by Kimberly | Jun 30, 2015 | Uncategorized
I live in the south. It is hot. Actually this week it has been about 10 degrees cooler – so I’ll take it.
This summer I’m in the process of losing about 20 pounds leftover from being married and having kids. But, when it is hot I still want ice cream. Ice cream is an important dietary component in the summer (ok, really, anytime).
When I’m trying to count calories, the best way for me to go it an individual serving ice cream treat from Weight Watchers. It helps me not eat an entire pint or quart of ice cream and it has less than 200 calories and it tastes pretty good.
So, thanks to Influenster I got to try out two free boxes – and have since been trying them. It is a perfect cool treat at night when I want to splurge!
by Kimberly | Jun 30, 2015 | Books
There are a lot of dead people who live on through their writings and teachings. I’m so thankful for other people who study their lives and put together books that summarize their lives and their teachings on important truths of the Christian Life. Crossway has been tackling a series that does this very thing, and Tony Reinke just released the book showcasing John Newton, former slave holder turned grace-filled Christian preacher. (Thank you Crossway for this book in exchange for the review. Always a pleasure.)
The book is not primarily a biography, though I did learn a lot about Newton’s life that I didn’t know. What more that Tony Reinke does is take a broad look at all of his writings, mostly found in letters to other people, and summarize to his readers what Newton believed and how he lived in light of that belief.
This was such an intriguing read to me because it was so applicable to my life as a mom and wife. Some theology I find hard to incorporate into my daily life – but the grace of God – I need so much of it that I want it just to pour into my spirit. As I read yesterday on an instagram photo – I want to empty my life of more stuff so that there is more room for Christ to overflow!
Anyway, I digress. So, how did John Newton change my look at grace? He (in a nutshell) said that Christ and grace were so intertwined that the two were pretty much inseparable. And one day, a hot Sunday afternoon after a hard morning before church – one that my husband was working so he wouldn’t be home in the afternoon to help me play with them – I was so frazzled. I wasn’t able to be in the service that morning either because I was serving in the preschool praise area. When I got to my car there was a note scribbled on the back of our church’s bulletin. Just a quick note from my husband (after we had recently talked about this Newton theme of grace). It was so impactful that I still say it to myself now weeks later.
Here’s something to try. In every verse or hymn…try replacing the word grace with Christ.
Amazing Christ, how sweet the sound.
Christ my fears relieved.
Christ will lead me home (all taken from Newton’s famous Amazing Grace hymn).
My Christ is sufficient for you
Christ, Christ, God’s Christ.
As Reinke pointed out sometimes grace is overused these days. We refer to it as any show of kindness. As “grace”filled Christians we should more tie our displays and life of grace to Christ rather than to just being nice. When you show grace to a neighbor – let it be because Christ is compelling you – and share Christ with them.
For me, I need Christ to overflow into my parenting. It isn’t a want – it is a necessity.
And that’s why I love saturating my mind with good, gospel-centered books.
by Kimberly | Jun 29, 2015 | Uncategorized
Are you humming a certain song right now?
Here are some of my favorite things right now.
1. Scripture. Last week I had some good me time to sit in some cool places in Chattanooga and eat good food, take pretty pictures and read the Word. God so shows up in His Word. And having Scripture around my house always helps too because it helps me focus on it even if I can’t sit down and have a 2 hours quiet time every day.
2. My Husband. We’ve been married almost 4 years. Good times, trying times. I love sitting down on the couch with him. Sometimes we just watch the West Wing or Chef’s Table. Sometimes we eat an antipasti platter or have a bowl of ice cream. Sometime we just talk about life and marriage and boys and foot rubs. Sometimes we read a Tripp parenting book or watch a Tripp marriage video (I totally suggest his material for either parenting or marriage).
3. Pretty things. A friend brought me this blooming plant when she came for lunch a few weeks back. Still pretty. This print from Kristin Schmucker never leaves my side board in my dining room. And I just received this tray from Barn Again Design after entering a contest from my friend Lara’s 40th birthday giveaway. It came today in the mail and even though the post man rang the doorbell during nap time, he delivered a beautiful hand-crafted tray with reused barn wood. It hasn’t been sanded down to perfection. There are knots in the wood. It is definitely self-distressed. But, isn’t life sorta not-perfect. And that’s how I like to live life in front of people. Just for clarity: my hutch is never this cleaned off unless I’m taking pictures. My husband would probably prefer I take pictures every day then.
4. Books. One of the things I love doing right now for blogging is book reviews. We can’t afford books right now – they just aren’t in our tight budget, so I love getting them from publishers and reading them then putting them on here to introduce you to the goodness that is in books.
5. Cookbooks. My favorite is The Forest Feast book. I could make everything in there. Two salads are coming up this week as I try to restart my healthy eating after a trip to Chattanooga.
What are your favorite things and how do they help you get through a Monday?
by Kimberly | Jun 27, 2015 | marriage, mothering, parenting, Shepherding Children, World Events
It is no surprise to most people that the SCOTUS handed down a favorable win for same-sex marriage yesterday. This doesn’t surprise me at all because we are not a theocracy nor are most of the people in government controlled by the Bible. In a way I don’t find fault with a non-Christian society to assume that all marriage should be allowed.
However, even though my family lives in America, we are more controlled by the God of the Bible and know that He is sovereign over all, Jesus is no longer in the tomb, and God even controls the government and the leaders and the decisions by His sovereign will.
That being said, I, as a parent to two little boys, have a God-given responsibility and grace to teach these little ones in my care (and my husband’s care) about a biblical view of marriage and how to be men of God. So I’ve thought about it the last couple of days and here are some points that I will be instilling in their little souls and will pray that God captures their hearts at an early age, that they grow up to fight for Truth and freedom, and that they love God with all their hearts.
1. God’s Word is the Truth. There is no false teaching in the Bible. Every word of it is true. It is the final authority. In our lives, it is the final authority now. Unfortunately, those who don’t know Jesus don’t live under this truth. They choose to disobey a loving God who has a great plan for their lives. They will one day know that God is the only God and his truth is supreme. 2 Timothy 3.16-17
2. God has called them to be men. Men. Men of truth, valor, and integrity. Men who love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her. Men who will unite themselves to one woman for the rest of their lives and seek to live out the Gospel in their home. Men who will lead, provide, and protect their wives and children. Men who will fight for justice. Men who will stand for truth. Ephesians 5
3. God is Ruler over everything. Many places throughout the Bible we see God the Father orchestrating the hands of government to do his will. This decision of the SCOTUS does not surprise him one bit. He is the Ruler and He knows all. He has a great plan for His great fame in this country and the world. Psalm 97
4. #lovewins is not about gay marriage. Love won the day Jesus conquered the grave after he died for our sin. ! Corinthians 15
5. Gospel applies to all. When we encounter those who do not believe the truth of the Bible we have one response – to love them as Christ loved them and point them to their need for a Savior. Romans 3
6. They are sinners. My boys need the Gospel. Their mommy and daddy need the gospel. Just because we will teach them that gay marriage is wrong (against God’s final authority) doesn’t make us better. We need Jesus. Romans 6-7
7. Love truth. I will teach them to love truth in every walk of life. In playing with their friends, in learning about the Bible, in standing up for justice and truth in their school, in not shrinking back when lies prevail. Psalm 119.9
It was a sad day. But, I have a responsibility to my children to train them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord and will pray that they will know the Truth and the Truth will set them free.
by Kimberly | Jun 27, 2015 | Books
I love animals. My boys love animals. We got to the zoo several times per month. We had pets growing up. I’m all for the humane treatment of animals.
Noah’s ark is not primarily about animals. Basically every children’s book or nursery theme I’ve ever seen about Noah is about the animals. Even songs that we sang at church camp are about the animals.
The main point of the Biblical account of the story of Noah is how God punished sin and showed mercy to sinners by sheltering them in the ark from his wrath. Yes, God commanded Noah and his family to bring in the animals. That was another part of God’s mercy to His creation.
The story is about God’s kindness to sinners (Noah’s family) and his judgment on the world because of their sin. It has about his promise to sinners by revealing to us a rainbow – to remind himself that he promised never to flood the earth again. Its not primarily about the animals.
That being said, Tommy Nelson sent me a book, Noah’s Noisy Zoo, and the way the board book fits together is adorable. You can make all sorts of animal noises with your toddlers as you read it to them. But, parents – no matter old your children are, please do not end the story of Noah and the ark with the animals.
