Proverbs 30:5-6

5 "Every word of God is flawless;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
6 Do not add to his words,
or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.

This is one of those reminder passages of how much bigger God is than us. How little we truly know. We can know plenty by spending our time in the Bible. In fact, we can never fully grasp everything that is in the Bible. But, to all of us that are parents teaching our kids, those of us teaching Sunday School or Bible studies or those of us giving biblically sound advice to our friends, we have to make sure we are not adding anything to the truths God has given us. God's word is enough.

Proverbs 29:20

"Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him."
Why does this one jump out at me...well, I know that I have a problem of speaking too quickly at times. The bible references many instances where our words can do damage:

Psalm 57:4
I am in the midst of lions; I lie among ravenous beasts— men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
Psalm 64:3
They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their words like deadly arrows.
Proverbs 12:18
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

If the bible is calling out this much of a warning about what our words can do to others, why do I constantly struggle to not speak to quickly? I will continue to work at not using my words to put others down or to create laughter at their expense...to show God's character in that aspect of my personality so that ultimately He will be glorified.

Proverbs 28:19

I had heard an interesting study that was suggested by one of the blogs I read…it said to read one chapter in Proverbs everyday so that you go through the whole book every month and do that for a year….you will have read through the book of Proverbs 12 times and you will get to know it pretty well. Since Solomon was the one of the wisest people to ever live and he is the author of most of the book, it would stand to reason that any person would benefit from knowing the wisdom that is held in this book. To that end, I have been trying, though not as consistently as I have wanted to read the chapter a day in this book. I think I will try to also write a couple of thoughts that come up each day with the verses I read….At least for one pass through the book. As today is the 28^th, I read chapter 28. Verse 19 really struck me. It says: “He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.” Immediately my mind went to all the “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” books I have owned…the “One Minute Millionaire” and other titles like it that I have spent many hours reading through. While there are pieces in these books that are good information, my heart was in the wrong place in most cases. I wanted to make millions, retire early, etc. What a fallacy. Work is not a burden. We have purpose through the work God gives us. In fact, we will be working once we get to Heaven, so our minds better get wrapped around the fact that work is a good thing. Don’t chase the fantasies, find God’s call for your life and fulfill it. Then work will not be “work” in the classic American sense. It will be one of the rewards that God promised.

Loyalty Day Parade

Tired

Had a long weekend filled with activities. Jaden and Jacob walked in a parade. We had church and small group. Just a bunch of things to do. I will post some pictures and video from the parade this weekend...but it has taken me all night to download everything off of my phone so that I can share. You know, I love my phone and I am constantly amazed at what we can do we technology anymore, but sometimes...like at 11:30 at night when you are still trying to get things done...it starts to seem like a whole lot of trouble :)
Well, until tomorrow then...have a good night and a fantastic start to your week.

Spring Cleaning - 2

Books...I have decided that I buy too many books, have too many books and want too many books. I mean look at this one shelf....my wife loses it every time she walks into my office. It is only cause she promised me that I could have a space without her touching it that it got this way in the first place.

I am all for reading, but I have been thinking that outside of a few books here and there that I will re-read, or books that are references or that I will call upon for clarification, I need to leverage the library more and my pocketbook less. I also think that cleaning out some books will help me clean up my office clutter and maybe even make me take stock in why I kept the books in the first place. Maybe freeing myself from these old books will be cathartic in a way. Make room for new thoughts, new ideas, new goals and plans.

Weather

Wouldn't you know it? Take a look at the weather we have had over the last several days...

http://www.weather.com/weather/pastweather/01568?from=month_topnav_undeclared

It is my end of quarter, which means I am putting in more hours than usual, it is Jaden's week off from school for spring break and Kristen has been able to go out and spend time with them at the park, friend's houses, etc....I am still pasty white (I know that it will not change regardless, but just give me a little here...) and stuck in front of my computer. I always look to the positives though...at least I am not having to fight the millions of black flies and other bugs that are now starting to come out in force because of the warmer weather.

Serenity Prayer

As many times as I have heard the first part of this, I don't know that I had ever heard the second part...so, thought I would share it with everyone.

The Original Serenity Prayer
(Credited to Reinhold Niebuhr)

God, give us grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.

Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did,
This sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it,
Trusting that You will make all things right,
If I surrender to Your will,
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You forever in the next.

Amen.

Blog Change

Yes...I changed the template of the blog...I just decided I needed something a little different. The other one seemed too dark. This is is lighter and brighter. I need light and bright in my life not dark.

Spring Cleaning - 1

Kristen and I are both on a "Less is More" kick. We are determined to do away with stuff. Hopefully, it will be spring cleaning on steroids. We are going to get organized, get clutter free and actually get a few projects that we have on our list done. Check back here over the next 2 months for updates. I will try to post some before and after pictures for each project. Let's see if me posting this on the blog keeps me accountable to getting some things done :)

Psalm 23:6

We are working on the baby talk, but I love that both of the boys are memorizing scripture.

Jude's first time in the 'Johnny Jumper'

I didn't expect Jude to be ready quite yet, but Kristen has been waiting for this since the day he was born.

6 year old email

Not to be outdone...one other one came up as I was cleaning up the inbox....maybe I should clean it out more often?

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given threemonths to live. So as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her Rabbi and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.
She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. Everything was in order and the Rabbi was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.
"There's one more thing," she said excitedly.
"What' that?" came the Rabbi's reply.
" This is very important," the young woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."
The Rabbi stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.
"That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked.
"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the Rabbi.
The young woman explained. "My Grandmother once told me this story, and from there on out, I have always done so. I have also, always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement.
In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. 'Something wonderful,and with substance!'
So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?"
Then I want you to tell them: "Keep your fork ..the best is yet to come."
The Rabbi's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.
At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Rabbi heard the question "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.
During his message, the Rabbi told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. The Rabbi told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.
He was right.
So the next time you reach down for your fork,let it remind you ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.

5 year old email

Yes, I got this email 5 years ago and still had it. I always thought it was a good one, so I thought I would share it here and then finally delete it from my inbox :)

Sometimes, we wonder, "What did I do to deserve this" or "Why did God have to do this to me?" Well here is an explanation.
A daughter is telling her mother how everything is going wrong. She's failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away. Meanwhile, her mother is baking a cake. She asks her daughter if she would like a snack.
The daughter says, "Absolutely Mom! I love your cake!"
"Here, have some cooking oil," her mother offers.
"Yuck" says the daughter.
"How about a couple of raw eggs?"
"Gross Mom!"
"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe some baking soda?"
"Mom, those are all yucky!"
To which the mother replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good. We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful."
God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He will listen.
He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.

Whole world in his hands

So, Jaden asked this morning..."Does the bricks and the road hurt Jesus' hands?"
"What do you mean?" we asked.
"Well, if Jesus has the whole world in his hands, then does it hurt his hands when they put down road, or put in telephone poles?"
How great is that?

Security

Jacob was taking a nap the other day while everyone else was up and about. He woke and was distraught to find no one around him when he came to the door of his room.
Now, compare this with his usual routine of being bleary eyed at the door and saying "I'm awake!" and being almost immediately picked up and cuddled...you can see why things were different.
After wandering for a moment, he started to cry and Mom immediately came and found him. You see, we weren't where he expected us to be and he got scared. His security was threatened. It didn't matter that he was safe and that Mom was only steps away. She wasn't where he wanted her to be. How often is that the way we are too?
We think we see things clearly, but most likely we are bleary eyed, if not blind.
We expect God to be "here" to answer our prayers, but we don't see him.
We get scared the moment things aren't the way we expect them to be.
Jacob told Mom that he was looking for her, so at least he decided to take action.
Are you seeking God if you are not finding Him where you expected Him to be?

Bad Bahavior

We went out with the boys this morning to get Jude's pictures taken. We have been less than prompt in getting him in for his 3 month pictures, so now that he is 4 months we figured we had better get moving on it. We went into the store and were ushered right back. Jude was doing pretty well, but Jaden and Jacob were not. They were LOUD and completely out of control. They were being good to each other, the problem was that their behavior was so LOUD, so disruptive that even though they were having a great time, no one else was. The people working the photo area were kind and tried to help, but that really only made it worse as the boys figured they were getting that much more attention for it. After trying and failing at multiple disciplinary options, the photo shoot was stopped and Kristen reviewed the pictures that we had been able to capture. The boys and I headed out to the car. As we walked out with their hands in mine, you would think they would realize that they should cool it...I mean the threats against lost toys, playtime, privaleges and everything else should have already let them know they were in a bad spot....but no. Instead, they kept it up to the car and even once in the car. It was only by the grace of God that I had any patience at all.
I know that I probably embarrased my parents on numerous occassions while in public...especially as Joel and I loved to fight, so this is probably the old saying of "May you be blessed with a child just like you." coming to fruition.

Budding star!

The shirt says it all

Mondays...

I have to admit....I have a hard time with Mondays. Slow to get up, work seems longer, harder...it has to be a perception thing, but it is one that I have not broken yet. Pray for me and Mondays!

The Martyr's Song

Well, I have to say thank you again to Emily and Linda for turning me on to Ted Dekker's writing. I picked this book up on Sunday from the church library and consumed it in one evening (last night). It was a short book, but powerful message. It is so powerful to me when reading about the passion that people have for their faith. Not giving away too much to say that someone dies in the book, since it is called 'The Martyr's Song'...but to have the fortitude, faith and a perspective on this life that enables anyone to give up their life for ther faith is just awe inspiring. Whether it was the disciples, missionaries or whomever, what an example to have been set by living and ultimately dying for their love of Jesus. I aspire to have that kind of faith.

Good News

It is really nice to hear good news. I was lucky enough to hear good news from all of my siblings over the last week or so. How awesome is it that we can share in each other's joy? Keep it coming, cause I love almost nothing more than hearing of great things for all of my family.

Spiritual Warfare

Do you believe in spiritual warfare? If you read the Bible and believe it to be truth, then certainly you know that it exists...but do you believe that it exists in your everyday life? I just finished a book called the Invisible War that was very good and brought me some clarity around this subject and simply made me more aware of the realities of spiritual warfare. I know that I tend to place little emphasis on the impact that evil can have in my life, at least most of the time, and don't prepare myself well enough against an enemy as crafty as the devil to minimize that impact. We are called to be aware of the devil and his tactics, but not preoccupied with them. To put on the armor of God, not just as a checklist of things to do in the morning and think that you are good to go, but as a way of life that will prepare us against the inevitable attacks that come our way.

Innocent fun

I am truly scared for society in general and specifically for my children. Too many things come up in the media about activities that are now considered acceptable that just are not. 'Hooking up', drugs, and many other things...are brushed off as 'innocent fun' or 'kids being kids'. I feel that we pay too little attention to these activities and thereby promote that view.
'A child can strike a match in complete innocence, but a flame still results.'
I may seem strict with my children at times, but when they grow up, I hope they will recognize how much we loved them by not being passe about all these things that society considers innocent fun.

Miscommunication

When Jaden gets really upset about something he gets this reaction around his eyes...Raccoon eyes, or something like that. It generally takes a couple days for it to go away. Well, he had one of those episodes the other night and was very concerned that he was going to school looking like that. I told him "If anyone asks you, just say that you had a reaction to something and that your eyes will be fine in a day or so."
Well, of course the first person to ask him is his teacher and Jaden says to her "My dad told me to say that it was a miscommunication."
Well, I guess he was right!

Friends

We are so blessed with awesome friends. One of my best friends in the world and his wife sent this gift to Jude...

First...what an awesome gift! Three tiers of diapers, a John Elway beanie baby, a onesie that included the comment "Broncos Rule, Patriots drool." and a Broncos blanket. Now as amazing as it is, and they did a great job getting diapers that were the right size, they decided that they needed to make sure we understood why we got this particular gift...

In the card that was attached was the following little jab..."We're doing our part to make sure your parents rear you with proper values. It's evident by their Christmas card that your brothers morals are slipping. You are their only hope."

See the picture below for the reference to our Christmas card...

Acts 2 Church

We started a study of the book of Acts yesterday. One of the most impressive things to me was the way that people came together as a community, as a family of believers. They met with each other, ate with each other and sold their possessions and gave to one another as they had need. I wish that we had community like that in today's world. What if everyone in the church today acted like the early church?

EcoTarium

Took a day off and enjoyed it by going with the family to the EcoTarium up in Worcester. They are doing an exhibit right now on dinosaurs. I enjoyed the time with them...watching how exciting everything is, how much they enjoyed running on a treadmill to see which dinosaur they were as fast as, and I think their most fun time was simply a modified game of "I spy".
I am regularly reminding myself that I should treasure these times with the kids since they will grow up sooo fast. It was only for a few hours today that we hung out with them at the museum, but it qualified as one of those times.

PS I have no doubt that Kristen will have new pictures up in the next day or so on the day out, so make sure you check her link out on the side here...

patience

Patience is not an easy thing. Whether with the kids, with colleagues, or with everything after sitting in an airport for the last 3.5 hours (so far) waiting for a plane. It is a good skill to develop though, so I endeavor to view this as an opportunity, not an obstacle.
I do really wish I was home with my family already though!

Victory is guaranteed

I read a book on the plane this afternoon that made a comment on how we should view the spiritual warfare that we are engaged in everyday...his comment? "We do not fight for victory but from victory." What an awesome quote!
Just think on that and the application of it to our lives.

Living "In the Black"

I read an article this morning that included this passage:

"In 2 Corinthians 9:7 Paul says we should give what we decide in our hearts to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver. This verse is often applied to financial giving, but I believe it applies to any resource we give away—our time, or energy, or skills. I recognized that during a season of over-extension, most of my "gives" had been reluctant or under compulsion. I felt I had to help, had to serve, or had to solve the problem. But when we attempt to give what we do not have, we cross a boundary. We trespass into joylessness.
God loves a cheerful giver, but that does not mean we should give what we do not possess to gain his approval or anyone else's. It does mean, when the balance on our account is in the black, and we write the check, or make the phone call, or lead the team, God gets a kick out of it. We need to minister "in the black" so we have something to give. Giving "in the red," giving what we do not possess, means we are living in duplicity. We are not loving God or others authentically because we're not being honest. "

I know that I struggle with saying yes to things at times out of some sort of obligation. I think this is an important point. If our hearts are right, then we can and should say yes to those things we can do. We really have to be honest enough with ourselves and others to say yes or to say no.