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What is Your Only Comfort in Life and in Death?

If you’re asked this question, “What is your only comfort in life and in death?” what would be your answer?

Last weekend the youth group from Covenant Reformed Church (URCNA) in Carbondale, PA took some time to walk around at a local event and asked this question to people willing to participate in this 1-question survey.  Below is what they found out.  How about you, what is your only comfort in life and in death?

The Heidelberg Catechism which follows the outline of the book of Romans, answers that question as follow:

That I, with body and soul, both in life and in death, am not my own, but belong to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ, who with His precious blood has fully satisfied for all my sins, and redemmed me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that all things must work together for my salvation.  Wherefore, by His Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live unto Him.

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Piano Recital – July 2011

Today Tryphena gave her 3rd piano recital.  She played “Dancing” by Jane Smisor Bastien, and we think she did quite well, young as she is and she practiced on a keyboard instead of a piano.  She played using both hands, too.  Below is the video clip of the recital.

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Vacation

We just got back from a one-week vacation yesterday.  My 2nd sister and her family, along with a family friend and her twoDSC04956 (800x600).jpg sons, came to visit us.  Tryphena and I went to pick them up from San Francisco airport on the 2nd while Indra stayed home to take care Baron.  Tryphena was so excited to meet with her cousins again.  The last time they met was in the Summer of 2008 for a couple of days when they came to the Bay Area.

On Sunday we went to the Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz and to the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose.  We headed home on Sunday.

They spent a night at our house on the 4th before heading to Southern California.  We had a packed house of 11 people, 1 German Shepherd, 2 red ear sliders, and some fish.  The house felt so lively and vibrant!  Tryphena spent quite some time playing Lego with Alvin.

On Tuesday the 5th we headed down to Southern California.  We went to Pismo Beach, Solvang, Disneyland, Hollywood, and Universal Studios.  We had a good time together, and Tryphena had the opportunity to spend some time with her cousins.  Her favorite cousin is Zach.

Pictured here on the right are Tryphena and her two cousins, Teophillus and Zachary.  Click here to see the pictures.

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Solar Project

DSC04836 (800x600).jpgTo hedge ourselves against the ever-increasing electricity rates last month I decided to go solar.  Upon doing some research and requesting quotes from several companies I decided to go with Arise Solar.  Quite honestly it was hard to decide between Donald P. Dick and Arise Solar; however, I decided to go with the latter for several reasons.  If you’re thinking about installing solar panels on your house, talk to these two companies and when you call Arise Solar at 559.449.8989 tell them that I refer you, alright?

Arise Solar started the solar panel project on our house yesterday, and they will finish it tomorrow.  The city will then be notified and the inspector will sign off on the project.  Once it’s signed off by the city, the utility company PG&E will need to come and replace the meter.  They have 30 days to do this, and until then the inverter will remain off.  Only after PG&E comes and replaces the meter, can we turn the inverter on and start reaping the benefits of going solar.  Our electricity bill is expected to be around $120 annually.

I urge you to think about going solar, too.  Presently you can still collect state and federal rebates.  Go solar, and save yourself some money all the while reducing your carbon footprint and saving the mother earth because all of us know that  global warming is real….. HOAX.  🙂

Click here for solar project pictures.

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Sunday Hymn 06.19.11

‘Tis Not That I Did Choose Thee

‘Tis not that I did choose Thee, For, Lord, that could not be;
This heart would still refuse Thee, Hadst Thou not chosen me.
Thou from the sin that stained me Hast cleansed and set me free;
Of old Thou hast ordained me, That I should live to Thee.

‘Twas sovereign mercy called me And taught my opening mind;
The world had else enthralled me, To heavenly glories blind.
My heart owns none before Thee, For Thy rich grace I thirst;
This knowing, if I love Thee, Thou must have loved me first.

by Josiah Conder, 1836
Taken from the Blue Psalter Hymnal, #385

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Sunday Hymn 06.05.11

God, Be Merciful to Me
(Based on Psalm 51)

God, be merciful to me, On Thy grace I rest my plea;
Plenteous in compassion Thou, Blot out my transgressions now;
Wash me, make me pure within, Cleanse, O cleanse me from my sin.

My transgressions I confess, Grief and guilt my soul oppress;
I have sinned against Thy grace And provoked Thee to Thy face;
I confess Thy judgement just, Speechless, I Thy mercy trust.

I am evil, born in sin; Thou desirest truth within.
Thou alone my Savior art, Teach Thy wisdom to my heart;
Make me pure, Thy grace bestow, Wash me whiter than the snow.

Broken, humbled to the dust By Thy wrath and judgement just,
Let me contrite heart rejoice And in gladness hear Thy voice;
From my sins O hide Thy face, Blot them out in boundless grace.

by Richard Redhead, 1836
Taken from the Blue Psalter Hymnal, #94

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Sunday Catechism 05.29.11

The Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 27

Q 74:  Should infants, too, be baptized?

A:  Yes. Infants as well as adults are in God’s covenant and are his people 1.  They, no less than adults, are promised the forgiveness of sin through Christ’s blood and the Holy Spirit who produces faith. 2

Therefore, by baptism, the mark of the covenant, infants should be received into the Christian church and should be distinguished from the children of unbelievers.3 This was done in the Old Testament by circumcision 4, which was replaced in the New Testament by baptism.5

1. Gen. 17:7; Matt. 19:14.
2. Isa. 44:1-3; Acts 2:38, 39; 16:31.
3. Acts 10:47;1 Cor. 7:14.
4. Gen. 17:9-14.
5. Col. 2:11-13.

baptism 5.jpgHaving laid out the framework of Reformed understanding of Pseudo baptism, and graciously defended it over and against the Baptist’s position as well of the Roman Catholic’s teaching of Ex Opere Operato, Pastor Lindmulder continued,

“…we can hold the sign of baptism to our children, and say, ‘The Apostle Paul exhorts you as a child in Christ.  The Apostle Paul exhorts you to live unto His honor and glory, to obey your parent, not just to please your parents, not just to make them happy, but because you are part of this community.
Because Christ has placed his sign on you, and because you’re called to take hold of him by faith, just like mom and dad.
And you’re called to believe these promises, just like mom and dad.
And you’re called to live your life according to these promises, just like mom and dad.’
And you see, it is how the Apostle Paul is calling us to see that the Lord is the one who calls a community unto Himself.

Continue reading “Sunday Catechism 05.29.11”

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Sunday Hymn 05.22.11

Not What My Hands Have Done

Not what my hands have done Can save my guilty soul;
Not what my toiling flesh has borne Can make my spirit whole.
Not what I feel or do Can give me peace with God;
Not all my prayers and sighs and tears Can bear my awful load.

Thy grace alone, O God, To me can pardon speak;
Thy power alone, O Son of God, Can this sore bondage break.
No other work save Thine, No other blood will do;
No strength save that which is divine Can bear me safely through.

I bless the Christ of God; I rest on love divine;
And with unfaltering lip and heart I call this Savior mine.
‘Tis He that saveth me And freely pardon gives;
I love because He loveth me; I live because He lives.

by Horatius Bonar, 1864
Taken from the Blue Psalter Hymnal, #389

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Who Graduated?

Baron Grad

Baron did!  Yes, Baron graduated yesterday from his basic education training.  After a 6-week training course he graduated yesterday.  He learned some basic commands like sit, down, stay, wait, walk on loose leash, etc.  In 2 weeks he will continue his training in the next level for 8 weeks.  Good job, Baron!