Accepted by Christ

The degree to which we understand - truly understand - that we are accepted by Christ, we have life. The degree to which we experience life, we can accept others. No more bottom feeding. No more grabbing for any and everything that MIGHT bring us life. We constantly attempt to suck the life out of things like our jobs, family, friends, health, status, money, power and prestige. Bottom feeders is what we are - Christ offers us himself.

Why settle when you can have Christ!

Meet Dale

 

Please meet the newest member of our family - his name is Dale. Kylie and I played outside with Dale for about 1/2 hour tonight. That basically means, I lit his candle and she blew it out.

Now that is not an actual picture of Dale. Dale is definitely not that cute - but we carved him up this past Sunday. He seems to enjoy his time on our porch, just watching the world go by.

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It has been crazy at work. We are entering the Open Enrollment season, which means the stakes are raised a bit. Everyone seems to be feeling the pressure a little more.

Meeting George for coffee tomorrow at Starbucks. It will be a little different environment, but I am looking forward to it. Hopefully we can keep this up on a semi-regular basis. They seem to be settling in to their new home - from what I have been able to see on my 19" monitor it looks nice (we have talked over Skype a couple of times.)

Lifehouse's Everything Skit

Please take a few minutes and watch this WHOLE video. I don't know what the deal is, but I cried again!

I will lift my eyes

This is Kylie and my song. Bebo Norman is still one of my favorite Christian artists. From a very early age - when I first got the cd with this song, I would listen to it with her sitting on the kitchen counter. She would lift her hands with me and we would sing. At least she kinda learned the chorus. Tonight I sang it to her before she went to bed - like I have a thousand times. Only tonight was a little different - she sang every word with me. In a soft whisper. Yep, I cried.

"Oh God, my God, I cry out
your beloved needs you now.
God be near, calm my fear
and take my doubt.
Your kindness is, what holds me up
your love is all that draws me near.

I will life my eyes - to the Maker
of the mountains I can't climb.
And I will lift my eyes - to the Calmer
of the oceans raging wild.
And I will lift my eyes - to the Healer
of the hurt I hold inside.
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to you."

I'm a Christ Follower (Mac vs. PC Parody) Part 02

Came across some of these video parodies of the Mac vs pc commercials. Particularly like this one b/c they talk about church.

Passion 2007 - Uncreated One

Movie Night

Tonight is movie night. Emily has rented us a movie - not sure yet what it is, but it will be nice to relax with her and watch.

Thinking about taking Kylie up to see her first Cincinnati Reds game. I am excited although it could turn out to be a train wreck. She has to watch enough of them on TV with me - she has earned a "real game" experience.

We have a busy couple of weeks/months coming up. Vacation is right around the corner, along with a couple of birthday celebrations. Kylie will be 3 and Jackson 1.

Joshua and Maurie are studying a book that has peeked my interest of late. Rob Bell has been preaching a sermon series Serve God, Save the Planet. If Al Gore wasn't towing the "Go Green" line, it would probably be easier for more Christians to get on board with taking better care of our world.

One thing that struck me about what he said - Rob believes that "going green" will be much like wearing a seat belt. Not long ago - no one wore seat belts. It wasn't even thought about - now it is almost a moral issue. You can get a ticket if you don't have one on. We have come to realize it is a life or death issue. He says, this is going to be the case with our planet. And he asks the following questions:

Wouldn't it be cool if the Christians - instead of being behind - were actually leading the way in caring for the earth, out of their deep love for the Creator? When it becomes illegal to own certain cars, and use certain amounts of energy - wouldn't it be cool if we didn't even feel it, because we have already made the changes? Something to think about.