"From 1 to Infinite"

I know I have written regarding the Lukenstein in the past. He's seated on the right.

I'm not quite sure what goes on in the brain of a 2.5 year old thru 3.5 year old, but I'm guessing it's God's way of ensuring parents they learn patience.

That being said, I should be an expert in patience when Levi (seated on the left) gets through his tantrum-terrible 2.5 thru 3.5s.

I certainly do believe our Wonderful Creator has a humorous side.


By the way, HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY, Levi. Goodbye to your months, son. Hello to your year-olds.

"Brain"

I've done a lot of thinking in the past few days. It's not that I normally avoid it, but sometimes I find myself too busy for it.

I understand that my brain is always working...

Maybe I shouldn't say I did a lot of thinking; maybe I should say I did a lot of reflecting in the last few days.

All over the map reflection.
Unfortunately, it's tragedy that brings those types of reflective sessions to mind.

"Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this."
2 Timothy 2:7 NIV

"I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done." Psalm 143:5 NIV

"____________"

My father-in-law died today. Only recently, as recently as this past Monday, he was diagnosed with leukemia. He leaves behind his wife, 3 married daughters, 6 grandchildren and one grandchild on the way. Please pray if you would for comfort to all through this difficult time.

"The Best Part of Waking Up."

I was reading the paper on the porch this morning, enjoy a cup of instant caffeine free (i guess it's called DECAF) coffee. I was reading about last night's Steeler/Titan game.

Here's How I like my coffee: not too hot, no sugar, equal parts coffee... equal parts cream. Delicious.

After I read a few articles, I grabbed my cup of java and looked forward to savoring a big gulp.

YIKES!

I didn't find drinking pleasure. All I got was mouthful of lukewarm.

YUCK!

And then, I was reminded of this:
"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation.
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth." Revelation 3:14-16 NIV

The following is a commentary on the above taken from biblegateway.com:

By the time Revelation was written, the Christian community in Laodicea and vicinity seems to have prospered. The angel at Laodicea is described as boasting, I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing (v. 17; compare "Babylon the Great" according to 18:7). But in contrast to the angel at Smyrna, who was materially poor but rich in God's sight (2:9), this angel is wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked (v. 17; compare 18:8). His works are compared to tepid water, neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth (vv. 15-16).

The site where Laodicea once stood includes an elaborate fountain and a water tower supplied by an aqueduct from hot springs at the site of modern Denizli, four miles south. Not surprisingly, many have suggested a possible local reference here, "a play on words, contrasting what may have been the tepid water of the aqueduct at Laodicea with the possibly fresher and colder water at Colossae and with the very hot water of the cascades at Hierapolis" (Finegan 1981:182). Yet readers in any of the Asian cities, no matter how close or how far away their water supply, would have understood the metaphor. Either cold or hot water is good for something, but lukewarm water is not. The point of the rebuke is not lack of zeal or enthusiasm. If it were, "lukewarm" would at least have been better than "cold"! The point is rather the utter worthlessness of what the congregation has done and is doing. The metaphor is a more blunt and colorful way of saying what was said to the angel at Sardis: "I have not found your deeds complete [that is, acceptable] in the sight of my God" (3:2).

Lukewarm coffee is gross to me. Lukewarm Christians are unacceptable to God.

"Goodbye Summer"

Autumn is 22 days away. But it sure feels like it came 3 weeks early from where I sit.
Low of 50 degrees tonight. Highs for the first week of school are to be somewhere between 68 and 72 each day. Maybe that's normal for you all in North Dakota or Minnesota, but for us yinzers in the Pittsburgh area, that's not normal.

I was going to try to compile a list of what I learned this summer, but my memory is just not allowing me to find anythings to share. Not that the summer was uneventful. It just was.
Maybe I've got the "end-of-summer, back-to-school" blues. I'm not sure.

I guess I will look forward then.

I guess I'm wallowing. But I know I shouldn't. Too much goodness lies ahead.

Hey, If you got a moment, check this out: Climb Ridges.

Some times it's just one of those days.

During one of our camping trips this summer, we visited Fort Necessity near Farmington, PA. It is only a few miles away from Ohiopyle State Park and the Youghiogheny River. Fort Necessity is a National Parks site. It's claim to fame is being the site of the first battle in the French and Indian War... which some consider the foundations for the American Revolution.

Fort Necessity isn't very big. It was pretty pathetic in fact.
It was apptly named. The only purpose that it had was to
give Washington and his men some cover for what was to be
sure the onslaught that was coming. They needed a place to take a
stand, and the built Fort Necessity in 5 days.

In our lives, we need a Fort Necessity. We need a refuge from the onslaught that awaits or even the one that is pouring down around us.

"In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
deliver me in your righteousness.
Turn your ear to me,
come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
a strong fortress to save me.
Since you are my rock and my fortress,
for the sake of your name lead and guide me.
Free me from the trap that is set for me,
for you are my refuge. " (Psalm 31:1-4 NIV)

Fort Necessity in Farmington, PA is crude, rough and anything but mighty fortress.

Praise be to God that we have access to the Strong Fortress in our time of necessity.