Menorah

I took some pictures tonight of a prototype that I am sending to China tomorrow, just in case I never see it again… I have a bronze foundry in Xi’an that will produce them. Xi’an is an ancient city in inland China that used to lie at the end of the Silk Road so its kind of an interesting place to manufacture something like this.


The menorah on the Arch of Titus used to be the ultimate symbol of defeat for the Jewish people. When Titus destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD he carried off at least some of the temple furniture. Among the items we know he took was the menorah. To commemorate his victory, he had a relief carved on an archway in Rome depicting soldiers carrying off the temple treasures.


In 1948, when the Jews once again returned to their homeland they used the menorah from the Arch of Titus as their national emblem. They took what was once the symbol of a defeated and destroyed nation and made it the symbol of the newly founded state of Israel. This after 2000 years!


The menorah is an amazing reminder of Gods faithfulness to his promises. Even the skeptic Mark Twain recognized how unique the Jewish people were.

“The Egyptian, the Babylonian, and the Persian rose, filled the planet with sound and splendor, then faded to dream-stuff and passed away. The Greek and Roman followed, made a vast noise and they are gone. Other peoples have sprung up, and held their torch high for a time, but it burned out and they sit in twilight now or have vanished. The Jew saw them all, beat them all, and is now what he always was, exhibiting no decadence, no infirmities of age, no weakening of his parts, no slowing of his energies, no dulling of his alert and aggressive mind. All things are mortal, but the Jew. All other forces pass, but he remains. What is the secret of his immortality?”

Blaise Pascal was asked by the king of France for proof of the supernatural. Pascal answered: “Why, the Jews, your Majesty — the Jews.”

If God has kept his promises to the Jews, its encouraging to know that he will do the same in our own lives.

“But we know that when he appears, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2

Week 2 @ Caroline

I had another great week with a great group of guys.

We went climbing a mountain one day. It was hot and we were thirsty but we made it! From left to right – Double D, Travis, Ben, Matt, David, Me, Rylan, Devon

From the top!

The poster boys for the tabernacle. : ) We had some good discussions in the cabin.

Campfire at Caroline. I learned a new song…

Raisins, they make, the raisin bran so great! Raisins, they make, the raisin bran so great.! More raisins, much more raisins! More raisins, much more raisins!…. Sppppoooon!!!!

Week 1 @ Caroline

I just got back from camp and have a few pictures that I promised the guys I would put up on my blog. So – Squared, Stretch, Neutron, Spike, Samba, DB, Hawks – thanks for a great week! I hope you guys learned something and had a good time!


The canoe outrip. We battled wind and waves (ok, maybe just wind, and then skeeters that threatend to carry off some of the smaller campers.


Brett aka DB on the lookout for dangerous marine life.

Cabin 106 getting ready for a skit.

Matt – aka Hawks was a talented artist who put his skill to good use.


Connor – aka Neutron… laughing.

On the way to ridge.

Connor – aka Squared losing his concentration on the belay line. Nice jump Matt!

Mitch – aka Stretch on the zip line.

Sam and Zack aka – Samba and Spike in Talent Night.

Our daily game of slaps… we got pretty good by the end.

PS – Connor and Connor, before you ask, – “I am doing good” and “I want 20 thingamabobs” : )

Headed to Camp

I am headed to camp today. I will be at Camp Caroline for the next 2 weeks.

Looking forward to a good time with a bunch of junior highs.

I would appreciate your prayers that I would be an encouragement to the campers and staff.

The Mountains

I got the urge to do a little climbing on Sunday. It was one the clearest days I have ever seen in the mountains!

You can check out some video here


Now I know what kind of flack I’m going to get from my bros in Uglyville for this. All I can say to you guys is look at the last picture. : ) From the President.