Our homeschool year in review

Homeschool wrapped up this week. To celebrate Kristin visited that friend parents love to hate, Charles E. Cheese, with the children for lunch.











I asked Kristin what are some of the surprises from homeschooling this year and some other questions, but all she would say was, "Hey, it's the day-after. At this point I'm just glad it's over." She did go on to mention some parts of the curriculum that were especially good.

Window on the World. This book features a different country on every 2 page spread. The pages are rich with lots of photographs; it's a beautiful layout. Each country is briefly described with the geography, culture, and, most importantly, how you can pray for that nation.

Kristin taught Isaiah to read using Saxon phonics and was very impressed with it. In the past we've used Sing, Spell, Read, and Write, but Saxon's material was not as complicated and more straight-forward.

I was amazed at how much the children learned about the English language using Shurley Grammar. This was our second year with this curriculum and it continues to impress us by laying a solid foundation of language skills.

The Story of the Orchestra was Grace's favorite book, she must have listened to the CD that comes with it 100 times. The book is divided into two major parts: composers from Vivaldi to Bernstein and their associated musical periods, and the instruments of the orchestra.


We were impressed with Sonlight's readers. While there were a couple of stories that were too dull to finish, the overwhelming majority were big hits with Eli and Grace. Kristin and I, along with the older kids, had a great time reading books like Cheaper by the Dozen, The Great Turkey Walk, Johnny Tremain, and Carry On, Mr. Bowditch almost every evening just before bedtime.

We still struggled with our science curriculum, and a good attempt was made at Latin but it didn't catch on for a number of reasons. On the math front, Saxon is very well done and thorough, but not popular with the kids (can math at this age ever be fun?).

I must mention the huge help we had from church friends this year. One friend came over many times to play with the younger children during school hours and another friend tutored Eli throughout the year in all sorts of subjects (handwriting, geography, bird-watching, ice-cream eating, etc) that made a huge difference! Thank you!

Last, I would be remiss if I didn't mention in this homeschool year in review how I admire Kristin for pulling all this off for 5 years straight. Some people wonder how she can teach the older three with a 2 year old and 1 year old in the house; so do I! But she does it well!

My future according to financial advisors

A financial advisor has been after me for months to start an IRA for Kristin. We spoke on the phone again today and he asked, "what will you live on when you retire?" and other worrisome questions.

Ironically, another financial advisor spoke with Kristin and me just a couple of days ago. He is a lot less smooth than the first one and is aware that we have been contemplating another IRA. Thinking of the future that the first financial advisor envisions for us, this is what he had to say about it, "Weep. You have laid up treasures in the last days. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence."

The future these two financial advisors paint couldn't be more different. We want to believe the first without rejecting the second, but how is that even possible?

School money

We received word today that Grace (8) and Isaiah (5) were accepted into a new classical, Christian school for next year. So for two days a week Kristin will have a lighter load and our children will get some new experiences.

The lock-down at the base elementary school last week (bomb threat) reminded us of one reason why we like homeschooling, but we also like the idea of a classical education which focuses on critical thinking skills, classic languages such as Latin and Greek, and an age appropriate knowledge.

Eli will also be attending a help-for-the- homeschooler type school one day a week that also takes a classical approach to learning.

Since we are down to our last year here we thought we'd experiment with a new school environment before we move next summer. That way if we still prefer homeschooling after we try out these schools, we'll be able to start anew in a new place.

So Kristin will still be homeschooling next year, we'll all be a good deal poorer, but hopefully it will all add up to an excellent education.

By the way, here's a good video clip about not letting different convictions regarding educational choices ruin good relationships.

Love. It's what makes a Subaru, a means of grace

It is true: it is better to give than to receive. Our long-term missionary to the Navajos, an 86 year old widow, just proved that point. Our little church, under the leadership of the deacons, is buying this special mother of the faith a new-er car. Why is this remarkable? She writes,

Let me tell you something. Often we who trust the Lord for our decisions for the future may misinterpret or may be confused about events. Then we decide that God is trying to tell us a door is closing or is being opened.

Last Friday, my wonderful Mercury Topaz gave me such trouble that I pondered the Lord's intentions concerning my continued calling to work among the Navajo women. To get the car going, I had to open the hood which is too heavy for my arms and in particular, my weak right hand. With hood open, the "rigged" fan to cool the radiator had to be connected to the battery. Then drop the hood, by which process, the wire to the fan disconnected and said process had to be redone (three times and each time I had to get back in the car to pull the handle to open the hood again). I think I "lost my cool" and cried to the Lord, "I NEED A BETTER CAR SO I CAN DO MY JOB!"

Did my Heavenly Father hear that cry for help and let the PPC folks answer with your offer? He does work in mysterious ways.

A Subaru Forester? W H E E W !

The Lord always surprises me with His care. And you folks are often His servants to deliver those surprises. You do know with a car like that I could get to people I have not visited for more than a year. I must have misinterpreted His intentions by thinking He meant for me to resign. I am too young for that kind of life, right?

The offerings of one local church, and a small one at that, are being used all over the world in ways just like this. What a joy to see this truth so clearly for once.

The richest man I know

On this Mother's Day I'm reminded of how rich she has made me. And this treasure will only get better with time.

The Father's adopted love for a prodigal like me

The Wrestling Mat is intended to be, primarily, a place to document the wrestling I do with the gospel in order to get a better grip on it. Sometimes I stray from that theme, but I want, very much, to grasp with ever deepening understanding and affection the gospel as it is pictured in precious doctrines like adoption, the Cross of Christ, etc. Here's something I heard Lig Duncan say during a discussion (panel 5 about 15 minutes in) at Together for the Gospel that strengthens my hold in both those areas:

Jesus is on the cross because of the Father's love. Spurgeon says when you look at the Cross you have to ask the question, 'Does the Father love me, more than He loves His own Son?' Look at John 3:16--we often talk about the love of Jesus here and I don't want to diminish that--but see how it speaks to the prior love of the Father that he gave up the most precious thing in the universe for us. And Romans 8:32 says he spared not his only Son for us! The cross is the instrument and expression of the Father's love while at the same time addressing the Father's righteous wrath and indignation against our sin against Him. (a loose quote as I transcribed the audio)

Pictures of the week

Eli holding the game ball that he was awarded for hitting a 3 RBI homerun that tied the score late in the game. This was Eli's first homerun.

Margaret T. watched our three older children yesterday afternoon and dropped them off at our house with this nice surprise. Isn't she awesome!

Race Tracks and Ranches

It's field trip time as we end the school year (by the way, Isaiah finished kindergarten today! Kristin has now taught 3 of our children to read!). The Unser Racing Museum was the destination this week. It's a cool place for kids, but what I want to mention here is a conversation Kristin had while she was there about another great place for kids.

One of the ladies in the homeschool group that Kristin met is a foster mom for New Mexico Boys and Girls Ranches, which just happens to be a prayer focus for our church this month. Kristin took the opportunity to get an independent assessment of The Ranches. She was happy to hear that this foster mom has been pleased with the care and supervision that the folks at The Ranches show for these children with troubled pasts.


During the past year, over a hundred children were cared for through their residential programs alone. In addition to a safe place to live, they received counseling and guidance...a solid education...a strong moral foundation. I'm glad we support the work of The Ranches.

Welcome to Middle Earth, Eli

I've been waiting for this day; Eli has ventured into Middle Earth. He picked up The Hobbit two days ago and it has now been put back on the bookshelf like a horse ridden hard. He quickly reached for The Fellowship of the Ring and I know I'll have to pry it from his fingers at bedtime.

This is significant for me because as I child I didn't want to read. As one untimely born I came to regret the worlds that I missed in those formative years and have tried to play catch up. By God's grace one of our parenting goals is being met--we want all our children to love to read! I attribute part of this accomplishment to the desire God has given Kristin and me to minimize TV and decorate the house with good books which the children often see us enjoying.

As soon as Mordor is destroyed, I have a feeling he'll be heading to Narnia.

Music Review--Before the Throne

Sojourn's Before the Throne deserves the high praise (a rare 5 stars) Christianity Today gave it. I read about it from Tim Challies (scroll down on his post for his comments and easy downloading directions) and agree with his strong recommendation. This music enlivens my soul and prepares me for public worship and just day-to-day keeping my mind on things above.

CT sums up what I think with this quote, "The music is the draw, but the lyrics are what keep you coming back—as it should be."

The falling dollar and global missions

We've asked the missionaries that our church supports to tell us what effect the falling dollar is having on them. The reports are sobering and call me to re-consider how I'll use my "spending money." These families are depending on our faithfulness. Here are a few examples:

(from Bulgaria) "We have received word from three significant supporting churches within the last few months that they were either significantly reducing or stopping their financial support altogether. I'm sensing the need to return to the States to seek new support."

(from Ukraine) "We are all needing extra support – at a time that our supporters in the USA are also having a harder time financially. So we tighten our belts and pray."

(from an undisclosed country) "Yes, we have felt the drop of the dollar, as well as the rising costs of living. We have been able to make ends meet for all months but this month (just a couple hundred dollars)."

(from Greece) "We hang by a thread every month. It’s a real adventure to see how God provides every month. The day-to-day impact on our lives is simply that we’ve had to cut costs on food and any extra-curricular expenses, not that we did much along those lines anyway. Budget categories such as savings, retirement, vacation, and recreation are the first to go, in the interest of “survival” and just paying the bills. So, yes, times are very tough. We usually have two responses to this. One is that if the Lord wants us to continue to live and minister here, He will provide. Of that we are absolutely sure. The second thing is that we are so aware of how much better off we are than the dear, desperate refugees we work among, that we dare not complain about our financial hard times. We try to be as generous as we can with the resources the Lord blesses us with, knowing that 'with such sacrifices He is pleased.'"

(from Malawi) "We have tightened our belts a bit and are waiting to see how much of a trend we have going! The specific impact the dollar’s decline seems to have, besides giving, is on the cost of goods here. Our grocery budget continues to skyrocket and is presently about twice what our grocery budget was in the US. Milk costs around $5 per gallon. Fuel is around $5.50 per gallon and the rising fuel costs give rise to all the other costs as it does in the US. We are seeking increased giving on the part of churches, yet they are in the same boat we are in!"

If the Lord has given you a storehouse of wealth, consider the situation of our brothers and sisters that have left much for Christ, and try as you can to open the doors and move any extra out to the fields.

I Heart Thursday Nights (by Kristin)

I am thankful to my sweet husband who allows me to get out of the house on Thursday evenings. Sometimes I wish I could run an errand by myself or shop, but especially on those nights, I find that I have been blessed to be at CareNet and see God at work. Take tonight for instance.

J did not speak English so her friend M accompanied her to help interpret.

M asked as they walked in “Do you offer birth control?” I replied, that we did not, but offer counseling and promote abstinence. As we were talking M shared their story:

J found out she was pregnant at PP. They told J through M that she was about a month pregnant and there was no heartbeat. Just a bunch of cells. M said she knew better, but agreed to go to the clinic that gives abortions with J.

As they approached the clinic there was a man with a sign that said “Choose Life”. M said to J, “Hey, that sign is for you”. The man holding the sign asked what they were doing. So M told him about J’s situation. The man told her about CareNet and how we offer free services and ultrasounds. He recommended they come see us. Then he spoke again, this time in Spanish to J. She decided to not proceed, but called CareNet.

M was so excited as she told us that she called. We usually make appointments and M said she really felt like J needed to come in soon. We had an opening tonight. So J and M came tonight and saw ultrasounds photos of a 18 week old baby girl. J decided to keep the precious gift.

Tonight we praised the Lord with J and M. M said “Phillip”,the man with the sign, was a guardian angel from the Lord. We are thankful that he spoke J’s language and opened her heart to come to us. We thanked God for an opening in the appointment schedule tonight. We thanked God for our schedules, particularly the ultrasound tech, being open tonight so we could come and serve.

Crazy for the Catechism

A couple of nights ago I was home with just Faith and Zeke; leading them through family worship reminded me of our earliest parenting days worshipping at home together with very young children. It was very different than our practice today.

My earliest memory of teaching Eli about God must be from when he was around 2 or 3 years old. The Sunday school curriculum included the First Catechism and simple Scripture memory and we would work on that through the week. Bath time became the main memory-work time. Later we added the ever popular "Candy Game".

The Candy Game is played by setting out a row of Smarties with a lollipop at the end of the line. For each catechism question answered correctly Eli could advance down the line eating a piece a candy. I saved the lollipop for something big like reciting a brief version of the 10 commandments with me or the Lord's Prayer, etc.

At another church it was common to play Catechism freeze-tag. When frozen you'd be asked a question from the First Catechism and couldn't be unfrozen until it was answered correctly. We Presbyterians are crazy for the Catechism. But I'm fully convinced that this is something worthy of being crazy about.

Family worship has been on my mind a lot lately. The busyness of life is a constantly encroaching threat to a time of daily worship together. Avoiding turning family worship into an empty rite is another threat. I look forward to sharing some final thoughts on this subject with those at church when we finish our current book study, Thoughts on Family Worship, this week.

Anything for ice cream

My boys will do anything for ice cream. What else could cause them to attend tonight's dress rehearsal for Grace's ballet recital but Baskin Robbins 31 cent night? The thought of these two all-American boys watching 2 hours of little girls prancing around in frilly outfits just for one ice cream cone is pretty funny.

Curse words

I want to recommend something for you to listen to; I know it's hard to make time for sitting and listening to something so I wouldn't suggest you do this unless it was really that good.

R.C. Sproul's message at the recent Together for the Gospel conference stood out from the rest. His message is titled “The Curse Motif of the Atonement”. He arrested my attention as he spoke as a man gripped by the realization that God's curse had been removed from him and put upon another able to bear it. His powerful doctrinal exposition and discerning pastoral application of the truth combined to produce a deep spiritual impression on my soul.

This is one of the best sermons I have ever heard, and I am grateful to my Lord for what He has done for me, and for allowing Dr. Sproul to preach about it with excellence.

Haunted no more

Flannery O'Connor famously remarked that the South is Christ-haunted. There is a regard for the Bible, an assumption of Christian faith, and a consensus on morals that you don't find to the same degree in other parts of the country. To be Christ-haunted on a regional level, you would expect that many Southern individuals could also be described this way, and for me that is certainly true. Christ-haunted is the best description of my life in the South.

So that's why my mom was so offended when I told her that it wasn't until after college that I became a Christian! We grew up going to church most weeks. We were raised with a set of morals based on Christianity. I didn't even touch alcohol through college! Isn't all this Christian?

I certainly thought it was, until one day when I was changed. For the first time I had a real desire to know God. I dusted off my Bible that had sat unopened on my nightstand throughout college. For the first time I understood what I had said I believed all along. There is a holy God. I am a terrible sinner (even if I could dress up my external actions to look Christian, I suddenly realized my heart was clearly wretched). Christ is a mighty Savior. For the first time I loved the Cross of Christ where the penalty for my sins was paid.

Haunted no more! His death brought me to life!

Getting to know someone that is suffering terribly

Can you remember feeling like you want to help someone but you don't know how?

Several times a week we spend a little time with a young woman whose son is on Eli's baseball team. She has liver cancer and by all indications is without Christ in her life. She is going through a very intense chemotherapy (as a last chance effort) and can barely make it to her son's games. Whenever I see her hobbling up the stands with a bandanna covering her bare head I feel godly sorrow for her situation. Then something usually happens that brings out feelings of righteous anger.

Instead of going into that here I will only say that this woman is in a very troubled marital situation.

Pray for us and our interactions with this family! Kristin is very heavy of heart about it and is trying to help as the woman allows.

The Friendliest Place On Earth

Alamogordo (in southeastern New Mexico) is my current location; it styles itself as "The Friendliest Place On Earth". I drove down this morning to attend Presbytery and in this post I will attempt to convince you that Presbytery is of interest.

Three times a year the leaders from the churches in our region (NM, AZ, and a part of TX) meet together as a court of the church (based on the connectionalism we find in Acts). We call this meeting Presbytery--i.e. a gathering of elders from different churches. Today was a good example of the work we do. We joyfully started two young men down the road to becoming pastors and solemnly disciplined and sadly removed one of our own number from the pastorate.

In a sense the nations gather at these meetings; we welcomed a pastor from Bethlehem (Palestine) to learn about the plight of the only Presbyterian church left there and the sermon today was from a Mexican pastor laboring across the border for the gospel.

There is much prayer as we labor to plant new churches and provide campus ministries across our region. Fellowship was enjoyed when we took a dinner break and heard an impressive lecture on postmodernism and the pulpit from one of the pastors who recently received a PhD.

While I was enjoying this conference-like atmosphere--eating well, fellowshipping, meeting new people--Kristin was sacrificing at home so that I could attend. She's awesome, and Deacon Mike at church gets big thanks for taking Isaiah out to the East Mountains today to frolic in the snow that surprisingly is still there in abundance!

Alamogordo may strive to be the friendliest place on Earth, but as Spurgeon has noticed, the Church is the dearest place on Earth.

Li'l Miss Contrary

When children are very young, like our little Faith, it's amusing (and at times worrisome) to see the child's personality begin to express itself. Faith has demonstrated that she will probably be the contratrian of our children. Her first reaction to her parents' direction is usually to be solidly against it.

One humorous example as a case in point: Kristin was singing Jesus Loves Me to the little children and Faith interrupted her with a sassy look to assert, "Jesus DON'T love me!". She said this because she wanted to hear the B-I-B-L-E song and was going to reject anything else. It's funny for now, but bodes of difficult days ahead.

We're going to have lots of stories to share, if these kiddos don't kill us first.

Off the charts

Zeke had his 1 year old check up today. He was in the 95th percentile for weight and off the chart in height. The doctor said we could stop feeding him whole hams now and probably lay off the whole milk, too.

Zeke at one week

And at one year

Music Review--You and You Alone

I received a CD titled You and You Alone recently from Sovereign Grace music for agreeing to mention it on this blog. Since the songs on the CD were written by a father and son, I've asked my daughter Grace to help me review it.

She liked the music and the words because they were about God. Her favorite song is I Surrender All (Reprise) because she likes the tune and there were more people singing together on it. Grace and I would describe this music as folk rock music; the songs earlier were more heavy rock and the ones in the later part of the CD were more folk.

I'm always thankful for the work of Sovereign Grace music, and enjoyed receiving this CD, although I prefer less rock and more folk in music.

Let the Little League Madness Begin

Eli's Little League coach was belly bumpin' the ump before he was ejected. His assistant coach, having been thrown out of the game innings earlier, was in his truck yelling and heckling the ump from behind the outfield fence. The parents in the stands were stomping mad with much arm flailing and snide remarks. Mercifully, the game ended soon after. What does a Christian father say to his 10 year old son on the way home?

This post on sportsmanship from CJ Mahaney came to mind. I asked Eli this question, "Which is more important, that the ump calls the game the way we want or that we show respect for his authority, even if we don't agree with him?" We discussed how a coach should handle a situation like this with evidences of godliness.

As fathers, we should want our sons to grow in godliness, not simply athletic ability. This means that we will celebrate when he or other players handle a difficult situation with character and we should prepare our sons before the game with biblical priorities (humbly receive correction, do not complain or disagree, encourage the players, apologize if you hurt someone, play aggressively but selflessly, etc).

Here's a humorous video example of what a coach shouldn't do.

Coming soon!

I'm excited about this conference which will bring two of today's finest reformed teachers to my town. I'm really hoping to attend, and I hope my local readers will try and make it, too.

Overheard

"How many sins do I commit a day, every day!?! And on one hand can I count the times someone has rebuked me."

I heard this remark today; it's an interesting statement. Now no one should read this and overcorrect. Don't be the person with the "gift of rebuke" that goes around looking for someone, somewhere, doing something wrong somehow. But the Proverbs do speak of the wounds of a friend being better than the kisses of an enemy. For my part, I think most correction should come from within the marriage relationship. For a good post on how to properly do this read this from pastor C.J. Mahaney and his wife.

Zeke's birthday celebration

Since I was out of town on his birthday, we postponed the celebration to this week.


After the cake's suger rush kicked in it was time to put on some gospel music and dance!

The answer to my question

Why aren't Christians in our country persecuted and how do we reconcile that with Scripture's expectation of persecution? When living in the South, the answer given to me was that almost everyone is a Christian. Certainly that is not true in the West.

I now know the actual answer lies in the difference between Paul and me. Wherever he went he knew the people around him needed a Savior and he told them about Jesus. This is why he was persecuted. I am sinfully unlike Paul and that is the answer to my question.

Proverb: Testing harder than they teach

My children, beware of easy teachers.
For they often test harder than they teach
A teacher who doesn't work hard at teaching
only makes more work for the student.

Personality or Character, which do we seek?

I heard recently that people form their impression of you within 4 minutes. So in our sound-byte, entertainment-driven culture it shouldn't surprise us that a funny or cool personality will win out over character which takes time and trial to prove.

Clearly Christians should break from the world's ways and strive after character rather than personality. That's not to say that we should have no personality--joy, faith, and integrity should define us and grow out of the unchanging bedrock of a godly character.

We must remember to "imitate" Paul (something he repeatedly urges us to) and not the world. Appreciate a winsome personality in others but guard your heart until character can be assessed. This goes for finding a pastor, a friend, or a spouse.

Happy Birthday, Zeke!

The big guy is 1 today! His brothers and sisters keep singing the birthday song to him. He has no clue why they insist on doing this. He just gives them his stoic look, something he excels at. Kristin and I usually don't have a problem getting him to smile (as this great photo attests), but when most other folks try to get him to smile he just gives them his serious, just-the-facts, ma'am, kind of look. Methinks he has a future as a Buckingham palace guard!

Lost in L.A.

As I continue my time away from home, here's a journal entry summarizing the experience so far.

The course I'm in is an all-boys club. Twenty-five men away from home for over a week with a good deal of free time (and per diem) on their hands. Not a recipe for righteousness. I wonder if anyone in the class other than me is disgusted with the character of these men and concerned for their souls? I fight to feel compassion for them and all to easily would let them wine & dine themselves to eternal destruction without saying a word. Colossians 4 reminds me to pray that a door for the Word may be opened and to speak boldly as I am supposed to do.

Meanwhile I'm treating this as a "final's week", meaning my goal is to use my free time to work hard on church and job responsibilities so that when I return home I will be able to enjoy my family. I hope to get several weeks ahead on Sunday school preparation and other elder work. I am reminded of Strauch's exhortation that a non-vocational elder should spend his leisure time serving Christ and his church and am enjoying the extra study and prayer time and, so far, making good use of it. But the urge to relax and enjoy some entertainment hasn't flagged and at times is quite strong. At these times I've found reviving in listening to hymns (Jesus, I my cross have taken, Psalm 73, etc) and thinking of Piper's address on "Don't Waste Your Life". But even hearing a snatch of a secular song in a fast food restaurant has a frightening worldly effect on me.

Kristin is an amazing woman and continues caring for the children gracefully in my absence. God is merciful, which is my continuing prayer for myself and my family too far away.

Revamped church website now up

My thanks goes to Erika and team for updating our church's website! Check it out.

I'll miss this sight

Here's my first look arriving home from work. Faith and Zeke must hear the garage door going up and they're eagerly awaiting my entry into home every day.

I'll miss this sight for a while--I'll be out of town. Please pray for us and offer help to Kristin if you're able. Thanks!

Zeke illustrates "one step forward, two steps back"

Resurrection Day (No advocate more effective)

Jesus, apprehended for payment of my debt,
strides forth from the prison of the grave
free, and conqueror of death, hell, and all opposing might.

Jesus, once man of sorrows crowned with thorns,
now, Lord of life wreathed with glory.

Once: shame, agony, and death.
Now and for forevermore: Advocate, Intercessor, and Ruler of All!


Adapted from Valley of Vision, p48

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Zeke can't walk, but he can still boogey

To be honest, Zeke dances better as a baby than I ever have.

Ministry Notes -- Those who don't trust the Bible

Here are just a few comments on ministry from this week. I haven't posted much on these activities before because I wasn't sure how to write things that didn't sound self-serving. But in the spirit of David Brainerd, here's a try.

I spent several hours this week with two different men talking about the trustworthiness of the Bible. One of these men is depressed and both suffer spiritually to different degrees from a weak faith.

The man I met with who is depressed knows that the darkness in his life stems from a measure of despair over not knowing what to believe about God. He's an intelligent man but has many objections to the canonicity of the New Testament. He is trying to derive what to believe about God from creation only since he can't trust special revelation. He is in a desperate condition and the plan is for us to continue to meet together with the objective of persuading him to trust God's revealed word. I am praying for him and I'd appreciate your prayers as well.

What are all your beloveds to this Beloved?

You that are yet in the flower of your days, full of health and strength, and, with all the vigor of your spirits, do pursue some one thing, some another, consider, I pray, what are all your beloveds to this Beloved? What have you gotten by them? Let us see the peace, quietness, assurance of everlasting blessedness that they have given you.

Pray study him a little; you love him not, because you know him not. Why does one of you spend his time in idleness and folly, and wasting of precious time, perhaps debauchedly? Merely because you know not our dear Lord Jesus. Why do you spend your 'money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which satisfies not?'

John Owen, Communion with God

If God's Word isn't saving you, what will?

Fear your own hardness of heart more than anything else. Beware of rigidity, ingratitude, a demanding spirit. Beware of an unmelted heart that is never satisfied. Beware of a mind that looks for excuses not to believe. Beware of the impulse that always finds a reason to delay a response. Beware of thinking how the sermon applies to someone else. God watches how you hear his Word.

Ray Ortlund, Jr in his commentary on Isaiah

Inexhaustible Grace

If all the world should set themselves to drink free grace, mercy, and pardon, drawing water continually from the wells of salvation; if they should set themselves to draw from one single promise, an angel standing by and crying, 'Drink, O my friends, yea, drink abundantly, take so much grace and pardon as shall be abundantly sufficient for the world of sin which is in every one of you'--they would not be able to sink the grace of the promise one hair's breadth. There is enough for millions of worlds, if they were, because it flows into it from an infinite, bottomless fountain.

Show me the sinner that can spread his iniquities to the dimensions of this grace.

John Owen, Communion with God

Isaiah hearts the Navy

Isaiah's reaction to the news today that the Navy shot down the failed satellite before it crash-landed on top of him, "YEAH! Where does it say that? [pointing at the computer] Read it to me." After Kristin read the opening lines of the article he was satisfied and said, "They blowed it up! That's what I said they should do a month ago. Can I go jump [on the trampoline] now?" The world outside is safe again for our little fella.

The "spy" is falling, or, how to terrify a 5 year old

A few weeks ago during lunch with my family I mentioned an article I read that morning about a bus-sized US spy satellite that malfunctioned and will tumble to earth in the coming weeks. This news entranced Isaiah who ever since lives his life in fear, ducking for cover when outside, and in general waiting for the inevitable moment of being crushed by a burning bus from space.

I've learned that a 5 year old has no concept of probabilities or how large the earth is. Kristin and I are repeatedly asked by him whether it has landed yet. What's more, sometimes when he hears the sound of a jet flying overhead (a common sound on an air force base) he quivers and braces for impact.

I had no intention of scaring my son and so this is all pretty funny to me, but Kristin (soft-heart that she is) has compassion upon the boy. I get the evil eye from her whenever he brings it up. I think maybe she secretly hopes it'll hit me.

Ski trip

Many thanks to our loving church family for taking Eli with them on the ski trip to Angel Fire this weekend without his parents. We worried some over whether this was a wise decision, and Eli even expressed doubts over whether this was too much for him, but it turned out to be a great experience. He's the first in our southern family to venture down a snow-covered mountain and now we'd all like to try it ourselves.

439 words

In this space a couple of months ago I announced my intention to memorize the third chapter of Colossians (439 words) with help from a group of 7 friends. I later decided to finish this work before our pastor began preaching from the chapter, which occured today. Several of my friends finished on-time (or early) and helped me finish too.

As a result I was better prepared than usual for today's sermon. It was easier for me to understand and apply the passage as it was expounded and exhorted by our pastor. Since he typically covers a verse or two a week, it's likely that I'll reap the benefits of my group's labor for the next several month's worth of sermons!

Thanks friends for your help (and expect a small token of my appreciation soon). I plan to continue memorizing Scripture, and for the last several weeks have been learning Desiring God's Fighter verses via this free on-line program that sends me daily e-mail quizzes on a verse a week.

Valentine's Day Challenge

I need to take more seriously my responsibility to improve my marriage. To that end, I have the following plan and would like to know if other husbands will join me with their own?

Sometime this month I will arrange for a babysitter and take Kristin out for a date. Several days before the date I will provide her with the following list of questions* for us to discuss during dinner.

1. What circumstances are challenging or troubling you right now?
2. What decisions that need to be made are most weighing on you?
3. How are you currently experiencing temptation? This week? In this season?
4. Are you more aware of your sin or how Christ is at work in you?
5. In what ways do you most need my leadership?
6. Where do you need me to provide more spiritual direction/nurture?
7. What passage of scripture would you like us to meditate on together? As a family?
8. How can I help you set priorities?
9. In what area do we need to be more unified?
10. Do you know where I most need your help/input

That's the plan. Kinda simple, but I think it'll be good. So anybody else want to encourage me in this and possibly do something similar with your wife this month?

*questions taken from Family Room blog Covenant Life Church, Gaithersburg Md.

Sledding in the Sandias

It's been in the 50s in the city lately, but drive up the mountain and you can still enjoy a winter wonderland.

Race Day!

Today was the Pinewood Derby Race for Eli's cub scout pack. We've been working on his car for a couple of weeks. This is what you start with:

After cutting, sanding, weighting, filing the axles, lubing the wheels, and painting this is how it looks:

The whole family went out to watch the race; there were about 20 cars. Eli's turned out to be off by a couple hundredths of a second (we think due to the axles not being prepped enough) and lost his heat. But it was a great time for all and we look forward to trying again next year.

God delivers Marie

Today we met a very special little girl. Marie was just adopted by a Christian couple we spoke with about transracial adoption a few months ago. I posted on that first discussion here.

I rejoice at how God saved Marie from abortion (her birthmom aborted 3 of Marie's older siblings and is still enslaved to a self-destructive lifestyle). What a joy it was to hold this little one today and marvel at how God had plucked her out of this situation and placed her in a loving, Christ-exalting home. I'm especially thankful to have played a minor part in God bringing this about.

Praise the Father of the fatherless who settles the solitary in a home!

New Doos

Faith is a little shy about her new hairdoo, but we all like it.




Zeke must have been jealous about all the raving over Faith's hair. I caught him wearing this.

The good, the bad, and the ugly

Parenting is a strange mix of difficulty and success.

Yesterday one of our children wanted to speak to me in private about being a Christian and talking to the elders of the church about becoming a communing member. I wish I had been better prepared for this conversation, I should have been, but eventually the membership and baptismal vows came to mind and we talked through those together. It was a great moment and a highlight of parenthood.

But that same day another child took a marked turn for the worse in a long pattern of poor and troubling behavior. Hours were spent in private talking through sin and what God requires, but in the end the child was sent to bed without repentance.

On a bit of a humorous note, the "ugly" entry centers on a new trick that Zeke picked up. He's entered that phase of infancy that Kristin likes least. When she's out with him in public and someone compliments us on how cute he is and the person leans down close to him, Zeke enjoys at that moment to let loose with a loud and spewy "pbbbbblllttt"! How long will it take for him to figure out that this is also a fun thing to do during the congregational prayer?

Children of promise

I've struggled for years to succinctly describe how the reformed faith views covenant children. Some misunderstand us to think that by baptizing our infants we must think they are saved. Others think that we should consider them lost until we hear a profession of faith. Still others misunderstand the efficacy of baptism itself, thinking that it regenerates them.

Here is the best short summary of the reformed view of covenant children that I've seen.

There is no ground in the promise of the covenant either for presumption that all baptized children are regenerate (or united to Christ) or for the presumption that covenant children are reprobates until they prove otherwise. We are to treat our children as baptized persons, to whom promises have been made. We should expect our covenant children to take up Christ's benefits for themselves, sola fide. We must catechize them faithfully and encourage them to make profession of faith and to come to the Lord's Table, and if they do not, they should face ecclesiastical discipline.

Baptism and the Benefits of Christ, R. Scott Clark, published in The Confessional Presbyterian, 2006

Survival Tip for Christian Parents: Don't Major on Minors

I've been guilty of majoring on the minors with my children. If you read the early days of this blog I'm sure you can find some of the pet issues and bandwagons that I've placed too much emphasis on. I think this mom's quote explains the danger well:

Say that you rail and your rail with your children about all kinds of things: drugs and rock music and Christian music and weak Christianity and sugar and white bread and recycling and ‘those’ people and bad literature and mud on their boots and dirty houses and vaccinations and feeding babies and chocolate and vitamins and natural childbirth, how will your children know which of these things is really important? Maybe one day they find out that some Christians eat sugar and they are nice lovely people who truly love the Lord but from hearing you day in and day out he thought that anyone who ate sugar had a free ticket to hell. Now every single thing you have tried to teach your child ever has been undermined by your passionate intensity.

Be on guard against self-righteousness disguising itself as holiness. Morality, if I dare say it, is a "minor"; the gift of grace through the redemption of Jesus Christ must be the major theme of parenting.

While blessings flee, Savior Lord we trust in Thee!

Music is useful in a believer's life to awaken godly affections and to seek the things that are above. The Indelible Grace cds, old, mostly forgotten hymns, set to new music, are great for that. My favorite cut on the new cd is In The Hours, which is performed in a strong, black gospel style. You can hear it here, and the heavenly-minded lyrics are below.

In The Hours

© 2007 Kevin Twit Music

Words by Helen L. Parmelee alt by Kevin Twit, Music by Kevin Twit

1. In the hours of pain and sorrow,
When the world brings no relief
When the eye is dim and heavy,
And the heart oppressed with grief
While blessings flee, Savior Lord we trust in Thee!
While blessings flee, Savior Lord we trust in Thee!


2. When the snares of death surround us,
Pride, ambition, love of ease.
Mammon with her false allurements,
Words that flatter, smiles that please
Then ere we yield, Savior Lord be Thou our shield
Then ere we yield, Savior Lord be Thou our shield


3. When forsaken in distress,
Poor despised and tempest-tossed.
With no anchor here to stay us,
Drifting, sail and rudder lost
Then save us Thou, who trod this earth with weary brow
Then save us Thou, who trod this earth with weary brow


4. Thou the hated and forsaken,
Thou the bearer of the cross.
Crowned of thorns and mocked and smitten,
Counting earthly gain but loss
When scorned are we, We joy to be the more like Thee
When scorned are we, We joy to be the more like Thee


5. Thou the Father’s best beloved,
Thou the throned and sceptred King.
Who but Thee should we adoring,
All our prayers and praises bring?
So blessed are we, Savior Lord in loving Thee
So blessed are we, Savior Lord in loving Thee

A prayer on year's end and the one ahead

O Lord, my Love beyond compare,

Your goodness has been with me during another year,

leading me through a twisting wilderness,

in retreat helping me to advance,

when beaten back making sure headway.

Your goodness will be with me in the year ahead.

Length of days does not profit me except the days are passed

in your presence, in your service, to your glory.

You have veiled my eyes to the waters ahead,

but I rest knowing that if you have appointed storms of tribulation,

you will be with me in them;

If I have to pass through tempests of persecution and temptation,

I will not drown;

If I am to die,

I shall see your face the sooner;

If a painful end is to be my lot,

grant me grace that my faith fail not.

Only glorify yourself in me whether in comfort or trial,

as a chosen vessel fit always for your use.

Amen.

[adapted from Valley of Vision, pages 111-112]