was trapped in the cab of his burning truck and despite frantic attempts his rescuers were unable to remove him before he died in the flames. Bob was conscious when the would-be rescuers rushed to his aid. One of the rescuers is now hospitalized with severe burns.
Don and Bob were both strong men of God who unashamedly lived their faith throughout their day-to-day lives - genuine, authentic faith that spontaneously resulted in good works (James 2:14-17).
I don't dwell on when my own death might occur. I know beyond doubt that whenever my Lord calls me home I will experience what Paul described:
"We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8 NKJV).
However the passing of these two friends causes me to pause and ponder on the eventual manner of my death - not that I will have anymore say in the manner than I will in the timing. Do you, like myself, harbor preconceived notions of how you would or would not prefer to die? For me, being conscious and trapped in a fire would be high on my list of how I do not want to experience death. I would much prefer something comparable to what our friend Don experienced - quietly, peacefully, painlessly, and quickly.
God's plan for each of us gives us a choice about where we will go after our earthly body expires (Romans 6:23), but not when or how that transition will occur. At times like this I'm very uncomfortable with my lack of influence over these future events. God, I don't like this arrangement! Why did Bob suffer so and Don did not? God, sometimes you are not fair!
Do you sometimes struggle with questions and/or thoughts like these? I have been walking with the Lord for twenty-nine years and in ministry for fourteen years but once in a while I am faced with situations that bring these thoughts to the forefront of my consciousness.
Such thoughts always take me back to a pair of incidents related in the book of the Acts of the Apostles:
Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover. Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. (Acts 12:1-10 NKJV)
God permitted James to be executed but miraculously saved Peter. Why?
If you know your Bible well the first Scripture to come to mind might be:
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV)
The last five chapters of the book of Job (38-42) are where God responds to Job's similar quandary. He reminded Job that He was in charge. Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, also addressed this issue:
What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” (Romans 9:14-15 NKJV)
The bottom line? God always has the absolute best plan, better than we could develop, (Proverbs 3:5-6), and His plan is always for good, (Jeremiah 29:11).
I don't know why these things happened the way they did. But I have learned through experience that I can trust God - when I am willing to do so.
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
The title is referring to TA stock, not the appearance of the facilities. TA went public today and their stock is now being traded.
TravelCenters of America (TA) started trading the regular way today...
Source: SeekingAlpha article
A minister dies and is waiting in line at the Pearly Gates. Ahead of him is a guy dressed in sunglasses, a loud shirt, leather jacket, and jeans.
Saint Peter says to this guy, "Who are you, so that I may know whether to admit you to the Kingdom of Heaven?"
The guy replies, "I'm Joe Cohen, taxi driver, of Noo Yawk City."
Saint Peter consults his list. He smiles and says to the taxi driver, "Take this silken robe and golden staff and enter the Kingdom of Heaven."
The taxi driver goes into Heaven with his robe and staff, and it's the minister's turn.
He stands erect and booms out, "I am Joseph Snow, pastor of Saint Mary's for the last 43 years."
Saint Peter consults his list. He says to the minister, "Take this cotton robe and wooden staff and enter the Kingdom of Heaven."
"Just a minute!" says the minister. "That man was a taxi driver, and he gets a silken robe and golden staff. How can this be?"
"Up here, we work by results," says Saint Peter. "While you preached, people slept. While he drove, people prayed."
Source: www.mikeysFunnies.com
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
Margaret and I had a busy day today with three activities in three different states. By the end of the day we had logged over 240 miles.
Our day began at 6:30 A.M. this morning when we left the chapel in Elkton, MD to go to Pittsgrove, NJ for a 7:30 A.M. TFC South Jersey Chapter breakfast. I was the guest speaker at the breakfast in the Kountry Kitchen restaurant. Following an all-you-can-eat breakfast I gave a brief ministry update and a short devotional. We really enjoy our visits with the S. Jersey folks. They always make us feel so welcome - and the Kountry Kitchen has some good food!
Our first stop of the day and our first all-you-can-eat meal.
Margaret and I got to sit with Jim Murphy (second from the right above)
who is one of the volunteer chaplains at the Life-Saver
Other chapter members and visitors
The lady on the left is Arlene Wright, wife of chapter president William. Arlene is the one responsible for scheduling the speakers for their breakfasts.
That was our first activity. From Pittsgrove we headed down to Arundel Mills Mall which is south of Baltimore, MD. for our second activity. This was a noon AECC luncheon at the Golden Coral - another all-you-can-eat meal. (AECC is the ministry through which I am credentialed.)
Some of the AECC folks. At the far table is Chaplain Jim Brown on the left and Chaplain Tom Kramer. Chaplain Tom is a TFC chaplain in Elkton.
The ladies set together so they could have some girl talk.
While we were there a stranger came over to me and said he noticed the TFC logo on my jacket and asked me if I was a TFC chaplain. I told him I was and where we served. He said he had heard about TFC from his brother who is an over-the-road truck driver with more than 3,000,000 miles plus he had listened to the Dr. Dobson tape about TFC. He said he wanted to thank me for the ministry we provided to truck drivers like his brother. I gave him one of my business cards and invited him to come and visit our chapel.
That was our second activity. From Arundel we headed to Dover, DE to pick up our first Angel Food Ministries food order.
Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to providing grocery relief and financial support to communities throughout the United States. Angel Food's groceries are sold in a quantity that can fit into a medium-sized box at $25 per unit. Each month's menu is different than the previous month and consists of both fresh and frozen items with an average retail value of approximately $50.
A driver who visited the chapel a while ago told us about Angel Food ministry. Anyone can participate in the program. As missionaries we are always interested in ways to save money so Margaret went to their website and looked up our local Angel Food contact. She found out how to participate and placed our first order which we then picked up today.
After we picked up the food we finally headed home and got back home about 6:30 P.M.
It has been a long day but is was my kind of day - good ministry, good fellowship, and good food.
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
Attack and counter attack on the web for youth.
To counter an Internet-based attack against the Holy Spirit, a Christian website is encouraging young believers to post to the web a video message that affirms their faith in Christ...
Source: View Press Release
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
Saturday morning Margaret, Volunteer Chaplain Ron, and I drove up to Oxford, PA to participate in the dedication ceremony for the second HomeFront Christian Outreach facility. This new facility is in Oxford, PA near the home of Larry Wyatt and his family.
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
The entrance to the new facility
Mandy, wife of HomeFront President Larry Wyatt
Both sides of the area are lined with shelves and racks for storing donated items
That's Ron & Margaret sitting in the back center
The Associates for Biblical Research (ABR) have announced a new study Bible which includes references to relevant archeological information:
The NIV Archaeological Study Bible sheds new light on the Bible. From the beginning of Genesis to the end of Revelation, this new Study Bible is filled with informative articles and full-color photographs of places and objects that will open your eyes to the historical context of the stories you read and the people you meet in Scripture...
Source: NIV Archaeological Study Bible(Associates for Biblical Research)
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
What to read about some good news on the education front? Check this out:
In just its first year, more than 85 school districts in 29 states have introduced courses about the Bible using this textbook, and more than 1000 educators are now reviewing The Bible and Its Influence for use next fall...
Source: View Press Release
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
Here is a great opportunity to enter the mission field without leaving home!
This is a wonderful opportunity for North American Christians from all ethnic backgrounds, to become missionaries to China without leaving home.
Source: View Press Release
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
Check out these funny headlines.
Actual Newspaper Headlines...
Source: Actual Newspaper Headlines
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
A good post which explains why Iran may not be interested in negotiating with us:
The Islamic Messiah known as the "Twelfth Imam" or the "Mahdi" may come to earth in 2007 and could be revealed to the world as early as the Spring Equinox...
Source: Joel C. Rosenberg's blog posting
Thanks to Paige for sharing this!
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
A good reminder for all of us! (Deuteronomy 8:6-17)
The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right?
The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the president. In essence 2/3s of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change.
So being the knuckle dragger I am, I starting thinking, ''What we are so unhappy about?''
Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?
Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all involved. Whether you are rich or poor they treat your wounds and even, if necessary, send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.
Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes , an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers.
How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy.
Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have , and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.
I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?
Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an ''other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.
So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells , and when criticized, try to defend their actions by "justifying" them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book and do a TV special about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did then how. Insane!
Stop buying the negative venom you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad.
WE ARE THE MOST BLESSED PEOPLE ON EARTH, WE SHOULD
THANK GOD SEVERAL TIMES PER DAY.....
Dorothy and Oliver Knox
411 Bourque Road
Lafayette, La 70506
Thanks to Paige for sharing.
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
Take a look at these results
Research results being released for the first time in the January/February edition of Facts & Trends magazine show just how involved U.S. Protestant churches are in evangelism and community outreach, as well as what obstacles hold them back from being even more involved.
Source: View Press Release
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
Here is a great free resource to help you study Bible geography in Israel.
This program installs on your hard drive and is basically a small website that runs locally on your computer. It is centered around a satellite map of the Holy Land which is annotated with 135 place names...
Source: Interactive Holy Land Satellite Map Freeware
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
Beth Moore is an outstanding Bible teacher, writer of Bible studies, and is a married mother of two daughters. She is a member of First Baptist in Houston. This is one of her experiences:
April 20, 2005
At the Airport in Knoxville
Waiting to board the plane, I had the Bible on my lap and was very intent upon what I was doing. I'd had a marvelous morning with the Lord. I say that because I want to tell you it is a scary thing to have the Spirit of God really working in you. You could end up doing some things you never would have done otherwise. Life in the Spirit can be dangerous for a thousand reasons, not the least of which is your ego.
I tried to keep from staring, but he was such a strange sight. Humped over in a wheelchair, he was skin and bones, dressed in clothes that obviously fit when he was at least twenty pounds heavier. His knees protruded from his trousers, and his shoulders looked like the coat hanger was still in his shirt. His hands looked like tangled masses of veins and bones. The strangest part of him was his hair and nails. Stringy gray hair hung well over his shoulders and down part of his back. His fingernails were long, clean but strangely out of place on an old man.
I looked down at my Bible as fast as I could, discomfort burning my face. As I tried to imagine what his story might have been, I found myself wondering if I'd just had a Howard Hughes sighting.
Then, I remembered that he was dead. So this man in the airport...an impersonator maybe?
Was a camera on us somewhere?
There I sat, trying to concentrate on the Word to keep from being concerned about a thin slice of humanity served on a wheelchair only a few seats from me. All the while my heart was growing more and more overwhelmed with a feeling for him.
Let's admit it. Curiosity is a heap more comfortable than true concern, and suddenly I was awash with aching emotion for this bizarre-looking old man.I had walked with God long enough to see the handwriting on the wall. I've learned that when I begin to feel what God feels, something so contrary to my natural feelings, something dramatic is bound to happen. And it may be embarrassing. I immediately began to resist because I could feel God working on my spirit and I started arguing with God in my mind.
"Oh, no, God, please, no." I looked up at the ceiling as if I could stare straight through it into heaven and said, "Don't make me witness to this man. Not right here and now. Please. I'll do anything. Put me on the same plane, but don't make me get up here and witness to this man in front of this gawking audience. Please, Lord!"
There I sat in the blue vinyl chair begging His Highness,"Please don't make me witness to this man. Not now. I'll do it on the plane."
Then I heard it... "I don't want you to witness to him. I want you to brush his hair."The words were so clear, my heart leapt into my throat,and my thoughts spun like a top. Do I witness to the man or brush his hair? No-brainier. I looked straight back up at the ceiling and said, "God, as I live and breathe, I want you to know I am ready to witness to this man. I'm on this Lord. I'm your girl! You've never seen a woman witness to a man faster in your life. What difference does it make if his hair is a mess if he is not redeemed? I am going to witness to this man."
Again as clearly as I've ever heard an audible word, God seemed to write this statement across the wall of my mind. "That is not what I said, Beth. I don't want you to witness to him. I want you to go brush his hair."
I looked up at God and quipped, "I don't have a hairbrush. It's in my suitcase on the plane. How am I supposed to brush his hair without a hairbrush?"
God was so insistent that I almost involuntarily began to walk toward him as these thoughts came to me from God's word: "I will thoroughly furnish you unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:17) I stumbled over to the wheelchair thinking I could use one myself.
Even as I retell this story.my pulse quickens and I feel those same butterflies. I knelt down in front of the man and asked as demurely as possible, "Sir, may I have the pleasure of brushing your hair?" He looked back at me and said, "What did you say?""May I have the pleasure of brushing your hair?" To which he responded in volume ten, "Little lady, if you expect me to hear you, you're going to have to talk louder than that." At this point, I took a deep breath and blurted out, "SIR, MAY I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF BRUSHING YOUR HAIR?"
At which point every eye in the place darted right at me. I was the only thing in the room looking more peculiar than old Mr. Longlocks. Face crimson and forehead breaking out in a sweat, I watched him look up at me with absolute shock on his face, and say, "If you really want to."
Are you kidding? Of course I didn't want to. But God didn't seem interested in my personal preference right about then.
He pressed on my heart until I could utter the words, "Yes, sir, I would be pleased. But I have one little problem. I don't have a hairbrush.""I have one in my bag," he responded. I went around to the back of that wheelchair, and I got on my hands and knees and unzipped the stranger's old carry-on, hardly believing what I was doing. I stood up and started brushing the old man's hair. It was perfectly clean, but it was tangled and matted. I don't do many things well, but must admit I've had notable experience untangling knotted hair mothering two little girls.
Like I'd done with either Amanda or Melissa in such a condition, I began brushing at the very bottom of the strands, remembering to take my time not to pull. A miraculous thing happened to me as I started brushing that old man's hair. Everybody else in the room disappeared. There was no one alive for those moments except that old man and me. I brushed and I brushed and I brushed until every tangle was out of that hair.
I know this sounds so strange, but I've never felt that kind of love for another soul in my entire life. I believe with all my heart, I, for that few minutes, felt a portion of the very love of God. That He had overtaken my heart for a little while like someone renting a room and making Himself at home for a short while. The emotions were so strong and so pure that I knew they had to be God's.
His hair was finally as soft and smooth as an infant's.I slipped the brush back in the bag, went around the chair to face him.
I got back down on my knees, put my hands on his knees, and said, "Sir, do you know my Jesus?"
He said, "Yes, I do." Well, that figures, I thought.
He explained, "I've known Him since I married my bride. She wouldn't marry me until I got to know the Savior." He said, "You see, the problem is, I haven't seen my bride in months. I've had open-heart surgery, and she's been too ill to come see me. I was sitting here thinking to myself, what a mess I must be for my bride."
Only God knows how often He allows us to be part of a divine moment when we're completely unaware of the significance. This, on the other hand, was one of those rare encounters when I knew God had intervened in details only He could have known. It was a God moment, and I'll never forget it. Our time came to board, and we were not on the same plane. I was deeply ashamed of how I'd acted earlier and would
have been so proud to have accompanied him on that aircraft.
I still had a few minutes, and as I gathered my things to board, the airline hostess returned from the corridor, tears streaming down her cheeks. She said, "That old man's sitting on the plane, sobbing. Why did you do that? What made you do that?"
I said, "Do you know Jesus? He can be the bossiest thing!"And we got to share. I learned something about God that day. He knows if you're exhausted because you're hungry, you're serving in the wrong place or it is time to move on, but you feel too responsible to budge.
He knows if you're hurting or feeling rejected. He knows if you're sick or drowning under a wave of temptation. Or He knows if you just need your hair brushed. He sees you as an individual. Tell Him your need!
I got on my own flight, sobs choking my throat, wondering how many opportunities just like that one had I missed along the way...all because I didn't want people to think I was strange. God didn't send me to that old man. He sent that old man to me.
John 1:14 "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
__________________________________________
Life shouldn't be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather, to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly shouting, "Wow! What a ride! Thank You, Lord!"
Thanks to driver Bill for sharing!
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
Check out these exotic truck designs
Words fail me as I gaze on the audacious curves of these full-size trucks, some of which seem to float above the ground...
Source: Concept Trucks by Luigi Colani
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
These are great!
A HILARIOUS collection of the stupidest customers to ring Britain's call centers has become a cult hit...
A news report from San Antonio, TX highlighting part of the reason we are located in a truck stop:
Two truck stop deaths blamed on drugs...
Source: Read article in "Strange in San Antonio" blog post
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
Margaret and I had a wonderful blessing this Christmas. Our son, Sam2, and his wife, Liane, and their two kids, Sam3 & Anna came to visit us. They arrived Sunday afternoon and stayed until Monday evening.
Sunday evening we went to church together and shared communion. After church we came back home and had our family Christmas time exchanging presents and sharing a meal together. Monday morning, Christmas Day, we drove to Elkton, MD and volunteered at HomeFront Christian Outreach's Christmas meal for the community.
Below is a sample of our Christmas together... (Make sure you have your sound turned on)
(If you don't see a PhotoShow above than click here)
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
Wow!
A truck driver gets lost in the Philadelphia suburbs and winds up with a $17,000 traffic ticket...
Source: NBC 10
Pa never had much compassion for the lazy or those who squandered their means and then never had enough for the necessities. But for those who were genuinely in need, his heart was as big as all outdoors. It was from him that I learned the greatest joy in life comes from giving, not from receiving.
It was Christmas Eve 1881. I was fifteen years old and feeling like the world had caved in on me because there just hadn't been enough money to buy me the rifle that I'd wanted so bad that year for Christmas. We did the chores early that night for some reason. I just figured Pa wanted a little extra time so we could read in the Bible. So after supper was over I took my boots off and stretched out in front of the fireplace and waited for Pa to get down the old Bible. I was still feeling sorry for myself and, to be honest, I wasn't in much of a mood to read scriptures. But Pa didn't get the Bible, instead he bundled up and went outside. I couldn't figure it out because we had already done all the chores. I didn't worry about it long though, I was too busy wallowing in self-pity.
Soon Pa came back in. It was a cold clear night out and there was ice in his beard. "Come on, Matt," he said. "Bundle up good, it's cold out tonight."
I was really upset then. Not only wasn't I getting the rifle for Christmas, now Pa was dragging me out in the cold, and for no earthly reason that I could see. We'd already done all the chores, and I couldn't think of anything else that needed doing, especially not on a night like this. But I knew Pa was not very patient at one dragging one's feet when he'd told them to do something, so I got up and put my boots back on and got my cap, coat, and mittens. Ma gave me a mysterious smile as I opened the door to leave the house. Something was up, but I didn't know what.
Outside, I became even more dismayed. There in front of the house was the work team, already hitched to the big sled. Whatever it was we were going to do wasn't going to be a short, quick, little job. I could tell. We never hitched up the big sled unless we were going to haul a big load.
Pa was already up on the seat, reins in hand. I reluctantly climbed up beside him. The cold was already biting at me. I wasn't happy. When I was on, Pa pulled the sled around the house and stopped in front of the woodshed. He got off and I followed. "I think we'll put on the high sideboards," he said. "Here, help me." The high sideboards! It had been a bigger job than I wanted to do with just the low sideboards on, but whatever it was we were going to do would be a lot bigger with the high sideboards on.
When we had exchanged the sideboards Pa went into the woodshed and came out with an armload of wood---the wood I'd spent all summer hauling down from the mountain, and then all fall sawing into blocks and splitting. What was he doing? Finally I said something. "Pa," I asked, "what are you doing?"
"You been by the Widow Jensen's lately?" he asked. The Widow Jensen lived about two miles down the road. Her husband had died a year or so before and left her with three children, the oldest being eight. Sure, I'd been by, but so what? "Yeah," I said, "why?"
"I rode by just today," Pa said. "Little Jakey was out digging around in the woodpile trying to find a few chips. They're out of wood, Matt." That was all he said and then he turned and went back into the woodshed for another armload of wood. I followed him. We loaded the sled so high that I began to wonder if the horses would be able to pull it. Finally, Pa called a halt to our loading, then we went to the smoke house and Pa took down a big ham and a side of bacon. He handed them to me and told me to put them in the sled and wait.
When he returned he was carrying a sack of flour over his right shoulder and a smaller sack of something in his left hand. "What's in the little sack?" I asked.
"Shoes. They're out of shoes. Little Jakey just had gunnysacks wrapped around his feet when he was out in the woodpile this morning. I got the children a little candy too. It just wouldn't be Christmas without a little candy."
We rode the two miles to Widow Jensen's pretty much in silence. I tried to think through what Pa was doing. We didn't have much by worldly standards. Of course, we did have a big woodpile, though most of what was left now was still in the form of logs that I would have to saw into blocks and split before we could use it. We also had meat and flour, so we could spare that, but I knew we didn't have any money, so why was Pa buying them shoes and candy? Really, why was he doing any of this?
Widow Jensen had closer neighbors than us. It shouldn't have been our concern. We came in from the blind side of the Jensen house and unloaded the wood as quietly as possible. We then took the meat, flour and shoes to the door. We knocked. The door opened a crack and a timid voice said, "Who is it?"
"Lucas Miles, Ma'am, and my son, Matt. Could we come in for a bit?" Widow Jensen opened the door and let us in. She had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. The children were wrapped in another and were sitting in front of the fireplace by a very small fire that hardly gave off any heat at all. Widow Jensen fumbled with a match and finally lit the lamp.
"We brought you a few things, Ma'am," Pa said and set down the sack of flour. I put the meat on the table. Then Pa handed her the sack that had the shoes in it. She opened it hesitantly and took the shoes out one pair at a time. There was a pair for her and one for each of the children --- sturdy shoes, the best, shoes that would last. I watched her carefully. She bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling and then tears filled her eyes and started running down her cheeks. She looked up at Pa like she wanted to say something, but it wouldn't come out.
"We brought a load of wood too, Ma'am," Pa said, then he turned to me and said, "Matt, go bring enough in to last for awhile. Let's get that fire up to size and heat this place up." I wasn't the same person when I went back out to bring in the wood. I had a big lump in my throat and, much as I hate to admit it, there were tears in my eyes too. In my mind I kept seeing those three kids huddled around the fireplace and their mother standing there with tears running down her cheeks and so much gratitude in her heart that she couldn't speak. My heart swelled within me and a joy filled my soul that I'd never known before. I had given at Christmas many times before, but never when it had made so much difference. I could see we were literally saving the lives of these people.
I soon had the fire blazing and everyone's spirits soared. The kids started giggling when Pa handed them each a piece of candy and Widow Jensen looked on with a smile that probably hadn't crossed her face for a long time.
She finally turned to us. "God bless you," she said. "I know the Lord himself has sent you. The children and I have been praying that he would send one of his angels to spare us."
In spite of myself, the lump returned to my throat and the tears welled up in my eyes again. I'd never thought of Pa in those exact terms before, but after Widow Jensen mentioned it I could see that it was probably true. I was sure that a better man than Pa had never walked the earth. I started remembering all the times he had gone out of his way for Ma and me, and many others. The list seemed endless as I thought on it.
Pa insisted that everyone try on the shoes before we left. I was amazed when they all fit and I wondered how he had known what sizes to get. Then I guessed that if he was on an errand for the Lord that the Lord would make sure he got the right sizes. Tears were running down Widow Jensen's face again when we stood up to leave. Pa took each of the kids in his big arms and gave them a hug. They clung to him and didn't want us to go. I could see that they missed their pa, and I was glad that I still had mine.
At the door Pa turned to Widow Jensen and said, "The Mrs. wanted me to invite you and the children over for Christmas dinner tomorrow. The turkey will be more than the three of us can eat, and a man can get cantankerous if he has to eat turkey for too many meals. We'll be by to get you about eleven. It'll be nice to have some little ones around again. Matt, here, hasn't been little for quite a spell." I was the youngest. My two older brothers and two older sisters were all married and had moved away.
Widow Jensen nodded and said, "Thank you, Brother Miles. I don't have to say, 'May the Lord bless you,' I know for certain that He will."
Out on the sled I felt a warmth that came from deep within and I didn't even notice the cold. When we had gone a ways, Pa turned to me and said, "Matt, I want you to know something. Your ma and me have been tucking a little money away here and there all year so we could buy that rifle for you, but we didn't have quite enough. Then yesterday a man who owed me a little money from years back came by to make things square. Your ma and me were real excited, thinking that now we could get you that rifle, and I started into town this morning to do just that. But on the way I saw little Jakey out scratching in the woodpile with his feet wrapped in those gunnysack rags and I knew what I had to do. So, Son, I spent the money for shoes and a little candy for those children. I hope you understand."
I understood, and my eyes became wet with tears again. I understood very well, and I was so glad Pa had done it. Just then the rifle seemed very low on my list of priorities. Pa had given me a lot more. He had given me the look on Widow Jensen's face and the radiant smiles of her three children. For the rest of my life, whenever I saw any of the Jensens, or split a block of wood, I remembered, and remembering brought back that same joy I felt riding home beside Pa that night. Pa had given me much more than a rifle that night, he had given me the best Christmas of my life.
II Corinthians 9:6-7
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully,
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Announcing a new kind of audio Bible
Christians wanting to improve their devotional lives in the New Year just got a helping hand in keeping that familiar holiday resolution thanks to The Original GoBible, a powerful new audio Bible making its debut this Christmas...
Source: Read ASSIST news service article
True story from Afghanistan
Sgt. Brian C. Fleming is in the lead vehicle of a scout troop along the roads in the small town of Arghendab. After surveying the land for hours looking for insurgents, the group is on their way back to base...
Source: View Evangelical News article
Check out Outreach magazine's top picks.
Below, you’ll find 20 killer sites that can inspire you, save you time and help you do your job right. In short, they make your life easier. Isn't the Web a wonderful thing?
Source: ourtrachmagazine.com picks
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
The annual Barna summary is not very encouraging.
Even though George Barna has been conducting national public opinion surveys for a quarter-century, surprises emerge each year from those studies. The California-based researcher traditionally ends each year by identifying some of the unexpected and most significant findings of the passing year. Barna released his list of the twelve most noteworthy results of 2006, and described a few themes that ran through this year’s surveys.
Barna selected the following dozen outcomes as the most significant findings of 2006...
Source: Welcome to The Barna Group!
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
The big blizzard we are all watching in the news is more than just an inconvenience to a truck driver, especially with Christmas only a few days away. Read a typical account in this truck driver's blog:
May be a late trip home for Christmas for a whole lot of us stuck along I-70.
Source: The Truckin’ Blog
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
A great Christmas story by Eugene Peterson (aka The Message translator):
The year we had no tree, Mother planted within me a seed of discontent with all cultural displays of religion...
Source: read the article on Christianity Today
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
How would you answer this question?
The individual, a guest at Joy Junction, said "I heard these two women talking and one was saying, ‘Oh, that’s a homeless center. I’m glad I don’t stay there with those people. They’re dirty and smelly!’"...
Source: Read the article
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
The Houchins' family wishes you a blessed and merry Christmas and a happy New Year! Our Christmas card for you is here.
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
Here are pictures from some really dangerous roads.
The Most Dangerous Roads in the World
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
Make sure you turn your sound up for this one:
Well, you've all heard about Rudolph and his nose,
But I'll tell you a Christmas tale that never has been told...
Source: Leroy The Redneck Reindeer
With thanks to Paige Orange
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
The best seller book The God Delusion is accurately reviewed in this article by John Bambenek:
The book itself is separated into two main components. The first is a philosophical attack against religion and the existence of God. The second is a long series of case studies showing the supposed harm of religion on humanity...
Source: read the complete review on Blogger News Network
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe, Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem, So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near, But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night, A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old, Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled, Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear, "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve, You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift, Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right, I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line, That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam', And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while, But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone, Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another, Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all, To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.""So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright, Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least, "Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done, For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, "Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone, To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead, To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
[forwarded by Diane Carrozzo]
Source: Mickey's Funnies
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
Here is the history of the Christmas tree:
Let them over whom the fires of hell are imminent affix to their posts laurels doomed presently to burn: to them the testimonies of darkness and the omens of their penalties are suitable. You are a light of the world, and a tree ever green. If you have renounced temples, make not your own gate a temple." Thus did the second-century theologian Tertullian condemn those Christians who celebrated the winter festivals or decorated their houses with laurel boughs in honor of the Roman emperor...
Source: Read the Christian History Article
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
I don't know about you, but I believe the Bible because I know the author. Even so, I find it reassuring to know that real, tangible facts support my beliefs and personal experiences. If you have not explored the overwhelming supporting evidence for the accuracy of the New Testament then I urge you to click on the link below and read an excellent and concise summary of the facts.
Christianity is the only religion that can be verified objectively by historical evidence. The New Testament's depiction of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ does not violate the basic laws of logic. It fits the facts...
Source: ASSIST New Service Article
This is a new outreach to kids:
CCN, December 5, 2006 - /Christian Newswire/ -- In their most recent Dynamation (dynamic animation) titled "Life of Christ," Kids 4 Truth introduces a simple Gospel presentation that blends music, artwork, narration, and Scripture to communicate the unchanging message of Jesus Christ.
Blaise Pascal said regarding Christianity: “Our religion is wise and foolish. Wise, because it is the most learned and most founded on miracles, prophecies, etc. Foolish, because it is not all this which makes us belong to it.... It is the cross that makes [us] believe.”
This Christmas season, it’s wonderful to remember Christ as the babe in the manger; but it’s imperative to acknowledge Him as the God-Man Who died for our sins, was buried, and rose again to prove His ultimate power and superiority over sin and death.
The Life of Christ Dynamation is a free online resource to help people of all ages remember the Reason for the season—the Reason for any season: Jesus Christ.
Watch the Life of Christ Dynamation now [turn your sound on]: www.kids4truth.com/gospel (about 3-minutes long)...
Source: Read more at Christian Newswire
There is a wonderful aroma in our dinning room this week. Margaret has two Narcissus Paperwhites bulbs planted in containers in the room and they are both blooming this week!
The blooms are tiny but the fragrance is very noticeable.
What a treat to have beautiful flowers to admire even though it is winter outside. They are a reminder that we serve a God of beauty and also of the promised eventual return of spring. God is so good to us!
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
I have heard this parable before but didn't know the source nor did I have a copy of it to share. This morning I received the following in an email message. Enjoy!
"Parable of the Birds"
For as many years as I can remember, I've enjoyed Paul Harvey's annual Christmas broadcast on which he retells the "Parable of the Birds." It's an excellent illustration of why God sent His Son to earth – what we celebrate at Christmastime.
The modern parable apparently originated with the late Louis Cassels, who was, for many years, the religion editor for United Press International, and first appeared in his weekly column in 1959 in more than four hundred newspapers.
The parable has been told and retold countless times over the years since, and I found several versions of it on the web. So I've taken the liberty of combining some of the best elements of each and adding some embellishments of my own to this timeless tale.
Here, then, is our adaptation of the "Parable of the Birds."
This is a story about a modern man, one of us. He was not a Scrooge. He was a kind, decent, mostly good man, generous to his family, upright in his dealings with others. But he did not believe in all that incarnation stuff that the churches proclaim at Christmas time. It just didn't make sense to him and he was too honest to pretend otherwise. He just could not swallow the Jesus story about God coming to earth as a man.Now it was Christmas eve and the family was getting ready for church. "I'm truly sorry to distress you," he told his wife, "but I'm not going with you to church this evening." He said he'd feel like a hypocrite. Rather, he would stay home while they went. But, he promised, he would wait up for them. So, he stayed and they went.
Shortly after the rest of his family drove away, snow began to fall. He went to the window and watched the flurries getting heavier and heavier. It was one of those picture-postcard winter evenings. So he walked back to his comfortable fireside chair and began reading his newspaper.
Soon, though, his leisure was abruptly interrupted. He was startled by a loud "thud," quickly followed by another. And then another. "What could that be?"
At first he thought someone must be throwing snowballs against his living room window. But when he went to investigate, he found a pitiful flock of birds huddled miserably in the snow. They had been caught in the storm, and in a desperate search for shelter they had tried to fly through his large picture window.
"I can't let these poor creatures lie there and freeze," he thought. He was, after all, a reasonably compassionate man. "But how could I possibly help them?"
Then he remembered the barn out back where his children stabled their pony. That would provide a warm shelter — if only he could direct the birds to it. He quickly put on his coat and boots and tramped through the deepening snow to the barn. He opened the doors wide and turned on the light to show the poor birds the way.
But the birds didn't come in.
"Food will bring them in," he thought. So he hurried back to the house and fetched bread crumbs, which he hastily sprinkled on the snow to make a trail from near where the birds were into the safety of the barn.
But to his dismay, the birds ignored the bread crumbs and continued to flop around helplessly in the snow. He tried catching them. He tried shooing them into the barn by walking around and waving his arms. None of that worked. Instead they scattered in every direction — except into the protection of the warm, lighted barn.
"They find me a strange and terrifying creature," he said to himself. "If only I could think of some way to let them know that they can trust me. If only I could convince them... If only I could show them that I'm not trying to hurt them, but to help them. But how?" Any move he made tended to frighten the birds, confuse them. They just would not follow. They would not be led or shooed because they feared him.
In frustration and with a growing sense of urgency as the storm and the birds' plight worsened, an odd thought came to him: "If only I could be a bird myself for a few minutes, perhaps I could lead them to safety. If only I could mingle with them and speak their language, and tell them not to be afraid, and show them the way to the safe, warm barn. But I'd have to be one of them, so they could see and hear and understand and not be afraid."
At that moment the sound of church bells pierced the frigid night, reaching the man's ears clearly even above the sound of the howling winter winds. He stood there, suddenly awestruck, listening to the pealing of the bells and their age-old message. Joy To The World. Oh Holy Night. Away In A Manger. These were all Christmas carols he had heard since childhood. But they had never before affected him in the way they now did.
Then, there in the snow, he sank to his knees, gazed heavenward and, choked with emotion, whispered, "Now I understand. Now I see why you had to do it."
"In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him... And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world." (1 John 4:9,14.)
Jesus said, "For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." (John 18:37.)
- Paul
Thanks to Sharon Daniels for sharing!
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
Margaret and I did something tonight that we seldom do - we went to the movies. We went to see the Nativity Story which just opened yesterday. We enjoyed the move very much. There were a few minor errors compared to Scripture, errors I suspect were concessions to popular tradition. Overall it was exceptionally well done including some outstanding photography. I encourage you to see the movie and remember the reason for the season.
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
I have experienced some contemporary worship services that I thought were excellent times of worship. I've also been in some that seem to be all about emotion but lack any serious content - what I think of as entertainment, not worship. The Mosaic church, in California (where else?) is, I believe, of the former type. They are contemporary in worship style but also provide sound teaching packaged for the younger generations (which from my perspective anymore seem to make up most of the population!)
Mosaic video tapes many of their Sunday services and make them available on the Internet as video podcasts. The podcasts are about an hour in length so they are large video files - 200+ MB each. I have posted the latest Mosaic service on the web. This one is a summary of a series of previous messages they offered titled "Life's Toughest Questions". No doubt the content of this service would be even more meaningful if you had viewed each of the services in the series. Even so, I believe this video is an excellent illustration of how it is possible to be culturally relevant without compromising the message of the Gospel.
I posted the video file (MPG4) on Pando because of its large size. You will need to follow the easy instruction to install Pando on your computer to download the file. Pando does not pose a risk for spyware, adware, or etc., nor does it do anything nasty to your computer. Even with the Pando high-speed file transfer it will take you a while to download but I believe it is worth the time. The alter call at the end of the service is especially anointed.
Click on "Requires Pando" in the graphic below if you do not yet have Pando installed.
To start the download click on the "download" button in the graphic below. (If you don't see the graphic or have trouble then then click here.)
I am very interested in your comments after viewing the service. Come back to this page and click on COMMENTS below to tell me what you think of the service.
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
This is fun for us older folks who remember the original!
You have to be old enough to remember Abbott and Costello, but too old to really understand computers to fully appreciate this. For those of us who sometimes get flustered by our computers, enjoy, reflect and remember what real comedians were like. Those of you who are too young to remember this hilarious duo should make every attempt to watch their videos, DVD's or search for them on the "oldies" TV channel. It will be worth your time to really laugh.
If Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were alive today, their infamous sketch, "Who' s on First?" might have gone something like this:
COSTELLO CALLS TO BUY A COMPUTER FROM ABBOTT
ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?
COSTELLO: Thanks. I'm setting up an office in my den and I'm thinking about buying a computer.
ABBOTT: Mac?
COSTELLO: No, the name's Lou.
ABBOTT: Your computer?
COSTELLO: I don't own a computer. I want to buy one.
ABBOTT: Mac?
COSTELLO: I told you, my name's Lou.
ABBOTT: What about Windows?
COSTELLO: Why? Will it get stuffy in here?
ABBOTT: Do you want a computer with Windows?
COSTELLO: I don't know. What will I see when I look at the windows?
ABBOTT: Wallpaper.
COSTELLO: Never mind the windows. I need a computer and software.
ABBOTT: Software for Windows?
COSTELLO: No. On the computer! I need something I can use to write proposals, track expenses and run my business. What do you have?
ABBOTT: Office.
COSTELLO: Yeah, for my office. Can you recommend anything?
ABBOTT: I just did.
COSTELLO: You just did what?
ABBOTT: Recommend something.
COSTELLO: You recommended something?
ABBOTT: Yes.
COSTELLO: For my office?
ABBOTT: Yes.
COSTELLO: OK, what did you recommend for my office?
ABBOTT: Office
COSTELLO: Yes, for my office!
ABBOTT: I recommend Office with Windows.
COSTELLO: I already have an office with windows! OK, let's just say I'm sitting at my computer and I want to type a proposal. What do I need?
ABBOTT: Word.
COSTELLO: What word?
ABBOTT: Word in Office.
COSTELLO: The only word in office is office.
ABBOTT: The Word in Office for Windows.
COSTELLO: Which word in office for windows?
ABBOTT: The Word you get when you click the blue "W".
COSTELLO: I'm going to click your blue "w" if you don't start with some straight answers. What about financial bookkeeping? You have anything I can track my money with?
ABBOTT: Money.
COSTELLO: That's right. What do you have?
ABBOTT: Money.
COSTELLO: I need money to track my money?
ABBOTT: It comes bundled with your computer.
COSTELLO: What's bundled with my computer?
ABBOTT: Money.
COSTELLO: Money comes with my computer?
ABBOTT: Yes. No extra charge.
COSTELLO: I get a bundle of money with my computer? How much?
ABBOTT: One copy.
COSTELLO: Isn't it illegal to copy money?
ABBOTT: Microsoft gave us a license to copy Money.
COSTELLO: They can give you a license to copy money?
ABBOTT: Why not? THEY OWN IT!
A few days later:
ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?
COSTELLO: How do I turn my computer off?
ABBOTT: Click on "START."
With thanks to Rich Hosea for sharing!
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
A ministry opportunity for Christian women.
Urgent Call For North American Christian Female Pen Pals To Become Involved In ‘Friendship Evangelism’ With New Friends In Taiwan And China...
Source: Read the entire article
Friday afternoon Margaret and I drove to Strasburg, VA to attend a surprise 40th anniversary celebration for our friends Bill and Donna. Their sons' families, Joey & Dean, organized the event which was held at the Hotel Strasburg.
The hotel where the celebration was held and where we stayed Friday night.
Bill and Donna were completely taken by surprise. They had no idea what was planned.
Sons Dean (stripped shirt) & Joey, with their spouses greet Bill & Donna
You can see the rest of the pictures from the celebration here.
We had made arrangements for a late checkout on Saturday so we could sleep in the next morning. Our daughter Sheri and grandson Patrick Sean then joined us for lunch at the hotel
Sheri is on the prayer list because of an as yet undiagnosed major problem with her autoimmune system. Praise the Lord she was experiencing only minor pains today!
Grandson Patrick Sean
This is a very appropriate reminder to remember the men and women in the military as a significant part of what we have to be thankful for. Click here to see an excellent short presentation. (With thanks to driver Charles for sharing this).
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
This is an awesome testimony!
How an unassuming shoe repairman battled his fear of the cold to feed and house the homeless.
By Margaret Terry
Bob Fisher
People call him "Shoe Bob," but his real name is Bob Fisher. He owns a small shoe repair shop tucked in a corner of a little strip mall in Wayzata, Minnesota. Average height, average build. Shoe Bob looks like your average, hard-working, churchgoing guy...
An interesting story on the ongoing efforts against religion.
Press release from AiG–UK
November 22, 2006
According to journalist Steven Swinford, writing in the Sunday Times, the Richard Dawkins Foundation is planning to raise money to send anti-religious books and pamphlets to state schools in the UK. This plan has already angered such groups as the Church of England and Christian Aid.
Source: AiG Article
CCN, November 20, 2006 - /Christian Newswire/ -- In the highly competitive world of on-line shopping, ShopInFaith.com sets itself apart by promoting the reason for the Christmas season – the birth of Jesus.
Featuring over 50 of today’s top on-line retailers, the website provides a simple way to complete all of your Christmas shopping at your computer. ShopInFaith.com welcomes you with a Merry Christmas, rarely heard in today’s retail world
Source: View Press Release
Each day I wonder what will they try next?
SHILOH, Ill. - A picture book about two male penguins raising a baby penguin is getting a chilly reception among some parents who worry about the book's availability to children — and the reluctance of school administrators to restrict access to it.
Father O'Malley rose from his bed. It was a fine spring day in his new Texas mission parish. He walked to the window of his bedroom to get a deep breath of the beautiful day outside. He then noticed there was a jackass
lying dead in the middle of his front lawn.
He promptly called the local police station. The conversation went like this:
"Good morning. This is Sergeant Jones. How might I help you?""And the best of the day te yerself. This is Father O'Malley at St.Brigid's.
There's a jackass lying dead in me front lawn. Would ye be so kind as to
send a couple o'yer lads to take care of the matter?"Sergeant Jones, considering himself to be quite a wit, replied with a smirk,
"Well now father, it was always my impression that you people took care of
last rites!"There was silence on the line for a long moment. Father O'Malley then replied: "Aye, tis certainly true, but we are also obliged to notify the next of kin."
With thanks to Paige Orange for sharing this with us.
Chaplain Sam Houchins
CAMARILLO, California, November 13, 2006 - /Christian Newswire/ -- Salem Web Network (SWN), a Salem Communications (NASDAQ:SALM) company, today announced its latest online initiative – Lightsource.com. The interactive website features on- demand video from leading national and international ministries, building upon SWN’s previous success with audio portal OnePlace.com, and Crosswalk.com – the world’s largest Christian website.
“With the success of YouTube and increased broadband penetration, 2006 has been the year of video online,” said Rick Killingsworth, Salem Web Network’s vice president of new media. “Once again, Salem is leading the way into the next generation of ministry broadcasting by offering this exciting new video platform to connect ministries with Christians online. “
Source: View Press Release
In Britain, they want to open up the discussion on whether abortion can happen sometime after the baby has already been born.
Doctors involved in childbirth are calling for an open discussion about the ethics of euthanasia for the sickest of newborn babies. The option to end the suffering of a severely damaged newborn baby - who might have been aborted if the parents had known earlier the extent of its disabilities and potential suffering - should be discussed, says the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in its evidence to an inquiry by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, which examines ethical issues raised by new developments.
The college says the Nuffield’s working group should “think more radically about non-resuscitation, withdrawal of treatment decisions, the best-interests test and active euthanasia as they are means of widening the management options available to the sickest of newborns”.
The inquiry is looking into “the ethics of prolonging life in fetuses and the newborn”. Euthanasia was not originally on the agenda, because of its illegality. But the RCOG submission has persuaded the inquiry to broaden its investigation, although any recommendation favoring euthanasia for newborns is highly unlikely before a change in the law.
Once one envelope has been successfully pushed aside, the next lies not that far away. The question of extraordinary lifesaving steps is one thing, but “active euthanasia” brings the matter into a whole new light. One has to wonder where the ethics and morality of those wanting such discussions to take place have gone.
And here’s an interesting attempt at selling the idea.
The college ethics committee tells the inquiry it feels euthanasia “has to be covered and debated for completion and consistency’s sake … if life-shortening and deliberate interventions to kill infants were available, they might have an impact on obstetric decision making, even preventing some late abortions, as some parents would be more confident about continuing a pregnancy and taking a risk on outcome.” It points out that a pregnant woman who discovers at 28 weeks that her baby has a serious abnormality can have an abortion. Parents of a baby born at 24 weeks with the same abnormality have no such option.
“See, if this were an option, then we’d have more babies carried to term. Isn’t that wonderful? Only then would be bother with the eugenics. And really now, isn’t killing an already-born preemie just the same as a late-term abortion anyway?”
Abortion, being commonplace in our society, is now the foundation on which we start removing the infirm and the helpless. A comment on the Redstate post that gets the hat tip notes this:
I remember fairly recently they just uncovered a mass grave filled with Hitler’s first victims. They weren’t Jews, Gays, Gypsies or any other people group. They were the disabled and infirm. Now the reason they were killed was for the perfection of the race, but I also don’t swallow the “it is for their own good” argument-especially when those who are being put out of the misery may not have a voice or a choice.
Unfettered abortion, embryonic stem cell research, euthanasia and eugenics are all faces of the same thing; a lack of respect for life.
Source: Considerettes
Last night my blog's host system implemented a major software upgrade. As a result some of my older blog posts were republished, making them appear to be new posts. Sorry about the confusion this has caused!
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
Margaret & I, Chaplain Tom & Linda Kramer, and Chaplain David Weaver went to NJ yesterday to attend a TFC banquet. On the way to the banquet we go past Cow Town, NJ. Cow Town is an awesome place to spend an afternoon, especially on such a gorgeous day as we had yesterday.
Cow Town is an eclectic mixture of vendors and food stands scattered throughout a large site which includes various buildings and open-air stalls. It is sort of a giant flea market and yard sale.
The main entrance to the largest building.
Left to Right: Linda Kramer; Chaplain David Weaver; Margaret; and Chaplain Tom Kramer
One of the many outside areas with vendors along either side
Typical of the areas inside the buildings
Cow Town is open every Tuesday and Saturday. In the summer they host professional rodeo in an arena on the site. I can remember going to the rodeo when I was a kid. Now we take our grandkids to see the rodeo when they come to visit in the summer time.
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
Last night Volunteer Chaplain Ron Jones came over after work to man the chapel for a couple of hours so Margaret and I could attend a covered dish dinner for HomeFront Christian Outreach. The dinner was held at New London Baptist Church just a few miles north of Elkton in New London, PA. It was the kick-off event for HomeFront's "A December to remember" fund raising drive to provide food, clothing, and presents for 250 needy families this Christmas.
If you have Microsoft PowerPoint you can download a copy of the presentation (29 MB) that was shown last night by clicking here.
HomeFront currently serves 650+ meals each month via a mobile soup kitchen that they setup in church parking lots around the area plus offer food and clothing to those in need - as well as share the Good News with those people.
Larry Wyatt, Founder of HomeFront, with Pastor Mike, Pastor of New London Baptist Church
It was a covered dish meal with three tables loaded with mostly home-made dishes. Scrumptious!
There was also time for good fellowship. That is Margaret with her back to the camera at the near table. We sat with friends from First Baptist Church of Elkton, Nelson Ditzler and his family. Nelson is a truck driver and has been a speaker at the monthly TFC Elkton Prayer Breakfast.
In His Name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
Prayer partners and friends Chuck and Tammy Talley have a new daughter, Avery. Avery was born yesterday morning at 10:15 A.M. and was 7 lbs 10 oz. Mom and daughter are doing fine. Praise the Lord!
Margaret and I went to see the new girl this afternoon and to have prayer with them. Tammy expects to be discharged from the hospital tomorrow.
Other people's babies are so cute!
In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins
Hey, when your kids take away your driver's license.......no problem!
(With thanks to P.J.)
What are Christian leaders to make of the spectacularly painful experience of watching Ted Haggard this past week? The president of the National Association of Evangelicals and pastor of giga-church New Life Community in Colorado Springs, Colorado, gradually admitted to purchasing methamphetamines and the services of a male prostitute. We asked Leadership editor-at-large Gordon MacDonald to reflect on what we should learn from this episode.
Source: Leadership Blog: Out of Ur
This is a very thoughtful posting about the church's view of technology. Click on the Source link below to read the entire article.
The Church’s Drive to Digitize
Posted on November 4, 2006
Prepare for a hefty read. Sometimes comments are so helpful they have to be made into posts. There is simply no replacement for a timely word, in this case delivered by a reliable expert. Anthony Coppedge is a church media consultant, author and all around self-described techno-geek. He recently commented on a Social Bookmarking post at The Digital Sanctuary.
Although Anthony describes his comments as "his 3 cents worth" I think what he actually contributed is a valuable set of reflections on the leveraging of technology by the Church. You won't find flashy images and links in this lengthy post, simply excellent advice. I'm moving Anthony from the comment section to this post with his permission:
Source: The Digital Sanctuary
Do you want a website where you can get safe Christian Podcasts? Take a look at PodPoint.net there seems to be a wide selection of content to choose from, I found it on Bill Seaver’s Microexplosion. Also if you fancy setting up your own podcast you can though you will have to pay. The layout of the site is very similar to the way Odeo was set up so if you are a fan there won’t be any difficulties finding your way around. Talking of Odeo,
Source: Blog Ministry
