The Anasazi. They are called the Ancient Ones. Where did they come from? Where did they go? Heaps of rock where villages once stood, leftover pottery, various artifacts and drawings on the rocks are all that remain. What made these ancient ones abandon their homes, farms, and villages? Was it drought? Perhaps they fled from hostile tribes – or perhaps volcanoes rained down hot material on them. Some people think the Pueblo and Hopi Indians are their descendants. No one...
Read MoreResurrection Day Drive and Blessing
When we are on speaking trips, even our “holidays” can sometimes be spent on the road or traveling. This last one was a very special time for Mary Jo and me! We began on Friday evening by joining friends in Payson, Arizona, for a Passover Seder sponsored by their church. The visiting minister explained the details of Passover and how it relates to Jesus and our faith. The next morning we had great fellowship with our friends before heading toward home. Since it was getting...
Read MoreGrand Canyon
Following some pretty iffy weather heading north from Scottsdale, we were very glad that the weather was just great for a hike in the Grand Canyon. Part of the group saw the sites on the canyon rim, while Mary Jo and I led 18 of the students for a 3 mile hike into the canyon. Although we only went a fifth of the way down into the canyon, it was just far enough for the students to get a little appreciation for the immensity of the canyon and the nature of some of the...
Read MoreSunset Crater and Volcanism
A very intriguing place we chose to take the students to was Sunset Crater National Monument. The landscape is an interesting blend of black and red volcanic cinders interspersed with green ponderosa pine trees, junipers, and pinyon pine. The area is dotted with dozens of volcanic peaks, cinder cones, and lava sputter cones. The most recent eruptions occurred around 1100 AD. Since Native American Indian tribes lived in the area surrounding the eruptions, it really shows...
Read MoreFlexibility
Talk about flexibility! Due to inclement weather, we had to make adjustments to a very packed schedule. After only 12 hours since writing my last blog, we ended up in the Scottsdale, Arizona area. This was after 500 miles of driving. The day also included 1.5 hours at the Indian museum in Blanding, and a 2.5 hour hike into a canyon to see the drawing of a dinosaur on the rock at Natural Bridges National Monument. We were supposed to camp at Bluff, UT, but high winds and...
Read MoreLittle and Big Blessings on the Road
It is always amazing to see the big and little blessings God brings while we are on the road. We were blessed with gracious hosts, at our stop in Pecatonica, IL, who have an overflowing gift of hospitality. They fed us like kings, and made us feel very much “at home.” Even the use of their showers and laundry facilities were huge blessings while traveling. Thanks, Paul and Rose, for serving us! On the day after an evening seminar in IL, a grandmother shared with...
Read MoreNational Park Ranger Led Hikes and Philosophy
It is always a good experience for the students, on our 12 day field trip, to hear how the various philosophies are presented at the national parks. The pictures in this blog were all taken at Arches National Park. Because of our larger group, we had two ranger led hikes in Arches by two different rangers. The first ranger was quite knowledgeable in geology and did a very good job in explaining the normal park perspective for the formations (which involves millions or even...
Read MoreIndian Drawing of a Mammoth
One of the places we just visited on our 12 day field study, we are leading for the Jackson Hole Bible College, is a place where the ancient native inhabitants drew pictures on the sandstone walls. Among pictures of animals we see today, such as: deer, bighorn sheep, and lizards, there is also a picture of a mammoth. At first glance, this shouldn’t be a problem unless you view it through evolutionary glasses. According to what is traditionally taught, mammoths became...
Read MoreTeaching and a Deer Fry
Seminars are going great here in Illinois. We were very busy on our first stop in Mackinaw, IL, it included: a two night church seminar; a Saturday morning homeschool group; a Saturday evening deer fry; and teaching again three hours on Sunday morning. We also had a special time of fellowship with several families in their homes for meals. They were a great blessing to us. The Deer Fry held at New Castle Bible Church, Mackinaw, IL, was a unique event. I had the...
Read MoreCreation Field Trip through the Southwest
Our caravan is 40 strong! Mary Jo & I are leading a group of 31 Jackson Hole Bible College students, plus their staff, on a 12 day field trip of the Southwest. So far, we have had a series of Creation classes before we left Grand Junction, a tour of the Colorado National Monument, Dinosaur Journey Museum, Dinosaur Valley excavation site, and now we are at Moab, Utah. All along the way, we are giving “mini” lectures relating to the site, putting them in the light of the...
Read MoreChew, Chew, Chew
While waiting for my mom at the dentist’s office, I was blessed to overhear a short conversation between the receptionist and an elderly woman. The receptionist asked her, “How do you stay so healthy?” Her reply delighted me: “I take what the Lord gives me … and He gave me a mouthful of teeth.” I love that! What a great attitude – and a good testimony to God’s goodness! And what a great reminder to remember our Creator and give thanks. I got to thinking – how often do I...
Read MoreDo You Think They Will Read Them?
Mary Jo & I were doing presentations at a church on Sunday. One of the parents really got excited about the creation message and wanted some resources. I suggested two “must have books” for her boys on dinosaurs (Dragons of the Deep, and Dinosaurs for Kids). Her question was “Do you think they will read them?” I guess they were really into video games. I assured her not only of the importance that they get material to counteract the evolutionary indoctrination but also...
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