Idaho’s need for water

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Todd Wood

I read this week in the local newspaper that “Idaho is listed as leading the nation, with residents using 168 gallons of water per person per day (the national average is 88 gallons per day).”

We are thankful for water in Idaho.

And we are also thankful for spiritual water. I read today in The NKJV Daily Bible:

Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.  I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statues, and you will keep My judgments and do them (Ezekiel 36:25-27).

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The Letters of John

Posted on November 19, 2014 by Todd Wood

The Letters of John (Revised Edition)

Publisher – Inter-Varsity Press: Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1988

Author – John R. W. Stott

I have benefited by any commentary written by Stott. He is reverent to the text. He is scholarly. He is fair in identifying the various historical interpretations on biblical phrases that are pregnant with meaning. And most importantly, he writes with a pastor’s heart.

There are dozens of simple statements in this commentary that will linger with me for a very long time. Stott does a beautiful job in clarifying difficulties, summarizing paragraphs, and bringing out application for our souls. Stott has a way of making the Bible book that you are studying become your favorite. Therefore, the book of I John has become the number one book in bringing deep assurance to me personally.

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Soldier’s Heart

Posted on November 19, 2014 by Todd Wood

Soldier’s Heart – Being the Story of the Enlistment and Due Service of the Boy Charley Goddard in the First Minnesota Volunteers. (Idaho Falls Public Library Call # is YA FIC Paulsen, G)

Publisher – Delacorte Press: New York, New York, 1998.

Author – Gary Paulsen

I read this Civil War story to my youngest son, 13-years-old, who is in seventh grade.  This book is about a fifteen-year-old, so eager to join up with the militia and experience adventure. But he is soon engulfed in a horrific struggle which leaves scars upon him for life.

The author opens the book with glamour and parades, but then he strips away the attractive facades to describe in vivid detail the dreariness, fear, and ruthless realities of war. From Bull Run to Gettysburg, we follow Charley hacking his way through Confederate rebels. There is only one lonely night of reprieve where he is exchanging tobacco and coffee across the river with the enemy.

Charley makes it through the war, but the book ends abruptly. Hauntingly.

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Established by grace

Posted on November 19, 2014 by Todd Wood

Taken from today’s reading in The NKJV Daily Bible:

“For it is good that the heart be established by grace . . .” (Hebrews 13:9b)

You have all probably heard this acronym before, but I repeat it again.

Grace is . . .

God’s

Riches

At

Christ’s

Expense

Grace is undeserved. Grace is glorious.  And when you are established and rooted in this grace, it will completely change how you relate to others around you.

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Visions of God

Posted on November 12, 2014 by Todd Wood

I have been reading the book of Ezekiel in my daily Bible reading.  Amazing things happened by the river.

Ezekiel writes,

I was among the captives by the River Chebar, that the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. (Ezekiel 1:1)

Wow.  I am in awe of what follows in the reading.

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Copper Rill

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Todd Wood

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The staff ladies at this place serve you with enthusiastic smiles.  The Copper Rill is located in the brick Eagle Rock Station on the west bank of the Snake River.

I ate lunch here with my mother.

We ate sumptuously: steak marsala soup, shrimp and chicken pasta covered in lobster sauce, and New York cheesecake dripped in caramel.

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And I washed it all down with one of those berry combination Italian sodas.

Thank you, Copper Rill, for the pleasant lunch table and food by the window.

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Hank the Cowdog: Faded Love

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Todd Wood

Hank the Cowdog:  Faded Love

Publisher – Puffin Books: New York, New York, 1986

Author – John R. Erickson

After reading Erickson’s book, Story Craft, I decided to pick up a “Hank the Cowdog” book from the Idaho Falls Public Library.  The first four were already checked out in the series, so I picked up #5, Faded Love.

With the best of my funny accents, I read this book at night to my 7th grade boy.  We laughed.  Who determines the age when one is too old to read about Hank, the head of ranch security?

In the book, Hank is a disillusioned by his home responsibilities, so like a prodigal he goes off in search of freedom, adventure, and romance.  It doesn’t all turn out like he expected.

The life of a prodigal is akin to a coyote who sings this song:

Me just a worthless coyote, me howling at the moon,

Me like to sing and hollor, me crazy as a loon.

Me not want job or duties, no church or Sunday School,

Me just a worthless coyote and me ain’t nobody’s fool!

John Erickson teaches character with ample doses of humor.

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Reformation Day

Posted on October 29, 2014 by Todd Wood
This Friday, October 31, is Reformation Day.  In a bold move, 497 years ago, Martin Luther presented his 95 thesis of protest to the Catholic (universal) Church.  It sparked a roaring fire of reformation in western civilization.  Part of our Christian heritage is the story of how Martin Luther discovered the precious truths of Christ and His gospel within the Bible.
Luther once wrote,
When I was twenty years old, I had not yet seen a Bible.  I thought that there were no Gospels and Epistles except those that were written in the Sunday postils.  Finally, I found a Bible in the library, and forthwith I took it with me into the monastery.  I began to read, to reread, and to read it over again, to the great astonishment of Dr. Staupitz.
The message of the Bible radically changed the monk, and it became his passion to get the Bible out to the German people.
So on this Wednesday morning in Idaho Falls, I have such joy and thanksgiving to wake up and go get my Bible.  If this city had only one Bible in its possession, perhaps chained to some central location down by the Snake River greenbelt in order to provide accessibility to all, I would try to be there everyday.  It’s the hunger of a Berean.  You can’t keep us from the Bible.  Everything revolves around hearing God’s Word.  Our King speaks to us through the Bible.
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Keefer’s Island Restaurant & Catering

Posted on October 24, 2014 by Todd Wood

Keefer’s is located within the Shilo Inn on the west bank of the Snake River in Idaho Falls. New name.  New management.  New opportunities.

My family dropped in on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.  We practically had the whole place to ourselves.  And since some of the workers were doing some remodeling (painting) on the inside, we chose to dine on the grass outside.

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Our waitress could not have been more accommodating to our wishes.  Upon her suggestion, I ordered the special of the day.  A French dip.  And let me say . . . it was loaded with meat.

Why the new name for this place?  When you look out on the river, you see Keefer’s Island.  Back in the ol’ pioneering days, Mr. Keefer built a little cabin on the island.  And before he died, he deeded this island to the city.

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At Keefer’s, you get good food, nice viewing of the Canadian geese, and open access to the Greenbelt.

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I think your family would enjoy this dining/aqua/water-fowl experience.

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Smitty’s Pancake and Steak House

Posted on October 24, 2014 by Todd Wood

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The Smitty’s Pancake and Steak House has been a favorite in Idaho Falls for many, many, many years.  My parents took me here when I was a little kid.

When you step inside, the first thing that you might notice is the Werner Gisin oil paintings.  These are invaluable icons in our city.  The famous Swiss artist use to live on Bellin road.

In the restaurant, here are some of my favorites:

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I would encourage you to drop in at Smitty’s.  Order an omelette or a steak.  They are delicious.  And meditate on how you might grow your roots by the river.

Ask for Bethany.  She is in high school.  And she is a great hostess.

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