Big Church Words

Today in the college sunday school class, led by a really smart collge minister who happens to be my husband, we talked about the big church words...justification, sanctification, and glorification. I want to process this and I hope you will come along for the ride with me. I've been following Jesus for a while now, but really enjoyed the reminder about all this stuff. So if it's new to you or maybe a refresher course, it's really good to know.

Justification happens first. It is the process by which we accept God's gift of grace, when Jesus died on the cross as payment for our sins. When we accept this gift, and acknowledge that only through Jesus' death and resurrection, only then can we enter into a relationship with our creator God. As it says in the Bible in Romans 3:23, we all are sinners, we all make mistakes. However, God is perfect in every way. So in order to be in a relationship with Him, we have to be made perfect and clean and right...or "justified" through faith. This is when our salvation begins, and at this point the Holy Spirit enters into our life.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! Romans 5:8-9

Now on to santification. This word means that we are continually being made holy by God, or set apart, as we seek to follow Jesus Christ. It's an on-going process that never ends. We always have more room to grow in our relationship with God. It happens by praying, reading God's word, living in community with others who are following God, sharing our faith, and serving those in need around us.

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Thessalonians 5:23

And then that takes us to glorification. When all these things occur, it glorifies God. It brings glory to God, pointing to Him as our strength in times of trials, our provider when we are taken care of, our healer, our comforter. The list goes on and on. God does all this in our lives and when it shows to others, it bring glory to God, giving him the credit. It takes the spotlight off of us, and turns it to God, displaying His greatness.

I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving! Psalm 69:30

What an amazing plan from an awesome God! "Thank you God for allowing us to follow you! I pray more will come to know your amazing peace and satisfying love."

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only son, that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Ethan's Baby Dedication

On Sunday, May 24, we had the priviledge of dedicating Ethan during the church service. It was mainly about a parent dedication. It was a reminder to us, as Ethan's parents, that we are to dedicate our lives to helping him grow spiritually, as well as physically and emotionally. I don't take this responsibility lightly. I strive to teach both my boys what it means to follow God. I pray that each one will one day make the decision to consiously follow God with all their heart, body, mind and soul and accept God's gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ. And it's a priviledge to partner with our church as they teach my children about the Bible and how we can have a relationship with God. I pray that, even in the midst of all our flaws and mistakes, that Jaden and Ethan will see in us what it means to follow after Jesus.

So on this special day when we celebrated Ethan's life, I thank God for reminding me of the priviledge and the honor bestowed upon us, as Ethan's parents, to teach him and encourage him in the way he should go.

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. ⁵ Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. ⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ⁸ Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ⁹ Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronmy 6:4-8

Ethan's First Swim Time!

Ethan is such a happy baby. He is also very passionate and persuasive about what he wants. Here are some pictures of his first time to go swimming with the family. I was so excited to take him swimming, because he's always loved bath time. So I had been waiting for summer to be able to take him. When we decided to go, he was teething that day. So he really didn't enjoy it. He clung to mommy most of the time we were there.

But then, the second time we went swimming, he felt much better. He tried to literally attack the water, by sticking his face in it and almost jumping out of the baby float. It was so funny to watch. Ethan makes us laugh all the time. We sure do enjoy his funny antics!

Jaden Helps Daddy

We finally got a new grill. Here is Jaden helping Daddy to put it together!

Jaden Prays for Mommy

My oldest son is a very sensitive child. This was very evident one day as we were sitting outside enjoying the spring weather. Jaden was asking me many questions, as preschoolers tend to do, and after answering the first ten questions, I told him I just needed to sit quietly for a while. He then asked why. I answered that I had a headache. So he left, went and sit in the grass for a minute. Jaden then comes back and tells me "Mommy, I prayed for you." Well, I was so touched. How sweet that he would pray for me when I wasn't feeling well.

Then last Wednesday was one of those crazy, busy days where I was going all day long. And I didn't get much sleep the night before due to my teething baby. We had gone to church that night as well. One the drive home, I told Jaden that I had a headache. Well, he again said "I will pray for you, Mommy." He then said a prayer for me, out loud, in the car. I was so touched that he did that, and I even felt better for a few moments during the drive home.

Thank you, God for already using my son to touch my life, as well as others. May you continue to use Jaden to draw people to you for you.

Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him.

"Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read,

" 'From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise'"?

Matthew 21:15-17

Moon Baby!

One evening I was playing with my two boys. Jaden was playing with his dinosaurs and with this new NASA space rocket and moon people. It was fun combo as the rocket was flying around the dinosaurs who were having a meeting of their own. I think the leaf-eating dinos were trying to figure out a way to attack the meat-eating dinos.

Well, as anyone who has two or more kids, the youngest one seems to attack the toys the oldest is playing with, or vice versa. Well in this case the toddler was attacking the dinos meeting, and the rocket couldn't save them fast enough. Jaden then gets mad, of course. So in order to deal with this sibling "crisis," I thought of a new game. I said "Watch out for the Moon Baby! The Moon Baby is going to get the dinosaurs. Can you save them?"

Well, Jaden thought this was a riot. He loved it. And took to the game instantly. So I kept it going. As Ethan attacked more toys, which he loves to do, I said "The Moon Baby is out of control! What are we going to do? AAAAGGGGHHHH!!! Run for your lives!!!"

So the name has stuck, and Ethan is now affectionally called our "Moon Baby." Watch out NASA! Who knows when the Moon Baby might strike again!

Uninterrupted Time

Yesterday was one of those days I want to remember. It started off rough, but got a lot better as we went along. I had to take Jaden to the doctor for his 4 year check up. However, we didn't have baby brother with us, so I promised him we would have a fun Mommy and Jaden time afterward.

The doctor visit was an eventful time of Jaden's first vision test and peeing in a cup among the other usual check up stuff. I didn't know he would have to pee in the cup, but we muddled through it. Of course I had to answer why he had to do this, and he also asked if we could take it home with us. We did get his urine in the cup, but also on me as well (someone had to hold the cup.) After getting through it all, and recovering from the two shots, we left to have some fun.

We then went to the library. Jaden played with the toys in the kids area and I picked out some books to check out. Then we read some books together in the library. It was wonderful to be able to spend some quality time with my son and not have a pressing time schedule or a fussy toddler yelping for attention. When we got hungry, we checked out the books and then went to Chick-Fila for lunch. In order to get Jaden through the shots at the Dr, I told him he could have ice cream. So I let him eat his ice cream first, then his chicken nuggets and fruit.

I sat there, eating my salad and him happily eating his ice cream, when I realized this was one of those beautiful moments in life that I wanted to remember. Jaden then looked up and said "I love you, Mommy." No prompting...just simple words for a simple day. Yes, I realize I gave him ice cream for lunch (he did eat some of his chicken too). But it was more about the time we spent together. Uninterrupted time. It is probably the most valued thing in today's society...uninterrupted attention of one human being to another. In our fast paced world of constant communication with cell phones and internet, it is a treasured commodity for sure.

So for now, I just want to remember our time together. We had a blast! I know it's fleeting and he will grow up before I know it. I pray there are more of these moments to come and I pray I will have the eyes to see it and treasure it, in the midst of the business of life.

And as I sit here, I realize that I need to give more uninterrupted time to my Creator God, who also longs for me to sit with Him and tell Him I love Him, and thank Him for all the wonderful things He blesses me with each day. I pray I can remember the value of uninterrupted time with God, that I need so desperately to be the person He created me to be.

Then Jesus said to them all, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23

Happy 4th Birthday, Jaden!

Well, my first born son is now 4 years old. We celebrated his birthday last week, and then had his birthday party on Saturday. I can't believe he is 4 years old. He is getting so big, and yet there are so many ways he is still so small. I have to remind myself that he can't do everything yet--like not spill his drink at dinner, or hold onto his cookie all the time, or control his emotions when he is tired or frustrated. But there are so many things he can do--like write his name, pretend to launch his rocket into outer space, and almost color in the lines. And then today at dinner he told me he was sorry he got mad at me this morning. My baby apologized for getting mad at me??? I asked him why he was mad and his reply was that didn't like it that Ethan's crying disturbed his TV show that morning. Yep, he's 4, but he did apologize for it. :0)

Jaden's birthday celebration was a blast! And it made up for Ethan's 1st birthday party being canceled due to sickness. Yes, I was upset about that and felt cheated as the mom. But I dealt with it and moved on. So on Jaden's birthday, we stayed at home. Sounds boring, but it was fabulous. Erick was home that morning and we played a family game of obsticle course, then opened presents from the family. And last, but certainly not least, we ate cupcakes! It was such a fun morning for everyone. So low-key, low-stress. One of those perfect family days. Thank you God, for blessing us with that time.

Then the party for Jaden came on that Saturday. We had it at Acrosports Gymnastics. It was a rolling, tumbling, giggling, fun time! Take a look at the pix below. It was great for me, a little chaotic, but good as I learned from a friend that it's great to be able to attend your kid's party, instead of run it (say at the house.) So this year, I was all for that. Next year, who knows. Yes, there was still a little chaos, but I've come to expect that with every outing with my kids.

So, I just want to end this by saying how much I enjoy my son, Jaden. He's beautiful in every way, and it's a pleasure to watch him grow and learn. Thank you, Jesus, for my first born son.