How to light a candle in the Midst of Darkness

Dear Friends,

Chuck Colson had a great commentary today.
The transcript is pasted below.

A Model for Engagement:
Wilberforce and The Better Hour...
February 19, 2008

At a recent conference on Christian worldview, a college student asked the question: "Is there a model for engaging secularism?" The panel of well-known experts was stumped, clearly unfamiliar with the fact that 200 years ago a small group of politicians, bankers, writers, and lawyers addressed and overcame the crisis of secularism and immorality in England.

A small group of about 10 friends was known as the Clapham Circle. Following the lead of English parliamentarian William Wilberforce, the Clapham Circle set about with two great, major objectives: In Wilberforce's words, "the suppression of the slave trade and the reformation of manners." In the process, they helped transform the self-indulgent society of eighteenth-century England.

How they did that is the subject of a new book called Creating the Better Hour: Lessons from William Wilberforce, edited by a Centurion, and my friend, Chuck Stetson. The accompanying documentary called The Better Hour airs this month on PBS television stations.

Stetson discusses 10 methods or strategies that Wilberforce and his associates used to shape public opinion. One was the use of a powerful symbol to focus attention on the plight of the slave. Wilberforce enlisted the famous Josiah Wedgwood to create a special cameo. At the center of the cameo was a kneeling slave in shackles. Inscribed around the edges of this picture was the simple, but provocative question: "Am I Not a Man and a Brother?"

The Wedgwood cameo became a kind of logo when the whole concept of a logo was still novel. The picture and the accompanying question became a powerful symbol for human dignity. Women, who at the time could not vote, wore it on their dresses and on jewelry to show their support for the abolition of the slave trade.

The images from the cameo appeared on everything from plates to snuff boxes. The slogan "Am I Not a Man and a Brother?" was as well known to the people of Wilberforce's day as Nike's "Just do it" is to any modern American consumer.

And the slogan posed a pointed question that was simple but brilliant. People who never gave slaves a second thought had to examine their own attitudes and engage the issue. It reminds me of how pro-lifers are using in utero photography to force people to ponder the humanity of babies in the womb.

Stetson goes on to describe the other methods Wilberforce and company used so well: long-term planning, teamwork, research, effective networking, use of volunteers, etc.—methods we Christians would do well to emulate as we tackle the myriad social ills we face in this postmodern, self-indulgent society.

But what I take away from Wilberforce and his circle is not just good ideas about strategies and tactics, but also hope. This small handful of committed believers changed the world. Their unfailing efforts eventually resulted in the abolition of slavery itself in Britain and led to the formation of more than 69 voluntary organizations—organizations that tackled a wide range of social concerns, from child labor to the prevention of cruelty to animals to universal education.
"Is there a model for engaging secularism?"

As Stetson's book shows us, thanks to William Wilberforce and the Clapham sect, there certainly is.

Disabilities & The Church

Dear friends,

Yesterday I rec'd an email from a dear friend with a link to a site that is trying to raise the awareness of the need for our society to help children and their families.

The well produced video deals with a young girl named Claudia. Claudia has autism.
The band, Five for Fighting did the soundtrack, and is contributing $.40 for every hit the site receives to be given to aide in the fight for these little ones, so lost and in need of help.

Here is the link: http://www.whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com/videos/view/id/408214

Additionally, here is a link to our church's effort to help kids and families affected by disability. There is a button you can go to there to see the Barnabas Ministries video as well. http://www.atgrace.com/ministries/counseling/barnabas.php

Blessings to all... remember "Jesus Loves the Little Children"

Duane

Babies in MN.... Installment two

Here are some photos from Thursday 1/3/2008.



GrandDad Jones

Grandbaby Bliss!.....Installment One

We are enjoying this extended time of our CHRISTmas celebration with both our two oldest daughters, their hubbies and the babies. Here are a couple photos to share.

GrandDad Jones

P.S. Stay tuned! More to come!

Home for the Holidays

I saw these photos of our newest grandbaby, Jonas, on Sarah & Nathanael's blog.

http://www.sunlesssea.com/weblog/

We await the Mosley's & Wolff's arrival.

Only one more day until I get to meet this little one for the first time.

Let the party begin!!

GrandDad Jones

Good Words... HE Is....from Grace!

I recieved this via email from our church; Grace Church, of Eden Prarie, MN.
I'm posting it here.

Read thru each of the sentences of the song, and be encouraged how our Lord has cared for and directed, and often re-directed the affairs of man.

Jessica & I were watching a Veggie Tales classic...."Jonah" the other day.
I had to ask myself..."Lord, you surely don't want me to go to Ninivah?"..."do you?"

I've gotten sidetracked..... here's the body copy of the email...
_______________________________


Kip Wahlquist
Pastor of Care and Connecting

He Is

One of my favorite reminders that the deity and character of Christ is proclaimed from Genesis to Revelation is the song He Is sung by the father-son team, Aaron Jeoffrey.
The words from the song say it well.

Truly, He is.

In Genesis, He’s the breath of life
In Exodus, the Passover Lamb
In Leviticus He’s our high priest
Numbers, the fire by night
Deuteronomy, He’s Moses’ voice
In Joshua, He is salvation’s choice
Judges, law giver;
in Ruth, the kinsmen-redeemer
First and second Samuel, our trusted prophet
In Kings and Chronicles, He’s sovereign
Ezra, true and faithful scribe;
Nehemiah, He’s the rebuilder of broken walls and lives
In Esther, He’s Mordecai’s courage;
In Job, the timeless redeemer
In Psalms, He is our morning song
In Proverbs, wisdom’s cry;
Ecclesiastes, the time and season
In the Song of Solomon, He is the lover’s dream
In Isaiah, He’s the prince of peace
Jeremiah, the weeping prophet
In Lamentations, the cry for Israel
Ezekiel, He’s the call from sin;
In Daniel, the stranger in the fire
In Hosea, He is forever faithful
In Joel, He’s the Spirit’s power
In Amos, the arms that carry us
In Obadiah, He’s the Lord our savior
In Jonah, He’s the great missionary
In Micah, the promise of peace
In Nahum, He is our strength and our shield
In Habakkuk and Zephaniah, He’s pleading for revival
In Haggai, He restores a lost heritage;
In Zachariah, our fountain
In Malachi, He is the sun of righteousness rising with healing in His wings.
In Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, He is God, Man, Messiah
In the book of Acts, He is fire from heaven
In Romans, He’s the grace of God
In Corinthians, the power of love
In Galatians, He is freedom from the curse of sin
Ephesians, our glorious treasure
Philippians, the servant’s heart
In Colossians, He’s the Godhead Trinity
Thessalonians, our coming King
In Timothy, Titus, Philemon, He’s our mediator and our faithful pastor
In Hebrews, the everlasting covenant
In James, the one who heals the sick
In First and Second Peter, He is our shepherd
In John and in Jude, He’s the lover coming for His bride
In the Revelation, He is King of King and Lord of Lords
He is, He is, He is
Worship Him alone, the One who was and is and is to come!
(Words printed with permission by License #157804 - CCLI)

_______________________

Enough said!
Sometimes things are simply stated better by others!

With Love,

Duane

Leaves, leaves and more leaves!!!

This post could also be titled... "Where have all the children gone?"

Sandy & I, and Dale & Jodie were at the cabin this weekend, raking leaves.

Here are some photos.

We got it all done, and all the leaves burned but we all missed our children.

Dad J

The not so "Spooky" Halloween kids

I was delighted to find these this morning on the Mosley's blog.

Thought I'd share them here as well.

I said..."Do you have

any honey...,
...I hope?"

"T-I-GG-ER!!!
That's my name and bouncings, my game!"

"Oh! bother, I was so hoping for

a little smackeral of honey!"

GrandDad Jones

Here too are a couple late breaking new shots from CA.

Hollywood... Look out! there is a new "Star" on the Horizon!

Old photos...New Post

Here are some photos from Jessica's time at the regional MN Special Olympics meet for bowling.

I had posted earlier of her day on October 7th.

One week before these were taken, we had a major lightning strike, very close to our house that took out all of our computers. So I'm just now getting back to posting of the happennings in our household.

Soon I'll post photos of Sandra's time with the Mosley's in FL. Sandra is coming home Saturday evening.

I wish however, that from FL and CA, there would be more posting as well!

Hint, hint!

Dad Jones

Home Again!

Today we took out the waterfront items at our lake cabin. (i.e. 2 boat lifts, the main dock, and addl. dock & pier to second boat lift.)

The work went well enough... it would have gone better, if the winch on the four-wheeler had worked.

No photos to post however.

Hmmm! The previous comment, reminds me that there are two families that need to "get-on-the-stick", and post some photos as well!

GrandDad Jones and Jessica are here in Mpls. (Sandra is enjoying "the real thing" and is with the newest grandbaby "Jonas" and family in FL).... and here I (we) sit waiting, for updates and more photos!

Hopefully, this will get the cameras in action!

Loving, and missing you all....

GrandDad Jones

Jonas Sebastian Seraphim Mosley

Jonas Sebastian Seraphim Mosley

Born at 10:55 am

9/24/2007

9 lbs. 11 oz.

22 inches

Baby Jonas was born Monday morning at a birthing center in Pensecola, FL.

All went very well. By dinner time Monday, the whole family were at home in Valparaiso.

U-Haul arrival in Mpls

Well, I'm back!

Sandra held down the fort on the home front.
I was accompanied by; Dale, Evan, Seth, Brad (and Riley, Ryan & Rory), Dave & Carrie and of course Dad.

We got the important items; as far as furniture, clothing and kitchen items (food of course, as well...) packed and brought down to the Minneapolis area.

Evan & Seth were invaluable!
Evan has worked for some time for Quality Moving & Transfer in Edina, MN.

His expertise in loading a truck was proven. When I arrived home this evening, and opened the back door, all the items were still in the same spots we put them!

Tomorrow, I will unload the truck and set-up Dad in his new place.

Duane

"Moving Experience!"

This weekend we will move my father from his home in Northern MN., to a new apartment in Richfield, MN.

I (we) are renting a 26' U-Haul truck for the task. We had reserved the truck about a week and a half ago.

Here is the "mover beware" part.

I called on Thursday to confirm the rental and to order 18 moving pads as well.
I found out that they wouldn't have a truck for us at the location we chose.
The good part is that the U-Haul rental location was very proactive in helping us find one within close proximity.

I had experienced a similar situation when we moved Sarah's things to FL.
I had reserved a trailer, and had a specific pick-up date....but no trailer!

It is always best to call ahead and confirm!

I will post again to re-cap the events of the move.

Duane

Babies from Heaven!

The Fertility Gap
-- More Christians on the Way

BreakPoint Commentary
September 12, 2007

An interesting commentary by Chuck Colson aired on BreakPoint this week.
Here is a link to it: http://www.breakpoint.org/listingarticle.asp?ID=7036

I post this teaser below, and hope you will venture to Chuck’s BreakPoint website for an opportunity to read the full commentary. I believe via streaming audio, you can also listen online.

For the last half century, Western industrialized nations, fearing overpopulation and despoiling the planet, have made slowing population growth one of their top priorities. So now we are in the middle of what one observer calls a "global baby bust"—except, that is, among devout Christian families, those who take seriously the biblical mandate to "be fruitful and multiply." It shows that when Christians live out the biblical worldview, we not only survive, we thrive.

Sandra & I seem to have children with a "Christian World View", who are doing their part in this endeavor. Sarah & Nathanael are soon to have their third!

I hope my next blog post is a photo of the newest... Mosley baby!

Please pray for them, as they await this gift from above.

GrandDad Jones

Photos from Florida

Meggan & Sarah are both "Ladies in Waiting".

I hope that is not a poor choice of words!?

I'm not that well read.

However, Meggan joined her sister Sarah in Florida this past Wednesday.

Sarah is due to have her third any day. They have had fun together, and Meggan has been able to be of help to Sarah and family while they await the new arrival.

It was our hope the the newest Mosley would be here by now, but the "womb weaver" (as Sandy & I have referred to our Lord in the past) has chosen to keep this new one under wraps for a bit longer.

On Tuesday, Sarah will visit her midwife for a check-up.

I've included some photos we received from Nathanael this morning.

GrandDad Jones

The House that Duane Built

This weekend we (Clark Thomas & I), moved the play house from its elevated position, to that of a more on-grade position.

From a fort with swings, ramp & slide, to a playhouse for our grandbabies to play house in, on their visits to Minneapolis.

The next transformation will be to re-roof it with asphalt shingles and re-side it with vinyl siding.

It might even get a cupola for its roof!

Then painting of the interior, carpeting and re-connection of the electric.

Evelyn, Michael, Lillian and ????.... Come & Enjoy!


Here are some photos of the day.


GrandDad Jones

P.S. Clark, Thanks again, for all your help!

Jessica needs some Press Time too!

Jessica & Danielle went to a YoungLife camp in Colorado.

Here are some photos from the week.

Danielle said the camp was really nice! It was a bit to get used to the higher elevation, however.

Duane

Fourth Installment of Mosley/Wolff photos

Here is the next batch of selected photos.
Michael, Lillian & Evelyn enjoying some time in "the drivers seat" of JJ's go-cart.
Nathanael showing his tubing ability.
One handed, no less!
Nathanael & Meggan in their tubing wars.

Nathanael enjoying his ride back to the dock after his & Meg's tubing adventure!
Photos from the day of departure for the Wolff's. A sad day it was.

The great memories will last forever, however.






Still more to come!



Dad J