Something To Chew On

“Don’t put so much food in your mouth all at once and wait until you chew and swallow what’s already there before you take another bite!” That compound sentence is taken from the files of, “Things My Parents Had To Tell Me Too Many Times.” The urgency of the moment did not allow for a thorough account of the rationale behind it. The basic idea was, “Do what you are told and you will eventually understand… hopefully… maybe… someday… if we let you live.” Agreement, understanding, and wisdom may have been in short supply but past experience had instilled a sufficient measure of fear and a more exhaustive level of mastication immediately commenced.

Having finished reading Jeremiah yesterday, this morning’s devotion time included beginning Lamentations. Normally this would include several chapters, perhaps twenty minutes to half an hour or more. But this morning ended up just being that first chapter. Even before finishing the second verse, it was clear that it was too much, too fast. The need to more fully chew on it and swallow before moving on was clear.

Jerusalem had fallen and, with it, the last hope for Judah. The writer portrays the emotions, the questions, the grief, the bewilderment, the inevitability, the feelings of betrayal, the loss, and the despair so vividly and within such a relative economy of words. Had they ignored what was coming? Was it the worst of all nightmares? Were they dumbfounded? Did they deserve it? Was God’s wrath more than they could bear? Was there enormous regret and grief? Were their spiritual weaknesses now exposed and undeniable? Were they overwhelmed with shame and embarrassment? Did they plead for help?

Yes. To all those questions, the answer is a shivering, “Yes”.

There was no way to read those twenty-two verses without recognizing the course our nation has been on for a very long time. It is as if one is looking into a future—being given a preview of coming attractions—to which we have been prepaying our admission. And it seems to be a future to which we have finally and fatally arrived.

Who will save us? The answer God gave Solomon remains true today. "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV)

Since God always keeps his promises (Numbers 23:19; Psalm 103:17) and in light of 2 Chronicles 7:14, why is our nation not being healed? Where do we point the finger of blame?

Three Women and the Unborn

One year ago, an article in the NY Times (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/08/upshot/politicians-draw-clear-lines-on-abortion-their-parties-are-not-so-unified.html) showed that members of the two main political parties often hold differing views from their party platform regarding abortion. The article and others infer that the leading candidates usually line up with whatever view they believe will garner the most votes. I have to admit that I agree: Political candidates cater to the people and the more widespread the office, the more they cater in their desire to win votes.

Regarding abortion, I had held what I considered to be a rather strong, yet sympathetic, view: Abortion is wrong… but what about victims of rape, etc.? My view changed many years ago and it was not because of someone's preaching, a well written article, a powerful speech, or graphic images spread across the internet or television screen. Three people had the greatest impact on adjusting my view: My wife, my mom, and my grandmother (and grandfather).

All three of these women stand/stood 100% against abortions—ALL abortions. My dear wife is resolute because, as she will quickly and with unabating firmness point out: Abortion is, first and foremost, about the baby. Whatever the reasons of the mother (and there are some heartbreaking, horrific, and ungodly circumstances), the baby deserves to live.

My dear mother has made the same point. Growing up, she always taught us that "two wrongs don't make a right." That extended to the wrongs done to women, which can be of the most vile and unthinkable nature. They are not made right by committing further atrocities, in this case, taking the life of another human being, i.e. an unborn (or, nowadays, even a new-born) baby. I pray Mom will be able to continue sharing that conviction and love for all lives as long as the Lord allows her to live on this Earth. She is 91 years old as of this writing.

Then there is my Grandma Gantenbein. Her example speaks for itself. She was not a large woman. At least, she was not large physically. She also had her share of health problems. When Grandma and Grandpa had their first child, Aunt Dorothy, all went fairly well. But there were problems when Uncle Al was born and the doctor told my grandparents that they should not have any more children. When they found out Grandma was pregnant again, that doctor told them that they need to terminate the pregnancy because it could do great harm to Grandma and the baby, with death being a very real possibility. Grandma's response (echoed by Grandpa Gantenbein) was that they were going to leave that in God's hands and trust Him. Aunt Betty survived the birth as did Grandma. But, the doctor said, "No more children!" He told them it was a matter of life or death. When they refused to have an abortion in 1923, Uncle Don was born but the doctor was adamant about the loss of both the baby and Grandma if they had another. In 1924 the doctor did his best to talk them into terminating the fifth pregnancy. As before, my grandmother bore witness to God's sovereignty and affirmed that if she died, so be it, but that baby's life was sacred and she was going to do everything possible to allow it the opportunity to live. Whew! James Calvin, aka Dad, made it. To the extent it affected Grandma's longevity… maybe without the 3rd, 4th, and 5th child, she would have lived to be a miserable and self-centered old woman. Instead she passed away, full of joy and always proclaiming the love of God, at the tender age of 89, a little more than two months after her 13th grandchild and Cathy Lynn Van Scyoc were married. Her home church pastor, her fifth child, and her son in law officiated her service.

I am so glad for the examples and unwavering conviction of these three saints. I am here today, with a refined view of the issue, because of them.

Summer of 1965 – Myself, Grandma Gantenbein, Dad (James Calvin Gantenbein)

Now, the Southern Baptist Convention has before it a resolution to condemn all abortion. Clearly it would not be necessary if they had wives, mothers, and grandmothers like mine. I would remind others of what they reminded me: 1. It is about the innocent baby; 2. Two wrongs do not make a right; 3. You would not be here today if someone had not trusted God and stood up for what was right in His eyes.

Following is a link to a web site where you can read the SBC resolution and, if you choose, take your stand to protect the lives of the unborn and the conscience of those mothers who might otherwise choose to commit this sin for which you cannot not put the toothpaste back in the tube.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScgVHlX3klYqQthBEJ-6YGgANtFuNaLjYXiQ6loUzaHOLu8OA/viewform?fbzx=6859269257849298698&fbclid=IwAR0fXrOx_Rp8zPKxGA_RgTawrB_-p3olfow5kRkv9ZUN05NGQusMpOEwRB0

Has It Been Two Years?

Dear Family and Friends,

It has been just over two years since our last annual Christmas letter. I know. You are thinking, “FINALLY! I’ve been waiting for this since early January 2018!”

But, before we delve into all that has happened in our family since that time, please, share what has been going on with you. Go ahead…

Wow, that is a lot better than what I was going to share so I’ll just end this letter here.

Okay, okay. Stop begging. I will share.

First, the kids—

Aaron, Denise, Sélah (4+ years), and Emma (2+ years) purchased a house here in Port Orchard and have turned it into a warm home. They have a new addition, too. His name is Brodie. We look forward to the day when this energetic puppy is grown and his nails and teeth do not so easily scratch and draw blood. 

Shane and Alison also bought a house where they live in Eureka CA. They have plenty of room to stretch out, let the dogs roam, raise chickens (again), and pick apples. They love going mushroom hunting, fishing, and crabbing. They gained a new addition in November, as well. Her name is Cecilia Lynn and our newest granddaughter is SO CUTE (even if she looks like her daddy’s side of the family)! 

David, Jordan, and Levi (2+ years) were not going to be left out on this thing of expanding families. As a matter of fact, they added to their family back in July. Maelie Jo is also SO ADORABLE! Big brother, Levi, can already say his full name, although a “D” sound is easier to say than all those other consonants so, for the time being, it may sound more like, “Eevi Dames Dandendine.” No matter. He still gets an A+ from everyone.

The thirteen of us (excluding non humans)—

It is such a joy when your offspring and their families come to visit (usually one family at a time) and we had several of these blessed events over the past two years.

We were also blessed to have everyone here for this past Christmas. A classic example of how formal we are during these gatherings was when we posed for pictures. Well, perhaps “posed” is not the most accurate word for what went on. Despite taking over 180 pictures—individual families, grandparents with grandkids, and the group photo—the best picture was… let’s just say “natural” or “casual”… or chaotic. Yes, that is more accurate. But we had a wonderful time figuring out and demonstrating how four established families (and their “way of doing things”) can get along with patience, grace, and, most of all, love.

The two of us—

We both stay very busy as part of Kitsap Lake Baptist Church. This March we will celebrate fourteen years with this wonderful congregation. This past summer, Cathy joined me for the annual Kids Camp. She was helping with all the food preparation (and clean up) while I served as Camp Pastor. I hope she will continue to join me doing this each year but it is up to her. She continues to serve as the lead teacher for our Children’s Sunday School.

Cathy and I had one of those “experience of a lifetime” things when we went through the Panama Canal as part of a big vacation in Spring 2018. A few days before going through the canal, Cathy let me take her parasailing and she loved it! We would (and, hopefully, will) do it again without hesitation, given the opportunity. A big bonus was learning how to make  salsa, guacamole, and chili rellenos with poblano peppers from a chef in Mexico!

2019 was been a year of joy and sadness. On March 3, my dear mother in law, Dorothy Van Scyoc, entered into the presence of Jesus at the age of 93. We know that she is forever full of joy but we are saddened that we will be without her for the remainder of our time on earth. Cathy’s parents were very dear, generous, loving, and godly people. Their four children are proof. This was also the reason we made three trips to Oklahoma in eleven months, with the last trip culminating in driving a rental truck back to Washington State, carrying precious memories that are now part of our home.

I did say that 2019 included joy. The greatest of these were the births of Maelie Joann on July 11 (a real 7-11 baby) and Cecilia Lynn on November 2 (late, just like her momma). Added to that, we took a 7-night cruise to Alaska with our dear friends, Danny and Cathy Herron. We rode a real live steam train out of Skagway all the way into Canada on the same tracks travelled by the gold miners. The train passed within inches of the rock faces created by dynamite. The other side dropped off hundreds of feet to the river below. It was just like being at Disneyland!

This past Summer and Fall, we were also able to get some work done on our house, adding a cover to the patio, replacing the worn carpet, and making some other helpful improvements. I reckon we won’t be moving anytime soon. 

Finally (yes, there is an end to this novella), the big, big, big news: After 33 years of working for The City of Tacoma, Cathy retired on July 1. To celebrate, I took my wife on a wonderful nine-night mystery trip that included Branson MO, Disneyland, and her very first non-tourist train ride (Amtrak in a sleeper car). I am so grateful for all the years she spent helping to support our family as well as carrying the major burden of maintaining our household. Now, she gets to do whatever she wants! (I hope it includes taking me on vacations.) Oh, I almost forgot: The City of Tacoma dedicated the training room to Cathy and named it after her!

That’s it.

Happy and Merry all-those-special-days-and-holidays-during-the-year!

Our love to you!

Jim and Cathy

The Un-commercial

In our long search for something to help us keep our weight down, Cathy and I became interested in a company others were using to help with their health. The company is Plexus. We asked questions, learned what we could, decided to become “Ambassadors”, and started using Plexus products.

That was a little over three years ago. Before we began, I was…

• exercising regularly (walking 5K most days).
• eating healthy (at least 4 cups of low/no sugar or carb veggies nearly every day) and limiting desserts to once a week (twice at the most except during holidays).
• still slowly gaining weight.
• struggling to keep my bad cholesterol down and good cholesterol up. (Every check up with our doctor of over 30 years contained the following: “Your good cholesterol is too low and your bad cholesterol is too high. You could stand to lose some weight.” I thought it was a recording he made back in medical school and lip synced it just for my entertainment.)

Back in April of this year, while we were on a wonderful vacation, I was exercising every day (stationary recumbent bike for 20 minutes, light workout with weight machines, and walking 5K) when my left knee started becoming sore. I immediately stopped exercising. It has been getting worse ever since.

This morning, I went for my 6 month visit with our doctor.

• My weight was not a concern.
• The bad cholesterol was lower than ever.
• My good cholesterol was higher than ever.
• Every part of my blood work was very good.
• I told him I hadn’t exercised in 4 months because my knee hurt.
• He sent me for x-rays. (I should find out something tomorrow.)

In all honesty, Cathy does the work (the Plexus business). I have personally experienced the results in my own life. Besides the cholesterol and weight issues, I no longer have bronchitis and sinusitis at least twice a year and I have stopped needing to take Mucinex-D twice a day.

If you would like to know how Plexus can help you, please contact Cathy. She is genuinely interested in helping you and is becoming quite a fountain of information.

As a pastor, I have tried to avoid anything that might be seen as a possible conflict of interest. I will continue to do so. I will not use my position to promote a business and my position is a 24/7 responsibility. That is why I refer you to my wife for information on how Plexus might be able to help you. For issues of a greater and more permanent nature, i.e. eternity, God, your purpose in life, etc., I would be happy to talk with you or refer you to someone who lives close to you.

I'm Not Crazy!

(No, unlike Sheldon, my mother did not have me tested.)

For as long as I can remember, certain sounds have triggered very intense stress and tension in me. The primary sounds that inexplicably irritate me come from other people eating and drinking, specifically crunching or chomping, smacking, gulping (swallowing air along with liquids), and, to a lesser extent, slurping or loud sipping. Sounds pretty childish, doesn’t it? It is also potentially harmful to relationships, especially when the sounds are coming from people you love more than your own life.

During my adult years, I came to understand that the problem was not with others. Oh sure, I thought people could eat and drink less like pigs at the trough, but it was obvious to me that I had a problem because no one else seemed to be ready to go into an uncontrollable rage over such ordinary, seemingly innocuous, and apparently unavoidable sounds. As a boy, I disciplined my self to learn how to drink without swallowing air, thus eliminating the gulping sound. I felt others were just lazy and inconsiderate because they wouldn’t do the same. As an adult, I realized that this was rather obsessive by everyone else’s standards.

So, I just tried to cope with those sounds as well as I could. For instance, music or the television is always on when it’s meal time or when we are having snacks. Restaurants are usually safe because of all the ambient noise which drowns out the sounds that set me off. But none of the coping mechanisms countered my self-deprecation.

Then, on February 7, 2018, one of my dear former youth posted a link on Facebook to an article. That article caused me to search for other articles because they were talking about me. And I’m not alone! I’m not crazy! There’s even a name for it: Misophonia. I suffer from Misophonia. It wasn’t even identified until 2000 or 2001. It's not even included as a word at dictionary.com. It has also been identified as “selective sound sensitivity syndrome.”

An article in nytimes.com (https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/03/health/sounds-people-hate.html) states, “In a report on the latest study published Thursday in the journal Current Biology, the neuroscientists say that brain scans of misophonia sufferers show that particular sounds, like eating and drinking, cause the part of their brain that processes emotions, the anterior insular cortex, to go into overdrive.” The study of it seems to be fairly new and there is a lot to be learned. For instance, I can’t recall anything remarkably negative about my wonderful childhood (loving parents, siblings, grandparents, etc.) but the nytimes.com article quotes Dr. Sukhbinder Kumar who states, “We think that misophonia may be heavily connected to recalling past memories, because people with misophonia have had very bad experiences.” Hmm. I think more research is needed. Or maybe I have still not adequately dealt with having my birthday overlooked on the day we were moving into a new house. (That would be very childish on my part.) Or my siblings, cousins, etc. owe me an apology. I like that one: Blame my siblings and cousins!

2017-2018 Family Letter (aka Annual Christmas Letter)

Jim & Cathy

We Are Grandparents

and Other Less Important Information

The Very Short Version

• We adore our THREE precious, wonderful, incredible, beautiful, heart stealing grandchildren!
• All three kids and kids-in-love are in their 30s and busy.
• We are still living in Port Orchard and serving at Kitsap Lake Baptist Church in Bremerton.
• Our folks are pretty old now and we’re catching up with them!
• We love vacations and think they are too few and far between.
• We continue our gardening among raised beds and dwarf fruit trees.
• We now have our Medicare cards (so speak up).
• We will be offline April 5-22 but don’t worry. We will be just fine! 

__________________________________________________________

The Less Short Version

They have stolen our hearts!

Selah Grace Marie turned two on October 27. Emma Lynn Marie was born on June 17. Both girls belong to Aaron and Denise.
Levi James was born on August 8. He belongs to David and Jordan.

On being grandparents…

WOW! WOW! WOW! If we had known how great it was going to be, we may have started with the grandkids. It was tempting to just post family pictures in this letter, starring Selah, Emma, and Levi like this one with my parents. It was taken the day after Christmas. For those who wonder: Dad and Mom are doing pretty good for being 92 and 88. Here they are with our three treasures.

They are real adults! 

Adolescence begins at puberty and ends when a person fully assumes adult responsibilities. We have been the proud parents of real adults for some time now and are thankful for phones, etc.

The run down…

Aaron, Denise, Selah Grace Marie, and Emma Lynn Marie (grandchildren get to have their full names listed) Gantenbein live  just 15 minutes away. Aaron works at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton and Denise has recently become a stay-at-home mom, taking care of Selah and Emma.

Shane and Alison Calhoun have embraced the coast of Northern California after moving from Phelan, California earlier in the year. Now, they are just a quick 10 hour drive from us (8 hours closer). Shane is on faculty at Humboldt State University in Arcata and Alison works with special needs students.

David, Jordan, and Levi James Gantenbein live in “warm” Phoenix AZ, just a short 23 hour drive from us (plus stops). Flying is so much quicker. Either way, Phoenix is HOT! David works with Students (Youth) at Foothills Baptist Church. Jordan works, too, but lives to come home to Levi (and David).

A family Christmas…

Although the kids didn’t come “home” for Christmas this year, they did something even better. Everyone travelled to Eugene, Oregon on Christmas Day where we were able to stay together, play together, pray together, and get together with most of Jim’s sisters’ clan (Nancy). The trip provided several special opportunities for my folks to spend time with their youngest great grandchildren. (BTW, in two more months, they will be great, great grandparents!)

For Gantenbein and Poppino relatives, here are most of us who gathered the day after Christmas.

We have other family, too. Our kids aren’t the only ones who married up. I set the example by marrying into the Van Scyoc household. Cathy was able to return to Enid in December for a visit with members of her family, especially Mom who resides in a Christian Senior Adult Living community and continues to live with worsening dementia. Nevertheless, my godly and caring 92 year old mother-in-law continues to have a sweet spirit and loves singing familiar hymns of praise. 

Moving Forward

“When will you retire?” With over 31 years working for the City of Tacoma, we are both looking forward to her retirement sometime before 2020. She’s already working at developing our new business as Plexus Ambassadors, helping people who want to improve their health!

Currently, I (Jim) do not have plans to retire. However, I am fully aware that the time will come when I will not be physically (and/or mentally) capable of serving as the Pastor of a congregation. Until God directs, I will continue trying to make and help develop disciples of Jesus.

Both of us are looking forward to a wonderful time of rest and relaxation as we sail away on the Disney Wonder with stops in the Bahamas, Caribbean, Panama Canal, Central America, and Mexico. 

Woah! I almost forgot the garden. Here is a quick photo from this very successful past season:

Now to close with the latest picture of our family…

We thank God for our family and friends. It is our hope and prayer that you experience the most wonderful year of your life by living it immersed in the love of our Savior Jesus Christ!

In His love,

Jim and Cathy

When God Isn't Enough

Christians, followers of Christ, believers, children of God… We know who we are. We are born again, saved, redeemed, reconciled to God, forgiven, predestined for Heaven, and the recipients of eternal life. Not only that, we have “Heaven on Earth” as the Holy Spirit lives within us. He is all we need. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!”

We are very capable of telling others how much our relationship with God means to us and that He is our “very present help in times of trouble.” They may be slaves of the world but our treasures are in Heaven. Their hope is in material gain or power but our hope is in Him who carries us through every trial and tribulation.

Until God isn’t enough.

And that seems to be the case more and more. I have a lot of friends (hundreds on Facebook alone) and many, if not most, are card carrying Christians. Yet, in increasing quantities, the testimony I read in posts is this: When life gets you down, when the stress of the work day has piled high, when you need to unload and catch a moment of peace… (this is where the title comes into play) …you don’t go to God in prayer or sit in a quiet place reading His Word. No, in times like this, God clearly isn’t enough, or at least He isn’t preferred. So don’t bend your knees, just bend your elbow. Don’t find a encouraging word in the Bible, just follow an enticing recipe that uses enough alcohol. Hallelujah?

I know the Bible says don't get drunk but it doesn't prohibit drinking a little wine. I know Jesus performed His first public miracle by turning water into wine. But nowhere does it even slightly suggest that we should use alcohol or any other substance to relieve our stress, calm our fears, forget our worries, or anything else He wants to in us.

But perhaps that’s just me. You're sure Jesus understands and is perfectly okay with it, right? So, I’ll let Him have the last word.

"So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." (Revelation 3:16)