The blog might be silent, but life is not! The two weeks of VBS always throws our family into a whirl. Somewhere in it all, I tried to find time to finish the boys' room. It almost happened. The room did look pretty nice for my brother and his family's arrival on Saturday morning. (I hope to have photos soon. . .once I figure out how to that works on a mac, not the laptop which has issues.) Just need to change out the carpet. . .and finishing touches.
We had a nice visit with Tim, Hannah and girls. It was short but we will see them again soon in Colorado. Tim brought the message Sunday morning and that was a real blessing. We were the stop between Yosemite and Monterey and were thankful to be in their stopping point. We don't have many young cousins so is always a blast to play games and catch up on life.
Not too long after they left on Monday, it was time for more guests. The rooms were cleaned and beds changed quickly. We were delighted to bless another family by caring for their daughter (Hannah's age) and Sarah had a gaggle of girls over. . .post-VBS fun. The gals cleared out after lunch and it was time to clean out the room again for a group of guys - Josh's friends over for post-VBS sleepover fun. I must admit I love having the kids out in the garage room:). Didn't hear a thing last night and hope to not hear anything tonight!
Why all the sleepovers when trying to leave for vacation this week, too? Not sure really:). When we get back home school hits, leaving this week to get some of these special times in. The kids used to spend the night at church during VBS. Several years ago the leadership decided to have it be a day program. Wise choice, one I gratefully support. I love having my kids come home at night to a good night's sleep and find out what they are learning. However, many parents undermine the decision by hosting sleepovers every night during VBS. . .leading to tired, cranky youth who really don't attend VBS to serve others but to serve themselves by maxing their peer time. I doubt many of these parents are setting out to sabotage what has been implemented - they just give in to kids who want fun. However, the leadership has determined that late nights and foolish activities are detrimental to the vision of the VBS program and we want to support that - so here we are engaging in post-VBS sleepovers!
Other than that, and trying to pack up for the trip. . . all is well. Time to start ordering fall curriculum. Just not ready for school. . . .
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Punish Who?
Here I am awake again when I would prefer to be sleeping. I suppose 16 years of waking to feed babies creates this sleep pattern! So as I'm trying to empty my mind of worries to go back to sleep, here's one I'm thinking through....
Why do we punish children who can't drive for being late?
The public schools do this. I never really liked it as I would watch little kids rush into the classroom only to be reduced to tears at another tardy slip. I wondered if there might be a better way to make parents on time rather than punishing 5 year olds.
I'm still wondering this today and curious why the church copies that philosophy. For starters, I like to be on time. It's no longer my god, but I still like to be on time and was raised that it honors and respects those who have set those boundaries. I understand the need for time and the chaos that might occur in schools and churches without time boundaries imposed.
I also have no problem disciplining children for foolish behavior. So, kids who are late due to their foolish choices (wandering around the campus, etc.) may need that thrust of pressure to ensure their timeliness. It's a way of learning that "life isn't all about me."
So here we are after two days of VBS and my kids have had to drop push ups.... none of them legally capable of driving yet. Here's a mother, up at 3:30 am this morning, who some how can't get her kids there before the 8am start time. 8am is actually too late, as I found out this morning.
Yes, we live further out in the country than most. No problem, Monday we loaded the car at 7:30am - plenty of time! Unless you get have a flat tire. After frustrations (mine included) we did engage in discourse on God's sovereignty over all things. Obviously, this includes push ups.
I keep thinking back to the question posed, why do we punish children who can't drive for being late?
To develop "insane mommies" who run around yelling at their kids to get their stuff and get in the car so they aren't late? To create "guilty moms" who continually feel discouraged as they succumb to their failure as a mother? To create "speeding mothers" flying down the freeway while putting on make-up, trying to change a diaper, while talking to their hubby?
I'm a fairly organized mom. Most evenings clothes are laid out for the younger children, shoes are paired and set out, cereal is on the counter for the kitchen crew, diaper bags/backpacks are checked and ready by the door, some items have actually been already preloaded into the car. . . BUT no matter how organized I am or how early I arise life happens.
Does the youth pastor really want the baby to sit in her excrement for 20 minutes? Sorry, kids, I need to change this one so it's push-ups for you! I know, the two year old needs some cuddle time this morning before being thrusted on a crazy schedule for the day due to large family logistics. . .yep, you might be late. And so life goes. . .
This is where God's sovereignty intersects with daily life and sometimes it hurts.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Long-term Vision...do you have it?
One has to develop a vision for the future in order to put the steps in place to accomplish that goal or vision. Corporations, businesses, schools all seem to understand this concept. In some aspects, so do parents. They choose the best preschools, make sure their child has the best teacher in the best school district, place them on the college prep course with AP classes, and then push them on to the university of their desire - especially the one which provides the coveted degree from a prestigious place. All for education. We could go through the entire scenario and replace it with sports. At least education is predominantly used. Sports are almost worthless or detrimental for over 90% of those children whose lives revolve around rushing to one sport or another. The money spent on sports to develop a scholarship hopeful would have, in many cases, paid for that child's education if it had been saved! Don't get me wrong, I enjoy sports and our kids benefit from aspects of sports....but it's not my long-term vision for my kid. Neither is modeling. . or acting. . .
If only parents would consider mature biblical manhood or womanhood as the long-term vision. Perhaps we would make different decisions if we really want our precious children, by God's grace, to reach maturity in Christ. Men and women are not made over night. Nor does the magic number bring maturity of thinking. They are not developed unto godly men or women by hours of mindless and indiscriminate television/movie watching, video game playing, social networking, peer engagements, shopping frenzies or self-absorption.
A child doesn't gain self-esteem because every kid in the league goes home with a trophy. Self-esteem is attained when maturity and responsibility is honored and admired by those training them. "Good work, son" from a father after a hard task is completed well is better than a hundred stickers or ten trophies that everyone else gets, too.
The Baby Boomers had parents who lived the Great Depression. They grew up working hard and saved each penny. That Baby Boomer generation gave it's children (my generation) every opportunity possible. They limited their families (not due to biblical understanding, but social pressures) in order for their one son and one daughter to take all the classes and receive all the education they needed to be spoiled brats, I mean successful brats. So here's my generation - leading the way into the recession. Unable to save. Living on credit. Spending more at Starbucks yearly then we tithe. Raising another foolish generation absorbed with self and wanting it all - only faster. For example, no more "starter homes." We need the big, fully furnished home right now. Even if both parents have to work long hours for life to "enjoy" it.
Men and women, pastors, missionaries, elders, wives to great men are made by God at the knee of their parents. Parents, who by God's grace, point their children to a great and glorious God. A big God. A powerful God.
A big view of God can only result in a small view of ourselves. A child who sees themselves rightly will see themselves humbly in light of this holy Triune God. Each day God provides many opportunities for us to use our failings to point our children to the hope we have in Christ. Don't lose sight of this vision! All else will fade away. Sports will end. Education/degrees we no longer be necessary.
Godliness is of eternal value.
If only parents would consider mature biblical manhood or womanhood as the long-term vision. Perhaps we would make different decisions if we really want our precious children, by God's grace, to reach maturity in Christ. Men and women are not made over night. Nor does the magic number bring maturity of thinking. They are not developed unto godly men or women by hours of mindless and indiscriminate television/movie watching, video game playing, social networking, peer engagements, shopping frenzies or self-absorption.
A child doesn't gain self-esteem because every kid in the league goes home with a trophy. Self-esteem is attained when maturity and responsibility is honored and admired by those training them. "Good work, son" from a father after a hard task is completed well is better than a hundred stickers or ten trophies that everyone else gets, too.
The Baby Boomers had parents who lived the Great Depression. They grew up working hard and saved each penny. That Baby Boomer generation gave it's children (my generation) every opportunity possible. They limited their families (not due to biblical understanding, but social pressures) in order for their one son and one daughter to take all the classes and receive all the education they needed to be spoiled brats, I mean successful brats. So here's my generation - leading the way into the recession. Unable to save. Living on credit. Spending more at Starbucks yearly then we tithe. Raising another foolish generation absorbed with self and wanting it all - only faster. For example, no more "starter homes." We need the big, fully furnished home right now. Even if both parents have to work long hours for life to "enjoy" it.
Men and women, pastors, missionaries, elders, wives to great men are made by God at the knee of their parents. Parents, who by God's grace, point their children to a great and glorious God. A big God. A powerful God.
A big view of God can only result in a small view of ourselves. A child who sees themselves rightly will see themselves humbly in light of this holy Triune God. Each day God provides many opportunities for us to use our failings to point our children to the hope we have in Christ. Don't lose sight of this vision! All else will fade away. Sports will end. Education/degrees we no longer be necessary.
Godliness is of eternal value.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Jocabed's Trial
Jocabed. I'm not sure if her name is even mentioned in the Bible or if we must look to historical documents to find this woman. She is commended for her faith, along with her husband, for hiding her child from the hand of the Egyptians.
I love the story of Moses for many reasons. As a mother, I can't help but read the Bible through "mother" lenses. Having just taught some of the story in my son's two-year-old class, I am struck by the typical truths conveyed. Moses' mommy trusted God. She put Moses in a basket in the river. God kept him safe. The princess found him. Moses saved God's people. It all seems to have a happy ending - except perhaps for Jocabed.
Yes, her son lived. She was blessed to train him up until the age of probably three and then he was gone to all the riches, wealth and influences of Egypt. Yes, she probably enjoyed seeing him here and there during the next 40 years. We really don't know what relationship might have continued with his "wet nurse." Was her faith stretched, wondering why God spared her son only to become an Egyptian?
I only imagine her mother's heart cry when she heard he stood up for his fellow Hebrew brothers but killed an Egyptian. Then, his exile. 40 years of silence. Gone. The Bible does not choose to tell us if Moses' parents were alive at his return around age 80. No such celebration is noted. We know his siblings were alive and part of his return as redeemer. It is likely that Jocabed never saw the fruition of God's decree. Her trial was far from over when she, by faith, placed that three month old baby boy in a basket in the Nile. Her trial was merely unfolding.
By faith we deliver our babies, despite the world's voice to kill them. Be faith we raise our sons and daughters in the Word, pointing them to the One Moses foreshadowed, Christ. By faith, we pray and weep and pray trusting in God's good hand to bring about His sovereign decrees for our sons and daughters. Do not despair, oh mother, in the years of desert and exile. God's plans will not be thwarted.
By faith, Jocabed....
I love the story of Moses for many reasons. As a mother, I can't help but read the Bible through "mother" lenses. Having just taught some of the story in my son's two-year-old class, I am struck by the typical truths conveyed. Moses' mommy trusted God. She put Moses in a basket in the river. God kept him safe. The princess found him. Moses saved God's people. It all seems to have a happy ending - except perhaps for Jocabed.
Yes, her son lived. She was blessed to train him up until the age of probably three and then he was gone to all the riches, wealth and influences of Egypt. Yes, she probably enjoyed seeing him here and there during the next 40 years. We really don't know what relationship might have continued with his "wet nurse." Was her faith stretched, wondering why God spared her son only to become an Egyptian?
I only imagine her mother's heart cry when she heard he stood up for his fellow Hebrew brothers but killed an Egyptian. Then, his exile. 40 years of silence. Gone. The Bible does not choose to tell us if Moses' parents were alive at his return around age 80. No such celebration is noted. We know his siblings were alive and part of his return as redeemer. It is likely that Jocabed never saw the fruition of God's decree. Her trial was far from over when she, by faith, placed that three month old baby boy in a basket in the Nile. Her trial was merely unfolding.
By faith we deliver our babies, despite the world's voice to kill them. Be faith we raise our sons and daughters in the Word, pointing them to the One Moses foreshadowed, Christ. By faith, we pray and weep and pray trusting in God's good hand to bring about His sovereign decrees for our sons and daughters. Do not despair, oh mother, in the years of desert and exile. God's plans will not be thwarted.
By faith, Jocabed....
Friday, July 5, 2013
July 4th
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| Over 7 days in the triple digits - with the entire week almost over 110... ice cream tastes great! |
Since moving to the country we have enjoyed fireworks from the back porch watching Wild Waters...not just on the 4th but several days prior and after. . .
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Why Theology is Important
I'm thankful to be back in AW Pink's small but mighty work entitled The Attributes of God. With Paul teaching through the attributes on Tuesday nights, our men's and women's studies are meeting during the week for more intimate discussion.
In the past, I've gravitated toward books more specifically designed for women in our small group summer studies, especially regarding Biblical Womanhood which is all but lost today. However, reading through Pink again I'm reminded how essential sound theology is in determining our perspective and world view.
What we think of God will drive how we live.
Pink makes a strong statement regarding the foreknowledge of God. He writes
"When the solemn and blessed subject of Divine foreordination is expounded, when God's eternal choice of certain ones to be conformed to the image of His Son is set forth, the Enemy sends along some man to argue that election is based upon knowledge of God, and this "foreknowledge" is interpreted to mean that God foresaw certain ones would be more pliable than others, that they would respond more readily to the strivings of the Spirit, and that because God knew they would believe, He, accordingly, predestinated them unto salvation. But such a statement is radically wrong. It repudiates the truth of total depravity, for it argues that there is something good in some men. It takes away the independency of God, for it makes His decrees rest upon what He discovers in the creature. It completely turns things upside down, for in saying God foresaw certain sinners would believe in Christ, and that because of this, He predestinated them unto salvation, is the very reverse of truth. Scripture affirms that God, in His high sovereignty, singled out certain ones to be recipients of His distinguishing favors (Acts 13:48), and therefore He determined to bestow upon them the gift of faith. False theology makes God's foreknowledge of our believing the cause of His election to salvation; whereas, God's election is the cause, and our believing in Christ is the effect."
While I don't claim to understand the mystery of salvation, I do know it is all of God and none of me! This doctrine does not swell the man up in a self-righteous pride of being "chosen"; rather, it humbles the man who acknowledges that there is no ounce of goodness in their being that could make them right with God. It is truly grace, by a faith that was given as a gift.
Right theology drives our passions. We will be compelled to share the glorious truth of how Holy God sent perfect Christ to die for a sinner such as I. We will live humbly with our fellow man, knowing that only by God's grace do we enjoy any favors in this life. And, but by the grace of God, go I. This theology will drop us to our knees, weeping and washing our Saviour's feet like a whore. We will live in the world - but not of the world - because of the amazing sacrifice we have been bought with and kept.
Theology will change our marriages and our parenting. No longer will we demand perfect little saints, but will align ourselves with our sinful children acknowledging our desperate need for Christ with them.
Get into God's attributes this summer. Be reminded and refreshed. This little book has a free download and free audio version. A small glimpse of life to come when the believer will spend eternity studying the facets of God's attributes for all eternity yet never coming to complete understanding of all He is!
In the past, I've gravitated toward books more specifically designed for women in our small group summer studies, especially regarding Biblical Womanhood which is all but lost today. However, reading through Pink again I'm reminded how essential sound theology is in determining our perspective and world view.
What we think of God will drive how we live.
Pink makes a strong statement regarding the foreknowledge of God. He writes
"When the solemn and blessed subject of Divine foreordination is expounded, when God's eternal choice of certain ones to be conformed to the image of His Son is set forth, the Enemy sends along some man to argue that election is based upon knowledge of God, and this "foreknowledge" is interpreted to mean that God foresaw certain ones would be more pliable than others, that they would respond more readily to the strivings of the Spirit, and that because God knew they would believe, He, accordingly, predestinated them unto salvation. But such a statement is radically wrong. It repudiates the truth of total depravity, for it argues that there is something good in some men. It takes away the independency of God, for it makes His decrees rest upon what He discovers in the creature. It completely turns things upside down, for in saying God foresaw certain sinners would believe in Christ, and that because of this, He predestinated them unto salvation, is the very reverse of truth. Scripture affirms that God, in His high sovereignty, singled out certain ones to be recipients of His distinguishing favors (Acts 13:48), and therefore He determined to bestow upon them the gift of faith. False theology makes God's foreknowledge of our believing the cause of His election to salvation; whereas, God's election is the cause, and our believing in Christ is the effect."
While I don't claim to understand the mystery of salvation, I do know it is all of God and none of me! This doctrine does not swell the man up in a self-righteous pride of being "chosen"; rather, it humbles the man who acknowledges that there is no ounce of goodness in their being that could make them right with God. It is truly grace, by a faith that was given as a gift.
Right theology drives our passions. We will be compelled to share the glorious truth of how Holy God sent perfect Christ to die for a sinner such as I. We will live humbly with our fellow man, knowing that only by God's grace do we enjoy any favors in this life. And, but by the grace of God, go I. This theology will drop us to our knees, weeping and washing our Saviour's feet like a whore. We will live in the world - but not of the world - because of the amazing sacrifice we have been bought with and kept.
Theology will change our marriages and our parenting. No longer will we demand perfect little saints, but will align ourselves with our sinful children acknowledging our desperate need for Christ with them.
Get into God's attributes this summer. Be reminded and refreshed. This little book has a free download and free audio version. A small glimpse of life to come when the believer will spend eternity studying the facets of God's attributes for all eternity yet never coming to complete understanding of all He is!
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