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Yes, it's worth it to put on and off all that winter clothes. It's worth it to have to run the teddy bear through the laundry. It's worth getting cold. It's worth dealing with all the wet snow gear when you're done. Even it you'll only spend seven minutes outside. These are the moments that matter. When the two-year-old wants to take his stuffed bear sledding, you'll be happy you did it in the end. Even if it feels like extra work or unnecessary hassle for just a few minutes of fun. These are the moments we can't get back, so I'm embracing the beauty of the season. Similarly, we've got to put on our spiritual "snowsuits" each day. Obviously, you wouldn't go outside in negative temperatures without a lot of bundling up. Similarly, don't start your day with negativity or without "bundling up" in the armor of God.  God is there to "keep you warm," to help you win the battles you'll face today, and to help yo...

Our sweet Gary has a clubfoot - a growth issue with his foot where it points inward due to tightness of the achilles tendon and a slower growth rate of certain parts of his leg and foot. Thankfully, its treatable, and we're blessed to have the medical professionals in our area of the world who are able to treat it skillfully. We praise God that he should have full recovery and functionality in his foot, but are humbled by the fact that without treatment it would turn into a lifelong disability, with pain and difficulty walking. It seems like a lot of appointments and work in the present, but it will be worth all of it when he's able to walk without pain!  Gary's clubfoot tells us the story of the gospel: In life, we all have a growth issue: our lives point inward. We are self-focused and sinful. Sin, without treatment, also turns into a lifelong (you could go further and say eternal ) disability. It might not feel painful in the stages of infancy (much like a clubfoot), bu...

I love Bible studies.  But, there's a problem: Bible studies are people's interpretations of scripture. They aren't actually scripture. While they have their place, and can be such beautiful tools, I realized this week that I have a problem with Bible studies:  I found myself spending more time in my study books - answering questions, reading what certain passages might mean, focusing on the commentary, etc., than in the actual passages of scripture. I'd first open my study book, and then open my Bible as the "supplement" or "addition to" the study. While the studies aren't necessarily written that way, it was an encouragement to do a heart check.  Am I spending time in God's word or in someone else's word?  As Jen Wilkin says (in her introductory video to her Exodus study, "God of Deliverance"), " you won't answer to God for someone else's interpretation of scripture." I am responsible to answer for mine, an...

Eating dinner with a toddler is never uneventful. And usually, I love it. Z keeps us laughing, singing, cleaning up messes (that's the part that's harder to love sometimes)... and reminding us of the many ways we're still like toddlers at heart. A few nights ago, however, his hankering to ask for "more chicken!!" before he was done with what was already on his plate (which was quite a bit) had us feeling somewhat irritated. Though he had a plate full of freshly smoked chicken (thanks, Mitchell :)) cut to the perfect bite-sized pieces... it didn't seem to be enough.  "Eat what you have on your plate! You have some right here!" We'd say.  But the asks kept coming: more salt... more ketchup... more chicken. "Moorrrre!!" He'd say emphatically, while also reaching his little arm as far towards the serving dish as possible, slapping his adorably chunky toddler fingers down on the table. I can't blame him for enjoying his Dad's smo...

  Going for a "walk!" is one of this little guy's favorite things to do these days. Picking "flow-ders," watching "cars!" go "bvroommmm" past us while we pause on the sidewalk to watch each one, unable to successfully differentiate between cars and trucks, and yet always asking where the "digger" is. A tractor drives by and a big toothy grin looks up at me as he says, "WOWW!!" And we keep walking. He's not a big fan of holding my hand while we're just walking, but when we get to a bump in the road (or in the yard), and usually at each transition between the two, he reaches up his hand towards me. He doesn't look up. He blindly extends his arm upward; he stays focused on the bump or grassy knoll ahead, but holds his hand open, knowing and trusting that I'll grab ahold and help him over the more challenging terrain. Every time. __ "for we walk by faith, not by sight." ~2 Corinthians 5:7 __ I snapped...

"and though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him — a threefold cord is not  quickly broken." ~Ecclesiastes 4:12 This verse can be so easily taken out of context, and has long been food for debate as to what it's really saying. Is it talking about the Trinity? Marriage? Gatherings of believers that grow quickly from two to three to more? Is it referring predominantly to unity or to strength? To friendships or intimate relationships?  Whatever the case, most would agree that in its simplest form, it's reminding us that people were meant to do life together . In community (not alone).  It quickly jumps from two to three, almost assuming the "third" person is just *there* all along - and that's why a lot of people jump to the conclusion it's talking about God simply being there.  "Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two o...