Spinning

When we got back from the US, the kids were delighted to see that a little park had been built just down the street from our house. Indonesians don't have the luxury (if you can call it that) of having a company that makes playground equipment. They can, however, call up the local metal worker and get him to form equipment. One of the kids' favorites is this spinning cup. You just get in, whirl yourself around until your head bursts.

How is it that the older you get, even the thought of this makes you sick? When I was a kid, I used to love this. Now, I can't even watch them. One spin and I'm turning green.

"How I Pastor my Family"

This is a great article on how a father can shepherd his family. It was helpful for me to sharpen my intentionality and make sure I'm checking out of the office to check in with Kim and the kids.

Ethan turns 2!

Ethan had his second birthday last week. As you will see, he's got a thing for cars, so the theme will be pretty easy to figure out.

Car cake! (We've already demolished it.)

Cars for presents!















Check out the chicken in the car. Yes, Ethan is feeding his cars.

Car dudes. (Okay. This has nothing to do with cars, but it's a great picture).

Sleepy-sleepy cars. He lined them all up before going to sleep.

What is adoption?

Ephesians 1:5  "He predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ . . ."

*          Adoption is a constituted, not a natural, relationship. I.e., it is an act of grace (cf. John 1:12-13).

*          Adoption is a marvelous display of God's love (cf. 1 John 3:1-3).

*          Adoption is both a present reality (Gal. 4:6ff.; Rom. 8:15ff.; 1 John 3:2) and a future hope (Rom. 8:19-23; 1 John 3:1-3).

*          Adoption entails an inheritance. As God's children we share in Christ's inheritance. We are co-heirs with him (Rom. 8:17ff; Gal. 4:7).

*          Adoption as God's children is staggering, given that apart from saving grace we are "the sons [not of God, but] of disobedience" (Eph. 2:2) and are "by nature the children [not of God, but] of wrath" (Eph. 2:3)! Think about it!!

From Sam Storms <http://www.enjoyinggodministries.com/article/13-6/>

Unsearchable

His greatness is unsearchable – Psalm 145:3

His understanding is unsearchable – Isaiah 40:28

His years are unsearchable – Job 36:26

His judgments are unsearchable – Romans 11:33

His (Christ’s) riches are unsearchable – Ephesians 3:8

 

How awesome it is to know this God. His ways are immense and deep, beyond us yet in us. He invites us to wake up each morning ready to discover new facets of His character and plan and go to bed thankful and content that we are a part, as small part, in all that He’s accomplishing. His ways never get boring, never grow old, never disappoint.

Life in Indonesia: Lumba-Lumba Show

Last week we went to the traveling Lumba-Lumba Show with Bambang and Wenny and their girls. It just happened to be Yella's birthday - their oldest.

Lumba-Lumba is Indonesian for dolphin. Much like the traveling circus in the US, this group travels with a bunch of animals - sea otters, cockatoo, bear - the dolphins being the main attraction, and sets up a large tent with a swimming pool in the middle and bleachers around the sides.

Wenny, and in front of her, their three daughters, Yella, Rene, and Karen.

Here's the bear, with the dolphins trying to steal his show.

But then they got into the show!

God is a Vesuvius . . . Live in Him

The Wondrous Miracle of Salvation

John MacArthur:

In justification the sinner stands before God accused but he is declared righteous.

In forgiveness, the sinner stands before God as a debtor and receives a cancellation of his debt.

In adoption the sinner stands before God as a stranger but he is made a...what? ... son.

In reconciliation the sinner stands before God as an enemy but he is made friend.

In redemption the sinner stands before God as a slave and he is receiving his freedom.

Did you grieve?

I realize that Good Friday has come and gone all around the world . . . and that most everyone has awakened to the celebration of Christ's resurrection. But I came across this article on Friday, and then put it into practice as a family, and I just want to pass it along to you for future reference.

Bob Hyatt writes:

This Good Friday, allow the grief to seep deep down into your bones, into your bowels. Meditate on the wounds, the suffering, and the deep, deep love of Christ. Allow the tears to well up from the pit of your being, escape your eyes, and roll down your face. Let the sobs rock your body. Leave the Good Friday service in silence. Extend your mourning through the night and into Saturday. Leave the TV off. Wear black. Refuse to medicate, distract, or otherwise soothe yourself. Mourn. Grieve.

If you do this, as the sun rises on Sunday, you will finally know what Easter is all about.