Religion

Merry Christmas

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Here’s a 1:45 snippet of the culmination of 2 months worth of preparation. My wife was the director of the children’s Christmas musical at our church this year, and tonight was the performance. We’re not sure what we’re going to do with ourselves now that there won’t be 3 practices a week, with 3 times that this past week. 🙂

Our youngest daughter, Lizzie, has her very first solo ever at about the 34 second mark. She’s 6 years old, and we are so proud. In fact, all 3 of our kids had solos (not just because my wife was the director!), and they all did wonderful. Lizzie gets the spotlight on Daddy’s blog, however, because it’s her first.

I’m so happy the musical is over! That’s not to say it wasn’t wonderful, but to get back to the regular amount of holiday stress will be quite a relief. 🙂

Reason for the Season?

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Don’t get me wrong, I’m a Christian through and through. I get annoyed by holiday catch-phrases though. Like the, “Jesus is the reason for the season” pins? Or emails? 100 a day?

The truth of the matter is that the axial tilt of the Earth is the reason for the season. Or any season for that matter.

I’m just sayin’…

UPDATE: If you have a T-Shirt that says, “The Axial Tilt of the Earth is the Reason for the Season” — I might buy one. 🙂

Raking Update

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It turns out I did have helpers, and some were even adults. (Thanks Josh!) As soon as we emptied that last tarp, the snow started coming down pretty hard, and before we even had the rakes all put into the van, the freshly raked lawn was covered with a blanket of white stuff. We cut it close.

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Exciting Excitement

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Today was our first large Youth Group gathering. (My wife and I are the youth leaders for our church) The object lesson was a cup of tea, or more specifically, steeping a cup of tea. Here’s the video I made for the event. Don’t judge me. 🙂

Just in case YouTube is blocked for you, here’s a direct link to the file. Download away!

Back from the retreat!

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What a great 3 days! We’re all pretty tired, but everyone is home safe and sound. Here’s a little video snippet. I have the yellow balloon.

(If you watch close, I almost pass out!)

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Hiatus

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I’ve had more than a 3 day gap in posts before, but for the next 3 days I’ll have a reason. Or excuse. Or something.

Donna and I are going with the youth group to lead a retreat. It’s in a beautiful camp located on 6.5 miles of Lake Huron waterfront. The forecast calls for rain and snow, but it will still be gorgeous.

Signing off until Wednesday night!

Humble thanks for Thanksgiving

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tg.pngAbout 7 years ago, my family was in a very rough spot due to a car accident that turned our lives upside down. We were forced to go on welfare, my pregnant wife was forced to take a job bussing tables at a local restaurant, and we were the recipients of holiday food baskets, etc. It was a humbling time, but actually was a turning point in our lives. I think if it weren’t for that experience, we’d never have the faith we do today.

This year, due to some unexpected auto repairs, we’re in a similar situation. Our bills are paid, etc., but unfortunately, something as simple as Thanksgiving dinner would have been quite impossible to make fancy.

Last night, however, we had a heart-breakingly familiar Thanksgiving food basket delivered to our home. For the past 5 years or so, *we* are usually the family driving around delivering baskets, and this year, we received one. I wanted to refuse the gift — but it would have just been pride, because after all, we really didn’t have anything other than pantry staples for Thursday’s meal.

It occurs to me that when we are financially and socially secure, and when we aren’t (in our minds) needy of anything, we miss the boat when it comes to true thankfulness. While I don’t wish misfortune on anyone, I do wish everyone a humble, thankful holiday. It’s reminding my family who we are, who we aren’t, and who we want to be.

God bless.

Would you go to Hell for your kids?

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Pretty bold question, I know. Seriously though, almost any parent would *die* for their child without hesitation. A parent’s love transcends morality, responsibility, and do-gooding. The love a parent has for their child is indescribable, and is the only way we get a glimpse of the Lord’s love for us.

Therein lies my dilemma. See, we’re clearly told to love the Lord God Almighty with all our heart and soul (Deuteronomy 6:5). We are supposed to love God more than anyone or anything. In fact, we are to love our families second to our love for God. (Yes, I realize that loving our families is arguably a way to love The Father — but in a quite literal, non-theologically-complicated way, we are to love God more than anyone).

So, if we are to love Him more than our children (I know it sounds bad doesn’t it?), then we should not be willing to go to Hell for them. Going to Hell would eternally separate us from God, whom we love more than anything. So the obvious answer is no, a Christian should not be willing to do that. But I’m not sure I’m there, and I’m not sure the logic is sound.

There is another complication though. See, Christ, whom we are to model in our lives, did die for us (his children). If we are to be Christlike, then we should be willing to die and go to Hell for the sake of our children. The catch, of course, is that Christ rose from Hell on the third day — not so for us. So the real question is, does a willingness to face Hell in place of your children truly put God second, or is it putting yourself second to your child? I do see a real problem with sacrificing yourself, as a Christian, the temple of the Holy Spirit (it’s not ours to sacrifice, we belong to Him). Isn’t that what Christ did for us though?

I don’t know the complete answer to the question, other than that I am willing to suffer eternal damnation for my children. If that means that I love them more than I love God — then I have issues. If, however, it means that I love them more than I love myself, I might still have some issues (especially since I am a new creature, born again into Christ), but perhaps they’re not as bad as they might seem. And possibly, just possibly, the love I have for my children is that same sort of love that He had for us. It’s at least worth thinking about.

Good day everyone. 🙂