Louisville, KY…
We visited Louisville in April 2010. No, we didn’t go to Churchill Downs but did visit the Louisville Slugger store. Louisville has some unique statues throughout the downtown area. Continue reading Louisville, KY…
Category: XX – Everything Else
Misc things that sprout in my mind
Nantucket …
Let’s do one more series on the Eastern seaboard. These were taken during a 1998 long weekend on the island of Nantucket. My wife being a basket collector insisted we had to go there so she could get a Nantucket basket. President Clinton and family were there that same weekend. We didn’t run across them but the local newspaper was full of pictures of their visit. Continue reading Nantucket …
The Pets of my Life…
My wife and I have always had pets around our homes. I can’t imagine life without them. So, I have put together this collage of some of our furry, and not so furry, friends. No, we don’t actually have any pet cows but I think if Yvonne could have figured out how to get one in our trunk we would have! :) Continue reading The Pets of my Life…
Des Moines Botanical Center – Des Moines, IA
The Des Moines Botanical Center is not one of the largest we have visited but it probably one of the best maintained (both inside and out). Date Visited June 2010 Continue reading Des Moines Botanical Center – Des Moines, IA
Iowa Historical Museum – Des Moines, IA
These pictures of the Iowa Historical Museum, that is in front of the Capital Building, were also taken during our June 2010 trip. Besides the Iowa political primaries section of the museum one of my favorite things was the skyscraper made from Leggo blocks that was in the lobby. Continue reading Iowa Historical Museum – Des Moines, IA
Inside the Capital Building – Des Moines, IA
Here are some pictures from inside the Des Moines Capital building. I particularly like the library with the spiral staircase. As usual click on any photo below to see a larger image. Continue reading Inside the Capital Building – Des Moines, IA
Capital Building – Des Moines, IA
Let’s stay in Des Moines for a few more posts. Here are some pictures of the outside of the Capital building. It is one of the most beautiful capitals we have visited in the U.S. But, we did get there at the peak flower time. Whenever we visit a State we always try to manage a visit to the Capital. Continue reading Capital Building – Des Moines, IA
Living History Farms – Des Moines IA
We visited here in June of this year. They have, in addition to the town in the pictures, several different farms set representing different Iowa farming eras. as usual click on a thumb nail below to see a full size version Continue reading Living History Farms – Des Moines IA
10% Tithe??
I know the Old Testament talks about a 10% thithe in several places but is this also applicable to Christians in the New Testament age? Some say yes and some say no. It always impressed me when I read in the book of acts how Early Christians sold everything they had and gave the money to the Apostles for the community good. Here are those verses: Acts 4:32-35 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued … Continue reading 10% Tithe??
The Church Clubhouse?
Is there anything wrong with having a church be the social center for members’ families as well as a place to worship God? Many churches believe this configuration is totally wrong but in reality most, if not all, churches are to one degree or another clubhouses as well as churches. Some believe the church/clubhouse is the core of the 21st century religious establishment. Should having fun be unrelated to doing church or to what extent should they be related? That is the basic question to be answered and it seems to have many different answers. I don’t see anything wrong … Continue reading The Church Clubhouse?
Pentecost on my mind…
Yesterday being Pentecost, and the fact that I just finished posting a series on the Holy Spirit, it is on my mind. After again reading the dramatic account of the Holy Spirit coming to the apostles and others in that closed and hidden room I had a serious question suddenly pop into my mind. Are we ignoring our small messages from the Holy Spirit and therefore also keeping the big ones from occurring in our lives? I don’t expect that the Holy Spirit uses the flaming heads much anymore but I do believe that he come to each of us in varying … Continue reading Pentecost on my mind…
The Bible is like….
The last post I attempted to report the basic differences between the two major views of the Bible. This time I am going get a little artsy and make a meager attempt to try to compare these views to the concept of the “Bread of Life”. The Literal and Inerrant View see the Bible as a completed loaf of bread coming directly from God. There is nothing to be added and every part is equally nutritious. No crumbs are any more valuable than any other. The bread is already baked and sliced so there is nothing left for them to … Continue reading The Bible is like….
You Might Be a Quaker…
I thought the last post was going to be the end of this round on Quakers but thanks to eriu49’s comments on my previous post I came across the following at http://firstfriendswhittier.org I think I can say I agree with every item on this list. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> You Might Be a Quaker if: You think listening is at least as important as talking. You think justice means more than just locking up criminals. You are more interested in being like Christ than in being like Christians. You want to read the Bible but you don’t want to be beaten with it. You think … Continue reading You Might Be a Quaker…
Quakers and the Sacraments…
The following is actually a comment attached to my April 5 concluding post on Quakerism. I think it is important enough to pull it out and include it as a separate post. Thanks eriu49 for sending it. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I am very interested in your thoughts about Quakerism. I have been attending Meeting since 1995 and find it meets my needs very well. I found a piece that spoke to your question about why Quakers do not perform Baptism, and it makes a lot of sense to me, so I hope you will find something in it. It is from whittierfirstfriend.org: Meaning … Continue reading Quakers and the Sacraments…
Study of Quakers (Part 12)- Some Personal Thoughts (con’t)
Ok now on to some of the few things where I feel Quakers beliefs fall a little short . The core of Quakerism is as solid a foundation as I think I have ever come across in Christianity. But, much of it seems to eroded especially during the period between 1800 and 1900. I’m sure there are many meetings that still stick to the core tenets but there appears to be many that also have drifted to other beliefs. This saddens me. I do lament Quakers apparent marginalizing of some of the words of Jesus. Jesus clearly taught that all … Continue reading Study of Quakers (Part 12)- Some Personal Thoughts (con’t)
Study of Quakers (Part 11) – Some Personal Thoughts
After this fairly thorough study of Quakers I am ready to summarize my personal thoughts on Quakers and their beliefs and practices. First of all I must say that I am very much attuned to most Quaker beliefs. I think that Quakers really understand what Christ taught on how to live our lives. Not only do they believe it but they practice it in their daily lives. More so than almost any other Christians. I very much admire them for that. Their testimonies, which to me are really statements for their personal actions truly reflect what I think Jesus had … Continue reading Study of Quakers (Part 11) – Some Personal Thoughts
Study of Quakers – (Part 10) Some Source Books and other Miscellaneous things
Before I close out this series with some personal thoughts I wanted to do a quick post here to give you the list of books I have read in order to do these posts. There were also literally hundreds of websites/blogs I visited; too many to mention or name here. Here is the list of books and their authors and some websites. This is by no means a complete list but I believe it is a good sampling of the topic. Title Author An Introduction to Quakerism Pink Dandelion A Living Faith Wilmer A. Cooper A Quaker Book of Wisdom … Continue reading Study of Quakers – (Part 10) Some Source Books and other Miscellaneous things
Study of Quakers – (Part 9) The Richmond Conference of 1887
Quakerism has generally had no creed. George Fox dismissed theologians as “notionists”, and modern Quakers are generally less concerned with theology, and more concerned with acting in accord with the leading of the Spirit than are many other faiths. Quakers have historically expressed a preference for understanding coming from God’s Spirit over the knowledge derived from objective logic or systematic theology. This lack of a single set of authoritative doctrines has resulted in the development of a broad range of doctrines and beliefs among Friends, ranging from fundamentalist Christian to universalist. This in my mind is one of the few … Continue reading Study of Quakers – (Part 9) The Richmond Conference of 1887
Study of Quakers – (Part 8) The Bible
I want to open this post with some words from http://www.quakerinfo.org/quakerism/Qreligm.html Quakerism depends on neither the Bible nor on priestly tradition. However, Friends do value the Bible and recognize the “priesthood of all believers. Genuine belief cannot be second hand. Quakers believe that the writers of the Bible were inspired by God but the Bible is not the “Word” of God but instead are words of God. Quakers say that those who make an idol of the Bible, calling it the Word of God, giving the title of our living and present Lord, do miss the mark (John Chapter 1). … Continue reading Study of Quakers – (Part 8) The Bible
Study of Quakers – (Part 7) Service
Quakers place a great premium on practicing what they believe. That puts service to others as front and center in their lives. A favorite saying of mine is to “show the Lord’s love in your life”. Quakers definitely live by that motto. Jesus made it abundantly clear that he came to serve and not to be served. He expects each of us to follow his example and Quakers, for the most part, certainly do that. Many Christian denominations, including the one I currently belong, seems to minimize works and living in the world. They seem to prefer concentrating instead on … Continue reading Study of Quakers – (Part 7) Service
Study of Quakers – (Part 6) Silence, Personal Revelation and Worship
Silence is a very strong part of most Quaker beliefs. They very much believe in the bible verse “Be still and know that I am God”. Ps 46:10 This belief is at the very foundation of their weekly worship. Many Christians and non-Christians think that Quaker meetings are very strange indeed that Friends sometimes sit silently during their weekly meetings waiting for God to speak to them. Some weeks go by without a word being spoken! Given the propensity for most churches to do numerous readings and hymns, sitting silently is a very foreign concept to them. It is very … Continue reading Study of Quakers – (Part 6) Silence, Personal Revelation and Worship
RJ's Corner - Having My Say 