I was one of the worst in my company for 6 of my nine years in the reserves. The change Christ wrought in my heart was apparent enough to the brass hats that I eventually finished my remaining 3 years out as lay chaplain.
Less than 2% of all Americans have ever served in the military. Will they really be remembered this weekend?
For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion.
"Before there can be an army, navy and air force capable of protecting us, there must be a citizenry that believes we are worth defending."---Mona Charen
(7) But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
(8) And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
(9) Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
(10) As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
(11) If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
(12) Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
(13) But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
(14) If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
(15) But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
(16) Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
(17) For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
(18) And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
(19) Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
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“If I never write to you more, let these be my last words: There is none like Christ– none like Christ– none like Christ. Nothing like redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. There is no learning nor knowledge like the knowledge of Christ, no life like Christ living in the heart by faith, no work like the service of Christ, and no riches or wealth like the unsearchable riches of Christ.
Little as I know of Christ (and it is my sin and shame that I know so little of Him), I would not exchange the learning of one hour’s fellowship with Christ for all the academic learning in ten thousand universities, even if angels were my teachers. Nor would I exchange the pleasure my soul has found in a word or two about Christ for all the pleasures of creation since the world began. For what would I exchange being forever with Christ, to behold his glory and see Him as He is and enter into the joy of my Lord?”
“A disciple is someone who so identifies himself with Christ and so reflects Him in character, word, and deed that he shares in Christ’s fame or infamy. The disciple’s identity in society will be determined by society’s view of his Master. Those who esteem, love, and admire Christ, will show the same affections toward his disciple. Those who hate Christ and are hostile to His cause, will hate his disciple, despise his lifestyle, oppose his proclamation, and seek to alienate him from society. This definition reflects not only meaning of a disciple, but that of a Christian – belonging to Christ.”---Paul Washer
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
...a gift from a friend. Then I assembled it and thought, maybe he wasn't being friendly...LSU did wax their hides pretty good at the BCS Championship last year.
They actually came last Thursday but I just couldn't fit them in 'til now. As a product, they're not too bad. They appear to be made from retired Wiking and Herpa molds picked up by a Chinese company. Not the best of detail but certainly nice enough for the price.
One of the reasons I bought them is that HO scale vehicles have become something of a sub-hobby. For years they were priced out of my reach or willingness to pay, even when I wasn't giving unto the Lord.
Another reason I bought them is that I have shirttail kin who make their living in a band sponsored by these guys. I've always had a high regard for corporations and individuals who sponsor the arts with their own coin. I also have a high regard for people who can make something, be it music, art or a product, and succeed at making a living at it. There's an "organic" air to it that just begs respect.
And while I'd likely not take up the invitation, it is kinda cool to be able to tell the goon at the door that we're with the band. Saves us the $20 cover charge and the cokes are free too.
Finally...
...because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse...
That label there comes from a vision given to Hubertus while hunting. From the cross between the antlers of a stag, he heard these words..."Hubert, unless thou turnest to the Lord, and leadest an holy life, thou shalt quickly go down into hell"
Anyone who approaches that bottle is accountable for the words of that vision.
Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
My dad made a very good living as a charter bus driver most of his life, part time when he was a fireman, then full time when he retired. I loved his stories...how he would elude the NYPD's wrath for parking near the ferry dock for the Statue of Liberty by acting like a bumpkin from the hills or talking a Trailways driver into winding up one of their new Eagles to 120 mph when dad realized it was only them on the bus.
By no means perfect, he was my dad...gone now for 6 years last February.
Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.
And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat.
...projects I've done in the past that some of my readers haven't seen. I modified cheap toys for these, using various styrene shapes and bits. The 'dozer has taken a beating but still holds up, the backhoe features a scratchbuilt cab made by scribing clear styrene, then painting a frame around it.
I'd like to do more but time constraints have me modifying my hobby into more of a collector/tinkerer phase. One cannot follow a calling to "Preach the Word" and spend an inordinate amount of time on such temporal things.
...by Maury D. Klein and Bruce C. Greenburg. c. 1976
An outstanding resource for O and O27 collectors and operators, it was found on Paperback Swap. It is filled with original Lionel technical information on all their accessories, locomotives and transformers with much on wiring and layout setup.
Unfortunately, it was in very poor condition, the person who offered it not understanding the rules of condition. No harm done and no hurt feelings but I was still left with a great book in very poor shape that I couldn't bear to throw away. After staring at it really hard for a couple daze (it works, I'm tellin' ya), I took it to Office Depot and had the clerk carefully trim off the binding. Then I had her put on a clear front cover and a black heavy paper rear cover. Finally she bound the whole smack together with a spiral binder. It saved a great book and added many years to it with the unique feature of being able to fold it back on itself without damage, and all for $5.
Well...at least I thought it was a pretty cool idea.
If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan? For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; yea, they have called a multitude after thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee.
...purchased from a fellow modeler, it is in excellent condition.
Sadly, with DCC and today's super fine transistor throttles, there is little appreciation for these old timers, H & M took the hobby a step above the toy market with their work. There are no reversing switches, you simply turn the throttle in the desired direction. It also has a very satisfying clunk as you hit the off position, a feature other packs have never picked up---no more creeping engines in the yard pushing cars off into oblivion--- Made for older open frame motors, it would send today's can motored, whisper quite drives screamin' home to momma. That's OK, I've got a dual motored Athearn DD40 from 1967 that should have fun squaring up with it.
This particular model was built specifically for the American market---note the stamp over voltage markings on the package and the added decal on lower center of the control face.
What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.
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A generation of Christians reared among push buttons and automatic machines is impatient of slower and less direct methods of reaching their goals. We have been trying to apply machine-age methods to our relations with God. We read our chapter, have our short devotions, and rush away, hoping to make up for our deep inward bankruptcy by attending another gospel meeting or listening to another thrilling story told by a religious adventurer lately returned from afar. The tragic results of this spirit are all about us. Shallow lives, hollow religious philosophies, the preponderance of the element of fun in gospel meetings, the glorification of men, trust in religious externalities, quasi-religious fellowships, salesmanship methods, the mistaking of dynamic personality for the power of the Spirit; these and such as these are the symptoms of an evil disease, a deep and serious malady of the soul.---A.W. Tozer
Just a Believer who happens to model trains on a very tight budget, providing a place to showcase my own model work as well as the work of others, regardless of type. Considerations for posting are always welcome. Please check out the modeling links I've put together as well...
Less than God could not have borne your sin so as to put it away; but the infinitely glorious Son of God did actually stoop to become a sin-bearer. I wonder how I can talk of it as I do.
It is a truth scarcely to be declared in words. It wants flame and blood and tears with which to tell this story of an offended God, the Heaven-Maker and the Earth-Creator, stooping from his glory that he might save the reptiles which had dared to insult his honor and to rebel against his glory; and, becoming one of them, to suffer for them, that without violation of his law he might have pity upon the offending things — things so inconsiderable that if he had stamped them all out, as men burn a nest of wasps, there had been no loss to the universe. But he had pity on them, and became one of them, and bare their sins. Oh, love ye him; adore ye him; let your souls climb up to the right hand of the majesty above, this morning, and there bow down in lowliest reverence and adoring affection, that he, the God over all, whom you had offended, should his own self bear our sins.
Though thus God over all, he became a man like unto ourselves; a body was prepared for him, and that body, mark you, not prepared alone, and made like to man but not of man. No, he was not otherwise fashioned than ourselves, he came into the world as we also come, born of a woman, a child of a mother, to hang upon a woman’s breast; not merely like to man, but man, born in the pedigree of manhood, and so bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh, yet without a taint of sin. And he, in that double nature but united person, was Jesus, Son of God and Son of the Virgin; he it was who “bare our sins in his own body on the tree.”
From a sermon by Charles Haddon Spurgeon entitled "Death For Sin, And Death To Sin," delivered November 16, 1873.
Men, protect your daughters....
“Picture this: Some 17 year old snot nosed punk comes over to take out your daughter, and you say, 'No you aren't worthy of her.' (Immediately everyone is up in arms over your 'judgmental' and 'harsh' position, and for 'breaking your daughter’s heart.') Ok, so let's put it another way now: You have a beautiful, brand new $200,000 Ferrari Testarossa in front of your house, and a snot nosed 17 year old punk comes over to take it for a spin. Would you hand him the keys? See, what your problem is, is that you value a car more than your daughter. Men, protect your daughters!”
My sole purpose for this blog is to lift up the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him Crucified on a no nonsense, no ad platform showcasing my work and the work of other modelers, and to practice my hobby with the world behind me, the Cross before me and Kingdom of God in sight. All Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible as I have found on my own that there is none more faithful to the original languages. Unless otherwise noted, all text and photographs are mine. Old ads and product reviews are respectfully posted in good faith that any copyright privileges are not being infringed upon, with no intent to profit or disparage in any way and will be removed upon request of their respective holders.
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