Saturday, July 31, 2010

A turning point...


And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.

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Been a long, hard week...but a good one, work being good but demanding a bit physically as I've been hired to fill a gap long needing to be addressed. It should slow down soon but it will be a week or two before I post with any regularity.

Yesterday was one of those moments that, in today's hustle, could easily be passed over without a second glance. I was dealing with a customer who was deaf, frustrated because those they have been dealing with up to this point had no patience for communicating with them as a person, demanding that the deaf customer write out their requests.

When my people introduced me to them the day before yesterday, I used what little---very little---sign language I knew to introduce myself...an action that seemed to have had a profound effect on the customer as I was informed that they eagerly were waiting to see me during my inspection the following day.

When next we met, there was a patient flurry of signing going on as my memory was slowly jogged, the customer expressing their needs to me as best they could. After that, the conversation turned to my tattoos, where I got them (actually built the machine myself, then proceeded to see if it worked---a long story...sigh...), who was the girl (thankfully, it bears a striking resemblance to my wife but I wouldn't meet her for another 10 years) and where did I learn signing. I found out that they were brethren in Christ and that, since they started dealing with my company, they had been praying to God for a long time for someone they can communicate with in the corporate office, especially because of the difficulty of dealing with our field reps.

Long story short...we both were overwhelmed at the Providential magnitude of the moment...I was quite shaken, the situation draining me from digging up long lost skills, the physical demands of my inspections that day adding to it and the teaching environment I was in with my entourage adding even more---I was literally vibrating from it all and it took many minutes to regain my thoughts for the rest of the day's work.

As I drove back home later that day, I wept, realizing there are few times we are given glimpses of His Hand at work in our lives and in the lives of those around us, and I'm betting quite frankly, there are more moments like this for us to see, but our own tunnel vision blocks the view, like blinders on a plow horse. I was the answer to the earnest prayers of another, the blundering sign language a sign of hope to the eyes of one whose ears were shut long ago to the warp and woof of this world.

Now, more than ever, I believe those tears being wiped from our eyes on that Great Day of His appearing, will be the tears of missed opportunities and the blinded eyes and deafened ears of those of us in the thirty and sixty fold crowd.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.---(Revelation 21:4)

But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.---(Mat 13:23)

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Roundhouse Three-in-one kit #1515 Rotary Snowplow


Had enough summer...I'm ready for snow thank you...how 'bout you?

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Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Wednesday's Word, 1 Corinthians 10:13


There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Galatians 2:11-21


But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.


Saturday, July 24, 2010

Hot Wheels Ramp Truck #0700-b...


Yes, the collector book says $5-12 but I like my modifications---and---they are far better than the ones I did as a 10-year-old 40 years ago to ones that are worth $3K now...

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Friday, July 23, 2010

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Wednesday's Word, Ecclesiastes 9:7-10


Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.

Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.

Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.


Tuesday, July 20, 2010

"Jazz with a General problem"


Transformers and stop motion photography...too cool...



UPDATE: ...just so you don't go traipsing all over the web and eBay trying to hunt down a General Lee Decepticon (like I did...sigh...), check this out...



On rendering unto Caesar...


...I understand that there are those who do not wish to pay their customs fees and duties, while at the same time supping at the trough of their respective governments. I also understand that there are those out there who are willing to help them not render unto Caesar their due taxes, tariffs and other fees.

I am neither.

It wasn't a gift, it didn't cost less than $20...pay your taxes, period.

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And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.---(Matthew 17:24-27)

Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.---(Matthew 22:15-21)

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil.

Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
---(Romans 13:1-8)

Monday, July 19, 2010

The stable...


Been selling off some of my models to meet the bills, being a salaried employee also means having to wait some time before that first check comes. There are no regrets, having long ago accepted what Corrie Ten Boom said about material things;

"Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open."

Besides, it's makes it easier to see the models that do have greater sentimental value and would be lost in the pile of lesser ones...

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Sunday, July 18, 2010

Picture of a Prophet


By Leonard Ravenhill

The prophet in his day is fully accepted of God and totally rejected by men.

Years back, Dr. Gregory Mantle was right when he said, "No man can be fully accepted until he is totally rejected." The prophet of the Lord is aware of both these experiences. They are his "brand name."

The group, challenged by the prophet because they are smug and comfortably insulated from a perishing world in their warm but untested theology, is not likely to vote him "Man of the year" when he refers to them as habituates of the synagogue of Satan!

The prophet comes to set up that which is upset. His work is to call into line those who are out of line! He is unpopular because he opposes the popular in morality and spirituality. In a day of faceless politicians and voiceless preachers, there is not a more urgent national need than that we cry to God for a prophet! The function of the prophet, as Austin-Sparks once said, "has almost always been that of recovery."

The prophet is God's detective seeking for a lost treasure. The degree of his effectiveness is determined by his measure of unpopularity. Compromise is not known to him.

-He has no price tags.
-He is totally "otherworldly."
-He is unquestionably controversial and unpardonably hostile.
-He marches to another drummer!
-He breathes the rarefied air of inspiration.
-He is a "seer" who comes to lead the blind.
-He lives in the heights of God and comes into the valley with a "thus saith the Lord."
-He shares some of the foreknowledge of God and so is aware of impending judgment.
-He lives in "splendid isolation."
-He is forthright and outright, but he claims no birthright.
-His message is "repent, be reconciled to God or else...!"
-His prophecies are parried.
-His truth brings torment, but his voice is never void.
-He is the villain of today and the hero of tomorrow.
-He is excommunicated while alive and exalted when dead!
-He is dishonored with epithets when breathing and honored with epitaphs when dead.
-He is a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, but few "make the grade" in his class.
-He is friendless while living and famous when dead.
-He is against the establishment in ministry; then he is established as a saint by posterity.
-He eats daily the bread of affliction while he ministers, but he feeds the Bread of Life to those who listen.
-He walks before men for days but has walked before God for years.
-He is a scourge to the nation before he is scourged by the nation.
-He announces, pronounces, and denounces!
-He has a heart like a volcano and his words are as fire.
-He talks to men about God.
-He carries the lamp of truth amongst heretics while he is lampooned by men.
-He faces God before he faces men, but he is self-effacing.
-He hides with God in the secret place, but he has nothing to hide in the marketplace.
-He is naturally sensitive but supernaturally spiritual.
-He has passion, purpose and pugnacity.
-He is ordained of God but disdained by men.

Our national need at this hour is not that the dollar recover its strength, or that we save face over the Watergate affair, or that we find the answer to the ecology problem. We need a God-sent prophet!

I am bombarded with talk or letters about the coming shortages in our national life:
bread, fuel, energy. I read between the lines from people not practiced in scaring folk. They feel that the "seven years of plenty" are over for us. The "seven years of famine" are ahead. But the greatest famine of all in this nation at this given moment is a FAMINE OF THE HEARING OF THE WORDS OF GOD (Amos 8:11).

Millions have been spent on evangelism in the last twenty-five years. Hundreds of gospel messages streak through the air over the nation every day. Crusades have been held; healing meetings have made a vital contribution. "Come-outers" have "come out" and settled, too, without a nation-shaking revival. Organizers we have. Skilled preachers abound. Multi-million dollar Christian organizations straddle the nation. BUT where, oh where, is the prophet? Where are the incandescent men fresh from the holy place? Where is the Moses to plead in fasting before the holiness of the Lord for our moldy morality, our political perfidy, and sour and sick spirituality?

GOD'S MEN ARE IN HIDING UNTIL THE DAY OF THEIR SHOWINGFORTH.

They will come. The prophet is violated during his ministry, but he is vindicated by history.

There is a terrible vacuum in evangelical Christianity today. The missing person in our ranks is the prophet. The man with a terrible earnestness. The man totally otherworldly. The man rejected by other men, even other good men, because they consider him too austere, too severely committed, too negative and unsociable.

-Let him be as plain as John the Baptist.
-Let him for a season be a voice crying in the wilderness of modern theology and stagnant "churchianity."
-Let him be as selfless as Paul the apostle.
-Let him, too, say and live, "This ONE thing I do."
-Let him reject ecclesiastical favors.
-Let him be self-abasing, non self-seeking, non self-projecting, non self- righteous, non self-glorying, non self-promoting.
-Let him say nothing that will draw men to himself but only that which will move men to God.
-Let him come daily from the throne room of a holy God, the place where he has received the order of the day.
-Let him, under God, unstop the ears of the millions who are deaf through the clatter of shekels milked from this hour of material mesmerism.
-Let him cry with a voice this century has not heard because he has seen a vision no man in this century has seen.

God send us this Moses to lead us from the wilderness of crass materialism, where the rattlesnakes of lust bite us and where enlightened men, totally blind spiritually, lead us to an ever-nearing Armageddon.

God have mercy! Send us PROPHETS!


Isaiah 10:1-3


Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!

And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?


Friday, July 16, 2010

Unimate N scale couplers...


While they are not a true operating coupler and should be reserved for service in consists that are not regularly broken up, they are an attractive, low cost, fairly easy to install alternative to those rather huge but faithful Rapido type couplers that have been around for over 40 years. Their short coming is that they have to be lifted over each other for coupling/uncoupling, making them impractical for regular switching of cars. For the money though, the improvement on looks is hard to beat, as evidenced by the pilots of these two Bachmann DD40AXs...

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Thursday, July 15, 2010

1924 Nuhdin Special...on steroids...


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The Arrows - "In the Words of Satan"


Just keep moving on if you're easily offended...



I used to be in the Christian Music industry and one thing I can attest to is that they only get two out of three right...it is music and it is an industry but it certainly works hard to be anything but Christian. In light of my experience I rarely jump on a new group's band wagon and, in this case, am only posting the one video as it is a powerful, bare knuckles picture of the Prince of the power of the air.

Their other song is typically veiled, with no direct references to God, Jesus or the exclusiveness of the Gospel Message. How well I remember a Stryper tune that could just as easily be sung to a prom queen in the backseat of her date's car. As with other groups in the past, I'll wait this out to see what kind of fruit falls from the tree, before I go recommending them to anyone.

The sad truth is that most Christians are as celebrity oriented as their unsaved neighbor...the mere mention of God and the fact that the music doesn't contain a vocabulary that could peel wallpaper seem to be the only qualifications for CCM sainthood nowadays.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Deuteronomy 5:29


O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Lima N scale heavyweight circus observation car, circa early '70s...


I received a formal offer on the job I've been posting about lately...salaried positions being a new thing to me, I never knew they had to be formally offered. A true Joseph moment, I've gone from being under 3 managers to supervising over 150 people, half of them managers themselves.

DUDE!!!!...I can't believe I'm shopping for a briefcase...

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A company car is included...an Accord or Civic most likely, not a private railroad car or limo...sigh...but hey, they pay for the gas and the upkeep.

I wonder how fast an Accord goes on the Interstate?

I suspect they'd take a dim view of me having runners go ahead of my chariot shouting, "Bow the knee, bow the knee...!"

I wonder what an $8 cup of coffee tastes like...and just what is a triple latte mocha with a shot of caramel anyway?

I have a new appreciation for Dilbert comics.








DUDE!!!!....I'm...shopping...for...a...briefcase...

Monday, July 12, 2010

Willys Jeep swamp rat...


I just found out my job classifies me as a "white collar" worker...my blue collar dad would've had kittens if he was still alive...

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...guess that means no more nights at the monster truck rallies...gotta start developing my taste for $8 cups of coffee and such...


I realize posting a Styx video might get me booted from the local Baptist church---oh, wait---they've already done that...sigh...

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Psalm 37:23-40


The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever. The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.

The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.

Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.

Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.


Thursday, July 8, 2010

For those who prayed for me...


...Thank you...I have a job now.

Just call me "Inspector"...I now get to point at stuff and say, "That's not code...get someone to fix that." , just like my hero, Mike Holmes...

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Bachmann DD40AX "Centennials", circa 1984


Picked these up just before the move...yes, they have their problems but, they do run and they do have the correct see-thru walk thru in the center of the long hood---and---their gears aren't cracked, an amazing thing when you figure the plastic used was so bad they could crack sitting in the box on the hobby shop shelf. And I happen to like the "stoopid blinky LED" on the roof of the cab...

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Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Wednesday's Word, Luke 11:37-52


And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat. And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.

And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also? But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.

But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.

Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also. And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.

Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres. Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.

Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.


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Tuesday, July 6, 2010

"...at the twilight's last gleaming..."


My property flew 4 American flags along the highway out front. Every 4-6 months, I'd pull down the tattered remains of the old ones and replace them with new, as carefully as I could through the tangle of the oleander bushes. Then I'd gently fold them and put them in a box, planning on one day taking them to a local scout troop, where they could be properly handled one last time.

As time past, the box grew quite full, the running of the property and the ease of forgetting such things in the warp and woof of life standing in the way, 'til finally, after 8 years, the box was overflowing.

How many times I was told to shut up the God talk or get fired because a resident was offended---from a conversation they had no part in anyway?

How many times had I been told that I had no equal footing in the town square because of my faith?




How many times did I hold that box over the dumpster, trying to convince myself that it just didn't matter any more?


Through circumstances outside of my control, that box has been handed over to another. I wonder what they'll do with it...

The Star-Spangled Banner

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!


There is indeed One Who is mighty to save...


Ah, soul, here is another part of thy misery, that thou hast destroyed thyself, but thou canst not save thyself; thou hast woven the net, thou hast made it fast and firm, but thou canst not tear it in pieces. But there is One who can, there is One upon whom the Spirit of the Lord descended that he might loose the prisoner. There is a heart that feels for thee in heaven, and there is One mighty to save, who can rescue thee.

Breathe that prayer, “O set me free, thou Liberator of captive souls;” breathe the prayer now, and believe that he can deliver thee, and thou shalt yet, captive as thou art, go free, and this shall be thy ransom price, his precious blood; and this shall be the privilege of thy ransomed life, to love and praise him who hath redeemed thee from going down into the pit.


From a sermon entitled "Sinners Bound With The Cords Of Sin," delivered February 13, 1870.



Monday, July 5, 2010

Improvise, adapt, overcome...


Great for when you're working on a model with many delicate detail parts...take an old towel, roll it up on both ends towards the middle, flip it then push down the center for a perfect work cradle...

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Sunday, July 4, 2010

Psalm 37:16-26


A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.

The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.

The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.


Deuteronomy 8:5-20

Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee. Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.

For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey; A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass. When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.

Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.

But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God.


Saturday, July 3, 2010

To my tract passin' buddy...


...I think I fixed the problem of my Chick tracts blowing away at the outdoor train shows...

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Found it at Hobby Lobby on clearance...certainly beats weighing them down with a rock or a brick.

Friday, July 2, 2010

Walther's 50' Airslide hopper, Milwaukee Road...


A great looking car with sprung trucks, found this in that box lot from a couple weeks back...it just screams railroading...

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Thursday, July 1, 2010

Model Power/Mantua Classics HO scale Southern Pacific 2-6-6-2 Mallet, Epilogue.


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...moment of silence please...

I find it interesting that, in all the retooling of the mechanism, Model Power retained the original lighting arrangement with all the exposed wiring, both on the front and rear headlight,---even amplifying it somewhat with shrink tubing---something that hasn't really been acceptable on a model since the 1960s...

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My one guess would be that they wanted to retain the charm of the original and simply upgrade the mechanism to today's DCC demands. That is something I can live with as I've always wanted one and it is a very smooth, albeit very fast, mechanism with a flywheel and flat can motor. I can remember even as a teenager wondering why Mantua never made a real effort at hiding the wires.

I've since corrected the broken air reservoir tank piping, just between the two engines---but---can you find my other mistake?

HINT: When photographing a subject, one must ensure that said subject is correctly posed...