SOG Seal Pup Elite

Shortly after providing a new design to Arkansas blacksmith James Black, Jim Bowie didn't waste any time using the now famous "Bowie Knife." Upon returning to Texas, Bowie was attacked by three would be assasins who quickly learned of the dangers of messing with the legendary figure. Legend has it that one man was nearly decapitated and the other two suffered similarly gruesome fates.

We always had dozens of guns and more than a few knives around our house growing up - but I was always more attracted to the knives. Whether it is the image of Osceola plunging a dagger into the treaty with the United States, or Rambo inflicting his carnage in the forests of the Northwest back country, there is a raw, primitive satisfaction that comes from holding a really good knife.

For decades, as I traveled around the world I would bring a knife, sword or machete back to my son. I remember the time I brought a particularly large machete with handmade sheath from Central America. His eyes lit up as the boy held up the weapon half the size of his body.

All of these thoughts caused me to ask the question, "If I could only have one knife, what would it be?" That journey began with hours of research online and finally narrowing my search down to a few really good options. What I settled on was the SOG Seal Pup Elite.

The product is a fixed blade knife that was originally designed for Navy Seals. When I first saw the knife I wasn't overly impressed by its appearance. It didn't have a flashy handle, but the more I tested it, the more impressed I became. The nylon handle is durable, is great for gripping and weather resistant. The blade is 4.85 inches long and .185 inches wide and is partially serated on the top and bottom.

The blade is the strongest, most durable and well designed of any knife I have ever held. In independent tests it held up to being stuck in a tree, twisted back and forth and the blade used in axe-like fashion without any signs of dulling.

The SOG Seal Pup Elite performs beyond expectations. The knife is listed at retail for $120.00, but can be purchased on Amazon or through discounters for about $70.00.

So, if you could own only one knife - what would it be?

Make-up Church

I realize that this particular blog is going to irritate and alienate some people, but I also believe it raises important questions. I was having lunch with a friend and we were discussing Bible study and it's effects on Sunday evening worship. In our discussion he made a couple of points that I believe need to be considered:

First, there was a reference to "make-up church." Sunday night services have many purposes, but one of the primary purposes upon its introduction was to have a 2nd service to accomodate those who had to work - make-up church for those who were "providentially hindered" on Sunday morning. After hearing that term 1,000 times I am still not sure what providentially hindered means. We make special accomodations for the Lord's supper (typically seperating those people out from the rest of the worshippers), and we all know there is an attrition factor on Sunday night.

Second, my friend made mention of the fact that not only do we schedule a time for this make-up service for those who missed Sunday morning, but we also make it mandatory for all to attend. Now before you mark me as a heretic, or change agent, let me make some important observations.

1. The eldership has every right to make decisions that they believe are in the best interest of the spiritual well being of the flock. When they make those decisions, we need to honor them. Whether that is one service, two or three.
2. I am not opposed to Sunday night services. I have been attending all my life. If that is what the eldership designates as the most effective way to feed the flock, then I respect their decision and honor it with my attendance.

Now let me take the other side for just a minute. I have worshipped in places where the saints only meet once on the Lord's day. In most cases there is more time devoted to Bible class and worship, but because it was a mission field, or people traveled long distances - it was the right and appropriate thing to do. No one has ever suggested they were in error for not having a Sunday night service. If we can support the idea of one service on the Lord's day in other places, is it possible (without putting everyone in a tizzy) to suggest that there are options to how we expedite our worship period?

Let me share a few thoughts for discussion:

1. Why can't we function like a mission field? Sometimes as we grow we forget that when we started we operated like a mission point. We still are a mission point, we haven't begun to accomplish all we can accomplish.
2. Could our Sunday morning worship and study periods be extended. Rather than 1 hour for worship, could we schedule an hour and a half for worship?
3. Could we worship together, break for 30 minutes of fellowship and then move to our Bible classes?
4. Could we focus our time, attention and energy on the worship service, Lord's supper and praise to God for an extended time on Sunday morning (or evening) and have just one service on the Lord's day - without rushing through the songs, sermon or Bible study periods?

I find it far more offensive to rush through our worship time, constantly keep watch on the clock, or rebuke the minister because he preached 10 minutes to long. I thought our intent was to honor God and the sacrifice of His son on this special day. I would much prefer to spend 3 hours together in worship, fellowship and praise; give proper attention to God and His son; and allow our Bible school teachers time to fully develop their topics in class rather than struggle to "beat the clock" and get to Buffalo Wild Wings on time.

I hope that you will take the timeto share your thoughts (pro and con) on this current post.