The Tenth Commandment

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor’s. (Exodus 20:17, King James Version)

Sometimes the ninth and tenth commandments are combined, or sometimes people just don’t see the difference between the two. Here it is: the previous one deals with coveting another person’s things, while this one covers the living people and animals that other people have.

Luther’s Small Catechism describes this commandment this way: We are to fear and love God, so that we do not entice, force, or steal away from our neighbors their spouses, household workers, or livestock, but instead urge them to stay and fulfill their responsibilities to our neighbors.

Few of us have servants which we are worried about someone hiring away from us. And coveting our spouses seems to be covered in the sixth commandment. Some of us do own livestock or at least have chickens pecking around our yard providing us with eggs to eat.

In general, though, we live in different times. But, as with everything else written in the Bible, the words remain true for us today.

My mom once told a story about a beautiful, white, long-haired kitten she had as a young girl. Because it wasn’t suitable as a barn cat, Mom wanted it for a pet. She didn’t have it very long when some distant relative from the city came for a visit and saw the cat. He talked my grandpa into giving it to him. My mom says she hid the cat under the covers at the end of her bed, but they found it and took it away. Mom was understandably heartbroken. But on Grandpa’s behalf, it was the depression and there was no room in the budget for any animal on the farm which couldn’t pull its weight.   

I remember seeing a movie years ago with a similar plot-line and even an episode of the Waltons, involving a calf.

Working class families of previous generations, from Biblical times through the depression of the 1930s, had a hard time justifying having a pet around the house. They were more prone to fight to keep any human or animal labor and to covet their neighbors' workers and livestock. 

Today, we are blessed to have the easy life we do. And with that, many of us have pets that we love and would do anything for. And as long as we are taking proper care of our cats, dogs, and other household critters, no one should want to take them away from us.

Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others. (Philippians 2:4, New Century Version)

 Assignment time! If you know of someone who has a pet that they love, but that they are struggling to keep for whatever reason, lend a hand – offer to walk their dog if they can’t get out themselves or buy them some pet food. If you don’t know anyone in that situation, volunteer at your local humane society. Do it not only for the animals, but for the many people involved in their care. 

Start at the Beginning - Camping Post #2

   Sometimes I tend to jump around when I am chronicling one of our trips. This time, though, I’m going to make it easy on myself and start writing about our recent camping trip at the beginning, at Alpha.

Alpha, Michigan, is the third smallest incorporated village in the state of Michigan, with a population of 126. The Alpha post office was established on December 15, 1913, and the community was incorporated as a village in 1914. The first census on file for Alpha listed a population of 818 in 1920. It has steadily declined every year since.

Alpha sits in the lower half of Iron County in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. As the county’s name suggests, iron ore mining was what started the development of the area in the late 1880s.

The George F. Porter School was built in 1914. Two single-story wings were added to the school in 1920 and 1929.

I found information on the internet regarding the name of the school in two different places. I first ran across one reference stating that George F. Porter was one of the major shareholders at the time, but it didn’t say shareholder of what. Another source stated that Mr. George F. Porter of Chicago had made a donation of 1,000 books to the Alpha school Library, more than doubling the number of books it housed, but it didn’t say what year that was.

The school building has sadly deteriorated greatly since I was here last in 2018.

That same year, however, the Alpha Michigan Brewing Company was established in the former bus garage on the east end of Porter School. 

 

On the other end of the school is the Village Hall, which was also built in 1914. 

There’s also a post office.

And a community center. I couldn’t tell if it was really being used or not.

Also, of note, but not photographed, were a bakery on the edge of town and what is reported to be the oldest traffic circle in Michigan. Circling back to the Alpha Brewing Company. One of their mottos is that “All our brews are craft brewed on the Circle”. They also claim to be the smallest village in America with a brewery!

And, yes, when they were open later in the week, we returned to try a brew and make a purchase.

My DinoReno - Camping Post #1

Are y’all having a good summer? Or is it going by way too fast?

On Saturday, we got home from our yearly camping trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. That week went by in a flash, just like it always does. It doesn’t seem to make a difference being retired – every day is full.

But then there’s this guy. My sweet Dino the Wonder Dog. At 15 years old, he probably doesn’t have many more trips left in him. But he sure loves spending the week in the camper with us.

My phone sure takes lousy pictures, doesn’t it? But sometimes it’s all I had on me.

When we are packing up to go camping, I’m glad we no longer have kids that we have to pack for. Dino has enough stuff for a whole family. And no, the Country Crock is not a plastic butter-product; it’s where his nightly Milkbones are stored.

His best day.

Hanging out at a little park in Florence, Wisconsin, after Mom and Dad ate their ice cream and gave him a treat. I think that’s really why he likes bumming with us – I give him an unhealthy amount of treats. 

This place – well, there weren’t enough treats.

Pops and I took a boat ride on Lake Superior to see the Pictured Rocks. Their website said they had a complimentary kennel where you could leave your dog while you were on the boat. I called beforehand and the gal made it sound all safe and homey. When I got there, I had to do some serious praying to God to watch over my sweet baby. 

He really did fine, though. When I went back for him, the other dogs were barking, but my Dino was like – “I knew you’d come back for me.”

He’s still my champ.

 

The Ninth Commandment

           Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house. (Exodus 20:17, King James Version)

Last week, when writing about the eighth commandment, I mentioned that might be the one most often broken. And now we come to the ninth commandment, and I might have to say the same thing.

So, what is coveting and why is it so bad?

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5, New International Version)

According to Luther’s Small Catechism, coveting is a sinful desire for anything that belongs to someone else. It’s more than simply wanting your neighbor’s house, or car, or anything else that belongs to them. It can become an obsession.  

To which you might ask, what is wrong with that? As long as I don’t try to get someone else’s stuff, by stealing or trickery, what’s wrong with being envious of their new boat or vacation home?

Because it will never make you happy. And even if you got all the nice things, everything you wanted, you would still want more.        

So then, if we have food and clothes, that should be enough for us. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and are caught in the trap of many foolish and harmful desires, which pull them down to ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a source of all kinds of evil. Some have been so eager to have it that they have wandered away from the faith and have broken their hearts with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:8-10, Good News Translation)

I don’t know if you follow the Lottery, but the MegaMillions jackpot for next Tuesday’s drawing currently stands at $790 million. That’s $790,000,000! Which comes to somewhere around $235 million if you take the cash payout and after taxes. What would anyone ever possibly do with that much money? Why would anyone ever want that much money? Would it really make your life better or would it turn your life into a nightmare?

That’s your assignment this week – answer those questions. And then ask yourself if the apostle Paul’s verse below isn’t a better way to go.

And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Acts 20:35, New Living Translation

This would be the only decadent luxury I covet.

The Eighth Commandment

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. (Exodus 20:16, King James Version)

I’ve been using the old King James Version for this series of blog posts, because I think many of us learned the Ten Commandments using thou and thy. But sometimes I think this commandment falls through the cracks because we aren’t quite sure about how “bear false witness” applies to us.

Here are a few other translations:

Never lie when you testify about your neighbor. The Names of God Bible

Do not accuse anyone falsely. Good News Translation

You must not tell lies about other people. Easy-to-Read Version

The original interpretation of this commandment makes it look like we only have to worry about what we say about our neighbor in a court of law. But elsewhere in the Bible, God makes it pretty clear that we need to watch our words no matter where we are.  

So you must stop telling lies. You must always speak the truth to each other, because we all belong to each other in the same body. (Ephesians 4:25, Easy-to-Read Version)

But what if the story we want to share about our neighbor isn’t a lie, but a truth? Does that make it all right to tell others?

A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence. (Proverbs 11:13, New Living Translation)

Of all the commandments, I think this is one which we break the most. We spread lies and juicy little facts – which is what gossiping is – about other people all the time. We hear something about a co-worker and can’t wait to share it. We see something that no one wanted us to see, but we don’t keep it to ourselves, we tell everybody.  

And why shouldn’t we do this anyway? Oh, boy. Read or listen to any news cast and you’ll see this commandment broken. Scroll through posts on Facebook or other social media, and you’ll read gossip all over the place.

Much of what we hear or read today is put out there on purpose to hurt other people. Why do you want to be a part of that? Especially in these times, when there is so much hatred flowing around us, shouldn’t we stop whatever madness we can? Whether you are a believer in Jesus Christ or not, shouldn’t you build others up instead of breaking them down?

What are you going to do this week to keep from breaking this commandment? Not only keep from gossiping or telling lies, but speak well of others whenever you get a chance.  

So encourage each other and help each other grow stronger in faith, just as you are already doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11, Easy-to-Read Version)

Summer for the Birds

     Since I seem to be posting an awful lot of pictures of birds this year, I thought I would hit you with some more.

On my walk one morning a few weeks ago, I found this beautiful pair in some thistle on the side of the road.

The male American Goldfinch is brilliantly covered in yellow. Just behind him, his mate wears a duller yellow. As is common with many species of birds the male’s colors stand out, while the female’s feathers are more subdued, making it easier for her to hide from predators. We all know that the Mommas are the ones whose lives need to be spared. 
 

What's in your Flood Light?

   This past weekend, we attended another inspiring Lifest. I’ve lost track, but this must have been the 11^th or 12^th time I’ve been to this Christian music festival.  

I’ll have to tell you all about this year’s event, but it will have to wait for another time. Coz you know me; if I find something that fascinates me, I lock on to that one thing.

For perspective, I thought I’d show you the grandstand first, way before it was filled with people.

And then the view looking the other direction. The grounds cover a lot of space, with five different stages for musicians and speakers, space for hundreds of campsites . . .  

. . . a food court . . .  

. . . banks of porta-potties. But wait, what is that in the flood light?

 An osprey nest. No way! 

The first few times I walked past it, no one was home, so I didn’t take any pictures, but the last day we were there, Momma was chillin’ with her babies.  

I took way too many pictures. But how could I not?

I thought of all the people walking by, focused on something else, never bothering to glance up to see what looks like garbage in a light. Yes, they were there to hear music praising God and sharing the word of God. But God is everywhere, in everything, and I live to see Him in the smallest and the greatest things He created. God is good. Oh, so good to me. 

The Seventh Commandment

     “Thou shalt not steal.” (Exodus 20:15, King James Version)

One Wednesday afternoon, when I was in Middle School, I was walking to confirmation class with two other girls. They weren’t friends, but since none of my friends went to my church, I hung out with these two once a week.

A block away from church, we stopped at Hanke’s grocery store and loitered around the Brach’s candy display. Remember those? Where you could pick out your favorite, wrapped candies (butterscotch and root beer barrels and the like). You’d scoop them into a paper bag and take them to the check out to be weighed and paid for.

Except for that day. We walked out of the store after a few minutes and the other two girls opened their hands to show me their score of shoplifted candy. I showed them the lone root beer barrel in my hand.

They were like – wow, the goody-two shoe stole a piece of candy. They didn’t seem to think I had it in me.

It was one piece of candy. But, holy cow, I was on my way to church to confirmation class to learn about God’s Ten Commandments!

What else have I stolen over the years? What have you stolen?

Office supplies from work? Maybe just a couple of pieces of colored paper for one of your kids’ school projects. Or a stapler, because your employer had extra and you needed one.

Or say your neighbor has an orchard. He’s never told you to go ahead and help yourself to his apples. But you say to yourself that some of the branches are hanging practically over your property line, so they really are yours anyway. Right?

Okay, so we know what stealing is, but shouldn’t it be all right in certain instances? Umm, no.

Why? Because it’s another example of not putting others before ourselves. No matter how much money, or candy, or paper, or apples someone else has, those are their things and not yours. Instead of helping yourself to those things, you should be offering your own possessions to those in need.

     Anyone who steals must stop it! He must work with his hands so he will have what he needs and can give to those who need help. (Ephesians 4:28, New Life Version)

Has anyone been doing their weekly assignments on keeping the commandments? I’d love to hear some of your answers, but instead, I’m going to move forward. The things you do are between you and God.

This week, you can probably – hopefully – keep from stealing from anyone. Instead, do the second part of the verse above. Give something to someone in need. No matter how small, or great, give from your heart. 

I couldn't find a picture of what the original Hanke's grocery store used to look like, but this was the IGA grocery store when I was a kid. It was Dollar General when I took this picture eight years ago and now it is the local thrift store. And where is the Dollar General? In the old Hanke's building, of course.  

A Few Days Cabining

     The week before last, my sister and I went away for a few days to a cabin on Lake Emily, only about sixty miles north of me. We had a good time, and the weather was perfect. We saw a few new things and lots of things I’ve seen before. We had some laughs, and I played Scrabble for the first time in probably 30 years. 

Our dock on Edith Lake

Us out in the kayaks

Rest Lake at Manitowish Waters

The dam emptying into Vance Lake

Claire d' Loon at Mercer 

Falls at Lake of the Falls

One afternoon we took a pontoon ride on Lakes Minocqua and Kawaguesaga

Saw lots of crazy expensive houses 

And some wildlife which I already shared on a previous blog post

This guy showed up on our lake by our cabin the morning that we left. 
So photogenic

Independence Day

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Two hundred forty-six years ago tomorrow, delegates from each of the thirteen colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence. The United States, however, didn’t really win its independence until the end of the Revolutionary War in 1783.

The United States Constitution wasn’t adopted until five years after that. Within a year of that, seventeen amendments to the Constitution were proposed. In 1791, the first ten amendments were ratified and became known as the Bill of Rights.

I’m not a historian, but from what I’ve been reading about this time in our country’s very early history, our founding fathers had a lot to squabble about. Overall, though, I think they were all looking out for the best interests of the people.

It had to be tough, though. They came up with some ideas which were radical for the time. I’m sure a lot of those guys were despised by many, but I think they had ideals that they wanted to see through to fruition. I think they wanted to create a country where everyone had unalienable rights, which included the right to Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. I think they wanted to guarantee freedom for their citizens.

What happened? I don’t know. We are living in crazy times. People seem to have taken their right to freedom a bit far. From refusing to get vaccines to abortion to gun control to sex change operations for kids. I don’t think any of that is what our founding fathers had in mind.

I still think we need to fall back on God’s Ten Commandments and turn our problems, our disagreements, over to God. I’ll get back to writing about those commandments next Sunday. For now, though, appreciate the freedoms we do have in this country and stop pushing your agenda on others. Just be peaceful, bend a little, and don’t break.