What?!

Last week we had a lot of time to read, and I tackled John Pipers', Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ. Very easy read. Full of helpful Truth. I recommend it.

On page 60 I began to exclaim, "WHAT?! I never thought about that!" And as some of you friends (ehem, Julie Vanlue) well know, if I'm amazed by something I'm reading...and you're in the room...you're gonna hear about it.

Piper is talking about Jesus being born to Mary- a virgin. And Mary's shame-- that others judged her for being pregnant before she was married; even though it was by the Holy Spirit. Then he talks about Jesus, and this is what it says,

"His enemies always had this trump card they could throw on the table when the force of truth turned against them. In John 8, Jesus was uncovering their deep duplicity and slavery to sin, even implying that the devil was their father. When Jesus said, 'You are doing what your father did,' they reached for the card and said, 'We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father- even God" (verse 41). The indictment was not veiled: they were calling Jesus a bastard." (emphasis mine)

My mouth dropped open. I had never considered the suffering, mocking, etc. that Jesus must've endured for appearing to be what they'd describe as an "illegitimate child." This suffering that Jesus experienced that Isaiah prophesied about in chapter 53-- "Man of sorrows, acquainted with grief" was not only the suffering of the cross to bear our sin. It was life long.

Just makes me love Him more.

So, am I alone in never having thought about this before? I've read that verse in John 8 numerous times, but never realized they were meaning to take a stab at Christ!

Faithful

"I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me." Psalm 119:30

Recently I've been bathing in the glorious wonder of God's faithfulness. Amazed that time and time and time again- He meets me. He is jealous for all of my heart. He ordains that things would be taken away so that it might be just "me and Him" once more without my eyes distracted by other things- lusting after what I think I want. As I reflect back on His past faithfulness, my heart fills with HOPE and JOY- knowing that my God is unchanging. Therefore, His past faithfulness, is prophetic of future faithfulness.

In this, my desire has increased to reflect this wondrous faithfulness of God. I want to be faithful in the things He's called me to. Even if I don't understand why. Even if it doesn't make sense. I want to embrace what He's given me with joy. Not with clenched teeth and a fake smile-- but with inner peace. A heart quieted by His love. Whispering to Him, "I trust you." Oh Father, help me.

For God alone may my heart wait in silence. He is my salvation. My rock. My fortress. I shall not be greatly shaken. (paraphrased Ps. 62)

Christmas Assembly

This morning we did our Christmas assembly for Bettws and St. Jullians. I'm not able to post the video yet because one of the kid's faces is in it, but here are some pictures for you.

In the first scene, Toms and Taige are playing PS3 talking about Guitar Hero and Nintendo Wii that they're asking Santa for for Christmas. In "typical girl style" I stand infront of the screen nagging them to come help us put up Christmas decorations and storm off.

Scene two, I ask Ivy and Kat what they're MOST excited about Christmas as they talk about how soon it is...they say shopping. When Kat tells me she hasn't done any shopping yet, this is my response:

Next, Toms and Taige come in- Toms asking if he can go shopping with us, he wants to make sure that wiis are in stock at the mall, and Taige whines that we're talking about shopping again. Then, Peter enters with our "huge tree" that is "so heavy" and we begin to decorate it with candy canes. We end the scene by leaving to "go shopping".


The boys are also "shopping" with us. This is them looking at all the games and talking about what they like best.

Peter spots "Santa's Grotto" and we excitely run off stage.

Next, we're baking cookies. Three batches left. SO excited about Christmas.

The boys come in, and distract us by yelling "SANTA!" and pointing, or "REINDEER!" As the girls are distracted, they steal all our cookies!

We're devestated and kick the boys out of the kitchen.

Next...is Christmas day! We set out the Christmas tree and dance around it screaming and shouting.



Chaos continues.

Next is the Day after Christmas. Utter mess.

Everyone is depressed that Christmas is over.

Me:What's wrong with you guys?! Don't you know the best part about Christmas isn't the toys, the food, the shopping, or even the traditions?
Toms: That's exactly what Christmas is all about!
Me: Those things are all good and exciting, but that kind of happiness....(pointing to mess) doesn't last.
Taige: I can't believe Christmas is OVER.
Peter: (to me) But you love Christmas, why aren't you sad it's over?
Me: Well the reason we give gifts is because God gave us the greatest gift, but sending His Son to be born in a stable.
Taige: (out of turn =) Like the Nativity story?
Ivy: God came as a baby?
Kat: To be born in a barn?
(Insert Taige's previous line HERE where its supposed to go)
Toms: Like with Mary and Joseph, and the shepherds?
Me: Well, that's the BEGINNING of the story. But the REASON Jesus came is because God loves us. So He sent Christ to die on the cross for all of the wrong stuff we've done- to take the punishment we deserve so we could have a relationship with God.
Peter: Ya...so even though all the presents are unwrapped and we have to take the decorations down...we still have something to celebrate.
Me: Right! This is just the beginning!

Spades!

Anna Greasley has been staying in my room off and on for the last 4 weeks. She has "placement" down the road (clinicals for nursing) and its easier for her to crash here than stay at her flat in Cardiff.

Tonight's the night everyone else goes to Home Group (mine's tomorrow night). Ives and Kat were out, but Taige happened to not have Home Group tonight and he hates to "do nothing" so he and Peter came over to play Spades! It was Anna's first time learning, but she did incredibly well! Peter and I still won 162 to 35, but Taige and Anna tried hard. =)

Anna kept showing us all her cards. She couldn't manage holding and re-arranging them at the same time. Hilarious.

Well, this was a safe game of Spades-- no bruises or scars like in Haiti, thank you very much Lindsay and Janelle Phillips!

Happy Birthday, McKenzie!

Happy Birthday, Kenzers. Miss you, Love. Enjoy being two!!! You are precious.

PROCLAIM

We did our first Christmas Assembly today. The LORD showed us so much favor. It goes as follows:

"Preparation for Christmas" (which consists of four scenes: PS3 (the boys discussing what they want for Christmas while pretending to play), Decorating, Shopping, Baking)
"Christmas day" (us running around our teeny tiny Christmas Tree dancing and shouting and opening gifts. Just chaos- the kids laughed so hard)
And "The Day After Christmas" (being depressed that Christmas is over so soon)

Each character has their FAVORITE thing about Christmas. What they continue to repeat "THIS is what Christmas is all about."
For Taige its food, for Toms its toys, for Peter its the decorations, atmosphere and traditions, for Ivy and Kat its shopping.

At the end, I ask why they're so sad (I got this part because I'm the loudest. Mom, I know you're proud. That New Jersey in me is paying off ). And I explain how we don't have to be sad when Christmas is over because while decorations, shopping, toys and food are all good things, that kind of excitement and happiness doesn't last. But we REALLY have something to celebrate in Jesus coming to take the punishment we deserve for our sin- and dying on a cross so we could be forgiven and have a relationship with God. Now that's something to celebrate!

The kids responded really well and seemed to LOVE all the characters (especially the guys.) Peter did an excellent job explaining the Gospel again at the end to tie it all together for the kids.

Then this afternoon I went with Toms (Kat and Taige went to an earlier class) and we answered questions that kids had in a Religious Studies class in year 8 at Saint Jullians. Amazing the doors the LORD has opened. We shared the gospel numerous times in our answers- about why is there suffering, why Jesus is our hero, if they can be good enough to get to heaven, if we believe they'll go to hell (Toms answered this graciously, with much love, and sticking to Scripture-- and the boy came and talked to us even more afterwards...pray for him. His name is Charlie- he might come to VJ on Friday night). This felt like one of the most effective times we've had to talk about the reality of our lives as Christians while answering (or attempting to answer) REAL LIFE questions these kids have. Only about 5 of them (out of 30ish) raised their hands when Toms asked how many had ever been to a church.

I'm not sure I could feel more inadequate to do what it is I'm doing here. As I reflect back over some of my answers, I am aware of missed opportunities to communicate God's care and comfort, lack of clarity about His character, etc. etc. I still can't believe I'm here doing this. The pastors at Christchurch have done all the hard and dirty work. They've gone through the mess, built the relationships, pursued the opportunities...and then just given us the easy and fun stuff-- the eternal stuff. Seed planting. And they would do such a better job at this. I can't believe they let us do it. I can't believe God lets us do this-- that He entrusts His Gospel to us to share.

Oh, LORD, receive glory!

Faithfulness

Today I am enjoying the Truth of God's faithfulness. He does not give up.

Nothing and no one can take Him off of His throne. He is above ALL.

ALL THINGS are in subjection under His feet. All people. All circumstances. All sin.

His grace is bigger than sin. Always.