A Faded Flag

One day I stopped by my grandfather's home to see how he was doing. He was sitting on his front porch, hiding from the midday sun. I noticed that he had something folded over his lap--it was an old American flag. The flag was badly worn: the red of the flag was pink, the blue was so badly faded that the stars hardly stood out, and the edges were torn to treads. When I saw the flags condition I asked him, "Papa, why don't you just buy a new one?" He responded, "Well, I guess there's no need to buy a new one when I can just fix this one. I've had this one for about a year...they certainly don't make them like they used to." As I watched my grandfather slowly sew the rips I realized that I probably would have just tossed the flag in the trash and picked up a new one. Yet, I think that Papa's response was better. He was taking time and giving the flag another chance. If I ever find myself in a similar situation--working with something that is torn, faded and ready to be discarded--hopefully I'll think about Papa sitting on the porch with his needle and tread. Maybe I won't be so quick to discard the old for the new.

A Long Pause

I am well aware that there has been an unusually long pause since my last blog entry. Although I've had plenty of blog post ideas, I haven't found the time or motivation to put my thoughts out onto the world-wide web. Nevertheless, I decided to break the silence tonight. I'm certainly not making any promises that I'll begin blogging at full force, but for the two people who still come here every once in a while, I'll try to say something every now and then.

"Thank you for fingers"

At bedtime tonight, Alora prayed the following words:

"Father, thank you for fingers so that I can pick my nose and wipe them on my shirt."

The Spark Now Flames

The spark now flames brightly,
Lighting our hands--held tightly.
The whisper erupts with calling,
Encouraging those who are falling:

“Awake, O sleeper! Awake!
For the Light is shining, and we are alive.”

End of the Semester

Well, I'm finishing up my first year of seminary. I have to turn in one more paper and take a couple of exams...then, I'll be finished for a while. Since the summer is going to be so packed (with a new baby, vacation, youth trips, family visits), I'm not taking any classes until the fall semester.

Still Here

Just in case you're wondering, I'm still here. It's nearing the end of the school semester, so I've been really busy with reading, papers, church and family. I'll post something substantial sometime soon.

From Him, Through Him and To Him

Over the past week, I've been so encouraged and humbled as I've meditated on these verses from Romans 11. Indeed, we serve a great God!

"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

“For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?”
“Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?”

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen" (v.33-36).

Away with Endnotes, Hurray for Footnotes!

Amen Greenbaggins! Amen! I'm in full agreement with Lane's comments regarding footnotes vs. endnotes. Footnotes are far superior to endnotes. I really do hate having to flip to the end of books. Give me the information where it should be: at the bottom of the page!

Updating the Updates

Well, here are a few updates regarding all the things that we had going on last week:

Moving: With the help of family and friends, the move on Saturday went great. Although it rained most of the day, we managed to load and unload without any injuries or trouble. I am so thankful that Amy's dad and mom (Jerry and Vivian) were able to come from Virginia in order to help us during the weekend. And I was overwhelmed by the gracious service from our church family and friends. The acts of service that took place are too many to recount here. Thank you all for your prayers and service to our family. As of today we have a most of our rooms organized and unpacked...our bedroom is still filled with boxes though. (NOTE: We will not have a home phone or internet until this weekend, so the only way to contact us will be on our cell phones.)

Ordination: Well, everything went great with the first step toward ordination as I met with the candidates committee on Thursday night. My next step will be to go before the Presbytery on April 24 in order to give my testimony and my call to gospel ministry. Although I know that this process is not easy, I am thankful for the accountability and sharpening that will take place during this time. Please pray for me as I continue to study, learn and prepare for ordination.

Puppies: All the puppies are doing great. The puppies are almost two weeks old now, and they're beginning to open their eyes. They're very cute. Also, Spicy loves our new yard.

Staying Busy

Here's a number of things going on with our family:

New Home: Well, we're on the move again. Thankfully we're only moving across town. We will be closing on our home on Friday and moving on Saturday. Currently, we have most of our current home boxed up and ready to go. I think Amy and the girls are starting to go crazy because the only things left to play with are...well...boxes. I believe that this is the 8th time that Amy and I have moved as a family so far, but I'm starting to lose count. Pray for us as we move.

Pregnancy: Amy is about 5 months along in her pregancy. She and the baby are doing well. Of course, Amy is often tired while trying to take care of the girls as well as trying to take care of herself and the baby. Please pray that she will be given good rest at night. Also, in case anyone would like to know, the new baby's name will be Ann-Marie Joy. Ann was Amy's Grandmother's name, and Marie is Amy's middle name.

Coming Under Care: Please remember me as I go before the Canidate's Committee tomorrow night. This is one of the early steps in the ordination process. I'll be sharing about my relationship with Jesus and my call to ministry. I've been looking forward to this for a while.

Seminary: I got my grades back from the various tests and papers that were due before Spring break, and I was very pleased. Thanks to all who prayed for me, especially in regard to Greek.

Puppies: All nine puppies are alive and thriving. The girls have really enjoyed having the puppies around the house.

"He is not here, but has risen."

Luke 24: 1-12 - But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” 8 And they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.