the good donut

Time to Say Goodby...

2007-12-20T08:39:00.000-08:00

Alas, I have decided to leave Blogger. I will now be posting on Wordpress. I was trying to re-design my blog and was running into difficulties. I have found that Wordpress allowed me to do some of the things I wanted much easier.

By all means check out the new sight at:

http://thegooddonut.wordpress.com/

Video of the Week 12/14

2007-12-14T12:35:00.000-08:00

World Water Crisis

2007-12-06T20:06:00.000-08:00

According to the United Nations 1.1 billion people lack adequate drinking water and 2.6 billion people are without adequate water for sanitation. Without water for sewage disposal, cross-contamination of drinking water by untreated sewage is the chief adverse outcome of inadequate safe water supply. Consequently disease and significant deaths arise from people using contaminated water supplies; these effects are particularly pronounced for children in underdeveloped countries, where 3900 children per day die of diarrhea alone.²

The global water crisis claims more lives through disease than any war claims through guns. In fact, diarrhea kills six times more people than armed conflict. Of the people around the world who lack access to water, 720 million are in Asia. There are 2.6 billion people who lack access to sanitation, of whom 1.9 billion are in Asia.²

I am a professional Water Treatment Technician. I work to purify water for industry—electronics specifically.

Over the last several months I have been increasingly burdened by the fact that every 17.6 seconds a child will die from water related illnesses.²People are dying for want of something most of us take for granted. I feel I can no longer stand by and do nothing.

Over the next few months I will be seeking out what God is doing to meet the needs of people in this area and how I can be a part of it. I would ask that you be praying for discernment and wisdom on my part as I follow His prompting and lead my family into this area.

If you would like to be kept up to date on what God is doing in this critical ministry please feel free ask. You can e-mail me at:

patrickkeener[at]netzero.net

or just ask me as our paths cross in every day life.

“Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you? Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.”

Matthew 25:44-45 (NIV)

1. http://www.nrdc.org/international/summit/summit3.asp
2. http://www.undp.or.id/press/view.asp?FileID=20061109-1&lang=en

Evel Knievel (October 17, 1938-November 30, 2007)

2007-11-30T16:32:00.001-08:00

As a kid in the 70's I would watch Evel Knievel on Wide World of Sports. I rode with cards in the spokes of my bike. We jumped everything we could. Today with the common place eXtreme sports we forget that Evel was a true pioneer and icon. I will likely never forget the Snake river jump. It makes me more than a little sad to see the passing of a childhood hero.

I love the feeling of the fresh air on my face and the wind blowing through my hair. Evel Knievel

Photography Portfolio 9

2007-11-29T17:30:00.001-08:00

This was an old abandoned truck that somebody tried to push over the bank.

Photography Portfolio 8

2007-11-27T12:33:00.001-08:00

For this assignment we were supposed to feature one color of our choosing.

When I get around to it--I am going to change this blog's appearance and us this picture as the banner.

Photography Portfolio 7

2007-11-26T15:29:00.001-08:00

The assignment here was "dreaming". I took this in front of the Oregon Convention Center. The sculpture is called "The Dream" and it was done in 1990 by Michael Florin Dente.

Photography Portfolio 6

2007-11-25T14:14:00.001-08:00

...so where the river flows everything will live. Ezekiel 47:9b (NIV)

This is the third in the series. I took it at Dugan Falls on the Washougal river. There was a fish jumping in the pool but I was never going to be able to predict/time it correctly to get the thing in the picture.

Photography Portfolio 5

2007-11-24T12:25:00.000-08:00

This is number #2 in the series.

It was taken here in Washougal. I was lucky to get it. I happened to have the camera with me in the truck while I was going someplace else.

Photography Portfolio 4

2007-11-23T13:03:00.000-08:00

This picture is #1 in a series of 3.

It was taken not to far from where we live. I set up a tripod along the highway before sunrise and took 1 picture every 10 seconds until the sun had fully come up.

Video of the Week 11/20

2007-11-22T10:01:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

Quote of the Week 11/22

2007-11-22T09:49:00.000-08:00

"Soar back through all your own experiences. Think of how the Lord has led you in the wilderness and has fed and clothed you every day. How God has borne with your ill manners, and put up with all your murmurings and all your longings after the 'sensual pleasures of Egypt!' Think of how the Lord's grace has been sufficient for you in all your troubles."

Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)

Photography Portfolio 3

2007-11-22T09:34:00.000-08:00

The assignment here was to illustrate texture.

Photography Portfolio 2

2007-11-21T15:16:00.000-08:00

This was my first submission for my photography class. The assignment was eggs. It is inspired by the quote by C.S Lewis:

“He that but looketh on a plate of ham and eggs to lust after it, hath already committed breakfast with it in his heart”

Photography Portfolio 1

2007-11-20T16:03:00.001-08:00

One of the assignments for the term was take a picture that represented our "Concept of Photography".

I wanted to go with a retro feel. I took some pictures on our families annual trek to the pumpkin patch. In Photoshop I put boarders on the pictures to make them look like Polaroids and put them on a wood grained background.

Digital Photography

2007-11-20T15:52:00.000-08:00

I have been taking classes in order to finish my Industrial Water Treatment degree. One of those classes is digital photography. It has been a conundrum as to what digital photography has to do with water treatment but I have enjoyed the class.

I have been putting together my final portfolio and decided to post the pictures here... Enjoy.

Please feel free to leave feedback.

Quote of the Week 10/21

2007-10-20T18:57:00.000-07:00

God often takes a course for accomplishing His purposes directly contrary to what our narrow views would prescribe. He brings a death upon our feelings, wishes, and prospects when He is about to give us the desire of our hearts.

John Newton (1725-1807)

Video of the Week 10/19

2007-10-19T13:35:00.000-07:00

Quote of the Week 10/15

2007-10-15T14:01:00.000-07:00

"Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today."

James Dean (1931-1955)

Sunam is bride-to-be... aged 3

2007-10-13T08:07:00.000-07:00

Little Sunam is among the 16 per cent of Afghan children married before they reach 15.

Her dad Parvez promised Sunam to her seven-year-old cousin Nieem. It was a gift to the lad’s mum, Parvez’s sister, who wanted a daughter.(link)

At least she's 3. If she had been 2, THAT would be outrageous. ~Pat

Rocket-Powered 21-Foot-Long X-Wing Model Actually Flies

2007-10-13T07:49:00.000-07:00

Andy Woerner and his crazy rocketeer friends have built a 21-foot long X-Wing model that can actually fly. Yes, this is a real X-Wing powered by four solid-fuel rocket engines complete with radio-controlled moving wings. (read entire story)

...alas--sadness.

Progress...

2007-10-12T08:33:00.000-07:00

Underground Video Of Tyranny In China

What's That You Say?

2007-10-12T07:37:00.000-07:00

Artist implants 'third ear' on his own arm

Performance artists are known for pushing the bounderies, but one Australian has astonished his contemporaries by having a third ear implanted onto his arm.

The Cypriot-born eccentric Stelios Arcadious spent 10 years searching for a surgeon willing to perform the controversial operation.

He got his wish after working as a Research Fellow at Nottingham Trent University's Digital Research Unit. The ear was grown in a lab from cells and implanted into the 61-year-olds left forearm in 2006. (read entire story)

What more can I say than ...ick!

I am not sure what would posses a man to do this but I'm guessing it was to impress the ladies. It always comes back to impressing the ladies.

1. Buy a Camaro... No, not cool enough.
2. Grow a mullet... Ahh, that's the ticket. No wait...
3. Implant an ear in forearm. Welcome sweet, sweet lov'n!

Is it more than a coincidence that he looks eerily like Peter Boyle from Young Frankenstein?

Video of the Week 10/11

2007-10-11T09:16:00.001-07:00

Some things transcend spoken language. Enjoy...

Quote of the Week 10/2

2007-10-02T14:42:00.000-07:00

In an age when man has forgotten his origins and is blind even to his most essential needs for survival, water along with other resources has become the victim of his indifference”

Rachel Carson (1907-1964)

Quote of the Week 9/17

2007-09-17T16:33:00.000-07:00

"One hundred religious persons knit into a unity by careful organization do not constitute a church any more than eleven dead men make a football team. The first requisite is life, always." A.W. Tozer

Quote of the Week 7/16

2007-07-16T18:54:00.000-07:00

The average amount of water used daily by one person living in Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Gambia, Mali, Mozambique, Tanzania or Uganda equals that used by someone in a developed country brushing his teeth with the tap running.

Jemimah Noonoo in Newsweek July2/July9, 2007 issue

Miss July

2007-07-07T09:29:00.000-07:00

Today Kaara is 3. Only 27 more years before she is allowed to date... on a limited basis. (The picture is from the 2007 All God's Children Calender available through their website)

China Public Restroom Has 1,000 Stalls

2007-07-06T09:50:00.000-07:00

BEIJING (AP) -- They're flush with pride in a southwestern Chinese city where a recently-opened porcelain palace features an Egyptian facade, soothing music and more than 1,000 toilets spread out over 32,290 square feet. (link)

Video of the Week 7/4

2007-07-04T14:49:00.000-07:00

Baby-Sitting in the Modern Era

2007-07-02T12:48:00.000-07:00

Video of the Week 6/27

2007-06-27T17:29:00.001-07:00

Drinking Water Facts

2007-06-25T21:24:00.000-07:00

The water in your toilet entered your house through the same pipe as the water in your kitchen sink.
Americans spend $10,980,000,000 annually on bottled water. (link)
The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is a United States federal law passed by the U.S. Congress on December 16, 1974. It is the main federal law that ensures safe drinking water for Americans. (link)
Less than 1% of the earth’s water is fresh water, and only about one-third of this 1% is available for human use.
Over 1 billion people today do not have access to safe water. (link)
Every 8 seconds a child dies of a waterborne disease (5 million children a year). (link, link)
“More people die each year from unsafe water than from all forms of violence, including war.” One person in six lives without regular access to safe drinking water (UN Sec. Gen. Kofi Annan). (link)
There are existing technologies that can provide safe drinking water to health care facilities, orphanages and villages for less than $1000 US

The bottom line is that we in America have cleaner water in our toilets than most developing nations have to drink. Unfortunately, global warming is vogue' a global water shortage is not. We, as a nation, indulge in 25 billion litters of bottled water a year while people are left to survive drinking water laced with filth.

Quote of the Week 6/25

2007-06-25T21:09:00.000-07:00

Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way." Matthew 15:32 (NIV)

Quote of the Week 6/17

2007-06-17T13:48:00.000-07:00

Fathers Day

"The children will follow the example, instead of following the advice."

Lord Palmerston

Two thirds of Chinese cities' water, air polluted

2007-06-12T00:10:00.000-07:00

BEIJING (Reuters) - Nearly two-thirds of Chinese cities suffered from air pollution last year and had no centralized sewage treatment facilities, state media reported on Tuesday.

Only 37.6 percent of 585 cities surveyed had air quality "indicating a clean and healthy environment," down 7.3 percentage points from 2005, the China Daily said, citing a report by the State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA). (link)

Quote of the Week 6/10

2007-06-10T18:36:00.000-07:00

"Evangelism is not a professional job for a few trained men, but is instead the unrelenting responsibility of every person who belongs to the company of Jesus."

Elton Trueblood

Abu Ghraib... er, Not Exactly

2007-06-10T03:07:00.000-07:00

My absolute favorite quote from the ever unfolding drama that is the Paris Hilton incarceration...

“It’s so cruel what has happened to her. She wasn’t allowed to wax or use a moisturiser. Her skin is so dry right now.” Friend of Paris (link)

My prediction (seriously) is that once Paris Hilton is released she will become a champion for prison reform.

Video of the Week 6/6

2007-06-06T16:28:00.000-07:00

Excellent!!!

Buy me Some Peanuts and Crack R' Jack...

2007-06-04T12:32:00.000-07:00

I am not much of a Beaver (or a SD Padre) fan. That said, I do like baseball in general.

There is something about a corporate suite that makes the crack of the bat more melodious, the hot dog more succulent, the icy cold Coke all the more refreshing.

Ode of Remembrance

2007-05-27T18:53:00.000-07:00

From Laurence Binyons "For the Fallen"

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

Quote of the Week 5/27

2007-05-27T18:25:00.000-07:00

When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them. Acts 2:1-4 (The Message)

Let Us Walk In The Light

2007-04-12T16:15:00.000-07:00

Kris, my wife, now has her own blog. It is largely more substantive than mine... You should check it out. (link)

Quote of the Week 4/8

2007-04-08T12:56:00.000-07:00

"Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!

Luke 24:5-6 (NIV)

Disneyland Fun

2007-04-03T21:30:00.000-07:00

Getting There is Half the Fun

2007-04-02T21:20:00.000-07:00

Who ever schedules an airline to have a 5 hours layover in Oakland should have to spend 5 hours in the Oakland airport terminal.

We made it to Disneyland none the worse for wear. It wasn't the greatests flight but it was O.K.

Today was a packed day in the park (I will wright more about this later).

Tomorrow... Character Breakfast then California Adventure.

Quote of the Week 4/1

2007-04-01T09:35:00.000-07:00

"Hosanna!"

"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"

"Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!"

"Hosanna in the highest!"

Mark 11:9-10 NIV

Video of the Week 3/28

2007-03-28T15:00:00.000-07:00

Like Sands Through the Hourglass

2007-03-28T14:06:00.000-07:00

As I write this, the countdown to Disneyland is 3 days, 9 hours, 45 minutes, 52... 51... 50... etc. seconds.

I have been to Disneyland once in my life and then not even for a full day. My one and only visit to Disney World was similar (less than a full day).

I have anxiety.

I am really, REALLY looking forward to the trip. Last night I read (from cover to cover) The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2007. It had the unnerving effect of instilling a cool confidence with underlying foreboding.

While dreams of visiting the Disney Parks are tantamount to nirvana for a 3-year-old and dear enough to melt the heart of any parent, the reality of actually taking that 3-year-old is usually a lot closer to the "agony" than the "ecstasy".

The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2007

A friend of mine (and frequent visitor t0 Disneyland) put it like this, "For some Disneyland is the happiest place on Earth, for others... the most miserable depending on their attitude".

With that knowledge we venture off on the adventure of a lifetime in 3 days, 9 hours, 35 minutes, 21... 20... 19...

Quote of the Week 3/25

2007-03-25T20:43:00.000-07:00

"Human things must be known to be loved: but Divine things must be loved to be known."

-Blaise Pascal

Uzbekistan cracksdown on Christians

2007-03-23T11:01:00.000-07:00

Uzbek state television is insulting Christian minorities and provoking general disrespect in their regard. Meanwhile the government has “concocted” a survey on religious freedom to tell the world that the country is tolerant towards all religions, according to the news agency Forum 18.

Uzbek state television broadcast a previously unscheduled programme entitled "Hypocrites" on the evenings of 30 November and 1 December, attacking Protestant churches and accusing them of plagiarism and using drugs.

The programme said: "On the pretext of financially helping people in need, they [these groups] instil their own teachings in these people's minds. Soon the targeted people become complete zombies." (full story)

Video of the Week 3/21

2007-03-20T23:20:00.000-07:00

Quote of the Week 3/18

2007-03-19T01:01:00.000-07:00

“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”

St. Francis of Assisi

Video of the Week 3/14

2007-03-14T07:06:00.000-07:00

OMSI

2007-03-01T21:47:00.000-08:00

I bought a new digital camera. I needed to try it out so... we went to OMSI.

30...

2007-03-01T20:59:00.000-08:00

...days and counting

The Outsiders: 2007 Ariel Atom 2

2007-03-01T12:55:00.000-08:00

No doors, no top: it's a formula car for two intrepid enthusiasts.

BY LARRY WEBSTER, March 2007

The Ariel Atom 2 is by far the most committed track car here. In his quest for lightness and speed, the Atom’s designer, Simon Saunders, left out the doors, the windshield, the top, and even a sheetmetal skin. It’s like a two-seat formula car, and as the smallest and lightest in this group, it was the quickest by a wide margin — it catapulted to 60 mph in 3.0 seconds and was the fastest around the racetrack by almost two seconds. (link)

I have a birthday coming up... maybe exercising an employee discount would be in order?

'Lost Tomb of Jesus' Claim Called a Stunt

2007-03-01T12:26:00.000-08:00

Leading archaeologists in Israel and the United States yesterday denounced the purported discovery of the tomb of Jesus as a publicity stunt.

Scorn for the Discovery Channel's claim to have found the burial place of Jesus, Mary Magdalene and -- most explosively -- their possible son came not just from Christian scholars but also from Jewish and secular experts who said their judgments were unaffected by any desire to uphold Christian orthodoxy...

...Dever, a retired professor of archaeology at the University of Arizona, said that some of the inscriptions on the Talpiyot ossuaries are unclear, but that all of the names are common.

"I've know about these ossuaries for many years and so have many other archaeologists, and none of us thought it was much of a story, because these are rather common Jewish names from that period," he said. "It's a publicity stunt, and it will make these guys very rich, and it will upset millions of innocent people because they don't know enough to separate fact from fiction."

From an article in the Washington Post by: Alan Cooperman. Read it in it's entirety (link)

Video of The Week 2/28

2007-02-28T17:16:00.000-08:00

UFO science key to halting climate change: former Canadian defense minister

2007-02-28T16:57:00.000-08:00

A former Canadian defense minister is demanding governments worldwide disclose and use secret alien technologies obtained in alleged UFO crashes to stem climate change, a local paper said Wednesday. (link)

And to think I have been wasting my time with compact fluorescent bulbs and shopping for a hybrid.

Gung Hay Fat Choy

2007-02-18T20:16:00.000-08:00

Video of the Week 1/28

2007-02-01T21:24:00.000-08:00

Quote of the Week 1/28

2007-01-30T05:17:00.000-08:00

"And people who do not know the Lord ask why in the world we waste our lives as missionaries. They forget that they too are expending their lives... and when the bubble has burst they will have nothing of eternal significance to show for the years they have wasted." Nate Saint (1923-1956)

Video of the Week 1/24

2007-01-24T15:00:00.000-08:00

Well... There You Go.

2007-01-23T22:28:00.000-08:00

Cruise 'is Christ' of Scientology
By: Emily Smith
The Sun Online (link)

"TOM Cruise is the new “Christ” of Scientology, according to leaders of the cult-like religion. "

“Like Christ, he’s been criticised for his views. But future generations will realise he was right.”

Quote of the Week 1/21

2007-01-21T18:39:00.000-08:00

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind,To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”

Luke 4:18-19 (NKJV)

5 Things I Hate More Than Painting Baseboards (in no particular order)

2007-01-20T18:45:00.000-08:00

1. Brussel Sprouts
2. Dental Work
3. Small Claims Court
4. Telemarketers

Because Sometimes a Man Needs to Drive His Family to Church

2007-01-19T19:57:00.000-08:00

The way I see it; with the back seats, it makes the perfect utilitarian family car. If you need proof one need look no further than my own father who, as the father of 2 children, owned a '69 Firebird.

Besides, I deserve it. (link)

The Inhumanity Of It All

2007-01-18T13:06:00.000-08:00

China Forbidden City may close Starbucks
Residents have expressed the placement of the U.S. coffee chain as an insult to Chinese culture, newspaper reports. CNN (link)

Starbucks in the Forbidden City was always an enigma to me. In the United States we really don't have anything like the Forbidden City so it would be difficult to equate but it would be allot like a Burger King in the Old North Church. It is not surprising to me that people would have a problem with it.

And no, we didn't partake in a Grande Forbidden City Latte' when we were there. I was tempted with a frappachino (since it was 110 degrees with 112% humidity outside) but the frap' has ice and ice=un-boiled water (frozen)=Ming's revenge

It's So Good She Will Hear About Jesus

2007-01-18T11:56:00.000-08:00

One does not have to look very closely to notice that my daughter, Kaara, does not (thankfully) look like me. For this reason total strangers make comments. By in large I don’t mind, it sort of comes with the territory of being an adoptive parent. Typically people are just curious so even the more potentially offensive questions (i.e. was she expensive?) don’t bother me. Some of the questions/ comments include:

1. Is your wife Asian?
2. Does your wife speak English? (by the same person that ask #1 after I told them no)
3. Is she (Kaara) adopted? (I love this one, especially when we are out as a family)
4. Is she one of those “Lost Daughters” (link)?
5. It’s so good that now she will be able to hear about Jesus.

I have been thinking allot about the last one lately. I used to always respond by saying, “Well, that diminishes God’s power; she could have heard the Gospel in China”. It is undeniable that the Chinese Government actively tries to suppress the Gospel in China but God is more powerful than the PRC. He may very well have been able to reach Kaara if she had not been adopted.

My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139:15-16 (NIV)

Here is where I have been convicted: What if it’s not the people who say, “It’s so good that now she will be able to hear about Jesus” that are diminishing God’s Power? What if it’s me? What if God’s plan of salvation goes beyond His Son coming, dieing on the cross for the sins of mankind, being buried, defeating death by rising on the third day and ascending to Heaven where He resides today preparing a place for us. While that is universally true, what if God’s plan for salvation for each of us goes beyond that to the personal level? One person may come forward during an alter call given at the end of a church service. I came to Christ as a child. What if God ordained that an unformed Chinese baby would be adopted by a Christian American family and would have the opportunity to hear the Gospel through them?

It is incredible to me that God would love us so much that he would individually tailor our Gospel experience. He is more than a form letter or infomercial god; He speaks to us personally.

Video of the Week 1/17

2007-01-17T15:02:00.000-08:00

Quote of the Week 1/14

2007-01-14T13:04:00.000-08:00

"The way to love anything is to realize that it might be lost."

G.K. Chesterton

Video of the Week 1/10

2007-01-10T02:55:00.000-08:00

Sending out some love to Dan and Charlie.

Quote of the Week 1/7

2007-01-07T19:19:00.000-08:00

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139:13-16 (NIV)

2007-01-03T16:37:00.000-08:00

Since my wife heartlessly invoked the "you'll put your eye out" defence on my only Christmas wish for next year I will add this. (Link)

Video of the Week 1/3

2007-01-03T15:25:00.000-08:00

New Blog Features.

2007-01-02T19:34:00.000-08:00

For 2007 I am starting two new blog features.

The First: "The Coolest Thing Ever", will feature just that... the coolest things ever.

The Second: This Old House. This will document my continuing adventures in home improvement. When I bought our house I was single so no thought went into the typical things one usually thinks about when purchasing a house. For instance; Is my house big enough for my family, can I get far enough away from my children before they drive me insane or will I have time/money to do maintenance. What I did want was an older home with a big yard. Then I met Kris... God has provided a great house for my family we enjoy it very much but it is nearly 70 years old and need of improvements. I will be documenting those improvements here.

I hope you enjoy both "The Coolest Thing Ever" and "This Old House". If you have suggestions (or offers of free labor) please feel free to comment.

My 2007 Christmas List

2006-12-30T20:36:00.000-08:00

I know it is early but I wanted to give people (my wife) a chance to prepare (that's just me... always thinking of others). My 2007 Chirstmas list starts, and stops, here (link ).

President Gerald Ford (July 14, 1913- December 26, 2006)

2006-12-27T16:25:00.000-08:00

"The other thing was, Ford was one of lifes winners. You know the joke that if Nixon had only mad the Whittier College football team, he would have never turned out that way. But Ford did make the football team. He was a high-school football hero, a college football hero. He got into Yale Law School when he really didn't think he would. And he married the woman he loved and stayed married to her his whole life. All this gave him an inner self-esteem, self-confidence. He didn't have to prove anything to anybody."

Ron Neessen, Ford White House press secretary.
Quoted from Air Force One: A History of the Presidents and their Planes. By, Kenneth T. Walsh

Video of the Week 12/27

2006-12-27T06:50:00.000-08:00

Quote of the Week 12/24

2006-12-23T21:47:00.000-08:00

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)

2006 Keener Family Christmas Letter

2006-12-22T11:15:00.000-08:00

"How many observe Christ's birthday! How few, His precepts!" -Benjamin Franklin

I have, over the last few months, become quite the debater. It’s not quite Crossfire or the stuff of presidential campaigns but it is quite compelling. Usually it goes something like this:

“Put on your shoes.”

“No.”

“Put on your shoes!”

“I… don’t… want… to.”

“I didn’t ask what you wanted.”

“WAAAAAAAA!”

What is truly special about the debate is that it works equally well with a number of topics from “Eat your breakfast” to “It’s time for bed”. The fact that I outweigh my opponent 10:1 seems to have little effect on her, still she holds to her position.

We have been parents for over five years now. To be quite honest, for the most part, God has blessed us with pretty well behaved children. The astounding thing is: of all the things I have tried to teach Kaara and Noah I have never tried to teach them to disobey. Yet, there are times when one or both decide that they will stand in opposition to Kris or myself. While neither of my children learned disobedience from me they did inherit it, just as I did.

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned— Romans 5:12 (NIV)

Just as my children disobey so do I, and as frustrating as a 5 or 2 year old disobedience is to me so is my disobedience to God. Knowing I am disobeying does little to prevent it:

But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time. Romans 7:17-20 (The Message)

The fact that I cannot defeat sin by sheer power of will, that I can never escape my own nature is exactly the point of Christmas.

Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:18-21 (NIV)

We celebrate Christmas, the coming of Christ, in order to celebrate His grace and the eternal life it provides.

This last year Noah prayed to have Jesus come live in his heart. Nothing, since his birth, has been more exciting for me. We eagerly anticipate watching him grow in his relationship with Christ. We pray for wisdom to help guide him. Both Kaara and Noah continue to grow in their faith we are eager to see what God has for them.

This year at Christmas we hope that you are experiencing the grace of God and that you are able to celebrate the eternal life His coming made possible.

Merry Christmas,

Kaara, Noah, Kris and Pat

Video of the Week 12/20

2006-12-20T15:13:00.000-08:00

Quote of the Week 12/18

2006-12-18T22:43:00.000-08:00

"The Church does not superstitiously observe days, merely as days, but as memorials of important facts. Christmas might be kept as well upon one day of the year as another; but there should be a stated day for commemorating the birthday of our Savior, because there is danger that what may be done on any day, will be neglected."

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784)

Traditions

2006-12-18T01:10:00.000-08:00

Traditions, traditions. Without our traditions our lives would be as shaky as... as a fiddler on the roof! Tevye (Fiddler on the Roof)

There was a time when I would sooner cut of my thumbs and big toes with a plastic picnic knife before I committed the heresy of purchasing a fake Christmas tree. Then there was the unfortunate incident of 2004.

After stocking, killing and mounting a majestic specimen of Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas fir) we trimmed it with thousands of multi-colored twinkling lights and a plethora of ornaments. It was… spectacular. After about a week something was amiss. Since Kris and I were married we had a tradition; she would pester me to water the tree and I would pretend to ignore her until she did it, to which I would respond, "Thanks, I was just going to do that". 2004: no pestering. It didn’t seem quite like the holidays. Being a generous fellow, a giver, I decided to check the water. Perhaps Kris had forgotten in the hustle of the season. It was full, to which I responded "Thanks, I was going to do that". Kris told me that she thought I had been doing it unprompted. At that moment all the needles started falling off. By Christmas we had a not so majestic specimen of dry stick wrapped with 100 feet of electrical wire and ornaments. It looked as if it might spontaneously combust at any moment. We finally got all the needles cleaned up the next Thanksgiving. I bought a fake tree.

An artificial tree has resulted in two things. First, the quality of lighting is much higher. Though I try, I can never quite make the tree look like anything more than a tree wrapped with extension cords. The artificial tree is pre-lit; each branch has its own lights. It has significantly increased my tree trimming joy quotient. Second, now that the try no longer drops needles I was able to purchase, for the children, a Lionel Polar Express train to put around its base. All this and it appears to be somewhat resilient to minor flooding in the basement.

Traditions usually fall into two categories; intentional and unintentional. The unintentional ones are like turkey on Thanksgiving. It’s just they way we’ve always done it nobody really knows why. Then there are the intentional ones.

After the Israelites wandered in the dessert for 40 years God had Joshua tell the Levites to go before the people with The Ark of the Covenant. As soon as the priests put there feet in the water of the Jordan River the water backed up and the whole nation was able to cross on dry ground. Then Joshua commanded a man from each tribe to take a large stone to the middle of the Jordan river where Joshua built a memorial to the LORD. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever." Joshua 4:5-7 (NIV)

Christmas is a wonderful time of fun, memories and traditions. As my children get older it is a challenge to istall traditions that are a memorial to The One who came, as a man, lived among us, died, rose on the third day, ascended and now sits next to the Father waiting for the appointed time to return for His people.

That's why I don't think there's any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what's coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens.

All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it's not only around us; it's within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We're also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don't see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy. Romans 8:19-23 (The Message)

Noah's Pre-school Christmas Program

2006-12-17T16:56:00.000-08:00

My kid is the best EEEEEver!

Video of the Week 12/13

2006-12-13T13:44:00.000-08:00


A very special long distance dedication to my sister Mary.

December 7, 1941

2006-12-07T20:10:00.000-08:00

Video of the Week 12/7

2006-12-07T19:36:00.000-08:00

Explanations

2006-12-06T17:34:00.000-08:00

I have debated with myself for some time whether or not to post news items like the previous post in this blog.

One day Kaara will be old enough to read what her dad has to say. I never want her to think that I am down on China or the Chinese people.

With that said; by ignoring news items like this I not only do the persecuted Church in China a disservice but also Kaara. She has to know what is going on in the part of the world where she was born.

In America we say Christians are being persecuted when “under God” is removed from the constitution or homosexual marriage is on the ballot. The reality is, we the Christian church of America know nothing of persecution. Xu Shuangfu, Li Maoxing and Wang Jun (amongst others) were martyred because they dared preach the Gospel outside of state approved church. I have never really risked my life for much of anything let alone the gospel yet fellow believers around the world do it on a daily basis.

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. Philippians 1:20 (NIV)

My petition is that you be praying for the Church in China, that it would continue to grow. And also the Xu, Li and Wang families, that God would encourage them and continue to grow their faith.

China executes 15 members of underground church

2006-12-04T05:14:00.000-08:00

Breitbart.com

China has executed up to 15 members of an underground Protestant church sect for the alleged murders of people in another group, a religious rights body and a lawyer said.

The Texas-based China Aid Association said in a statement three leaders of the Three Grade Servant church had been put to death in northeast China's Heilongjiang province over the past week. (link)

Quote of the Week 12/3

2006-12-03T21:31:00.000-08:00

"Character is always lost when a high ideal is sacrificied on the altar of conformity and popularity." Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)

Quote of the Week 11/12

2006-11-13T05:13:00.000-08:00

“Perhaps if there were more of that intense distress for souls that leads to tears, we should more frequently see the results we desire. Sometimes it may be that while we are complaining of the hardness of the hearts of those we are seeking to benefit, the hardness of our own hearts and our feeble apprehension of the solemn reality of eternal things may be the true cause of our want of success.” Hudson Taylor (1832-1905)

Quote of the Week 10/22

2006-10-23T01:03:00.000-07:00

“Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you're scared.”

Eddie Rickenbacker (October 8, 1890 – July 27, 1973)

Video of the Week 10/11

2006-10-11T14:49:00.000-07:00

Quote of the Week 10/8

2006-10-09T01:54:00.000-07:00

The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club won't be worth a dime.

George Herman "Babe" Ruth (1895-1948)

Hou Yì

2006-10-06T10:07:00.000-07:00

Hou Yì was himself an immortal, while Chang'e was a beautiful young girl, working in the Jade Emperor's (Emperor of Heaven) Palace as the attendant to the Queen Mother of the West (wife of the Jade Emperor), before her marriage. One day, Yì aroused the jealousy of the other immortals, who then slandered him before the Jade Emperor. Yì and his wife, Chang'e, were subsequently banished from heaven, and forced to live by hunting on earth. He became a famous archer.

Now at this time, there were 10 suns that took turns to circle the earth — one every 10 days. One day, all 10 of the suns circled together, causing the earth to scorch. Emperor Yao, the Emperor of China, commanded Yì to kill all but one of the suns. Upon the completion of his task, the Emperor rewarded Yì with a pill, the elixir of life, and advised him: "Make no haste to swallow this pill, but first prepare yourself with prayer and fasting for a year". Yì took the pill home and hid it under a rafter, while he began healing his spirit. In the midst of this, Yì was summoned again by the emperor. While he was gone, Chang'e noticed a white beam of light beckoning from the rafter and discovered the pill, which she swallowed. Immediately, she found that she could fly. Just at that moment, Yì returned home, and realizing what had happened, began to reprimand her. Chang'e flew out the window into the sky.

With bow in hand, Yì sped after her, and the pursuit continued halfway across the heavens. Finally, Yì had to return to the Earth because of the force of the wind. Chang'e reached the moon, and breathless, she coughed. Part of the pill fell out from her mouth. Now, the hare was already on the moon, and Chang'e commanded the animal to make a pill from it, so that she could return to earth to her husband.

As of today, the hare is still pounding. As for Yì, he built himself a palace in the sun as "Yang" (the male principle), while Chang'e is "Yin" (the female principle). Once a year, on the 15th day of the full moon, Yì visits his wife. That is why the moon is full and beautiful on that night.

(Read more about the Mid-Autumn (Moon) Festival: link)

Quote of the Week 10/1

2006-10-01T21:31:00.000-07:00

"When you come to the end of your life and have nothing but death to look forward to, and nothing but memories to look back upon, what will you need to conclude that your life was a success and you're satisfied"

Joseph C. Aldrich

Video of the Week 9/13

2006-09-13T12:32:00.000-07:00

2006-09-13T12:25:00.000-07:00

Not the Video of the Week

"Radical Christianity is just as threatening as radical Islam in a country like America." -- Rosie O'Donnell

Well Rosie said it so it MUST be true. Though I never considered myself a "threat". I suppose I am not radical enough.