The Fear of God

"The fear of God in some ways defies our attempts at definition, because it is really another way of saying' knowing God'. It is a heart-felt love for him because of who he is and what he has done; a sense of being in his majestic presence. it is a thrilling awareness that we have this greatest of all, mingled with a realization that now the only thing that really matters is his opinion. To have the assurance of his smile is everything; to feel that he frowns on what we do it desolation." - Sinclair Ferguson

We can boldly walk in God's smile because Jesus has taken the frown of desolation in our place. The only one to ever deserve that smile gives it away freely. God's smile is assured to his children and desolation can never touch those who are in Christ.

Great Question

Do you enjoy your dependence on God?

Elementary Questions

I've heard a lot of great questions in ten years of elementary education. This may be the best yet.

"Can you be non-denominational and a Methodist?"

Feel free to leave your answers in the comment section.

A Little More Augustus

Nothing in my hand I bring, 
simply to the cross I cling; 
naked, come to thee for dress; 
helpless, look to thee for grace; 
foul, I to the fountain fly; 
wash me, Savior, or I die. 

The Gospel According to 'A Bugs Life'

Joshua watched 'A Bugs Life' with Papaw tonight. At the end, full of excitement, Joshua exclaimed, "I knew the ants would defeat those grashoppers."

The day is coming when every injustice will be made right. Jesus will take his throne and every tongue will confess. He came and took his world back by becoming weak and small and defeated the bullies that war with his people. Everything sad will become untrue.

My Rest

The work which His goodness began,
The arm of His strength will complete;
His promise is yea and amen,
And never was forfeited yet.
Things future, nor things that are now,
Not all things below nor above
Can make Him His purpose forego,
Or sever my soul from His love.

Augustus Toplady

Conversations With Joshua and Andrew's Version of Batmobile

Joshua and Andrew were given lots of toys yesterday by their Aunt Charlotte. One of the toys was an Iron Man action figure that is cooler than anything I own. Today, as Joshua was playing with some of the other new toys, he heard me playing with his Iron Man. He ran over to me and this conversation ensued...

Joshua - "Daddy, I didn't say you could play with my Iron Man."

Me - "Joshua, we need to talk."

We walked to the stairs (the place where our talks tend to take place)

Me - "Joshua, do you love Iron Man more than daddy?"

Joshua nodding - "Yes."

Obviously he was confused. I've worked with children for ten years. I'll clear it up for him.

Me - "Joshua, would you rather hug Iron Man or Daddy?"

Joshua (still nodding) "Iron Man."

Me (trying not to laugh) - "Joshua, does Iron Man put you to bed? Does Iron Man love you? Can Iron Man even give you a hug?"

Joshua giggled and hugged me. I laughed and we looked at each other. He put his hand on my head, kind of like I picture Jesus putting his hands on the heads of the children brought before him.

Joshua with his hand on my head as if he were pronouncing a blessing - "Daddy, you can play with my Iron Man tomorrow."

Meanwhile, Andrew has a new Batmoblie. Only when Andrew says Batmobile, it sounds like he is saying, "black people." Every few minutes you hear something like, "I need black people." Or, "Joshua it's not your black people."

To the Moon by Sara Groves

It was there in the bulletin
We're leaving soon
After the bake sale to raise funds for fuel
The rocket is ready and we're going to
Take our church to the moon

There'll be no one there to tell us we're odd
No one to change our opinions of God
Just lots of rocks and this dusty sod
Here at our church on the moon

We know our liberties we know our rights
We know how to fight a very good fight
Just get that last bag there and turn out the light
We're taking our church to the moon
We're taking our church to the moon
We'll be leaving soon

Goodbye, Summer

Well, it's really over. It kind of ended at the beginning of the week, but now it's really, officially gone. Tomorrow marks a 7:40 to 3:00 day. The students are back and the real work begins.

There's a teacher joke that goes, "What are the three best parts of being a teacher? - June, July, and August." It's not true, but there's some truth in it.

I spent a lot of time today thinking about Rebecca and the boys. My computer screen saver rolls pictures across the screen. Between work and reading, I watched our family grow and play. This summer seems to be the first time Joshua has truly enjoyed having a brother. No coincidence that it is also the summer he discovered superheroes need sidekicks. Andrew ranges from Superman and Robin to Dash and Alpha Pig.

Andrew seems to think I'm one of Rebecca's three sons. He tells on me quite often. I think he thinks we're equals. Actually, I think he thinks I'm a little lower on the scale.

Rebecca continues to amaze me as she joyfully serves her three boys and puts up with all of our messes. She loves enthusiastically and brings a sweet stability to our house. Her unselfishness humbles me and makes me want to be more unselfish myself.

None of this ends tomorrow, but it changes. Energy levels won't be quite as optimal at 4:00 as they are in the morning. It's a time to mourn and a time to be thankful. Most people don't get to play with their families as often as I do. I'm grateful for the time I've been given.

If You've Got an Hour

Here's a video clip from The Gospel Coalition. It's a panel discussion including John Piper and Tim Keller.

Conversations With Andrew

We took the boys for ice cream today at Maggie Moos. They both got a cone with sprinkles. Andrew's was melting, so I asked to take a lick to make sure it didn't all spill on him. He said I could, so I grabbed it from him and took my bite.

He went nuts. Screaming, he grabbed back at his cone and said, "Mine."

I told him he needed to calm down and handed him back the cone.

He looked up at me with his big blue eyes and sweetly said, "Want some?"

Falling Apples

They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Rebecca is an engineer. She comes from a long line of practical and realistic thinkers. Jokes often need to be explained and rehashed because they just don't fit into her algorithms. I get stared at. A lot.

I was a below average college student who stumbled into a History degree with a few dabblings in Literature and Political Science. I tend to see the funnier and more absurd side of life. This view often leaves me borrowing a line from Krusty the Clown when I try to make a joke with Rebecca - "If you are making that face, it was a joke."

I've been teaching the boys jokes. This week's joke was, "How do you catch a squirrel?" The punchline is, "Climb a tree and act like a nut."

I've told the joke to the boys several times and this is how it goes.

Me - "Andrew, how do you catch a squirrel?"

Andrew - "Climb a tree and act like a nut."

Me - "Joshua, how do you catch a squirrel?"

Joshua - "By its tail. I don't climb trees."

Guess which one is going to Georgia Tech.

I should also mention Andrew drinks his apple sauce from the little bowl. He's going to be very popular in college.

Make Sure to Read It Twice - I Had To

"God helps those who cannot help themselves." - Charles Spurgeon

I read it the way I always hear it and thought there is no way Spurgeon said God helps those who help themselves. The second read was better.

7

Seven years ago today Rebecca and I got married. I've learned more than I realize in the past seven years. She is my best friend and my favorite person to spend time with. She forgives me. She shows me Jesus by her committed and faithful love. She loves our boys and unselfishly gives herself to us every day.

Before we met, the most terrifying word I could think of was commitment. I was scared of making one, and looking back, I think the main reason is I didn't think somebody would really make one for me. Rebecca has shattered that fear and taught me about the tenacity of commitment. Now, I love the word and know the safety of it.

Rebecca, I love you and can't imagine life without you. Thanks for all you do for the boys and me. The past seven years have been wonderful. Let's play golf and eat caramelized mashed potatoes.