Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Our Footsteps these Past Few Days or So...

Tony and I had a date to the doctor's office last week...
 This poor guy hit a wall after September battling an infection with fever for several days.  Our doctor visit was entertaining.  One thing I remember from my undergrad days as a biology student, "happy helper-T cells", ha ha.  What made the doctor visit comical was the awkwardness of 100 questions from a medical student.  I had to stifle giggles through a fake cough as Tony peered over their shoulders at me...
 Tony's parents made a quick trip that weekend to catch Joshua's last few baseball games.
 Coach "Papaw" in the stands taking it all in.
 Tony was reliving his glory days, ha.
 Joshua was enjoying every minute of it.
 "Mamaw" led my girls in a cake decorating experience in honor of Angela's birthday.
 Meanwhile, here are two snapshots from my parents who recently bought a house on the water.  Please pray for them in this time of transitioning from a home, community and church family they've known for 23 years.  They are in the process of downsizing and looking ahead to decreasing their busy schedules.
 May this new chapter be a season of physical rest and fruitful ministry...
 Back to my sweet girl.  We celebrated all week (and still are celebrating). 
 She was all joy and giggles opening her presents.






 Mamaw exercising those skills I missed out on: hemming pants.  Fabulous!
 Old man cuddles...
 Here are a few vocabulary words she was working on.  PopPop likes to get his internationally born grandchildren going in a game of alliteration.  Notice the example given below and imagine the humor of my foreign born and initially foreign language speaking kiddos trying to recite that quickly.  It's humorous for us birth language folk, ha.
 Speaking of entertainment, my kids can provide some.  With the chilly morning walks and the "It's freeeeeee-zing" comments, ha.
 I'm pretty sure the 50's degree weather is not freezing.  :)  Quite gorgeous actually.
 A new part of our routine...
 This child of mine is quite beside himself with joy... a much needed avenue of physical energy... and he's good at it which makes it even more fun!



 Got to grab lunch with a couple of my girls one day at school.  Love it.
 Came home to a birthday surprise.  I know we are in the electronic age, but there is just something about snail mail. :)
 Birthday girl on her actual birth day.  All smiles.  A precious gift.
 Meanwhile, a dear friend of mine from New Orleans flew in to town for a "personal retreat/self-care weekend."  We both needed to step out of our "busyness" for physical, mental and spiritual rest.  What.  A.  Gift.  Destination: the mountains of Asheville.  First stop: the Dripolator Coffeehouse in Black Mountain.

 Next stop: adventure recreation - ZIPLINE.
 Our first time.  Amazing.  Talk about a great way to unwind, ha ha.  I could have stayed on the lines for hours, ha.
 Beautifully located in the mountains just a few miles from downtown Asheville.  Day two, we got 90 minute massages.  Very.  Nice.  
 On our way out we enjoyed brunch at Chelsea's Cafe and Tea Room, followed by a stroll through Biltmore Village.  

 Sweet potato quiche.  Yum.
 What a blessing to be able to break away from our demanding schedules and rest.  What a sweet time of fellowship, encouragement, sharing struggles and joys, as well as time in prayer together.  God is gracious to us.  
It was difficult to "let go" of missing Sunday morning worship with my IDC family, especially walking through Ephesians 2:1-10.  What glorious text on the grace of our great God!

"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

(Ephesians 2:1-10 ESV emphasis mine)

Two of my handsome men...
 Back to life, back to reality... (Thanks, Christy, for putting that song in my head!)
Dropped James off for kick boxing and we girls went out for quick dinner nearby.
 Tony took Joshua to his end of baseball season celebration.  His coach asked him two questions...
1) What is your favorite position? "Um, ...pitcher."
2) Is there anything you'd like to say?  "Thanks, papa."
Precious. :)
 His coach said, "I look forward to watching you on t.v. one day!"  Mr. Baseball, ha.


Monday, October 8, 2012

The Just Church by Jim Martin

Many of you know my heart for justice.  Many of you have inquired about ways to learn more about the subject, particularly as fellow Christ followers.  And, many of you have asked about practical ways to engage the issue.  Therefore, I am excited to introduce all of you to:

The Just Church: Becoming a Risk-Taking, Justice-Seeking, Disciple-Making Congregation by Jim Martin is the book many church leaders and Christ followers have been looking for.  In fact, the title alone had me at “hello.” 

Scripture teaches that God is a God of justice who calls His people to walk in His ways.  But what does that look like for the church today?  How can churches engage the issue of injustice in a biblical, relevant, effective and sustainable way?  Author Jim Martin prescribes two necessary character traits in order to do so: courage and humility. Martin also provides a biblical foundation, practical tools, life experience as a pastor, testimonies to encourage, as well as insight into the work of the International Justice Mission. Interwoven throughout are stories of others following Jesus by taking risks and seeking justice for the good of others who are made in the image of God.  I highly recommend this book for every Christian in general and church leaders in particular.  
(My review posted on Amazon.com & CBD)

Here is a helpful word about the book from the author himself...

“As churches, we must approach justice (the attribute of God) and justice ministry (the activity in which we engage) in the same way.  It is abundantly clear from the Scriptures that our God is a God of justice and that what is required of us as disciples is also clear: namely, that we do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8).  While each of us may not feel primarily gifted for the tasks involved in leading the ministry of justice, it ought to be part of our DNA as disciples to learn how to live justly and care for the widow, the orphan, the vulnerable, and the oppressed.” -TJC

Visit The Just Church website to order your copy today, learn more about the work of the International Justice Mission (IJM), as well as connect to additional resources...

For those of you in the Raleigh/Durham area MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

WHEN:  Thursday, October 25th

TIME:  6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

WHERE:  Imago Dei Church (IDC)

WHAT:  Justice Night

DETAILS:  Larry Martin, Director of Church Mobilization for IJM, will be speaking on the subjects of slavery and human trafficking and ways to get involved.  IDC will host a brief meeting at the conclusion of the presentation for church leaders interested in networking together in our area.

Desserts and Coffee will be provided.

We will also have copies of Jim Martin's The Just Church (TJC) available.

ONE way you can begin engaging the issue of injustice NOW is to pray.  This is too often overlooked or minimized.  I confess this struggle even within my own life. Yet, prayer is fundamental and essential... 

“The work of biblical justice both fuels and demands a kind of prayer that is more urgent and enduring than that produced by sheer discipline… Prayer is the primary and essential form of engagement in the battle for justice.” - TJC 

May we be a people of prayer and action as we "learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause." (Isaiah 1:17)

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Little of This and That...

September was such a blur I don't even know what to title this blog post?!. If it is a little loopy, I'll blame it on the after effects of NyQuil.  As I type, Tony is in bed with flu symptoms and I'm taking a much needed day of rest to try and recuperate from this nasal crud.  Grateful to have a day to rest...
 (Above: Joshua outside of his classroom in front of his "All About Me" poster; Below: On a school holiday last week I took my kiddos to a local fun spot called Hillridge Farm.)
 We fed the ducks and fish...

 As well as, the goats and chickens...




 Played in the sand pit...
 Slid down on a sackcloth slide...



 Of course, a photo op for James in front of the ole woodshed...

 More photo ops...





 Tumbling in the hay...
 Followed by a hayride to the pumpkin patch...





 We had fun picking out our own pumpkins...





 Joshua turned 8 years old last Friday!  I joined him for lunch, along with 24 cupcakes to share with his classmates!
 After school, we stopped by the seminary on our walk home to see papa... He had the privilege of speaking at the 9 Marks Conference over the weekend.
 Late Friday night, Joshua opened his gifts from family.  Thank you all for your generosity!


 Titus' sign of contentment: chewing his bone in the middle of us all...


 Joshua has been saying for awhile now that he wanted a suit.  His eyes lit up when he opened up just that!
 What an entertainer he is, ha ha...
 Perfect fit!
 He stayed "in costume" while continuing to open...
(Ok, random slide picture... too tired to rearrange... sorry)
 Back to the birthday boy...

 Another 'out of order' picture... a.k.a. before the unwrapping commenced...




 He is ready for basketball season...
 Saturday morning, pumpkin painting time...
 The girls and I ran over to IDC's building for a joint baby shower.  Ashley Poole put together a beautiful, crafty shower.  I may need to hire her for creative influence in my life, ha.  Anyways, I snapped a quick few pics with the moms-to-be (we have at least TEN expectant moms at IDC -what a blessing!)  I love these sisters:
The beautiful Samantha Anderson...
 The lovely Erica Keith...
 Sweet CaryAnne surrounded by two precious moms...
 After the shower, and trading two of my girls for Shauna's two boys, we were off to prepare for Joshua's birthday cookout...
 I love our carport... the rain did not dampen the excitement...
 The grill master...
 The highlight of the party... who doesn't love a piñata?!.
 The welcoming committee...

 Happy birthday boys...
 Sibling support...

 Boys don't care about a little drizzle... stick ball game on!


 Quick break to open presents...



 The real entertainment...
 Sunday morning dressed...
 A little fun on a school night enjoying a new game together...joy.
 Wednesday was International Walk to School Day.  My elementary crew and I walked downtown Wake Forest to join the rest of the school, mayor, principal, city officials and police officers to celebrate.

 You'd have to zoom in to see, but each of these crowd shots were actually of each of my four elementary kiddos with their classes...




It was fun to be together... but weird with my oldest now in middle school, doing his own thing... They grow up too fast... plain and simple...

Thank you for your prayers as our family (and probably many of yours as well) fight off the cold and flu season.