How is it that I have a son who just finished 4th grade already? I really cannot believe that he will be in 5th grade next year! He is such a joy to be around and a blessing to our family. His baby sister loves him so much and looks up to him. She will call for him, take him books or just get in his face when she wants his attention. And, he is so sweet about it, taking time to read to her or look at whatever she is trying to show him.
He is our one child who is really NOT a morning person. If he has to be up before 8a.m., he has a very difficult time waking up. Today was our first day of summer vacation, so we decided to let him sleep in as long as he wanted. He read in bed until 10:30! Speaking of reading, he still loves to read! The last book I had him read for the school year was Swiss Family Robinson, and he seemed to enjoy it. I plan to put together a Summer Reading List for him, sometime this week. (I know, I am a terrible mom.)
Right now he is playing Star Wars on the PS2 with Daddy (the other kids got sent to bed early for their behavior). I am having so much fun watching them have some Father-Son fun together.
Anyway, I really just wanted to say how proud I am of the wonderful young man he is becoming. I love hearing how well he knows Scripture. Not just the verses he has memorized, but also how great he is at thinking of which stories relate to other things we are talking about. I pray God will continue to guide his path and that he will grow more and more in knowledge of Him.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sovereignty of God
The sovereignty of God has been on my heart a lot lately. Having grown up in a Christian home, and going to a Christian school, means that I've heard that term quite a bit. But, what exactly does it mean that God is sovereign? I like John Piper's definition, "God has the right and power to do whatever makes him happy." If you asked me a year ago if I agreed with that, I would have quickly agreed. When I married the man of my dreams 12 years ago, I praised God for what a blessing he was to me. Two years later when we had our first baby, we gave him a name that means "happy, blessed" because we know without a doubt that children are a blessing from the LORD! And, each time I gave birth to another healthy baby, I praised Him, knowing that every good gift is from Him.
What about in the tough times? Do I praise Him when difficulties come? At some point I underlined a verse in my Bible, "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" (Job 2:10b) I think that was the the verse that got me thinking about the sovereignty of God on a deeper level. It made me wonder, "Does that mean that trouble actually comes from God?" It sounds terrible to say, but I believe it is true, and I have found it repeated over and over in His Word.
Exodus 4:11 "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD?"
Deuteronomy 32:39 "I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal."
I Samuel 2:6-7 "The LORD brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up. The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts."
Psalm 115:3 "Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him."
Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails."
Lamentations 3:38 "Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?"
These are just a few of the verses I found scattered throughout the Bible that prove that God is sovereign over good and bad. He is sovereign over kings and weather. He is sovereign when I give birth to a healthy baby and when I lose one before I ever have a moment to hold them. He is sovereign when my husband is bringing home a decent paycheck and when we don't know how we are going to pay bills next month. I cannot accept good from God and not bad.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised. Job 1:21
What about in the tough times? Do I praise Him when difficulties come? At some point I underlined a verse in my Bible, "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" (Job 2:10b) I think that was the the verse that got me thinking about the sovereignty of God on a deeper level. It made me wonder, "Does that mean that trouble actually comes from God?" It sounds terrible to say, but I believe it is true, and I have found it repeated over and over in His Word.
Exodus 4:11 "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD?"
Deuteronomy 32:39 "I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal."
I Samuel 2:6-7 "The LORD brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up. The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts."
Psalm 115:3 "Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him."
Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails."
Lamentations 3:38 "Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?"
These are just a few of the verses I found scattered throughout the Bible that prove that God is sovereign over good and bad. He is sovereign over kings and weather. He is sovereign when I give birth to a healthy baby and when I lose one before I ever have a moment to hold them. He is sovereign when my husband is bringing home a decent paycheck and when we don't know how we are going to pay bills next month. I cannot accept good from God and not bad.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised. Job 1:21
Monday, May 17, 2010
Rejoice and Mourn
We are told in God's Word to "Rejoice with those who rejoice;mourn with those who mourn" (Romans 12:15). I have had the privilage of rejoicing with my dear friend, Jenn, many times over our 10 year friendship. We rejoiced when we each gave birth to our firstborn babies in February and April of 2000. We rejoiced together again in January and March of 2002 when baby #2 arrived in our families...and again in 2004 and 2006! :)
Even though we have never even lived in the same state (Wisconsin, Colorado, Indiana, Idaho, Tennessee!!), Jenn is one of my best friends. She encourages me to be a better wife and mom. She urges me to keep going with Homeschool (especially when I feel like quitting in January!). We have vacationed at their home in Colorado and Indiana. She is the friend who can see me first thing in the morning, with no make-up and before I've had my coffee, and she still loves me! We have laughed together a lot in the past 10 years. I am so thankful for that!
We have also cried. Mostly over "little" things, like how tough Homeschooling can get, how challenging parenting can be, how scary it is to be in a tornado with 8 kids and no husbands!, how great the Love Comes Softly movies are... Last Fall, when I lost my baby at 11 weeks into my pregnancy, Jenn called me over and over again to see how I was doing. I could be honest with her. She didn't leave it at, "I'm ok." I loved her even more for it! Then, just a few weeks later, Jenn found out that her precious baby growing inside her was very sick. I'm not going to go into details here, it is enough to say that the past few months have been difficult for Jenn and her family. She has "considered it pure joy" as she has faced this trial. She is an inspiration to me.
Just a few days ago, Jenn gave birth to her 5th baby. This beautiful, precious girl lived outside her mom's womb for a little over an hour, then she went to live with our Lord and Savior. In her very short life, she blessed so many! She will be very missed by her family and friends.
And so, after 10 years of much rejoicing and a little mourning, this week I truly mourn with my dear friend as she is brokenhearted. I rejoice that "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted..." I also rejoice that "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." (Job 9:10)
Even though we have never even lived in the same state (Wisconsin, Colorado, Indiana, Idaho, Tennessee!!), Jenn is one of my best friends. She encourages me to be a better wife and mom. She urges me to keep going with Homeschool (especially when I feel like quitting in January!). We have vacationed at their home in Colorado and Indiana. She is the friend who can see me first thing in the morning, with no make-up and before I've had my coffee, and she still loves me! We have laughed together a lot in the past 10 years. I am so thankful for that!
We have also cried. Mostly over "little" things, like how tough Homeschooling can get, how challenging parenting can be, how scary it is to be in a tornado with 8 kids and no husbands!, how great the Love Comes Softly movies are... Last Fall, when I lost my baby at 11 weeks into my pregnancy, Jenn called me over and over again to see how I was doing. I could be honest with her. She didn't leave it at, "I'm ok." I loved her even more for it! Then, just a few weeks later, Jenn found out that her precious baby growing inside her was very sick. I'm not going to go into details here, it is enough to say that the past few months have been difficult for Jenn and her family. She has "considered it pure joy" as she has faced this trial. She is an inspiration to me.
Just a few days ago, Jenn gave birth to her 5th baby. This beautiful, precious girl lived outside her mom's womb for a little over an hour, then she went to live with our Lord and Savior. In her very short life, she blessed so many! She will be very missed by her family and friends.
And so, after 10 years of much rejoicing and a little mourning, this week I truly mourn with my dear friend as she is brokenhearted. I rejoice that "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted..." I also rejoice that "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." (Job 9:10)
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