Christmas 2014

Our first Christmas in our new home.  Such peace.  A big picture of how God redeems.  

The Unanswerable... what an adventure

Yesterday as we were driving (where all deep theological questions happen lately), Marshal said it confused him a bit - how God is God, and God is Jesus' dad, and Jesus is ALSO God.  

He's five, mind you. 

And I gave him some slightly lame explanation about an egg having three parts, but all still being an egg.  "Does that make sense?" I asked him.  "No, not really," he said.  

I was trying to explain to him a concept that has baffled people for ages.  I was trying to define an infinite God.  Trying to explain the unfathomable.  Trying to box into our own understanding that which cannot be understood.  In a way, stopping his critically thinking heart from embracing the wonder of God.  

I went back to Marsh today.  I told him I was sorry.  "For what?" He asked.  For making it seem like I have God all figured out.  "God is big and smart and amazing. And there are lots of things that I can't quite make sense of." And that's what makes God GOD. And that's ok.  

And if I think about it... It makes for an amazing adventure. All the things I crave: purpose, love, revelation, the supernatural - are all found in a loving, passionate, and very real God. And I don't understand everything.  I don't have to repackage the unknown into something explainable.  Actually, in doing so, I take the wonder out of God completely. 

But there are some things I DO understand.  Like that HE knows and understands EVERYTHING.  That he can be trusted, because he is good and because he loves me.  I don't have to grasp the ins and out of eternity and the godhead.  But wow, what an amazing God.  He leaves me in wonder.  Awestruck, way-cool, worshipful, wonder. 

Wisdom

Marshy won an award today, at school recognizing in him the character trait of WISDOM. Good job little man! So proud of the qualities you already show! We are proud of you!

The Sweetest Gift on (The Day Before) Valentine's Day 2014

My heart overflows. Appropriately on Valentine's Day, I guess.  

Yesterday, I was driving the little boys to school and Miss Jodi's. It was the usual morning, packing lunches, eating cereal, the usual dose of chaos. As we were driving, all hearts were just kinda quiet. Surrender, by Planetshakers was playing in  the car.  Mason (4) asks, "Mom, what does surrender mean?"  I proceeded to tell him that surrender means to give things up.  How we give up, surrender, our hearts to Jesus.  How we surrender our hearts to Jesus to be saved and go to heaven, but we also surrender our hearts to him to know him more in our lives on this Earth too."  Some more quiet hearts. "Mom?" Marshal (5) says quietly - "I want to give my heart to Jesus." --- Oh my sweet boy.  If I could have captured that voice. I briefly wondered in my adultish brain, "Does he even fully understand what he's saying? Does he know how miraculous, monumental, and life-changing this moment is? Ha, and should it happen in the car?"  And just as quickly my heart was stirred, of course he doesn't fully understand, he has faith of a child - and this is beautiful. So I explained to Marshal that this is a very important decision, and asked if he wanted to pray. "Yes mama." And we prayed, he repeated words asking for forgiveness of sin. A five year old's prayer of repentance. A five year old's surrender to Jesus.  No sooner had we prayed amen, Mason says, "I want Jesus to forgive my sins!"  My Maso.  I again verbalize teaching, now directed to my middlist boy. Teaching again the importance of the decision, and asked if he wanted to pray. "Yes Mama." Another prayer of surrender, another innocent boy still recognizing his need for a savior.  It was the most beautiful picture I've ever seen.  They were inwardly compelled toward their need for a savior. It was as if all of a sudden it made sense.  The concepts and foundations they already understood: the cross, sin, God's love for us... All came together in their hearts with a deep need to surrender to Jesus.  I tell you what. That is powerful.  

The faith of a child -how much can we learn.  They didn't have to understand EVERYTHING to believe. They only understood the truth and simplicity of the gospel: our sin keeps us from God, but surrender to Jesus fixes that.  And that's more than enough.  Can it be that easy? Oh you better believe it's that easy. So easy it confounds the wise, I know. 

Marshal and Mason. From the day we knew of your presence in my womb, Mama and Dada have been praying for THAT day, YESTERDAY, February 13, 2014.  We prayed diligently that you would know Jesus at a young age. What a miracle.  What a miraculous God we serve. 

Surrender, by Planetshakers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3_5RD2usVw&sns=sms

"Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine.  The land you have given me is a pleasant land.  What a wonderful inheritance." Psalm 16:5-6

"For it is believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved."  Romans 10:10

Maso Prayers

"I pray for the Holy Truth"

"I pray for the kingdom of Jerusalem"

"In Jesus name we God, Amen"

"I pray for everyone in this whole town, that they would have houses"

Sweet boy prayers :) 

Easter 2013

 

He is RISEN!

(Yes we dye eggs in our underwear.)

Easter 2012, and some Marshal Revelation

Saturday before Easter, we went to Papa and Grammy K's house for some Easter festivities, including brunch, eggs, and garden exploring.  Love having family close to enjoy these memorable times. 

Tonight, Marshal had been asleep in bed for about an hour.  He woke up and came out to the living room.  "Mom!" He said, wide-eyed, with a sweet smile, "Jesus TALKED to me, and told me he loves me!"  I obviously wanted to hear more, so I walked him back to bed and tucked him in.  "Was Jesus speaking to your heart honey?" I asked.  "Yes, I'm so proud of Jesus for telling me he loves me." Marsh smiled, and fell back to sleep. 

Out of the mouths of babes.  A great message for Easter.