(updated 11/28/11)

I can be reached by Email by clicking here.

Resume as Word Doc

FAMILY
In 1991 God transformed my heart and mind to love and serve Him. In 1995 I met my wife while attending Bible College. I soon began working full-time while trying to finish college. In 2007 I graduated from Lancaster Bible College. My family and I currently reside in South Carolina where I am a full-time seminary student. My wife and I have three children are members of an OPC congregation in Taylors, SC.

MINISTRY HISTORY
Shortly after my conversion, I was introduced to apologetics and Countercult ministry. Over the years, God has moved me (with the help the local church) in the direction of pastoral ministry. I have experience preaching, as well as teaching apologetics, cults and general theology.

In 1999 the Resource Center for Theological Research was launched as well as the Research Index and Resource Blog (these projects have been permanently put aside due to the new direction of ministry).

MINISTRY GOALS
Since the Fall of 2007, I have been a full-time student at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary working toward an M.Div.

My desire is to shepherd God’s people as a full-time pastor. Click here for further details.

CURRENT HAPPENINGS

Came under care of the Southeast Presbytery of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church on April 22, 2011.

2011-12 Pulpit Supply Click here.

Since April 2009 – Employed (as Director of Media) by Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (part-time).

REFERENCES
Available upon request.

Click here to listen to a sermon preached (November 27, 2011) at Pasadena Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Pasadena MD.
Click Here to listen to a sermon preached (Jan. 30, 2011) at Landis PCA, Marion, NC.
Click here to listen to a sermon preached (July 11, 2010) at Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Middletown, PA.

(UPDATED 3/11/11)

Calling
Since my conversion to Christ in 1991, I have had an interest in full-time Christian ministry. After a number of years of organizing conferences, speaking at conferences and church related events, I was directed to finish my college education, go to seminary and pursue pastoral ministry, which I was excited to do. I am currently in my 3rd year at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, located in Taylors, SC. My wife fully supports my desire to shepherds God’s people.

The Ministerial Office
The ministerial (Pastor) office is an office, established by Christ, first with the apostles. The apostles laid the foundation for the church and ordained men to build on that foundation. The pastoral office is a special office, a holy calling, separate from secular employment. While this is a high calling, the nature of the office is service. A pastor is an under-shepherd, under the chief shepherd Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve; giving His life in the service of people. During Jesus’ early ministry, he spent time with, healed, touched, cried, washed the feet, taught and preached to many people.

Similarly, an under-shepherd is called to continue the work of Christ, through the power of God the Holy Spirit. The shepherd should “smell like his sheep” (remembering that he also is a sheep) doing all he can to minister the Word of God to his people and those who may potentially come under his care. The pastor’s main responsibility is prayer and the ministry of the word to minister with the Word of God: preaching, teaching, counseling, and training (Eph. 4:11-16; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). It is the desire of both my wife and me to serve one congregation for as long as the Lord allows.

The Weekly Schedule
Sketching out a weekly schedule is of great importance, and while a rigorous schedule is necessary, a pastor’s schedule must also be flexible. My work schedule would be Tuesday through Sunday, Monday being a day off. The morning hours, for me, are best spent in preparing sermons and lessons. Preparation hours would be until 11am. At 11am I will check messages. From 11:30am-1pm will be my scheduled lunch, which may consist of meeting with unbelievers, members of the congregation, or with my family. The rest of the day will consist of study and visitation. Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and evenings will be periods of scheduled visitations with members of the congregation. These visits may consist of hospital visits, home visits, visiting members at work or visiting with men who desire to serve in the ministry. Tuesday and Thursday will not be the only days for visitation, but these will be days for scheduled visitations. Wednesday is a day of study and preparation for the Wednesday Bible study and prayer meeting. Friday and Saturday (along with other mornings of the week) will be devoted to sermon preparation. Other items of ministry (see below) will be worked into the schedule. I will have dinner my family at 5pm

Our home will regularly (when appropriate) be opened to members of the congregation and to visitors. I believe it is important to have members (families) in our home, setting a godly example for the congregation to do likewise.

Preaching and Teaching
My desire is to see that the people under my care, be well feed. When people leave church, my prayer will be that they know God has spoken to them through His word, and with the knowledge of how God would have them to live. The best way to do this is to preach consecutive expository sermons. I believe that textual-topical sermons are appropriate and for the most part, would be reserved for the evening service. To the best of our (the sessions) ability, the sermons, the Sunday School, and other material the congregation would work on throughout the week (from the church), should all coincide with one another. Sunday School may be a time (if after the sermon) to expand on the sermon, looking at the passage or topic deeper than what would be covered in the sermon. My sermons will be a minimum of 30 minutes, and no more than 45 minutes in length.

Visitation
In order to get to know the congregation and “figure out” how best to minister to them, it is important to visit them on a regular bases. During these visitations, it is important ask questions, listen, read scripture and pray. I will not normally visit women without an elder or my wife to accompany.

Working with the Session
God has designed pastors to work with a body of men (the session) who are to make decisions with reference to the spiritual life of the church. The pastor does not rule the church; he does not have the last word, but the pastor along with other called men, do. Christ rules his Church, but he does this by his Spirit in the heart of ordained men. These men together are to serve the congregation by teaching, counseling, encouraging, and protecting the flock of God. The pastor is to work closely with these men; Perhaps the closest men in the pastor’s life are the ruling elders. These men are to know and love each member of the congregation, being available for spiritual (as well as other) help. The elders should be able to help the pastor, given their knowledge of the congregation, in applying the word in the preaching of the word. I do believe it is important that the elders keep an eye out for young men who may have desire for, and show (in seed form) gifts for ministry. If there is such a young man, or men, I would make it a priority to spend time with them, training them as much as time allows.

Church discipline is important and not be neglected, therefore both the pastor and the ruling elders are not to shirk this responsibility. At at the same time, elders are not to look for trouble.

Special Ministries
Children and youth of communicant members are a part of the church and should be treated as such. I do not believe there should be a special youth worship service; instead, the youth are to be with their family during public worship. The pastor’s responsibility is to address not only the children and youth in the sermon, but als middle-aged, elderly, rich, poor, widows, married, single, etc. A congregation is made up of many different people from different walks of life. The pastor, in his preaching, should address each one. I will be the pastor of youth, but not a youth pastor. The pastor is the shepherd of all of his flock, and it is his business to be involved with children as well as adults. I do believe it is appropriate to have a Sunday School(s) geared toward children. On regular bases, the children will study doctrine, and the catechism will be a means to that end.

Additional (local) places I would be interested in ministering are prisons, and a retirement community or assisted living facility. It is important that the congregation, not only the pastor, be involved in ministering to the community; and a pastor needs to set an example.

Community Involvement
The pastor’s involvement in the community is important; making the community aware the church exists, and the purpose of the church, is essential. This would include be accomplished by the items mentioned above, and others: hospital visitation, assisted living facilities, perhaps spending “regular” time at a local coffee shop, or local restaurant, getting to know the regulars, holding seminars/conference on vital topics. If there is a local funeral home interested in having a pastor preach, I would be willing to participate. As much as I can, and as the session and time allows, I would involve myself in the community. I do believe, to the best of my ability, I should have friendly relations with ministers of other local denominations. On the other hand, I will not work with a church that has a woman pastor, or a church not committed to the historic Christian faith.

Presbytery/General Assembly
It is important for pastors to be involved in Presbytery. I would attend (as much as possible) and be involved in all Presbytery meetings. I do not believe the pastor needs to be at General Assembly every year, but when he is called, he should attend.

Family
The qualifications for ecclesiastical offices are found in 1 Timothy 3:4-5 and Titus 1:6 “He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity. But if a man does not know how to manage his household, how will he take care of the church of God?” “namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion.” I believe a man must continue, while in the ministry, to manage his household well. It is important that I do not neglect my wife or children. Not only are they members of the church, but my wife and children are the first sheep God has placed under my care. My wife will be a member of the congregation and should serve alongside the women of the church. My wife is not called to be a co-pastor.

(UPDATED 1/25/12)

Upcoming – February 19, 2012 (PM)
Pulpit Supply at Covenant Community OPC, Taylors, SC.

Upcoming – January 29, 2012 (AM)
Pulpit Supply at Landis Presbyterian Church, Marion, NC.

January 22, 2012 (AM & PM)
Pulpit Supply at Neon Reformed Presbyterian Church, Neon, KY.

January 15, 2012 (AM)
Pulpit Supply Landis Presbyterian Church, Marion, NC.

January 8, 2012 (AM)
Pulpit Supply Reidville Presbyterian Church, Reidville, SC.

January 1, 2012 (AM)
Pulpit Supply at Faith Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Fawn Grove, PA.

November 27, 2011 (PM)
Pulpit Supply at Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Middletown, PA.

November 27, 2011 (AM)
Pulpit Supply at Pasadena Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Pasadena, MD.

November 6, 2011 (AM)
Pulpit Supply at Norris Hill Presbyterian Church, Anderson, SC.

October 30, 2011 (AM)
Pulpit Supply at Cliffwood Presbyterian Church, Augusta, GA.

October 23, 2011 (PM)
Pulpit Supply at Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Middletown, PA.

October 9, 2011 (AM & PM)
Pulpit Supply at Neon Reformed Presbyterian Church, Neon, KY.

October 2, 2011
Pulpit Supply Reidville Presbyterian Church, Reidville, SC.

September 4, 2011
Pulpit Supply Smyrna Presbyterian Church, Newberry, SC.

August 14, 2011
Pulpit Supply Faith Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Fawn Grove, PA.

July 31, 2011 (AM & PM)
Pulpit Supply at Neon Reformed Presbyterian Church, Neon, KY.

July 17, 2011
Pulpit Supply at Cliffwood Presbyterian Church, Augusta, GA.

July 3, 2011 (AM & PM)
Pulpit Supply at Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, Raleigh, NC.

June 19, 2011
Pulpit Supply Reidville Presbyterian Church, Reidville, SC.

June 12, 2011 (AM & PM)
Pulpit Supply at Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Middletown, PA.

June 5, 2011 (AM & PM)
Pulpit Supply at Neon Reformed Presbyterian Church, Neon, KY.

May 22, 2011 (AM & PM)
Pulpit Supply at Neon Reformed Presbyterian Church, Neon, KY.

April 25, 2011
Pulpit Supply and Sunday School at Landis Presbyterian Church, Marion, NC.

April 10, 2011 (AM & PM)
Pulpit Supply at Neon Reformed Presbyterian Church, Neon, KY.

April 3, 2011 (AM & PM)
Pulpit Supply at Trinity Reformed Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, NC.

February 27, 2011 (AM & PM)
Pulpit Supply at Neon Reformed Presbyterian Church, Neon, KY.

February 20, 2011
Pulpit Supply and Sunday School at Landis Presbyterian Church, Marion, NC.

January 30, 2011
Pulpit Supply and Sunday School at Landis Presbyterian Church, Marion, NC.

January 23, 2011 (AM & PM)
Pulpit Supply and Sunday School at Neon Reformed Presbyterian Church, Neon, KY.

January 2, 2011
Pulpit Supply and Sunday School at Landis Presbyterian Church, Marion, NC.

December 26, 2010 (AM & PM)
Pulpit Supply and Sunday School at Neon Reformed Presbyterian Church, Neon, KY.

December 19, 2010
Pulpit Supply and Sunday School at Landis Presbyterian Church, Marion, NC.

December 5, 2010 (AM & PM)
Pulpit Supply and Sunday School at Neon Reformed Presbyterian Church, Neon, KY.

November 28, 2010 (AM & PM)
Pulpit Supply at Neon Reformed Presbyterian Church, Neon, KY.

November 21, 2010
Pulpit Supply and Sunday School at Landis Presbyterian Church, Marion, NC.

October 23, 2010
Pulpit Supply at Perry Correctional Institute, Pelzer, SC.

October 17, 2010
Pulpit Supply at Calvary Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC.

October 13, 2010
Taught Wednesday Night Bible study at Calvary PCA, Greenville, SC (Apostles Creed).

October 10, 2010 (AM)
Pulpit Supply at Neon Reformed Presbyterian Church, Neon, KY.

October 3, 2010 (AM & PM)
Pulpit Supply at Neon Reformed Presbyterian Church, Neon, KY.

September 12, 2010 (AM & PM)
Pulpit Supply at Neon Reformed Presbyterian Church, Neon, KY.

September 5
Taught Sunday School class at Calvary Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC.

August 29
Taught Sunday School class at Calvary Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC.

August 15, 2010 (PM)
Pulpit Supply at Calvary Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC.

August 15, 2010 (AM)
Pulpit Supply at Fulton Presbyterian Church, Greer, SC.

July 18, 2010 (AM & PM)
Pulpit Supply at Trinity Reformed Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, NC.

July 11, 2010 (PM)
Pulpit Supply at Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Middletown, PA.

July 11, 2010 (AM)
Pulpit Supply at Guinston Presbyterian Church, Felton, PA.

July 4, 2010
Pulpit Supply at Pasadena Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Pasadena, MD.

June 30, 2010
Taught Wednesday Night Bible study at Calvary PCA, Greenville, SC.

June 13, 2010 (PM)
Pulpit Supply at Calvary Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC.

June 13, 2010 (AM)
Pulpit Supply at Cash Hollow Presbyterian Church, Johnson City, TN.

June 6, 2010
Pulpit Supply at Cash Hollow Presbyterian Church, Johnson City, TN.

May 30, 2010
Pulpit Supply at Cash Hollow Presbyterian Church, Johnson City, TN.

May 26, 2010
Taught Wednesday Night Bible study at Calvary PCA, Greenville, SC.

April 11, 2010
Pulpit Supply at Norris Hill PCA, Anderson, SC.

March 28, 2010
Pulpit Supply at Cash Hollow Presbyterian Church, Johnson City, TN.

January 24, 2010 – March 21, 2010
Taught Sunday School class (Hebrews 1-3) at Calvary Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC.

January 17, 2010
Pulpit Supply at Guinston Presbyterian Church, Felton, PA.

January 10, 2010 (PM)
Pulpit Supply at Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Middletown, PA.

January 10, 2010 (AM)
Pulpit Supply at Faith Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Fawn Grove PA.

December 20, 2009
Pulpit Supply at Calvary Presbyterian Church, Greenville SC.

Novemeber 29, 2009
Pulpit Supply at Norris Hill PCA, Anderson, SC.

Novemeber 15, 2009
Pulpit Supply at Norris Hill PCA, Anderson, SC.

September 20, 2009
Pulpit Supply at Calvary Presbyterian Church, Travelers Rest SC.

August 30, 2009
Pulpit Supply at Shepherd’s Fellowship Baptist Church, Greensboro, SC.

August 23, 2009
Taught Sunday School at Calvary Presbyterian Church, Travelers Rest SC (Topic: Responding to False Doctrine).

August 16, 2009
Pulpit Supply at Calvary Presbyterian Church, Travelers Rest SC.

July 19, 2009
Pulpit Supply at Calvary Presbyterian Church, Travelers Rest SC.

July 12, 2009 (PM)
Pulpit Supply at Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Middletown PA.

July 12, 2009 (AM)
Pulpit Supply at Faith Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Fawn Grove PA.

July 5, 2009
Pulpit Supply at Pasadena Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Pasadena MD.

June 24, 2009
Taught Wednesday Bible Study at Calvary Presbyterian Church, Travelers Rest SC.

June 21, 2009
Pulpit Supply at Calvary Presbyterian Church, Travelers Rest SC.

June 10, 2009
Taught Wednesday Bible Study at Calvary Presbyterian Church, Travelers Rest SC.

June 7, 2009
Pulpit Supply at Calvary Presbyterian Church, Travelers Rest SC.

May 17 – August 16, 2009
Taught Sunday School at Calvary Presbyterian Church, Travelers Rest SC. (Topic: Helps for Worship)

April 5, 2009
Pulpit Supply at Calvary Presbyterian Church, Travelers Rest SC.

February 1, 2009
Pulpit Supply at Calvary Presbyterian Church, Travelers Rest SC.

December 21, 2008
Pulpit Supply at Calvary Presbyterian Church, Travelers Rest SC.

October 2008 – February 2009
Taught Sunday School at Calvary Presbyterian Church, Travelers Rest SC (Topic: Life of Abraham).

July 27, 2008
Taught Sunday School at Sandy Springs Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Sandy Springs TN.

April-July 2008
Taught Sunday School course at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Spartanburg, SC (Topic: A Biblical Approach to Christian Counterfeits).

Novemeber 2007 – January 2008
Taught Sunday School course at Reidville Presbyterian Church, Reidville, SC (Topic: Westminster Confession of Faith).

Novemeber 14, 2007
Pulpit Supply at Reidville Presbyterian Church, Reidville SC.

September 12, 2007
Taught a Wednesday night Bible study at Reidville Presbyterian Church, Reidville, SC (Topic: Spiritual Discipline of Thankfulness).

August 8, 2007
Taught Wednesday night Bible study at Reidville Presbyterian Church, Reidville, SC (Topic: Hermeneutics).

April-June 2007
Taught a Sunday School course at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Lancaster, PA (Topic: A Biblical Approach to Christian Counterfeits).

September 24, 2006
Pulpit supply and taught Sunday School at Pleasant Hill Bible Church, Bedford, PA.

July 30, 2006
Pulpit supply at St. John’s Reformed Church, Loysburg, PA.

July 21-22, 2006
Conference organizer for “No Other Gods: A Conference on Cults, the Occult and World Religions,” held at Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Middletown, PA.

July 2, 2006
Pulpit supply at St. Peter’s Reformed Church, Zelienople, PA.

May 6-7, 2006
Speaker for the Spring Bible Conference held at St. Paul’s Reformed Church, Bedford, PA (topics: Jehovah�s Witnesses, Latter-day Saints).

March 23, 2006-May 11
Hosted the Countercult Apologetics Hour internet audio program.

February 9-1, 2006
Presented a paper at the 2006 Evangelical Ministries to New Religions Conference held at Southeastern Bible College, Birmingham AL. Paper title: “The Triune God, A Transcendental Argument and New Religious Movements.”

December 2005-March, 2006
Taught a Sunday School class at Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Middletown PA (Topic: Introduction to Ethic).

June-August, 2005
Taught a Sunday School class at Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Middletown PA (Topic: An Introduction to Countercult Apologetics).

June 4, 2005
Organized and presented at a conference held at Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Middletown PA (Topic: An Apology to the Cults).

February 24-26, 2005
Presented a paper at the 2005 Evangelical Ministries to New Religions Conference held at Midwest Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City MO. Paper title: “Our Triune God: At the Center of Our Worldview.”

February 7 – March 14, 2005
Taught a course for the Evening Institute program of Lancaster Bible College, Lancaster PA (Topic: Apologetics: Defending Christianity in a Postmodern Society).

January 10, 2005
Wrote (posted online 1/10/05) a review of the article: “Where Do We Go From Here: Transforming Evangelical Responses to New Religions Movements” in Encountering New Religious Movements: A Holistic Evangelical Approach. Eds. Irving Hexham, Stephen Rost & John W. Morehead II (Kregel, 2004).

August, 20-21 2004
Organized a conference held at Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Middletown PA (Topic: Equipping Christian for Apologetic Encounters; Speakers: James R. White and Stephen J. Nichols).

July-August, 2004
Taught a Sunday School class at Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Middletown PA (Topic: Doctrine of God).

March 26, 2004
Presented a paper at the Eastern Region conference of the Evangelical Theological Society held at Baptist Bible College, Clark Summit PA. Paper title: “Approaching Cults and World Religions from a Presuppositional Apologetic Perspective.”

January 29-31, 2004
Presented a paper at the 2004 Evangelical Ministries to New Religions Conference held at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, New Orleans LA. Paper title: “Approaching Cults and World Religions from a Presuppositional Apologetic Perspective.”

April 4, 2003
Presented a paper at the Eastern Region conference of the Evangelical Theological Society held at Lancaster Bible College, Lancaster PA. Paper title: “An Apology to the Cults: The Neglected Mission Field on our Doorstep.”

Jan. 9-30, 2003
Taught a class at Pasadena Evangelical Presbyterian, Pasadena MD (Topic: Making Abortion Unthinkable: The Art of Pro-life Persuasion).

April 27, 2003
Pulpit supply at Pasadena Evangelical Presbyterian, Pasadena MD.

December 6-7, 2002
Organized and presented at a conference held at Pasadena Evangelical Presbyterian, Pasadena MD (Topic: The New Spirituality: Occult and New Age Influences on Society).

November 24, 2002
Spoke at South Hills Presbyterian Church in America, Pittsburgh PA (Topic: An Apology to the Cults).

November 2, 2002
Spoke at New Life Fellowship, Glassboro NJ (Topic: An Apology to the Cults).

October 18, 2002
Spoke at New Community Chapel, Fairfax VA (Topic: The Problem of Evil).

August 24, 2002
Spoke at Sovereign Grace Baptist Church, Apollo PA (Topic: An Apology to the Cults).

July 28, 2002
Pulpit supply at St. Paul�s Congregational Church, Rural Valley PA.

July 7, 2002
Pulpit supply at Christ Reformed Church, Ruffs Dale PA.

February 23, 2002
Pulpit Supply and taught Sunday School at Sovereign Grace Baptist, Apollo PA.

January & March 2002
Taught a Sunday School class (Adult Bible Fellowship) at Calvary Church, Lancaster PA (Topic: Cults).

October 4 – November 16, 2001
Taught a course for the Evening Institute program of Lancaster Bible College, Lancaster PA (Topic: Apologetics: Defending Christianity in a Secular Society).

September 22, 2001
Organized a seminar held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Lancaster PA (Speaker: Marcia Montenegro; Topic: New Age and Occult Influences on the Church and Culture).

July 7, 2001
Organized and spoke at a seminar held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Lancaster PA (Topic: Health and Wealth �gospel� is it Really Healthy).

June 10-13, 2001
Taught a course for the Summer Stretch Series held at Calvary Church, Lancaster PA (Topic: Contemporary Cults & Their Impact on Church and Culture).

April 7, 2001
Organized a seminar held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Lancaster PA (Speaker: Robert C. Newman, Biblical Seminary; Topic: Resurrection Fact or Fantasy?).

March 19, 2001
Organized and spoke at a seminar held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Lancaster PA (Topic: Sufficiency of Scripture).

February 15, 2001
Presented a paper at the 2001 Evangelical Ministries to New Religions Conference held at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, New Orleans LA. Paper title: “Counter-cult Apologetics: A Neglected Mission Field.”

Sept. – Nov. 2000
Taught a Sunday School class at Guinston United Presbyterian Church, Airville, PA (Topic: Apologetics & Cults: Defending Christianity Before a Religious World).

September 23, 2000
Organized a seminar held at Lancaster Bible College, Lancaster PA (Speaker: William Alnor of Eastern Christian Outreach; Topic: UFO Cults and Extraterrestrial Messages).

August 26, 2000
Organized and taught a seminar held at Lancaster Bible College, Lancaster PA (Topic: Witnessing to the Latter-Day Saint, in Love).

July 22, 2000
Organized and taught a seminar held at Lancaster Bible College, Lancaster PA (Topic: How Wide the Divide: Discerning the Difference Between Christianity and Mormonism).

July 1999
Founded the Resource Center for Theological Research and began publishing the Research Report.

Feb. 8 – March 8, 1999
Taught a course for the Evening Institute program of Lancaster Bible College, Lancaster PA (Topic: Apologetics & Cults: Defending Christianity Before a Religious World).

Yesterday, July 11, was Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-Fil-A‘s across the country. If you dressed up like a cow, you got a free meal of your choice from their menu. So this week I made the kids cow shirts. I cut out black spots from an old pair of pants and sewed them onto a white t-shirt. I also made a tail from the same black material and white yarn and then made ears using Megan’s headbands. I painted spots on their faces and arms and gave them an udder using a latex glove.

Here they are ready for their free meal. They are standing with their legs apart so you can see the tail hanging down.

 

Jeff decided at the last minute to get in on the act so I just cut out spots from black construction paper and taped them onto his white shirt and gave him the latex udder.

 

When we walked in the doors of Chick-Fil-A, all the employee’s rang cow bells if you were dressed up like a cow. The 8 foot Chick-Fil-A cow was walking around and Nathan wanted nothing to do with him. He actually started to shake and cry when he saw the cow so we had to sit in the corner where he wouldn’t be able to see him.

Next year Nathan and I will dress up too so we can be a cow family. It was unbelievable how many people dresses up as a cow. Our Chick-Fil-A alone must have given away thousands of dollars worth of food yesterday.

Nathan in a happier moment yesterday.

Here are a bunch of miscellaneous pictures.

The highlight of our trip was Grandpa’s new boat.

 

Nathan was not a fan of the boat from the very beginning with the putting on of his life preserver.

 

No, this is not my in-laws house.

 

Neither are these.  Just some beautiful houses we saw along the way.

 

Captain Grandpa

 

I love this picture of Megan. I just wish the windshield wasn’t in the way.

 

Jeff trying to calm Nathan down.

 

Captain Grandpa and gang

 

Megan and Grandma

 

This was so strange coming across 3 silos in a lake. This lake was formed years ago by destroying a town to create the lake. I think most of the houses were knocked down but for some reason they didn’t knock down these silos.

We went to The Lost Sea Adventure which is caverns that have an underwater lake in them. There is an hour long tour through the cavern that ends up at the underwater lake. It’s really neat because after the walking tour you get in a boat and they give you a short drive around.

None of the pictures turned out inside the caverns because it’s so dark but here is the one picture that did turn out, Grandma and Grandpa with Seth and Megan.

 

Seth and Megan like to be always doing something so they dug out the golf clubs and practiced in the front yard.

Grandma showing them the proper technique.

 

Apparently Megan needed some extra help.

This past week we spent some time at Jeff’s mom and step dad’s place in Tennessee. This was only the second time that we have been to their new house since they moved last fall. We left on Sunday after morning worship and stayed until Wednesday morning. It was great to see them again and to spend time with them.

We got to do some different things in the area that the kids don’t normally get to do. We went to Fort Loudon and walked around and Seth and Megan got to fish off of the pier.

 Here’s Megan digging for a worm but she wouldn’t bait her hook.

 

Seth is receiving some expert fishing advise from Grandpa.

 

Megan waiting for the big catch.

 

Seth learning the “art” of fishing…like being quiet.

 

While Seth and Grandpa stayed at the pier fishing, Grandma, Megan and I went and walked around at Fort Loudon.

Here’s Megan enjoying a cold Ginger Ale in the barracks.

 

Fort Loudon with Grandma in the center bottom of the picture.

 

Megan showing how she can shoot off a cannon.

 

No, I have no desire to bake my bread in the mud oven.

This past week the Chick-Fil-A in our town had their Anniversary Celebration all week. Every day they had different daily specials. We had forgotten about it all week until about Thursday. On Friday morning I called to find out what their specials were for Friday and Saturday. Friday was school spirit day and you would get a free Chick-Fil-A chicken sandwich. You were to wear a shirt with your school name on it, their colors or symbol. I told the person on the phone that I homeschool and they told me just to pick some colors for our homeschool and all of us wear it out there. So the kids and I choose red shirts and tan shorts for our school. Megan wanted our colors to include pink but pink was in short supply in Seth and Nathan’s wardrobe. So we went out there for lunch and got 4 free Chicken sandwiches.

Here we are wearing our red shirts and tan shorts/capri’s ready to go to Chick-Fil-A. Jeff stayed home so we had to buy him a sandwich. Plus he didn’t have any red shirts.

 

On Saturday it was their Family Fun Day. They had all kinds of stuff for the kids to do. There was a rock wall which Seth and Megan did 3 times and Jeff did once. They had some jump houses and there was a magician walking around doing tricks and making out balloon animals. Lowes also had kid workshops going on so Seth and Megan each got a Lowes apron and a pair of safety goggles. But the main attraction was the cow drop they did 4 times that day. They had 1,000 small stuffed animal cows with parachutes attached and each cow had coupons on it. They owners climbed up on the roof and dropped the cows off of the roof. Us being the poor seminary family that we are, went out there 3 of the 4 times for the cow drop. We got a total of 50 coupons for their Chick-Fil-A chicken sandwich meals, and 5 coupons for milkshakes. I did quick math in my head and figured out we got over $275.00 worth of coupons! We also got 17 cows with parachutes. We had the best time and got free food too!

I didn’t get to take too many pictures because the camera battery had died. Here you can see the owners up on the roof throwing the cows off. At first they only threw them one or two at time. After the camera battery died, they started throwing more of them at one time.

 

Here’s Seth and Megan showing off a few of the cows.

How much fun is a blow up pool from Walmart? Tons! The kids are completely bored being in the house with the air conditioner on so a few weeks ago I went out a bought a kiddie blow up pool at Walmart. These pictures were taken the second day of the pool fun. They are all wearing T-shirts because on the first day Seth and Megan had gotten their backs a little sunburnt.

 

Megan showing me how she can make a big splash.

 

Seth playing pirate with his boat.

 

Megan looking at something she caught in the pool. Hopefully it was just grass.

 

Nathan getting a closer look at the boat.

 

My little Nater Tater!