I Change Not

Today, a friend encouraged me with a quote from Charles H. Spurgeon. I looked up the post in its entirety and was encouraged all the more...

"I am the Lord, I change not." – Malachi 3:6

It is well for us that, amidst all the variableness of life, there is One whom change cannot affect; One whose heart can never alter, and on whose brow mutability can make no furrows. All things else have changed-all things are changing. The sun itself grows dim with age; the world is waxing old; the folding up of the worn-out vesture has commenced; the heavens and earth must soon pass away; they shall perish, they shall wax old as doth a garment; but there is One who only hath immortality, of whose years there is no end, and in whose person there is no change. The delight which the mariner feels, when, after having been tossed about for many a day, he steps again upon the solid shore, is the satisfaction of a Christian when, amidst all the changes of this troublous life, he rests the foot of his faith upon this truth-"I am the Lord, I change not."

The stability which the anchor gives the ship when it has at last obtained a hold-fast, is like that which the Christian’s hope affords him when it fixes itself upon this glorious truth. With God "is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." What ever his attributes were of old, they are now; his power, his wisdom, his justice, his truth, are alike unchanged. He has ever been the refuge of his people, their stronghold in the day of trouble, and he is their sure Helper still. He is unchanged in his love. He has loved his people with "an everlasting love"; he loves them now as much as ever he did, and when all earthly things shall have melted in the last conflagration, his love will still wear the dew of its youth. Precious is the assurance that he changes not! The wheel of providence revolves, but its axle is eternal love.

Here's a Clue...

Here's a clue that you're experiencing technological over-saturation...
You sign on to Facebook with your iPhone, then hold it up to your ear to hear your messages. And look at it twice because you wonder why you're not hearing anything.

Here's a clue that you're too deep in thought...
You drive into you driveway, press your garage door opener, and wonder why your neighbor's garage door is going up. Yep, you pulled into the wrong driveway.

Here's a clue that you have too many mobile control devices...
You arrive at work, and as you're walking toward the office door you're clicking your car remote to unlock it. Repeatedly.

These are true life experiences in a week of a sleep-deprived new father (who is loving every minute of it). Thank you for reading.

Goodness In A Dish

Okay, I have to give credit to whom credit is due. A couple years ago, Liz and I got this great recipe from Rachel Ray. Well, not personally, but from her magazine! ;-) It had been a while, so I made it last night for dinner. Mm, Mm, Mmmm! I posted a picture of it and a few friends asked for the recipe, so here it is. BLT Rigatoni. Sorry, I can't tell you the calorie count. But who wants to think about that, anyway?! Let me know how you like it...



INGREDIENTS
- 1/4 pound pancetta or bacon, cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 4 ripe tomatoes, cored and cut into a large dice
- Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
- 3/4 pound rigatoni, cooked until al dente
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1 bunch arugula (about 2 cups), tough stems removed, leaves coarsely chopped
- 3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS
1. In a medium skillet, cook the pancetta over medium heat until crisp, about 6 minutes. Drain on paper towels and coarsely chop.
2. In a medium saucepan, heat the 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the wine, bring to a simmer and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, season to taste with salt and pepper and simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 20 minutes.
3. In a large bowl, combine the cooked rigatoni with the sauce. Add the pancetta, basil and arugula; toss. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with the cheese.

Lamb Butter?

This is one of the weirdest things I've seen since moving up north from Oklahoma. But it seems pretty normal to everyone in the Chicago area. Hmmm. They also do Lamb Cakes. The first time I heard someone talking about it, I thought it was a cake made out of a lamb (gross). No, it's just a cake in the shape of a lamb.

Asleep in Daddy's Arms

Making an entrance into the world is quite exhausting! All three of us are napping. It's just that Daddy and Mommy don't look quite as cute when they sleep as baby Titus does...




-- Posted From My iPhone

Here Comes Baby!

Because of Liz's high risk for blood clotting, the doctor wants to monitor labor and delivery as closely as possible. This week is week #39 so the baby is healthy and ready to come. We arrived at Lutheran General Hospital about an hour ago. Liz is doing well - cool, calm, and collected. I think I am, too. It's all very surreal! The induction process will begin sometime this evening, so Baby Hinkle will be here soon. We can't wait for you to meet our Little One...

Perspective

We're making final prep for Baby Hinkle's arrival. I looked at the changing station and saw these "napkins.". Then I realized that those "napkins" are really diapers. I asked Liz, "Are these for real?!" So tiny. Just another reminder of this sweet small one that's about to change our lives forever...




-- Posted From My iPhone

Stressed? Try Waving.

This brochure caught my eye as I was leaving Tacos el Norte, my regular Wednesday lunch spot. I couldn't resist picking it up. Maybe I'll give it a try? ...nah!

If You Think God Is Ignorant...

Do you think God stands far away? Do you think He hides Himself in times of trouble?
When you see the poor pursued and seized...
...the innocent murdered....
...the helpless crushed, sunk down, and fallen.

God does see. He notes mischief and vexation and will take it into His hands.
He will break the arm of the wicked and evildoer...
...call wickedness into account until there is no more...
...incline His ear to do justice for the fatherless and the oppressed...

Read Psalm 10 today and let it cultivate trust in the faithfulness and sufficiency of our God.
He does not forget the afflicted...
...is the helper of the fatherless...
...hears their desires and strengthens their hearts...
...is King forever and ever!

Three Technological Tools

I've never been a big reader. One of my younger sisters, Elizabeth, could spend an entire week doing nothing but reading and never get bored. That's not me. Not to say that I never read; I do! It just takes a certain amount of discipline. Here are three technological tools I've found that have been helping me read more regularly...

Google Reader. Using this, I can subscribe to blogs I like to read and it gathers them all in one place so I don't need to keep checking multiple websites. I've recently discovered Abraham Piper's blog, 22 Words. Check it out.

The Amazon Kindle app for my iPhone. Now I can get books downloaded directly on my iPhone, bypassing the need for a $339 Kindle device (although it would be cool to have). Books cost less, no shipping fees, and I can begin reading in a matter of minutes. I just started Death by Love: Letters from the Cross (Mark Driscoll).

Audio books on iTunes. Even cheaper than Kindle, I can now listen to a book read anywhere that I can take my iPod. Currently I'm listening to Battling Unbelief: Defeating Sin With Superior Pleasure (John Piper) while I'm on the treadmill at the gym.

25 Things I Hate About Facebook

My sister sent this to me last week. What I've seen of this guy is pretty funny. This video is brilliant!

The Mystery of Godliness

Our small group just began studying 1st Timothy, and last night's discussion was the overview of the entire letter. Great content (but then, isn't that true of the entire Bible?). Very much looking forward to it. Some potentially controversial issues lie within, but I'm praying God will lead us and that we will have hearts to hear what His Word says. It will be "all good."

Right now my favorite part of the book (and I'm sure that will change week to week) is the beautifully poetic exposition of the gospel that Paul recites immediately following his purpose for writing (3:14-15). He calls it the mystery of godliness. I don't have any brilliant commentary to share; the gospel is brilliant on it's own...

"Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:
He was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated by the Spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
believed on by the world,
taken up in glory."
(1 Timothy 3:16)

Mmm, Saucy!

Is a caption even necessary?

Help A Daddy Out!

Technically, I guess you could say that I already am a father. Though Liz and I haven't met Baby Hinkle face to face yet, he/she is very much alive, reminding Mommy of his/her existence through a steady display of gymnastics!

But the anticipated arrival of Baby Hinkle, and my official title of "Daddy", is roughly 5 weeks away. By God's grace, I will be strive to be the best father I can be. I think that part of learning to be one is just the practical experience of doing it, but another BIG part is learning from others. What to do. What not to do. What works. What didn't.

So, I'm asking you to help a Daddy out! It doesn't matter if you are one or not; we've all had a father or been impacted by one. So, using only a couple sentences, what is your best advice for a new Daddy?

The Holiest Bible?

One of the features of my new iPhone that I'm geeked about right now is the ESV Study Bible app.  I picked up a hard copy last fall at a conference (which I have thoroughly benefited from) and this little app has all the notes, maps, charts, etc. in it - all at my fingertips and at a fraction of the weight!  I've been enjoying reading and studying from it the past couple weeks, and really finding fresh joy in the Scripture (that sounds a little funny to say).  And yes, joy in God's Word, not in technology!

Last night during our small group, the discussion turned to the pros and cons of using an "electronic" version of the Bible (like on my iPhone) rather than a "hard copy".  For example, is it more beneficial to read from an actual book rather than a mobile device?  Am I losing something by clicking buttons rather than turning pages?  Am I making God's Word "common" by using it on the same device as I do to make calls or find the nearest Starbucks?  Is it better, more holy, or more profitable when read from a printed copy?  Or is the Word of God just as powerful and life-changing, no matter what form it's in (spoken, handwritten, printed, etc)?  Doesn't  it really depend on the heart of the reader who is interacting with it?

Another friend and I were talking about it this morning, and acknowledged many possible views on the matter.  I decided that I'm curious to know what more people think about this.  So, what are your thoughts about the benefits/disadvantages of reading and studying the Bible in electronic form as a primary source, be it on the internet or an app for a mobile device?

Saving Faithfulness

"But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness." (Psalm 69:13)

I'm happy to report that Liz has been released from the hospital this afternoon to come home. Our little pre-born Baby Hinkle is safe and healthy, and so is Liz. Because of the deep clotting in her left leg (the right leg is clear) she will be on a blood-thinner until delivery and up to 6 weeks after. The hematologist will continue to do some tests (pre and post labor) to determine the actual cause of the clotting. We meet with him and the obstetrician next week.

For now Liz will be at home resting and not going back to work, at least for the rest of this week. We'll see about next week, depending on the pain. We are hoping that the swelling will steadily decrease and the pain will subside. Other than that discomfort, Liz is doing as well as can be expected. She is weary from dealing with everything but is in good spirits, as usual. Her parents were able to make the 8 hour drive through the night, and will be with us for a while to help out. Already, it's been a relief having them here; they are a blessing.

Again, thank you for praying for Liz and Baby Hinkle. This means more to us than we can express. Thanks for your messages. This morning, I read to Liz the list of facebook posts, both public and private, from you all, as well as the texts, emails, and voicemails. We are humbly grateful for you and for the fact that God, in the abundance of his steadfast love, has answered us in his saving faithfulness.

Update on Liz

I know that many of you have been praying for Liz, and we are so grateful for your care and concern. Thank you! I wish I could talk to each of you, but I think posting an update here will be more expedient...

For the past week Liz has been experiencing a good deal of pain and swelling in her left leg. The doctor thought this was due to the baby sitting on a nerve. We went to the doctor this afternoon because the pain was persisting and they did an ultrasound of her leg. They found deep vein clotting all throughout her upper left leg so they sent us immediately to a hospital that specializes in high-risk pregnancies/births (Lutheran General in Park Ridge, IL). She'll be 33 weeks pregnant tomorrow.

We've been here since about 4:30pm Bottom line, the baby is healthy and fine. Strong heartbeat and plenty of movement. But they will be keeping Liz here resting for the next few days. They have started her on a blood-thinner and the hope is that this will remove the clotting. She is still in some pain but the swelling has gone down a bit.

I'm not sure what's next. We'll probably know more when we speak with the doctors in the morning. Please continue to pray! If you know Liz at all you know she is one strong woman and has really been a trooper. We know that we are held securely by Jesus, so we are praying for God to increase our trust in His sovereign care.

Thank you again for praying and calling. I'll send another update soon. Peace to you...

A Letter to Baby Hinkle

Oh, Baby Hinkle, you have so much going for you... You have parents who love each other and who have made Jesus the center of their home. They are so happy that God is entrusting them with such a precious gift. And they will love you, nurture you, shelter you, defend you, and lay down their very lives for you. You have the most beautiful mother in the world; just wait until you see her! And your father will write you lullabies and sing them to you every night; have you already heard him singing? They both love to laugh, so you will have a lot of fun growing up, experiencing new and different things and living life to the fullest! Your parents were raised in families who knew and loved Jesus, and still do. And, oh, your grandparents and great-grandparents have waited quite a while for you. I assure you, you will never lack for love or attention when you are with any of them! And more than all this, you have been fearfully and wonderfully made by the Creator of the universe! He knows the number of hairs on your fuzzy little head. It is He who conducts the beating of your heart in perfect rhythm. He has already mapped out all the days ordained for you. Even now, you are being handmade by God in your mother's womb. Yes, indeed, you have so much going for you!

But, oh, Baby Hinkle, you have so much against you... This world that is waiting to greet you is one that is wounded and broken. There is heartache. There is sadness. There is pain. It is a world created in the beginning by God to be good, but because of sin there are many things in it that are not good. Yes, I know sin is a big word for such a little baby. But it’s not too soon for you to know about it. For you see, not only will you be living in a world damaged by sin, but you yourself have inherited sin, just like your mother and your father. If we could change that for you, we would, but there is nobody who can escape it. Every person has sinned and has not measured up to God’s perfect standard, and must pay the cost. Every person, that is, except one. Jesus lived a perfect life, and though He didn’t deserve it He paid the cost of sin for us so that anyone who trusts in Him will be rescued from sin to live forever with Him, just as God planned in the beginning. So while there is hope, indeed, you have so much against you!

That is why your mother and I will preach the gospel to you, teach the gospel to you, sing the gospel to you, live the gospel in front of you. Because we know firsthand that the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. Yes, we will take every opportunity we can, using every way we know how, to point you to Jesus so that you may trust in Him and be rescued from sin to live forever with Him!

Oh, Baby Hinkle, we can't wait to meet you face to face. We can't wait for the surprise to see if you are son or a daughter! We can't wait to tell you your name! And we can't wait to hold you, to figure out whose eyes and nose and mouth you have, and yes, even to change your diapers and hear you wail! You'll be here soon enough, so for now just rest and grow. And try to take it easy on Mummy these last few weeks; she's doing a lot for you, you know! We’ll see you soon…

I'll love you forever,
Daddy

peek-a-boo!

here's a peek at pre-born, mystery baby hinkle at 31 weeks inside the womb! we can't tell if this kid is shy or stubborn. we're going to go with stubborn! the technician tried about 7 times to get a good shot of the face, but this little one wouldn't move his/her hand away from the eyes.

fearfully and wonderfully made, wouldn't you say? we can't wait to meet this little one! hopefully only 8-9 more weeks!

remembering and reaching

this morning i've been swimming in psalm 143, written by david.  while the enemy is pursuing his soul, crushing his life to the ground, making him sit in darkness like those long dead (v. 3) he cries out to God, saying...

"i remember the days of old; i meditate on all that you have done; i ponder the work of your hands.  i stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land."

currently, i'm not aware of being pursued, crushed, or in left in darkness.  honestly, i feel like i'm in a "land of plenty / streams of abundance / sun shining down on me / world's all as it should be" time of life.  but i know that i can never forget to remember all that God has done - not just in my life, but his wonderful works throughout history.  i can never forget to stretch out my hands to him, to reach for him and express my dependence on him.  even in these "good times" i need to practice the discipline of remembering God's faithfulness and reaching for his sustenance.

baby butternut squash

well, it's been a while since i've posted anything. thought i'd give an update on how baby hinkle is growing...

this is week 29! our baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and the head is growing bigger to make room for a developing brain. to meet increasing nutritional demands, liz is getting plenty of protein, vitamins c, folic acid, and iron. and because the baby's bones are soaking up lots of calcium, liz is drinking lots of milk (and other good sources of calcium, like cheese and yogurt). this trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in our baby's hardening skeleton each day. fearfully and wonderfully made!

as you may or may not know, we don't know if we're having a boy or a girl! we want to be surprised! and we're keeping our name choices under wraps, too! the due date is april 7th, only 11 weeks away! we're eagerly awaiting baby hinkle's arrival!

psalm 139:13-16
"for you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
i praise you, for i am fearfully and wonderfully made.
wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
my frame was not hidden from you,
when i was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them."