Another good read

Whenever I read an exceptionally good book I like to let others know about it. I just finished reading "Against Medical Advice" by James Paterson & Hal Friedman. It's a true story about Cory Friedman, put in his own words by the authors. Cory has been afflicted since age 5 with Tourette's syndrome and OCD. The book tells of the struggles and trials he and his family went through as a result of his affliction. I had a diffacult time putting the book down. I normally average about two weeks to read a book but this one took 4 days. Not only was it entertaining but it has given me new insight into this affliction.
(Posted by Ken}

Date 'night'

Thanks to Christmas gift certificates, we had a fun afternoon yesterday. We met friends, Joyce and Maynard, for lunch at a favorite terriyaki place, Tokyo Stop - (thanks, Cath), then saw a fun movie, "Bedtime Stories" (thanks , Katie and Mica). Actually, both gifts were for Ken, but he says they were for him to treat his favorite girl! The movie was really good - imaginative, and funny, we really enjoyed it, and think you all will too - guys and gals, old and young.

During the evening, sipping a cup of hot chocolate with whipped cream, I browsed through the NFL Cookbook (thanks, Amy and Dan) and found some tempting recipes to try. A nice surprise about the book - it benefits food banks! That makes it extra special in my book.

And speaking of giving, please remember Zimbabwe. With incredible suffering, and starvation, Campus Crusade has collected tons of food, and just lacks freight charges to get it to the people there. If you can help -(even $1 feeds a family!)- go online at give.ccci.org
or call: 1-888-278-7233.
Thanks for letting me slip in that commercial, and share my heart.

Snow casualty

The month of December has given us a record breaking snowfall of over 60". As a result there have been several buildings with flat roofs that have collapsed, including the gym at our church shown above. It collapsed at 4:00 in the morning. We are thankful that it was at a time when no one was there. That evening there would have been a group of kids using the gym. I can't help but think God was in the timing. There could have been serious injuries or even deaths if it had happened when occupied. Services have been suspended temporarily in our building but the Seventh Day Adventest church across the street has kindly allowed us to use their facilities until we are able to be back in ours.

Winter Wonderland

We finally dug out from our record snowfall, and then again - and again- as we got 30" in two days! Buses, mail, and newspaper delivery stopped, even the mall closed. Cathie couldn't get home -or even out of our driveway- so she spent 2 nights, and was a Godsend as she and Ken put in 3 sessions of snow blowing and shoveling, for 6 hours total the first day, and then 2 or 3 times the next day. I conveniently came down with a cold and was denied the fun.

You have to admit it's beautiful, though, especially today with the sun so bright.

Wishing you all a white Christmas, even if you have to come to Spokane to get it!

Recommended reading

I just finished reading a book I HIGHLY recommend. It's titled "RADIOMAN" It's about a man who was in the navy, stationed at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked . He later was on an aircraft carrier when it was sunk.

This man, Ray Daves, is now 88 years old. We first knew Ray and his wife Adeline back when we were teenagers attending the same church. We more recently have renewed our acquaintance at our present church.

Ray would never discuss his experience about the war. If asked he'd simply say "I don't talk about it" I am greatly surprised that he has given a detailed account in this book. As I understand it, the author wanted to write about his experience and at the encouraging of his wife and daughter he agreed. I'm glad he did, because it not only gives me insight as to what he's about, but it reveals what WW2 was really like for those who fought. I have a greater appreciation for these men. I spoke to him recently to tell him I was reading the book and he paused and started to choke up, and again said "I don't talk about it" He did say the author did a great job.

I believe this book is a "must read" especially for the younger generation. I believe it will give a greater appreciation for the freedom we have in this country. This book has an endorsement by Newt Gingrich. It's available through Overstock and Amazon and I'm sure other sources as well.

Couer d'Alene Lake

I recently fulfilled a long-time ambition - to drive completely around Couer d'Alene Lake, thanks to Cathie. She had offered both of us a car trip of our choosing, including dinner, as our Mother's and Father's day gifts. Ken's choice was Walla Walla, and I tagged along, as he did on this trip.

It was a gorgeous fall day, and the lake is so beautiful, -much larger than I'd expected, even though we live less than an hour away, and had been to the north shore many times.

One special stop was the small logging town of Harrison, where our close friend, Coral Hanna, grew up, graduating over 60 years ago. When asked what that was like, she had interesting stories to tell. She said they swam every day, near the log booms, until called home for dinner. When their team played other towns, the school bus would take all the kids, along the winding, dirt roads. In icy weather, the bus would often slide off the edge of the road, and all the kids would get off and push it back on the road, and continue on around the lake!

I chose a small Mexican restaurant for our dinner, and later finished it off with Krispy Kreme donuts! A very relaxed day to enjoy each other and God's good work. Thanks, Cath!

A JEALOUS GOD

Have you ever wondered why jealousy is considered sinful for mankind but not for God. There are many places in the Bible that refer to God being a jealous God. In as much as God has to relate to mankind in a manner that we can understand He uses anthropomorphism's. In other words, he uses phrases such as "the hand of God" etc. that we can relate to. One of the best descriptions of God's jealousy was stated as follows by John Calvin.

"The Lord very frequently addresses us in the character of a husband... As He performs all the offices of a true faithful husband, so He requires love and chastity from us; that is, that we do not prostitute our souls to Satan...As the purer and chaster a husband is, the more grievously he is offended when he sees His wife inclining to a rival; so the Lord, who has betrothed us to Himself in truth, declares that He burns with the hottest jealousy whenever, neglecting the purity of His holy marriage, we defile ourselves with abominable lusts, and especially when the worship of His deity, which ought to have been most carefully kept unimpaired, is transferred to another, or adulterated with some superstition: since in this way we not only violate our plighted troth, but defile the Nepal couch, by giving access to adulterers."