New video catches Planned Parenthood President in a LIE

The whole Planned Parenthood controversy is a real touchy topic right now. If I post videos or stats about abortion and PP then I am sure to get somebody who doesn't quite agree. Both christians, and non christians are listening in. I don't mind that people chime in-it is good to THINK about this. Since I've been making my various posts, I've seen an underlining reason why we need Planned Parenthood. In some way or another it's said something like this "Yea but ABORTIONS aren't all Planned Parenthood does. We need them for other women's health services." Though there are more issues to address in that statement, the truth is Planned Parenthood lies about the services they provide. The president of PP (not just a random employee) said that PP offers mammograms. But this video shows differently.

I do not trust Planned Parenthood

not with women in crisis situations

not with women's healthcare

 and not with our tax dollars

Children's Book: The Priest with Dirty Clothes

The Priest with Dirty Clothes by R.C. Sproul is a story that will teach your children deep truth about what Christ did with our sin, and the perfect righteousness he gives us in exchange. Read this book to your children!

The story starts with two kiddos playing in the mud, their clothes are dirty. Infact, mom declares them ruined. So Grandpa comes over and their stained clothes remind him of a story about a priest…Jonathan just became a Priest and received his brand new priest clothes from the Bishop. His first assignment? To preach before the King. On the journey to the castle Jonathan’s clothes become ruined by the rainy weather. As he appears before the King, the court magician accuses the Priest of his dirty appearance before the Great King.

However, the kind King gives Jonathan another chance, but he must come back clean. Hopeful, Jonathan goes to the town fuller who tells him that the stains are permanent and he’ll need new clothes. Then the Bishop tells him he only gets one set of clothes forever and he can’t do anything to earn a clean new set. Jonathan’s only hope is the King’s Son. When he goes to the Great Prince, the Great Prince makes a promise that he’ll have clean clothes the day he goes back to the castle.

Jonathan goes to the castle in his dirty clothes before the King. As the magician tries to accuse the Jonathan the Priest, the Great Prince walks in. He tells Jonathan to take off his outer Priestly garment. The Prince puts on Jonathan’s dirty, stained garments! Then the Great Prince gives Jonathan his own royal clothes! These royal clothes are special; they will never wear out or become dirty. Not only that, the Priest will be able to stand in the presence of the King forever.

On the cross, Jesus took on all of my dirty rotten sin, and gave me his unfading righteousness-a righteousness that I could never make unrighteous! What a deep and lasting concept to teach children! Most kids will not hear about this part of the gospel? Why? Firstly, it’s hard for Christians to truly believe themselves. We SIN SO MUCH! We think that we have ruined Christ’s righteousness. We think, "how can I even share this with kids?" OR we think this topic is too big, too much and too hard to understand.

But listen! My preschoolers got it! When I asked who the King is like they said “GOD!” When I asked who the Great Prince reminds us of they said “Jesus!” When I asked who Jonathan with the dirty clothes is like they said “Us!” Imagine, these kids hearing the story over and over again growing up. This thing that Christ has done for us will be precious to them in times of mourning their sin!

What an amazing story to share with children to help them understand what it means for Christ to take on our sin, and then for him to give us his unfading righteousness. Let your children hear stories like this at a young age!

How to Make Your Kids Hate Church

The Resurgence came out with a hilarious post titled 5 Ways to Make Your Kids Hate Church. It really just made me laugh because their sarcasm is so right on. Here is a taste of the first one. But go here to read all 5 in completion.

#1 Make sure your faith is only something you live out in public

Go to church...at least most of the time. Make sure you agree with what you hear the preacher say, and affirm on the way home what was said especially when it has to do with your kids, but let it stop there. Don't read your bible at home. The pastor will say everything you need to hear on Sundays. Don't engage your children in questions they have concerning Jesus and God. Live like you want to live during the week so that your kids can see duplicity is okay.

(You have to read the rest. So good!)

The evil eye

If you haven't seen this already, you are in for a treat. A baby gives the "evil eye" and then starts cracking up. Happy Monday!

Free Hip Hop this Month

Go to Reach Records Music Madness for free christian hip hop this month. They are featuring Pro, KB and  it looks like free music from Tripp Lee should be coming any day now. KB was fun to listen to. If you've heard I can play the background by Lecrae then you may think KB's I can't play the background is pretty funny. Enjoy!

Abortion Argument: What about rape or incest? Part 1

{What about a woman who is pregnant due to rape or incest?}

Answer #1: Pregnancy due to rape is extremely rare, and with proper treatment can be prevented.

Firstly, Alcorn cites the Guttmacher Institue saying that consenting fertile adults only have a 3% chance of getting pregnant from an act of intercourse. Also, they say that other factors reduce the chance of the pregnancy of rape victims. They say that only 1% of all abortions per year are due to rape or incest. Alcorn writes that this misconception about many pregnancies being due to rape is because “fearful young women will sometimes attribute their pregnancies to rape, since doing so gains sympathy and avoids condemnation.” Driving it home he points out that, “the young woman called ‘Roe’ in the famous Roe v Wade case-who elicited sympathy in the court and media because she claimed to be a rape victim-years later admitted that she had lied and that she had not been raped at all.”

Alcorn notes that Prochoicers will often bring up this argument because of the sympathy factor it gets (and it should get sympathy). However, bringing this up so much, leaves the wrong impression that many pregnancies are due to rape or incest. Which clearly is not true.

Well, I do hope that was helpful, stop by for more answers soon!

But before you, meet Norma McCorvey the Jane “Roe” of Roe v Wade who was the plaintiff in the case that legalized abortion on demand. Here’s what she wants you to know….

Children's Easter Books from Noel Piper

Noel Piper is posting children's books for little ones that talk about the story of Easter. I highly recommend you checking out her suggestions. Carine Mackenzie of God Knows Everything has quite a few as you will see. Check it out if you are looking for some quality books to read to those little souls this coming April.

Guidelines for finding a good children's Easter book

We are so prone to look at the back label of ingredients for our kids when it comes to food. As Christians, do we have expectations or guidelines for the Christian literature we buy our children? If you click on my "Kid's books" page you will see a few that I keep in mind when purchasing children books. However, I was encouraged to see some of the factors that Noel Piper takes into consideration as she sought out Easter Stories for children. Here are what she looks for:

• A story without added details or characters
• Presentation of God as the central character
• Appropriate respect given to the Word of God
• None of the fairy tale additions that might be fun, but are not part of the real story

To read the entire post go here.

Abortion: just a political issue

I recently read an article by John Ensor of Heartbeat International that he wrote for the DesiringGod blog. He captures a feeling I couldn't quite put into words until I read his article. The feeling? That Christians may think abortion is just some secondary, political issue. Here are some of his thoughts:

“Our generation needs a gospel presentation that address the blood-guilt of abortion specifically and openly as a gospel issue. To view abortion as a secondary, or worse, a political issue is to fundamentally misunderstand the defining experience of our times.Imagine preaching the gospel in the town of Dacau in the 40’s and intentionally avoiding, rather than pressing head-on, as to how the gospel addresses the sin of shedding innocent blood. Our silence would be interpreted to mean that it is outside the reach of what the gospel offers. Imagine sharing Christ in a hospital full of soldiers, some missing eyes, others arms, and never mentioning the part of the gospel that promises new bodies. Imagine preaching Christ at a funeral and never mentioning the hope of resurrection….

If you care about the primacy of the gospel and have a passion for missions, I beg you to stop seeing abortion as a secondary issue. Understand that it is the primary mark of this generation. And understand the anguish it causes. It is a megaphone of endless Satanic accusation. It snaps the tendons of spiritual effort and risk. The blood-guilt of abortion festers under the surface of all Christian endeavor. It needs lancing. It needs to be outed. It needs to be called out by name, confessed by name, and brought under a gospel that declares that there is no forgiveness for the shedding of innocent blood except by the shedding of innocent blood. Our generation needs to hear explicitly that the blood of Christ cleanses us from acts that lead to death, even and explicitly, abortion, “that we might serve the living God” (Heb 9:11).”

Read the entire article from DG here.

An easy way to be Pro-Life

From Expose Planned Parenthood:

Two weeks ago, the US House of Representatives voted — by an overwhelming margin — to strip Planned Parenthood of its federal taxpayer funding …… But the struggle is far from over!

Planned Parenthood is FURIOUS, and is mobilizing abortion advocates across the country while running attack ads in the home districts of courageous House members who voted their conscience.

The U.S. Senate — with a pro-abortion majority — now has to create its own version of the “Continuing Resolution” bill … and inclusion of the measure to block Planned Parenthood’s tax funding is far less likely. Regardless of the vote in the Senate, things don’t end there.

For the President to sign any bill into law, the wording from the House and the Senate versions of that bill must be exactly the same. So next, the differences between the House and Senate versions will be ironed out in “Conference Committee.”

The committee will negotiate and compromise on the final language of a bill to be presented to the President. After the language is made identical, the bill is sent back to both chambers for another, final vote. Then the bill goes to the President to be signed into law, or vetoed.

Bottom-line: There are still several hurdles to overcome, and media outlets are predicting that the measure to strip Planned Parenthood’s tax funding likely won’t survive. It will be up to the U.S. House of Representatives to appoint strong pro-lifers to the “Conference Committee” who will not rest until Planned Parenthood is de-funded!

Today, we need you to help us SIGN THE LETTER to tell Speaker Boehner that de-funding Planned Parenthood is non-negotiable. Over 25 national and state pro-life leaders have signed the below letter to Speaker Boehner – read it below and if you agree – add your name!

The Honorable John Boehner


U.S. House of Representatives


Washington, DC 20515

Dear Speaker Boehner,

Planned Parenthood, a scandal-plagued abortion organization, must be held accountable for abusing innocent young victims while receiving hundreds of millions in federal dollars each year.

They must be de-funded of federal tax dollars, and now is the time to do it. The House vote in support of Rep. Mike Pence’s Amendment No. 11 to the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 (H.R. 1) to prevent government funding for the nation’s largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, is an excellent start.

However, the House vote on the Pence Amendment is nothing more than symbolic unless it remains intact through the legislative process. Defunding Planned Parenthood must be a non-negotiable in the Continuing Resolution and we urge you to accept nothing less than this outcome.

The fact that Planned Parenthood was caught aiding and abetting sex traffickers proves that it is not safe for women and young girls. What goes on in offices and clinics of Planned Parenthood, as Live Action’s videos show, is both saddening and shocking. That it has often been done using taxpayer dollars is indefensible.

As the largest abortion company in the United States, Planned Parenthood repeatedly refuses to comply with state statutory rape reporting laws, and often ignores parental consent laws.

Just this week, Phill Kline, former Attorney General of Kansas, testified under oath that Planned Parenthood of Overland Park and the late abortionist George Tiller performed abortions on a combined 166 girls, age fourteen or younger. Out of the 166 cases of statutory rape, just two were reported to authorities, Kline testified.

As debate over the Continuing Resolution continues we urge you to do everything you can to ensure that the Pence Amendment remains intact in the final version of the Continuing Resolution. Planned Parenthood is not safe for women, it is not safe for young girls, and it must be de-funded now.

For Life,

YOUR NAME HERE

To sign the letter PLEASE go here.

Sammy & His Shepherd by Susan Hunt

You know what I love about reading children's christians books and teaching sunday school curriculum? I understand big things much more simply. That's the skill of children's authors; they take something big and beautiful and they put it in story books and sunday school lessons and they weave an amazing story for kids to be able to grasp.

There is one section of scripture in particular that I've always been too embarrassed to ask about. Everybody loves it, but I never understood it. Yup, Psalm 23. The language has always seemed so different, lying down in green pastures? When would I get to do that, right? So when I come to that Psalm (and I haven't in awhile) I just put up this intellectual barrier. "Don't get it. I'll just move along." But Sammy & His Shepherd by Susan Hunt has been so helpful. 

This children's book is split into 10 chapters. But it's not a chapter book necessarily for elementary kids. This book could easily be read to preschoolers. Each chapter is about 2 pages with beautiful glowing illustrations to compliment each chapter. Then in the back of the book there is scripture references and questions to ask the child you are reading with.

"The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want." Okay it's time for a confession: I always thought "If the Lord is my Shepherd, why would I NOT want him?" (Knowing punctuation really helps) But this first chapter really helped me.

A taste of the story...

Sammy lives in a lush pasture. One day he meets another sheep from the other side of the fence. He soon finds out that the other sheep was never given a name and is always hungry & scared. Sammy on the other hand was given a name as soon as the good Shepherd bought him. Sammy lives happily because he knows that even if he were in danger his shepherd would lay down his life for him. Sammy says this "Of course I'm happy. I have the best shepherd in the whole world. I know that I will never want for anything." (emphasis-mine) That's when it clicked, "Aha, I shall not want  for anything!" 

What a great and simple way to introduce children to the good shepherd. Susan Hunt does a delightful job in showing children how amazing the good shepherd is. I am excited to show children this book at a young age-that they may understand the beauty of this passage and how it points us to our Good Shepherd.

11 Ways to Protect Your Daughter from Barbie

Read this helpful post from The Resurgence

C.S. Lewis' Letters to Children

This week I am presenting a children's book, but it's no picture book. Over the weekend I was given C.S. Lewis' Letters to Children. So far I've loved it. It's been quite some time since I've read the books, and I never even read the entire Narnia series. However, I've loved reading his letters to little ones, and if you have shared his stories with your children, your children will enjoy it too! Here a couple of short letters that Lewis wrote:

Dear Hugh,
Oh, very good. Eustace as a dragon is your very best picture yet. Really awesome! Love to all. 
Yours, 
C.S. Lewis


Dear Joan,
Thanks for letter and pictures. I say, you are lucky to have armour: I would have loved it when I was a boy but never came my way. The kind you have would be even better for Vikings etc. than for Arthurian knights. As for doing more than 7 Narnian books, isn't it better to stop when people are still asking for more than to go on till they are tired?
Love from, yours
C.S. Lewis


Dear Hila, (only an excerpt)
....As to Aslan's other name, well I want you to guess. Has there never been anyone in this world who (1.) arrived at the same time as Father Christmas (2.) Said he was the son of the Great Emperor (3.) Gave himself up for someone else's fault to be jeered at and killed by wicked people (4.) Came to life again (5.) Is sometimes spoken of as a Lamb (see the end of the Dawn Treader) Don't you really know His name in this world. Think is over and let me know your answer!....
All good wishes, 
yours ever 
C.S. Lewis


What a fun read it is!

Tickle TIme with Uncle James

So this monday post features my very own family. My husband, our niece, and our nephew. This day was filled with lots of Uncle James' tickles. As James had a tickle attack with Danny, Jade tried to come to her brother's rescue by getting Uncle James' attention. She soon realized her patting & giggling wasn't getting her anywhere so she decided to get his attention another way....

P.S. Sorry this post was so late in the day!

Over Sexualization of our Daughters

Between Toddlers & Tiara's, dance competitions, and December's issue of the French Vogue it's easy to see the over sexualization of little girls. That's what a recent post by Council for Biblical Manhood & Womanhood talks about. I never even heard of the show Toddler's & Tiara's until today. Watching a 7 minute clip of it was disturbing enough-to say the least. I'd encourage you to read the post yourself. As christians, this article helps parents answer this question: What can parents do to help prevent the over sexualization of their daughters?

Here are the 3 points:
1. Help preserve inward beauty
2. Help preserve sexual purity
3. Discipline and teach them in the Lord.

For now I'll leave you with this picture. Consider the verse below the picture. 

Do not let your adorning be external-the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry or the clothing you wear but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.

1 Peter 3: 3-4

 What will we impress upon our daughters when it comes to trends & fashion, and their hearts? 

Rediscovering Catechism...

People have asked me from time to time what my thoughts on catechism are. My initial reactions were, "What the heck is that? Isn't that a Catholic thing?" So when I found out that it's something that some christian churches/families do, I thought I'd find out what it is and why people do it. Then I came accross "Rediscovering Catechism: The Art of Equipping Covenant Children" by Donald Van Dyken and bought it. Now that I've finished it, I've discovered a few things. Firstly, protestants were actually catechizing before Catholics. It was adopted by the catholic church when they saw how well it taught the children. Also, I learned what catechism is. It's basically questions and answers. For example the first question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism asks: "What is the chief end of man?" The answer listed is: "Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever." The third thing I learned? There are some really rich catechisms! Isn't that answer to man's chief end simply beautiful?! 

I haven't looked at all the Catechisms, I've only peaked at them on-line. But the Hedielberg and Westminster seem to be well-known in reformed circles. The content of the catechisms are just really rich material. I'm not completely sure what James and I would do. My objections aren't so much about the lessons being boring (God's truth is not boring), it's not that the concepts (adoption, justification, sanctification) are too big. In fact concerning truths that people say are too big for children Matt & Elizabeth Schmucker says this "Pack in truth while your children are little and trust the Lord to unpack it in his time" and Tedd & Margie Tripp say in Instructing a Child's Heart, "We give our children big truths they will grow into rather than light explanations they will grow out of." So that's not it necessarily. My questions have more to do with: Are these things that we will be able to/should cover in our everyday interactions? Are these truths that I can reinforce in every bible story I read and when the car breaks down on the side of the road? 

I can see them being used as a bible class in homeschooling or a formal class at church taught by an elder. So I can definitely see that. I love the content, I'm just trying to figure out HOW it would look to teach those truths. I definitely have more research to do on this topic. I highly recommend the book I read on the subject and (and Michael Horton does too). 

For your enjoyment I posted a rap on the Hedeilberg Catechism (thanks Ysabel). C.J. Mahaney challenged Avoice to make a rap on it at the 2010 Next Conference. You can listen below and follow along with lyrics as well. 

Heidelberg Catechism

Verse 1

Yeah I'm on a mission like a couple spies, and that guys is the reason why I catechize. The good news we almost forgot I recognize, Heidelberg rediscovering the gospel prize. It's not scripture but the truth in it will mention he, introduction hide and seek the 16th century. Written in a time when your mind was the weaponry, this document is back into the populace shouts to Kevin D. Better than you think not as bad as you remember, purpose driven truth, from Frederick the elector. He would initiate, the 129 questions to illustrate truths like Christ propitiates. All in a document, whose purpose was to teach children, a guide for preachers, and confessions in a church building. And this is all fact The Heidelberg Cat has been around but now it's seem like it is coming back.

Hook



We believe in the cross, believe in his life, 


We believe in his death, believe he's the Christ.


We believe that he rose from grave yes it is him


And we read the Heidelberg Catechism



We believe in the after life and we believe nothing's after Christ, so we stand our ground, cuz the truth's been around from the word to the Heidelberg.

Verse 2

Year of the Heidelberg resulting in renewed passion, and we could see it in our lives lights camera action. Let's take a gander and address a few questions from Heidelberg document then look at the answers. But before that make sure that, you know how it's broken down, in a Q & A format, a few sections. Suggestions how to read this not to sound promotional, but Kevin put it in his book to make it a devotional. Each question each answer has a bit of commentary, so the application of it is not some involuntary. Mystery, the history screams through rings true but I'll just leave that up to God, cuz that's between you. to believe, but to believe you gotta read you and then you meditate on all the truths that the Heidelberg will illustrate. What's that the catechism homey where you been the good news we almost forgot let's get it in!

Verse 3

From the word to the Heidelberg, we see that what's the comfort of life should come first. And in death that I with, body and soul but belong to the savior, commentary from me man, tell this to your neighbor. Moving on, how many things are necessary for thee, enjoying this comfort, to live and die happily? Three, my sin's misery, deliverance from sin, and gratitude for God is how the answer ends. Let's stretch it out the Lord's day 23 the grandaddy of them all, questions 59 and 60. What good does it do to believe in all this? In Christ I am right heir to the promise. Paraphrase, anyways I'm kinda limited I'm just trying to say a couple things my man Kevin did. On the Heidelberg, go and get you one, and by the way CJ homey this was fun.

Pictures from Children Desiring God Conference

We learned so much at the Children Desiring God conference! I can’t say enough about Children Desiring God. It is the BEST christian resource out there. Their resources are completely God-centered! It’s rare I’m telling you! For maybe a year I’ve been listening to the audio of the past conferences and following blogs from their ministries. I can’t tell you how much God has changed me and my view of children through this website. So actually being there and seeing all the faces of whose voices I’d been listening to for the past year was truly a blessing. I was encouraged by the seminars to wait patiently for God to do what he wants in His timing for the Children’s Ministry at our Church. From hearing other’s testimonies about thier children’s ministries or lack thereof, I was encouraged to see the value of slow and steady changes and remaining faithful.

One of the most impressive things to me was how The Word was literally dripping from everyone’s speech and prayers.  I’d never heard such scripture filled prayers. These people don’t just talk about memorizing scripture they’ve been doing it for years! They were talking about vision and having a vision for children to “drip bible” and you could see it in all the speakers. That’s exactly what they did: drip bible-and it was everywhere! In fact, the last plenary session David Michael quoted Ephesians chapters 1-6 by memory.

Besides some amazing children’s books that I bought, I bought a set of “Fighter Verses.” They are 5 years worth of verses that all have to do with the gospel. One set is meant to be memorized a week. Sometimes it’s one verse other times there are a few. Apparently, Bethlehem (John Piper’s Church) memorizes a fighter verse together each week (which would seem to make sense how they all quote so much in their speech & prayers).  To learn more about the fighter verses go to www.fighterverses.com there is a iphone ap. and an Android ap.

I have more to process and hope to write some more soon. For now here are some pictures of who God spoke through at the conference:

David Michael the Chairman of CDG

Man, I was so nervous to meet Jill Nelson. She wrote "Helping Children to Understand the Gospel"

Russell Moore wrote "Adopted For Life" and Moore to the Point

John Piper: When we told him we were from Tim Cain's church in El Cajon he said "Kaaaleeo"

Children's Book: God knows everything by Carine Mackenzie

God knows everything! It’s something we talk about a lot at preschool. This year we especially have a lot of secrets going on in the class. We talk about how secrets make others feel sad but then I like to tell them, “You know what, I don’t know what you guys are talking about because I don’t know everything. But even though I can’t hear you, God knows what you are saying because he knows everything. He knows your hearts and the words that come out of your mouths. Just because you are whispering, doesn’t mean God can’t hear you. Remember God knows everything.”

That’s why when I saw this simple board book at the Children Desiring God conference, I had to get it! This little book by Carine Mackenzie will give children big truths about God in a simple way. It will reinforce things we are already trying to teach children. Here are the words on each page:

God knows everything. God knows the number of hairs on your head. Some have a lot…some have a little.

It’s in the bible: The hairs on your head are all numbered. Luke 12:7

God knows everything. God knows when a little bird falls to the ground.

It’s in the bible: Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one falls to the ground with God knowing. Mathew 10: 29

God knows everything. God knows how many stars are in the sky. He knows all their names.

It’s in the bible: He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Psalm 147: 4

God knows everything. Jesus knows everyone of his followers, just as a good shepherd knows his sheep.

It’s in the bible: I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me. John 10: 14

God knows everything. God knows what we are thinking about. We cannot keep secrets from him.

It’s in the bible: God knows the secrets of the heart. Psalm 44:21

God knows everything. God knows all things. He knows if we love him.

It’s in the bible: Lord, you know all things, you know that I love you. John 21: 17

To purchase this book go here. There's also a coloring book that you can purchase here.

*Also stop by tomorrow for some pictures from our trip to Minnesota @ the Children Desiring God conference. We met Russell Moore, the Michael's, Jill Nelson, and John Piper!

The Cross: The Greatest Pro-Life Initiative Ever Taken

LIFE International understands that the horror of abortion is a global tragedy. Their mission is to multiply life-giving ministries wherever abortion is provided around the world. To see a little more of the heart that drives their mission, Kurt Dillinger responds to a few questions I recently asked him....


To read more of the article go here.


Here are the questions addressed:

What biblical truth is the primary foundation for your ministry's approach to the global mission field created by abortion?

How does following Jesus and receiving his forgiveness direct the vision and activity of LIFE International?

How is the sanctity of human life viewed in the majority world?

The Crying Game

Though I don't know this game very well, it's still funny. The toddler only wants an audience for his fit. So funny! Happy Monday!

We're in Minnesota!

Today my friend Ysabel and I flew to Minnesota for the Children Desiring God Conference! This is what happened for me to get there:

I'd been praying about going since last summer! I knew it would be a huge expense between flights, housing, food and a car to rent. So when I found out that both our flights and tickets would be paid for, to say I was "excited" would be an understatement! But there's more! We didn't even have to pay for any type of housing because friends of friends are letting us stay for FREE. If that's enough blessing already, they happen to live close to (where the conference is at) so we don't have to rent a vehicle! Amazing, right?

So the conference has started and so far we've heard John Piper, Russell Moore! I got to meet Jill Nelson of the 10 Gospel Truths and I'm hoping to meet David & Sally Michael. Hopefully I'll be able to put into words all the amazing things I learned when I get back! Here is the invitation from John Piper for the conference so you can see about where we are going.

If I hear about any livestreaming, I'll be sure to let you know!

Jimmy Needham & Tripp Lee

I was so excited when I saw this video! I love rap and good singing all wrapped up in one! Not only that but these are some solid lyrics, no fluff my friends. No fluff. Enjoy the lyrics and excellent voices.

 Yeah, You give me grace amazing

You give me grace amazing

You found my heart in the tomb

Wrapped up all lifeless and bruised

I was the living dead

Couldn't even lift up my head

To see You enter the room

Oh, Oh, Oh

That's how it is with us all

We weren't just damaged we fell dead at the fall

Only the innocent can breathe the air again

Underground, over my head

I'm almost sure I'm dead

Unless You breath life into me

I won't ever feel my dead heart beating

But you open these blind eyes to see

That's what makes Your grace amazing

No one can come to the Son

Unless the Father compels him to come

Our hearts are bottomless

If we're autonomous 

Why do we choose corruption

Underground, over my head

I'm almost sure I'm dead

Unless You breath life into me

I won't ever feel my dead heart beating

But you open these blind eyes to see

That's what makes Your grace amazing

Who's a cripple encased in his heart of stone

Christ's the name that I'm calling on, calling on

He's the hope for the hopeless, yall

We were saved when He chose and called

Where is life if its not in the King

You're the God, lift Him up to all things

To His One, His Son

Trip Lee:

Look, you might have heard I was dead in the grave

With some shackles on my wrist

I was very enslaved to the lusts and the passions

In various ways

In the band, on the horse, I was dead and depraved

Sight wasn't just blurry and vague

I was blind as a bat, couldn't thoroughly gaze 

At the glory of Christ or the story of life

The Father said come to Him, but I hurried away

I was stuck, couldn't choose to be found

Tell me when the last time 

You seen a dead man moving around

Couldn't buy my freedom I was truthfully bound

Couldn't get myself saved

I was shooting them down

Only by Gods will does grace heal with great might

Cuz only the words of God can create life

Give joy, remove shackles and replace shame

I was raised by grace and I praise Christ

chorus:

You breath life into me

Now I finally feel my dead heart beating

You open my eyes to see

That's what makes Your grace amazing

You breath life into me

Now I finally feel my dead heart beating

You open my eyes to see

That's what makes Your grace amazing

You give me grace amazing

Praise God for that grace amazing

You give me grace amazing

Praise God for that grace amazing

Toddlers & the Universe

"The fundamental job of a toddler is to RULE the universe" -Author Unknown

Our Borders is closing and I found this funny card for almost half off. I couldn't pass it up. The outfit, expression, and props fit the quote perfectly. Happy Monday!

Fun in the kitchen

After I made my apron I decided that I wanted to get into this whole sewing thing-especially while I don't have kids yet. Soo my mother-in-law gave me a sewing machine (that her grandmother gave to her) and I've started small projects in my kitchen. We have a ton of storage space in our kitchen so I wanted to give it a more simple look. My kitchen colors? TEAL & RED. So here are some pictures for those of you interested:

James Great Grandma used this sewing machine! Isn't it so cute!

BEFORE-ISH: A bit of an eye sore.

Now it looks a bit more simple.

Red Mirror to the Left: $5 from thrift stores! Love cute books!

I had lots of extra fabric so I used it for a little board and used pins to place a few things on the fridge. That's what I've been up to. It's been fun to make the kitchen a little more cozy. I'm not sure what the next sewing project will be yet. Maybe another apron?

Sex, Puberty, & Death

I love it when blogs I follow post biblical things that are about children or relate to children. So I wanted to share 4 that may encourage you as well:

How to talk to your kids about sex -Grace & Mark Driscoll

What puberty can teach us about discipleship -Russell Moore

Should we baptize young children? -John Starke (Gospel Coalition)

How do you respond when your 12-year-old dies? -Rob & Terri Stellrecht (from Justin Taylor's blog)

I'd love to read any great posts you've read about children then week as well!

Slugs & Bugs: God made me

The past couple of weeks my preschoolers have been LOVIN' this song! Go crazy with the hand movements. It's very fun.

Slugs and Bugs is a children's CD by Randall Goodall and Andrew Peterson who I featured here.

The Action Bible

The Action Bible

Okay so I have to admit I was a little skeptical when I first saw this bible. I always am when I feel that  a bible is trying to reach out to a particular group of people. The initial reaction is: isn't the bible for all sinners? That was until I recently met a young girl who will not pull her head out of graphic novels. It's all she fills her head with. So looking at her and looking at this book, I really have to praise God for such a great idea! (Not only that, but that's why they make children's storybook bibles- bibles for little sinners too) Here is a trailer for The Action Bible and below that is an audio excerpt. Also, you can go here to look at more page details. I hope to get the book for her and maybe have my own copy one day. BTW they sell it at Barnes & Noble.