Reformation 500: The Liberty Bell

The Liberty Bell.

Levitcus 25:10 in Context

8 “You shall count seven weeks of years, seven times seven years, so that the time of the seven weeks of years shall give you forty-nine years.

9 Then you shall sound the loud trumpet on the tenth day of the seventh month. On the Day of Atonement you shall sound the trumpet throughout all your land.

10 And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, when each of you shall return to his property and each of you shall return to his clan.

11 That fiftieth year shall be a jubilee for you; in it you shall neither sow nor reap what grows of itself nor gather the grapes from the undressed vines.

12 For it is a jubilee. It shall be holy to you. You may eat the produce of the field.


The foundation of our nation's liberty: liberty originated from God's law.


Scripture on a historic monument.

13 “In this year of jubilee each of you shall return to his property.

14 And if you make a sale to your neighbor or buy from your neighbor, you shall not wrong one another.

15 You shall pay your neighbor according to the number of years after the jubilee, and he shall sell to you according to the number of years for crops.

16 If the years are many, you shall increase the price, and if the years are few, you shall reduce the price, for it is the number of the crops that he is selling to you.

17 You shall not wrong one another, but you shall fear your God, for I am the Lord your God.


Mom and the younger girls with the bell.


Our dear parents.

18 “Therefore you shall do my statutes and keep my rules and perform them, and then you will dwell in the land securely.

19 The land will yield its fruit, and you will eat your fill and dwell in it securely.

20 And if you say, ‘What shall we eat in the seventh year, if we may not sow or gather in our crop?’

21 I will command my blessing on you in the sixth year, so that it will produce a crop sufficient for three years.

22 When you sow in the eighth year, you will be eating some of the old crop; you shall eat the old until the ninth year, when its crop arrives.


Looking at the bell.


The famous crack.


All smiles.

Reformation 500: Money in Motion

The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.

In keeping with Mom and the children's current study on economics, we thought we would visit the Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank. They had a fascinating display aptly titled, "Money in Motion". Scary but true.


Welcome to this particular branch of the Federal Reserve Bank.


Through the revolving doors, a space-age body scanner, and into the inner sanctum. : )

We couldn't take any photos inside (no counterfeits!) but some things will always be etched in our memory, particularly the 25 foot high 3 foot diameter tube filled with$100 million in shredded paper bills. The wall chronically the history of federal banks was also quite fascinating.


The outside of the bank; the only place where we could take pictures!


Our mom loves learning along side and teaching her children. We love her very much.


The site for the Federal Reserve Bank used to serve as America's first Homeopathic Medical College!


How the building used to look.


Fascinating history. The homeopathy classes continued until the 1950's! Homeopathy is huge around the world . . . except in these US of A. Want to learn more? Here is one place to start. I just read this book on cell salts.


More experiments with a high shutter speed: catching droplets of water.

Reformation 500: Visitor Center

First stop in Philly: plan our adventures at the Visitor center.


We were excited to see our uncle's book for sale! He has the most amazing American flag collection. It's kinda famous too—our only claim to fame. : )


This picture is for Uncle Kit. : )


Mapping out our route.


Independence Hall across the way.

Reformation 500: Darwin in Philly

Whoa. What have we here?

Hardly had we piled out of our trusty old van, when we were surprised to see evidences of our notorious friend's celebrated day!

Yes, Darwin's 200th birthday is being celebrated right in the heart of these United States. It was pretty striking, as the lecture series were held immediately next door to Independence Hall and across the street from the infamous Philosopher's Hall.


I can't believe it!


A closer look.


Think we should go?! Maybe another time. : )


Our scholar-shepherd Dad, Pastor Marcus J. Serven.

Later in the day, Dad spoke to us about the origins of humanistic thinking in the American Philosophical Society [Editor's Note: Follow link at your own discretion]. He warned us of the futility of human reason, and how the infallible Word of God must be our foundation. As the age old question regarding the creation of the world goes: Where you there? Nope. But, God was.


Dad instructing his family in true Truth.


The cobbled streets.


The Philosopher's Hall, founded by Benjamin Franklin.

Reformation 500: The Challenge of Parking a 15 Passenger Van

Driving through the streets of Philadelphia.

Any home-school family who has traveled in a large city knows the inherent challenges of parking. They just don't make 'em like they used to. Parking places, that is.

Parking, if you can find it, is designed for compact cars, ultra compact cars, and smart cars. Fifteen passenger van parking places are few and far apart.

And, if you do eventually see a spot, it's after at least 20 minutes of hunting in ever widening concentric circles from the targeted attraction, it's bound to be in a somewhat questionable part of town, probably costs an arm and a leg, and it's at least a 3 mile hike back to your destination.

After successfully locating Independence Hall in Philadelphia, we started our parking search. Our van meandered it's way through narrow one way streets packed with people and tons of little fast cars. We passed several parking garages, but . . . um . . . our van was too tall—for every single lot we passed! We couldn't even find an open lot, seedy or not.

Eventually, we decided to call the visitor center. The lady there was very helpful and headed us back towards the historic district to one particular bus parking lot. At least that had possibilities.

Before we arrived, as we were taking another loop around Independence Hall, lo and behold, right next to that desirable historic building, there was an open spot. True, it had a parking meter, but it was right there—exactly in front of our destination. And furthermore!!! Our van fit. : ) Joy and happiness restored. The Lord is so gracious, even in the little things of life.


Unloading.


The view from our parking spot: Independence Hall.


Feeding the meter: this happened through out the course of the day . . . but it was a blessing, because it was so close. : )


Lyddy Bug.


Finally in Philadelphia!


Drewster.


Ready for adventure!

Reformation 500: Philadelphia Post in Progress

Independence Hall.

For the past several days I've been snatching moments of time to edit pictures and keep our Reformation 500 Trip posts coming. Well . . . there is much progress made, but it's not quite ready yet. For now, enjoy a few snippets.

Reformation 500: Portraits in Philadelphia

Laughing Lyddy Bug.

While waiting in line for Independence Hall, Sarah and Rebecca had fun snapping capturing different kinds of Serven faces.


Sarah.


The little boys, waiting.


Rebecca.


Holding up the wall.


Shoes.

Reformation 500: Morning Rituals

Preparing for the day's adventures.

Charles Darwin on 'The Pernicious Christians'

Darwin Speaks on God, Sovereignty, and Evil from Vision Forum on Vimeo.

A Strange and Random Fact About the Serven Clan

A wee little creature making himself quite useful.

In our previous post, we alluded to a mysterious use for small stuffed animals who travel with us in our van.

We were quite surprised—as several of you guessed it correctly! Small stuffed animals make themselves useful by blocking the air conditioner as several vent covers are missing. : )

Congratulations to Johanna Kautt and the California Cousins, though, I must add, the Cousins have a distinct advantage in guessing, having traveled with us many times in the SAV (Serven Assault Vehicle).

Reformation 500: Eastward Ho!

Silly Servens taking a much needed van break.


Sewing in the car on the Idelette costume. Though I had worked for several weeks at the house, even sewing by hand at our home-school conference, there was still work left to do in the car! A lot of handwork. : ) The Lord was very gracious to allow me to complete everything, just in the nick of time! More on that later.


Believe it or not, this string of animals fulfills a vital role in our van. Well, actually you don't need that many . . .


. . . you just need one. Any guesses what they are for? Besides playing with, of course. : )


Time for a van break—in Hershey, PA.


Walking to "Chocolate World".


Besides a little museum, there was a fun ride which showed the inner workings of the factory.


Learning about exposure.


Hey! Looks pretty neat. : )


The old smoke-stacks.


The gardens all around the Chocolate factory were quite whimsical.


Finally, we arrived near Philadelphia. Hey! What's this? A wrong turn took us down this little road, right past Westminster Theological Seminary; a historical seminary of much influence.


The first building.


A later building.


Van Til Hall.


A beautiful setting for the study of God and His word.


Westminster East.


Late that night, after getting lost a few times, we finally found a mall near our hotel and searched for a place to eat dinner.


Now, where is this crazy food court!???!!


We finally found some dinner, realized why we don't frequent malls, were successfully reunited with our van, and were off to find our resting spot for the night.

WCWC 2009

Benjamin and Rebecca are excitedly preparing for the West-Coast Christian Worldview Conference July 27th-August 1st, affectionately known to most people as the WCWC.

Will we see you there? : ) Leave a comment if you are planning on attending! And don't forget, there are still a few more days to register.

The WCWC is a valuable time of networking with godly pastors, like-minded churches, and youth who desire to grow in the Lord.

Speakers this year include Pastor Joe Morecraft, Chris Ortiz, Mark Rushdoony, Gary Demar and Brian Abshire.


There are many opportunities to join in on discussions with the speakers. Photo Credit to the Seppi family.


Questions and answers with the speakers every evening.


Many opportunities to build encouraging friendships.

Idelette Calvin and a Borrowed Baby

Calvin Reformation.

What an honor to hold a strapping young lad named 'Calvin Reformation'. Many prayers for this young boy to live up to his name!


Oh--poor little guy. He misses his Mama!

Happy 500th Birthday John Calvin!!

A Heart Offered to God: The Life and Ministry of John Calvin.

John Calvin on His First Call to Geneva

By nature, a timid man, but called to ministry by God's sovereign Hand.

" . . . I had resolved to continue in the same privacy and obscurity, until at length William Farel detained me at Geneva, not so much by counsel and exhortation, as by a dreadful imprecation, which I felt to be as if God had from heaven laid his mighty hand upon me to arrest me.

As the most direct road to Strasburg, to which I then intended to retire, was as shut up by the wars, I had resolved to pass quickly by Geneva, without staying longer than a single night in that city.

A little before this, Popery had been driven from it by the exertions of the excellent person whom I have named, and Peter Viret; but matters were not yet brought to a settled state, and the city was divided into unholy and dangerous factions.

Then an individual who now basely apostatised and returned to the Papists [Editor's note: Louis du Tillet], discovered me and made me known to others.

Upon this, Farel, who burned with an extraordinary zeal to advance the gospel, immediately strained every nerve to detain me.

And after having learned that my heart was set upon devoting myself to private studies for which I wished to keep myself free from other pursuits, and finding that he gained nothing by entreaties, he proceeded to utter an imprecation that God would curse my retirement, and the tranquillity of the studies which I sought, if I should withdraw and refuse to give assistance, when the necessity seas so urgent.

By this imprecation I was so stricken with terror, that I desisted from the journey which I had undertaken; but sensible of my natural bashfulness and timidity, I would not bring myself under obligation to discharge any particular office."

Commentary on the Psalms, Volume 1, by John Calvin.

John Calvin on His Conversion

Alive by God's Grace.

"When I was as yet a very little boy, my father had destined me for the study of theology. But afterwards when he considered that the legal profession commonly raised those who followed it to wealth this prospect induced him suddenly to change his purpose.

Thus it came to pass, that I was withdrawn from the study of philosophy, and was put to the study of law. To this pursuit I endeavored faithfully to apply myself in obedience to the will of my father; but God, by the secret guidance of his providence, at length gave a different direction to my course.

And first, since I was too obstinately devoted to the superstitions of Popery to be easily extricated from so profound an abyss of mire, God by a sudden conversion subdued and brought my mind to a teachable frame, which was more hardened in such matters than might have been expected from one at my early period of life.

Having thus received some taste and knowledge of true godliness I was immediately inflamed with so intense a desire to make progress therein, that although I did not altogether leave off other studies, I yet pursued them with less ardor. . ."

Commentary on the Psalms, Volume 1, by John Calvin.

Niagra Falls

Well . . . I guess our guessing game was pretty obvious. : ) Thanks for all the correct guessers! More pictures to follow.

Photo(s) of the Week: Water

River.

Though the composition of these photos are not profound, we were very excited to learn about the time value (a.k.a. 'tv') setting on our camera, and change the shutter speed to give more 'flow' to these water shots.


Rapids.

If you have a guess as to where in the world the Serven Clan might have captured these images, leave a comment with your guess. : )


Over the edge.

Reformation 500: Vision for Sudan

In God's providence, we were delighted to meet William Levi, a refugee and missionary to the Sudan.


Hearing about Mr. Levi's story of escape and ministry.

Reformation 500: The Great Debate

John Calvin in action, looking strangely familiar.


Darwin, the moderator, and Calvin.


The winner of the hunt before he was the winner with Calvin: giving the next to last secret password and getting the last clue.


A Reformation maiden with Pastor Calvin and his wife Idelette.


Pastor Calvin and the man behind the vision for the great debate.

Reformation 500: Idelette

Storytelling. Make sure to come say hello if you are at the R500!