Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

We are still trying to figure out this blogging thing whether to blog personal things, or blog about our church planting journey, or just blog about our family. So since we can't decide we want to blog it all. Blog, blog, blog.


Here are some fun pics from our fun time in the snow today!








Gracefully done Kendra!

Watch out for the sign, Mark! Not so graceful more like scary!

Kendra's wipe out and Mark's wipe out, we are taking a poll. Who do you think has the best wipeout?

Micah likes the snow but not sledding.

Memorial to a Dear Friend

On Dec. 22, 2008 a good friend of mine, Randy Shafer went home to be with Jesus. He is now no longer in pain, suffering from the threat of melanoma cancer, and death has lost its sting. Thank God for His glorious gospel. Randy discipled me shortly after I became a believer. Randy did not just disciple me he taught me how to disciple. He taught me that discipleship is not a formula but is relationally alive.

As I was growing in my faith and my understanding of the word of God, I could call Randy up any time of the day and share with him whatever was on my heart. I remember one particular instance when I participated in my first singles bible study and I can recall a guy teaching on salvation. He had the view that one could lose their salvation. You can imagine as a new believer how I became greatly concerned. As soon as I arrived home, I immediately called Randy up and shared with him my concern about what I heard. He answered me in this most gentle way, (by the way it was 10pm on a weekday) and did not launch into what he believed but quickly took me to the scriptures, showing me passages concerning the grace of God. I would like to say I remember the passages but I don't but my hunch is they were some key texts like Eph. 2:8-9, and John 10: 28.

When I met my beloved wife, Kendra, I told her that I wanted Randy to marry us. He almost didn't make it to the wedding. On the day before our wedding a snow storm hit Dallas, TX of all places (they say it happens once every 2-4 years). We had sent someone to the airport to pick him up but because of the weather his plane was delayed and so he missed his ride. He ended up getting a taxi and by God's grace he made it to the church the night of our rehearsal.

Randy, like I said taught me how to disciple, to unveil my heart and be honest with the Lord in everything, and as a result the Lord through the Holy Spirit has truly transformed my life. Randy recognized in me the gifts of shepherding and my love for the Gospel. I believe that if I would never have met Randy, I probably would not be a pastor today.

His children, Jennifer, Ian, and Emma are rich in the Gospel because of Randy's love and grace that he bestowed upon them. And his wife, Beth, could not have been a more blessed wife to have him as her husband.

He will be missed, I know I miss him already. I will see you again one day in our Father's glorious presence.

on being a stay-at-home mom

I love my kids, they are both the source of my joy and my discontent. I have been told that once you are a parent, you are always a parent. I have also been told that you never stop loving your kids. I think these statements are very true. So, for you folks who are not having the daily experience of my kids like I am...here are a few recent anecdotes.

Micah and Anna like to read books, usually alone, but recently with Micah on Anna's lap :)
Micah and Anna push each other and/or yell at each other several times in a given day. Ugh.
Micah is trying to learn how to put on his shoes, and daddy's shoes, and Anna's shoes and mommy's shoes.
Anna turned four this week, and she was excited that her shoes still fit!
Micah sings the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle little star" before drifting off to sleep because it is the tune we sing him with our own made up lyrics.
Anna sings her ABCs, "Jesus Loves Me," and portions of "Silent Night" mixed with "O Holy Night" at Christmas time, because they both have a line about a "holy night."
Micah and Anna love to give each other kisses and hugs at night. He crawls off of whoever's lap he is on that night to go over to Anna as she is tucked in her covers and gives her a big hug and kiss. Anna loves it : ). We do too.

I would not trade one day of being a mom at home, why would I pay someone to take care of my kids when I can stay home and take care of them myself, and store up these kinds of memories in my heart?

The Storyline of Christmas...

Gen. 3:15 The promise of our forever king to come...

“She (Mary) will bear a son (offspring), and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

Gen. 12:3 The promise of blessing to come...

so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:14

Exodus 12:13 The promise of freedom to come...

...the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28
So if the Son sets you free you will be free indeed. John 8:36

2 Samuel 7:16 The promise of our forever king and a forever kingdom to come...

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. Luke 1:32-33

Isaiah 7:14, 9:6 The promise of our forever king to come as a helpless baby...

All of this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 'Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.' (which means God with us).”

Matthew 1:22-23

Micah 5:2 The promise of the place where our forever king would be born...

And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel. Matthew 2:6

Ezekiel 34:15 The promise of our forever king to be our true shepherd...

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. John 10:14-16

Isaiah 53:3-10 The promise of our forever king to rescue us from ourselves...

He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree that we might die to sin and live righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:22-24

Psalm 37 The Lord Will Not Abandon His People

This past Sunday I finished a short series on Psalm 37. God was gracious and kind to us to show us this Psalm 37 during a very challenging time we shared about in our e-newsletter. What a great truth to ponder on that no matter what we are going through, no matter how difficult, and how challenging life can get, the Lord will not leave us to our own demise.


In my efforts to do the psalm justice I broke it up over three weeks. The first week we focused on the command from the psalmist, "Do not Fret but Trust" The second week we discovered in the psalm that the Lord is our Sustainer, and the third week we focused on How the Lord is our Deliverer in times of trials.

I would like to share with you the last sermon I preached and the wonderful truths that the Lord has used to penetrate my soul.

First, In times of trials, Jesus gives us the gift of repentance. v.27

Second, In times of trials, Jesus gives us the gift of hope. v.34

Third, In times of trials, Jesus gives us the gift of refuge. v.39-40

These truths have given me perspective and I believe Kendra as well as we continue to trust in our Chief Shepherd, Jesus, who leads us through the challenges of church planting.

A song that has brought us much comfort is from the Come Weary Saints album By Sovereign Grace Music, called Every Day.

verse 1

In Your grace You know where I walk

You know when I fall

You know all my ways

In Your love I know You allow

What I cannot grasp

To bring You praise

Chorus:

Thank you for the trials

For the fire, for the pain

Thank you for the strength

Knowing You have ordained

Every day

Bridge:

In my uncertainty, Your Word is all I need

To know You're with me every day

verse 2: Well you will just have to buy the CD....