Out of the Mouths of Babes

So my daughter, Josephine, who's 2, sat on the floor today flipping through the pages of the Bible that she received the day of her baby dedication at our church. As she turned each page, I heard her declare, "He disobeyed God, and he disobeyed God, and he disobeyed God." I found it very amusing, and somewhat true, but then I found myself thinking, "What on earth are we teaching this child?!?!" I think we'd better expand our Bible lessons! But then again, I guess the world of a two-year old revolves around the question "to obey, or not to obey?" I'm afraid it's usually the latter.

Happy 5 Months!

I must give a "shout out" to my little man, Oliver. I cannot believe he is already 5 months old. He is at a very fun age. We are enjoying him immensely. He's such a happy little guy. His personality is really shining through, and he has the most expressive face. His expressions are hilarious. These are two of his cutest pictures to date. We simply adore our baby boy!

Under Pressure

Ren and I were just talking this morning about how much pressure we've got going on in our lives right now. We're dealing with some stress. I know everybody deals with varying degrees of it at different points in their lives. So it's nothing new. As Peter says,

Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.--1 Peter 4:12-13 (Msg)

As I look back, I realize that the most trying times in my life always preceded some major breakthrough in my life. Some major work that God was trying to do in me. Then I read this in my devotional this morning.

Pressed beyond measure; yes, pressed to great length;
Pressed so intensely, beyond my own strength;
Pressed in my body and pressed in my soul,
Pressed in my mind till the dark surges roll.
Pressure from foes, and pressure from dear friends.
Pressure on pressure, till life nearly ends.

Pressed into knowing no helper but God;
Pressed into loving His staff and His rod.
Pressed into liberty where nothing clings;
Pressed into faith for impossible things.
Pressed into living my life for the Lord,
Pressed into living a Christ-life outpoured. --author unknown

I think Paul sums it up well here for us, too.

We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.--2 Cor. 1:8-9 (NIV)

Thank You, Father, for giving us strength to make it through whatever is pressing us today.

Still Waiting

Here's a poem by J. Danson Smith. Not sure of the title. I can only guess that it has "waiting" in it somewhere! I've never heard of him before today when I read this in my Streams in the Desert devotional. I fell in love with the poem. As you've probably guessed, the topic of waiting is one that is near and dear to my heart. Having been pregnant three times, all with overdue babies (the second one by two weeks!!!!!), I've spent some time waiting! Almost all of our heroes in the Bible had to suffer waiting in some form or another--Abraham, Joseph, David, etc. Waiting on God to fulfill a promise. Waiting for God to move. Waiting for God to bring something to pass. We are completely dependent upon Him. Waiting, watching, hoping, expecting, believing--we shall see God.

Waiting! Yes, patiently waiting!

Till next steps made plain will be;

To hear with the inner hearing,

The Voice that will call for me.

Waiting! Yes, hopefully waiting!

With hope that need not grow dim;

The Master is pledged to guide me,

And my eyes are unto him.

Waiting! Expectantly waiting!

Perhaps it may be today
The Master will quickly open

The gate to my future way.

Waiting! Yes waiting! Still waiting!
I know, though I've waited long,

that, while He withholds his purpose,

his waiting cannot be wrong.

Waiting! Yes, waiting! Still waiting!

The Master will not be late:

Since He knows that I am waiting

For Him to unlatch the gate. [emphasis mine]

These verses come to mind:

But those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)


Do I bring to the moment of birth
and not give delivery?" says the Lord.
"Do I close up the womb
when I bring to delivery?" says your God. Isaiah 66:9 (NIV)


Wait on Him. Trust in Him. He is trustworthy. Whatever you need, whatever you are waiting for--He will bring it to pass.

Jerry Falwell 1933-2007

I am embarrassed to admit that I really don't know much about this man. I know what he looks like, some of the more controversial things he's said, and that he's responsible for forming the Moral Majority amongst the American electorate. But I guess I viewed him, along with James Dobson, and Pat Robertson, as the crazy distant uncles that get up at family reunions and say a bunch of awkward and uncomfortable things for the whole family to cringe over. While most of what I've read about him has been highly critical, whether you agree with him or not, the man had influence. Here's a very well-written, yet somewhat sad, article about him.

Hallucinating? No

No, you're not having a drug flashback. Well, maybe you are. But I can't really decide that one for you. What I can confirm is that, no, you are not imagining that the colors on my blog have changed. I loves me some pink, but it was starting to give me a headache. I have been wanting to change it up for a while. Change is good.

My Man, Chuck

I love Charles Spurgeon. I often read his stuff and find myself jumping up and down shoutin' "Hallelujah!" by the time I'm done. This, written about Jesus, is no exception:

He is divine to me, if He be human to all the world beside. He has done that for me which none but a God could do. He has subdued my stubborn will, melted a heart of adamant, opened gates of brass, and snapped bars of iron. He hath turned for me my mourning into laughter, and my desolation into joy; He hath led my captivity captive, and made my heart rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Let others think as they will of Him, to me He must be the only begotten of the Father: blessed be His name.

Word up, Chuck. Word up.

A Headline Worthy of Mention

I couldn't help but chuckle when I read this article. I haven't laughed this hard in a while. Kids these days just don't appreciate art when it comes to their class and croaks out a song for 'em. I mean, c'mon. What are they so afraid of?