"The Word possesses such power, however seriously considered, heeded, and put into practice that it never remains barren of fruit. It always awakens new thoughts, new pleasures and devotions and cleanses the heart and it's meditations."
- Martin Luthur
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Earth Day 2010
Here's how I celebrate EARTH DAY... by giving thanks to the One who created it and sustains it... "And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good." (Genesis 1:31a)
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Symbols
Last night, some dear friends gave me this writing that really moved me. It was written by St. Ephrem the Syrian who died in 373 AD in the city of Edessa. He was "the foremost writer and theologian in the Syriac tradition" of early Eastern Christianity. He ministered among the growing congregations (of that time) in what is today Iran and Iraq.
Cut stone becomes by its suffering a bulwark for men.
In calamity and in battle it stands before him and preserves his treasures.
Wood by means of its harsh treatment resembles the cross.
It carries on the sea; it bears on dry land;
It increases by its uses and enriches by its helps.
Strong iron is weak in the fire; it is malleable and yields to human strength.
And when it had been well-beaten, it repays the one who struck it.
Noble gold is beaten without offense.
To all those who beat it, it gives its sides...
Its insult is for honor, its suffering is for glory.
And who will tell of the suffering of a grain of wheat?
Indeed, how many scourgings and afflictions it encounters.
By its torment, it gives life to its tormentors.
The crusher also abuses the cluster of grapes.
By its blood, filth is washed away; with its juice it sweetens men.
And if it ages with him, it makes him merry with its wine.
When a fruit is eaten, by means of its suffering taste pours into the mouth.,
This is a symbol of that fruit that brings to life his eaters when his body is eaten.
Incenses are cast into the fire. Their scents rise up like their good Lord
Who by means of His death exhaled the scent of His vitality.
So also when a bird beats the air... the back of the air is subjected to it,
And like a bride the bird is carried on high by the power [of the air].
So also the farmer by means of iron rends and cleaves the earth,
But she is not angered by her suffering,
Her treasures and her womb she opens up by her sufferings.
The sheep in its shame strips off its garment and cloak,
And gives all of it to its shearers,
Like the Lamb who divided His garments for His crucifiers.
So old is the teaching that its time is not known...
All these things teach by their symbols:
They open by their sufferings the treasures of their riches,
And the suffering of the Son of God is the key of His treasures.
In calamity and in battle it stands before him and preserves his treasures.
Wood by means of its harsh treatment resembles the cross.
It carries on the sea; it bears on dry land;
It increases by its uses and enriches by its helps.
Strong iron is weak in the fire; it is malleable and yields to human strength.
And when it had been well-beaten, it repays the one who struck it.
Noble gold is beaten without offense.
To all those who beat it, it gives its sides...
Its insult is for honor, its suffering is for glory.
And who will tell of the suffering of a grain of wheat?
Indeed, how many scourgings and afflictions it encounters.
By its torment, it gives life to its tormentors.
The crusher also abuses the cluster of grapes.
By its blood, filth is washed away; with its juice it sweetens men.
And if it ages with him, it makes him merry with its wine.
When a fruit is eaten, by means of its suffering taste pours into the mouth.,
This is a symbol of that fruit that brings to life his eaters when his body is eaten.
Incenses are cast into the fire. Their scents rise up like their good Lord
Who by means of His death exhaled the scent of His vitality.
So also when a bird beats the air... the back of the air is subjected to it,
And like a bride the bird is carried on high by the power [of the air].
So also the farmer by means of iron rends and cleaves the earth,
But she is not angered by her suffering,
Her treasures and her womb she opens up by her sufferings.
The sheep in its shame strips off its garment and cloak,
And gives all of it to its shearers,
Like the Lamb who divided His garments for His crucifiers.
So old is the teaching that its time is not known...
All these things teach by their symbols:
They open by their sufferings the treasures of their riches,
And the suffering of the Son of God is the key of His treasures.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Dilemma
Okay, this post is completely in jest. A friend sent me some funny pictures today and I had to pass them on. I'll share them in the form of two questions...
1. Should I get a dog?
2. Or, should I have children?
Come what may, Liz and I are happy we went with option #2!
1. Should I get a dog?
2. Or, should I have children?
Come what may, Liz and I are happy we went with option #2!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Back to Reality
My wife and I just returned from a wonderfully relaxing, week-long holiday consisting mostly of napping on a sunny beach in Mexico. I won't lie; it was glorious. To save you from needing to repent of a covetous attitude, I won't say any more.
On the way back to the airport, Liz looked at me and smiled as she sighed, "Well, back to reality." I thought about it and said, "Yes, but what a great reality it is..." Our 10 month old son, Titus. Our home. Our family. Our church. Our friends. Etc., etc., etc...
Yeah, Liz and I enjoyed a great time away, but we both agree we love "our reality" and are ready to get back to it.
On the way back to the airport, Liz looked at me and smiled as she sighed, "Well, back to reality." I thought about it and said, "Yes, but what a great reality it is..." Our 10 month old son, Titus. Our home. Our family. Our church. Our friends. Etc., etc., etc...
Yeah, Liz and I enjoyed a great time away, but we both agree we love "our reality" and are ready to get back to it.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Light the Lamps of the Past
I was encouraged by reading Spurgeon's devotional this morning. Referring to the times in life when it's difficult to see God's faithfulness in the present, he says...
"Go back, then, a little way to the choice mercies of yesterday, and though all may be dark now, light up the lamps of the past, they shall glitter through the darkness, and thou shalt trust in the Lord till the day break and the shadows flee away."
-- Post From My iPhone
"Go back, then, a little way to the choice mercies of yesterday, and though all may be dark now, light up the lamps of the past, they shall glitter through the darkness, and thou shalt trust in the Lord till the day break and the shadows flee away."
-- Post From My iPhone
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
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.
"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.
Friday, April 24, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
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.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
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
-- Posted From My iPhone
Sunday, March 29, 2009
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...
Saturday, March 21, 2009
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
-- Posted From My iPhone
Friday, March 13, 2009
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!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
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!
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!
Monday, March 9, 2009
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.
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.
Friday, March 6, 2009
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!
Monday, March 2, 2009
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...
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)
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
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?
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?
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