I think I like it!Friday, August 31, 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Stickers
by Todd
We have a sticker bandit in our house. She’s 36 inches tall and has the prettiest blond curls you’ve ever seen. You may not know where she is, but you can always tell where she has been. Icons of her presence may be in the form of Mickey Mouse, Dora, or an alphabet letter. The image is unimportant, but the fact that it is there means the world to me.
I have Goofy’s mug on my electric drill. My wife walks around with the letter “M” on her pant leg. My 6-month boy stands in his play saucer with the image of “Porky Pig” on his forehead. These are all signs of affection, signs of love, reminders that we were worthy enough be given a gift. At some point, she deemed us valuable in her sight and left us a visible token of her love.
As much of a neat-freak as I can be, I don’t run around removing these stickers like I do the muddy footprints. For, both show the signs of a person’s presence, but one is intentional love while the other is unintentional negligence.
What if we could see the stickers and footprints we have left behind? Not the stuff of paper and glue or shoes and mud, but the products of our actions, choices we have made, words we have spoken. George Bailey had the blessing of seeing what this world was like without him, something we may never see this side of eternity. Fortunately for George, and most of those who live on the silver screen, he left only good things in his wake. But the rest of us face the reality that we are sinful creatures in need of a Savior to save us from the muddy footprints we leave behind.
At any time in history, things happen because someone existed, someone left their mark. They did something, spoke something and now the effects live on, good or bad.
I once saw a man cross a secured crosswalk while shining a flashlight in the direction of all nearby drivers (mind you it was in broad daylight). His actions, I could only assume, were due to someone leaving their muddy footprint in his history book – and he would never let it happen again. Prior pain and the fear of its reoccurrence motivate a change of behavior. In the spirit of self-preservation one man hides his fears from others, or constantly talks about himself, or avoids eye contact. A mark has been left, a life has been changed.
To bring balance, I have a friend who reminds me often how much God loves me. He does this because someone has left a “sticker” in his life, a token of God’s affection. Someone made an investment and I enjoy the reward. Love and the truth of a redeeming Savior will cause one man to write notes for his wife, another to tell his kids every day how much he loves them, another to give hugs to everyone he greets, whether they are expecting it or not. By the grace of God, a life has been changed and His work continues.
Come to our house and you will see signs of love here and there. You may even leave with a few stickers of your own.
Father's Day Fun with Stickers - June, 2007
Monday, August 13, 2007
Family Camping
We've had a wonderful and busy summer vacationing with family and friends. A couple of weeks ago we got to take our only vacation alone with our little foursome to Millersylvania State Park. The weather was perfect - the best camping weather we've ever had. It was a great time of relaxing, swimming and just being together. Here we are in front of our faithful little 70's tent trailer.
Silas and Daddy with Deep Lake in the background.
Mama and Maggie on our hike.
Fun in the Sun!
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Road Trip Photos
In celebration of Aunt Lucile's 100th birthday, a show was put together depicting the young lives of the four sisters (Lucile, Beulah, Mildred and "Gran" Margaret). Maggie (Gran's namesake) played the part of Gran. For the show she wore a dress that Gran last wore in 1915 at her dedication!
After the birthday celebration, we headed to the family cabin in the mountains above The Dalles, Oregon. Mishayla and Maggie especially enjoyed swimming in the lake and picking flowers together.
Then we were off to Pomeroy, WA to visit "the cousins". Maggie and Mishayla had so much fun with everyone... and this is only about half of them.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Last Words, Faithful Friends
Abiding in Christ, Part 1
by Todd
When a man has little time, he will get to the point. His words become succinct, clear, even commanding. A lifetime of wise counsel will not keep a sage from dispensing his best, especially when death is near. For three years now, Jesus has poured the core of His teachings into the eleven men who surround Him. He knows He has only a few hours to summarize years of credo. The Shepherd is about to be struck and the sheep will scatter. The loving Savior sets His own trepidation aside to ensure His friends are prepared.
He looks around the room at the eleven familiar faces. They are very ordinary men who have done the extraordinary by saying “yes” to Him. Peter, the informal leader of the group, has been hot-headed at times, even earning sharp rebukes from the Lord. His brother Andrew is just the opposite – quiet and behind the scenes. James and John were nicknamed “Sons of Thunder” for their aggressive ambition. Philip lacks vision and is bent toward a “cannot do” attitude. Nathaniel continues to struggle with his prejudice views. As a tax collector, Matthew is one of the most hated in Capernaum and is frequently assumed to be taking advantage of others. Thomas is a melancholy and struggles with depression. James, son of Alphaeus, and Judas, son of James are considered nobodies, as scripture says nothing about them. Simon the Zealot is a terrorist of his day, constantly promoting a revolution against the Romans.
There is of course, the one who was not there. The one that Satan had entered; the prodigal who would never come back to the Father’s arms. He left only moments prior and at His leaving, Jesus mourned.
They have been the most persistent of students who have stood up to the rigors of public criticism, loss of social stability and family ridicule. They now sense something is near by the urgency of His words and intenseness of His eyes, but as in times past, they are clouded by confusion and expectation.
Jesus now senses the need to move on from this room of comfort, this room that in 50 days will house some of the first followers of the Way. Scanning their eyes, in hope of finding a spirit of strength and courage, He urges them, “Come now, let us leave”.
The cool night air is both refreshing and startling as the cadre shuffles onto the dusty road. These were the roads that only one week ago heard the people shout
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest!”
In the distance, Jesus sees the silhouette of the small Mount of Olives, where the perfect payment will begin. He walks with unwavering posture, while the disciples follow along, glancing at one another, trading comments.
He knows His time is drawing near. In spite of the horrible pain to come, the Shepherd thinks only of the sheep. His firm, authoritative voice breaks the chatter…
by Todd
When a man has little time, he will get to the point. His words become succinct, clear, even commanding. A lifetime of wise counsel will not keep a sage from dispensing his best, especially when death is near. For three years now, Jesus has poured the core of His teachings into the eleven men who surround Him. He knows He has only a few hours to summarize years of credo. The Shepherd is about to be struck and the sheep will scatter. The loving Savior sets His own trepidation aside to ensure His friends are prepared.
He looks around the room at the eleven familiar faces. They are very ordinary men who have done the extraordinary by saying “yes” to Him. Peter, the informal leader of the group, has been hot-headed at times, even earning sharp rebukes from the Lord. His brother Andrew is just the opposite – quiet and behind the scenes. James and John were nicknamed “Sons of Thunder” for their aggressive ambition. Philip lacks vision and is bent toward a “cannot do” attitude. Nathaniel continues to struggle with his prejudice views. As a tax collector, Matthew is one of the most hated in Capernaum and is frequently assumed to be taking advantage of others. Thomas is a melancholy and struggles with depression. James, son of Alphaeus, and Judas, son of James are considered nobodies, as scripture says nothing about them. Simon the Zealot is a terrorist of his day, constantly promoting a revolution against the Romans.
There is of course, the one who was not there. The one that Satan had entered; the prodigal who would never come back to the Father’s arms. He left only moments prior and at His leaving, Jesus mourned.
They have been the most persistent of students who have stood up to the rigors of public criticism, loss of social stability and family ridicule. They now sense something is near by the urgency of His words and intenseness of His eyes, but as in times past, they are clouded by confusion and expectation.
Jesus now senses the need to move on from this room of comfort, this room that in 50 days will house some of the first followers of the Way. Scanning their eyes, in hope of finding a spirit of strength and courage, He urges them, “Come now, let us leave”.
The cool night air is both refreshing and startling as the cadre shuffles onto the dusty road. These were the roads that only one week ago heard the people shout
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest!”
In the distance, Jesus sees the silhouette of the small Mount of Olives, where the perfect payment will begin. He walks with unwavering posture, while the disciples follow along, glancing at one another, trading comments.
He knows His time is drawing near. In spite of the horrible pain to come, the Shepherd thinks only of the sheep. His firm, authoritative voice breaks the chatter…
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