"The Least of These... my Brethren"

Well here I am again today, to relay Chuck Colson's words to me....and to our culture!

Please find these links below, to read (1st link) or to listen online (2nd link) to today's BreakPoint commentary...follow down to 11/30/06 and choose method of audio download.

http://www.breakpoint.org/listingarticle.asp?ID=5851

http://www.breakpoint.org/medialist.asp?ID=160&zbrandid=420&zidType=CH&zid=1051960&zsubscriberId=101650849

As a parent of a disabled child, I find this chilling.

In Jessica's case, we were shocked to find that the early diagnosis of her condition from an in-uterine ultra sound...(and that from 20 years ago)... the medical community was saying that many parents would choose to abort the pregnancy.

On this side of her birth, we are ever thankful for the blessings of her birth and life.

Both to us as parents...and the impact of her life on her sisters, as well as thru countless individuals whose lives have crossed paths with Jessica's!

Has it been easy??? No.
Has it been worthwhile?
Has Christ been glorified through it? Absolutly!!!!!

Please read or listen to todays BreakPoint...and reply.

Duane

Christ...& "Christians" in this CHRISTmas time!

Please find this link to today's BreakPoint commentary.

http://www.breakpoint.org/listingarticle.asp?ID=5846

In the commentary Chuck says:

"The truth of the matter is that the ones heaping derision on Christians are probably the ones who most need our prayers. So, in the end, maybe the best way to prepare for this cold front is by fanning the coal of our own devotion to Christ through good works. If our lives are aflame with care for the least, the last, and the lost, .....perhaps even the coldest hearts will thaw.

As we prepare ourselves for the celebration of His first advent... let us look to how we ourselves live, act and respond to those around us.

The goal is... to direct and assist those around us, to an understanding & embracing of the Lord whom we love. ....for apart from Him, we can do nothing!

Let us all point to CHRIST, who is our all in ALL!

Merry CHRISTmas,

Dad J

Movie Reviews with Duane

Just in time for the celebration of His first advent!

Well its been some time since my last cinematic review. O.K. I can not actully say I have seen this new release, ....because I haven't!
( I was not one that enjoyed the pre-release screening.)

But upon good authority, I have heard this is a film worth seeing.

It is due to release in theaters nationwide on December 1st.

Watch your local listings for time and locations!

The movie's official website is:
www.thenativitystory.com

Duane



Remember to be watching for the glory of His appearing!
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-- From Titus 2 --
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
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His second advent, draweth nye!

Maranatha!!! "Come, Lord Jesus, Come!"

Now this is encouraging!

Here is a passage that I have been thinking of this week.

But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

Continued below is the rest of the passage from the Philipians 3:8 - 14 NAS....

More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

As we ponder this coming Thanksgiving holiday, let us truly give thanks!

Let's remember, its all about HIM..and not about us.
We are the ones that He... "laid hold of"!

And that, not of ourselves...lest any should boast!

Duane

When it really itchs..PRAY! and Get Medical Help!

Dear and Gentle Reader,

Please be in prayer for Meggan especially, but also for her dear care provider Bryan, and of course for little Lillian.

Last week Meggan began to be affected by what would appear to be a post-pregnancy related rash. I believe Sandra & I can speak to this with some authority, as Sandra too personally experienced the same sort of condition after the birth of Sarah... (now 26 years ago).

Meggan has now for one week, been dealing with this and does not seem to be getting relief.

As our dermatologist, Dr. John Bergman, told me in Sandra's case, "Severe itching is a very real form of pain. You need to do all you can do to help her in every way you can."
This charge I pass along to Bryan.

I am at present in consultation with Dr. Bergman's office to see if there is a colleague in Meg's area that he knows who Meggan can get in to see. He has both Sandra's and Meggan's chart pulled and is to call me this morning.

With Love & concern,

Duane

"I Should be a Political Analyst"!

Today I checked my blog's "hit counter".

On Wednesday of last week (day 1 - of past election) I had 42 "hits" for the day on my blog, on the daily hit counter.

Since then...."I've flat-lined!!!!" (five to ten per day)

I guess it tells me, that the titles of my posts, must cause increased activity on the blog.

Anyhow, this I do know,... that those who do visit my blog (on a daily basis), are the ones that matter the most!

Love you all!

Duane

Hummm!... Today, I'd think should like to climb a mountain!

O.K. it's not my idea...but I like the idea none the less.
Meggan asked today, if I could do the hike to the top of Pikes Peak in CO.

My thought was....why sure!

...After all I am quite active, and I was the fastest skier in a NASTAR downhill race (for my age group) at Lutsen Mountains, two years ago.
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EDIT: I guess it was longer ago than I thought....it must be "old timers" setting in!
It was 2003-04 season.
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I told Meggan, let's plan a trip to CO for this summer. .....
O.K. ....Now I'm thinking....I better get in shape!

I'm turning 50 in a month and a half!
Where do the years go????

I have two married daughters and three grandbabies!!!!
Get my cane...please!!!

Duane

Two...Too Cute!

I'm pleased to present photos of Michael & Lillian in the red leaves of autumn under our burning bush.

It will seem like an eternity, but they will be back with us in five weeks or so.

Perhaps we'll do a photo of them in the snow at that time!

Duane

Where is the Hope?

Today as I was reflecting on yesterdays elections and their results, I was reminded of a song by Steven Curtis Chapman. I queued it up on the iPod so I could hear it again.

The song's title is "Heaven in the Real World".

Chuck Colson has a comment at the beginning of the song which states....

"Where is the hope? I meet millions who tell me that they feel demoralized by the decay around us. Where is the hope? The hope that each of us have is not in who governs us, or what laws are passed, or what great things that we do as a nation. Our hope is in the power of God working through the hearts of people, and that’s where our hope is in this country; that’s where our hope is in life."


Chuck Colson, prologue to
"Heaven in the Real World,"
Steven Curtis Chapman
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This is a good reminder to us all... to put our hope and trust in Christ alone...
for all other places are misdirected & futile!

Blessings...."God Reigns!"

Duane

Oh! to be a RED State! We're sort of "Bluish Purple!

Eight years ago, on election night I was with my daughter Sarah at the Repulican Party headquarters to await election returns.

Much to our dismay, we watched as a former pro-wrestler... Jesse "The Body" Ventura, was elected as our new Governor. It was not a good night in MN.

This evening I find myself again looking at races that have been lost to liberal leaning, if not flaming liberal candidates.

On Tuesday, I prayed that God would not give us what we deserve, but rather that He would show us grace & mercy.

Wednesday morning we awoke to the good news that the voters of MN, returned Tim Pawlenty to the office of governor. Tim Pawlenty is an excellent governor and a brother in Christ. For this we are very thankful.

Duane