YNP

Today we traveled to Yellowstone National Park. I believe that is a traditional Halloween outing. The bears were dressed in elk costumes. They didn't get any treats for their tricks. Enjoy the scenery from our trip.

The eldest boys at the Lower Falls.

The Family of Blacks above the Yellowstone Grand Canyon.

My smokin' hot wife at the Lower Falls.

Ezra holding snow - the most important aspect of the trip to YNP.

The Lower Falls.

Daddy, Asher and Ezra (the men)

Snow-covered trees

Obed enjoying his first trip to Yellowstone National Park.

Snow in the mts. of MT

This morning we awoke to rain that turned into snow. What a great day to be in the mountains.

In the Mts. of MT

We approached the mountains of Montana yesterday morning and reached our destination yesterday afternoon. Today the boys wanted to go hiking and when we came upon this river we could not help but throw a few rocks. Boys + mountains + rocks + water = good times. We will be here for several days and we look forward to many more rock-throwing adventures.

Spoken for me

I really appreciate when people write the things I am thinking. Jim Elliff writes about The Value of Hanging Out. Here are a few tips from the article that I found very helpful. I have seen great value in many of these practices.

1. Find a hanging out place, or several, in your area. This will be easier for some than others. I've even spent some time in the local hamburger place. For most this will have to be early in the morning before work, but others may be able to invest a bit more. The morning usually attracts the "regulars" that you will be best able to connect with.

2. Learn the names of the people you meet. It is good to jot their names down somewhere for reference.

3. Take your Bible and spend time reading it, writing notes in your notebook, or reading a good Christian book while out.

4. Keep a friendly, approachable look about you. Speak to people. Introduce yourself and find out about them. Focus much of your talk on them. They'll also be curious about you.

5. Seek to get to the layer of philosophical talk. What do these new friends believe about important issues of life and death? This makes for deeper and more significant relationships.

6. You will find that they will be curious about you and your beliefs also. Talk freely about what you believe and how you approach life.

7. Make friends, real friends, who will be important to you no matter what their spiritual preferences are. Love them for who they are.

8. If you have read something interesting that you can pass on, by all means do so, especially if it has something to do with the true love of your life, Jesus Christ.

9. Expect God to do something. Christians make a difference! You might help a fellow believer or a person who does not have a spiritual bone in his body. You never know what God may be doing. The world reacts and responds to "lighted" Christians.

Read the entire article here.

What will you do?

Last year I linked to Challies post on Halloween. I don't know if he likes it when people link to his blog without much comment but I don't feel the need to comment on this article. He points out some helpful things to think through on the issue of Halloween. Read it here.

Seasonal discernment issues...

It is that time of year...ahhh. The leaves are changing colors and falling. The morning air is crisp. Wool socks and sweaters appear from hibernation. The appeal of hot apple cider has been renewed...and in the distance a witch smashed into a telephone pole, Kleenex ghost hanging from trees and fake spider webs strewn across jack-o-lanterns. Ahhh...it's that time of year. What's this, what's this? I can't believe my eyes. Here comes Halloween!

So, what are your thoughts? Is October 31st a day to avoid like the plague? If you are a believer in Jesus, is this a day to speak against? If you have children, do you pull them from school parties and ban them from walking near "those aisles" at Target or Wal-Mart? Do you celebrate Halloween under the guise of "Harvest Party?" If so, what is your reasoning? I would like to hear your thoughts. How should we discern what is right? What does the bible say about Halloween?

A friend of mine lists several questions to help us in our biblical approach to discernment. You can find those questions here.

*edited 10.23.07 - if you take offense at the use of "Kleenex" please understand that one could also use Puffs, Puffs Plus, Puffs with a Scent of Vicks, Puffs Ultra, Puffs Basic, or Puffs to Go*

...and they did think of everything!

This weekend has been a weekend of bodily fluids and little sleep. Our eldest son has been projecting from both ends (we thank God for hardwood floors). Our youngest son has the gift of missing his diaper. My wife has had little sleep due to never-ending feedings. Our middle son runs around like a crazy man in his diaper yelling "ne-nee" (naked). I have been wiping up floors (and other things), fetching clean clothes, and trying to make sure that we stay clear of stitches and knocked out teeth.



All of that to say - we are thankful for the newly-introduced Starbucks IV. Just when you thought they had thought of everything...ahhh.

October Giveaway Winner

I am amazed! I have never won anything in my life and now I win 41 books from the Great October Giveaway. I am amazed and thankful! I will enjoy giving away book after book of R.C. Sproul's The Truth of the Cross. What a privilege! Sorry, but I am keeping the copy of Jesus the Evangelist. I have been wanting to read that book for a while but have not gotten around to purchasing it.

Many thanks to Tim Challies.

***Edited 10.20.07***
I have received many inquiries about sharing my books. I would really like to share all of my books with people who are asking for a copy. Please remember that I live in Nearly, Canada and shipping to anywhere is expensive. Also remember that the grand prize was a case of books only. Not a case of books plus a $400 gift card to the United States Postal Service. Thank you for all of your congratulations and inquiries about gifts. To those who are interested I will send you one free e-voucher for an e-photo of the case of books when they arrive.

Wordpress or Blogger?

I have a friend (yes, shocking) who has just switched from Blogger to Wordpress. I have thought about doing the same thing but wanted some advice. What are your thoughts? Blogger or Wordpress? Why? I want to know if I should switch. Come on, sell it to me. Act as if you work for the company. Why would I want to use your product?

*On a side note - not all of my Blogger blog names are available at Wordpress. That would mean I would have to change the place and possibly the name of my blog.

A Book Give Away!

Tim Challies is having a monthly book give away. All you have to do is click on this link to sign up. If you do, please enter the referral code
20375

The prizes include...

First prize:
One case (Forty copies!) of The Truth of the Cross by R.C. Sproul along with a copy of Jesus the Evangelist by Richard Phillips (that's a retail value of over $600!). The forty books are not to be sold, but are to be given away or used for evangelism. Just think what you could do with forty of them. That's ten for people in the church, ten for family members, ten for Christmas gifts and ten to hold on to for just the right moment.

Second prize: One copy of Jesus the Evangelist by Richard Phillips and admission for two to the Ligonier Ministries 2008 National Conference, Evangelism According to Jesus.

Third Prize:
One copy of Jesus the Evangelist by Richard Phillips and admission for two to the Ligonier Ministries 2008 National Conference, Evangelism According to Jesus.

**Note: If the second or third prize winners are unable to attend the 2008 National Conference, they may substitute admission for two to The Cross of Christ Regional Conference in Dallas/Fort Worth (November 2-3, 2007) OR any two books published by Reformation Trust.

1 Year!

Mr. and Mrs. Phirrups celebrated their 1 year anniversary on October 7th. Congratulations to the both of you and may you have many more joined efforts in pumpkin carving!