Purposeful

Last night as Noah, Emily, Jason and I got together to discuss Shane Claiborne's "Irresistible Revolution" the word "purposeful" kept coming up. Shane is purposeful in his mission to be like Jesus. He and his friends may look like hippies that float on the wind of anything that comes, but they are not. They know whom they serve and everything they do is to reflect Him to the world. It all has meaning. It got me thinking about my kids. They are being raised in a culture in which we must be purposeful about our lives. Our culture does not, by design, cultivate community. We are independent, look out for number one, autonomous...we're Americans. I see families like the Livesays who are raising a whole batch of kids in Haiti, and I think how blessed they are. Their 12 year old, Paige, is already full of vision and compassion to start her own ministry. I'm sure, if she were still being raised in the states she would be just as kind and compassionate. Yet, her experiences on the mission field have deepened it probably. And the need is right in front of her. My 11 year old is one of the most kind hearted kids you could meet. But her days are taken up by drama club, guitar lessons, youth group cook outs, and horseback riding. She is a delightful child, and she loves the Lord very much. I have no doubt that she would want to serve if she saw a need. I guess that's what I'm getting at. I need to purposefully show my kids the needs around us. They need to see homeless people, hungry people, lonely people. My seven year old lives for the next trip to Toy's R Us. He starts writing his Christmas wish list on December 26th. He loves stuff. Of course if I am honest, so do I. But I try to fight it. What is it that Kendall Payne song says? "Children are only uncostumed humanity." So, how do I do this? How do I raise kids in this culture who have a heart to serve and sacrifice for the gospel? No, these are not rhetorical questions! Please anyone with ideas, chime in on the comments. I'll try to do my own brainstorming and get back to you(:

Interesting Food For Thought

Pay special attention to the nuclear fuel part. Jason designs nuclear fuel and he has been saying this for years!

OK, I'll Vote

I have wrestled and prayed and debated myself. Funny thing. It was a conversation in the car with my girls that made me realize what I have to do. When you are breaking things down into language that an 11 and 9 year old can understand all of a sudden the lingo, spinning, and brainwashing are left out. You find yourself staring at something that actually is right or wrong, good or bad. Madeline, you are wise beyond your years. Thanks for setting me straight(: The beautiful thing is that SHE also knows that God is our ultimate leader, and so we all got out of the car feeling quite peaceful. God is not taken by surprise by anything, and no matter who is in office, HE is in control. I have no illusions that a man can change things, or that a man is going create for America a new moral compass. So, I will vote my conscience and let God sort it out.

Quote I Stole From Ange's Blog

calling is "the place where your deep gladness meets the world's deep need"

Frederich Buechner


Love it!

Why We Don't Need TV

Example #1: Box Forts

We have a visitor(:

Living in Laodicea

Somewhere between the hot and the cold
Somewhere between the new and the old
Somewhere between who I am and who I used to be
Somewhere in the middle, You'll find me
Somewhere between the wrong and the right
Somewhere between the darkness and the light
Somewhere between who I was and who You're making me
Somewhere in the middle, You'll find me
Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender without losing all control
Fearless warriors in a picket fence, reckless abandon wrapped in common sense
Deep water faith in the shallow end and we are caught in the middle
With eyes wide open to the differences, the God we want and the God who is
But will we trade our dreams for His or are we caught in the middle
Are we caught in the middle
Somewhere between my heart and my hands
Somewhere between my faith and my plans
Somewhere between the safety of the boat and the crashing waves
Somewhere between a whisper and a roar
Somewhere between the altar and the door
Somewhere between contented peace and always wanting more
Somewhere in the middle You'll find me
Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender without losing all control
Lord, I feel You in this place and I know You're by my side
Loving me even on these nights when I'm caught in the middle

"Somewhere in the Middle"
Casting Crowns

late edit: Amy says it well here :http://ourcrewinhaiti.blogspot.com/2008/10/results-not-typical.html

Not voting??

OK, for the first time in my life - ever - I don't think I will be voting. I am at a loss. I didn't want to make this blog political, but I just have to vent and cry and be sad about this for a minute. I have always cherished my privilege to vote. I have always wanted to honor those who fought for my right to vote by doing so. But honest to Pete, I am baffled this time. I will pray for my country, and my world, and ultimately I will pray for whoever is elected. Lord please have mercy on us. We are fallen, and sinful and lost without you. We need you. We need you. We need you. Please don't leave us to suffer the consequences of our mistakes, but in your grace and mercy help us. We NEED You. We need YOU.

really?

speechless