Then you some fire…..

8 Apr

How many times have you found yourself stranded or in a state park on a fall day. Or maybe you and some friends want to have fire on the beach at sunset. Well you better have a fire starter…ooooo…and dryer lint! Now there is the hard way to do this. You sit at home making this elaborate formula in hopes that you get the right mix. Oh yeah you could do that but heck why!! OK to keep this simple and small enough to fit in your pocket or bag just do this…put lint in a small baggy and put it and the fire starter in your bag or pocket.

Now lets say you are at that state park and you want that romantic fire…..

1. Gather dry leaves and small twigs or birch bark and a couple of large branches.

2. Put in fire ring ( if you don’t have one clear some ground build a stone circle. Enough said!

3. Put put small pile of dryer lint in the pile, bury it a little!!

4. Scrape the metal thing on the long pole thing until you get a spark. (scientific language sorry!)

5. Keep scraping until the lint catches.

6. QUICKLY all more leaves and twigs and finally the branches.

Easy peasy lemon squeezy!!!

Sci camping (via Story of the day)

7 Apr

The key thing to remember from this post is the any cat!!!

#322 8/7/10 Sci camping   Many things are done differently when one is landlady to a scientist. A good example of this is when you tell said scientist that you’re going camping, most camping excursions would include a tent, fire wood, an ice chest, and perhaps the family dog. This camping trip had: large metal boxes to store all of the camping gear, dry ice, a junior chemist set, instruments for taking soil samples, text books of every shape and … Read More

via Story of the day

THE MOM’S WE HATE (OR WANT TO BE) (via The6packmom’s Blog)

6 Apr

I found my mom in this article you really have to take a look. Thank you The6packmom’s blog!

THE MOM’S WE HATE (OR WANT TO BE) We all have this image of what motherhood is about and whether it is that of the Super Working Mom, the Sports Mom, the Earth Muffin Mom, the Stage Mom, the Stay at Home Mom, or any type of mom that is out there, after joining the ranks of motherhood we all attempt to become one of them. Here is my take on what types of moms are out there. The Earth Muffin Mom (EMM) This mother is also known to everyone as the “N … Read More

via The6packmom’s Blog

First you need para-cord………

5 Apr

One of the many things I have learned over the years is that nothing beats having stuff in your pocket or bag. If we have learned anything from the Japanese it is that those who prepare have a better chance of getting through a disaster. There are companies that make elaborate packages of survival gear in pretty bags and containers. While this is all well and good it can overwhelm people. So I will be doing a series of posts stressing basic stuff, simple things that you can carry in your pocket or bag that can help you in the event of a minor travel issue or a major disaster. But first you need some para-cord….

Para-cord is rope that is thin and can be carried as a simple bracelet or in a small package in your pocket or bag. Para-cord has a lot of uses. It can be used as a backup shoestring. (not pretty but it works) It can be used to lash tarps or objects to trees and poles. It can be used as a backup in the event you lose a line on your tent.

The point is you always have need for some basic rope. Always carry para-cord.

Tags:

Monster Squad Meal Planning! (via Common Chaos Chronicle)

3 Apr

The Brenda and I (Eric) have 7 kids. We have tried succeeded and failed at meal planning. This post has some great ideas to get back on track!

Monster Squad Meal Planning! Weekly menu planning has not only saved me a fortune at the supermarket, it has solved the common issue of wandering aimlessly up and down the aisles with not a clue of what to serve up for dinner.   I have also found that planning the meals in advanced has allowed me to be more organised and prepare much healthier, filling meals.   I sit down of … Read More

via Common Chaos Chronicle

A Church Shrouded in Mystery (via United Methodeviations)

3 Apr

Dan Dick has been instrumental and providing a community for the ‘misfits’ within the UMC such as myself (Eric). I am forwarding on a post that think sums up where the UMC fits. It is unfocused. I think this can be applied to most types of Churches which are failing to thrive.

A Church Shrouded in Mystery We've got a problem.  We don't know who we are.  We have become such an interesting hodge-podge of new and old Christians from such varied backgrounds as Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Baptist, Lutheran, Episcopalian, Reformed, New Age, Independent-Evangelical, Assemblies of God, UCC, UUC, MOUSE as well as UMC and all her predecessors, that what it means "to be United Methodist" isn't clear to most United Methodists.  In our individua … Read More

via United Methodeviations

Finding a new Church aka Church Shopping

3 Apr current church building

Brenda and I(Eric) recently married last August. One of the challenges has been finding a new Church home. We went to new place today called Messiah United Methodist Church in Plymouth Minnesota. We took a different approach this week and came in a little late and sat in the middle of the congregation. Pastor Steve (I have no idea what his last name is he never introduced himself and I can’t find it on their website) used a great balance of technology, theology, and sensory experience to really make the Gospel real. They had a large children’s ministry area and the staff member assigned gave us a personal tour of the site. Their youth room was UMC predictable (why can’t UMC Church’s create a really cool space teen WANT to be in) but they had a praise band setup.

One of the things that was important to us was to be part of a congregation that was not in crisis. The last few Church’s we have visited here in the Twin Cities UMC District have all been marked by internal fights, long slow deaths, and lack of leadership from District Superintendent. Most importantly They were all very old. Now senior ministry is now more critical than ever, but when the average age is 60 you can see the trajectory leading to merger or blending with another church that is also dying.

One thing I have noticed is that families regardless of the faith type have congregated to larger suburban congregations. (with exceptions, many African American Church’s that are doing great things are in the city) Many of the reasons are reasonable. These congregations have energy and many babies. The pastors preach and the service are adapted to the technological culture that many adults face today. There are many ways to connect into the congregation. Most older Church’s don’t have any of this and are trying to maintain the old days. Forcing many young people to move on. Many willing to drive distances past Churches literally a few blocks a way to get fed.

Well in the end Messiah is definitely a congregation we will visit again.  What about you? What things go into a good Church?

 

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.