Over Christmas our good friends Scott & Marcy came to visit. They brought Rock Band for Wii. At one point Shana took a break from scrapbooking and slammed a little on the drums. She enjoyed it, but not as much as we did. We called her "click-clack" for the rest of the day.
I'm borrowing an internet connection from a friend to bring you the latest... actually, just some pics and a video. Shana summed it up pretty well about what's going on around here. Scroll down for her post. We dug out my car today with the help of a Bobcat. The roads are actually in good shape if you can dodge falling trees and downed power lines.
They're calling for another 3-5 inches on Monday.
We had to blow dry the dogs. They were soaked after playing in the snow.
So this is our neighbor Travis. He's blind. And a sledder or tobogganer (as John the Canadian calls it). There are some massive hills around here and we had some fun. Travis went flying down this hill and couldn't hear John yelling for him to bail. He crossed a creek and went head-first into the bank (as seen in the pic). He was alright and in great spirits. He's got a good sense of humor - which is good b/c it was hilarious.
Boy has this week been crazy. We got 4 inches of snow on Tuesday, which shut down the city. Tuesday night we got another couple inches of ice and sleet. Wednesday another 4 inches of snow. Needless to say, the city of Louisville has been shut down the past two days. Southern Seminary is mostly without power and has canceled all classes for the week. Fortunately, for now, we still have power. There is a ton of snow every where, no worries Josh has gotten video and I am sure will post as soon as we get internet back. I have been sick since Saturday so this has been no picnic for me. I am sick with a cold of some sorts, 2nd time in less than a month and a half. Right this moment I am at the office, we opened up today but it is a ghost town downtown. We have power and internet here obviously at the office. Yesterday we had to shovel the car out of the snow, seriously, and pry all the layers of ice and snow that cocooned the car. The Fresh Market has been without power, so Josh hasn't had to go into work. He is on stand-by pretty much waiting to hear if they will get power tomorrow or not to go to work. We'll see. I think that covers everything for an update for everybody. Talk to you soon.
"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21
It wasn't enough that God forgave me. He counts me as righteous.
Hosanna in the highest!
I don't really know how to start this post off, but it is all about joy and praise. God has been so nurturing to me in the past months that it is starting to overflow. I am more blessed than I can imagine right now. We absolutely love the church we are attending and serving at, Crossing Church. We are about to become official members too. I love the season God has us in here at Southern Seminary. Everyday we can't help but know we are in God's will for our lives, and that is an intoxicating feeling like no other. My husband has been absolutely amazing beyond description these past months. I have been a roller coaster of sick and wellness. He has grown in patience and taken care of me so tenderly.
Now everything in our lives isn't exactly peachy, don't get me wrong. I have a healthy dose of family issues and we are scratching our heads on how life is going to work when baby SJ comes, but in all things we are to praise. All the blessings supersede the junk.
Josh just recently got me a new CD. Well, I should say it found its way into his bag of books from school (no worries, he didn't steal it). He has been wanting it pretty bad, and how it goes in our house is when he gets a CD he puts it on his IPOD and then it goes in my car and I get to enjoy. So, inadvertently I got a new CD. Anyways, it is the new Jeremy Camp CD, Speaking Louder Than Before. AMAZING!! Can't help but listen to it over and over again. There is so much truth in his lyrics. As I drive to and from work, or running errands, the lyrics have really spurred on worship in the mundane rituals of life. God is so good, and it is so important for us to seek him out. It is amazing to be chosen as one of his children.
Alas, another semester begins...
This is the welcome-home video of the pilot who "landed" the US Airways jet in the Hudson River.
Notice at the end where Chesley Sullenberger makes the statement, "Circumstance determined that it was this experienced crew that was scheduled to fly that particular flight on that particular day..." Circumstance? Really? After an experience like that. Bravo to Mr. Sullenberger for his incredibly heroic navigation. However, we should pray that God would open this man's eyes and heart to see the sovereign Creator instead of the circumstances.
I'm not a huge Rush Limbaugh fan, but this is pretty darn good.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. hebrews 14:8
This is a prayer from Albert Mohler (SBTS President) for President Barack Obama:
Our Father, Lord of all creation, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: We pray today with a sense of special urgency and responsibility. We come before you to pray for our new President, Barack Obama, and for all those in this new administration who now assume roles of such high responsibility.
We know that you and you alone are sovereign; that you rule over all, and that you alone are able to keep and defend us. We know that our times are in your hands, and that "the king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord" [Proverbs 21:1]. Our confidence is in you and in you alone. We come before you as a people who acknowledge our constant need for your provision, wisdom, and protection.
Father, we pray today for Barack Obama as he takes office as President of the United States. We pray that you will show the glory of your name in our times and in these days, confounding the wisdom of the wise, thwarting the plans of the arrogant, and vindicating those who do justice and practice righteousness.
Father, we pray with thanksgiving for the gift of government and the grace of civic order. Thank you for giving us rulers and for knowing our need for laws and and ordered life together. Thank you for this nation and the blessings we know as its citizens. Thank you for freedoms unprecedented in human history. We understand that these freedoms come with unprecedented opportunities.
Lord, we pray with thanksgiving for the joy and celebration reflected on millions of faces who never expected to look to the President of the United States and see a person who looks like themselves. Father, thank you for preserving this nation to the moment when an African-American citizen will take the oath of office and become our President. Thank you for the hope this has given to so many, the pride emerging in hearts that had known no such hope, and the pride that comes to a people who have experienced such pain at the hands of fellow citizens, simply because of the color of their skin. Father, we rejoice in every elderly face that reflects such long-sought satisfaction and in every young face that expresses such unrestrained joy. May this become an open door for a vision of race and human dignity that reflects your glory in our differences, and not our corruption of your gift.
Father, protect this president, we pray. We pray that you will surround this president and his family, along with all our leaders, with your protection and sustenance. May he be protected from evil acts and evil intentions, and may his family be protected from all evil and harm.
We pray that the Obama family will be drawn together as they move into the White House, and that they will know great joy in their family life. We are thankful for the example Barack and Michelle Obama have set as parents. Father, protect those precious girls in every way -- including the protection of their hearts as they see their father often criticized and as he is away from them on business of state. May their years in the White House bring them all even closer together.
Father, we pray for the safety and security of this nation, even as our new president settles into his role as Commander in Chief. We know that you and you alone can be our defense. We do not place our trust in horses or chariots, and we pray that you will give this president wisdom as he fulfills this vital responsibility.
Father, grant him wisdom in every dimension of his vast responsibility. Grant him wisdom to deal with a global financial crisis and with the swirling complex of vexing problems and challenges at home and abroad. May he inspire this nation to a higher vision for our common life together, to a higher standard of justice, righteousness, unity, and the tasks of citizenship.
Father, we pray that you will change this president's heart and mind on issues of urgent concern. We are so thankful for his gifts and talents, for his intellect and power of influence. Father, bend his heart to see the dignity and sanctity of every single human life, from the moment of conception until natural death. Father, lead him to see abortion, not as a matter of misconstrued rights, but as a murderous violation of the right to life. May he come to see every aborted life as a violation of human dignity and every abortion as an abhorrent blight upon this nation's moral witness. May he pledge himself to protect every human life at every stage of development. He has declared himself as an energetic defender of abortion rights, and we fear that his election will lead directly to the deaths of countless unborn human beings. Protect us from this unspeakable evil, we pray. Most urgently, we pray that you will bring the reign of abortion to an end, even as you are the defender of the defenseless.
Father, may this new president see that human dignity is undermined when human embryos are destroyed in the name of medical progress, and may he see marriage as an institution that is vital to the very survival of civilization. May he protect all that is right and good. Father, change his heart where it must be changed, and give him resolve where his heart is right before you.
Father, when we face hard days ahead -- when we find ourselves required by conscience to oppose this president within the bounds of our roles as citizens -- may we be granted your guidance to do so with a proper spirit, with a proper demeanor, and with persuasive arguments. May we learn anew how to confront without demonizing, and to oppose without abandoning hope.
Father, we are aware that our future is in your hands, and we are fully aware that you and you alone will judge the nations. Much responsibility is now invested in President Barack Obama, and much will be required. May we, as Christian citizens, also fulfill what you would require of us. Even as we pray for you to protect this president and change his heart, we also pray that your church will be protected and that you will conform our hearts to your perfect will.
Father, we pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, the ever-reigning once and future King, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. He and he alone can save, and his kingdom is forever. Above all, may your great name be praised. Amen.
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Christians are, first of all, citizens of a heavenly kingdom. The followers of Christ know no allegiance of ultimate rank to any government or earthly authority. Yet, the Bible clearly teaches that God has given us the gifts of law, government, and ruling authorities for our good. We are instructed to pray for "rulers and all who have authority" and to be faithful in praying "so that we can have quiet and peaceful lives full of worship and respect for God" [1 Timothy 2:2].
As Barack Obama prepares to take the oath of office and become the 44th President of the United States, Christians should be thinking about how to pray for the new President. I offer this prayer as a place to start, as we observe the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States together.
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