A Reforming Mom

With 12 weeks to go....

2012-01-16T22:56:00.001-05:00

I figured it was time to start sewing for Millie's arrival. I've already made her several crocheted items...a couple hats, some booties, and a blanket.

I've had the flannel chosen for awhile. I've had her towel material ready too. I just had to sit down and do it!

Tonight, I had that opportunity!

Here is her hooded towel....the rest of her siblings have one, so she needed one too!

Here are two double-sided flannel blankets. I can't wait to swaddle her up in them!

A response to the viral video "Does Jesus Hate Religion"

2012-01-13T23:12:00.000-05:00

There has been a video that has gone viral titled "Does Jesus Hate Religion". I couldn't bring myself to watch it because the title itself rubbed me the wrong way.

I was happy today to see that Kevin DeYoung at The Gospel Coalition wrote a response to it. I found it to be very thought out and a good way to put into words what I was feeling.

You can read it here.

A great blog post about Tim Tebow

2012-01-10T15:00:00.001-05:00

I like Tim Tebow as much as anyone else....but really, this article spells out my feelings on the whole situation!

Stephen Altrogge writes:

This past Sunday Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos beat my beloved Pittsburgh Steelers.

And believe it or not, it actually didn’t bother me that much. Of course, I wanted the Steelers to win, and I wanted to see the Steelers defense put Tim Tebow through the mulcher, but it didn’t happen. I’m okay with how things turned out. If it had been Tom Brady and the devil-spawn Patriots, I wouldn’t have been okay with it. But I like Tim Tebow, and I don’t despise the Broncos.

What does bother me is the way that many Christians are getting all weird and freaky about Tim Tebow. For example, on Sunday Tebow threw for 316 yards. Tebow’s favorite scripture verse is John 3:16. The NFL would not let Tebow write “John 3:16″ on his face. Thus, God let Tebow pass for 316 yards as a way of sticking it to the NFL and highlighting John 3:16. Get the message NFL: you can’t shut down God, and you can’t shut down Tim Tebow when God is on his side. Right?

You can finish the article here:
Can we please stop being weird about Tim Tebow?

To all my coffee loving friends....

2012-01-09T11:54:00.002-05:00

Free Coffee Tasting Event at Starbucks!

A must share cooking website!

2012-01-08T11:51:00.000-05:00

Over the past several months, I have weaned our family off of many processed foods. I prefer cooking and baking from scratch, so it has been a joy. It also helps when you have some great recipes to work with!

I was on pinterest awhile ago, and found a great website called Mel's Kitchen Cafe.

I have since made dozens of her recipes and have not been disappointed! It helps to read the comments and see possible changes you may want to make or just to read other experiences with the dish.

Have fun and Happy Cooking!

Good News

2012-01-05T11:45:00.000-05:00

At my follow up ultrasound, we discovered the placental previa has resolved itself!

As long as the baby assumes a head down position, there will be no c-section!

Baby Millie measured at just over 2 pounds and was hiding from the camera....so no profile shots for us. She looked like she was in the cannonball position, ha!

And yes, she is still a she....if there is one good thing from all these ultrasounds, it's the re-confirmation that it's still a girl!

God is so good and has protected both of us!

Merry Christmas from us!

2011-12-25T11:41:00.000-05:00

Idolatry

2011-12-05T12:29:00.001-05:00

It's been awhile since I've shared a story from the kids.....thought you would enjoy this one!

The kids are allowed to play the Wii for about an hour or two, 3 days a week. They were getting ready to play a few weeks ago, when they realized that the light on the Wii console wasn't lit up red, and we were unable to figure out why it wasn't on.

The first thing Gideon did was to pray. He said "Please God, please fix our Wii!"

To which Nolan responded..."Gideon, you shouldn't really pray that God fixes your IDOL!"

To which I responded....."If it really is an idol to you guys, then maybe God broke it for that very reason!"

The boys were not thrilled with my response.

It was working just fine the next day! Gideon was happy that his prayers were answered.

Please Pray

2011-12-05T12:22:00.001-05:00

Last week, I went to my ob for a routine appointment and anatomy ultrasound.

Once the ultrasound begin, the technician immediately asked me if I have had any placental problems before. I told her no.

She then said that I have what is known as CPP or Complete Placenta Previa. Which means that instead of a high implantation of the placenta in my uterus, it is completely covering my cervix. Because I have Complete Previa, there is only a small percentage that it will move up and out of the way.

I ask for prayers that it does move up as my uterus continues to grow.

Because of this condition, some complications can arise...and I've put myself on modified bedrest, in hopes that these complications are prevented.

I go in for another ultrasound in January....where, hopefully, we will see some movement.

If it doesn't move, I will need a c-section, probably about a month before my due date.

The good news is that baby Millie is doing great and looks perfect! She is a fiesty baby that is a quick mover :) She's already preparing for being in a very active house!

Please pray!

It's a.....

2011-11-05T11:32:00.001-04:00

I went in for an ultrasound this week and.....SURPRISE....we're having our second GIRL!

Her name is: Millie Taylor!

My great-grandmother's name was Amilda, so she is named in her honor! Millie also means gentle strength, which is an attribute we hope she will have as she grows into a woman of faith.

Taylor comes from the great missionary to China: Hudson Taylor.....you can read about him here.

We are very excited and can't wait for April to arrive!

Halloween 2011

2011-11-05T11:25:00.000-04:00

We have:

Gideon the hiker, Haddon the clown, Jamison the fireman,

Nolan the superhero, Judson the pumpkin, and Paysie the rainbow!

Baby #7

2011-10-24T22:52:00.001-04:00

Yes, baby #7 is set to arrive in early April!!

2011-10-23T23:01:00.000-04:00

“Oh! I love God’s‘shalls’ and ‘wills.’ There is nothingcomparable to them. Let a man say‘shall,’ what is it good for? ‘I will,’says man, and he never performs; ‘I shall,’ says he, and he breaks his promise. But it is never so with God’s ‘shalls.’ If he says, ‘shall,’ it shall be; when hesays, ‘will,’ it will be. Now He hassaid here, ‘many shall come.’ The devil says, ‘they shall not come’; but‘they shall come’. You yourselves, say,‘we won’t come’; God says, ‘You shall come’.

Yes! There are somehere who are laughing at salvation, who can scoff at Christ, and mock at thegospel; but I tell you some of you shall come yet. ‘What!’ you say, ‘can God make me become aChristian?’ I tell you yes, for hereinrests the power of the gospel. It doesnot ask your consent; but it gets it. Itdoes not say, will you have it, but it makes you willing in the day of God’spower…

The gospel wants not your consent, it gets it. It knocks the enmity out of your heart. You say, ‘I do not want to be saved;’ Christsays you shall be. He makes your willturn round, and then you cry, ‘Lord, save, or I perish.’ Ah, might heaven exclaim, ‘I knew I wouldmake you say that;’ and then he rejoices over you because he has changed yourwill and made you willing in the day of his power.

If Jesus Christ were to stand on this platform tonight, whatwould many people do with Him? If Hewere to come and say, ‘Here I am, I love you, will you be saved by me?’ not oneof you would consent if you were left to your will. He Himself said, ‘No man can come to meexcept the Father who hath sent me draw him.’ Ah! We want that; and here wehave it. They shall come! They shall come! You may laugh, you may despise us; but JesusChrist shall not die for nothing. Ifsome of you reject Him there are some that will not. If there are some that are not saved, others shall be. Christ shallsee His seed, He shall prolongHis days, and the pleasure of the Lord shallprosper in His hands. They shallcome! And nought in heaven, nor onearth, nor in hell, can stop them from coming.” Charles Spurgeon

Summer 2011

2011-08-26T20:00:00.000-04:00

Cookies and Cream Fudge

2011-08-22T16:58:00.002-04:00

WARNING: I will NOT be held responsible for overindulgence!!!

3 cups sugar
3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter or marg
2/3 cup evaporated milk
2 cups tollhouse premier white morsels
1 jar (7ounces) marshmallow cream
1/2 cup finely crushed oreos
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup crumbled oreos

Line 9 inch square pan with foil.

Combine sugar, butter and evaporated milk in a medium heavy duty saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes.

Remove from heat.

Stir in morsels, marshmallow creme, finely crushed oreos and vanilla extract.

Pour into prepared pan. Sprinkle crumbled cookies on top. Gently swirl cookies into the fudge with a knife, without touching the bottom of the pan.

Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm. Lift from pan and remove foil. Cut into 48 pieces. Store in airtight container in the fridge!

Great reminder to moms of young girls!

2011-08-22T13:33:00.000-04:00

A Girl's First Domestic Domain

Something to think about....

2011-08-11T13:14:00.001-04:00

I’ve learned over the years that the simplest way to judge gray areas in the Christian life like movies, television, and music is to ask one simple question: can I thank God for this? (We are to give thanks in all circumstances, right?) Not too long ago my wife and I went to the movie theater to watch one of the summer blockbusters. It was a fun PG-13 movie, and you’d probably say it didn’t really have any bad parts. But it was very sensual and suggestive in several places. I got done with the movie (yes, I watched the whole thing) and thought, “Can I really thank God for this?” Now, I’m not a total kill-joy. I like to laugh and enjoy life. I can thank God for the Chicago Bears, Hot N’ Readys, and Brian Regan. But I wonder if after most of our entertainment we could sincerely get down on our knees and say, “Thank you God for this good gift.” Something to think about.

--Kevin DeYoung

Homeschooling 101

2011-06-20T13:51:00.003-04:00

Okay, okay....I know it's summertime, but it's never too early to plan and organize for the upcoming school year! John thinks I'm crazy for wanting to get things figured out a couple of months ahead of time. Oh well. Better to be over-organized than unprepared, right??

I've got a large family room downstairs that is to become our main Learning Room. I can't wait to get things configured in there! Even though I've been homeschooling for FOUR years (has it really been that long?), I feel that I am still kinda new at this. Last week, I began to search around to discover the way other homeschoolers have organized their rooms, manipulatives, schoolwork, etc.

I found a blog carnival from a couple of years ago, where so many other homeschooling bloggers linked up pictures and ideas from their own homes! I urge you to check it out! You will find a huge range of rooms and ideas. I found some great blogs and discovered new ways of doing things!

As I searched around, I also discovered new curriculums that I had never heard of before and also rediscovered things that I had forgotten about. I'll explain my curriculum decisions in a future post. I saw that the same blog that hosted the homeschool room carnival, also hosted a curriculum carnival. If you are looking for some new ideas, go check it out!

Among my findings was a blog that is LOADED with FREE PRINTABLES and UNITS! Confessions of a Homeschooler is a great resource! Plan on spending some time on there!

Through that blog, I came across another blog by the name of 1+1+1=1. She also has a lot of free printables and units. For a fee of $15 you can gain access to her members section where things are more organized and there are some extras. It's a one time fee and well worth it!

As I discover new things, I'll be sure to keep you posted!

Right now, I've got a couple of projects for John and I to do before the school year starts. I plan on making some ledge shelving for children's books. I am intrigued by the rain gutter shelving, but I think the ledge shelving will work better for us.

We're also going to make our own inexpensive white dry erase board! I love finding ways to do things myself and save money too!

Right now, our downstairs room is pretty empty. Once it's done, I'll show you all before and after pics of our Learning Room! As for now, have fun browsing through the links I've shared....you can literally spend hours looking through it all!

Music Scroll Wreath

2011-06-09T10:23:00.000-04:00

Jay Adams on True Love

2011-05-16T21:32:00.001-04:00

True Love
May 13, 2011 by Jay Adams
Have you ever noticed how closely love and the Holy Spirit are connected in the Bible?

“Can’t say that I have.”

Well, love is the first piece of fruit mentioned in Galatians 5:22. Some even think it’s the basic quality from which the other items listed flow.

“Of course, now that you mention it, I remember it as the first fruit of the Spirit.

And, sometime, check out Colossians 1:8 where, in passing, Paul mentions “your love by the Spirit.”

“What do you think that means?”

Much the same as the longer reference in Romans 5:5 where Paul wrote,

God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who was given to us.

Before regeneration (of which the pouring is a picture) no one is capable of expressing God-like or God-pleasing love. Others may love with a sort of ersatz love, but the vertical dimension is totally missing from it.

“What does that mean?”

It means that God is left out of the picture; that such love has a heavy self-focus rather than an other-focus (and, in particular, leaving out God as the significant Other).

“Tell me more.”

Read the rest here

An encouraging letter on modesty

2011-05-16T21:16:00.001-04:00

By Carolyn Mahaney

My husband, CJ, received the following email last week, thanking him for his sermon on modesty. May we all be provoked and encouraged by this woman's example!

Here is the letter that he received!

That women could all be humbled as this woman has been.....

Keven DeYoung on Parenting 001

2011-05-16T21:13:00.001-04:00

Parenting 001

Does it seem like parenting has gotten more complicated? I mean, as far as I can tell, back in the day parents basically tried to feed their kids, clothe them, and keep them away from explosives. Now our kids have to sleep on their backs (no wait, their tummies; no never mind, their backs), while listening to Baby Mozart surrounded by scenes of Starry, Starry Night. They have to be in piano lessons before they are five and can’t leave the car seat until they’re about five foot six.

It’s all so involved. There are so many rules and expectations. Kids can’t even eat sugar anymore. My parents were solid as a rock but we still had a cupboard populated with cereal royalty like Captain Crunch and Count Chocula. In our house the pebbles were fruity and the charms were lucky. The breakfast bowl was a place for marshmallows, not dried camping fruit. Our milk was 2%. And sometimes, if we needed to take the edge off a rough morning, we’d tempt fate and chug a little Vitamin D.

Trial by Error

I don’t consider myself a particularly good parent. I was asked to speak a few years ago at some church’s conference. They wanted me to talk about parenting. I said I didn’t have much to say so they should ask someone else (which they did). My kids are probably not as crazy as they seem to me (at least that’s what I keep telling myself anyway), but if I ever write a book on parenting I’m going to call it The Inmates Are Running the Asylum.

There are already scores of books on parenting, many of them quite good. I’ve read several of them and have learned much. I really do believe in gospel-powered parenting and shepherding my child’s heart. I want conversations like this:

Me: What’s the matter son?
Child: I want that toy and he won’t give it to me!
Me: Why do you want the toy?
Child: Because it will be fun to play with.
Me: Do you think he is having fun playing with the toy right now?
Child: Yes.
Me: Would it make him sad to take the toy away?
Child: I guess so.
Me: And do you like to make your brother sad?
Child: No.
Me: You know, Jesus tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves. That means loving your brother the way he would want to be loved. Since Jesus loves us so much, we have every reason to love others–even your brother. Would you like to love him by letting him play with the toy for awhile?
Child: Yes I would daddy.

I try that. Really I do. But here’s what actually happens:

Me: What’s the matter son?
Child: I want that toy and he won’t give it to me!
Me: Why do you want the toy?
Child: I don’t know.
Me: What’s going on in your heart when you desire that toy?
Child: I don’t know.
Me: Think about it son. Use your brain. Don’t you know something?
Child: I guess I just want the toy.
Me: Obviously. But why?
Child: I don’t know.
Me: Fine. [Mental note: abandon "why" questions and skip straight to leading questions.] Do you think he is having fun playing with the toy right now?
Child: No.
Me: Really?! He’s not having fun? Then why does he want that toy in the first place?
Child: Because he’s mean.
Me: Have you ever considered that maybe you are being mean by trying to rip the toy from his quivering little hands?
Child: I don’t know.
Me: What do you know?
Child: I don’t know!
Me: Nevermind. [I wonder how my brilliant child can know absolutely nothing at this moment.] Well, I think taking the toy from him will make your brother sad. Do you like to make him sad?
Child: I don’t know.
Me: [Audible sigh.]
Child: He makes me sad all the time!
Me: Well, I’m getting sad right now with your attitude! [Pause, think, what would Paul Tripp do? Thinking . . . .thinking . . . .man, I can't stop thinking of that mustache. This isn't working. Let's just go right to the Jesus part.] You know, Jesus wants us to love each other.
Child: I don’t know.
Me: I didn’t ask you a question!
Child: [Pause.] Can I have some fruit snacks?
Me: No, you can’t have fruit snacks. We are talking about the gospel. Jesus loves us and died for us. He wants you to love your brother too.
Child: So?
Me: So give him the toy back!

Then I lunge for the toy and the child runs away. I tell him to come back here this instant and threaten to throw the toy in the trash. I recommit myself to turning down speaking engagements on parenting.

I encourage you to read the rest

T4G 2012

2011-05-03T19:59:00.000-04:00

T4G 2012 Teaser: The Game from Together for the Gospel (T4G) on Vimeo.

About my Gideon

2011-05-03T13:44:00.003-04:00

It has now been nineteen months since the discovery of Gideon's brain tumor...very hard to believe that it has been that long!

I am pleased to say that he will have his last physical therapy session on Monday, May 9th! It has been a long road to recovery for my boy. When I think back to when he first started therapy and wasn't even able to walk, I am overwhelmed by the goodness of God!

Gideon has always looked forward to seeing his therapists....they have become almost family to us. They have been such a large part of our lives for a long time. When we first started, we were going three times a week, to physical, occupational and speech therapy. A few months ago, we were down to just physical therapy, mainly working on his core strength.

If you were to see my boy, you would see a normal, active, rambunctious seven year old. I am so grateful that he is doing so well. Believe me when I say, I have seen many children who see his same therapists who will never get better in the same way that Gideon has. They will have a lifelong struggle to just do basic tasks.I only experienced a glimpse of what it is like to have a child with special needs....and that great affected me and gave me a newfound appreciation for those caring for their disabled children.

I feel that as we prepare to move to a new city and become members of a new church...we are closing a chapter in our lives. In some ways, it is sad, but we are very excited to see what God has in store for our family.

On the death of Osama Bin Laden

2011-05-02T11:39:00.002-04:00

Tom Ascol explains his feelings on the death of the terrorist. He has put my feelings into words.

My Thoughts on the Death of Osama Bin Laden

Every child needs a super hero cape....

2011-04-14T22:25:00.004-04:00

I just can't believe it's taken me this long to make the kids their own cape!

The kids have been really into Super Why lately. It's a cute show that helps kids learn how to read better. If you've ever seen it, you know that Wyatt wears a cape. Needless to say, that means I received several requests yesterday for a cape.

I searched online for tutorials on how to make a cape. I found one that I liked and tweaked it a little. You can find it here.

In between feeding the kids, getting them dressed, keeping up the house, and homeschooling, I managed to make 5 double sided capes, with each of the kid's initials. It took me all day to make them. It would have been quicker and easier had I not been constantly interrupted, but then, I cherish my life with all of the interruptions!

The kids are thrilled and so am I! They came out so adorable! It was hard going through my fabric stash, trying to find boyish fabric....but I did :)

Dress Function - The Sacred Church Dress

2011-03-29T20:32:00.001-04:00

The Sacred Church Dress

Judson.....sweet potatoes or yogurt

2011-03-29T20:18:00.002-04:00

There is a struggle at each mealtime. A struggle with what one wants and what one gets. For my youngest boy that means...do I get to eat what I LOVE...or, do I have to eat what I dislike.

More often than not, it's a vegetable or a fruit that he would rather do without. But then there is that special meal where the yogurt flows like honey.

Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo

2011-03-29T20:12:00.004-04:00

Yet another book to warn your loved ones about.

Tim Challies reviews Heaven is for Real

He sums it up nicely with:
"So reject this book. Do not read it. Do not believe it. And do not feel guilty doing so."

You are in danger!

2011-03-29T20:11:00.000-04:00

False Guilt and The Sympathy Card

2011-03-16T10:54:00.002-04:00

“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

- Matthew 5:11-12 KJV

I recommend reading this article: The Bible Post blog

A review of Rob Bell's new book

2011-03-09T13:24:00.001-05:00

Tim Challies review of Rob Bells's book: Love Wins

Changing Diapers in Christian Faith

2011-03-02T22:17:00.001-05:00

via the Girl Talk Blog

Today was the same as yesterday, which was the same as the day before that, and so on--for about as long as I can remember now. I changed diapers, made lunches, put toys away, corrected bad attitudes, prayed for ouchies, and imagined what it would feel like to take a really long nap. The days are long and the days are ordinary; and sometimes I lose sight of an eternal perspective. But this quote from Martin Luther on Justin Taylor's blogbrought me fresh encouragement today. It is written to fathers but applies all the more to us moms:

Now observe that when that clever harlot, our natural reason . . . , takes a look at married life, she turns up her nose and says, “Alas, must I rock the baby, wash its diapers, make its bed, smell its stench, stay up nights with it, take care of it when it cries, heal its rashes and sores. . . ?” [LW 45:39]

What then does Christian faith say to this? It opens its eyes, looks upon all these insignificant, distasteful, and despised duties in the Spirit, and is aware that they are all adorned with divine approval as with the costliest gold and jewels. It says, O God, because I am certain that thou hast created me as a man and hast from my body begotten this child, I also know for a certainty that it meets with thy perfect pleasure. I confess to thee that I am not worthy to rock the little babe or wash its diapers, or to be entrusted with the care of the child and its mother. How is it that I, without any merit, have come to this distinction of being certain that I am serving thy creature and thy most precious will? O how gladly will I do so, though the duties should be even more insignificant and despised. Neither frost nor heat, neither drudgery nor labor, will distress or dissuade me, for I am certain that it is thus pleasing in thy sight. . . . God, with all his angels and creatures is smiling—not because the father is washing diapers, but because he is doing so in Christian faith.[LW 45:39-40]

Parenting: It’s Never an Interruption by Paul Tripp

2011-01-23T15:56:00.002-05:00

Parenting is all about living by the principle of prepared spontaneity. You don’t really know what’s going to happen next. You don’t really know when you’ll have to enforce a command, intervene in an argument, confront a wrong, hold out for a better way, remind someone of a truth, call for forgiveness, lead someone to confession, point to Jesus, restore peace, hold someone accountable, explain a wisdom principle, give a hug of love, laugh in the face of adversity, help someone complete a task, mediate an argument, stop with someone and pray, assist someone to see his heart, or talk once again about what it means to live together in a community of love.

What you do know is that Scripture gives you the wisdom that you need, and your always-present Messiah gives you the grace that you need to be ready to respond to the moments of opportunity he will give you. Along with this, you and I must remember that our Lord loves our children more than we ever could, and his commitment to their growth and change is more faithful and persevering than ours could ever be. Because of this, in his grace and love, he will manufacture moments that expose the needy hearts of our children to us. He will faithfully employ the little moments of everyday life to expose to us and our children their need of rescuing and forgiving grace. And he will not do this only at the moments that you feel are appropriate and when you feel most prepared.

Let me give you an example. We had planned a day at a local theme park with our children. I was anticipating a day of familial amusement park bliss. I was hoping that on this day my children would be self-parenting, and if God could throw in a fully sanctified wife, that would be cool! Well, we’re getting out of the van at the park and one of my children said, “Dad, may we have something to drink before we go into the park?” It didn’t seem like a dangerous request. I opened the cooler, which was full of soft drinks, and all of my children sighted in on the one can of soda that they all knew was the best. Immediately global nuclear war broke out. They were pushing and shoving, grabbing and pulling, throwing ice at one another, saying unkind things and hitting one another’s hands out of the way. I couldn’t believe it. We weren’t even in the park yet, and my day was already ruined!

So I jumped in and said, “Do you want to fight? We don’t have to pay all this money for you to fight. I’ll take you home, put a cooler in the backyard with one can of soda in it, and you can fight forever!” Soon my children aren’t fighting anymore because they’re watching the crowd gather as I lose it in the parking lot of the theme park.

Let’s analyze what’s going on in this moment and what’s happening inside of me. What’s going on is that a God of grace is taking a mundane moment of daily family life and using it to do something wonderful for my children and for me. He is making the condition of their hearts visible in order to produce concern in me that would hopefully result in awareness and a desire to change in them. But I’m not at all encouraged in this moment with what God is doing. You see, I’m not angry in the parking lot because my children are sinners. No, I’m angry that God has exposed their sin, and because he has, I have to forsake my agenda for the day and parent them! It all seems like a huge imposition, a hassle that I just didn’t want to deal with.

But the reality is different from God’s perspective. The sin, weakness, rebellion, or failure of your children is never an imposition on your parenting. It is never an interruption. It is never a hassle. It is always grace. God loves your children. He has put them in a family of faith, and in relentless grace he will reveal their need to you again and again so that you can be his tool of awareness, conviction, repentance, faith, and change. And because in these moments he asks you to forsake your agenda for his, this opportunity of grace is not just for your children, it’s for you as well.

But my problem is that there are moments when I tend to love my little kingdom of one more than I love his. So I’m impatient, discouraged, or irritated not because my children have broken the laws of God’s kingdom, but the laws of mine. In my kingdom there shall be no parenting on family vacation days, or when I am reading the paper on my iPad, or after ten o’clock at night, or during a good meal, or . . . I could go on. And when I’m angry about interruptions to my kingdom plan, there are four things I tend to do.

1. I tend to turn a God-given moment of ministry into a moment of anger.

2. I do this because I have personalized what is not personal. (Before we left for the amusement park that day, my children didn’t plot to drive me crazy in the parking lot.)

3. Because I have personalized what is not personal, I am adversarial in my response. (It’s not me acting for my children, but acting against them because they are in the way of what I want.)

4. So I end up settling for situational solutions that don’t really get to the heart of the matter. (I bark and order, I instill guilt, I threaten a punishment and walk away, and my children are utterly unchanged by the encounter.)

There is a better way. It begins with praying that God would give you new eyes; eyes that are more focused on his eternal work of grace than on your momentary plans for you. This better way also includes seeking God for a flexible and willing heart, ready to abandon your agenda for God’s greater plan. And it lives with the confidence that God is in you, with you, and for you and will give you what you need so that you can face, with courage and grace, the parenting moment that you didn’t know was coming.

Originally posted at The Gospel Coalition

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-05T23:40:00.002-05:00

Love, Judson

Idolatry

2010-11-20T22:55:00.000-05:00

Tullian Tchividjian:

As Paul Tripp so probingly asks, “How is your present disappointment, discouragement, or grief a window on what has actually captured your heart?” When we depend on anything smaller than God to provide us with the security, significance, meaning, and value that we long for, God will love us enough to take it away. Much of our anger and bitterness, therefore, is God prying open our hands and taking away something we’ve held onto more tightly than him.

Educational Freebie: Live Webcast from Plimoth Plantation

2010-11-15T16:03:00.002-05:00

Tuesday, November 16, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. EST, Scholastic is offering a free 30-minute online field trip to meet a Pilgrim and a Wampanoag straight from Plimoth Plantation.

There are also a number of free interactive teaching tools, printables and more for Thanksgiving offered on the Scholastic website.

Thanks, A High and Noble Calling!

Free Stuff!

2010-10-24T22:10:00.002-04:00

Free Oriental Trading 2011 calendar

Progressive Phonics offers free downloadable PDF ebooks and free printable activity sheets.

Sign up for a free sample of U by Kotex from TeenFreeway.

Scripture Memory Verses Printable Activities: Stop by Children’s Chapel to find a wealth of Scripture Memory Verse worksheets and activities. Since the activities vary from simple coloring pages to more complex worksheets, they can be used for a variety of ages and grades.

Download a free copy of Mr. Food Fall Favorites ecookbook.

Download free customizable Preschool Planning Sheets from Homeschool Creations.

Print a coupon for a free Orange ‘n Creme Swirl Frutista Freeze from Taco Bell.

You can download a free Happy Scribe Copybook Sampler. Plus, download over 500 handwriting sheets from HappyScribe for free.

Homeade Dishwashing Detergent!

2010-10-06T20:52:00.002-04:00

I'm always looking for better ways to save some money.....and here's a great way to save!

I don't know about you, but here at my house, the dishwasher runs at least once a day...some days twice! It often seems like we are going through dishwashing detergent like water!

Here is a recipe to make your own:

~1Cup Borax
~1 Cup Baking Soda (or washing soda....find in the laundry detergent isle. Some ladies find the Washing soda works better....Baking soda has worked great for us!)
~1/2 Cup Kosher Salt
~1/2 Cup Citric Acid
(I use "Fresh Fruit" produce protector...which is basically citric acid. You can find it in the canning isle...or use 15 packets of unsweetened Lemon flavored Kool Aid...which has lots of citric acid! Guess that is why most detergents are lemon scented, the citric acid keeps the dishes from building up a cloudy residue)
*Put all ingredients into a container with a tight fitting lid, and shake up!
*Use about 1 TB per load
*****DON'T SKIP THIS STEP- Pour some white vinegar into the "rinse aid" compartment of your dishwasher. This will help to keep your dishes...especially plastic...from having a "cloudy" look!

HT: Flitterbugs

The Church History ABCs: Augustine and 25 other heroes of the faith

2010-09-19T22:26:00.004-04:00

I can't wait to use it with the kids as part of their schooling!

And on the website, there are all sorts of activities for your children to do alongside the book.....like pin the beard on John Calvin....and a Martin Luther Maze!
Church History ABCs

Hooked on Phonics Master Reader Course for $23 (originally $199!)

2010-09-18T11:17:00.001-04:00

The Hooked on Phonics Master Reader Course is originally $199.95, but it’s on clearance for $49.95 right now. Plus, when you use coupon code SLICK55 you’ll get an additional 55% off the clearance price making it less than $23 plus shipping!

You can use the coupon code SLICK55 to get 55% off almost anything else on their site as well.

HT:http://moneysavingmom.com/

Button shirt to toddler's dress

2010-09-11T23:48:00.003-04:00

I've been wanting to do this for awhile....so maybe if I post it here and promise that I WILL do this soon....then I will be motivated to do it :)

How to make a button shirt into a toddler's dress!

Very interesting....

2010-09-08T00:03:00.002-04:00

You can read what Bob Kauflin says about this video here.

The Red Balloon

2010-09-07T23:20:00.000-04:00

Free Homeschooling Planner Pages!

2010-09-06T00:43:00.001-04:00

Download free Homeschooling Planner Pages here. The site gives you a variety of options and there are enough different pages to put together a very comprehensive complete curriculum planner — for free (minus the printing costs!).

Fight Phobic....What are Christians so scared of?

2010-09-05T23:59:00.000-04:00

If the notion of truth is central to Christianity, and the ability to argue is central to the task of knowing the truth, why do some Christians get upset when you try to find the truth through argument and disagreement? Two things come to mind that are especially applicable to those in a Christian setting, usually a church environment.

First, some fear division. When peole are free to express strong differences of opinion, especially on theological issues, it threatens unity, they say. Consequently, the minute a disagreement surfaces, someone jumps in to shut down dissent in order to keep the peace. This is unfortunate.

True enough, Christians sometimes get distracted b useless disputes. Paul warns against wrangling about words, and quarreling about foolish speculations (2 Timothy 2:14, 23). But he also commands us to be diligent workmen, handling the word of truth accurately (2 Timothy 2:15). And, because some disputes are vitally important, Paul solemnly charges us to reprove, rebuke, and exhort when necessary (2 TImothy 4:1-2). This cannot be done without some confrontation, but disagreement need not threaten genuine unity.

To be of one mind biblically doesn't mean that all have to share the same opinion. It means a warm fellowship based on communion with Christ in the midst of differences. It does not mean abandoning all attempts at refining our knowledge by enforcing an artificial unanimity. True maturity means learning how to disagree in an aggressive fashion, yet still maintaining a peaceful harmony in the church.

There's a second reason why Christians resist arguments. Some believers unfortunately take any opposition as hostility, especially if their own view is being challenged. Ins some circles it's virtually impossible to take exception to a cherished view or a respected teacher without being labeled malicious.

This is a dangerous attitude for the church because the minute one is labeled mean-spirited simply for raising an opposing view, debate is silences. If we disqualify legitimate discussion, we compromise our ability to know the truth.

It is important not to deal with dissent in this way. Instead, we ought to learn how to argue in a principled way--fairly, reasonably, and graciously. We need to cultivate the ability to disagree with civility and not take opposition personally. We must also have the grace to allow our own views to be challenged with evidence, reasoning, and Scripture. Those who refuse to dispute have a poor chance of growing in their understanding of truth.

There is no reason to threaten our unity by frivolous debate. However, many debates are worthy of our best efforts. Paul told Timothy, "Retain the standard of sound words." and "Guard...the treasure which has been entrusted to you" (2 Timothy 1:13-14). He told Titus to choose elders who could exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict, false teachers, he said, who must be silenced (Titus 1:9,11). This kind of protection of trugh is not a passive enterprise. It's active and energetic.

Arguments are good, and dispute is healthy. They clarify the truth and protect us from error and religious despotism. When the church discourages principled debates and a free flow of ideas, the result is shallow Christianity and a false sense of unity. No one gets any practice learning how to field contrary views in a gracious and productive way. The oneness they share is contrived, not genuine. Worse, they lose the ability to separate the wheat from the chaff. Simply put, when arguments are few, error abounds.

This is an excerpt from the book Tactics by Greg Koukl chapter 1, pages 33-35.

Here is a review by Tim Challies.

Staying married is not about staying in love...

2010-09-05T23:50:00.000-04:00

Neither Boys nor Men....

2010-09-05T23:44:00.002-04:00

Darrin Patrick writes:

We live in a world full of males who have prolonged their adolescence.

They are neither boys nor men. They live suspended between childhood and adulthood, between growing up and being a grown-up.

Let’s call this kind of male Ban, a hybrid of both man and boy. This kind of male is everywhere, including the church and even vocational ministry.

Neither Boys Nor Men

Ban is a frightening reality in the church, but he is the best thing that ever happened to the video game and porn industries.

* Half of American males between the ages of 18 to 34 play video games every day—for almost 3 hours.
* The average video game buyer is 35 years old.
* Every second, $3,075.64 is being spent on pornography, 28,258 Internet users view pornography, and 372 Internet users type adult search terms into search engines.
* To no one’s surprise, men make up nearly 75% of Internet pornography traffic.

Our society is overrun with males who aren’t men. Assuming the responsibilities of husband and father makes a boy into a man, but Ban doesn’t like responsibility so he extends his adolescence and sets his focus squarely and supremely on himself.

Raising Up Real Men

These “man-wannabes” must learn how to progress toward manhood and become what David Gilmore calls “real men.” Real men “give more than they take... are generous, even to the point of sacrifice.” Being a man is about being tough and tender.

I have a son, Drew, and because of my keen awareness of and pastoral interaction with Bans, I know that my work is cut out for me when it comes to raising a godly man. I recently wrote a little prayer that reflects the kind of men we need. Drew and I pray this prayer together almost every night, for him and for me.

“God, make me a man with thick skin and a soft heart. Make me a man who is tough and tender. Make me tough so I can handle life. Make me tender so I can love people. God, make me a man.”

The Man, the Message, the Mission

The lack of godly men in our world is now a cultural crisis. We are not going to solve the problem by ignoring Ban and hoping that he eventually grows up. We are not going to solve the problem by encouraging women to take up the slack.

We might solve the problem by modeling biblical manhood and calling adult boys to forsake their youthful lusts and become the men that God is calling them to be.

We have Bans in our city, our neighborhoods, our churches, and our families. Ban needs godly men and women to show him that there is more to life than what he is currently experiencing. Ban needs to be more than just a male. He needs to be becoming God’s man who is being transformed by God’s gospel message and is wholeheartedly pursuing God’s mission.

Connecting Church and Home

2010-09-05T23:28:00.002-04:00

Doug Wolter:

Al Mohler recently spoke at the Connecting Church and Home Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. In his message, “Christian Parenting is Combat,” he gives 4 things Christian leaders must do to connect the church and home.

#1 The church must present faithful vision of the family, marriage, and parenting – and equip believers to transfer that vision to the next generation.

#2 The church must overcome the zone of privacy and autonomy that keeps individuals from being accountable to the church community. We need to get into each others face. Our parenting and marriage are not properly ours – but belong to Christ and are the affairs of the whole church. Someone needs to get involved when people struggle in these areas.

#3 The church has got to be a place where brokenness is overcome by the Gospel. We slander the good news when we act like the only people who can glorify God are those who have never experienced brokenness.

#4 The church has to got to be the place where families are rescued and armed for the combat to which we are called. Discipleship is a battle. We come to church because we can’t afford not to come. We need to get together because we need to be equipped by the preaching of the Word of God and the fellowship of the Saints.

Musical Unity in the church

2010-09-05T23:15:00.001-04:00

Pastor Tullian:

So, we miss out on some great things God intends for us to enjoy when we separate in worship according to musical tastes. The idea to do this comes, not from the Bible, but from American consumerism and we adopt this practice to our own peril.

As my friend Steven Phillips rightly says, we ought to use the best music, prayers, and traditions of our Christian past, so that our worship is guided and enriched by our fathers in the faith. In doing this we demonstrate that our Christian faith reaches back thousands of years. And we ought also to use the best new songs and styles – to “sing a new song to the Lord” as the Psalms say – so that we can demonstrate that the grace of God is ever new. God’s saving power is available now, in the present day, to all who call on Him in faith.

By musically blending things in this way we exercise love toward those who resonate with different musical tastes than us. We recognize that our worship service is a shared time and a shared space, so that if a particular song or style doesn’t inspire us, we can still look across the sanctuary and give thanks from our hearts for the diversity of people who are here. The gospel of Jesus Christ invites us to look across the aisle and say, “Though this song or style may not appeal to me, I see that God is using it to move you. I love you in Christ and I’m glad you’re here.”

Read the whole thing.

God, the Gospel, and Glenn Beck

2010-08-29T21:23:00.001-04:00

by Russ Moore

A Mormon television star stands in front of the Lincoln Memorial and calls American Christians to revival. He assembles some evangelical celebrities to give testimonies, and then preaches a God and country revivalism that leaves the evangelicals cheering that they’ve heard the gospel, right there in the nation’s capital.

The news media pronounces him the new leader of America’s Christian conservative movement, and a flock of America’s Christian conservatives have no problem with that.

If you’d told me that ten years ago, I would have assumed it was from the pages of an evangelical apocalyptic novel about the end-times. But it’s not. It’s from this week’s headlines. And it is a scandal.

Fox News commentator Glenn Beck, of course, is that Mormon at the center of all this. Beck isn’t the problem. He’s an entrepreneur, he’s brilliant, and, hats off to him, he knows his market. Latter-day Saints have every right to speak, with full religious liberty, in the public square. I’m quite willing to work with Mormons on various issues, as citizens working for the common good. What concerns me here is not what this says about Beck or the “Tea Party” or any other entertainment or political figure. What concerns me is about what this says about the Christian churches in the United States.

to finish the article click here

Happy Birthday to my TWO year old girl!!

2010-08-18T22:52:00.000-04:00

Oh how I love my Paysie-girl!

You are sooo much fun and love to imitate your mommy. The very moment I sit down, you are on my lap, giving me hugs and kisses. You always try to be so helpful, and you love to take wipe upon wipe to clean the floor, cupboards and walls.

Your brothers continue to dote on you...and even when you take something away from them, you are still referred to as a 'sweet girl'.

When I fold laundry, you are right there, naming who belongs to each piece of clothing that I continue to fold.

You like to call your baby brother YOUR baby...and love to hold and kiss him.

You have a love for trying on shoes...whether they are yours or not!

And when it comes to holding your own with your big brothers, you definitely can!! The squeals of escape, as you run away, tightly grasping something that doesn't belong to you, is endearing in its own special way!

Your cheeks and your curls bounce when you walk.

My girl, you are a joy to be the mommy of....even when you make a smelly mess at naptime...I don't think I need to be any more specific, we both know what I'm talking about!!

Your are mommy's little girl...and I am so happy to have a little girl to pass on the art of homemaking to. I can already see your interest in many girlie things and can't wait to teach you what it means to be a Biblical woman!

You are two years old and a joy to have as a daughter. I remember when you were born and can hardly believe how grown up you are.

I love you so much my sweetheart!

Happy Birthday to my 7 year old boy....I am truly blessed to be your mommy

2010-08-12T21:47:00.005-04:00

My precious Gideon...I looked at you tonight, on the eve of your seventh birthday and my heart felt like it was going to overflow with thankfulness that you are still here with us.

I write this with tears welling up in my eyes.

You see, I don't think you have understood the impact of all that has happened to you in the past year.

I know you have heard the story over and over again...that you had a brain tumor that was removed and now you are well. But, it is so much more than that.

When I think back to Halloween night and remember the devastation I felt upon hearing that my little boy was not well.....well, I don't even have the words to describe it.

Upon hearing the news...I couldn't wait to get to you...to hold you and hug you and tell you that it was all going to be okay.

That week before surgery....speaking to your doctor as he showed us pictures of what had to be removed....and as I sat there crying, knowing that I had no choice but to completely trust God with your life...that He would lead the hands of the doctors who would work on you...knowing that if you didn't have the surgery, you wouldn't be here today...and that there was a chance that even with the surgery, you may not have made it.

I remember laying by your bed, holding your hand, singing to you while you slept. I would sing Great is The Faithfulness and The Deep Deep Love of Jesus...and oh how my heart would cry out to God!

The hardest thing I have ever had to do was let you go.

That morning of your surgery, I didn't know if I would ever get MY Gideon back. Daddy and I didn't want to go to sleep that night...so we stayed up with you, playing and hugging and laughing...hoping and praying that this wouldn't be the last time we heard your beautiful laugh or saw your lovely smile.

And here we are...nine months later...and you are celebrating your birthday!

You have worked so hard. It wasn't easy and yet you rarely, if ever, complained. God gave you such perseverance to work through the pain and fatigue...

and you learned how to feed yourself...how to stand and walk again...and you are even golfing! You are running and jumping...laughing and tackling...and we are so proud of you!! When I remember where you were and see where you are now, I can't help but praise God for the way He has healed you.

God has used you to touch so many lives. We don't know what the future holds for you, my dear boy, but our prayer is that God continues to be glorified through you.

Our family will never be the same...and I pray that God continues to draw you to Himself.

Gideon, we love you more than you will ever know!

Voddie Baucham....

2010-08-10T22:58:00.001-04:00

A quote

2010-08-10T22:37:00.001-04:00

"If you are a child of God then you are certainly going to be disciplined, because God is preparing you for holiness. He is not an indulgent father who hands out sweets indiscriminately and does not care what happens to us. God is holy, and He is preparing us for Himself and for glory; and because we are what we are, and because sin is in us, and because the world is what it is, we must needs be disciplined. So He sends us trials and tribulations in order to pull us up, and to conform us to 'the image of His Son'."
-Martyn Lloyd-Jones

You Should Be Discerning About Twilight

2010-08-10T21:13:00.000-04:00

The day Judson was born....

2010-07-08T20:44:00.003-04:00

Here are some pictures that my friend, Brittany, took of Judson and I. She is a great photographer...you can check her out at Photography Honestly.

Judson's Birth Story

2010-07-02T22:40:00.000-04:00

On Monday, June 21, I went in for my 39 week appointment, only to find out that my Dr was going out of town for a few days. I was given the option of being induced on Wednesday.

I struggled with this decision, since I labor without pain medication and want my births to be as natural as possible. I told my doctor that if my body was showing signs of labor readiness, then I would do it.

During my exam, I was told that I was a favorable 3cm dilated and 50% effaced. Considering what happens when I am in labor and reach 5cm...as well as the nervousness of John not wanting to deliver a baby at home...I opted to have my membranes stripped and then to come in Wednesday morning for an induction.

We arrived at the hospital at 6am. I signed all the necessary paperwork and waited for my doctor to come and in write the order for the pitocin. I met with the anesthesiologist who gave me the run down on pain medications...to which I firmly declined. I had already birthed 4 times with no pain medication, and knew that this birth wouldn't be any different.

They began my iv around 8am, which started some regular, though mild, contractions. I was able to continue updating Facebook on my progress, as well as laugh, smile and talk....which for me, doesn't happen too much once I am in deep labor.

Dr Selman stuck his head in the room around 9am and asked if he was making me uncomfortable yet. They told me they were a little concerned because Judson's heart rate was dropping after each contraction. It was quickly recovering and was only going down about 20-30 beats per minute, but since it was consistently happening, we decided to stop the pitocin and break my water.

Dr Selman checked me and told me I had progressed to 4cm, and then he proceeded to break my water. The fluid was clear, and having my water broken was enough to kick my body into labor without the need of pitocin. They had me switch from my back to my side, which seemed to help his heart rate.

I continued contracting every few minutes, but the contractions were still mild...at least by my standards. I was still able to converse and smile through the contractions without much effort.

By 10:30am, the contractions started picking up in intensity, yet I was continuing to have a couple minutes inbetween them, which for me, is not typical. I think it was because Judson's head was still a bit high, so I didn't have the added pressure of that on my cervix for dilation.

I began to feel the baby move lower and called for my nurse. She ran in to check me and said that I was at 6cm and the baby had moved a little lower. At this point, I had to breath and concentrate during each contraction, but there was still enough time inbetween them for me to have a bit of a breather...which was nice for a change!

I continued to progress about a centimeter every 15 minutes...and it got to the point that I was calling for the nurse enough that she decided to just stay by my side.

Dr Selman continued to check in on me and see how I was doing. He stayed close, knowing it wouldn't be long before he was needed.

At 11:15, my contractions began peaking with no breaks. Looking at the monitor was like watching waves, they never let up....and continued to piggy back on top of one another. I remember hearing the nurse speak to John, amazed at my pain tolerance. I calmly continued to moan through each contraction...knowing that when I reach this point, the end is near.

By noon, I began to feel immense pressure. My nurse checked me and said I had a slight lip to my cervix left. She called the dr in and he suited up for delivery. After a couple more intense contractions, I was complete and told everyone that I was pushing.

The bed was in the process of being lowered, and Judon began to crown. Within one push, his head was out...and another half push later, he was born!! The time was 12:11pm.

He came out screaming and received an apgar score of 9. He measured in at 20.5 inches and weighed 7 pounds 12 ounces.

The moment he was out, I felt great. Again, I needed no stitches and had virtually zero recovery. They placed him immediately on my chest so I could hold my guy as soon as possible!

Once he was born, my dr was struggling at getting the placenta delivered. He began to look worried, and I knew something wasn't right. His exact words were: 'you aren't going to like me very much in a minute'.

He was going to manually extract my placenta.

I called John to my side...and there are no words to describe the pain of what happened next. Thankfully, what seemed to go for several minutes, was over quickly.

Judson was then given to me, and I was able to nurse him for the first time. He had some extra fluid in his stomach those first few days that made him spit up and not want to nurse very much cause it upset his stomach, but that worked its way out of his system, and we aren't having any issues now.

About four days after he was born, I ended up with a fever and chills due to a uterine infection. I was admitted to the hospital to be placed on antibiotics for 24 hours. Since then, I feel good, but am forcing myself to take it easy!

When Judson met his brothers and sister, it was love at first sight! They want to hold him all the time and are convinced that they have the cutest little baby brother in the whole world!

He is a sweet little guy who loves to just look around at everything. He's had great head control from birth and looks like he is always deep in thought.

I am amazed at how God has continued to bless my family over the past year!!

Judson Fuller....born June 23, 2010

2010-06-25T22:09:00.004-04:00

I am pleased to announce the birth of our sixth child...Judson Fuller!

We are both doing extremely well and were able to come home 24 hours after he was born :)

He weighed in at 7 pounds 12 ounces, and measured 20.5 inches long. He has brown hair and blue eyes and fits perfectly into our family....not that there was any doubt!

I'll be sure to post his birth story soon!

A test of faith

2010-05-02T09:19:00.002-04:00

Life isn't always easy. No one ever said that it would be...so why is it, that we expect everything we want to us without the least bit of effort on our part?

Here I sit, in Maine, enjoying the company of my family...and contemplate the last couple of months.

You see, we lost our home. Amidst a husband losing his job....amidst a child with a brain tumor...amidst a pregnancy that has gone smoothly in spite of the stress that has been looming the entire time...amidst a health scare with Paysie and little unborn Judson...God decided that this just wasn't enough.

My goal has been that, instead of asking why and getting angry at God...that I ask Him what will YOU have me learn? What is YOUR purpose in allowing this heartache in my life? With YOUR help...what can I do to further YOUR kingdom through my situation?

My faith has never wavered, and for that, I am eternally grateful. It had nothing to do with me and ALL to do with HIM!

There has been many tears...many unanswered questions...but never any doubts that God would and is providing for my family.

And it has been hard. Very hard...to pack up a home, when you don't know where God is leading you. When you aren't sure where you will end up. Instead, we had to rely completely on God that because HE KNEW exactly where we would live...that had to be enough for us...and it was.

I've learned so much from my children over the past couple of months. They ask no questions...but instead, portray complete dependence that mommy and daddy are doing what they have to do and never once have they questioned their well-being, safety or future.

My prayer has been to have that same unquestioning attitude when it comes to God. I don't know why things happen the way they do. Even now, I have friends that are hurting and scared of the unknown...and this is my prayer for them as well.

Will we ever know the future the way God does? No. But knowing that our Mighty Creator knows the outcome of even our smallest problem is enough...and not only does He know the outcome...He has complete and sovereign control over it! And this is MORE than enough!

Again I sing....GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS!! I sang it at my little boy's bedside at his impending surgery...I sang it as I sat by him in recovery....I sang it when I waited to hear the results of my little girl's echocardiogram...I sang it when I found out about possible genetic issues with Judson...I sang it when I discovered that our house was no longer our own...and I sing it now....Knowing that through it all HE has been FAITHFUL and will continue to hold me and my family in His hands.

31 weeks and counting

2010-04-27T23:03:00.002-04:00

I am currently in my eighth month of pregnancy. I have no idea how it has gone by so quickly and it really seems that Judson's arrival is right around the corner!

The kids are extremely excited and are much more involved (well, as much as a group of young boys can be!) than before. They love putting their hands on my belly, feeling their newest brother roll and kick around.

I was just reading Paysie's birth story, and I teared up....which seems to happen much easier this time around than ever before. There have been many more ups and downs this pregnancy as well....I wonder if that has anything to do with it...ya think?

To give a brief update...Gideon is doing extremely well! God has been so gracious to us in the healing of my boy. He is running and jumping and improving so much on a daily basis.

This pregnancy has been a journey...a journey of faith on so many levels. We have dealt with the hospitalization of our 6 year old. We have dealt with a possible heart abnormality of our little girl (which came out normal, praise God!). We have had some non-invasive tests come out abnormal for Judson that turned out to be nothing to worry about. We have dealt with many financial issues that include a move away from a house that we have called home for the past 3 years.

And through it all...we have not been alone. God has been with us every step of the way...renewing His mercies each and every morning. He has given us the strength to go on and the faith to sustain us.

When this pregnancy began, I had no idea what the next nine months would hold. And here I am, with all that has happened....I could not be closer to my Creator. I have seen lives affected by what my family has gone through...in a good way! I have seen God draw His people closer to Himself amidst many struggles. I have seen my comfort and normalcy ripped away and replaced with the love and comfort that only God can provide....and that I have been given the gift of contentment in all that has happened...good and bad.

And I sit here amazed and forever grateful at the goodness of God!

May God receive the glory!

Lord, Help Me To Glorify You

2010-04-22T21:38:00.000-04:00

Lord, help me to glorify you;
I am poor, help me to glorify you by contentment;
I am sick, help me to give you honor by patience;
I have talents, help me to extol you by spending them for you;
I have time, Lord, help me to redeem it, that I may serve you;

I have a heart to feel, Lord,
let that heart feel no love but yours,
and glow with no flame but affection for you;

I have a head to think,
Lord, help me to think of you and for you;

You have put me in this world for something, Lord,
show me what that is,
and help me to work out my life-purpose:

I cannot do much, but as the widow put in her two mites,
which were all her living,
so, Lord, I cast my time and eternity too into your treasury;

I am all yours;
take me, and enable me to glorify you now,
in all that I say, in all that I do, and with all that I have.

-Charles Haddon Spurgeon

A quote

2010-04-22T21:05:00.001-04:00

From the journal of Adoniram Judson's 3rd wife, Emily, on his last visit to America, after he preached for 30+ years on the mission field:

As he sat down, it was evident, even to the most unobservant eye, that most of the listeners were disappointed. After the exercises were over, several persons inquired of me, frankly, why Dr Judson had not talked of something else, why he had not told a story...On the way home, I mentioned the subject to him.

"Why, what did they want?" he inquired; "I presented the most interesting subject in the world, to the best of my ability."

"But they wanted something different-- A story."... See More

"Well, I am sure I gave them a story--the most thrilling one that can be conceived of."

"But they had heard it before. They wanted something new of a man that had just come from the antipodes."

"Then I am glad they have it to say, that a man coming from the antipodes had nothing better to tell than the wondrous story of Jesus' Dying love."

(From the biography of Adoniram Judson: To the Golden Shore)

Let us never yearn to hear the stories of mere men...instead, let us never tire of hearing the Gospel!!

A quote

2010-04-22T21:04:00.000-04:00

Paul (or You) In Prison

2010-04-07T21:00:00.000-04:00

From Jay Adams

In discussing problems with Christian counselees, we often find ourselves deeply involved in matters concerning the providence of God. People want to know “Why?” But it isn’t always possible to respond to that question in any specific way. If it is, fine; but that is the exception, not the rule.

So what do we say? Well, of course many different things—responses that fit each individual situation—but there are some principles (abstract as they may be) that people usually find helpful.

In referring to Paul’s imprisonment at Rome (Philippians 1) we show how God used it to convert soldiers as well as encourage others to go preach. As we open up the passage at some length, the following encouraging principles emerge:

God is in your problem
God is up to something in your problem
God is up to something good

Whether or you are able to see all or even only part of what it is that He’s up to, you can rely on the fact because of Romans 8:28,29.

What is providence? It is the working out of God’s plan by God Himself. Unlike Deism, Christianity teaches that God plans His work,then works His plan. Deists believe that having created the world, He no longer is concerned with it. He wound up the clock, now it can run on its own. Rather, we believe He made and maintains the world. And that He personally does things in it—in particular, in people’s lives.

If you’re in some trouble today, reread those three facts, believer, and you should be encouraged by them—even if ‘right now you can’t see how God is at work in your problem. Some day—now or in eternity—you may understand fully. But it’s your task at the moment—to believe, and look forward to whatever outcome God may bring from it. In the long run, you may even be privileged to discover (as Paul did) what God was up to—and that you will see that it truly is good!

This made me laugh....

2010-03-17T16:12:00.000-04:00

John MacArthur's Study Tour

2010-03-15T20:44:00.001-04:00

John MacArthur - Study Tour from Together for the Gospel (T4G) on Vimeo.

Playing around with sin....

2010-03-15T19:23:00.000-04:00

“Be careful how you treat God, my friends. You may say to yourself, ‘I can sin against God and then, of course, I can repent and go back and find God whenever I want him.’ You try it. And you will sometimes find that not only can you not find God but that you do not even want to. You will be aware of a terrible hardness in your heart. And you can do nothing about it. And then you suddenly realize that it is God punishing you in order to reveal your sinfulness and your vileness to you. And there is only one thing to do. You turn back to him and you say, ‘O God, do not go on dealing with me judicially, though I deserve it. Soften my heart. Melt me. I cannot do it myself.’ You cast yourself utterly upon his mercy and upon his compassion.”

- D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Revival (Westchester, 1987), page 300.

Gospel-Truth More Important Than Unity & Peace

2010-03-12T15:06:00.002-05:00

JC Ryle, in writing about what we may learn from Paul at Antioch, pointed out this lesson: "To keep Gospel truth in the Church is of even greater importance than to keep peace". Scripture reveals how Paul hated false doctrine enough to even confront Peter over it. And yet, no man may have known better the value of peace and unity than the Apostle Paul. JC Ryle continues . . .

Paul was the Apostle who wrote to the Corinthians about love. He was the Apostle who said, "Live in harmony with one another; live in peace with each other; the Lord's servant must not quarrel; There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called--one Lord, one faith, one baptism." He was the Apostle who said, "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some" (Romans 12:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:13; Philemon 3:16; Ephesians 4:5; 1 Corinthians 9:22). Yet see how he acts [ in Galations 2 ]! He withstands Peter to the face. He publicly rebukes him. He runs the risk of all the consequences that might follow. He takes the chance of everything that might be said by the enemies of the Church at Antioch. Above all, he writes it down for a perpetual memorial, that it never might be forgotten, that, wherever the Gospel is preached throughout the world, this public rebuke of an erring Apostle might be known and read of all men.

Now, why did he do this? Because he dreaded false doctrine;
because he knew that a little leaven leavens the whole lump, because he would teach us that we ought to contend for the truth jealously, and to fear the loss of truth more than the loss of peace. Paul's example is one we shall do well to remember in the present day. Many people will put up with anything in religion, if they may only have a quiet life.
They have a morbid dread of what they call "controversy".

They are filled with a morbid fear of what they style, in a vague way,
"party spirit," though they never define clearly what party spirit is. They are possessed with a morbid desire to keep the peace, and make all things smooth and pleasant, even though it be at the expense of truth. So long as they have outward calm, smoothness, stillness, and order, they seem content to give up everything else. I believe they would have thought with Ahab that Elijah was a troubler of Israel, and would have helped the princes of Judah when they put Jeremiah in prison, to stop his mouth. I have no doubt that many of these men of whom I speak, would have thought that Paul at Antioch was a very imprudent man, and that he went too far!

I believe this is all wrong. We have no right to expect anything but the pure Gospel of Christ, unmixed and unadulterated; the same Gospel that was taught by the Apostles; to do good to the souls of men.

I believe that to maintain this pure truth in the Church men should be ready to make any sacrifice, to hazard peace, to risk dissension, and run the chance of division. They should no more tolerate false doctrine than they would tolerate sin. They should withstand any adding to or taking away from the simple message of the Gospel of Christ.

For the truth's sake, our Lord Jesus Christ denounced the Pharisees, though they sat in Moses' seat, and were the appointed and authorized teachers of men. "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites," He says, eight times over, in the twenty-third chapter of Matthew. And who shall dare to breathe a suspicion that our Lord was wrong?

For the truth's sake, Paul withstood and blamed Peter, though a brother. Where was the use of unity when pure doctrine was gone? And who shall dare to say he was wrong?

For the truth's sake, Athanasius stood out against the world to maintain the pure doctrine about the divinity of Christ, and waged a controversy with the great majority of the professing Church. And who shall dare to say he was wrong?

For the truth's sake, Luther broke the unity of the Church in which he was born, denounced the Pope and all his ways, and laid the foundation of a new teaching. And who shall dare to say that Luther was wrong?

For the truth's sake, Cranmer, Ridley, and Latimer, the English Reformers, counseled Henry VIII and Edward VI to separate from Rome, and to risk the consequences of division. And who shall dare to say that they were wrong?

For the truth's sake, Whitefield and Wesley, [250] years ago, denounced the mere barren moral preaching of the clergy of their day, and went out into the highways and byways to save souls, knowing well that they would be cast out from the Church's communion. And who shall dare to say that they were wrong?

Yes! peace without truth is a false peace; it is the very peace of the devil. Unity without the Gospel is a worthless unity; it is the very unity of hell.

Let us never be ensnared by those who speak kindly of it. Let us remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword" (Matthew 10:34) Let us remember the praise He gives to one of the Churches in Revelation, "I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false" (Revelation 2:2). Let us remember the blame He casts on another, "You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess" (Revelation 2:20). Never let us be guilty of sacrificing any portion of truth on the altar of peace. Let us rather be like the Jews, who, if they found any manuscript copy of the Old Testament Scriptures incorrect in a single letter, burned the whole copy, rather than run the risk of losing one jot or tittle of the Word of God. Let us be content with nothing short of the whole Gospel of Christ.

In what way are we to make practical use of the general principles which I have just laid down? I will give my readers one simple piece of advice. I believe it is advice which deserves serious consideration.

I warn then every one who loves his soul, to be very selective as to the preaching he regularly hears, and the place of worship he regularly attends. He who deliberately settles down under any ministry which is positively unsound is a very unwise man.

I will never hesitate to speak my mind on this point. I know well that many think it a shocking thing for a man to forsake his local church. I cannot see with the eyes of such people. I draw a wide distinction between teaching which is defective and teaching which is thoroughly false; between teaching which errs on the negative side and teaching which is positively unscriptural.

But I do believe, if false doctrine is unmistakably preached in a local church, a Christian who loves his soul is quite right in not going to that local church. To hear unscriptural teaching fifty-two Sundays in every year is a serious thing. It is a continual dropping of slow poison into the mind. I think it almost impossible for a man willfully to submit himself to it, and not be harmed.

I see in the New Testament we are plainly told to "Test everything" and "Hold on to the good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21). I see in the Book of Proverbs that we are commanded to "Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge" (Proverbs 19:27). If these words do not justify a man in ceasing to worship at a church, if positively false doctrine is preached in it, I do not know what words can.

--Does any one mean to tell us that to attend your local denominational church is absolutely needful to a person's salvation? If there is such a one, let him speak out, and give us his name.

--Does any one mean to tell us that going to the denominational church will save any man's soul, if he dies unconverted and ignorant of Christ? If there is such a one, let him speak out, and give us his name.

--Does any one mean to tell us that going to the denominational church will teach a man anything about Christ, or conversion, or faith, or repentance, if these subjects are hardly ever named in the denomination church, and never properly explained? If there is such a one, let him speak out, and give us his name.

--Does any one mean to say that a man who repents, believes in Christ, is converted and holy, will lose his soul, because he has forsaken his denomination and learned his religion elsewhere? If there is such a one, let him speak out, and give us his name.

For my part I abhor such monstrous and extravagant ideas. I do not see a speck of foundation for them in the Word of God. I trust that the number of those who deliberately hold them is exceedingly small.

There are many churches where the religious teaching is little better than Roman Catholicism. Ought the congregation of such churches to sit still, be content, and take it quietly? They ought not. And why? Because, like Paul, they ought to prefer truth to peace.

There are many churches where the religious teaching is little better than morality. The distinctive doctrines of Christianity are never clearly proclaimed. Plato, or Seneca, or Confucius, could have taught almost as much. Ought the congregation in such churches to sit still, be content, and take it quietly? They ought not. And why? Because, like Paul, they ought to prefer truth to peace.

--I am using strong language in dealing with this part of my subject, I know.

--I am trenching on delicate ground: I know it.

--I am handling matters which are generally let alone,
and passed over in silence: I know it.

I say what I say from a sense of duty to the Church of which I am a minister. I believe the state of the times, and the position of the congregation require plain speaking. Souls are perishing, in many churches, in ignorance. Honest members of the church are disgusted and perplexed. This is no time for smooth words. I am not ignorant of those magic expressions, "order, division, schism, unity, controversy," and the like. I know the cramping, silencing influence which they seem to exercise on some minds. I too have considered those expressions calmly and deliberately, and on each of them I am prepared to speak my mind.

(a) The denominational church is an admirable thing in theory. Let it only be well administered, and worked by truly spiritual ministers, and it is calculated to confer the greatest blessings on the nation. But it is useless to expect attachment to the denomination, when the minister of the denominational church is ignorant of the Gospel or a lover of the world. In such a case we must never be surprised if men forsake their denomination, and seek truth wherever truth is to be found. If the denominational minister does not preach the Gospel and live the Gospel, the conditions on which he claims the attention of his congregation are virtually violated, and his claim to be heard is at an end. It is absurd to expect the head of a family to endanger the souls of his children, as well as his own, for the sake of "the denomination." There is no mention of denominations in the Bible, and we have no right to require men to live and die in ignorance, in order that they may be able to say at last, "I always attended my local denominational church."

(b) Divisions and separations are most objectionable in religion. They weaken the cause of true Christianity. They give occasion to the enemies of all godliness to blaspheme. But before we blame people for them, we must be careful that we lay the blame where it is deserved. False doctrine and heresy are even worse than schism. If people separate themselves from teaching which is positively false and unscriptural, they ought to be praised rather than reproved. In such cases separation is a virtue and not a sin. It is easy to make sneering remarks about "itching ears," and "love of excitement;" but it is not so easy to convince a plain reader of the Bible that it is his duty to hear false doctrine every Sunday, when by a little exertion he can hear truth.

(c) Unity, quiet, and order among professing Christians are mighty blessings. They give strength, beauty, and efficiency to the cause of Christ. But even gold may be bought too dear. Unity which is obtained by the sacrifice of truth is worth nothing. It is not the unity which pleases God. The Church of Rome boasts loudly of a unity which does not deserve the name. It is unity which is obtained by taking away the Bible from the people, by gagging private judgment, by encouraging ignorance, by forbidding men to think for themselves. Like the exterminating warriors of old, the Catholic Church of Rome makes a solitude and calls it peace. There is quiet and stillness enough in the grave, but it is not the quiet of health, but of death. It was the false prophets who cried "Peace," when there was no peace.

(d) Controversy in religion is a hateful thing, It is hard enough to fight the devil, the world and the flesh, without private differences in our own camp. But there is one thing which is even worse than controversy, and that is false doctrine tolerated, allowed, and permitted without protest or molestation. It was controversy that won the battle of Protestant Reformation. If the views that some men hold were correct, it is plain we never ought to have had any Reformation at all! For the sake of peace, we ought to have gone on worshipping the Virgin, and bowing down to images and relics to this very day! Away with such trifling! There are times when controversy is not only a duty but a benefit. Give me the mighty thunderstorm rather than the deadly malaria. The one walks in darkness and poisons us in silence, and we are never safe. The other frightens and alarms for a little while. But it is soon over, and it clears the air. It is a plain Scriptural duty to:
"contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints" (Jude 1:3).

I am quite aware that the things I have said are exceedingly distasteful to many minds. I believe many are content with teaching which is not the whole truth, and fancy it will be "all the same" in the end. I feel sorry for them.

I am convinced that nothing but the whole truth is likely, as a general rule, to do good to souls. I am satisfied that those who willfully put up with anything short of the whole truth, will find at last that their souls have received much damage. There are three things which men never ought to trifle with: a little poison, a little false doctrine, and a little sin.

I am quite aware that when a man expresses such opinions as those I have just brought forward, there are many ready to say, "He is not faithful to the Church." I hear such accusations unmoved. The day of judgment will show who were the true friends of the Church and who were not. I have learned in the last thirty-two years that if a minister leads a quiet life, leaves alone the unconverted part of the world, and preaches so as to offend none and edify none, he will be called by many "a good pastor".

And I have also learned that if a man studies Scriptures, labors continually for the conversion of souls, adheres closely to the great principals of the Reformation, bears a faithful testimony against Romanism, and preaches powerful, convicting sermons, he will probably be thought a firebrand and "troubler of Israel." Let men say what they will. They are the truest friends of the Church who labor most for the preservation of truth.

I lay these things before the readers of this paper, and invite their serious attention to them. I charge them never to forget that truth is of more importance to a Church than peace. I ask them to be ready to carry out the principles I have laid down, and to contend zealously, if needs be, for the truth. If we do this, we shall have learned something from Antioch.

-- JC Ryle, Warnings To The Churches

How To Become Full of Joy...By Charles Haddon Spurgeon

2010-03-08T13:31:00.000-05:00

'LET US CONSTANTLY READ THE SCRIPTURES. Let us read them, I would say, in preference to other books. There is a great, deal of reading nowadays, and a great deal of that is a kind of chaff-cutting, and nothing more. Why, even in religious newspapers and magazines they cannot command readers and make them pay, so they say, unless they include a religious novel. People’s minds must be in a queer state, when they can relish nothing but these whipped creams, and juvenile syllabubs. If they were robust and healthy, with a good appetite for divine things, they would demand something far more solid and satisfying. You will never grow sturdy men and women on such poor stuff as that: you may rear lackadaisical imitations; but the thinking soul with something in it, the Christian woman who serves God and is a true helper to the Christian ministry, the young man who is fired with the longing to proclaim Christ and win souls to him, must have stronger nutriments than this, that modern religious journalism ladles out so plentifully! Oh! my brethren and sisters, read the Bible, read the Bible’; and these things that enfeeble, will lose all their attraction for you.

If the worldling must have these things, let him; but if you have a soul that is above rubbish, and has been accustomed to live on great, solid verities and substantial truths, you scarcely need that I should say, "Search the Scriptures diligently, and your joy shall spread and deepen."

Be this your happy confession,-

“Lord, I have made thy Word my choice,
My lasting heritage;
There shall my noblest powers rejoice
My warmest thoughts engage.”

We say further, prefer the Scriptures even to all religious books. We say this of the best book, and sermons. We do our best to teach you God’s truth: but we are, like gold-beaters, we get a little bit of truth, and we hammer it out so thin. Some of us are mighty hands at this, and can make a tiny fragment of truth-gold cover an acre of talk. But the best, of us, those who really do seek to bring out the doctrines of grace and love, are but poor workers at it. Read the Bible more, and do not care so much about us. If my sermons kept people from reading the Bible for themselves, I would like to see the whole stock in a blaze and burned to ashes’. But if they serve as finger-posts, pointing to the Scriptures and saying, “Read this, and this, and this;” then I am thankful to have printed them. But if they keep you from your Bibles, burn them, burn them, burn them. Do not let them overlay the Scriptures, but lie beneath them, for that is their proper place. Keep you first, to God’s revealed Word.

Let me here say, that when you read the Bible, remember there are several ways of doing it. There is the superficial reading: being satisfied with the mere letter of it. There is, however, a diving into it, a going deep down into the soul of it. Read it in natural sections. What would Milton’s “Paradise, Lost “ be if you only read one line a day, and began at the middle and went back to the first line? You would never understand his meaning thus. Read the Bible through. Read Johns gospel: not a bit of John and then a snippet of Mark, but read John through, and find out what John is at. Remember that Matthew-, though he speaks of the same Savior as Mark, yet he does it not in the same style, nor for the same purpose; as he. There is a very distinct purpose in each gospel. Matthew tells of Jesus, the King; the parables he records all hold references to the King. “Then shall the kingdom, of heaven be likened,” Mark show us Christ as the Servant devoted and tireless in his activity of loving toil; Luke as the Man Christ Jesus, full of human tenderness and sympathy, and his parables begin “A certain man.” John reveals to us Christ in his true Deity and God-head; and gloriously does he preface it, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Get a hold of what the books mean, and may the Holy Spirit to show you the aim of each writer’-the one book, and that studied, not scampered through, and you shall stand firm where others fall.'

Spurgeon, C. H., 'How To Become Full of Joy'. 1865.

Mom’s Bible Reading: Do What You Can

2010-03-06T13:48:00.000-05:00

How does a mom of young children — say, three still in diapers — find any time for Bible intake? “Do What You Can” is the answer Don Whitney gives in Simplify Your Spiritual Life: Spiritual Disciplines for the Overwhelmed (pp. 157-158). In this short/excellent chapter, Whitney describes one woman’s example and advice:

She was converted in her late teens. Discipled well from the start, Jean thrived on a spiritual diet strong on disciplines like the reading, studying, and meditating on God’s Word, prayer, fellowship, service, evangelism, worship, silence and solitude, journal-keeping, and Scripture memory. She felt herself making spiritual progress almost daily. All this continued after she married her equally-dedicated husband, Roger.

Then she had three children in diapers. Caring for their most basic needs eliminated almost every moment of the time she used to devote to caring for her soul. Her longings for the things of God reached as high as ever, but her time and energy had new and severe limits.

On at least three occasions I’ve eavesdropped as Jean addressed young moms in similar situations. In effect she’s told them, “At this time in your life, you can’t do what you’re used to doing. You don’t have time for all your heart desires to experience in your spiritual life. Nevertheless, do what you can do, even though it’s precious little. Just don’t deceive yourself by thinking that you can put off a devotional life until you have more time. Because when the years roll around and you finally do have more time, your spiritual habits will be so ingrained that you won’t give more attention to your devotional life at all.”

Then I heard Jean tell her own story. She would keep Bibles open in several rooms–in the kitchen, nursery, bathroom–and look at them when she could. While warming a bottle or changing a diaper, she’d glance over and perhaps read only one verse. But this discipline helped her keep the Word in her heart and the presence of God in her awareness. And as the children’s needs grew less demanding, her disciplines were already in place to receive any additional time she could give them. Even though Jean felt almost spiritually dormant during those years in comparison to her early growth as a Christian, she kept alive the spiritual disciplines through which her soul would blossom in years to come.

Like Jean with three in diapers, you may be in a situation that curtails many of your spiritual activities. You may be looking at many months or even years of such limitations. Do what you can. God does not love us more when we do more, nor less when we do less. He accepts us, not because of what we do for Him, but because of what He’s done for us in Christ.

The Bible says, “He made us accepted in the Beloved [that is, Jesus]” (Ephesians 1:6). And nothing “shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39). Love God, and within the limitations He has sovereignly placed in your life at this time, do what you can.

Like the above chapter, several of the book’s 90 chapters (two pages each) are available online for free. I’m sure once you read the online chapters, you’ll want to buy the full book to read to rest.

Actual blog post found here

I feel like my blogging lately has been one apology after another!

2010-02-25T16:34:00.004-05:00

I haven't posted in awhile...not only have I been busy, but I have been having a hard time slowing down enough to have something even worthwhile to post.

Here is a long-awaited update on life and how things are going!

First off, this seems to be the question that I get asked most often...How is Gideon?

Gideon is doing extraordinarily well! He continues to go to therapy 3 times a week and is progressing every day! When I think back to where he was 3 months ago...I am amazed at God's healing in Gideon. He has been walking on his own for about 6 weeks now and hasn't used his wheelchair or his walker for a long time. He has even started running!! He is completely self-sufficient and takes care of himself like a normal 6 year old.

Our main area of struggle is starting him back up with his schoolwork. I am easing back into it with him, but this is an area that he is lacking in right now. We are beginning with basic letter formation and basic reading skills. He is doing really well with that....so I hope to incorporate more into our routine over the next few months. I think I will continue a small amount of tutoring for him once summer hits...so I can concentrate solely on him and his needs, while the rest enjoy summer vacation!

He will need surgery on his left eye to correct the muscle. Hopefully, this will take place in April/May. I really want this to be taken care of before the baby arrives in June. It's a very minor procedure, and we ask for peace of mind for Gideon, since being put to sleep is not a comforting thought for him.

He has his 3 month follow-up MRI on March 6th. I'll be sure to update with the results of his tests when we know anything.

Other than that, we are so thankful for our boy and how God has used him to draw others closer to Himself. When I think over the past few months, I am often drawn to tears of gratitude at the sufficiency of His grace throughout this ordeal.

Meanwhile, Nolan is zipping through second grade. I hope to be done with his schooling in late April. He is a sponge to knowledge and it is truly a joy to be able to teach him. It won't be long until Haddon joins in when he turns 5 in April, and begins Kindergarten in the fall.

Haddon and Jamison continue to have a love/hate relationship. One moment, they are playing nicely together, the next moment, they are at each other's throats! I believe that Jamison is slowly working his way into the threesome that is Nolan, Gideon and Haddon.

Paysie...oh, my little girl...she is talking, walking, climbing...you name it, she is doing it! I have to keep a watchful eye out for her. She is a little daredevil who continues to have her brothers wrapped around her finger. Regardless of what she is doing, she faithfully remains to be called "sweet girl" by her brothers. At any given time, she can be standing on any piece of furniture and getting into any number of things around the house. By God's grace, she is slowly being trained into a docile creature...ha!

And now, the baby! Judson is growing well and is quite the poker and prodder. He now weighs nearly a pound and a half and is perfect in every way. At my ultrasound last week, I could see him opening and closing his mouth, all while wiggling his little tongue...so adorable! I am excited for his arrival, yet remaining extremely patient until June....quite possibly July! A lot needs to happen between now and then, and I am being sustained by God's promises through it all.

I want to thank you for your prayers and encouragement throughout the ups and downs associated with Gideon. I am overwhelmed by the amount of support from our local church family and those that volunteer their time each week to watch the kids for me while I bring Gideon to his therapy. God has been so good to us....better than we deserve!

A free Betty Crocker cookbook...downloadable!

2010-02-15T16:45:00.001-05:00

Enjoy!

Sin Hoarders

2010-01-21T13:23:00.002-05:00

There is a new show on A&E called Hoarders. It highlights people's houses due to the clutter and lack of purging.

I watch and am amazed and disgusted by what I see.

These people are living in filth. There is expired, rotting food that they have grown emotional attachments to. They have become so accustomed to the sight and smells of their house and property, that they don't even realize the grotesqueness of it. They find dead animals that died in the rubble. There are bugs. There is dirt. There is nowhere to move without tripping over something. There is feces on the floor...both human and animal. There is a need to fill the void of emptiness with stuff and there is nowhere to put any of it. Hoarders do not want people inside their house. They are ashamed and embarrassed....yet don't see a way out, so the pattern continues.

As a spectator, I watch and wonder why it is so hard to throw away garbage. That even as the trash is being bagged up and brought outside to a truck, these hoarders run after the bags, only to have to sift through it and make sure there isn't something of worth left. I have yet to see someone not take something completely worthless back into the house....like it's a treasure...when it is obvious to everyone else that it's not.

It is sad to watch. The hoarders are receiving very secular help. There is no Christ mentioned...no mention of sin...and no mention of the only real way to be redeemed.

My reaction to this show is one of pride. I look at my house and how uncluttered I keep it and smugly think to myself how I would never let my house look like that.

But, the more I thought about it....the more I realized that I hoard my sin. I don't let anyone see the clutter of my heart and the blackness of my sin. I have rotting sin that is so filthy and rancid, yet I don't smell the nastiness of it. I hold it tight to my chest like it's a treasure.

If someone were to be able to see what is really inside of me, they would have the same reaction to me, as I have when watching the show....yet, we all look the same inside.

Without Christ, we don't see our sin for what it really is. We are blinded as these hoarders are. We don't smell the rot. We don't see the blackness. We embrace ugliness...and don't even realize that we are doing it.

This is not how it needs to be.

There was one man that was pure and clean....the man, Christ Jesus. He has made the only way available for full redemption of our hoarding.

The process of sanctification is an ongoing purging of our sin. This is sin that we hoard and pile up with every ounce of our being. We don't want to let it go....but Christ makes it possible to let it go...and makes us want to let it go. The closer we get to Him, the more we realize how sick and deep in our sin we really are.

As I envelope myself in Christ through Scripture, I see my sin for what it is. There really are no words to describe the ugliness.

There are still times that I don't want to let it go....that I am struggling against my sinful nature. I am a work in progress...but I will never be left to do the cleaning by myself.

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Phil 1:6

I take joy that one day, there will be no more cleaning and purging. There will come a day when all will be pure and clean.

Until that day, I will remain overwhelmed and thankful that Christ took the wrath for my sin...and with Him leading the way, I will strive to be more like Him.

It's a BOY!

2010-01-20T15:33:00.003-05:00

I had my ultrasound yesterday and this baby is definitely a HE!

I am so excited to have another little boy. I can't really explain why, but it just feels right....to be a mommy of lots of boys, with one little girl.

So...I would like to introduce you to....Judson Fuller:

If you are interested in the origin of his name....here are a couple links!

Adoniram Judson

Andrew Fuller

Shai Linne: Spread His Fame

2010-01-16T19:05:00.000-05:00

Shai Linne with "Spread His Fame." from Grace EV Free on Vimeo.

Piper on the pope

2010-01-04T00:39:00.001-05:00

The death of William Tyndale....glorious yet wretched!

2010-01-04T00:04:00.001-05:00

The following post about William Tyndale comes from Todd Friel over at Wretched Radio:

William Tyndale was firmly tied to the stake. The kindling was piled high. The match was about to be struck. Suddenly, as an act of kindness, the executioner approached Tyndale from the rear and graciously strangled him to death with a chain. Or so I thought.

William Tyndale was an English Roman Catholic priest whose passion was to see the Bible translated into the language of the people. The Catholic Church and King Henry VIII disagreed. They believed that only the priests should have access to Scripture. When a Catholic priest warned Tyndale to stop his endeavor to translate the Bible, Tyndale fired, “I will make it possible for a boy behind the plow to know more Scripture than you do.”

Threatened with death, he fled England and lived incognito in Europe until a friend betrayed him and Tyndale found himself in a dank prison in Vilvorde prison in Brussels, Belgium.

I stood in the place where Tyndale was lit on fire for his “heretical” views. I was told it was an act of kindness that he was strangled before the flames melted him. I was told wrong.

It was not uncommon that when a great reformer was to be set ablaze, they would preach, pray and sing so fervently, that many souls were saved before the flames silenced their message. That is why Tyndale was strangled to death. Not to keep him from pain, but to keep people from hearing the Gospel. Tyndale’s last words were, “Lord, open the King of England’s eyes.” God granted that prayer. Henry VIII had a change of heart and ordered that the Bible be translated into the language of the people. Whose translation did they use? You guessed it: Tyndale’s.

The gospel cannot be strangled, only its messengers. But, as the hymn says, “The body they may kill; God’s truth abideth still. His Kingdom is forever.”

From Gairny Bridge

Predestination and the Sovereignty of God

2009-12-30T00:29:00.001-05:00

For those whom He foreknew... (Romans 8:29)

"Before the foundations of the earth He knew you, and it's not because He looked in some crystal ball, or down the corridors of time and saw you in the future.

The bible never speaks of a crystal ball, and it never speaks of corridors of time or God looking into a book that talks about the future... it never does. It never talks about God looking into the future.

God does not know the future because He's looked ahead and seen it... God knows the future because He's Lord over it, and directs every molecule, every fiber of being, every bit of matter towards the purpose He has ordained.

That is a God my friend.

Not a god who looks into the future and then reacts, not a god who makes choices based on choices of other men He's seen in the future.

No.

A god who is The God and Lord and Author of the future."

-Paul Washer

Things have been pretty busy around here lately!

2009-12-13T13:51:00.002-05:00

First, let's update on Gideon! He's doing really well! We are still seeing so many improvements and celebrating the little victories...like walking up the stairs, holding onto the railing all by himself! (with one of us there to spot him!) He is able to put his seat belt on and off by himself! He can stand by himself for over a minute and a half without losing his balance! He scoots all around the house and can climb onto the couch and his bed, and climb back off of them all by himself!

We are amazed at his attitude throughout this entire ordeal. God has truly blessed our family through Gideon.

Secondly, how about baby #6? I am 12 weeks along and things are moving right along! I listen to the baby's heartbeat daily and have my BIG ultrasound scheduled for January 29th. John and I have settled on names...which was quite a hurdle! I am feeling good...though, I'm not sleeping extremely well. I've had a cold and add back aches to that, and you have a tired mommy!

I keep myself busy running around 3+ days a week, with Gideon's therapy and my appt's. Life can get crazy.

We are staying focused this Christmas season....it is not about the busyness, it is not about buying the best gifts...it's about remembering Christ and that this tiny baby that was found in the manger so long ago, was born so that He could die for our sins and make us right before His Father.

What a great time of year it is! I pray that we find ourselves on our knees before God, in thanksgiving and repentance.

Still, My Soul be Still

2009-12-04T18:00:00.001-05:00

Still, my soul be still

Words and Music by Keith & Kristyn Getty & Stuart Townend

Still my soul be still
And do not fear
Though winds of change may rage tomorrow
God is at your side
No longer dread
The fires of unexpected sorrow

God You are my God
And I will trust in You and not be shaken
Lord of peace renew
A steadfast spirit within me
To rest in You alone

Still my soul be still
Do not be moved
By lesser lights and fleeting shadows
Hold onto His ways
With shield of faith
Against temptations flaming arrows

Still my soul be still
Do not forsake
The Truth you learned in the beginning
Wait upon the Lord
And hope will rise As stars appear when day is dimming

Update on Katie!

2009-11-20T20:49:00.002-05:00

This morning, she went in to have a complete CT Scan and had more blood work done.

The so-called 'tumor' in her neck has shrunk considerably since Tuesday! The doctors are now saying that she does NOT have cancer and that her Lymph Nodes were so enlarged due to a horrible infection.

She is on the road to recovery! She has lost at least 15 pounds in the past few weeks, and I'm sure she will be resting quite a bit, but she is doing so much better!

She will go back again in a couple of weeks...but for now, she is at home and doing better than she has in awhile.

Throughout this trial, God has remained faithful. He could have chosen to give us completely different results, yet, God would still be just as great! We are overwhelmed by His grace....God is to be GLORIFIED in ALL THINGS!

Pray for my niece, Katie

2009-11-18T23:58:00.002-05:00

She has been sick for more than three weeks. They did a CT scan yesterday that showed tumors in her neck and possibly her lungs. They are leaning towards lymphoma and will do a complete work up on her on Friday.

She is nine years old and is a sweet, sweet girl.

Her parents, Jim and Cindy, watched our children for us while we were in Memphis receiving treatment for Gideon.

Please pray for them. Pray that Katie is comforted by THE GREAT COMFORTER! That Jim and Cindy know how to best care for her...and that trust God all the more.

There are so many suffering....and my heart aches for each one. Pray for our family, that we know the best way to minister and care for those around us.

God will be glorified in this situation....He is the same today as he was yesterday and the day before! He is faithful....and his mercies are new every morning.

We are home!

2009-11-15T09:24:00.002-05:00

During the daily 6:30am rounds, the Dr told us that because of Gideon's improvement, we were able to be discharged!

We decided to take two days to drive home, and we arrived yesterday!

It was so great to see my other children. Two weeks seemed like way too long for a mommy to be away from her little ones!

We are slowly settling in and await a surprise visit from Gramma and Grampa from Maine! Gideon has kept the secret and when John gets home with the other boys, they will be in for quite a shock!

God has blessed us so greatly, I am often overwhelmed to tears.

The Prosperity Gospel in Africa

2009-11-12T09:39:00.001-05:00

Makes me sick to my stomach.

The Prosperity Gospel from The Global Conversation on Vimeo.

Sexual Detox and False Messages

2009-11-12T08:55:00.004-05:00

Tim Challies recently wrote a series titled Sexual Detox. This is something that is all too often ignored within the church. I urge you to read this to get Biblical knowledge on how to purify the marriage bed.

Sexual Detox I: Pornifying the Marriage Bed

Sexual Detox II: Breaking Free

Sexual Detox III: A Theology of Sex

Sexual Detox IV: Detoxification

Sexual Detox V: Freedom

I was also pleased to see that Aileen, Tim's wife, wrote a 3 part series to women about sex and the false messages associated with it.

False Messages I: What He Really Wants

False Messages II: The Heart of Rejection

False Messages III: Desiring Him

Hopefully, we'll be out by the weekend

2009-11-12T08:13:00.002-05:00

That is our hope...only if Gideon is thought to be ready by the Dr's! They will be discussing his discharge today at their daily meeting.

Gideon is much more steady, though he is unable to sit or stand on his own yet. His coordination is getting better, though he is still a bit shaky. His walking is improving, though he can't walk by himself.

He did great yesterday in physical therapy, and is surprising us at each chance he gets!

We are so proud of him. He wants to go home and get better so badly, that he puts forth huge amounts of effort.

His days are brightened by video calls with Gramma and Grampa in Maine.

We are seeing our Gideon peak through more and more, and I have the feeling, once we get home, we are going to have to hold him back from activity for his own safety...and he's going to want to just go go go!

Things are slow, but improving

2009-11-08T11:56:00.002-05:00

We spoke to Dr Boop and were told that his MRI looked great and it was confirmed that they were able to remove all of the tumor!

Gideon is making improvements. It's just very slow. He is moving his head around more, speaking a little bit more, and we saw him smile and heard him giggle for the first time since before his surgery.

We continue to see small glimpses of the boy we know. We rejoice over the little things that he is able to do...things that he couldn't do yesterday.

Our God is so very good to us. He has prepared us for such a time as this...and for that, we are eternally grateful.

Here is a video of Gideon's favorite song:

Welcome back to 5 South, Gideon!

2009-11-07T11:14:00.001-05:00

We have graduated from the ICU and have been brought back to our room. Gideon is settled in a nice clean bed and is watching a movie.

I am starting to see small glimpses of my boy...and it's so hard to be patient. My greatest fear has been that I will never get back the same boy that went into surgery. But my fear is short lived as I remember the promises in Scripture...and that my God is fully in control of this situation.

I'm not going to put any expectations on my boy. He will come back to me as he is able. He's been through a tramatic experience and healing won't come overnight.

So I sit next to his bed, holding his hand, singing to him...watching him through tears and prayers.

Oh God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures, here below
Praise Him above the heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!

Amen!

Hymns and Prayers

2009-11-06T23:35:00.003-05:00

I spent several minutes singing hymns and praying with my boy. Oh, how I love being used by God to comfort my little boy.

I sang and we prayed together. He closed his eyes so tight when it was time to pray and held my hand as we spoke to our heavenly Father.

He spoke his first words since this morning...which filled me with joy to hear his voice, yet saddened me when he told me "I want to go home."

And we will go home soon, my sweet boy. But always remember....this is not our real home. This home is but a temporary dwelling.

One day, we will meet our Father in Heaven, where we will live forever and ever...

Psalm 30

2009-11-06T21:50:00.001-05:00

I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up
and have not let my foes rejoice over me.
O LORD my God, I cried to you for help,
and you have healed me.
O LORD, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;
you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.

Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment,
and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning.http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2931091755465679030

As for me, I said in my prosperity,
"I shall never be moved."
By your favor, O LORD,
you made my mountain stand strong;
you hid your face;
I was dismayed.

To you, O LORD, I cry,
and to the Lord I plead for mercy:
"What profit is there in my death,
if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it tell of your faithfulness?
Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me!
O LORD, be my helper!"

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
you have loosed my sackcloth
and clothed me with gladness,
that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

Gideon is in the ICU

2009-11-06T18:20:00.002-05:00

The surgery went really well and they were over before we expected them to be! We received a call after about 3-1/2 hours, that they were done and that it would be about an hour before they were done finishing up.

Dr Boop visited us in our room at about 12:45ish and said that they were able to get all of the tumor removed. There was no excess bleeding and there was no need for blood transfusions. He said that he couldn't have asked for a better surgery.

We've been by his bedside for a few hours now. He looks so helpless on the bed...but is recovering well. He is following commands to squeeze hands and moving his legs and feet. He is responsive to his name and to questions and tries to talk, but his throat is probably a little sore.

He was given a shot of morphine around 2ish or so, since he was getting a little agitated due to pain. I'm sure that's not helping with his attentiveness.

His eyes are a little uncoordinated. We spoke to one of the assisting surgeons and he said it was most probably due to a little swelling in his brain from where they removed the tumor. He said that during the surgery, Dr Boop was very careful not to damage anything, and he would be surprised if it were anything but swelling. There are obviously no guarantees, so prayers for the swelling to go down in the next couple of days is appreciated.

He has a slight fever that peaked at 103.3 and they gave him Tylenol and Motrin, and are now administering ice packs to lower his temp....which is working. They were able to give him the Motrin through his mouth and it's a great sign that he can swallow and has no problems with that. Nurse Corrie said that it was very normal for this to happen after surgery, and they would be more concerned for a high temp a few days from now.

Gideon squeezes my hand when I ask him to. He opens his eyes when I call his name. He should be much more awake in the next day or two...I can't wait to really hold my Giddy again.

In the morning, he'll be going in for an MRI and then hopefully, he'll be back in our room.

Continue praying for his healing and recovery.

Gideon's surgery

2009-11-05T18:03:00.002-05:00

He will be leaving his room at 7am and surgery will begin at 7:30am.

Doctor Boop said that the surgery will last anywhere from 5-8 hours. Gideon will be moved to ICU and will remain there for about a day. Once he is awake and recovering, he will be brought back to his room.

If he does really well, and is able to walk and move around, we may be released within the week. If he needs more physical therapy, we might be here up to 3 weeks.

God is good, and we take great comfort in His word...that He knows the outcome of the surgery and Gideon's recovery. Pray for us.

Gideon update pt1

2009-11-04T21:28:00.002-05:00

I am going to do my best at updating my blog about Gideon. I'll just be copying and pasting the updates from Facebook.

Here they are from the past couple of days:

Oct. 31:

EVENING- Gideon diagnosed with a brain tumor at Johnson City Medical Center; transferred to Knoxville Children's Hospital

Nov. 2:

MORNING- Consultation with a pediatric neurosurgeon at Knox. Children's hospital. Doctor gives the following speculative diagnosis after a close review of Gideon's CT scan: things look very optimistic. The tumor, while large, appears to be benign and treatable. It located in the cerebellum, on the left side, and is approximately the size of an orange. The doctor anticipates that removal of most or all of the tumor with little complication is probable. Also, it is thought that post-surgical recovery should be minimal.

MIDDAY - Transfer to St. Jude's Hospital is imminent, not due to complications but instead due to both ensure the best possible care for Gideon and also due to the nature of the condition.
Gideon was pretty upset at the thought of moving to another hospital (and not going home), but was cheered up by a visit from the UT Track Team!!

Nov. 3:

MORNING - Gideon was released from Knoxville's Children's Hospital to be transferred to Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis, TN, which is the partner children's hospital to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. After a meeting with the residing pediatric neurosurgeon at Knoxville, Gideon was medically released to ride in the car with his parents rather than by himself in an ambulance.

AFTERNOON - After a successful and comfortable car ride, Gideon and his family arrived at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis at approximately 4:30pm [central time]. Check-in went smoothly and Gideon was placed in his new room within 30 minutes of his arrival. Gideon seems very happy with the nursing and medical staff at Le Bonheur, who are very proactive about his needs and have made him feel extremely comfortable and at ease.

An MRI has been scheduled for tomorrow morning (Nov. 4), and surgery is expected to take place on Friday (Nov. 6).

EVENING - The nursing team attempted to give Gideon an IV. The first attempt was unsuccessful, so a second one was made. It appears, at this point, that the second attempt has been successful. A specialist will be stopping in shortly to evaluate the current IV (that was left in) to make sure that it was successful.

Nov 4:

We spoke to Dr Boop and heard similar things to what Dr Harris told us back in Knoxville. Dr Boop is optimistic, yet kept us grounded in possible complications that can arise. This was hard to hear. It was also hard to see the pictures of the MRI.

Please pray as we get help figuring out how to tell Gideon and his brothers about what is about to happen Friday morning.

We are leaning on God so incredibly much right now. Please continue to pray for us.

A little update

2009-11-04T08:45:00.002-05:00

We are currently in Memphis, TN at the Le Bonheur hospital where Gideon is scheduled for surgery on Friday.

Things look cautiously optimistic, but they won't know it all until they see the results of the MRI (that he is getting even as I type this), and examine the tumor upon removal.

We have created a Facebook group to keep everyone up to date on what is happening. As much as I would love to be able to keep up my blog, a carepage, facebook, and whatever else...I am just so mentally exhausted, it just isn't possible.

Gideon Jordan - Prayer Needs and Updates

Please Pray

2009-11-01T08:41:00.003-05:00

Over the past few days, I began to notice Gideon was not as mobile as he should be. He was stiff, wobbly, and unsteady. Last night, it was extremely noticeable.

I couldn't just wait until Monday to go to the Doctor's. God just really laid a huge burden on my heart of concern for my boy. John spoke to a friend who said we should get him seen.

After the CAT scan, they found a tumor on his brain.

Within an hour or so, I was riding in an ambulance 2 hours west of Johnson City, to the Children's Hospital in Knoxville.

We await hearing from the Dr, and he will be getting an MRI this morning.

Please pray. Pray that the other children do well without John or I there right now. Pray for the Doctors that are taking care of my Gideon. Pray for healing. Pray for comfort. Pray that God looks great to everyone we are in contact with. Pray for the baby that I carry....though barely 6 weeks along...in this time of emotion and stress. Pray that whatever the outcome is....that God is glorified in this.

It reminds me of a blog I read last year when a family was going through hard times. God is the same. He was the same last week, before we knew anything was wrong. He was the same last night when we brought him to the hospital. And He is the same today.

Great is Thy Faithfulness....

Happy Reformation Day!

2009-10-31T10:43:00.001-04:00

Ungratefulness

2009-10-17T10:07:00.003-04:00

The other day, I was at Walmart doing a bit of grocery shopping with the kids. As we were finishing up, we passed by the wall of Little Debbie snacks.

Nolan asked me if we could get some pecan wheels. I said sure....then I added...each one of you can pick out whichever box of treats you would like.

Joy was very present on each of my boys faces as they tried to decide which treat to choose. The possibilities are endless. Do I choose swiss cake rolls or Honey Buns? Oatmeal cookies or Fudge Cakes? Confetti Brownies or Boston Creme Cakes?

The pecan wheels ended up staying on the shelf. Nolan chose Fancy Cakes. Gideon ended up with Boston Creme Cakes. Haddon came home with mini chocolate covered donuts. At first, Jamison was excited over the Swiss Cake Rolls, but once he saw the Twinkies....he was so over the Swiss Cake Rolls.

I told the kids they would be able to have one of their treats if they ate all of their lunch.

We had our typical picnic lunch on the floor. You wouldn't believe how easy the clean up is when your children eat on a blanket on the floor! It's one less meal I don't have to sweep up after...I highly recommend you try it!

Anyway....the food was eaten lightning fast and the boxes were brought out for all to enjoy.

You would think that you would want the treat that you picked out. I found that to not be the case.

Yes, Gideon chose his Boston Creme Cakes. Yes, Haddon chose his donuts. Yes, Jamison chose his Twinkies. But Nolan wanted a Twinkie.....or a Tinker...is it a Tinkie? (For the life of him, he could not get a grip on the word Twinkie!)

Jamison had been very excited to get his Twinkie...until he saw Haddon and his mini fudge covered donuts.

The Twinkie was not good enough anymore. He proceeded to shove the entire Twinkie in his mouth while pointing to the donuts. He wanted donuts so badly.

Little did he know that he was not going to get a donut.

Jamison had a mouth full of Twinkie, yet that wasn't good enough. He wasn't enjoying what he had and wanted what he couldn't have. When I told him no, he cried and got upset....even while his mouth remained full of something that he should be savoring.

I saw myself in him.

How often are we like that?

God has so richly blessed us with such wonderful things. We have a house over our heads, food in our bellies, clothes to wear....and even more importantly, we have had our greatest need met through Christ's bloodshed on the cross.

But instead of being content in what we have, we stand at the foot of God, crying and whimpering with a mouth filled with blessing....and want more of something that we don't even need.

Filthy Roman Sponge

2009-10-14T23:50:00.001-04:00

A Voddie Baucham Interview

2009-10-14T23:43:00.000-04:00

September 19, 2009 Broadcast: To Marry My Daughter
Segment 1; Segment 2; Segment 3; Segment 4

If you have an unmarried daughter, you won’t want to miss the next show. Dr. Voddie Baucham joins us to talk about “What He Must Be...If he’s going to marry my daughter.” It’s encouragement for fathers to become involved in your daughter’s life, and some help and hope for the next generation.