Brad has been reading a book by Timothy Keller, called The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism. It has been an exciting and encouraging book for him. Occasionally he'll read something to me that really stood out to him. That happened just yesterday, and since then I have enjoyed thinking of the differences between the first Adam and the last Adam (Christ). Here is a quote, from Chapter 14, page 220:
The Son of God was born into the world to begin a new humanity, a new community of people who could lose their self-centeredness, begin a God-centered life, and, as a result, slowly but surely have all other relationships put right as well. Paul calls Jesus "the last Adam." As the first Adam was tested in the Garden of Eden, the last Adam (Jesus) was tested in the Garden of Gethsemane. The first Adam knew that he would live if he obeyed God about the tree. But he didn't. The last Adam was also tested by what Paul called a "tree," the Cross. Jesus knew that he would be crushed if he obeyed his Father. And he still did.
Why did Jeus die for us? What was Jesus getting out of it? Remember, he already had a community of joy, glory, and love. He didn't need us. So what benefit did he derive from this? Not a thing. And that means that when he came into the world and died on the cross to deal with our sins, he was circling and serving us. "I have given them the glory that you gave me" (John 17). He began to do with us what he had been doing with the Father and the Spirit from all eternity. He centers upon us, loving us without benefit to himself.
I hope you are encouraged and challenged by this thought as well! Our Savior lived on this earth, died as a willing sacrifice for our sins, and rose from the dead because He conquered sin and death. Wow! He is so worthy of our honor and glory and praise!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Guess who??
Our budding artist, Evelyn, drew a wonderful picture yesterday. Can you guess who it is? (It's not her; she just signed her name at the top.)
Do the whiskers on the chin give a clue? Or maybe the dark eyebrows and rosy cheeks? If you're guessing that it's her Daddy, you're right! (But the same description could have applied just as well, and possibly better, to my brother GW!) We think it's so funny that she's been drawing nostrils on all her faces lately! But I guess that's the perspective of a 3-year old.
Last weekend we went to a local pumpkin patch. It was fun for all of us-- hayride, petting zoo, and choosing pumpkins. And we even got our first family picture since Truman was born (almost 5 months ago!).
And in honor of Truman's almost-5-month-birthday, here is a picture that Brad took a few days ago. Isn't he a cutie?
Do the whiskers on the chin give a clue? Or maybe the dark eyebrows and rosy cheeks? If you're guessing that it's her Daddy, you're right! (But the same description could have applied just as well, and possibly better, to my brother GW!) We think it's so funny that she's been drawing nostrils on all her faces lately! But I guess that's the perspective of a 3-year old.
Last weekend we went to a local pumpkin patch. It was fun for all of us-- hayride, petting zoo, and choosing pumpkins. And we even got our first family picture since Truman was born (almost 5 months ago!).
And in honor of Truman's almost-5-month-birthday, here is a picture that Brad took a few days ago. Isn't he a cutie?
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Vinegar!?
Have I got a deal for you!
A couple months ago, I ran out of rinse agent for our dishwasher. It's so expensive, and such a small bottle! I didn't want to buy more until I had a coupon, or it went on sale, and I was hoping that those two things would coincide. Many, many weeks went by, but neither happened, and our dishes were getting a thick film build-up. No good.
So one night I went online to find a recipe for homemade rinse agent. And guess what I discovered? Several sources said to use plain white vinegar in place of rinse agent, pouring it into the rinse agent compartment. So I gave it a try. And it works! My dishes are shiny and clean now, and I'm super excited because vinegar is less than $2 a gallon! (And no, the dishes don't smell like vinegar. I don't know how the smell goes away, but I'm certain that my Chemist husband does! If you really want to know, you can ask him.)
A couple months ago, I ran out of rinse agent for our dishwasher. It's so expensive, and such a small bottle! I didn't want to buy more until I had a coupon, or it went on sale, and I was hoping that those two things would coincide. Many, many weeks went by, but neither happened, and our dishes were getting a thick film build-up. No good.
So one night I went online to find a recipe for homemade rinse agent. And guess what I discovered? Several sources said to use plain white vinegar in place of rinse agent, pouring it into the rinse agent compartment. So I gave it a try. And it works! My dishes are shiny and clean now, and I'm super excited because vinegar is less than $2 a gallon! (And no, the dishes don't smell like vinegar. I don't know how the smell goes away, but I'm certain that my Chemist husband does! If you really want to know, you can ask him.)
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Mow, mow, mow the lawn!
John is an astute observer of everything going on around him. And he's a hard worker as he puts those lessons into action! Every time Brad mows the yard, John runs out to "help" him. (See the picture below, taken in April.)
- John helps Brad mow
Here is a little video I got of him "mowing" with his toy lawn mower a few days ago. He's wearing his new favorite shoes, hand-me-downs from his cousin Russell, which are about 4 sizes too big for him. Nevermind that-- it's inconsequential! He likes the shoes, so he wears the shoes!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)