Perennial Pond Pleasures

Whether during the hot days of summer or the arctic cold of winter, a backyard pond has multiple uses. Its shimmering glass-like surface reflects the surrounding trees, rippling with each raindrop and the splash of a lively bluegill. Not only does its beauty lie in the scenic serenity it symbolizes, but a pond also offers many opportunities for fun. Many do not realize the countless activities a small body of water provides. During the summer our pond serves as a swimming hole and a fisherman’s delight. Bitter winter temperatures quickly transform its surface into a skating rink. As a whole, a pond facilitates activities which produce pleasant memories among family and friends.

Throughout the summer a pond brings the thrills of the fishing season. Many of my family members rise at the crack of dawn to grab their poles and get an early start. One could easily spend the whole day relaxing in a lawn chair on the perimeter of our lawn gazing at a bobber. What the fish consume provides even more entertainment. In desperation for bait some have fished with marshmallows, corn, and hot dog buns. Many times just a plain hook works, but this shows someone has slacked in completing his chore of giving the daily fish food ration. When reeling fish in by the minute, who needs patience? This fishing spot, just a few steps from the back porch, provides an ideal place for any aspiring fisherman.

When July’s blistering heat prevails, one feels a strong urge to take a running leap into a pond’s cool, calm waters. In fact, our family makes these type of days into a special celebration. We invite several families to join us for an afternoon “pond party” to swim and relax. Coordinating games for these events has caused us to realize the variety of interesting relay races a pond can host. Last year we put our heads together and came up with a inner-tube race with a picnic twist. Rafting across the pond, the team and its vessel of inner-tubes had to safely transport a cooler of sodas to the opposite shore. After disembarking from the craft, the team members had to spread out a checkered blanket on the lawn and guzzle down a soda from their cooler before loading up and returning back to the starting line. Also, in the past friends have enjoyed water balloon fights on our water trampoline and canoe tug-of-war. Everyone looks forward to this exciting event of fun and fellowship each year. Having a pond makes these types of gatherings possible.

However, the end of the summer season only makes one look forward to the next. Our anticipation increases when we first notice a thin sheet of ice skimming the pond’s surface on a cold morning. At our home the skating season officially begins once the ice has reached a thickness of two-and-a-half inches. But maintaining a pond in the winter requires much more diligence. To keep a smooth skating rink, one must venture into the cold after each snowfall to complete the task of clearing masses of snow from the pond’s surface. In addition, our “pond maintenance crew” has found strategies for overcoming bumpy ice without professional machinery. Dire circumstances have forced us to thaw frozen backyard hoses with hairdryers in order to pump water out to the pond. After several hours of dragging the hose back and forth over the ice, one can produce a thin layer of smooth, glassy paradise. Ultimately, we learn to work together through these labors.

Such diligent upkeep enables one to enjoy a pond to the fullest. Our friends jump at any opportunity to ice skate. This sport makes the long winter days pass by quickly. Everyone comes ready for fun and filled with enthusiasm. Scarves trailing behind, skaters flash across the pond as delicate snowflakes float to the ground. Snowballs fly through the air in attempt to successfully hit a swift skater. Children young and old participate in games of tag. With boots and sleds as make-shift goal markers, hockey brings the adrenaline to a climax. Lit up with Christmas lights along its perimeter, the pond provides an inviting atmosphere on a clear, starry night. After working so hard, one can smile with satisfaction when sensing the happiness encased in such a beautiful scene.

In summary, having a pond adds to the joy of each season. Through summer and winter a pond’s versatility creates endless opportunities for entertainment. Such diverse activities from fishing to skating bring many occasions to draw friends and family close together. Many of my fondest memories include time spent in this way. Some may see a pond as unimportant, but in my eyes it provides an avenue of fun for all ages and a means for families to gather together as friends.

Turkey Time

Percival had been fighting for King Gobbelot. He was one of the best Turkish warriors but one day a turkey of the Turkey Feather Nation cut off his neck! Percival survived barely but could not gobble now. So one day he was riding on a turkey horse and suddenly seven crows started attacking him! Percival tried to gobble but could not. One of the crows started to cut his neck off. All of a sudden, a frog leaped from his throat. He finally could gobble. He had a frog in his throat! Sir Turkeylot, Sir Truwain, and several other turkeys came to the rescue! Percival could gobble again!

Lewis and Clark

As Lewis and Clark went down the Missouri River they saw amazing things. Herds of buffalo ran across the plains with Indians chasing them. When they were walking they saw huge waterfalls roaring down, and they saw Indian encampments. They saw the Pacific Ocean’s towering waves, the wildlife, and the grizzly bears. They smelled burning campfires cooking buffalo meat. They smelled the Indians smoking the peace pipe. As they worked the explorers smelled different smells that were wonderful like pine trees. They heard mosquitoes buzzing around them and the ocean waves crashing. Water trickled down into the streams and waterfalls roared. They heard the coyotes howling. They experienced buffalo meat and salmon for the first time. As they moved up the river they tasted new things like salt water and dog meat. Lewis brought horrible soup for emergencies. They felt buffalo hides and deer skin. And they finally got back and heard the cheers of people, saw the people shouting, felt the people crowding around them, smelled good food, and finally they tasted the food.

AWANAs in India

AWANA in India differs from AWANA in Wisconsin. AWANAs usually divides into seven groups. One group meets each day for two hours. The leaders have fun, but the work can get stressful. In one year they have 400 clubbers. Each day 50 to 60 clubbers go to AWANA. Formerly, most of the clubbers were Hindu but now a lot of them have become Christians. Some of the leaders want to start AWANAs in four different villages.

Economics

Economics demands more than a passing glance these days as the stock market vacillates between stability and depression. Within the last two weeks America has watched the economy plummet drastically. Although government rescue programs constantly surface, the future looks bleak. " Many private economists believe the country will not be able to escape a recession even if the rescue program is successful at getting banks to resume lending" (Associated Press, www.foxnews.com). What does this mean for Christians? How should Christians respond? By examining 1 Timothy 6:6-19 followers of Christ can find important spiritual principles to combat the current economic struggles.

In writing 1 Timothy 6, Paul specifically addresses how Christians should consider money and wealth. He says in verse 10, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." Although Paul does not define money as evil, he warns Christians to be careful of its full potential. Continuing on, Paul says, "Some people, eager for money have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs" (1 Timothy 6:10). Currently, investors all over America have anxiety and grief because of their ill-placed hope for wealth. Furthermore, Paul dubs desire for wealth as a "temptation and a trap" (1 Timothy 6:9). Based upon these verses, money and wealth have dangerous qualities.

Presenting money in a sinister light, Paul encourages Christians to pursue other things. "Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it," Paul observes in verses 6 and 7. Basically, Paul shows the futile end of the pursuit of wealth through this passage. "But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness" (1 Timothy 6:8). Through this passage Paul lists the items Christians ought to pursue.

These spiritual ideals of Paul's completely shatter many people's reasoning behind wealth. First, Paul praises contentment. "But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that" (1 Timothy 6:8). Also, Paul commands rich individuals to have humility because God provides for them. Paul says in verse 17, "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." Also, Paul encourages financial generosity. "In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life" (Romans 6:19). Ultimately, Paul exhorts the wealthy to invest in heavenly treasure at the expense of earthy riches.

With 1 Timothy 6:6-19 in hand Christians need to understand the characteristics of money. Because of the dangerous potential and spiritual cheapness of money, Christians need to seek contentment. If God blesses some of his children with temporal riches, these individuals have greater earthly responsibility! In essence, the Christian must flee from the love of money and take hold of Christ. Contented Christians know that God "richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment" (1 Timothy 6:17). Therefore, modern Christians must pursue things of spiritual value no matter where the stock market ends up.



Works Cited:
"2008 Budget Deficit Swells to All-Time High," October 14, 2008, < http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/budget-deficit-swells-time-high/>, Oct. 14, 2008.
The Holy Bible, New International Bible, Grand Rapids: Zondervan Corporation, 1991.

(Unless otherwise noted, all verses quoted are from this version.)

A Classroom’s Unscientific “Science

Condemning the theory unscientific, “Unintelligent Design” attempts to prove the irrelevance of intelligent design in the classroom. It defines intelligent design as a doctrine that attributes the complexity of nature to “divine intelligence at work.” Recognizing the theory’s foundation of faith, the article labels intelligent design as a facet of religion and separates it from classroom criteria. However, the author’s use of the terms “science” and “faith” to demote intelligent design fails to produce an accurate argument. In reality, the flaws pointed out in intelligent design also apply to evolution. This realization unveils the injustice of teaching one interpretation over the other. “Unintelligent Design” creates a framework of shaky reasoning for abolishing intelligent design from public schools.

Examining the article’s closing statement shows how the author forgets the boundaries of science. Supporting the sole presence of the evolutionary theory in schools, the writer states, “Children should be taught about faith, and it is to be hoped they will learn respect for it. But in science class? Please teach science.” Observable, measurable, and repeatable, science cannot surpass direct experimentation. Contrary to the argument of “Unintelligent Design,” evolution falls outside the grip of science. Both theories lack scientific validity because no one observed the event when it occurred. This fact prevents researchers from accurately testing their assumptions of a past occurrence. Attempting to prove evolution’s progress, the writer says, “Mountains of data have confirmed his [Darwin] theory of evolution of living organisms by mutation and natural selection,” but does not give any examples. How can one scientifically prove a theory with droppings of data and no direct observation? With this reasoning schools should eliminate both theories from the classroom because neither offers strict science.

Another argument the writer makes identifies faith-based theories as intolerable. By making this point the author unknowingly attacks the theory of evolution. In the Bible Hebrews 11:1 states, “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Since these two theories rest on an unseen event people can only hope and believe they have the correct interpretation. Two scientists may look at the same artifact but come to opposite conclusions due to different convictions. Referring to intelligent design, the article condemns teaching faith “as if it were science.” Why does “Unintelligent Design” present evolution as an exception if it also stands on faith? That intelligent design cannot belong in classrooms due to faith does not explain why evolution—also a package of faith—can.

Even though evolution holds many uncertainties as a theory, the article states, “To consider creationism and its stepchild intelligent design as if they were science is to inflict an injustice on school children.” It claims that by teaching intelligent design in schools children will “wonder whether scientists have any confidence in themselves.” Presenting the theory of evolution alone with a factual tone just to make scientists look confident would rob children of the big picture. Schools should not hold students back from knowing a theory’s challenges for the sake of scientists’ reputations. Exalting a single theory may deceive students into thinking evolution provides the only option. Rather than having the schools decide, students ought to know each standpoint to develop their own conclusions. To give students only one side of the argument dishes up true injustice to our society.

To summarize, the interpretation presented in the article “Unintelligent Design” contains flaws and spontaneous judgments. Questioning the scientific validity of intelligent design does not explain why evolution can remain in schools. Neither theory falls under the jurisdiction of science. Against the presence of faith in schools, the writer condemns intelligent design without realizing that evolution also requires a dose of faith. Because no one saw the occurrence, evolution and intelligent design rest on convictions and not science. In reality, these points cause the writer’s intent to backfire since they apply to evolution as well as intelligent design. If the columnist thinks faith and an unscientific approach make intelligent design inadequate, why allow evolution? On the contrary, if schools want to strictly conform to science both theories have no place in classrooms. Schools must avoid weeding out the unpopular and start presenting the entire perspective or none at all.