December 18, 2009

Earlier today, while I was supposed to be entering bills and calling customers, I was instead browsing through the latest topics on the blog walls. With the Christmas season approaching, it seems that most people manage to muster up enough courage to smile, and others even go all out in the big red suit complete with little green side kicks. I get a good laugh out of some people this time of year. They always seem so “Cheery” and give off the appearance that everything “Rolls off them” this time of year. People are so happy, it’s almost as if you could approach your Aunt Susan and tell her how you really feel about her cooking, and she would embrace you and tell you with a giant grin that she agrees – or, you know, something like that?

But upon looking deeper, you realize that this is just a face people merely put on, because after all “tis the season!”

Don’t get me wrong, I love this time of year. All shopping, and bad puns aside, Christmas is a great time of year. To reflect, an excuse to make too many cookies, buy too many presents, smile extra, and fight over crazy things like…trees.

But one thing that never ceases to amaze me, is the lack of emphasis people put on the “Real meaning” of Christmas.

I mean, its almost as if people forget why Christmas even came to be.

We do our best, don’t get me wrong. To smile and greet one another. We may pull out the old dusty manger, toss some hay in, and plug in our Christmas star. Some people throw on their hats, the ones that read “Baa-humbahg” and “Ho ho ho” and show up for Christmas Eve service, if truth be told, they go for the cookies. But none the less, they go.

Tweety dancing on the keyboard!

Lots of other people take the opposite route. They go out of their way to explain why they DON’T do Christmas. They put great emphasis on the words “Saving money” and “Charity” and glare at you as if spending a little extra money this time of year is something to be looked down upon. They make you feel bad for buying that tree, instead of….hugging it, I suppose, and perhaps ‘’setting it free.” And they carry on as if the day were never even there. They turn their backs, and ignore everything about Christmas, they walk by that manger, and don’t think twice.

It’s almost heart breaking to see these people, walking around plastered with hats and fake smiles all decked up “For the season”, knowing that while they think they are doing the world a favor…by saving money, or dressing up, that the only thing they are really doing, is denying the most important factor of: Why Christmas came to be.

This afternoon, while I browsed through a few topics…I found one that asked “What is the greatest gift you have ever been given.” As I flipped through all 60+ comments, I couldn’t help but realize…that while these people have the best intentions…they are missing the point of Christmas altogether. In fact, not one of them mentioned the best gift that they have been given as salvation.

There was talk of lunches with siblings, and rides with grandparents. There was even the mention of life as being the greatest gift. But not one. Not one single person, mentioned that the real meaning of Christmas was beyond trees and gifts. That what is important goes further than the cup of cider, or cookie. That the greatest gift…lasts beyond all battery life, and cheap plastic. Not one mentioned, the greatest gift.

Which is not the manger, but what was in fact, laid IN the manger, that means the most not only this Christmas season, but for eternity.

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

-2 Corinthians 9:15

December 1, 2009

Thanksgiving is over, and to quote our good friend Parker, who is four years old: “You know what? We will be older next time.”

I’m not sure what exactly indicates that Thanksgiving is over. I’ve heard that once the turkey is gone, then its declared to be over. But if that were the case, then ours would be over before the day was even over! Hopefully our reason for giving thanks wasn’t just centered on that turkey.

Just recently, as in this late morning, I realized that today was December 1st. A little bit of panic took over. Yesterday I was thinking things out as mom asked me what I had planned to get Amanda this year. “24 days” I told myself. Then quickly recovered by saying that there were more than three weeks. Because somehow, three weeks sounds longer than 24 days…

A few days ago, while we sat around the Thanksgiving table, squished in between friends and family, Parker announced that next time, he would be older…and while the entire table laughed at this comment, and Parker did a little flip in his chair, Amanda and I exchanged a knowing look. One of our homespun quotes goes something to the effect of “Its been a whole year since last year this time.” Which if you think about it, has potential to make you feel very, very old.

Has it really been a year, since last year?

Last year this time, we had a shopper’s debate.” The Pro shopper vs. the Non-shopper.

(to read about last year, click here!)

While we may be a year older than we were last year, not much has changed in that aspect. I still detest shopping, and Amanda, is still able to spot a deal a mile away.

Last weekend, she took me shopping.
I know, wasn’t that nice of her? Actually, she took me along to carry her bags while she shopped, and I gave my two cents. She also bought me a truffle.

I followed her around, trying to get some ideas, both on what to get her, and how to shop. The thing is, if it isn’t on a list, right there in black and white, telling me to go to a certain store, and select the third item on the sale rack, then I’m lost. Completely clueless. “Its easy” she tells me again this year “All you have to do, is put all the people you want to shop for, into your mind, ok?” I started to get a visual. Mom. Dad. Amanda. A few random people, I had no idea who they were, also filed in. I got a confused look on, and she continued.

“Now. When we go in the store? You will see something. Think…‘will they like this?’ You see? Its that easy!”

And she danced off.

“But wait…”

I had thousands of questions still.

How would I know? Who would I know it was for? How would I know who it was for?

I followed her into a store. “Oh look! A deal!” Ok, so maybe she didn’t say that, but I found her in front of a sales rack, pulling off numerous quantities of the same item.

“Who are those for?” I asked, wondering if she had the same random people in her mind as I did.

“Oh I don’t know, but they are cute, and will make good gifts.”

It was then I gave up on ever hoping to make sense of this shopping bit.

For the next three weeks, we will have a slow trickle of packages coming in through the mail. This steady stream comes once a year, and is made up of online “deals” that Amanda has found.

Meanwhile I struggle to figure out WHAT to get, WHERE to find it and HOW to buy it. I always get stuck waiting until the last minute, and paying for fast shipping. Then I have to stress about presents not showing up in time for Christmas, and end up chasing the UPS man around Christmas Eve begging him to look through his packages to “please see if there is one for me.!!!” I’m sure he must think I’m lonely. Or pathetic. Or both.

So far this year, I have a few new tips on what to get Amanda, a few vague ideas in the back of my mind, but most likely…when I go back to the stores to get what WAS a good deal, it will be back to the full price, and high up on the top shelf, making it all but possible for me to get it.

I learned this weekend, that she likes bright colors in art (something I never knew) but she’s also picky about her art, which, makes me wonder, how am I to know what one is her ‘style?’ I also gathered that she appreciates note cards that she can’t understand: such as, the kind written with Chinese letters, and other exotic script. Hmmm, she also seems to like Spanish note books. Basically what I gathered, is that I can be pretty certain, that if it’s something complicated, and something I don’t understand, then Amanda will dig it.

Like say….shopping, for example.

Perhaps it takes a purer faith to praise God for unrealized blessings than for those we once enjoyed or those we enjoy now. -AW Tozer

November 26, 2009

It was a usual day at the shop. I had three web browsers open, the business programs, a few blank note pages, a stack of bills waiting to be paid…what was there to be thankful for? Paying bills? Making green bean casserole that no one will eat?

Earlier this week, I told Amanda that we needed to blog. I mean, seriously? Its been over a month. You would think we were going for a new record or something. Its not that nothing has happened, I mean, a lot HAS happened, its just the question of, to say it, and how to say it, and do we really WANT to say it, that has us all confused. Ok. So maybe not. Honestly? We’ve just been lazy.

Last week Amanda was playing Christmas carols on the piano. “Its not CHRISTMAS” yet I tried to inform her, as she went into the second verse of “We three kings” or something similar to that. With all the mistakes she was making, it was hard to tell what song exactly she was playing.

“Its not Christmas yet” I said again, more to myself than her…I reminded myself of this small fact, because I was starting to freak out as the thoughts of Christmas and shopping filed into my head.

“Its Thanksgiving” I said… and then I realized it was towards the end of November, and we were closer to December than we were October.

Different thoughts entered my mind instead and instead of thinking about Christmas, I started thinking about Thanksgiving. “Hey Amanda, what do we have to be thankful for?” She paused. Then continued into a version of yet another song that I had never heard before. I sighed. She was stuck in Christmas, not Thanksgiving.

I thought, for a very long time. Hard. What did I have to be thankful for? Christmas songs in November? Shopping? Brussel sprouts?

After a few more attempts at thinking of something I was thankful for, I closed it down and turned my attention to the pile of waiting bills. I went back and forth between listening to Christmas carols from the piano, and listening to my thoughts that said “You have nothing to be thankful for” and “You have everything to be thankful for.”

Then I thought of cameras. Random thought I know, but bear with me here.

You know how when you take a picture, and all too late you realize that your camera was out of focus, and the only picture you have is a blurry object that wasn’t at all what you were hoping for? But by the time you realize this, the moment is over. It seems sometimes that is how the perspective of holidays are: Out of focus. All to often we focus in on the wrong things, and end up with a blurry picture of what we weren’t hoping for, and by the time we realize that, the moment is over. Just like that.

That seems how life is sometimes.

Out of focus.

And by the time I realize it, the moment is already gone.

Lately, I have been focused in on all the wrong things, everything else has been out of focus. I have been spending the majority of my time focused in on the “unfocused” areas. Did that make any sense?

So…Thanksgiving. What IS Thanksgiving?

Is it all about the turkey, and potatoes? I mean, pie is good, (and the ice cream is better!) Friends and family are good (to a point!) but does it stop there? After the food is gone, and all that is left is a sink full of dirty dishes, after someone eats the last of the ice cream and a fight breaks out because of this…Thanksgiving is officially considered: over. And life returns to normal.

Now back to the issue of “focus.” In life, where should the focus be? Where your focus is, is where your heart will be. And if you are focused on the wrong things, they will let you down.

Maybe that is why God wants us to focus on Him. If you live a life centered on God, the natural response of the heart will be happiness, peace, and of course… thankfulness.

Happy Thanksgiving!!! And while its great to give thanks for all of the gifts God gives…it’s important to focus on God Himself, because He is the only true source of happiness.

Nothing turns us into bitter, selfish, dissatisfied people more quickly than an ungrateful heart. And nothing will do more to restore contentment and the joy of our salvation than a true spirit of thankfulness.

Thankfulness is the natural outflowing of a heart that is attuned to God.

October 18, 2009

Hello readers!! Thanks for stopping by. We have a huge collection of pics and captions that we put together…if you are wondering why you stopped by here, no fears! Just read on ahead, and you will see why!

And if you have any photos that you would like to see featured here, feel free to contact us using the comment form at the bottom!!!

I see it the way I see it.

You see it the way you see it.

And the way I see it, is that you see it wrong!

The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because they are generally the same people.

I’m trying to remember all the things I forgot, but I keep forgetting all the thing I remember.

I am wondering how I can go forward… when I don’t know which way I’m facing!

Some days I want to put a sign up that says “This is not Burger King. You DO NOT get to have it your way.”

When everythings coming your way, you’re in the wrong lane!

“You can always tell a real friend: when you’ve made a fool of yourself he doesn’t feel you’ve done a permanent job”

You can tell me you love me 100 times, but your actions shows how much you really love me.

I didn’t put up a wall to keep people out, I put it up to see who cared enough to take it down.

Before the light bulb, what appeared over peoples heads when they had an idea?

I’m tired of chasing my dreams. I’m just going to ask where they are going and meet up with them later.

And he goes through life, his mouth open, and his mind closed.

Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, “What! You too? I thought I was the only one!”

I am here and there…more so there than here!

Don’t you ever wish common sense were a little more common?

I is confused. Don’t ask me why I dont know either.

Hello, we are wondering why you stopped by here, but we are happy that you did!!

Do you know what im thinking? Cause I forgot.

We must hang together, or surely we shall hang separately.

I found out the secret to life…but can’t tell you cause its a secret!!!

You won’t get to where you are going, if you don’t know where you are headed!!! (Thanks to Donnie Davies for the picture! And 10 points to any reader who can pinpoint this location!)

“For there is no one so great or mighty that he can avoid the misery that will rise up against him when he resists and strives against God”

“A man can no more diminish God’s glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word, ‘darkness’ on the walls of his cell.”

“Though we cannot experience our life as an endless present, we are eternal in God’s eyes; that is, in our deepest reality.”

“Let us not cease to do the utmost, that we may incessantly go forward in the way of the Lord; and let us not despair of the smallness of our accomplishments.”

October 04, 2009

Something that we encouter here at Carriage Works, are many different types of people.

Obviously!

There’s lots of different groups of people, but a lot of times it is tempting to put people into two categories. (And no, we’re not talking about “those who like coffee, and those who don’t!”)

What we mean, are the ones who believe in God, and the ones who don’t.

But…there is another way to look at things….

The difference is not between those who “believe in God” and “those who don’t”

The difference is rather, between those who know who they really are, and those who don’t.

Because…the only way one can come to the conclusion that there is a God, is after realizing that you yourself in fact, do not have the answers to life, and that there is something out there that is so superior to you, your knowledge and understanding. Until you see that you are really nothing, you will never see that which is greater then you.

Athiests say that they need a sign from God, to prove that he is real. But God is real, you can find him if you look, and not even that hard. The stars, the sky, and life… How else is he supposed to prove his existence to people? Telling God to prove himself through means that you come up with is worse then randomly calling the king of a country up and asking him to “prove” that he exists. Would he send a fleet of soldiers to “prove” anything?

Imagine for just a second that there is a God who is real, who needs nothing outside of himself, but who, because of his overflow of power and love, created this world and everything in it. He wants you to come to Him, because it is the only thing that can bring you true happiness.

Why is this so hard to imagine? I know, some say “because it’s a myth” but look a bit deeper and you’ll see that it’s because it makes them angry to think that. Why is there anger? It’s worth thinking about.

The Bible…no other book has caused so much anger and controversy. I don’t know about anyone else, but a helpful form of self analysis comes when you take a hard look at yourself and pinpoint the causes of anger in your life. “What exactly is it that makes me so angry at this book?” Mentioning Christ also makes people angry….why?

But just because something makes someone angry, doesn’t mean that it’s false.

When it all comes down to it, there is one truth, and two choices. Both choices have results. One result, will lead to coming to love the light, and becoming one with the truth. The other choice, will lead to anger and eternal rejection of the source of truth.

Nothing is yet in it’s truest form. In fact, what we see now, is just a shadow of eternity.

That’s sort of hit me lately, it’s hard to grasp completely, but I know that nothing NOTHING matters here on earth, in light of eternity, the only thing that matters are the choices that we make about God, because those will count for all eternity!

Warning: Pictures of Work Ahead!!

“Without knowledge of self, there is no knowledge of God. Nearly all the wisdom we possess, that is to say, true sound wisdom, consists of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves.”
-John Calvin

September 10, 2009

Calling all writers, and non writers too!!

Recently, we introduced to you ghost writer Anthony Olejniczak. He wrote two posts for us while he was here. Unfortunately though, Anthony is gone now, he has left for the summer.

So now we are about to do something never before done here at “In The Works.” We are about to enlist in the help of you, our dear readers! We want YOU to write for US! That’s right, were extending a once in a life time offer, were stepping aside, and opening the doors to hear from our readers: In Public Format!

For those of you who don’t know the work that is involved in our task of bringing posts to you, we will inform you now, in hopes that you will feel moved to help us out!

Ever wonder where the deep thoughts are? Why our articles are sometimes half done, or why they are few and far between? Read ahead to find out why!

A Day of Writing!

8:00am: Carriage Work’s doors swing open, we stumble through the doors likely muttering something about coffee, and customers. The phone is usually ringing by now, and the voicemail is full of customers, who have left annoying messages wondering where we are.

9:00am: Having successfully made at least three pots of coffee, and unsuccessfully drinking any, (where does it all go??) the Carriage Works crew is separated to their designated areas. Mom in her corner. Amanda in hers. Christina in hers. Dad is sometimes, no where to be seen.

10:00am: The girls suddenly remember. They have a blog post to do! Panic.

11:00am: After typing feverishly at the key boards into notepads, the girls began to get distracted. Their “Oh so deep and profound” thoughts have been scattered, and replaced by more important thoughts like “Cookies, candy” and such.

12:00pm: Food begins to enter minds, and all thoughts are set aside. This calls for some undivided attention. By this time, we will have made at least one trip to town, having made our stops at the parts store NAPA, the post office, bank, store, and other various places. We are just now beginning to “wake up.”

1:00pm: Having been drawn back to the computer, the girls remember their half finished notepads in the computers. They open them and find thoughts such as “Must write” and “Trying to write” and usually there is something to the tune of “Today we….” Having been inspired, the girls get back to writing something worth reading perhaps?.

Then comes the arguments:
Christina: Amanda, what should we write?
Amanda: You said you had something!
Christina: I did?
Amanda: YES YOU DID!!
Christina: *Puzzled and blank look*

2:00pm: Christina fires off her FIRST draft to Amanda. It reads “Today we….had a good day. A bad day. A rainy day” Amanda takes one look and edits it. She then sends it back to Christina slightly changed. Christina sends it back again. And back and forth it goes.

3:00pm: By now, the post is beginning to take shape. It has more quotes and less garble. Some more back and forth…Christina sends Amanda a message. “I have candy” and all thoughts are lost from here on out.

4:00pm: After sugar break (woooooshhhhh!) the girls began to type some more. The keyboards are smoking, and with a little help from our pal Google, we are now ready for the final edit.

5:00pm: Christina accidentally deletes the post. Noooooo!!!!!!

5:02pm: Oh well, Amanda has a better idea anyways, so she begins to type.

The idea she sends to Christina reads: “Post was deleted. Christina had better find it or she dies!!!”

7:00pm: Christina found the saved copy of the post and the day is saved! After adding a picture or two, and hitting publish the post is live. Post is finished, the girls are hungry, and began looking for food.

8:00pm: Around this time, Mom realizes the girls published a post, and begins looking for errors. She finds many. Some more editing. We have now been at it for twelve hours you know.

9:00pm: Unwinding. The girls began preparations for the next day, unfortunately, having spent all day on ONE post, they wont have time to do another one tomorrow. They have paper work to finish, customers to call, problems to sort, and well, ideas to be had.

So…after all of this, we have to say that it is time for a break! Don’t you think?

That’s why we need your ideas and articles!!
If you have an interesting post idea, know how to write, and have a keyboard to type on then you are qualified to be our next potential ghost writer!

Here are the rules for this contest:

All articles must be in English!

All articles must be typed, not hand written (lol!)

All articles must be less than, or not more than 500,000 words (duh)

All articles must have a point and/or theme

All articles must NOT be promoting any branded good or service (except Carriage Auto and/or maybe NAPA)

Send all emails to: dharman572@yahoo.com

The winner will be the one who is chosen from the submissions.

Please readers, help us out, we are counting on you!!

Thanks for visiting, please come again!

Hello again to our favorite readers who are checking this article right now, and that means YOU! *waves*

We present to you another special edition of “In The Works.”

Once again this article was written by “ghost writer” Anthony R. Olejniczak.

To read Anthony’s first article, check it out here.
Anthony is staying in Kethcikan temporarily before continuing on his way to Russia to help with a mission project there. While here in town, he agreed to occasionally help us update our blog. So now to you we are pleased to present this article.

We all have issues with faith.

That is, if we have been called to faith; called as the chosen ones.

Who are the “Chosen” ones? I am convinced that they are not people singled out by an arbitrary and capricious God, but rather -vessels that were created for a purpose.

“God is not willing that any should perish.” -2 Peter 3:4

We are chosen…in order that we might choose.

If you choose Christ- that will bring great glory to the creator, and he will be able to work through your life in amazing ways.

It starts with a choice…

It begins with faith though; and faith begins when we make a choice to step out in trust to try to discover truth through God.

That is faith, and that’s something that we all struggle with. And it’s not something we really know anything about. Many of us. If you think you do, then you need read no further. You’ve got the answers – run with it. And good luck. But. “There is a way which seemeth right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” -Proverbs 14:12, -Proverbs 16:25.

Choosing to seek God

We can choose to learn, or not. We can choose to be teachable, or not. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; but the fools despise wisdom and instruction” -Proverbs 1:7

“A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels” -Proverbs 1:5

“To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice and judgment and equity to give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion” Proverbs 1:3-4

For: “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom and the man that getteth understanding“. Proverbs 3:13

We all have choices. Sometimes what seems right, is only emptiness. Hollow and meaningless lifestyles that once looked so wonderful, are discovered in the end, to have been pointless. That’s how many people live.

Which is better?

A pot washing, praise singing, alms giving, hardworking, humble man who takes pride in his work and does it with joy? Or the CEO of the large corporation, a successful business man, who tithes more than the others to make up for the lies he told and the people he cheated – and will continue to cheat? I mean, look at all the good he does….after paying his bills!

I’m not ever fair or kind to myself, so I’m glad its not for me to judge him! But I have been given judgment and it is my responsibility to exercise it!!

And in judging correctly, I make the choice.

I can choose to do my creators will.

What is God’s will?

Jesus said SEEK….and you will find, ASK….and you will receive; Knock…and the door will be opened.

So if you don’t knock, who will know you are out there?
How can you find what you aren’t looking for?

And when you asked your parents for something, weren’t you holding out your hand expectantly – knowing as you did so – that if it was good for you, you would get it?

Did you have faith? Did you obey your parents out of fear at times?

Or was it always a choice?

As for the consequences of stumbling drunkenly in a darkened room: the bruised shins and bumps and bruises; some of us have done that. Some still are. Many get tired of the pain and guilt railing at everything and everyone: stop wondering why, and reach for the light. Once we know what’s causing the pain – turn on the light….pain usually stops.

If you are searching, if you are looking for God, he will show you the truth! But you have to be willing. More then that, you have to choose to truly seek Him.

The unseen is real, it’s seen through trust

Faith isn’t trust in what is seen, or acknowledging what we see as obvious. Even an animal doesn’t need faith to know that forty days without food and water in a dessert will kill it.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.…through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” Hebrews 11: 1-3

No part of this visible world, can be fully understood.
Certainly then, we can’t grasp those things which cannot be seen. No capacity that we ourselves possess is great enough. But interestingly, the unseen things, still somehow manifest evidence in our lives.
The unseen is real.

God’s word – is a completed action. God’s word formed creation. Out of emptiness the universe came to be. We can’t see or understand exactly how and why this happened, but our lack of understanding doesn’t make it any less real.

We can see the world, we don’t need faith to know it is real. But the details of how life came to be, why it exists, and what its purpose is though -we need trust for that.

The endless questions we have, we cannot see the answers. They are real though! What is our purpose? Is there hope? Does this life matter? Those unseen realities are found through trust in our creator’s plan.

Faith is choosing to trust

You need to make the first step of faith (trust), to grow in faith (trust).

And after all, it is HIS glory we need to concern ourselves with. He is eternal. So of course, His Glory is eternal. “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” ——-Proverbs 27:1-2

:::Added thoughts by the Girlz!:::

This choice matters…

We have choices with just about everything there is on earth.
You know, small ones like what kind of socks to wear, and big ones like…say…. which coffee drink to have.

And finally, the single most important choice anyone can make: The choice to surrender your life to Christ.

You know, really it’s one of the most important things we can do for now, because someday it will be the only thing that matters.

It’s not a mystical experience, or even somehow “getting faith ” to will yourself to believe.. .

…It’s saying “Look, I don’t know the end result, I can’t see how any of this makes sense, but God I choose to trust you. “

When we have made the choice to trust God, we receive hope!

Hope is assurance. It is actually expecting something we know will happen.
Through God, we have hope -a real expectation- that what He has promised, He will prove faithful to give.

That is a real hope, one we can trust for eternity.

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” -Isaiah 26:3

Ok, before my day starts and everything gets crazy,
I want to type out really fast something I stumbled upon online during a word study.

Interesting? Maybe. Maybe not. But I think it is…

Faith.

Doing a word study on this innocent looking word, I came across a fascinating detail….

Apparently this word “faith” does not mean simply: “to believe.”

The word translated “faith” found in many places in the Bible, actually has an interesting history. It comes from an original Greek word (πίστις) This word means “trust.” conviction, confidence, faithfulness, assurance, reliance…

…or more accurately, “total and complete reliance on God and his promises.”

People claim to have faith. But what does real faith look like???

What makes faith real?

The other day we had a customer in the shop.

An interesting fellow.

The kind of person who thought that cussing and bragging about fraud would be a good idea.

It had been a difficult morning, but not too much harm had been done, and we were trying to move on about our day.

We were sitting in the office, talking with our friend Anthony, he was reading some Bible verses, trying to help us smooth over our day, when the door swung open.

There stood a customer. A well known person around these parts. Some of us were happy to see him, some were ok with him, and then others…well…. either way, he threw the door open, and sent a greeting all around.

He began discussing a few things about his vehicle. Then his topic began to drift. Mom got a confused look on. He was apparently confusing her. He smiled…and whipped out a candy bar, and offered her part of it…laughter erupted from the office.

Mom, was not moved. But she handled herself very well, and quickly changed the subject. “Are you a Christian?” she asked.

He smiled. “I sure am” he declared, puffing his chest out. “A solid born again believer am I.”

Amanda and I gasped.

Mom beamed.

Anthony stood up “Hold on man” he started “I’ve heard your language…that isn’t language that should be heard coming out of the mouth of a believer.”

The customer shifted his weight, and stuffed the rest of his candy in his mouth. “I’m a Christian, sure…my life may not show it, but it doesn’t matter what everyone else sees, it only matters what’s inside, that’s all…” He puffed his chest up again, and then took off on another rant; bragging about some shady things he’s done, did, and will continue to do, all while proclaiming to be a Christian.

Anthony interrupted this tirade with a firm rebuke. “If you ever want to talk about becoming an actual Christian, let me know.”

The customer looked uneasy…and started to mumble. “I’m getting uncomfortable here…that’s why I’m leaving now…its because I don’t want to talk about it…this is my life…its how I am, its how I live…its what I do….I don’t want to talk, don’t want to talk anymore.”

And with that, he shut the door behind him, leaving a wide eyed group in the office.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::

What is faith?

It is the action of trust.

It’s a conscious, active -choice- that you make.

We have been taught to “have faith” -not to “exercise trust.”

“You only need faith” people say. Or they will say things like “You don’t have enough faith.”

When someone asks a question of Christians, something like “Why do Christians believe in God?“ What is the usual standard generic response? “You need to only have Faith…” This of course, leaves people thinking that “faith is belief in something that has no proof or logic behind it”

Faith should be traced back to the original Greek word meaning “trust.” And more specifically “trust in something that is trustworthy.” Ancient Greek culture knew an understood that this word meant “serious trust.”

People today don’t understand this though. They put their “faith” in all sorts of things. What ’seems good, feels right, or looks nice… It doesn’t matter what is truth to them, all that me is their level of sincerity. But the level of sincerity means nothing, in this case. What matters is the object of your faith…or rather, the object of your trust.

Our friend Mrs. Dudley is in the hospital. She really believes that she is still in her home. She is sincere with this faith, but that doesn’t make it any more true. Her sincerity has nothing to do with reality.

So… what is real faith?

I don’t know entirely, I don’t have the key. But I did find it interesting that this word has a meaning that is much deeper then what we would assume.

It’s more then “somehow gathering up enough ‘belief’ inside of yourself.”

It’s not illogical ‘belief’ based on some vague hope.

Faith, in our minds, should mean “trust.”

Being convicted and choosing to place your trust in God, and his promises…

Through God’s perspective, Faith is him working through us, so we can live the way we do. Through our perspective, it is trust…

…trust in him that he is with us, and that with him, life is possible.

That’s the key to opening your life to the fulfilling plan that God has for your life.

That’s true trust -and it will not let you down.

“Faith isn’t the ability to believe long and far into the misty future.
It’s simply taking God at His Word and taking the next step.”
– Joni Erickson Tada

So what are your thoughts on “faith?” Post below, we’d love to hear what you think.

Hello Carriage Works fans!!

We have a special treat for you.
This edition of In The Works is featuring an article written by a guest writer.

Introducing “ghost writer” Anthony R. Olejniczak.

Anthony is a friend of ours who is staying in Ketchikan for the summer while working on a fishing boat.
He is traveling through, before heading into Russia to help with a church building project.

So without futher delay we present to you….the thought of the day.

“The thought for the day,

and you will need your thinking caps for this,

comes from Proverbs chapter 16 verse 22…”

“Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.”

“Now understanding will only be gained by those who diligently seek after it. Its just not going to drop out of the sky onto your silly little head.”

“Now.”

“What you believe about the nature of reality wont change the nature of reality one iota.”

“However…”

“What you believe about the nature of reality will greatly effect both how you interact with and what you manifest in your reality.”

“Now heres some bad news for you: You are responsible, like it or not, for everything that you see.”

“But here’s the good news: That you have the power, the ability by exercising will and choice to learn to see things differently.”

“Now…”

“A way of paraphrasing the previous two statements that I just made is this: You can learn the hard way. Or you can learn the easy way. But one way or the other boy, you’re gonna learn.”

“So…”

“Wrap your mind around the idea that there are no u-hauls following behind the hearses. No trailer hitches on the back of them, either. Your not taking any of this garbage with you when you go.”

“The point of all this is that whether you believe it or not there is something up there bigger than you, knows more than you, actually made all this happen…unless you really believe that your a descendant of pond scum, hence that would explain your behaviors in my estimation that those are really just excuses that some of us cling to based on cowardice, but the fact of the matter is, whether you have faced it or not, that there is a God. Creator of heaven and earth, His son is named Jesus and I can prove it. All you have to do is ask.”

“I highly recommend to each and every one of my brothers and sisters out there that you crawl in the closet and ask whos up there and show himself to you. Don’t do it if you dont want an answer because you will get one.”

“See you in heaven.”

“As a side note: I dont know anything else more than you.
I’m just walking along bumping into things and stubbing my toes… just like you.”

The beginning of wisdom is found in doubting; by doubting we come to the question, and by seeking we may come upon the truth.

A few weeks ago, we had the pleasure of going fishing.

A true Alaskan treat, something people pay hundreds of dollars to do, and yet something we rarely find ourselves actually doing. Its not that we don’t LIKE To fish, or boat, or any of that, it’s more that we don’t appreciate flipping over, or sitting tied to the dock – waiting for Dwayne to fix the boat. That’s all.

But this year, the boat was…fixed. Or, at least, you know… it ran.

Sunday afternoon, after church, we loaded up…headed out to sea.

Our friend Marschel, was in town and along for the ride. He was excited. He wanted to go fishing, and beach combing on some islands, and well, he also shared our interest in returning to the dock – without flipping over. We had never taken him “Fishing” with us before. Excited, we were.

Life jackets? Check.

Fishing poles? Check.

Bait? Check.

The plan was to head out to another island, explore around for a few hours, then eventually head back to town, us girls would get out at the dock, and Marschel and Dwayne could do some fishing. After all, fishing isn’t a task we enjoy as well as we do boating, plus -we didn’t have fishing license…which would make it even more lame. To fish, without being able to actually fish you know?

Once we were all loaded up in the tiny little skiff, we took off…

…out of the jetty, and into the open waters.

The front of the boat went up, and then down as we sailed across the ocean.
Then we started hitting some big waves. We became nervous and began protesting. The boat went up, and the down again. Our complaints got a little louder. Then, the front end went up, up, up….and slammed down on the other side of the wave…everyone, started screaming. Everyone that is, but Dwayne. He seemed unfazed in the back of the boat…in fact, he didn’t even seem to NOTICE! Which scared us all the more! Marschel had been soaked by the last big wave, our towels were dripping wet, in fact…everything within our reach was somewhat wet. Up and down, the waves got bigger and bigger, and our screams became more frantic. “BACK!” “Lets go back” we all started chanting. We were no longer having fun. Dad stopped, he couldn’t hear us over the roar of the motor.

He apparently couldn’t see either, because we were heading for some massive waves. Tidal waves, to be exact. Or at least, they appeared to be tidal waves, in our little 16 foot skiff!!

Dad was shocked, and a little bit mortified that we wanted to go back, but he turned around and headed back to the dock. Which is when we realized…we didn’t WANT to go back. We just didn’t want to go towards the waves, that was all.

More waves. More screaming.

Finally. We were stopped. In the middle of the waters…maybe 50 feet from the dock…it was calm there. Dad had cut the motor, so he could try to understand what we were saying. “You can fish now” we told him. “You can fish right here.”

He didn’t look impressed. He may have muttered a thing or two about never bringing us fishing again.

But the adventure had just began.

He reached for his pole. Amanda and I got scared and started screeching…we had bad memories of being “Snagged” with hooks. We ducked, just as a hook whizzed by our head. The boat started to spin a little…Dwayne stood up, the boat rocked, and spun faster. A fishing hook flew by again, string got tangled and we all started to scream again. Dwayne may or may not have muttered something negative about boatloads of people, and the stupidity of fishing 30 feet from shore.

A few minutes later, and one fishing pole was in the water, trailing behind us as Dwayne baited the other one.

Then, the troubles really began. As Dwayne messed with the fishing hook on his pole, Marschel’s pole started to squeal, indicating that there was fish on the other end. We all jumped up, the boat again started to spin in circles, Mom started singing (don‘t ask us why!) and Amanda and I yelled as Marschel held his pole high doing a dance, declaring that he was, in fact, “A lil’ fisherman”. Dad shook his head…and had no way to help, he was in the middle of tying a fish hook to his pole, and couldn’t let go. He instructed us to make sure the pole didn’t get dropped, and to just let the fish swim a while…

But things never go as planned, especially when the only one who really knows how to fish, is tied up with string, and there is a fish on the end of your pole!!!

Somehow, the lever on Marschel fishing pole, got flipped, and the string went wild. It tangled itself up. We all started to scream again.

“Do we reel it in?” We asked. Dwayne did NOT look impressed

“No, you cant…its tangled up, you’ve got a big mess now” he stated the obvious. When he stood up, abandoning the motor, the boat slowly started to spin, just as another giant wave came our way, as dad reached for the fishing string, Mom touched his arm, just as the wave hit, and he ALMOST fell over board, instead, he tripped a few times inside the boat, and landed safely on the seat. Amanda and I, giggled.

Amazingly, the fish finally ended up IN the boat. Safely. Well, I guess it depends on if you were the fish, which in that case, he would not have considered himself “safe.”

Dwayne baited the hook up again, and dropped it in. He showed Marschel how to slowly let the downrigger out. A downrigger is a big weight, that is hooked up to a giant reel looking thing, that measures how far down your hook is. It has a giant handle, and can be dangerous, as we soon found out. At first, it went slowly, but then, it started to go faster and faster, and in a panic, Marschel tried to stop it. WACK! WACK! WACK! It hit his hand over and over and over, all the while he yelled and tried to stop it.

Dwayne finally got the downrigger stopped. Marschel held his hand…then he glared at the girls. “Next time” he instructed “Don’t laugh at me!” He didn’t look happy.

After waiting a while longer, Marschel declared that he was bored, and that we should go back to shore. At just that moment, the pole started making another noise, and again…another fish was brought in.

Each time a complaint was made, or someone lamented that they were tired or hungry…it wouldn’t be five minutes later, and a new fish would suddenly end up tugging on the line.

It was an eventful, fun, and very exciting trip. Obviously.

But then again, with the Carriage Works, the Carriage Works crew, and a surprise sunny beautiful day from God, well….of course it was a good day.

Stay tuned for more adventures!!

Out to sea!

Here we see Amanda in her element as “Captain” running the little motor on our boat – scary stuff!

Working the downrigger

“I’m a little fisherman”