Friday, April 20, 2012

A Wise Woman Once Said...

I've found the same book of poems covered with dust as I've packed up boxes for each of our last few moves. I keep thinking I don't need to keep a "coffee table book" of poetry around, but every time I start picking through the stacks and shelves, I end up sitting in a corner soaking up the wisdom of its pages. It's never made it to the "toss" pile. Maybe it never will.

Today I sat and pondered these wise and thoughtful words--words for a son (or daughter) yet words for us all. Here is a poem by Ruth Bell Graham:

"Die, son:
but do not sin.
It is too high a price
for living--
if "life" it can be called
to wallow
(briefly even)
in that which God forbids.
Satan has desired you:
shrewd,
he will not use
revolting sins
to lure,
but "lovely" ones,
"respectable,"
"desirable,"
and "pure"
(or so they seem);
far better you should die
honorably,
and clean
than craven-hearted,
nearsighted,
weak of will
and mean,
your birthright you should sell
for a mere mess of pottage
squander your inheritance
in wild living,
then fain
fill your belly with
the husks of swine.

Would you trade
fellowship with Him
for tarnished coin
and raveled end of rope?

God's hand is on you, son;
far better then
the furnace, seven-times heated,
the denned and starving lions,
the stones that honored Stephen,
or a cross...

The choice is yours:
God grant you
eyes to see
and ears to hear,
a loyal heart
and will of steel,
forged to His will,
sound in His fear.

So...
die;
but do not sin;

such death
is not life's end--
but its beginning."

-from Sitting By My Laughing Fire

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Resurrection Day 2012







Sorry it has taken me so long to upload our Easter pictures! Easter afternoon found me in the bed sick, and six days later we were on the road to run the 1/2 marathon we have been training for with Team Samaritan's Purse. I feel like we've been "running" ever since...it's been a busy April! We did have a wonderful Resurrection Day, though, celebrating with one another and our church family. Praise the Lord: He is risen...He is risen, indeed!

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

I just wanna be a sheep (baa, baa, baa, baa!)




The girls made this cute sheep craft from Clubhouse, Jr. magazine this week. What a great opportunity to share with children all the beautiful metaphors in Scripture about our Shepherd God and how he goes after his sheep! The girls love Clubhouse, Jr. and we really enjoyed this craft!

Monday, April 2, 2012

All Tuckered Out


Our big boy....he played himself to sleep. Literally! :)