Thoughts of a preschool aide...

Pro-Life Images

2012-02-11T00:00:00.000-08:00

I missed Sanctity of Human Life Sunday (January 22nd, 2012)

But here are some Pro-Life images that I love.

All things family...

2012-02-10T20:03:00.000-08:00

Preparing Eight-Year-Olds for Marriage- Looking for a good blog on marriage, parenting & children? This is a good one to follow called Shepherd Press. This particular post takes a look at Tim Keller's book The Meaning of Marriage and talks about why it's important to teach children about biblical friendship so as to prepare them for future marriage. Very good post.

10 Ways to Love Your Children- From The Resurgence blog here are some biblical ways to love your children. Enjoy.

Healing After an Abortion- In this video David Powilson talks about how to heal from the guilt and shame of an abortion. I am Pro-Life. But doesn't that mean I don't have a heart for those who have had an abortion. I can only imagine the weight of carrying that around. I pray this video blesses someone.

C.S. Lewis on Young Parents- some fun quotes from C.S. Lewis.

Daddy Dates- Oh how I love this idea. James does something similar on Saturday and Sunday mornings. He takes care of Rosie in the mornings while I sleep in.

Training Parents How To Discipline With The End In View

2012-02-09T18:12:00.000-08:00

I love Russell Moore. I want James to go Southern Baptist Theological Seminary just so I can sit in on Russell Moore's lectures (Don't worry Church fam, I don't want that more than I love Kaleo). He's a big Adoption advocate. In fact, Russell Moore wrote Adopted for Life, a book about our adoption as believers and the call to adopt orphans. Last March, I was blessed by my church to attend the Children Desiring God conference in Minnesota and doubly blessed when I got to meet and listen to Russell Moore speak on parenting. He's not a boring speaker by any means and he's very easy to listen to. This is one of the messages I got to hear. If you have some time, I hope it blesses you.

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Training Parents How to Discipline with the End in View from Children Desiring God on Vimeo.

Liked that? Well read more of what he has to say on other topics as well here at his blog.

Postpartum Sin

2012-02-06T00:00:00.000-08:00

Have you ever seen those cutsie moms with their cutsie newborns in the hip slings with their very trendy outfits on? Well, I don’t know about you, but when I was pregnant with Rosie I always noticed them! I knew having a newborn is hard work but how did they look so “put together”? I looked at them, and took a mental picture of how I wanted to be…as would soon be revealed…at the cost of idolatry.

.....

When you have an amazing church family and a newborn, you get lots of meals and visitors. And that’s what I have. When visitors would come over, I always wanted the house to be tidy and even if I was still wearing my maternity clothes, I wanted to look nice. You know, like having a newborn “ain’t no thang.” Even though I was in pain and could hardly sit in any normal position, I didn’t want it to show. Vanity, my precious idol, was starting to surface.

How did I know that wanting the house to look nice and me wanting to look nice were idolatry? Well, I’d get super stressed out if I knew people were coming over and the living room was messy. I’d get mad at James if he didn’t help me clean up right away. A clean house came before wanting to spend time with God. And when it came to my appearance, I LOVED hearing “you don’t even look like you had a baby” comments-more than I LOVED hearing what God has to say in HIS word.

I really noticed my vanity when one day I started thinking about what I would wear to church my first night back. At first it seems harmless. I mean, seriously, it would be one of my first nights out of the house in a few weeks! But when you weigh what church is really about and what I was excited about, one side was heavier than the other. I wasn’t as excited to hear about Jesus and praise God with His people as I was about what I’d wear. Pretty sad.

I think I still struggle with this. I have to fight my vanity with the truth that I have nothing to boast in, unless it’s in the cross. Because someone far more beautiful and lovely than me looked his worst FOR me. On the cross he was beaten and killed to take away my sins and make a way for me to be near God.

Moms with newborns, take the time to look nice and clean your house (and praise God if you have the time to do those things), but not at the cost of finding more joy in it, than your Savior.

I suppose I will get some comment saying that wanting the house clean and wanting to look nice are not bad things. To that I would agree. But my heart was looking for joy and satisfaction in those things instead of Jesus-and that’s NOT right. Anything good can be replaced with Jesus. It’s not the good things that are bad…its our wicked hearts.

Baby Comparisons

2012-02-03T20:30:00.000-08:00

Before Rosie was born I wondered how it would be to have a baby with fair skin, blue eyes, and light hair. I suppose I just figured my features would be dominant and that we'd have a baby with dark and dark eyes. So now that Rosie has blue eyes, fair skin, and light brown hair I'm always so happy when people say that she looks like me. Recently my mom brought my baby pictures and I thought I'd post a couple of Rosie and a couple of me-just for fun. ( I promise, I'm working on more serious posts)

I think we have similar smiley faces.

Ooo the blank stare... Same shape of eyes just diff color is the general consensus.

I'll try and get some baby pictuers of James too!

Rosie Noella Burdette is here!

2012-02-02T21:18:00.000-08:00

Well, if you don't already know from FB, Rosie is here! Rosie was born November 15th, 2011 at 2:30 in the morning. She weighted 7 pounds and 13 ounces and was 20 inches long. She was/is healthy.

Birth Story

(for those of you who were asking me to share it)

When she didn't come on her due date (surprise, surprise) we went in for an ultra sound to make sure there was enough amniotic fluid for her. Turned out that there wasn't and the doctors strongly suggested I go to the hospital to be induced. Their worry was that there could be cord trauma. Maybe oxygen would be cut off to Rosie and end up in a stillbirth. I really didn't want to be induced and was willing to wait to be at least two weeks over due before I'd consider it. But when the doctor said "still birth" that changed things a little. We went home and looked up that stats for the possibility of a stillbirth in my situation and it was less than 1%. However, I didn't want Rosie to be that less than 1% so we prayed about it at home and decided to head to the hospital.

Once I was there they checked to see if I was dilated. I wasn't, but the doctor "accidentally" popped my water bag. (I wanted that to happen naturally too) It was a blessing though b/c it got contractions going for awhile to delay the pitocin. After 6 hours of contractions w/o pitocin, they decided I wasn't progressing fast enough and gave me some pitocin. Thats when active labor kicked in and I could really feel those contractions. At 4cm dilated I wanted an epidural but my husband and friend knew thats not what I originally wanted so encouraged me to stick it out a little longer. About an hour later I was fully dilated and ready to push. Rosie was out 45 minutes later. O, yes, tons of fun. With pitocin and no epidural giving birth was by far the hardest most painful thing I've physically done. (The aftermath on my body wasn't so easy either) But as all Moms say "It was worth it." And it really was. We love our Rosie.

I've been so busy I haven't been able to write or post pictures or anything! So now 2 1/2 months later I'm back! Here are some pictures of our Rosie girl.

Newborn

1 month old

2 months old

Most recent 2 1/2 months old

Though it didn't initially feel like it, God is teaching me a lot. Taking care of a baby has definitely revealed a lot of sin in my heart but God has been gracious in also showing me His abundant grace. I hope to share some of those things with you guys. So stay tuned if anybody is still out there :)

Modesty is a heart issue

2011-11-08T22:27:00.000-08:00

James and I were recently talking about modesty. Every now and then I look back at the purity talks at church when I was younger. Maybe it was just what my heart desired (law) but for some reason the thing that stands out most to me about modesty, is that you don’t want to make your brothers stumble so dress right and only give side hugs. I look back and I don’t remember anybody addressing the real matter of modesty.

It is my belief that you can be the most covered up girl, dress trendy and still have zero modesty. Why? Because modesty is a heart issue. 1 Peter 3: 3-4 says “Do not let your adorning be external-the braiding of hair and 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…”

Some questions to consider when it comes to our modesty:

Why do I dress the way I dress?

Does my heart desire attention for the lack of clothing? Why?

Is my heart prideful for how well I cover up my body? Or do I do it for the glory of God?

Do my clothes highlight an issue with materialism? Why?

Do my clothes show my hearts desire for wanting praise of others in…

How trendy I am?

How original I am?

How frugal I am?

The next time you talk to somebody about modesty try to reach the heart. Ask questions and tell them Jesus has clothed us in His perfect righteousness and that is the best type of unfading beauty we will ever receive. The only lasting beauty….

[I don’t think dressing trendy and original is a sin. But from my own experience I know it’s easy to slip into love of self, vanity, desire for praise & glory even when dressing “modestly.” Our heart issues are easy to ignore if we don’t have a deeper understanding of modesty.]

Prego Pics

2011-10-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

Well, earlier this summer you saw some pictures of me at about 5 months of being pregnant. Here are some pictures taken of me by 2 great photographers that are getting their talent out there. Check out their other pictures and websites!

About 8 months pregnant

Photos by Monterey photographer Monika Greenaway

About 7 1/2 months pregnant

Photos by San Diego photographer Karina Maccharles

Psalm 139 & Abortion

2011-10-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

Psalm 139: 13-16 has plenty to say about life- the life of the unborn baby. For christians, these verses should help us to understand Gods thoughts on life in the womb. For the Christian, abortion is not just a political issue. It's not something just to think about when you are faced with an unplanned pregnancy (although that's a great time to figure it out). It's something that we should have a biblically grounded stand on (with a heart of grace & love as well) Read the following verses asking, "What does God have to say about life in the womb?"

For you formed my inward parts;

you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully

made.

Wonderful are your works

my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from you

when I was being made in secret,

intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed substance;

in your book were written, every one of them,

the days that were formed for me,

when as yet there were none of them.

For women who are pregnant, God is forming and knitting those children together in the womb. God even sees the days of their lives and had them planned out even before they came to be. God sees their unformed substance even if we claim, they are not souls. I like a definition of a soul/ person that one man gave. He said it was "someone known by God." And doesn't God know all of his creation- even the "hidden frames" and "unformed substance"? Something to think about.

2 women & 1 Man who loved their children more than life

2011-10-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

I recently came across two stories of women who denied cancer treatment when they found out they were pregnant. Their stories do not end ideally. Both women died but both of their babies survived. I admire these two women greatly for the courage they displayed in denying their own lives for the life of their children. Also, their selflessness blows my mind! In a culture who would NOT have condemned them had they chosen an abortion or even chemotherapy, the ease of those options did not hinder them from choosing the life of their babies first.

Why do these stories move me so much? Initially, it's their selflessness & courage. But more than that, I believe they point us to a greater story. Christ, being God, took on the heaviness of all his people's sin. He denied his comfort, his rights, his perfect record and his life that His people might gain life. Jessica & Stacie are two stories that point us to Jesus who did the same thing but at a greater cost. That's why their stories are so beautiful. May their stories help you to see Jesus better.

Jessica Council-" In August of last year Jessica Council – a beautiful, 30-year-old mother of one – noticed that she had a sore throat. At around the same time, she also began to suspect that she was pregnant....Jessica went to sleep with a headache and nausea. 'She did not wake up.'... The following day Jessica was near death, and Clint [her husband] gave the doctors the go-ahead to deliver by C-section. On February 6, little 'Jessi' was born, weighing only 1 lb 3 oz."

Stacie Crimm:"An Oklahoma woman died of cancer last month after refusing chemotherapy that would have threatened the life of her unborn child...Her daughter, Dottie Mae, was born August 16th by emergency C-section after Crimm collapsed in her home"

Childbirth & The Gospel Part 2

2011-10-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

In last Monday's post "Childbirth & The Gospel", I asked for your thoughts on what childbirth has to do with the Gospel. My husband and I have been preparing for Rosie's arrival, and though I thank God often for and pray for her salvation, I couldn't help but think about how Childbirth (labor & delivery) relate to the gospel. Here are some of the answers I received back:

James, my husband:
"Maybe that the pain we experience in bearing children helps to worship Jesus who experienced more pain when He bore our sins. We experience that pain with God because Jesus went through that pain without God."

Abbey, a friend:
"Off the top of my head something Daniela and I would mention with her labor was that Jesus perfectly endured great suffering for the joy set before Him. In labor, you will endure in His strength for the joy of having Rosie with you..."

Wes, a friend:
"Heather, That is really sweet. I'm thinking that Gen. 3:15 is the key. The proclamation to the serpent that a Savior would come is a promise to reverse the curse that Adam and Eve brought about. Adam believed this promise and named Eve, meaning 'life,' knowing that the Savior would come through the line of Eve. A natural birth is a way of believing that, even though the pain of the curse is present, you are believing that Christ is the promised seed who reversed the curse. You are proclaiming to God, Rosie and others that you believe Jesus reversed the curse and that the pain is only temporary when comparing it w/ the eternal glory of one day being w/ Christ (Rom. 8:18)."

I'd love to hear anymore feedback, verses or articles you think may relate!

RP: Using a pumpkin to share the Gospel

2011-10-17T19:06:00.000-07:00

It's that almost Halloween and time for pumpkin carving. Here's a post that I did last year:

I am aware that in Christian circles Halloween can be a hot topic. From what I know the celebration does indeed have it’s roots in pagan celebrations. Knowing that I understand that families would not like to be involved in typical activities on the 31^st. Having stated that, I also know that there are many who dress up but with certain restrictions, and instead of going door-to-door they choose to go to a church carnival or something. Still others, see this as an opportunity to be involved in the community and reach out. I’m not sure where you stand, but I have nothing against any of them.

One thing I do love is family traditions. Just recently someone showed me the “pumpkin Gospel” (I would prefer to give it a more God-centered title J .i.e. “Using pumpkins to share the Gospel” but it is sorta long ) and I thought it’d be a great tradition go to the pumpkin patch each year in the excitement of going home to hear “daddy” tell the gospel story with a pumpkin.

Here is a video I found that goes through the “Pumpkin Gospel”

These are the steps he goes through:

The Seed

Hold it- Romans 3:23 “All fall short”

Cut it- Romans 6: 23 “ Payment for sin is death”

Dig it- John 3:16 “ Jesus died for our sins”

Carve it- 2 Corinthians 5:17 “New creation”

Light it- Mathew 5: 16 “letting your light shine”

(I found this website where more in-depth questions are asked at each step)

This tradition doesn’t have to stay within the family either! Make it a community time. Share the gospel with families at a “Pumpkin carving Party” and then have a “Story” of the GOSPEL.

Rich Children's Music

2011-10-14T22:32:00.000-07:00

Not monetarily rich- but rich in the sense of deep meaning. I came across Songs for Saplings via Tim Challies blog. He's giving away some of their music, and I entered to win. Whether or not I win though I did happen to get some of their free songs for children. They have two CD's of scripture songs, and three CD's of teaching songs. The teaching songs are my favorite. Here are some of the questions the songs address:

Who is God?
Who made God?
Has God ever had a beginning?
What is a covenant?
What was Adam's part in the covenant?
Did Adam obey God?
Can you repent and believe in God?
What is meant by the atonement?
How were people saved before the coming of Christ?

Kids learn so much through music. You want kids to learn a verse, make a tune to it! Want them to learn rich truths? Have some quality music to have catch on to in the car-it's like unofficial catechism. The songs listed above are free. Just go to www.music.songsforsaplings.com

All things children: Abortion, Stories, Instruction & Steve Jobs

2011-10-13T21:04:00.000-07:00

Steve Jobs, Abortion & Adoption- "Out of the 52 million abortions in the US in the past 38 years, how many other Jobs’s have we extinguished?"

Hitler killed disabled children, and so do we-"...people with disabilities are frequently the first to be targeted for destruction."

Stories are Soul Food: Don't Let Your Children Hunger - A great post by N.D. Wilson on why Christians don't have to have a mistrust of telling/reading/creating stories that are fictional/magical.

Parents, Give Children Clear Instructions - Joel Beeke, is coming out with a new book on parenting on how to raise children in the covenant of grace. In the sampled passage, he talks about how parents may give a simple command but that when the child receives it, he/she may get something completely different. Check it out.

Steve Jobs- I wanted my kids to know me - Shepherd Press is great blog that deals with family, children, adoption, & culture. The big talk right now is Steve Jobs, see what we can learn from the regrets of a man who changed technology.

Sexual Abuse & The Gospel

2011-10-08T21:22:00.000-07:00

Just watched a video of Janette....ikz on the subject of her own sexual abuse and the glory of God. She uses spoken word to tell her story. Love the part where she brings in the innocence of Jesus...

13th Floor: Sexual Abuse - Janette...ikz from Pure Path on Vimeo.

Originally posted by The Resurgence

Childbirth & The Gospel

2011-10-07T14:38:00.000-07:00

My husband and I are hoping to have a natural birth-not just a "vaginal" birth but I mean a-no-drugs-at-all-birth. I'm hoping and praying we can do this, and trying to remember that Rosie will come into the world just as the Lord has sovereignly planned from the beginning of time.

To accomplish this goal of natural birth James and I have chosen the Bradley Method. Though I am super thankful for the explanations of pain and relaxation techniques, I feel I am struggling to see how exactly the Gospel fits into it. I don't want labor to be a time I don't think about God.

I know that it's a beautiful process-how everything works. Babies being made in the womb? It points to a Creator. The natural benefits of breastfeeding? It points to a Creator. But what does Jesus, the cross, and His resurrection have to do with it? I'll be thinking about this...Let me know what you come up with as well.

Breastfeeding + pumping + vaccinations = Overwhelmed

2011-10-06T22:21:00.000-07:00

While being pregnant there sure are a "roller coaster" of feelings. Happy one day because you get to see old friends and be excited by a shower of gifts for the little one, then overwhelmed the next thinking about breast feeding, having to pump, and which vaccinations to get or not get.

In the overwhelming moments it's easy to be anxious and feel like you don't have a clue. It's easy to feel nervous about making the wrong decision. But its so scary to feel weak. Then, by grace, I remember what God's word has to say about being weak. As uncomfortable as it is to not know the future and outcome of the decisions my husband and I make, I do know that His grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in weakness. May I know Christ more through my weaknesses...

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Pregnancy, Depression & Jesus

2011-09-29T00:00:00.000-07:00

“What is happening to me? I feel CRAZY,” I thought. I’d heard of depression in pregnancy before but naively thought, “That doesn’t happen to people who love Jesus.” If you love Jesus and have been pregnant you may have felt like this at one point or another during pregnancy. Like me, maybe you tried to reach out and you got a response like “Oh you're just pregnant!” or “You’ve got 13 times the amount of hormones in your body now than you do on your period. You probably feel like you are on a roller coaster!” At some level, a sense of normalcy can help you get through the day but it certainly doesn’t take away lonely & sad feelings or give you a lasting hope.

For a good part of my pregnancy, I felt depressed. I cried and slept often. When my husband wasn’t home, TV and the couch were more than familiar to me. I’d never experienced the heaviness of depression. So I didn’t have a clue on what Jesus had to do with any of it.

One thing I was sure of: my sin. It seemed during this time that it was being magnified. All my “small” heart issues seemed to explode. If somebody said or did something that offended me, I didn’t just hide it away in the depths of my heart, no I cried about it, got mad about it, I was critical and rotten about it. During that time, my sin seemed greater than ever. And it was. My emotions took over and my sin soon looked bigger than Jesus. Occasionally I’d send up a shallow prayer of repentance but I still held back from His scary goodness. I felt like Elyse Fitzpatrick describes in one of her devotions* I ran in and out out of the Lord’s presence, asking for cleansing but not really wanting to know what this particular sin meant about me.

By God’s grace, He slowly brought me back to Him. One way was through my husband. When I told him things I thought I needed (deeper friendships, being out of the house, etc), James would graciously hold me, pray with me and remind me that Jesus is better, and He is what I need. Another grace was the book “Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands” by Paul Tripp** he addresses emotions in a way I’d never heard before. His words started to soften my hard heart:

“My emotions are one of the ways my heart expresses what I crave, treasure and serve….(they) reflect what we worship…God gave us emotions as he made us in His image; they are intended to help us live in communion with him. They are a key indicator of whether we are living in joyful covenantal communion with him or in the service of something else.”

Just reading something about God and emotions made me cry. It was a breath of fresh air to see what God intended with all these emotions. After all, it wasn’t an accident that pregnant women are loaded with hormones during pregnancy. God knows-He ordained it.

God continued to soften my heart through a sermon by our pastor. As Pastor Tim preached on Psalm 22 (where David cries out My God, my God why have you forsaken me?) This whole time I was ashamed of the things I felt but Tim validated through the sermon that our feelings are real. In Psalm 22, David really felt forsaken at that point in his life just like I really felt lonely. Tim explained how emotions can be real & strong without being true. The truth is, that though David deserved to be forsaken-just like me- I won’t ever have to be forsaken because Christ was forsaken on my behalf so that I could be accepted. So though I may feel lonely-that is NOT ultimately true. I am not alone-Christ is with me, he promises never to leave me.

Maybe you are pregnant and depressed, or maybe you are just depressed. Let this be a beautiful time to commune with God. Lift up your emotions to Him. Let God show you your heart, but not just that-His great kindness. At the cross, we see the perfect Jesus who not only felt forsaken but WAS forsaken so that we could be accepted. Jesus knows the heaviness of what you feel he felt it even heavier. There’s no hope during this time, but Jesus.

*Comforts from the Cross by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick p84

** Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands by Paul Tripp p196

The Holocaust & Abortion-not THAT different

2011-09-26T18:32:00.000-07:00

Today was the premiere of "180" a documentary by Ray Comfort. It's 33 minutes long and in it he attempts to have intelligent conversations with people to connect the Holocaust with Abortion. It comes down to a discussion on the value of human life, and if you valued the 11 million human lives that were lost during the Holocaust, wouldn't those morals roll over to your view of abortion? Watch the free documentary here.

www.180movie.com

Jesus: better than chocolate cookies

2011-09-23T21:41:00.000-07:00

This wasn't the first time he was throwing fit. Last time he was waiting in anticipation as he was sure his name was going to be called to be next week's superstar. When it was a different name, his body went limp and fell to the floor. It wasn't so much a tantrum as it was a I-didn't-get-what-my-heart-prized-and-I-can't-let-it-go kind of fit. What does this kid need? We may say: He needs to be taught patience. He needs to be taught that in life you don't always get what you want. He needs to be taught that at school we take turns. There are so many different behavioral and social avenues to take with this one. Or is there something deeper? He needs his heart addressed. He needs Jesus.

If we all need to hear about Jesus? Isn't it the same for kids? If we are all sinners? Isn't it the same for kids? They are sinners too, and the idols that hold their sinful hearts need to be addressed just like ours.

This time the fit wasn't about being the superstar... A plate of cookies was given to our class. All kinds of cookies. There were sugar cookies with frosting, chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, and of course only one chocolate flavored cookie with chocolate chips. Now any teacher knows, that if there is one of something, it's best to avoid giving it out-because if everybody wants it, that could be a real problem. This little boy already saw that chocolate cookie though, and that was THE ONE he wanted. When he didn't get it, he wouldn't accept the cookie that everyone else got, because it wasn't the one that he wanted. He hid and sulked. He couldn't stop thinking about it. He thought so much about it, that he wouldn't even play at outside time. Instead he just sat there with tears welling up in his eyes.

What a silly situation to us adults right? But we too base our emotions on our idols. This little boy's idol was a chocolate-chocolate chip cookie and when he didn't get it, his world turned upside down. It's the same for us. When we don't receive the praise that we desire, our world turns upside down too. When we don't have the relationship we want, we are sad and depressed. Of course when we do get what we want, we are as happy as can be. My pastor talks about it a lot: we can see what we idolize by our response when we don't get it.

So I tried to address his little sinful heart: "You really wanted that cookie didn't you? And you got really sad when you didn't get it. I get really upset when I don't get something I want too. Let me ask you something. Even though cookies are really good, can you pray to cookies? (No.) Can cookies talk to you? (No.) Can cookies be with you all the time? (No.) Can cookies make a whole world? (No.) Did you know that there is something better than cookies? (What?) Jesus is better than cookies. Eating a yummy cookie is only good for a little bit, but Jesus is with us wherever we go and even forever if we want. If you'd like we can pray and ask Jesus that he would show you that he is better than cookies."

Well, that's as far as it went. He was not interested in praying, he still wanted his cookie more. But that little guy is no different than me. So often I want THINGS more than Jesus. Oh, how often it is that I don't believe HE IS better. But He is. Things that adults want and things that children want are NOT better than a Savior that satisfied the wrath of God on a cross for our sins. Jesus is better-a message for preschoolers and adults.

*Please understand I'm not saying that we shouldn't teach children patience or taking turns. Those are good things. Sometimes we forget to address their little hearts though and they need it just as much as we do.

Slugs N Bugs

2011-09-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

I'm sure I've mentioned Slugs & Bugs before. Our class loves their songs. Here are a couple that the kids have really been enjoying the past few weeks. I wish I could videotape how well they've got the song down-even the fast parts.

God Made Me

Tractor, Tractor

Children: Blessings, obedience, teaching & scripture memory

2011-09-22T15:55:00.000-07:00

Just caught up on a ton of posts from Reader. Here were some of my faves that are related to children.

Children are a blessing for the Lord-All Children

Give the gift of obedience

Ten tips for teaching children

Scripture memory with children

How babies come out....according to preschoolers

2011-09-21T16:56:00.000-07:00

Since I found out I'm pregnant things like sleeping, resting, being emotional and nesting have come before my blog. Sorry about that. I do have a list of posts I'd like to complete before Rosie (Yes, we are having a girl and her name will be Rosie Noella) comes. No promises. But I'll try.

Anyways, being visibly pregnant sure has stirred up lots of questions about how babies are born. Mrs. Wimberly and I like to keep it simple in our responses or turn the questions around on them. For example, when asked "How will the baby get out?" We like to respond by saying "Through a small opening in the body." Usually that's enough for their curious little minds and they run off to something new.

But recently that WAS NOT the case with one of our little girls. I gave her my usual answer, and she was quiet for second. Then she asked "But where is the opening?" I said, "That's a good question that you should ask your mommy." Still not satisfied, she questioned further, "But do you know where it is?" Smiling at her consistency, I answered "Yes I do." "Is it the same as my mommy's?" "Yes, it's the same for all mommies." And then motioning her hands in circles she said, "Well can you just tell me what area of your body it is?" I was very impressed but told her she had to ask her mommy. Normally, I don't get the 2nd degree about how babies come out (from this age group) but this preschooler was something else.

Here are some my favorite answers when it comes to me turning the question on them:

"I think she's just going to crawl out of your throat"

"She will come through here (points to knee)"

"The doctor will just cut your tummy and take the baby out and then sew you back up" (Yea, easy for you c-section moms to explain!)

"The doctor will unzip your back and then take the baby out and zip you back up"

"She will come through your belly button"

Today one of the preschoolers was seriously concerned for my life when he said:

"But Ms. Heather I don't want you to die."

"Why do you think I will die?"

"Well if the baby comes out through your eye, then you will die."

"Don't worry. She will not come out through my eye. God will take care of me. He always does what's best for His children."

If it were my own preschooler asking, I may respond with a bit more specificity. That would of course accompany a conversation about how that's "special" information that not all mommies and daddy's want their kids to know-so for now-it's only something to talk about at home. Since they are not my kids, I go about it this way, and at the end of the day let their parents know that they are interested in how babies come out. Seems the safest way to me so far.

It's been fun being pregnant with the kids. Since Rosie has been kicking more frequently throughout the day, some of the kids have been really excited when they feel her move. I love explaining how God is growing her in my tummy and how she'll come when God makes her ready. Well, stop by again if you all haven't left already. I hope to have some more posts up soon!

My "Un-Birthday"

2011-08-02T11:00:00.000-07:00

If you have a child with a birthday in the summer you may know what celebrating an "un-birthday" is. I am an August baby so that means no celebration with school friends in class. Yes, my self-esteem is very low due to that ;) Anyways, my thoughtful coworker decided to have an "unbirthday" for me on the last day of summer school. The parents were so kind and got me all kings of gifts. The kids were giving me hugs & "I love you's" all day-not to mention a cupcake-cake! Out of all that, one of my favorite things of the day was the card I received from the kiddos. The card read....

Happy Birthday Ms. Heather! We love you because...

...because she tells us Bible stories.

...Have a Happy Birthday.

...Bible Time.

...I love her.

....I like doing art with her.

....She reads the Bible Story to me.

....She does special things and Bible Stories.

...Shes nice to me.

...She helps me clean up.

....She's having a baby.

...She's a good teacher.

...She does stuff.

....I love her.

...She's so nice.

....I like her Bible stories.

What an encouragement that when they think of me, they think of God's story! I've wanted to them to love and learn the Bible so much this year! I pray they remember how big and powerful and gracious He is to us by sending Jesus-the Rescuer to save us from our sin.

The cupcake cake. Yummy!

With Mrs. Wimberly-the mastermind of my unbirthday.

Healthy baby or not

2011-07-14T16:39:00.000-07:00

“What do you want? A girl or a boy? Oh you just want a healthy baby, of course!”

If I could go back a month in my pregnancy, I wish I could answer those questions a bit differently. I wish my response could have been “Whatever the Lord chooses to bless us with, we’ll take.”

The truth is unhealthy babies are born everyday. Children are born without limbs and eyes. Children are born with multiple life threatening diseases and infections. Some children will suffer with illness till the day they die. And some children are born to only live for 3 hours. But the life in me is life made by my good God. So my husband and I say together, “We’ll take whatever the Lord chooses to bless us with.”

I know that God gives his children good gifts. Our little girl will be a gift whether she is healthy or unhealthy. Whichever it is, I trust she will be a gift for the glory of God and our good.

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. –Psalm 127:3

Support Life in Indiana

2011-07-14T14:06:00.001-07:00

Here's another easy way to be prolife. It took me less than a minute to support life in Indiana. Just sign this petition. Just go here.

Books for $1.99 this Friday

2011-06-22T16:55:00.000-07:00

Just found this in an email from Shepherd Press. Go here on Friday!

In case you the book titles are too small:

Get Outta My Face!
Craftsmen
Heaven At Home
A Proverbs Driven Life
Power Perfected In Weakness
The Gospel For Children

and more.....

45% off Jesus Storybook Bible-this week only!

2011-06-01T17:54:00.000-07:00

Over at Westminster Bookstore there is a great sale going on. Among the many good books comes my favorite storybook bible for children The Jesus Storybook Bible. As hard as it is to get kids attention sometimes, my preschoolers love the way the stories are written. At rest time, they love to look at the colorful pictures and ask why I haven't read this story or that. If you have been wanting to buy this book or are looking for a quality children's storybook bible, then head over here to get it at 45% off. Remember, it's this week only. I'm going to be giving mine away at the end of the summer (to one of my kids, that especially loves it) , so I was happy to find such a deal. They also just made a larger "Read-Aloud Edition" which will be good for the classroom!

Here's what Tim Keller says about the book:

“I would urge not just families with young children to get this book, but every Christian--from pew warmers, to ministry leaders, seminarians and even theologians! Sally Lloyd-Jones has captured the heart of what it means to find Christ in all the scriptures, and has made clear even to little children that all God's revelation has been about Jesus from the beginning--a truth not all that commonly recognized even among the very learned."

— Rev. Tim Keller, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York

A Response to the Warren interview & Egalitarian Wives

2011-06-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

I'm officially changing wednesdays to "Good Read Wednesdays." (That is- until I come up with an improved and more catchy name, any ideas?) So here are some that I found particularly interesting this past week.

Piper Interviews Rick Warren: If you were one of the people that got all excited (in a "what-the-heck-type-of-way) when Rick Warren was invited as a main speaker to Piper's pastor's conference then this should interest you. Also, here is a response by Tim Challies on the interview itself.

I'm a complimentarian man with an egalitarian wife; Can I pastor? Russell Moore will address ethical issues from time to to time. This time he was asked if a complimentarian man could be a pastor even though his wife is egalitarian. His advice? Well, if he (the husband) is called to lay down his life for his wife-he could also lay down his calling...at least for awhile to study scripture with his wife ;) Check it out.

Recovering from Child Abuse: Help and Healing for Victims I love CCEF, their counseling issues never exclude Christ and the Word. They are solid. In this article David Powlison encourages victims that 1) Identity is bigger than abuse 2) Story is bigger than abuse and that Jesus redeems both of those things. Praise God for Christ centered counseling!

Money & Raising Genderless Babies

2011-05-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

I've really been lacking on the Wednesday children's books haven't I? I'm starting to think I may have to change it to "Good-Reads-Regarding-Children-Wednesdays." :) So today instead of a children's book recommendation this week I've found a couple of articles that I thought would interest readers who follow.

Training Your Children Tim Challies discusses a book he recently read on training your children to steward their money for the glory of God. To do this he says kids need to have both money and a realistic context to use it wisely or badly. He gives helpful grids to guide parents in the amount of money they give their children depending on factors such as age and where you live.

The Myth of the Genderless Babies Albert Mohler writes about one family that is raising their child genderless, only close family members know the real gender but to the rest of the family, friends, and the outside world, they don't want the child's gender to be a part of who the baby is. Mohler talks about why the gender is important, and what we are saying about God when we disregard it.

Scripture Wallpaper!

2011-05-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

Computer "wallpaper" that is. I just started following Tim Challies . Fun so far. Last week he posted some of his favorite wallpapers. Here are a preview of some of them. But if you want them for yourself, check out the various sizes here.

Don't talk to strangers!

2011-05-23T23:06:00.000-07:00

Here is a video of a little girl and her dad. They made up a song called "Don't talk to strangers" they are very cute. To see her more popular song go here where they played on Ellen together.

Sorry it's posted so late in the day!

Happy Birthday James!

2011-05-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

Today is my husband's birthday! While we both have opposite schedules, we do see each other early in the morning and late at night. I hope to make the evening special for him with a late but warm meal, and then set up his favorite game of settlers. I like to tell him that the main reason I married him is because he's warm (and I'm always cold) but of course that's not the complete truth. Here are some pictures to let you know a little bit about how amazing my husband is.

Though we haven't even been married two years, it seems that each new experience I learn more about him. Since I've been pregnant, he's taken care of me so well. For awhile, he's been making me breakfast and bringing me lunch when I don't have one. And also just letting me cry when my hormones seem to be out of control. I'm thankful for the life that God has given James, I'm thankful for the man Jesus is making my husband. Happy Birthday to my sweet husband. I love you!

Russell Moore on Parenting with the end in view

2011-05-19T17:48:00.000-07:00

In March, I was blessed by my church to be sent to the Children Desiring God conference! It was amazing! Among many great seminars, Russell Moore's still stands out to me. If you have some time, you can watch the video I posted, or you can download it to your itunes here, or click the audio while you clean here.

Scripture Memorizing for Families

2011-05-17T22:03:00.000-07:00

Memorizing scripture is easier when it's to the tune of a song-especially for kids who aren't embarrased about it. Therefore, I'd like to recommend this CD to families. It's definitely a CD I'd like to have in the car with my kids. If you order the CD with this code BTW20 you can get it for 20% off and it comes with 2 of the same CD's. So you could give one away. Hear the entire album here.

HT: Gospel Coalition/ Justin Taylor

Ripping paper makes baby hysterical

2011-05-16T00:00:00.000-07:00

Imagine when she can rip paper on her own at Christmas, they won't even need to put anything in the boxes, she can just enjoy the unwrapping part. Hope this makes you smile! Happy Monday!

Kid's sleeping & modesty

2011-05-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

Enjoy some helpful articles I read over the past couple of weeks. Hope they encourage you!

Stickers from a Bunk Bed: Jessica Thompson (daughter of Elyse Fitzpatrick) writes about how using God's word with little ones can be used in the wrong way. If we use scripture to give law instead of point to Jesus, we aren't giving them what they need.

Go to sleep! This is a book review of "Go the ____ sleep!" by Shepherd Press ( a great blog to follow). Its a popular new book on Amazon about getting your children to sleep. The review uses the beliefs and ideas that are approached in a "child-centered" way to talk about secular parenting and encourage parents not to let the child rule the home.

A Few Modesty Questions Going to youth group I always heard that you shouldn't make your brother stumble by what you wear and that beauty is found on the inside of me not on the outside. As I've gotten older, I appreciate the women that encouraged us as young ladies to dress modestly, but I think they missed the biggest part about modesty-that it's not so much about the clothes I wear, but about my heart. These questions help women see the heart behind their clothes. So helpful!

11 Ways to Protect Your Daughter from Barbie

2011-05-11T22:40:00.000-07:00

Read this helpful post from The Resurgence

C.S. Lewis' Letters to Children

2011-05-11T15:32:00.000-07:00

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!

Live with Paul Tripp

2011-05-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

I was very excited to see that Desiring God will be going Live with Paul Tripp tonight. If you don't know who Paul Tripp is, let me just say, he really helps parents get to the heart of their children (as compared to behavior modification). To help you understand here's a summarized story he frequently tells in his books:

Him and his wife had a bad apple tree. It wasn't bearing good fruit and didn't look healthy. So one day he buys a ton of apples, gets a ladder and a staple gun. He goes to the tree, rips off all the bad apples and then starts stapling on all the good ones. Then he tells his wife that the tree is fixed. Obviously, the tree isn't fixed, the roots need change so that there can be good fruit. He uses this story to talk about how parents often try to fix their children's behavior when what they really need is change at the roots-they need to get to the heart of their children.

Our church just bought the content he will be talking about which is "Getting to the Heart of Parenting." I've learned a lot from the sessions I've watched so far, and he is very enjoyable to listen to. I highly recommend tuning in tonight if you can. Tune into DesiringGodLive at 7:00 PM (EDT) which is 3:00 PM (PST). Go here to find out the time for your specific time zone. Let me know if you plan on tuning in or what you liked!

In tha Muthahood

2011-05-09T00:00:00.001-07:00

My friend posted this on FB last week. If you are a mom or at least work with kids like me, you will definitely find this funny! Happy Monday!

Books Children Love

2011-05-04T00:00:00.001-07:00

I haven't bought any new children's books lately and even though this isn't a children's book, I thought it would be an excellent resource for teachers or parents when filtering through books at bookstores. Books Children Love by Elizabeth Laraway Wilson is about picking out the "worthwhile" books amidst the what I would call less quality ones. Here's what crossway publishing says about the book:

A love for reading is one of the most precious gifts that we can give children. It nurtures their imagination and creativity, lets them explore other worlds, and opens their minds to new truths and knowledge in appealing, inspiring ways. But how can we sort through thousands of children's books to discover the really worthwhile ones?

Elizabeth Wilson offers us a newly revised, comprehensive guide to the very best in children's literature. Just as in the original volume, she comments on the tone and content of excellently written, captivating books in over two dozen subject areas. Hundreds of new titles have been added while retaining timeless classics and modern favorites-all of which respect traditional values. So that no matter what the children's ages are or whether they love fact or fiction, you can trust these books to share things that you can believe in and kids will delight in.

I'm definitely adding this to my Amazon Wish List!

How should Christians feel about Bin Laden's death?

2011-05-03T22:07:00.000-07:00

Osama Bin Laden is dead and I don't know how to feel. He was a person-a soul-that didn't know the love and grace of Jesus, so how can I be happy about that? Yet on the other hand, he played the lead role in killing many people, and now he won't have that role anymore, so there's a sense of some kind of relief for that.

After a comment about God being just to the wicked (ref. to Osama) my pastor remarked, we can be glad that God IS just to the wicked, but also that he is NOT just to the wicked, because if he were just to the wicked, God's children would NOT have been able to receive the grace He's given through Jesus Christ. Wow, what a sense of thankfulness we can remember when thinking about Osama's death.

I'd highly recommend the below articles by John Piper and Albert Mohler. They have really helped me to have a sense of relief coupled with (not overflowing joy and excitement) but with somberness. I'd encourage you to check out the articles as they are filled with scripture and reminders of the character of God.

The Trial That Still Must Come- The Death of Osama bin Laden and the Limits of Human Justice

Bin Laden's Death: How Should We Feel?

Is God Glad Osama Bin Laden's Dead?

5 year old needs a job before getting married

2011-05-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

Monday posts are back. Enjoy this little adult girl. :) Happy Monday.

What's funny to a preschooler?

2011-04-29T00:00:00.000-07:00

I came across this informative article when I was looking for some Monday Humor posts. If you have a preschooler, you will just be nodding your head in agreement the whole time you read. So what's funny to a preschooler?

Replacing Words:
My kiddos at lunch think their name-calling is so funny. "Give me back my juice Hot dog head." "Here you go, peanut butter." (though I think it's a bit funny, I usually respond with "You may call Kayla, Kayla.")

Preschool songs that remind me of this humor:
Willaby wallaby woo
"Willaby wallaby woo an elephant sat on you/
Willaby wallaby wee, an Elephant sat on me/
Willaby wallaby wephanie, an elephant sat on Stephanie."

Down by the bay
"did you ever see a fly wearing a tie?"

You've got to read the whole thing here though. Thought this might be a fun read for some of you-but not quite a Monday Humor post.

I'm back

2011-04-28T22:53:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the long time of no posts, I just set up a bunch of Monday posts. So stay tuned! I have good reason for not posting. But that's a surprise for a later post. Let's just say I've been real sleepy, tired and hungry :)

MIA (again)

2011-04-18T14:51:00.000-07:00

Hi friends,

This week between the visit of my best friend and it being Easter week, I will have little time to write posts. Have an amazing Easter, remembering what Christ did on the cross for His children.

Heather

Children's puzzles are hard...

2011-04-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

This was the only one I found so far @ www.gatortots.com

Children's puzzles are hard to find! Our developing Children's Ministry at church thought it may be a good idea to invest in some puzzles. We thought if we buy puzzles that are stories of the bible, then it would be an easy & mellow way during free time to talk about God's story with the kids. HOWEVER, I'm having the hardest time finding Bible story puzzles! Of course I've found "religious puzzles" that are 100- 500 pieces, but that just won't do for a sunday school class.

Do you guys have any website/brand recommendations? I don't know where to start! Please share your ideas!

Albert Mohler & Abortion

2011-04-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

"…the issue of ABORTION simply will NOT go away, it CANNOT go away. There is no single issue in America that has the moral valance and importance of abortion. When it comes down to the question of whether it should be lawful to destroy an unborn human life to kill an unborn human being, you are reaching one of the most divisive and insoluable social issues, political and moral issues and it is operational at all of those levels.”

–Albert Mohler

(emphasis mine)

The quote is from Albert Mohler's Monday briefing. If Mohler is right, that this issue will NOT go away and there is no single issue of greater moral valance and importance, shouldn't we do something? Shouldn't we call our senate, email our congressman? Babies being killed isn't just a political issue, my friends. Go here or here to take some action.

Calling all California Pro-Lifers- We need you THIS WEEK!

2011-04-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

If you have been following the fight to defund Planned Parenthood, you probably heard some noise going on in the capitol on Friday night. There was talk of a government shutdown and there and there was one historic move for pre-born children in the District of Columbia. That's right, in the District of Columbia tax dollars will no longer go to abortion services! Unfortunately Planned Parenthood was NOT defunded, but it's not over yet. THIS WEEK WE NEED YOU PRO-LIFERS to contact your senators. We know that Boxer & Feinstein are NOT PRO-LIFE, but they need to know that Pro-lifers will not rest until abortion is at stop. They need to know we are here begging them to be our voice!

(To read more about Friday night go here)

I've already given you the phone numbers and the links. Just pick up your phone sitting right next to you. Just copy this pre-phrased paragraph and paste it at the provided link. There will be an official vote THIS WEEK to defund Planned Parenthood. Let your voice be heard!

Senator Barbara Boxer: (202) 224-3553
You will probably get her message machine so you could say something like this:
"Planned Parenthood is lying about providing mammograms, and 98% of their services for pregnant women are abortions. My hope is that you will represent what Pro-Lifers hope for and Defund Planned Parenthood."

Senator Dianne Fienstein: Email her here
You can copy & paste this:
"This week as you put in your vote over the Planned Parenthood debate, I hope that you will remember and represent my voice. I do not want my tax money to go to Planned Parenthood. Recently, we have seen the President of Planned Parenthood LIE about providing mammograms, and also footage of multiple clinics aiding & abetting underage girls. It is inappropriate and outrageous to think that tax money will be providing Planned Parenthood to continue in such a business! I along with the rest of the Pro-Lifers beg you to represent us. We beg you to vote on defunding Planned Parenthood."

Get your friends in on this!
Either post my "Calling all California Pro-Lifers-We Need you THIS WEEK" Or post this phrase on your FB status:

Last week may have ended without de-funding Planned Parenthood, but we will continue to fight for women and their preborn babies until we see an end to abortion. As the members of the White Rose, the student-led Nazi opposition group, once stated, “We will not be silent. We are your bad conscience.” Call your Senator today and demand that they defund Planned Parenthood this week! www.exposeplannedparenthood.com

Seriously, does it get any easier than this?

Spanky gives it right in the kisser!

2011-04-11T00:00:00.000-07:00

Raise your hand if you watched Little Rascals: Our Gang when you were a kid! When we rented these tapes from the video store, it was considered special family time. I believe the family favorite was Buckwheat. I couldn't find any particularly funny ones with him, so I went with Spanky. This clip is quite funny. How did they get such a little kid to make such wonderful facial expressions?

Well, Happy Monday!

Who was your favorite character from The Little Rascals?

This week I'll be MIA

2011-04-05T11:10:00.000-07:00

This week my husband will be getting home earlier in the evening. It's exciting news for me since I only get to see him briefly in the mornings and then about an hour when he gets home at 10:30pm on the weekdays. Sooo...that means I won't have much to post, since I'll be staring at his handsome face instead of my computer :) Have a great week!

Facial expressions of singing children

2011-04-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

This is a picture from a textbook of my "Music & Early Childhood" class in college. Though the title of the class was a bit deceiving, I did learn a ton about teaching children music-even how to teach a simple song. I love this old picture. Their facial expressions are priceless. My favorite expression is the one to the far right. Happy Monday!

Fatherless with Propaganda

2011-04-02T00:06:00.000-07:00

Propaganda is so good at spoken word. Listen him to talk about the importance of a father over a home of financial gain.

The Gospel Song

2011-04-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

The Gospel Song

Piper preaches on passing on a passion for truth

2011-04-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

Desiring God just announced that John Piper's audio & video is available from the Children Desiring God conference. His message, "The Sum of Your Word is Truth." is structured around 3 questions:

1. Why should you care about passing on a passion for the truth for the next generation?
2. What is the sum of truth that we want the next generation to see and embrace?
3. How can the next generation know that this is true and be joyfully confident in it?

Embarrassing story: My friend, Ysabel and I were the first ones in the room for this particular message. At this point, we'd never met him. As Piper did his mic check, we were sitting in the front row all by ourselves, not knowing what to do (take a picture? wave? or act like it's no big deal?) We decided to look busy browsing through notes or books, but inside we were very excited. See our picture with Piper here.

*Before you judge me :) , I've learned a lot from John Piper and his ministry-Jesus is bigger and better than him, he's just a man but Jesus is my Savior.

New video catches Planned Parenthood President in a LIE

2011-03-31T00:00:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-29T00:00:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-27T14:58:00.000-07:00

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!

Children's Easter Books from Noel Piper

2011-03-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-25T00:00:00.001-07:00

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

2011-03-24T00:05:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

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.

Tickle TIme with Uncle James

2011-03-21T22:45:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

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...

2011-03-18T00:00:00.001-07:00

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

2011-03-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-16T14:35:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-03-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

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

2011-03-08T19:32:00.000-08:00

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

2011-03-07T00:00:00.000-08:00

"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

2011-03-05T00:00:00.000-08:00

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

2011-03-04T00:00:00.000-08:00

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

2011-03-03T00:00:00.001-08:00

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

2011-03-02T00:00:00.000-08:00

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.

Roller Babies

2011-02-28T16:04:00.000-08:00

Here's a funny video of babies roller blading by Evian. If you'd like to see the making of this video go here. Or if you'd like to see a baby doing the moon walk when dad leaves the room go here.

We're walking for Life!

2011-02-23T20:30:00.000-08:00

Being ProLife always scared me. I thought that if I was really, really, really ProLife that I'd have to stand in front of abortion clinics with signs shouting. Though I'm not against that, I just thought that was the only way to BE ProLife. But what I found is that it's not the only way! There are many other ways to be involved - emailing congress, posting youtube videos and spreading truth. Not only that but you can become involved in a local pregnancy care center near you!

That's exactly what I've done! Due to all that I've been learning I decided to become a Liason between my local Crisis Pregnancy Center and my church. I'm very excited about this opportunity, and even more excited to get some of you bloggers to be involved.

Here's the deal. Next month on the 12th there is going to be a Walk for Life. James and I are walking! Our goal is to not only raise support for the Pregnancy Center but it's to make a statement by walking with the masses. What's the statement? Choose Life! In a world, where media only covers ProChoice news & events, we are praying to get some media coverage for this peaceful walk.

Maybe you are ProLife like us. Maybe you don't necessarily want to stand in front of an abortion clinic or hold signs. Maybe you don't really know how to be ProLife. Well here is your opportunity to be a part of the movement...support James and I!

If you decide to sponsor James and I, the money will go directly to the pregnancy center. The clinic is Christian-run and gives women complete information and facts about their options. They are sure to share the gospel with each family.

It's very easy to sponsor us. You don't have to send me a check or cash. All I need is your home address and the center will bill you directly. To give your pledge amount, simply email me at Heather.r.burdette@gmail.com OR post a comment saying that you are interested and (if I know you) I'll contact you via FB.

Please consider being a sponsor to James and I or find out about a Pregnancy Center near you, I'm sure they have events like this too! Thanks for showing us your support and more importantly your support for LIFE!

*Also please share this post with any of your family or friends through email or sharing on FB. That would be awesome!

The Barber Who Wanted to Pray by R.C. Sproul

2011-02-23T00:00:00.000-08:00

Excited about another children's book by R.C. Sproul to come out! This one is to be released sometime in September so watch out for it. This is what Crossway says about it:

"This imaginative tale from R. C. Sproul, based on a true story, begins one evening with Mr. McFarland leading family devotions. When his daughter asks him how she should pray, Mr. McFarland shares a 500-year-old story about a barber and his famous customer.

Master Peter is a barber well-known to all in his village. One day, when Martin Luther the Reformer walks into his shop, the barber musters up the courage to ask the outlawed monk how to pray. Luther responds by writing a letter to the barber. The barber’s life and many others’ are changed as they encounter a model for prayer by using the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostles’ Creed.

Sproul’s beautifully illustrated story will delight children and help them learn to pray according to the Bible. The full text of the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostles’ Creed, along with a brief biography of Martin Luther, will make this a treasured book to be returned to time after time."

Image from JT blog

One year of blogging...

2011-02-22T01:05:00.000-08:00

A year ago today...

I decided to put my thoughts out there. The "thoughts of a preschool aide" spurred from my very first job at a christian preschool. Working there provoked many things I'd never thought about before.

WHY? Well, at Cal State Fullerton my studies were NOT bible-based. All my creative thinking for kids went to making non-product art projects for kids, dialogic reading, literacy, activities to focus on fine & large motor skills. It went to making activities about shapes, numbers and letters.

Though wheels were still turning in those areas this Christian Preschool introduced a new dynamic: bible stories. Honestly, it was quite uncomfortable for me at first. I was more of an observer in that area because talking about Jesus to children made me a little nervous. As I observed I had questions:

What kind of language do we use when we talk about "scary" things like Jesus dying on the cross?

Should we tell children that they make Jesus' heart sad or happy with their actions?

What do I tell them about Satan?

These were hard questions for me because I understood the tenderness of the age while at the same time they are learning more during this period of their lives than they will the rest of their life. So I struggled:

______

What do I do when the truths of the gospel must be conveyed but when the truths are also "hard" for tender hearts?

____

So thats where I was when I started this blog. To hear some of my thoughts on those things please read my very first post ever "Did they want to hurt or kill Jesus?"

However since that very first post, there has been a great deal of books and messages that have really helped my biblical understanding of children. If you are looking for the same, I cannot recommend the list below enough.

Children Desiring God: Finding quality biblical books for children, msgs on "self-esteem" from a biblical view point and teaching children how to understand the gospel is what can be found here. If you are a christian majoring in child development you will want to counter what you are learning with the information in this website.

Tedd & Paul Tripp: Tedd wrote Shepherdin g a Child's Heart. This book absolutely CHANGED my interaction & conversations with the children. It helped me to see that behavioral change comes from the heart and so when I talk to children I must show them what is in their hearts. Paul Tripp wrote Age of Opportunity and though I work with preschoolers it helped me re-evaluate a lot of what I learned in college.

Today...

Due to God's grace, I can now say I'm not just an observer when it comes to sharing bible stories and the gospel with children. In fact, it's one of my most favorite things to do at work now! I'm thankful to the Lord for the instruction he's given me about children so far. I know I have so much more to learn and I'm excited to reflect again next February.

Boy freaks out over N64

2011-02-21T12:00:00.000-08:00

My husband showed me this video yesterday. I started crying it was so funny. If you replay the first 3 seconds over and over your stomach may start to hurt. So funny! Happy Monday. If you have it off, enjoy!

Occult workers at Disneyland & drug busts

2011-02-20T00:00:00.000-08:00

I saw this testimony on Joshua Harris' blog recently. This is the story of how God called Tom Martin to himself and saved him from the occult and sin through Jesus Christ. May it encourage you today...

Tom Martin Testimony from Covenant Life Church on Vimeo.

You know you're a preschool teacher when...

2011-02-19T01:00:00.000-08:00

It’s no longer surprising to find clumps of glue in your hair.

Red “washable paint” stains your hands by the end of Valentine’s week.

Your husband starts singing preschool songs.

Your husband tells you turn off the preschool songs.

You find random items like: sequins, pink hair clips, & heart shaped buttons (otherwise known as “treasure”) in your pockets.

You peel stickers off your clothes, before washing them.

It’s exciting to learn about new children’s music/books to be released.

You have a favorite letter from the Letter Factory (mine is “W”).

You attend multiple princess parties in one year.

You are thankful to sit in a “big kid” chair.

You are a cupcake connoisseur (officially do not like store-bought).

You notice the absent sound of a flushing toilet from the opposite side of the room.

You wake up with a children’s bible song in your head.

It’s time to babysit and you bring multiple children’s books & CD’s.

You appreciate the sound of wordless music at the end of the day.

And finally when phrases like this are common.

____________

You could also start off with “You know you have a preschooler when…”

What do you think-did I miss any?

$5.00 children's book-today only

2011-02-18T01:00:00.000-08:00

Today Sammy & his Shepherd is on sale for $5.00 over at Ligioneer Ministries. It's typically $17.00 (hardcover), and if you know children's books, that doesn't surprise you. Because children's books are NOT cheap! That means, this is a great deal! It's on sale until Saturday morning. So only one day my friends, one day. Go hereto buy it.

I typically like to recommend books on Wednesdays, but since this book is on sale today then here is a book review from Ligioneer Ministries: the teaching fellowship of R.C. Sproul:

Sammy lives happily under the care of his faithful shepherd. But one day he meets a sheep from another flock, one who lives in misery because her shepherd is not so caring. Eventually, to the delight of both of them, Sammy’s shepherd buys the needy little sheep for his flock and gives her a name—Precious. Thereafter, Sammy tells Precious all the wonderful things about their shepherd. At first, Precious has a hard time believing that the shepherd can be so good. But eventually, as she sees the shepherd pouring out his energies for the good of his flock, she comes to trust him, for she sees that he loves his sheep unconditionally and sacrificially.

Each chapter of Sammy and His Shepherd is an exploration of a passage from Psalm 23. As they work through the book, children will grow in their understanding of the metaphors the psalmist used in composing this beloved poem. But more important, they will gain a deeper appreciation for the one who is the subject of the psalm: the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Captivating illustrations by Corey Godbey help Sammy and Precious come to life for children. A special section in the back of the book provides Bible passages, discussion questions, and activities to reinforce the lessons of each chapter.

As a side note, stories from the perspective of an animal about bible stories kinda make me nervous. Mainly because I work with very literal preschoolers that tend to get confused when I say that we have black sinful hearts ("My mom said our hearts are red"). But since the church is referred to as God's sheep, then I can totally go with that! Go here to get the book.

Money not kids

2011-02-17T17:03:00.000-08:00

This post has nothing to do with kids. It's not the normal post, but good deals must be shared! So here goes...

Since I've been following coupon blogs & bargain sites the past month I...

Got a FREE pair of prescription glasses
Saved $10.00 on my husbands Valentines gift
Received my free 20 Christmas pictures from snapfish (just for signing up)
Saved almost 70% on a pair of Calvin K. sunglasses.
Bought an anniversary gift for July (I know so early!): $1.99 11X14 collage

Exciting, right?! So if you don't already receive emails from Groupon , LivingSocial, or Roozt-I'd highly recommend it!

I got my sunglasses from a deal on Roozt.com. Following deals on Roozt is even more satisfying because all their items are organic/fair-trade/humanitarian :) Obviously, not all deals are good deals, but you may come across something you've been needing. For me it was sunglasses that wouldn't break 3 months after the purchase.

I haven't used my free credits for either of these websites, but I'm sure looking forward to it!

Nomorerack.com: 8 deals every day. $2 shipping no matter what. $10 credit just for getting their emails. Everyday their cheapest items tend to be make-up or a toy item ranging from $2-4 bucks. With s/h you'd use at most only $6, which still leaves room for another deal for $2 of your free credits. That's SOME deal if you ask me!

Eversave: Similar to Groupon & Living Social only they give you $5 (normally it's only $2) of credit to receive their emails. Don't know when I will use it, but I know it's an option. If you sign up today you will get the 5 dollar credit, then it goes back down to 2 bucks tomorrow. Hurry, hurry!

I know it's early to think about it, but maybe these free credits will come in handy around Christmastime.

These are my new glasses that were FREE

Ronnie Wilson's Gift by Francis Chan

2011-02-16T01:00:00.000-08:00

Look out for this book next month! You can pre-order this book on Amazon for just over 8 bucks. The recommended age according to christianbook.com is 4-8. Here is their description of the book as well:

"When Ronnie Wilson learns of Jesus' sacrifice, he wants to give Jesus a gift in return. But how can he get it to heaven? With each attempt he performs a simple act of service for someone in need, and eventually learns that what is done for the least in God's kingdom is done for Jesus himself."

Abortion Argument: What about rape or incest? #3

2011-02-15T01:00:00.000-08:00

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

Answer #2: Rape is never the fault of the child; the guilty party, not an innocent party should be punished

______

Answer #3: The violence of abortion parallels the violence of rape.

In ProLife Answers to ProChoice Arguments Randy Alcorn explains answer #3 quickly and simply so this time instead of summarizing I'll just directly quote it all:

"One woman says, 'When a woman exercises her right to control her own body in total disregard of the body of another human being, it is called abortion. When a man acts out the same philosophy, it is called rape.'

There is a close parallel between the violent attack on an innocent woman that happens in a rape and the violent attack on a innocent child that happens in an abortion. Both are done in response to a subjective and misguided sense of need, and both are done at the expense of an innocent person. The woman might not hate her child the way the rapist might hate his victim, but this is no consolation to the child. Regardless of the motives or disposition of his mother, he is just as brutally killed.

The violence of abortion is no solution to the violence of rape. The killing of the innocent by abortion is no solution to the hurting of the innocent by rape."

**Be sure to read Answers #1 & #2 as they give fullness to the answer of the ProChoice objection for abortion.

Bill Cosby on Childbirth

2011-02-14T01:05:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday everyone (and Happy Valentines Day)! Hope this gives you some laughs to start out your week!

Part 1

Part 2

Parent Me with Json

2011-02-11T10:33:00.000-08:00

Found this video the other day by Json. The song is called "Parent Me." There are 3 different scenarios that Json takes us through. I'm sure you could identify with being raised in one of these homes or maybe even being one of these type of parents. Well hope you enjoy the video & lyrics. Also, Check out Sho Baraka talking about "Parenting a child with a disability."

[Chorus] - J.R.

Look at my life

Look at my pain

Look at my tears

These tears I shed

I feel so alone, with nobody to talk to

Cuz of the days that I spend without you

It's like you're here, but you're gone (but you're gone)

You're here, but you're gone (but you're gone)

It's like you're here, but you're gone (but you're gone)

And you're gone, gone, gone, gone away

[Verse 1] - Json:

I know you're working, I appreciate your grind

You give me everything I need, but I really want your time (I want your time)

I must confess, it's hard to express how I'm feeling

But I'm growing blocks a bit and it's quickly becoming buildings

Listen, you're never home

To the point to that I don't notice when you're gone

I'm getting older, but I'm growing all alone (I'm alone)

How can you raise me, without even knowing me?

Everything I do, is just to get you to notice me (I miss you)

Realize, you're the great influence in my life

But you're absence just might be what's ruining my life (you're ruing my life)

I got questions, but we don't talk on the usual

My friends are having sex, and I'm wondering, should I do it too? (What should I do?)

Who should I go to, if you are never there? (Where?)

And if you never ask, will you ever be aware? (Be aware)

You say you care for me, you don't get it apparently!

I'm young and just a child, I need my parent to parent me!

[Chorus] - J.R.

[Verse 2] - Json:

I know you're hustling (I know), I see you on your grind

You give me everything I need, but I really want your time (I want your time)

I stay in fresh J's, laced in new gear

But I would trade it all, if I'd only have you here

I smell the boodah you blowing, cuz it be so potent

Oh yeah, I know this, but you don't think I'ma wanna smoke it?

I see your love for the streets, and I want that love too

You taught me to be hard, but you rarely tell me, "I love you" (I love you)

Moms be mad, she always be talking bad about you

But honestly, Dad, I don't think I'll become a man without you

And she be gone, matter of fact she never home

She come into work, and I'm living like I'm already grown

I gotta place to stay, then get ta shop at the mall

But I'll honestly say, I don't have no guidance at all

You say you'd gun for me, but don't know I can barely read

I'm young and just a child, I need my parents to parent me!

[Chorus] - J.R.

[Verse 3] - Json:

I know you're in Church, I see your love for God (I do)

You give me everything I need, but I really need your time (I need your time)

Your godly life and love for people amazes me

But tell me should the Church take my mom and my dad away from me?

I say this simply, you know my life spiritually

Involved in ministry, but often, you don't remember me (Remember me?)

You teach the Youth and show them how to model and live

But at home you've never shown me what the Gospel is (Father I need you)

How can you share with those direly hopeless?

Inside I cry, cuz we've never cracked the Bible open

And I'm feeling the pressure, and don't know what to do

Know what it's like to be the only Christian in your school?

I rep that 1-1-6, they tell me to live unashamed (I'm ashamed)

But that's hard when those around you are on another thing

You study thoroughly, but don't get it apparently!

I'm a baby in the faith, I need my parents to parent me!

[Chorus] - J.R.

[Outro] JR:

Mama I need you.. And daddy I need you...

Annnddd Sho Baraka on Parenting a child with a disability

Abortion Argument: What about rape or incest? #2

2011-02-10T01:05:00.000-08:00

{ 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.

Answer #2: Rape is never the fault of the child; the guilty party, not an innocent party, should be punished.

Alcorn warns us that we should be careful in a case like this as to who gets the blame. We should watch out for missing why this is such a “hard” case to answer in the first place. It is not hard to try and figure out if the innocent child deserves death for the actions of his/her father. What is hard is that the mother was put into a hard situation that she was not willing and ready for. He reminds us that this is a hard situation that the woman’s community must support her through. But while thinking about it, “the fact remains that none of this is the fault of the child.”

______________________________________________________________________

“Why should Person A be killed because Person B raped Person A’s mother?”

_____________________________________________

Alcorn asks, “Why should person A be killed because Person B raped Person A’s mother? If your father committed a crime, should you go to jail for it? If you found out today that your biological father had raped your mother, would you feel you no longer had a right to live?” Those are good questions he poses. Then, for the Christians he gives some supportive scripture:

The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father. Ezekiel 18:20

Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their fathers, each is to die for their own sin. Deuteronomy 24:16

He comments further that civilized people don’t kill children for the wrong actions of their parents-only when it comes aborting the child of a rapist (do we make this mistake). He’s right; this issue is so hard and disgusting that we wrongly transfer our disgust to the innocent child or the mother instead of stricter punishment for the rapist. Alcorn ends by saying, “lets not punish the wrong person by inflicting upon the innocent child our rage against the rapist.”

____________________________________________

“Lets not punish the wrong person by inflicting upon the innocent child our rage against the rapist.”

____________________________________________

Argument(s) taken from ProLife Answers to ProChoice Arguments. By Randy Alcorn.

To see why I am doing this go here.

God Made Them All

2011-02-09T03:01:00.000-08:00

It's fun to learn about animals but while teaching children about animals but how often do we forget to credit the God who made them?God Made Them All by Melody Carlson is a fun book about all the animals God made. Not only to I appreciate the durability of this board book but it rhymes too! This book is great way to start telling your kids about all the animals that GOD made! I love these lines:

I saw the desert, vast and dry.

But what lives in that sand?

Amazing creatures can survive

Just the way God planned.

If I could have it my way I'd put an exclamation mark at the end of that last line (at least that's how I'd read it anyways). Yes, God planned that the animals that live in the desert, are able to live there in the dry heat. Does anybody hear a bit sovereignty in that line like I do? ;) I love it. The last page ends like this with a mouse sitting on an elephant:

By now you've met some animals-

Some big ones and some small.

But each of them is special,

For God has made them all.

God is the sovereign creator of all things. There are value to things in this world because God made them, what a simple book to share hints of those truths!

Pro-choice or Pro-Abortion?

2011-02-08T01:05:00.000-08:00

Recently Planned Parenthood released their 2008 annual report. From the report we found that for every single adoption referral Planned Parenthood performed 134 abortions. When we talk about giving women choices, is not adoption a choice? Then why is it, that Planned Parenthood does NOT have developed options and more resources on adoption? It's because Planned Parenthood is NOT pro-choice but pro-abortion.

Image & info from LiveActionBlog

Also, if you haven't already seen the recent footage released by LiveAction that exposes Planned Parenthood's value of abortion above the U.S. law (reporting the sex trafficking of minors) then watch this video. Christian brother or sister, be informed about Planned Parenthood & evils going on there.

Watch the full unedited version here and here

Now you tell me, is Planned Parenthood pro-choice or pro-abortion?

Lemon Faces

2011-02-07T01:05:00.000-08:00

Funny video of babies tasting lemons. Enjoy, happy Monday!

Criticism

2011-02-06T03:01:00.000-08:00

Recently my husband told me “your feathers are easily ruffled.” My husband doesn’t point out things to me very often, so when he did, I was so appalled-it was funny. Well, my husband is funny. Only he could point out a flaw to me and at the same time make me laugh. Laugh in a how-could-you-say-that-to-me-kind-of-way!

I thought about my feathers being ruffled for a bit. It was hard. It was hard to receive criticism. Someone saying that you fall short of a standard doesn't tend to be easy. It made me think, is it so hard because I’m so critical? Well, if I’m being honest, that’s not hard to answer. Just ask my Sunday morning Starbucks date, she’ll tell you that being critical is something I am often trying to defeat.

Right now I am reading Counsel from the Cross by Elyse Fitzpatrick & Dennis Johnson and I read an amazing paragraph on criticism:

Do I find it difficult to receive criticism? Are your transparent and vulnerable before your friends or defensive and self-protective? In your mind do you rehearse your accomplishments or others’ faults when someone corrects you? Do you think that criticism is always a bad thing? If you find it difficult to take criticism, it’s because you haven’t believed what the cross says about you. The cross is the most blatant statement of criticism ever displayed (my own emphasis added). It says you deserve to die. You deserve to be stripped and naked and humiliated and then to receive the righteous wrath of a just God for all eternity. That’s what we all deserve. But we have been given grace, forgiveness, and relationship with Him. You would need to defend yourself from criticism only if you didn’t have a Savior who loved sinners. If you are defensive, you are missing the gospel.

I did try to defend myself from his concerns about me. But don’t you see this? Don’t you see that? I asked him playfully (yet out of the overflow of my heart) This hurt me and that was crossing the line! I told him defensively. But then this quote points me to the gospel. I am a dirty, rotten, sinner. I deserve what Jesus received on the cross. That should have been me. No remark is as true as “You deserve to die.” When I think about that, no other criticism comes close. All critical thoughts of others fade away.

And as far as defending goes? It's unnecessary. I don't need to save face because Christ didn't. If it’s true sin that my feathers are easily ruffled (and they are) then it was gracious of the Lord to point it out to me-it shows me I'm his daughter (a sinful one-yet his still HIS). If a criticism doesn't ring true then let them come all the same, after all, if I have truly been crucified with Christ, then this false accusation is nothing in comparison to what Christ received. And I don't deserve to be treated better than Jesus.

But whether the criticism is even true or not, I like what Dr. Poirier says in his article The Cross and Criticism: "If God has justified me, who can condemn me? If God justifies me, accepts me, and will never forsake me, then why should I feel insecure and fear criticism? Christ took my sins, and I receive His Spirit. Christ takes my condemnation, and I receive His righteousness.” No matter my sin, I am justified, accepted by God himself because of His Son Jesus that took on my condemnation, and I have undeservedly received his righteousness.

No matter what type of criticism we receive, may we not fear our pride being hurt, our hearts being shown, or the opinions of others. May Jesus sanctify my critical heart so much that I can one day respond to criticism this way:

"You have not discovered a fraction of my guilt. Christ has said more about my sin, my failings, my rebellion and my foolishness than any man can lay against me. I thank you for your corrections. They are a blessing and a kindness to me. For even when they are wrong or misplaced, they remind me of my true faults and sins for which my Lord and Savior paid dearly when He went to the cross for me. I want to hear where your criticisms are valid."

My feather’s being ruffled isn’t even the half of my sin. Yet I am still loved and forgiven by my gracious Savior. How sweet the cross looks even in the face of criticism.

Wallpapers

2011-02-04T04:00:00.000-08:00

I am always changing the wallpaper on my desktop. From pictures of our wedding to friends, to pictures of my niece and nephew. Recently I have loved the pictures/wallpaper that have been coming out from TheResurgence & Abort73.com. On TheResuregence blog they'll make a cool graphic designs of scripture. My favorite of their is:

Another place I get wallpaper from is Abort73.com. This is my favorite:

Below I listed the links for you. Enjoy!

The Resurgence Wallpaper

Abort73 Wallpaper