There are moments in life that grab us, shock us, move us to tears because of the awe and wonder or the pure horror. Times that cause us to ask more questions and times that leave us speechless. This picture evoked one of those moments for me. What will come of this moment I’m not sure, most likely very little if anything at all and that reality leaves me speechless again…

Picture from “The Big Picture”

I love this picture. The Hi-Res one is here. Actually, I really like most pictures by Stephen Poff. You should check him out. The picture reminded me of how much I am loving Scripture this past year. Specifically, it reminded me of the verse in Acts 14:11.

“As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath.”

Made me wonder. Do I have that same feeling, that emotional desire and drive for more? More scriptural insight, more teaching, more quiet listening, simple more of Jesus. Thankfully i don’t have to beg, but I should want to, right?

Interesting, when Paul came back to teach the Jews the next Sabbath, they didn’t hear what they were hoping for, and kicked him out. Again, I wonder…

A quick thought on what stuck out while reading Ephesians 4 today. Specifically verse 26.

“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.”

I think that many people are familiar with the “don’t let the sun go down on your anger” part of that verse. For me, it was the beginning that stuck out. “Be angry, and do not sin.” It’s not like it was a new revelation that its ok to be angry, but it sure is hard to not sin while being angry.  When people are involved it so easy to make it personal right away and fend your position and attack the other. When the issue is private and I’m angry at myself, it’s just as easy to start believing lies about oneself and not hold on to the Truth that God is passionate about us and accepts us, broken and flawed as we are.

So, like I said, it just stuck out to me today. Perhaps this will be a good reminder for me today, perhaps not and perhaps a good reminder for you.

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

So, Judah and I  had some time yesterday. I thought we hadn’t had an intentional Family Fun event in awhile, so….why not grab some pop, some mint candies and create a reaction of some kind.  Here’s our adventure.

Judah was excited for the candy

Not sure what to expect.

so I kinda freaked out a little - I hate getting dirty.

Impressive, huh?

Even Judah was a little unsure

1st round over. Diet Coke shoots pretty high.

hmmm, Judah you think Diet Dr pepper would shoot higher? Let's try.

Judah starting to get into this pop experiment stuff.

pretty high too.

funky shot

All done. Judah loved it and Diet Coke worked best in case you wondered.

Do you sometimes feel like a cracked, fragile clay pot?

So today I am reading 2 Corinthians 4 – 5.  I encourage you to read along with me and share what stuck out to you. My hope is to share quick devotional thoughts every weekday on what stuck out to me in my daily Scripture reading. (I said hope, most likely not reality. )

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies….

6 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,

Today, I got quite emotional reading this passage. I’m not going through any big affliction or struggle, either is my family, but yet the weight of Paul’s words hit me somehow.  I always ask myself questions as I read Scripture and these are the ones that raced through my head.

• When I struggle do I easily get confused, feel despair, feel like I have lost, been destroyed?
• Do I choose to thank God that He may be glorified through my weakness, physical trial or otherwise?
• I prayed that i would not lose heart when and if suffering comes my way. Lord help me to be strong and faithful.
• Do I actually consider any kind of affliction to be light, compared to the future eternal glory that awaits me?
• Do I actually even think about my future inheritance through Jesus, do I cling to His promise and His great sacrifice and salvation for me?
• I thought, this gets even harder when I walk beside those whom I love deeply, should they suffer affliction in the future. (whatever the kind)

So, today was a great reminder to me that I am indeed a jar of clay, weak, prone to suffering and yet with the incredible ability to praise God throughout because I will never be destroyed. Lord, just as Paul wrote, may I be reminded that, “this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” Compared to our future glory and inheritance for eternity, my current affliction is indeed “light”

Lord, grant me strength to continue to fight the good fight and live faithfully for you. I realize I am a clay pot, fragile, easily broken, and one day you will make me beautiful.

Thank you that you have overcome, so that, one day, we may as well.

There are very few smells better to me than freshly brewed coffee in the morning. And for me, that would be freshly brewed, bold, Starbucks coffee.

There is something about starting my day in a coffee shop, around those great smells that I really enjoy and that has become a daily routine.

However, I recently entered into my routine, got excited at the smell of my fresh bold coffee, sat down, expectantly tasted my first sip, and spit it out. It was horrible. Tasted like sour acid on my tongue.

Today I was reading in 2 Corinthians 2-3.  Verse 14 and 15a stuck out to me in light of this experience.

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ…

Made me think about my faith and example.

• Do I leave a good aroma of Christ to others. Does Christ smell good if you will?
• Do I “smell” good enough to encourage people to taste and see? Or just average and not “different” than anything else?
• Does their experience with me leave a bad taste in their mouths?
• Did my actions, the the reality of spending time with me, meet the expectation of the aroma they first encountered?

As I found out, something can smell very good and still taste very bad.

You smelling good today?  (Oh, I really dislike the Starbucks RED coffee and love every other bold. Starbucks, I still really like you.   )

I’m creating a new category on my blog for my initial thoughts after reading a passage of Scripture. These probably won’t be overly theological, or academic, but will be quick, off the cuff thoughts about how my heart was stirred, at that specific time, by what God’s word spoke to me, and what i was convicted and reminded of.

So, every day I try and read 1-4 chapters of the bible.  Today I was reading through 1 Corinthians 11-13.

I’m actually working through a new bible and marking it up as I go along. I was frustrated at the thought of the process of changing bibles, as I love my old bible, but yet it’s interesting to see what I highlight differently. I also switched to the ESV version, so I do have to read every word, because it’s different. I would actually recommend everyone to re-read the bible in a version you have not read before. Maybe a mid year resolution for you.

In a nutshell, Paul addresses everything from head coverings, to the Lord’s supper, to spiritual gifts and then the love in chapter 13.

Today it was 1 Corinthians 12: 31b that stuck out.  …“And I will still show you a more excellent way.” The Way of Love. (Chapter tile of ch. 13)

Why did Paul have to address this? Because the Corinthians were a special bunch. Selfish, indulgent, jealous, loved the “showy” gifts, wanted to be recognized above others, etc, etc.  What stuck out to me is the fact that all of us, me included could have fit in nicely with that bunch. At least on some days, right? Perhaps you are better than I?

Today, I will make an extra attempt to choose the more excellent way, the way of love. Which is of course the Jesus way.

Two quick verse that popped into my head while reading this today was:

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

and

But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:27-28)

I pray that today you and I would love (serve) in a greater degree than we did yesterday.

Esther, Judah and I were setting up for a sleep over in the basement and it was decided that jumping off the couch would be more fun.

Setting up for our sleepover in the basement

Getting side-tracked. Couch jumping to ensue.

Judah about to launch...

Getting some good air.

attempting a 360.

crazy jump attempt #1

crazy jump attempt #2

dual jump

didn't turn out so good for Judah

My blessings.

Moose & Juice - man i love 'em!

Esther is turning six and grade one is looming around the corner. I say looming because what was once clear in my mind is not so very clear anymore.

Context:

I was home schooled from grades 7-12. I didn’t like it very much at all. Notice, I didn’t say it wasn’t beneficial for me. However, I always promised myself that I would never home school my kids. This past year Naomi and I decided to home school Esther for Kindergarten. It ended up being a wonderful experience for both of them. I figured no big deal. Kindergarten isn’t mandatory anyways, so no big deal.

However grade one is the real deal. This is official. I have been quite adamant about my stance with Naomi, and I have had to ask for forgiveness on a couple occasions because I have been a little over the top in my attitudes and responses back to her.

Dilemma:

I’m actually starting to lean towards homeschooling. Amazingly and frustratingly I think that is the educational route we as a family are potentially suppose to take. It’s frustrating, because I still have my stubborn pre-determined opinions, but my heart is slowly changing.  So, what would you do? Or, what did you do?

Just for clarity:

We have no issues with our educational systems, no political agendas, just a passion to raise godly children. And we are still discerning God’s will for our family. No decision has been made yet.

Being a parent is much more difficult than I ever thought, but I love it!

As a family Naomi and I try and have consistent family fun events with the kids. I found great comfort when someone once told me that these don’t have to be the big, well thought out events we sometimes think we need to plan as parents. Often they aren’t even close to being well thought out. They are however intentional times where we as a family can laugh, play and have fun together. This time round I decided to do a quick round of “Egg Olympics” prior to me leaving for church.

Pre competition prep while the kids still sleep

Kids just waking up

The choosing of the eggs

Choosing which egg will run in the first race

Judah taking his mark

Esther still sleepy but getting ready to race

They're off!

Almost at the finish line

Winner of Heat #1 Esther!

A little less enthusiasm from Judah with a second place finish

Next Heat, egg smash. Egg left standing wins.

Judah's egg starts to explode (wish I had set a faster shutter speed)

A mess is now unavoidable

Oh, oh!

Judah declares himself the winner & incredibly Esther believes him.

Good sportmanship

It was declared a draw.

The spoils of battle go to Jackson

Anyways, a quick snapshot into some “Egg Olympics” at the Herbold household early Friday morning.