The Way of Faith

I've been writing the monthly devotional for our women's newsletter at church, so I thought I might post it on my blog as well.

I heard a preacher on the radio many years ago say, “The Christian life is primarily a life of faith.” So true! We like to attach many good (and even Godly) things to the Christian life, but when it really comes down to it, the Christian life is primarily a life of faith. Scripture says that Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. In other words, faith and obedience do not just go together, they are intertwined and cannot be separated. Obedience without faith is legalism, while faith cannot produce any other fruit but obedience.

Our guideline for living is the Bible, but it does not outline word for word every decision with which we will be faced. We face many things in life in which we will have to depend on the leading of the Holy Spirit and make a decision in faith, although God’s Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit never contradict each other.

It is easy, being the insecure human/fallen people we are, to be plagued with self-doubt. Was I right to take that job? Were we right to make that move? Should we have done it that way with our children? The answer is found in faith. Did I take that job in faith? Did we make that move in faith? Did we raise our children in that way in faith?

God honors a heart of faith. A person willing to go out on a limb and risk it all for the sake of Christ is counted as righteousness. One of many Biblical proofs of the value of faith is found in Hebrews chapter 11. Contained there, is story after story, life after life, honored in the pages of Scripture because of their faith.

We will make mistakes in this life. It is part of our sin-nature and our sin-fallen world. But we will not regret the decisions made in faith.

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him. – Hebrews 11:6

Sola fide – By Faith Alone!

Flashback Friday

I've seen this idea of "Flashback Friday" on a lot of blogs and thought it was a great idea. I doubt I'll do it every Friday because I don't have that many pictures - we were late to get in on the digital pictures thing, but I think it's fun from time to time to take a look back at my kids and where we were.

This was Peter two years ago. He was just over a year old and he loved to stand at the sliding glass door and look outside. He wasn't walking yet, but he was pulling up all the time.

These colorful balls came from a helicopter toy that Isaac plays with now. These pictures remind me that Isaac will be at this point in NO TIME!

Have a great weekend!

Warning! Naked Baby Pictures

I'm realizing that I'm one of those people that seem to blog in spurts. Not much has been happening around here lately, so I haven't had anything to post - which is weird because I go to bed every night exhausted from keeping up with three younguns all day! I guess daily living can be busy and boring all at the same time when you're a mom.

Anyway, poor Isaac has been dealing with some bad diaper rash the last few days (probably because of teething), so we've been letting him have some "air baths" to help heal his little tushie. He has thoroughly enjoyed this naked time.

I really debated about whether to post this next picture. One day, Isaac will be 15 and he may hate me for putting such a picture of him on the internet of all things. But, I decided that since I suffered through pregnancy and delivery for his sake then that gives me certain rights and one of those rights is to post adorable pictures that just wouldn't be right not to share:)

Alana wanted her hair in braids the other night for church and when she was all ready, Tom said she looked like a German school-girl. We've been calling her "Gretchen" ever since.

Have a good week!

Isaac - 7 Months

Oh my goodness!! Look who turned 7 months old on Saturday.

Our Mr. Chubbs is still a total delight at 7 months. He sleeps great at night - about 8:30 to 8:30 at night and a morning nap of about an hour and a half and an afternoon nap of about 2 hours. He has completely dropped the evening catnap. His great sleeping (especially naps) has been a bit disturbed the last few weeks because of teething, but I think he'll do better when these new teeth break through and give him some relief. He has the two bottom teeth, but it's the four uppers he's working on right now. In fact, I caught a glimpse of one of the new teeth broken through just this morning.

Isaac's appetite is still strong. That never seems to change for him - teething or not. He can hold his own bottle now, but I try not to let him too often because he just plays with it. Sometimes I can tell that he's starting to lose interest in the bottle, especially when Alana and Peter are close by. He would much rather interact with them than eat quietly so I have to work at keeping them busy with something else while I'm feeding him. Isaac is doing great with solids. He's had all the stage 1 foods and we're gradually moving into stage 2. I'm looking forward to giving him "real" table food in another month or so. I think he'll enjoy things like mashed potatoes and yogurt.

Being the third, Isaac has the wonderful advantage of being thoroughly entertained all the time. I used to worry what I would do with three, but I didn't realize how many things are actually easier because the older ones entertain the younger one without even trying. Isaac loves to sit in his exercauser or his Johnny-Jump and watch his sister and brother. He has also recently found his voice and yells pretty often. Most of the time he's just talking, not fussing, although it sounds like fussing. Tom and I have wondered why he yells to talk, but we think it's just because there's so much noise in our house that he has to be loud to be heard. Also, I think being loud may be part of his make-up. I can see some early glimpses of Isaac's personality and I have the feeling he's going to be ALL BOY - loud, rough, strong and super-duper silly.

It's funny to watch the differences in my two boys. Peter is all boy too, but he has an extremely tender nature. He is very sensitive - about himself and also about others. He doesn't want to hurt anyone's feelings for anything. Isaac strikes me as just a lover of fun. I guess we'll see.

My mom bought Isaac this hand teething ring and he LOVES it. Every time we look at him, he has it in his mouth.

Isaac is such a joy and I'm so grateful to the Lord for the privilege of being his mama.

Isaac's Christmas

Isaac spent Christmas just taking it all in.

He really liked his new toys - they made for great chewing:)

He also enjoyed chewing on a spoon during Christmas dinner.

I can hardly believe Christmas is over. I'm trying to adjust back to real life again. It's hard. I enjoy having Tom home, eating junk, sleeping in, watching movies, playing with our kids, looking at the Christmas lights..... But, I have to remind myself, it will be here again before I know it!

Christmas Morning - 2011

I think these pictures are pretty self-explanatory:)

The mess!:)

More to come....