I love listening to Nathan sing in the car. This video may be a little shaky but I was driving and videoing him at the same time, so I just held my phone behind me in hopes that it would get him on film!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Friends
Friends in Action
Marybeth Whalen
“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 (NIV)
What makes a good friend? Someone who runs errands for you when you’re sick? Who takes your kids off your hands when you need a break? Who sits with you over a cup of coffee and listens? Someone you can count on to see the latest chick flicks with you? Someone who challenges you to be a better wife, mother, and follower of God?
In each of these examples, we see friendship taking an active form. As I have studied the Bible, I see three instances of friendship in action. Job 2:11-13 shows us how Job’s friends came to help him as he faced hardship. Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar dropped everything to go comfort their friend — even if it was just to sit silently beside him. They knew that just their presence and willingness to listen would comfort him.
Acts 28:15 gives us a glimpse into how just the sight of trusted friends can encourage us. Paul’s friends heard he was coming so they traveled a great distance to greet him. For Paul this was a huge blessing. Sometimes just knowing someone is willing to make an effort on your behalf will put wind in your sails. I love that Paul first thanked God for his friends. I want to remember, like he did, that friends are a gift from God.
Acts 12:12-19 tells us how Peter’s friends couldn’t be with him because he was imprisoned. But that didn’t stop them from doing what they could. They gathered together to pray. The King James Version of Acts 12:5 says that they were literally praying “without ceasing.” These friends knew that corporate prayer was an action they could take on behalf of their friend who needed them.
Whether we physically go to our friend’s side or spiritually partner with them in prayer, we can look to these examples from the Bible as to how to be friends in action.
In a society that is more and more driven to social media, texting, and emailing as a way to stay connected, we cannot overlook what taking physical action in real time can mean. We can be active in faith, in love, in joy, in kindness. We choose to act because we understand that we are God’s hands and feet to those He puts in our lives. Yes, it takes extra effort, time, and even money to be an active friend. But the blessings outweigh the effort as we live according to the examples God has given us.
Dear Lord, help me to be a friend who takes action. When You lay someone on my heart, help me to feel a sense of urgency to move on their behalf. Help me to follow these Biblical examples and be a friend in action, not just in thought. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Most of you probably get these daily devotionals from Proverbs 31 ministries, but when I read this today, I couldn't help but be thankful for the friends in my life and I could only hope that I am there for them like God wants me to. It's hard to find true friends that aren't family, but I am lucky to have a few here where we live (where God put us). Friends are a blessing.
Marybeth Whalen
“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 (NIV)
What makes a good friend? Someone who runs errands for you when you’re sick? Who takes your kids off your hands when you need a break? Who sits with you over a cup of coffee and listens? Someone you can count on to see the latest chick flicks with you? Someone who challenges you to be a better wife, mother, and follower of God?
In each of these examples, we see friendship taking an active form. As I have studied the Bible, I see three instances of friendship in action. Job 2:11-13 shows us how Job’s friends came to help him as he faced hardship. Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar dropped everything to go comfort their friend — even if it was just to sit silently beside him. They knew that just their presence and willingness to listen would comfort him.
Acts 28:15 gives us a glimpse into how just the sight of trusted friends can encourage us. Paul’s friends heard he was coming so they traveled a great distance to greet him. For Paul this was a huge blessing. Sometimes just knowing someone is willing to make an effort on your behalf will put wind in your sails. I love that Paul first thanked God for his friends. I want to remember, like he did, that friends are a gift from God.
Acts 12:12-19 tells us how Peter’s friends couldn’t be with him because he was imprisoned. But that didn’t stop them from doing what they could. They gathered together to pray. The King James Version of Acts 12:5 says that they were literally praying “without ceasing.” These friends knew that corporate prayer was an action they could take on behalf of their friend who needed them.
Whether we physically go to our friend’s side or spiritually partner with them in prayer, we can look to these examples from the Bible as to how to be friends in action.
In a society that is more and more driven to social media, texting, and emailing as a way to stay connected, we cannot overlook what taking physical action in real time can mean. We can be active in faith, in love, in joy, in kindness. We choose to act because we understand that we are God’s hands and feet to those He puts in our lives. Yes, it takes extra effort, time, and even money to be an active friend. But the blessings outweigh the effort as we live according to the examples God has given us.
Dear Lord, help me to be a friend who takes action. When You lay someone on my heart, help me to feel a sense of urgency to move on their behalf. Help me to follow these Biblical examples and be a friend in action, not just in thought. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Most of you probably get these daily devotionals from Proverbs 31 ministries, but when I read this today, I couldn't help but be thankful for the friends in my life and I could only hope that I am there for them like God wants me to. It's hard to find true friends that aren't family, but I am lucky to have a few here where we live (where God put us). Friends are a blessing.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Our turtles didn't survive....
On the 4th of July, we found turtle eggs at my parents house. They had washed up from the water on the water slide. We couldn't bear just throwing them out, so my dad re-buried in this tub in hopes they would survive. Nathan loves turtles, so we took them home. We watered a little everyday. There was a total of 4 eggs.
Last week, one egg surfaced and it was cracked. You could see the little turtle in there that didnt survive.
We still had hopes that the other 3 would make it.
This morning we woke up and noticed all of them had hatched, but the turtles didn't make it. It was sad.
Look at that little shell. :(
I knew it was a very little chance that they would survive, but I was hoping they would. Nathan was excited about having a turtle. Looks like we will be making a trip to pet smart in the near future.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Bragging Rights....
Ok, so I know that I brag on my little Nathan all the time, but he continues to impress me daily. Today we were coloring with markers and he drew three pictures all by himself. I was so proud of him. They were really good. I didn't get any pictures of him actually drawing because he was in my lap and I was helping open and close the markers, but I did get pictures of the finished product! Here they are....be ready to be amazed, ha!
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Drawing #1: Snakes
Look at the detail: several colors and each one has its own head
Drawing #2: A Face
Look at the detail: eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and hair
Drawing #3: Volcano
Look at the detail: A few boiling bubbles at the top left, hot colored lava, the mountain is outlined in black and colored brown
He kept saying "hot lava" while he was drawing this one
Ok, so he may not be Picasso, but for a not even 2 1/2 year old, I would say it is pretty good and I was one impressed mommy!
Note: I did not help him at all, he told me which colors he wanted to use and what he was drawing as he was drawing :)
Friday, July 15, 2011
One of our favorite things this summer.....
Is going to the water park! Nathan absolutely loves it and I love watching him have so much fun. The children's part is probably the best one I have ever seen at a water park as far as so much to do and how clean it stays. We go at least once a week, sometimes more. The best part is Nathan is free!!!
The bucket cracks him up....
He even does the slides by himself!
belly time!
Going up to the big yellow slides!
He is just precious!
We love our days at the water park!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
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