An Afternoon with an Actor

It was just another winter day on the ranch: plowing snow with my dad’s John Deere tractor. The weather was sunny, calm, and about 20 degrees—a lovely last day of 2015 in Montana.

It is hardly routine for ranchers to spend an hour or two with Hollywood actors. So I did not plan to eat my final lunch of the year with somebody 1000 times more famous than me—according to Google.

Neighbors

As my green machine pushed snow off the road, I passed my late grandparents’ former home one time after another. They had built it as their retirement house in the 1970s. I last entered it before they died some 15 years ago, as it has changed hands two or three times since then.

Our ranch headquarters is three miles to the south, so I knew of some modifications to the house. But its adjacent 20 acres remained pristine: an alpine stream, cottonwood trees, evergreens, hills, sagebrush, car-sized boulders, and mountaintops just eight miles away.

As I drove back and forth, I pondered knocking on my neighbor’s door. I wanted to say “hi” and see the old house. But I also felt shy, since we had met only briefly once before. Finally, I talked with God about it, requesting courage and obedience if He wanted me to make a new friend.

On my very next pass, I saw my neighbor outside. He flagged me down to thank me for plowing his driveway. I was at a bridge, so I pulled over to kick off some snow the plow could not reach. My neighbor asked what I was doing. When I told him, he jogged the 100 yards or so over to his house, grabbed two shovels and his four-wheeler, and drove back to help. We started talking.

Outdoors

My neighbor loves being outside. He had been cutting down dead trees all day. His girlfriend had visited recently. She enjoys running, but this place was too quiet for her. He joked he might have to find someone else, but added it is not just her—some of his Hollywood buddies react the same way: too far from cities, highways, and Wal Mart. For my neighbor, who lives much of each year in southern California, this place is his refuge.

Wildlife and hunting were among the first topics he probed. He is wary of mountain lions, bears, and rattlesnakes—as am I. He usually has a gun on him when he is outside, and like me he would shoot a hostile animal if necessary.

You just shot your first deer, he asked in disbelief. Yes, I admitted; most Montanans harvest their first deer before 33. Well, he said, a friend of his recently had given him some elk steak. Would I like to come inside and eat some? I thought of the tractor, the house, my unused lunch break, my prayer—and said yes.

Indoors

As he led me into his house, I was struck by how much I remembered it—though much had been changed or upgraded. There was the old “ping-pong table room,” and the old “treadmill room”—wait, no that wall was knocked out and there was a nice new fireplace! Half of the rock wall was gone, but lots of nice wood trim had been installed. There was the big stone hearth next to which my grandparents put their Christmas trees, and the tall picture windows against which local black bears stood up and stared inside. And there was the cupboard in which my grandmother’s never-empty cookie tins were kept. Ginger snaps, little Nikki?

I shared some of this with my neighbor. At 10-20 years my senior, he seemed as attentive as if it had been his own grandparents’ former property.

His queries diverted to the steak. Had he never cooked elk before? Or did he want to make sure I liked the end product? Or did he enjoy collecting other people’s tips on cooking game? Whatever the case, he basically had me direct the process. Yes on more seasoning, medium or medium-rare is great, butter is always a plus…

He gave me a water bottle—then shared his own food tip: apples and cheese go well together! At last the meat was ready, and we sat on stools at counters to eat what ended up being a tasty meal.

Movies

If Google is any standard, my neighbor is hardly Hollywood’s biggest celebrity. But he gave one major name after another as being among his past colleagues. He respects most of them, whether they are fun, humorous, intelligent, or hard-working. His most recent movie was with two of the top actors and directors in recent memory.

I was not interested in asking “What is your favorite movie?” or “Have you ever met so and so?” However, I could not help feeling surprised when he said he never watches movies. I assumed he meant he avoids public theaters or watches less than other filmmakers, but he was unwavering. I saw some DVDs on a small table across the room. He said someone had left them there.

Still doubting, I said he must only watch the movies he makes. Nope: he has not seen any film in years, even his own! He said the experience of shooting a picture differs so greatly from the final production that he prefers not to watch them at all. He evinced no bitterness. He simply said how it was for him. However, he admitted he may amend his policy sometime—because his girlfriend wants to watch movies with him.

Artists

My neighbor was attracted to the fact that I am a writer. He asked what most people ask—“What do you write?”—then went deeper. Who do I like to read? C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, I said, among others. He affirmed them as superior writers, along with classical authors such as Fyodor Dostoevsky. He underscored their creative genius, and said we writers can learn from them.

“We writers” has two meanings. First, as an actor, he always is writing or rewriting scripts, story ideas, or whatever comes to his head. Second, my current status as a little-known writer appeared irrelevant to him. His inquiries and tone graciously put us both in the same ballpark as artists.

My afternoon with an actor confirmed my disinterest in People magazine and its ilk. Hollywood folks do not just make movies, get fat checks, then drive around in sports cars and hang out with attractive people on beaches all day. Between projects, many try to get away from the cameras to live a somewhat normal life.

Regarding work, the competition is intense—just like any art—so to succeed they pour countless hours into their jobs. Yet many people in show business, including one huge star he named, tend to wonder or even worry about their next contract. So despite all the red carpet, if not because of it, no artist’s career carries a lifetime guarantee.

Decisions

Do you like to make movies that merely entertain, or do you prefer to produce meaningful stories that offer a message? My neighbor engaged the tough question.

He has made films that earned an income, and he has played roles that he actually respected. The choice to make a positive impact or not gnaws at him, but it can be a hard choice. One picture he deeply regrets making because of its dark content. Such shows probably should not be made, he said, and in general he wants to move toward more inspiring tales.

What if I set up a $10,000 interview for you on something you do not believe in, he asked. It was not a retort, but an example of the challenge in turning down big deals on moral or ethical bases, especially for beginning artists like me or even well-established, but not top-tier, artists like him.

I concurred regarding subjects of secondary importance, but not on my core Christian faith. This he respected, adding hints of his own theology, yet he implied that trust in God often is absent in show business. He added, or maybe lamented, that movies on God rarely sell in Hollywood.

I asked whether it was easy to talk with his fellow actors about their work. Honesty is important, he stressed, but criticizing another’s movies does not really fly in his industry—too many people get hurt. But my neighbor generally avoids those uncomfortable conversations, since he watches no movies!

Farewell

It was mid-afternoon. My neighbor walked me outside. We shook hands and exchanged hopes of meeting again.

He planned to return to California soon. So a few days later I gave him some of my deer sausage, along with one of my published articles. My neighbor was all smiles. He promised to try my deer and read my article that night with his dad. I believed him, but will not ask him about it, in honor of his Hollywood culture.

It was a great start to a new friendship.

(Originally published by the Montana Pioneer.)

My Date’s a Norwegian

As a surprise, I sang this to Els at a family meeting in May 2016 in Bozeman.

So I’ve never sung alone in public before, and I’m not much of a poet either, although I am a writer. My favorite board game growing up was The Farming Game. It was a bit like Monopoly, but the box stated: “Invented on the seat of a tractor.” So back in May I spent hours developing and practicing a song while driving one of my dad’s four-wheelers, handpicking rocks in a field.

I dedicate it to my beautiful, beloved bride Els. She is the mother of our precious kids, has faithfully put up with me for eight years of marriage, and walks alongside me in our faith in Jesus Christ. I love you, I try to pray for you daily, God bless you—and I hope you enjoy this as much as I liked planning it.

My song is four short verses. I intend it as a combination of light confession and light teasing. And since many of us are Norwegian, or married to one, I think you will appreciate the song.

Els and I befriended an Iranian-American couple in Qatar. The husband has an amazing voice, and more than once he serenaded his bride at parties. My godfather Norm was equally talented, and he sang to and with his family all the time. My voice is nothing like theirs, and my song is no serenade, but I think they partially inspired me. So—here is My Date’s a Norwegian.

My date’s a Norwegian, but at least he’s cute.           He calls this food, how can I eat?

My date’s an old Norske, oh what shall I do?            He loves his sugar, but he’s not that sweet.

My date’s a Norwegian, but at least he’s cute.           He said he loved me, but I wonder when

My date’s an old Norske, oh what shall I do?            He will ever open his mouth again.

My date’s a Norwegian, but at least he’s cute.           He works hard all week, then asks friends to ski.

My date’s an old Norske, oh what shall I do?            I often wish he would make more time for me.

My date’s a Norwegian, but at least he’s cute.           It’s hard for him to do things I like.

My date’s an old Norske, oh what shall I do?            But worst of all…we're married…so this is for life!

My husband’s Norwegian, but at least he’s cute!

My husband’s a Norske, oh what shall I do?

Prayer Vigil for the National Day of Prayer

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The National Day of Prayer is one day when Christian Americans have a right and responsibility to call down Almighty God’s great mercy and blessing upon our homeland. But in truth, we need to do this regularly—both individually and corporately. In national and international issues, the government is at best never more than an institution that can help, not a final source of salvation or even responsibility—these belong to God alone. Thankfully, we Christians get to play a major role, for “the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5)

When we pray for our leaders and our country, we should ask for God’s will to be done. (See the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6 or Luke 11.) Today, tomorrow, and beyond, please pray as the Spirit leads for our nation. Below are various Scriptures that might help guide your prayers. They note God’s mercy to the unrighteous; His power, authority, and victory; good leadership (see Exodus 18); obedience to God and man; deep repentance; great hope, and giving praise, trust, and glory (see 1 Kings 8) to our good, loving, and mighty God.

My close missionary friend wrote: “Christ never promised physical safety to those who would follow Him. In fact, He promised something far better: His Presence…Christ does not call us to pursue danger, but He asks our obedience to His calling. Time and again, God has demonstrated His power over the enemy’s attacks and His ability to save…Still, there may come a day when physical deliverance doesn’t occur. Let it be known on that day, God is still faithful, and the greatest deliverance will have actually occurred. Whether we live or whether we die, Christ is our life, and His glory is the reward. Jesus Christ calls us to Himself, not to a life of ease by avoidance, but of intimacy through obedience that we ‘may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in his death.’” (Philippians 3)

|Exodus 33| And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?” And the Lord said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.”

|Leviticus 19| “When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God…You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him…Love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”

|Deuteronomy 9| So I lay prostrate before the Lord for these forty days and forty nights, because the Lord had said he would destroy you. And I prayed to the Lord, ‘O Lord God, do not destroy your people and your heritage, whom you have redeemed through your greatness, whom you have brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Remember your servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Do not regard the stubbornness of this people, or their wickedness or their sin, lest the land from which you brought us say, “Because the Lord was not able to bring them into the land that he promised them, and because he hated them, he has brought them out to put them to death in the wilderness.” For they are your people and your heritage, whom you brought out by your great power and by your outstretched arm.’”

|Joshua 5| When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped.

|1 Samuel 2| Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.”

|1 Samuel 12| “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart.”

|2 Samuel 22| “The waves of death encompassed me, the torrents of destruction assailed me; the cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I called. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry came to his ears.”

|2 Kings 14| Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, began to reign in Samaria, and he reigned forty-one years. And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat…But the Lord had not said that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, so he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash.

|2 Kings 19| Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord and spread it before the Lord. And Hezekiah prayed before the Lord and said: “O Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God…So now, O Lord our God, save us, please, from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, O Lord, are God alone.”

|2 Chronicles 14| Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million men and 300 chariots…Asa cried to the Lord his God, “O Lord, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O Lord, you are our God; let not man prevail against you.” So the Lord defeated the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah.

|2 Chronicles 19| Then he set judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah…and said to the judges, “Take heed to what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the Lord, who is with you in the judgment. Now therefore, let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take care and do it, for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, no partiality, nor taking of bribes.”

|2 Chronicles 33| And the Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they would not listen. Therefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the army of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh…and carried him off to Babylon. Now when he was in affliction, he implored the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed to Him; and He received his entreaty, heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God.

|Ezra 9| “O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens. From the days of our fathers to this day we have been in great guilt…After all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great guilt, seeing that you, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserved and have given us such a remnant as this, shall we break your commandments again?”

|Nehemiah 9| “Our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love, let not all the hardship seem little to you that has come upon us, upon our kings, our princes, our priests, our prophets, our fathers, and all your people…You have been righteous in all that has come upon us, for you have dealt faithfully and we have acted wickedly.”

|Psalm 33| The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage…The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue. Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love.

|Psalm 37| Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

|Isaiah 9| For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

|Isaiah 40| Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in; who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness. Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows on them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble…But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

|Isaiah 54| “O afflicted one…No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”

|Isaiah 58| “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.

|Matthew 5| “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you…Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

|Philippians 3| Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

|1 Timothy 2| I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

|1 Peter 2| But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy…Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

|Revelation 21| He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.”

Praying Passages of Scripture: Keys to Effective Prayer from Our Most Powerful Resource

Below are many—though far from all—amazing biblical prayer passages worthy of pondering and incorporating into your regular, heartfelt prayer life. Below them are key takeaways from my first “sermon” at our church in Big Timber, Montana, on April 24, 2016. Soli Deo Gloria!

Sermon video: https://vimeo.com/164130815

12 rich Old Testament prayers by various people on various topics, with their starting verses:

Genesis 18:22                                     Exodus 33:12                                      Numbers 6:22

Deuteronomy 9:18                              1 Samuel 2:1                                       2 Samuel 22:1

1 Kings 8:22                                        2 Kings 19:14                                      2 Chronicles 14:11

Ezra 9:5                                               Nehemiah 1:4                                      Isaiah 12:1

~~~Most Psalms~~~

12 rich New Testament prayers by various people on various topics, with their starting verses:

Matthew 6:9                                         Mark 14:32                                          Luke 1:46

John 17:1                                             Romans 16:25                                    1 Corinthians 1:4

Ephesians 3:14                                    Philippians 1:3                                    Colossians 1:3

2 Thessalonians 1:11                           Philemon 3                                          Revelation 22:20

Many prayers in the Bible involve some or all of the following:

   - Expressing humility and anguish in personal or national repentance

   - Acknowledging that sin is over our heads, but not God’s

   - Trusting in God’s mercy and righteousness

   - Keeping a life of disciplined, passionate, humble, and faithful prayer (not just in crises)

   - Resting in God, and going nowhere without Him

   - Growing in God and His Word

   - Awaiting God’s sovereign answer (yes or no) and timing (now or wait)

   - ACTS: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication (especially for the things of God)

   - Taking action before and / or after prayer

   - Heeding the warning of Isaiah 31:1-3 and Jeremiah 17:5-8

   - Obeying the command of 1 Timothy 2:1-4

   - Praying for God’s will to be done and for His name and fame to spread

   - Interceding for others without ceasing and with affection

   - Starting and ending with God—because of, and to proclaim, His character and His gifts

   especially Jesus Christ, the cross, and the empty tomb

Oliver-isms: Part 2

So Ole is now four years old, and I will probably run Part 2 for the next few years. I still love being a dad, and my boy is so precious to my beautiful bride and me. God willing, we will have another little monster running around before too long (Eli, as it turns out), and I'll have to start another one for him or her as well! For now, here is Oliver-isms: Part 2 (second section for age 8 and up at the bottom) -- and thank you, Jesus, so much for our kids!

~~~~~~~~~~~
SENTENCES:

A long time ago at Miss Jenny's, I smelled a bear drinking milk.
Mommy / Daddy, can I cut something?
Ole cut a long piece of paper with scissors, and called it a waterfall. Then, after showing me how it is a waterfall, he said with great enthusiasm: "You're learning!"
Yes, I blew my nose and nothing popped out!
Thank you for taking out my garbage. (He often thanks us in the sweetest of voices for things I would not think a toddler would care about.)
[In April...] Daddy, I want to go to Bozeman in June. (This was at age four, and we typically drive to Bozeman 1-2 times a month for groceries.)
I'm fragile / Goggy's fragile. (Mommy and Daddy sometimes describe him with this word when he is tired, then he began using it for himself, or his favorite stuffed animal, in the cutest and most pitiable of voices.)
Maybe it's a little tractor. (Ole guessed at what present was in a small paper bag for Mother's Day.)
Mommy, you will have a little room next to me [in the backseat of the car], because my sleeping bag will be next to my seat. But I will carry it, because you have a baby. (Mommy was 7 months pregnant at the time.)
My skeleton breaked / didn't break.
It's not a ship. It's a boat-ship!
Hey, I got some pancake on my hand. Can you lick it off? Hahaha!
How big is this (pair of pants)? I can say 90 feet tall.
Wash, wash your hands, get nice and clean. Wash the back, wash the front, fingers in between. (Sung to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." He learned it when he was three at his preschool -- Miss Faye's -- and sings it frequently at ages three and four, including once when he went to the bathroom in the middle of the night, even though he was very sick and tired.)
It looks like a basement. (His opinion of some peanut butter on a knife.)
Dear God, please help our country not to blow up.
I'm going to dream about race cars next year, I think.
On the other side of [outer] space where Uncle Nay-Nay lives...
I'm hooking up still; sorry. (Ole had the hiccups.)
I love your ears. They're so, so, hairy.
Bye! (Ole calling downstairs from -- supposedly -- quiet time, when one of Elsbeth's friends dropped by. Then after she left...) Who was that? I want to see her shirt.
Daddy, play with me! (He most often addresses me, but might ask anyone this wholly enthusiastic and endearing question.)
Ole: Baby Eli looks so handsome today. Mommy: Can you teach him how to be handsome? Ole: No, I'm too tired.
I'm not kidding! / Are you kidding me? (With "kidding" particularly emphasized in both cases.)
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8 -- OLE'S FIRST BIBLE VERSE!)
(The end of one of Ole's prayers...) "...and I always want to pray, and I hope to have a pumpkin. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 16, 19, 11. Eleven players!
Next year, when it's night, I want to eat pesghetti (spaghetti).
(Normal voice...) Daddy, want to know what [big boy / night night] wear-wear I have on? (Quiet in-the-ear whisper...) Car / Soccer / Frog wear-wear. (Normal voice...) Want to see it?
Daddy: Are you going to space (in your pretend spaceship)? Ole: No, I'm going to the Moon.
Ole: Daddy, I am eating (this sandwich) slowly because you cut it into four pieces. Daddy: Why does that make you eat slowly? Ole: Because that's just how God made me.
Daddy, let me tell you someping.
(After visiting a 97-year-old friend of Daddy's in Billings) Ole: Maybe she's going to die soon. Daddy: Maybe, though God might take any of us into Heaven soon. Ole: Well, maybe she's going to die tonight.
(From inside the spaceship tent) This gun is for stopping earthquakes. It shoots "ache eyed" or "geyser lights." (We went to Yellowstone last week.) And here is the handle. The red part is hot like fire, and this button on the green part shoots out big lambies.
Daddy, your truck is parked sideways (diagonal) in the driveway. Mommy did that. I didn't do it. Elias didn't do it. You didn't do it. Mommy did it.
Ole: Let's be fireworks. Daddy: I don't want to be fireworks; then we would have to blow up. Ole: Yes, we have to blow up!
Daddy: We are just going to go quickly to the post office. Ole: Why? Daddy: Why do we usually go to the post office? Ole: Well, to get mail but you don't have any mail today.
Daddy: Ole, I need someone I can tickle. Do you know someone I can tickle? Ole (quickly and grinning): No, this is not the one.
Daddy: Hi Ole. Did you grow bigger today? Ole: Nope, I'm still four-and-a-half.
Daddy: No, I am not going to throw away perfectly good food. Ole: It is bad food. Daddy: Oh really? Did you contact the Food and Drug Administration and ask them whether the food had deteriorated beyond repair for adequate metabolic consumption? Ole: Yuck!
Daddy: Did you know that when you drink water you are really drinking hydrogen and oxygen? Ole: Yuck!
For real? / Yes, for real!
(This event involved few words, so it is basically just a description...) At 4.5 years old, Ole had his first known sleep-night. He woke up around midnight, and walked right past Daddy, who happened to just be peaking into his bedroom right then. Groggily, he went into his bathroom, walked right up to his toilet, took his pjs off, turned 90 degrees (toilet now at his right-hand side, bathroom doorway directly in front of him), and starting peeing...and continued peeing...and continued peeing! Utterly shocked, all Daddy could do was say things like "Oh wow!" and "I love you!"
Dear God, please help our planet not to blow up.
Ole often offers Mommy and / or Daddy one or two of his presents, treasures, toys, candies, etc., even if he only had three or four to begin with -- meaning he would often give away 1/2 - 2/3 of his stuff to us with great willingness and initiative and smiles.
I saw one of those before [a dragonfly] - when we took Mommy's blood to the hostible. [She was getting blood work during her pregnancy.]
Can you please come and eat me? Ole sandwich. Ole cheese sandwich. Ole peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
I am a frosty boy! (Ole smiles proudly after getting cookie frosting on his face.)
I winned...and you winned, too!
Ok let's go. On the count of 9...
Ole counts to 109 early in his fifth year: 48, 49, and 50...58, 59, and 60...68, 69, and 70...78, 79, and 80...
Daddy, don't look at me. I am a naked boy! I am a naked boy!
When I say 9. When I say 1. When I say go...
Ole monologue-d to me for 15-20 minutes about gasoline for his toy trucks - including one that included "liquid leaves, liquid grass," another ingredient to make "liquid gas." Another involved five ingredients including "liquid water" that eventually turned into "5000 rocks" that were small enough to go into his toy tractor.
Several of Ole's guns can blow up trees, houses, and the world. Their size doesn't matter - they have big bullets.
Hundreds and hundreds and hundreds and hundreds...
Daddy, can you get me an Odyssey that I have not heard in 100 weeks / 3 years / etc...?
Sometimes, superheros call Yoda "Yota."
Ole: How big was Eli when he got in you? Mommy: Haha, how big? Ole: Yes, how big? Mommy: About one cell, well, two cells big. Ole: This big (holds fingers close)? Mommy: Smaller. You would have needed a microscope to see him. Ole: Wow!
Ole: I'm singing a song. Mommy: Oh? Ole: Want to know the name? Mommy: Yes, what is the name of the song? Ole: Lover. Mommy: Oh...that's...uh...a nice name (looks at Daddy who is grinning).
Daddy, when you finish your snack, I will give you a sticker!
After twice counting all the fingers and toes of himself, Elias, and Daddy, Ole came up with 58 total, and then 66 total.

Daddy, can you please help me unjacket the zip?
Ole walked, balancing, on a gate post that was down. Then he asked if I had ever walked on something like that. His tone was half-assuming I had, because I was Daddy, and half-assuming I hadn't, because he had just done something pretty cool. He looked satisfied when I said "yes." Such sweet conversations happen at least monthly - such as with climbing trees, or eating something, etc.

Hundreds of snow / rain...
Dear Jesus, thank You for dying on the cross and coming back to life and going into heaven and going into the tomb (a very frequent, if out-of-order, prayer of Ole).
How many is 100 hours?
Are you old yet?
(Daddy gives Ole a piece of bread.) Is there an octopus in this?
How many is 50 100s? Is it as big as this chair?
I have 21 moneys (quarters).
Dear God, Thank You for Daddy and Mommy and Eli and me...And thank You for Daddy's two favorite boys: me and Eli.
(How Ole tells many of his stories) Let me tell you about that...but that's not all...here's the next part, it is not very long, and maybe I told you before, but maybe not...and then do you know what happened...guess...
(Names are very important to Oliver. The honorable part is that he often asks people's names directly - older or younger - or else asks me what their names are...sometimes beating me to the punch. The humorous part is that he likes to give extravagant names to games and animals, etc. Hence, his naming his first cat "Tree Apple" - which we changed to "Apple Tree." Also...) Daddy, do you know what this game is called (where he melted crayons with candles in order to make a picture on paper): "Candle Melting Crayon Game."
Ole: Some of those stars look like my kitty! Daddy: Yeah? How many are in the shape of your kitty? Ole: Oh, about 200 or 100. And it looks like my (black) kitty because the sky is black.
Daddy: Do you ever do anything with the older kids at school? Ole: Yeah, about 11 times. Well, maybe 5 times.
Daddy, after I'm done with my dinner - my healthy dinner - can I please have some - two - of those [white chocolate chips]? Or three? Or one?
Daddy, you like the same thing I do, so we're twins!
This tastes like chocolate, because it's a strawberry waffle.
Mommy told Ole about our renter Sammy, a single mom who did not have an abortion but "kept her baby" instead. Ole's response: Are we going to keep Eli? (who was 18 months old at the time)
(I saw Ole getting and putting on a bandaid, and asked...) Hm, did you get a scratch? Or a cut? Ole: No, my skin is falling off.
Daddy, pretend... (Oh, this is so frequent that it became very hard for me to participate for very long. I wish I could / would, as he has always really loved pretending anything, whether with real or imaginary toys, on the baseball field, or wherever, simply pretending something other than / beyond the reality staring us in the face. A great imagination! May You, oh Lord, find many ways to use this in and through Ole all his days!)

Daddy: Wow, look Ole, I have never seen an ant crawling around under water! Ole - without any hesitation, without seeming surprised at all, and more or less in a matter-of-fact tone: Daddy, those are called underwater ants. Do you know why they are called underwater ants? Because they crawl around underwater.
At age 5-6, when Ole wants to whisper something, he practically gets his tongue into my ear if I'm not careful!
Ole, at lunch: Mommy, can you tell me a story? Mommy: Not while I'm eating. Ole, immediately: Can I tell you a story? (After Mommy, who is also trying to work, says no, then Daddy laughs and opines that ever since Oliver started talking, his mind has worked in pairs of thoughts, because he seems to have an instant back-up comment or question sooooooooo often.)
Ole: Mommy? (for the 50th time this morning) Mommy: Mommy left the building. Go tell Daddy your chitter chatter. Ole: Daddy? Do you want to hear my chitter chatter?

I don't know what I'm talking about.

I think we can see the whole world from here. (Ole said this from a 10,000 foot ridge on Mount Borah in Idaho - his first major mountain climb. August 2018)
Can I just be in my wear-wear? Well Ole, if you want to go out with Daddy, you have to keep your clothes on.
Daddy, do I have a tree growing on my neck?
Daddy, can I ask you a question? (Ok.) pause.......I am thinking of one.
Guess what I am drawing? (A sun?) No. (A moon?) No. It's a masterpiece.
(Parent) Do you like the chicken? (Ole) No, it's too chicken-y.
May you please get me some water? (Ole asked this and similar questions with "may you please" for much of ages 5 and 6.)
Daddy: Well, Ole, I just went into town and voted.  Ole: Did you vote for America?  Daddy, smiling: That's a really good question, Ole.  I hope I did.
Dear God, thank You for everything in the world, amen.
Dear God, thank You for c-a-n-d-y.
Dear God, please help Boppa love You in zero minutes. (Ole often prays various versions of this, as well as for other people to love Jesus.)
Dear God, please help boys and girls who don't have mommy's or daddy's or houses to have mommy's or daddy's or houses.
Dear God, thank You for allllllllllllll the [four] Bible verses I have memorized.
When I grow up I'll feed my kids C-A-N-D-Y.
That was a long prayer! I don't even remember if I said "Dear God" at the beginning.
Daddy, I was just getting refreshed outside. I was jumping around in the mud.
Alex (an older lady friend of ours), I want to show you my wart!
From 6.5-7, Ole frequently - though unintentionally - shuts the bathroom door loudly late at night, waking up Eli. We start telling him he cannot shut the door at all, just mostly without touching the handle. So at 10 pm one night, we, downstairs, hear him shut the upstairs bathroom door as usual. I go up and tell him he must not shut it all the way. He looks at me with sleepy eyes and says, I didn't even know I shut it. (Losing battle, Parents?)
After Elsbeth talked with Ole for a bit about abortion and adoption, she asked if Ole thought we should adopt sometime. He answered, "Yes, Mommy, and I think the first one should be a girl, because I know you more girls in the house."
Upon seeing Ole looking rapidly all over the sky with his binoculars, I asked him what he was doing. He said, "I am looking for Bald Eagles."
Twice near the end of First Grade, during school-wide parent events, Ole and his classmates held up signs saying what they wanted to be when they grew up. Ole's sign: "A Pastor"
When I'm 20? That will be too late because you guys will probably be dead!
How about...? (Ole says this over and over and over again, as he generally likes / tries to take charge and propose rules or games with his friends, and sometimes adults as well.)
The paper airplane works - it went straight down!
Please don't get frustrated... (By age 7, sometimes Ole begins a request with this - often in a quiet tone...Sometimes this is a divine check on Daddy's attitude; other times it is our clever boy just trying to get his way!)
After saying something confusing, Ole asks, "Do you get it?" I say, "No." He says, "Ha, gotcha. It was a joke."
A good challenge to his Daddy, Ole looooooooooves backrubs - maybe more than his Mommy!

Ole: I wish this shot silly string all the time. Daddy: I am very glad it doesn't. Ole: That's because I am a kid, and kids like fun things. Kids don't like coffee, men like coffee.

Daddy, can I have one...two candies? Or at least one? (quite the negotiator!)
Ole tells Eli to go change his diaper, "or I'm going to give you a spanking (not allowed by us parents)...three, two, one..."
At Ole's first ever soccer game, I predicted that switching goals at halftime might confuse the seven-year-olds. Sure enough, Ole and one or two others were briefly running and kicking the ball the wrong way!
Daddy: Maybe, but I don't remember it that way. Ole: That's because I remember in years, not minutes.
Ole (on a rainy / snowy day): What color is the sky? Daddy: Gray. Ole: No, it's dark white.
At 7.5 and 3, Ole for the first time prompted Eli to serve his royal older self: While watching a movie together, Ole asked Eli to go ask me to fill his (Ole's) water cup while he sat glued to his chair in front of the screen. Oblivious, Eli cheerfully and promptly came to ask me to fill the water cup. Just as oblivious, I consented - realizing only afterward Eli's kindness and my mistake! I asked Ole who, grinning, admitted to the whole scenario.
Mommy: Ole, don't poke your privates with your pencil! (He was wearing pants, but still...)
These two rockets (one of his lego constructions) are going straight to the Sun. Then we will move the Sun out of the way, and the rocket will go all the way out of the universe and then run out of fire.
Daddy, after Mercury transited the Sun in 2019 (when I was 37): This won't happen again for 13 years. You'll be 21. Ole: 13 years. Will you still be alive?
(After Kids Group one night, Daddy asked Ole what he learned. His random response, on quite different another topic...) First, tell me about the four heads carved in the cliff (Mount Rushmore)?
For awhile, Ole never saw me drink my coffee, but did see that my coffee disappeared. He started to wonder if I had "totally invisible" coffee. Then one day he insisted on watching me take a sip.
Cinderella cheese (mozzarella cheese)
When Ole urinates - especially noticeable outside - he pees faaaaaar! His "distance" is better than most adults I can remember from hiking trips or whatever. And he knows it, too, he laughs and shouts and teases the less endowed...

Whenever I read a Psalm with Ole that was written by "the sons of Korah," Ole pipes up with a smile, "I know Korah!" (a girl he knows from church)

----------
Age 8...
(In all sincerity...) I don't know what I want to ask you, because I don't know what I want to ask!
Ole has really liked Star Wars themes and characters for 3-4 years, but only finished watching his first Star Wars movie (Episode IV: A New Hope) with Mommy and Daddy on his 8th birthday.
Ole wants to be a scientist on the Moon, travelling there in a day, and going back and forth every 2 weeks. I told him one day that most scientists don't seem to love Jesus, so it would be great if he wanted to be a Christian scientist. He told me not to worry, since he would be on the Moon.
On one of Ole's first Zoom calls with Libby during COVID-19, he and she spent 15 minutes (with Daddy's help) trying to decipher the Adventures in Odyssey code "I Slap Floor." (pretty cute)

What's wrong with the sky? (first cloudy and non-smokey day in weeks)
Less than 60 seconds after being bored for one of Mommy's stories, and asking if he could tell one of his stories, he asked Mommy, "Why don't you sound interested?"

On the first snow day of Winter '20-'21, Ole was sledding in the backyard. Having been learning a little of American history this schoolyear, he declared, "I am George Washington of North America. I am going to ride the wagon down this little hill."

Daddy, are you going out to take salt and pepper...I mean, salt and mineral [to the cows]?

When someone's air apparatus quits underwater, Ole says the people "start to unbreathe."

Cabin constructor (cabin counselor)

Ole and cousins were playing with a balloon, which for whatever reason (total ignorance) Ole named Mr. Pecker. When I said he needs to change the name, he said, "Okay, Mrs. Pecker." I told him to try again!

Do bosses do any work?

(Daddy) Ole, you need to take a logic class. (Ole) I don't know what a logical class is.

Does butter mean "melt"? Because butter melts!

Axle, ratchet (trying to say axe or hatchet)

At age 9, Ole started asking and expressing some very hard questions and thoughts about faith, mostly about God and the Bible. It was pretty draining for me, actually, but by the end of it we sang "More Precious than Silver" together, and he seemed to be coming around to some more confident  and hopeful understanding. The very next day, by God's grace to us both, he twice got excited about making and wearing the Armor of God all on his own. If nothing else, Elsbeth and I need to pray more for our boys - which we did quite a lot more that week!

Reading a book one day, Ole humorously, but accidentally, mixed up "in prison" with "in person" multiple times.

One dinnertime, Ole and Eli had prepared a ventriloquism, where one of them hid under the table and talked, and the other sat in their chair and moved their mouth - all with big smiles.

At 11, Ole joined his cousins for one dance at a "Dance for Joy" recital they put on with Zak and Kara at BT Evangelical Church. He was a little reluctant, but afterward he said he wished he had done more!

On a hike with Ole, we saw a sign in the Bridger Mountains that read something like, "Watch out for debris on trail." Ole read it, then asked aloud, "What are derbies?"

At age 11.5, Ole often says "thank you" very genuinely, with eye contact and strong intonation. He also still loves multiple good-nights and good-night hugs. Pretty inspiring!

Starting at 10, and more so at 11-12, Ole became a good babysitter of his little brothers, especially baby-then-toddler Simeon - for hours at a time!

Ole broke his first bone (or bones: double fracture in his left forearm) three months before turning 12. He fell down the upper half of our household steps, and we didn't even realize it was broken until Els took him to the doctor a week later. He got a cast, but no surgery.

At 12-12.5 years old, Ole passed 5 feet height and 100 lbs weight!

At 13, Ole said he once thought it best to set his clock a half-hour behind. (very useful!)

At 13.5, Ole said he wanted "half an egg" for breakfast.

~~~~~~~

WORDS:

apposed to = supposed to
someping = something
tonnect / untonnect = connect / unconnect
hostible = hospital
calapitter = caterpillar
refrigelator = refridgerator
halleyuyah = halleluyah
competer = computer
patterin = pattern
consoles = tonsils

unvisible = invisible
electric = electrocute


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WRITING / SPELLING:

Cats or vare fuze. Bars or vare blak. Bls hav sumtims sum horns. (Cats are very fuzzy. Bears are very black. Bulls sometimes have some horns.)
(On a card Ole made for the family...) Look at the uthr sid. I love you uspeshule Ele and Daddy and Mom. (Look at the other side. I love you, especially Eli and Daddy and Mommy.

Utenchin / Atanchan (attention)

Nolij (knowledge)

He tot in the sinugog.

Survey of Pastors and Christian Leaders on Voting for the President of the United States

Dear [ X ],

I am a freelance writer and a columnist for The Presidential Prayer Team. (See "About Me" to the right.) I am writing in pursuit of your opinion about the 2016 presidential election. I would be grateful if you honored me with a response to my questions below, and I think many Americans would respect your input on this issue. Feel free to answer as concisely as you want. Thanks in advance, and God bless!

for Glory,

by Grace,

Nikolas Grosfield

1. The Bible does not directly address constitutional republics—or personal involvement therein. So what are 1-2 key scriptures and / or biblical principles that guide your decision to vote in the primary or general elections, and why?

2. Sometimes Christians feel that the major candidates in a primary or general election are poor choices. Thus they may end up voting for whomever they consider to be “the lesser of two evils,” or not voting at all. Yet ultimately they are accountable to God for their actions. How would you counsel a brother or sister in Christ in this predicament?

3. God works through ungodly leaders all through the Bible. Sometimes He changes their hearts, sometimes not, but His sovereignty is never threatened or. How would you encourage a follower of Christ when elections seem to go awry?

4. The New Testament tells Christians to “honor,” “pray for,” and “be subject to” their leaders, which includes paying taxes. Meanwhile, the Old Testament warns against trusting in princes or man. Given all the hoopla about the race for the White House, how would you caution a believer if the election does not go his way—or even if it does?

5. What are the top 1-2 issues for you in the 2016 presidential race, and why?

National Poll of All 348 State Legislative Leaders on the 2016 Presidential Candidates

To the Honorable Leaders of the [ X ] State Legislature:

Greetings,

I am writing in pursuit of your opinion about the 2016 presidential candidates. I will report your views accurately and anonymously. The questions are few and simple, and I would be grateful if you honored me with a response. Your service to your state and your country is vital, and I think the American people would respect your input on this issue. Thanks in advance—and God bless!

Sincerely,

Nikolas Grosfield

1. Which 2016 presidential candidate do you most support?

2. Which 2016 presidential candidate do you least support?

3. Which 2016 presidential candidate in your party do you least support?

4. Which 2016 presidential candidate do you think will be the next president?

5. In a sentence or less, what are the top 1-2 issues for you in the 2016 presidential race?

Current Statistics:

348 Leaders

142 Democrats

204 Republicans

2 Nonpartisan—NE

11 Democratic Legislatures

8 Divided Legislatures—CO, IA, KY, ME, MN, NM, NY, WA

30 Republican Legislatures

1 Unicameral, Nonpartisan Legislature—NE

On Movies and Batman in Real Life

I enjoy good movies as much as the next person. But I am no addict of anything show business. I may go a week or two between watching films, a month or two between listening to soundtracks, a year or two between enduring sitcoms, and a decade or two between reading editions of People magazine. Also, I am picky in choosing a movie to watch, much less to buy or see in the theater. And when conversations turn to entertainment, my eyes may convey disinterest or ignorance.

Regretfully, I often have lived out my view arrogantly, offending multiple friends multiple times. But I have come to respect those who hike another trail. So why does this trek appeal to me?

Watching a few good movies is like eating a Ruth’s Chris steak: enriching, memorable, a worthy expense. Wendy’s or Taco Bell are ok now and then, but not as a final or frequent destination for which you scrimp, save, and plan. And between gourmet dinners, I try to invest hours and dollars in relationships, studies, and hobbies.

So there you go: take it or leave it.

If you are still reading, you are probably wondering (or fearing) about my title. Where and when does “Batman” fit in to all this? As a modest movie guy, it feels odd to write about Hollywood—including an upcoming story about my recent befriending of an actor in my native Montana.

For now, I read an interview with another Montana movie star: Batman, no Birdman, no Michael Keaton. Here are some interesting excerpts:

On work and life:

“It’s important not to be a victim of the system, not to be enchanted by all the glitter…You can focus on having a really big career and, you know, a life. Or, you can have a really good life—and a career. I always wanted to have a life…When you come from very little money and all of a sudden you can make a good living with what you love to do, you feel like a king. I am very grateful and very blessed. But I also turned down jobs that would have made me a lot of cash, too. It’s great to make your own choices, but there’s a price to pay. I could’ve made more money or been more famous. I could be the current groovy guy. You don’t want to lose your status, but I was never willing to preserve it by doing things I didn’t want to do.”

On play and life:

I spend as much time as possible on my ranch in Montana. I like to be surrounded by nature. I love horses. I used to compete, riding cutting horses. I like to fish. I love fly fishing. I have a beautiful wild stream running through my ranch. Whenever I get the chance, I’m out and about. It levels me and gives me quiet and peace. Pittsburgh is my alter ego…I think you can make a lot of comparisons between Montana and Pittsburgh, particularly in the people…You just get things done, and you don’t complain about it. There’s an honesty and down-to-earth quality in both places that I really cherish.”

I think I would enjoy meeting Mr. Keaton one day. If I do, it would be a “get to” experience, not a “have to” one. But that is how I try to view any new friend. All people are created in the image of God—imago Dei. Celebrities are made in our image, but we all share an equal need for God’s gift of redeeming grace. So whether mine and Mr. Keaton’s paths cross or not, I will pray that he accepts that gift—if he has not already—along with many others in Hollywood.

Thank You, 9-1-1 Dispatchers!

If you have ever worked at a 9-1-1 dispatch center, your 9-1-1 calls may have had a distinct ring. Most calls are routine or misdials or information requests. Yet any call could be a crisis, whether from citizens or from emergency personnel. Dispatchers daily deal with frustrating or dangerous circumstances—so they learn ways of coping on-the-job. But they are prepared for the worst, for they all have answered a call and heard only screaming on the other end of the line…

Rigorous training prepares dispatchers to engage emergencies effectively—lest emotions slow or undermine the response of authorities. When the 9-1-1 ring sounds, a dispatcher may answer and say, “9-1-1, what is the address of the emergency?” (Tip: location is the most critical information you can give, so call-takers can get some help en route, even before they know the problem.)

Given all this, you can imagine the combination of humor and irritation dispatchers feel when an “emergency” caller declares, “My neighbor’s dog is barking!” A pithy reply might be, “This is a 9-1-1 line, Sir/Ma’am; please call back on the regular police phone.”

Natural gas explosions, suicides, broken legs, car crashes, heart attacks, bar fights, drunk drivers, fires, domestic violence, rape…and also false alarms, parking violations, officer requests, rabbits on main street, welfare checks, and yes, barking dogs are all part of a dispatcher’s daily service.

God bless you, dispatchers!

~~~~~~~~

Part of this was originally published by The Presidential Prayer Team (www.presidentialprayerteam.com). Reprinted here with permission.

Happy New Year: Comments on Death…and Life

This past New Year’s Day seemed to promise many good things for 2016. I actually worked that day, because my parents-in-law had visited for Christmas—a good thing—and I needed to make up some hours.

It was a beautiful, chilly morning—and the first thing I did was shoot three jackrabbits in the hay bale stack yard above my dad’s house. The big hares had been crawling all over for weeks, and I finally had remembered to bring my little Heritage Arms .22 revolver, with its magnum cylinder. I also remembered to hold steady enough to make some good shots at 25 or 30 yards—for as any marksman knows, aiming with handguns is much more delicate than aiming with rifles.

I have never liked killing animals just for the sake of killing. I like to hunt for meat and as a great outdoors activity. And I like to shoot pests like jackrabbits. They are no good for eating, but they consume our hay and defecate on it—not caring, of course, that it is supposed to be for our Black Angus cows during the long Montana winters. Plus, while cute little cottontails also run freely on our ranch, jackrabbits are big and ugly.

Anyway, hunting, praising God for 2015, and talking with Him about 2016 were the best parts of the day. Late that evening I got the sad news that my godfather had died several hours earlier.

At another time, I hope to post about him—as I loved and respected him tremendously. For now, let it suffice that I am overwhelmingly sure he has gone “into the real Narnia through the Door,” to cite his favorite author C.S. Lewis in The Last Battle. He went there to be with, and because of his deep faith in, his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

What a start to the New Year!

100 Bright Night Sky Objects

~Selected for observers in the middle latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere.

~Arranged in order of brightness; except constellations, which are alphabetical.

~Most objects in Section 1 are naked-eye objects, but optics greatly enhance them.

~Most objects in Section 2 require binoculars or telescopes. Enjoy, and God bless!

SECTION 1

Solar System (10)                                     Constellations (15)                              Stars (20)

Moon                                                         Andromeda                                         Sirius

Venus                                                        Auriga                                                 Arcturus

Jupiter (four moons with optics)                Bootes                                                 Vega

Saturn (rings with optics)                          Canis Major                                         Capella

Mercury                                                     Cassiopeia                                          Rigel

Mars                                                          Cygnus                                                Procyon

Uranus (optics preferred)                          Gemini                                                Betelgeuse

Neptune (optics required)                         Leo                                                      Altair

Vesta (asteroid; optics preferred)             Orion                                                   Aldebaran

Ceres (asteroid; optics required)               Perseus                                              Antares

(Pluto is too faint for most optics.)             Scorpius                                              Spica

                                                                  Sagittarius                                           Pollux

    “In the beginning God created              Taurus                                                 Fomalhaut

            the heavens and the earth.”          Ursa Major                                          Deneb

                                                                  Ursa Minor                                          Regulus

                                                                                                                              Castor

“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?”                    Polaris / North Star

“In the beginning was the Word…All things were made through               Mizar (double)

Him…In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”               Almach (double)

                                                                                                                              Alberio (double)

SECTION 2

Open Clusters (15)              Globular Clusters (10)    Nebulae (15)                 Galaxies (15)

Hyades                                 M22                                M42 / Orion                   M31 / Andromeda

Alpha Persei                         M5                                  M8 / Lagoon                  M33 / Pinwheel

M45 / Pleiades / 7 Sisters     M13 / Hercules               M17 / Omega / Swan     M81 / Bode’s

Coma Berenices                   M4                                  M16 / Eagle                   Sculptor / NGC 253

M44 / Praesepe / Beehive    M3                                  M20 / Trifid                     M83 / South Pinwheel

IC 1396                                M15                                 Cocoon                          M101 / Pinwheel

NGC 2232                            M2                                   Helix / NGC 7293          M110

NGC 2264                            M92                                 Cave                             M32

Double Cluster                     M10                                 M78                               M94

NGC 2362                            M12                                 Saturn / NGC 7009        M106

IC 4665                                                                        NGC 246                       M104 / Sombrero

M47                                                                              M27 / Dumbbell             M49

M24 / MW Star Cloud                                                   M1 / Crab                      M82 / Cigar

M41                                                                              M57 / Ring                     M51 / Whirlpool

M39                                                                              Flame / NGC 2024         NGC 2403

Astronomy Resources

I. Reference

   A. Answers in Genesis                               https://answersingenesis.org/astronomy/

   B. Atlas of the Universe                             http://www.atlasoftheuniverse.com/index.html

   C. Creation Ministries                                http://creation.com/qa#Astronomy

   D. NASA – Missions                                   http://www.nasa.gov/missions

   E. NASA – Solar System                            http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/

   F. Night Sky Info                                         http://www.nightskyinfo.com/

   G. SEDS / Messier Catalog                        http://messier.seds.org/

   H. Space.com                                             http://www.space.com/

II. Pictures

   A. Astronomy Picture of the Day                http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

   B. Hubble Site – Picture Album                  http://hubblesite.org/gallery/album/

III. Equipment

   A. New - OPT Telescopes                           http://www.optcorp.com/

   B. Used - Cloudy Nights                              http://www.cloudynights.com/index

   C. Nik Recommends…

      1. $50-$200 – good binoculars

      2. $200-$400 – good beginner telescope

      3. $400-$800 – good computerized telescope

   D. Magnification is important in buying quality optics (you likely want low-medium and medium
   high options in the 50-250x range). BUT…aperture (mirror/lens diameter) is far more important!

IV. Tips

   A. Practice without optics for five minutes per night or three nights per week.

   B. Learn many of the brightest stars, constellations, and “faint and fuzzies.”

   C. Use dark-adaptation, star-hopping, averted vision, and objects high in the sky.

   D. Avoid light pollution, bright lights, non-red lights, a nearly full moon, and objects low in the sky.

   E. Good viewing is on days with short airplane contrails or nights with minimal star twinkling.

   F. The Moon is never north; the Big Dipper is never south; nothing rises in the west; all stars and
   deep space objects rise about two hours earlier each month.

V. Key Biblical Passages

   A. Old Testament: Genesis 1, Genesis 2, Joshua 10, Nehemiah 9, Job 9, Job 38, Psalm 8,
   Psalm 19, Psalm 147, Isaiah 40, Isaiah 45, Amos 5

   B. New Testament: Matthew 24, John 1, Acts 2, Romans 1, 1 Corinthians 15, Colossians 1,
   Revelation 2, Revelation 21