On Location: Gettysburg

Just one of many (easily hundreds) monuments, though arguably the largest. Erected by the State of Pennsylvania in honor of its citizens involved in the battle.


From atop the monument: the battlefield under a blanket of early morning mist. I definitely recommend early morning- cool, serene, not busy. The enormous visitor center wasn't open as early as we went, but I'm sure it has much to offer as well.


The Gettysburg Address.

The focus of Pickett's Charge. The stone wall is original and a major focus of the battle, as was this copse of trees.

From atop Little Round Top, the scene of Chamberlain's defense and much sharpshooting.

One of the better historical sites I've been to. I enjoyed it despite the tragedy it represents and the many questions it brings up.

On Location: Other Philadelphia Historical Sites

Tenth Presbyterian Church:

Philadelphia City Hall:
Old City Hall- the first Supreme Court


Christ Church- built 1695, place of worship and resting place of historical figures:


Elfreth's Alley- the oldest intact residential street in the USA. And I'm pretty sure people live there.
Don't remember, but classic Philly old look.
First War Office (right) and house of First Continental Congress (middle)

On Location: Liberty Bell and Independence Hall

The Liberty Bell
Kendrick will appreciate it someday, if not today.
While a monsoon carried on out of doors, we saw as much inside as we could. Thankfully it didn't last all day.
I always thought it was a little bigger, but it was still nifty. There was a great display retracing its role as the symbol of American freedom.


Independence Hall:



The signing room.


The spot on the tour where you can escape upstairs, get out on the roof, and find clues to Masonic secrets.

On Location: Biblical Counseling Training Conference- Lafayette, IN

Where to begin? This Biblical Counseling conference goes as far as training for formal Biblical counseling, as advertised. Up to that point, however, its proven profitable for my own personal sanctification and habits of self-counsel. I originally didn't have a great interest in formal counseling, but the impact in my own life has excited me to the possibilities of counseling opportunities.

Also of note: the amazing pool of teachers from a significantly wide (for a Baptist church) theological base. The topic of Biblical Counseling allows many a great communicator to come together a share great wisdom and experience.

Now don't hear me saying that I think this type of training is essential to sanctification or that this type of training is only available at this conference. I am just saying that this conference has been so profitable for and instrumental in my personal sanctification that I can only assume it could be for anyone else.

On Location: Faith Baptist Church- Lafayette, IN

It's hard not to be envious when visiting this church. It's quite amazing to see the way God is working in the local body there, and working through them to impact the community.

Some Highlights:

• Counseling Ministry with specified facilities
• A Christian School
• Vision of Hope- a rescue facility for at-risk women (anorexic, drug addicted, unwed mothers)
• An amazing Community Center- a YMCA on steroids
  

It's also cool, though to recognize that God can work through a church like mine, a 30+ member church, in different but equally powerful ways.

On Location: The Creation Museum

By Answers in Genesis

Petersburg, KY

Where to begin? There were so many things for which applause is due. Nothing was done half-way. Nothing was cheap, cheesy or, regrettable. That said, allow me to specify:

• The grounds are spectacular. Not extensive, but enjoyable outdoor landscaping adorns the approach to the building. After paying for admission (waiting in line for 15min- suprising, since they've been open for a year), we went straight outside so we could enjoy it before it got hot. Waterfalls, lush vegetation, bridges and walkways, even a petting zoo (which we did not view, having just visited a zoo).



• The museum is centered around the 7 C's Walkthrough. This exhibit takes up half of the museum and takes at least 2 hrs (booking it). The "7 C's" is the AIG timeline history: Creation, Corruption, Catastrophe, Confusion, Christ, Cross, Consumation. Obviously, the first four are found in Genesis and make up the bulk of the exhibit. Spectacular detail, an abundance of information, and a solid foundation on God's Word overwhelms one with the truth of Genesis and its implications for our world today. Even though #5 Christ and #6 Cross aren't specifically in Genesis, they are the emphasis of the whole exhibit through the presentation "The Last Adam".



• Of the other supplementary exhibits, the planetarium deserves primary note. The program we viewed focuse on astronomy, shockingly enough. It explored the size of the (known) universe and made me feel small and insignificant, like David in Psalm 8. It was amazingly created and very interesting.



• Other features included the unignorable dinosaur statues that adorned the foyer and exhibits. I did want to explore further some of the specifics of what they believe about Dinos, but that shall be dealt with in a future post. There were also many exquisite fossils strewn throughout the museum. The special effects theater was an entertaining hiatus from the deep information dripping from the rest of the walls.



• We had the pleasure of an on the spot lecture by Dr. David Menton, discussing comparative anatomy between "Lucy" and primates. Very cool to hear and to be able to mingle w/ the staff.



• We saw Ken Ham.