Kevin has a blue toothbrush. I have a red one. Same brand, same type. Not because we were trying to be cute and matchy but because they cost $.98 at Wal-mart. I've gotten pretty used to out Bobsy twin toothbrushes until last night. The red one was the only one occupying its home. The lone toothbrush. And that can only mean one thing...my husband is gone.
Alas, after six months of my bed buddy, he's left me alone for five whole days to venture back to Texas for our friend Jamie's wedding. I dropped him off at the Greyhound station at midnight last night for a 17 hour bus ride to Dallas. He took the bus so he could drive the newly weds' car back up here for them, seeing that their new home is here in the great state of KY. His next five days will be an adventure that will most definitely be blog-worthy.
In the meantime, here I am holding down the homestead. I am glad that he got to go. And I am glad that he took his toothbrush!
Friday, July 21, 2006
Monday, July 17, 2006
Seneca Summers & Silent Sin
It's not Texas heat but it sure is getting hot here. Case in point: the park I like to run at is called Seneca Park, a quaint little place with a 1.2 mile loop around tennis courts, soccer fields, baseball diamonds, and a playground. There's lots of people watching to be done to keep me entertained during my laps. I went out yesterday to run, and it was near deserted. "How wonderful!" I thought. "The whole park to myself!" It turns out that there is a great lesson to be learned when the park is deserted: go home or melt. So after I near sweated myself to death, I had to cut a half mile off my run so I could live to tell about it.
So what does all of this have to do with sin? Our sermon at church this morning was about the freedom of confessed sin, and the primary text was Psalm 32:
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and whose spirit there is no deceit. For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away...my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord," and you forgave the iniquity of my sin...Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. ~Psalm 32:1-2,4-5,10
Sin, simply speaking, is anything done (whether in word, deed, or thought) that counteracts the supremacy of God. Its aim is the promotion & pleasure of self. The question is not whether or not we sin at all but what we do in response to it. The ways we re-name sin in order to justify it are innumerable: "How was I supposed to act any other way? He deserved it!" or "I have a short temper. It's just the way I am." or "I'm a good person overall. No one is perfect." Yet these are mere excuses that keep us from dealing with the reality of sin in our lives and the ramifications it has on our standing before God. Sin separates us from the Lord, and, as we were created to commune with Him, it is draining to our souls. Just as the length of my run was limited by intense summer heat, the depth and enjoyment people can experience of God is limited when sin is cherished in our lives.
Sin can only be dealt with and confessed within the context of the Gospel. This is where hope truly lies. Out of His justice, God dealt with our sin by expending the wrathful punishment that we deserve. Only Jesus took it in our place and now serves as the cover for our own sin before God. Upon belief in Jesus' payment of our penalty, no longer do we have to hide sin with excuses and justification but we're able to confess and repent. When sin is uncovered through confession, it is covered through Christ. What freedom!
Shall we choose the sorrow that includes an inability to face our shortcomings and the pressure to morally perform before God? Or shall we rejoice in the Gospel of Jesus which allows us to be honest and free within the death of Christ on our behalf? Let's glory in the Gospel by glorying in open and free confession of sin.
So what does all of this have to do with sin? Our sermon at church this morning was about the freedom of confessed sin, and the primary text was Psalm 32:
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and whose spirit there is no deceit. For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away...my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord," and you forgave the iniquity of my sin...Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. ~Psalm 32:1-2,4-5,10
Sin, simply speaking, is anything done (whether in word, deed, or thought) that counteracts the supremacy of God. Its aim is the promotion & pleasure of self. The question is not whether or not we sin at all but what we do in response to it. The ways we re-name sin in order to justify it are innumerable: "How was I supposed to act any other way? He deserved it!" or "I have a short temper. It's just the way I am." or "I'm a good person overall. No one is perfect." Yet these are mere excuses that keep us from dealing with the reality of sin in our lives and the ramifications it has on our standing before God. Sin separates us from the Lord, and, as we were created to commune with Him, it is draining to our souls. Just as the length of my run was limited by intense summer heat, the depth and enjoyment people can experience of God is limited when sin is cherished in our lives.
Sin can only be dealt with and confessed within the context of the Gospel. This is where hope truly lies. Out of His justice, God dealt with our sin by expending the wrathful punishment that we deserve. Only Jesus took it in our place and now serves as the cover for our own sin before God. Upon belief in Jesus' payment of our penalty, no longer do we have to hide sin with excuses and justification but we're able to confess and repent. When sin is uncovered through confession, it is covered through Christ. What freedom!
Shall we choose the sorrow that includes an inability to face our shortcomings and the pressure to morally perform before God? Or shall we rejoice in the Gospel of Jesus which allows us to be honest and free within the death of Christ on our behalf? Let's glory in the Gospel by glorying in open and free confession of sin.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Texas, Kentucky (and other random randomness)
Yes, there is such a place as Texas, Kentucky. It's right outside of the thriving metropolis of Springfield, Kentucky. And for all of you who don't know Kentucky geography (you can count me in that crowd as well), all you need to do to get there is head south from Louisville, pass about three bourbon distilleries (Kentucky is the only state that makes bourbon you know), wind through the majestic wonder that is Bernheim forest, up a hill and down a hill, and there you are...Texas, Kentucky! My sweet friend Allie and I took a little roadtrip this past Saturday, and I wanted you all to see some of the things there are to see in the great state of KY:
It's official! John Piper has retired and Kyle Claunch is the new man of Bethlehem! Well, not really. Our friend Kyle took a pastor position at this country church, and Allie and I were helping him and his family move. That's where all the roadtrip adventures began...
What makes a roadtrip more complete than a worm farm? What more can you really say?
Our last stop in the wanderings of Randomland...Rooster Run, Kentucky, where the roosters stand a mile high.
So there ya have it, Blogworld. The sights and sounds of backwoods Kentucky. Come on down for a random good time!
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Our 4th of July
I realized on Tuesday that this was my first Independence Day to actually spend in America for the past three summers. Though this year was quite different than last year's watermelon seed spitting contest with Chinese college students as my only competitors, it was still a relaxing day. Here are the highlights of our day:
We spend the evening with our new neighbors and friends, Blake and Alicia White (also known as the Whites from "A Peek at the White Butts" weekend). Alicia prepared a most excellent meal for us, along with the most patriotic dessert of all:
FLAG CAKE!!! Then we went down to the waterfront (we do live right on the Ohio River you know) and watched fireworks.
An amateur picture, I know, but you get the point. We hope you all had a good holiday as well!
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Only one day late!
To Anna Kate
Who we think is great
And today (er...yesterday) she's half way to eight!
Our favorite memories of sweet Kate:
I got to spend four months with Anna Kate as my wee little roommate when the Gerlts opened their home to me. Our rooms shared a wall, and since she is such a night owl, I could always hear her singing herself to sleep at night. Whether hymns or songs from Mary Pops or Annie, it always made me smile.
I have never seen Kevin melt over a little girl the way he does over Kate!
By far the best flowergirl anyone could ask for! She's working on professional status here with her second appearance at Jamie's wedding in just 21 days!
We spent so much time trying to teach Kate how to drop her flowers as she went down the aisle. It was too bad we never practiced with a real basket& flowers because when her debut came, she did just as we had taught her: she smiled big and pretty, walked slowly, reached into her basket one hand at a time...and never dropped a petal. Oh well! Maybe she'll get it right for you, Jamie!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! WE LOVE YOU!
Who we think is great
And today (er...yesterday) she's half way to eight!
Our favorite memories of sweet Kate:
I got to spend four months with Anna Kate as my wee little roommate when the Gerlts opened their home to me. Our rooms shared a wall, and since she is such a night owl, I could always hear her singing herself to sleep at night. Whether hymns or songs from Mary Pops or Annie, it always made me smile.
I have never seen Kevin melt over a little girl the way he does over Kate! 
By far the best flowergirl anyone could ask for! She's working on professional status here with her second appearance at Jamie's wedding in just 21 days! 
We spent so much time trying to teach Kate how to drop her flowers as she went down the aisle. It was too bad we never practiced with a real basket& flowers because when her debut came, she did just as we had taught her: she smiled big and pretty, walked slowly, reached into her basket one hand at a time...and never dropped a petal. Oh well! Maybe she'll get it right for you, Jamie!HAPPY BIRTHDAY! WE LOVE YOU!
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