Live 'n learn...well, maybe just live.

In an attempt to save money and keep our trucks working so our sign company can make money, I took on the task of replacing the water pump in the larger of our two bucket trucks yesterday (also because our smaller bucket truck is already in the repair shop costing us big money). It went pretty well, really, and did spare us substantial cost. While working on it, I noticed the date written on the oil filter…my how time flies…better do an oil change too. Unlike cars and quick-stop oil change centers, you can’t do an oil change on a big truck for $15.95. Using my own tools, our own shop, my own labor, purchasing only the oil and the filters, it still costs upwards of $75. Anyway…

As I was changing the oil, a now humorous (back then, humbling) experience came to mind. In my senior year of high school, I worked at Plymouth Oil Co. - the prominent local gas station/auto repair shop at that time. I was a gas jockey/grease monkey/garage cleaner/tire changer – “auto technician” wasn’t a term used much back then; the best we could hope for was “mechanic”. One Saturday, one of the owners of the business asked me to do an oil change on his Lincoln. Hey, cool…makin’ points with the boss, I thought. He tossed me the keys, I drove it in, put it up on the hoist and worked my magic. With the deft aptitude of a pit crew pro, I drained the oil, removed the filter and prepped a new one, reinstalled the drain plug, did a grease job, rotated the tires and after gracefully lowering his cherished ride back to the earth, finished by adding new oil and checking the fluids, belts and battery. That went well. Carefully, I backed his Lincoln out of the bay and drove it across the parking lot, just happening to pass directly in front of the window through which my boss was watching. Quite confidently, I jumped out of the car, flipped the keys around my index finger and stopped dead in my tracks. Funny, how a trail of fresh 10w40 across a parking lot, accurately illustrating the course one just drove, can immediately turn one from strutting mechanic to puddle of humility (much like the one under the car). My boss only spoke three words, "I'm not impressed". It left quite an impression on me though; since that day I've never forgotten to install a new oil filter.

Well, now I'm the boss; the days of making stupid mistakes are long gone. My skills have been honed and it's all second nature to me now. I remember that day and chuckle as the first gallon of fresh oil goes into my truck. I'm glad that doesn't hap...hey...wha...awwww! Stupid drain plug!

...i'm not impressed.

~Steve

2nd Annual BBC Fishboil

Fishboil 07 took place at our shop this year and was a great success! There was a good turnout, both attendance-wise and recipe-wise.

This is an idea we totally stole from Faith Baptist in Plymouth. In fact, we even borrowed their pot to accomplish it. We enjoyed it so much when we were living there that we introduced it to our church family here, in Beaver Dam. Most everyone enjoys the fellowship in one way or another...just visiting, playing soccer, and of course BIG FIRE! Howard Spaulding was our honorary kerosene tosser...I held the lid on the pot while he added the fuel for the super-boil.

After eating, we all gathered around the fire to sing favorite hymns, share testimonies and pray. I think that was my favorite time of the whole day. Bonnie Ostrander took some good pictures of the activity; they can be seen at Bible Baptist's Photo Gallery. We're looking forward to next year. Now, what's the best way to clean up a heavily sooted pot?

It's been a while...

I've neglected to post in a while due to the busy-ness of recent days. That's going to happen from time-to-time, or perhaps - often. Well, here's some highlights from the "silent period".

A few weeks ago, we had a week of meetings with Evangelist John R. VanGelderen at our church. What a blessing to see the wind of the Spirit of God sweep through our church family. Many, many people experienced spiritual revival (life again)...myself included. Eyes were opened to truly understand that besetting sins are not unavoidable in this life; that the death of our "old man" is a Scriptural fact, no matter how we feel; that the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit is accessible by faith; that when God's people are revived, souls are harvested; that the fields are "ready" for harvest - we can expect to do more than plant and water. Souls were saved, relationships were made right; restitution was sought and the Gospel was shared. And now, we are learning about lasting revival in our Sunday School class - daily dying to self and surrender to the Holy Spirit's power by faith. Pray that revival remains ongoing here and continues to spread! There's only one problem with the great revivals of history - the end date.

Last night, I was privileged to attend the homegoing service of a great servant of God - Grant G. Rice. An ordinary man in and of himself; tool & die man, salesman of insurance, real estate and business equipment, navy veteran. An extraordinary man due to his surrender to the truth of God's Word and the working of the Holy Spirit's power in and through his life. Grant left the business world and became a full-time Church Planter for over the past 50 years. Many fundamental baptist churches in Wisconsin and other states owe a debt of gratitude to his faithful service. I believe two of the churches that I have personally belonged to were started by Grant through home Bible studies including my current church, Bible Baptist in Beaver Dam. It makes me think how selfish and feeble the excuse is, "I'm only one person, what can I do?", that is used time and time again. Grant was one ordinary man who understood that it wasn't about him or his ability. It 's about the Heavenly Father's will, the Son's redeeming grace and the Holy Spirit's indwelling power. A lump of clay yielding to the Potter's shaping and use. May I and others seek to fill the big shoes Grant Rice has walked in.

~Steve