I Delight In Christ Alone

"In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From His temple he heard my voice; my cry came before Him, into His ear...He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support." Psalm 18:6,16-18

Let's face it.  Sometimes we have bad days, and even bad weekends.  Been there, done that.  And as I was feeling sorry for myself this weekend, I realized that it's really easy to feel sorry for myself when I want to focus on myself.  Thank goodness I don't have to wallow in my own thoughts and feelings.  God has given me every reason to be full of joy despite my circumstances.

I love the words of Psalm 18 as David was praising God for delivering him from the hand of King Saul.  David's life did actually stink at this point, but he was willing to cling to God's promises and to look ahead at the future.  David didn't look to circumstances for happiness.  Instead, He was filled with joy because He believed in God.

I, too, have been delivered from the hands of the enemy.  God drew me out of sin and gave me life in Jesus Christ.  When I focus on Christ alone, my personal life issues really don't matter so much.  This morning in my devotions, I was overcome with the words of the song In Christ Alone. With a song like this on my heart, my day can only get that much better.

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
 

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost it's grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

You Still Have That?

Don't you love it when people look at your phone or your computer and ask you why you're still using that?  As if you we're automatically expected to have the newest and greatest technological advancements in our homes.  I just get the feeling that we're being scammed by all the technology companies out there.  How in the world is some hyper advanced product supposed to change my life when I don't need all the gadgets and functions and bells and whistles that come with it?  Sometimes less is more--even though the general population hasn't figured it out yet. 

For example, Apple has brainwashed us.  We don't need fancy i-pods, i-phones, i-pads, i-cars, i-toilets, or whatever other random toy they've created.  Some jobs might be easier with an i-something, but must of us can function just fine without.  Go to the cell phone store and ask any distributor.  We've been told multiple times that if you're a working person who needs a phone for work, you've got to have a Blackberry. (My law firm is all about the blackberry.)  So the i-phone is for the tech person who wants all the fun.  I don't.

I was so relieved this weekend when my husband brought me my new phone.  I had sent him on a phone mission and decided to trust his judgment.  Thank goodness we think alike.  I'm now the proud owner of a much improved blackberry.  My old one was ancient, cracked, and looked like it had barely survived my 1 year old.  And now I don't have to spend my Monday reading the i-phone user manual.  Instead, my Blackberry just "knew" all of my information from my prior phone.  And because it understands that touch screens drive me crazy, it offers me the cute little slide-out keyboard whenever I need it.  I think I'm officially a Blackberry addict.

My Blackberry is my one technological splurge.  I own a TV from a decade ago.  I still use CD players.  I only own an i-pod shuffle because it was free with a make-up purchase. My home computer works, but it doesn't have the fancy split screens or touch screens.  I've never used a web cam.  I have a camera from the stone age.  I read from books (the kind you can actually stick a bookmark in.)  And I still carry a Bible and a journal to church (as opposed to the "cool" people who carry their i-pads.)  Amazingly, my life still works. 

Sometimes using the old fashion rule is ok: Wait until the 3rd generation of a product before buying.  The kinks will be worked out and the price will be much better.  So while my friends and neighbors are gushing over generations 1 and 2, I'm proud to say "Yes, I still have that!"

The Games They Play

Yesterday I sat in my living room and listened to the squeals and laughter echoing down the hallway.  My little boys love to play together, and they really do love each other.  I'm finding that the older they get, the more intricate their activities get too.  Sometimes they build amazing railroad tracks throughout the house.  While other days they're pretending to be on an adventure (well, the oldest is pretending and the youngest is doing as he's told.) 

Last night, my oldest informed me that he and his brother had lots of fun playing a new game yesterday.  It was called "light off, light on."  That's when it occurred to me that all the laughing I heard was because of the  light switch!  What a game, huh?  That's when I started thinking about all the "games" I've caught them playing in my house this summer. 

First, there is "brushing our teeth."  It started out with actual tooth brushing, but now, it's more of an excuse for the boys to get into the bathroom sink and get each other wet.  My youngest even discovered how to drink out of the sink.  I hate this game, but they play it at least 2 or 3 times a day.

Next, there's "couch wars."  This game involves removing any pillows or cushions from the couch (sometimes both of my couches) and then having a gigantic pillow fight.  Typically this means that the youngest gets buried under all the cushions while his brother laughs.  Not my favorite game.

Sometimes they play "train tracks."  This involves removing all decorative pillows from my bed and creating railroad tracks in my bedroom.  Then they walk from pillow to pillow.  As much as I try to prevent this from happening, the tracks keep reappearing. 

The most amusing game they play is the "cave of darkness."  Whenever I can't find my throw blankets, that means that they've been commandeered to form walls for their cave.  The end table is the ceiling.  I'm pretty sure we stole this game from a PBS show, but it's actually really cute.

"Give the cat a hug" is a game that cracks me up.  Occasionally, my cats will let the youngest child give them a hug or kiss.  But when the oldest child gets near them, a cat and mouse style chase typically ensues.  The last time my son tried this he came running and screaming into my office because the cat was chasing him! 

For awhile they got really into "keep the cats out."  For this game, they would run into my bedroom and lock the door.  The first time they did it, they locked me out of my room while I was getting ready for my law school final exams.  Fortunately, I can pick a lock.  Of course, when I caught my oldest child successfully picking the lock, I took more aggressive action to prevent him from locking his brother in the room.  I put a child safety handle on my door knob so that they can't lock the door any more.  Now when they play in my room and "keep the cats out" it typically turns into "we locked ourselves in your room" because neither boy has figured out how to work the child proof handle to open the door.
 
Our newest game has been indoor baseball.  Both boys know that we do not throw or kick balls inside our house.  But they find ways to improvise.  The oldest carries his baseball glove around and the youngest carries around a plastic bat.  Then they find a pillow or balloon or some non-ball that they use to pretend to play baseball.  This game is getting more advanced too because I discovered DVD's strewn out across the floor as bases the other day.  And if a major league baseball game is on the TV, my oldest will stand at bat with every player and swing his pretend bat with every pitch.  I keep telling my husband it's time to hook up the wii.

Little boys crack me up.  I always pictured my house with girly things like dollhouses and Barbies.  But I'm adapting pretty well to the world of boys.  I'm learning that sometimes you have to just sit back and enjoy the games they play.  And occasionally, you even have to join them.

Back to School: Law School Style

One of my favorite movies is Legally Blonde.  And one of my favorite scenes in the movie is her first day of law school when she heads to class in her shiny skirt, bright sweater, plaid tie, pony tail, glasses and of course, with her fuzzy pen.  It's cute for TV, but anyone headed back to class this year needs to realize that first impressions count.  And Elle's first impression took an entire year to fix. 

This is the first back to school season where no one in my family is headed off to school.  Over the last 10 years, my husband and I had a combined 30 semesters of college.  And for most of those semesters, I got to  plan our back to school wardrobes.  (Yes, the spring semesters had their own "back to school"  planning, because spring attire in Texas is entirely different from August attire.)  So since I don't get to plan any outfits this season, I thought I'd share some fashion rules for those headed back to law school--or any school for that matter.

1) Don't be flashy and don't over-accessorize.  You do NOT want to stand out from the crowd right off the bat.  Professors will pick on a student on day 1.  So if they're not picking someone with an "A" last name, they're going to pick the person who does not appear to "fit-in." 

2) Don't wear work-out clothes to class.  My husband and I went to different law schools, and yet we both reached the same conclusion about girls who wear work-out clothes.  They're not married and they don't have much in the way of prospects.  Plus wearing sweats is a bad idea because you could be seated next to a future judge.  You don't want to be remembered as the sweaty girl with the ugly t-shirts.

3) Don't wear a suit.  Suits are appropriate when you have an on-campus interview or if you're actually headed to a job or externship.  Other than that, save the power suits for your clients.  Your classmates won't be impressed.

4) Do wear a sport coat or blazer.  Classy pieces mixed with jeans can make you look serious without looking overdone.  Plus, law school classrooms are typically freezing cold.  A jacket will work as your own personal thermostat.

5) Do wear skirts (if you're female).  Law is historically a man's profession.  But I have found that the more feminine a woman presents herself, the more guys will respect and accept her.  They don't want you to be one of the guys.  They want you to be a classy woman.  Your clients want this too.

6) Invest in a good pair of jeans.  This is a staple in every college person's wardrobe.

7) Don't wear a shirt with another law school's name printed on it.  Not only does this make you disloyal, but wearing a Harvard Law sweatshirt at another school makes you look like a wannabe.  Nobody's impressed and everyone will assume you didn't get in.  Just because another school sent you a free t-shirt when you got accepted, doesn't mean you should wear it to class. Use it as a sleep shirt.

8) Don't dress offensively.  I still remember the girl who dressed like she belonged at a bar.  I also couldn't stand the guy who wore the t-shirt with the nasty language on his back.  It was the most annoying Constitutional law class ever.  Every time I looked at the professor I had to see an offensive four letter word!

9) Be yourself.  Stay fashionable.  Don't try to be someone you're not. 

10) Always dress as if you're going to run into someone important on campus.  Since prospective employers and powerful attorneys frequent law school campuses, this is likely to happen.  Just don't get caught in your PJ's when the Supreme Court entourage from a 3rd world country arrives.  (It happened at my school!)

Just remember that first impressions count.  Not only with your peers, but also with professors.  You begin building your professional reputation in school.  Stay classy.  Be friendly.  And have an awesome school year!

From Where We Came

"So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him." Genesis 5:23

I've always thought that some people give way too much weight to their ancestry.  I mean, just because a person comes from a family history of sharecroppers or slaves doesn't mean that they are bound to the same occupation or status in life.  At least that's not how it works in the United States.  So I have to confess that in the past, genealogies have bored me to tears.  Who cares that so and so married so and so and then had baby so and so?

That was until I became a serious student of history.  I may not be working on a degree or writing a book, but I am curious about past events that I know nothing about.  As a parent and future home school mother, I feel like I have an obligation to educate myself so that I can pass on more knowledge to my children.  And I'm discovering that true historical research involves genealogical tracing and a study of family history.  It's amazing how much more relevant an historical event can be when you realize that you have direct genetic ties to that event.  That's probably why historical societies like the Daughters of the Republic of Texas require proof of a genealogical link before you can join. (I'm apparently not a candidate.)

Over the past few months, I've been reading about the American Military history on the African/European front during World War II.  When I learned that I lost a great-uncle on Anzio beach, I'll admit that the Italian campaign seemed much more relevant to me.  More on that in another post.

As I've been digging into the book of Genesis with my chronological study Bible, I realized that biblical writers obviously knew the relevance of genealogical tracing too, because the Bible is full of genealogies.  These genealogies provide historical details that only prove the Bible's accuracy and authenticity.  Plus, it's through the family tracing's that God brings forth the blessings and promises that He made to Noah, Abraham, David, etc.  Deep within the family lists are also hidden gems. 

Take Enoch for example.  The man "walked with God and was not for God took him."  Although much speculation has been made about the second half of the verse, the first phrase is so important. Enoch was remembered as a man who "walked with God."  What a cool way to be recorded in history.  That's how I want to be remembered.  This verse made me reconsider how I'm living my life.  What would my verse say? 

And to think that all that inspiration came from a verse right smack dab in the middle of a genealogical list.

No more am I going to read genealogical lists in the Bible for the soul purpose of looking for baby names.  (Come on, haven't you tried that?)  I think I'm going to take these family lists seriously.  I'm going to read them to my kids.  And I'm going to find the hidden gems.  Maybe family history and genealogical tracings are more relevant than I first thought.

Homemade Giraffe Shirts

The last thing any mother wants to do with her toddlers is paint.  Ok, the last thing I want to do is paint. Or maybe go to the pool... 

Anyway, I've always been way to stressed out by the thought of having messes everywhere to do any art projects involving paint with my kiddos.  But that all changed on Friday when my sweet friend convinced me that we could have a fun play date involving paint.  This friend spent a few years as a preschool teacher before becoming a mommy, so I trusted that she knew what she was talking about. 

Our zoo play date was a blast.  Who knew that 6 little boys under the age of 4 could make the cutest little t-shirts? These are our hand print giraffe t-shirts:

As you can see my one of my children has ridiculously long, skinny fingers. And the other has really big thumb prints.  But they both did such a good job!  (If you can't see the hand print, look at the giraffe upside down.)  Like how I tried to write his name to cover the blob of brown paint? 

Hand print giraffes are fun and easy to make.  You will need brown and yellow fabric paint, a brown fabric marker, an eyeball, and glue. Be sure to have some baby wipes on hand to clean the paint off your little ones as soon as you're done.  Now, you'll follow a 2 step plan to create your little animals.

First, completely paint a hand in yellow paint.  Then place the hand print on your shirt (or whatever you're painting) upside down.  The thumb is the tail, and the other 4 fingers are legs.  To make the neck, paint the side of the hand yellow and create a nice long line opposite the tail (you might have to use the side of the hand twice, because the longer the neck, the better.)  Then paint the thumb yellow and create a head with the thumb print.  Now let it dry.

For step 2, paint a thumb with brown paint and use the thumb print to create feet.  Paint the index finger brown and create your tail.  Then paint any fingers and make brown spots on the giraffe.  To make your animal look real, glue the eyeball to the head.  Then take the brown fabric marker and color in hair and ears on the neck and head.  If you're detail-oriented like me, you'll even want to take a black marker to create a mouth.  Let it dry.

Hopefully at this point you'll have a cute little giraffe.  It might look like a horse or a yellow blob, but you'll have hand print art to appreciate in the future.  And you might discover that painting with toddlers isn't that bad.

Little Boys Grow Up Fast--Part 2

He chose wisely. 

I'd like to pat myself on the back and say that Mommy did such a great job teaching her son about money, but in reality, he figured out the lesson pretty fast on his own.

Before we picked up our groceries the other day, we decided to browse through the little boy's toy section at Target.  I told my son that it was time to spend his birthday money on something.  So he considered a giant train track and some Caterpillar excavators with cool lights and sounds.  We agreed that the Caterpillar toys were just too cool to pass up.  He's a huge fan of "machines" that move dirt and this was a loud and fun toy.  But before we put the truck in the cart, I explained that for about the same price he could purchase a box of pull-ups.  (See my previous post.) And I wasn't buying his birthday toy without a commitment that I would not need to buy more pull-ups.

This was a no brainer.  The little guy promised that he was a big enough boy to not need to by diapers for his birthday.  (Although for weeks he's been trying to convince me that pull-ups are not diapers.)  And to prove it, he picked out real big boy underwear.  He was so impressive, because he didn't even pick out a pair with Disney characters or super heroes.  My son is a big boy and he's really trying to prove it.

Lesson taught, and lesson learned.

Little Boys Grow Up Fast

I have felt like singing the Hallelujah chorus for the past week.  My oldest son has officially decided it's time to use the toilet like a big boy.  I had pretty much given up on the quest to have my oldest potty trained before his younger brother because he was completely disinterested.  But then one day, he woke up and decided that he should use the bathroom!  Very exciting.

I have to say a special thank you to my friend's mom who gave me the best potty training advice ever.  Don't push it.  Just let him potty train when he's ready.  It will go much easier if you just let it happen.  Boy was she right!  And after successfully potty training eight of her own children, she should know.

I've heard horror stories from friends who pushed the potty issue too early.  One friend made her son use the potty every 15 minutes until he stopped having accidents.  Another friend camped out in the bathroom with her twins for a few days and then in the bathroom and the hallway for a few days before she was convinced they were potty trained and ready to run around the house. (Can you imagine a week devoted to potty issues?)  Other friends have recommended fancy baby toilets, underwear, and going cold turkey for potty training a little boy. 

Let me just say that as a nurse, I have cleaned up enough human waste in my life.  I spent an entire week volunteering at a camp for paralyzed children where we bowel trained all the campers! (Yuck!)   I had no intention of re-living any of that at my own house.  So I decided to be patient.  I took the wise mom's advice and let the little boy's brain decide on it's own that he was ready to be a big boy.

Now if I can only get the little guy to wear underwear.  He can easily wear a dry pull-up all day, but he's not convinced he's ready for underwear.  Yesterday, I told him that I wasn't buying any more pull-ups since he didn't need them anymore.  I told him that it was a waste of my money.  But then he got a big grin on his face and said, "but we could use my money. I want to spend my own money on pull-ups." 

He's right.  He has birthday money that we haven't spent yet.  And he really wants to spend it on pull-ups.  I almost considered it.  But then I had a better idea.  Today, we're off on a shopping adventure to see what his birthday money could really buy.  I'm pretty sure he'll forget all about the pull-ups after today.  I guess it's never too early to learn the value of money, right?  I never imagined that we would be having arguments about money when he was only 3, but I'm finding out that little boys grow up fast.

Not Another Pioneer Novel

"Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15

My boys listen to songs at bedtime and naptime.  One of their CD's has a song called "Readers are Leaders."  It's actually a catchy tune, but the words are even better.  The song explains that leaders for the Lord have to read and learn and tend to their spiritual growth.  I have every intention of playing this song over and over again when they become school-age and decide that they don't want to do their homework.  Hey, it's never too early to be prepared.

Anyway, this song came to mind the other day as I was browsing the Christian book section at Books-a-Million on my date night.  (We're such nerds, because date night is rarely complete without a trip to the bookstore.) This particular store has a wonderful selection of Christian fiction and nonfiction books.  For some unexplainable reason, I have become addicted to reading nonfiction.  Thus, I was delighted to find a compilation of Charles Spurgeon's sermons on a topic that has interested me lately.  But on this rare occasion, I did not rule out the possibility of purchasing a fiction book--just for fun.

I have to be honest, but the fiction Christian section makes me groan.  Not all of us want to read about pioneer women out on the prairie.  These books make great Hallmark movies, but I'm really not interested in reading about a young woman falling for a farmer.  Maybe I'm not a romantic, but I just don't see how that plot is better than one of Spurgeon's sermons.  If I'm going to read a Christian fiction, I want some excitement and adventure.  I want a Joel Rosenberg, a Tim LeHaye, or an Oliver North novel.  Too bad I've already read them all!  I guess what I'm saying is that the Christian fiction market needs to expand a little.  Christian writers could have a huge impact on society if they could figure out how to write about something other than pioneer women or Victorian life.  Think about it: not everybody goes to the movies in search of a chick flick.  And not all of us go to the bookstore in search of Christian romance.

If you like the prairie tales, then the Christian fiction section is definitely for you.  It's just not for everybody. Some of us are eager to read something exciting and adrenaline pumping.  So if my dear readers have read any exciting books that they could recommend, please comment below.

And if you haven't read a nonfiction book lately, don't rule out the possibility.  Remember that readers are leaders.  And I don't think that leaders are reading novels all day.  The next time you get a chance, go to the bookstore and buy a book on a new topic.  Learn something and share it with the rest of us.  Be a leader.

My Bible Study Challenge: Know More Than The History Channel

"You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me." John 5:39

Every Monday morning I typically find 1 or 2 History Channel shows recorded on my DVR.  They don't spontaneously get there, but my in-house historian gets really excited about and records the strangest shows when he's home.   A few weeks ago, there was a special about biblical prophecy and Babylon.  This one was actually interesting. While I didn't agree with everything I had heard, I realized that my historical context for the Bible is poor.  Growing up, we studied timelines and historical charts in school and Sunday school, but there is still so much that I need to learn.  So I decided to try something I've never done before.  I bought a Chronological Study Bible.

I feel like I'm getting ready to start an adventure.  I have no idea what order the books have been placed in this Bible and I have no intention of cheating and figuring it out prior to reading that section.  Instead, my goal is to approach this Bible as if I've never read it before.  I can't wait to see what I learn this time around.

In John chapter 5, Jesus says that the purpose of reading Scripture is not to be saved by the Scripture.  Instead, God's Word is a testimony about Jesus and the salvation that He offers us through His blood.  With that in mind, I'm off an adventure of Hebrew, Persian, and Greek history.  I can't wait to see how the biblical accounts of these historical eras tell the story of Jesus.  My Bible calls this "Theological History."  So I am now on a quest to become a Theological Historian. (The last time I went on a quest to do something, I actually graduated from Law School. So watch out world!)

No longer shall I watch History Channel shows on TV with confusion on my face.  In the future, I hope to be able to answer these shows and to be able to explain the truth to my children--straight from God's Word!