The Kid on the Running Board

Our first stop was at the Creation Museum, Petersburg, Kentucky. I had written out some questions for which I was hoping to find answers. I did. I was afraid a part day wouldn’t be enough time to see all the displays, but it was. This place would be an interesting visit for all people, those that believe in evolution as well as those who might prefer the “old earth” or “young earth” view of beginnings. We all start with the same set of fossils and layers of rock. It was good to be reminded of that – I need to set aside any pre-conceived opinions and teachings and examine the evidence afresh.

Tomorrow we’ll be visiting the Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky (south of Cincinnati, Ohio). Looking forward to a clearer understanding of Genesis. Got a handle on the “why”, now to better appreciate the “how”. I’ll post some photos and share some opinions in future posts. These will be followed by posts about a guy called Noah and a big boat (we’re going to the Ark Encounter on Friday). Stay tuned, the Adventures of the Klagers continues.

My thoughts this morning are of a Judean hillside in a faraway country and yet it seems so close.The air is hot and still, deathly still.The sandy soil is dark, darkened by the blood of men. Men who faced death, their own deaths over the preceding months and years. Here ended the lives of criminals from that walled city over there , on another hill.

There is the gate they would come through, the road that leads to this eery place. Often they were forced to carry the cross timber from which they would soon be suspended. Some proclaiming their innocence, some cursing their guards, ONE quietly, not struggling to get away, like a LAMB being led to the slaughterhouse. HIS face beaten to a pulp that even a mother would have difficulty recognizing. And yet she did. HIS back was also a red, gory mess. Centuries later preachers would describe it looking like a plowed field, but my grampa would disagree. He never plowed a field and had the furrows criss-crossing each other, his were straight and parallel. But that day, the day before the Sabbath, the blows of the whip had been so many ……

“Who is HE on yonder tree”? It’s my JESUS, my SAVIOUR and now my LORD. GOD’s SON, only son – dying for me! Why? Because HIS FATHER loved me, because HE loved me, and they still do. Yes, JESUS died that day in that dusty, faraway land, but HE arose three days later and today lives in my heart.

Have you met HIM?

A divisive topic indeed. Just re-read Colossians 3:15,16 in my quiet time. Part of an oft referred to portion of Scripture.

Never mind the music – whether it’s too fast or too slow, too loud or too soft, too…whatever; never mind that they allow drums or don’t even use a piano,  what do the Words say?

Whether they are psalms or hymns or spiritual songs – are they words of wisdom, do they teach me something, do they admonish (warn, advise or mildly reprove) something in my life? Do the words I sing create in me a thankful heart toward God? (Col. 3:16 nasb)

Paul doesn’t ask me if I like the songs, he asks me to “let (allow, permit) the word of Christ” to “richly dwell (make one’s home) within” me.

“Let the peace of Christ rule” in my heart  (vs. 15).  How then can I hurt the witness of the universal or local church to the rest of the world? How indeed!

Time-out. In a chair. Facing into a corner or against a wall. In what sport does this happen, you may well ask. It’s called The Game of Life.

The penalty call is for running in a “no run zone” or having a temper tantrum or “potty mouth”. The official making the decision is usually not wearing a black and white shirt nor is the call preceded by a shrill whistle blast. It’s not an automatic red card, it was probably preceded by a warning yellow card in the form of a verbal count to three, a warning which went unheeded. The tired, frustrated parent is trying to bring a sense of order into the chaotic household.

I am a grandfather. My parents didn’t use this technique with my brother and I, nor I with my sons. Am I against this form of correction? No, not really, I just think it is over done, often exclusive. Varying types and severity of punishment should be used to more closely line up with the indiscretion. Removal of a privilege or treat and spanking are two methods that come to mind. Just as modern day human resource departments use progressively harsher discipline with employees, so should parents.

Parenting today is not easy. I believe it is more difficult now than when I was a parent. And now a confession to my boys. I now strongly believe that explanation and love needs to be the over-arching umbrella of child discipline. Explaining that actions have consequences, explaining which actions are not acceptable, and why; showing love by words and deeds, often, not just when disciplining. In these two areas I could have done a much better job. Forgive me.

My wife and I joke with our grandkids about Nana sending Grampa to his time-out chair when he is bad. They think that is funny. Silly Grampa. Oh well, at least my chair is outdoors.

Grampa's Time-out Chair

Here it is!

Praying Mantis