Conversations with Other People's Kids

During the kindergarten ten commandments review session ...

Me - "Does God want us to use images of gold or silver to worship him?"

Kindergarten Boy - "Gold!"

Elementary School Nightmares

Phenomenons like 'Pants on the Ground' are cruel, cruel jokes on elementary school teachers.

Quiz Answers

I gave a quiz in World History today. The question was ... What form of writing did the Mesopotamians invent. The correct answer is cuneiform. One example of an incorrect answer is cornography.

Conversations with the Boys

Rebecca let the boys try to take a nap together. She told them they had fifteen minutes to fall asleep. If they weren't asleep, the experiment was over. She overheard...

Joshua - "When I tickle you, don't giggle."

We visited Rebecca's grandmother in Columbus, Georgia. She lives in a retirement center. We ate lunch in a room full of people who probably don't watch a lot of PBS Kids. Andrew was dressed as Super Why and doing a little more screaming than the Bistro was accustomed to. I was walking him out of the room when an elderly gentlemen addressed him.

Elderly Man - "Well hello, Batman."

Andrew screaming over my shoulder - "I'M NOT BATMAN!!!"

Conversations with Andrew

Andrew was rocked and ready for bed when he announced he wanted to poo poo in the potty. When he finished he received praise.

Rebecca - "Andrew, you poo pooed in the potty!"

Andrew, with arms raised, "Yeah! Like mommy and daddy and Jesus and Elmo."

I'm in good company.

A Video Barrage

Rest by Andy Osenga

Andy is one of my favorite songwriters. I do believe this is my new favorite Andy Osenga song. You can buy it at this link. He writes with an intense vulnerability. I almost feel like I'm listening in on a prayer I shouldn't be listening to in this song. I also feel like I'm listening to my own prayers and desires.

I should really get some sleep
It's been so long
It's been so long
All my friends have said to me
You look so tired
I feel guilty cause there's so much to do
I feel lazy if I take a breath or two

Oh, God,
Please give me rest
A bit of peace that passes over all this mess
Don't give me more than what I need
Just let me know you hear my plea
Oh, God please come to me and give me rest

I should really spend some time
Alone with you, alone with you
I've always known I'd find you there
Maybe that's why I keep myself so busy
So I don't have to feel the fear and anger
Of my darkness that is aching to be healed

Oh, God,
Please give me rest
A bit of peace that passes over all this mess
Don't give me more than what I need
Just let me know you hear my plea
Oh, God please come to me and give me rest

Why did nobody tell me how hard it is to be
The man that I always thought that I'd become
Cause I feel just like a kid who can't run

I should really go to bed
Kiss my wife, my sleepy-heads
Pray tomorrow that something's changed

Conversations with the Boys

Joshua - "What are we having for dinner?"

Rebecca - "Chicken nuggets."

Andrew - "I don't like chicken nuts."

Neither do I, son. Neither do I.

Broken with Hope

I've been seeing a lot of zeal lately. A lot of Facebookers are looking forward to the opportunities the new year will bring. Posts telling us to make the most of the year and release the power within are creating a steady stream of powerful positive thinking.

I just don't buy it.

My hope this year isn't to make the most of myself or release some sort of inner champion. My life is not an example of personal power. It's the story of a deeply broken and flawed young man who is learning to let go of personal ambitions and pick up a cross to follow my Savior.

This doesn't mean I'm hopeless. I've got more hope than I've ever had before. It's just my hope is lying in another. My hope is resting in the Sovereign God of the universe. My hope is built on a rock.

I'm thankful for Jesus. I'm thankful for his grace and the power of his resurrection.

My prayer for the year is that God has his way in my life. I'm tired of spending time pursuing my own agenda. 2009 may have been the most stretching year of my life. I try to stay away from dramatic expressions unless they're warranted, but the year truly felt like going through a fire. Having come through what I believe to be the hardest part, I can say with a humble confidence that all of the fire was worth it. I know God better because of the suffering. He is bigger. Not bigger than he was, but bigger than I knew he was. I want what he wants. I need what he wants for me.

As I wrote this post, this song by Andrew Peterson came to my mind. It is with a broken back that I post these lyrics. He has bowed this stubborn heart. And I am grateful for the loving discipline of my most gracious, loving Father.

Have Your Way by Andrew Peterson

Father hear me now when I am humbled
I fear that I will soon forget
Now I have no strength to stand and stumble
I have no wish to leave you yet

O, Holy Father hear me now
When flesh is strong and spirit weak
Please break my back if I won’t bow
Won’t you have your way with me

Father hear me now when I am humbled
When I am bent with holy shame
All the lies that I've believed have crumbled
The blood of Christ my only claim

I cannot trust my own designs
My heart is prone to disobey
So listen, Lord while there is time
Chain me fast if I won’t stay
Take my life and have your way

Please hear me, Lord this blessed hour
When sin has loosed it’s hold on me
They mercy is a mighty tower
So why should I not trust in thee
Father have your way with me