Sunday, May 20, 2007
Friday, May 11, 2007
from The Spirit of the Disciplines, Dallas Willard
"And if we intend to become like Christ, that will be obvious to every thoughtful person around us, as well as to ourselves. Of course, attitudes that define the disciple cannot be realized today by leaving family and business to accompany Jesus on his travels about the countryside. But discipleship can be made concrete by loving our enemies, blessing those who curse us, walking the second mile with an oppressor-- in general, living out the gracious inward transformations of faith, hope, and love. Such acts-- carried out by the disciplined peson with manifest grace, peace, and joy-- make discipleship no less tangible and shocking today than were those desertions of long ago."
Sometimes I wonder what makes me, a follower of Christ, any different from those around me who claim to follow another religion or even no religion at all. After reading Dallas Willard this morning, I was reminded again of how radical loving our enemies, or blessing those who curse us is in this world of back stabbing and a "me first" philosophy.
I was teaching The Great Gatsby last week and we were talking about the pursuit of the "American Dream" and what it looks like. I asked the question, "If one stomps on others to reach his/her goals and dreams, or if one neglects the needs of others to reach their own success, does that count as fulfilling the American Dream? Can one reach the American Dream by corrupt means?" I was shocked by the amount of students that believe it is not only acceptable, but necessary to use any and all means to reach a goal or a dream.
What makes me different as Christ's child? I am following a God that not only cares about others, but sacrificied himself for the life of others. I am a disciple that manifests grace, peace, and joy.
Sometimes I wonder what makes me, a follower of Christ, any different from those around me who claim to follow another religion or even no religion at all. After reading Dallas Willard this morning, I was reminded again of how radical loving our enemies, or blessing those who curse us is in this world of back stabbing and a "me first" philosophy.
I was teaching The Great Gatsby last week and we were talking about the pursuit of the "American Dream" and what it looks like. I asked the question, "If one stomps on others to reach his/her goals and dreams, or if one neglects the needs of others to reach their own success, does that count as fulfilling the American Dream? Can one reach the American Dream by corrupt means?" I was shocked by the amount of students that believe it is not only acceptable, but necessary to use any and all means to reach a goal or a dream.
What makes me different as Christ's child? I am following a God that not only cares about others, but sacrificied himself for the life of others. I am a disciple that manifests grace, peace, and joy.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Lovin' my Boots!
It seems that at least once a day, Samuel comes to me with green frog boot in hand, imploring eyes, and the "eh! eh!" that means, "I want something." Here are a couple of boot pictures I captured, but these are just two of the many times he's spent walking in his most favorite boots.
Sliding!
After some friends of ours told us that their son loved going down the slide head first, we decided to let Samuel try it out. So, on Sunday we took Samuel to the playground and sure enough, he loves the slide. Here's the video to prove it!
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Baseball!
While Miriam was here, we watched Aaron coach the freshmen baseball team. He is usually the assistant coach, and when the coach was unable to come to the game, Aaron was able to coach the game on his own. Very fun to watch Aaron in action, interacting with the kids, and having a lot of fun.
Samuel tried his best to stay awake, but ended up taking a little nap in his stroller.
Fun in the Sun!
Today was in the 80s and Samuel had a few more birthday presents to open. Thankfully, they all involved enjoying the sunshine. He absolutely loves the pool and the fun balls, fish, bucket, and shovel to play with in the water!
And you go in the pool...
and back out of the pool...
over and over!
Just chillin'!
Friday, April 27, 2007
On Suffering
This is an excerpt from Richard Foster's Perspective newsletter. I found his words especially challenging to my seemingly natural (and sinful) inclination to avoid situations that do not first insure my personal safety--usually at the expense of seeing His mighty work therein. May he strengthen us to be bold and faithful, as we are called.
You can find this whole newsletter, and archives back quite a few years at:
http://www.renovare.org/readings_perspective_16_1.htm
Disclaimer: This newsletter does not contain Samuel pictures. If you are feeling the constant urge to search for Samuel pictures within this article, please check back in a few days, and check into your nearest clinic. There will soon be updated pictures of his great week with Aunt Miriam!
Suffering Avoidance
In the future we are going to look back on 2005 as "The Year of Suffering." The most identifying features of that year were the Asian tsunami, the hurricanes on the Gulf Coast, and the earthquake in Pakistan. These natural disasters brought death to multiplied tens-of-thousands and have displaced many more.
These terrible natural disasters remind us that suffering is painfully real. Now, this knowledge is important to us today for we live in a culture of "suffering avoidance." To be hit in the gut by suffering on a massive scale shocks us back into reality, and that reality is that suffering is a fact of human existence as we know it. We had better get used to it. We live in a good world gone bad. Even the creation which is so beautiful in so many ways has been affected by the Fall and that is how we experience it.
These all but overwhelming natural disasters are comprised of multiplied millions of stories of individual suffering. And it is the individual human suffering that we must see and understand and refuse to run from.
We speak in Christian theology of the vicarious suffering of Christ. By this we mean more than Christ's sacrifice on Calvary, though we do mean to include this pivotal event. On the cross Jesus, the Christ, took into himself all the sins and sorrows of the past, present, and future, and through his blood redeemed it all. Jesus experienced, however, not only a cross-death but also a cross-life. As the Son of God walked among us in the flesh he constantly and consistently identified with those who suffer; the bruised and the broken, the poor and the weak, the hopeless and helpless.
Standing With . . . Aching With . . . Weeping With . . .
This is where you and I come in. We are never more the Church than in our identification with those who suffer. This is one vital way we participate in the vicarious suffering of Christ (Phil. 3:10). This is why mission hospitals have always been such an important element in mission penetration throughout history. Learning to stand with, ache with, weep with those who suffer may not be everything, but it certainly stands close to the center of our apprenticeship to Jesus. And it is right here that the watching world will be able to see our love. It is love in action, love with skin on it. Here we need to be sharply counter-cultural. Rather than avoid suffering at all costs we intentionally embrace suffering to the glory of God and the good of all people.
I urge you: don't run from suffering. It is here. It is real. If you have not experienced it personally as yet, believe me, you will. And, frankly, it is all around you—at home, at work, among neighbors and friends.
Two Challenges for Avoiding Suffering Avoidance
So now, here is the first challenge I would like to place before us: find someone who is suffering within your circle of nearness. Our spiritual formation is first always local and specific. So, find a suffering human being. This will come to you as a result of prayerful watchfulness to those in your world. Neighbors. Friends. Even strangers. Then simply be with this person and allow what happens to happen. You will be led I am sure.
This is where we begin, but it is not where we end. Our circle of nearness needs to be expanded. So here is my second challenge: intentionally step outside of your circle of nearness. Experience a short term mission trip. Visit Auschwitz. Read Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. Take a plunge experience into the urban life in one of our large cities.
Undertaking this second challenge will expand your circle of nearness and will guide you to the next step. I cannot describe that next step for you because it will be individual and specific to your own experience and gift set. You will be led I am sure. Then, mind the Light.
Peace and joy,
Richard J. Foster
You can find this whole newsletter, and archives back quite a few years at:
http://www.renovare.org/readings_perspective_16_1.htm
Disclaimer: This newsletter does not contain Samuel pictures. If you are feeling the constant urge to search for Samuel pictures within this article, please check back in a few days, and check into your nearest clinic. There will soon be updated pictures of his great week with Aunt Miriam!
Suffering Avoidance
In the future we are going to look back on 2005 as "The Year of Suffering." The most identifying features of that year were the Asian tsunami, the hurricanes on the Gulf Coast, and the earthquake in Pakistan. These natural disasters brought death to multiplied tens-of-thousands and have displaced many more.
These terrible natural disasters remind us that suffering is painfully real. Now, this knowledge is important to us today for we live in a culture of "suffering avoidance." To be hit in the gut by suffering on a massive scale shocks us back into reality, and that reality is that suffering is a fact of human existence as we know it. We had better get used to it. We live in a good world gone bad. Even the creation which is so beautiful in so many ways has been affected by the Fall and that is how we experience it.
These all but overwhelming natural disasters are comprised of multiplied millions of stories of individual suffering. And it is the individual human suffering that we must see and understand and refuse to run from.
We speak in Christian theology of the vicarious suffering of Christ. By this we mean more than Christ's sacrifice on Calvary, though we do mean to include this pivotal event. On the cross Jesus, the Christ, took into himself all the sins and sorrows of the past, present, and future, and through his blood redeemed it all. Jesus experienced, however, not only a cross-death but also a cross-life. As the Son of God walked among us in the flesh he constantly and consistently identified with those who suffer; the bruised and the broken, the poor and the weak, the hopeless and helpless.
Standing With . . . Aching With . . . Weeping With . . .
This is where you and I come in. We are never more the Church than in our identification with those who suffer. This is one vital way we participate in the vicarious suffering of Christ (Phil. 3:10). This is why mission hospitals have always been such an important element in mission penetration throughout history. Learning to stand with, ache with, weep with those who suffer may not be everything, but it certainly stands close to the center of our apprenticeship to Jesus. And it is right here that the watching world will be able to see our love. It is love in action, love with skin on it. Here we need to be sharply counter-cultural. Rather than avoid suffering at all costs we intentionally embrace suffering to the glory of God and the good of all people.
I urge you: don't run from suffering. It is here. It is real. If you have not experienced it personally as yet, believe me, you will. And, frankly, it is all around you—at home, at work, among neighbors and friends.
Two Challenges for Avoiding Suffering Avoidance
So now, here is the first challenge I would like to place before us: find someone who is suffering within your circle of nearness. Our spiritual formation is first always local and specific. So, find a suffering human being. This will come to you as a result of prayerful watchfulness to those in your world. Neighbors. Friends. Even strangers. Then simply be with this person and allow what happens to happen. You will be led I am sure.
This is where we begin, but it is not where we end. Our circle of nearness needs to be expanded. So here is my second challenge: intentionally step outside of your circle of nearness. Experience a short term mission trip. Visit Auschwitz. Read Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. Take a plunge experience into the urban life in one of our large cities.
Undertaking this second challenge will expand your circle of nearness and will guide you to the next step. I cannot describe that next step for you because it will be individual and specific to your own experience and gift set. You will be led I am sure. Then, mind the Light.
Peace and joy,
Richard J. Foster
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Sunday Morning
Samuel came to me this morning, with shoes in hand. I was impressed because I assumed that he had made the connection that his shoes go on his feet. Well, that wasn't the only connection he's made with shoes. Evidently, shoes on his feet means that we are heading outside! I was taking too long to get my own shoes on and so Samuel came up to me with yet another pair of his shoes in hand. "Don't you get the idea, Mom?"
I couldn't decide which pictures to put on the blog, so here are a bunch of them. He loves playing outside.
I couldn't decide which pictures to put on the blog, so here are a bunch of them. He loves playing outside.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Visiting the Park with Cousin Autumn
Cousin Autumn came to visit and these pictures of the fun time they had playing at the park on Saturday.
Friday, April 13, 2007
New Stats
We just got back from Samuel's 1-year doctor appointment and have the latest stats to share:
Weight: 23 lbs 5oz, 54th %ile
Height: 31 1/4 in, 86th %ile
Head: 19 in, 92 %ile
I'm assuming a large head is a sign of great intelligence, but I'm not sure where he gets his height! A few shots too, although he was quite the mature boy and only cried a little. (-:
Weight: 23 lbs 5oz, 54th %ile
Height: 31 1/4 in, 86th %ile
Head: 19 in, 92 %ile
I'm assuming a large head is a sign of great intelligence, but I'm not sure where he gets his height! A few shots too, although he was quite the mature boy and only cried a little. (-:
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Monday, April 02, 2007
Finally...
I know, I know. It has been a long time since we've posted anything and I realized how many pictures that hadn't been downloaded yet! So, you're in for a lot of pictures. I started with our most recent trip to Phoenix and ended with a few from when Poppa came to visit.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Happy (early) Birthday Samuel!
We celebrated Samuel's birthday 11 days early because his Poppa came to visit. Here are a few pictures of this momentous occasion!
This is his Frog Cake. 
Would you like
Maybe you'd like some Daddy? It's really yummy! 
Reading his book from Great Grandma and Grandpa Thomspson.
And, he loves his new rocking chair from Nana and Poppa!
It's amazing to think that our little baby is close to being a year old. A great first birthday! He'll be celebrating again on the actual day, March 27th, and maybe one more time when his cousin Autum comes to visit. We'll consider that his "friends" party. (-: Enjoy the videos of Samuel's first cake.
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