I have been reading this book, The Pursuit of Holiness, by Jerry Bridges and I love it. Everyone else out there in blog-land seems to be reading The Practice of Godliness so it will be next on my list.
In the first chapter, Bridges points out several reasons that more Christians do not experience holiness in daily life as well as why the Church seems to be more conformed to the world instead of Christ. The first reason Bridges discusses is that “our attitude toward sin is more self-centered than God-centered.” Often times people are more concerned about having victory over sin instead of focusing on that fact that our sin grieves the heart of God. Failure because of ‘sinning’ is what frustrates us, not the fact that we have grieved our Father. I often see this attitude in my own heart.
“God wants us to walk in obedience – not victory. Obedience is oriented toward God; victory is oriented toward self.” This is just the first attitude we need to deal with in order to get to the root of our difficulties with sin. When we walk in obedience, we will often experience victory – but what is our goal – to be victorious or obedient? My prayer is that I will seek to be obedient in this pursuit.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
A Conversation With a 4-year Old
A conversation with my sweet 4-year old when we were talking about napping.
Mommy: Emmie, why does Mommy take naps?
4-year old: Because she’s bery tired.
Mommy: Really? Why is she very tired?
4-year old: Because you have a baby in your tummy!
Mommy: Right.
4-year old: My Daddy takes naps too.
Mommy: Really? Why does Daddy take naps?
4-year old: Because he’s bery tired.
Mommy: Why is Daddy very tired?
4-year old: Because he’s 32!
Mommy: Emmie, why does Mommy take naps?
4-year old: Because she’s bery tired.
Mommy: Really? Why is she very tired?
4-year old: Because you have a baby in your tummy!
Mommy: Right.
4-year old: My Daddy takes naps too.
Mommy: Really? Why does Daddy take naps?
4-year old: Because he’s bery tired.
Mommy: Why is Daddy very tired?
4-year old: Because he’s 32!
Monday, January 22, 2007
Sanctity of Life
(This picture is of a 24-week baby, about the age of our little girl right now!)
Check out these other amazing pictures which show a sweet little baby as early as 7 weeks!
Yesterday was "Sanctity of Human Life" Sunday at our church. My husband taught a special lesson on protecting human life and I decided to share some excerpts from it with you.
Here is a special story of hope and grace: Beverly Smith McMillan opened the first abortion clinic in Jackson Mississippi. After a life-changing conversion to Christ she resigned. She confessed, "The good news that makes the Gospel so relevant today is that God forgives. I know from personal experience that the blood of Jesus can cover the sin of abortion." (Fowler, Abortion, p. 198) There are an increasing number of post-abortion support groups that help women discover and enjoy this forgiveness and healing. (John Piper, January 5th, 1989)
On January 6, 1989, John Piper was arraigned in court for trespassing. Here are his words describing that day: "Suppose that I lived next door to a very mean-spirited man who was so hostile that he put up "Do not trespass" signs all over the fence around his house mainly to keep me out. One day I hear children screaming from his back yard. I run to the fence and notice a little child choking on something. Instinctively I jump the fence, knowing it says no trespassing and try to save the child. I'm too late. After a few days this mean-spirited man seeks a warrant for my arrest. I go into court and the judge, for reasons beyond his control, finds me guilty of trespassing and fines $50. Would I be disrespectful of the law, I asked Judge James Campbell, if I refused to pay?
He answered by saying, "In that case you should appeal the decision, because of a special legal reality called the law of necessity. But there are distinguishing facts between that case and this one."
So I asked if he would be willing to tell me what facts. He paused (as if to groan in his own spirit) and said, "The Supreme Court has ruled in Roe vs. Wade that abortion is not a crime."
A few facts:
1. Since the Roe vs. Wade decision 31 years ago, over 45 million unborn children have been aborted.
2. 1 out of every 3 babies that is conceived and viable in this country is aborted.
3. Not just the babies, but the over 20 million women enduring abortion in our country. Almost half of the women who contemplate suicide have had an abortion. When the organization called Women Exploited by Abortion started it grew from 2 members to 10,000 in under 10 months.
Remember that "They grow so fast. They do not grow to become more human. They are growing in the humanity that they already possess… Just because you are tiny doesn’t mean you aren’t human. Just because you can’t breath on your own doesn’t mean you’re not human. Just because you can’t talk or have complex rational abilities doesn’t mean you’re not human. Just because you live in your mother’s tummy doesn’t mean you are not human. Just because you are dependent upon another doesn’t mean you are not human."
Read Kim's special testimony!
"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works;my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you,when I was being made in secret,intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance;in your book were written, every one of them,the days that were formed for me,when as yet there was none of them." Psalm 139:13-16
Yesterday was "Sanctity of Human Life" Sunday at our church. My husband taught a special lesson on protecting human life and I decided to share some excerpts from it with you.
Here is a special story of hope and grace: Beverly Smith McMillan opened the first abortion clinic in Jackson Mississippi. After a life-changing conversion to Christ she resigned. She confessed, "The good news that makes the Gospel so relevant today is that God forgives. I know from personal experience that the blood of Jesus can cover the sin of abortion." (Fowler, Abortion, p. 198) There are an increasing number of post-abortion support groups that help women discover and enjoy this forgiveness and healing. (John Piper, January 5th, 1989)
On January 6, 1989, John Piper was arraigned in court for trespassing. Here are his words describing that day: "Suppose that I lived next door to a very mean-spirited man who was so hostile that he put up "Do not trespass" signs all over the fence around his house mainly to keep me out. One day I hear children screaming from his back yard. I run to the fence and notice a little child choking on something. Instinctively I jump the fence, knowing it says no trespassing and try to save the child. I'm too late. After a few days this mean-spirited man seeks a warrant for my arrest. I go into court and the judge, for reasons beyond his control, finds me guilty of trespassing and fines $50. Would I be disrespectful of the law, I asked Judge James Campbell, if I refused to pay?
He answered by saying, "In that case you should appeal the decision, because of a special legal reality called the law of necessity. But there are distinguishing facts between that case and this one."
So I asked if he would be willing to tell me what facts. He paused (as if to groan in his own spirit) and said, "The Supreme Court has ruled in Roe vs. Wade that abortion is not a crime."
A few facts:
1. Since the Roe vs. Wade decision 31 years ago, over 45 million unborn children have been aborted.
2. 1 out of every 3 babies that is conceived and viable in this country is aborted.
3. Not just the babies, but the over 20 million women enduring abortion in our country. Almost half of the women who contemplate suicide have had an abortion. When the organization called Women Exploited by Abortion started it grew from 2 members to 10,000 in under 10 months.
Remember that "They grow so fast. They do not grow to become more human. They are growing in the humanity that they already possess… Just because you are tiny doesn’t mean you aren’t human. Just because you can’t breath on your own doesn’t mean you’re not human. Just because you can’t talk or have complex rational abilities doesn’t mean you’re not human. Just because you live in your mother’s tummy doesn’t mean you are not human. Just because you are dependent upon another doesn’t mean you are not human."
Read Kim's special testimony!
"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works;my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you,when I was being made in secret,intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance;in your book were written, every one of them,the days that were formed for me,when as yet there was none of them." Psalm 139:13-16
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Thursday Thirteen
This is my first Thursday Thirteen. Here are 13 foods that I am craving right now! (Or at least I can use that as an excuse right now!)
1. Kiwi Quencher Smoothie from Tropical Smoothie Café
2. Egg & Cheese biscuit (preferably from Hardee’s but McDonald’s will do)
3. Chocolate-covered crème-filled doughnut (not Bavarian but real cream)
4. Green Bean Casserole – the old-fashioned one with cream-of-mushroom soup and the dried onions
5. The Oreo shake from Chik-Fil-A – without the cherry (have you had those? Yum!)
6. (This one’s for you Kim!) Ukrops icing – with or without the cake! The best whipped icing ever!
7. Cheeseburger – from anywhere.
8. Alfredo pasta. (Olive Garden sounds good right about now!)
9. Sweeet tea! (The kind I make that is like the sweet tea in South Georgia, not Virginia.)
10. Diet cherry coke.
11. McDonald’s french fries.
12. Uno’s Buffalo chicken quesedillos
13. Chocolate chip cookie dough.
Don't worry. I don't eat unhealthy like this all the time. But I am feeling really hungry after all this talk about food! What were some of your pregnancy cravings?
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Daddy's the Man (the Playdough Man)
We've had great weather the past 3 days - almost in the 70's. But today it got colder so the kids wanted to get out the paint and then the playdough. Now, you have to know some backstory - I am not crafty. I've just never been very good at that kind of stuff. I enjoy doing it but nothing ever turns out like it should.
Now Daddy is artistic. He draws better than the Big Idea people. He makes figures with the pancake mix (and my circles hardly look like circles). In fact, today the kids wanted some help with the playdough. They didn't ask me to help, they just asked when Daddy would be home.
And then he just had to show-off! Here's Daddy's playdough version of Larry Boy!
Thank goodness for Daddy!
Now Daddy is artistic. He draws better than the Big Idea people. He makes figures with the pancake mix (and my circles hardly look like circles). In fact, today the kids wanted some help with the playdough. They didn't ask me to help, they just asked when Daddy would be home.
And then he just had to show-off! Here's Daddy's playdough version of Larry Boy!
And a close-up for you!
Thank goodness for Daddy!
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Book Meme
I was tagged by Kim to do this:
1) Grab the book closest to you
2) Open to page 123, go down to the fourth sentence
3) Post the text of the following 3 sentences
4) Name the author and book title
5) Tag three people to do the same
The name of the book is The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges. (I just started re-reading it this year.)
Page 123 is the cover page for a chapter, so I'll go to 122. "A critical spirit has its root in pride. Because of the 'plank' of pride in our own eye we are not capable of dealing with the 'speck' of need in someone else. We are often like the Pharisee who, completely unconscious of his own need, prayed, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men' (Luke 18:11). We are quick to see - and to speak of - the faults of others, but slow to see our own needs."
I know, I know. I went on to read the 4th sentence, but it was just sooo good. And it's so convicting. But of course, it's not talking about me! I'll be sure to read it to my husband tonight. Seriously, the truth speaks loudly - and I am listening. But maybe I should have just stayed on page 123!
I tag Kelly, Fishmama, and Christina.
1) Grab the book closest to you
2) Open to page 123, go down to the fourth sentence
3) Post the text of the following 3 sentences
4) Name the author and book title
5) Tag three people to do the same
The name of the book is The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges. (I just started re-reading it this year.)
Page 123 is the cover page for a chapter, so I'll go to 122. "A critical spirit has its root in pride. Because of the 'plank' of pride in our own eye we are not capable of dealing with the 'speck' of need in someone else. We are often like the Pharisee who, completely unconscious of his own need, prayed, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men' (Luke 18:11). We are quick to see - and to speak of - the faults of others, but slow to see our own needs."
I know, I know. I went on to read the 4th sentence, but it was just sooo good. And it's so convicting. But of course, it's not talking about me! I'll be sure to read it to my husband tonight. Seriously, the truth speaks loudly - and I am listening. But maybe I should have just stayed on page 123!
I tag Kelly, Fishmama, and Christina.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
2006 Picture Review (January - April)
January 2006 - What else can you do in the winter?
January 2006 - We enclosed our garage for a playroom/schoolroom.
February 2006 - It finally snowed a little!
March 2006 - My parents came up for a visit!
April 2006 - Happy 5th Birthday Coleman!
2006 Picture Review (May - September)
May 2006 - Emmie's First Dance Recital
June 2006 - Family Vacation in GA
July 2006 - Happy 2nd Birthday Calvin!
August 2006 - Happy 4th Birthday Emmie!
September 2006 - First Day of Homeschool2006 Picture Review (October - December)
October 2006 - Playing in the Leaves
November 2006 - The Wiggles Concert
December 2006 - Family Pic
December 2006 - Christmas Card Pic
Monday, January 08, 2007
Another Christmas Picture
With everything going on around Christmas: Christmas Eve service, church, family time, anniversary, etc. I forgot to post a picture of my husband's side of the family. We all live within a couple hours of each other so we get to see everyone pretty often throughout the year. We all got together Christmas Day afternoon to exchange presents and eat lots of food. We didn't get a picture of the whole family but I got one of all the grandkids (9 so far)!
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Happy New Year
It's a little late for a "New Year" post, but we rang in the new year a little differently this time. (I hope to do more of a "New Year" post when we get back in town.) Several of us were up New Years Eve at midnight with a stomach bug. Oh and it was the fun kind - the kind I have been trying to avoid all year! The kind where you need several pairs of sheets and pajamas handy. Our 2-year old had it over the weekend and then on Sunday night my 4-year old got it, my Mother got it (poor Mimi), and then myself. Luckily, after investing in gobs of Lysol and Purell, no one else in the family got it. But since Brian and my Dad were the sole caretakers for a while, much of our laundry has been discolored. Oh well. At least they were using hot water to kill the germs. But now we are all feeling much better and hope to enjoy our last day of vacation together.
Before we all got sick, the entire side of my family was able to be together for a day and half for Christmas. It was the first time in 2 years that everyone was able to be together. It was kind of crazy having a 7 year old and 7 more kids aged 4 and under in the house, plus all of the crazy adults - but we all had a great time.
We made several attempts at a family picture and this is one of the best. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Before we all got sick, the entire side of my family was able to be together for a day and half for Christmas. It was the first time in 2 years that everyone was able to be together. It was kind of crazy having a 7 year old and 7 more kids aged 4 and under in the house, plus all of the crazy adults - but we all had a great time.
We made several attempts at a family picture and this is one of the best. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
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