Funny Things...

So, I've had the privilege of teaching 3-5 year olds this summer every Sunday night. It's for a VBS-ish kind of thing that our church is doing. It has been a TRIP, let me tell you. These kids are hilarous. Every week I find myself holding my lesson book a little higher to cover the grin on my face. Kids say the darndest things.

So, we've been going through the days of creation. We talked about the day that God made the birds and the fish. I held up a beautiful picture with all sorts of types of birds and fish on them and asked the children if they could name them. Much to my amusement they all (not just one) started pointing at the picture and saying "Fluffy, Bobby, Freddy, etc..." They were naming the birds and the fish - just not in the way that I had thought. I couldn't keep my laughter in.

Then, on a different week we were talking about sin. I asked the kids if they could give me examples of sin. I was expecting like, "Lying, stealing, cheating." You know, the usual. But instead, one lovely child piped up and said "Killing someone." To which another kid added, "Yeah, or kicking someone's face in." Then the kids (each of them not wanting to be outdone) yelled over top of each others voices to add another "sin" to the list. They were each so excited to tell me their "sin" that it took me a few moments to calm them down. What are these kids watching on TV?! Holy cow!

Anyways, in three weeks, I have to whip these kids into shape enough for them to sing a song for the closing VBS ceremony. This will be no small task, since I have a few very special children. I have a chronic butt scratcher (and then the child sniffs her fingers), I have a child that runs around screaming for no apparent reason - ALL THE TIME, these are just a few examples. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night just sweating, thinking about this closing ceremony. I have visions of leading them up on stage, hearing the intro music playing, and then....nothing. I have visions of having to sing "Obedience" all by myself because the children are all just staring at me.

Anyways, these are just a few things that I've been thinking about. I've got to go - I've got to teach VBS...

This is dedicated to the one I love...

So, about a week ago my teeth started hurting - I mean really hurting. I consider myself to have a high level of pain tolerance, so I just shook it off (just like my dad taught me to do), took some Advil and ignored it. You know, like any smart person does...

Ok, so by Monday, I'm not in severe pain, but it's REALLY starting to get on my nerves, so I do the last thing that I wanted to do, I went to the dentist.

After the dentist explained evolution to me and how all of our heads are shrinking because of the evolutionary process, (and I thought that process was supposed to make us evolve into something better?!)she told me in no uncertain terms that I had to get my wisdom teeth out. Hoping to buy some time, I said, "What, like next month or something." "No, yesterday." She says. *sigh*

So, of course, I did what the good doctor ordered (only because my husband insisted) and got my wisdom teeth out - all four of them - and they were all impacted - what a blessing... :)

In the pre-op the Oral Surgeon tells me, "You won't feel a thing, I promise. You'll be so drugged that after surgery you'll go home and sleep. You'll wake up, take a vicatin, and fall asleep again. You'll sleep through most of the pain."

Well, unfortunately the Doctor was wrong. I didn't sleep through the pain. In fact, I didn't sleep at all until about 11:00 pm last night. The only thing that I can figure is that whoever was giving me the dose of happy gas estimated by my body size, and estimated VERY wrong.

Well, now comes the reason for the title of this blog. Dave has just been amazing! I have to admit, I was a little nervous about how he would deal with it all, but he has proven to be wonderful. In my post-op fuzzy state of mind, when I was slightly confused about what was going on and why it hurt to swallow. I hopped out of bed, (making me sick to my stomach) ran to the toilet (because I felt sick) and then FREAKED OUT when I discovered that I had a bunch of bloody gauze in my mouth (because I forgot, or no one told me about that part). Dave calmly explained what the gauze was for, and that maybe next time I should try sitting put for a minute before I try to walk. And then he sat with me while I hung my head over the toilet. What a sweet boy... Since then he had made me jello and oatmeal, woke up with me at 3:00 am to feed me yogurt and my next set of pills, and placed the gauze in my mouth each time. He's been rotating the frozen veggies that I've had strapped to my face, and even laid down to watch "You've Got Mail" with me in hopes that I would fall asleep - I didn't... :)

I'm hoping to be able to go to work tomorrow. I look slightly like a chipmunk, but I can't stand being in the house for too long, it drives me crazy!

Anyways, I just wanted to give a shout-out to Dave. Mom and Pops T, if you are reading this - you did a GREAT job!! :)

I ride the bus...

Ok, so I think that unintentionally this has sorta become my blog....we'll see how that goes! :) Most of you know my stellar ability at keeping in touch, so we'll see... :)

So, back to the title. I ride the bus. That's right. We're a one-car family, so that means that sometimes I use public transportation, and I'm not ashamed to admit it! :)

I've been complaining to Dave for some time now about riding the bus. Ok, not the actual riding part, but the people part. After a long day at work all I want to do is climb on that bus and ride home in peace, but NO..... that never happens! I must have something that says "Talk to me about everything - tell me your life story" stamped on my forehead. It never fails. I get on the bus and sit next to the "talker" - EVERYTIME!

So, yesterday was no exception. I got on the bus, sat next to an old man, and was hearing his life story in no time flat. I pulled out a magazine and pretended to read thinking that maybe that would get the message across, but no....

Then God placed a thought in my mind. He has placed me in this situation (the bus) with this "gift" (approachable-ness - is that a word?!) and I am not using it for His glory! I was SO ashamed of myself for being so selfish! So, I put away the magazine, gave the old man my undivided attention, and was able to clearly explain the gospel to him.

Yet another example of God using us despite ourselves...

friend-to-friend

Hey guys! Just wanted to give you a little update! Things are going well in Cali - life is the same old, same old. The good news is that Dave and I are going back to St. Vincent this summer. :) Originally just Dave was going to go, but someone anonymously gave enough money so that we BOTH can go! I am STOKED! We will be leading a missions team of kids from my brother's church in PA. I can't wait to go back. The bad news is that my boss is.....special....and I might get fired for taking this trip. But OH WELL! I don't care.... :)

Sharon, I swear that someday I will call you back - I promise! Let me tell you something though, our cell phone doesn't work in our apartment, and I'm not allowed to use it at work - so basically I have to plan a special time when I am not doing something so that I can drive somewhere and call you. Plus with the hours I work, I wouldn't be calling you til like 10 your time. It's just a bum deal, really. But you're TOTALLY worth it - so DON'T think that I'm just ignoring you. I swear that I'm not! :) Someday I'll call you back..... :)

Hey guys!

Hey! Since I'm the only one without a blog I guess I'll use this to say Hi! I wish that I could say that all sorts of fabulous and exciting things are going on in my life....but alas...nothing too exciting is happening out here in California!

Sharon, so when is the wedding date? Things look pretty serious with you and your amigo over there. :) I'm excited for you!

Chris, I was SOOO glad to hear about Sam coming home! When I read it I said, "SHUT-UP!" about a thousand times! What great news. I'm sure you two are very busy "catching up!" ;)

Jen, it seems that you and I are in the same boat, my friend, boring old married farts. Oh well! I hope things are going well for you. I'm jealous that you've gotten to meet Shar's man. You'll have to fill me in sometime....

Well despite the lack of communication - I love you all and I hope you guys are hanging in there.

Keara

Pastor to Pastor

Erwin Lutzer gives a simple, yet convicting challenge to all pastors. As a pastor, he writes encouraging other pastors to make the right decisions regarding the church and keep ministry simple. He breaks the book down to twenty chapters, each chapter designated to a topic that is pertinent to 21^st Century ecclesiology. The strong points of the book revolve around its simple truths surrounded by practical insights. He definitely kept the KISS principle in mind while penning the book (Keep It Simple Stupid). The weakest point of the book is that it leaves the reader wonting. There definitely could have been further explanations and expositions on the various topics, especially those opinions that are just thrown out there and not given biblical proof for. But, as was mentioned earlier, this is a double-edged sword. The brevity keeps the reader interested, while creating a desire that more would have been discussed. Over all, it was a good read. Not a top-of-the list book, but still beneficial.

Notable Quotes:

If God calls us to preach, let us not stoop to become a king. (p. 14)

Let’s not let our successes propel us into a role that is beyond our strengths and abilities. (p. 18)

Christ taught that the primary quality of leadership was servanthood, not a dictatorial spirit. (p.22)

Seminary has trained us to think deeply but not to feel deeply. (p. 35)

Second, I fear that political reformation could subtly substitute for spiritual transformation. Of course, we all favor laws that reflect biblical morality. But even such a progress falls far short of the real answer to our national decay. Ultimately, it is only the gospel of Christ that can stem the tide of moral decadence. (p. 50)

Although the Pharisees said they were crucifying Christ for doctrinal reasons, that was not the real reason they condemned Christ. Pilate discerned their underlying motive: “For he knew that because of envy they had delivered Him up” (Matt. 27:18 NASB). Envy was the motive, theology was the smoke screen. (p. 56)

It’s not the people who claim to be Christians who will affect our country; it’s those who accept the cost and live the Christian life. (p. 70)

If each Christian family actively witnessed and discipled those who come to Christ (we expect much more from our missionaries), our impact among the unconverted would be phenomenal. (p. 91)

When we stop comparing ourselves with ourselves [preachers] and compare ourselves with Christ, we find that there isn’t much difference between us. (p. 111)

The Story of Christian Theology

Roger Olson provides a great read of church history through his narrative approach to writing. He displays a strong grasp on the events that determined the movements of Christianity throughout the centuries. Knowing the events are important, but understanding the "whys?" of the events provides a deeper insight into the events themselves. Olson does a great job grasping the "whys?" of church history. His stronger points revolve around his research and thorough analysis of each era of Christianity. This is impressive considering the book is but a few pages over six hundred.
The weakness of the book springs from Olson's postmodern mindset. Like any writer, he inserts his opinions of interpretation, but these opinions are highly postmodern. This becomes especially apparent in the last chapter. Unfortunately, Olson forgot to grasp the concept that theology arises from the Scripture through logical understanding, not from man's opinions of what theology should be. Man doesn't shape theology, man discovers it.
With all that said, this is an excellent book. Short, comprehensive and easy to read. Should be read by all believers to further understand their roots.