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Eyelids Testing…

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Having a four and two year old in the house can create some fun situations. This week, Meg is working on potty training Gabe and when she’s in the bathroom with him (and Andrew knows that no one is there to stop him) he raids the pantry. On Monday, he downed a container of chocolate chip cookies. Yesterday, it was something else.

Today, I was working through a Psalm of the Day, Psalm 11, and read the following:

The Lord is in His holy temple;
The Lord’s throne is in heaven;
His eyes see, His eyelids test the children of man. (v.4)

I wondered immediately, what does this mean that “His eyelids test the children of man”? How do eyelids test or assess? The answer is found back in my opening illustration. What do you do when you think God won’t see (i.e. you think His eyelids are shut)? v.5 continues:

The Lord tests His righteous,
but His soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.

These anthropomorphisms (attributing earthly characteristics to God) are the Psalmists way of helping us see our constant accountability before our Maker. What does God see? Everything. Therefore, let’s live before this Holy One in a way that brings glory to Him.

Father, You are holy and Your eyes see everything about us. Let us take refuge in You and live for You because You are righteous and You love righteous deeds. And, let all the upright behold Your face. May we live our lives in ways that make You glorious. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Young Mothers: Discouraged?

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The latest 9Marks EJournal is online and deals with Pastoring Women, equipping local church pastors with good, practical tools for shepherding women in the church with whom they’ve been entrusted. I let me wife read an article in this issue entitled: For the Young Mother: Ministry, Guilt and the Seasons of Life. Here’s her thoughts on the article:

Jani Ortlund challenges young mothers to evaluate the guilt we so often feel. She reminds us that we shape the souls of our children. What a high calling and difficult challenge that is! She says, “It is not godly guilt that would call you away from a wholehearted investment in your little ones for his sake. Don’t feel guilty over making your children your primary ministry investment when they are young.” Wow. That really sums up what we should encourage our young mothers to desire in their hearts and train them to be.

Another great perspective I am reminded of from her is that I am called to cultivate a love for the home. She says, “God has called us to love our children from home base (Tit. 2:4-5). We can’t improve upon God’s design! This means more than staying at home. It means fixing your heart on your home. Women can leave their homes through more avenues than work or outside ministry. Cell phones, emails, and chat rooms can take a mother away from her primary ministry, too.” Home is where I should desire to be, especially in this season of my children’s young lives. There are so many things, as good intentioned as they might be, that pull at us to give our time and energy and passion other than to our children and husbands. This should be an encouragement to spur us on!

Finally, she reminds us that this season is just a season. I love her words when she says, “And each season is a divine calling from our Creator and King. Organizing a new church event is important. Teaching your little boy to be kind to his sister is also important. But which one can best be done by you during this season? Serve God well by ministering to your children first. Very soon they will be grown and gone and all those uniquely teachable moments will be gone. And you will have ample opportunity to serve Christ outside your home in the seasons ahead.”

“But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded” (2 Chronicles 15:7).

Ok, so I don’t have much more to say than what Jani has already said. I thank the Lord for her wisdom in writing this to challenge and encourage the young mothers today.

So…check out this issue and be encouraged yourself.

Weekend Recap – New Humanity Love

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Yesterday’s sermon, New Humanity Love, from Colossians 3:12-14 is now online. The sermon came on the heels of the preceding sermons in the context, showing that for those who are being renewed and made to look like Christ and for whom Christ is all and in all, those people are to be putting on virtues and actions which lead to harmony with others.

Too often, our expressions of love are really selfish. We love to get. Paul calls on these believers to love because of who they are in Christ. And there is a huge difference.

Camp Wrap Up – 8/5/10

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Got up early and got all of our stuff loaded into vehicles, headed to breakfast, then celebration. After camp, we left Denton around 10AM and were back in Hutch around 5PM. It was a pretty uneventful day of traveling for which we are thankful. Now, we are back at home. Vans are cleaned and returned and we are hoping for some rest as we recall all that God did in our lives.

Day 4 – 8/4/10

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Day 4 is drawing to a late close. Had a great night of worship and family groups, good service today on mission site and fun morning at Celebration.

Camp is wrapping up tonight with things being packed and the tearful farewells. We have really been encouraged this week to seek the Father and rest in His love. I am so grateful for the Gospel, which demonstrates God’s love for me and is my firm resting place. Pray for our students and leaders that we would relate to our Father in continual ways as we return to “civilian life” and step out of the camp scene. Also, pray for our safety (and safety of other groups) as we leave after celebration tomorrow AM.

Day 3 – 8/3/10

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Getting up on Day 4, I realized I forgot to summarize Day 3. (As always, remember you can check out Student Life Experience 2010 for updates on Celebration, Missions, Family Groups and Worship.)

We got up and after breakfast and QT had celebration. The students love Edwin’s Corner, a video short that makes everyone laugh. Chad Norris, our camp pastor, challenged us to be in God’s Word.

We headed to our missions site and prepped for the sports camp we are working at. There were tracks for cheer, baseball, football and soccer. It was great to get to know some new children and impart God’s love to them.

Then, we came back to get ready for the evening. Worship pointed us heavenward to a God who longs to relate to us.

Now, I’m getting up anticipating good things as God continues to work through us for His glory and our good.

Day 2 – 8/2/10

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I’m finally in after a busy day today. The first full day of camp is always full of excitement, challenges, and new things. Today was no different. (Check out Student Life Experience 2010 for updates on AM Celebration, Family Groups and PM Worship or to email someone here or send someone a gift card.)

The morning got going well. Since I have so many capable adults here with us, I was able to attend my first Family Group Leadership Meeting in 11 years of camp with Student Life, which was a great joy to know the emphasis for the day. Our particular emphasis today was REpent.

At any rate, after celebration, we went to our work site and had a good time there. I was really encouraged with the heart of our students in serving joyfully. I was very proud of them, especially with local banks saying the temp was near 110.

Evening worship is always a highlight as well. Chad Norris encouraged us to live lives that are offensive rather than defensive. The Christian life isn’t meant to be lived passively, but one we live by faith at great cost. Many students were encouraged by this and the testimony from the Compassion speaker.

We ended with church group time in a local coffee house. Good times all around and, with another full day coming, I bettered sign off.

Day 1 – 8/1/10

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Our morning began by checking out of the hotel and heading to The Village Church’s Flower Mound campus. The service began at 9AM with Matt Chandler greeting and welcoming us and the worship team leading out in Marvelous Light. Chandler returned and preached a sermon on Colossians 3:22-4:1 on slavery in the NT (audio and a position paper). The worship team returned singing You Alone Can Rescue, Stronger, and O God of Our Salvation.

As for camp, you can read news online. We had orientation, family groups and evening worship. Chad Norris, the camp pastor, challenged us to be followers of Jesus and not just believers who get heaven some day. Tomorrow, things continue to roll in the heat here as we have full days of camp.