Psalm 37:4

Could He Be any Cuter?

2009-10-07T19:24:00.001-07:00

I may be a little biased, but I think he is the man.

Misc. Pictures

2009-08-03T19:48:00.001-07:00

I was going through a backlog of pictures that are in RAW format, looking for some that Grandma and Grandpa King would enjoy, because Renee is going down to see them tomorrow. Thought I would post a few, unrelated pictures. I figured I enjoyed them- others might too.

Mom and Katie in AMS...

What do you think- could he get himself into trouble?

I know who these strange women are- Do you?

A very cute little girl!

Tomorrow (December 21) the days start getting longer...

2008-12-20T19:04:00.001-08:00

...so I am starting to think about summer!

Christmas- Is Mine a Standing Stone?

2008-12-18T18:09:00.000-08:00

When Joshua brought the people of God across the flooded Jordan, he had some of the men stop and pickup some rocks from the center of the river bottom. When they got to the other side, they placed those rocks in piles. Those piles were called standing stones. The standing stones were to serve as a reminder of the great things God had done in delivering his children from the bondage of slavery. Joshua had done this for the future generations.

When the children, and children’s children asked the reason for those rocks, they were to be told how God had stopped a raging river so that they could cross into the Promised Land. When the children inquired about the stones, they were to tell them of the great plagues that, eventually convinced Pharaoh to let God’s people go. They were to be told of the parting of the Red Sea. They were to be told about the rebellion the first time they scouted the Promised Land, the 40 years of wandering, the manna, the water from the rock. The standing stones were to serve as reminders of how great God is, how needy people are. They are to remind us of His faithfulness, his anger, his mercies, his provisions. The intent of the standing stones was to turn the hearts of the people from the things of this world, to the things of their God.

The Passover festival was another old testament standing stone. It too was to serve as a reminder of God’s deliverance as well as to foretell of future deliverance. Again the people were to be reminded of all that God is and all that he does, and of our desperate need of him.

The Lord’s Table is a new testament standing stone. It reminds us of our need, and God’s provision. If we look closely at the cross, as the Lord would have us do at the celebration of the Lords table, we will come away with a sober joy. This is because, we will see so much of God’s goodness, and so much of God’s severity. We will see our sin, and we will see his provision.

In the same way, our celebration of Christmas should serve as a standing stone. Our Christmas traditions, or standing stones, should stir our affections for Christ and diminish our affections for the world. They should teach us to put our faith in the things unseen rather than things seen. They should move our hearts to long more for the eternal and less for the temporary.

Our traditions, especially our Christmas traditions, should be encouraging our faith, not making us content with or desirous of this world. IF our traditions are getting this backward, then they are, at best, useless. At worse, they are sin.
I wonder, often, about what our traditions are encouraging- what they are teaching. I wonder what kind of desires our traditions kindle. Do our traditions help us, or do they hurt us?

The Christmas story only starts with a baby. But we have to remember more than that. We have to remember who that baby was, what he left, and what he came to do- die.

JI Packer says it like this-

“The crucial significance of the cradle at Bethlehem lies in its place in the sequence of steps down that led the Son of God to the cross of Calgary, and we do not understand it till we see it in this context. The in the New Testament for interpreting the Incarnation is not, therefore, the bare statement in John 1:14, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us,” but rather the more comprehensive statement of 2 Corinthians 8:9, “You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he become poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” Here is stated not the fact of the Incarnation only, but also its meaning; the taking of manhood by the Son is set before in a way that shows us how we should ever view it-not simply as a marvel of nature, but rather as a wonder of grace.”<a class="sdfootnoteanc" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=20458147#sdfootnote1sym" name="sdfootnote1anc">1

He goes on to describe, as best a man can, the glory Jesus left, to be born in a filthy stable and laid in a dirty manger, as he moved toward the cruel, shameful, undeserved treatment at the hands of hateful sinful man to save undeserving people. He was born to endure incredible physical and spiritual anguish while carrying the weight and penalty of sin- my sin. He did so, while I was yet sinning. Packer continues…

“We see now what it meant for the Son of God to empty himself and become poor. It meant laying aside of glory (the real kenosis); a voluntary restraint of power; an acceptance of hardship, isolation, ill treatment, malice and misunderstanding; finally, a death that involved such agony-spiritual even more than physical-that his mind nearly broke under the prospect of it, (See Lk 12:50 and Gethsemane story.) It meant love to the uttermost for unlovely human beings, that they through his poverty might become rich. The Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity- hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory- because at the Father’s will Jesus Christ became poor and was born in a sable so that thirty years later he might hang on a cross. It is the most wonderful message that the world has ever heard, or will hear.

We talk glibly of the “Christmas spirit,” rarely meaning more by this than sentimental jollity on a family basis. But what we have said makes it clear that the phrase should in fact carry a tremendous weight of meaning. It ought to mean the reproducing in human lives of the temper of him who for our sakes became poor at the first Christmas. And the Christmas spirit itself ought to the mark of every Christian all the year round.

It is our shame and disgrace today that so many Christians- I will be more specific: so many of the soundest and most orthodox Christians- go through this world in the spirit of the priest and the Levite in our Lord’s parable, seeing human needs all around them, but (after a pious wish, and perhaps a prayer, that God might meet those needs) averting their eyes and passing by on the other side. That is not the Christmas sprit. Nor is it the spirit of those Christians- alas, there are many- whose ambition in life seems limited to building a nice middle class Christian home, and making nice middle class Christian friends, and bringing up their children in nice middle class Christian ways, and who leave the sub-middle class sections of the community, Christian and non-Christian, to get on by themselves.

The Christmas spirit does not shine out in the Christian snob. For the Christmas spirit is the spirit of those who, like their Master, live their whole lives on the principle of making themselves poor-spending and being spent- to enrich their fellow humans, giving time, trouble, care and concern, to do good to others – and not just their own friends- in whatever way there seems need.”2

Pray with me and endeavor with me to keep our Christmas traditions authentic standing stones- drawing our families and us closer to Jesus and not into the world.
1 J.I. Packer, Knowing God, page 58.
2 Ibid; page 63

Jesus I Need You

2008-11-17T17:59:00.000-08:00

by Amy O'Neal

Jesus I need you
Jesus I want you
Jesus I am open
but Jesus my eyes are closed
Jesus I need to see you

Our Philippine Vacation

2008-11-14T09:32:00.001-08:00

Renee and I were blessed to spend a week in the Philippines with Lotis and Renato. What a time we had- we saw an old friend (Mr. Jollie Bee), soared through the Mountain Rain Forest tree tops, sailed across Subic Bay in a 42 foot racing sailboat, and stayed with some of the most gracious people- Renato's Mom and Dad. We had a blessed time. Here are some pictures...

A Treasure Found at the Work Picnic

2008-08-09T14:54:00.001-07:00

The kids found a creek in the park during my work picnic. The picnic was nice, but the creek was the jewel.

The Family Reunion Picture - Minus Four

2008-08-05T19:09:00.000-07:00

Why I Love Jesus

2008-06-28T19:04:00.000-07:00

It was at a baptism I first heard the question posed. It was not asked of me, but of those being baptized. When the question first came to my ears, it truck terror in my heart. It seems that I was at a loss for words to answer. It should not be like this.

By Gods grace, that terror lasting only a few seconds quickly turned to joy as answers to the question came flooding into my mind, into my heart. The question that was so moving- Why do I love Jesus?

This is a very good question, and one which probably cannot be adequately answered. But, I have been enjoying it’s contemplation.

Why do I love Jesus?

First and foremost, I love Jesus because He first loved me. While I was a sinner, an enemy, one who denied him, hated Him, He consented to come to earth for the express purpose of hanging on the cross, to the point of death- for the forgiveness of sin. Even my sin. I love Jesus because He first loved me.

I love Jesus because He opened the eyes of my heart so that I might begin to see Him for who and what He is. My dead heart was so filled with desire and love for other things that I had no room for seeing him. If I could not see Him and all that He is, I would not love him. He has opened my eyes to see what a treasure there is to be found in him. I love Him because He opened my eyes to see him.

I love Jesus because He has given me a new heart to appreciate him. It is one thing to see and to know about. It is quite another to appreciate, to rejoice in. One is the function of the body (the seeing) the other is a function of the heart (the appreciating- the feeling). Here I am speaking of the actually experiencing who He is- He has given me a heart to experience all that He is for me. I love Him because He has given me a new heart.

I love Jesus because He is loveable. Once we begin to perceive glimpses of who He is, it is impossible not to love him. His majesty, his kindness, his mercy, his faithfulness, his truthfulness, his compassion, his authority, his power and his might- all this and all the rest that He is, once we begin to perceive it, overwhelms me with love and adoration and worship for him. I love Him because He is loveable.

I love Jesus because He lived a perfect life of obedience, a righteous life, and then covered me with His robe of righteousness. Because He has done this, clothed me thusly, I am able to approach the Father without being consumed. Oh what grace! What mercy! I love Jesus because He is righteous and has clothed me in His righteousness.

I love Jesus because He is so overflowing in his love for his glory, He saw fit to endure creation. And not only that, He created and planned and decided to endure a creation that would be a fallen creation, so that He might display more of his glorious mercy and grace and wrath and holiness- all of which we creatures could not have known (not experientially- not with the heart) to the degree we can know it now. I can know the love and mercy and grace of Christ to the extent that I know what I have been saved from and to the extent that I know what I was saved for (eternity in heaven with Him) and to the extent that I understand the price paid for that saving. He has shown me my wickedness, and the wickedness of it. I love Him because He loved his glory and the displaying of it for my pleasure enough to endure a fallen world and the cross.

I love Jesus because He has opened my eyes to see the emptiness of all that I am prone to embrace apart from him. He has shown me that all pursuits apart from Him are sin, and will not satisfy. Through this, He has made room in my heart for him. I only wish He would move more quickly here. I love Jesus because He has shown me the reality that only He satisfies- only He is faithful to fulfill- all other endeavors and pursuits are vain and will only disappoint- they are a waste of time and energy! I love Jesus because He opened my eyes to the vanity of all pursuits apart from him.

I love Jesus because He promises to continue to show me all He is for me and to mold me- to increase my capacity to love and enjoy that which He shows me- all the while increasing my capacity to enjoy Him in heaven when and where I will see Him face to face. “He who has begun a good work in you…” which He has, “will be faithful to complete it.” Or in another place “…those who have been justified, will be sanctified.” This is a promise I love and long to collect on. Because as I am sanctified- as the desires of my heart are turned from the seen to the unseen, as my affections are removed from the things of this world to the things of Christ, my longing for and my capacity to enjoy Christ in heaven will be increased. My bliss and reward in heaven will be greater because He promises, if I “…make me [him] the desire of your [my] heart, and I [he] will grant you [me] the desires of your [my] heart.” Oh how I want to be sanctified. Well, He has promised to do it, and then He hung on the cross to prove that there is no good thing He will withhold from me. This I know He will do. I love Jesus because He will continue to sanctify me just as He has justified me.

I love Jesus because He has made a way for me to see all that He is and enjoy it. He has made a way for me to approach him, and his Father, with joy and anticipation, certainly with some trembling, but not with dread. Because He made a way, paid my price, I can love, long for, meeting Him face to face with the anticipation of experiencing the most glorious and exquisite joy in my being welcomed into the kingdom rather than dreading the judgment that would be mine in that face to face meeting. Without the cross all I would know is dread. With the way He has made, I have joy filled hope. I love Jesus because He has made a way for me to enjoy all the rest that he, his father, and his spirit are for me.

I love Jesus because He sustains me. He knows me. He knows what I need. He knows what is good for me. He knows what is bad for me. He has through his work on the cross, seen that the Father’s wrath against me is satisfied. So that all that comes my way, all which happens to me, all that touches my life, comes to me through my Father’s loving hand rather than his wrathful anger.

Whether I find it easy, or it makes me hurt, I know because of Jesus, it is not wrath, but love. It is not punishment, but discipline. It is not bad, only hard. It is, in fact, good.
Oh the difference the work of Jesus makes in the life of a sinner! I love Jesus because He sustains me.

I love Jesus because He sustains the universe, my universe. Even the atoms are held together by his mighty power. Ever consider what protons are doing in such close proximity as seen in the nucleus of an atom? Logic says they shouldn’t be there. Protons are like charges, and like charges repel each other. It is, in fact, this very power, the energy stored by these protons being in close proximity, that is released in an atomic bomb. Yet, there they are, held closely together, by the power of Jesus. Scientist may find another way to describe what is happening, but they will never find another way to explain it. Because by Him, through Him, and to Him are all things. Oh how glorious and lovable and worshipful He is when we see Him in the smallest of things.

I love Jesus because He holds the stars and planets in the heavens for my eyes to behold and adore His power and glory in the heavens. From the smallest of things to the largest of things, I see His power and I am awed. I am moved to love and to worship. How can I not be? How could I not love such a one as this? I love Jesus because He displays His glory before me and I cannot help but love Him.

OH God, help me to love Him more!

Works of Art

2008-05-25T16:34:00.000-07:00

By Amy

By Keith

By Erin

A Day on the Lake in Minneapolis...

2008-01-29T20:10:00.000-08:00

Getting Ready...
Getting going...
Getting down...
Having fun!

In the Twinkling of an Eye...

2008-01-24T04:16:00.000-08:00

The Lord, my God, can give new birth in the twinkling of an eye. One moment we are dead- the next moment we are believing and alive. In that same twinkling, we could be taken home. That is, we could have come to the end of the days allotted. We could be taken up, moving from this age to the next. We could find our time here on this earth is finished. In a twinkling, we could be separated from those we love- facing the reality of the frailty of our bodies, and we die.

Though we die, we will live again. And if we are trusting that Jesus lived the life of righteousness for us that we cannot live, and that he died on the cross to pay the price for our sins, a price we could not pay, then we will live again in a better place. And we will be reunited with those we love in that better place.

This all came afresh on me when Renee and Allie were involved in a serious car mishap. The van they were in (Renee driving) hit a slippery spot, began to slide, and then began to roll. Their vehicle rolled two to three times.

The miracle that they are alive is almost unbelievable. Even more so when you consider this was in the middle of the day and traffic was all around. But He (who knows the number of hairs on our head and set the number of days for our lives) guided their rolling vehicle through that traffic to land on it's wheels in the ditch on the side of I35, untouched by any other cars or trucks.

But, they are not only alive; neither of them are seriously hurt. They haven't even needed to see a doctor. They are both stiff and sore.

It was not their time. They cannot die, and neither can we, until we have lived the days He has allotted for us. We cannot die, until He has completed all He intends to complete in and through us.

I am so glad He is not finished working in and through Renee and Allie. As much as I want to rejoice when any loved one goes to be with Him, to see Him unveiled in all His glory, I am glad they are still with me. I know that is selfish. I also know that should the time come, that the Lord calls Renee home, He, in His gracious love for me, will grant me the grace to rejoice for her- in the twinkling of an eye.

The Lord Blessed is in the Philippines!

2007-12-19T17:03:00.001-08:00

These pictures were taken by Scotty- More to come!

At the Beach in Minneapolis

2007-08-14T20:22:00.000-07:00

...even as...

2007-08-05T06:52:00.001-07:00

"...I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father..."
John 10 10:14-15

Oh my. This is more than I can take in. While there are multitudes of good news here in these two verses, it holds out a promise that I am not sure I fully understand, or can believe- Is Jesus telling me that I will know him, even as He knows His Father? Help me, Lord, to grasp this...

Jesus knows His Father so intimately that they are called one. Is He saying I will know Him that way? That intimately? That sweetly? That obediently? Oh God help me, because I think this may be more than I can believe...

Doesn't He know how wicked I am? The thoughts that course through my mind? The vile that comes from my heart? How easily I am offended and how hard it is for me to forgive? How can He be saying that I will know Him even as He knows His Father?

I know that He knows me; all that there is to know- even those things I wish I could hide from Him. This makes it even harder to believe that I will know Him, even as He knows His Father. You see, Jesus' knowledge of the Father is so deep, so intimate, so authentic, so loving,... ...so everything, that He and Father are one. They are One God. If I am going to know Jesus even as He knows His Father, then... ...well, then, what does that mean- How far does it go? How deep into the Triune Godhead, does mercy bought by the blood of Jesus take me?

Just how glorious is the union between the lamb and His Bride? Do we really become one even as the Father and His Son are one? Is this what he means when He says "...that they may all be one; even as You, Father are in Me and I in you, that they be in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me." John 17:12. Just how deep into the Godhead does mercy bring us?

I do not know if I believe the answers I think I see, but oh how I pray I would. I am so sinful and unworthy. Praise be to Jesus Christ. I long to know Him- even as He knows His Father.

Pray for me...

It's Summertime in Minneapolis

2007-07-01T20:33:00.000-07:00

A Visit to the Beach!

2006-11-12T19:18:00.000-08:00

August 21, 2006 - 25 Years!

2006-08-23T16:32:00.000-07:00

Twenty-five years of love and growth!

From Dave to Renee
Twenty-five years ago we married.

Today we stand together as son and daughter of the great King.

Today we stand with a glorious legacy of six children.

Today we stand with a testimony of love that brings us great joy, others great hope, and our King great glory.

Renee, I am more in love with you today than I was yesterday.

Till we depart this world, I am happily yours...

From Renee to Dave (via an e-mail to the world!)
Hello all,
I'm sitting here enjoying some quiet minutes before all the kids get up, thinking about all the blessings God has poured out on my life (in the past 25 years especially, since today is our 25th wedding anniversary!). I am overwhelmed by the many things that come to mind:

I have a wonderful relationship with a dear man who loves God and me deeply, who is committed to the welfare of our family, who takes care of all of our needs-- financially, fixing things, doing maintenance, overseeing our spiritual lives, overseeing homeshool, serving his family in big and little ways (e.g. doing the dishes when he is exhausted). He is very involved in ministry to spread the good news of salvation with MESSENGERS, leading a bible study, faithfully working at NWA with a positive attitude when there are few to be found there, always wanting to look for and meet the needs of others, being a loving and kind neighbor, very happy in the life God has given us. I am moved to tears with the rememberance of those and many other blessings from the hand of King Jesus to me, in giving me my wonderful husband, Dave.

Just wanted to share my thankfulness to God, my deep contentment with my life in every area, my strong and ever-growing love for my husband, and my hope for a future filled with days of honoring God through our relationship, and in our parenting, and in all the other roles we have in life... I am truly happy, fulfilled, and extremely grateful for all the Lord has done for me. HE HAS MADE ME GLAD!!

Love,

Renee

Sometime in St. Louis with the Kings

2006-07-08T12:10:00.000-07:00

We spent a little over a weekend with Grandma and Grandpa King in June. On saturday we went to the local community water park. That was a blast. All the ladies went to a formal tea- they got all dolled up for that, but I wasn't in town yet to get pictures. I wonder if Grandma King has any?

As usual the food was good. We had a mix of good take out stuff brought in and good homecooked. Wow!

I think it was a good trip. I hope we don't wear them out to much.

Knowing God?

2006-07-08T11:45:00.000-07:00

We (some of the guys in Messengers) are going to start reading Packer's Knowing God and then gathering to discuss it and pray. I am excited, because I know there are two kinds of knowing, and both are necessary when we are talking about God. I am most certainly lacking in both. I have great expectations that He will be faithful.

The two kinds of knowing are, to know information/data, and to know by experience. The spanish language has two words for these, conocer and saber. Perhaps the best way to explain is like this; I know my address (that would the data knowing). I also know my wife. Not just her name and what she looks like and what size she wheres, or even how she thinks. I know her by experience. I have enjoyed her. She affects my mood, my heart, my thinking. Some used to say, I know her in a biblical way.

Another way to look at it is, the old banana test. Most anyone knows what a banana tastes like. But, the only way to know that, is to experience it. You could try to explain that. But I doubt that anyone who has never tasted a banana before will come even close to knowing what a banana tastes like without tasting one. The only way to know what a banana tastes like is to experience the tasting of a banana.

I hope it doesn't sound like I am comparing knowing God, to knowing a banana.

I think both kinds of knowing are very important when it comes to God. We must know about Him to even begin to understand what we have experienced of and from Him. We must experience Him to appreciate all that He is and does. Would it be fair to say, our praises eminate from our experience of Him and they are guided by our intellectual knowledge of Him.

For example, to know (experience) the fullness of His mercy towards us, we must first begin to understand what it means for Him to be Holy. If we do not know that He is holy, then we will not appreciate the depth and mystery of the mercy. Our praises would be less than they ought to be.

I am painfully aware of my lack of knowing Him. Oh, how much more I want to know. I want to know with David, that "...a day in Your courts are better than a thousand elsewhere..." I want to know with the saints of old who endured tribulations with joy, because they knew (in their head and their heart) there was greater joy set before them. I want to know Him so well that I can say with Paul, that all things in this world as to be counted as rubbish when compared with the joy of knowing Him. Then my joy will be complete, and my walk holy, and my life worthy of the one who has called me.

Oh Lord, help me. I feel His help even now!

Our Little Girl is Growing Up

2006-06-05T17:12:00.000-07:00

Amy is now riding a two wheeler!

And take a look at who is working on her bike and assisting her...

A Surprise Birthday Party

2006-06-05T16:54:00.000-07:00

Some good friends helped me celebrate my birthday with a surprise party at a local park. Here is the proof...

A Word from Jonathan Edwards

2006-05-20T20:38:00.000-07:00

"God has given to mankind affections, for the same purpose which he has given all the faculties and principles of the human soul for, that is, that they might be subservient to man's chief end, and the great business for which God has created him, that is, the business of religion [knowing and loving and glorifying God by enjoying Him]. And yet how common is it among mankind, that their affections are much more exercised and engaged in other mattters than in religion! In things which concern men's worldly interest, their outward delights, their honour and outward reputation, and their natural relations, they have their desires eager, their appetites vehement, their love warm and affectionate, their zeal argent; in these things their hearts are tender and sensible, easily moved, deeply impressed, much concerned, very sensibly affected, and greatly engaged; much depressed with grief at losses, and highly raised with joy at worldly successes and prosperity. But how insensible and unmoved are most men about the great things of another world! How dull are their affections! How heavy and hard their hearts in these matters! Here their love is cold, their desires languid, their zeal low, and their gratitude small. How can they sit and hear of the infinite height, and depth, and length, and breadth of the love of God in Christ Jesus, of His giving His infinitely dear Son, to be offered up a sacrifice for the sins of men, and of the unparalleled love of the innocent and holy, and tender Lamb of God, manifested in His dying agonies, His bloody sweat, His loud and bitter cries, and bleeding heart, and all this for enemies, to redeem them from deserved eternal burnings, and to bring to unspeakable and everlasting joy and glory-and yet be cold and heavy, insensible and regardless!"

Jonathan Edwards in "The Religious Affections" pp 51 - 52

Oh Lord God, have mercy on me! Change my heart, Oh God!

A Picture of Erin

2006-05-20T20:27:00.000-07:00

It Was A Blessed Mother's Day

2006-05-15T19:09:00.000-07:00

We spoiled Mom on Sunday. We fixed her favorite breakfast. We took her for a walk through the park. The kids kept running ahead, stopping to wait for us to catch up, and then asking what took us so long. They also took time to check out the stage there in the park. Then we let mom take a nap.

We also had a piano recital where our two pianist wowed all the mothers in the place, as well as the fathers, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, grandmas, grandpas, and everyone else that was in there. For all the brothers and sisters and aunts and uncles and grandmas and grandpas and anyone else that is reading this blog and might like to see the recital, I will be putting it, at least the important parts, on a DVD and you can see it. I will let you know when it is done. I will probably add a few other things to it for your viewing pleasure.

Finished the celebration of motherhood by taking Renee out to eat at Culver's. Yep, we had to get some ice cream too. Scotty, we thought of you while we were eating that ice cream. In fact, took a great big lick in honor of you. We were following the great example of christian charity that you exhibited while sharing ice cream with the clan in Louisville. You remember- when you took a great big lick for me!

Am I happy in God?

2006-05-12T17:48:00.000-07:00

John Piper Quoted George Mueller the other day. He said, "George said, 'The most important point to be attended to is this: above all things see to it that your souls are happy in the Lord."
He went on to say that George would begin each day with that battle. To see to it that his soul was happy in God Himself. George new that, if he did not start the day that way, he would be of no use to anyone else. He would only use [abuse] people to satisfy those cravings which are in him and intended to be satisfied by God alone. And so they never can be satisfied by anyone or anything else.

The only way to do the things that Jesus tells us to do; "turn the other cheek," "love your enemy," "forgive 70 times 7, " consider others as better than yourself," "lay down your life," etc... is to have your satisfaction in Him.

He says "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will lovehim, and We will come to him and make our abode [live] with him." John 14:23

That is the kind of promise that can enable and sustain the soul in the hard times, if the soul is satisfied in the promise. That is, if the souls desire is Jesus; knowing Him, loving Him.

Oh Lord, help me to be "Happy in God!"

He heard my cry...

2006-05-02T17:03:00.000-07:00

Psalm 40:1
I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me and heard my cry.

Keith has been healed. His stomach ailments, which have plagued him since August of 2004, have left. We have been to many doctors, and many types of doctors. We were scheduled to take him to a pediatric diagnostician at the Mayo Clinic. But, one week before we were to take him there, just before the last performance of Passion; It's a Dying Thing in Toronto, Canada, he came up and said it was gone!

About three weeks prior, after hearing Sam Storm preach about "...how He [Jesus] went about doing good and healing all..." I began to pray that God would heal Keith, and heal him before we got to the Mayo Clinic, so that God would not share His glory with Mayo Clinic.

I know that God can and does use doctors. But, I prayed that way anyway. And He heard my prayer. He inclined to me and heard my cry. Keith is healed.

He has "...put a new song in my mouth , a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear and will trust in the LORD."

Praise Him with me! Fear Him! Love Him! Praise Him! He is LORD over all.

Snow in Minneapolis!

2006-03-21T19:43:00.000-08:00

After a very mild winter, March brought in two snow storms that dropped 10" and then 7" on us. The kids and dog seemed to enjoy. I guess I didn't mind too much. Beleive it or not, I think the first snow was only the second or third time I used my 20 year old snowblower. It still works! My neighbors are glad for that (that word neighbor is a funny word. What does the person who lives next to me have to do with the sound that a horse makes? Or what does the sound a horse make have to do with the person who lives next to me?)

Take a look at Chase's eyes in the first picture- he looks like he has figured out how these snowballs work and he isn't trusting anyone anymore. He just got a haircut and I think he is "posing"!

The snow was kind of deep for him. But he had a blast- just like the kids.

Sleepless in Seattle

2006-03-08T18:04:00.000-08:00

The girls (Renee, Katie, and Erin) went to Seattle with Lotis to visit Abbie and her mom. Looks like they had a bit of fun. I had to double check to see what was in those green bottles they were drinking out of (turned out to be Ginger Ale- honest!).

Katie said she liked the crab. Looks like they enjoyed the market. And it was raining- but they were in Seattle after all!

Amy, Keith, and Allie and I were left here all alone to fend for ourselves. We had a good time though. And I discovered something.

You see, our house is sometimes kind of noisy. And, I used to think that it was the littlest amongst us who made it that way. But, it was really quiet while Katie and Erin were away. I can only conclude they are the source of most of the noise. Unless, of course, it is Renee- she wasn't here during that quiet time either.

Wanna be happy?

2006-03-08T09:21:00.000-08:00

Psalm 37:4
"Delight youself in the Lord, and He will grant you the desires of your heart."

Wow! Did you know we are commanded to be happy. We don't have to be miserable and just do our duty. In fact, we have the greatest One of all promising to fullfill our greatest dream- to be happy. He says He will give us the "...desires of our heart." The promise giver could not be more trustworthy (if He says He will, then He can and will deliver), and the promise could not be sweeter (what could you want more than the desires of your heart?).

There is a catch. The Promise Maker, is the one we are to delight in. Our desires are to have Him at the root. Bottom line is, if we want to be happy, if we want to be holy, if we want the promises of God to be promises to us, then we must set our hearts and our eyes and our hopes on Him. He will make us happy- with Himself.

Oh, I believe- help me Lord, my unbelief!

The Open House

2006-01-21T14:04:00.000-08:00

Thought I would post some pictures from Scott and Em's open house here in Minneapolis. You may not be able to tell from these pictures, but we had quite the house full.

We had a good flow of people coming in and out. There were a few times where I was a little concerned that we were just about maxed out- but the flow slowed, until a few left, and then more came again.

The food was good- Renee, our girls, and a few friends from MESSENGERS helped to prepare it all. A couple of very good friends offered to help that night so that Renee and I could concentrate on our guests. What a blessing it all was.

The time spent preparing the food was almost as much a joy as the time spent sharing the food. The friends that helped, also helped us to laugh, and love, and enjoy the work of service.

A Patient Keith

2006-01-02T19:18:00.000-08:00