Day 62: August 13, 2012- Jesus Pulls a Colt Out of His Hat

Breath Holding for Baby Picture!

Ok, I know you all are waiting for it. So here it is. A baby picture.

But not just any baby picture. The inside exclusive that only our experts got on Angela's secret photo that she will pass around tomorrow at her first day of work.

That's right. Perusing this blog has kept you in the know on exclusive breaking news, before it breaks.

So if you want to know what will be passed around tomorrow, here it is.

And, shh, be discrete about where you heard about it...

It's a thing of beauty.



But Wait! There's More Insider Information Today...

Call me crazy, but I've decided to release a few tidbits from our trip last week (The one I told you about that took us for two days to that wonderful place called outside? Now you remember.)

So here goes:


Luke on vacation, at table with Dad.

No he did not eat any coconut curry chicken. Well, he might've touched his lips to it, but I assure you he did not like it.

Luke on the road. You may call it chillin'. I call it "The Fist."



 

And Luke finally at his vacation spot.

Yes, that's a lay. Kid's in paradise.

And for no reason at all other than cuteness, it has nothing to do with vacation, but a recent cleaning...

Why does a kid this cute have to be clean? "It's just not right."

I know. I know. Dang cuteness is irrefutable.

The Readings:

Leviticus 27:14-34, Numbers 1:1-54, Mark 11:1-26, Psalm 46:1-11, Proverbs 10:23

Ok, it looks like a lot, but that's just the short end of Leviticus and the (not-so-short) *ahem beginning of Numbers!

So, we're on to a new book. And I sense good things ahead. I'm excited about reading this with Luke, and of course you, faithful reader.

Old Testament.
Lists. Mostly lists. But it's actually cool the Bible kept such accurate records, and it kindof blows the mind that Israel was so big. There weren't just three cave men and a rock sitting around like some might think, you know? The world was pretty filled even thousands of years ago.

New Testament.
Jesus pulls a colt out of his hat.

How did he do that? This is recorded history, with early enough and diverse enough manuscripts to be considered more reputable than Homer's Iliad or Odyssey.

And Jesus just called it. Colt in the side pocket.

Bam.

That colt is right where Jesus called it.

That's my God.

Psalms.
My elementary/middle school Psalm! Still got half of it memorized. I love this Psalm. It's got the power of God. It's got action. And it's got, sheesh, a river running through it.

Ok, you gotta just read it (or listen it). It rocks.

Proverbs.
How fun is doing wrong really? Weeell...

A little helping of discipline folks.

There is so much pleasure from living wisely.




To read along, click here.

Day 59: August 10, 2012- Cute Compels Me Home

(This post is up a day early because Angela and I are taking our two day vacation to [insert here] and I won't be able to post from the deep outskirts of, well, someplace not really too outskirty, actually. Saturday's will resume as normal. Enjoy!)


Cute Compels Me Home.

Yesterday, this message was sent to me when I was picking up some home project supplies at Lowe's:

Lukey is playing waiting for his daddy to come home. <3

The following picture was attached:

Now who can resist that?

Other Assorted News and Nothings.

There is action on the playmat. Oh, fierce action.

Bat that down, kiddo. You own that...plastic star.

Atta boy.





I don't know what intrigues me more...

The knowing glance in that intelligent face,

or the ridiculous tuft on top of your head?

More good things to come...stay tuned!

The Readings:

Leviticus 22:17-23:44, Mark 9:30-10:12, Psalm 44:1-8, Proverbs 10:19

To read along, click here.

Day 47: July 29, 2012- Weekend at Lukie's!

Coming Soon: Luke's first boat ride!! Stay tuned...)

Adventures of Our Weekend:

Date night with Luke on the beach for ice cream!

Somebody got a treat.

Aw. Is this comfort feeding, big guy?

Couldn't be safer, snuggled into that contraption with a blanket and plug.

The view as we walked the park.

I know. It's been a long weekend.

But there's always a new adventure!

Play mats can be one of them.

I know you're tired. I think I'm ready to check out and catch you later, too.

The Readings!

Leviticus 1-3:17, Mark 1:29-2:12, Psalms 35:17-28, Proverbs 9:13-18

Old Testament.
Notice the pure lamb without defect in the reading? What about the blood? This is all pointing to one very important Messiah we all know and love.

New Testament.
The passion of men breaking through a house to get to Jesus. We've got him all the time now. Are we as zealous to be near him?

Psalms.
We need God to move. We won't survive without His justice. And when He gives it, will we praise Him?

Proverbs.
We've heard from wisdom. This time we get to hear from folly. I wonder what she has to say.

Day 43: July 25, 2012- Play Time with Luke!

Play Time!!!

Luke is really getting a workout on the rings. He just hasn't mastered that hand-eye coordination yet.

 He's either grasping a square or punching it at lower right.

Such concentration...

 

Whoa, this is fun.

The Readings:

Exodus 34:1-35:9, Matthew 27:15-31, Psalm 33:12-22, Proverbs 9:1-6

Old Testament
Yesterday, Aaron went right along with the culture. Why can't God's people stand up against it??

Moses gets another set of commandments. And a facelift. haha, couldn't resist...

New Testament.
Today, Pilate washes his hands. More passivity.

Psalms.
Don't trust your army or your arm. But the Lord...you can trust.

Proverbs.
All the richest good things are prepared for those who will listen here to wisdom.





To read along, click here.

Day 39: July 21, 2012- Pose-ables, Luke and Aaron: Priests of Righteousness

Miscellaneous What-Have You's and Pose-able Things.

The absolute cutest unposed pose-able ever:

Peace, dawg

Angela swears she didn't manufacture this. It's pure cutery...real-keeping, Luke style.

But that's not hard for one cute kid.

Pure cutery

The little kid, Grandpa.

The Readings:

Exodus 28:1-43, Matthew 25:31-26:13, Psalm 31:9-18, Proverbs 8:12-13

Old Testament.
An elaborate description of an even more elaborate robe for Aaron the priest. Do you know it's describing your beauty before God as the royal priesthood now? That's how precious a heart that is prepared for God is to him.

New Testament.
Jesus describes what happens right after the Son of Man returns with the angels, the trumpets sound, and he snatches us up with him. It's a judgment and what He says to us next might have us thinking. What matters is who you know.

Psalms.
Desperation before God. I believe this is a continuation of yesterday's prophecy, which was Jesus on the cross. So, not only is David crying out to God, but Jesus is.

Proverbs.
Wisdom doesn't mince words over political correctness. Wisdom can call evil evil. Sometimes it seems the closer we get to this culture, the less we call it, or the more cozy we get with it. But God desires us to have wisdom, which has discretion.

Drop in and listen!




To read along with the podcast, as always, click here.

Day 38: July 20, 2012- A Heart Prepared for God

Luke's second time his whole life without either of his parents! Tell you about it later...

The Readings:

Exodus 26-27:21, Matthew 25:1-30, Psalm 31:1-8, Proverbs 8:1-11

Old Testament.
Beautiful if you think about how God cared for the Tabernacle, the place to observe his presence. Gold, silver, bronze, multi-colored expensive cloths, meticulous designs.

Do you know the Tabernacle represents your heart?

New Testament.
The lamps were to remain constantly lit in the Tabernacle. It is a symbol to us. This is an illustration. Both are pointing to the same truth. Is your heart prepared for the Bridegroom to enter tonight? Is your life?

Psalms.
Jesus's last words are found in this Psalm. Can you find them? Kindof gives perspective on the rest of the Psalm when you realize it's a prophesy about him.

Proverbs.
Remember those beautiful colors in the Tabernacle? The gold? The silver?

Proverbs says wisdom is worth more than these. We should pursue it more earnestly. Seeking God is a good way. Reading his Word is another sure way to gain wisdom. And do you know what both James and Solomon's experiences say about getting more if you want?

Simple. Ask God for more. And He will give it liberally to the prayer asked in faith.

Enjoy the reading!




To read along with the podcast, 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 36: July 18, 2012- The Law and the Prophecy of the End

End of the Day.

At the end of the day...

You're bigger than you were, but smaller than you will be.

And cute as a button nose in the meantime.

I love you, buddy.
The Readings:
Exodus 21:22-23:13, Matthew 24:1-28, Psalm 29:1-11, Proverbs 7:6-23

Old Testament.
God's laws show his justice. He likes to protect people and doesn't let wrong go unpunished

New Testament.
Jesus tells about the end. His words don't allow any possibility for the popular rapture belief. Ain't happenin'. We're going to be here til the end. And he who perseveres to the end will be saved.

No get out of jail free cards til heaven, folks!

Psalms.
Awesome Psalm about the power of the Lord.

Proverbs.
How to avoid sexual temptation: a case study.




To read along with the podcast, 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 31: July 13, 2012- Your Favorite Friendly, Neighborhood Scripture Symbols

Your Favorite Friendly, Neighborhood Scripture Symbols.

In honor of the Exodus from Egypt and the Passover, we have...a special symbolism in scripture competition!*

We celebrate the Passover almost every year in our family. I have determined it's the coolest, deepest symbolism in the Bible. That's saying a lot, given the competition.

And now, in (somewhat) arbitrary order, the three main challengers:

#3. Sex. Yep, sex is just about the deepest symbol in the Bible. It represents God's intimate love relationship with us.

If we are the image of God (we are!), and if marriage between a man and a woman represents Christ and the church (it does!), then sex between a husband and a wife represents the intimacy between God and man.This is a big one, and I'm gonna agree with Solomon, it's mind-blowing.

For extra review, check out Song of Songs, especially Song of Songs 4:9-5:1

#2. The Cross. Ooh. Don't you want to know what #1 is if the cross comes in at #2. Barely edged out for the top spot, the cross is a highly paradoxical symbol.

It means death. It is a curse. Jesus is life. He is freedom.

And in the world's, no, universe's, ultimate turn-around, Jesus is killed on the cross. Life is conquered by death. The curse, applied to the world's first perfect person. Applied to God.

And then...it isn't.

To everyone's surprise, the curse is undone by freedom. Life has the last laugh. Jesus is alive!

The cross now becomes a symbol for victory, while still representing Christ's sacrifice for our freedom.

For extra review, check out Isaiah 53:1-12 and Galations 3:10-14

#1. Communion Wine. This one might ring in as a bit of a surprise, but hold on. There's more to this one than it seems.

Wine is used throughout Scripture to represent God's abundance. He uses it as a blessing to give prosperity in the Old Testament. "Your vats will overflow with new wine..." There are numerous examples of this. Even Jesus made wine (and the prosperity that it undoubtedly brings) his first miracle (unplanned and totally to the credit of a mom. Thanks moms everywhere for your timely butting in. You and your advice are invaluable!) Jesus looked forward to the day when we would share the cup with him at the banquet in heaven. That's pretty important. And pretty symbolic. Read on.

When we talk about Christ changing us, we refer to being cleansed by his blood. The blood is the only propitiation for sin (read *sacrifice*). Think about the Old Testament. Think about the altar. The sacrifices.

Jesus was the sacrifice that paid for our sins forever. Without blood, there is no salvation. Just as the altar was sprinkled with blood, so the cross dripped with it.

And Jesus specifically said his blood is true drink and if we drink of it, we have life. "This is my blood, shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." That was the First Communion and the Last Supper.

The blood. The sacrifice. The forgiveness. The cup.

That's why Communion wine makes my #1, swinging at the champ...

For extra review, check out John 6:55-56 and Luke 22:14-20

The Passover. This one ties it all together. The cross was important because the Lamb of God was sacrificed on it. And that's what the Pascal Lamb eaten at the Passover represented. The Passover was the Last Supper ceremony Jesus and his disciples were celebrating on his last night. The Communion wine that Jesus said is his blood was the Elijah Cup, the fourth cup of wine in the Passover celebration. It was the cup to remind them of the coming Messiah. Historically, they would throw it out the window and say, "Next year in Jerusalem!"

It was this cup Jesus would raise and say, "This is my blood..."

Mark my words, those men knew something special was happening. To wrap it all up, the escape from Egypt was to symbolize Christ freeing us from captivity to sin.

So, in a completely subjective, slightly unreasonable competition, The Passover holds the coolest symbolism in Scripture award in a split decision. All of them glorifying to God. All deeply, powerfully, pointing to Jesus.


Interestingly, notice some of God's most powerfully important symbols are also the things the world attacks. Sex and wine are two major symbols the world perverts to cause sin. They are meant for the proper context, to glorify God, and they represent the beauty of intimacy with Him and the joy of the abundant life in Christ. The world's sinful perversion of God's symbols doesn't mean we should remove them, only use them for Him alone. Rather,they point to how irreplaceably important they are. Like the cross, they are God's symbols, designed by him for his glory.

*Not really a competition. More of a fun exhibition.

The Kiddo.

The little one is the kiddo

Who's little?

 

The cutest guy ever.

That's who.

The Readings:

Exodus 12:14-13:16, Matthew 20:29-21:22, Psalm 25: 16-22, Proverbs 6:12-15

Old Testament.
Love me some lamb and bitter herbs.

New Testament.
Jesus shows his nature, which is really cool. He has compassion on the blind men. Despite how people want him to dismiss them, he draws them near and heals them. "Having compassion on them."

Then he enters Jerusalem, and this is one exciting scene. Imagine what it would be like to be with him. Jesus rides in on coats and a donkey. There's a buzz in the city. The people are shouting praises. They're laying down palm branches before his donkey. Children are prancing around, praising God, and hailing Jesus with Hosanna's.

He and the disciples are on top of the world.

He immediately charges into the temple, breaks up the market, and drives out the buyers and sellers. He uses a chord to whip them as he kicks down their tables. This is a man of action. It's a man on a rampage, turning the momentum of his entry into a stellar performance in his Father's house.

However, this isn't the whole story. Jesus is just as "bad," in a totally good way, as he seems, but he sees another goal ahead of him. I wonder if the disciples have any idea what's coming at the end of the week.

Psalms.
David needs God to come through. He's just open and honest to ask. Go before God with your needs. He wants to hear you, and he'll save you like I have a feeling he'll do David.

Proverbs.
In a world that values winks and smooth-talkers, don't get caught up in the game. God wants us to be totally honest, totally ourselves. There's nothing wrong with a confident smile and charisma. But the wink Proverbs is warning of is the one with deceptive intentions.

If you find yourself getting caught up in image, selfishness, or deception instead of just plain character, get back to the Jesus style. Confident, bold, yet compassionate.

And nothing to fear.




To read along with the podcast, click:

Here

Day 27: July 9, 2012- Like a Little Child

Luke's Second Bath!

I know what you're thinking. 27 days is not a long time for a second bath. We're employing a small contingent somewhere in Minnesota with our family's baby wipe consumption. And warm wash cloths...free, I know. But innumerable portable soap towelette scrub-downs do not help his bath-per-day ratio. Technically, whatever happens on the middle of the bedroom floor cannot be called a bath. It's a glitch in the system we're aware of.

So Luke has just begun to experience the sensation of submersion.

If you noticed the submarine surface dive fiasco a couple days ago, you know he didn't have the best start. I think more fluid was actually dispersed from his tears and scream spittle than was displaced by his body.

We're working on the situation. He's graduated to getting his toes wet and being sprinkled across the chest. Without so much as a whimper.

Stud.

So yeah, this kid is bound for great things, I can see it.

He'll be doing backstrokes across the tub with his baby bottle in no time. (The short way.)

This is not a kid who'll get wipe downs on the bedroom floor forever. No, he's one to whom the sound of the ocean will call, in whose heart the roar of many waters will stir for a great voyage. Or at least the sound of the bathroom sink as I wash my hands after changing him.

He's got something. Potential. Actually, he's got humongous feet. But I think they'll reveal in time his land-sea-air potential. He can already stand. With a sort of caved in one leg thing going on and me holding him up. But, watchout. This kid's for real.

Sometimes he doesn't cry when I wipe him.

Now if we could only figure out a convenient way to bathe him after every changing, we could put a small town in Minnesota out of business for good.

Luke: The Afterbath

The Readings:

Exodus 4-5:21, Matthew 18:1-20, Psalm 22:19-31, Proverbs 5:15:21

Old Testament.
Moses whines and whines about what God wants him to do. He tries to get out of it. Then when he finally does it, he fails again and again. Discipleship training program, anyone? This is God's version. Fortunately, he told Moses that Pharoah would reject his message, but I'm sure it still smarts. Where God leads us, he often lets us go through the trials that hone us. He actually wants us to be strong. Don't let this discourage you. "Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us." (Romans 5:3b-5a)
This is the only method of God making us grow that I know...

New Testament.
Like a little child. Like Luke. Today, I'm gonna be like Luke. Luke trusts me. Well, he trusts mom, anyway. He knows he's getting milk. He just accepts what we give him. No apprehensive taste test with one eye cocked suspiciously. No, he just guzzles it down. Do we trust God? Do we humbly accept from him without question, like a kid does his Daddy? Today, Luke is the lesson. And just this once, I'm gonna be just like you, little guy.

Psalms.
David is really calling out to God. He needs him to come through. But listen to how he worships as he does. He's not afraid to declare to the heavens the glory of God. We should too. Let's be unabashed in one thing, at least. Let's be unabashed worshippers. Then they can call us men and women after God's heart. Like David.

Proverbs.
Pretty important message after the last couple days of warnings about the immoral women. This is possible men's greatest temptation, and I wonder if immoral men are women's. Still, there is a reward. Solomon explains God wants us to experience great joy in our spouses, if we have them. If we don't, we have a Lover God who draws us close. And he is delighted when we preserve ourselves for him. or for our spouse. But to have sex with whomever we want sells ourselves away to pleasure; it destroys the most valuable thing we have: our purity. And life goes with it.




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 5: June 17, 2012- Father's Day Reading

(Update: every Sunday will be a video reading, as well as mp3, so people can see how little Lukey is doing. Thought some people would like to see the little guy as he grows every now and then rather than just hear him squawk in the background!)

Genesis 11-13:4, Matthew 5:1-26, Psalm 5:1-26, and Proverbs 1:24-28


A great Father's Day reading today for a father to his son!

The beginning of the family of God. The patriarch. God gives a historic call to Abram (the father of the faith) with a promise.

Changing minds. Jesus gives some unconventional wisdom.

Attitude in need. Psalms encourages us to expectantly wait for God.

Consequences. Proverbs warns with a strong rebuke for not using wisdom.


And here's the little guy with his new father...



To just listen:




Read along with us:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2011-13:4;%20Matthew%205:1-26;%20Psalm%205:1-26;%20Proverbs%201:24-28&version=NLT

"I have called you by name; you are mine."  (Isaiah 43:1)

Day 1: June 13, 2012- In the Beginning

This is the beginning. I have a son!!!

"Unto you a son is given..."

At 10:38 pm, on June 12th, 2012, Luke Israel Demsick was born.

And thus began our journey together.

Today we began reading the Bible together (more me than him), just as we began our lives together as father and son.

Today we started at the beginning.

And the beginning is God's Word. The beginning is God's plan. The beginning is every thought He's ever had for every person (as the sand of the sea shore) for all time, culminating in a glorious love story of God for mankind, of danger and loss and escape and daring rescue, of life stolen and then returned. Of priceless worth found and then fought for.

One cannot acknowledge the love of a father for his son without the love of the Father for all of his.

This is where it begins.

The pages of this book are enthralling. The plotline, captivating. It is the most beautiful, epic, romantic story ever written. And it is true.

Humankind finds itself at a place not too different from my son's. Full of expectation and desire, but helpless to save itself.

Ang feeding Luke

It is a journey we all must begin.

This year my son and I will share it one day at a time.

Listen as we read for fifteen minutes or so each day and experience it with us. Drop in and come alongside friends. Watch God's vision from the beginning.

Today, my son's life has begun. I am the happiest parent alive. I wonder if God feels any different?

It is a discovery worth dedicating a lifetime. We'll take it a year at a time.

Oh, and I won't say it.

Ok, I'll say it.

Luke, I am your father.

---



Day 1: June 13, 2012- In the Beginning


Video of our first reading and Luke's first day of life

Listen or download for listening on a mobile device or ipod on the go:



And, if you'd like, read along:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%201:1-2:25;%20Matthew%201:1-2:12;%20Psalm%201:1-6;%20Proverbs%201:1-6&version=NLT

This is yesterday's post. Today's should be up later tonight.