"Don't Curse the Darkness....."

Don't Curse the Darkness!......

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"Light a candle!"





"Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person."

By this, I don't mean we should tip-toe around the truth, (or, as is said in MN... "sanding off of the truth"). But I do proclaim with scripture's support.... "watch what you say"!

O.K. that last part was my paraphrase... but I believe it holds true to the author's intent!

With Love,

Dad J

Exciting Opportunity -- Worthy Cause! -- Cristo Vive International

I am posting below, a poster for an event that I will be participating in early May 2006.
Cristo Vive International is a Christ-centered organization that reaches out to children with both physical, and cognitive disabilties. Their work is both here in the USA and abroad. This year they will have camps in Osceola WI., and in Ecuador, South America & Ireland, U.K.

Jessica has participated in their camping progam the last three summers, and will again go to Cristo Vive camp this year in June.

We cannot speak more highly, or with more respect and admiration for this organization.

Their efforts are truly making a difference for these individuals and their families.

Please consider this organization's needs.

With Love & Christ's encouragement,

Duane & Sandra Jones

May we present..."The New Wolff Baby Wheels!"

Well, we're not exactly Vana White & what's his name....
But we present to you (Meggan & Bryan and ?????) the new baby's wheels!

With Love,
Dad & Mom Jones + Jessica

P.S. We'll bring it with when we visit.

Truly, a sermon worth hearing!

Meggan & Bryan, in a recent post on their blog, provided a link to a sermon they heard at their church in CA. (Grace Community Church).

Dr. Steve Lawson delivered this message to their church while in CA. last month.

The link I am posting below is from Dr. Lawson's church website. He originally preached this message on January 1st, 2006 at his church in Mobile, AL.

You can find it by looking for the Hebrews sermon on 1/1/2006.

The download of the sermon's streaming audio takes a bit of time, but is well worth the wait!

Please consider taking the time to hear this. It is delivered by a pastor who seems to have done his homework well, has a passion for the Word, and how it relates to each of us.

Blessings,

Dad J

http://www.cfbcmobile.org/site/cpage.asp?sec_id=377&cpage_id=421&secure=&dlyear=2006&dlcat=Hebrews

P.S. "Springtime is nearing" just recieved another 5-7 inches of snow!

Did someone say "Springtime is Nearing!"????

On Sunday there was virtually no snow.
We awoke today to heavy snow falling. You'll see by the photos!

Dad J

Springtime is nearing!

During the night, we awoke to great flashes of lightning. There was not much in the way of thunder however, and neither did we receive much of any rain.
It was however, a dramatic display & quite unique for this time of year.


No the image is not mine...merely a visual representation to accompany the post.

Blessings from MN,
Dad J

A "Jewel" on the Emerald Coast!

Last evening we enjoyed a walk along the beach with Mike & Julie, Rachel and Evelyn. We saw the sun set and enjoyed the time with the Mosley's.

"Oh yes....I sit up, you see, Peter showed me how!"

"There's someone sleeping in My bedroom!!!"... "Its GrandDad & GrandMum Jones.....Yippiee!!!!"

"I woke up during the night, and who was in my room?... GrandMum & GrandDad Jones"

We are going to party!!!!!!

BREAGAN..."The Adventure Continues..."

I read this today from the "Ships Log" of BREAGAN.
Leg 09 Log 16

http://www.breagan.com/cgibin/s_read.cgi?order=Sort+by+Log+Name

LEG 09 LOG 16 Feb 14, 2006 04:21 pmFeb 12th 2006, LEG 09 LOG 16Our current location at 6:30 CST, on Feb 13th , 19° 16’.800N 49° 57’.400WWow, as I write this just 840 NM to go. That may seem like nothing, but to us it means we have covered almost 2,000NM already. We had a great fast ride for about 9 hours, going wing and wing (the main sail to one side, the genoa to the other, with the wind pushing us). We set a new speed record for this trip, 9.44 knots; it goes to Clete, because it was on his watch. Our average was around 8 knots, which is pretty good for a boat whose theoretical hull speed is 7.5 knots. We really had too much sail up for the wind speeds, but it was variable and Breagan seemed almost to enjoy it. I made pancakes and bacon for lunch, they were the kind that would stick with you, if you know what I mean. The moon was full and the skies clear and with high rolling swells it was a breath taking evening. You have to imagine the moon’s light dancing on the waves and Breagan goes up to the top of a swell and you see the whole ocean under this bright moon light. Then, she goes to the bottom of the swell and you see the next one coming and it looks like it is going to go right over the top of you. But it gently lifts you up and pushes you forward. I do have to tell you, not all the swells are that thoughtful. Some slap the stern and send seawater into the cockpit. That is just a reminder to let you know whose domain you are in.

__________________________________________

I would love to reply, but I don't want to use too much satellite airtime. $$$

It made me think of how the Lord shows us how far our sins have been removed from us...
"As far as the East is from the West"!

...And then comes "the deceiver" to try to tell us otherwise!!!!

We need to stomp on satan's head, and quote back to him, the truth of scripture that tells us otherwise!

Sojouning on this side of heaven,

Dad Jones

Olympic Goals - Imperishable Crown

As I was reading today about Luge events at the winter games, I came upon a story about "Grandma Luge". A 52 year-young, luger who is appearing in her 6th winter Olympics.

Follow this link to learn more about Anne Abernathy, loving known as "Grandma Luge".

Enjoy! ... and be Blessed!

Dad J

http://www.thegoal.com/players/luge/abernathy_ann/abernathy.html

Job Search - UPDATE

Last Friday evening I came across a posting for a position at ATMI, Inc. in Bloomington, MN.

I have never before come across a posting that I felt fit me more closely than this.
Saturday morning, I submitted my resume and filled out the online portion of their application process.

I am hoping to secure the name of the hiring manager to make direct contact.

Please be in prayer along with me in this pursuit.

Blessings,

Dad Jones

Parental / GrandParental "Doting"...

Look what we found!
We think our 2 cm. GrandBaby will have to wait a little bit before riding in this!

Oh, but what fun "doting" is! *








* see: http://bryanmegganwolff.blogspot.com/2006/02/babys-first-picture.html

(Bry, keep up the studies, the posts on your blog, and loving "Little Meg")

Love Ya,

Dad J

BREAGAN, UNDER SAIL!

As I was posting the previous posting to the blog, my cellphone "beeped" a message received tone.

Message reads:
GOT THE 2-6AM WATCH.
25 KNOTS WIND,
GENOA OUT MAKING 7 KNOTS,
LOVING LIFE. BRAD

I'll bet they would have liked this technology when Christopher Columbus sailed across the Atlantic.

REPLY:
GODSPEED DEAR BRAD & MATES!

Duane

The longer days...mean springtime is nearing!!!

While going through some files on my computer, I came across this image. Today the weather reminded me of this image, and I looked at it more deeply. Sarah & Nathanael look so much younger (must be that bushy head of hair Nathanael is sporting in the photo) but it made me think "our babies are having babies!"

This was when our family was still five, with two handsome men knocking on the door.

Now we're eight, going on ten!

PTL!!!!!

Love Dad Jones

A strange and surreal commute.

Today marked the last day of employment at Johnson/Anderson. My drive home was,... well to say the least, a really different experience.

My thoughts reflected on how familiar the tracks were of my daily commute.
Today at 2:00PM, I was planning to leave early to begin the transition to job seeker.

I was glad that I didn't, because as I was headed to our HR director's office, I met her in the corridor with an ice cream cake in hand.
It would have been well, embaressing to say the least had I ducked-out early on my last day and missed the kind farewell of my co-workers.

While the transition to a new place of employ is upon me, I will still enjoy the relationships and friendships of co-workers and customers a like.

The experiences and knowledge gained will provide basis for future work.

I will truly miss the day to day interaction with fellow co-workers, but I trust my "new" endeavor will bring me back across their paths, as a customer, and we'll be able to continue where we left off.

Duane

For behold, I bring good news of a great joy...!

I've often thought of the news that was brought to Mary & Joseph and later to the shepherds.
The wonderment of hearing and then realizing that you are soon to be parents, we'll it can be... overwhelming!

We are blessed to share the news that... "Like arrows in the hand of a mighty warrior, so are the children of ones youth, how blessed is he whose quiver is full of them."

Today marks the day that we declare both Sarah & Meggan are expecting! I still feel young! Perhaps Nathanael & Bryan will allow me to feel like a mighty warrior!

We share in the exitement and anticipation of these new lives.

This evening we spoke with a dear brother from church whose daughter married just two weeks ago this Sat. He shared how truly blessed they felt to have a son-in-law that loves the Lord.

We can second that... for we've been twice blessed! Our family of five, grew to six beginning in July 2004. Jumped to seven in January 2005, eight in July 2005.
Now in 2006 were looking at ten!

Add to that the addition of Mosley's and Wolff's extended family, well we are blessed!

PRAISE GOD, from whom all blessings flow!

Dad Jones (to 3+2)
GrandDad Jones (to Evelyn + ? + ?....)

And I thought "My World" was in turmoil!

Please read this link to Chuck Colson's daily commentary.
http://www.pfm.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=BreakPoint1&Template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=17789

It truly makes the words of scripture come to life. "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem".

More importantly, pray for the peace in our hearts, that only God in Christ can truly provide.

Our world is truly, a "Kingdom in Conflict".

Blessings to all, with a prayer that Christ will rule in all our hearts,

Duane

Who is GOD?.....

No, I haven't "lost it" amid the transition and stress that a new job search can create.

Last week we began a home bible study, based on a book our pastor, Daniel Henderson wrote entitled, the 7 Most Important Questions You'll Ever Answer.

The 7 Questions are:

1. Who is GOD?
2. Who Am I?
3. Why Am I Here?
4. What Really Matters?
5. What Shall I Do?
6. How Shall I Do It?
7. When Shall I Do It?

I do look forward to this study. I believe it comes at a very appropriate time for me personally, and also for our church as a whole.
In the past 5 years I've become somewhat of an expert in the field of job searching (not that I have sought out this added expertise). There are times that the devil tries to bring discouragement and dispair. I delight in the fact that we have a God who; desires us to know Him, a God who does have a plan for us to walk in, and who does give purpose and direction for our lives now as well as for eternity.

One of the goals our pastor is looking for, is that we each individually write a "Mission Statement" and "Purpose Statement", and to set goals that help us live our life with more direction and purpose.

These are areas that will be good for me. I sense that I tend to be more "go with the flow" in my nature, and a more directed and purposeful approach to daily living & "abiding" in Him, will do me well.

I will keep you informed of the journey, Dear and Gentle readers.

Duane

"He went Public!!!"

The following is from an email annoucement at Johnson/Anderson.
_____________________________________
Subject: Duane Jones
_____________________________________

I am sorry to announce Duane Jones’ plan to leave J/A.
At this point, Duane’s last day will be January 31, 2006.

Duane has a great deal of experience in printed media, predominantly in the area of print design & print production management. While his plans are not yet formalized, he likely will look for a position in that area.

Today he told one of our customers, "There have been great relationships and friendships both inside the company and outside the company that I have enjoyed over the past 16 months, and I look forward to continuing them."
"I'm not sure where I will land as yet.... the "networking process" begins! "

Please join me in wishing Duane well.

Jon


________________________________
It is now public knowledge.
Personal and corporate prayer for a new position is cherished & welcomed!!

Duane