Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Marriage
this is all over Facebook.
Incredible story. Marriage is the most important thing we do for our kids.
God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in him.
This is blowing up on the internet (primarily facebook), but i wanted to post it here as well.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Easter 2012
Well we had a great Easter weekend.
We had an egg hunt with some friends on Saturday morning, an egg hunt at the my parents on Saturday evening and a great Easter Lunch with everyone at Kathy and Larry Fendleys on Sunday. Just a few pics.
We had an egg hunt with some friends on Saturday morning, an egg hunt at the my parents on Saturday evening and a great Easter Lunch with everyone at Kathy and Larry Fendleys on Sunday. Just a few pics.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
In Step Part III
I must admit, I've thought a lot today about how to finish this post.
Honestly my first thoughts on finishing the subject, as I thought about it, weren't theologically true. It's amazing how subtle little twists in the Gospel can make it no gospel/good news at all.
My initial thought was this…Lets say Davis is now 16 and comes in complaining of the heat. At this point most of us think he now deserves a good "man up" talk, and probably rightly so. But that is where the analogy with our Heavenly Father majorly breaks down.
Many people believe that for a while we follow Christ and see how he acts and then at some point it is up to US to perform. We think we are out sweating away in the yard while he is sipping on lemonade watching soaps inside on the big screen. And if we dare stick our head in the door to complain about the heat, He once again scoffs at us, rolls His eyes and thinks of all His other wonderful children around the world.
And THAT is where the Gospel is lost. We will NEVER do good works apart from Christ. We can't. Anything good that comes from us IS Christ within us.
(Again, I fully admit this analogy is being taken too far) But the truth is in the Gospel, we will NEVER mow the yard alone. God never takes His hands off of the mower and asks us to step in for a round. God never takes a break and tells us its our turn. Instead God is ALWAYS before us, our job in sanctification (becoming more like Christ) is to follow closer. The Gospel of John calls it "abiding".
Our roll in sanctification is to pay so much attention to the Father that our footsteps start to fall in line with His. Then He is gracious to correct us in our sins and loving to discipline us when we purposefully go our own way.
The gospel is NOT that we are free to "mow the yard our own way," the Gospel is that we are free to follow the One who is the Way.
He is an Excellent Father.
Praying my steps would fall in step with His.
Honestly my first thoughts on finishing the subject, as I thought about it, weren't theologically true. It's amazing how subtle little twists in the Gospel can make it no gospel/good news at all.
My initial thought was this…Lets say Davis is now 16 and comes in complaining of the heat. At this point most of us think he now deserves a good "man up" talk, and probably rightly so. But that is where the analogy with our Heavenly Father majorly breaks down.
Many people believe that for a while we follow Christ and see how he acts and then at some point it is up to US to perform. We think we are out sweating away in the yard while he is sipping on lemonade watching soaps inside on the big screen. And if we dare stick our head in the door to complain about the heat, He once again scoffs at us, rolls His eyes and thinks of all His other wonderful children around the world.
And THAT is where the Gospel is lost. We will NEVER do good works apart from Christ. We can't. Anything good that comes from us IS Christ within us.
(Again, I fully admit this analogy is being taken too far) But the truth is in the Gospel, we will NEVER mow the yard alone. God never takes His hands off of the mower and asks us to step in for a round. God never takes a break and tells us its our turn. Instead God is ALWAYS before us, our job in sanctification (becoming more like Christ) is to follow closer. The Gospel of John calls it "abiding".
Our roll in sanctification is to pay so much attention to the Father that our footsteps start to fall in line with His. Then He is gracious to correct us in our sins and loving to discipline us when we purposefully go our own way.
The gospel is NOT that we are free to "mow the yard our own way," the Gospel is that we are free to follow the One who is the Way.
He is an Excellent Father.
Praying my steps would fall in step with His.
Monday, April 2, 2012
In Step Part II
So it happened again.
I promise I am not making this stuff up.
I went to mow the yard and Davis asked if he could go again. I even tried to convince him he didn't have to, but he said he wanted to mow the yard with me. If I'm honest I think there is a part of him that believes he only gets to use the blower at the end if he mows the yard, but thats besides the point. (But could make another great post later)
So off we go. Every strip. Every turn. Katie even stepped out on the front porch for a while to watch.
And then it happened… about 90% of the way thru the front yard I noticed he was pulling on my shorts. Davis asked if I would turn off the mower, so I obliged. And here was our conversation:
Dad: What's up buddy?
Davis: How much longer will this take?
Dad: Well you can see how many more strips we have to make, just a few more and then the back. Why, are you tired?
Davis: No, but i'm starting to sweat. Can i go in and meet you in the backyard?
Dad: Sure bud. Thanks for helping.
Please forgive me if I am taking the analogy too far, i've been known to do that, but as Davis walked back into the house I couldn't help but once again think about our Heavenly Father. You know what I didn't do?
...
Davis: No, but I'm starting to sweat. Can I go in and meet you in the backyard?
Dad: Sweat!! Well welcome to the real world buddy! It ain't always roses. Sometimes you sweat! Now man up and finish the yard with your dad.
I could have said that but I would be a terrible father. But i think this is how we feel God looks and reacts to us. We think God scowls at us with a grimacing face and thinks, "what kind of child are you?"
But it simply isn't true.
Why didn't I get mad at Davis? Because he is still growing and expecting him to mow the yard with me every time is unrealistic.
He's growing.
Just like we are.
And that is why there is grace.
I'll finish this post tomorrow…
But today I'm resting in knowing His grace is sufficient. His strength is made perfect in my weakness.
"The mark of a true believer is that when you sin, you don't run from God but rather to Him. Knowing that Christ is the only true place of love and forgiveness."
I promise I am not making this stuff up.
I went to mow the yard and Davis asked if he could go again. I even tried to convince him he didn't have to, but he said he wanted to mow the yard with me. If I'm honest I think there is a part of him that believes he only gets to use the blower at the end if he mows the yard, but thats besides the point. (But could make another great post later)
So off we go. Every strip. Every turn. Katie even stepped out on the front porch for a while to watch.
And then it happened… about 90% of the way thru the front yard I noticed he was pulling on my shorts. Davis asked if I would turn off the mower, so I obliged. And here was our conversation:
Dad: What's up buddy?
Davis: How much longer will this take?
Dad: Well you can see how many more strips we have to make, just a few more and then the back. Why, are you tired?
Davis: No, but i'm starting to sweat. Can i go in and meet you in the backyard?
Dad: Sure bud. Thanks for helping.
Please forgive me if I am taking the analogy too far, i've been known to do that, but as Davis walked back into the house I couldn't help but once again think about our Heavenly Father. You know what I didn't do?
...
Davis: No, but I'm starting to sweat. Can I go in and meet you in the backyard?
Dad: Sweat!! Well welcome to the real world buddy! It ain't always roses. Sometimes you sweat! Now man up and finish the yard with your dad.
I could have said that but I would be a terrible father. But i think this is how we feel God looks and reacts to us. We think God scowls at us with a grimacing face and thinks, "what kind of child are you?"
But it simply isn't true.
Why didn't I get mad at Davis? Because he is still growing and expecting him to mow the yard with me every time is unrealistic.
He's growing.
Just like we are.
And that is why there is grace.
I'll finish this post tomorrow…
But today I'm resting in knowing His grace is sufficient. His strength is made perfect in my weakness.
"The mark of a true believer is that when you sin, you don't run from God but rather to Him. Knowing that Christ is the only true place of love and forgiveness."
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Back
Sorry for the couple of weeks off.
I went on a trip with our college ministry to Tijuana, Mexico over Spring break and Katie took the kids with her family over to Hilton Head.
Both were great trip and obviously very different.
I went on a trip with our college ministry to Tijuana, Mexico over Spring break and Katie took the kids with her family over to Hilton Head.
Both were great trip and obviously very different.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
In step
A few things: Katie and I both went to the doctor a couple of weeks ago for the initial doctors visit and saw the first ultrasound of the little baby. At first glance the baby was measuring "big", imagine that for one of our kids! Yesterday Katie went back for another visit and was able to hear the heartbeat for the first time. Incredible. I don't care how many kids you have, a beating heart is amazing. New life. A gift from God. Everyone of them.
Today I mowed our yard and Davis asked if he could go with me. I wasn't in a big hurry and knew I was leaving tomorrow for a week and some good father/son time would be fun. Plus, it was a beautiful day.
At first he had his little lawnmower and was a few steps behind me, but the thickness of the yard (I wish i could say this is my green thumb, come mid july it won't be thick at all) made it difficult to push. So he ditched the mower and asked if he could just walk with me.
My initial thought was, "This will last about 2 laps." But he lasted, the whole yard. Every strip. Every turn. Sometimes he would run ahead of the mower and shoot it with his webs (spiderman phase) and other times he would be behind just looking and talking to himself. But the whole yard he stayed with me.
I hope its not too much of a stretch to ask, Whens the last time i just walked with my Heavenly Father? No agenda. Not trying to get something, not trying to convince Him to give me something or change a circumstance. Just following in step. Just delighting to be around Him.
Delight is a word i've thought about alot this year. It started with Psalm 1 and how David "delighted in the law of the Lord". In my world its easy to do the Christian thing, go through the motions, etc.. But is there delight?
Will Davis ever walk the whole yard with me again? I don't know, I hope so.
Will I walk in step with my Heavenly Father? By His grace, I hope so.
*The picture is what Davis did when I asked him how much he helped in the yard today.
Today I mowed our yard and Davis asked if he could go with me. I wasn't in a big hurry and knew I was leaving tomorrow for a week and some good father/son time would be fun. Plus, it was a beautiful day.
At first he had his little lawnmower and was a few steps behind me, but the thickness of the yard (I wish i could say this is my green thumb, come mid july it won't be thick at all) made it difficult to push. So he ditched the mower and asked if he could just walk with me.
My initial thought was, "This will last about 2 laps." But he lasted, the whole yard. Every strip. Every turn. Sometimes he would run ahead of the mower and shoot it with his webs (spiderman phase) and other times he would be behind just looking and talking to himself. But the whole yard he stayed with me.
I hope its not too much of a stretch to ask, Whens the last time i just walked with my Heavenly Father? No agenda. Not trying to get something, not trying to convince Him to give me something or change a circumstance. Just following in step. Just delighting to be around Him.
Delight is a word i've thought about alot this year. It started with Psalm 1 and how David "delighted in the law of the Lord". In my world its easy to do the Christian thing, go through the motions, etc.. But is there delight?
Will Davis ever walk the whole yard with me again? I don't know, I hope so.
Will I walk in step with my Heavenly Father? By His grace, I hope so.
*The picture is what Davis did when I asked him how much he helped in the yard today.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
DisneyWorld 2012
In January we had a great trip to Disney World.
It was all of our family and it couldn't have gone better. The kids were great, weather was perfect, saw tons of character and had an all around great time.
Its hard to capture a 5 day trip in a 5 minute video, but this will help us remember in years to come. I wish i had more photos from all the other family members, but as you will see this is primarily our kids.
"Dreams come true." - Walt Disney
It was all of our family and it couldn't have gone better. The kids were great, weather was perfect, saw tons of character and had an all around great time.
Its hard to capture a 5 day trip in a 5 minute video, but this will help us remember in years to come. I wish i had more photos from all the other family members, but as you will see this is primarily our kids.
"Dreams come true." - Walt Disney
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Self Sacrifice Part 1
Katie has been sick.
Real sick.
It's not related to the pregnancy, but her pregnancy has had a big impact on her sickness. She has the flu and and a respiratory infection, neither of which are fun, and together has been rough.
Well because of her pregnancy she can't take any strong meds, particularly for the flu part of her sickness. So she is told to take REGULAR strength tylenol and wait it out.
So this has made me think.
There is very powerful medication that would make her feel better in a very short amount of time, but she can't.
I told her yesterday, every time you begin to think about flu meds or your stupid sugar pills (what she is calling tylenol) think about the child growing inside of you. Does it make her feel better? No. Does it resize her sickness, a little. Does this point to a deeper problem we all have? Yes.
(Now let me say, when your wife is pregnant and VERY sick, that is not the time to devotionalize!!)
We all want quick fixes. We all want what works for US. We seek our own safety and desires first and not those around us. I think of myself first and how it affects others second. As I watch Katie having to deny herself meds for the sake of a child, its pointed out in ME how much I don't willfully deny myself for the sake of others. Self sacrifice is difficult. It normally must be forced on us to make us see how selfish we are.
I'm praying the Spirit within would grow and continue to show me the things I need to deny so that it can thrive.
Real sick.
It's not related to the pregnancy, but her pregnancy has had a big impact on her sickness. She has the flu and and a respiratory infection, neither of which are fun, and together has been rough.
Well because of her pregnancy she can't take any strong meds, particularly for the flu part of her sickness. So she is told to take REGULAR strength tylenol and wait it out.
So this has made me think.
There is very powerful medication that would make her feel better in a very short amount of time, but she can't.
I told her yesterday, every time you begin to think about flu meds or your stupid sugar pills (what she is calling tylenol) think about the child growing inside of you. Does it make her feel better? No. Does it resize her sickness, a little. Does this point to a deeper problem we all have? Yes.
(Now let me say, when your wife is pregnant and VERY sick, that is not the time to devotionalize!!)
We all want quick fixes. We all want what works for US. We seek our own safety and desires first and not those around us. I think of myself first and how it affects others second. As I watch Katie having to deny herself meds for the sake of a child, its pointed out in ME how much I don't willfully deny myself for the sake of others. Self sacrifice is difficult. It normally must be forced on us to make us see how selfish we are.
I'm praying the Spirit within would grow and continue to show me the things I need to deny so that it can thrive.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
We're Going Zone
Well it's official. We are switching from man to man, to zone.
We are expecting our third child!!
Katie is due the first week of October.
In an effort to record the pregnancy and the beginning of our third child, i'll be starting back up BabyNeely.
Please forgive me if i'm rough around the edges, I only posted once last year.
Bring it on.
I've always* said, "Who wants to settle for holding two things in your hands when you can juggle three."
*(by always i mean, just now)
We are expecting our third child!!
Katie is due the first week of October.
In an effort to record the pregnancy and the beginning of our third child, i'll be starting back up BabyNeely.
Please forgive me if i'm rough around the edges, I only posted once last year.
Bring it on.
I've always* said, "Who wants to settle for holding two things in your hands when you can juggle three."
*(by always i mean, just now)
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Another Post
There may not be anyone to see this...
I've been removed from your readers.
You took me off of your favorites list
I'm no longer in your quick tabs at the top of the page.
But if you are out there reading this, this was too good to pass up.
There is a REAL Baby Neely now.
Obviously Davis and Annie are real baby Neelys, but on Friday June 1st, Neely Jane Hearp entered the world.
Congrats to Demetria and Chris.
Baby Neely almost feels complete now.
Almost...
I've been removed from your readers.
You took me off of your favorites list
I'm no longer in your quick tabs at the top of the page.
But if you are out there reading this, this was too good to pass up.
There is a REAL Baby Neely now.
Obviously Davis and Annie are real baby Neelys, but on Friday June 1st, Neely Jane Hearp entered the world.
Congrats to Demetria and Chris.
Baby Neely almost feels complete now.
Almost...
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Another Santa
I'm not trying to overload you with Santa stuff, and I know many may disagree or not care, but I thought this was another great article by Mark Driscol, a pastor in Seattle. He says we can either reject, receive or redeem Santa.
So, as the parents of five children, Grace and I have taken the third position to redeem Santa. We tell our kids that he was a real person who did live a long time ago. We also explain how people dress up as Santa and pretend to be him for fun, kind of like how young children like to dress up as pirates, princesses, superheroes, and a host of other people, real and imaginary. We explain how, in addition to the actual story of Santa, a lot of other stories have been added (e.g., flying reindeer, living in the North Pole, delivering presents to every child in one night) so that Santa is a combination of true and make-believe stories.
We do not, however, demonize Santa. Dressing up, having fun, and using the imagination God gave can be an act of holy worship and is something that, frankly, a lot of adults need to learn from children.
What we are concerned about, though, is lying to our children. We teach them that they can always trust us because we will tell them the truth and not lie to them. Conversely, we ask that they be honest with us and never lie. Since we also teach our children that Jesus is a real person who did perform real miracles, our fear is that if we teach them fanciful, make-believe stories as truth, it could erode confidence in our truthfulness where it really matters. So, we distinguish between lies, secrets, surprises, and pretend for our kids. We ask them not to tell lies or keep secrets, but do teach them that some surprises (like gift-giving) and pretending (like dressing up) can be fun and should be encouraged. We tell them the truth and encourage them to have fun watching Christmas shows on television and even sitting on Santa's lap for a holiday photo if they so desire. For parents of younger children wanting them to learn the real story of Santa Claus the Veggie Tales movie Saint Nicholas is a good choice.
(I, JC, added the italics)
Merry Christmas.
So, as the parents of five children, Grace and I have taken the third position to redeem Santa. We tell our kids that he was a real person who did live a long time ago. We also explain how people dress up as Santa and pretend to be him for fun, kind of like how young children like to dress up as pirates, princesses, superheroes, and a host of other people, real and imaginary. We explain how, in addition to the actual story of Santa, a lot of other stories have been added (e.g., flying reindeer, living in the North Pole, delivering presents to every child in one night) so that Santa is a combination of true and make-believe stories.
We do not, however, demonize Santa. Dressing up, having fun, and using the imagination God gave can be an act of holy worship and is something that, frankly, a lot of adults need to learn from children.
What we are concerned about, though, is lying to our children. We teach them that they can always trust us because we will tell them the truth and not lie to them. Conversely, we ask that they be honest with us and never lie. Since we also teach our children that Jesus is a real person who did perform real miracles, our fear is that if we teach them fanciful, make-believe stories as truth, it could erode confidence in our truthfulness where it really matters. So, we distinguish between lies, secrets, surprises, and pretend for our kids. We ask them not to tell lies or keep secrets, but do teach them that some surprises (like gift-giving) and pretending (like dressing up) can be fun and should be encouraged. We tell them the truth and encourage them to have fun watching Christmas shows on television and even sitting on Santa's lap for a holiday photo if they so desire. For parents of younger children wanting them to learn the real story of Santa Claus the Veggie Tales movie Saint Nicholas is a good choice.
(I, JC, added the italics)
Merry Christmas.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Santa?
This is from a blog (Deyoung, Restless and Reformed) I read by a guy named Kevin Deyoung. He has a much more extensive blog on the history of Santa, i simply included the ending of his article. Katie and I have landed pretty similar to him, not "teaching" Santa Claus, simply enjoying the holiday and letting the kids pick up what they will. Giving gifts. Enjoying family. Worshipping Christ.
How should Christians relate to the traditions of Santa Claus? C.S. Lewis embraced them and so included Father Christmas in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Other Christians, fearing syncretism, stay clear of Santa, reindeer, and a tree full of presents. I’ll leave it to you and your family to form you opinions on observing the Christmas holiday (see Rom. 14:1, 5-6). Personally, we try to walk in the middle of the road on this one: we don’t teach our kids about Santa, but we are happy to enjoy It’s a Wonderful Life, a couple Christmas trees, and a little Bing Crosby. And if the kids, picking up bits and pieces from other places, end of listening for flying reindeer landing on the roof, we’re not going to introduce the laws of physics to crush their anticipation. Most of all, of course, we try to press home that Christmas is about Christ.
But if you have a lot of Santa Claus around, why not use him to your benefit and talk about the real St. Nicholas. We don’t know a lot about him, but we know he lived and was revered. According to legend–one of those stories that probably isn’t true, but should be–when Nicholas was little boy he would get up early in the morning to go to church and pray. One morning, the aging priest had a vision that the first one to enter the church in the morning should be the new bishop of Myra. When Nicholas was the first to enter, the old priest, obeying the vision, made the young boy bishop right on the spot. But before he consecrated Nicholas a bishop, the priest asked him a question. “Who are you, my son?” According to tradition, the child whose legend would one day become Santa Claus replied, “Nicholas the sinner.” Not bad for a little boy.
With what little we know about St. Nicholas, it is safe to say he would not be pleased to know he had eclipsed Christ in the hearts of many as the central figure of Christmas. For the Bishop of Myra no doubt knew the angel’s words to Joseph: “Mary will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
So this Christmas, give gifts if you like. We will in our family. Receive them all with thanksgiving. But do not forget what we need most–salvation from our sins. This is one gift the real St. Nicholas would not have overlooked. In fact, I’m convinced, if given the opportunity, he would have loved to be there with the shepherds and the angels, bowing down around the manger in Bethlehem. And I bet he would have brought a present too.
How should Christians relate to the traditions of Santa Claus? C.S. Lewis embraced them and so included Father Christmas in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Other Christians, fearing syncretism, stay clear of Santa, reindeer, and a tree full of presents. I’ll leave it to you and your family to form you opinions on observing the Christmas holiday (see Rom. 14:1, 5-6). Personally, we try to walk in the middle of the road on this one: we don’t teach our kids about Santa, but we are happy to enjoy It’s a Wonderful Life, a couple Christmas trees, and a little Bing Crosby. And if the kids, picking up bits and pieces from other places, end of listening for flying reindeer landing on the roof, we’re not going to introduce the laws of physics to crush their anticipation. Most of all, of course, we try to press home that Christmas is about Christ.
But if you have a lot of Santa Claus around, why not use him to your benefit and talk about the real St. Nicholas. We don’t know a lot about him, but we know he lived and was revered. According to legend–one of those stories that probably isn’t true, but should be–when Nicholas was little boy he would get up early in the morning to go to church and pray. One morning, the aging priest had a vision that the first one to enter the church in the morning should be the new bishop of Myra. When Nicholas was the first to enter, the old priest, obeying the vision, made the young boy bishop right on the spot. But before he consecrated Nicholas a bishop, the priest asked him a question. “Who are you, my son?” According to tradition, the child whose legend would one day become Santa Claus replied, “Nicholas the sinner.” Not bad for a little boy.
With what little we know about St. Nicholas, it is safe to say he would not be pleased to know he had eclipsed Christ in the hearts of many as the central figure of Christmas. For the Bishop of Myra no doubt knew the angel’s words to Joseph: “Mary will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
So this Christmas, give gifts if you like. We will in our family. Receive them all with thanksgiving. But do not forget what we need most–salvation from our sins. This is one gift the real St. Nicholas would not have overlooked. In fact, I’m convinced, if given the opportunity, he would have loved to be there with the shepherds and the angels, bowing down around the manger in Bethlehem. And I bet he would have brought a present too.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
A few pics.
Here are a few pics.
A few days ago we had a picnic in our backyard.
Tomato soup and grilled cheese.
Love the fall.
A few days ago we had a picnic in our backyard.
Tomato soup and grilled cheese.
Love the fall.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Lying in the hall crying
A couple of nights ago I told Davis that sometimes when I get scared I'll just lie in bed and pray to God.
I'll tell Him all the things that I'm thankful for and thank Him that He will never leave me.
Last night Katie and I were lying outside of Davis' room as he was falling asleep and from his crib I hear this...
"God, thank you for my light, thank you for mommy and daddy, thank you for my heart, and thank you for my room. And God keep me safe. AMEN."
I've got nothing...
Just lying in the hall crying.
"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." (Deut 31:6)
Thats good news.
Even to a 2 year old.
I'll tell Him all the things that I'm thankful for and thank Him that He will never leave me.
Last night Katie and I were lying outside of Davis' room as he was falling asleep and from his crib I hear this...
"God, thank you for my light, thank you for mommy and daddy, thank you for my heart, and thank you for my room. And God keep me safe. AMEN."
I've got nothing...
Just lying in the hall crying.
"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." (Deut 31:6)
Thats good news.
Even to a 2 year old.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
cades cove
We took a trip up to cades cove over the weekend and had a great time.
thanks to Andy and Olivia Ogle for letting us use their backpacks.
Enjoy
thanks to Andy and Olivia Ogle for letting us use their backpacks.
Enjoy
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Fear
This is something new...fear.
Davis has never really been a fearful kid. He likes most people he meets, he hasn't been afraid of much and all of the sudden, fear.
Halloween is a crazy time for an almost 3 year old.
Lowe's has a huge witch that moves.
Party City has a Jason figure that swings a knife over his head.
One of our neighbor's goes all out and deocorates with witches, spiders, pumpkins, etc... (they have an autistic son who really likes the lights)
But for Davis it's new, and often with new comes fear.
This is not unique to Davis, it's humanity. When a new opportunity presents itself to me I can choose how I respond, fear or faith.
Far too often i choose fear.
Fearful of failure, fearful of the unknown, fearful of what might be, fearful that I'm not enough, fearful that they might find out, fearful that it won't matter in the end... fearful.
It's interesting what scripture has to say about fear. Fear is NOT wrong in scripture. Actually the bible says that the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. Huh? Fear the Lord? But it makes perfect sense, if I fear the Lord, whom else do I have to fear? Fear of the Lord is the only appropriate fear.
So the other night Davis said, Daddy will you pray for me? Sure bud, what do you want me to pray? Pray that God will keep me safe...
Amazing.
Faith like a child.
Davis really does have fear, but his fears aren't real.
The same with with me.
"He has not given us over to a spirit of fear, but rather a spirit of sonship." (Romans 8:15)
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Back
I have thought a lot about the validity of this blog. Do i keep putting random thoughts and pics on the WWW for the world to see? Is this more for me than it is for anyone else?
But I have decided to jump back in.
I promise to blog at least once a week (at least) and go from there. It may become a more rounded blog, not simply pics of the kids and an update on the current parenting joys and struggles.
What am I thinking about...
What are we doing, both good and bad.
So....
there you go.
But I have decided to jump back in.
I promise to blog at least once a week (at least) and go from there. It may become a more rounded blog, not simply pics of the kids and an update on the current parenting joys and struggles.
What am I thinking about...
What are we doing, both good and bad.
So....
there you go.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Unfortunate
This is just unfortunate.
I am hoping this person isn't in advertising.
Their kids are scarred for life...
"No honey, you aren't huge, the sale was huge!"
"Not what the sign said mom...not what the sign said."
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