3.31.2005
Summit
Thank you all for your prayers!
Summit David was born last night at 11:48pm and weighed 9 pounds 13 ounces.
Summit David was born last night at 11:48pm and weighed 9 pounds 13 ounces.
3.30.2005
Labor
Please pray for us as I believe Lindsay is now in labor. But do not worry I have already offered her up one of MY comfort measures: I offered her one of my old books to smell.
Well....it always makes Me feel better.
Well....it always makes Me feel better.
3.29.2005
Loose Lips Sink Ships
I am studying a book called Biblical Eldership with a group of men every other week. Last night, one of the topics was disciplining elders, and the text was 1 Timothy 5:19: "Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses."
Now that I am on a few mailing lists and look at a fair amount of blogs, I am appaled at the number of slanderous accusation and rumors aimed at respectable leaders in local churches. The internet is a breeding ground for cowardly accusations. Most of them go unnoticed, and I don't think people are even realizing what they are doing.
We are first commanded to stop and think about what we are going to say, and if it involves someone who is an elder, its best to proceed with extra caution. We are also commanded not to listen to any accusation unless there are two or three witnesses there to give an account. I believe the verse is written in the context of other elders not receiving an accusation, but the principle also apllies to those among the flock. This obviously gets a little complicated once millions of people across the world are gathered together in cyber-nowhere. "Sure, i've got some winesses that heard Mr. so-and-so say this-and-that. Yeah, they live in Singapore, so what?"
I myself have been guilty on many acounts of this very thing. "well, I heard that pastor whoever's wife works to support him." Stop right there, I "heard"? And I'm sharing this information based on the evidence of whom? Against a man that is in good standing with his church and denomination and labors hard to shepherd his flock? Please tell me to keep me mouth shut, and tell that friend not to email you any more of those supposed "exposing" emails. Enough is enough.
Remy Wilkins brings up some interesting questions regarding accusations against leaders here.
And here is a list of guidelines for charitable online discussion at Upside Down Asylum.
If someone is going to accuse someone of saying something, or writing something, at least have the decency to provide a source. Come on people, this is high school research paper stuff here.
Now that I am on a few mailing lists and look at a fair amount of blogs, I am appaled at the number of slanderous accusation and rumors aimed at respectable leaders in local churches. The internet is a breeding ground for cowardly accusations. Most of them go unnoticed, and I don't think people are even realizing what they are doing.
We are first commanded to stop and think about what we are going to say, and if it involves someone who is an elder, its best to proceed with extra caution. We are also commanded not to listen to any accusation unless there are two or three witnesses there to give an account. I believe the verse is written in the context of other elders not receiving an accusation, but the principle also apllies to those among the flock. This obviously gets a little complicated once millions of people across the world are gathered together in cyber-nowhere. "Sure, i've got some winesses that heard Mr. so-and-so say this-and-that. Yeah, they live in Singapore, so what?"
I myself have been guilty on many acounts of this very thing. "well, I heard that pastor whoever's wife works to support him." Stop right there, I "heard"? And I'm sharing this information based on the evidence of whom? Against a man that is in good standing with his church and denomination and labors hard to shepherd his flock? Please tell me to keep me mouth shut, and tell that friend not to email you any more of those supposed "exposing" emails. Enough is enough.
Remy Wilkins brings up some interesting questions regarding accusations against leaders here.
And here is a list of guidelines for charitable online discussion at Upside Down Asylum.
If someone is going to accuse someone of saying something, or writing something, at least have the decency to provide a source. Come on people, this is high school research paper stuff here.
3.28.2005
Prayer Please
My wife was due on Thursday of last week, and we are still waiting. We are patient and know that the Lord has His timing just right, but we are asking our friends to petition our Father and ask that the baby would come this week. If not, we will have to begin making preparations to have the baby delivered at the hospital, by a male doctor we have never seen in our lives. My wife is healthy and feeling fine, and for that we give thanks.
My children always bring my joy, but my bubby made me so happy this weekend. He is the cutest little guy, and is acting like such a boy lately. I can't believe it get another one of these to love!
My wife was due on Thursday of last week, and we are still waiting. We are patient and know that the Lord has His timing just right, but we are asking our friends to petition our Father and ask that the baby would come this week. If not, we will have to begin making preparations to have the baby delivered at the hospital, by a male doctor we have never seen in our lives. My wife is healthy and feeling fine, and for that we give thanks.
My children always bring my joy, but my bubby made me so happy this weekend. He is the cutest little guy, and is acting like such a boy lately. I can't believe it get another one of these to love!
3.24.2005
3.23.2005
Hmmm
After six months of saying No, my pregnant wife, who is due in 1 day, decided she wanted to get a cat for the kids. So she found one available through Freecycle, and we drove out late last night and picked it up, just like that. He is a sweet kitty and I'm sure the kids will love him, but pregnant women can do some very strange things.
3.22.2005
Look right above this
See that little baby sliding across the tracker? 2 Days! My wife is now afraid that she is going to be late, which of course will be very disappointing for her. She was induced nine days early for both of the previous pregnancies, so she's never had to go this far. All in the Lord's timing.
See that little baby sliding across the tracker? 2 Days! My wife is now afraid that she is going to be late, which of course will be very disappointing for her. She was induced nine days early for both of the previous pregnancies, so she's never had to go this far. All in the Lord's timing.
3.21.2005
A Public Confession from a Husband to His Wife
To My Dear Wife,
Please forgive me for how I have treated you these nine months. Although I am awed that my next son is in your belly, I have not yet fully grasped all that it means. I have not honored you in all the many ways that you deserve. You, who have carried our legacy, have not been given the praise and respect due. You have suffered in ways that I will ever know, and have borne your struggle with more dignity than any soldier has ever shown. The world admires men who carry little leather toys, or sing in front of thousands of cheering adolescents, but you are the one who should be esteemed among your peers. I am a selfish man, unable to comprehend my lack of worth compared to my blessed wife. Forgive me for comparing my "work" to your truly honest labor. Forgive me for rolling my eyes when you ask for a cup of ice, forgive me for not doing all that is required for your comfort. Forgive me for not making it known that my wife, with child, is more beautiful than all the women strutting their stuff across this hedonistic nation. Forgive me for not serving you, as I said I would do, and forgive me for not loving you as Christ loves His bride. I am sorry that I am so self-centered, and so unwilling to give up my own comfort. Our children will learn that your pregnant belly is to be honored, they will look upon it with awe and amazement, wondering how it is that you are a part of God's creating power; their small brother inside of you, kicking and flipping, and that God has chosen you as a worthy vessel to bring His children into this world. You are like the aircraft carrier, smuggling warriors into a world that will soon be taken over with the gospel. You are not given the glory for bringing the soldiers to the battle, you are an unsung hero, and even an object of scorn. But not from me, and not from the Lord. For He has chosen you as the means to dispatch His servants, and for that I must honor you. You know that I love you, forgive me for not showing it in the way that is required of me. Have patience with me as God humbles me, and pray that I will bend to His instruction. Thank you for being the most wonderful woman I will ever know.
Love your Husband
To My Dear Wife,
Please forgive me for how I have treated you these nine months. Although I am awed that my next son is in your belly, I have not yet fully grasped all that it means. I have not honored you in all the many ways that you deserve. You, who have carried our legacy, have not been given the praise and respect due. You have suffered in ways that I will ever know, and have borne your struggle with more dignity than any soldier has ever shown. The world admires men who carry little leather toys, or sing in front of thousands of cheering adolescents, but you are the one who should be esteemed among your peers. I am a selfish man, unable to comprehend my lack of worth compared to my blessed wife. Forgive me for comparing my "work" to your truly honest labor. Forgive me for rolling my eyes when you ask for a cup of ice, forgive me for not doing all that is required for your comfort. Forgive me for not making it known that my wife, with child, is more beautiful than all the women strutting their stuff across this hedonistic nation. Forgive me for not serving you, as I said I would do, and forgive me for not loving you as Christ loves His bride. I am sorry that I am so self-centered, and so unwilling to give up my own comfort. Our children will learn that your pregnant belly is to be honored, they will look upon it with awe and amazement, wondering how it is that you are a part of God's creating power; their small brother inside of you, kicking and flipping, and that God has chosen you as a worthy vessel to bring His children into this world. You are like the aircraft carrier, smuggling warriors into a world that will soon be taken over with the gospel. You are not given the glory for bringing the soldiers to the battle, you are an unsung hero, and even an object of scorn. But not from me, and not from the Lord. For He has chosen you as the means to dispatch His servants, and for that I must honor you. You know that I love you, forgive me for not showing it in the way that is required of me. Have patience with me as God humbles me, and pray that I will bend to His instruction. Thank you for being the most wonderful woman I will ever know.
Love your Husband
Daily Reads
My father and I have spent the last 3 Saturdays painting my house, the last item on my "pregnant wife honey do" list. It's good work, and the house looks like a new home. My wife still hasn't had the baby yet, but I'm thinking Wednesday will be the day. I'm actually a little nervous about #3 arriving on the scene. It's only been 15 months, but you forget what it's like having a newborn around.
Okay, so now for my daily reading list:
The House of Degenhart - Chad is a brilliant man, and often waxes philosophical on finances, war, fatherhood, agrarianism and all things society.
Blog and Mablog - Yes, I really like Doug Wilson.
Danger Blog - Richard can be very funny and enlightening at the same time, as long as he's not talking about his laptop.
RC Sproul Jr - Always thought provoking, you know the crowd.
Dry Creek Chronicles - Rick Saenz is on a frenzy lately, writing great stuff on the simple life. Having been in a band, I'm really glad he has turned his blogging attentions away from gig accounts.
Notes from a Hillside Farm - John Bell posts beautiful pictures of his beautiful Virginia home, and gives accounts of his life on the farm.
Amy's Humble Musings - If you've never been to this blog, I don't know where you have been. Sure I feel a little guilty looking at a woman's blog, but it's too funny to pass up. Delightful!
Ruminations of Hicks - Be not deceived by the name, the Hicks Brothers post some shiny gems.
Barlow Farms - I really like Jon's blogging most of the time, as long as he isn't talking about pop culture (think his family and theology stuff is much more interesting than who won American Idol - but that's just because I'm not into it, and actually a LOT of people blog about that kind of stuff).
The Terrell Record - I'm very glad to see Mike writing a lot more lately. He has some great insights.
Those are most of my daily reads, some post more frequently and consistently then others, but all bring me some small amount of joy.
My father and I have spent the last 3 Saturdays painting my house, the last item on my "pregnant wife honey do" list. It's good work, and the house looks like a new home. My wife still hasn't had the baby yet, but I'm thinking Wednesday will be the day. I'm actually a little nervous about #3 arriving on the scene. It's only been 15 months, but you forget what it's like having a newborn around.
Okay, so now for my daily reading list:
The House of Degenhart - Chad is a brilliant man, and often waxes philosophical on finances, war, fatherhood, agrarianism and all things society.
Blog and Mablog - Yes, I really like Doug Wilson.
Danger Blog - Richard can be very funny and enlightening at the same time, as long as he's not talking about his laptop.
RC Sproul Jr - Always thought provoking, you know the crowd.
Dry Creek Chronicles - Rick Saenz is on a frenzy lately, writing great stuff on the simple life. Having been in a band, I'm really glad he has turned his blogging attentions away from gig accounts.
Notes from a Hillside Farm - John Bell posts beautiful pictures of his beautiful Virginia home, and gives accounts of his life on the farm.
Amy's Humble Musings - If you've never been to this blog, I don't know where you have been. Sure I feel a little guilty looking at a woman's blog, but it's too funny to pass up. Delightful!
Ruminations of Hicks - Be not deceived by the name, the Hicks Brothers post some shiny gems.
Barlow Farms - I really like Jon's blogging most of the time, as long as he isn't talking about pop culture (think his family and theology stuff is much more interesting than who won American Idol - but that's just because I'm not into it, and actually a LOT of people blog about that kind of stuff).
The Terrell Record - I'm very glad to see Mike writing a lot more lately. He has some great insights.
Those are most of my daily reads, some post more frequently and consistently then others, but all bring me some small amount of joy.
3.18.2005
Growth
One of the most gratifying things about being a husband is watching your wife be sanctified. I think it's a little harder to see the process in your self, but it is a joyful experience to see it in someone you love.
My wife called me today at work all impassioned by one sentence from a D. Wilson tape. It wasn't even part of the sermon, he was just talking about how worship is obedience, and we are to obey what the Lord has commanded us to do in our worship services: prayer, singing, public reading of the word, and observance of the Lord's Table. We don't practice weekly at our new church we are attending, and it has been disappointing to us. So she called me up and was saying "It's so simple, the Bible says we are to do it, and we are to just obey!" She was so riled up I wanted to just say "preach it sister." It's so great to be able to think, alright you got it, things are clicking.
She also finished Last Disciple by Hank Hanegraff(?), which I guess is a postmillenial fiction book, and things started to make since to her for the first time. Once again, "Yes!" things are clicking.
Edit: Just so you know, my wife is really the brilliant one in the family, I was just excited to see her excited about things I am excited about. Excited yet?
One of the most gratifying things about being a husband is watching your wife be sanctified. I think it's a little harder to see the process in your self, but it is a joyful experience to see it in someone you love.
My wife called me today at work all impassioned by one sentence from a D. Wilson tape. It wasn't even part of the sermon, he was just talking about how worship is obedience, and we are to obey what the Lord has commanded us to do in our worship services: prayer, singing, public reading of the word, and observance of the Lord's Table. We don't practice weekly at our new church we are attending, and it has been disappointing to us. So she called me up and was saying "It's so simple, the Bible says we are to do it, and we are to just obey!" She was so riled up I wanted to just say "preach it sister." It's so great to be able to think, alright you got it, things are clicking.
She also finished Last Disciple by Hank Hanegraff(?), which I guess is a postmillenial fiction book, and things started to make since to her for the first time. Once again, "Yes!" things are clicking.
Edit: Just so you know, my wife is really the brilliant one in the family, I was just excited to see her excited about things I am excited about. Excited yet?
3.14.2005
Update
My wife is due to have our newest baby any day now, so I ask for your prayers.
My prayer series will resume once I started having my prayer time again.
Blessings!
My wife is due to have our newest baby any day now, so I ask for your prayers.
My prayer series will resume once I started having my prayer time again.
Blessings!
3.03.2005
Good Day
I had a great evening last night when I came home from work. Lindsay and the kids were all napping so I got right to work preparing to pressure wash our house for painting. I also smoked my pipe a bit and worked on a book that I'm binding for some friends. Then I started pressure washing and got a bit done, then I grilled steaks for the family. After dinner I cleaned up the kitchen and did the dishes. I was really hyper and joyful the entire time from the moment I walked in the door. After cleaning up I rolled around on the floor with the kids and read books for another hour or so. Then it was bed time and we all read the bible together and I put the kids to bed.
It was a very productive and joyful evening or me, it felt like I was living the way I was made to live. I have been reading a lot of theology and reading all kinds of lists and articles and blogs all over the internet, so much that I often feel as if my head is going to start spinning. But the whole evening I kept thinking that I need to distance myself from all these abstractions about theology and such, and focus more on actually living for my King. I know it sounds so simpleton, but it is really quite difficult to just live a godly life. I'm not rejecting theology or anything of the sort, I just think I need to moderate my time and study. It's a much better use of my time (and much more challenging actually) to practice serving my wife, then to learn how to defend the doctrine of Definite Atonement.
I was more joyful last night than I have been in a while, and it was great to realize that it had nothing to do with me, it was all coming from God. I have always tried hard to live by 1 Th 4:11 "...and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you..." and find myself still trying to get to that point. Even my career goals are a reflection of trying to get to the point that that verse could be a reality in my life.
I want to be a vine that grows slowly and produces more and more fruit for its master every year. But its so easy for me to look down the road at what I want to be and try and get there tomorrow. Lord bless me with patience and joy as you guide me and teach me how to serve others. I need your help, for I only want to serve myself.
I had a great evening last night when I came home from work. Lindsay and the kids were all napping so I got right to work preparing to pressure wash our house for painting. I also smoked my pipe a bit and worked on a book that I'm binding for some friends. Then I started pressure washing and got a bit done, then I grilled steaks for the family. After dinner I cleaned up the kitchen and did the dishes. I was really hyper and joyful the entire time from the moment I walked in the door. After cleaning up I rolled around on the floor with the kids and read books for another hour or so. Then it was bed time and we all read the bible together and I put the kids to bed.
It was a very productive and joyful evening or me, it felt like I was living the way I was made to live. I have been reading a lot of theology and reading all kinds of lists and articles and blogs all over the internet, so much that I often feel as if my head is going to start spinning. But the whole evening I kept thinking that I need to distance myself from all these abstractions about theology and such, and focus more on actually living for my King. I know it sounds so simpleton, but it is really quite difficult to just live a godly life. I'm not rejecting theology or anything of the sort, I just think I need to moderate my time and study. It's a much better use of my time (and much more challenging actually) to practice serving my wife, then to learn how to defend the doctrine of Definite Atonement.
I was more joyful last night than I have been in a while, and it was great to realize that it had nothing to do with me, it was all coming from God. I have always tried hard to live by 1 Th 4:11 "...and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you..." and find myself still trying to get to that point. Even my career goals are a reflection of trying to get to the point that that verse could be a reality in my life.
I want to be a vine that grows slowly and produces more and more fruit for its master every year. But its so easy for me to look down the road at what I want to be and try and get there tomorrow. Lord bless me with patience and joy as you guide me and teach me how to serve others. I need your help, for I only want to serve myself.
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