Proper Punctuation Positively Precludes Purgatory
17 May, 2012
A concise yet brilliant illustration as to the importance of proper writing and punctuation:
“Pause in the wrong place and the sense of a religious text can alter in significant ways. For example, as Cecil Hartley pointed out in his 1818 Principles of Punctuation: or, The Art of Pointing, consider the difference between the following:
‘Verily, I say unto thee, This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise.’Now, huge doctrinal differences hang on the placing of this comma. The first version, which is how Protestants interpret the passage (Luke xxiii, 43), lightly skips over the whole unpleasant business of Purgatory and takes the thief straight to heaven with Our Lord. The second promises Paradise at some later date (to be confirmed, as it were) and leaves Purgatory nicely in the picture for the Catholics, who believe in it.”
vs.
‘Verily I say unto thee this day, Thou shalt be with me in Paradise.’
—From Eats, Shoots & Leaves, by Lynne Truss
Praise God for Brothers
15 May, 2012
“A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
—Proverbs 17:17
“...a brother is born for adversity; for a time of adversity, ...he is born into the world for this purpose; to sympathize with his brother in distress, to relieve him, comfort and support him; and if he does not do this, when it is in his power to do it, he does not answer the end of his being born into the world. The Jewish writers understand this as showing the difference between a friend and a brother: a cordial friend loves at all times, prosperous and adverse; but a ‘brother loves when adversity is born’...”
—John Gill (1697-1771)
 Believe it Or Not, This Was Not Staged |
 The Two-Year-Old that Looks Four |
 Christian Shares His Father’s Affinity for Tools (Although the Appreciation is On a Different Level) |
Afternoon at the Park
04 May, 2012
 Calvin Swinging! |
 Caught Red-Handed — Christian Eats the Chain |
Titanic Commemorations Continue
23 April, 2012
We had the pleasure of attending the Titanic Memorial Dinner on Saturday night, hosted by Covenant Heritage Presbyterian Church in Liberty Hall at American Village. Historian Bill Potter brought a moving message highlighting four Americans aboard the R.M.S. Titanic, and Doug Phillips ended the evening with a closing message. Sam serenaded everyone as we ate a meal inspired by the first class menu from the Titanic, and afterwards we mingled with friends and Calvin practiced his preaching skills from the podium. 
 Bill Potter Addresses the Attendees |
 Doug Phillips Brings a Closing Message |
 Mom and Mary Dining in Period Garb |
 Calvin and His Friend, Josh Phillips |
 Sam Serenades the Audience with Scottish, Irish and Maritime Melodies |
 Calvin—Inspired by Mr. Potter and Mr. Phillips—“Preaches” from the Podium |
On the Grand Staircase
17 April, 2012
Here’s one more of the family on the full-scale, perfectly accurate recreation of the Titanic’s grand staircase.
 Posing on the Full-Scale Recreation of the Grand Staircase |
The Titanic 100
16 April, 2012
We worked hard and had a grand time this weekend at the Titanic 100 event hosted by the Christian Boys’ and Men’s Titanic Society. We heard speeches, soaked up Titanic history and donned our period attire, all to commemorate the valor of the men of the Titanic who lived out the biblical doctrine of Women & Children First. Below are some of our favorite shots from the weekend.
 The Half-Scale Titanic Museum, Branson, Missouri |
 Calvin and Me After the Titanic Tour |
 Ready to Board the Branson Belle |
 Both of Us Sporting My Wife’s Handiwork |
 “She maketh herself coverings... her clothing is silk and purple” —Proverbs 31:22 |
 The Turley Ladies Three |
 Me and My Brother, Sam |
 The Perpetually Jolly Second-Born, Christian |
 The Branson Belle |
 All of Us Aboard the Branson Belle |
 The Stunning Dinner Theatre Aboard the Branson Belle |
 Charlie Zahm and Tad Marks Serenade the Audience |
 Delicious Dinner and Balcony Seats! |
Getting in the Spirit of 1912
10 April, 2012
With the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, and the upcoming Titanic 100 event commemorating the heroism of that night just days away, we donned our historical attire last night as a dress rehearsal of sorts. Thanks to my skillful wife, we’ll all attend in period garb, which we always enjoy. Below are a few of our favorites from the shoot.
 Donning Our Titanic-Era Apparel |
 Young Master Calvin, Newsboy |
 Lady Turley in Purple Velvet and Satin |
 Lord Turley and Young Master Calvin |
 All the Turley Men, with Varying Degrees of Happiness about the Shoot |