A new blog

Well, I've decided to take a break from this blog for a while. So... I've started a new one. Switching it up a bit to reflect some of where I am now. Although I certainly will continue on the journey of "learning what is good," for now... I'm just going to concentrate on the Everyday Life.

Ode to the Jeep... and the man who owned it

This is my husband, in his Jeep, top down, parked out on the beach in Nags Head. 

My husband really likes this jeep.

You see in back in 2005, he got a woman (me of course), this Jeep, and a Mac laptop all in one week. 

It was a good week. 

 This Jeep has been through a lot...

We departed our wedding in it

It reminds us of our honeymoon to Colorado (Pikes Peak)

It brought home our crib for our children

Micah and Ryan had tons of quality father and son time in this Jeep

Our our kids always found it such a treat to ride in it

But....

My husband, despite finding so much joy in this Jeep and treasuring so many memories, he sold it. He sold it for a '99 Saab. The Saab is great, it was a gift from God dropped in our lap, but I do not take the sacrifice of my husband for granted. We had many pending expenses (seminary and Uganda expenses) that we did not know how we would cover and so my husband, sacrificing a material good that he found much enjoyment in, gave up his Jeep. We will always have the memories and the pictures, but I do not take for granted that my husband would give up his car so that our family would be in a better financial situation. He has seen this new car as a tool to further his ministry and as long as it gets him from one place to another, then it has served it purpose. I rejoice that my husbands identity is in Christ and not in his car. I love you Ryan and I thank you for your sacrifice and service to our family.

Charismatic Bugs?

 

As we were weeding the garden this morning, Micah became acquainted with a new type of bug. I suppose they seemed rather charismatic to him, because they are now know as "Holy Rollies?" I love it!

Daddy's gone...

Daddy is gone and the kids seem to really be missing him... so I tried to make last night special to help them feel a little better. We had tacos for dinner, one of their favorites. 

(because of the chips and salsa, of course)

 and we went to the park..... 

(I learned the best time ever to go to the park is after dinner- hardly anyone else was there)

We miss you daddy!

Motherhood....

Hilarious!

(*this was a clean brand new diaper!)

Filled with all Joy and Peace...

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."

This verse got me excited this morning. I think I forget that there is joy and peace that comes from believing in the gospel. Seems silly, but when I am downcast, it's because I have lost the focus that I am an utter sinner was condemned to death, yet Christ was victorious and I am now raised to life. Not to death, but raised to life. Sounds like a pretty good reason to me to find joy and peace in believing. And in doing so, the power of the Holy Spirit will cause me to abound in hope.

Now these Jews [Barenans] were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men."

Acts 17:11-12

I want to be like the Jews from Berea: noble [good birth, open-minded], receiving [Dechomai- to receive favorably, give ear to, embrace, make one's own, approve, not to reject], the word [ Logos- a word, uttered by a living voice, embodies a conception or idea] with all eagerness [Prothumia- zeal, spirit, eagerness, inclination, readiness of mind].

I can't help but think this comes from examining the Scriptures daily to determine the truth of all we experience (though reading, seeing, examining, teaching, learning, hearing etc.) The Bareans listened to what was taught by the Apostle Paul and examined God's word to determine it's truth. Reminds me of Romans 12:2,"...that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what it good and acceptable and perfect."

If you can't say anything nice...

"If you have been foolish, exalting yourself,
or if you have been devising evil,
put your hand on your mouth."
Proverbs 30:32

And who said the Word of God isn't practical in its application!? HA!

"For pressing milk produces curds, (Cooking instructions)
pressing the nose produces blood, (medical advice)
and pressing anger produces strife." (anger management)
Proverbs 30:33

I love....

Micah says all the time, "I love... (insert anything a 3 1/2 year old loves: cars, food, balls, coloring, etc.)! In an attempt to teach him the difference between biblical love and worldly love we always say, "No we like (insert anything a 3 1/2 year old loves), but we LOVE people like mommy and daddy and Lydia (or any other person he knows) AND we love God."

.... But today Micah said, "No, I love mommy and daddy! I don't love God." Oh theological truth coming from such a little person. I wanted to correct him, but the truth is he doesn't so I just told him that hopefully one day he will like mommy and daddy.

And this is why I pray each morning for his (and Lydia's) salvation... sobering

Something I can never do...

For some reason I just can't write in my Bible... but apparently Lydia disagrees!

From whom do I seek recognition?

"Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God." John 12:42-43

We all want to recognized and if we are honest, sometimes at the cost of the gospel. We so desire for the praise of something, that often we look for the recognition of man because it seems more immediate and available. Sometimes I struggle with doing things "unto the Lord," because I can't see Him. When impatience rises up, when I don't act in the flesh by acting out my anger but rather act in self control, (which would be God glorifying) the glory is not given to whom it is due because I am puffed up with pride and delight in the recognition of anyone who is watching.

The Greek word doxa (δόξα), meaning glory, referring to the recognition belonging to a person, honor, or renown. In other words glory if the recognition given to something. When I give glory to God, I recognize Him in that situation for who He is. The Apostle John is telling us, that although these men believed (were persuaded in their mind) in Jesus, they did not publicly confess (to speak agreeably to the fact and truth) Jesus because they did not want to be removed from the people that recognized them. Notice the verse does not say they did not want to confess Jesus because they would be removed from their place of worship. No, it is because they did not want to be removed from the glory that comes from the people who reside in their synagogue. Ouch! In many instances could that be me?

This post is long, but I have to share this quote because it explains more adequately the subtle way in which this recognition of man is manifested:

"There is something that assaults God even more directly. It is the subtle sense that grows in us, usually unconsciously, that the real effectiveness of our spiritual acts is at the horizontal level among people, not before the face of God. In other words, if my children see my pray at meals, it will do them good. If the staff sees me fasting they may be inspired to fast. If my roommate sees me read my bible, he may be inspired to read his. And so on.
Now that's not all bad. Jesus' public prayers certainly inspired the disciples (Luke 11:1). But the danger is that all of our life- including our spiritual life- starts to be justified and understood simply on the horizontal level for the effects it can have because others see it happening. And so God subtly and slowly can become a secondary Person in the living of our lives. We may think that he is important to us because all these things that we are doing are the kinds of things he wants us to do. But, in fact, he himself is falling out of the picture as the focus of it all. And this registers in the motives of our hearts so that we feel satisfied when other are watching, but feel unmotivated if no one knows what were are doing- not one but God!...
Jesus is calling for a radical orientation on God himself. He is pushing us to have a real, utterly authentic, personal relationship with God. If God is not real to us- personally, vitally, real to us- it will be miserable to endure something difficult with God alone as the one who knows. It will all seem very pointless, because the whole range of horizontal possibilities will be nullified since no one knows what we are going through. All that matters is God, and who he is, and what he thinks, and what he will do."
-John Piper, A Hunger for God: Desiring God Through Fasting and Prayer

(Emphasis mine)

For we have heard for ourselves....

"Many Samaritians from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, 'He told me all that I ever did.' So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, ad he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, 'It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have hear for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.' " John 4:39-42

Through the testimony of the "woman of Samaria" many believed in Jesus. But as they sat under Christ's teaching it was through His Words, which they heard for themselves, that they knew he was the Savior of the world. There is power in our testimony (as people see Christ's work in us), but what a relief that it is through the proclamation of God's Word that people come to know Christ as their Savior. I think sometimes we forget the power of the Gospel and the transforming power of the Word of God.

The hour is now here...

"The woman said to him, 'Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our father worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.'

Jesus said to her,'Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on the mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him. God is spirit, those who worship him must
worship in spirit and truth.' " John 19-24

You have to love the "But"s in scripture. As Christ begins his ministry, he proclaims to this woman, a Samaritan, your people were never able to worship the living God, for salvation was only known to the Jews, But, the hour (Matthew 26:45) now has come where you don't need a mountain or a Temple to worship the living God, for He is seeking those who will worship Him. A salvation that was once not for people outside of the Jews, is now for all and God is the one who seeks those whom will worship Him. Because of the Cross there is no longer a need for a mountain, building or temple to approach the presence of God, for the Spirit of Christ dwells within all those who believe. So worship the Triune God in all places!

Again praise God, for His atoning work through Jesus Christ and for the Spirit that indwells us and allows us to draw near to the Throne of Grace and cry "Abba, Father." (Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:6-7, Hebrews 4:14-16)

The Fullness of Christ...

This morning we had a lunch for the women in the church. A time to encourage one another towards Christ. With Easter approaching I thought it necessary to speak on the work of Christ. I took a few moments to explain how through Christ being fully God, fully man, fulfilling the Law, and being fully Righteous, we are recipients of grace upon grace. Here is the handout. Celebrate the work of our Risen Lord as you dwell on these verses of scripture!

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth…And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever see God; the only God; who is at the Father’s side,
he has made him know.” John 1:14, 16-18

Fully God

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:1-5
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities- all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the first born from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of the cross.” Colossian 1:15-20

Fully Man

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

Fully Accomplished the Law

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until it is accomplished.” Matthew 17-18-19
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15

Fully Righteous

“Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness lead to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.” Romans 5:18-19
“But when Christ has offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified…Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.” Hebrews 10:12-14, 18

Therefore…

“But when the fullness of time has come, God sent forth his only Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.” Galatians 4:4-7
“And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” John 1:16

Grace- Greek word Charis (Χάρις)- A favor done without expectation of return; absolute freeness of the loving kindness of God to men finding its only motive in the bounty and freeheartedness of the Giver; unearned and unmerited favor.

Average morning at the Davidsons....

A little Penny Whistle-ing, a little brake dancing, a little screaming....


Oh! And a little tattoo-ing...

oh my.... =)

In the article The World's Best Country for Women, the writer explores which country in the world is the best place for women to live. The rankings seem to be based on: job power, education, time out of the home, dating, and acceptance of femininity. Here are just a few quotes:

The goal of equality starts young: "Anti-Sexism Awareness Training" begins in kindergarten, where male toddlers are encouraged to play with dolls, and females with toy tractors. In school, classes in cooking, sewing, metalworking, and woodworking are compulsory for both sexes. All education, including college, is free, and girls routinely outperform boys; in 2005, women made up more than 60 percent of all Swedish college students. All this adds up to more flexible gender roles later: As one Swedish website puts it, "In our country, women drive the buses and men push the baby buggies."

Ebba's live-in boyfriend, who works 9-to-5 for a leather company, also does the household chores. According to one study, Swedish men do more housework than men anywhere else — an average of 24 hours per week...While her boyfriend cleans house, Ebba focuses on being a role model for the 250,000 young female readers of her magazine.... Nevertheless, she's a firm believer that Swedish women don't have to give up their femininity. "I love makeup, I wear pink, and I'm obsessed with handbags," she confesses. "I'm proof that you can be both smart and womanly. I get thousands of letters from girls saying that I inspire them."

"Even so, Sweden's acceptance of women as the aggressors in relationships has its perks: Anna-Maria regularly dates three or four men at a time without social disapproval. And when it comes to sexual freedom, it's hard to imagine a country with more relaxed rules...One-night stands are also common. "You can sleep with whomever — there's no stigma against women who've had many sexual partners," she says. Which is convenient, since Anna-Maria is having too much fun to settle down just yet. In time, she says, she hopes to meet a long-term partner and have a family. Though her requirements might seem unrealistic, Anna-Maria knows what she's looking for: "I couldn't give up my job, so I wouldn't dream of marrying a man who wasn't prepared to stay at home and look after the children on an equal basis with me."

What garbage is this? Femininity is chalked up to loving make-up, wearing pink, and being obsessed with handbags (If this is true than I fail miserably). Sexuality is praised not in the context of marriage but because you can have multiple partners and you don't have to "settle down just yet." Not to mention that little boys are taught to play like little girls and little girls are taught to play like little boys. Where is the recognition that we are created male and female. Yes equal as humans, but MALE and FEMALE! AHHHH! It is outrageous that these are the standards of the world. How we buy into the lies of Satan that what we were created to be is somehow wrong or must be improved upon. The only improvement to our being is Christ. His work, His sacrifice, and His imputed righteousness on our account! I pray that women of Sweden's eyes would be opened to see the glory of God's created order! That they might know true joy in His role for their lives. This is why there must be godly women in the church who are willing to teach the younger women what is good....

"...and so train the young women to love their husband and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled." Titus 2:4-5

"For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman from man." 1 Corinthians 11:8-9

"Then the LORD God said, "it is not goof that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him...So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brough her to the man." Genesis 2:18,21-22

I'm so annoyed and disgusted... can you tell??

Lydia! Where's your....?

This is one of our favorite games to play with Lydia... specifically for the last one!

Lydia where's your.....

tongue?

eye?

Teeth?

Nose??

hahaha... we have some interesting findings during this game!!

Parenting score.... Zero

Yesterday Lydia picked up "The Jesus Story Book Bible" and clear as day said "Bi-ble." I was so excited to think that we have talked about the bible enough with her and Micah that it was a word that she added to her vocabulary, which is expanding everyday! So I thought with my prideful spirit... Score one for decently good parenting....

But turns out Micah has also been expanding his vocabulary. About a month ago we put a ban on Micah watching the original 101 Dalmatians. It is his favorite movie. But after viewing it, we realized they say a word often in there that we did not want to be used by him. So before he started to use it, we thought it best to put that movie on the shelf. Well yesterday about a month after the last viewing of the movie, as Micah and Lydia were playing, he looked right at her and said, (insert silly voice) "Don't do that you i-di-ot." YIKES! Parenting pride took a plunge back to ZERO. I didn't punish him because he really didn't understand what he said, but after a good conversation and the promise of a spanking the next time it was used was given we moved on.

So yesterday was a good day of words and a not so good day of words... but regardless, they were all good teaching moments!

Our Christian walk is like a rose....

I was visiting with and older women from my church this morning and without knowing it, she gave me a beautiful illustration of the Christian walk.

She said when her granddaughter was young, they would take walks together and she would take the opportunity to point out the glory of God as they walked through the beauty of His creation (Romans 1:19-20). She liked her granddaughter to a rose. She said now you are like a rose bud, small and beautiful with potential for so much. With time your pedals will bloom and the world will see your beauty as you open into what you were created to be. And as you age, you will give off a wonderful fragrance (a fragrance of godly wisdom) to all those who come in contact with you.

I saw the image she was describing. As we sat at the table, her fragrance was strong. The wisdom she shared, the beauty of her gentle and quiet spirit, and her fear of the Lord left me longing to hear more. In her, I saw her Creator and she praising His name.

"But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere."
2 Corinthians 2:14

Contentment...?

A question that weighs on my mind often is, how do we teach our children to be content? Content with the toys they have, where they live, how much play time they have, what food they are given to eat, what books we read, the little bit of TV they watch, and the list goes on. This verse weights heavily on my desire to teach them contentment in Christ and not in this world...

6 Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
1 Timothy 6:10

Any suggestions?