Day 77: August 29, 2012- My Little Cutie

My Little Cutie.

 

I've gotten some good time with you. Every moment is precious.

 

I can't wait to get you up in the middle of the night, little guy. When you get me up, that is.

The Readings:

Numbers 26:52-28:15, Luke 3:1-22, Psalm 61:1-8, Proverbs 11:16-17

Old Testament.
God shows he cares about one family's name. He cares about yours.

New Testament.
John is a voice crying in the wilderness. He is the Elijah the people will later mock Jesus for never receiving.

Psalms.
Sometimes you just need God to listen. David did too.

It's enough to make you offer God everything. David does that too.

Proverbs.
Kindness is the key. It rewards you. Cruelty, on the other hand...





To read along, click here.

Day 37: July 19, 2012- Dancing Up to Heaven!

Dancing Up to Heaven!

When we were kids, my brothers and I had this thing where we would all dance and say, "Dancin' up to heaven." I don't know why. It might've had to do with a candy bar or commercial or something. Or I may be dreaming up that it happened at all. But it happened. And it was beautiful.

Well, Luke went out for pizza with us tonight. Only, he wouldn't stop sucking on that bottle of milk. I tried to tell him there was pizza. But he wouldn't listen. Someday he'll regret giving it up for a sugary, pasty substance with lumps in it.

Oh, and if you were standing in line in front of me, (and here's where the story connects) yes, I was dancing with my son. He doesn't respond to the bouncing or the swinging so much. But the dancing. He immediately quiets at the dancing.
It is very interesting...

I will mention that the word swag was used in regard to me and him in line for pizza. I will not mention that the parlor broke into a club and we started breakdancing in the middle of the floor and jackhammer freezing on tables. Because that did not happen.

But today, God turns David's "mourning into dancing."

There must be something here.

Further Investigation.

Let's take a closer look at this guy's overall prowess, genetic ceiling, and potential.

Observe...

 

Throw your hands in the air...check.

Hip angle = a risque 20 degrees. That is a significant range with some possibility.

Pulling out all the stops, this kid's getting down. Look at how the hands are attempting to curb him in unsuccessfully. He's definitely a Demsick.

To the right, to the right... yep, he's on his game.

Uh, I don't know that one. 

Which one? Baby boom? It's cool, I made that up. It sounded bad anyway.

Don't be shocked. It's okay. You're not trying it, are you?

That look of satisfaction is scary. But so cute.

Nice session.

And it's confirmed. He's a Demsick. (Just look at those lips.)

And yes, of course, he's a dancer. We'll be up a few times tonight practicing.


The Readings:

Exodus 23:14-25:40, Matthew 24:29-51, Psalm 30:1-12, Proverbs 7:24-27

Old Testament.
God promises to protect his people if they obey him.

New Testament.
Jesus tells us of the end. It's interesting that a popular new* theory called "The Rapture" is largely argued based on these verses. But in context, they clearly refute any possibility of a rapture. Jesus states he's talking about the end, not a pre-end period or one of Jesus's two or more returns.

He's coming once. It's the same one described in 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18, "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord."

That is the end. Not pretribulation. Just like Jesus is now talking about the end in Matthew. The verses about one taken and another left are right after, describing the passage about the Son of Man coming on the clouds with angels and a great trumpet.

He says miracle workers will try to deceive them during the tribulation. So no one will miss it. You won't have to ask or hear what's going on. All will know it's the Son of Man's return, like lightning across the sky.

So there's no rapture until the end when Christ returns.

Does it really matter? Well, not really.

But it's used to support the idea that true believers will miss out on the difficulties of the end times (tribulation), while all the unbelievers will have a period to figure it out and get things right. But that rejects the passage in the reading today...

Jesus specifically says collecting the believers will happen immediately "after the tribulation." That the time will be cut short so as to preserve the elect.

Basically, it's gonna get bad. We're gonna be here and be persecuted. And just in the nick of time, Jesus is going to save us and the end will come!

If it matters, it's because nowhere in Scripture does God ever share a gospel in which we will be spared from troubles. That is the inherent belief of the rapture. We will be removed before the major difficulties come. The danger is in thinking God wants to spare us from difficulties, which may cause us to be mentally unprepared to persevere through pain (if we believe God doesn't intend us to experience it).

Think about a basketball player who goes to the first practice expecting it not to be difficult. Will he quit the team or toughen up through it? The coach does not want to remove the pain of training, but through it makes the athlete strong. In a simplistic way, it's like a parent who doesn't want his or her child to go through discomfort, so he or she enables him. I don't mind Luke crying when he's being changed, because I know I will disciple him from being too weak to endure it. If I didn't want him to overcome the experience, I would be stunting his mental strength.

God doesn't want us to be caught off guard by challenges, nor believe that he will instantly remove us from them. He's not trying to cause us pain, but since he requires such strength of us, challenges in the lives of Christians hone us into maturity. Sometimes there's no way around them other than through the fiery furnace. 

Challenges (suffering) produce perseverance, which produce character, which produce hope. And hope does not disappoint.

That is our gospel. God wants us to grow to be strong, like the highly tuned athlete who becomes tough through grueling practices, not like one who avoids them and avoids challenges. That's why I believe (along with the verses) God will not remove Christians from the times to come in a rapture. We have to pick up our cross and follow him.

We are strong in Christ, and He's coming soon! So let's be ready now.


*The reason I call it a new theory is because no Christian believed it, nor had even thought of it, until the 1830's. John Darby brought it to the church at that time.

For more study on this topic, check out the Matthew passage of the podcast today! Also, read Matthew 24:13, Revelations 13:5-10, and Revelations 7:14-17.

Psalms.
David is a dancer! Eh? Anyone? Pretty cool. Luke and David, men after God's own heart.

Proverbs.
In case you haven't gotten it from the last few days, KEEP YOUR HEART AWAY FROM SEDUCTIVE WOMEN. Ok. Check. Nothing to see here. Move along to the reading.



To read along, click here.

Day 35: July 17, 2012- Picture Flip Book Day!

Birthday Flip Book!

Luke is five weeks old tonight at 10:38 pm!!

So, to celebrate his birthday (sort of), I'm going to do a picture book on the blog. That's right, for all of you who can't see him, I'm going to do a flip book of him in (relative) action. What you see is a quick succession of Luke moments, all spliced and put back together.

If you can scroll down really fast, you might get the flip book effect. (Don't ask me why I didn't just do a video so you could see him, and utilize technology to its potential, rather than hijacking it for my jury-rigged movie version. Shh. This way's more fun.)

And yes, I realize I am being completely corny calling it Luke's birthday and it is in no way his birthday. Thank you for pointing that out, you.

Is this wrong? (...no answer)

Sweet...Flip Book!

#1

 #2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

(How many of you went up and down as fast as you could multiple times? I admit. I did.)

Add your own captions to the pictures you like in the comments below!

The Readings!

Exodus 19:16-21:21, Matthew 23:13-39, Psalm 28:1-9, Proverbs 7:1-5

Old Testament.
God lays down the law. Good to listen to now to know his heart. We aren't required to fulfill the exact laws of the O.T. But you better believe, if you're looking at your neighbor's cow wrong, God takes issue with you. These things are still important.

New Testament.
Hypocrite! Ok, I just wanted to say it. Jesus got to say it so many times, I just wanted to add my own. But seriously, listen. God wants us to be genuine. And focused on character. Not image.

Psalms.
Hypocrite! Too much?
This one's about David appealing to God and then praising him. Cool Psalm. So yeah, I guess, too much.

Proverbs.
Be wise! Listen. Learn. Make it real wisdom. There's a theme of being right in the heart today. OT, NT, and PROVERBST all agree: Follow the Lord with a wise, genuine heart for God. (So I guess a little splash of PSALM...T in there.)




To read along with the podcast, click here.

Day 34: July 16, 2012- Jesus Pulls No Punches

Update on the Little Person.

Luke's been a little fussy in the evenings. I don't know what it is. He's getting bigger, being fed, seems to be loved, usually has semi-clean diapers, and Daddy runs through the sprinklers with him.

So, everything should be good, right?

Well, he's being rocked by Mommy now. And he usually gets put down at this time. (Funny how people say it that way.)

But sometimes he's a little fuss monster. And then he does that pretending to fall asleep thing and bam! His eyes pop open again. That's the worst. It can go on as long as he has an audience.

Still, he's one cute kid when he's looking around or staring up into our eyes in wide-eyed amazement.

And we love him like crazy.

Anyway...

Seems alright to me.

Yep, nothing to see here.

The Readings:

Exodus 17:8-19:15, Matthew 22:34-23:12, Psalm 27:7-14, Proverbs 6:27-35

Old Testament.
Sometimes God values some good old ingenuity. Jethro, Moses' father in law comes up with a great idea to reorganize Israel's judging system, and then Aaron, Hur, and Moses come up with another one in the battle against the Amalekites. Sometimes God speaks to us through great ideas. So think! You never know, what you come up with might be wisdom.

New Testament.
Jesus will answer your question. Then he'll ask you one. He'll leave you walking away saying, "I'm not gonna ask that guy another question again.."

He had no qualms being bold with his answers and plain about what he stood for. Neither should we.

Psalms.
David's heart is so genuine. It just makes me want to go for a prayer walk or sit and talk to God. He loves God so much. And nothing's going to keep him from being faithful and pure.

May we have the same attitude before him. It matters and he notices!

Proverbs.
Stay away from other people's husbands and wives. There's something very sacred there. And if you don't think so, the husband or wife will prove it to you.

Enjoy the readings! God bless everyone who is taking the journey with us. Leave a comment and let us know how you're doing and what God is showing you!




To read along with the podcast, click here.

Day 25: July 7, 2012- Luke's First Swim!!

Luke's First Swim:

Today was Luke's first swim! We were very excited about it. If you can wade through the following short videos, you can find out just how excited Luke was...



Ok, um, let's try that again.

Take 2:




No, that didn't work. Naturally, the only logical thing to do is try it again.

Take 3:




Aha! Victorious!!

Luke's Take.

It's been a long day. Rest in Christ, little buddy. Or as Great Uncle Mark would say, rest in peace.

Now, while we're all relaxed, preview and listen to the readings!
Genesis 50:1-26, Exodus 1-2:10, Matthew 16:13-17:9, Psalm 21:1-13

Old Testament.
The end of an era. The patriarchs are finally laid to rest. We say good-bye to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. It's been fun! And God is the God of the living, not the dead, so we'll see them again.
But now we're on to newer times, and today's reading introduces a curious young gentleman playing hide and seek down by the river, not knowing he's flirting with death...

New Testament.
A very important question. The time comes when each person must answer it. "Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego" is not the what I was looking for. And no, it's not "What would Jesus do?"
Who is Jesus, really? That's the question. One can be the nicest person in the world, get this question wrong, and be left outside at a wedding to come. That of a Savior and his Bride. Because whether or not you're nice or funny or cool or generous isn't the right question. "Who is Jesus" is it. And therefore it's the answer you need to know. If Jesus is God, then when he came to earth it really meant something. And when he died and rose again, for us, that something became everything. The Bride will be married to him. That's the banquet in heaven. So who is Jesus to you? If he's the Messiah, Son of God, you're on the right path. If  he's the God you are in love with, then you happen to be a Bride who's going to have a happily ever after with her Beloved.
It's time to decide who he is to you. Like popping the question, or answering it, this changes everything from here on.

Psalms.
How often do you celebrate with God? How about worshipping with David's words in the Psalm today. It's always a great idea to pray the Psalms. We can learn how to be worshippers through David. Praise the Lord loudly, whole-heartedly, and often!

Proverbs.
You know the girl. The one with the swagger and that look in her eye. There's something dangerous there. While it might be tempting, it's also dead wrong. Dead. I'll let that sink in.
Watch out for women that are sweet as honey or smooth as oil. If you don't read the signs well, you might be chasing after the immoral woman Proverbs talks about today. There's a crash ending, in case you're curious. Check the last paragraph for the word if it hasn't sunken in yet.
Girls, I guess look out for the smooth talking guy. The end with him can't be much better.




Read along yourself with the podcast above:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2050:1-26,%20Exodus%201-2:10,%20Matthew%2016:13-17:9,%20Psalm%2021:1-13&version=NLT

Day 23: July 5, 2012- The Heart, Not Rules, and Rest in Arms of Love

Resting in God.

Beautiful. Both of them.

 

Resting in Mom's love

 

I wonder how much we can rest in God's love. The Bible says we are to find shelter under his wings. That we have entered into the rest of Christ. I think that's what it looks like. Resting on the chest of someone who will absolutely love, absolutely protect. There's no place for anxiety. No place for worry. Just peace, because there's no reason to mistrust Him.

Luke doesn't worry about whether we will hold him. He doesn't fret about whether we'll be there when he wakes up. Not when he's sleeping. He knows nothing other than to give in to loving arms that surround him. He finds rest there, because of the full trust he has, not in spite of it.

How many of us rest in God like my son above? That's what rest in Christ is. Total trust in loving arms that we have no reason to believe will not be there. Letting him do the protecting and the work and just falling asleep.

You have no reason to worry. God's an even better parent than Angela, above, is. He's perfect. He never slips. Never fails to clean up our mess or feed us when we need it. Heck, he turned a few loaves and fish into a meal for thousands the other day in the reading. He has a compassionate heart that doesn't say, "Send them out to get food." He says, "You give it to them." And then he breaks it and hands it to the person next to him. 'Til every last one is satisfied.

We don't have an incapable God. We don't have one on whose watch we need to stay awake to make sure nothing happens. We have one, like in the photo above, in whose arms we can fall asleep and in whose care we can forget where we are, forget everything, and just know that it will be all right.

Only, you may want to clean your own diaper from time to time.

Today's all about the reading!

Genesis 46:1-47:31, Matthew 15:1-28, Psalm 19:1-14, Proverbs 4:14-19

Mama...mama...I'm (not) coming ho-o-ome. Jacob leaves the place near where the promise was given to his descendants. He travels to a foreign land to stay for what would be 420 years. As a people. Israel's body would be taken home to rest with his ancestors. It's just another reason that God knows what he's doing. He leads his people to a place, for their survival, from which he will later have to liberate them. And eventually, mama...[they're] coming home.
(Or going. Going would be appropriate grammar. But, uh, it wouldn't fit with the _____ reference. Wouldn't you like to know what ____ is? *Sticks tongue out,* on a Christian blog, but quickly apologizes, so it's cool. Was imitating a frog. *Sticks tongue out* again. Because now we're friends and friends can do that.)

Jesus is all real. So real. He is the ultimate unhypocrite. He neutralizes hypocrisy in the world by his radical unhypocritical-ness. He chastises the Pharisees for following rules without the right heart. They don't care about the right reasons and therefore end up with the right rules for the wrong reasons or the wrong rules for the wrong reasons. It's a sliding scale away from godliness without the heart thing. Then, in a seemingly different example, he meets a woman to whom the right rules (God's) say Jesus isn't to minister. But guess what? She has the right heart. So he gives her what she asks. Is God saying do whatever you want by your own rules (with the right heart) and you'll be pleasing to God? No! That's not even possible when you're making up the rules. But he is saying your heart is what matters. If that's in the right place, the rules that should be bent will be. 'Cuz it ain't about them anyway. They aren't what God came to save. But the heart is precisely the heart of what is. And it's what God cares about. So where's yours?

Psalms serves up another sweet worship sesh. Things burst forth. Things proclaim. The glory of God shows up. The soul is revived. Hidden faults are cleansed. It's a might-uh pleasin' med-uh-tation of da heart and-uh word of ma mout' (Their Eyes Were Watching God style).

And if you want to be wise, if you've been following this year through the Bible just to become wise, Proverbs gives a simple plan: don't even go near the path of evildoers. They don't know what trips them BECAUSE THEY'RE IN THE DARK. PSST! Who turned out the lights?? So...simple math. If you don't want to be asking later how that happened, what tripped you up, don't walk in the dark. It's only in the dark that they don't know. And you know that path. So stay away from it.




To read along:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2046:1-47:31,%20Matthew%2015:1-28,%20Psalm%2019:1-14,%20Proverbs%204:14-19&version=NKJV

Day 22: July 4, 2012- Fourth of July, The Family of God and Mine

Fourth of July Celebration! Yay!

Me with Daddy. He knows more than I do about this smiling thing.

Actually, Luke smiled voluntarily for his first smile yesterday! Unfortunately, he cannot yet call upon the gift at will.

 

Oh, yeah. That's natural bedhead.

 

I don't understand why I'm on display.

By the way, what's a president?

 

Oh, that? Haha...wait,

were we talking about the coffee table?

 

Mommy's got spirit.

Her Fourth of July star jeans are cool.

I want to be just like Mommy.

 Today, proud to be an American.

And proud to be a Demsick.

And proud to be a Christian! Let's to the...

Readings! Also, yay!

Genesis 44-45:28, Matthew 14:13-36, Psalm 18:37-50, Proverbs 4:11-13

Joseph reveals his cunning plan: to see if the brothers would defend Bejamin the way they persecuted him. Have they changed? You probably know the answer. But, stop by and hear it again. *Spoiler* - God brings a happy ending to an unhappy (or at least progressively difficult) story, thereby making it a happy story! Yay!

Jesus doesn't let anything stop him from reaching out to the people, even after he's reached out to them. Why send the people home? Feed them yourselves. Jesus is sending a message. Have compassion on the people and minister to them. Feed them. God will come through and make it miraculous if you need. Just trust him to come through and do it.
Interestingly, he does it again to let Peter come to him. In other words, a little bit of boldness and God will come through for you. So live life on the edge for him! You'll find things you depend on will start working out.

David is stoked. Basically, God rocks! Praise to the Rock! David can't contain himself and has to list off God's accolades, the things he's done. Question is- in your time with God, when's the last time you did, too?

Proverbs illuminates the path. Looking for a straight path in life? This reading gives some direction.

Hope you enjoy the reading on a special day honoring our country's independence. Glorify God with it!




To read along:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2044-45:28,%20Matthew%2014:13-36,%20Psalm%2018:37-50,%20Proverbs%204:11-13&version=NIV

Day 21: July 3, 2012- The Palm of My Hand

My Boy:

 

 

Like the palm of my hand. You're bigger than you were before, but you're not big. Still a little squirt. Just huge in my heart.

 

"Really?"

"Woww."

That's something worth dreamin' about.

My boy's video:

Luke, Mommy, and me in bed together this morning.

It sounds like a 1920's home video because the sound is trashed, but if you watch, you'll see the sweetest little thing. And Mom's hands. Mom's hands are in the video. Couldn't get a shot without them.





My boy's Bible:

You'll find Luke was a little talkative in this reading. He can't quite out-talk his dad. Yet.

Genesis 42:18-43:34, Matthew 13:47-14:12, Psalm 18:16-36, Proverbs 4:7-10

You can't avoid consequences. You can't. The brothers threw Joseph away like a piece of overstock pottery for a cut rate to roving traders. They thought they'd get away with it. Years, possibly a decade later, it comes around.

You can run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later God'll cut you down
Sooner or later God'll cut you down

(Johnny Cash)

Notice what they do when it comes around, notice how they deal with it. Listen in the reading, Joseph imprisons Simeon and sends them back to get the brother. They go home and start eating. Seriously. They eat all the food and only then, after Jacob is oblivious to his lost son and sends them back for food do they remind him that oh, uh, Simeon's in jail and, haha, we can't leave without your other son. You know, the other one you love. Will this family continue to try to avoid consequences?
But they can't, and here's the best part: when they are faced with their sin and repent, Joseph gives them full grace. He sees their hearts of sorrow for what they'd done and breaks down. Isn't that like God? When we repent, he forgives and lavishes us with his freedom. "When we confess our sins, he is faithful to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Jesus. Gives perspective on heaven. And hell. Then goes home and is completely unreceived. Guess nothing good can come from Nazareth after all. According to the Nazarenes.

David. Loves him some God. Gets him some God. Enjoys him a double helping of God. And God enjoys him too.

Wisdom. Hahahhaahah... Proverbs is unusually blunt. You'll have to join in on the reading for this one...

God bless us richly as we all grow in God!

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2042:18-43:34,%20Matthew%2013:47-14:12,%20Psalm%2018:16-36,%20Proverbs%204:7-10&version=NIV

 

Day 20: July 2, 2012- Dreams and Glimpses of Heaven

All in a day's work.

 

So comfortable with Daddy

 

 Stirring...

 Wait, there's no milk here!!

 

Aw, nevermind. I'm comfortable with Daddy

So Luke couldn't keep out of the readings, this time. Just had to put his thoughts in. You start preaching early, buddy. Just go ahead and try it.

The Readings:

God focuses on dreams, glimpses of heaven, and glimpses of God today.

Genesis 41:17-42:17, Matthew 13:24-46, Psalm 18:1-15, Proverbs 4:1-6

The Dream. How many years have gone by since God gave Joseph his dream? It was the dream of childhood. The one he was given when life was fresh and new and full of promise. Then tragedy.
He was sold off into slavery, rejected by his family. Scandal. Lies. Prison. Neglect.
And years later, after the world had threatened with all it had, to take his hope, to steal his dreams, to whittle him down to a man without the heart of a child, who could no longer believe in dreams, it came.
Joseph had not given in to these pressures. And his time came. God simply did what he does: he fulfilled the dream that he gave. Are you willing to believe the dreams of your youth? Do you remember them?
Perhaps we should reflect on what God put on our hearts those long years ago. Perhaps we should remember the dreams God has given us.

Jesus gives snapshots of heaven. He gives snapshots of the nature of where God is taking us. They are filled with metaphor and meaning, but are not clear without the Holy Spirit's insight. But Jesus pulls us close, with his disciples, and explains...

David would be using hyperbole over and over again if God weren't bigger than anything that can be compared to him. If it weren't true. These explanations of God's power and supreme goodness could just get you riled up.

Proverbs tells you to "take heed to my instructions, my son." A fitting lesson for a blog from a father to a son. This is one of those, "You might want to pay attention" moments.




And to read along...

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2041:17-42:17,%20Matthew%2013:24-46,%20Psalm%2018:1-15,%20Proverbs%204:1-6&version=NIV

Day 19: July 1, 2012- The blessing of the Lord makes rich!

(Once again, video to mp3 conversion and the mp3 player are not working properly. Aside from my frustration, I hope not having the mp3 audio reading today is no more annoyance. Up close and personal with Luke today!)

Progress?

Believe it or not, Luke is over 1/20th through the Bible! Making great progress little guy. Now, work on your neck control. It's very good, but every fifteen or twenty seconds it completely gives in and your head flops around on the top of your neck. I'm willing to keep my hand there for as long as is necessary until you correct the situation.

Which means?

My boy's getting older...his cheeks fuller, legs sturdier. Which is awesome, really. But I'm hoping once in your life you go on a diet, because I'd love to see you as the 7 lb, 6 oz guy you were. Just once, right? If not, that's cool. That's cool.

Anyway, thanks for listening. I think I'm going to go help Mommy change you instead of writing to you in a language you do not understand on a medium you do not have access to.

God's blessings,

Dad

And now, the readings!

Some rare pleasures in the video reading today. Check out the beauty six seconds into it!

Genesis 39-41:16, Matthew 12:46-13:23, Psalm 17:1-15, Proverbs 3:33-35

Joseph gets the full court press. And the refs are on the take so by very disputable call, Joseph loses the game on an after the whistle four point shot.
All is going well for Joseph...in his master's house after being sold as a slave by his brothers. Then false accusations tear his world apart, again. And...all goes well for Joseph in his prison house after being sold out by a desperate housewife. You can't keep this good man down. And...he's got an audience with the pharoah. Stay tuned for more.

Jesus explains a parable of seed and soil. Makes it kindof a good thing to think about your soil. How is it? Lots of sunlight? Water? Nutrients?
If we let the world, intellectual arguments, pleasure, lack of character or perseverance keep us from growing, we may find ourselves withering. Let's treat our souls the way we would Sunday brunch and pig out! Spiritually. I am sorry for the few of you that were disappointed by that turn around.

If you have a desire to be the apple of your Father's eye or be hidden in the shadow of his wings, look no further. David's words will encourage you!

Proverbs' wisdom is simple but good today. May we keep it in focus.

Enjoy!





To read along:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2039-41:16,%20Matthew%2012:46-13:23,%20Psalm%2017:1-15,%20Proverbs%203:33-35&version=NIV

Day 18: June 30, 2012- Dreams, Righteousness, and the Lord's Confidence

Priceless shots of the day:

On the journey.

I think I should be upset right now.

Hey, they can't all be good.

You put that one up, Dad?



Aw, phooey.

Genesis 37-38:30, Matthew 12:22-45, Psalm 16:1-11, Proverbs 3:27-32

Joseph enters the picture. Isn't it crazy we've gotten that far? Contrast him and his pure, innocent heart for God with that of his older brother, Judah, who sleeps with his daughter-in-law. It makes one wonder how one family produced Jerry Springer kids and patriarchs in God. Who knows how God chose Joseph over his brothers and if it was only Joseph's doing? But the reality impresses on me strongly, a father has a great impact over his children. May I be a father who devotes himself to his children and, may by God's grace and devotion, they become Josephs.

Jesus is called the devil. Well, it had to happen. Have you ever been so attacked in the church? Remember, these old boys, the Pharisees are the church leaders of their day, not just our hindsight proverbial hypocrites. Unfortunately, they don't always get it right, which is why righteous men and women in the church HAVE to stand up. We have to notice and fight against injustice. We have to be men and women of valor. A major step of this is being wise enough to recognize what is good or bad, what is of him or not. Today, he teaches us...

David is really celebrating this time around, which is nice. For all his pain, he can't but sit before God and get all gushy. Get gushy with him. You'll appreciate God, righteousness, and everything holy so much more if you do. Let the floodgates open. Tears and warm fuzzies welcome.

And Proverbs gives us our gentle nightcap by reminding us, after all we've read, to not forget to do good to all we can when we see it. It's not enough to hear the words and have warm feelings. All the fuzzies in the world are worth little if we don't love our brother. So let's turn our learning into living, and really love the world.

Goodnight all, and God bless!




http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2037-38:30,%20Matthew%2012:22-45,%20Psalm%2016:1-11,%20Proverbs%203:27-32&version=NIV

Day 17: June 29, 2012- Purity and Sweet Sleep

The readings!

Genesis 35-36:43, Matthew 12:1-21, Psalm 15:1-5, Proverbs 3:21-26

Jacob receives his next mission. Meanwhile, God reveals that he, indeed, was the one who saved him from his brother Esau. It didn't say in the reading yesterday, but now it is clarified in hindsight. How many times have situations worked out in our lives and we dismiss them as chance, but it was God moving behind the scenes? The chance that's really involved is the chance for us to choose to praise him for his protection.
I love that, without any prompting, Jacob instructs his household to purify themselves for God, after God speaks. He made the choice to follow this God, and he's going to follow through.

In the NT, Jesus tries to get through the people's heads that what matters to God is the right heart for him and not legalistic adherence to rules. They criticize over people picking grain. When they are legitimately hungry. They conspire about Jesus healing. When people are actually hurting.
But Jesus didn't come for show. He didn't come to entertain their fansies or consider their politics. Often when he healed he told them not to tell anyone. And he wouldn't "crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle." But in the most gut-wrenching of irony, a reed would be crushed. It just wouldn't be the legalistic one. If the anything, the legalistic system and all they stand for would only be crushed in the unlikeliest of ways, by the offering of a pure, gentle reed to be broken.

And if you want to know God, only purity may enter here. From blameless lives and sincere hearts. Do you care about meeting God and knowing him? Then read this list to remind and encourage your heart to desire righteousness.

As a great recap from each of today's readings, Proverbs says hang onto discernment. Then you'll have sweet sleep. The Lord will let nothing come near you.

Know the Lord in purity, my child. And sleep sweet.




And to read along:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2035-36:43,%20Matthew%2012:1-21,%20Psalm%2015:1-5,%20Proverbs%203:21-26&version=NIV

Day 16: June 28, 2012- Mommies and Midnight Wrestling Ain't No Reed in the Wind

Today is Mommy Day!

Mommy is the whole feature today. What a beauty!

There's something fascinating about the bond between mother and child. It is certainly more intimate than that of a father. I have to hand a few things to her.

So, in the form of a top ten list:

10. She carried him nine months. Kindof a big deal.

9. She milks him. Or he milks her. I can never quite get this one straight.

8. I am completely helpless with him, without direct assistance from #9.

7. She allowed him to go all Alien on her and she retained a yellowish-green tint for days to prove it.

6. She hasn't slept four consecutive hours since he was born, which means:

5. She's been exhausted for over half a month and still doesn't look like a zombie. Impressive.

4. The recovery felt like she had been in a car accident AFTER the actual somewhat-traumatic birth process thingy.

3. Some-what traumatic birth process thingy.

2. Pain. Not that I'd put it this way, but pretty much since the moment we've been married. Happy almost one year anniversary, honey!

1. And finally, for nine months, no ice cream.


I love you, Angela My Amazing!!

Now that he's asleep, I'll hold him.

My Love. Someone else's World.

That's love.

 

A mother's tenderness.

 Flashback...

3:30 am. A certain gem of a morning.

Water broke and we're 19 hours from meeting Luke!

About to leave for the hospital...

Today is certain to be a special day!

 

Santa Claus is coming to town, anyone?

 And now...

We've been a long way since then, little guy. 

It's one of those things a mommy understands.

And the readings!

Genesis 32:13-34:31, Matthew 11:7-30, Psalm 14:1-7, Proverbs 3:19-20

This is a great reading today. I hope you listen and take part!

God gets Jacob out of another one. Or maybe Jacob sneaks his way out. Or maybe God gets him out. Funny how God works like that. There's often an option of giving him the credit or not. But more fascinating to me is what happens in the meantime. Jacob is left on one side of the Jabbok River by himself and has an encounter with a nighttime surprise visitor.
What happens there will define him...

Jesus rejects the critics of the day in the church (yes, the Jews, AND...the Pharisees were the church of the day) and emboldens a message Christians need to hear.
Image is not a concern of the mature Christian. That's right, it doesn't matter how we look to other Christians, nor should we worry about our image to the world. Character is what matters.
Jesus calls out the people because of what they expected of John the Baptist, as well as what they expected of Jesus. When they turn the pressure on you, will you bend like a reed swaying in the wind, or will you stand firm?

David laments that not one is wise, not one seeks God. But even in his despair, he sees reason to rejoice. Would that we could control our minds like a man whose living room was a cave, and whose front landscape was rocks and mountains.

How big is wisdom? How powerful? How much can it affect your life? It's as expansive as the deep fountains and as intimate as the dew beneath the night sky. Anything with the power of many waters, yet the delicacy and poise of a dew drop can change your life.




And, read along:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2032:13-34:31,%20Matthew%2011:7-30,%20Psalm%2014:1-7,%20Proverbs%203:19-20&version=NIV

Day 15: June 27, 2012- Boldness and Trust

Today's all about family.

The generations meet. A legacy is passed on. Luke meets his great grandmother.

Lukey and Great Grandma Hine

And great uncle.

 

Lukey and Great Uncle Dennis

And he'll always be our lovable little frog.

 

Angela, Me, and Luke the froggy

 

Let's read the Bible, little froggy.

The Readings:

Genesis 31:17-32:12, Matthew 10:24-11:6, Psalm 13:1-6, Proverbs 3:16-18

God is always looking out for Jacob. No matter he goes through, even service to a relative that lasts for years. God is always there. So when things get sticky with the in-laws, it's no surprise that God is to the rescue. He helps Jacob escape.
And when the posse from another disgruntled family member comes after him, God will be ready...

Jesus calls his followers to be bold. In the readings today you'll find out just how much of a tough guy Jesus is. No Mr. Rogers character here. Don't expect to be liked. Don't expect to be listened to. Don't expect anything will be any easier on you than it was on Jesus. But it will be good.
And you always wanted to be a tough guy, right? Follow Jesus and you will be the boldest, strongest YOU, you can possibly be. There is no other way to truly live. Don't settle.

David is crying out to God again. You'd think the guy was holed up in caves for years, or something. Oh, wait...wups. David has absolutely good reason to be upset, worried, frustrated, all of the above. An outlaw. Hated by the king. Hunted down by the king's army. Starving, threatened, near death.
Never alone. David comes to the end of his troubles today to say he trusts God. Do you?

Proverbs is talking about wisdom. Yesterday it was more valuable than rubies. Today she's like a woman, delightful, satisfying. All who embrace her hold life; "happy are those who hold her tightly."
For all the company we can desire, none are more valuable than her.




Read along:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2031:17-32:12,%20Matthew%2010:24-11:6,%20Psalm%2013:1-6,%20Proverbs%203:16-18&version=NIV

Day 14: June 26, 2012- Rubies, a Mission, and a Legacy Forming

Epilogue:

The Moby in review. If you were wondering what that horrid thing was that I had to battle yesterday, here's what:

If you're wondering what I'm doing with it on after all I said yesterday, don't ask.

We're going out again.

I will NOT be publicizing any battles today. Unless of course I win...

What Really Matters:

Me and My Little Scallion

The Nibbler

The Readings:

Genesis 30-31:16, Matthew 10:1-23, Psalm 12:1-8, Proverbs 3:13-15

I have to hold myself back on this one. Two girls are bickering back and forth in an extended cat fight in the reading today. It must be an exhibition of God's patience. Or maybe his extreme grace. Or maybe, on an outside change, how very much he cares for the heart of woman and fulfilling her needs, no matter how she's treating her sister.
That's probably it. I should just step back and leave it there. A smart man knows when he should not get between the two sisters he married. Ouch.
And God really does love those girls. He gives them what they desire. And he begins to form a legacy of a man of God who has made a covenant with him.

Jesus empowers for a mission in the reading. He's empowered each one of us today. Stand up, oh man of God, and realize this adventure can be as exciting and engaging as you take part in it...

God shows up in the reading today and confirms what David's believed all along: that he has no tolerance for evil, but that he will protect the godly. Why do more people not fear him?

And if you're looking for silver, gold, or rubies, look right here. This is worth more. It's the kind you'll miss if you don't care enough, but that will last for eternity if you're wise enough to stop by and pick it up.

Feel free to give feedback in the comments. I'd especially like to hear what God is saying to you in the readings!




Read along:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2030-31:16,%20Matthew%2010:1-23,%20Psalm%2012:1-8,%20Proverbs%203:13-15&version=NIV

Day 13: June 25, 2012- Moby's, Worrmbats, and Other Furry Magical Creatures

Moment of the Day:

Angela and I got the little scrumption into his car seat, rumbling down the road, and to the mall!!!

No, you are not allowed to take any lessons here, buddy. The mall is a bad place, filled with evil things called...price tags. There will be horror bedtime stories about such things coming, I think (it's amazing how his mind falls into my neat little traps).

Today is the day of the Moby.

I decided to wear one, a piece of cloth about as long as a first down (notice how I compared it to football, making it instantly cooler to the reader who is, once again, falling into my neat little trap). It wraps around one's body in a supposedly important method and then you tuck a baby inside.

After fighting with the contraption (at this point it's become one, which brings it into the realm of things I can be frustrated with), I finally redesigned it (aka, tied a knot in the back at a step of the procedure), making it a fine tuned machine (ok, a bit of a stretch for cloth, but I'm in the middle of boasting...read on to hear the rest of the boast), proving that a guy is needed to come and engineer a girl's product to make it work properly (slightly sexist remark while wearing what is the equivalent of Pontius Pilate's designer's evening cocktail gown), and thus preparing myself for walking around a mall with a baby in my papoose, er, pouch, er, man...satchel thingy.

Ok, I must admit, this thing is not made of camo or crossing gun bullet belts.

Round 2 went to the Moby at the mall, as we struggled to adapt to its strategy to dance around my body and wear us out chasing it around the ring.

Round 3 I won. The baby was asleep and the Moby fitting into my neat little trap to make it do its job.

Half way through Round 4, the match was called on account of poop, but not before I got some good unchecked hand shots in at Express and, well...a sweet technological gadget store much more sweet and technological than stupid Moby's a sorta girlie store Angela wanted to go to...

But I'm confident if the fight had gone on I would've won.

(If there is a Moby out there anywhere saying if the fight had gone on it would've won, I'm just, like, really upset right now. I just want to say it knows where I live. Anytime, anywhere tough guy. Except not tomorrow, I will be carrying the diaper bag tomorrow...and, um, ok nevermind...)

But seriously, I really like Moby's (@Moby not serious, not serious, bring it on #fisticuffs #hospital #athletic tape #spandex #every other elastic material better than a Moby).

And for no reason at all...

Picture!!

You could kill the world with cuteness, kid. Or at least small, furry magical creatures like worrmbats. Worrmbats hate cuteness.

A First Conversation Piece.

So today, Luke and I had our first conversation!

He always has to have the last word. Aka: I can't even win a serious debate with a 13 day old.  I think, and I really don't think I'm reaching with this, being his dad, that he's actually quite intelligent. Listen in to our adorable exchange!




And yes, there are readings!

Genesis 28-29:35, Matthew 9:18-38, Psalm 11:1-7, Proverbs 3:11-12

This is a cool moment for Jacob. God comes to him in a dream and blesses him. Jacob ponders it, then chooses to follow God with his life. We usually think of God as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob's God. But this is the moment he becomes Jacob's God. There was a beginning. And this is it.

Jesus sees the people in their pain. Have you ever felt like no one knows what you're going through? Jesus looks out over the people and he sees one after another uniquely formed, infinitely special person. And he sees them hurting. It's enough to bring one to one's knees. Will you take on Jesus's heart for the people, my friend? Will you make healing their hearts foremost in yours?

David's not afraid. He knows who his God is.

And, ever thought you were being wronged when you were being disciplined? If you're in a difficult time now, better to not decide it's so awful just yet. Perhaps God is disciplining you, not necessarily for sin, but like on a sports team, to become much stronger. Sounds like he loves you.

Hope you enjoy the reading!




Read along:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2028-29:35,%20Matthew%209:18-38,%20Psalm%2011:1-7,%20Proverbs%203:11-12&version=NIV