Ever since the Cuteness was born, I've felt like many of my talents have been put aside so I can take good care of my favourite little person (note the use of the word little. My husby is my favourite big person--he's a bit less demanding).  I'm really not bitter, though.  Motherhood is a joy that not all women have the privilege of experiencing, and I'm far to aware of this fact to take it for granted.  I trust and hope that God will always set me straight when I start to view it as just another task to complete.  He already has.

This may be a grossly over-stated fact, but life changes when a baby comes into the world.  It's not just the getting up in the middle of the night to change a screaming baby's diaper.  It's not the stiff neck, the sore back, or the dirty laundry.  The biggest change comes when you realize that there is another living being that depends solely on you for everything.  I'm not just talking food and a clean diaper, but love, discipline, language, manners, opinions, attitudes, dispositions, beliefs, experiences, and encouragement.  An innocent little child is a perfect and terrifying mirror to hold up to oneself.

A few days ago as I was attempting to get Judah ready for the day, I turned my back on him to riffle through a stack of his shirts for just the right one to complete his little outfit.  His happy little coos made me smile, and I momentarily forgot that my baby can roll. As I turned around, I caught sight of my happy baby boy slipping off the bed and onto the floor.  My heart jumped into my throat as I whisked him up into my arms.  The tears flowed freely as I kissed his head and said "I'm sorry!  I'm so sorry..." over and over again.  His frantic cry seemed to say "I thought you were going to watch me.  Always!" My poor, sad, bewildered little child.

Thankfully, there were no long-term consequences for my negligence, and hardly any short-term consequences except for two or so minutes of very sad tears.  My action (or lack thereof), though inexcusable, was easily redeemed.

As a parent and a follower of Christ, I'm charged with the task of correctly caring for my child--that will definitely include how I watch over his spiritual welfare.  Just as, at this point in time, I need to watch Judah with extreme care to keep him from harm unbeknownst to him, I need to show discernment in what influences I allow into the home (and when I say "I", I'm not excluding Joey from the task).  This is the way I see it: as of now, Judah is ignorant of the evils of the world.  He doesn't yet know what could hurt him, and he doesn't yet have a concept of right and wrong.  I know it's imposible for me to keep him entirely from all bad things, but what I can do is help teach him the skills he needs to make right choices.  Joey and I are responsible for that, to be sure.

I don't want to be so slack about "this whole discernment thing" that Judah comes to have a wrong view of who God is and what His holiness actually means.  We need to be as shrewd as snakes, but as harmless as doves.  The worst possible end to life on earth would be if my son was left, poor, sad and bewildered, asking, "Why didn't you tell me? I thought you were going to watch me.  Always!"  while I recall a lifetime of lukewarm faith, complacency, and compromise.

So, getting back to my first thought about setting aside talents, I've decided that it is no bad thing to be devoted to my family.  If I can be known for anything, I would rather have it be for how I loved my family rather than how I  could decorate my home, or complete DIY projects, or knit beautiful sweaters, or paint beautiful pictures, or make beautiful music.  Those are all secondary to the joy and privilege of being a mother.   May I never find this privilege burdensome, never lose sight of my Saviour, and NEVER stop fearing the Lord.

thoughts on life

I love life.  I love seeing how my little boy is growing and changing, interacting with the world around him, and learning so many new things.  I love how every little thing is the most thrilling thing in the world.  “MOM!  You have a face!  I CAN TOUCH THAT FACE!” or “That’s right, I can clasp my hands together.  Can YOU?”

…and the day draws nigh…

Hello, readers! Today is a momentous day—because I say so.  No, seriously, I am 38 weeks pregnant!  No, it’s not my due date, but it feels rather significant.  My mom had me at 38 weeks, and somehow the reality that I’m going to become a mother very soon seems much more, well, real.  I FEEL like the baby could come any day—and by that I mean that there’s a lot of uncomfortable movement and pressure Down There, the Braxton Hicks contractions actually wrap around my lower back (and are painful), and, well, I’m just DONE being pregnant.

So many “unknowns” circle around in my very over stimulated brain. It makes it hard to relax, hard to focus on the task at hand, and hard to sleep.  What will his hair colour be?  Will he inherit Joey’s metabolism?  Will she be a happy baby?  Should I start a large footwear fund already?  How big is he?  What does she look like???

I’ve never been so impatient in my life.  It’s hard to keep from getting anxious—anxious as in not trusting God.  But here are the facts that give me hope: God is the one overseeing this little baby’s growth and development—NOT ME.  Baby will come when it needs to come.  And, I’m in very, very capable hands! 

The most exciting thing about this whole process is that I am not the only one involved here.  Joey and I get to share this wonderful experience together!  It’s been a major eye-opener and marriage strengthener.  Finally, after 9 + months carrying our little one around, I will get the amazing honour of seeing my husband hold our baby for the first time.  I can’t wait!

Happy Saturday!  Enjoy the break, honour God!

omitting “grace” and “faith” from the text

I was searching for verses on “grace” for a project I’m working on, and I came upon a verse that many have heard before:

• Eph 2:8-10

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.  (ESV)

I need to use a version of the verse that is easy to understand, but I don’t want to use one that twists the meaning to something “more fitting” to what I’m doing.  That would be misusing Scripture.  My two default translations happen to be the New American Standard Bible and the English Standard Version, but I was curious to see what other translations had to offer.  Here’s a broad look:

• Eph 2:8-10, New International Version 
  
  
  8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

• Eph 2:8-10, New King James Version
  
  
  8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

• Eph 2:8-10, The Message
  
  
  8 Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! 
  9 We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! 
  10 No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.

I was completely stunned when I read these verses in The Message.  He deliberately removes the words “grace” and “faith” from the text.  I understand that Eugene Peterson is trying to get away from “church jargon” to make the Bible easier to grasp, but I will not support his version as being Scripture.  God is not a teacher that waters down His “lessons” to the students’ level.  He is God Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth!  His ways are above our ways, and its our wonderful privilege to seek out His truth and His ways, to long for bigger things, deeper truths.  Any teacher will admit that in order for her students to learn, they need to be offered knowledge that is beyond their grasp—something they need to work at attaining.  It’s not cruel—on the contrary, it’s extremely loving. 

I suppose what bothers me the most is that the general public regards The Message as any other Bible.  New believers are encouraged to read it as if it is a literal translation. It’s not.  It’s a paraphrase… mortal man’s summary of God’s words.  I’m sorry, Eugene Peterson, but the TRUE Message belongs to God, and, whether you intended it or not, people are being deceived into exchanging the immortal God with “images” or “thoughts” brainstormed by humans.  In our own study of the Bible, we may be led to think about the text in some of the same ways that The Message states it, but I am completely content with relying on the Holy Spirit for that understanding.  The LORD is faithful, and His word never goes forth without accomplishing that which it was sent out to do.  That is HIS role, you know. God is a jealous God, and He jealously guards His Word.   The words of other translations of Scripture are completely understandable—we just need to actually apply our minds and rely on the Holy Spirit for understanding. 

One final thought…

I find it interesting that the world has so readily accepted this paraphrase in place of versions such as the NKJV or NASB, or even the NIV.  I doubt a re-write of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice in contemporary language would be so well accepted as the Message.  And that’s a sad thought. 

the quest for truth

Isn't it ironic that truth-the word itself-has thousands of meanings to thousands of different people? This world can't even agree on what the word means, let alone what Truth actually is.

Is it an unchangeable, unwavering object?

“The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end; there it is.”

Winston Churchill

Or simply the loudest voice among all voices?

“Truth, in matters of religion, is simply the opinion that has survived.”

Oscar Wilde 

It seems to have taken on a very distinct meaning in today's day and age. That meaning: you decide. "If it's right for you, then it's right for you. You feel good? Great! Keep at it. It simply must be true if I think it is! Maybe it's not true for you, but it is for me." This is the attitude that is prevailing in our thriving society, and it is sickening. I honestly don't understand how truth could exist if it varies for each person and if it's there only part of the time. Truth should be as unchangeable as gravity. Can you imagine if the laws of gravity reflected spineless, postmodern "truth"? Some people would float while others would be grounded, and there would never be any assurance of exactly WHEN it would kick in. The world would be in absolute chaos. Now I ask, what state is the world in today with the current understanding of truth? It is in absolute chaos.

There is one Truth, as there is one law of gravity. That truth lies within the covers of the Word of God. It is the Creator of the universe, the fallen reality of the world, and the death and resurrection of the Saviour. It is the Hope that does not disappoint. It is my sinfulness, God's holiness, and redemption.

Why does this world oppose truth so much? We have been deceived into thinking that by living our own lives for our own pleasures, we are living out our own truths. What we are really doing is celebrating our lack of Truth. Unless we earnestly seek out truth, we will continue to be fed this lie.

Seek the LORD God Almighty, who created this world for a purpose-to bring glory to Him. He exists whether you believe it or not, and He loves you. Turn from celebrating the festivities of a multitude of lies to acknowledging the truth that sets you free. Cry out, as a desperate father of a sick child did so long ago, "I do believe: help my unbelief."

Until we earnestly seek Him, we will be fed the lie that consumes us.

Valentines and Purity

Ahh, Valentines. The day that smitten lovers choose to lavish myriads of stale chocolates, cheap perfumes, and wilting flowers upon each other. Love is said to be in the air, although I would like to argue that hardly anyone really knows what "love" is anymore. It has been substituted with completely selfish lust, which leads to actions that completely disregard the fact that the other person's body should be respected as a pearl too costly to be bought. This is then justified by each person's "right" to have whatever kind of pleasure they want, whenever they want, no cost whatsoever. Purity's been drowned in a sea of self desire.

Given my blunt opinion on how love has been degraded, you might ask why I chose to belittle the sweet little sentiments that accompany Valentine's day, such as the chocolates, perfumes, and flowers. Well, this is why. Purity is the most beautiful gift you could ever give anyone you love. It comes at a high cost, requires complete sacrifice, ignores all distractions, signifies undying commitment, and demonstrates unconditional love. It is the most expensive gift a person could ever give. How can chocolates, perfume, or flowers even compare?

Isn't it ironic how the entertainment industry, which is built on everything BUT purity, pays so high?

Ethics, Morality, and Human Rights

I think that one of the most frustrating topics nowadays is that of ethics and morals. Think about it. What does "ethics" mean? Well, it's living according to what one knows to be true. I guess it seems simple enough when you put it in those terms, but really, it's more complex.

Just think about the stupidity of debating ethics in today's world. Ok. Let's see... everyone has at least some concept of what right is and what wrong is, but not necessarily what actions are right or wrong. So, we sit down and talk about what it means to live according to your morals, but that's as far as anyone can get.

I've seen this first hand in my World Issues class. We did a unit on ethics, and I think it was a complete waste of time. We talked about the meaning, and then we were given some hypothetical situations to discern what we would do in. They were mostly like this-- "Your friend steals a 50 cent comb. What do you do?" Most of the people in my class said that they would just leave it because they valued their friendship more. The teacher replied to this by saying, "So, in some small way, you're saying stealing is right." This got almost everyone a little flustered, but we moved on. It soon moved to bigger, more expensive items, and pretty soon almost everyone was saying they would do something. But then the teacher reminded them that they had said it was ok to steal the comb. Now, this could be a really good thought-provoking conversation that could aid people in making decisions, but after it was all said and done, the teacher just stood up there and shrugged his shoulders as if to say "who knows what's right?"

This was so disheartening to me! No one feels like they can speak about right or wrong because they are afraid they'll infringe on someone's rights!!! We are a spineless people. We are content to sit back and enjoy life and let everyone else enjoy life, even if their form of "enjoyment" goes against everything that has been taught in the past.

Basically, my point about this whole thing is that ethics without a foundation is pointless. You see, people feel convictions, they feel like something isn't right, but they have nothing to base it on. They only have their feelings, and feelings never find a place in a court (unless they somehow could add that to the Constitution! and that would be scary). I guess what I'm kind of thinking here is that there is no truth outside of God. Leave God out of the equation, and the only thing you can ever be convicted about is your own emotions. THUS THERE IS NO STABILITY. I get so angry when I hear someone say "well, that's right for you, and this is right for me." NO!!! How can you label anything "right" if right and wrong is left up to the individual?!?

What our world needs is to let go of our silly need for comfort, our silly need to keep our little worlds in our little bubbles. The truth is, sooner or later, that bubble will burst. And then what will we have to say for ourselves??!?