Four Kids and a Bachelor

(that's what it seems like anyway)

Karna is gone this weekend and I'm home with all four of our wonderful children by myself. Crazy huh? Yes, but I'm enjoying it so far, anyway. The kids and I played together at the YMCA yesterday for a spell and then played 'eye spy' at home for a little over an hour. It was very fun and a challenge for the kids to learn to ask the right questions at the right time and respond accordingling. Even Enoch played a couple of times and spied the prize. Over all it was fun.

I think the hardest part was for JT. He's such a 'momma's' boy that it was kinda hard for him to sleep with out her there to say good night. However, he eventually slept.

Also, both Enoch and Caspian woke up in the middle of the night and started wandering downstairs. Luckily, I hadn't quite gone to bed yet and caught them both. Then I put up the gate by the stairs so there would be now 'outside' wandering.

Caspian, sometimes likes to open the outside door and a couple of times this last summer ended up outside by himself a bit before we realized what had happened. I think he's cured now however, but the thought of it happening it the middle of the night in the dead of winter... well, lets just say I wasn't worried and slept good because of that gate.

Of course the two biggest problems of this weekend will occur Sunday. The first will happen when I'm watching the bears game and Karna calls, asking for a ride home. I have now idea how she's gonna get here! :) The second is when she finally does arrive home and sees the clothes I picked out for the kids. This will be a problem not just because I picked them out, but also because they wore them in public to church! No matter how hard I try to find clothes that will look good and match, I'm sure she's going to be disappointed.

Oh well, I have worse problems in my life than this.

The meaning of words!

Sometimes I think that I think too much. Acctually, I don't think that but I'm sure others do, and this is probably one of those times. BUT, here it goes.

Have you ever wondered about the meaning of words? Who came up with the meaning? Who came up with the sounds? When did the meaning of a particular word change? Why did it change? Well, I think each of these questions often and, less frequently, try to talk to people about them.

I know that language is always changing and developing over time, even becoming completely new languages occasionally (although I am sure that this process usually involves many decades or even centuries, I know it happened once in history in a much quicker time, within one generation).

What I find interesting, is in all these languages, God still communicates. He acctually transcends all language yet is communicable and communicating at the same time. As a matter of fact language originates from Him.

Remember back when there was nothing but Him, not even light (except Himself, for He is light). There was language however. Think of the Trinity and the perfect communication that has always existed amongst them. Also, think back to how light was acctually created. "And God said..." Language brought forth all creation. Not only did God use language as a means of creation, He used language in naming that which He had created.

Then, as time and history go on, we see God communicate with man in words. We see Him speak with Adam, Noah, Abraham and of course to Moses, who began the written recordings of God's words in the first 5 books of the Old Testament.

Of course, one of the greatest names of Jesus (the second member of the Trinity, God Himself) is the Word as found in John one. In Hebrews it acctuall says that God has spoken to us through His Son.

With all of this, I guess I can see why, Mr. Noah Webster wrote his now infamous dictionary that was first published in 1828. Words are important, and not only the words but there meanings as well.

YUCK!!

Make sure you read that title right. I think I've come down with a sinus infection. I am my mother's son after all.

I learned a new word today too. Well, at least I think I did. Perspicuity. I have very much difficulty pronouncing this new word of mine but I think I can say right if given a few moments to gather up my tongue. Ironically, its meaning refers to plain speaking, or clear communication.

that's all for today

Youth Group

I just got done with our weekly youth group meeting. I love my job! Today we studied James 1:12 and a few of the verses that follow it. It was really good. I think so anyway. Of course, i'm biased because i do the teaching.

The verse goes something like this, "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial becuase when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God promises to those who love Him."

We looked at various areas in our lives where we experience trials. These could be (and mostly likely are) in relationships, including family, friends, employers, teachers, peers, parents, and enemies of course. We also have trials in all sorts of areas in life from work to play to church to entertainment. We have trials (temptations - same greek word i guess) everywhere. Our job is to endure them. Why? Because life is better when we do. Think of it this way. Lets say you're heading to a friends house and you have to go to the bathroom. Would you rather give up or hold it. Of course life is better when we press on and succeed in doing what we where made to do. If i was made to love, which according to God's word i am, and i spent my life in selfish ambition, things aren't going to satisfy. I won't be 'blessed' as it were.

Last night i was surfing the net and came across a cool web site that talked about the power of sin in ones life. There was an excerpt from a sermon of John Piper that talked about understanding the power of sin that was an incredible illustration of enduring sin. We also looked up the following verses in our study that shed light on this passage. John 14:15; John 13:34-35; Genesis 4:6-7; and Hebrews 12:3-4.

I hope and pray that you are enduring, remaining, not giving up in your struggle with sin. The best help is found in Hebrews 12:2-3! Fix our eyes on Jesus. We should cling to His cross because as Gal 2:20 says, we have been crucified with Him so that now His life is in us, then we have the power and strength to stand. We have waited upon the Lord and we won't grow tired or weary (Is 40:31).

Be in God's word. This quote is simple yet too true to not share. God's Word will keep you from sin (Ps 119:11) or sin will keep you from God's Word (rm 1:18-32).

Mail bags

Well, i just got done opening mail, a task i have been on for i would say about 70 minutes! But it was wonderful. i saw many Christmas cards from friends around the country who i have seen in years except through this annual tradition of Christmas cards/letters. It is really encouraging and pleasing to see how God works in the lives of individuals all around the world, while at the same time, maintaining a perfect watch over my family. I hope each of you enjoyed the Christmas letters we sent. Oh wait, that's my job to do this afternoon. I hope each of you enjoy the Christmas letters we WILL send. If you don't get one and your reading this, which, i can't really imagine anyone doing, let me know and we evaluate your current letter worthy status. HA! Really just send us your address and we'll get you a letter, more like a puzzle really, with a picture. Of course, our family letters are never as creative as Buffalo Bill's! The man and his wife are geniuses.

UMM

Where was I? Can't remember. i supose i better get back ot work anyway.
Type at you all later

Blogspot

I've never really taken to blogging or the like. Although i do read many blogs, offering comments and questions occasionally. Blogging appeals to me and i'm not quite sure why. Perhaps it's thought of having my own writing and ideas viewed/read by others and that makes me think i'm important. Or perhaps i like the idea of being able to talk about my thoughts in a "crowded room" and not get laughed at cause no one else is listening (or very few anyway). Another thing that appeals to me, i think, is that as i blog and write about things important to myself, i might acctually encourage someone out there, help them in a time of need or something like that. Or maybe i just want to be trendy and have my own blog. oooh, cool. Of course, i like the idea of being able to update friends and family about what's happening in my life and that of my family. As this blog thing develops, perhaps that'll happen as well.

My fears of blogging. umm. I guess people might find out how bad a speller i acctually am and disregard my meanderings. Other than that, i guess, it doesn't matter to me much what people think of my blogging.