Sunday Reflections

Christian liberty is not inconsistent with law any more than love is. True, Christians are not "under law" in that our salvation does not depend on obedience to the law. Yet This does not relieve us of the obligation to keep the law. The freedom with which Christ has made us free is not freedom to break the law, but freedom to keep it.

John Stott, The Letters of John I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought your prcepts.

Psalm 119:45

Lego City

We have our own privite lego city going on in the boys room. We all worked hard over the Christmas break to put this together.

It is still going on.

The boys are slowly adding new buildings to their city.

Even Emma has her own car.

Out of the mouths of babes on Monday

I do not know about you but I do write down the little nuggets of wisdom that comes out of my darling children's mouths (thinking about embarrassing them later on). Anyway I was thinking it would be fun to share these little bits of wisdom with you. I am sure we all have tons to share and since Mondays seem to be gloomy days what a better way to make each other smile. So here I go: A few weeks ago on Sunday I was sick and stayed home with Jo. Emma wanted to go to church with the boys. Fil teaches the boy's Sunday school class right before church. It is a little class all boys but that did not stop Emma. She left the house in the morning armed with princess coloring pages and every pink crayon she could find. She promised to sit quietly during the class. She did a great job until Fil started asking questions and it ended up like this:

Fil: "What does 'carpenter' work with?"

Boys: "wood".

Fil: "What do masons work with?"

Quiet

Emma looked up from her coloring smiles at her daddy and said:

"rocks".

That's my girl. Only 4 but a smart little cookie I am already having a hard time keeping up with her.

Sunday Reflections

I guess we should call this gospel brokenness, because only the gospel of God's grace can enable us to be completely honest about our stuff without falling into toxic shame or self-contempt. And only the gospel can humble us, soften us, and give us the power to repent-or, at least, not run away or rant. When followers of Jesus walk openly in this kind of brokenness--gospel brokenness--angels in heaven rejoice, and people without faith or those with much cynicism about Christians are likely to reconsider who Jesus is.

--Scotty Smith, Restoring Broken Things O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God you will not despise.

Psalm 51:15-17

Winter Wonderland

It snowed in New England (again).

Still enjoying skiing

We are still enjoying skiing as a family. This day started with some sunshine (unlike last week when it was snowing all day).

Here is Emma trying to escape with Fil's poles while we were trying to come up with a plan for the day.

One of the rare pictures of Sam. He was ready to get on the mountain. I am thinking we will have to get some of those walkies talkies. My skiing abilities are way too boring for the boys.

On this particular day Emma wanted to ski only with daddy. So I was feeling a little bit left out.

She did great and I am surprised how much energy this little girl has.

I had to chuckle to watch Emma trying to put her little skis on the rack. I bet you cannot even see her. She is smaller than most of those skis and snowboards.

She is the one in the yellow helmet.

Taking a rest.

And here are the boys with their friends making plans for the afternoon.

Another day on the mountain and no broken bones. I count that as a blessing.

More snow coming to New England SOON.

Sunday Reflections

In the ministry of Jesus words and works, gospel preaching and compassionate service went hand in hand. His works expressed his words, and his words explained his works. It should be the same for us. Words are abstract, they need to be embodied in deeds of love. Works are ambiguous, they need to be interpreted by the proclamation of the gospel. Keep words and works together in the service and witness of the church.

--John Stott, "Evangelism and Social Responsibility" Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world,to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

1 Peter 2:11-12