Almost Full Christmas Moon

 

Bears Reciting, Repeating at Christmas

1914 Christmas in the Trenches (via ZeroHedge)

By John McCutcheon

Oh my name is Francis Tolliver, I come from Liverpool
Two years ago the war was waiting for me after school
From Belgium and to Flanders, Germany to here
I fought for King and country I love dear

Twas Christmas in the trenches and the frost so bitter hung
The frozen fields of France where still no Christmas songs were sung
Our families back in England were toasting us that day
Theie brave and glorious lads so far away

I was lying with my mess-mates on the cold and rocky ground
When across the lines of battle came a most peculiar sound
Says I now listen up me boys, each soldier strained to hear
As one young German voice sang out so clear

He’s singing bloody well you know, my partner says to me
Soon one by one each German voice joined in in harmony
The cannons rested silent and the gas clouds rolled no more
As Christmas brought us respite from the war

As soon as they were finished and a reverent pause was spent
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen struck up some lads from Kent
The next thing sang was Stille Nacht, tis ‘Silent Night’ says I
And in two tongues one song filled up that sky

There’s someone coming towards us now the front line sentry said
All sights were fixed on one lone figure trudging from their side
His truce flag like a Christmas Star shone on the plane so bright
As he bravely trudged unarmed into the night

Then one by one on either side, walked in to No Man’s Land
With neither gun nor bayonet, we met there hand to hand
We shared some secret brandy and we wished each other well
And in a flare lit football game we gave them hell

We traded chocolates, cigarettes and photographs from home
These sons and fathers far away from families of their own
Young Sanders played the squeeze box and they had a violin
This curious and unlikely band of men

Soon daylight stole upon us and France was France once more
With sad farewells we each began to settle back to war
But the question haunted every heart that lived that wondrous night
Whose family have I fixed within my sights

Twas Christmas in the trenches and the frost so bitter hung
The frozen fields of France were warmed, the songs of peace were sung
For the walls they’d kept between us to exact the work of war
Had been crumbled and were gone forever more

Oh my name is Francis Tolliver, from Liverpool I dwell
Each Christmas comes since World War I have learned its lesson well
For the ones who call the shots won’t be among the dead and lame
And on each end of the rifle we’re the same

Jesus Christ, From Lowly Birth To Humblest Servant

JOHN 13:  

THE ACCOUNT OF JESUS WASHING his disciples’ feet (John 13:1–17) is narrated to establish several points: (1) Walking on dusty roads in open sandals took its toll. Many homes would assign the lowest of the servants to wash the feet of visitors. On this occasion, however, Jesus and his closest disciples are on their own, and no one thinks to take on the role of the humblest servant—no one, that is, but Jesus himself. The way John marshals the facts shows that, decades later when he is writing these lines, he is still awed by the dimensions of the deed. Jesus knows that it is time for him to go to the cross, “to leave this world and go to the Father” (John 13:1), but he is not self-absorbed. He knows that one of those whose feet he will wash is Judas Iscariot, who, sold out as he is to the devil, is in the process of betraying him. Jesus knows whence he has come, “that he had come from God and was returning to God” (John 13:3). All along he has “loved his own who were in the world,” and now he shows them “the full extent of his love” (John 13:1)—not only the footwashing itself, but the cross, to which the footwashing points (as we shall see). Knowing all this, loving like this, “he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist” (John 13:4)—it is as if every step has been indelibly burned onto John’s memory, and he can play it back, again and again, in slow motion. In the hush of the room, Jesus washes his disciples’ feet. (2) Peter balks (John 13:6–11). The exchange that follows is multi-layered. On the surface of things, there is a form of humility that is actually proud. In one sense, the most humbling thing to endure in this setting is Jesus washing your feet. So there is a lesson in humility. But there is something deeper: “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand” (John 13:7); Jesus’ washing of his disciples’ feet anticipates, symbolically, the washing that is accomplished by the cross, the supreme self-humiliation that is displayed in the cross. Peter will understand such things only after the events. And then, in a moment of flip-flop enthusiasm, Peter wants a bath, and a third level is peeled back to view: a person who is already clean does not need a bath, but only to have his feet washed (John 13:10). And in some respects the disciples, with the exception of the son of perdition, are already clean. Here, then, is a picture of the “once-for-all” element in the cross (cf. Heb. 9:11–14, 23–26); we do not need a new sacrifice, but fresh confession (1 John 1:7, 9). (3) And always there is the demand to be like Jesus.

Sunday

Grizzly On My Old Stomping/Fishing Ground

Photo by Baylor Beers via Cowboy State Daily. This photo was taken at Togwotee Pass near the Continental Divide. 

IN MY MANY FORTUNATE DECADES living part-time, working and fly fishing on these rivers and high mountain streams, I have seen and encountered more grizzlies than I care to remember. Except for the extreme adrenaline rush that accompanies seeing these beasts up close, these sightings are mostly uneventful, thank God. Today, however, I have lost my taste for running into them at all, not wanting to push my luck. And grizzlies here have proliferated almost exponentially. So my occasional fishing near Togwotee is always with a man, preferably packing heat, who is careful and knows how to proceed in this willowy terrain. It is still one of my favorite places on earth!

Happy Fourth from Wyoming

 MAY GOD BLESS AND HAVE MERCY ON AMERICA.

BORN-AGAIN FOUNDER: The Gracious Conviction of Elias Boudinot. 

Finally, a wonderful video of one of the historical factors leading up to the American Revolution: the failed Stamp Act of 1765,

The Gospel Explained

 By Matt Smethurst @ The Gospel Coalition

 LET'S FACE IT: the word “gospel” gets thrown around somewhat loosely in Christian conversation today—so much so that its weighty meaning can get lost, or at least muffled. To grasp the good news of the gospel, then, we must first internalize the significance of the word “news.” This is, after all, what separates Christianity from every other religion. 

 Christianity isn’t, fundamentally, good advice. It’s an announcement of good news. 

 You don’t need to go to seminary to grasp the gospel. You don’t need to be in ministry to grasp the gospel. You don’t even need to have been a Christian for five minutes in order to grasp the gospel well enough to convey it to others. 

 All you need to understand is that 2,000 years ago, an invasion took place.

 Heaven came to earth in the person of Jesus, and he inaugurated a new kingdom. 

For 33 years, he lived a life of unflinching, perfect faithfulness to God the Father. He lived the life that, try as we might, we cannot live. And because he loves us, he died the death we deserved to die.

 As a believer in Jesus, I can know that on the cross he was treated as if he’d lived my sinful life, so that I might be treated as if I’ve lived his righteous life.

And then Jesus was buried. Until he wasn’t—because three days later, he got up and walked out of his tomb.

READ IT ALL.

Great News, Killdeer Chicks Are Hatched!

 

WE HAD ALMOST GIVEN UP ON SEEING THIS  BROOD OF KILLDEERS EVER HATCH!  Then low and behold,  as of last night three chick's were out of their shells and hopping around.  The fourth was yet  to come.  All are here just in time for the Fourth holiday and we are  thrilled! The loggers are the best guardians of all wildlife on our property and the best 'grandparents' for this little killdeer family.  

Sermon On Alexander Hamilton, American Prodigal

THIS EXCELLENT TALK IS BY DAVID MATTHIS @ Desiring God.

Can You Spot the Little Mother Killdee and Her Four Speckled Eggs Below?

CAN YOU FIND HER? She laid her eggs flat on the ground and now spends her time guarding them with her life. When I walked across the field today, I didn't see her and her precious eggs. Then suddenly the little killdee came out of no where, puffed herself up and peeped at the top of her lungs at me. I was walking on holy ground and had better back off fast! Attack seemed imminent Once I got the message I did what she told me to do. Now four little speckled killdee eggs wait to hatch. Just so you know, the loggers and their huge trucks are the most protective of the little killdee family.

Allen Jackson Preaches

Fast forward to about minute 37.

Favorite Tim Keller Clip

Will No Longer Use Them

MEGYN ARTICULATES HER POSITION AND THE EVOLUTION OF HER THINKING. Thank goodness for swimming champ Riley Gaines, a courageous real woman from Old Hickory, TN, who started standing up and fighting back against trans swimmer Lia Thomas. He's a biological man. He has unfairly competed against women who are supposed to roll over and go along with his silliness.

Some Kid Got the Service Award for His Class Last Night

WAY TO GO, KID. We love you. You're on your way to becoming a gentleman, scholar and athlete.   What matters most is that you, and we all, fulfill your God-given callings,  service assignments and tough challenges  throughout your life, however imperfectly,  by the Grace of God.

Meanwhile,  congrats! 

Money Guy Talks Debt Deal

I JOKED ON FRIDAY that Congress and the President would do a debt deal because they are long stocks, and they want the “people” to have a good holiday on Monday. It is such a charade and a big Ponzi scheme. It will end badly. I suspect then the “people” will turn on them with a vengeance in the near future. I would not want to be a politician in 4 years. 

Then this,

       One market letter reported that everything from poverty to common diseases could become a thing of the past because of new technology. While the report could have been from last week, it was from March 2000—just a little off on its prediction. The current predictions about AI curing all ills will be off too.

A Few Items I Like and Bookmarked

GENERAL DOUGLAS MACGREGOR: Bakhmut is a disaster for Ukraine

FROM MY 2023 NEW FAVORITE NEWSPAPER, COWBOY STATE DAILY: Get a haircut and a shot of whiskey in Gillette, WY barbershop.

 

FINALLY, THIS:

Memorial Day 2023, Day of Sober Remembrance and Gratitude

WHEREVER THIS WAS TAKEN----DC? Normandy (hands down my favorite place in France)?---it's holy, hallowed ground. Praying all those and their families who died, were lost or are still suffering from past war injuries may be comforted and evermore remembered by us, the living.

Fly Fishing the SoHo

 

 FLY FISHING, catch and release, barbless hook, is one of the greatest ways to be outdoors interacting with wildlife up close and personal in a life-giving way. Catching a wild, sophisticated trout on a barbless hook, then putting it back in the river unscathed, uninjured, has to be one of the most fun thrills you can have.  But it takes patience, practice and a willingness to be humbled over and over again. The dry fly season has begun in East Tennessee and soon in the Rockies. It's been a long winter, so getting on the river soon, especially the South Holston, is a real treat. Tight lines.

Farewell Tim Keller, Teacher and Friend

TIM KELLER, 72, DIED TODAY IN NEW YORK CITY after a three year battle with cancer. I had the privilege of attending his church, Redeemer Presbyterian, many times over the years when I visited my son who lived and worked in Manhattan. To this day, his sermons and teachings of the Gospel are my favorites and ones which have stuck to my ribs more than any others. I thank God for the gifts Keller shared with me and millions others. Below, Tony Reinke from Desiring God remembers Keller:

Discovering the Gospel in First and Second Samuel with Tim Keller

THE OPERATIVE WORD HERE IS IMPUTED. Or how one man can win (or lose) a battle for his side, yet the victory (or loss) is imputed to his entire army. That's grace, or undeserved merit or favor.

Blessed Easter Day!

THIS IS THE GREATEST DAY SO FAR IN ALL ETERNITY. Jesus rose from death to eternal life to break the bondage of sin and death, thereby thwarting the curse of Satan which began in the Garden so long ago. Have you ever thought how Jesus never revealed His and His Father's brilliant full plan for salvation by going in and out of Satan's dark domain until it was accomplished? Because if Satan had known it was the path to the redemption of mankind, he would never have orchestrated Jesus's death, let alone His resurrection. But The Father and the Son tricked the devil at his own game and our world is forever and gloriously changed. Still, there's much, much more to come! Stay tuned! Meanwhile, the sun is shining brightly here today!

Discovering the Gospel In Deuteronomy, then Joshua With Tim Keller:

Then there's the story of Joshua, the successor to Moses who led the new nation of Israel into the Promise land, and Rahab, a prostitute who believed and was saved by her faith.

Discovering the Gospel in the Book of Numbers With Dr. Tim Keller

NUMBERS TAKES PLACE BETWEEN ISRAEL'S DRAMATIC DELIVERANCE out of Egypt and its coming into the Promise Land forty years later. Numbers is that time of wandering in the desert after being saved but not yet receiving the ultimate promises of redemption. This is relevant today to all Christians, as we wander in between the first and second comings of Christ. We often languish in the wilderness yet the concept of Grace by faith alone to transform curses into blessings is introduced by God through Moses. Later faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross, His death and resurrection, brings salvation and redemption to any and all who will look to Him and simply believe.

Tim Keller: Discovering Gospel Principles in the Dreaded Book of Leviticus

ARE YOU READY TO PROBE THE CONCEPT OF GOD'S HOLINESS as found in the third book of the Bible? And what is holiness, anyway? 

Dr. Tim Keller Exploring the Gospel of Jesus in Genesis, Exodus

Jesus in Genesis: In Exodus, below:

Genesis 4 Story of Cain and Abel Still Plays Out In Today's Fallen World Families with Harry and William

Genesis 4

And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord. 2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. 8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. 9 And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? 10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. 11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand; 12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. 13 And Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me. 15 And the Lord said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him. 16 And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.