A Soul's Worth

As Christmas is fast approaching-- seriously...how is it already NEXT week?- festivities are in full swing. Christmas caroling, programs, parties. Busy-ness is the name of the game around these parts. Living in a Chicago suburb has given me a taste of "life in the fast lane". Everyone has somewhere to be, something to do, and of course, no time in which to do it. And then..there's me. My life, though full of activity, has slowed to a snail's pace these days. My weekly outings have become play-dates and grocery shopping as opposed to dinner out, work commitments and trips with friends. Here I am in my cozy home with my 2 beautiful-fun-frustrating-never-dull- daughters, and I am thankful for the peace...albeit a LOUD peace, but yet, there's a great comfort in being here with them and knowing that I GET to do this as opposed to I HAVE to do this. 

Now that Sophia is 5-months old, I have really begun to savor these days of parenting. We're finally sleeping longer stretches and she is weened fully onto the bottle. I can enjoy the preschool stage with Wyndham, and I get to do the chubby-cheeked baby stage again too. I'm really beginning to feel like we are a family. Not that we weren't before of course...but our home is a little fuller, the laundry pile is a little higher (ok- make that a  LOT higher), the laughter is turning into a chorus, the conversation is beginning to flow at the dinner table and I feel like I am OK for once... kind of:)

For me, the maternal instinct has been one I've grown into. Some people just ooze that motherly quality, or are "kid people" from birth...the ones that always seem to know what to do, what to say, the most creative and fun... Even though I've been a teacher for years, not until I had my own children did something inside of me finally click and I understood- THIS is what it is like to love, worry, protect, hope, and fear. It's really not all about me...who knew?

We've been starting some very basic Christmas traditions this year and have taken many cues from the practicing of advent in which to try and stay Christ-focused in this consumeristic culture we live in. It has been great. I look forward to many Christmases ahead God-willing, where we can grow more and more into our worship of Jesus as a family. 

That said, we have been listening to and singing a lot of Christmas music around here. When the girls went down for a nap earlier today, I even got a chance to pull out a long-forgotten song book of Christmas classics and carols and was able to spend  some quality alone time playing, singing and reflecting on all that is Christmas. One of my all-time favorites- O Holy Night, stood out to me today...but in a new and different way. It is a tear-jerker in it's lyrical and melodic content, and is usually sung by people with BIG voices who can really "bring it home". 

This is the line that caught my attention- "Long lay the world in sin and error pining, 'till he appeared and the soul felt it's worth". It's one sentence, but it contains such a deep and meaningful truth. Sin has completely cut us off from God. We see it in the beauty and brokenness of all things. But JESUS CHRIST, as an act of obedience to God the Father and as an expression of love for us, came and wrapped our injured flesh around himself to become the sacrifice that paid the penalty and saved us from the wrath we deserve. His coming brought meaning and purpose and hope and promise to this dying world. God gave our souls worth, and Jesus' coming was a bridge in which to restore the lost relationship...undeservedly...

My beliefs don't make me who I am--Jesus does. Jesus has given me a new life and has is showing me, daily, my worth as a Child of God. It has little to do with my talents, my belongings, my outer-beauty, even my works of service and -- it's all counted as "filthy rags" anyway. The only good in me is simply-- the Holy Spirit. 

As I look at my girls- full of wonder, curiosity, love, and sin... my heart aches for them to someday know and accept Jesus as their Savior.  I pray that through Randy and I and the family dynamic of love, forgiveness and restoration, that we can model Christ in us to them...that they can find their worth in Jesus, and not in outer-beauty, their academic capacities or any other lie the world and Satan tries to whisper. I recently stumbled upon the following quote and it has become my prayer for both girls: "A girl should get so lost in God, that a guy has to seek God to find her!" ~ Dannah Gresh, author.

My 2009 new year's resolution will have nothing to do with weight-loss, becoming an accomplished such-and-such or anything thing that distracts me from my task- to raise up children to know and love God and to help them see that Jesus changes everything. 

He was born to die so that we may live. May we enjoy this Christmas season in light of His truth and share it with those we hold dear. 

PS: A baby changes everything... listen, but make sure to have tissues handy!

 

Book Giveaway!

Trevin Wax of the blog Kingdom People (See sidebar) is giving away a big o' stack of new books. For a chance to win, check out his blog post where he explains how.

39 Lessons, 20 Tips and 10 "Don'ts" For Parenting

As parents and youth ministers, the topic of biblical parenting is on the forefront of our minds each and every day. It is disturbing to see how far the pendulum can swing back and forth when it comes to fads and pop psychology in the parenting arena. 

The newest and most disturbing trend we are seeing is a complete loss of parental authority. The previous generation has grown up with perhaps more of a legalistic/authoritarian approach to parenting which has in turn, created parents who give their children everything and are more concerned with pleasing their children/being their friend and building their "self-esteem" than they are "saving their souls from death" as stated in Proverbs. 

We are currently in a battle with some parents who have made it clear that they don't think it is appropriate for their students to feel like they have to bring their bibles to church, nor that they should have to attend the Sunday morning service with their parents..."they don't like it, and they won't come to church if they have to". Something is utterly wrong with this picture. We're not talking about unbelievers with no spiritual background or training. We're talking about professing Christians and members of the church. Bringing the bible to church is too offensive? They "won't like it" therefore, they shouldn't have to?

I am reminded of how many times I was dragged out of bed to go to church. As it so often happens- hated it then- see the value now. God give authority to parents to train and lead their children just as he has ultimate authority over us. Satan has been working hard on leading us astray in this area. I guess it doesn't take much as pride and authority issues are what compelled Adam and Eve to sin to begin with! 

What to do with all of this? How to stand amidst a culture that is so anti-God and submission to authority that it is even taking over the church? I have been searching for some resources on some of these topics, and I have found quite a few notable ones I'd love to pass on for anyone who is interested. First- a few books- "Shepherding a Child's Heart" by Tedd Tripp, "Don't Make Me Count to Three" by Ginger Plowman (a great book for parents of young children), anything on the Family Life website and program. I also came across the 9 Marks of a Healthy Church website and found the following article. It is quite lengthy, but FULL of meat and potatoes if you know what I'm saying. Let's stand strong and do the hard work of parenting...truly, the most vital job in the world!

39 LESSONS WE'VE LEARNED

By Matt & Elizabeth Schmucker: Lessons About Ourselves

1. To be a faithful steward of your children you must abide in Christ (John 15:5: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.").
2. "Trickle down theory" – Mom's daily devotion naturally trickles down to encouragement and instruction in the Lord for the children.
3. Not listening to your children causes you to misjudge them (James 1:19-20: "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires").
4. Our task list is not as important as our children's thought life.
5. Preach the gospel of grace, not self-discipline.
6. Being parented is defining; Parenting is refining.
7. You will parent the way you were parented unless you think things through.
8. Parents should become "smaller" as their children become bigger. In other words, a parent should become more transparent in confessing one's sin and in sharing past struggles as children mature. Your children should hear more about your fight for faith as they grow older. Don't be a plastic Christian!
9. Ordinary times make for extraordinary memories.
10. To have children is to need margin in your life.
11. A disreputable life will undermine the gospel. An exemplary life will commend it.

Lessons About Children

12. Little kids need the strength of your youth; older kids need your wisdom (i.e. have children while you're young!).
13. Pack in truth while your children are little and trust the Lord to unpack it in his time.
14. Study your children. Know their "love language."
15. Consistent, loving, faithful discipline brings peace to the home. Inconsistency brings chaos.
16. Do not let your child see their value in light of the world's standards. The world rewards the 3 R's. God delights in the heart that is tuned toward his (Deuteronomy 30:8-10: "You will again obey the Lord and follow all his commands I am giving you today. Then the Lord your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your land. The Lord will again delightin you and make you prosperous, just as he delighted in your fathers, if you obey the Lord your God and keep his commands and decrees that are written in this Book of the Law and turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul").
17. God hands out "talents" to our children. The child with two talents who exercises both may in fact be more pleasing in the eyes of God than the one with five talents who exercises three (Matt. 25). Faithful stewardship is the goal!
18. On some days, it's just fine to accomplish nothing more than keeping your kids fed and safe.
19. Older children need to learn how to care for the weaker among them; doing so smells like Jesus. Matthew 18 reads, "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me." By contrast, Psalm 10:2 reads, "In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises."
20. Do not presume you will be able to speak into the lives of your older children if you do not live in their world when they are younger. Play with your children. There is a reap/sow principle at work here (2 Cor. 9:6: "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously").
21. There's nothing wrong with boredom for your children. It causes them to be creative.
22. Send your kids to bed well (and school!) (Eph. 4:26: "In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry").
23. Make sure your kids keep short accounts with each other. Create a culture of care and forgiveness in your home (1 Cor. 13:5: "Love…keeps no record of wrongs").
24. Teach your kids to be shock absorbers, not wave makers (Matt. 5:9: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God").
25. Kids can memorize scripture very quickly.
26. Teach your children to notice needs. Teach them to ask, "What can I do to help?" (Phil. 2:3: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves").
27. Teach your children to look adults in the eyes. It shows respect and recognizes authority.
28. Fight materialism by teaching your children to have a thankful heart (1 Thes. 5:18: "…give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus").
29. Teach your children to receive reproof, correction, and instruction (Prov. 12:15 "The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice").
30. Let kids be kids. Let them dabble in various areas of extra-curricular activities (sports, art, drama, etc) rather than build a resume.

Lessons About Satan

31. It seems Satan comes into our homes on Sunday mornings in order to make the Lord's Day one of struggle.
32. Do not feel outside pressure to baptize your children. Look for and test for a credible profession of faith in your child (Prov 22:15 "Folly is bound up in the heart of a child…").
33. Satan is a divider and always attacks authority: husband/wife and parent/child. In your home fight for unity around the gospel.
34. For mothers, the "I-can-do-it-all-superwoman" mindset is at best a myth and at worst a lie from hell (Matt. 6:24 "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money"; Luke 10:40 "But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made; verse 41: "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her").
35. Beware of sports…on Sundays! Decide while your children are young that you will not allow the growing all-weekend sports phenomenon to usurp your worship (Ex. 20:8 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God").
36. Arm your children for the world, not (necessarily) shield them from it. Consider getting your high-school-aged children out of the Christian bubble.

Lessons About God

37. Prayer is a mighty weapon to use in the life of your children:
    1. It changes the parent's approach to the child
    2. It softens the hard-hearted child
38. God uses children as a mirror to your own heart to expose your sin and hypocrisy.
39. God elects. God saves. Parents cannot do this heart-changing work. At best we can pray and point to the One who can cause our children to be born again.

20 MORE TIPS FOR RAISING GOD-HONORING CHILDREN

1. The saying goes, "When mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." We believe daddy is actually the problem. From a complementarian's viewpoint one needs to conclude the above saying with, "And if daddy ain't happy in the Lord, ain't nobody happy."
2. In a stay-at-home-mom scenario, dad tends to back away from discipline when mom has been with the children all day. In one sense this is wise as he has not observed the rhythm and rhyme of the day. However, dad needs to catch up and jump in.
3. Talk to both good and not-so-good parents; you'll learn lessons from both.
4. Talking to really old parents may not prove to be fruitful as their memories fade and they'll remember raising kids as either a nightmare or a glorious experience. Talking to parents 5-10 years ahead of where you are seems most fruitful (Prov. 15:22: "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed").
5. Though you may think this premature, have a vision for being involved spiritually with your grandchildren. This will shape even your parenting.
   • Positive example: Paul writing to Timothy said, "I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in your also" (2 Tim. 1:5).
   • Negative example: "After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel" (Judg. 2:10).
6. Let your children see you practicing hospitality and let them participate. This breaks down the selfish tendencies all kids have (Rom. 12:13: "Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality").
7. Unbelievers set up their home for the benefit of themselves. Christians should set up and use their homes for the benefit of their family, the church community, and outsiders (notice the order of this list).

   Supporting verses:

   • "If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever" (1 Tim. 5:8).
   • "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers" (Gal. 6:10).

8. If we could do it again, we would not have a television in our home. The television competes with more important things going on in the home. It competes for right thinking in the mind of the child. If you have a television, then watch it with your children (when you can) and play "catch the lies."
9. Our generation of parents encourages children to express themselves and vent all that's on their minds. My parents' generation grew up under the instruction that "Children are to be seen and not heard." Both appear to be out of balance. Proverbs 10:8 says, "The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin." Ephesians 4:29 suggests that the purpose of speech is to the benefit of the listener.
10. You cannot expect younger children to obey if their older siblings do not. Proverbs 10:17 says, "He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray."
11. One's conscience is not the same as the Law of the Lord. If conscience is defined as "That inner-voice that acts as a guide as to the rightness or wrongness of a behavior," then your conscience is only as good as your knowledge of God's Word. An informed conscience can be a trustworthy thing ifit is drawing from God's Word, God's Law. An uninformed conscience is incredibly dangerous. Inform your child's conscience by pouring in God's Word.

12. We often speak of a home with the aroma of Christ (peace, hope, forgiveness and love—all for God's glory). Alternatives are homes with the aroma of
    • a bus station—people just passing through
    • a war zone—people fighting all the time
    What does your home smell like?
13. "Moral children" does not equal "Christian children."
14. Do a "sermon review" with your children sometime on Sunday. Have each child recap what he or she learned in Sunday School or "big church" and then help them apply it to their own hearts and trials. Then spend time praying for each other's coming week.
15. Martin Luther said he had the responsibility to be the worship leading pastor in his own home. His home was to be both a school and a church. Fathers, do you have this mindset?
16. The unstated implication of Luther's charge (above) is that fathers need to be present to lead in worship. Being in the house with a Blackberry in hands doesn't count!
17. Don Whitney encourages "brevity, regularity and flexibility" in family worship.
18. Build in your children a global vision of God's work in the world and thereby build a Great commission Mindset. We have found that having a map near to where we eat most of our meals is helpful. Reading from Operation World can inform the entire family of God's work in the world.
19. When children ask for permission to do something, their request can fall into one of several categories: 
    
    
    

    Not Wise / Permissible E.g. out with friends on Sat night	Not Wise / Not Permissible E.g. underage drinking and driving
    Wise / Permissible E.g. excused from family chores to prepare for next day's test	Wise / Not Permissible This problem rarely presents itself. Wants to save money for college but is not working age.

    
    

    The Not Wise / Permissible category is the hardest to deal with. Try to break down the request and sort out in your own mind why you think the request is unwise. Is it your own preference or is it truly unwise? Then encourage them to think through the wisdom of the matter, so that, even if you permit them to do it, they will remember the lesson when things go poorly.

20. Build Godward children.

TOP 10 WAYS TO (WRONGLY) PROVOKE YOUR CHILDREN

• Colossians 3:21: "Fathers [and mothers], do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged."
• Ephesians 6:4: "Fathers [and mothers], do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."

1. Make it a habit to discipline your child while angry.
2. Make it a point to scold your child – especially in public. Mockery and ridicule work well.
3. Deliberately embarrass your child in front of his/her friends. Name calling really gets their attention.
4. Create double standards so that the child never knows who or what to follow.
5. Preach and hold the child to a gospel of self-discipline instead of a gospel of grace. (Note: the Bible presents Pharisees as very unhappy people.)
6. Never admit you're wrong and never ask your children for forgiveness.
7. Inspect your child until you find something wrong. Holding them to an unreachable standard makes this task easier.
8. Judge a fight between your children before you've listened to them.
9. Compare your child to others.
10. Promise your children things early in the day and then don't fulfill the promise.

Parents should provoke their children…in good ways: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on [provoke!] toward love and good deeds" (Heb. 10:24).

Matt & Elizabeth Schmucker are the parents of five children who presently range in ages from 3 to 19. Matt is the executive director of 9Marks and an elder at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC.

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Turkey Day and other goings-on

Here are a few pictures of the girlies from Thanksgiving Day and other fun festivities. 

Note: The Turkey Day pictures were taken PRIOR to the stomach

 flu episode. Sigh... Enjoy!

Wyndham's Preschool class had a Thanksgiving Feast at school. Pastor Zack even came with his special friend, "Iggy"...(too bad I secretly hate wooden puppet people!)

Wyndham's friend, Ailyn, had a birthday party at the Gymnastic Factory. Wyndham even attempted a vault! ;)

Here we see the after-effects of a day at the gym:)

If I didn't laugh, I'd cry

Our family has been anxiously anticipating a Thanksgiving vacation . The festivities were to begin in MI with my family and conclude in Virginia for Randy's grandmother's 90th birthday party. We've been preparing for weeks- travel plans (we were going to fly), luggage preparations, calls to the airlines, emails, discussions, setting aside gas money, etc. etc.

6AM- Travel Day--"Daaaaaady! Mmmmmoooomy! (sob sob sob) My jammies were choking me and I throwed-up all over my Dora pillow...my tummy hurts...and my legs hurt...and my head hurts...and (gagging....)

Poor Wyndham. The stomach flu finally got around to her. As disappointed and depressed about this new development as I was, clearly this was the way to go. She COULD have been throwing up all over her cousins in VA- or worse yet, all over an unsuspecting passenger on the flight there! We gave it an hour or so to make sure it wasn't just nerves...she threw up 3 more times and began running a temp. I changed her jammies 4 times, and she ended up sleeping in just a pull-up and a towel when all was said and done. The saddest and most charming moment of this whole fiasco came when Wyn exlaimed that she will probably be sick "fo-evah" as she dramatically touched her hand to her head and laid down.

As hard as it is to watch your kids have to go through illness, I love taking care of them in their hour or need. I remember always feeling so safe and nurtured when my mom would care for me when I would get sick. The thoughtful touches, cold washcloths on the forehead, clean jammies, chicken soup, special movie rental :). I always knew if I was sick, mom was going to be there to help. A couple of years ago, I took sick during the teaching day and had to come home to mommy. Out came the washcloth and Campbell's soup once more. Ahhhh....

I've been wistful about the missed trip this weekend, but have quite a few precious memories of babying my first "baby" back to health. Ironically, we just got our flu shots this past Monday, and Wyndham met our new pediatrician for the first time. I told Wyn I would have to call him to ask if we could give her "special medicine" to help her to feel better....she was scared that the doctor would have to give her another "shock" on her arm:)

The docotor DID recommend giving her Pedialyte for the dehydration. Daddy jumped in the car and brought home 2 large bottles of the "special juice" for Wyndham. She immediately guzzled a glass-full down. A few hours later, she seemed to have gained some of her strength back. She wanted to eat some food as well, but I warned her that we would have to take it slow as she might get sick again. She assured me that the "magical juice" daddy gave her would keep her safe and not make her "throwed-up" again.

It's helpful to laugh during times of disappointment. While I'll miss the family celebration in VA, I've been able to spend more time with my family here, which has been great. It's funny how much I enjoy my kids when other people get to enjoy them too....flu and all:)

I saw the following story on a blog I like to read called "Girl Talk". I laughed OUT LOUD when I read this Thanksgiving story. It SO reminds me of something Wyndham would do...I so love having girls! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!!

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

THE GOOD NAPKINS...ahhhhh...the joys of having girls...

My mother taught me to read when I was four years old (her first mistake)....

One day, I was in the bathroom and noticed one of the cabinet doors was ajar. I read the box in the cabinet. I then asked my mother why she was keeping 'napkins' in the bathroom. Didn't they belong in the kitchen?

Not wanting to burden me with unnecessary facts, she told me that those were for "special occasions" (her second mistake)...

Now, fast forward a few months....It's Thanksgiving Day, and my folks are leaving to pick up my uncle and his wife for dinner. Mom had assignments for all of us while they were gone. Mine was to set the table.

When they returned, my uncle came in first and immediately burst into laughter.

Next, in came his wife who gasped, then began giggling.

Next, in came my father, who roared with laughter.

Then in came Mom, who almost died of embarrassment when she saw each place setting on the table with a "special occasion" napkin at each plate, with the fork carefully arranged on top. I had even tucked the little tail in so they didn't hang off the edge!!

My mother asked me why I used these and, of course, my response sent the other adults into further fits of laughter.

"But, Mom, you SAID they were for special occasions!!!" Isn't it easier to just tell the truth and be careful who you ask to set the table for you!

A Closer Walk with Thee

Randy and I have been spending a lot of quality time together lately. Mind you, this quality time takes place between the hours of 8:30PM and midnight, but we will take what we can get as young parents! Normally, our quality time would be spent talking, reading, watching a movie--normal "couple" things. If we had a free day, we might try and find a fun quaint restaurant to discover, an out-of-the-way antique store full of treasure, or a park or lake in which to enjoy. While we of course still enjoy those things... we have been spending a ton of time listening to sermons online, reading the bible and books, and hashing out our theology together as a couple. 

Theology for me has never been something I spent a great deal of time truly investing in. I grew up a PK, I have a christian education....theology was handed to me, and why would I question it? Further more, beyond just questioning it, why would I want to know and understand why certain doctrines and belief exist to begin with?

I have come to the humble  conclusion that I have a LOT to learn about who God is and who I am in relation to his glory. This is not false humility by any stretch of the imagination. I recognize that I have grown up in a very comfortable world- one of protection, love, food, shelter, etc....Unfortunately, a fully protected safe existence doesn't leave much of a need for the saving grace of a Savior. 

The last year has been littered with pain, struggle and brokeness. In it, I have lost an uncle to suicide, I've witnessed a divorce in my immediate family, I have watched a sibling struggle with constant pain and anger, I've watched a loved one struggle with deep depression, I have lost a friend to death, I have weeped with friends through miscarriages, job loss and have watched friends be swept away into spiritual "myths" as described in II Timothy chapter 4. These in addition to our own personal loss and separation from family and relationships in OH. At one point this past fall, I truly thought I was going to have to be hospitalized. Mentally, emotionally, spiritually-- I thought I had reached my end. The transition to IL so close to the birth of Sophia coupled with the many other stresses of life truly almost put me over the edge. Visions of my marriage dissolving, even days where I wasn't sure life was worth living anymore. 

Thankfully, quietly and steadily, (and thanks to many prayers, a Godly husband and loving family) God drew me near to Him. He revealed to me that I have been believing LIES for far too long. It's as old as the Garden of Eden...does God REALLY tell us the truth? Is He who He really says He is? The answer is YES in capital letters. My spiritual weakness has revealed to me that I have a lot to learn and understand, and has reminded me that I cannot survive on my own strength. 

As the Spirit has instilled in me a hunger to learn and grow, I have risen above some of the thick and blinding clouds that have surrounded me. Mind you- I have not ARRIVED...far from it. If anything, I feel like I just woke up from a 28 year slumber. God has been teaching me that trials create perseverance and dependence on God and God alone (Phil. 3:12-16). 

When you have nothing left, when there is nothing you can truly do to manipulate your world and change your circumstances-- it is then that we finally realize that we have been distracted and denying the very thing that will bring us life: The love of a Father who made a way for us despite our rebellion--the obedience and sacrifice of Jesus the Son who endured God's wrath so that we wouldn't have to---and the work, power and regeneration of the Holy Spirit who guides our growth towards Christ and compels us to share the Gospel with the world. 

Basically, I have realized that just because I have experienced blessing in my life, just because I have Christian parents, education, etc., just because of a number of other things.... it doesn't mean that I have a living thriving relationship and understanding of God. I have realized that if I ever feel like I have arrived I am either kidding myself, or need to repent of being prideful. I need Christ and a true understanding and trust in His truth and work more now than I ever have before....23 years after kneeling to accept Christ as my Savior to begin with!

If you are experiencing hardships, loss, fear, pain...take comfort in who God is. If your circumstances compel you to run to God, thank Him for drawing you near once again. Let us humbly keep this right perspective of who we are and who God is. Let us pray for the power of the Spirit to strengthen and teach us. We need strength in this coming age. This world is passing away- but the Good News is that the tomb is empty- the penalty is paid and we have the utter privilege of living and being in relationship to our God for eternity.

Below is a link to a sermon we recently listened to. It was given by Pastor Josh Harris from Covenant Life church. Yes- this is the same guy who wrote "I Kissed Dating Goodbye". Let me assure you, whether or not you liked or dislike that book, he has grown into a tremendous teacher and pastor. The link will lead you to a sermon entitled "Prayer for Spiritual Strength". What I like about this sermon is that he doesn't offer the typical trite answers "just do this and that and wala! Spiritual maturity!" He gets at the root of our problem- our hearts. 

I encourage you to take some time to listen and reflect. It is an hour long, so you may have to plan it, but it is well worth it. Randy and I have enjoyed getting a warm beverage and settling in during these dark cold evenings to be illuminated by God's truth. I pray that you will be encouraged and convicted a we have.

Prayer for Spiritual Strength- Sermon- Josh Harris

Serbian Abortionist Who Aborted 48,000 Babies Becomes Pro-Life Activist

I saw this article posted on a blog that I like to follow. Wow. Talk about a Saul/Paul conversion. I hope this man knows Jesus!

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MADRID, November 13, 2008 (CNA) - The Spanish daily "La Razon" has published an article on the pro-life conversion of a former "champion of abortion." Stojan Adasevic, who performed 48,000 abortions, sometimes up to 35 per day, is now the most important pro-life leader in Serbia, after spending 26 years as the most renowned abortion doctor in the country.

"The medical textbooks of the Communist regime said abortion was simply the removal of a blob of tissue," the newspaper reported. "Ultrasounds allowing the fetus to be seen did not arrive until the 80s, but they did not change his opinion. Nevertheless, he began to have nightmares."

In describing his conversion, Adasevic said he "dreamed about a beautiful field full of children and young people who were playing and laughing, from 4 to 24 years of age, but who ran away from him in fear. A man dressed in a black and white habit stared at him in silence. The dream was repeated each night and he would wake up in a cold sweat. One night he asked the man in black and white who he was. 'My name is Thomas Aquinas,' the man in his dream responded. Adasevic, educated in communist schools, had never heard of the Dominican genius saint. He didn't recognize the name."

"Why don't you ask me who these children are?" St. Thomas asked Adasevic in his dream.

"They are the ones you killed with your abortions,” the Dominican saint told him.

"Adasevic awoke in amazement and decided not to perform any more abortions," the article stated.

"That same day a cousin came to the hospital with his four months-pregnant girlfriend, who wanted to get her ninth abortion - something quite frequent in the countries of the Soviet bloc. The doctor agreed. Instead of removing the fetus piece by piece, he decided to chop it up and remove it as a mass. However, the baby's heart came out still beating. Adasevic realized then that he had killed a human being,"

After this experience, Adasevic "told the hospital he would no longer perform abortions. Never before had a doctor in Communist Yugoslavia refused to do so. They cut his salary in half, fired his daughter from her job, and did not allow his son to enter the university."

After years of pressure and on the verge of giving up, he had another dream about St. Thomas.

"You are my good friend, keep going,” the man in black and white told him. “Adasevic became involved in the pro-life movement and was able to get Yugoslav television to air the film 'The Silent Scream,' by Doctor Bernard Nathanson, two times."

Adasevic has told his story in magazines and newspapers throughout Eastern Europe. He has returned to the Orthodox faith of his childhood and has studied the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas.

"Influenced by Aristotle, Thomas wrote that human life begins forty days after fertilization," Adasevic wrote in one article. Scientific advancements since Thomas’ time, however, have revealed that human life begins at the moment of conception. La Razon commented that Adasevic "suggests that perhaps the saint wanted to make amends for that error." Today the Serbian doctor continues to fight for the lives of the unborn.

(Reprinted with permission from the Catholic News Agency)

See the Catholic News Agency Online here:
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com

I pledge allegiance to the Lamb

I have been praying for clarity and comfort in this crazy election season. John Piper, author and pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis has this to say about the election. See also this outline...

Outline:

1. Womanhood
2. Race
3. Abortion
4. Prophetic perspective
5. Sovereignty of God
6. Gospel

The latest Wyndhamisms

I can't help but add a few more as of late. I think I may begin penning a novel:)

(As she was washing the windows with mommy)- "I can't WAIT to gwoh- (grow) up so I can do all of the things that humans do!"

(After being told we were going to a family friend's house for dinner) We are going to Miss Sandy's house for dinner? Wait a minute....is Miss Sandy a human....or a dog? (Perhaps she has taken "Annie" too much to heart:)

(After being questioned about wanting more brother and sisters) "I want 2 sisters and 2 brothers. Actually, I want you to have babies come out of your tummy like that (pointing to the computer printer as some papers were printing out) Swoosh-Swoosh-Swoosh! They can come out like that. Maybe we should have 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14- eleven-teen (I don't think she knows 15 exists) 19 20 babies!!"

Fall, Friends & Fun

Here are some recent pics from the Ross family fall festivities. Last week, Wyn's preschool class took a trip to "Country Bumpkin" farm. Very fun...but as someone who has lived in the country, I had to laugh a bit at the "farm"....It was more like a Home Depot Garden center that just happened to have a petting zoo attached. Still-very fun. 

We decided to do a family-theme for Halloween this year and went as Old Macdonald's farm. Everything went splendidly...until Sophie started eating the hay:) It was a beautiful night for Trick-or-treating here. We were able to join several families that live close to us on our adventure. I especially liked Wyn's friend Nathan's costume....a secret agent. He even had a brief case with several "disguises" in it:) 

Happy Pumpkin day from my sweet punkins'!

More Wyndham-isms

I am amazed DAILY with Wyndham's imagination and perception of the world around here...what a ham:)

~(When asked what flavor of dum-dum sucker she was eating) "It tastes like a MYSTEWY!" (Mystery)

~(Looking at the moon shining in the night sky) "The moon is half, like a fingernail smile".

~(Standing a top a chair in the buff, holding her broom) "Mommy, I want to clean the whole house. I will dust EVERYTHING and turn it into gold!"

~"God isn't our fwiend...he's our 'fah-thu'" (father)

~(Coming upon mommy changing Sophie's clothes) "Mommy, why is baby Sophie make-ed (naked)? If we take her to chuch (church ) like that...(whispering) people will call her 'stupidhead'"...

She still has problems pronouncing her "R" sounds. Frankly, it's so cute, I will mourn the day when she finally figures it out!

O Church Arise

So for those of you who know the details of the Ross family journey over the last year, you know that we have been through a valley of hurt, anger, disappointment...Yet is all of this, God is still holy, just and good. Because of our trials, we have been driven to face the stark reality of what it means to follow Christ amidst the culture in which we live. Instead of the past year being about what happened to "us", it has turned into a year of discovering what has happened and is happening to the name of Christ and His church.

It was our "wake-up call" so to say. What do we really believe? What are we willing to live and die for? Call it life transition, call it election-hype, call it what you will...we desire to own our faith and know more about God. Not for the sake of being self-righteous or haughty but truly, to understand how we are to live, parent and minister in this world.

The following video clips are from Mark Driscoll- Pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA. The clips are from a few sermons he gave at his church as well as a pastor's conference. He is known for his "sharp tongue" and you will see why. If christian leaders aren't calling into question some of these very topics, who will?

My hope is that you view these videos, not with a sense that I'm taking pot-shots or that I have a heart of dissension, but that you sense a fire to protect the Christian flock from the many deceptions we encounter in churches across America. The point of this discussion isn't just  "Yeah! All of this stuff IS bad!"...but WHY is it bad? What do we believe to be true about God/scripture in contrast that brings us to that conclusion? While these clips may make you uncomfortable, even if you disagree, the bottom line is- what is our framework for discernment based upon?  Perhaps this is the idea where "fear and trembling comes in... ?:) There needs to be a balance between biblical study and reading/exposing yourself to some of these trends in culture so that we can have a respectable, educated conversation with people in the faith and out.

 One of these clips is 10 minutes long, but WELL worth the listen...Please share your thoughts!!

PS- Many pastors we respect have given note to Mark Driscoll despite his seemingly controversial edge. We have just recently discovered him and are currently doing further research on his ministry.
PPS-You will want to turn off the my playlist before you listen. Scroll down the page
PPPS- Yes... I am a current stay-at-home mom that changes diapers, plays Candyland and reads and ponders current trends in today's christian culture...your point? :) 

Smile...God Loves You!


4 Streams of the Emerging Church


The Shack- for a full review by Tim Challies, click the link to the right- Shack Review

and another notable review here.

Warning Against False Teachers

The Ultimate Case against Roe V Wade

God, Gas Prices and the Stock Market

As the country turns it hope to markets, politicians and investments- who will we choose to trust? I found an awesome blog called- The Shepherd Press Blog. Shepherd Press is a respectable, thought-provoking publishing company that writes materials specifically for Christian families dealing with a variety of topics. I discovered it's many valuable resources this past summer. Here is a recent post I found encouraging...you can also find this and other posts on the link above.

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Some of you may remember the post from last May about “God and gas prices.” Now, six months later, the price for a barrel of oil has dropped to below $70 for the first time in fourteen months. The price for gasoline is once again below $3 per gallon in many areas of the country. Last spring folks were worried about how to pay for gas; now that oil has dropped over 50% in value from its high this summer, that worry seems a distant memory. But in the meantime, something else also dropped in value: the world’s financial markets.

So now there are bigger worries—or are there? Watching the markets go up and down is a little bit like watching your kids on a see-saw. Our western culture has trusted the conventional wisdom of this world. We have been told security rests in financial well being, in the American Dream. But God has much to say about the wealth of this world, and it is a different wisdom than the world’s wisdom. It is important that you, as parents, view wealth and the acquisition of wealth from a biblical perspective. 
God has particular advice for those who are rich in this world. Currently, there is much debate about who is rich. Are you rich if you earn more than $250,000 a year? Are you rich if your net worth is more than 5 million dollars? Are you rich if you have a roof that does not leak and food to eat for the next meal? Are you rich if you have hot, running water? Are you rich if you have more roots to eat than your neighbor? ”Rich” depends a little upon whom you are talking to. But regardless, Paul says to Timothy to tell those who are rich, whatever that may mean, not to put their hope in wealth. This means that whether you are Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Joe the Plumber, or a tribal herdsman—you are not to hope in wealth. Wealth is uncertain. Really? Yes, really. The focus of this world is to urge people to trust in things which are uncertain.

Christian, has God’s faithfulness to you and your family changed in any way in the last several months? God’s care for you is certain. The riches of this world are not. While trillions of dollars may have disappeared in the markets, God care is constant. This financial downturn may result in lost homes, lost jobs and lost savings. This brings difficult challenges. But these sorts of downturns are to be expected from wealth. This is what Paul is saying to Timothy. Jesus taught the same thing in the Luke passage listed above. Life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. Of course you should work and plan for the future and attempt to make wise investments. But through all of this, you must remember that wealth is not something to build your hope upon, for it is uncertain.

What is certain is the care of God. Circumstances will change. God will not. Think about these things with your children. Help them to focus on what is certain in life, so that they will not trust in wealth, which is not certain at all. 

Pave paradise, put up a parking lot

In my lifetime thus far, I have lived in basically 2 places. The first of course was western Michigan, complete with the many beauties of Lake Michigan, blue-collar working class and conservative values. The second being rural eastern Ohio- rolling hills, country charm and close to many amish and menonite communities. Moving to a suburb nearest one of the biggest cities in our country has been unlike anything I've ever done in my life. The cultural/activity loving side of me loves our new community. It's truly a young family's dream. There is no lack for family-friendly things to do. We are basically 30 miles from everything you could ever imagine. We are renting a duplex in an awesome development complete with tree-lined sidewalks, parks, basketball and tennis courts and millions (or at least it seems) of kids. I have enjoyed discovering and exploring our new homeland, and am looking forward to making many positive connections with our church family.  All that to say, I am also seeing through a lot of things and it is causing me to think long and hard about what I really value in this life.

 We were recently mailed a township report from Grayslake. It contains all kinds of facts and projections for 2008 and 2009. The report gave me a very specific demographic of the people I am living with. The average income for a family in Grayslake is $90,000 per year. Over 90% of people have a college education and another high percentage have done grad. work as well. As a teacher, I think that this is wonderful. I consider myself a life-long learner and would be in school all of the time if it was realistic. On the other hand, I can't relate to the income level and quality of living that the average "Lakie" enjoys. Though we are currently tight on cash due to one income and extra housing cost from this transition, I have always considered ourselves blessed financially. We don't have a lot, but I'm content  with our life. 

Since housing developments are pretty much the ONLY neighborhoods in this area, we have been exploring potential real estate just to get an idea of what we are "up against" if we are ever in the position to buy a house again. The average house in our neighborhood is between $250-$350,00 to start...and that's just for a basic bare-bones house. The property taxes range from $7,000-$13,000 per year depending on where you live. The yearly taxes ALONE would cost more than our entire mortgage plus taxes in OH! All that to say, we are more than happy to rent for a while.

There is a much-talked-about neighborhood just a mile or two away from us. It's called "Prairie Crossings". It touts itself as an "eco-friendly" community. Basically, it's $500,000-million dollar homes that are supposedly energy efficient. The yards are left UNlanscaped (you know, the whole "natural habitat thing). They have their own farm where they grow organic food (and sell it for outrageous prices), 10  miles of trails, a horse stable, a boating lake and get this- a charter school of their very own. Basically, it's an amish community for yuppies. I find it hilarious that on their web page they claim to be racially and economically diverse. I can't speak to the ethic claim, but I can disagree with the "affordable" living quip. I don't know many "average" people who could afford million dollar homes. 

I was driving to a friends house last night and noticed another billboard advertising for another "eco-friendly" community that is in process of being built. The sign said, "Prairie Trail- eco-friendly luxury living with it's own elementary school! Starting from the $390s). Talk about elitism! I laughed out loud. Sure, the green monster inside might rage once in a while, but this is truly not about jealousy or envy here. This is disgust at the all-out blatant elitism with the ever popular "green" card to boot! Since when did living a healthy considerate lifestyle become the wealthy person's mantra?  It's own elementary school? Heaven forbid that the rich kids have to mingle with the lesser ones over at the public schools. 

Their farm/petting zoo consists of a cow, horse, a goat and  chicken. People come from miles around to see them. It reminds me of a line from a Joni Mitchell song, 

"They took all the trees

Put em in a tree museum

And they charged the people

A dollar and a half just to see em"

(Big Yellow Taxi)

The people that live there can have the best of both worlds. City living with all of the charm of the country. Sounds appealing, right? Of course it does. But wow...doesn't that give one pause to think and get some perspective? 

I'm not just talking about elitism within the housing and schools sectors here...I'm basically questioning...well, the American Dream. We are reaping rewards from decades of work laid down by our relatives. We live such lives of convenience now and have gotten so caught up with our jobs, money and retirement plans...have we forgotten to include God in that equation? It's fine and good to work hard, save and have nice things...but at what cost to our family relationships and testimony to our communities? 

Something that goes hand in hand with these thoughts is our treatment of church. We have churches on every corner in our country. We church shop, deciding what style, demographic and programs we like. It's all about how church will fit into our nice little reality that we've made for ourselves. I have been so convicted of this lately. God has been working on my own wicked and blind heart to recognize some of these things. 

 

I have been spending a lot of time in Luke lately. I love reading the actual words of Jesus. How perfectly it pertains to mankind then, and now. I have been reflecting on a passage from 14:25. "Now, great crowds accompanied Him, and He turned and said to them, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and consider the cost? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish'. ...Therefore, any of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple". 

Jesus is getting at our very problem. SIN. Of course Jesus doesn't want us to HATE our friends and relatives, but we can't have a white-knuckled grip on ANYTHING in this lifetime- whether it be money, possessions, our church, and yes, even our relationship with others. We must live with the true reality- we are sinners saved by grace. We are entrusted with this life, our gifts, talents and interests. What will we do with them? 

Pave paradise? Look at the world around us through bullet-proof glass praying for the Savior's return so we can get out of the trouble of the world? What does it mean to gain the whole world, only to loose my life? I so long for a 3-step plan to ensure  a christian life, marriage, family. In a lot of ways, I'm no better off in my self than those who wish to separate themselves by living in these "communities".  I'm in a raging battle between my old self and my regenerated self in Christ. Learning to trust, have faith... at the end of the day, it's all we have. My prayer is that God will keep me humble and dependent on Him so that I don't loose this perspective. I don't want to wake up one day and realize that I "didn't know what I had... 'till its gone"...

Sisters, Sisters...there were never more devoted sisters...

Today was a lie-around-and-stare-at-Sophie-day. I didn't get to do this with Wyndham very much at this stage as I was still working, so I definitely am savoring these sweet moments. Sophie is approaching 4 months in a week or two. How time is flying...

I think she is going to take after her chatter-box/bunny-trailey mom...whaddya think?

Notice the quiet background. Wanna know why? Because Wyndham snuck into the front yard to play football...did I mention that all she was wearing was undies, tights and her rain boots? 

Once I wrestled her back into the house, we proceeded to have some "girl time" together....poor Randy. He's so out-numbered.

Wyndham LOVES when Sophie notices her. Wyndham could be flailing around the room practically falling all over Sophie, and Sophie LOVES IT. We captured some of her first real giggles today... the dimple makes me melt....I can't wait to see how their sisterly love grows and develops. 

Don't sit under the apple tree with anyone else but me.

Now that we have moved and are finally settling in (sort of), we decided that this was the weekend to get outside and do some yard work. The landlord of the duplex we are renting isn't expecting much in way of landscaping, just maintenance more or less. I love beautifying the outside, but with the budget so tight these days, a potted mum on the front porch is as far as we can go right now. One really fun aspect of the duplex is the fact that we have an enormous apple tree in our front yard. The apples are edible, and a lot of them are in great condition. We just have to watch out for a few worm holes and the occasional bee (yikes!). Here is a pic of just a FRACTION of the apples we picked off yesterday after we gave the tree an enormous trim.

In addition to apple picking, we also got to go sailing with some friends from our church on a tiny little vessel... I guess you could consider it a boat:) (Pics to come) It has a sail and a rudder, so I guess it constitutes a boat. So fun. The couple (Matt and Jenny) invited us over for dinner on Saturday night. 

Get this: Jenny was a music major at Bethel College in MN. She specialize in voice and piano. She is the pastor's daughter and is currently serving as the worship director at our church. She has her own photography business, and she and her husband remodel homes. They just moved into their newly renovated house after a year of labor and love. Can you believe the similarities here?! Not to mention the fact that the pastor and his wife at one point owned a rehab/antique store. Its nice to feel a connection through these initial common interests. It's as if we've known these people all of our lives and we've just come back from a long vacation or something. I'm thankful for these small things that echo of God's provision. Ok- so we are a little strapped for cash right now...but how valuable are people? We are looking forward to having many people over for dinner in the coming weeks. Maybe I'll even get to bake an apple pie :)

Shower of Blessing

Our new church here in IL recently threw us a Pantry Shower to help welcome us to the area. So thoughtful and much appreciated. Between moving and all kinds of other financial surprises, having some extra groceries and supplies were much needed. My favorite surprises: Chicago Bear items, giftcards to target, borders and Randy's fav...starbucks:-) Only the necessities for him:) Now if we could only sell our house....

Speaking of videos...

Some of you may know that we recently mourned the passing of our 2 laptops- Mr HP and Mr. Gateway. We lost almost all of our photos of Wyndham minus a few CDs from our friend Lisa and some I had saved on facebook. We are now proud owners of an IMac complete with an external hard drive as well as some online storage so we will (hopefully) never go through that ordeal again. So, I've finally gotten around to loading our recent pics and videos onto the computer and found these beauties. Enjoy!

Sophia Elyse



Twinkle Twinkle Little Star...Wyndham put her musical talents to use to soothe "Baby Sophie" off to sleep...Sophie is about 4 days old...




Who is Jesus?




La Bamba




Sophie spits...beware





A mother's first hand view.... possibly boring to the average onlooker, but this is what I do all day... :)

On that note...

So, searching for muppet-themed  videos on Youtube is much more entertaining than I thought... I really need to get a life!

Habenera a la Muppet

So, I know I should probably write a post with some actual information on how the move went, what our new church is like, how we are doing....but I found this muppet clip and thought I'd share it instead. I needed a good laugh today...it's been a long time.

PS: It gets a little redundant...and yet, you can't stop laughing

PPS: Carmen has nothing on Beaker

Wyn says the darndest things

Here are a few recent soon to be classic "Wyndhamisms"...

"Look Mom--It's Bawak Obama (pointing to TV screen)... I want him to come here. I want to ask him some qwestions".

"She just needs more balance in her life..." After a long crying bout by Sophie

"The Israelites were naughty. They disobeyed their mommies and daddies. God told them not to worship any other gods...but they doed it anyway." (doed pronounced "dood" ;)

"Can I go poo poo and pee pee in the sky?"

"I like goin' poo poo in my pull-up. It feels warm.."

"Good jobs buns! Way to Go!"- after a successful go on the potty.

And the one that always brings a tear to my eye---

"Sorry for being wude mommy."

See what a difference 3 years makes?

Labor Day 05

Labor Day 06

Labor Day 07


Labor Day (almost) 08

Here's Sophie in the famous white rocking chair...or should I say-- levitating above the white rocking chair. Who knows how long it will be before I can start adding "Sophieisms" to the list too:)