Monday Morning Musings: The Blessing of a Broken Heart

Below are the lyrics to one of my favorite songs. I'm very grateful that I have this on MP3, for I'm certain that a tape would be well worn, and a CD would be in scratches by now.

I Want A Broken Heart
words and music by Derek Webb

I’ve got faith in the bank and money in my heart

I’ve got a calloused place where your ring used to be, my love
I’ve traded naked and unashamed for a better place to hide

for a righteous mask, a suit of fig leaves and lies

I thought the cattle on a thousand hills was not enough to pay my bills and I fell in love with those who proved me wrong, and now I want a broken heart

Now there’s a great pad lock on the place where I was free, and I’m feeling bad from swallowing that key
Now I work real hard but I mostly call in sick of a broken back from the ground fighting back at me

I cannot look you in the eye so I check the knots on my disguise ‘cause I fell in love with fashion in the dark and now I want a broken heart

I’ve got alibis for every crime a substitute to do my time ‘cause Your heart breaks enough on both our parts so now I want a broken heart

now I want a broken heart

now I want a broken heart

Every time this song queues up on my player, I end up listening to it at least three times in a row. It's one of those songs I find to be simultaneously convicting and soothing. As I listen to the words, I'm reminded of how easy it is to worship the blessings I've received over the Giver of those blessings; how I've become infatuated with this world and work so hard to justify my greed; how quickly I forget the life and sacrifice which freed me from the bondages of sin and made me righteous. I'm so thankful for artists like Derek Webb who can so brilliantly put the truths of the Gospel into a beautiful song.

May the Lord continue to graciously chisel away the barnacles of sin from our calloused hearts, and pour in His holiness and love, conforming us more and more each day to His Son.

Anna's First Tooth

Well, teething has officially begun. A few days ago, Lizz noticed a tiny tooth popping up in the bottom of Anna's mouth. It'll just be a matter of time before she doesn't have to gum her peas and carrots anymore. I was unsuccessful at getting a picture of the intruder, so I decided to take one of Anna in her new hat...she has such great fashion sense, don't you think?

This Day In History (minus a week): Hampton Court Conference

In response to a document, know as the Millenary Petition, which was drafted by English Puritans and was an attempt at reforming the Church of England, King James I of England initiated the Hampton Court Conference (named for the location where it convened : the Hampton Court Palace). Convening in January of 1604, the conference consisted of three main meetings:

First Meeting: Basically involved James and his bishops hashing out the issues identified in the Millenary Petition.

Second Meeting: Served as an opportunity for the puritan representatives to voice their concerns to the King.

Third Meeting: Concluding the conference, the King made his final decisions in regards to what changes would or wouldn't be made.

Although many of the items in the Millenary Petition were rejected, one of the most significant and memorable consequences of the Hampton Court Conference was the decision to make a new translation of the Holy Scriptures into the English language. This version was published in 1611 and is known today as the King James Version.

May we all treasure the word of God, and seek to better understand His reveled will contained within, and may we find great comfort in knowing that His word has and will always be preserved.

"For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled." -Matt 5:18

Snow Day: Pt II

We had a blast! The weather was perfect: the temp was in the 40s and there was no wind. As a matter of fact, we had so much fun we ended up spending two hours playing, and we probably would've stayed out longer if we don't have to go in for dinner. Below are some snippets of our adventures:

Before we went out we made sure we were wearing the proper attire...

We decided to kick things off with a little snowball fight...we even made a mini bunker...

Then we made a snow man...his name is Wally...

And of course, we went sledding...dad started things off to make sure the hill was safe...



Then Colin and dad went for a ride...



What a great day!

Snow Day!

Wahoo! We finally received a "real" snow fall. The weather guy predicts at least a good 4 inches. I luuuuuuuv the snow! I even love driving in it (yes, I'm a freak). I find that snow forces me to slowdown and enjoy the beauty of creation (not just when I'm driving but also regarding life in general) . Below is a brief clip of our backyard being saturated with the gorgeous white fluff from heaven. Assuming that we get a chance to go out and play later this afternoon, I intend to take more vids/pics, so please stay tuned.

New Initiative

Being the sucker that I am, I recently let a friend from work talk me into playing lacrosse with him (a sport that I have little to no real experience with). Since the beginning of the year we've been spending most of our lunch breaks "playing catch", which I've found to be very valuable since my ability to catch and throw with a lax stick needs much improvement. As time (and my confidence) progressed, my buddy decided I was ready for some real experience. Before I knew it, I was out on the field with guys who have been playing since their parents exchanged their rattles with lax sticks. The good news was that I played in a pick-up game versus an actually league, so the intensity was not as high as it could've been. Aside from being quite tired (the game went from 10:30-11:30 PM!) and soar the next morning, I thoroughly enjoyed myself and look forward to the next game.


Besides some quirky rules I found the game play to be somewhat similar to hockey without skates (which bodes well with me since I was never a particularly great skater). One similarity to hockey is that your allowed to "check" your opponent (i.e. slam into them with you body). However, unlike hockey your also allowed to hit your opponent with your stick, which makes the game that much more enjoyable and exciting. Below is a picture of my fix lax war wound: a pretty bruise resulting from a stick check I received on my right arm (this is how guys help educate each other...words are a waste of time...beatings are much more effectual).



Just thought I'd share. Anyway, through this recent initiative I've been reminded how exciting trying new things can be. Hopefully I'll make it through this one alive so I can try others...

Hungry Baby

Monday Morning Musings: Ultimate Satisfaction

A few months ago I listened to a sermon series on Ecclesiastes by pastor Allistair Begg, and even though many days have passed since I've completed it, one of the many powerful things he said that has stuck with me and become a daily meditation of mine is:

"Every pleasure in life ultimately mocks us unless we have found our need of eternal life met in the Lord Jesus, and satisfied by God; unless the thirst of our lives has been quenched by the living water which Christ alone provides."

The truth of the matter is that this life and world do contain some amazing blessings that are right for us to seek out and enjoy. However, as Begg mentioned, if Christ isn't the Lord of our lives, these blessings, meant to point us to God, will instead become idols and mock us. They will deceive us into believing that our hope and joy rests in their existence, so when these pleasures are removed, our hope is shattered.

Friends, may the true God of this world awaken you to the only lasting satisfaction made available through His Son Jesus Christ, that you may possess real and lasting joy, and be able to take delight in His many blessings.

Intense Conditioning

Lizz has recently stepped-up the intensity of Colin's potty training by having him do "pee pee drills." This involves him acting as though he's playing when all of sudden he's "gotta go." He announces this by saying, "Mama, I have to go to the potty," and then runs to the bathroom. Below is a clip of Colin practicing:

Wake Up Call

This morning I had the opportunity of having the trumpet of Spurgeon blown in my face, awakening my weary soul, and calling me to draw near to Christ. Below is an excerpt from this morning's Morning and Evening devotional.

"He who does not long to know more of Christ, knows nothing of Him yet. Whoever hath sipped this wine will thirst for more, for although Christ doth satisfy, yet it is such a satisfaction, that the appetite is not cloyed, but whetted. If you know the love of Jesus—as the hart panteth for the water-brooks, so will you pant after deeper draughts of His love. If you do not desire to know Him better, then you love Him not, for love always cries, "Nearer, nearer." Absence from Christ is hell; but the presence of Jesus is heaven. Rest not then content without an increasing acquaintance with Jesus. Seek to know more of Him in His divine nature, in His human relationship, in His finished work, in His death, in His resurrection, in His present glorious intercession, and in His future royal advent. Abide hard by the Cross, and search the mystery of His wounds. An increase of love to Jesus, and a more perfect apprehension of His love to us is one of the best tests of growth in grace."

May we all constantly seek to draw nearer to Christ, and know Him better.

The Wonders of Modern Technology

Last night I had the honor of meeting the daughter of one of my good friends. Although I couldn't hold and kiss her, I was able to see her beautiful face and hear her precious baby coos through a web-cam, headset, and a web-site called Skype (http://www.skype.com/). Isabella was born on December 21, 2006 to her blessed parents, Jim and Jess, who have to be some of the most God fearing, faithful people I know. It was just a few months ago that Jim had returned from a deployment with the Marines, and then felt a calling to go into the the mission field. After much research and prayer, Jim and Jess hooked up with an organization called Corporacion Dios es Amor (CDA/"God is Love"). So, Jim having just returned from overseas, and Jess being about seven months pregnant, this faithful family answered the call to love the world, left their comfortable lives in Jacksonville, FL and moved to Bogota, Columbia. For the next few years, Jim and Jess will be serving in Tenjo, Columbia at an orphanage for girls with abused backgrounds. The faith that this family has been blessed with and exhibited, is truly awe inspiring. I am grateful to have friends like them and am excited about what God is doing in their lives. To learn more about their adventures (and to see more pictures of their gorgeous girl), please visit their blog: Through A Glass Darkly.

Anna's First Attempt With "Real Food"

Masterpiece

One of Colin's Christmas gifts this past year was an easel that holds a chalkboard on one side, a dry erase board on the opposite, and a paper roll between the two. Being the proud papa I am, I thought I'd unveil his first masterpiece. I cal it...Streaks and Blobs: