rejoicing

Several months ago, Braden started asking about being a Christian. He talked about it to his teacher in Sunday School, he mentioned it to me at home. When Everett sat down with him to talk about it some more, he didn't seem to understand what it was really about. So we set the topic aside for a while. Every so often the subject would come up again, in passing, and we could tell it was on his mind. A few weeks ago, he told us that he wanted to be a Christian. So Everett talked with him again.

They talked about how we cannot live up to God's standard of perfection. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

He explained the Bible's plan for saving us from the penalty of sin, which is eternal death and separation from God. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

What can we do to deserve earn or deserve this gift? Nothing! Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us

How did he save us? John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit

So now what? Romans 10:9 If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Braden said that he understood and that he believed, so he prayed and he did! Amen and praise the Lord! We're so thankful to God for this blessing. We have prayed for each of our children, from birth, that he (or she) would put their trust in Jesus Christ at a young age. We prayed that his faith would grow, just as he grows, and that he would be used by God to do great and mighty things for the kingdom of God. Praise God, we know that God is already working in Braden's heart and can already see evidence of his growth in God as he has become more sensitive to his sins and more teachable when he is corrected. As the Bible says in Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

We know there is rejoicing in heaven when even one sinner repents, and we are rejoicing here too!

Easter in Real Life

When I woke up yesterday I was excited to be spending the day celebrating our risen Savior. First a sunrise service at church, lunch with friends and then a relaxing afternoon and evening for Ev's last day off for two weeks. Unfortunately it didn't turn out that way. After showering and dressing, it became clear that I would be spending the day in bed, sick with the same virus the boys had last week. I'm not going to lie, I was feeling pretty sorry for myself. I missed the boys hunting for their Resurrection Eggs that I had hidden the night before. I barely got to see Fiona in her pretty Easter dress on her first Easter. Everett took all three kids to church (Super Dad), and I was left home alone, feeling miserable. I turned on some praise music and started to reflect on Christ's suffering instead of my own: Sure, I was feeling pretty rotten, but not compared to what Christ went through. In fact, though we are told that we will suffer for our faith, I've never come close to experiencing what many Christians around the world suffer each day. I was feeling lonely, but what do I know of loneliness? My Lord knew true loneliness as he cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me." That spiritual separation from His father, with whom he is one, is unlike anything I will ever experience.

I was still sick, but it did give me a chance to reflect deeply on some things that might have been missed otherwise in the bustle of activity. I also experienced blessing through an unusual avenue- Facebook. My pointer finger was still functional, so I was able to check FB from my phone. I was so encouraged by other brothers and sisters in Christ posting praises to God. I admit, I'm still a little sad there isn't a nice family picture for Fiona's first Easter. In fact, these are the only pictures form the whole day. By the afternoon, I was feeling a little better so I snapped these from my spot in bed.



Somehow, the boys' Easter shirts managed to make it through the whole day without any stains and still looked nice enough for a precious picture. Fiona had long since been changed into a pajama shirt, but I made her Daddy put on her Easter bow. (which he purposefully accidentally neglected to do for church)



Maybe next year these pictures will help remember to be more focused on what Easter is all about.


But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!" Luke 24:1-5

Praise the Lord, He is risen!!

Tender Hearts

This past week was Vacation Bible School, and we are still recovering. We all had lots of fun- the boys as campers at Camp Creation- me as a teacher for the 3-5 year old class. I'm living proof that you can survive a week of 12 very active 3-5 year olds, IF you have two fantastic helpers. Braden and I enjoyed being in the same class and he was my star pupil. *wink* Unfortunately, we didn't get any video of our closing ceremony to show you what we were up to all week long. But Sunday night they sang a little song that we wanted to share. Just in case you don't catch all the words, I've posted them below.


Take me now Lord Jesus, take me.
I would give my heart to Thee.
Thy devoted servant, make me,
Only Thine to be.

Savior while my heart is tender
I would give thee every part.
All my talents I surrender.
I am Thine, Lord, here's my heart.

Use me now Lord Jesus, use me
As I tell of Calvary.
May Thy spirit move within me,
Bringing souls to Thee.

Savior while my heart is tender
I would give Thee every part.
All my talents I surrender.
I am Thine, Lord, here's my heart.

Sharpening Arrows

Today our pastor preached a special Father's Day sermon from Deuteronomy chapter 6, including verses six and seven, which you can find on the sidebar of the blog. But he pointed out something I never knew: there is a Hebrew word in verse 7 which is translated there as, "teach diligently." In other passages of the bibles it is translated as "sharpen" or "whet" (as on a whetstone). What a great word picture God gave us to describe the duties of a godly parent: to sharpen in order to prepare for service. For what service? The service of the Lord, the King of glory. What should we use as our whetstone? The Lord's commandments. How much time will it take? Deuteronomy says that we need to do it "when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up." I thank God every day for the two godly fathers, my Dad and Ev's Dad, who took the time to sharpen their children- to teach diligently the commandments of the Lord. I thank God that my children have a father who has the same heart and dedication. Happy Father's Day!

On Mother's Day

Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you;
But when the leaves hang trembling,
The wind is passing through.

Who has seen the wind?
Neither you nor I:
But when the trees bow down their heads,
The wind is passing by.

by Christina Rosetti










That is one of my favorite poems, committed to memory by hearing my mom read it to me many, many times. I have so many precious childhood memories of my mom, and they have been joined by many special times together in my grown-up life. I am grateful for her loving sacrifices and her example as a godly mother. Now, I am also making memories with my own children- memories that will be added to my storehouse of treasures. I am so thankful to God for blessing me with two very special boys to mother. Psalm 127:4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. God is continuing to bless us by filling our quiver a little more. Next year at this time, there will be one more little person in our Mother's Day photo. We praise Him for his goodness! To all mothers, I hope you have a very special day. Happy Mother's Day!

Hiding God's Word

How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:9- 11

"But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:26

I didn't post this today to brag about my kids' amazing mental abilities. And I can't take credit for this either. They learn a verse every month in their sunday school class. If your church doesn't have a program for teaching children to memorize scripture, I encourage you to do it at home. It doesn't take much time at all- at this age they are like sponges. Trevor learned a verse every week through AWANA Cubbies. We would spend maybe 30 minutes a week learning the verse at home, then he would go to Cubbies and recite it to his teachers. He finished his entire book this year, which means that he memorized about 28 verses over the course of the year. I don't know about you, but he's way ahead of me! We're very proud of all his hard work! I believe (and know from my own childhood experience at AWANA) that if children learn scripture at a young age, it will always be there in their hearts. Many years later, as an adult, he will recall the Word of God hidden in his heart as a child, when he needs it most.