Saturday started crazy - I went to the barn to set up a separate pen for the impending birth of a new goat. Looks like I got out there about 10 minutes late. So, in 20* temperature, I got a towel to dry off the baby and get things sorted out. After a while, he stood up, I helped him figure out how (and where! he kept missing!) to nurse, and I was able to head to the vet for meds and such.
In the midst of this, Willow was already sick, and Stacey has been stricken, too. We're on day 3 for Stacey now and I'm home trying to keep a lid on the chaos.
Yesterday, I shared a lesson on Psalm 84.
One of the key points I gained from this time of study is that I need to adjust my perspective. Instead of focusing on developing a 3 year plan to spend more time developing my relationship with God, I need to enjoy the blessings He's given me TODAY.
The verse says "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere."
To drive the point home a little more succinctly - One day in God's presence is better than ANYTHING else!
It was a great lesson, Ben. So glad I was there to hear it. Hate that your family has been sick lately. I really missed out on not getting our full dose of the Hastings. Next time. Praying that all are well in time for Thursday and hoping to hang out some there. Love you all!
Today is the anniversary of our entry to the land of parenthood.
8 years ago (!!!) today, God blessed the world with our wonderful, intense, pensive, observant Willow.
We were able to spend a little special time with her yesterday because of her birthday buddy and the associated holiday. Tonight, we'll be doing some things to hopefully make today special, too.
Of course, I would be remiss if I didn't lavish a little praise on my loving wife who by the grace of God made me a father. She does such an amazing job caring for us all.
Please, take a moment today to say a prayer for our family, but especially for Willow that she would continue to grow and mature the way she should and that God would guide Stacey and I as we train her to be a woman with a heart for God and His service.
For your listening pleasure, here is one of my favorite songs thinking of this wonderful day.
AW... love that song on SR, but hadn't heard the Blind Melon version. Interesting... :) Happy birthday to sweet Willow. I remember when it was just the three of you guys and just the three of us. Amazing and beautiful how God has expanded both families. :)
Wow, I can't believe it's been 8 years already since little Willow was born. Three really is magical, isn't it?!
May God be with you in your guidance of Willow and may she carry Him in her heart always.
Thank you, my favorite Pirate friend! I have found with the Brown Sugar, that I must make it a little stronger than the Bolivian brew? Same with you?
Glad you are enjoying it...it is my pleasure to send it to such an appreciative drinker!
Have you heard of putting cinnamon in chili? I forgot the last time I made chili a couple weeks ago, but I used to do that in Ohio all the time. A friend of ours from the homeschool co-op recommended it, and it was amazing.
I think that I am just going to have to break down and buy it, but for some insane reason I keep thinking I will find it in the hunt at a thrift store or something. I guess it is the thrill! :) Stupid, I know....just break down and buy it already, Pickard!!!
I agree Ben. As much as I love Reeve - and he will be forever be the phisical embodyment of Supes in my mind - his movies are very dated. And it was only the 1st movie that was great. Superman II was good but 3 and 4 were stinkers.
I know Batman is the favorite for most becasue he is a person with no powers doing incredible things. He is someone that is much more relatable to. I love Batman. In a "who would win between Batman and........." kind of question, I choose Batman almost every time. I still think that if Batman knows the fight is coming and has time to plan, he could take out anybody - including Superman.
But the reason I have always liked Superman has nothing to do with flight or super strength. I like him because he always does the right thing. There is no moral grey area with Superman. Right is always right and wrong is always wrong. I can see the appeal of characters like Wolverine and the Punisher and other characters who are more gritty and will cross the line when they have to. But in a world where lines between what is right and acceptable and what is not get blurred a little more every day, I appreciate that Superman never waivers and no matter the personal sacrifice, he does what is right becasue it is the righ thing to do.
A bit cheesy and overly thought out, but that is how I feel.
For many of you, this day is about romantic gestures and spending time with your significant other.
That is true for me, too, but even more - it's the day God brought my Wonderful Wife into this life.
Here is a song we've long listened to - She's the One by World Party
In general, my playlist contains (when without the children) classical, some contemporary christian (Matthew West, Rebecca St. James, TobyMac, etc...), and some good messages from Vision Forum. Of course, I have a decent selection of a capella music so I can sing along with the bass parts. I still have a strong affinity for some good modern rock and "alternative" music and we've been watching a GREAT blend of the last two. The show is The Sing Off.
If you haven't seen it - go to that link and watch it NOW.
Two of the best examples of the talent and two of my favorite songs from this season I share below for your viewing pleasure (watch these now and your ears and heart will thank you):
All of the contestants: "Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon
Jerry Lawson & Talk of the Town: "House of the Rising Sun" by the Animals
Street Corner Symphony: "Fix You" by Coldplay
We were watching these back before Christmas and then when I went to catch up the other day the full episodes were completely gone. Thanks for posting highlights. :)
I haven't heard the studio recording, only what I saw on the live show. The person on the left is Jimmer Fredette and one on the right is Pistol Pete Maravich. Jimmer is a modern day Pistol Pete. Amazing, especially for a white boy :)
I believe that a person begins to be drunk at the first sip even if he's not falling down drunk yet. Some folks have one drink socially just to "loosen up" as they say, so I'm thinking that first drink gets the drinker drunk, even if only slightly.
I greatly enjoyed the show, with the exception of the woman judge. I love how rich a capella music is, and trying to pick out the different parts. Having a bit of a musical background, I had always played the lead parts, although I was always drawn to the behind-the-scenes harmonies and counter melodies. I is amazing what wonderful things can be done with the voice alone.
Recently, I was given this passage to use as a text for exegesis. It's really transitional and gave me some pause, until it hit me - a good point could be made about earthly holy places.
Under the old law, there were places that only some priests - properly cleansed - could enter, and only at certain times of the year. Today, we - as priests of the Most High God - have a responsibility to make the most of our roles in the earthly holy places that remain: The church, and the home.
Both of these are made of people and have varying duties and activities to perform. Both meet in different places. The church is an earthly holy place that is entirely independent of "the building" - wherever we are gathered with our brethren, we are with the church. The home is an earthly holy place that is entirely independent of the "house" - wherever my (or your!) family is gathered is where you find your home.
Our responsibilities (especially as fathers!) in these earthly holy places may vary to some degree, but there are a couple of common points between them both. In all things, we are to glorify God in joy, praise, and faithful obedience. When we do this, we are truly His ambassadors to the world. Maybe we associate these ideas with our meetings WITH (not AT) the church, but do we do as thorough a job as we should in our home with our family? I know I've failed (but am trying to do better!). What about you?
The congregation where we attend is going through building renovations right now so we are having to meet in other places, i.e. COmfort Suites ballroom, another separate denominational building allows us to meet there on Sunday nights and we split up on Wednesday nights to meet in various homes to worship...it most certainly is not about the building, and these past few weeks only expresses that more.
I'm not going to start a movement to change things in the brotherhood, but for years I have not seen Acts 20:7 as being the Lord's Supper. As for the contribution, I Cor. 16:1-2 is taken completely out of context. Acts 2, 4 and 5 would indicate collections were taken as needed. While on this, the only use mentioned for a collection is needy saints. We know preachers and elders were supported but we have no record of when contributions were taken for this.
I'm sorry that your woman is down for the count.
It's everywhere...
Hope everyone is well soon! Especially Stacey!
I hope the rest of you non-sickos stay well and the chaos keeps it's lid on!