My bright faced, red haired, six-month-old boy, Eoin, is not quite as content as he usually seems. He started cutting his first tooth yesterday - his salivary glands a little overactive. But he still manages a joyful grin every once in a while through sincere tears. He continues in diligence toward manhood as he began crawling this afternoon. After a good day’s work, he sleeps well this evening.

While talking to Rick a couple of days ago, I mentioned that I pray that God would give me the grace to raise strong young men. I pray that I might raise strong young men that they may do much work, that they may be strong of mind and body with great courage for the sake of the Kingdom. And I pray that they would love the Lord our God with all that strength.

This past Lord’s day, Laurence preached from Ecclesiastes 9.13-18. “Wisdom is better than strength.” Yep, got to teach them that, too.

It was a friend of mine back in Ohio who first introduced me to fine bourbon. I taught him homebrewing, beer and mead, and he taught me to appreciate the artful rhythm of the fly cast and small batch Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey.

Since that effectual introduction a few years ago, I have tried and enjoyed several fine bourbons, one at a time and with patience. You see, finer things take time, both in making and taking. But, I have always come back to that first favorite, Maker’s Mark, either neat or on the rocks. This is the bottle my dear wife, just every once in a while, secretly buys her husband and surprises me with (and honors her husband by crossing the state line to purchase the gift at a privately owned store).

I bought a different bourbon a few evenings ago. I thought I would risk the purchase of a significantly more expensive bottle, Baker’s. And to my surprise, later that evening, I found it to be a very worthy investment. After slowly enjoying my first glass of Baker's on ice, I gratefully told my wife that I had found a new favorite bourbon. It is silky smooth and subtly sweet. It is a bourbon for saving for only rare occasions and dearest of friends.

Son of mine, as you watch me, you can surely know the man I trust by the beverage I serve him.

Zech.9.16,17