Salvation is by faith through grace, and not of works lest any man should boast.

Sunday, March 05, 2006

Fast Pace

Why is life always running at full speed?

 

Is your life too fast paced?  I know mine is.

 

This last week has seen my wife go in for an out-patient surgical procedure, which has left her mostly bed-ridden so far.  I have had a midterm exam in Calculus, I have another coming up in Chemistry.  I ran sound for the church last weekend and this weekend I installed a new sound system in the car.  And this is all in addition to the everyday cooking, cleaning, running around and shopping that we always do.

 

Life can become so hectic at times.  I think we manage to get through these things by putting our brains in auto-pilot and numbly just walking it out.

 

That of course is not a good idea.

 

We need time to think.  We need time to sort things out, to just feel and let the emotions play out. 

 

 I have often been critical of Eastern Religions.  Meditation to me was kind of a Yoga thing.  Bah! Humbug! was my knee-jerk reaction to that idea!  But did you ever notice that the Bible does support the idea of meditation?  King David often mentions meditation such as Ps 49:3  “ My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall give understanding.”  Ps 63:6 “When I remember You(God) on my bed, I meditate on You(God) in the night watches.” 

 

Meditation is not just for people with an Eastern Religion.  1’st Timothy 4:12-15 says, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.  … give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. … do not neglect the gift (of the Holy Spirit)… Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.”

 

The pace of this “modern life” seems to rule out any opportunity to just sit and meditate on God and the things He has for us.  But I want to encourage you to give this practice some room in your life.  I know that the problems of life loom large on the horizon and it is hard to see a way around the many obsicles, but I also know that everything is relative.  Our problems are often huge in relation to our abilities, but these same problems are small in relation to God’s abilities.  So when I take some time out and just focus on God… my problems tend to shrink back down in size.  I have a solid rock with which to compare them.  A rock that never changes and always gives me a firm foot-hold. 

 

I believe meditation is a vital, and often over-looked part of prayer.  To me it isn’t enough to recite a laundry list of to-do items that we want God to give attention to… I think we need to be open to Him, and to His laundry list of to-do items that we need to give attention to, too!

 

 Maybe that is the part that scares us most… we all know what that could mean.

 

But if we are not meditating, if we are not getting quite with God and allowing Him to talk to us… are we treating our Lord as King or servant?

 

Friday, February 24, 2006

What are we doing here?

I have grown-up, for the most part, with computers.  I was first introduced to them by our Air Force back in 1983!  I have been an avid computer user ever since.  <> If your reading this you probably found the link in here from TryFast… if not you may want to go to www.tryfast.com and check out their services. <>    <> WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?<>    <>

 

What we are doing here is pursuing a new form of Christian ministry.  Since the creation of the internet, there has been a potential to reach the masses through the unlimited connectivity of the internet.  The porn industry has tapped this potential.  The Christians have not.

 

When the Lord told us to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every living creature”  I think he meant the internet as well, or would include it.  The net is perfectly suited to for large scale ministry!  But the fundamentals can not be abandoned in the face of new technology.  The key is to find the right way to apply the fundamentals with the new technology.

 

This is why I’ve selected an internet cam-chat room as the flag-ship location for ministry, because a fundamental in ministry is that, like Jesus, we are called to work one on one with people.  We need face to face contact… we must be real to them, in order to reach them.

 

Secondly, the chat sight is connected to a static web page where quick answers can be found to the most common questions.  This is because people have come to expect quick answers, and access to information.  That page is linked to this, a Blog.

 

The Blog serves as a bulletin.. where everyone can connect and get the latest information no matter what time of day they are online.  The internet never sleeps but we do… so no one person can be there to moderate the room 24/7!  That is where the blog comes in.  I can post important updates or thoughts here, and everyone can read them and stay current on any news or information.

 

Plus the blog is your way to reach me, no matter whether I’m online or not.  Every message posted here is e-mailed to my private e-mail address.  So I wont miss it!

 

-Pastor Torch.

 

Look for the Christian Fellowship on TryFast… members rooms section, under Fellowship Tabernacle.

Prayer Requests.

If you have any prayer requests, please post a comment and leave the vital information so that everyone can be praying for you.  When you have some extra time, drop back by and see who else needs prayer… you can pray for them too!

 

Private messages can be e-mailed to me directly.  Be cautious about including too much personal information here.

 

-Pastor Torch

 

Monday, January 16, 2006

Classes Start & New projects.

Dear Reader,

 

Today is Monday… MLK day and a holiday, otherwise classes would be starting today.  As it is, I start my new Spring/06 semester classes tomorrow.  Won’t that be nice?  

 

You would think that would be enough for someone my age.  I am re-taking Calculus 1 since I did not pass it the first time. < I have not gotten used to the way these college professors fail to actually teach you anything.  You’re expected to figure out about half or more of it on your own. >  I am also forging ahead with Chemistry.  I will have had a full year of chemistry with a lab when I’m done.  That is not required by BSU for my degree, but it is required by other Universities, and I want to have that block filled in incase I ever get the chance to transfer (move).  These are two heavy classes, and you’d think that would be enough…

 

My parents have given me a project in the form of a 1976 light blue Mercedes Benz.  It has been in their garage for about twelve years.  Dad was playing around with various engine/transmission options.  He finally was convinced that he should just return it to the original OEM spec’s.  So it now has a rebuilt 5 cylinder diesel engine and the 4 speed automatic transmission like when it was new.  But it has sat around for so long, almost nothing else worked.  Only two of four power windows move when you hit the buttons.  The automatic door locks keep it unlocked at all times.  The trunk lock had to be repaired, the ignition switch was falling apart.  The defroster did not work because the system is locked into A/C mode.  The turn signals didn’t work, the dash lights still won’t.  The fuel filter plugged from all the years of accumulated Idaho dust before the first 1/8’th of a tank had been used (I can only guess how many of those I’ll burn through to start with.)  So this is a work in progress to be sure.  It has some paint issues, some body work (a lot of little dents from being used like a work bench/storage shelf for so many moons,) and some upholstery issues too.

 

It may be worth the time and effort however.  New, the 300D sold for twelve grand.  Right now the car might be worth about 2 grand (as is).  But restored, they go for about 6 grand.  I’ve been told that on E-bay they can pull twice that… but as far as I can tell, that is only a rumor.  The only way to afford these repairs, however, is to sell my Tracker.  Then I’ll be stuck if the MB breaks down on me.  And going 50 miles round trip to school is a top priority right now.  ?? Which car to trust & keep; which car to sell??  That is a puzzle.  The Tracker is far newer, but has 136 k-miles on it and is also in need of some garage/mechanic time.  I’d have to sell the MB to afford it’s repairs, such as a new timing belt, and some ignition work (it isn’t idling well.) 

 

So you’d think that is enough to put on my plate right now, but…

 

My wife has decided that we need to build our own dinning room table.  This is an honor!  To be trusted to build what is probably the most important furnishing in the entire house!  Wow!  When you think about it, the dinning room table is where you have most of your family time.  It is where you entertain guests.  It is where you go to work on a project, do some art or craft, or work on some food prep.  It is very visible and very functional.  Your choice of table says a great deal about your living style.  If the table is too fancy; it says your life is all a show, a mask you wear for people to see.  If the table is cluttered, dusty, or miss-used, it says that your life is lived else-where, outside your home, on the go, on the road, or at the office; that you’re not at home, at home.  If it is small, you are probably lonely.  If it is huge, you either have a lot of family or a lot of friends.  I think this table, more than anything, reflects our attitudes and ideas about how life is lived.  –Just a side bar thought here.

 

My wife wants a table, built in the traditional Castilian style.  These are thick rugged tables, a bit rustic and not very ornate.  Had she wanted anything too fine, I’d have had to decline building it.  But rugged and rustic are good!  We bought about $150 worth of redwood for it, and spent another $350 on tools and equipment that I’ll need for this.  So far I’ve gotten a router, a table saw, some 4 ft. clamps, and two roller stands out of the deal.

 

Perhaps that is enough to put on my plate for awhile.  Yet, somehow, I’ll bet someone finds room for more… I might even find some time to post on my blog!

 

Smile! Life is good!

 

One parting idea, on a completely different topic, ---  “If being black is all that, why haven’t they opened an African Food restaurant?”

 

Grins and giggles!

 

 

Thursday, January 05, 2006

Today in Spain.

Dear reader, There are things about life in America that bothers me. We have it good here, as far as material wealth is concerned, but where living is concerned, we are dirt poor. For example, as I type this, I am watching a live broadcast (via the net) out of Valencia, Spain. The fact that I can see live TV from half way around the earth, while sitting in my study here at home is evidence of our material wealth. What I am seeing on that station proves that we have forgotten how to live! Today is the day of the three kings in Spain. You know the three kings that came to visit the Christ child? We often call them the three wise men. Well, today in Spain, as they do every year, they celebrate the day of the kings. They had a parade for the kings as they entered the city square. The streets were lit up like any great Christmas décor should be. There was pageantry as the kings were welcomed to the city. There was joy as the kings delivered gifts to all the children. There was music and fire works.. this thing was bigger and better then the ball dropping in New York City at midnight. And the final act? The three kings present themselves to the Joseph and Mary and the baby Jesus! This is a beautiful tradition! It is glorious, glamorous, and edifying! It was great to see, and I’m very happy that I found it. But could you imagine such a thing happening here in the US? If we proposed such a display, the only thing I think we would see on TV is the protestors and the lawyers for the ACLU decrying the violation of civil rights or separation of church and state or some such nonsense as that. Why do they always do that? What is wrong with celebrating? What is wrong with bringing gifts to children? What is wrong with parades and lights, and music and such? Nothing! We do it for stupid reasons. We hold parades for the city to honor the city leaders. We have lights and music and such to mark the annual roll over of the clock. So why not celebrate an event that impacted history and is still the core reason behind so much of our customs and traditions? Why can’t we live and let live? But most of all, why have we allowed those who don’t know how to live, to beat us down and prevent us from living?

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Calc test

Well, today was the big day.  Okay, one of four big days.  It was the third calculus exam.  The last one will be given about three weeks after Thanks-Giving.  It will be the Final Exam.  (My, my, my, doesn’t that have a terminal ring to it?)  I honestly do not know how any one is expected to get though these classes.  It would be one thing if it were my only class.  They must expect us to have a lot of free time to study.  And they do!

 

They tell us to have between two and three hours of study time for every hour of class time.  I did the math, (I am in Calculus after all, you can trust my addition and multiplication skills,) if I did that...  I would be putting in a 60 hour work (study) week, every week!  You know that isn’t happen’ in!

 

So they must be exaggerating... because if it held true, then there is no way anyone could get through a four year degree in just four years!  I’m taking this stand because my degree (engineering) is laid out as a four year degree if you can maintain a 17 credit per semester class load.  I have a 13 or 14 credit load and by their numbers it is equal to a 60 hour work week.  How could anyone do even more?

 

The truth is, that heavy classes do require that level of study.  Other classes are much less demanding and some require almost no outside study at all.  I think right now I run between 25 and 30 hours a week on my studies.  The rest of life is taking up the other hours. 

 

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

>                     Dan                     <

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

 

 

Monday, November 14, 2005

Our Fences are built!

Winter is setting in.  The mountains to the south already have white caps.  The time for back-yard projects is almost finished until spring.  But because on Saturday morning we happened to notice that there are some of those little wooden stakes with the orange plastic flagging tied to the top standing here and there in the otherwise empty field behind our house, and because this must mean that someone is ready to develop that ground into another sub-division, we decided it was a great weekend to finish putting up our back fence.

 

We built the side fence, the one that separates our back yard from the next-door neighbors’ back yard about two months ago.  Then I moved the gate that they put in the front, to the back.  I built a wider (double) gate in the front so I can park my little trailer behind the fence at the side of the house. All we needed to do finish enclosing the back yard was to build the back section.  I had already bought the posts and cement.  We only needed the lumber.

 

Saturday turned out to be a good time for this.  We even had an unexpected check in the mail that more than covered the expense!  Isn’t God awesome?  So we put up our posts after lunch, it was warm enough to work outside after lunch... and then we headed down to Lowe’s.  The price on the dog-eared cedar fencing had come down since the last time I’d bought some, about 40 cents a board.  Not bad when you need 110 of them.  That saved me $44.oo off what I’d have had to pay had we done this earlier on.

 

Saturday night fell with only about half of those being put up.  Sunday morning I went back out before church and was able to finish it, and just in time.  It rained pretty good after that and turned the ground to mud.  But at last we have a fully fenced back yard.  It looks bigger somehow.  Might have something to do with not being able to see the huge field beyond and feeling like we only have a tiny piece of ground in comparison.   

 

It also feels like a metaphor.  In the old house we never did have a fully fenced back yard.  I had given considerable thought to how and where to put fences and gates, but we never did get to build them.  In that house we were taken advantage of.  Several times I lost items of some value to alley trolls (thieves) who would steal things from us right out of our (exposed) back yard.  That at least is not going to happen here.  It also reminds me that in this house, our money is our own.  We have built a new boundary in our financial lives. It has been a hard lesson, but this person is no longer accepting gifts with strings attached.  If it is a ‘gift’ it is given freely.  No strings.  If it is not a gift, then it must be payment for some service or other good.  And the terms of that negotiation had better be clearly stated, clearly understood and perfectly acceptable to both parties.  To often you don’t get what you thought were agreeing to when the condition are vague.

 

The trouble some people have is that like the little children on the play-ground, when a game is not going their way, they want to continuously change the rules so that they can turn it around to their favor...  you know the kind.  Some of those kids never grew up and they are still playing that same game.  They don’t want clear contracts, because they can’t modify them when things turn out differently than what they thought it would.

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

New room mates

In my office, I now have two new ‘room mates.’  They are alike in some ways, and quite opposite in all others.  The contrast between them I find most amusing.  One is a futon, the other is an elliptical.  Both were bought brand new.  Both came in a box with lots of packaging.  Both came with “some-assembly-required.”  Both are made mostly of metal.  Both take-up some considerable real-estate in my office.

 

That is about where the comparison ends.  To use the futon, one must either sit and relax or lay down and sleep.  It is one big sitting place that can be made into an even larger sleeping place.  It has cushions and pillows and a warm wrap.  In contrast, to use the elliptical you must stand up on the “pedals” as there is no place to sit at all.  It has no cushions or pillows, nor will it allow you to relax, let alone sleep.  In order to use it, you have to keep it moving.  It has an electronic display to show you how much exercise you have done. 

 

So one makes you tiered, the other gives you a place to rest.  

 

There are a lot of things in this crazy world that are like that.  Like yen and yang, opposites that fit neatly together and create a sort of whole.  Like light and dark.  If we only had one or the other, could we still have a rainbow?  Technicalities aside, I think you see my meaning.

 

That elliptical is just what the doctor ordered.  I don’t get enough exercise on any given day and my middle has exceeded it’s boundaries as consequence.  But the futon is just as important.  While it would not do to let my physical vessel deteriorate while I am improving my mind, neither can one contemplate deep thoughts while your calves are screaming and your heart is pounding in your ears.  Meditation, I’ve found, is better done with a more relaxed posture.

 

 

Sunday, November 06, 2005

The mousetrap car

Hello everyone.

 

It has been a while since I have had time to write, at least, here in the journal.  I thought I’d give a sort of progress report on one class I’m taking.  It is called ENGR 120, A.K.A. Intro to Engineering.

 

This should be a great class, a load of fun.  And it would be, I think, if the adjunct professor weren’t a bit of a flake.  So far we have designed a process for making peanut-butter-and-cracker-sandwiches.  Our process fail miserably.  Then we made a composite for construction.  My group has attempted to use bamboo and glue… we won’t know the results until they are tested for strength, which is scheduled just before the holidays this month.

 

Currently we are attempting to build a mouse-trap-car.  You take a mouse trap, and use only the energy of the spring when the trap is set, to propel a car.  This can be done for speed or distance.  Our test is for distance.

 

 

So I built a car frame, one of the team built this drum attachment for the mouse trap.  I robbed the axels and wheels off a 1 dollar toy car.  Dollar stores are good.  That is also where I found the huge package of tongue depressor sized popsicle sticks to make the frame out of.  So here is the final product.

 

Current status:  My best run went just over 12 ft.

 

If you get a chance to build one of these, weight

seems to be an issue.  Go for light!  A popular choice

is CD’s for wheels.  I’d have done the same but could

not find anything to make a hub out of.  The axle’s are only

0.1” diam, and the center hole in a CD is 0.6” diam.  That is

a big difference.

 

 

 

Friday, September 30, 2005

New Orleans.

<<< Deep Thoughts >>> In the wake of Catrina, and now Rita, two huge hurricanes... what can be said? Well a lot if you haven't been listening to the news. I was. I was impressed that the entire debaucle about FEMA was easy to understand and easy to demonstraight. It is not about FEMA at all. For one thing, no one, not even FEMA -should- be prepaired for massive devistaion on the scale that we have seen in the wake of these two storms. The American tax payers do not need to be paying for warehouses full of MRE's, Tents, Generators and such when the prospect of needing it all is rather rare. My opinion. The difference between Lousiana and Texas... or Lousiana and Mississippi... is that the people in Lousiana have/had no respect for authority. They did not respect the call for evacuation. They did not respect the private property of others. They did not cooperate with FEMA, or the even the President of the USA! They caused their own troubles! Am I off my rocker? No. The proof of this is all over the net even now. It is appearent in all the Mardi-Gras pictures... think about it. The people had a culture of thumbing their noses at their own police and getting away with it. That break-down in authority cost them lives. It is perhapps the grace of God that 10,000's were not killed.... It is self-evident in the fact that looting after the storm was rampat only in Lousiana. Now even some of thier own police are being charged with having looted. Pathetic!

Five weeks Latter!

Why are some people so plastic? So fake? To what end do we continue to fight over petty issues? Why is money the thing that brings out the true (ugly) character in some people? Why did it have to my own parents? It has been five weeks since they were paid... I am still waiting for my cut. True they did give me $4,000. I nearly had to do some arm twisting to get that much. The trouble is, that they recieved 32,000 for a house that they only had 11,000 invested in. How can anyone (in thier right minds) think that 11,000 invested means they get 28,000 of the 32,000 when I had about 20,000 invest over ten years, and for that, they want me to settle for just 4,000. In my world, the person who invested more, takes the larger share, not the miniscule one. I think most people would agree with that. By avoiding this question, By putting it off, By refusing to talk about it, By stonewalling, They have put our family relations under great tension. I even had an argument about it with my sister, not that it matters much. She has always been a plastic bimbo and the more mom and dad have, the more she can borrow/beg/take from them. Other than that, she dosen't even have a hourse in this race so that is the only reason it could be important to her at all. Like I said, plastic. You would think that familey would come first. You know the old addage, blood is thicker than water? Not true, even blood is cut off by the thin edge of a dollar. At this point it isn't even about the money, not for me. I realized a long time ago that the knott in the pit of my stomace... was the knowledge that my own parents had been lying. They lied to me, my wife, thier grandchildren. Maybe even themselves. Nothing is sacred, there are dollars on the table for the taking... lie, cheat, steal even from your own flesh and blood, but take it if you can. That's been thier goal. That we would remodel was a joke. They bought new car year after year instead. I should have seen it, but I refused to believe it. My parents had the money to remodel and keep thier promices, but new cars and pickups were more important that thier word. Thier appearance as they drove about town was more important than their own son. Plastic. Lies. When we refinanced, I saw it coming. I knew then that I had just kissed my investment goodby. I had to sign away my leagel rights and control over the property, so that they could refinance and get their hands on some more money. The money is all they wanted. All they care about. Not thier son. He is an embarrasment to the them. He dosen't play thier plastic game. Drives old cars he can afford. Wears jeans and worn out t-shirts. So now they have the money. I have a boat load of broken promices, disapointments and lies. Just a bunch of lies. lies. all lies. What ever happened to, "I love you?"

Thursday, September 15, 2005

The house is sold!

 

The House is Sold!

 

Almost three weeks ago, my parents received payment for the sell of a house we had both invested in.  Doing business with a partner is hard.  Doing business with family, now that can be impossible.  We got about 32 thousand out of the old place after all was said and done.  In all fairness, my cut should be about 16 thousand, less a few expenses such as some money we barrowed from them last summer.  Last night my own mother, rather reluctantly gave us a partial payment of $4,000.  We had an agreement signed between us three years ago about how we would disburse the funds when this house sold.  Worse case scenario, I should see about 10 thousand.  (Some parts of an agreement almost always become less clear and well defined after a few years have passed).  Tomorrow it will have been three weeks since they were paid.  Why can’t they just cut me a check and be done with it.  There isn’t any reason to quibble over infinite details…

 

It can be nearly impossible to do business with a family member.  If they treat you bad and rob you blind, they are still your family.  And as messed up as it sounds, they could be upset with you for not thanking them for all the great things they did out of nothing but the best intentions for you… inspite of the fact that they treated you badly and robbed you blind while doing them.  They may have broken every promise they ever made you, but, boy aren’t you the lucky one!  Just look at how many times they bent over backwards just to make things work for you.  If you are thinking about doing business with a family member, I’d advise you not too.

 

And just to prove that no silver lining comes without a grey cloud…

 

Our old neighbor wants to sue.  Okay this is a long story, but the jist of it is this:

The old place has a water well on it.  We shared the use of the well with our neighbor.  He and the former resident were great friends so they had it wired and plumbed in so either party could draw water as needed.  As soon as a For Sale sign was in the front and we had moved out, this fine old gentleman cut and plugged off our pipe, and removed our power wires so we no longer had use of the well.  One small problem here, the well is on our land!  Well, I had to go and restore our access.  It was either that or watch the yard die in the summers heat.  I re-wired it to power, but they refused to allow me access to their property and their power panel.  I had to cut them off electrically, but I did not touch their pipes.  No they want to sue… after the house has been sold to someone else.  Now they want US to pay to put it all back like it was.  –Go figure-

 

Is it also true that there is no fool like an old fool.  He started this mess and has resisted all our efforts to fix it until now, and now it is too late.  It is out of our hands.

 

  Between Family, Finance and foolish neighbors.. I still have Calculus I, Chemistry I, Mech. Engr. Graphics and Intro to Engr. Classes to keep up with.  (Speaking of which… there is more homework sitting in the IN box)

 

Gotta run.  Till next time..

-Dan.

 

 

 

Tuesday, August 30, 2005

Walking

Early fall days, when there is a bit of chill in the air, a slight breeze and leaves raining down from the bronze and golden trees.  When the sun is playing peek-a-boo with the clouds and V shaped formations flying overhead are headed south.  That is the best time for walking.  Squirrels  run about nervously seeking more winter provisions, never satisfied with what they have already hidden away.  The fly, the bee, the wasp, and the ant; all the pests of summer have found shelter against the approaching winter and do not bother me any more.  That is the best time for walking.  The flowers in their glorious colors have all faded but so too has their contribution to my allergies, so the air is clean and pure.  The sun’s light is neither so bright that it hurts the eyes, nor is it lost in a gloomy fog.  It casts weak thin shadows that play along my path.  That is the best time for walking.  

 

-Dan.

 

P.S.  Our old has is sold!  Payday coming soon!

 

Saturday, August 20, 2005

Blog Spam

<<< Deep Thoughts >>> I've been spamed! Someone is posting spam in our blog sites! Who could be so uncooth? So rude? So thoughtless! I really really detest the constant invasive sales presure created by the advertisers. They have polluted radio, television, the internet, most sports, clutered up the landscapes and made city streets ugly. They waste thousands of trees through paper products to print thier pitches in news papers, magazines and mailers. They plug up my mailbox and even leave unwanted messages on my answering machine. Now they are pitching their junk in my blog too! This madness has got to stop. It is time for citizens everywhere to demand legal limitations be put on advertisers. advertisments need to be where you can find them if you want them, such as a phone book or internet web site. They should not be in your face and forcing their wears down your throught. No more phone calls. No more mailers. No more spam. And no more blog spam! Maybe what we all need is an e-gun. That way we could virtualy shoot the spamsters and kill thier computers operating system. Now there is a thought!

Sunday, July 31, 2005


The wife and kids enjoying an afternoon swim. The back yard is coming togeather! Nuestro casa, de atras. Pilar y las nin'as esta escapando el calor!

Here is my office. Note the great color scheme!

Wow, I still have a lot of unpacking to do. Note all the books. Is it any wonder that I had to build book cases?

Saturday, July 30, 2005

Granny's Family Bible

Upon the death of my Grandmother Davis, I inherited her family Bible.  While there is nothing remarkable about this particular copy (she did have more than one) in it there is a record of the generations.  So for all those who might have been curious about this stuff here is the data as it is recorded in her Bible.

 

"

 

This is to Certify that

 

Arthur A. Davis

Place of Birth: Blackgum, Oklahoma

Date of Birth: June 9, 1911

 

And

 

Edna Jewel Blevins

Place of Birth: Braggs, Oklahoma

Date of Birth: September 24, 1909

 

Were joined together in the bonds of

Holy Matrimony

At: Vian, Oklahoma on the 29 day of June

In the year of our Lord 1929

Rev. Butler Clergyman

Witnesses: Estel Davis, Marion Davis

 

'Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh.

What therefore God hath joined together, let not

Man put asunder.'  Matthew 19:6

 

(Page 2)

 

Children

Billy Doyle Davis, Oklahoma, April 3, 1930

Married to Norma F. Davis at Reno, Nev. Dec., 1950

Names of Grandchildren

Arthur Brandon 1/17/52

Billy David 4/12/53

Evonda Lynn 7/16/54

Allen Lyslie 8/  /55

Stephen Lee 11/6/56

 

Hazel Jo Davis, Oklahoma, Oct. 6, 1932

Married to Richard O. Reneau at Marysville, Cal. June 20, 1949

Names of Grandchildren

Judy Diane 4/1/50

Debra Gail 5/12/51

Jimmy Dale 7/25/52

Laura Jane 9/2/53

Rickey Wayne 4/8/57

 

Patsy Lovan Davis, Oklahoma, Aug. 7, 1943

Married to Carl Edward Willey at Rio Del, Cal. Dec. 20, 1958

Names of Grandchildren

Dathenia Leavon Willey 2/4/61

Daniel Lee Willey 3/25/63

 

Dewey Lee Davis, Oklahoma, May 25, 1939

Married to Meta Miess, San Antonio, Texas 1/1/69

Names of Grandchildren

Jonathan Lee 9/15/70

Paul Anthony 12/29/72

 

(Page 3)

 

"

 

Family History

 

 

 

HUSBAND

WIFE

Father

Charley Davis

William D. Blevins

Place of Birth

Tennessee

Arkansas

Date of Birth

Oct. 1885

April 12, 1886

Date of Death

 

Oct. 14, 1970

Place of Burial

Box, Ok.

Box, Ok.

 

 

 

Mother

Lulu Ann McForland

Mary Perry

Place of Birth

Arkansas

Arkansas

Date of Birth

 

Sept. 23, 1886

Date of Death

Oct. 10, 1943

Oct. 14, 1965

Place of Burial

Box, Ok.

Box, Ok.

 

 

 

Brothers & Sisters

Lowell, Marrion, Cecil,

Lester Blevins,

 

Lester, Austin, Benson,

Earl Blevins,

 

Wylie, Buster, Albert,

Ruby Blevins.

 

Raymond, Jack.

 

 

Madge, Melvin,

 

 

Mary, Lois

 

 

 

 

 

(2 names are missing?)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grandparents

 

 

Father's Father

Thomas Davis

Edward Blevins

Father's Mother

Mary Ellen Cook

Nancy Jane Skinner

Mother's Father

Bill McForland

Pierce Perry

Mother's Mother

Easter Brigley

Ellen Blevins

 

* All underlined entries were handwritten.

 

I hope some of you find this as interesting as I do.

 

 

 

 

Dan Willey

 

About Me

Student of all trades, not ordained by any church.