I went to a memorial service for Rich Ferrell today. He was 52 years old when he died. I always knew him as Mr. Ferrell. As I get older, more and more adults I have known since when I was younger requests I call them by their first name, but I think Mr. Ferrell would have always been Mr. Ferrell to me. Not because he thought he deserved it, but because I know he deserved my respect. Mr. Ferrell was the type of person who made you feel special when you talked him, and welcome when you were in his home (and there was always a group of us from the youth group over at the Ferrell house.)

Over the years I have read various quotes or philosophic arguments about the length of one's life. Most are trite sayings such as, “It's not how long you live, but how you live that matters.” “The depth of life is more important than the length of life.” Or I guess God wanted them more.” Even St. Augustine was able to reason that man's life is exactly how long it was supposed to be, or something like that. Today, all those quotes are next to worthless.

There sure is a difference between knowing about loss in your head, and to experience it. Only a fool would show up to a memorial service and comfort the family by assuring them that St. Augustine's formula for the length of one's life was a compelling read. I don't think death is supposed to be easy. It is the most glaring evidence that sin exists, and that earth is not our final destination. Death is part of life and it sucks. But God is good, and we know that nothing escapes his overall will.

Take comfort, for life is possible because death has already taken place:

"’Death is swallowed up in victory.’ ‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15)

It only takes one more death—from this earth—for us to be in the presence of our Savior's transcendent love!

Mr. Ferrell will be missed.

Check out this video in light of the abortion topic. Well done.

Thank you Connie Lukacs for posting this video on Facebook.

Very good!

I want to say a huge thank you to Mary Alice's comment posted on Oct. 10th, in response to my 'pa-thetic...' post. When I read her comment recently, I agreed with everything she said, because what I wrote did not reflect what I intended.

Mary called me out on my generalization of Beatles haters, Koran burning wackos, and those who oppose abortion. It was wrong of me to simply say, "and those who picket abortion clinics."

An explanation of what I wish I initially said is that those who could be included in the same category as Beatles haters, Koran burning wackos, are individuals who fire bomb abortion clinics, murder doctors, and brutally harass the women who can unfortunately obtain a legal abortion. All three could be considered extreme religiousness and missing the point of true Christianity. What Mary Alice expressed in her comment is exactly what I was trying to get across in my post, "We lovingly offer alternatives to moms." BAM! Nailed it.

Jesus said, "whatever you have done unto the least of these, you have done unto me." I would submit that prenatal infants are some of, if not, the most 'least of these' in our world.

I clearly misspoke in my post, and I hope my past statements -- including my senior research project -- reflect where I stand on such issues. I too want to love what Jesus loves, and hate what he hates.

Mary Alice thank you for being kind enough to point all this out.

When we stop thinking; they win. (I understand obviously a better way to state that is 'when we stop trusting in the LORD; they win', but I'd like to hope these two statements can go together.)

God's love is ineffable except that it has been expressed in His Words to us -- the Bible -- and manifested in His Son.

Jeremy Mohr

Pray for Jeremy Mohr and his family. It is my understanding that Jeremy has suffered a significant spinal cord injury similar to one I have. Jeremy goes to Grace College. We know that the Lord is never inactive in the lives of His children, but believe me that sometimes circumstances do not appear as if God is in control. Maybe someone reading this knows the Mohr family. I certainly pray that Jeremy will come out of this in the best physical condition possible. It's time to be sensitive and reassuring that there are those who love the Mohr family and will be there to support them. And most important is that God loves the Mohrs.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7

pa-thetic...

I was listening to the Beatles and quickly become angered by the thought of what has been done in the name of Christianity. Did you know “Christians” protested the Beatles when they came off the plane from England? Everyone by now has also heard of the pastor in Florida who was going to burn Qur’ans in the name of “Christianity.” The pastor reasoned the Bible says to love our enemies, but that doesn't apply here because we are at war. Loving enemies doesn't apply in certain situations? Christians should be at war with the physical world? Where are those taught in the Bible? If you're having trouble finding them, it's because they are not in the Bible. The name of Christ has no business being slandered by his supposed followers protesting the Beatles, burning Qur’ans, or picketing abortion clinics for that matter. Our fight as Christians is not against the world; it is for the world. The Lord needs workers to send out into the harvest, Luke 10:2. Jesus commanded us to be in the world. Just as the Father sent Jesus into the world so Jesus has sent us into the world John 17:18. We're not to love the world as 1 John said, but the Bible does not call for a total separation. Nowhere are we taught to draw lines in the sand and say, “world, come over to us.” You want to know the types of people who are attracted to Christianity by such stunts as protests and burnings? The already hardened self-righteous “Christians” who look an awful lot like the New Testament Pharisees…

The world will know us by our love not hate.

Twice in one month, whoop-de-doo...

What is knowledge without action? What is knowing without doing? Is it possible to know something in your mind and not do anything about what you know? Or a better way of asking these questions is if there is any purpose to knowing about something but then never doing anything about that knowledge? The point of knowledge is to do something. And knowing about something also brings about proper and improper responses/actions. If you know you need to cook raw pork to a certain temperature to ensure you have killed off all the bacteria, but then you do not cook it enough and still expect no bacteria, you would be foolish. It is simply incorrect.

The purpose of the preceding is to say that with knowledge of Jesus Christ and what God's Word says, then there must be some sort of action with this knowledge. Remember how knowing without doing is worthless; it's pointless. Therefore knowing about Jesus means you choose to follow or not follow. By definition you must act, so which one? Action must follow, so if you have faith, then there must be works in your life. Furthermore, for those who believe they have chosen to follow Jesus Christ can ask themselves what is believing the Holy Spirit is in your heart, without exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit? What is believing in Jesus Christ and not doing all that the Bible says? (I'm not talking about what you think the Bible says based on growing up and hearing sermons in churchesand then nowadays going to the Internet to rationalize a topic biblically by pulling out verses you think apply. Read the Bible cover to cover and let it speak for itself. “The Word of God is living and active; sharper than any two-edged sword.” You know what swords do? They stab you, and cut you, and in the Hebrews 4:12 verse just mentioned, the sword is to pierce to convict. False intentions cannot be hidden from God. When you read the Bible honestly, you will have to change. You can't remain pursuing this world.)

That was a quick rant, so let me get back on topic: Those who have faith in Jesus Christ will then respond with either correct or incorrect actions. Correct actions are biblical works such as being more loving and more peaceful etc. Biblical works also include turning from what the Bible clearly states as sin.

In conclusion if you say you have a relationship with God, then your life should exhibit true Biblical actions. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).

Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit has been on my mind on an off for the past four years. I've been mainly trying to figure out ‘what is the Spirit?’ and ‘what does He do?’. In my quest for understanding the Spirit, I recently listened on audio book to Forgotten God by Francis Chan, which addresses the topic of the Holy Spirit, and as the title alludes, how He is the forgotten God. These are some of my thoughts based on the Bible and other credible godly sources, and also some of my own insights mixed throughout.

The churches I have attended in the past (along with the churches of most churchgoing Americans) do not properly understand or talk about the Holy Spirit. So much of the credit due the Holy Spirit is improperly credited to the believer based on this improper understanding. When there is triumph over sin or trials we often say, "thank God you were able to overcome," but this is wrong to say. The correct response is, "thank God through the power of the Spirit you were able to overcome.” This may seem like a slight distinction but it is not. To be filled with the Spirit is the pulse of what it means for someone to be “Christian*" or "saved." And to be Spirit filled determines the activity level of one who is filled with the Spirit. When we have the ability to do anything good (good in the biblical sense of the word), it is only through the power of the Spirit. So the reason to say, "thank God through the power of the Spirit you were able to overcome,” is necessary because it's true.

When a nonbeliever is a hopeless unregenerate sinner, by what work does he enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ? Was it by the work of himself or by a work of God known as grace? With this truth in mind why then do believers (including myself) act like sanctification is up to us? I was saved by grace through faith, yet from there I act like my relationship with God depends on me. I can do nothing on my own, but in Christ I can do all things. And when Jesus left the earth He sent a helper to represent Him until his return, so it is in the Spirit I can do things, and all forms of spiritual good are possible. If I need to work on anger, contentment, pride, jealousy, or love; this is only accomplished by the work of the Spirit who is within each true believer.

Perhaps a post for a later day, but the Bible is very clear on the marks of a true believer i.e. one who is filled with the Spirit. Not all who believe in Jesus are regenerate, and not even all who are perceivably doing work in Christ's name are truly regenerate (Matthew 7:21 & 22). Knowing this is not for speculation on others' salvation, but for personal reflection. “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). You want to know the greatest disappointment imaginable? Someone who gets to the gates of heaven and hears “depart from Me; I never knew you.”

*The term Christian should be put to death because unfortunately it hardly means anything anymore in America, because of all the baggage attached to it, but that is a conversation for another time

Thank You

I want to extend a much overdue thank you to those who gave donations for my exercise bike.

I have been using the exercise bike for almost 2 weeks now and it seems to be going well. I would not have the bike right now if not for the many people who were gracious enough to give money. The pike is designed to improve health and body function, but I want you all to know that both those are worthless without knowing Jesus Christ. He is the reason I would want to improve health or body function. I want to be healthy so I'm able to serve God more efficiently, and I would want improved body functioning to serve God more effectively. Without Christ, pursuing an ideal body is as vain as chasing the wind (Ecclesiastes).

July something or other...

It seems to always be an unusual hour late at night when I get around to posting something on "my blog." Let me start by addressing the faithful readers : grandma, I'm doing good right now. No, I'm kidding about that, but I am doing pretty good. My two summer classes are actually going to be finished in just over a week. They are summer classes so does that mean summer is over when they are? That can't be right, because it feels like summer is just getting underway.

The fourth came and went, but Mike and Liz made the trip to Chicago for the weekend and it was good to see them. We celebrated our 24th birthday with family, and some gifts that were a blast from the past.

btw, if you don't have a church you call home; find a Harvest Bible Chapel. A Haitian earthquake couldn't shake those four pillars. That was too soon, so I'm out for now.

\/ peace

3-D

I went to see 'Toy Story 3' in 3-D at the theater today. It was great. The movie is funny and entertaining, but then because it's in 3-D it looks so much better. If you've never seen anything in 3-D, first of all open your other eye, and second of all go see a movie in 3-D. It's worth the extra four dollars.

On a lighter note, I was attacked by a bug while I was in bed last night. It was quite an awful experience. the bug was some sort of flying moth-like bee. I swear the thing bit me in the neck, but there were no physical signs of trauma. It's the type of thing you see a horror movie, but you never think a small insect would kill you in your own home. Take nothing for granted...

Happy GOLDEN Birthday Dan (& Mike)

24 on the 24th

Of course we can't mention Dan's birthday without mentioning his twin brother, Mike.


They were born within 4 minutes of each other, Mike being the older. At 7# & 6#11 oz, wow, they were perfectly healthy and raring to go.


They had/have this special "twin" ability, which made them think alike[Liz would agree] Although they are identical, and most people cannot tell them apart, they do have very different personalities, likes, and dislikes.



What a joy it has been to see them grow and mature through the years. They have shared in family vacations, Cubbies, Awana, working at Mc Donalds, youth group, Crossroads Basketball, camps, and missions trips, Cedarville U grads, OPE, and 2 cars.









They leave a trail of friends and good memories wherever they go. Happy 24th Birthday Mike & Dan. We love you guys.


Dad & Mom

Prayers for Alex

Hey, many of you have seen comments from "Beth" who is the mom of an 11 yr old quadriplegic boy, in OH. She found us, shortly after Dan's accident in '07, and has always been a constant source of enthusiasm, despite her own son's circumstances. Alex needs prayer. Please read below.

“I wanted to let everyone know that Alex is just not doing well. There is something going on that cannot yet be figured out. He is not able to get up. I am asking for prayer. I have been in contact with the docs and there is discussion as to what may need to be done, i.e. tests, hospital stay, etc. The docs cannot figure out how to get his BP under control

I am going to be honest...it is difficult to watch this special little man not even be able to get out of bed. Alex’s autonomic system went really crazy after the rod surgery, to stabilize his back, because he is still growing, .The most unstable part of the system is the blood pressure, and it has been almost 6 months since his surgery.

Please, if you could, lift a prayer up to The One, with the answers.”

-Beth Marlarkey [Alex's mom]

Alex, "Youngest Person to Get 'Christopher Reeve' Breathing Device"

Hey... how ya feelin'..?

You're doin' good. You keep on keepin' on...

Colossians 1:11 "May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience..."

Why do ethical issues matter?

I think ethical issues matter because we as humans are rational beings, and figuring out ethics* gives a sense of purpose to our lives. As Descartes said, "I think therefore I am," and our ability to reason perhaps helps justify our existence. I believe voicing our opinion matters, because it will help refine our views, in the same way that gold is melted to remove the impurities. We can voice our opinions in order arrive closer at a proper standard of life/ a good life. I am a Christian, and this gives me the opportunity to know that a proper standard of life/a good life does exist, and it exists beyond legal, aesthetic, and cultural conventions. So that when the hair on the back your neck stands because you heard about a three-year-old girl being raped and murdered, you can recognize that this is inherently wrong against the very nature of our humanity, and it is not just something our culture has proscribed as wrong.

It also seems that it is not only correct to believe ethical issues matter, yet also we ought to have a stance on them, and share them with others. For as Socrates said, "the unexamined life is not worth living," so we can examine ethical issues in a pursuit of a standard for the good life. Since we need to examine our lives, and yet to merely examine our own lives, is to fall short of recognizing that we do not know everything, and that others views could prove to be vital in that refining process of our knowledge. This is why I believe we should share our views with others.

To hold view that we cannot say what others do is 'right' or 'wrong' is inconsistent, because if someone breaks into your house intending to harm you and your family; you will take action to prevent that harm, and it is because you believe the intruder's actions are wrong. If you did not believe the intruder's actions to be wrong, then you would have no authority to stop him. And to remove the idea of authority, would destroy any notion of a civilized life.

"Umm... excuse me Mr. intruder, you can't be here in my house in the middle of the night." "Why not, there is nothing 'wrong' with me being here in your house right now." "Well Mr. intruder, I can't tell you what to do, but I hope you decide it is wrong, and then you leave."

My fellow blog enthusiasts, please assure me you won't ever do this?

Is it possible to go through life never confronting a situation where you had to say whether another person's actions are right or wrong, such as in the situation of the intruder? It seems like to do so would require a life of total isolation from any human contact. Or, it would take a life so timidly misguided that it would think their opinions could be of no benefit to others. Or, it would take a life so prideful that it would think their opinions were too superior for others.

* Ethics is the process of asking basic questions about the good life, about whether there is right and wrong, and, if so, how we can know what it is (MacKinnon, 2009).

(Image is of Rodin's sculpture "The Thinker.")

quick thought

I am a huge fan of irony, so I will let you all hopefully enjoy this as much as I did.

"Many people wish to not believe in God, because they say He is unfair. Yet by saying, 'God is unfair,' is to acknowledge His existence. And to acknowledge God’s existence and then say He is unfair, is complete idiocy."

As far as updates go, my online classes started today. In introduction to philosophy, I began by looking at the classical Greek view of prime physical beauty and how it relates to contemporary US society. I did not start work on my ethics class because I do not have the book yet (that's right kids you don't need to have the book on the first day of class). Ethics from a secular college. I feel like that could use the drum sound effect, "BAH-DUM--CHA." Ohh I'm kidding, but seriously, good times...

Summer plan

Hey,

As you all know by now, I graduated from Cedarville May 1st. Let me share with you my upcoming plans for the summer. I'm going to take two more classes in order to be officially finished with my undergraduate degree. The classes are intro to philosophy and ethics, and they are both through College of DuPage. I'm still a little bit up in the air about future plans. My goal for many years was to continue on to law school, and after working on my senior papers this whole semester, my interest in the legal field was reaffirmed. Or after finishing class is August I would possibly like to find a job and began working somewhere doing something. Either case is possible.

There is great news about the fundraising efforts to purchase an exercise bike. The cost is covered, and I will be getting the bike probably soon. We'll let you know more soon.

Senior Research Paper

If you want to read my senior research paper about withholding or withdrawing treatment from severely handicapped newborns; just e-mail scratchknudsen@gmail.com, and I will send you a copy.

DAN KNUDSEN - CLASS OF 2010

Happy Graduation Day, Dan!!!

Job well done.

from Dad, Mom,

Matt, Em, Addy, GG, Savannah,

Jeff, Jen, Mike, Liz,

Grandma K, Grandpa & Grandma J.

[Aunt Linda & Uncle Mike too]

Dan with Kyle, Brad, Ben - Care guys '09 - '10

YOU'RE INVITED

Dan's Freshman Photo - August '04

Hello to all of Dan's care givers, and helpers in Cedarville, OH area. We are sure, that we missed some of your email addresses, to invite you to this farewell event for Dan Knudsen.

All of his family, would sure like to meet you, and personally THANK YOU for all of your help during these past 2 years.

EMAIL ANNOUNCEMENT

Dan Knudsen is graduating from Cedarville University this May, and we would like to extend to you a big 'THANKS' for having a hand in making Dan's Cedarville graduation, a reality.

Stop in and say hello to Dan, and his family,

Friday, April 30th, 6-8 pm

Center for Biblical and Theological Studies [BTS] - Room 116.

Refreshments & snacks will be served.

Please feel free to bring along family members, or other students, whom have helped in Dan's care.

Dan Knudsen & his family

Notes of encouragement and farewell wishes, can be sent to: checkinondan@gmail.com
Keep up to date with Dan @ http://checkinondan.blogspot.com/

The dream of Dan's exercise cycle equipment. is finally becoming a reality. http://www.giveforward.org/knudsen/

Mom Again

Dan is much too busy right now finishing up his last semester to post, but that works out for us to share something special with you. Last summer a dear friend who regularly came to help Dan heard about Dan's need for specialized exercise equipment and donated a very generous amount to get started saving for it. We didn't know where to begin with fundraising, but the Lord supplied a parent from one of my last year's students to get the ball rolling. She communicated with a parent of one of my current students, and they set up this fantastic website to help us. You have to click on this link to find out more: https://www.giveforward.org/knudsen/
Mark did a very impressive job of writing a brief summary of Dan's accident and equipment need.
Once again we are "jaw-dropping" at the generosity of so many.

Mom Sneaks In For a Quick Word!

I have been meaning to write for months! I had read through all the earlier posts and was once again in awe of our amazing God's protection and provision. When I read the posts, it felt heavier to me than when we actually went through it. Your prayers carried us through those early days. Thank you. Remember when Dan couldn't sleep or eat and had unbearable pain? Remember the ventilator and tubes? As far as I'm concerned, best invention ever: the diaphragm pacer!

Can you believe Dan made it back to college and will graduate in 3 weeks? We are so excited!

Dan is doing incredibly well. The best physically, spiritually, emotionally since his accident. Our family can't say thank you enough to all those who care for Dan while he is at Cedarville.

Don't you love Dan updating this site with what he's doing and thoughtful insight instead of us just giving medical updates?!! I sure do! God has great plans for him.

Thanks for sticking with us when there was no update for many weeks!
We sure love you all!

The first scripture the Lord gave me in March of 2007 was II Chronicles 20:12 "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You." God is our ever-present help in time of need. Just look to Him!

3 years

It has been 3 long years, but I thank God for every minute.

Some days move right along, and it doesn't seem like too much in my life has changed. Other days (the ones you can all relate to) just drag on and on, when everything that could happen does, and the glaring defects of this sin fallen world are painfully obvious. The latter type I would argue are in fact far more beneficial for mental, emotional, and spiritual growth.

I am going to try to create a word picture. If you light a candle and let it burn in your house; no surprise, it will most likely stay lit without problem. But if you take that candle outside on a windy day, then it doesn't stand much chance of staying lit. You could, however, build a fire big enough to withstand the wind. Think of yourself as the flame in my example. Two things to remember: 1st You can be preparing for the winds that will come in your life by continually "building up your flame" through Jesus Christ, and 2nd sometimes you won't know how much you needed to prepare, and then you will instead face the need to respond, and the only acceptable response has to be that Christ is all I need; Blessed be the name of the Lord.

doing good.... How 'bout you?

I'm doing great and I feel healthy....

I have finally arrived on a topic for my senior research paper. The ethical and legal issues surrounding withholding treatment from severely handicapped newborns.

Enjoy the snow; don't get stuck.

More winter?

Well, I guess we are doomed for six more weeks of winter because Punxsutawney Phil is scared of his shadow, along with a majority of three-year-olds. In my opinion he is losing a lot of his credibility because it's the same prediction every year. Eventually, no one will pay attention to him.

I haven't done too much this week. I just continue to memorize the countries, major cities, and physical features of different continents for geography class.

I had an excellent dinner last night, because Ben made a very tasty beef Wellington, and Dr. Couser (a Bible professor here at Cedarville) was able to join us, and impart wisdom. It was a great reminder that I need to continually step up and take responsibility for my actions and growth forward in life, without excuses or procrastinating. In our culture, we are surrounded by full-grown children, who desire to act like boys rather than be men.

January

Hello again!

I feel great and think that whatever health bug I had seems to now be gone. The Romans and Galatians class I was telling you all about is as exciting as I was hoping it to be. I hope that I'm going to learn a lot, the class is going to be very beneficial. One example is when Paul mentioned that he would be all things to all men, he didn't say this meaning to be a compromise of his values in order to present the gospel in a way that would seem more attractive to certain types of people.

Some friends and I went to the Cedarville men's basketball game last night. The team Cedarville played was ranked #2 in the division. Cedarville won the game in the last few seconds. They won in dramatic fashion, it was heart pounding. I thought the other team would score and Cedarville would lose, but no such fate. Walsh packed up the sorry train and headed for no where.

I probably should have given a continuing update because my last report left you with: "...I've checked my oxygen saturation percentage. It is on the low side but I can still breathe." That was possibly a bit too dramatic. I think I should've said, "I can breathe okay, even though my oxygen saturation percentage is on the low side."

I felt the most congested Saturday, and now I can tell I'm almost fine.

So what's in the news...

Congratulations to Senator Brown of Massachusetts. Republicans stave off the health care bill for a bit longer. History's most expensive Band-Aid and cosmetic surgery will need to wait.

2nd week

The second week of my final Cedarville semester is wrapping up. This week is not finishing exactly how I would like, because yesterday and today I have felt some chest congestion, and this has brought a slight cough. Not too bad though, I've checked my oxygen saturation percentage. It is on the low side but I can still breathe. I do ask for your prayers because I would rather not get sick. When I am sick I feel tired and simply have a hard time functioning as myself. I want this last semester to be great. I want to finish strong.

hmm

I like Tootsie Rolls.

I've been staring at this page for a few minutes now, not knowing what I should write. So that's what I came up with. The fact that I like Tootsie Rolls.

Once I start talking sometimes I start thinking. Chapel was fantastic this morning. God's grace is sufficient. He makes the first move in our lives and also ensures our completion.

New Semester

I am back at Cedarville for the semester. I have a geography class and my senior Pre-Law research project. This is my last semester and it really is mixed emotions. It's great to think about graduating. We all know it has been a long road coming back to Cedarville. However, I've been at Cedarville for pretty much the last six years, and it's going to be a major adjustment not to be here.