Thursday, December 23, 2010

Evangelical Hypocrite

Of all hypocrites, grant that I may not be
an evangelical hypocrite,
who sins more safely because grace abounds,
who tells his lusts that Christ's blood
cleanseth them,
who reasons that God cannot cast him into hell,
for he is saved,
who loves evangelical preaching, churches,
Christians, but lives unholily.

A Puritan prayer from the book Valley of Vision.


Saw this on Josh Harris' blog and wanted to share it here, too.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

St. Nick


I thought this was quite interesting. I think we have to wait 'til tomorrow for part 2.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Friday, December 17, 2010

Thankful


This morning, there was excitement in my house as the kids talked about today being our last day of school before Christmas break. I remember as a child that those two weeks stretched out so long before me. I love seeing that same joy in my kids' faces.

We had pancakes and bacon for breakfast, which is a rarity that usually only happens on select Saturday mornings. As I watched my children interact, as I cut up someone's second helping of pancakes, as I cleaned up the milk spilled on the floor and the after-breakfast kitchen disaster, I kept thinking one thing.

I'm so thankful.

I'm so thankful that I get to be here with the ones I love most, living this messy life with them. Loving them. Learning with them.

I'm so grateful that I have a husband who wants me to be at home with the kids. Who affirms the great value of my job. Who is supportive and generous and sacrificial with me.

I don't deserve any of the good things God has given me. I know that. And I'm just so thankful to Him for his everyday, ordinary gifts.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Ten Commandments Song for Kids from One to Ninety-two


Several months ago in our Sabbath School class, the teacher gave us a 'pop-quiz'. He asked us to all see how many of the Ten Commandments we could name, and if we could name them in order.

Embarrassing.

So, thanks to my friend Kim, here's a catchy little song that I'm teaching my kids. It's helping me remember the Ten Commandments, in order, even!

To the tune of 'Ten Little Indians'

I'm your only God, it's true

Never worship idols, ewww


Respect my name and don't be rude


Keep the Sabbath holy


Please obey your mom and dad


Don't kill people, oh how bad!


Stay true in marriage, you'll be glad


Don't steal things from others.


Never ever tell a lie


Don't wish for things your neighbors buy


When you follow God's rules

You'll be safe and happy!


Monday, December 06, 2010

Joseph is Five

Happy birthday, sweet boy.

You always make me smile!



Yes, her hair always looks like that. It's her signature look.






Good Stuff: Links

Here are three links I've run upon recently that I wanted to share.

This one is by my friend Dana: a great quote from Bonhoeffer on church growth.

I think this is awesome, though I wouldn't want to have to do the body scanner thing to get to show it off...

Here's a neat list of 31 different specific ways to pray for your children. I copied and pasted it into Word so I could print it out for my nightstand.

I hope you enjoy!

Friday, December 03, 2010

Sam Digs Dirt

As an experienced mother of a large family, I always forsee possible dangers when leaving my baby alone. I scan the room, mentally checking off any possible problems, then remove them or remove the baby.

Don't believe me? Me either.



This was funny, but I'm also aware that God protected Sam from eating some possibly poisonous plant leaves (or choking on the tag I discovered in his mouth when he smiled). He does this daily, I'm sure, keeping my little one safe from all the hazards that I miss. I will try to be more vigilant, and I'll keep trusting in the good providence of God.

Thursday, December 02, 2010

Poor Me

There's a part of me that feels sorry for me. Yes, I know it's wretched and ungrateful, but it's true. Sometimes I feel so tired, and so tired of doing all the things I have to do every day.

I read this today, and was cut to the heart at my self-centeredness. It's absolutely beautiful. Take a minute to read it. It won't take long.

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

Thoughts on Modesty


Last night my oldest kept me company as I ran several errands...grocery store, dollar store to get stuff for a little boy's circus-themed party, Kohl's to look for some clothes for another child who never seems to have anything that matches (this happens often when you get lots of wonderful hand-me-downs! Cute pieces here and there, but not necessarily cute pieces that go together.) We had fun looking through the girls' clothes together. This morning she came to me asking if it was okay to wear bright colors and shiny accessories. We had a great talk on modesty and moderation. I love having a young lady in the house, and it's so exciting to see the Lord's work in her heart, making her sensitive to spiritual things.

I shared with Keely that I always thought of immodesty as wearing too-tight or revealing clothes that highlight a certain body part, which certainly qualify as immodest. But, more recently, I've come to realize that immodesty springs from a heart that wants to be noticed; that wants 'all eyes on me'. This is ground where few dare to tread for fear of being called a legalist. And, I don't think the answer is in saying, as some well-meaning Christian Bible study materials do, that you should never wear anything brightly colored or shiny or trendy. But I do think we women could all take a hard look at the clothes in our closet and ask the Lord to help us evaluate them honestly. Biblically. Not in a relative sense, as in "my clothes are more/less modest than so-and-so's." And I'm not excluding myself, here. There are a couple of things in my closet right now that my conscience has been whispering to me about. Jeans that would fit looser when I lose five more pounds, but nevertheless am wearing anyway.

What are your thoughts? I'd love to hear them. Are you ready to prayerfully consider the modesty of your heart?