MY WORLD VIEW

We're inundated today with views on candidates, plenty of real and imagined smut on each one. When it gets down to voting time, though, I think each of us needs to examine our world view before we go to the polls. So, I thought I'd include mine--and hope many of these concepts are still alive when my five (three shown here) grandkids come of age.

I believe:

* The universe and everything in it was created by the God revealed in the Old and New Testaments.
* Man has dominion over and should be good stewards of all God has given us.
* Life starts at conception.
* Marriage by definition is between a man and a woman.
* The government is not responsible for my well being.
* The government does have major responsibility for protection and security.

I'm sure more headings and many subheadings could be added, but I choose to keep it simple.

I welcome your comments on my blog, and please:

* Keep it friendly.
* Don't mention candidates (for purpose of this one discussion ), only concepts, beliefs and ideas.
* Admit that my grandkids are every bit as cute as your grandkids!

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I'm starting on my second book, Muppim, Huppim and Ard, which should be finished by September--I'm not sure which September. Also Ebenezer still makes a great gift, devotion book or family time reading.

Thank you all for supporting me and my projects.

Marty

Big Brother--B.B. McKinney

I've known the name B.B. McKinney as long as I can remember. I knew he wrote good songs. I didn't know he served at an orphanage in Dallas. I didn't know his real obnoxious-sounding name, Baylus Benjamin. This name was soon changed to Big Brother by the children he served and loved--and who obviously loved him back.

Above is another big brother reading to his two little sisters. I found this picture on the web. It looks exactly like three of my grandchildren, Abraham David, Anna Kathryn and Aili Rose. The names flow better, don't you think, than Baylus Benjamin?

No, that couldn't be the same Abe I heard screaming at those same sisters. Maybe it just looks like my grandkids.

One of BB's songs was God Give Us Christian Homes:

(1886-1952)

God Give Us Christian Homes!

Homes where the Bible is loved and taught,

Homew where the Master's will is sought.

...

Homes that are joyous with love and song.

God give us Christian homes.

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The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. John 1:41

We all need a big brother from time to time--and how great to be raised in a Christian home.

Ebenezer sends his love and says he'd love to come to your house anytime you'd like. He makes a great big brother read.

Blessings. Marty

P.S. I have more grandkids. Maybe I can find all five of their pictures soon. So, don't think you're off the hook.

PHILIP PAUL BLISS

Don't you think those 1800s pictures of writers and important people are funny looking? I think I'll start inserting my grandkids' pictures and assign each child a song writer's name. I decided to add his house. Doesn't that look much better? I'd like to have a house like that in Oregon. It does look pretty old. I'd want everything to work, especially the plumbing.

In spite of his funny looks--or maybe you think he's handsome--I believe Mr. Bliss was a good and godly man. Oh yes, if you'll look in your hymnal, he's referred to as P.P. Bliss. Don't you think Philip Paul sounds much more polished?

I'm inserting one of Ebenezer's stories about this man and one of his songs.

EVEN ME?

Wonderful things in the Bible I see
This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.
I am so glad that Jesus loves me.
Jesus Loves Even Me

Last Sunday I went to parts of three church services because I wanted to be present for all the baptisms. Each time, we sang the old children’s hymn, “Jesus Loves Even Me.” On my way home and all afternoon, that song rang in my head. I enjoyed the light melody and the nostalgia of an old Sunday school tune.
When I got home, I began to think about the words. Why did the author say Jesus loves even me? I looked up Philip P. Bliss in Kenneth Osbeck’s Amazing Grace. Surely I’d find a former life of slave trading like that of John Newton. Maybe in his pre-converted life, he, like Saul, persecuted Christians. Was he an agnostic, like Lew Wallace, who was compelled by an atheist orator to study his own beliefs more closely and then find the truth of God’s love?
Philip P. Bliss, associate of the great preacher, D. L. Moody, simply wanted to express musically how much it meant that Jesus had picked him out to love. I found no skeletons in his closet.
Are there skeletons in your closet? Do you have a dirty heart only a mother could love? Surely God couldn’t love you. You’ve blown it.
No one who has sinned can enter heaven. (Revelation 21:27) It looks like the atheist or the murderer won’t make it.
Are you a philanthropist whose eulogy will cover the front page of the newspaper? Has a big part of your money gone to charity? Are you president of the children’s fund?
All have sinned. (Romans 3:23) Even that big building you built downtown for the homeless won’t get you into God’s presence.
We’re all doomed. But God in His grace has stepped in. He sent Jesus, who loved even you and even me so much that he was willing to die to cover our sins.
If there hasn’t been a time in your life that you were amazed and humbled by the fact that Jesus loved even you, rich or poor, naughty or nice, you’re on the wrong road.
Each of the six children and adults baptized last Sunday had to have a time of realization—Jesus loves even me--or their baptisms weren’t worth the water it took to dunk them in.

“…I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. Jeremiah 31:3

This is just one of 99. Check out the rest. You might find yourself or someone you know.

Ebenezer and I wish you all well. Go and revel in Jesus' love this weekend.

Marty

HUGH STOWELL

Here is a statue of Hugh Stowell, the writer of "From Every Stormy Wind that Blows." I'm not much into statues. The real person would suit me better, or a picture of the real person since he died in 1886.

I like him, though. He wrote only one song. I have written only one book. I wonder if they'll raise a statue to me. Maybe not .

After he'd decided it was wrong to baptize babies, he became a Baptist. That's a new reason to me for becoming a Baptist. He was known for his work in the cause of peace. Also a first--I didn't know Baptists were into furthering the cause of peace. I thought we were rabble rousers.

In 1847 (one hundred years before I was born), he traveled to Liverpool to preach at Myrtle Street Baptist Chapel and stayed there the rest of his life. That's longer than I've stayed in one place.

His preaching was simple and direct--and humorous. Have you ever wondered what we'd do without humor-- with all the not-so-funny things going on around us?

Mr. Stowell started a series of lectures on Sunday afternoons. People who thought they couldn't dress well enough to go to church attended these talks. Often he spoke to a crowd of three to four thousand.

He started the Workman's Bank to help people develop habits of saving, which kept many from poverty.

This guy was busy. Maybe that's why he wrote only one song. I guess I'll get started on my second book since I'm not a speaker or a banker.

In the meantime, you know where to pick up Ebenezer. You'll still have money to sock away in the Workman's Bank--or wherever you keep it.

Speaking of money, a check for children's books is going to educator and child advocate Emily Bond in honor of those who played our Blog game.

You can read on page 13 of Ebenezer about Mr. Stowell's song, "From Every Stormy Wind that Blows."

Thanks for your participation and putting up wth my silliness.

Marty

AND THE WINNERS ARE

I'll start at top. Joe Ellis and a darling grandchild, a granddaughter, right?

Next is my sister, Jo's beautiful yard since I lost the pictue she sent, and she has such a lovely place in Ohio. Actually, if you look closely at that little dot, that's Jo. She said she knew the answer, but never told me. Can you trust these big sisters?

Next is Chaplain Bob and Barb Ruesch. Bob was first to answer the question.

Next is my cousin, Barbara, who asked the question in the first place.

Last, but with the most complete answer is Mary K Frazier, a life-long friend. She is shown with two of her sisters, Nancy and Shirley. Mary K (who is pictured on right) gave names and dates. Joh Barger coined the term 'web log'in 1997; it was shortened to 'blog' by Peter Merholz in 1999.

Nobody wanted me to send them a book--sooo I sent my sister a giant lemon by her grandson Evan. For the rest of you I'm giving books to underprivileged children in your honor. Is that OK?

This was fun, thanks to all of you. Please comment on my blog from time to time, like dear Mary K always does. Or send me an e-mail.

Any of you who will send your grandson to Fresno, I'll send you a giant lemon from the great San Joaquin Valley (my back yard). But you must hurry. Supplies are limited.

You can purchase Ebenezer all kinds of ways and places: From me on my website, Lighthouse Christian Publishing Company, Amazon or ask your independent bookstore to order it.

Thanks for the fun. Marty