Wild Hogs trailer

Jackie and I saw this movie last night... It was really funny and a definate see!!!

Jim

standing ground in China

I saw this story on a buddy's blog... Leigh Sarti... It made me chuckle, so I posted it here. Enjoy!



A CHINESE man has gone to extremes to prove that his home in his castle.

In defiance of controversial new property laws in China, Yang Wu has refused to leave his house which now stands on a pillar of rock in the middle of a huge development site in the fastest growing city on earth.

Hundreds of sightseers visit the house daily and supporters have been supplying Mr Yang with food which he pulls up by a rope.

The house, scheduled for demolition in 2004 now stands alone, suspended high in the air in the centre of a large pit in the city of Chongqing in southwestern China.

The other 280 families in the area left their homes which were all demolished.

Despite court orders and offers of compensation, Mr Wu, a restaurant owner, has refused to budge.

His wife Ping Wu stands guard outside the barricade the developers have built around the house.

The couple stood defiant yesterday, the day scheduled by court order for their house's demolition, and said they are staying put.

"The house is still there," Mrs Wu said.

"My husband is inside, and will be there as long as it is."

Chongqing sits on a fork in the Yangtse river. Its population is growing by 500,000 a year -- possibly the fastest sustained expansion of any city in history.

-----------------

It's amazing what happens when someone really acts in the direction of their belief, isn't it???


Jim

evan almighty trailer

This looks pretty darn funny. I loved Bruce Almighty... this one looks great as well!!

Jim

Farting squirrel saves the world

This just made me laugh out loud... but then again, most people still think I'm pretty junior highish...

It's certainly worth the chuckle...

Jim

Spiderman 3 Final Trailer

I can't wait until May 4th!!!! This is going to be awesome!!!

Jim

The Big 3 - 0 !!!

Today...

I hit the big 3-0!!!

Happy Birthday to me... Happy Birthday to me... Happy Birthday dear me...
Happy Birthday to me!!!!

And no jokes about being old...


Jim

Tomorrow... the Big 30... Texas Roadhouse and Wild Hogs...

Tomorrow is the big day...

As a friend has already shared with me, tomorrow is the day that I become an adult. I'll officially turn 30 years old tomorrow. (Man... I'm old!!!) Scarely huh?

But it will be a good turn. Jackie and I are going to have a nice dinner together at one of my favorite restaurants... Texas Roadhouse. I'm going to have some peanuts and a big ole fat steak. Then I'll likely restart my diet in a hurry...

Following the dinner, we're going to take in Wild Hogs!!

It should be great fun!





Jim

Blog turns 200!!!

Tonight's post... and I mean tonight... will turn my blog 200 posts.

And part of my excitement is that I am posting from my couch at home!!! That's right... The Clark's finally got internet at home!!!! Woo hoo!!!

So... Here is post 200!!!

Jim

World On Fire Concert this weekend!!!

This weekend is the big weekend for the concert!!!

If you are planning to pick up tickets for yourself or for your friends, you should get them soon. We are seeing an increase in ticket sales and I'd hate for you to get left out.

If you would like to get tickets, feel free to call the church office or email me at jim@fvcc.com.


Jim

PDYM Community Lunch at Fox Valley

May 3rd is the date for the next PDYM Community lunch.

The PDYM Community lunch is a great opportunity for youth workers to connect over food, talk about ministry and encourage one another. The cost of the event is $7 or $8 to cover your lunch. But the conversation and time is priceless.

All of those who are listed on the PDYM Community page and are local to Batavia will be getting a personal invitation. But if you are a local youth worker and don't get an invitation or just beat me to the punch and want to come, feel free to email me at jim@fvcc.com and we'll get you on the list to join us.

It really is an incredible time. And the reality is, why do youth ministry alone when you can do with others who care about you and want to encourage you?


Jim

Youth Specialties - The Core

On Saturday, I had the opportunity to take in a few incredible and powerful day-conference put on by Youth Specialties called the Core.

This was an incredibly powerful time of learning and challenge. It's going to take me several weeks to process through everything that was talked about and how it impacts the student ministry at Fox Valley.

But I post this to say this: If you are a youth worker... paid, part-time or volunteer... and you can get to this day-conference: DO IT!!! It is incredibly powerful and very important to your work with students.

Jim

Lightning Strike - Upclose

This is a pretty awesome video of a lightning strike. I was only this close to a lightning strike once... in PA... it was scary. But I wasn't this close... Check it out.

Jim

High Voltage... March 25, 2007

Last night was a very different High Voltage than what is typical. Last night we wrapped up the "What's the Big Deal about Sex?" series with a series of Questions as we opened the floor for a time of Q and A.

We had some really good questions. Including one that dealt with the issue of cutting. It was a good time. Since the flow was open, we don't have any outline from last night.

But here is a recap of last night:
Lesson Topic: What's the Big Deal with Sex? Week 7: Q and A
'Fun Factor': Above Average
Volunteer Involvement: Average
Music: N/A
Student Involvement in Music: N/A
Lesson Quality: N/A
Length of Lesson: 30 minutes of Questions
Student Response: Above Average
Overall Night Rating (scale of 1(not good) to 10(awesome)): 7

-----------------------
It was a good night and since it was about 75 degrees outside, we went outside and played some Polish Kickball. And a fun time was had by all...


Jim

David Crowder Band's New Album: Remedy

The crew of David Crowder Band (click HERE to visit their myspace page) are working on a new album. It will be pretty awesome. I love me some DCB.

Here is a little blurb about the new album that I got in an email update this morning:
"Greetings to you all! Some of you might know, and some of you might not, but we have set out on an adventure of a grand scale, a mighty epic for the ages...or...the making of our next record! And once more, we are doing what we can to indulge the hungry eyes of the public at large by providing a 24/7 webcam extravaganza, as well as blogs and (drum roll please) a video of the day! Fun! All of this mass-media content can now be accessed."

You can visit the active webcams (there are 8!!!) by clicking HERE.

There isn't any release date and I'm already looking forward to it!!!

Jim

77 degrees today!!!

Officially at the Clark house weather station, we had a high of 77 degrees today!!!

In fact, that's what it is right now. We're going outside to play tonight at High Voltage. But since it's about 5:30 pm, no one will see this before they come!! Polish Kickball!!!! Should be fun!!!!


Jim

What's going on at Frontline?

If you're wondering what's happening in the Student Ministries here at FVCC, we just posted a fresh newsletter today. You can download a copy for yourself, if you didn't get one, but visiting the Student Ministries website HERE. In the upper left hand, there is a link for "Newsletter." Click it and you should be able to view it or download it!

Enjoy!!!

Jim

God Pie

I saw this on a buddy's blog. It was very well done. Enjoy!

Jim

Matt McGill Sports Instructional: Swimming

These videos are awesome. It's good to see Matt McGill finally made it on YouTube!!!

Jim

Fast Food Freestyle

These guys have too much time on their hands.

If you aren't quick enough to catch the words to the rap, here they are:
I need a double cheeseburger and hold the lettuce
Don't be frontin' son no seeds on a bun
We be up in this drive thru
Order for two
I gots a craving for a number nine like my shoe
We need some chicken up in here
In this dizzle
For rizzle my mizzle
Extra salt on the frizzle
Dr. Pepper my brother
Another for your mother
Double double super size
And don't forget the FRIES...

a light bulb on for 105 years

I stumbled on this after watching an episode of my favorite Discovery Channel show: Mythbusters.

A light bulb has been burning for 105 years.

Yeah, I couldn't believe it either. It's hanging in a firehouse. If you click here, you can go and view a webcam that's been set up to watch the bulb. Pretty amazing.


Jim

Guitar Hero 80's Edition

Activision has announced another sequel for the award winning music game franchise to distribution and retailers. Guitar Hero 80's Edition will arrive on the PS2 in June on the 13th and will retail for $39.99. Of course, release dates always like to shift around, but as this is Activision's initial printing of the date to distributers, hopefully this one will stick.

I can't wait...
I'll be ready to pick this one up... I love me some Guitar Hero!!!


Jim

Ohio State Buckeyes video

I've tried to be quiet about the Buckeyes' chances of winning the NCAA Basketball Championship... basically because I was loud about them winning the BCS Football Championship and ate some crow. But I just can't hold it any longer...


Go BUCKEYES!!!!

This video was shot just before their thrilling overtime win over Xavier.

Jim

By The Tree is COMING to Batavia

If you haven't heard, and some haven't... By The Tree, the Turning and Rush of Fools are coming to Batavia, IL on April 1st to Fox Valley Christian Church. The World On Fire Tour will pull into town on April 1st and do only 1 show.

Tickets are still available and can be picked up by calling the church office at 630.208.8484. We would love to see you there!!!


Jim

Last 5 hits on my blog page

Here are the last five locales that checked in with a hit on my blog in the last few days or hours...

-Buffalo, NY
-Franklin Park, IL
-Wheaton, IL
-Minneapolis, MN
-Arnprior, Ontario

Keep checking back... maybe you're city will be listed next!!!

Jim

Shuffle Up and Deal - IPod playlist

Here's the next installment of "Shuffle Up and Deal." If you've never heard of this before, you pull up ITunes, put it on shuffle and push play. These are the first five songs that came up.

-Jerky Love Song by Grammatrain (a band that I wish was still around) off the Lonely House Album
-Angels We Have Heard On High by ZOEgirl off the WOW Christmas Album
-Alive by Building 429 off the Rise Album
-Good Life by Audio Adrenaline off the Underdog Album
-Keep Talking by Pink Floyd off the Pulse (Live) Album

There they are... Keep shuffling!!!

Jim

Another Tuesday at Lincoln...

Tuesday morning... Another day at school.

Except this morning, I forget the Hebrew vocab cards that I need to memorize before 1 pm. Oops... I had to hurry and make some new.

Hopefully the rest of the day won't go as bad.


Jim

Open Your Eyes

I don't know who snow patrol is... but this video is a good one!!!

Jim

High Voltage Outline - March 18, 2007

Tonight was a great night. We've got one more week of the sex series left. It's the open mic/Q and A session. We've had some good feedback from the series, I'm hoping and praying that we'll have some good conversation.

---------------
Lesson Topic: What's the Big Deal with Sex? Week 6: What if I've Messes Up?
'Fun Factor': Average
Volunteer Involvement: Below Average
Music: N/A
Student Involvement in Music: N/A
Lesson Quality: Average
Length of Lesson: 45 minutes (with 1 video clip and an extended imagination experience thrown in)
Student Response: Above Average
Overall Night Rating (scale of 1(not good) to 10(awesome)): 7

----------------
What’s the BIG Deal with Sex?
Part 6-What if I’ve messed up?
High Voltage – March 18, 2007 – Jim Clark
“To the Jews who had believed in him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.’” John 8:31-32
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” John 10:10

The truth about mistakes…They keep me from living life to its fullest (John 10:10)
I can do very little on my own about them (Romans 7:15-17)

The truth about Jesus… He understands temptation (Hebrews 4:15)
He understands pain (John 11:35)
He understands sexual sin (John 8:1-11)

THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT BAD DECISIONS
My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly. I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart Psalm 38:4,5,8

1. God FORGIVES
“As far the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions (sins) from us. Psalm 103:12

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

2. God FORGETS
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense- Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.1 John 2:1-2

STARTING OVER
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone; the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

1. Forgive YOURSELF
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5

2. Confide in a trusted FRIEND
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16

3. Live as if you’re FORGIVEN
Blessed (happy) is he whose transgressions (sins) are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him, and in whose spirit is no deceit. Psalm 32:1-2

4. Base your life on God’s DIRECTION
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I said, ‘You are my servant.’ I have chosen you and have not rejected you. Isaiah 41:10

The Bottom Line:
Sexual mess-ups are PAINFUL, but don’t have to END your relationship with God.
------------------

Questions for Discussion:
1. Do you feel as if there are some things in your life that are too huge to forgive?
2. How does it feel to know that even though there are some huge things in your life, God can forgive you and is still crazy about you?
3. Can you accept God's forgiveness and allow him to free you from your past? Why or why not?

-----------------

Overall tonight was a really great message and night. We had an extended "Imagination" session where I read from a book and encouraged them to imagine the scene in their head. It went really well.

Jim

Concert SOON!!!

We are still selling tickets for the "By The Tree" Concert at Fox Valley Christian Church on Sunday, April 1st (the photo is By The Tree's" promo photo). Tickets are just $7 (that's about the price of the lattes that some people drink on the regular basis).


It would be great for you to join us for this show. If you need more information or to buy tickets, email Jim at jim@fvcc.com or call the church office at 630.208.8484.




Jim

High Voltage Outline - March 11, 2007

And here is the outline from Sunday night, March 11th:

]What’s the BIG Deal with sex?
Part 5-How Far Is Too Far
High Voltage – March 11, 2007 – Jim Clark
To the Jews who had believed in him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.’ John 8:31-32
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

HOW FAR IS TOO FAR?
DEVELOPING HEALTHY BOUNDARIES
1. Care enough about your own life to ask the RIGHT QUESTIONS
∑ “How far is too far?”
∑ “But, shouldn’t we know if we are sexually compatible?”
∑ “What are the best choices for my life, my relationship with God, and for my future?”
‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ Jeremiah 29:11

2. Evaluate what’s IMPORTANT to you
∑ “Why am I in this relationship?”….“What do I want from this relationship?”
∑ “How will being physical get me to what I really want/need?”
∑ “What will a physical relationship do to our relationship?”
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf dos not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:1-3

3. Establish a temptation PLAN
∑ Everyone is tempted! (1 Corinthians 10:13)
∑ God doesn’t tempt you! (James 1:13-14)
∑ There is a way to escape temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22

4. Verbalize your BOUNDARY plans
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors they succeed. Proverbs 15:22

5. Ask for ACCOUNTABILITY
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Eccl 4:12.

6. Guard your MIND
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Philippians 4:8

7. Embrace God’s Grace…don’t CHEAPEN IT
For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Romans 6:14-15

8. Review these NOTES

9. Believe that you are not defined by who you DATE or HOW FAR you go

10. Pursue intimacy WITH GOD
∑ You’ll have a natural desire to please him
∑ You’ll receive the power to resist temptation
∑ You’ll be more attracted to godliness
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin. Hebrews 4:14-15.


---------------------


Jim

High Voltage Outline - March 4, 2007

I realized this morning, that I hadn't posted the outlines from either March 4th (before the Restoration Trip) or March 11th (this week). S

So, here is March 4th's:
What’s the BIG Deal with Sex?
Part 4 – What does the Bible say about sex?
High Voltage- March 4 – Jim Clark
Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:31-32
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10
CULTURAL FAKES FOR INTIMACY
1. Sex OUTSIDE OF marriage is normal
So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” Genesis 2:20-23
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. Hebrews 13:4

2. A SAME SEX physical relationship is no problem (embrace alternative lifestyles)
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. Gen 2:24
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator – who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. Romans 1:25-27

3. A FANTASY-FILLED life is no big deal
You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. Matthew 5:27-30
FINDING THE INTIMACY YOU CRAVE
The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 1 Corinthians 6:13

1. EXPERIENCE God's love (our real desire is to be intimate with HIM!)
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19

2. EXPRESS God’s love (pursue healthy relationships that model HIS love!)
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Ephesians 5:1-3

3. ENJOY God’s Plan (pursue HIS best through obedience!)
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the patter of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

The Bottom Line: The Bible is CLEAR that this is a plan and purpose for sex… And when followed properly, sex is an INCREDIBLE GIFT.


------------------


Jim

real (allegedly) funny air traffic controllers and pilots conversations

I stumbled onto a website today that was full of allegedly real communications between aircraft and air traffic controllers.

Here is a couple of samples:

Tower: "Delta 351, you have traffic at 10 o'clock, 6 miles!"
Delta 351: "Give us another hint! We have digital watches!"

"TWA 2341, for noise abatement turn right 45 Degrees."
"Centre, we are at 35,000 feet. How much noise can we make up here?"
"Sir, have you ever heard the noise a 747 makes when it hits a 727?"

Click HERE to read some more...

Jim

YOU DO THE MATH 2

This a pretty powerful video...

Jim

Pi Day (and not Banana Cream...)

Today, as I found out from one of the other pastor's here at Fox Valley, is National Pi Day. It's a day to celebrate and remember the great math sign "Pi" or 3.14 (and a bunch of numbers). Basically, it seems to be a day for math wizards... which is how it totally snuck up on me...

Oh well... maybe next year...

Jim

HOLD FAST 2

This is pretty awesome. I saw this on a buddy of mine's blog and I've now made Corry a favorite on my YouTube viewing list! This is awesome.

JC

Church History Trip - Part 9

Here is the final installment of Church History Trip.



After leaving the Campbell mansion, we travelled up the road to the Bethany Church of Christ, the church that Alexander and Thomas began after they left the Wellsburg Church.







This is a shot of the church from the outside. Notice the two doors: one for men and one for women.












This house is down the street from the Bethany Church of Christ. It is the house where all of the Millenial Harbingers were published during it's run of close to 30 years.












This is a photo of the stage, pulpit and communion table inside the Bethany Church of Christ.













Before the Campbell family began the Bethany Church, they attended the Wellsburg church in Wellsburg. While attending there, Alexander Campbell preached behind this pulpit on a regular basis.









Following our stop at Bethany, the trip began to slow down. Our final stop on Thursday was the site, pictured, of the Cross Creek Church where Alexander Campbell presented the "Sermon on the Law." The Church is obviously no longer there, but this was the site. There is also a cemetary here.










The final site of our tour was on Friday morning, before making the long drive back to Lincoln, was the Seceder Cemetery. Here, at a church that no longer exists, Alexander Campbell debated. It was a massive debate that was heard by close to 5000 people.






Overall, the trip was amazing. I wished, even though I was tired as we pulled back into Lincoln's campus, that the trip was longer and there was more to see. But alas, all good things come to an end. And in the midst of a light rain, we pulled back onto Lincoln's campus only to leave Jackie and I wish a 3 hour drive home.

It was a great trip!

Jim

Church History Trip - part 8 (Bethany)

After visiting God's acre, we toured the Campbell mansion... also known as Bethany. Here is a photo of the house as we walked down the path.

The house itself was built in 3 sections. The first section was given to the Campbell's by Margaret's father, John Brown, to keep them from moving to Zanesville, Ohio. The second section was built to house the school started by Alexander. The third section is called "Stranger Hall" and was built to host the various visiters to the Campbell mansion.




This is a shot of the main room in the first section, usually known as the parlor. The footstools in front of the couch were used by Alexander and Margaret when they married. They kneeled on them.









This is Thomas Campbell's bed. It is in the room off the parlor. This is the bed that Thomas passed in.












This is Alexander's favorite chair in his room. He would often sit by this chair and read or rock the cradle that is just to the left of this chair in the picture.












This is Alexander's bed in his room on the first floor. Alexander died in this bed. Jackie took a second to pose for this picture. On the dresser in the back, you can see the famous "death mask" of Alexander. According to tradition, as soon as Alexander died, some of his attendants took some plaster-of-paris and laid it on this face and an artist fashioned it together as an impression of him shortly after passing.





Here is a picture taken inside "Stranger Hall." This was the guest house of the Campbell's that was attached to their mansion. Many famous people stayed here... including James A. Garfield (President of the United States), Henry Clay and Jefferson Davis just to name a few.










Here's a picture of Jackie in Margaret Campbell's kitchen. (She loved it by the way...)














Upstairs in the Campbell mansion, you would find Thomas' original gravestone. It was stolen and thrown in a field, later to be returned by a teenager.












As both groups wrapped up their tours of the house, we paused to pose for a picture on the porch of the Campbell mansion. It was a great tour. Very insightful and an incredible house.















Following the tour of the mansion, we visited Alexander Campbell's personal, detached study. Some have called it the "iglue" because it does resemble such from the outside. But it was, by far the coolest place on the mansion grounds. Campbell would sit here often and write and study from very early in the morning until very late at night.

Some day, when we have land, I will have a similar study.






Here is a picture of the outside of Campbell's study. If you follow the link from the writing above about the study, there is a very awesome picture of Campbell in his study taken in the 1850's. I purchased a copy of that picture and it sits in my office.







This concludes this post. I've got one more post to make. This is will cover the Bethany Church and a couple of cemetaries.


Jim

Church History Trip - part 7 (Brush Run and God's Acre)

Well, we're back home. We just off the bus last night around 7 pm and jumped in the Cruiser. After a good night's rest and some sleeping in, we're back in business on Saturday afternoon. I wanted to grab a few minutes and get the rest of the pictures from the trip up and on my blog for those of you who are faithfully checking back the rest of the pics...

Here there are:


We started off Thursday morning with some time in Washington, PA. Downtown in a company that has now become part of the "Observer Reporter," we found a printing press similar to the one used by Thomas Campbell to print the "Declaration and Address." In fact, it was printed and distributed by the company that merged with the "Observer Reported" and was printed behind where I was standing.





This is a picture of that style of printing press. This is NOT the press contrary to what Bethany College says. But it is similiar.













This is the house, at least the right hand side of the house, that Thomas Campbell was living in when he wrote the "Declaration and Address." In fact, the original fireplace that was in the house when Thomas lived here is still in the house. We were supposed to go inside, but the lady who lives here wasn't home.









We moved on from Thomas' house and visited several other sites.

On our way to the Brush Run Church site, we stopped by a site that "may" have been the baptismal site for the Brush Run Church. No one from our group was willing to journey into the water... there was some ice on the water... for a baptism.







Brush Run Church was organized by Thomas and Alexander Campbell in 1811. It was one of the first churches organized under the Restoration movement.









This is a picture of the site of the Upper Buffalo Presbyterian Church. The current building is off to the left. This was the site where Thomas Campbell was placed on "trial" by the Presbyterian Church and officially asked to stop preaching restoration ideals. Thomas... thankfully for us... refused and continued to preach.







We moved on from there and traveled for quite some time and arrived in Bethany, WV. Bethany was the home of Alexander Campbell, after his father-in-law John Smith gave him and his wife Margaret 3000 acres to keep them from moving to Zanesville, OH.

After lunch, we visited "God's Acre." "God's Acre" is the site of all of the Campbells graves and all of those directly related to the Campbells.

The first marker that we viewed was Thomas'. This isn't his original... the original will be later. It was stolen and thrown in a field in Ohio... Only to be recovered by a teenager and returned to Bethany.


We viewed the site of Alexander Campbell's grave. A.C. doesn't have a head stone... only a small foot marker and head marker.

This is A. Campbell's foot marker.










This marker is also located in God's Acre. This is the marker of Archibald McLean. Archibald was the fourth president of Bethany College, the college that Alexander Campbell started.













We moved over a couple of feet and found the marker for W.K. Pendleton. W.K. was an influential leader of the second generation.













A few feet over was the final resting place of Robert Richardson. Richardson was asked by Alexander's second wife to write down the story of Alexander after his passing. He wrote 2 volumes that were extremely influential in informing us about Alexander's life and history.










This picture was the final picture taken of God's Acre. It shows the final resting place of the Campbell family... Thomas, Alexander, Margaret, and the remainer of the family.









Moving on from God's acre, we returned to Bethany (the Campbell mansion) for an extensive tour. The next post will contain those photos.

Jim

Church History Trip - part 7 (Coming Soon!)

Some of you are regularly reading and checking out pictures from my current Church History/Restoration Trip. That's awesome!! Keep coming back and checking them out.

Today, I took about 90 pictures from Bethany (Alexander Campbell's home) in West Virginia. But at this point, it's 11:00 pm, I've been running everywhere today and frankly, I'm just too tired to sort them out and post them.

But they will be up very soon. Today is Thursday. Tomorrow, we make the long drive back to Lincoln and then home. My hope is to get the final 2 days up (Parts 7, 8 (Bethany) and 9) up on Saturday. So, if you're checking back and disappointed that there aren't any new pictures or tales of new adventures, don't give up. They will appear here. Just not tonight...

Jim

Church History Trip - part 6

After leaving the Lexington Cementary and making a stop at what may have been Moses Lard's house... we headed out to Midway College. Midway holds a very important instrument. This melodeon is "the" instrument that may have begun the argument among some of the Restoration movement churches over musical instruments. Eventually, it would lead to a split between the Disciples of Christ and the Churches of Christ (non-instrumentals). Click HERE for more information on this incident.





That small instrument was removed from the Midway church... which sat on the site of the current Midway Christian Church. When it was removed by Adam Hibler and hidden in his barn for awhile before it was finally returned.


But this argument was instrumental (pun intended) in a future division between the Disciples' churches.






Following Midway, we stopped by Georgetown College where we viewed an original painting of Georgetown College, which Barton W. Stone was involved in starting.











After leaving Midway, we visited one of the homes of Barton W. Stone.

This is a long range photo of this house as the people who own it and live it are snowbirds and happen to be out of town. So, we looked on from a distance and took a few photos.










After a few minutes in the bus, we stopped by the house that "Raccoon" Smith lived in. This, however, is not the original front of the house. The original front was around to the left from this picture, but the picture of my wife sitting on the porch was too good not to post...








Following the visit to "Raccoon's" house, we stopped by the church where he used to preach. Here is a little story with a couple of pics from inside.

When we visited this church, no one was around to let us in. It would have been great to visit it, because the pulpit that Smith used is inside and they still use it today. That webpage will show it to you.





After leaving Smith's church, we began our long trek to where we are tonight... Morgantown, WV. But along the way, we stopped at my sister's Alma Mater, Kentucky Christian University.








That wraps up Wednesday. We grabbed some "Golden Corral" for dinner and hit the sack. More pics and stories tomorrow!!!


Jim

Church History Trip - part 5

Wednesday brought many different sites and lots of driving.


After breakfast at the hotel, we headed to the Lexington Cemetery. Our first stop was the marker for J.W. McGarvey. Click here for info about J.W. McGarvey was a great second generation leader among the Resto movement.








Following McGarvey's tomb, we visited the massive 6 story monument to Henry Clay. Besides being a great politician, Henry also moderated one of Alexander Campbell's debates in Nashville.









After visiting Clay, we returned to the Restoration trail and visited the grave of John T. Johnson. JT. Johnson was instrumental in the merger between the Stone's "Christians" and Campbell's "Disciples" in 1831/32. Click here for more information about JT Johnson.


(I just noticed that many of the information links for these reformers have similar grave stone markers to the pics that I am posting...)



This marker belongs to "Raccoon" John Smith. Which we found out today is because he often wore a "Coon-skin cap." He also had dark bags under his eyes that looked similar to a raccoon's face. More information about Smith can be read HERE.

Raccoon Smith was influential in the merger between the two groups. Smith was also very close to Scott and the Christians.






This next marker was of particular importance to me. This marker is for Robert Milligan. (Click here for more Milligan info.) Milligan was whom The Buffalo Christian Men's and Women's Institute was renamed after when it became Milligan College... my Alma Mater.

Robert is got some pretty crazy hair going on...






Following Milligan's marker, we visited several other locations in the cementary before heading on to other adventures. Check out part 6 for more adventures!

Jim

Church History Trip - part 4 (Cane Ridge)

After we left Walter Scott's home, we took a trip down Barton W. Stone lane... Click Here for some information on BW Stone.

We viewed both sites of BW Stone's Concord Churches. The only thing to really view were some foundation stones at the second site of the Concord Church... neither building remains.

This is a long distance photo from our bus window of BW Stone's house... It was the small porton on the left hand side...





Following Stone's house, we headed to Cane Ridge. This marker is the final resting place of BW Stone. Stone was the leader of the "Christians" in Kentucky who united with the Campbells and the "Disciples" in Pennsylvania in 1831/32 to create the Disciples of Christ Churches.

I say 'final' because Stone's bones where actually moved three times. This is his final, and permanent until resurrection resting place.




The meeting house at Cane Ridge, is actually housed inside a larger "shrine" to protect it from the elements.

This is the actual Cane Ridge meeting house where the Cane Ridge Church met for years.

This was also the site of a great revival that began the wheels of Reformation for BW Stone that eventually led to the Disciples of Christ and Christian Churches.






This is a photo that I took from the balcony level of the Cane Ridge meeting house.

I sat up there for about a half an hour while Dr. Rea and others talked about the meeting house. It was an incredible place to sit and breathe it all in. In fact, I could have sat up there all day if they would have let me... But we needed to move on.







But before we did, I climbed into the pulpit at Cane Ridge and had Jackie take my picture.

If I could do anthing, I would have loved to have gone back and spent some time with BW Stone and seen some of the events at Cane Ridge. What an incredible time!








Following Cane Ridge, we grabbed some great Chinese food for lunch before heading over to the Lexington Theological Seminary, just off the campus of UK in Lexington.
The stop was a great one. The Seminary there holds several orginial paintings. This one is an orginal oil painting of Alexander Campbell (that's not dirt above his head, the paint is flaking off). They also hold paintings of Stone, John "Raccoon" Smith and others.




After the stop, we headed back to the Best Western where we grabbed some R&R and I posted these blogs...

More to come from tomorrow!!! Wednesday!!!

Jim