Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Leprechaun Traps?

I had bever heard of such a thing! And while me dear friend Shelly, whom I have known since Kindergarten, was complaining about having to make one, the prospect was intriguing to me! To be fair, she has 5, public schooled children and she is a wonderful, active, involved Mom. So multiply all the silly, time wasting projects kids (read:parents) get assigned by 5 and she has certainly done more than her fair share!

Today is raining like crazy, and I have off. Kenny III is at his new home, with a new family, and so it is just me and my girls. While they were sleeping (till Noon, no less) I ran out to Target to gather some supplies. Upon returning home I asked the girls if they wanted to make Leprechaun Traps. Kyleigh's eyes lit up and she literally jumped up and down and ran to get whatever she thought would be useful. Jessie, in true teenage fashion, rolled her eyes and looked at me like I had 4 heads. Then I reminded her that if there were no trap the Leprechaun's would have no effort to reward. She, ever her mother's daughter, replied "The leprechaun's have been good to me already, no need for more." Smartass! But, she must have had a change of heart, as she is happily creating away with her sister. Jessie is utilizing her physics skills to build a ladder! Kyleigh says she will build stairs out of Legos.

I am so blessed to have this time with my kids, building memories and traditions, however silly they may be.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

No Spring Fever here!

Parents, teachers and children alike are all complaining about being cooped up inside during these new days of sunshine and warmer weather. Once again I am reminded of how blessed we are to have made this life for ourselves.
Our days have been spent walking through our towns, taking beach walks in search of treasure (and seals), playing tennis, riding bikes and enjoying the warming sun. Even more special, is that we are able to do these things all together (or not, as is sometimes the choice). It is so much fun to watch the kids discover the first bulbs peeking through the ground, or spot the first robin of the season. As we were walking last week Kenny III noticed the first osprey returning. What a glorious sight!
I am also grateful, as we experience the first night of daylight savings time, that my kids can sleep till they're done. We have a full day planned today, of bike rides and tennis and a little produce shopping then an evening of homemade pizzas and a movie.
I love spending these times with my kids, and try to be as thankful as possible for each moment.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

"You can't preach the Bible without preaching the hatred of God." 2006 quote from Westboro Baptist Church founder Fred Phelps, in a CNN interview.

Westboro Baptist Church is a disgrace to Bible believing, Christ following Christians. I John 4:20 tells us "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?" The "hatred of God" is not supported by the Bible. There are several Old Testament verses in which God professes His hatred of sinners and of sin itself. However, this cannot be said of the New Testament.

We are commanded to love one another, and to preach the good news. God tells is if we hate our brother we are murderers, and no murderer has eternal life in Him!

Certainly God hates sin, and I am in no way suggesting that we turn a blind eye to sin or to sinners. But God, in His infinite wisdom, has given us a very clear prescription for dealing with the sin (and sinners) among us. Nowhere in Matthew 18 does God tell us to disrupt a grieving family or picket funerals.

Let us all love our enemies, bless those who curse us and do good to those who hate us. Let's show Westboro Baptist Church the True God of Love, the One who Heals broken hearts and mends erroneous ways.

Lord prepare me, to be a sanctaury. Pure and Holy, Tried and True.
With Thanksgiving, I'll be a living, sanctuary, for You.