by Kimberly | Oct 22, 2012 | 31days, marriage
My pastor is about to wind up a series on Jonah. True, we’ve only caught one of the sermons, but yesterday was a bit on compassion. My hubs chose to put in Compassion Hymn into the service and it fit perfectly.
As I thought about who I needed to show compassion to, I thought to my sweet little boy (and husband). Since I am not a covenantal thealogian (meaning, I do not believe that simply because Eric and I are elect believers that our son is one as well), I believe that my son is lost. He needs Jesus. I need to show him compassion. I need to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit to him: patience, gentleness, kindess, etc.
I also need to show comapssion on my husband. I am not the only one who has gone through my change. He seldom gets more than 7 hours of sleep in a row. He doesn’t have a really clean house anymore (I’m working on that schedule). He started a new ministry in a new state. He needs his wife to show him compassion just as he has been gracious to show much of it to me.
by Kimberly | Oct 22, 2012 | 31days
Our little boy had his first day in church yesterday. If you are a long time reader of this blog, you know I’ve had several discussions about kids in worship, etc. I’ve battled with it in my head after having Eli, but I know this to be good for us.
Eric leads the worship – musical part. We stay in there. Little e loves sounds just like his daddy and yesterday he was asleep through it. I got to be in there as well!
Then shortly after the preaching started, he was stirring then I knew he needed changing, so i took him to the nursing moms room. What a great blessing that is at BCLR. There is a flat screen so we can watch the service, there is water and snacks and other moms in there as well so we can have fellowship if we are in there for an extended period of time.
We had Lord’s Supper yesterday and little E and I got back in there just in time for that. What a blessing it was.
I think “man, I’d love to just sit with my husband and worship” – but little e is a part of our family as well. He needs to see us worship, hear us worship, and learn how to worship too!
by Kimberly | Oct 20, 2012 | 31days
Many verses are having a new impact on my heart and actions this month – my first of having sweet e here with us.
Phil 2.14a: Do all things without grumbling.
This goes for midnight, or 2am, or 5am feedings. This goes for not complaining when my husband gets home a little late from the office. This means not complaining when I don’t get much sleep one night. This means not complaining when I don’t get to go out as much as I did. This means not complaining that the w/d in our small apt is SO much smaller than our one in NC. This means not complaining that we’ve gone from a 1750 sq townhome to a 900 sq ft apt and don’t know how long we’ll be here.
I know how nasty grumbling and complaining can sound – it is not pretty. It doesn’t make a heart look pretty either!
by Kimberly | Oct 20, 2012 | 31days
Our sweet little boy turned a month old on Friday! Yay!
He is still crying and gives me some sleep at night. The most we have slept is 6 hours in a row. He loves to walk around with someone (of course he can’t walk yet). He is making all sorts of sounds and we love laughing and trying to mimick all of his cute little faces! Days are hard – but we also laugh! Thankful for this little joy and can’t wait till he continues to grow (and maybe potty trains early!
We went to his first pumpkin patch to celebrate! Enjoy the pictures!
by Kimberly | Oct 18, 2012 | 31days, Books
I haven’t had a lot of time to read since having Elijah, but definitely wanted to read this one. I love everything Kevin DeYoung. I know, call me a groupy or what have you. But, I forward many of his blogs to my husband who is a worship pastor. One of our goal trips is to go to his church for a Sunday to see how they do reformed worship. Just not in the winter, because its cold in Michigan. But, maybe when I go there I can hook up with Pretties By Meg who is a great blogger/jewelry designer!
Anyway…this book called The Hole in our Holiness is much along the lines of Pursuing Godliness or Respectable Sins or Holiness. All good books and all hard books to read because reading it makes you examine your life and how you live.
I remember reading Mortification of Sin by Owen back in 2007 and a pastor friend of mine said I wasn’t allowed to read any more puritans till I read a book on grace and the cross.
I think Kevin DeYoung does a good job here of combining the two. Not wanting us to rely on works for our salvation – he reassures us of our place in Christ. But, also not wanting us to err on the side of lawlessness, he reminds us that the Bible says to be like God for He is holy.
One sentence toward the beginning of the book sets the tone of the work required for the rest of the book: “holiness is plain hard work and we are often lazy.” (pg 19)
Throughout the book he reminds us of grace but also that we have imperatives that we will obey if we abide in Christ. Powerful reading if you want to examine your life.
by Kimberly | Oct 18, 2012 | 31days
Sorry this didn’t get posted yesterday – my host server or something was having issues and I couldn’t get on here to write!
I pray many new prayers and more often than I did before I was a mother. They aren’t as long and written down as they were before, but they are more aloud:
1. Lord, Help!
2. Lord, I don’t have the strength.
3. Lord, please Help!
4. Lord, give me grace and strength to love this little boy today.
Those were all last night – and out loud!
Knowing and resting in that He is a God who hears and answers our prayers!
