Sunday, January 25, 2009

My girls.


these girls light up my life. between them both they are either keeping me dancing or singing. they truly are amazing. sisters. wow. we are so blessed to have these little ladies in our lives. i wish i had something more profound to write. i think though at this time i am in awe of God and the life that he has blessed us with.

Posted by Picasa

Friday, January 23, 2009

She is now 1. Lord, keep our paths straight.

Gratia you are 1. You are walking, running, riding, loving outside. You love shoes. Wanting to wear yours. Happily wearing your coat around the house, with the hood up. You are a cuddler. You love to burrow your precious head in your special blanket when I hold you. You also like to walk around with a blanket on your head. A bit crazy. You love to play chase with your brother. Your favorite toy is a toothbrush. Your favorite food is pretty much anything. You hold our hands when we pray. You get so excited when your daddy comes home. You seek him out when you wake up from your nap "hi, dad". You love to sing and worship, at church or at home, always kicking and raising your hand. You love to dance with your sister. You never miss a beat. Fiamma has taught you well.

You are our little lady. Our precious little lamb. We love you dearly.

100_3414

G gorgeous babe

R radiant

A adorable little lady

T truly a gift from above

I irresistibly sweet

A amazing; from your precious head to your itty bitty toes.

Just look at them. Seriously!




Posted by Picasa

Piper. Listen very carefully. A good word.

The Death of Death by John Owen.

I have been reading, sporadically, the introduction essay of The Death of Death in the Death of Christ by JI Packer. Just to make sure, John Owen wrote the book and Packer wrote the intro essay to the book.

http://www.all-of-grace.org/pub/others/deathofdeath.html.

This is the particular portion that I had the chance to read this morning. It resonated with me and thus felt called to share it.

Here goes.....


"To the question: what does it mean to believe on the lord jesus christ? its reply is: it means knowing ones self to be a sinner and christ to have died for sinners: abandoning all self righteosness and self confidence and casting oneself wholly upopn him for pardon and peace; exchanging ones natural enmity and rebellion against God for a spirit of grateful submission to the will of christ through the renewing of ones heart by the holy ghost. and to the further question still: how am i to go about believing on christ and repenting if i have no natural ability to do these things? it answers: look to chirst, speak to christ, cry to christ, just as you are; confess your sin, your impenitence, your unbelief and cast yourself on his mercy; ask him to give you a new heart, working in you true repentance and firm faith; ask him to take away your eveil heart of unbelief and to write his law within you that you may never henceforth stray from him. Turn to him and trust him as best you can and pray for grace to turn and trust more thouroughly; use the means of grace expectantly, looking to christ to draw near to you as you seek to draw near to him; watch, pray, read and hear gods word; worship and commune with gods people and so continue til you know in yourself beyond doubt that you are indeed a changed being a penitent believer and the new heart which you desired has been put within you. the emphasis in this advice is on the need to call upon christ directly, as the very first step. so do not postpone action til you think you are better, but honestly confess your badness and give yourself up here and now to the christ who alone can make you better and wait on him til his light rises in your sould as scripture promises that it shall do. anything less than this direct dealing with christ is disobedience of the gospel. such is the exercise of spirit to which the old evangel summons its hearers. "i believe-help thou mine unbelief" this must become their cry.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Welcome 2009.

The day is coming to a close. It's about 11:55 and I am listening to the fireworks taking place outside. All the babes are sleeping soundly. We partied

it up for Gratia in style and now are resting blissfully. We had a lovely dinner, family, some friends and some fine cake in the shape of a heart. Elijah kept asking for more cornbread.

I like cornbread, as does he, and took it as a compliment. Fiamma kept stealing cookies while drinking the rest of everyones water, not to mention a bite of her fathers olive that was left over from his gin martini. "Yucky" was the final answer. We ended the party reluctantly with some giggles. Lots of giggles.  (Happy new years by the way. It is now officially 2009.)

This year has been a whirlwind, like every other year, but it doesn't seem like that long ago that we were walking through the door bringing our Gratia home to meet her brother and sister for the first time. I know much has happened. Mostly change. Not only are the kids older in years, but looking back at photos from last year this time, I am blown away at HOW they have changed. I am truthfully scared at how much more they will continue to change.

The one thing that comes to mind, though, as I look forward to what God has for us, is a prayer that my little girl Fiamma will often say. "Dear Jesus, thank you for Jesus. Amen."

Amen.

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.