The following is a conversation that took place a few moments ago between Hannah (4) and Naomi (3). I was choosing a video for them to watch.
Hannah: I wonder which one Mom will pick?
Naomi: I don't know, but God knows.
Hannah: Naomi, He knew you were going to say that before you said that!
Naomi: Yeah.
Interlude of silence
Naomi: I hope it's Little Mermaid. I like Little Mermaid.
Hannah: But you wouldn't want to be her.
Naomi: No! She's immodest and disobeys her daddy.
Mom: No, we aren't watching Little Mermaid. . . . how about Little Einsteins?
Interestingly, as I was listening to the girls my thoughts immediately concluded with "out of the mouths of babes". . .and I stopped up short. While this might be true, these girls didn't have this conversation randomly as if they came to these conclusions on their own. No, this precious interchange is the result of a family-driven faith. A faith that is, by God's grace, lived out and spoken throughout our days together. A Gospel-centered home doesn't just happen. Hungry for more on the subject? Read Family-Driven Faith by Voddie Baucham. He helps unpack the biblical truths on why parents are the primary cultivators of their childrens' souls. Happy sowing!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Forgotten. . .
Looking over an old post, I realized I forgot to post our locks-of-love shot. Hannah, Bekah, Sarah and I were planning on donating our hair (prompted by Sarah last year). Mine is obviously the shortest, but I was also the least patient once triple digits arrived!
All the girls! That's a lot of hair! Hannah and Sarah decided they weren't ready yet. . .but Bekah and enjoyed the chop! Here's Bek with her new summer doo, which works great in and out of the pool and heat.
God is the Gospel. . .
I've been enjoying this short read by Desiring God on the Gospel and children. Here is an excerpt I have appreciated:
"Imagine a family going for a boat ride on a beautiful summer day on Lake Superior. Being the careful parents that they are, each child is wearing a new life jacket, the best that money can buy. The kids love the jackets because they have neat child-friendly designs and colors. The children are now safe in the unlikely event that the boat should sink or be overwhelmed by waves. But there is something that the parents and children have not taken into account. Lake Superior is very cold. Even in the summer, the water temperature hovers around 55 F. So as wonderful as those life jackets may seem, and as much as the parents and children feel safe in the event of the boat being overwhelmed, the real danger remains unforeseen and unplanned for - hypothermia. In the event that the family is tossed into the water and is left to float, eventually the frigid temperature of the water will kill them.
Unfortunately, the "gospel" that we often present to children is like those life jackets. It is a gospel that we think will protect and save our children, but it is not the safety assurance that we envision it to be. And it may be that while our children think they are safely bound for eternal life in heaven, in reality they continue their slow but dangerous "float" in the deadly waters of hell. Why is this so? Because it is not the Gospel of Scripture.
How have we changed the true life-saving Gospel into child-friendly and colorful but ineffective life jacket? Here are a few characteristics of this changed gospel and why it is so deadly: This changed gospel puts man at the center instead of God. It presents a plan instead of a Person. It seeks to comfort but not convict. It is a message that calls for acceptance of Christ but not repentance. It simply encourages acknowledging true facts rather than embracing and submitting to the One who is both Savior and Lord. It enslaves men to works instead of freeing them to do good works.
But that's not all this "gospel" states. It claims to save by man's decisive choice instead of God's sovereign grace. It promises affirmation instead of radical transformation. It exalts man and the desire to be loved instead of exalting God's love displayed in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who alone brings us near to God so that we might experience the immeasurable joy of making much of Him."
To make much of Him! God must be the Gospel!
"Imagine a family going for a boat ride on a beautiful summer day on Lake Superior. Being the careful parents that they are, each child is wearing a new life jacket, the best that money can buy. The kids love the jackets because they have neat child-friendly designs and colors. The children are now safe in the unlikely event that the boat should sink or be overwhelmed by waves. But there is something that the parents and children have not taken into account. Lake Superior is very cold. Even in the summer, the water temperature hovers around 55 F. So as wonderful as those life jackets may seem, and as much as the parents and children feel safe in the event of the boat being overwhelmed, the real danger remains unforeseen and unplanned for - hypothermia. In the event that the family is tossed into the water and is left to float, eventually the frigid temperature of the water will kill them.
Unfortunately, the "gospel" that we often present to children is like those life jackets. It is a gospel that we think will protect and save our children, but it is not the safety assurance that we envision it to be. And it may be that while our children think they are safely bound for eternal life in heaven, in reality they continue their slow but dangerous "float" in the deadly waters of hell. Why is this so? Because it is not the Gospel of Scripture.
How have we changed the true life-saving Gospel into child-friendly and colorful but ineffective life jacket? Here are a few characteristics of this changed gospel and why it is so deadly: This changed gospel puts man at the center instead of God. It presents a plan instead of a Person. It seeks to comfort but not convict. It is a message that calls for acceptance of Christ but not repentance. It simply encourages acknowledging true facts rather than embracing and submitting to the One who is both Savior and Lord. It enslaves men to works instead of freeing them to do good works.
But that's not all this "gospel" states. It claims to save by man's decisive choice instead of God's sovereign grace. It promises affirmation instead of radical transformation. It exalts man and the desire to be loved instead of exalting God's love displayed in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who alone brings us near to God so that we might experience the immeasurable joy of making much of Him."
To make much of Him! God must be the Gospel!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Birthday Girl, Bekah!
June has been a blur of activities, starting with precious Bek's birthday! She enjoyed many special days and special dates with special people. This was her year to pick a party! We enjoyed a fun and loud evening at Chuckie Cheese with four special friends! Turning seven is just special.
Unfortunately, mom can't find the photos. . so pictures pending!
Unfortunately, mom can't find the photos. . so pictures pending!
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