It Was a Really Dumb Thing to Do

We have a glass cooktop on our stove. Glass. The stuff that breaks under impact. Like banging frozen biscuits to break them apart. Kevin says he'd prefer if I not touch any of the appliances for a while. I wonder if stuff keeps breaking (okay, okay.... I wonder if *I* keep breaking stuff) to remind me that it's only stuff. It doesn't ultimately last. Looking on the bright side, we're doing our part to stimulate the economy.

Jesus' Example

Beginning last Thursday, we had a conference at our church and Ted Donnelly, a Reformed Presbyterian pastor from Ireland, was the speaker. I was so blessed by his insights and teaching as he preached from the book of John. My favorite session was on Friday night, when Pastor Donnelly preached from John 13, verses 1-17: Jesus washing his disciples' feet. His message was for the unbeliever as well as the Christian.

Pastor Donnelly told a story about a very refined and respectable gentlemen who, toward the end of his life, became unable to care for himself; unable even to do basic things for himself, like bathing. This man had a great internal struggle as his daughter-in-law cared for him and bathed him in his helplessness. He spoke about how we, before God, are in the same position as this old man. We see that we are dirty, but we can't do anything about it. It's often a great struggle to admit this and accept the spiritual 'washing' of Jesus: salvation. We feel unworthy and wish we could clean ourselves up and dress and then present ourselves to Jesus, but it cannot be done. But, instead of our dirtiness and nakedness disgusting Jesus, it inspires his great love and compassion toward us.

In John 13, Jesus, the pure and holy Son of God, humbled himself to perform a socially degrading task. He did this for the sinful disciples, who had recently argued among themselves about who would be the greatest in Jesus' coming kingdom. These men were not worthy, yet Jesus insisted on washing them to model the humble servanthood they were to pursue (vv 14, 15). Pastor Donnelly's application was to ask if we regularly "put ourselves out" for the sake of others' blessing. He asked, "Do you have a towel around your waist?" I loved this reminder that I need to serve others because I have been washed by Jesus. Pastor Donnelly said, "The 'you should do' is founded on the 'I have done.' I want to grasp more fully the washing I have received so I can truly 'wash others' feet' from my own joy at being washed.

If you would like to hear this message and the others that were preached at the conference, you can download them soon here.

How to Feed a Baby

Step 1: Put baby in high chair and put food on tray.

Step 2: Baby eats two bites, then throws remainder of food on floor.

Step 3: Clean up baby and take her out of high chair.

Step 4: Baby eats food off of floor.

What is it about the floor that makes that rejected food appealing again? I'm thinking about going straight to step 4 next time.

Encouragement For Dads

We attended a homeschooling conference a couple of years ago and one of the speakers was Todd Wilson. He is the founder of Familyman Ministries. God really used him to encourage me to be more like Christ with my family. It's easy, sometimes, to spend all of my emotional and spiritual energy on others and neglect those closest to me -- my first calling. We all need encouragement on a daily basis to help us keep our priorities straight:

"...Exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." Heb. 3:13 (ESV)

I subscribe to the Familyman email newsletter and saw this video. Be encouraged, Dads, today is a new day!

Irony

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/23/AR2009032302140_pf.html

Before and After

Our kids have been in Texas since Saturday, and we'll meet in Oklahoma City this Saturday to get them back. I know, I know: We are blessed with the most wonderful parents ever! I love this time; it's great for the kids, great for (though lots of work for!) the grandparents, the cousins, and for our kids, who have been counting down to this week for a while.

Kevin and I have had lots of time together, and have gotten to go out a few times as well as just enjoy staying in together, in a strangely quiet house. I've also tackled a couple of projects, though I know I won't be able to complete everything I want to. The priority project for me this week was to get Rowan and Annesley's room re-done for them. Shhh. It's a surprise. I've always loved 'before and after' pictures, so I'll share some with you here.



Before, the girls' room was okay, but not very girly. I was thrilled to find two twin quilts, two shams, and two coordinating throws at Marshalls--for less than the cost of one of the Pottery Barn clearance quilts I was looking at.



I picked up this sturdy little antique chair at a garage sale last summer. I paid $20, which is more than I usually spend on one item, but I knew it would be so cute in the girls' room.



Trying to decide which fabric to go with...




Here's the chair, all finished.




And here's the finished room. I'm so glad my sister-in-law told me to be careful with pinks. I picked the very lightest color on the paint chip, and I think it's just right.

I don't think the boys will even want to come in here.

Wisdom

I came across this definition in my Bible Study book.  Larry Crabb defines wisdom as:

"belief that accepting God's way, no matter how painful, leads ultimately to joy."

Foolishness is:

"going our way, even though it genuinely relieves distress and feels good, leads ultimately to despair."