Creativity Night

Tonight, our family had a 'creativity night'. After dinner, we read a book that the kids had brought back from the library, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. I decided that we would all engage our minds by creating SOMETHING that would portray the theme of the book, that giving is a form of love. Here are the results (in no particular order):

Priscilla - The Star Story (eight years old, ten minutes)
One little star was very sad, since he would take a lot. His family was happy because they gave a lot. The star wanted to be happy like his family members, but he didn't know how. So one day he went to the library and there he found a book called 'The Giving Tree'. He took the book home and read it. THen he found the key to happiness! Giving!
He went and got his allowance and ran to the store. He bought a scarf for his mother, an axe for his father, and a stick of candy for his brothers and sisters. He ran home. And he gave to his family. Then he felt happy. THE END

Celia - thoughts on giving (five years old, forty-five seconds, with help from Momma)
Giving is very happy and loving and taking is sometimes selfish. Relationships are very kind. Love comes very softly and sweet. God makes the happy relationships. Family relationships are kind too! Some people around the world have kind relationships.

Jace - a poem (ten years old, about two minutes)
When I give I'm glad.
When I take I'm sorta' sad.
Giving is what God did and does
And it is all because He loves
us.

My entry was the following poem, which I've entitled 'On Giving and Taking'.
Waking his mind to the thought one day
That getting more was what was needed,
He scampered off full of vigorous intent
With nuggets of ambitious wisdom to be heeded.

He grasped and strained until the gusto was gotten,
Victory was firmly in his hold.
Then realized too late the error of his ways
That led to the absence of treasures untold.

For while he had received what his heart desired
He soon began to painfully figure out
That its not in taking for self, but in giving to others
That is happiness and joy's chosen route.

Notice something missing? Sarah decided to draw a picture, which would be difficult to replicate here.

It was a great way to spend a few minutes together as a family and to exercise the right (or is it the left?) side of our brains. Happy giving!

Flag Etiquette

As I have been driving around the neighborhood lately, I have noticed that there are a number of U.S. flag owners who need to address proper flag etiquette. While we can certainly appreciate the heroic sacrifice of many of our nation's servants over the years who have bravely carried flags that looked in rough shape through many military confrontations, a worn flag should be a replaced flag. We should save the tattered ones for the actual battlefields. Flying a U.S. flag is a privilege and an honor. When it begins to look worn due to natural wear and tear, it is proper to replace it with a new one. If you are in that situation, my encouragement would be to contact a local Boy Scout / Cub Scout troop and offer the flag to them for their next 'flag retirement' ceremony. Allowing these young boys to learn the importance and honor of flying the flag would serve them well. And it would allow proper flag etiquette to take place as well.

For more information about our national flag, please visit the following link:
www.usflag.org

To report a flag in need of replacement, please visit the following link:
www.flagkeepers.org

God bless America!

Saving Trees

We are becoming greener by the minute. "How", you ask? By sending you here instead of sending cards all across the country (and world).

Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

Puddles

We have been a little lacking of rain here in the Carolinas for some time now. It's not much, but we have at least been a little wet lately. Enough to remind us what rain is, anyway. Well, today when I got to work, I actually had to navigate a puddle or two in the parking lot. My shoes were wet! Praise God!

Christmas 2007

Sorry it's been a while. No reasons, just excuses.

Every year at this time, a song strikes me as capturing all that Christmas is to me. This year, it is the following:

Certain elements of Christmas allow us to focus on things that we normally wouldn't otherwise. Sleigh rides, your favorite Christmas carol, candy canes, and seasonal traditions might be among them. And tucked away in the greatest story known to mankind is a non-human character who plays a major role in all the festivities. And this morning at church we sang about them.

It's actually the message that they proclaim that brings them to center stage. Our song reminds us to pay attention to those tidings of joy. Filled with exaltation ("Glory to the new born King!"), unbelievable truth ("Peace on earth and mercy mild"), and the good news of salvation ("God and sinner reconciled"), it sets the stage of expectancy for the treasures to come. Within a song or two, we were then immersed in another musical reminder of God's goodness. While not typically associated with the advent season or Christmas caroling, it's message shouts the timeless blessing that is currently on display.

The chorus reminds us that we only play a small part in the performance of life. We simply join with the angels as they sing "Holy, holy, holy!". We indeed stand with all of creation as it cries "Worthy is the Lord!". Knees bowing and tongues confessing before this great God just adds to the imagery of believers across the eras corporately worshipping the one who is worthy. The verses of this great song reflect the abundance of God-glorifying opportunities all around us:
* we look to your word > and see Your awesome faithfulness
* we look to the earth > and glimpse Your beauty
* we look to the stars > and see Your majesty displayed
* we look to Your Son > and find a love that never fails
* we look to the cross > and see Your mercy
* we look to the grave > empty because You rose again!

As we march on through the days and weeks of late December, many traditions, food, and music will most likely greet us. As we do, let's remember that the first Christmas included the heralding of tremendous jubilation by unique heavenly beings. It is our privilege and joy to join with them again to proclaim the fruit of God's holiness. He is the glorious One who reigns in power!

Stupid Dog

With slightly more manageable temperatures during the recent Carolina mornings, I have taken up the habit of taking a good walk when I first wake up. I make my way through the neighborhood with an iPod full of great worship music and inspiring messages, a hopefully healthier set of veins and arteries, and a sense of befuddlement as to why I see school buses driving around at 5:30 AM. And then there's the stupid dog.

I pity the poor neighbors who are located near this barker. He (this dog just has to be male as much as he just doesn't get it...)is just far enough away from our house that I don't hear him all the time, but now I have indeed found the source of that yelping that I experience from afar. I have taken to tip-toeing by this area of my walk hoping that he doesn't hear me and start with his endless woofing.

Most of the time, however, he hears me and gets cranked up. Just about the time it started to amuse me how stupid, backward, and unrefined this canine motor-mouth is, it hit me that I am just like him when it comes to prayer. I enjoy my life in my comfortable little fenced pen mostly oblivious to all that is going on around me. Every so often, something happens to catch my attention (maybe it's God walking by, but I'm not sure that works well in my illustration here) and I let my voice be heard. "Oh, hey, there goes God coming by this way again, maybe I ought to say something". Once out of my sight, I go back to life as usual in my own little kingdom. If I happen to notice Him again as He strolls by, maybe I'll engage again, but no big deal if I don't. And who knows what I'm saying if I do respond. Maybe it's just annoying and mindless and tends to tick off others who are nearby.

Mind you, I'm not moping around with a "I'm a terrible person" mentality. I just wish I didn't pray like a stupid dog. Who knows, maybe tomorrow morning, the dog will be waiting for me and eagerly anticipating my presence and instructions.

Forgiveness 3

So when exactly does one seek forgiveness? When you 'get caught'? When somebody is noticeably hurt or affected? When you are told to? While all of these are correct, true forgiveness certainly goes far beyond.

When we tell our children about being obedient, we stress the three-fold definition of that characteristic that we have held for years. True obedience is when something is done (or in some cases NOT done) completely, right away, and without complaint.

Obedience is not something that is done half way or just enough to escape negative notice. Taking the trash out is making sure it is in the trash bin outside with a new bag as a replacement. Just making the appearance and smell of the source leave the kitchen does not suffice.

Also, it is not something that is done 'when you have the chance' or merely 'at your convenience' (unless a special request to that end has been made and granted). It is done right away, showing that it is understood that it is more important than my agenda.

Finally, true obedience is done with a happy heart and something close to a happy face. Muttering under one's breath does not answer the call to obey biblically. Just ask any number of Israelites who dutifully followed Moses with their feet alone.

So with these helpful aspects in mind, it would appear to me that forgiveness is necessary when any of these areas are lacking. Doing what your spouse has asked, but with a complaining spirit? Start fessin' up. Have you affirmed that something will be done and tended to, and then put it down on the list of things to do after all of YOUR agenda items are complete? You may need to consider who exactly is the center of that equation. Have you in fact started the process and are safe from accusatory remarks, but in your heart and mind have left much undone? Complete the job with an eye to seeking forgiveness along the way.

Keeping this simple definition of true obedience in our view will remind us of how much forgiveness we are in need of.