On Saturday, my niece, Emily, spent the night at our house. I had called her house earlier in the day to ask her a question. Her mom said she was outside, playing, and she would call for her. Emily is a bit of a couch potato and not one to play outside by herself, so I thought it a bit odd at the time but quickly dismissed it.
When I arrived to pick her up later in the day her mom told me that the cable stations that are usually devoted to children's programming were blacked out that day. Instead, the screen displayed this message: "National Get Out & Play Day. No programs will be aired until 3:00 pm."
That is the very reason Emily was outside, playing, by herself.
Though this story certainly has an amusing undertone to it, I was struck by this very real example of how strong of an influence the TV media has on the children of our country. Some of the messages are this blatant but most are subtle suggestions of how to think and act, what to wear, how to treat one's parents, how to view God and the like. Be sure of this, your children are watching and learning and..............(as in this case with Emily) paying heed.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Cookie Baking Night 09/27/10
Tonight was Cookie Baking Night. In attendance this evening: Ethan and Carissa. With the beginning of the autumn season upon us, we decided to make apple crisp. This is a good activity to do with kids. I peel the apples and they cut them up with a table knife. Carissa and Ethan did a great job cutting up the apples. They also mixed up the crumb topping and covered the apples with it.
In our book Leading Little Ones to God by Marian Schoolland, we read lesson 36 "Jesus Commanded Sickness and Death". Ethan read the Scripture passage for us--Luke 8:49-52.
We ended the evening with a rousing game of Mickey Mouse Uno (Carissa was the victor). As usual, a fun time was had by all.
In our book Leading Little Ones to God by Marian Schoolland, we read lesson 36 "Jesus Commanded Sickness and Death". Ethan read the Scripture passage for us--Luke 8:49-52.
We ended the evening with a rousing game of Mickey Mouse Uno (Carissa was the victor). As usual, a fun time was had by all.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Ephesians chapter 1
Why muddle around trying to think of something meaningful to say when God's Word has already done that? Today I leave you with Ephesians chapter 1.
Ephesians 1
1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Ephesians 1
1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Abhorring All My Sin
Yesterday, as part of one of our church services, we sang My Jesus Fair.
Here's the chorus:
O love divine, O matchless grace
That God should die for men!
With joyful grief I lift my praise
Abhorring all my sin, adoring only Him
I think that chorus does a God job summarizing the gospel (that God should die for men) and our response to it (abhorring all my sin, adoring only Him). That is a power-packed chorus!
Here's the chorus:
O love divine, O matchless grace
That God should die for men!
With joyful grief I lift my praise
Abhorring all my sin, adoring only Him
I think that chorus does a God job summarizing the gospel (that God should die for men) and our response to it (abhorring all my sin, adoring only Him). That is a power-packed chorus!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
God's Sovereignty
Today, I share with you what is (for me) a much needed reminder of God's sovereignty and purpose in all things. This thought comes to you from my Grace Gems daily e-mail feed (http://www.gracegems.org/). I know it can be tempting to skip over these posts because they take a little more brain power to read and digest, but I highly recommend reading the whole thing today. It's worth it.
Fate, accident, chance--or SOVEREIGNTY?
(John MacDuff, "The Thoughts of God")
"I form the light--and create darkness; I make peace--and create evil! I the LORD do all these things!" Isaiah 45:7
What a sad world this would be--were it governed by Fate! Were its blended lights and shadows, its joys and sorrows--the result of capricious accident--or blind and wayward chance! How blessed to think that each separate occurrence which befalls me--is the fulfillment of God's own immutable purpose!
Is it the material world? It is He . . .
who "forms the light--and creates darkness;"
who appoints the sun and moon for their seasons;
who gives to the sea its decree;
who watches the sparrow in its fall;
who tends the lily in the field; and
who paints the tiniest flower that blossoms in the meadow.
Is it the moral world? All events are predetermined and prearranged by Him! "I make peace--and create evil!" Both prosperity and adversity are His appointment. The Lord who of old prepared Jonah's shade-plant, also prepared the worm! He gives--and He takes away. He molds every tear! He "puts them into His bottle." He knows them all, counts them all, treasures them all. Not one of them falls unbidden--unnoted.
"The lot is cast into the lap--but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord." Over every occurrence in nature and in providence, He writes, "I the Lord do all these things!" True, His thoughts are often mysterious, and His ways are past finding out. We are led at times, amid the bewildering mazes of His providential dealings, to exclaim, "O Lord, how great are Your works, and Your thoughts are very deep!" Be it ours to defer our verdict--until their full development.
We cannot envision the thoughts and intents of the architect or engineer in the first clearing of the ground for the foundation of some gigantic structure. The uninitiated eye can discover nothing but piles of unshapely rubbish--a chaos of confusion. But gradually, as week by week passes--we see his thoughts molding themselves into visible and substantial shapes of order and beauty. And when the edifice at last stands before us complete, we discern that all which was mystery and confusion at first--was a necessary part and portion of the undertaking.
So is it, at present, regarding the mysterious dealings of God. Often, in vain, do we try to comprehend the purposes of the Almighty Architect, amid the dust and debris of the earthly foundations. Let us wait patiently, until we gaze on the finished structure of eternity.
Oh, blessed assurance--that the loom of our life is in the hands of the Great Designer--that it is He who is interweaving the threads of our existence: the light--and the dark, the acknowledged good--and the apparent evil. The chain of what is erroneously called "destiny," is in His keeping. He knows its every connecting link--He has forged each one on His own anvil!
Man's purposes have failed, and are ever liable to fail--his brightest anticipations may be thwarted; his best-laid schemes may be frustrated.
Life is often a retrospect of crushed hopes--the bright rainbow-hues of morning, passing in its afternoon into damp mist and drizzling rain. "Many are the thoughts in a man's heart," (knowing no fulfillment nor fruition) "but the counsel of the Lord--that shall stand." "From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can oppose what I do. No one can reverse My actions!"
Fate, accident, chance--or SOVEREIGNTY?
(John MacDuff, "The Thoughts of God")
"I form the light--and create darkness; I make peace--and create evil! I the LORD do all these things!" Isaiah 45:7
What a sad world this would be--were it governed by Fate! Were its blended lights and shadows, its joys and sorrows--the result of capricious accident--or blind and wayward chance! How blessed to think that each separate occurrence which befalls me--is the fulfillment of God's own immutable purpose!
Is it the material world? It is He . . .
who "forms the light--and creates darkness;"
who appoints the sun and moon for their seasons;
who gives to the sea its decree;
who watches the sparrow in its fall;
who tends the lily in the field; and
who paints the tiniest flower that blossoms in the meadow.
Is it the moral world? All events are predetermined and prearranged by Him! "I make peace--and create evil!" Both prosperity and adversity are His appointment. The Lord who of old prepared Jonah's shade-plant, also prepared the worm! He gives--and He takes away. He molds every tear! He "puts them into His bottle." He knows them all, counts them all, treasures them all. Not one of them falls unbidden--unnoted.
"The lot is cast into the lap--but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord." Over every occurrence in nature and in providence, He writes, "I the Lord do all these things!" True, His thoughts are often mysterious, and His ways are past finding out. We are led at times, amid the bewildering mazes of His providential dealings, to exclaim, "O Lord, how great are Your works, and Your thoughts are very deep!" Be it ours to defer our verdict--until their full development.
We cannot envision the thoughts and intents of the architect or engineer in the first clearing of the ground for the foundation of some gigantic structure. The uninitiated eye can discover nothing but piles of unshapely rubbish--a chaos of confusion. But gradually, as week by week passes--we see his thoughts molding themselves into visible and substantial shapes of order and beauty. And when the edifice at last stands before us complete, we discern that all which was mystery and confusion at first--was a necessary part and portion of the undertaking.
So is it, at present, regarding the mysterious dealings of God. Often, in vain, do we try to comprehend the purposes of the Almighty Architect, amid the dust and debris of the earthly foundations. Let us wait patiently, until we gaze on the finished structure of eternity.
Oh, blessed assurance--that the loom of our life is in the hands of the Great Designer--that it is He who is interweaving the threads of our existence: the light--and the dark, the acknowledged good--and the apparent evil. The chain of what is erroneously called "destiny," is in His keeping. He knows its every connecting link--He has forged each one on His own anvil!
Man's purposes have failed, and are ever liable to fail--his brightest anticipations may be thwarted; his best-laid schemes may be frustrated.
Life is often a retrospect of crushed hopes--the bright rainbow-hues of morning, passing in its afternoon into damp mist and drizzling rain. "Many are the thoughts in a man's heart," (knowing no fulfillment nor fruition) "but the counsel of the Lord--that shall stand." "From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can oppose what I do. No one can reverse My actions!"
Monday, September 13, 2010
Cookie Baking Night 09/13/10
Tonight was Cookie Baking Night. In attendance this evening: Emily, Ethan, and Carissa. Finally, the whole gang was here at one time. Tonight we made peanut butter cookies (the kind that you wrap around a peanut butter cup).
We also read lesson 35 from our book Leading Little Ones to God (by Marian Schoolland). Ethan read Mark 4:35-41 for us from the Bible.
And we finished the evening with a walk in the cool late summer weather. As usual, a fun time was had by all.
Greg mowed the lawn this evening, and when he finished, he turned on the the sprinklers. This was almost too much for the kids. They wanted to run in the sprinklers, but I wouldn't let them because it was a little on the cool side, and they didn't have any spare clothes with them. After a couple minutes of watching this enticing scene outside the kitchen window, Ethan loudly exclaimed, "Why must he [Greg] torture us like this?"
We also read lesson 35 from our book Leading Little Ones to God (by Marian Schoolland). Ethan read Mark 4:35-41 for us from the Bible.
And we finished the evening with a walk in the cool late summer weather. As usual, a fun time was had by all.
Greg mowed the lawn this evening, and when he finished, he turned on the the sprinklers. This was almost too much for the kids. They wanted to run in the sprinklers, but I wouldn't let them because it was a little on the cool side, and they didn't have any spare clothes with them. After a couple minutes of watching this enticing scene outside the kitchen window, Ethan loudly exclaimed, "Why must he [Greg] torture us like this?"
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Happy Birthday, Meghan!
Tomorrow my niece, Meghan, turns 15 years old. Today, she and I spent some time together in activities that would fall under the category: Things 15 year olds like to do. We got manicures at the local beauty school (cheap labor, great end product, gotta love it). It was Meghan's first manicure, so that was fun. And then we had lunch at a very girly place in town called Truffles and Tortes. We ended the lunch with fancy desserts.
Meghan started high school on Tuesday of this week and ended the week with her 15th birthday (a big week for her).
She's an intelligent young lady who thinks deeply on important issues. Our conversation was enjoyable. I pray God will call her unto Him, and she will spend her life glorifying His name. No greater calling could I hope for her.
Happy Birthday, Meghan! I love you!
She's an intelligent young lady who thinks deeply on important issues. Our conversation was enjoyable. I pray God will call her unto Him, and she will spend her life glorifying His name. No greater calling could I hope for her.
Happy Birthday, Meghan! I love you!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Will Not This Suffice?
Today I'd like to share with you a post from my First Importance daily e-mail feed (http://www.firstimportance.org/).
Will not this suffice?
“Oh, trust Christ with your whole heart, for ‘He is faithful who has promised.’ The love He has already manifested and proved—yes, sealed with His precious blood—is a pledge that He will still be your friend and intercessor with the Father.
His grace is yours to strengthen and sustain you. His Spirit is yours to guide, enlighten, and comfort you. His intercession is yours to secure for you all needed blessing. His promises are yours to cling to in your saddest and darkest hours. His power is yours to defend you from injury, to secure you against defeat. His heart is yours into which you may pour all your sorrows, and feel sure of true sympathy. His home is yours to be your everlasting abode, that where He is, there you may be also. Will not this suffice?”
—John MacDuff, The Throne of Grace
Will not this suffice?
“Oh, trust Christ with your whole heart, for ‘He is faithful who has promised.’ The love He has already manifested and proved—yes, sealed with His precious blood—is a pledge that He will still be your friend and intercessor with the Father.
His grace is yours to strengthen and sustain you. His Spirit is yours to guide, enlighten, and comfort you. His intercession is yours to secure for you all needed blessing. His promises are yours to cling to in your saddest and darkest hours. His power is yours to defend you from injury, to secure you against defeat. His heart is yours into which you may pour all your sorrows, and feel sure of true sympathy. His home is yours to be your everlasting abode, that where He is, there you may be also. Will not this suffice?”
—John MacDuff, The Throne of Grace
Monday, September 6, 2010
Cookie Baking News 09/06/10
In Cookie Baking News, Allison Rose Oseid (future Cookie Baking Night member) was allowed to come home from the hospital last night. A gathering was held in her honor at Dan and Deena's (Allison's parents) home today.
For many of the family members this is the first time we had a chance to see Allison in person and hold her. We are grateful God gave her such a short stay in the hospital (as you may recall she was born about 6 weeks early), and that He has allowed her good health. She spent just a little over two weeks in the hospital and was allowed home yesterday, weighing in at 4 pounds 13 ounces--just a tiny little peanut.
She's pictured below being held by Aunt Katrina and Uncle Greg.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
My Birthday
Today is my birthday. I spent the day with my good friend, Kim. We organized a closet in my office (more like a birthday present for Kim--she loves organizing, and I benefited from her expertise). I'll blog more about that experience in a week or two.
It was a lovely way to the spend the day because I thoroughly enjoy my friendship with Kim. Our friendship has been, from the beginning, based on growing in our relationships with the Lord. Other than that desire (growing in the Lord), Kim and I have very little in common, but that has never mattered. Jesus Christ is enough upon which to base a friendship. Though we approach situations differently, our goal is always the same (to glorify God), and that unites us in friendship and in love for each other.
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