Reformation Day

- Reformation Day -

Today is Reformation Day (October 31st). The day in 1517 generally given for when Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses on the door of the Castle church in Whittenberg. Martin Luther was born in Eisbleben, Germany in the year 1483. He attended university in Eufurt, receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree. At the age of 25, he entered the order of the Augustinian's in Eufurt. In 1512 he received his Doctor of Theology. He completed his famous theses and hung them on the door of his church, on the eve of All Saint's Day 1517.

We know him for the beautiful, majestic hymn...
A Mighty Fortress

Luther at the Diet of Worms 1521

"Luther is now to be seen as a convicted heretic. He has twenty-one days [from the fifteenth of April]. After that time, no one should give him shelter. His followers also are to be condemned, and his books will be erased from human memory." - Edict of Worms

"Unless I am convinced by the testimony of Scripture or by evident reason (ratio ne revidente) - for I confide neither in pope nor in council alone, since it is certain that they have often erred and contradicted themselves - I am held fast by the Scriptures adduced by me, and my conscience is taken captive by God's Word and I neither can nor will revoke anything. Seeing that it is not safe or right to act against conscience. God help me. Amen." - Martin Luther Diet of Worms

Martin Luther

"The friends of the cross affirm that the cross is good and that works are bad, for though the cross works are undone and the old Adam whose strength is in works is crucified." - Martin Luther

"Many have taken the Christian faith to be a simple and easy matter, and have even numbered it among the virtues. This is because they have not really experienced it, nor have they tested the great strength of faith." - Martin Luther

Birthdays!

We have two special people who are having birthday's this week:

Uncle Larry & Uncle Jim!

Happy Birthday to you both, and may God bless you with MANY more years of service and joy! Have a very blessed birthday!

We love y'all!

David, Julia, Joel, Abby, Caleb, Phoebe, Jo & Ja

Guess who?

This evening Joel (21) and Phoebe (12) were in our kitchen cooking supper, and I (Johanna age 9 1/2) was in our living room doing laundry, and we were talking about tomorrow morning- afternoon, when we are going on a fossil dig. I (Johanna) said to Joel and Phoebe: "I wonder if our friends the Speeds will be at the fossil dig." To this Phoebe replied, jokingly: "When we pull up tomorrow morning, we'll see the Speeds next to us." And right when she said this I (Johanna) saw a car pulling up in front of our house (we don't have company very often), and I didn't see the car well enough to know who it was, but when I squatted down I realised it was our good friend: Mr. Amos! I ran through the house and said: "Mr. Amos is here! Mr. Amos is here!" I said it first to Joel, Phoebe, Caleb (15), last I said it to: Abby (17) & Mama. Abby was very surprised. Caleb and Jaden (almost 5) went to our front door to greet Mr. Amos. He stayed for supper and afterwards we all laughed, chatted and simply had a good time. When Mr. Amos was going down our road, we (Caleb, Phoebe (12), Jaden (almost 5) and myself raced him (Mr. Amos). It was very cold. Thank you Mr. Amos for surprising us:) You are a BIG blessing from God to us.

Also... A big Happy Birthday to you our dear friend!

Johanna R.

Fall weather

The last couple of days here have been just lovely. Yesterday, the sun shone brightly and the wind made it feel more like a spring day than a fall one. Last night the rain started, and has continued lightly all morning.

This weather reminds me of what fall weather is all about. Cooler temperatures help the leaves fall off the trees in expectation of winter and then spring when the trees will rejuvenate. In our neighborhood, we have many large and stately old trees, that make the street a beautiful one to stroll down. Once the trees have turned I'll have to post some pictures of the crimsons, golds, oranges, and purples on our road.

~Happy Fall everybody~

Seven years... reflections

Our Abode

Today we, the David Kautt family, mark seven years since moving into this house. We look back at how marvelously our heavenly Father worked to bring us here.

When we moved to McKinney almost 17 years ago, Northwest Christian Church provided a 3-bedroom parsonage, adequate for a family with two small children. As the years passed, we added three more arrows to our quiver, for a total of 7 bodies occupying an 1100 square foot house. Legs got longer, three small closets became quite crowded, and the limitation of only one bathroom frequently proved awkward. By the time we had occupied the house eight years, David and I had agreed to ask no man, but to petition our heavenly Father for a larger abode.

After several visits to our home, our friend Joe Phillips (one of the deacons at our church) began noting the deterioration of the old house, and our cramped quarters. He proposed to our church board a remodel of the parsonage – calling for major repairs and an expansion of floor / storage space. It soon became apparent that not only would this be a dramatic undertaking, but it would entail disproportionate expense. The goal shifted to finding a different place for the Kautts.

After a long, hot summer of looking and finding nothing suitable, the decision was made to have a house built. We began the search for a piece of property and pored over floor plans. On the day we were to take the church board members to see the model home we’d chosen, our sweet realtor, Cindy Peters, convinced us to look at "just one more" house. By now she knew us pretty well and she thought this one might work for us.

She was correct! We scrapped the plans to build and – a very long story made short – moved into 2119 Redondo on October 17, 2000.

For seven years we have enjoyed this quiet neighborhood, thick with gorgeous oak trees. (The neighbors might question whether our five, and then six, children added to the quietude!) Our neighbors have been so kind, some of them not only tolerating, but even encouraging our children in their creative endeavors. The house has been wonderful for our needs of home educating our children and exercising Biblical hospitality. Of course, it’s not perfect. I can still hear Joel’s exhortation of seven years ago: "Mom, there is no perfect house." He’s right. However, this one was pretty close to perfect!

We’ve made many happy memories here. The most significant event, we all agree, was Jaden’s home birth nearly five years ago. Dear, precious Jaden. What would our lives be without him? He’s so much fun! A blessing from the Lord.

Some of the highlights of our time in this house are: Phoebe’s & Johanna’s spiritual re-births, working with RCCF (the cowboy church), our unbelievable Colorado vacation, Joel’s Creation Apologetics booth and speech at Rendezvous 2007, celebrating David’s 25 years in ministry, and celebrating David & Julia’s 25th wedding anniversary, honoring David’s parents on their 50th wedding anniversary.

Of course, there have been dozens of others we could mention, for the Lord has blessed us super-abundantly. (We’d have to write a book!) We will be ever grateful to Joe Phillips and the people of Northwest Christian Church who have given us the privilege of living in this lovely house while we serve our church family. Thank you, Abba Father, for this beautiful, gracious gift you have given us. To Yahweh goes all the glory.

Gratefully,
The David Kautt family

Train Your Eyes On These Photos

Most of you know that Caleb and I (as well as Phoebe) are big fans of railroad and model railroad type stuff. We enjoy "railfanning" (watching and photographing trains) when we have the opportunity. Here are some railroad related photos taken by either Caleb, Phoebe or myself in the last several months. Hope you find them interesting!



A TXU crew unloads a huge electrical related piece of machinary in McKinney - March 2007



A "Trackmobile" at work at the Encore Wire Plant in McKinney - April 2007



A looooong freight train (5 locomotives and at least 100 cars -first time for us to see such on this railline) struggles uphill near Van Alstyne, Tx. - August 2007



A railroad track allignment machine sidetracked in McKinney - August 2007

A colorful freight train stopped near downtown McKinney - September 2007

A very unique locomotive undergoes maintenance work by a Cummins tech. This "enviro-friendly" locomotive (termed a "Green Goat") has a large bank of batteries from which it derives its power. The batteries are charged via a diesel generator. This is quite a bit different from a normal diesel-electric locomotive.

A Union Pacific train heads away from downtown through eastern Dallas - October 2007

Hauling ballast for railroad track - October 2007

A pair of locomotives that are probably nearly 50 years old (very old for train locomotives still in active service) shove a long cut of intermodal container cars into the Garland railyard - October 2007

More to come in the future!

Welding - a newly acquired skill

Recently, Joel and myself learned how to weld (wire-fed Lincoln electric 110) from a neighbor who is generously loaning us one of his welders. Below are a few photos of Joel (darker photos) and I welding fenders on our trailer. Enjoy!



Let there be light? Oh, I think the first light was even brighter than that! Sparks a flyin', with Caleb as the Pyro-technician Smoked ham? Oh, no that's smoked steel.

Joel, happily polishing up on a newly acquired skill.

Volunteering at the AiG Booth

My Experience Helping at the AiG Booth

By Joel Kautt

On Monday, October 1st, I left for the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors (www.nanc.org) conference at around 6:40am, after spending a short night (midnight – 5:45am) at my Kautt grandparents’ in North Dallas. Thankfully, the traffic was moving along quite well for almost the entirety of the trip and I was able to make it to the host church, Birchman Baptist (western Fort Worth) in about 50 minutes.

Birchman Baptist Church (West Loop 820 / I-30, west Ft. Worth)

After a few minutes of looking around I found the AiG booth and introduced myself to Mr. Perry (I don’t recall his last name), and Mr. James Steffan, both AiG staff. I was then given a brief overview of the booth and what I needed to know about the materials being sold.

AiG Staff and Birchman Baptist members work the checkout table

A little later, I met a couple who had come to volunteer at the booth as well. The Burgesses, from about 3 hours west of Ft. Worth, just recently were certified as AiG Video Conference Coordinators. I enjoyed visiting with Mr. Burgess for several minutes throughout the course of the day.

The Burgesses browse through the AiG books

I also met a member of Birchman Baptist, who was helping run the booth as well. Mr. Billy Caldwell, a geologist, was very friendly and I enjoyed chatting with him during the "slow" times.

The table was loaded at the beginning of the day...

During the course of the day I helped at the AiG booth in a variety of ways, mostly helping visitors with questions regarding the products, and helping to restock the items which were selling quickly (we quickly sold out of a number of materials). People were grabbing up materials as if it were a feeding frenzy. People are hungry to hear the Truth!

NANC Conference attendees flock to the AiG tables

I was able to sit in on the majority of each of the 5 sessions that Mr. Ken Ham gave. Although I had already heard most of the content of his presentations (via DVD’s or audio tapes), I still enjoyed hearing him in person. And I was able to soak in some of the information a little deeper and fuller.

An audience of hundreds eagerly listens to Ken Ham

Ken Ham workshop - "Why is there Death and Suffering?"

I also was able to talk with Mr. Ham for a few minutes after the evening session. Among other things, I thanked him for the work he (and his ministry AiG) is doing to help "…uphold the authority of the Word of God from the very first verse".

A tired looking Ken Ham at the end of a very busy and full day of speaking

After the last session, l ended the day by helping to pack up all the leftover materials (a significantly smaller amount than at the start of the day!), and cleaning up the booth at around 9:30pm.

After leaving Birchman Baptist at around 9:50pm, I made it back to my grandparents’ house by around 11:00pm (I missed an exit, and had to back track a bit – slowing my return trip).

I was very, very pleased with the whole experience, and look forward to any future similar experiences, including two weekends from now when Dr. Terry Mortenson (AiG's Historian) speaks at the North Texas Creation Conference in Richardson, Tx. Find out more info here: www.answersingenesis.org/events/details.aspx?Event_ID=5746

Joel

Colorado Newspaper

In late August - early September 2004, our family had the glorious opportunity of traveling to Colorado. We spent several days in "heaven", and after we returned home we decided that it would be a great idea to create a "newspaper" of sorts. We Incorporated it into school, using this as a part of our IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing) writing class. We all had such a fun time reminiscing and writing!

Each child was assigned 2-3 articles they had to write on an assigned topic (e.g. Horn Creek, Como, Biking, etc.), and then we had to write it and we would add the articles to our paper.

Once the paper was finished we would pass it along to family & friends... well here we are 3 years later and we are just getting around to "editing" it, as in layout and design, getting it prepared for printing, and then hand out. The paper has pictures included throughout, so you can "see" what activities we participated in! It was the best family vacation I've ever had, and so refreshing and beautiful!!!

Once it is finished, hopefully we can post some, if not all of it here on the blog. Stay tuned...

::Verse for the day::

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

To the reading of books... there is no end!

The other day, I was reflecting on how many books I've read since I first learned to read (8yrs.), and the number is gigantic! I try to read 6-8 books every month, but usually more end up being read... enjoyed.

Saturday while at my favorite shopping haunt, I purchased 5 books. Several are way out of print, but I know they will be helpful, and enjoyable to read. I also purchased Elizabeth Prentiss' Selections from Stepping Heavenward which is a very encouraging little booklet. If you've ever read the book in its entirety (350 pages), then this is a little sliver from it, but nonetheless it was such a treasure for me! Books are like old friends, when you find a book that you've been searching for, and sit down to read, such a feeling of contentment comes over you.

By the way, if you want to purchase your own copy of Stepping Heavenward go here to order. I highly recommend that all young ladies read this book. It is both an encouragement, and a challenge to grow in our walk with Christ, and to have a passion for serving Him and His people.

Out of all the book that I have ever read, here are some which stick out in my mind as having influenced my life, and were the most enjoyable read. These are all after the Bible, which is the greatest of books ever written!

~My Favorite Books~
So Much More - Anna Sofia & Elizabeth Botkin
Evolution Exposed - Roger Patterson
Lies Women Believe - Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Adam & His kin - Ruth Beechick
A Full Quiver - Rick & Jan Hess
Let us Highly Resolve - David & Shirley Quine
Raising Maidens of Virtue - Stacy MacDonald
Stepping Heavenward - Elizabeth Prentiss
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Elsie Series - Martha Finley
Amos Fortune, Freeman - Elizabeth Yates
Johnny Tremain - Esther Forbes
Ten P's in a Pod - Arnold Pent III
Jim Elliot – Susan Martins Miller
The Measure of a Heart – Janette Oke

Vegetarian pizza baking

Step 1 in pizza baking process: oiling pizza stone (yours truly in the right part of the picture).

Step 2: mixing barley flour

Step 3: getting items ready

Step 4: applying sauce

Step 5: putting on toppings

Step 6: baking pizza

Here are some pictures of Abby & I on Thursday the 4th, when we were preparing and baking our "vegetarian pizza". I must say, it was very good (even if I say so myself!). We used barley flour to make the crust, putting store bought tomato sauce on top, with dried hot pepper flakes, chopped onions & bell peppers.

Phoebe ~

Skies of pink, skies of blue

Pink in the Eastern sky

The Beauty of the morning

The Skies above Redondo

The other morning, as we were racing Joel down the alley (he was leaving for work), I noticed the beautiful skies, and raced inside to grab the camera. These are some of the photos I got of the skies. God is so great to paint the skies with such beauty!

Psalm 19:1 "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork." ESV