Bringing up Daniels

One new blog

2008-07-08T08:27:00.005-05:00

I have been, as you know, streamlining all three of my blogs into one. I decided to stick with the name, "the way I say" because all three blogs can be combined under that title and still make sense.

The original blog, bringing up daniels, began when I started getting questions from friends on raising kids through biblical, common sense parenting. I found such a hungry audience that it encouraged me to keep going. Many gracious people have kept me going on this. Thank you for also teaching me many things.

I have always been interested in stimulating my sister's in Christ to spiritual growth and in return being challenged by them. Sister got slapped was born out of this blessed interaction.

Then I found I had no place to put things like poems, song lyrics, quotes and otherwise good-feelings-causing inspirations and/or things that cause outrage in me (videos, pictures etc.) So I created, the way i say.

It became chaos! I started spreading like a disease, and taking up too much space on the Internet. Simplifying things became a necessity.

All new blog posts, on the way i say, will be categorized according to what the old blogs were called. For example when I post about raising kids it will be labeled bringing up daniels: then the title of the post. The same with sister got slapped: and The way I say.

For those who have been so kind to even read my ramblings, I hope this makes it easier for you. Thanks for your patience,

Amy

The triple combo...coming soon

2008-07-05T18:13:00.003-05:00

It has been suggested to me that I combine my three blogs into one big mega blog. I have decided to do that to have mercy on those who faithfully check my latest posts.
I am working on a new blog to replace Bringing up Daniels, Sister got Slapped and The way I say. I will leave my original blogs up for a few months with a link to my new one before closing them out. More information to come. Please feel free to comment on this blog or the other two until it no longer appears online. Thanks for all of the encouragement you have given me.

The 2nd annual CareHouse Garage Sale

2008-07-05T13:45:00.001-05:00

Every year some high school and middle school students from Racine Bible church hold a garage sale to benefit homeless teens. They work hard and have a ton of fun. By the third day, everyone is pretty wiped. It has become a tradition to make a video. Here it is. Have fun.

This should enrage you

2008-06-20T09:30:00.000-05:00

The following is taken from Dr. Albert Mohler's blog today.

A recent court decision in Canada should send chills down every parent's spine. The ruling is so out of bounds that the news story sounds like a parody -- but it isn't. A Canadian judge ruled that a 12-year-old girl was "excessively" punished when her father told her she could not go on a school camping trip because she had broken rules for use of the Internet.
As the Globe and Mail [Toronto] reports:
First, the father banned his 12-year-old daughter from going online after she posted photos of herself on a dating site. Then she allegedly had a row with her stepmother, so the father said his girl couldn't go on a school trip.
The girl took the matter to the court - and won what lawyers say was an unprecedented judgment.
Madam Justice Suzanne Tessier of the Quebec Superior Court ruled on Friday that the father couldn't discipline his daughter by barring her from the school trip.
This judge needs to be grounded and sent to her room. A 12-year-old girl violated rules and disobeyed her father. The rules, by the way, were intended to protect the girl from endangering herself on the Internet. In posting pictures of herself on the Internet -- on a dating site, for crying out loud -- she defied her father and his authority. After going to the court, she got away with it.
For years, we have been warned that the courts were poised to usurp parental authority. We have seen chilling judicial precedents and the encroaching reach of bureaucrats and government agents. Warnings were offered by prophets like Philip Reiff and Christopher Lasch, who saw the family being stripped of its functions and replaced by an army of eager agents. Parents are supplanted by professionals who are "experts" in raising other people's children.
The Canadian case is among the most chilling yet. The father is appealing the decision, even though the girl has already gone on the camping trip. The family is involved in a difficult divorce situation, but the father was granted custody. Gladly, outrage over the judge's ruling is building in Canada.
Lorne Gunter of Canada's National Post described the ruling as "sputteringly enraging." The Canadian blogosphere has taken notice, as are parents.
Gunter drew particular attention to the fact that the girl's attorney explained that she took the case to court because it involved the school trip, "For me that was really important."
Gunter responded:
"For me that was really important." So what? Just who are you? Are you the kid's parent? Are you a relative of any sort? No? So why, then, does your opinion matter? And if it does matter, how is court action appropriate? At most, even if you are a close relative, you are limited to calling up the dad and expressing your view that his punishment is over-the-top.
Ms. Fortin insists that while court was a last resort, the situation called for it: "This was not a question of going to the movies or not, or going online or not -- because obviously, I wouldn't have intervened in that."
Just how is that obvious? It should have been obvious that you don't go to court over missing the camping trip, either, but that doesn't seem to have dawned on Ms. Fortin. She called the trip a rite of passage. What will be the rite next time, a missed sleepover, her first out-of-town volleyball tournament with the school team?
The logic of this ruling is not limited to Canada. In 1970, Hillary Rodham, then a young lawyer (and later Sen. Hillary Clinton), wrote a law review article, "Children Under the Law," in which she argued that minors should be treated as "child citizens" who should, under at least some conditions, be able to challenge their parents in court over parental decisions.
This father may win his appeal -- we must hope that he does -- but the damage is already done. This 12-year-old girl has defied her father and been rewarded by a secular court. The judge and the court have now become complicit in the girl's disobedience. This father has had his rights as father denied and his authority undermined. We can only imagine the costs of this judicial malpractice in the life of this girl and her family. Beyond this, the precedent is now set for further judicial mischief.
America's parents had better look north and take notice. This judicial atrocity hits very close to home.

It is finished

2008-06-19T07:47:00.003-05:00

I have been doing a study of the completeness of Christ's work for our salvation. I am overwhelmed by His grace. I posted just a small list of verses on thewayisay. Just reading through them with the thought in mind, that Christ has completed all of this for me, makes me want to glorify Him more. Check it out if you want to.

Quit eating your lists

2008-06-13T14:39:00.004-05:00

My kids are kids. Are yours? Do you make chore lists? Some days I think that list is just an exercise in futility. But it doesn't have to be. It can be a reminder. Solving problems with a list of dos and don'ts can only point to how little they can really accomplish without certain swift and effective prodding from me, my hands helping, and my mouth instructing. In a nutshell, they need me.

(Here's the "so it is") And so it is with the law.

Fulfilling the law of God will not get you closer to having obtained what Christ has already purchased. It is yours and mine if we believe. There is certain great motivation toward holiness in that.

Abstaining from a long list of don'ts will not make us spiritually mature. Being with Him just has that effect if we are truly with Him. I don't think I could bring myself to say "Jesus, I just don't need ya today, I've got my list," anymore than I could say, "Hey Spence, I'm giving you a rain check on that romantic date. I'd like to curl up with this marriage book"

You can't supplant people with lists. They are not good substitutes. For one, they can't hold you or wipe away your tears. Lists don't make promises. They are not deeply committed to your joy and they do not carry you home. I have never met a list that has tasted good.

"Oh taste and see that the Lord is good!" I think I'll stick with the bread of heaven.

Habitat for Humanity did the right thing

2008-06-06T12:16:00.003-05:00

They abandoned the plan.
This is a victory.

The Sum of all things

2008-06-04T07:41:00.007-05:00

Oh to count the many blessings to be found in not getting what we want when we want it. How blessed is the son who goes without? Giving is such a wonderful thing. Withholding is also. Have you seen the result of having and going without in your own heart? Have you seen it in your kids?

Like the rich young ruler, I have slumped away from the Lord is disappointment because I was expected to give up what I wanted in order to gain that which would truly satisfy me. This is how we walk by sight and not by faith.

I see, I want, I think I need.

I get, I have, I know I'm entitled.

I deserve, I crave, I idolize.

I stop wanting Christ.

Someone I met recently, told me she doesn't think she can bring herself to try to have children because she can't afford child care. See where this is going? I asked her if she could stay home. She said she and her husband would have to change their entire lifestyle, downsize their home and sell their car etc.

Exactly. You could have a person, but you'd have to give up your things.

The kid who pitches a fit in the grocery store (there is always at least one) thinks the water gun, or whatever toy he's screaming about, will satisfy him more than his daily bread until it's time to eat. Then he wants food.

And I have become so very entitled to all that I am accustomed to having. When I am inconvenienced by the lack of some small luxury, I well up with ingratitude and reject the very thing that is best for me, which is to have nothing at that moment but Christ.

Limiting our children to a very few things can made them better. They can be smarter (books instead of game systems), more creative (they build swings and invent games), more physically fit (they run outside and climb trees), They talk more and enjoy people more than things. They can be less selfish if they are used to giving things up for others. They do not expect something every time we go some where. They say thank you for the little things.

It is exactly the same for me as it is for them.
When I limit myself, I am happier, less distracted, more content.

So, in counting my blessings, I am so unimaginably ahead, that it is a pitiful joke to list what is in the corner of things I've lost.

In the "what-I've-lost corner": stuff.

In my corner: My most wonderful husband, our children (eternal souls), the privilege of shaping them and watching them change the world, eternal life, love, joy, peace, and every fruit of the Spirit, hope, deep satisfaction, unspeakable happiness (yes, better circumstances and happenings in my life), sharpening and unconditional love for and from other believers in Christ's body etc. If we can imagine this list stretching on to count the eternal attributes of God, we can start to maybe begin to fathom the magnitude of all we gain and how little we've lost.

And it's all because of the One thing, the one Person I have counted all things as loss for, Christ.

"...that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in
the heavens and things upon the earth."
Scripture quoted above:
Eph.1:10

Abortions for housing?

2008-05-26T15:42:00.001-05:00

What do you think about this?

From Glory to Glory

2008-05-23T08:28:00.005-05:00

My husband went to visit a friend yesterday. His name is Merrill.

Merrill and Jeanne were married for sixty one years. Jeanne no longer suffers from the confusion that made her long for heaven the last few years of her life. He carries a picture of this beautiful woman in his wallet. I think it has outlasted many wallets since she was in high school when it was taken.

It was in high school that he fell in love with her. Shortly thereafter, he was drafted into the military and of course, back then, that meant every young man went off to war. It wasn't like it is today where troops get a one or two year mission and then are permitted to come home. You went to war and came home when it was over or if you were badly injured.

The year was 1941 and Merrill went off to Europe to liberate the oppressed and leave his mark on history. It would not do that an evil regime felt it was necessary to invade lands that didn't belong to it and distinguish an entire race of people. He believed this. With valor he did what was necessary and right. He fought, for five years.

In 1945, on Christmas eve he came home. He couldn't believe the one he loved hadn't been snatched up in marriage to someone else. What a catch! He proposed marriage to her and early the next year they became man and wife. There is no way to convey the years of faithful service to the Lord, raising a family and leaving a legacy that came to follow. Now that beautiful girl is in heaven with her Savior. She left this earth and headed home in the year 2007.

Merrill speaks in sweet tones about her. When he takes out her picture he weeps for his loss. When he mentions her heavenly freedom from illness and confusion, he smiles.

He has binders of Scripture that his daughter has made for him in large print for his failing eyes to read. He opened up the binder for my husband revealing a portion highlighted in bright orange. It read:

"But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit."

Weeping with a brother

2008-05-22T08:38:00.003-05:00

I cut and pasted this article from the FoxNews web page.
It is horrible sad. Pray for our Christian brother and his family.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The 5-year-old daughter of contemporary Christian music star Steven Curtis Chapman was struck and killed Wednesday by a sport utility vehicle driven by her brother, authorities said.

The girl, Maria, was hit in a driveway on the family residence Wednesday afternoon by a Toyota Land Cruiser driven by her teenage brother, said Laura McPherson, a spokesman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
McPherson said no charges are expected.
"It looks like a tragic accident," she said.
She said several members of the Chapman family witnessed the accident, which happened in Williamson County just south of Nashville.
The brother apparently did not see the little girl, McPherson said. She did not have the name or exact age of the brother, only that he is an older teenager.
The girl died later at Vanderbilt Medical Center, hospital spokeswoman Laurie Holloway said.
Chapman, originally from Paducah, Ky., and his wife have promoted international adoption and have three daughters from China, including Maria.
Chapman has won five Grammy awards and 51 Dove awards from the Gospel Music Association

The singer's Web site said that Chapman and his wife, Mary Beth, were persuaded by their oldest daughter to adopt a girl from China. The experience led the family to adopt two more children and create Shaohannah's Hope, a foundation and ministry to financially assist thousands of couples in adoption.
The Chapmans did missionary work at Chinese orphanages in 2006 and 2007, according to the Web site.
"After our first trip to China, my wife and I knew our lives were changing — our eyes and hearts were opening to how big God really is, and we have wanted to experience more of that," Chapman says on the Web site. "We've really wondered whether or not we should just go to China and stay there. But I don't think so. I believe God is saying, 'I want you to go, get your heart broken, your eyes opened, and then take this story back to the church in America and around the world."'
Chapman also has released a book about being a father entitled "Cinderella: The Love of Daddy and his Princess."

Weep with those who laugh (pg-13)

2008-05-15T08:27:00.005-05:00

We all have to be able to take a joke. There is no room for taking oneself too seriously in humility. Laughing is a gift from the Creator. Let there be breath-stealing toddler giggles, and uproarious tear-inspiring, stomach-pain-inducing, endorphin-launching hilarity. And there was, and it was very good! And if God would say that what we're laughing at is good, then it is.

On that note, let me say that one of the biggest enemies of heaven is wrongful frivolity. People are laughing at the saddest things. Today while checking my bloglines I saw a video that recently aired on E! It was an eleven year old girl demonstrating to two adult women how she learned to imitate striptease moves. By their guiltless laughter you would have thought she brought home an "A" on her report card or mastered a front handspring. Congratulations, sweety, you can be a tramp just like mama. I love the way you demean yourself. Good girl, that will be a useful tool for you to hedonistically max out your life so that you will be discontent with true beauty by the time you're 16. And who knows, maybe one day you can aid in wrecking some poor guys marriage and family...How cute!

These are the people we can point to and say, "son, observe the fool" But it is worse than that.

One of the deepest sicknesses of our culture is the inability to see that evil is harmful not funny. Giving hearty approval to all who act like me doesn't take my sin away or theirs. Laughing for a moment doesn't secure eternal joy for me. For meeting a holy God is the end of every man. We must keep this straight to raise our kids in a crooked and perverse generation.

Something more is in my heart about this. There are good people who can point to this and say it's wrong. But we, as believers, must be motivated to something more than societal moralistic bandages. Even if by some freakish change of moral climate, America became a pure and lovely place for children, the fact remains, squeaky-clean conservatives still die.

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you
sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and
weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy to gloom. Humble
yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you."

"It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of
feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to
heart."

We don't laugh at the thought of child pornography or the exploitation of persons of any age, but do we weep for their souls? It is not enough to clean up society; which by the way, will never happen. It's going to take resurrection, one soul at a time. I don't know how to accomplish something so big, but I think it begins with weeping with those who laugh.

Bible refs. in order:

James 4:9

Ecc. 7:2

Take my advice

2008-05-13T07:48:00.014-05:00

If you have one of these (a seemingly harmless ten year old male)...

Or one of these (mild-mannered but overgrown 12 year old male)...

Then you are familiar with these (look closely at the middle of his scalp).

And because, inevitably, they will want to make one of these...

Do this,

this,

this....

this, or...

that...

all without you knowing, while taking these pictures...

You will need to get yourself one of these (a 14 year old female source of information)

Rolling with community

2008-05-09T21:59:00.011-05:00

I've never been one to receive a private prayer language or a gift of tongues. I've studied three different languages besides English and have mastered none. But in our house we have our own way of communicating. Perhaps you have yours as well. Ours is a living language that outgrows itself from time to time. Sometimes words get left behind because they just lose their impact over time. A few of these unofficial colloquialisms live on in infamy. Many words have taken on a strange metamorphosis alternately being shortened or lengthened at whim. Some have come into being just because they came out that way.

Apparently, if something in our home is disgusting it can be referred to as tasting like "cheeky-mc-squeaky" (to explain the origin of this, would not edify). You can never watch a movie without a little "poppy-c" (popcorn) And in our house you don't bother eating poppy-c without a few hotty-T's (hot tamales).

We don't go to bed we head for "blankytown". If someone doesn't get my humor or they think I'm strange I just say, "That's cool, bro, it's how I roll!"

Language is born out of community, community is what we are created for. Communion with God and with each other. All of our intensely meaningful worship, the cries of desperation from our deepest concerns, hearing sermons on Sunday, reading our Bibles and praying everyday, the painstaking untangling of daily conflicts in our homes, listening, teaching, learning, talking, playing games, teasing, laughing, and speaking our own language all shout one thing: "IT IS NOT GOOD FOR MAN TO BE ALONE!"

And it is very good that we aren't.

Don't let the drudgery of the every day same old things make you selfish and cranky.

Soak in all the blessing that every part of community provides. Teach yourself to love all the sharpening that comes from conflict. Indulge in all the dancing and singing you can stand. Embarrass yourself for the pure enjoyment of others (I do it regularly). The very fact that we can be laughed at is proof that we have others in our lives. It's a gift from God.

Some people aren't there yet. For many, Christianity is a somber place of stillness and solitude. Everyone hasn't come to enjoy the same freedoms in Christ. For us, home is a secure place to express these freedoms. The church is a safe place where we love others enough to set aside some of our private freedoms, for a moment, to bring others along with us in community. If people don't get it, or would rather sit back and major in the minors, what a great time to thank God that you have people who don't understand you in order to make you more understanding toward others. If all else fails just say, "Brother, I thank God for you. You bring a perspective into this community that only you can bring."

Translation:"It's all cool, bro, that's how you roll!"

Raising winners

2008-05-08T08:03:00.006-05:00

I heard we won the victory? But I don't think we show it that well. It comes by a different path than self-protection and promotion.

Everyone in the body of Christ is someone to learn something from and almost everyone is someone we can teach. There are the very few that produce consistent lessons of what we should never be, and just as few who already know everything we know. If we can still learn, we can still teach.

Learning from others is simple but it is hard. I can listen in a conversation to someone saying something that rubs me completely the wrong way and be assured that the Spirit is speaking to me. Most often the things we "disagree" with are the things that we aren't good at. As if the person you are listening too takes a moment to jot your failures on a sheet of sticky paper and thumb it to your high brow. It feels bad. I can hear what has been said and say, hey I could grow in that area (simple). But since it grates a layer off the side of my pride it is hard.

Likewise we should also be looking for ways to help others grow up into Christ-likeness. It isn't helpful to see other believers as fixtures and not as fluid. For more on this thought check out sistergotslapped. There are also risks in this regard. People don't like to learn from us either. They do not prefer to get their pride cheese-grated or walk around with sticky notes on their foreheads announcing their struggles before they enter a room. Who can blame them?

Learning from others and teaching others is central to the Gospel and central to being whole-body-of-Christ believers. We need to be disciples and disciplers if we are to raise disciples and disciplers.

"Go therefore into all the world and make disciples teaching them..." (Command to make)
"Older...teach the younger." (Command to make makers)
"Follow me as I follow Christ" (Apostolic example to follow)

What will be the outcome of radically devoting oneself to this?

Unity in the body (there's a thought)
People will get saved (another great idea)
The church will grow spiritually and in number (church growth as it was meant to happen)
People will be more Christlike (the measure of the stature of Christ)
Christ will be obeyed and magnified (the goal of all of life)

Cultivating teachability and a desire to teach, in ourselves first and then in our children, makes us whole Christians and prepares them to be the same. It makes the church one. The future strength of the church depends on this, and the world is watching. Contrary to ego-centric belief, church is not for me. Church is for Christ. The sooner we all get started on this, the sooner we can see His glory coming down in the church as it was meant to be seen.

Oh to see the next generation rise up and show themselves to be the winners they've always heard they were.

Spank, for Peace's sake.

2008-05-07T08:23:00.004-05:00

Responsiveness in children is taught by spanking. It has been a while since we have implemented this mode of discipline because we did it so much when our kids were little. Consistent application of the rod in obedience to scripture has produced responsiveness in our older kids and has brought a corresponding peace to our home.

There is something about a consistent pattern of immediately fixing a matter that secures habits of good response in people. Dealing with sin right away is a very good thing. Just as we show we care about closeness to God by quick repentance, so we teach our children that swift consequence and early change make for good relationships with others as a means to that same closeness to God.

I am enjoying this now. There have been plenty of people out there in a world of non success that have said, "I tried spanking and it didn't work". I feel sorry for them. We tried it, and tried it, and tried it and it did work. It does work. And we are experiencing great joy in our children today at ages 10, 12 and 14 because of it. We are free to laugh together for a lifetime because of their momentary tears of yesterday.

Those of you who take God at His word and consistently apply the rod, don't give up. Don't give up. Call me when your kids are older and let me know how blessed you are.

"Stay-at-home-mom" doesn't cut it

2008-05-06T10:34:00.001-05:00

What's In a Name?
from Touchstone Magazine - Mere Comments by Anthony Esolen

Last night I met a perfectly friendly and intelligent young couple, both graduates of my mater ferox, Catholics both, with a young daughter whom they intend to teach at home. The wife told me cheerfully that she'd recently attended a small reunion of local Princetonians, and she was the only woman present who was a "stay-at-home mom." That's the phrase that people use, and

I wasn't going to quarrel with it then -- we were milling about after a graduation ceremony in honor of ten homeschooled seniors. We had a few jests at the absurdity of believing that to spend most of one's time in the company of someone deeply beloved, free to read or play music, or to put the home in trim for one's own use or for hospitality or for the pleasure of someone else deeply beloved, or to go outside for what she called, putting emphasis on the unusual phrase, "fresh air," is somehow a great sacrifice, worthy to be acknowledged by solemn nods from those who are not making it. Her friends, she said, mainly employed nannies, and as far as I can see, the name "nanny" is given to someone who will temporarily treat one's child with a certain amiable kindness, but who will move on in a year or two, and who will therefore not be a deeply felt part of the child's life. In other words, the nanny is not really a nanny, but, to pick up the bitter phrase from Hemingway, isn't it pretty to think so?

It occurs to me that the friends are the ones making the sacrifice -- or are making their children make the sacrifice. It's too bad, besides, that we have that moniker, "stay-at-home mom." It sounds rather like "stick in the mud," and is used with something of the same modest embarrassment as is the faintly insulting "homebody." It seems to describe somebody who lacks the imagination to do anything other than stay at home. I'll get to "mom" in a moment. But the first thing to note is the assumption that everybody automatically has a "home" to stay at or not to stay at, that being the question. Really?

I guess everybody has a house, but a home is a different thing. When I was a graduate student I slept in a dormitory room, and then I shared a house with a couple of guys, and then I rented a house by myself, but in no case did I live in a home. Home was where I went for a while when school was out. The young woman does not, in fact, "stay" at a home that preexisted her decision not to leave it. Her dwelling there has made it a home. It's an old fashioned way to look at it, I know, but haven't we all been invited into plenty of houses that are as sterile and as un-homely as a hospital, or a faculty lounge, or a waiting room at a brokerage firm, with standard prints on the walls and silk flowers on the table?

Then there's that word, stripped of reverence and of deep ontological significance, "mom". It's affectionate, but for that very reason it shouldn't be used among strangers -- unless the point is that we don't take it seriously. My children call me Daddy, but I don't go around calling myself a daddy, because I'm more than that, and so are the other men who have children and take care of them. They are fathers. Their wives are mothers. We are commanded to honor our fathers and mothers. We may do so within the family by calling them Daddy and Mommy, if the circumstances fit. We cannot do so by calling ourselves daddies and mommies, unless we are talking baby-talk to toddlers.

The good woman I met, then, is not a stick-in-the-mud mommy, or a stay-at-home mom. She is a mother who takes care of her child at home. I'll add, too, that the term "stay-at-home mom" marks an interesting and no healthy shift from the older "housewife". That is, the woman's role is defined in terms of what she does for her children, not what she does for her husband or for her husband and children together. Her primary duties as a married woman are, in this pseudo-conservative vision, to her children. But that doesn't accurately describe what she is in that home, or what her actual devotion to her husband is -- and the couple I met seemed very happily married.

I'd been thinking about language for a couple of days; one of the best students I've ever had told me that the "hooking up" anti-culture was endemic on my campus, and we are far from a secular place, at Providence College. If a Shakespeare or a Dante were revived for the sole purpose of coining a term that would well describe the boredom, the cynical hopelessness, the failure to rise to the height of fullblooded lust, the contemptuous familiarity with the opposite sex, the supine submission of the human act to the social machine, the easygoing willingness to use or be used as a spittoon -- the quizzical look with which you would regard the rare couple holding hands or walking arm in arm or, what was the word people used to use, ah yes, "flirting" -- he could not have come up with a better one than that. You hook up, and hang up.

strategic expense

2008-04-28T10:04:00.002-05:00

My husband bought season passes to Six Flags, Great America. This was a strategic expense to maximize fun and dad/kid time this summer. It also provides ample opportunity for my superhero to show off his skills. He really felt a connection with the boys. There might be a future for him.

Call them Christians

2008-04-24T08:45:00.011-05:00

What does it mean to be called Christian?
I have been throwing around some thoughts from Ephesians about Christ filling all in all, and how we are to grow up into a mature man even into the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. There is a great connection between this and all of the rest of life.

In politics today, you can find the hypocrisy in a leader if you follow any of their position threads to the place where it leads to man's good ideas instead of Christ. There will always be a breakdown in consistency when a line of thinking comes from man. Some threads are sent out from a desire to be elected and that idea though it seems very benevolent can never be trusted because the end of it circles back to what it can do for the politician not to benefit society as a whole. This is only one example from our scattered world. There are disorders and broken relationships, disunity of every kind, fights and murders etc.

This got me thinking about raising our kids, Christian. Of course it did. That our kids become Christians is not just an emotional pacifier for us as worried parents. We all agree that it won't do for our kids to just be good citizens who don't sneak out at night and get involved with miscreants or grow up to be white collar extortionists and drug lords. It also isn't enough that they just warm a pew every Sunday morning and stay awake through a sermon. We want them to want Christ and love His Christianity enough to be ambassadors for Him. Under this floor lies the foundation of a life committed to being made complete in Christ; a holistic worldview summed up in Christ-likeness.

Those who carry within themselves ideals and convictions that start with Christ and circle back to Him will be whole people. They will be consistent people. They will be stable and reliable people. They will be full and able to give out. They will be faithful friends and spouses. Those who sit under them will find them kind and consistent in their leadership. Spotless in their integrity, they will secure the blessing of God and a trustworthy reputation among men.

If Christ is the summation of all things in this world, then those who are wholly connected to Him will have a worldview that is unfragmented. They will be uniters and completers in a world of dysfunction.

We are the stewards of these things. Our children must grow up knowing intellectually what effect they can have on the world by becoming complete in Christ. Just getting by as a church kid is less than substandard, it is insulting to Christ. Being "good" will no more honor Christ than it will save you. And it certainly won't affect anyone else's eternity. He wants it all. He wants to be all in them and through them to a world who needs Him. After all, the scripture is clear, the end result is that all things will be summed up in Christ.

I'm trying to let the depth of this understanding wash over me. If our kids show up in the adult world of disorder and destruction as truly whole people who can demonstrate how purposeful life can be when they are united in Christ, then we are getting somewhere in our understanding of what it means to be a Christian.

References to Scripture:
Eph. 4

Please pray

2008-04-18T07:36:00.002-05:00

My friend Tenille and her husband Jaimie need your prayers right now.
He just found out this week that he has a very large brain tumor.
They are expecting their first baby in May.

Thank you all for your prayers,
Amy

A Friday Laugh

2008-04-11T20:10:00.004-05:00

I found the following "Friday Funnies" on Girl Talk and I dedicate it to my husband, because I do not even think he knew Rylie was there when this picture was taken.

The next "Survivor" series:
Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car and 3 kids each for six weeks.
Each kid will play two sports and either take music or dance classes
There is no fast food.
Each man must take care of his 3 kids; keep his assigned house clean, correct all homework, and complete science projects, cook, do laundry, and pay a list of 'pretend' bills with not enough money.
In addition, each man will have to budget in money for groceries each week.
Each man must remember the birthdays of all their friends and relatives, and send cards out on time.
Each man must also take each child to a doctor's appointment, a dentist appointment and a haircut appointment.
He must make one unscheduled and inconvenient visit per child to the Urgent Care.
He must also make cookies or cupcakes for a social function.
Each man will be responsible for decorating his own assigned house, planting flowers outside and keeping it presentable at all times.
The men will only have access to television when the kids are asleep and all chores are done.
The men must shave their legs, wear makeup daily, adorn himself with jewelry, wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes, keep fingernails polished and eyebrows groomed.
During one of the six weeks, the men will have to endure severe abdominal cramps, back aches, and have extreme, unexplained mood swings but never once complain or slow down from other duties.
They must attend weekly school meetings, church, and find time at least once to spend the afternoon at the park or a similar setting.
They will need to read a book and then pray with the children each night and in the morning, feed them, dress them, brush their teeth and comb their hair by 7:00 am.
A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father will be required to know all of the following information: each child's birthday, height, weight, shoe size, clothes size and doctor's name. Also the child's weight at birth, length, time of birth, and length of labor, each child's favorite color, middle name, favorite snack, favorite song, favorite drink, favorite toy, biggest fear and what they want to be when they grow up. The kids vote them off the island based on performance. ....

If the last man does win, he can play the game over and over and over again for the next 18-25 years eventually earning the right to be called Mother!

Liberals and the religious are the same

2008-04-01T11:13:00.005-05:00

Sylvia is eighty-some years old. She walks around the neighborhood and collects trash and recyclables. I have seen her many times on my morning runs. This morning I stopped to meet her. She heard that exercise will prolong your life, so she walks a mile and half every day. She believes that polluting the streets and the ocean kills animals, so she picks up trash and recycles bags full of discarded bottles and cans every day. The tabs on aluminum cans can be donated to pay for seeing-eye-dogs for the blind, so she gives them. Guns kill people, so Sylvia wants them done away with. Slavery is an evil still going on today. I learned all of this in ten minutes on the sidewalk this morning. I also learned something else.

Liberal non religious people and religious people are the same in this way: they do good and depend on that good for a kind of salvation. A very moral, religious person can argue the conservative side of politics and defend their right to not care if dolphins die or to own a gun for self-protection. He can stay married and raise his kids to vote republican, promoting a strong work ethic and clean living. A liberal non religious Jew can value creation and not want people to die at the point of a gun. He can help the poor and the blind. They both love their families, they both want to accomplish something beyond themselves in this life.

It occurred to me that some liberals really do want to make the world a better place. They are desperate and helpless. They see evil, but they have no place to put the blame because they don't believe that God is good and Satan is the prince of the power of the air of this world. They blame guns, not criminals, because they don't know that man is totally depraved since the fall. They believe in wasting money on welfare and other social programs because they do not know that people can change by the power of the Holy Spirit. So a handout is the best anyone can give the poor. Slavery is bad, because they wouldn't want to be slaves, not because it demeans someone created in the image of God and thus offends that Holy God. If we could just better educate the world, then all our troubles would be over.
Good works will save them.

It is the exact same force that powers the unsaved "religious" person to do what they do. They are just like their opponents in essence and motivation. They want a better world but they believe it is morality that will accomplish that rather than saving the environment. Religious people want to help the poor by helping them learn to help themselves. To the conservative, there is no such thing as a bad gun only bad people. Slavery is taking advantage of the weak and poor for selfish gain and offends God, that's why it's bad. Discipline and high standards of accountability along with education will bring change. Good works will save them.

It is true that I definitely fall on one side of this debate when it comes time to vote. However, this "good" they attain to is the same. It all comes up short. "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one who believeth."

Good works rather than faith can look good, because good works are those things that you can see. Good works and the dependence upon them can be evil because it lacks the one thing that can truly make one good. The one person, Christ.

That is why I am writing this morning to say, put your faith in Christ and then show the world how worthy Christ is of all our faith by producing good works they can see. Only the true Christian can honestly say they have a right motivation for doing good. Christ. He is the good in us.

That is why we can tell people like Sylvia that God gave us this planet and we should be responsible for it. And that gang members are willing to kill and be killed because they have no hope in God and a life beyond their terrible existence. Education really is the answer and if she reads her Bible she'll find an education that will change her eternity.
"Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God."

All Scripture quotes:
Romans 10

Ah! Success.

2008-03-19T13:05:00.004-05:00

Longfellow said, "The talent of success is nothing more than doing what you can do well, without a thought of fame."

Success isn't found in our children achieving highest marks in every subject or that they make us look good in public. It isn't that they are the best-dressed, most physically attractive or that they are first among their peers in all they aspire to. Success is taking the talents they have been given and multiplying them for the good of their neighbor and to the fame and glory of Jesus Christ their God.

The artful parenting technique of encouraging success in our children requires more than harsh reprimands when they mess up and "atta-boys" when they do well. It takes study. Who is this complicated image-bearer living under my direct tutelage? I need to know what they are good at so they can set after it. I need to know what will be a dead end pursuit for them so they can quit wasting precious kingdom time.

Diligence, perseverance, faithfulness, humility and other such attributes should be encouraged in all future adults. Musical genius, soccer-stardom and state science fair gold medals should not be. We always do well to let Scripture refine our technique. The requirements of a person are very clearly laid out. One must love the Lord His God, love His neighbor as himself, produce spiritual fruit etc. The rest is subjective and experientially assessed, the sooner the better.

Take time to study your children and direct them to greater investment of their talents. I am trying to do this with my kids. All of my children are smart, but they are not uniformly smart. I have one who can play more than one instrument by ear. Someone else I know, understands how everything works and loves to take things apart and put them back together. I have "people" people, and "task" people. There are those who love athletics, and then there are athletes. I have a child that is uniquely compassionate and one that is more justice driven. They all arrive at humor from a different location. Did we expect God's image to be so small that we could fit it in a cookie cutter and stamp it all out, in little people shapes, onto the conveyor belt of success?

God's image is bigger, more beautiful and diverse than we ever could imagine. All of the intricacies of my children are my building materials. God's design for them will come to life right before me as I pray, encourage, challenge, coax, prod and instruct them into new and innovative uses of their God-given, natural abilities.

When they reach the place where they are consistently improving these abilities on their own, using them for the benefit of others and giving God the glory, that will be success for me and them. I love this challenge, don't you?

Doing something with your talents.

2008-03-17T11:58:00.003-05:00

My son, Sam, is doing something really great with his talent.

We encourage our children to use their abilities for more than just their own entertainment. Sam loves to put concepts into abstract art. He is using this interest to produce more than just art pages cluttering his room. He is designing t-shirts that illustrate the different concepts related to the attriutes of God. God is eternal, God is self-existent, God is the provider: these are important things for us to understand and illustrations draw our attention to His greatness. I love the idea. There are many corny "Christian" shirts out there. These will never fall into that category. Plus, the lessons he is learning about time, ambition, money and responsibility are very valuable. Check it out if you want to, and try it with your kids and their abilities.

...still having fun being a mom.

my american dream

2008-03-07T10:14:00.004-06:00

"When the Lord brought back the captive ones of Zion,

We were like those who dream.

Then our mouth was filled with laughter,

And our tongue with joyful shouting;

Then they said among the nations,

"The Lord has done great things for them."

The Lord has done great things for us;

We are glad."

In the same way as the Israelites rejoiced in being freed from captivity, we rejoice in being set free from sin. The end result is that others, people on the outside, unbelievers, will see how different we are and say, "The Lord has done great things for them." The pursuit of a dream in America is tied to money, material things, self-promotion and self-gratification. If we have Christ as our aim, we will be different. Conformity to the world will not get us noticed by the world, it is when we look different that they sit up and notice.

This video is my expression of thanks, to the Lord, for His grace in my life. Because of His grace, we can all live and die for bigger things.

Song in video:

"American Dream": by Jon Foreman

Scripture quote: Psalm 126:1-3

Landing a hit and winning

2008-02-22T08:20:00.009-06:00

Lucky for a man named Ernie, I am sore today and will be for a few days. But when I'm done with that, I'll be coming after him. For I blame him for my soreness. Last night, at the gym, Ernie's "body boot camp" class had a low showing, so he thought it would be fun to give the three of us a boxing lesson. He wore on his hands large white padded mitts with a black dot in the middle. I wore boxing gloves. That was a first for me.

I was instructed to aim for the black dot in the middle of the large white mitt and not to miss. He would call out orders like I want a "one, two" which means a right jab and then a left. It got a little more interesting when he would say "one, one, two and cross the two over to the right." If I began to take a swing he didn't order, he'd pull back on the white mitt and I would box the air. That was not fun. It was a purposeless thrust out into nowhere, which set me off balance and took me a second to recover my stance. What was fun, however, was when I "missed" the white mitt and hit him. By his response, I could tell that he'd been hit by a larger individual before. He laughed and shot me a "that's all ya got?" look. Overall, I enjoyed the experience.

Strangely, I opened to my regular Bible reading this morning and came to this passage: "Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I buffet (or bruise) my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified." A little higher in the chapter, I read, "Do you no know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win."

I want to win. Purpose will give me the speed and precision to win. Purposelessness in parenting will be like a swing that never makes it's mark and sets my kids' future off balance. There are very practical ways to be purposeful in raising our kids.

Set a goal: For us it is to raise godly grown-ups. We are raising them. This means we can not just let them be immature as long as they feel like it. We are raising them to be more than status-quo grown-ups. We want to see our kids become the kind of men and women that care more about the Lord's honor than anything else, so that their streamlined efforts have the maximum effect they can on this world for His kingdom.

Practically that means we throw off sins and temptations that easily entangle us. Teaching discernment rather than legalism. Protecting their eyes and ears from influences that will set them off course when they are too young to handle it. As they grow in wisdom and understanding we take them on purpose to the evils of the world and point them out as evil. Like Solomon in the Proverbs, we point and say things like, "my son, beware the adulterous woman, do not stray into her path. Steer clear of the deceivers who will rip you off. Do not run with fools or wicked men. Secure for yourself true friends who will sharpen you. Respect authority and you will have nothing to fear from them. Find your feet often in the Lord's house where you will gain wisdom and protection. Fear God and command your steps accordingly."

We are in the process of making a specific plan for our oldest son to become a man. He turns thirteen this summer. It involves learning to answer for his beliefs directly from Scripture. He must demonstrate a command of Scripture in areas of personal responsibility for his own biblical manhood. He must show by his daily actions that he truly believes what he confesses by growing in servanthood, humility and kindness. A leader is a learned individual and must be responsible for his own growth. A leader is a servant and must take responsibility for the spiritual influence he has on others.

Then there is the creative side of things. What are your kids' interests and talents? In our son, it shows itself in music and art. It would be a shame for him to just play drums at home and sit around and draw for the sake of his own personal entertainment. We encourage him to do these things to benefit the body of Christ. That is why we want him to play his instrument at church as often as possible and to turn His pictures into something useful (I will talk about his endeavors in an upcoming post).

So the question, for me, has never been, "should I stay home or should I pursue a career?" The question for me is "How many times a day can I throw a punch that lands right where I aimed it, and will take out my opponent and make me win?"

the Passage above:
1 Cor. 9:24-27
the context is Paul's calling as
an Apostle and his charge to
us as believers in our individual
callings.
Proverbs references
Prov. 2, 3,4,5,6,7,8,9

Go ahead, tell me God's not here!

2008-02-20T18:21:00.004-06:00

I have seen so many answered prayers for my kids. Have you? I had been drawn to prayer for my youngest son that he should start desiring to spread the good news of the Gospel. Yesterday, I experienced something like a kind of crazy awakening from a dream. I did a double take when he walked into the room and said, "Mom, I really want to find someone to share my faith with." Go ahead and tell me that my God's not real and that He has no designs laid out to use us. What is this unbelievable corrolation between the eternal sovereign One and my heart for a ten year old boy?

Pray for your kids. Whatever you think they need; pray for it.

Do you think they are lying? Get on your knees and beg God to reveal it to you.
Do they get scared at night? Pray to the God of comfort for their peace.
Do they dislike reading, and you know they will never grow if they don't start liking it? Ask God to give them a love for reading. What about seeing them change from complainers into those who desire to serve? Call out to Him who came not to be served but to serve and ask Him to make that same spirit come alive in them. Do you want them to care about the lost and lonely? Pray down a heart of compassion and an insatiable desire to be used by Almighty God in His kingdom purposes.

If by faith I have accepted that my very obedience to stay home and raise my kids is the most devastating blow I could ever deliver to the dark domain, then I must by that same faith, know that the small and great requests I bring to my King will be heard and answered on their behalf. Since I have forsaken everything else in this earthly life to see my kids come out victorious, I must seek the hand of the One who has commissioned me to do this. God is not small and He knows how to take the small and make it eternally great for His own glory.

So let's take the small and the big to Him who is waiting to answer us.

Just watch what He can do.

How do you do it?

2008-02-13T07:50:00.003-06:00

For all of the practical parenting advice I haved received and given,
the number one answer to the "How do you do it?" of parenting is this:

"But as for me, the nearness of God is my good,
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
That I may tell of all Thy works."
Psalm 73:28

Nearness to God is my only source of good.
Do I want good for me? I must be near to God. Do I want the good of my children? More than anything, I want it. I must show them, by my affections and my actions that good only comes from nearness to God. Everything else is secondary.

I have made the Lord God my refuge. This is my obedience, every day. I get up early, you get up early. We make ourselves submit to what is true and that is God is our only refuge. Our children must see us looking to Him for help in all matters. Seeking help and happiness from the world rather than from God, teaches them they don't need Him either.

The Lord God is my refuge. David was a man after God's own heart, not because he was a perfectly sinless person, as we know. He ran to God time and time again in repentance and in desperate need of God. When we run one place all day everyday, it shows our children that they cannot be self-reliant or they will fail. They must run to their Refuge.

That I may tell of all Thy works. In the end, if everything I do in parenting that ends up good, comes from my only source of good, and I have run to Him for refuge in all things, there is only one place the glory can go. All credit goes to you, Lord, and your magnificent works.

Rylie and Wisconsin Fun

2008-02-12T14:41:00.000-06:00

Sam and Wisconsin fun

2008-02-12T11:08:00.000-06:00

A Great Resource

2008-02-06T09:03:00.000-06:00

My daughter, Carly, has written a great curriculum for teaching the attributes of God to small children. She teaches it on Sunday nights to the k-2nd graders. She also uses it for babysitting, to keep energetic kids busy for a while. She'd love to share it with you. You can see the example below. It has a lesson to be taught aloud, a coloring page, and a note to parents so they can review the lesson at home.

Here is an example. If you would like us to send the lessons to you, put your address in the comments section of this post. (It looks much better in hard copy)

There are also lessons on:

Omniscience, Omnipotence, Self-existent, Just, Omnipresent and many others. We would send them all in one mailing in hard copy, on a CD or email them if you like.

___________________________________________

Page 1:

Week 1: Immutable

Meaning: God never changes
Verse: Psalm 102:27 “But You are the same, and Your years will not come to an end.”

Lesson Time

Start off by teaching the kids how to pronounce the word. Explain that it is an attribute of God, or something God is (to help the kids understand this concept, you can have them name attributes of each other, i.e., Tommy is nice, Sarah is kind).

Read the verse.
This verse is talking about God. It says You are the same. This verse is saying that God never changes.
Immutable means God never changes.

When you went to bed last night, were you wearing pajamas? When you got up this morning, did you change into your clothes for the day?
When you did that, you changed.
Does God ever change? No! He is immutable!

If God changed, he might love them yesterday but not today. God is always the same. He was the same yesterday. He is the same today. And he will not change tomorrow.

We can praise God because He is immutable. Pray a prayer of praise to God.

Song time

God is immutable (clap)
God is immutable (clap)
God is immutable
Because He never changes

(to the tune of “B-I-N-G-O)

___________________________________________

Page two:

Game Time

Preparation: Have a box of hats, scarves, or other dress up items ready.

Procedure: Have the kids get in a single file line. Give the first kid a scarf.
To play the game, have the first kid run to the box, take off his/her scarf and put it in. Have him/her grab another scarf and put it on. Then have him/her run back to the first kid in line and hand him/her the scarf. Repeat the procedure for each kid in line. If desired, form two lines of kids and have them race to see which team can complete the relay first.

After the game: Explain that the kids were changing their scarves. Say again: God never changes. Quiz the kids on this weeks attribute and meaning.

Before the Kids Leave

As the parents pick up their kids, ask each child:
“What attribute of God did we learn about today? What does Immutable mean?”
If he/she answers correctly (you can help out a little if necessary), give him/her a sticker as he/she leaves.

Don’t Forget! Give the parents this week’s parent’s note and the child’s completed coloring page.

Teacher’s Notes

Kids learn by repetition. Take every opportunity throughout the entire class to quiz the kids on this week’s attribute. For example, require the kids to say the attribute and what it means before you give them their hand sanitizer for snack time.

Throughout the lesson, stress that we praise God for who He is/His attributes.
Remember to pray a prayer of praise after the lesson and before the snack. While it is important for kids to thank God for their food, they also need to learn that God delights in being praised for who He is. You may even want to ask some kids to volunteer to pray, as well as praying yourself.
_______________________________________

Page 3:

The Coloring Page

________________________________________________

Page 4:

For the Parents

Dear parent,
This week we learned about Immutability, an attribute of God.
We would encourage you to review the lesson with your child over the course of the week.

Meaning: God never changes
Verse: Psalm 102:27 “But You are the same, and Your years will not come to an end.”

This week we learned about God’s immutability. We learned that, because God never changes, we can depend on Him to always be perfect and holy, and to always love us. He was the same yesterday as He is today, and we can count on Him to not change tomorrow!

We hope you have a great week praising Him!

Sincerely,
The teachers

Repentance: Our children's best friend and ours

2008-01-31T12:48:00.000-06:00

I found this on Spencer's blog this morning. I was blessed and challenged to remind my kids to welcome repentance as a friend. And to do it myself.

Prayer Requests

Prayer lists

Phone calls for a prayer chain

Email updates on prayer requests

Asking a friend, “How can I pray for you?”

Keeping a paper in the front of one’s Bible

A bulleted list on the blackberry

We all have our ways of sending and receiving prayer requests.

I receive my fair share, as you probably do too.

But this morning I heard what may well be the best prayer request ever. I heard this prayer request and it stopped me in my tracks. This one ranks up there as the most helpful, honest, spiritual, wise, and healthy prayer request one could make.

I found it in my reading of Job. Job 13:23 "How many are my iniquities and sins? Make known to me my rebellion and my sin.”

That is my new favorite prayer request. Have you recently made this request to God? Have you ever made it? I can tell you this.

The times when I have requested this and He has answered have been my happiest and most blessed.

Shadowing

2008-01-29T08:37:00.000-06:00

My daughter took her funky hairstyle and Jesus to Union Grove High school this morning.
She is shadowing a friend around today to see what it's like. We are praying for God's will for her in the fall.

She was so excited. How cute it was to watch her anticipate going to school and sharing the love of Jesus with others.

Where ever she ends up in the fall, it will be great to see the Lord use her.

Truly Human --pg13

2008-01-19T16:10:00.000-06:00

I briefly wrote about today's post topic on sister got slapped. It's called Ditch diggers if you want to check it out. The thoughts wouldn't leave me alone so I decided I needed to clear my head at your expense here on bringing up daniels. This next paragraph is cut and pasted from sgs just for some background information.

Apparently there is a show where some famous guy gets to choose which woman among thirty is the hottest. I do not know what she wins, but I cannot imagine it is worth her shame. I looked away in disgust when I realized it was nothing more than a televised orgy. I began to pray for the people on the screen. I was angry and sad. If only those women could see Christ.

But why? Why is Christ the difference between dignity and shame?

I love what Nancy Pearcey wrote in her book Total Truth: "The Bible does not begin with the Fall but with Creation: Our value and dignity are rooted in the fact that we are created in the image of God, with the high calling of being His representatives on earth. In fact, it is only because humans have such high value that sin is so tragic. If we were worthless to begin with, then the Fall would be a trivial event. When a cheap trinket is broken, we toss it aside with a shrug But when a priceless masterpiece is defaced, we are horrified. It is because humans are the masterpiece of God's creation that the destructiveness of sin produces such horror and
sorrow."

What was created pure has become shameful. What was outwardly innocent must now be covered up. An animal had to die to make the covering. What was to be an event of pure joy comes only through extreme pain. Through intense labor is a new life brought into the world. Tasks that were a rewarding use of time take longer and require sweat and strain. The ground was cursed. And worst of all what used to be warm walks with God in paradise became death. We all die.

You see Christ is coming to restore all things; not just to bring us into a restful, tear free existence. He is making us more human.

The nakedness that was cursed in the garden because of sin, has become a shameful pursuit of meaning in life. Christ bought back our dignity by restoring us in sanctification to the dignity we were created to posses. He bought our covering with his righteous life. We are now clothed in righteousness.

Childbirth reminds us that each new life comes into this place needing this covering. Joy is not pure but comes mingled in pain. Christ came this way and because He did there is a second birth that we can have that can never be cursed, where pain can't touch us.

Because of Christ we no longer have to spend all of life robbing God of glory but we can accomplish all our tasks as they were meant to be performed to honor God in our unique image-bearing way. This will be fully understood when the curse of this earth gives way to a new heaven and new earth where all things and all people will be as they were meant to be.

The point is this. The world has one answer keep doing what you are doing only harder. Keep pursuing the thing that brings you pleasure only more than you did last year at this time. But what is lost? The trueness of humanity is lost. Can a man who indulges is immoral activity with many partners enjoy the nuances of a relationship with one woman? Will he ever notice that she scrunches her nose when she laughs or appreciate her small acts of kindness, now that he has taken his life to this extreme? There is only one thing he lives for now, nothing else matters.

But not so with Christians. The more we grow in Christ likeness, the bigger our world becomes. Once eternity is opened up, there is no end to joy. Even the bad tasting cake of hard times has icing on it because it draws us closer to our loving Lord. When we are satisfied in Christ we are free to enjoy the little and big things. This is because He is the restorer. The closer we get to the restorer, the purer our existence becomes.

This is why we teach our kids not just: Read your Bible, Pray, go to church, be good...But love Christ, draw near to Him, and seek Him. Because in Him you will be truly human.

Taking back cool

2008-01-12T08:35:00.000-06:00

"Do not be as the horse or the mule which have no understanding,
Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check...
Many are the sorrows of the wicked;
but he who trusts in the Lord, loving kindness shall surround him."
(psalm 32:9,10)

There is a normal kid in our middle school ministry named Aaron. The world does not know him, and probably never will. He's kind of a quiet kid with a big heart for the lost. He made a suggestion to the leaders in the group that they go to the skate park and share the gospel. If you've read my blog for a while you know that 25 high school and middle school guys sat and listened to the gospel that day. I'm taking back cool for that kid.

Since when do rappers and idiots who drone on about their own hedonistic, self-indulgences own cool? How did half-dressed bleach-blond, photo-shopped faces get the rights to it? Do you have to be today's billion dollar baby and tomorrow's mental disorder to be praised in this world? Yes, but our audience is higher and more kingly. So I'm taking cool back from mules.

I'm giving it to Charlotte Murdoch who has spent 30 years translating scripture in a hut across the ocean so that an entire tribe could come to be known as a Christian people.

Cool goes out to the home-schooled girl who shares her faith and diligently loves the lost and the saved.

Dad's who lead their families in holy living, actively training up the next generation of pure-hearted men and dignified women, thank you. Mom's who give up their very lives for the same purpose, I want to be like you.

A German woman in Turkey whose husband was tortured and slain by Islamic extremists decided to bury her husband in Turkey and remain there with her children to see what God would grow from the fallen seed of her one true love.

Jesus said, "Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me to render to every man according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city."

So, I want cool kids. And I hope they don't mind being nobody in the minds of mules led around by worldly bits and bridles. All that really matters is that Jesus is coming and along with this world and all it contains, He's taking back cool.

Eternity in the new year

2008-01-01T08:36:00.000-06:00

Sunday morning changed my year. The Holy Spirit has given me another glimpse into the future hope that is mine in Christ, you can listen to it Here. This post will not do it justice, you really need to listen to it. It will change your year too.

To get this year more right than last year, I need to remember:

Everything in this world is temporary.
Everything in the world to come is eternal.

Don't let your job, don't let your ministry draw you away from God Himself.
Resist accepting the worldly notion that this world is all there is.

The last book of the Bible describes a horrible thing. Babylon is destroyed and three times, the merchants, kings and wise people of the world stand watching her burn and they say, "Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! For in one hour your judgment has come." This is the most powerful city on earth, where comfortable people shop and commerce is healthy, where everyone is beautifully dressed in the latest fashion. The women are accessorized in beautiful jewelry and there are restaurants serving the most delicious gourmet foods. By noon all is rubble that at eleven was just another morning of ignoring God.

I know you are with me in this: I do not plan to build this year out of earthly stuff, that can be burned to the ground in an hour. I will not let the grabby world yank the eternal from my hand. I am a child of a King whose Kingdom is eternal and my role in that Kingdom is valuable to Him. I'm not trading palaces for ash heaps, this year, with God's help and His grace.

I praise Him that He has opened my eyes to see that being a wife and mom is the most important work I could ever do for Him. This confused planet categorizes stay-at-home-moms as mindless, well-meaning persons, at best. At worst we are selfish non contributors.

I'm OK with this for two reasons. An eternal mindset makes one wise and also fearless.

Wisdom tells me: The moment to moment sacrifice that it requires to train up two godly men and a godly woman are stones in an unbreachable wall that will be standing long after this world is gone.

Fearlessness makes me: Secure in disregarding the opinions of Babylonians whose city will be levelled by noon.

References to Babylon taken from
(Revelation 18:10)
references to 1pm and noon and
modern opinions being equal to
the specific city of Babylon mentioned
in revelation are hypothetical.
yes I know unbreachable is not a word.

Christmas Cheer: comes from Rome and Hamsters

2007-12-24T07:04:00.000-06:00

I have a friend with two little boys. They are two very cute, rambunctious, healthy and fun little boys with cool names: Viggo and Ambrose Nelson. Viggo, the younger shares his name with the actor who played the king in Lord of the Rings. His parents didn't name him after the actor because they admire him, its just that they are LOTR fans but thought it a bit much to name their son Frodo. Ambrose's name commemorates one of the "four doctors of the church", Ambrose the bishop of Milan. This mentor of Augustine was known for battling Arian heresy and defending the Nicene creed. He was not Roman but studied in Rome.

The other day the Nelson family hamster died. Ann, their mom, said she had been suspecting a soon and coming death since he had been too fat to ascend his tower for some time now. She reported that they took the news very well. Viggo immediately asked if they could get a dog. Sure, let's replace a small, silent cage-dweller with a large chewing, barking, defecating, lawn-killing neighbor-biter. Sounds reasonable to me. And yet a deeper question of greater significance "remains."

What should be done with Shakespeare? The mom and dad began discussing how to give him an honorable burial. The fact is, they didn't really know what to do. This is not something you plan for. I can't picture a happy Pet's Mart experience looking like this: You are gazing longingly through the glass asking things like, "Which one do you want boys?" And exclaiming "Oh that one's cute"....deliberating over whether you like the chubby brown and white one or the fluffy black one....By the way, boys, one sad day when we find his stiff little body wedged in the tower, and dislodge it with the barbecue tongs, how shall we discharge his noble, furry outer shell to the ages?

This was a topic that deserved great contemplation. Helpfully adding to the discussion of funeral plans, Ambrose very thoughtfully suggests that they make a little cross. His mom, most likely moved by this sentiment, asks him, "What should we do with the cross?" This is a fair question to which he replies, "Hang him on it."

I do not think I have laughed so hard and so long, ever. Perhaps Ambrose is more Roman than we think.

A Great Resource for Dads

2007-12-20T09:53:00.000-06:00

Our friend has a great new blog called DADs : Dad's are Disciplers.
You should check it out.

The real test of cheerfulness

2007-12-20T08:38:00.000-06:00

God loves a cheerful giver. I look back on times when we decided to give more sacrificially with great fondness. There was a freedom that came with the denial of earthly possessions for the sake of the kingdom. It can be easy or even fun to say, "Let's give more!" and give a larger check to church or send it off to a missionary with a big smile. Don't we love it when we see our kids put their two quarters in the offering plate as it passes by? They were so excited to give it. They held it in their hand until it was time and couldn't wait to put it in. I'm still the same way. That is fun for me.

But what's it like when that same child is in Toys r Us and he can't get the game he wants for lack of funds? How does it feel when the sliding door on the van doesn't work automatically anymore and you just can't get it fixed and replace the dishwasher at the same time? Where does the good cheer go? That is when God wants to produce in us and our children something that He truly loves: sacrifice.

Someone from an impoverished background or a third world country wouldn't see these things as sacrifice at all. I am aware of that. A person without a home wouldn't understand why not having a dishwasher for two months would be so bad. We have just been responding to our environment. Just as we have been conditioned to have, we can also become conditioned to go without.

It occurred to me that it is not so much about being a cheerful giver as it is about being a cheerful not-haver. This blessed reality has made the lean times so sweet. The funny thing about this whole test is that when the unforeseen financial blessings come rolling in, as they have recently, I have become overwhelmed with the feeling that I don't really need all that. In return, I just want to keep giving it away.

Christmas is a great time to do that in honor of this new perspective on giving and in honor of my Heavenly Father who gave His only Son for us that we might follow His example in sacrifice.

Christian's Memorial Service

2007-12-08T18:38:00.000-06:00

The service was really great. I appreciated what was shared by Christian's father. I wrote most of what he said on an earlier post. One thing in particular stood out to me this time. He commented on a recent written evaluation given to Christian by his commanding officer. It said that Christian had "unlimited potential." Phil did not go on to do what most fathers would have done which is to praise his son to the skies making him larger than life. He made the point that everyone in the room who is a child of God by faith in Christ has the same unlimited potential because God's potential is limitless. I have been consistently impressed by this man's example. Though he and his wife are very close to their kids and extended family members, they have always welcomed in others. They have such a wonderful perspective on the family of God. There isn't a sense with the Skoglunds that their family is all there is.

Many shared how Christian befriended everyone and how he cared about even the lowest ranking soldier. His mom, Kay, told me that one time she picked him up a little late at the airport and he introduced her to the cleaning lady whom he just met while waiting. This is no big mystery to me now that I know his parents. When Racine Bible Church decided to call us here and we accepted, Phil and Kay flew out to Spokane for our official sending service. Phil joined with the elders in laying hands on us and praying for our future in Racine. This spoke so loudly to me about their commitment to the body of Christ. They were so excited that God had finally provided a pastor for their congregation after a two and a half year search. Why would people take such an interest in us if we weren't their family? They have a bigger picture of the family of God.

Two Army officers shared their memories of Christian. One man in particular who was his superior in Germany, considered himself to have been mentored by Christian in many ways. Both officers when they left the stage paused in front of his boots, gun and helmet and gave a slow good-bye salute. Through what was shared in honor of Christian, Christ was always honored more. Credit was given to Christ for everything good in Christian's life. It was a day I will always remember.

The sermon was such a blessing. The main point was that Christ put death to death through death. Christ wrestled death and killed it, put His foot on the neck of His enemy and declared eternal victory through His resurrection. What a victory, What a hope, What a Savior!

It truly was good to be in the house of mourning today. I am praising God for a kind of life so wide it stretches on forever; and a love so deep it reaches down into our hearts and changes who we are. It left me longing to be where Christ is, and the redeemed are waiting. Maybe just for a little while I can stay right here with my eyes toward heaven. And when I come back down I hope I live like somebody killed death for me and is waiting for me to truly live.

The Law, for Love and Freedom.

2007-12-07T08:48:00.000-06:00

It is our fault that the words Law, rules, ordinances, commandments and judgements seem like stifling instruments of legalism. I believe this idea is a product of worldly thinking rather than anything God has done to us. The Law was never meant to save. Those who hate the law, hate it because it goes against their hearts' deepest love: sin. Those who think it will save them never enjoy the freedom it was meant to bring. Jesus spoke of the law as being that which starts in the deepest desires and affections. He also came to set us free from the law of sin and death.

The world before the law didn't know its own sin and destruction. God revealed that law to Moses and the Israelites in order to point them to the One who was so offended by their breaking of it. The law was written on their hearts, but they loved their sin more. The law was given by God in one sense as a kind of "who do ya love?," Me or your idols?

Instead of remembering that the Law was to point to the broken relationship between the Holy One and His fallen Image-bearers, many have made it an idol of self-achievement to earn the favor of a less holy god whom they think they can be good enough to please. The idolatry that the law condemns is practiced by those who think that they can approximate sufficient law fulfillment as a means to permit them into the presence of God. This is slavery to a system of works, rather than the freedom of true Christianity.

Jesus came to fulfill the law and to take it deeper. The sermon on the mount speaks about a deeper obedience which brings the heart and affections into submission. Now what seemed already difficult became impossible. It is one thing to not commit adultery, but Christ said to lust is the same thing. I could go my whole life stopping short of murder, but I have been unjustly angry. Now I am responsible not only for my outward behavior but also to be changed inwardly in matters of mercy, patience and humility. These are attributes of the heart.

Jesus came to set us free in the truth, by striking our chains of personal merit asunder and calling us into a relationship with Him. The sword that loosed our bonds is faith. Faith itself must be granted to us by God. How could my heart not love Him, when He himself granted what I could not earn? Our obedience to Him is a very fruit of His Spirit. How could I not call that freedom, to be given the ability to say no to my evil taskmaster, sin? I am saved by Him into love and I am sanctified by Him into freedom.

This gift of love and freedom, given to us in the law fulfillment of Jesus Christ, makes these words true:

The Law restores the soul, makes wise the simple, makes the heart rejoice, enlightens the eyes. It is clean, it isn't going away, it is righteous altogether,it is sweeter than honey and more desirable than gold. It warns us, rewards us and acquits us.

Psalm 19, Romans 8, Romans 1

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

2007-12-05T08:45:00.001-06:00

....And mild facial ice-burn. Isn't that how the song goes?

Drinking the sea

2007-12-04T08:47:00.000-06:00

The preacher said,"Victorious Christian living is not so much about activity as it is about being loved." And I believe him. The idea comes from Ephesians chapter three. Being loved changes everything.

We can point out bad attitudes in our children. Everyday, multiple times we call them on their sin with the unmistakable clangor of repeated cymbal crashing. Sometimes we can even tell what a child is thinking just by the gleam in his eye and the juxtaposition of the ball in his hand and the proximity of his brother's face. If you are like me, you sense a sin coming on and reach down their throat as it were and grab it out tossing it to the fires of the abyss before they can say...."but mom". However proactive this parenting tactic may be, I have a question. What does it do for the deepest part of our children if they don't know that it comes from love?

"...That we may know what is the depth and height and length and breadth of the love of Christ and to be filled up to all the fullness of God." Attempting to exhaust Christ's love for us is like trying to drink the sea. When we've been plunged beneath it and get our mouth and lungs full of it, we struggle to come up for air only to be hit by another wave of it.

Christ's love is like being the only one at a feast prepared for thousands. We can barely finish four slices of freshly baked bread, and we lift our eyes to an endless table of satisfying food.

A person seeking to comprehend the deep deep love of Christ is like counting stars. Eventually you have to fall asleep trying.

Do you believe this? Do your kids see and feel this? I personally lose all desire for self-protection, defensiveness, glory-seeking, and insecurity when I think about the love of Christ. The teaspoon I was handing to God to be filled and returned to me, full of his love, just wasn't enough. The crumbs under the table that I thought would eventually satisfy me if I kept after them one by one, have gone to the dustpan where they belong. The stars I was counting have been pealed back to reveal a galaxy saturated in bright white.

In short, I want to obey this one who loves me endlessly. If it works for me, it will work for my kids. I want to give them instruction, discipline and hugs. But more than all of that, I want to give them Christ, and His endless universe of love.

Men are not Boys anymore

2007-12-01T09:44:00.001-06:00

We are in the middle of reassessing our parenting, not because we don't believe anymore what we've always believed, but because our kids are not the kids they were. Our daughter now is officially a young adult. She turned thirteen last March. This is our oldest son's thirteenth year. Many of you have read my post about the Bat-Jeshua. We plan to do the same thing for Sam's Bar-Jeshua. Check it out if you're interested.

Our goal for our children remains the same: to present them complete in Christ. We want our children to be ready for an increase in spiritual responsibility by thirteen, and ready to face the world alone by the time they head off to college. All of our efforts are submitted to Christ and by His grace alone have we had any measure of success.

A toddler learns the command "no" or "don't touch" and an immediate hand slap brings them out of the realm of "I need that" into "oh, I guess my parents will decide what I need." And the hugs given and the wiped away tears remind them that our decision is a loving one. The instruction one gives is very simple for the toddler. "Mama said no, you may not touch."

Children who are between the ages of 5 and 10 don't want to be talked to like a baby. They do not want oversimplified language and remedial condescension. This is an obvious one. We, as parents, kind of grow as they grow. We know what they can understand and we discipline and instruct them according to that new information.

The young person coming of age isn't always afforded such favors of understanding. You see, we are not moving from one kind of childhood to another, we are moving from childhood to adulthood at this point. They require something that every adult requires: respect. Respect's first requirement is that we see them as a young adult.

The temptation for many of us when we see a twelve or thirteen year-old bucking against our authority (especially with a son against his mom's authority) is to immediately label it rebellion. The bad planning begins. What did we do with him when he was ten? Let's do that only harder. After all, he is just a bigger version of ten. No he isn't. He is a man now.

When the skies are clear and everyone is happy, that is the time to loosen the reigns by offering freedoms and responsibilities only afforded to young men and women. In our house some of those things are: setting your own bedtime within reason, opening a bank account, deciding your own school schedule (if you're at home), going to the mall with a couple friends alone for an hour, picking your own movies (allowing mom and dad veto privileges). Also, immediate obedience is not required at all times. There is more of a respect that mom and dad offer to them, for example: "Hey, are you busy right now? When you get time would you please vacuum your room? Sometime before our company comes could you bring in the garbage cans?" It is how I would want to be treated as an adult. The things they are engaged in right now are important to them.

The theme of my instruction to my boys beginning right around age nine has been respectability. Every man wants to be respected. This is a God-given desire that has been built into his being. It is what God requires of wives, "See to it that you respect your husbands." It is what makes them not want to cry like a sissy when they get hurt in front of their friends, or a cute girl. It is what makes them wrestle and try to win football games, or be the life of the party. It is also what makes them try to sound like they are smarter than their parents and teachers.

In negative situations I ask things like, "If someone saw how you were treating your sister would they respect that? I know you want to be respected and that you don't want others thinking you're a jerk, right? Is that how Dad talks to me? What do you think would have been better? " In positive situations, I praise them for it: "That was awesome, what you did. I saw you open the door for her. Now that's not something you see a man your age do everyday."

If they are good at serving. They should be reminded that the most respectable leaders are servants and men with strong character get in the trenches just like they did.

This desire for respect gets out of hand. Much of what they need to learn about wanting too much respect, or all the respect, or inappropriate respect, otherwise known as pride, can be taught little by little. It can be taught by hard knocks from peers. It should also be taught, mostly by dad. You see, the son doesn't want to be like a woman. He wants to be like dad. Dads understand the need for respect, they want it too.

I have found myself fighting against my own tendency to nag, guilt or yell my son into submission to me. All the while, everything within and without is stretching him out of a submission role and into a role of leadership. I have started walking away from him when he is demonstrating a sharp tone or an impatient spirit. I respond with a gentle tone and I walk away and pray. The last thing that will help him is for me to compete with him. Do you think he wants to lose a battle of wits with a woman? No, he doesn't. Every time I have been kind and respected him, he has come to me and apologized.

The Holy Spirit really can do in him what He does in me: convict of sin and lead to repentance.

I recommend a good book. Future Men by Douglas Wilson. I don't agree with everything in this book, but he makes some seriously great, biblical points about this topic.

Fish and Parcheesi

2007-11-27T09:26:00.000-06:00

Loving the One who has the power to end your pain but doesn't; now there is a uniquely Christian view point. A father gives his son bread and not a serpent. He will not give him a scorpion instead of fish-fry if he is any kind of a decent dad at all. How much more will our heavenly Father freely give us all that is good for us and not that which is bad for us, if He has already given us everything in Christ? So much more, will He!

There are times in a family, where there is more than just one kid, that somebody's going to not get what they want. In our home that is every day. We do something in our house that is affectionately called "family trifecta night". We read together, play a game together and watch a movie together. We take turns getting to pick the winning order. If we are extremely blessed, one or more of our children will approve of two out of the three choices.

If we threw all three kids into a red Yahtzee cup with a book a game and a movie, shook them up and rolled them out onto the table, what are the chances that all three children would come up happy with all three choices? (some smart alec math person who majored in the joy of percentages is coming up with the answer as we speak).

My point is: never. Never are all three happy with all three. Sometimes no one can agree and mom and dad make the decision which ends up being uniformly hated by all in attendance. That's when it gets good. What an opportunity to instruct, discipline and reward our kids.

In the land of get everything-you-want, nobody grows. But this is life on a fallen planet. This is life with a loving Heavenly Father. Loving Him back, starts now. What the obtrusive idol of immediate gratification is blocking the view of, is the very thing that will bring true satisfaction in the long-run. The hammer that smashes that idol for a child, is a boring movie or a game they hate because they lose at it every time.

If miserable discontent is met with faithful discipline and instruction while a person is young, they will build the spiritual muscles they will need for carrying bigger crosses later. The greater pains of intense loss will hurt but will not destroy our grown children because they learned while they were small that love does not equal "your best life now". God is love, period. What He does is loving. That does not change just because I feel like playing Parcheesi and I have to play Yahtzee or because I loved that job I just lost or that relationship that just ended. God's love is not erased because I refuse to see it.

It is healthy for our kids to grow up believing that God knows something they don't. Loving my brother and respecting my parents is happiness. Letting others have their way and not getting mine today, is tomorrow's bread and fish. Just like Christ endured the cross for the joy set before Him, in Christ we have an eternal hope of glory though we are called to daily take up our cross.

Chapter Twelve: How Women Started the Culture War

2007-11-24T11:03:00.000-06:00

This chapter in Total Truth by Nancy Pearcey was very enlightening for me. She explains how the industrial revolution created a cultural chasm in the family which opened the ground and swallowed up the entire American culture in the process.

In the beginning of American history Colonial/Puritan families were very united. The husband led the family by providing for them in a certain trade. The wife was very much a helper to the man in this work, as was God's design. When the industrial revolution came along there was a removal of the male presence at home and the wife became the home manager only and no longer assisted her husband with the duties of daily labor.

There were many repercussions to follow. The husband was now the bread-winner. He had a kind of separate life from the family. His job was to go to work and get paid. The wife then took on all the responsibilities of the home along with child rearing. Gradually, the roles of men and women became defined by post industrial revolution American philosophy leaving behind the Biblical view of the husband as head of the family and wife as his helper.

Many of her former tasks were taken away and replaced by responsibilities she was not created for. She no longer occupied herself to maximum capacity in labor alongside her husband. He didn't need her to fulfill a job at a factory somewhere, where she was not invited to come. She lost a sense of responsibility to her husband, which created an unintended self-sufficiency. She gained, however, the new responsibility of head of the house. Her husband was no longer around all day, so every part of headship became hers.

As a result of this cultural shift, with the spiritual obligation of the family's godly upbringing being left to the wife, the church became a place for women. Instructing, disciplining children, maintaining moral conformity in society all fell the the wife. Men lost their sense of devotion to the church because they were not devoted to the cause of spiritual stability in their own homes. Christianity became feminized.

This deviance from biblical roles of men and women caused a great sense of confusion in both men and women. Vital responsibilities were removed leaving both men and women lacking in purpose and usefulness. The backlash has been a culture of women seeking more. Men however did not feel the adverse effects of all of this cultural decline as women did. Men after all, were still producing something, working hard and bringing home pay. They kept a sense of moralistic comfort in their role as provider, but without the tedious responsibility of ensuring a spiritual nurturing for their families. That was now the wife's job.

Women did not fare as well in the aftermath. They now had a deep sense that there was more to this life than just being locked inside four walls and producing nothing. Instead of creating ways to fulfill their biblical roles by actively finding ways to help their husbands, serve the body of Christ, and make the most of every opportunity to raise up godly children, they are abandoning their role completely to take on the male role in the work place.

We all know what the end result has been; divided families, divorce, children being raised by daycare workers who have no interest in their spiritual well-being, materialism and the list goes on.

I liked this chapter for the insight it gave me into today's culture and how we got here. I also understand our enemy a little better. Mostly I was challenged to be a producer. My husband and I are co-laborers in this family. He is in charge of all of our spiritual growth. I am a gift to him in the form of a multitasking, purposeful, creative assistant. His goals, as God has laid them out for him in our family, are mine to imaginatively bring to fruition by the ceaseless work of my hands and affections.

Dads are so much more than a paycheck. A mom's value soars way beyond cleaning up excrement and slopping food on the table. Together we are a cultural revolution. The family, as it functions according to God's purpose, is a slap in the face of the enemy who so cleverly designed this family-unfriendly place we are living in.

But the design has one fatal flaw and it is the problem with all of Satan's schemes; God uses darkness to show off His light. Every family that seeks to live out God's intended purposes for it will find that they are a vital contributor to the building of the kingdom of God. By this He is glorified and by this we will be greatly blessed.

The Core of Thankfulness, Thanksgiving 2007

2007-11-22T08:59:00.000-06:00

Praise the God of bounty for this beautiful, snowy Thanksgiving morning. He is the same One we thank for giving us an extended, warm and colorful fall. We indeed have never gone a day without food or a day without being held securely in his hand for all the needs of our souls.

Last night two of our associate pastors gave a short Thanksgiving devotion. Darien Bowers reminded us to praise the giver not the gift. Daniel Miller reminded us to be thankful for the silence of God.

Neither of these come naturally to the natural man. That is why it glorifies God to do it. He stirs within us a supernatural activity, called thankfulness.

In loss or broken relationships there is a kind of silence; a waiting. But what it produces, reminds me that my silent Friend is worthy of thanks in the midst of it. If I never had to suffer through the waiting, would I understand the peace of God in my inner person? The silences build into us the reality that faith is a substance of things hoped for, but not yet seen. Not knowing the outcome makes me rely upon One who knows what He's doing, when I would do the wrong thing, giving me the experience of grace.

I cannot think these things without also realizing that there are many practical ways I can teach them to my children. First I've got to get it myself. Then I can look for strategic ways to train them in the exercise of daily gratitude; gratitude that goes to the core of Thankfulness, straight to the Maker.

I can praise my God in the midst of loss because that thing I lost was never my god, my Lord was always my God. I can thank Him when He doesn't answer my prayers right away, because the answer to my prayer is not my god, my Lord is. He is my God, the sole target of my affections because of no act of mine.

He sought me, He called me, He first loved me. He sent the sacrifice, He completed the work, He rose again. He redeemed me, He granted me faith, He sealed me by His Spirit. He trains my feet for battle, He girds me with strength, He clothes me in His righteousness. He intercedes for me, He sanctifies me, He sets my eyes toward heaven. He prepares a place for me, and He will bring me there when my time is up.

I will purpose that this Thanksgiving day will be a day of worshipping my God for who He is and thanking Him for His silence.

Have a "quiet time" like there's no tomorrow

2007-11-20T07:35:00.001-06:00

There is no way of knowing where all this is going. What roof will fall on my children tomorrow? If they were having a party, as Job's children were, and that was the day the ceiling fell in collapsing them into eternity, would I be ready? Being prepared for a coming catastrophe is a good practice. Expect the worst. What a cynical outlook!

Is it? We are not promised tomorrow, and neither are our children. Those of us who are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ are promised eternity, but not on this planet. Do you have a plan to praise God in the ugly face of great loss? Are you prepared to trust Him? There is a direct correlation between the pursuit of Christ-likeness in mundane daily living and spiritual fortitude in the midst of great disaster.

Heartache, deep sadness, emotional trauma deal an awful blow. The Love of God is the difference between someone who can get up again and someone who is completely crushed by the impact of it. Are you committed to it? Are you a believer in the love of God? God's love must be so much a part of who you are that you will be inseparable from it on the day you need it most. It should be like the very protective skin you're wrapped in.

We do not wake up in the morning and have a "quiet time" or whatever you call it, to check it off some vain list of accomplishments or because it is the evangelical equivalent of praying the rosary. We do it because the roof might fall in on my kids. What? I mean it. I will not be able to stand up and praise my God in my deepest hurt if I do not take the time every day to be strengthened in the reality of His love for me. Paul says in Ephesians chapter three that the reason we do not lose heart in affliction is because we are strengthened by the Spirit of God in the inner man to comprehend the limitless love of God in Christ.

What is the height and depth and breadth and width of the love of Christ? Find out every morning. Find out every evening. Find out in ceaseless prayer. Find out in communion with God and His people. Make every effort every moment of your life to plunge yourself beneath this love, to drown yourself in it. Let the love of Christ be your reality. If we are strengthened in the inner man by the very Spirit of God, what weight of disaster can crush us? There is not one.

So have a quiet time. But do it like there's no tomorrow. Because God in His great love may not give you tomorrow, with the ones you love, and you will want to be ready to praise Him for it.

Job said, "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the Name of the Lord." Job 1:21

Heaven's not a better place, its a person.

2007-11-17T08:53:00.000-06:00

The contemplation of dying and facing the unending future in heaven and all that I cannot understand that it means, has driven me to seek the Lord in a new way the last few days.

When the thief on the cross next to Jesus asked if Jesus would remember him when He came into His kingdom, Jesus replied, "Today you shall be with me in paradise." It occurred to me that heaven is only paradise because a thief like me can actually be with the sinless Jesus. What makes heaven so great? Jesus and being with Him.

It is not just a "better place." It is that we will be with a better person, the person of Christ.

This has brought new meaning to the verse, "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain." Truly, Truly, Truly this is the answer to it all! To live here on earth is Christ. To die and go to paradise is Christ. "And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent."

What I do today, I do for Christ. How I love my kids, is how I love them for Christ. When I discipline my children and instruct them, it is so that they may be like Christ. And somehow by the grace and truth that is Jesus Christ may they and I be made to live this earthly life with a crystal clear view of what heaven really is: It is Christ!

See You Later...

2007-11-15T15:04:00.000-06:00

The following was posted by Christian's wife Liz. She is quoting what his dad said about him at his memorial service in Italy.

The service was amazing. The gospel was presented many different ways. What Phil said was absolutely perfect. I just wanted to share it with everyone because it really captured who Christian was and what he lived for.Remarks at Memorial Service: Aviano Air Base, Italy, Hangar 1November 14, 2007 10:30 A.M. Phil Skoglund

When Captain Skoglund was born on August 2, 1976, we named him Christian. That was our highest hope for him – that he would become one of Christ’s men. We have watched that happen to a greater and greater degree as the years have passed. Christian loved what God loves – His amazing creation - the earth, the sky, the awesome experience of mountains and water; but even more – he has loved and enjoyed the people the Lord has brought into his life. My wife Kay and I and his three siblings – Maja, Erik and Lars, his wife Liz, and many, many friends and family, have enjoyed him for 31 years.

He has brought incredible warmth and always unpredictable excitement to our life in lots and lots and lots of ways. The last, and best of all, was this time in Italy with his wonderful wife Liz as they loved life and each other for these last 16 months.

We are very thankful for Christian’s opportunities in the military. He loved flying and he loved his fellow soldiers. We have been so impressed by the “military family” and their love and support. But there’s a bigger reason for my thanks. In this environment, everyone knows what it means to be under orders. It’s not just a specific responsibility but being in a state of accountability. Because of his army life, Christian has learned in recent years what it means to be under orders, not just from his military superiors, but also under orders from his loving Lord.

The joy and winsomeness that you have seen in him are due to the fact that Christian embraced His command heartily. We have heard from lots of people: military both here and around the world, many rugby players, fellow students from schools that Christian has attended, extended family,and they all say that he was a person “who was comfortable in his own skin, that he was able to stand alone in a crowd while still loving people and enjoying the situation.” Here’s why.

Scripture is clear that God makes each of us uniquely and carefully according to His design. We are never complete and truly fruitful until we cooperate with that design, and we never know that design until we relate in humility and submission to the Lord of life. We are created by Him and for Him. Christian understood that, and his actions and commitments in life were all part of his commitment to being the man that God wanted him to be.

For some time now, since Christian has been assigned around the world, our times together have ended with a hearty, “See you later!” Sometimes “later” is months or more, sometimes just tomorrow morning, but we never say “Good-bye,” it’s always “See you later!” That is no different now. It’s just that Christian has left this life, so “See you later!” may take a little longer.

Christian has been so many places around the world where I still have not been, and may never be. Now he’s gone ahead to one more new place but this time I know I will join him someday. We are convinced that for those who “believe in their heart and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord,” this is our future. In fact, eternal life, the gift of God, is an abundant life that begins at the moment the soul awakens and acknowledges the Savior. Christian has shown us all a little taste of what it means to live abundantly!

We grieve because much of what we anticipated in this life can never happen. We grieve because there is a tremendous hole in so many lives where Christian lived. We grieve because we know that our path to the next “See you later!” may be longer and more difficult than any so far, BUT we do not grieve because we are without hope, or that we have lost him forever. God’s grace will be sufficient for this life, and God’s promise will carry believing hearts into great joy. Praise God for His manifold gifts to us that have come to us in and through Christian Skoglund.To all of you, I want to say thank you for all that you have meant to Christian and to us…and to Christian, I want to say – SEE YOU LATER!!

Christian's Song

2007-11-10T12:55:00.000-06:00

Christian’s Song
(written for Liz and the Skoglund family)

Did you hear the news today?
I wanted you to know;
His mission was a great success
And now he’s headed home.
I heard he fell from heaven,
Right into Heaven’s hand.
And now He flies to Jesus
In that new and happy land.

But…
All this staying’s got me praying…

Today would be a good day, Jesus
To see You in the sky.
So we could take this world
Of death and leave it all behind.
So, I’m standing in my front yard
I’ll just wait and watch so I
can take this broken, fallen world
And leave it far behind me.

You said to comfort one another
With these words and I
Have written all the words out
To heal this heart of mine.
You said You’d come and get us
The ones who remain.
We miss you and the one who left us
We’re calling out your Name…

And praying...

Today would be a good day, Jesus
To see you in the sky.
So we could take this world
Of death and leave it all behind.
So, I'll be in my front yard
I’ll just wait and watch so I
can take this broken, fallen world
And leave it far behind me.

I'll be right outside...

Seeds already planted

2007-11-08T20:01:00.000-06:00

Milwaukee news covers Christian's story.
The Gospel went out today.

You can watch The video

We Grieve...

2007-11-08T18:35:00.000-06:00

...but we do not grieve as if we have no hope. We have hope because we have a home. It is a city not made with hands, whose architect and builder is the Lord. There is only one way to get there and His name is Jesus. Christian belongs to Him by faith. I'm so glad I do too. Thank you, Lord that you have given us the assurance of life after this, where you are the light and there are no more tears.

The Journal Times Report:

BY PAUL SLOTH Journal Times
Thursday, November 8, 2007 4:40 PM CST
> SLIDESHOW: Army helicopter crash with Racine native > MAP: Aviano, Italy > VIDEO: Army helicopter crash with Racine native > SLIDESHOW: Capt. Christian SkoglundRACINE — A 31-year-old Racine native died Thursday from injuries he sustained when his Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed in northern Italy, killing at least four more people and injuring six others.Capt.

Christian Skoglund, a 1994 Park High School graduate, was aboard the UH-60 Black Hawk when it crashed during a training mission near Aviano Air Force Base, in Aviano, Italy, where he was stationed.

The Rev. Spencer DeBurgh, pastor at Racine Bible Church, said Skoglund was a man of whom his family and the Racine community could be proud. “The good news of the Gospel is that, through our savior Jesus Christ, we have eternal life. Christian Skoglund knew the Lord Jesus as his savior and he is with his savior in glory,” DeBurgh said.

With Jesus

2007-11-08T13:30:00.001-06:00

Christian Skoglund went to be with his Savior.

Please, please Pray.

2007-11-08T10:43:00.000-06:00

Our friend Christian Skoglund is still unconscious. He has serious head injuries and fractures in his leg. His collapsed lung is now functioning again. His blackhawk helicopter went down in Italy this morning. We do not know much else. There were fatalities. Please pray for him and his wife Liz. His mom, Kay and dad, Phil (an elder at our church). His sister Maja, and brothers Erik and Lars also need your prayers.

Thank you, thank you for praying.

Oh grow up!

2007-11-05T15:27:00.000-06:00

I really liked something I read today. I think Carl Trueman is fair in his assessment of the times. He ridicules the perpetual charge toward maintaining our youth, rather than valuing the natural progression of human life as it grows in maturity and wisdom. It is unbiblical to remain in a constant state of adolescence and to act as if the most important thing we could do is understand youth and be accepted by it.

If you'd like to read it, you can find it here.

The Holiness and Tenderness of Christ

2007-10-29T08:51:00.000-05:00

A Deeper look into the Holiness of Christ has motivated me to care more about spiritual things in my relationship with my kids. I posted about it on sister got slapped. Check it out if you are interested.

A great mom's reminder

2007-10-29T07:10:00.000-05:00

My friend Heidi has written something very practical about obedience.
Hope it encourages you.
find it here:
http://rickandheidi.blogspot.com/
scroll down to "I will obey"

Thanks for mud and freedom

2007-10-27T08:30:00.000-05:00

While the thoughts of this morning are as fresh as the mud on my shins and shoes that are now drying on my back step, I wanted to tell whoever is listening that it is a beautiful day. As I told the Lord this morning, I never expected it to stay this warm so late in the fall, and for me to have a little freedom to enjoy it.

I dropped my kids off to meet the other kids and leaders from the middle school ministry at the Women's resource center, where they will be representing Jesus and sharing His love, this morning. This was the best part.

I took the rare opportunity of driving down to the Lake. The Lake, for those of you who do not live in Racine, Wisconsin is Lake Michigan. It seems more like an ocean when you stand by it, not for the waves but for its size. It is 85 miles wide and 150 miles long. Though it is not the Pacific, it still makes me feel happy to be loved by the God who put it there.

I parked by the walking path and ran as fast as I could over the path, through the tall grass, down to where the sand became mud and Canada geese looked up in curiosity. I stood and looked out at the Boulders which blocked most of my view and decided I needed to get higher. Three men were collecting something from the shore in buckets about 200 feet in the other direction.

I took off running for the giant rocks, curving with the shoreline as I ran. The mud was deeper than I expected and I'm glad I was at full speed, when my feet sank in up to the middle of my shins. Thankfully my shoes were on tight. With a laugh and an "oh shoot!" I started the short climb up the rocks. My light blue shoes are now a dark shade of brown. I reached the top and I walked out on the the rocks about 20 feet. There I stood squinting at the early sun, already up and casting its shiny reflection in a path across the water to the base of the rocks.

The geese started honking as some kind of signal to go and six of them flapped, splashed and took off into the sky right above my head. I could see them notice me as they flew over. About ten more did the same thing heading slightly more east. A third group soon enjoyed the same liberating liftoff.

I heard the responsibilities of home calling me and I chose the lesser of the two muddy options back to my car. With my sludgy running shoes and socks in the trunk, I headed for home. I passed by the skate park where the gospel was shared a few weeks ago; the first place my kids ever purposely went to be a light. I stopped and looked in the gate, scanned the empty park and remembered that Saturday. That was a good use of free time too.

My mind went to my Savior and the wonder of His kindness to us. Why would He let me live long enough to see my kids serving Him? And how does it cross His mind to give me all this warmth and sweetness all on the same day? I do not know. But I know this is freedom.

Killing God?? Books for children??

2007-10-26T18:04:00.000-05:00

I received this link from a friend in Texas. It gives information about a new movie based on a trilogy of books, by a British author, designed to influence children in an atheistic direction. I thought the world was doing fine with that already. Though I have not read them, apparently two Adam and Eve type characters succeed in killing God at the end of the third book. This is not included in the movie which will seem harmless to most who see previews. This is a fearful thought. For what it's worth, check it out and leave comments if you want to.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp

Life's not Fair, Thank God!

2007-10-26T09:57:00.000-05:00

I was listening to a sermon series on the holiness of God by R.C. Sproul. Spencer left it on the ipod for the kids to listen to while he is in Israel. It has been transforming me in my affections and fear for God.

He makes the point that our church culture today is uncomfortable with the old Testament because of the immediate wrath of God that is poured out on individuals such as Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron. They new what was right in presenting offerings to God. They had been taught and shown the way to approach God with honor and fear. There were very specific instructions. They offered "strange fire." Whatever that was, it was not obedience. God struck them dead.

Who can forget Uzzah whose touching of the ark of God brought his immediate death? We aren't even comfortable talking about Moses striking the rock and forfeiting his entrance into the promised land.

Many want to ignore the old Testament completely and just embrace the New. Why? Because it's not fair.

But let me remind you that the New Testament is every bit as much a volume of bloodshed, wrath and the Justice of God as the old. What do we think bought grace? Did God get soft and just decide to roll over and give in, admitting that He was unfair to all those generations? No.

He was pleased to crush His Son for sin. It was not for sins of His own, but for the sins of the world. I might be able to comprehend life more if the earth opened and devoured me. Instead I am sentenced to an unimaginable existence swallowed up by grace in a life not purchased by me, but by the death and resurrection of God the Son.

As Relient K sings it: "The beauty of grace is that it makes life not fair." Thank God!

Moodiness and Dinosaurs.

2007-10-22T08:19:00.000-05:00

"Can you draw out the Leviathan with a fishhook?
Can you put a hook in his nose?
Will he make supplications to you?
Or will he speak soft words to you?
Behold, your expectation is false.
Will you be laid low even at the sight of him?
No one is so fierce that he dares to arouse him;
Who then is he that can stand before Me?"

Moodiness, and dinosaurs? What? How in the world do these things mesh? They come together under the control of the mighty sovereignty of God. I recognize this might seem like a stretch to you as you read this but give it some thought.

God sets up for Job a true sense of great fear of the right things. By describing the fierceness of the Leviathan and then establishing His control over this mighty beast, He poses the question, in essence "who can stand before the creator and commander of such an uncontrollable creature?"

Who but God would have thought that describing a dinosaur would be the means to a mood change? Job's response to a great reality changed his mood. What was once desperation in Job's heart and great sadness because of tremendous affliction became a humble, gracious, penitent heart toward the God who was greater than the affliction.

We do not have to stay in a mood that is contrary to a greater reality. Boredom can be replaced with ambition and gratitude. Reigning frustration can be usurped by dependence. Hurt and bitterness can be overthrown by joyful forgiveness. Selfish grumblings will be turned into generous giving.

All this will happen only when we see how great God is.

Present to your children and yourself a huge view of God and His character and all the rest will fall into line. Job was surrounded by counsel that did nothing for his mood. It was only when he was shown the magnitude of the scope of the sovereignty and fearfulness of God that he shut his mouth in repentance.

Just as a trial loses its intensity under the breath of a fire-breathing scaly giant, and the fear of that giant pales in comparison to the One who created it; so it is with our mood. We are only a victim of it when we make it bigger in our eyes than the God who can change it. And the God who can change it wants to make so much more out of us than whiny, grumpy selfish idolaters. May it be for His glory.

Pews, Doughnuts and affection for Christ

2007-10-17T09:59:00.000-05:00

I have noticed that the deeper I grow in love with Jesus the less I feel content with the shallowness of this world. The little things I used to seek satisfaction in just don't hold the promise they used to. Nothing really has its firm grip on my affections as it used to. This is good.

I know that there is help to be found here in raising my kids, but it can seem counter intuitive to some people. Have you heard the myth? If you say no or withhold some things, your kids will just rebel and seek those things as soon as they get a little freedom. Many well-meaning, misguided experts teach this.

The truth is that a person rebels because it is in their heart to do that, not because another person came along stapled rebellion on them from the outside via some external standard.

It is not the giving and withholding that drives anyone to obedience or rebellion, any more than a bar stool sends me to hell or a pew makes me saved. However, sitting in a bar all day may keep me from ever hearing about heaven and sitting in a pew puts my ears within shouting distance of the warnings of scripture that there is a hell and I could be going there.

In the same way every opportunity to promote holiness in myself and in my children is a good opportunity. But holiness is not to be sought after for the sake of looking or feeling holy. Holiness is a way to shut out the instant gratification of sin and deepen our affection for Christ.

Sitting under great Bible teaching takes much longer to make me feel good than say eating a glazed doughnut. It is, however, safe to say the joyful results of listening to the word of God week after week and year after year will last much longer than the two minute euphoria a deep fried delight induces.

The only way to produce affection for Christ is to develop a hunger for that which satisfies long term. And the only way to satisfy ourselves long term is to feed the affection of Christ. For it is Christ alone that in the living water and bread of life. In order to feed that affection we must not fill up on doughnuts.

You and I and our children will never see what loving Christ can truly produce in the long term if our view of eternal things is constantly being obstructed by short term, immediate gratifications. Today I am asking myself what can be ignored, set aside or permanently sacrificed to make way for the feast that is Christ.

Give 'em over!

2007-10-15T07:55:00.001-05:00

Hannah cried out to the Lord in prayer begging for a baby. Hannah gave her son Samuel, to the Lord before he was born. God met with Samuel all of his days and "let none of his words fail."

Eli was the priest at that time. He did not commit his sons to the Lord. Both of his grown sons were getting fat by stealing meat that was meant to be sacrificed. Eli did not rebuke them. Eli lived just long enough to realize the fulfillment of God's words to Samuel that both his sons would die on the same day in battle. The ark of the Lord was stolen by the Philistines in the same battle. Eli also perished that day.

It matters that we commit our children to the Lord. They belong to Him.

Don't let fear stop you: Hannah weaned her son and delivered him to the temple to learn to serve the Lord. She saw him once a year. He was probably under the age of five years old. Would you do that? Could I do that? If we want to see God use our children, we must be willing. I should encourage my kids to share the gospel even if they could be persecuted, hated or even martyred.

We must fear God more than their discomfort or our own: Eli did not rebuke his sons. God held him accountable to that. His ministry was removed from him because he loved his own comfort more than he feared God. Eli's sons were allowed by Eli to die in their sins because of his lack of intervention. Do we do that? Are you willing to watch them suffer because you are afraid to discipline?

Blessings should be seen primarily as uses to further the glory of God: Hannah asked for a blessing (a baby) for the purpose of committing that blessing to God's work. Do we see our children as instruments of our own fulfillment (in other words, idols)? They do not exist for our joy only but to be used in the kingdom.

And what greater joy do we have than to glorify God and see our children do the same. Nothing in the world can buy that!

Sk8 fusion update

2007-10-14T14:09:00.000-05:00

Thanks for your prayers.

Check out the report on what God is doing in Racine through our middle school ministry.

http://weblog.xanga.com/kellsabells/621454151/sk8-fusion.html

Everything, everything, everything

2007-10-10T10:16:00.000-05:00

"Our Lord's mission was not to destroy but to construct. As noon fulfills dawn, and summer spring; as manhood fulfills childhood and the perfect picture, the rude sketch, so does Jesus gather up, realize and make possible the highest ideals ever inspired in human hearts or written by God's Spirit on the page of inspiration."

The Sermon on the Mount was not given by Jesus as a list of good behavior, rather a clear pronouncement of the impossibility of being truly good. Jesus proclaims "I did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it." We all understand that Jesus fulfilled the law of Moses by obeying every commandment perfectly toward God and man. And it is fascinating to us that He also fulfilled the ceremonial law by being the perfect lamb on the altar of the cross. The entire law was fulfilled by Him.

His holy death and resurrection brought me forgiveness of sin. His perfect obedience replaces my sin with His goodness. Every possible way for my children to be strong, beautiful, holy and good is because Jesus fulfilled the entire law. Every one of my attempts at raising them well goes back to Christ fulfilling the entire law. If we are a peaceful, joyful, complete family it is because Christ fulfilled the entire law.

The very words, life and sacrifice of Christ scream out "You can't earn it; I earned it!" That is why moralistic behavior modification is a spiritual murderer. It turns our children into Pharisees. Jesus said, "unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven." Having a goal for our kids to just be good is worse than not best, it secures a spot under God's wrath for them.

Everything, everything, everything in raising children must come back, come back, come back to the cross! Why do we do what we do? The cross. Why do we say what we say? The cross. Why do we not watch what we do not watch? The cross. Our desires for holiness, love, joy and obedience stem from and grow back toward the cross. Why? Because we must depend on what has already been done and the One who has accomplished it, for it to be more than one more well-decorated, squeaky-clean step on a staircase to hell.

The cross changes everything. It changes our motives for why we love. We do not love because it earns us anything, we love because Christ loved us first. Why do we give? Christ gave everything by the power of His Spirit and he enables us to give in that same power. Why do we sacrifice? Because we have a Savior who bought us with his blood, what could we possibly hold back? Since my own so-called righteousness gets me no where, I have no incentive to be fake or arrogant, but every reason to worship the Lamb of glory.

My children can grow up thinking many things about me, but let them never miss this:

Every good way I have ever lived is owed to the executioner's tree and the One good man who died there.

Opening quote by:F.B. Meyer's commentary on Matthew 5:17-26,
Philadelphia American Sunday school union,1816.
the Painting: The Head of Christ by: Rembrandt
the rude sketch by: ad

Saturday Funnies: my kids improv

2007-10-05T19:27:00.000-05:00

The heart and soul trio

All I have

2007-10-04T08:34:00.000-05:00

The more I live the faster life flies by. The faster it flies by the more I am convinced that all that matters is being faithful today. All I have is now.

Raising kids is one faithful obedience at a time. Immediate responses to God's prompting to pray, and then to act, make up the detailed timeline of my life.

Success is measured not in dollar signs, rungs on an imaginary corporate ladder somewhere, or even in counting and recounting a succession of great memories.

Success, for me, is counted by the finger of God and added to a shelf in heaven called "Amy's obedience" where it is remembered. The shelf next to it is empty. It is labeled "every spiritual blessing in Christ." That shelf was emptied before there was ever an Amy, and had nothing to do with her obedience.

Though I do not earn the favor of God, it is nice to know that He watches my life and remembers my attempts to honor Him. The sweet unfairness comes in the reality that He forgets my sin, because of Christ.

I don't know about you, but I am so motivated to please a God who keeps our tears in a bottle and remembers our faithfulness. I want to work each moment like a skillful craftsmen to offer my children to Him, as a beautiful work of art. How could I not trust someone who elected to save me before I was, and then showered every blessing only Christ deserved on me, and then promised to remember the feeble offerings I give Him, and even call them good?

Because of this, I will obey today. Every time I know I must discipline, I will set aside what I am doing and discipline. If I hear an error in some little thinker's world-view I will address it with Scripture. Each opportunity I am given to praise God, in triumph or trial, I will take.

All I have is now. But what I do right now, will be remembered for eternity.

Saturday Funnies: Eight reasons why not to share your faith

2007-09-28T12:31:00.000-05:00

Found on therebelution.com

Listen carefully and you'll hear grace pg-13

2007-09-28T08:44:00.000-05:00

Everybody
is shouting!
It is so loud!
After winning Best Reality Program for My Life on the D-List, the
comedienne (Kathy Griffin) shouted out an obscenity to Jesus and exclaimed,
"This award is my god now." ~world Magazine September 29,2007

Fox News online also reported that Ms. Griffin told the audience
that many people thank Jesus for their award and that no one had less to do with
her getting the award than Jesus.

But is Ms. Griffin sure that Jesus had nothing to do with it? All things are summed up in heaven and on earth in Christ. Nothing that was created was created aside from Him. Ms. Griffin, it's grace.

Sally Field, who won the Best Actress Award for her show Brothers and Sisters, shouted, "If mothers ruled the world there would be no God-damned war!"

But is Ms. Fields sure that God has damned the war or has He commended it. Let's ask the mothers of the ones Saddam Hussein killed if they wish we never came. Maybe God hasn't chosen to completely damn Iraq, but to send a flood of redemption within her borders to save the lost and raise the dead. Ms. Fields, this is grace.

The world doesn't stop shouting long enough to see even the biggest expressions of grace in their own lives. God causes the rain to fall on the righteous and the wicked. He gives a moment of stage-lit sunshine even to those who would stand up and publicly hate Him. He blesses those who cannot see outside of their Gucci clad, comfort-fogged Luxury windshields to the mom in the middle east whose daughters get to go to school now.

May our children see, understand and live out grace. Time is short and the world doesn't know it. Though it may seem from the media that there is no grace, there is. It is the poor, hungry, needy, blind and sick that Jesus came to save. There are those who will listen. No matter how loud our world screams, God's whisper of grace will always be louder to those who are listening.

Toilet Paper and Kingdom Fighters

2007-09-25T08:55:00.000-05:00

Parents must be united or the kids won't think it matters. Spencer and I are united on most things. The things we are not united on usually are the hot-buttons of intense temptation toward anger but really carry no significant spiritual weight. Here is a short list.

Using the air-conditioner vs. opening the windows
Folding in the sleeves of shirts when doing laundry
Putting a dish rag on the counter under hand-washed dishes
Little piles of stuff
Having shirts ironed and available at all times
Mustard
Finding the best gas prices when the car says "0 miles to empty"

And last but not least, and that which will serve as my illustration today...

Which way should the toilet paper roll face? We all know that it should be positioned so that the end falls conveniently (and boldly I might add) over the top of the roll standing ready for the next grab. It should not be sneaking out from behind the roll peeking out at the bottom like some sheepishly sorry weakling who has no intention of doing his job correctly. Oh, it matters! If one cannot find the end in a timely fashion, it could mean the difference between burnt dinner or even worse being late for football practice.

What has been the unfortunate result of my husband's lack of conviction in this area? Our children just don't care. Not one of my three children will stand up and confess any kind of significant conviction on the matter. What has come of this? Endless removal and replacement of toilet paper rolls by me. Am I angry? You bet!

Though I have spent much emotion addressing this grievance today, there really is a deeper evil at work in many families. It is the apathy that parental disunity creates. Many an indifferent youth is conceived in the disunity of marital interaction which gives birth to just another generation of the unconcerned. When fathers and mothers disagree about the important things kids grow up thinking neither opinion is worthy of respect on the matter therefore it must not be something I should concern myself with. After all, if my parents don't care enough to be united on the issue, is it really that significant? If no one cares, no one stands up for anything. If no one stands up for anything the cycle of sin perpetuates itself.

Parents, if it is your undying heart's desire to raise a pew-warming, non giving, never-give-a rip about-the-lost-or-the-saved, weak and noneffective "christian", then by all means send every convoluted message available to them by fighting amongst yourselves or disregarding each others spiritual input.

A great place for unity is in disciplining your children. Mom's we must uphold our husband's imperatives to our children. We must follow through with discipline when our kids disregard their father's words. I love it when my husband tells the kids to honor their mother and that he will ask them if they did when he gets home. It is as if I am watching their future happy marriages and respect for their heavenly Father grow an inch right before my eyes. It works.

Unity for God's glory and unity for the sake of the children to glorify Him; what a concept! If I do not agree with my husband on an important spiritual issue, it is my job to search the Scriptures, pray, seek wise and godly counsel and in most cases humble myself in order to have this unity. It is the obligation of both parents to care enough to work hard, together, to establish "our" belief on the matter in accordance with God's Word.

It is the difference between raising disinterested sloths and Kingdom fighters.

Saturday Funnies

2007-09-22T16:24:00.000-05:00

What defense does when offense is on the field
Rylie is 32

A blessing on your path

2007-09-21T08:37:00.000-05:00

If you have read Bringing up Daniels very often, then you know I am all about working hard in raising up our little grown-ups. You know that effort is commended by me because I believe it is required by God. We know that if we raise a child up in the way he would go naturally, He will remain in total depravity. So work hard!

But I am convicted of something else lately, and I hope it challenges you in the same way. Proceeding down this path without regarding God as the only one who can do it, puts me at opposition with God. The only way I am promised to have my parenting path made straight is if I acknowledge Him in ALL my ways.

All my ways!

All my ways!

I have posted these convictions of mine on sister got slapped. You may click over there and read them if you are interested. http://sistergotslapped.blogspot.com/

May He make your path straight!

Is it really "Grown-up?" (pg-13)

2007-09-18T08:59:00.000-05:00

On the heals of the Rebelution I am addressing a twist on the attitude that young people should strive to meet higher standards, even standards higher than most adults today. Doing things most kids at the age of 12 don't do can be commendable. However, I do not commend all things "grown-up" to them as a task they should accomplish.

Young Maddison Gabriel is the super-model face of the Australian Cat-walk and has made news for the controversy of it. She turned 13 this week. Now, I must be consistent. I believe thirteen is the age at which a little girl becomes a young woman. I do not believe that wearing immodest clothing on a catwalk in front of cameras is "grown-up" activity. It is worldliness.

There is a level of redefinition in our culture that we as parents should discern. It is the calling of sinful, harmful behavior "grown-up." We do not take our parenting ques from movie ratings or popular opinion. Furthermore, I don't even take advice for myself from the world. So, now that I am an adult I can safely offend God and wreck my life, because someone somewhere devoid of truth dubbed that particular movie NC-17 and I am 36.

Yes, I agree there are somethings appropriate for adults that are not for children. For example there is a song on one of our CDs that is called "Easier than love." It slams modern cultural acceptance of immorality, by saying that we are cheapening true love and replacing it with the irresponsible immediate gratification of lust and sex. We are filling our minds with it, selling cars and magazines with it and it is destroying us. To my children who are old enough to understand this, I believe the Proverbs obligate me to warn them of these dangers. Therefore I do not hide these lyrics from them (We also do not play this song repeatedly). But in the case of my nine year old son, we do hide them.

With that said, I will not take my children even when they are eighteen to watch two people committing immorality on the large screen or invite that into my home. The difference is the glorification of sin versus the proper worldview which puts it in its place. That place is down the path of proverbial warnings and then out of our minds and into the garbage can.

Miss Gabriel said this about her new career in modelling,"I believe that I can fit into women's clothes, I can model women's clothes, so I should be able to do it. It doesn't matter about age, it matters that you can do the job."

I agree, the age is not the concern; the job you are choosing to do is. Just because you can do it doesn't mean you should.

The following is a quote from the Fox News homepage.

Her mother, Michelle Gabriel, also defended the role, saying
at the time of her daughter's selection that she could be both a 12-year-old
girl and a young woman. "For a 12-year-old I think she's handling it very
well; I'm very proud of her," she said.

Her mother said Maddison was not hurt by the controversy.
"She's laughing; she's having fun," she said. "She thinks you're
all mad. "She said: 'What's all the fuss?'
"I'm just waiting for someone
to say we are bad parents."

Well Mrs. Gabriel, your wait is over. It isn't good parenting. Not because you are expecting your daughter to be a "young woman", but because you are encouraging the wrong things in her. She won't be "hurt by the controversy" but she will be harmed, harmed by the vanity of self-love. She will be harmed by the exaggeration of importance of physical beauty drowning out the call of her God who wants what's best for the real her, the one behind her lovely face.

She is beautiful. I pray that she will some day be beautiful for the glory of her loving Maker and not for the cold, uncaring usury of lustful eyes and money-hoarding fists. As her mom, the "grown-up" thing to do is to protect her from the things that will harm her now, and guide her into a future that won't end in destruction.

Fox News reports:

"Maddison's fashion week engagements include an appearance at a Surfers Paradise
nightclub, which bans underage patrons."

It must be so to reassuring to know there won't be twelve and thirteen year-old young men lusting after her, only older men who are allowed to get drunk (another interesting take on being "grown-up").

"Gold Coast Fashion Week organizers were unavailable for comment."

How unlike those who use people for money, to run and hide when
responsibility comes knocking.

Well all of this is to point out once again how backward we all are as Christians to call thirteen-year-olds young adults and at the same time say they shouldn't participate in "grown-up" activities. "The wisdom of God shall be as foolishness to men."

Well...call me foolish, but call me grown-up.

The Rebelutionaries

2007-09-17T20:35:00.000-05:00

Carly and Sam with Brett Harris

I asked my kids to share some things they came away with from the Rebelution conference. I saw some exciting things change in them from the moment they arrived home.

Carly wrote the following:

The main idea of the Rebelution conference was that Christian teenagers should rebel against the low expectations of modern culture and do hard things for the glory of God. The main speakers were Alex and Brett Harris, as well as their father, Mr. Gregg Harris. I was challenged simply by the fact that two eighteen-year-olds could successfully lead a conference of 2000 people.

But as far as the speaking, the main verse was 1 Timothy 4:12, which says,"Let no one look down on you because of your youthfulness, but rather in your speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe."

Something struck me. If I am truly a believer, why am I not taking my faith as seriously as I would expect an "adult" to? Is it that I'm just "waiting"? That's all that culture expects of the teenage years; for teens to mess around and have fun until they're old enough to have to take responsibility.

But is that what God expects of me?

The speakers used the example of a launchpad for the teen years; It's not a matter of waiting to launch, but a matter of which way you point yourself. Even if the world is expecting me to wait around, God has great things in store for me.

Sam wrote the following:

The Rebelution conference was a gathering for teens all over the US designed to challenge them to go above and beyond the low expectations of our culture. After the conference, I found myself asking the question "are all my companions really benefiting me?" in today's world of Ipods, youtube, and instant messaging, more of our companions may not even be people!

I was very encouraged by the uplifting messages, and challenged by the goal. DO HARD THINGS was the message, an inspiring call to pass up the weak demands that the world offers us. We should strive to be all that God wants us to be: strong, diligent, and an undying light in our lost world.

The kids spent the four hour drive home with their dad in purposeful conversation. Spencer said they didn't even want to turn the radio on until they were a half an hour from home. They were enjoying talking about all they were challenged in with their dad.

Sam said, "Dad, we hardly ever get this much time together just the three of us. We should talk about something edifying." Carly said, "Maybe you have some advice you can give us."

I count myself very blessed that my twelve and thirteen year-olds are taking God's high standard's for them seriously. It is what I always knew was possible for young adults. I am thankful that there is finally a movement going on to see this through.

Psalm 8

"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and infants, you have established strenth because of your foes... you have crowned man with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the work of your hands; you have put all things under his feet... Oh Lord, our Lord how majestic is your name in all the earth."

Indianapolis, Rebelution Adventure

2007-09-17T10:33:00.000-05:00

Update coming soon.

Saturday Funnies: Ultra cuteness:

2007-09-15T09:24:00.001-05:00

I found this on girltalk.

The Rebelution Tour

2007-09-13T09:10:00.001-05:00

We'll let you know how it goes.

Real is the new Fake

2007-09-10T08:02:00.000-05:00

What will set our children apart from the ones who think that image will save the world? Let's set up ministry to look great and sound cool, put torn jeans on it and the crassness of worldly lingo. Or oppositely, establish ministry on the crumbling cliff of legalistic better-than-you-allism, and look down our noses from our isolationistic "high places". Either way image is worse than useless and amounts idolatry.

Share the Gospel!

Can you hear the groanings of our children outgrowing the pretend gospel of this age under the shadow of their giant God? Those who look "Christian" are getting left behind by those who are being little Christs. Look like Christ, Think like Christ, Love like Christ and by all means share the Gospel.

Christ asks us, "who is willing to die?" Anyone can listen to Christian music, wear a T-shirt and fake a smile. Dying is real.

This post was inspired, NOT by my own very much less than perfect

efforts at sharing the Gospel, but by middle school students and

their leaders who are taking risks to reach the lost in Racine.

And by the Holy Spirit who will bless their faithfulness!

What time is it?

2007-09-07T10:50:00.000-05:00

It's Game Time!

"Warrior Mom," I am by: Kelly Schulz

2007-09-04T13:18:00.000-05:00

Very much worth checking out

Not a step without Acknowledging God

2007-09-04T07:24:00.000-05:00

We are starting the school year today, with an emphasis on prayer.
The Lord put it on my heart to be purposeful in teaching my children to pray.
This is the guide I'm starting with, I hope some of you find it useful too.

1. Address your heavenly Father, In the name of Jesus, in the power of the Spirit.

2. Exalt God's Name: His attributes and character

3. Praise His Works and Ways: Creation, Salvation, Sovereignty over circumstances

4. Thank Him for blessings: Physical and Spiritual ie: Food, the body of Christ

5. Confess Sin: willful disobedience or neglect of obedience

6. Confess Weakness: Susceptibility to temptation

7. Ask for Forgiveness

8. Ask for Help

9. Pray for others: Their salvation and the working out of God's will in their needs

10. Pray to be used for the building of the Kingdom in sharing the Gospel

11. Pray the Scriptures

12. Forgive others aloud before God's throne

13. Commit to obey in a new way

14. Believe God will answer: tell Him you believe

15. Ask for pure motives in Prayer

16. Praise Him again, thank Him again: for past and future

17. Always pray in Jesus Name: with the intention of honoring it.

Saturday Funnies: Candid Piano

2007-09-03T14:35:00.000-05:00

Cursing the blessings

2007-08-27T08:29:00.000-05:00

God curses blessings. What? The book of Malachi, in chapter two, records a time when God actually curses the blessings He has given Israel.

He is speaking to the priests and says, "If you do not listen, and if you do not take it to heart to give honor to My name, then I will send the curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings; and indeed, I have cursed them already, because you are not taking it to heart." (2:2)

Taking what to heart? That the covenant of life and peace should be an object of reverence (v5).

I don't think it is that much of a stretch to say that we should be reverencing God's covenant by making the Gospel the center of our homes in the way we raise our children. We should be promoting Christ-centered living in our kids attitudes and behaviors through discipline and instruction, holy living and the spreading of the good news.

Children are the biggest blessing we have on this earth. But if they grow up "Christian" without Christ, what a curse we will experience.

Introducing Saturday Funnies

2007-08-25T20:21:00.001-05:00

by the DeBurgh kids

http://stripgenerator.com/strip/44904/

Balance, Shmalance

2007-08-23T06:11:00.000-05:00

I am not called to a balanced life. Time is short. Feel the urgency! The longer I am a parent and the more I read God's Word,the clearer these two conclusions become to me: Time is short and I need to feel the urgency. I am convicted that the days to influence my kids for Christ-likeness are fewer and the task is much greater than I first thought. I have been given a commission by God to present my children complete in Christ. I am called to daily death in my carrying out of it. Satan and sin are no respecters of balance.

I am asking God to give me a sense of panic about the spiritual state of my kids. I need to feel the deep concern that God does about laziness, selfishness, pride, lack of self-control, argumentativeness, vanity and every other so-called little thing that dishonors Him now and will shipwreck my kids later.

90% of parenting is realizing that right now is the time for it. Whatever I am doing instead of listening, disciplining, instructing, helping, demonstrating and praying for in my kids, when they need it, is going to be the thing that steals their future blessing and mine. I am responsible to lay to rest all selfish ambition, all comfort, all "me time" (whatever that is) and faithfully promote the future glory of Christ in my kids.

My biggest reward will be later. I will rest when I see Christ winning souls through the testimony of my children. When my kids listen and obey the Holy Spirit who is whispering in their ears, the Word of God has their full attention, and Christ is all their affections desire, then I will shut-up and sit down.

I don't have to think about me, God has that covered. "How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways, When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands, you will be happy and it will be well with you." (psalm 128)

I believe we have bought some parenting lies. "you have to pick your battles," I hear many Christians say. I don't "pick my battles" I pick fights with sin. This is war! If I am to take every thought captive, and I am to buffet my body, and I am called to crucify my flesh then it stands to reason that I must teach my children to do the same. Can I let them commit offenses against God and teach them that some are worth battling and some are not? Until they can war against sin themselves, I must exhaust myself in doing it for them.

All of this I commit to prayer, for I am weak. I cannot take one more step unless the Holy Spirit guides me, The Father wills it, and Christ intercedes for me. It is comforting to know from God's Word all of this is true. I am striving for a very unbalanced life, heavy on the side of sacrifice. If we call on the Lord of all for help, we can set aside the things we have been making more important than our children's souls. After all, Satan has cleared his calendar to sift them.

Losing my life

2007-08-16T09:32:00.000-05:00

Just thinking about teaching my kids to lose their lives, daily so they can find abundant life in Christ. Oh yeah....I have to do that too.

You can read about it here:
http://thewayisay.blogspot.com/surrender

The good ol' days

2007-08-14T07:17:00.000-05:00

When I was in seventh grade, my whole world opened up. I found out that my life was to be hidden with Christ and that my faith was to be my own. I woke up to the reality of my own spiritual responsibility to the Lord.

I was at a summer camp in California and the speaker at camp was Chris Mueller. He spoke on "Daring to be a Daniel" He shared the story of Daniel from the Bible emphasizing what complete devotion he had for God at such a young age. What impressed me most was that Daniel never compromised. He faithfully served his God in his exile from his people, imprisonment and in the face of death.

The Holy Spirit convicted me and set me on a course for great spiritual growth. I thank the Lord for Chris Mueller.

Four years later, our church hired a new high school ministry pastor. His name was Walter Crutchfield. He came with a simple but radical view (at least for me at the time) of ministry. Read God's Word. Live it. Tell the lost about Jesus. He challenged me to be the Daniel that I began to learn about at that Jr. High camp. I was convicted that I should leave the "Christian" school I was going to, and all my complacent friends who claimed Christ but didn't live for Him, and take the gospel to my local public high school. I never regretted that decision.

I thank the Lord for Walter Crutchfield.

My kids are now being influenced by Christ's body in the middle school ministry at Racine Bible Church. Their leaders are pointing them toward the next thing God is calling them to. I thank the Lord for these faithful leaders (Steve & Kelly, Chris, Tim, Jen and Stephanie). I know that God will shape the rest of my children's lives through others in His family. It is fun to watch them come alive in their faith, just as I did. These are the years of great spiritual memory building for my kids. As Walter used to say, "These are the good ol' days".

A Convicting Post From my friend Rick

2007-08-11T08:43:00.000-05:00

You never stop learning : Taken from his blog nozomilyric

As a parent of 2 children under the age of 3, I see how important it is to be disciplined to teach and train your kids. These are very important years, and you cannot be lax or indifferent. You MUST be involved. This point should be obvious to any parent who actually cares about parenting.

What was not as obvious to me before I started down this road was just how much I would learn about myself while teaching my kids.

Case in point... lately our oldest has been having some issues with complaining and not being content when she doesn't get what she wants, when she wants it. Sometimes we are reminding her several times a day that she needs to stop whining and be content with what she has, and remain content even if she doesn't get what she wants (which she will need to deal with her entire life).

With all this repetition, you can't help but start listening to yourself and admonishing yourself to have the same attitude of contentment. It is easy to exhort your children to be content that the meal sitting in front of them isn't what they had in mind, that they don't always get to play outside when they'd like, that they're not wearing the pajamas that they wanted to wear, or that they are going to bed earlier than they had anticipated.

But the questions of contentment mature as we mature, do they not?

I have to ask myself... am I content with what the Lord has provided for me? For my family (because you know you always want to provide "the best" for your kids)? Do I become discontent when I realize that most of my friends make more money than me, that they are further down the road towards the "American dream" than I am? Do I covet a bigger house, nicer car, more "toys," larger discretionary spending?

I don't need to be rich. I just want to be comfortable.

What a lie from the pit.

I AM rich. I don't have to wonder where my next meal is coming from. I have shelter. My car is working just fine, 8 years and 115,000 miles later. I have enough "toys" to occupy my time for a loooooooooooooong time.

But more than anything (even beyond the temporal), the issue really is, "am I content with the life God has given me?" Everything I have is because God has provided it for me. He knows what is best for me. And just like the true issue with our daughter is her heart's attitude, likewise that's the true issue for me. Do I really lose sight of everything that is fleeting anyway, in view of the surpassing riches of His grace? Obviously the things of this life will burn, but do I really live my life believing that? Every single day?

It is not unwise to invest in a 401(k) plan, to have sufficient life insurance to protect your wife and kids, to have cash in the bank for emergencies. It is also not a sin to acquire things, or to aspire to a higher rung on the corporate ladder. The sin is in having the attitude that somehow we deserve these things (since we work so hard for them), and that we won't be happy until we get that raise and/or promotion.

So whether it's the fact that you wish you had Trader Joe's orange chicken over carrots, or just one additional bedroom in your house, the exhortation is the same...

"Daughter/Daddy... you need to be content in whatever the Lord gives you. He knows what is best for you and always provides you with what you need."

My name is Rick, and thanks for reading.

Young, Brave and Secure

2007-08-09T08:56:00.000-05:00

I came to Isaiah 50 in my Bible reading and it convicted me to instruct my boys in being secure in who God has made them and the job He has for them. Isaiah offers help for insecurities. Fear God. Know He supports those who fear Him. Fear nothing else.

Isaiah 50:4-11 in summary:

Though I am slapped, and spat upon, I will not turn away. Though they pull out my beard and strike my back multiple times, I know who is my Defender. I am without shame because of Him who wakes me up every morning and gives me a job to do. I am not a disgrace just because some think they are shaming me. I will only bear and claim the condemnation of the perfect Judge if He so chooses to condemn me. My accusers will wear out like an old garment, go out of style and fade away. My God is the One I trust. For Him I would walk miles in the darkness without a flashlight. That's how much I trust Him. Those who act without God's approval to wreck my life, will suffer the fate they desire for me.

Insecure men can take themselves too seriously and never laugh at their own shortcomings. Many times they are defensive, always protecting their egos by over-explaining their every word and action. They must have the last word on every subject. Insecurities cause men to never accept an accusation without answering it or excusing it. Sometimes they are braggadocios and argumentative in their search for respect from others (this usually backfires). Oppositely, they can be extreme people-pleasers afraid to ever disagree with anyone for fear they won't be liked. Insecurity makes people come across insincere because they are not acting out who they are based on conviction. They do not have a firm foothold as the person God wants them to be because they did not begin with the fear of the Lord.

Fear the Lord: Young men need to live like God is the only one they are accountable to.

Know that He supports those who fear Him: young men must learn to make decisions based on what will honor God and be best for His kingdom, not based on self-protection or selfish gain.

Fear nothing else: "He who vindicates me is near, who will contend with me?" Is. 50:8

Toddlers and the Laundry-----A Parable

2007-08-08T19:35:00.000-05:00

This was written by my friend Julie Haumerson: godly wife and mom of nine kids.

God has commanded that we as believers and parents are to participate in His redemptive work of salvation. We are to go into all the world and preach the gospel. We are to train up our children in the way they should go, in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. But God is not served by human hands as if He needed us. Those that believe unto eternal life were chosen and ordained before the foundation of the world. Someone plants, someone waters, but God gives the increase. Only God can give a sinful heart of stone new, regenerate life. Why does Almighty God command us to add our work to what He has already unchangingly ordained?

Being called to participate in God’s work of bringing to completion His sovereign, preordained plan may be like a mother who has her washer and dryer and a large table to fold clothes on in her basement. Whenever it is time to start a new load, move laundry from washer to dryer, and fold the clean, fresh clothes, she says to her toddler, “Come on honey, let’s go do laundry.” The toddler happily jumps up from toys and play to follow mommy to the basement. Mommy takes the heavy, wet clothes out of the washer and puts them into a basket on the floor while the toddler takes the light, dry clothes out of the dryer. Mommy stands and waits while the toddler puts each piece of wet clothing into the dryer proudly telling her the color of each. Mommy then lifts the basket of dry clothes onto the table while the toddler gets the stool in place to stand nearby and help mommy fold.

As they fold, mommy and toddler chat together about who each piece belongs to and the finer points of carefully folding clothes or just events of the day. Now and then, mommy discretely and unseen, smoothes, re-folds, picks up a dropped item, or re-matches a pair of socks. When the basket is empty, mommy and toddler climb the stairs together, the mommy relishing the light of cooperation and respect that she sees in her child’s eyes, the toddler delighting in the glow of mommy’s attention and words of affirmation.

Did the mother need her toddler’s help to fold the clothes? Could she have done the work completely and more efficiently all by herself? Is the work of folding clothes actually more fun and exciting than playing with toys? Maybe our Heavenly Father is delighted, honored, and glorified by our feeble, awkward attempts to obediently join Him in His work when they come from a reverent heart that longs to be with Him and be just like Him. And there certainly is no greater joy for His children than living in the light of His presence, working where He is working. The final result is His and His alone, perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

“Come unto me,
all who labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30

“You make known to me the path of life,
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Psalm 16:11

Understanding what to Fear

2007-08-06T10:19:00.000-05:00

The following was taken from the desiring God website.

Putting My Daughter to Bed Two Hours After the Bridge Collapsed

August 1, 2007 By: John Piper

Category: Written Posts by John Piper, Current Events, Don't Waste Your Life

At about 6 PM tonight the bridge of Interstate 35W over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis collapsed. I am writing this about three hours after the bridge fell. The bridge is located within sight of Bethlehem Baptist Church. Most of us who minister at the church cross this bridge several times a week. At this point I don’t know if any staff was on the bridge. Desiring God offices are about a mile from the bridge.

There are no firm facts at this point about the total number of injuries and fatalities. When we crossed the bridge Tuesday on our way out of town, there was extensive repair work happening on the surface of the bridge with single lane traffic. One speculates about the unusual stresses on the bridge with jackhammers and other surface replacement equipment. This was the fortieth anniversary of the bridge.

Tonight for our family devotions our appointed reading was Luke 13:1-9. It was not my choice. This is surely no coincidence. O that all of the Twin Cities, in shock at this major calamity, would hear what Jesus has to say about it from Luke 13:1-5. People came to Jesus with heart-wrenching news about the slaughter of worshipers by Pilate. Here is what he said.
There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."

Jesus implies that those who brought him this news thought he would say that those who died, deserved to die, and that those who didn’t die did not deserve to die. That is not what he said. He said, everyone deserves to die. And if you and I don’t repent, we too will perish. This is a stunning response. It only makes sense from a view of reality that is radically oriented on God.
All of us have sinned against God, not just against man. This is an outrage ten thousand times worse than the collapse of the 35W bridge. That any human is breathing at this minute on this planet is sheer mercy from God. God makes the sun rise and the rain fall on those who do not treasure him above all else. He causes the heart to beat and the lungs to work for millions of people who deserve his wrath. This is a view of reality that desperately needs to be taught in our churches, so that we are prepared for the calamities of the world.

The meaning of the collapse of this bridge is that John Piper is a sinner and should repent or forfeit his life forever. That means I should turn from the silly preoccupations of my life and focus my mind’s attention and my heart’s affection on God and embrace Jesus Christ as my only hope for the forgiveness of my sins and for the hope of eternal life. That is God’s message in the collapse of this bridge. That is his most merciful message: there is still time to turn from sin and unbelief and destruction for those of us who live. If we could see the eternal calamity from which he is offering escape we would hear this as the most precious message in the world.

We prayed during our family devotions. Talitha (11 years old) and Noel and I prayed earnestly for the families affected by the calamity and for the others in our city. Talitha prayed “Please don’t let anyone blame God for this but give thanks that they were saved.”

When I sat on her bed and tucked her in and blessed her and sang over her a few minutes ago, I said, “You know, Talitha, that was a good prayer, because when people ‘blame’ God for something, they are angry with him, and they are saying that he has done something wrong. That’s what “blame” means: accuse somebody of wrongdoing. But you and I know that God did not do anything wrong. God always does what is wise. And you and I know that God could have held up that bridge with one hand.” Talitha said, “With his pinky.” “Yes,” I said, “with his pinky. Which means that God had a purpose for not holding up that bridge, knowing all that would happen, and he is infinitely wise in all that he wills.”
Talitha said, “Maybe he let it fall because he wanted all the people of Minneapolis to fear him.” “Yes, Talitha,” I said, “I am sure that is one of the reasons God let the bridge fall.”

I sang to her the song I always sing,
Come rest your head and nestle gently

And do not fear the dark of night.

Almighty God keeps watch intently,

And guards your life with all his might.

Doubt not his love, nor power to keep,

He never fails, nor does he sleep.

I said, “You know, Talitha, that is true whether you die in a bridge collapse, or in a car accident, or from cancer, or terrorism, or old age. God always keeps you, even when you die. So you don’t need to be afraid, do you.” “No,” she shook her head. I leaned down and kissed her. “Good night. I love you.”

Tonight across the Twin Cities families are wondering if they will ever kiss a loved one good night again. Some will not. I am praying that they will find Jesus Christ to be their Rock and Refuge in these agonizing hours of uncertainty and even loss.

Do you know who watches you?

2007-08-06T09:16:00.000-05:00

"So that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places." Eph. 3:10

How much our kids grow up loving the church and being willing to sacrifice for her will help determine how deeply angels see and understand the wisdom of God and give Him glory. Those in the heavenly realm are dependant upon the church to demonstrate the playing out of grace. They have not experienced God's wisdom in His saving grace, they only know what they see.

Are we giving them much to observe and learn? We do not only live out our testimony before men but also before angels and demons. We are God's display of the wisdom of saving grace. Angels and fallen angels are not recipients of this grace. Animals are not a part of this economy. No other created thing can show off God's grace but mankind, and not all men can. There is only one entity that makes known the multifaceted, colorful, beautiful, uniting, mysterious, manifold saving grace of God and that is the church.

I learned this from the sermon yesterday. I'm letting it all sink in. The weight of responsibility is huge. We are not just representatives of Christ to a lost world of fallen image-bearers. We are teaching the angels something they can't know otherwise: what wonders the wisdom of God can accomplish in those who were dead and are now alive. It matters how I love in the church. It matters that I serve unselfishly. How well I respond to criticism and persecution matters. Every act I do in the power of the Spirit exalts Christ and magnifies the wonder of His wisdom among the living lights of heaven.

The angels speak of the worthiness of the Lamb. Can they see just how worthy He is in how we live? This is why we must teach our children to live holy lives, grace-filled, fruit-filled and service-filled lives. Not for the glory or credit they may receive, but for men and angels to sing a fuller, bolder, even more majestic chorus, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever! Amen!"

Cliff Diving in the Desert

2007-08-02T09:42:00.000-05:00

I have an idea for the next generation, let's quit doubting God.

"Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other, I am God, and there is none like me declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'" Is 46:8-10

There is a mindset among Christians that is false and scary. "We all doubt" "It's OK to question God" "Lord, be patient with my doubt" Since when is presumptuous sin not considered dangerous? Ever since the fear of God has left the church.

Many preachers do not fear God enough to teach the Word of God unashamedly, why would they teach the fear of God to their congregations? We are experiencing the absence of the powerful delivery of the message of an infinitely powerful and wise God. Where is the high view of Christ, and awe of His perfections? Where is the flat out love for Him? Christ said to Peter,"If you love me, feed my sheep." Failure in this area by those responsible to carry out this important work has created a generation of christian culture with no place to put their doubts. The garbage pail of repentance would be an appropriate place...oh, wait, then we'd have to call it sin.

Small gods deserve doubt. Our God hasn't earned this.
Let it end with our kids. I don't care how breathy a contemporary artist can sing, or how accepted they are in cutting edge Christian circles, it is not cool with me that my kids doubt God. Its like cliff diving in the desert, it always ends in disaster.

Killing God, in our consciousness

2007-07-30T10:13:00.000-05:00

“Philosophical atheism is not at the heart of secular religion and it is not the principal challenge to the Christian faith. The heart of the secular religion and the heart of the challenge is a functional atheism, rather than rejecting the idea of God, our culture ignores Him.”

This is a quote from James White speaking in chapel at Gordon Conwell seminary. Dr. White tells a story about a twelve year old boy who shoots his father dead in a fit of extreme anger. His explanation of his actions was that he hated his father who he could never please. From his dark and lonely cell, late at night the guard could hear him weeping and calling out, "I want my father, I want my father."

This world has killed God in their consciousness and now they are crying out to Him in their own dying.

This crashed down on me and strengthened my determination to beg God for my children to live world-changing lives before their maker and a planet that thinks God is dead and has no choice but to despair.

The boy's words ring true in a different way. The truth is, we do have a Father we can not please. We also have an advocate who has perfectly pleased Him in our stead. Jesus Christ, the righteous, lives to make intercession for us. We have been accepted because of Him, all heaven rejoices and so do we!

Now, I ask myself....
Do I go in and out of my days in "functional atheism"? Do I allow my kids to do this? Every situation is an opportunity to see God's will, plan, desires, design for them and others. There are dozens of daily opportunities for them to align themselves with God's word. We must not function as terrestrial beings. We are new creations and our home is unearthly. We are a people of a new place yet to come, a place we can't see, and have only known by faith.

And all, All of our hope dwells there.

God is Not Dead!

"Let them praise your great and awesome Name"

2007-07-20T09:33:00.000-05:00

We took our kids to the ocean. They were amazed at the power of the waves. They couldn't believe how salty it was. They loved it. One large swell revealed the silhouette of a dolphin. When they took a break from their body-surfing to eat lunch Carly asked, "Do you think God had fun in mind when He created the ocean?" "He must have," I said. There was a moment of ponder and Sam said, "He rocks!"

Praises come in all forms.

Well Done

2007-07-12T12:25:00.000-05:00

My friend, Libby McFarland, went to be with Jesus this morning at at 10:35.
I was holding her hand. I will never be the same. I saw souls, not just persons, in the hospital lobby, on the sidewalks and in their cars as I drove home. I don't remember driving, I got home by memory not as an intentional act. I was distracted by heaven.

The kids and I used to visit Libby on some Thursdays before we moved across town. In the beginning my goal in visiting Libby was, I think, a good and purposeful one. I wanted my children to learn by my example how to take time for people who can't get out, and how to show gentleness and respect to elderly saints. God's gift to me in Libby was a friend.

Libby had a heavenward gaze. "Perhaps today," she would always say. I half expected to see Jesus, behind me in the sky, reflected in her eyes. She shared the gospel with everyone she met in her nursing home. She comforted me with scripture verses she rattled off as easily as my name. She prayed for my family every day.

I always left my times with her so hopeful of heaven. I longed more to see my Savior, on days I had spent time with Libby. I love her.

This morning two of her daughters, a son-in-law and I sang a choked-out version of "Great is Thy Faithfulness," said a prayer asking the Lord to bring her home and in His great faithfulness, He did.

Lord, thank you that your promise of heaven is true. Thank you, Lord, for my friend and how she made me think about it so often. Lord, thank You for the Gospel of Hope.

and Libby, I'll say it because I know you heard Jesus say it today, Well Done.

Kids helping kids

2007-07-11T18:09:00.000-05:00

Just recently our kids and some of their friends held a garage sale to help homeless teens receive food, clothing, Bibles and Bible study materials. They worked hard for three days straight. They were hauling stuff, folding clothes, holding signs on the side of the busy street near our house, pricing items and selling lemonade all out in the humid summer heat. The Lord blessed their faithfulness. They made over $600. Fun was had by all including me. I loved watching young adults do what the world says is impossible. They sacrificed comfort, time and a personal profit to help others. Take that skeptics! Christian young men and women rock! (by the grace of God and for the glory of the Christ, of course)

Imagine that...

2007-07-08T09:38:00.000-05:00

I do not exaggerate when I say the single biggest inroad for telling the good news of Jesus Christ to unbelievers has been my children and everything related to my family. I have never had as much clear impact in any ministry I have ever been a part of. Of the women's retreats I have spoken at, the ministries I have helped to start, the eight years of high school staff ministry I was involved in, all the 16 + camps I have been a counselor at, the many Bible studies and small group discussions I have been a part of, none have had the effect of pure, noticeable, God-granted opportunity for the testimony of His love and grace, that my children have given me. Nothing has been more used by God, in my life, than my family.

All the praying (which is never enough), all the consistent disciplining (which is not consistent enough), all the instruction (which may be too much), all the hugging and kissing (which is, ever enough), all the staying home and denying wrong feelings of inferiority in a world of very accomplished women, all the bedtime prayers for my children's whole-hearted devotion to Christ, and purposeful Bible studies to challenge them in their individual weaknesses, all the other wonderful influences of the body of Christ at church................it is all starting to pay off.

I praise the Lord that He grants us the fruit of our labor. I praise Him that He does allow us to reap the good that He has sown through us. I praise Him that He hears our desperate cries for our children. And I praise Him that He displays His splendid glory to a world that truly stands amazed to see a home where Jesus lives. His design really is the best, after all. Imagine that!

the Rebelution Promo

2007-07-02T17:24:00.000-05:00

I think this is so good. Spence is taking our kids. Pass the word along.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=13a3J2_UPaM