Tate Farms Punkin' Patch

Today we went to Tate Farms Punkin' Patch in Meridianville, AL. The pictures are proof that we had a wonderful time!

Dylan's First Bible Verse

As promised, here is the actual footage!!

And a really sweet picture...

Thoughts from The Word

This morning I found myself in I John for my Bible study. I was actually in a hurry to read these verses, answer my devotional question, and move on to the next one in Lies Women Believe. But I found myself drawn to I Jn 1:9, and the more I read it and thought about it, the more it came to life. Now, I'm no Bible scholar (that would be my husband :) or commentator but I do know what I gleaned from this passage.
I Jn 1:9 - If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unfrighteousness.
I think the reason this caught my attention is because it seems to have elements of contradiction in it. Knowing that the Bible is infallible and that it is truth, I took a closer look. The words "faithful" and "just", at first glance, appear to be opposites. Faithfulness, when it come to forgiving sins, tends to imply unconditional love and favor toward us who are undeserving. "Just" or justice, when it comes to sins, tends to imply punishment and getting what we deserve. I have read this verse so many times yet never stopped to dwell on each adjective. It was almost as if I read them together so many times and so fast that they became a new word" 'faithfulandjust"! But seperating them back out brought them new life to me.
So how can God be faithful and just when it comes to sins? In order for Him to be faithful to forgive our sins, He had to bring about justice through someone else. God's supreme character demands (and I say deserves!) holiness. In His sovereignty, He set forth a universe with the sole purpose to glorify Himself unto that holiness. That universe turned its back on Him and left Him unglorified. A price had to be paid for that eternal mistake. And since we were the offenders, we should be the ones to pay. "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved." Eph 2:4-5. God offered up His son as a payment for the price of that eternal mistake. God's wrath toward our mistakes was satisfied in the punishment of Jesus Christ - namely his death. There is the "just" component of our verse.
With Jesus having taken our blame through his substitutionary death ("and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world." I Jn 2:2), God can now show His favor toward us through the redemption of our souls (salvation), eternal life, and forgiveness of sins. There is the "faithful" component of our verse.
Though at first this Scripture may have seemed "old hat" to me, I found (once again) that there is life in every verse. "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul and spirit, joints and marrow, as it judges the thoughts and purposes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

Prayer for this Fall season

I saw this prayer on the DaySpring site and thought it was too good not to share:

There is so much happening in our world right now.

In the midst of it all, it's so good to know You're in control,

Your love is never-ending, and You provide for us.

As the trees turn colors, and the nights grow cooler,

may we be reminded that every season of our lives

is a part of Your loving plan.

Amen.

~Holley Gerth

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Recent pics

Here are a few pictures from some recent visits with my parents. This first picture says it all: "From generation to generation -- Roll Tide!"

Update

For those of you who have been waiting, praying, and wondering...I wanted to give an update on Tim's venture into Military Chaplaincy. It has been a month since I last posted about it and I wanted to write something so you could know where things stand...and so I could thank you for your prayers and words of care-

We thought everything was "sealed up" in the envelope, so to speak, and was on its way to the recent Chaplain Accessions (sp?) board meeting. However, we recently learned that a single portion of the paperwork had not made it in time for the board hearing. So...that means that Tim's packet, or envelope, will have to wait until the next board meeting in early November.
We are unsure how this affects his timetable for training, etc. but for now we can do nothing but wait. We are truly on God's timetable. It has been an interesting process to say the least! At times, we sit on 'go' and at other times we just sit. It seems like we stand still for a few weeks, then we run forward 3-4 steps, and then stand still again. I'm sure it is all preparation and training for what's ahead, though. Please continue to lift us up in prayer as we wait and continually petition the Lord for wisdom...and as we pray for stamina for the race/walk ahead.

Now for some braggin' time! :) I'm sure you've all seen the YouTube video out there of the cute little asian girl singing the Lord's prayer. It is adorable and boy, does she belt it out!! Well, Dylan has joined the ranks of Toddler Theology Stars with his first Scripture memorization!! That's right, he can recite the following verse:
"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth Genesis 1:1"
Thanks to AWANA Puggles and a little help from Mom & Dad, Dylan has been saying this quite frequently. I wish you could hear him say it - it is, of course, adorable. When he says Genesis 1:1, it comes out "jennis wowon"! Maybe I can get techno-savy and record & post-it on my blog...maybe;)

We are so proud of you, Dylan! We pray that as you grow the Bible will be something you truly cherish as you learn:
"Your word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119:11
God, please help us as parents to remember the Scriptures are vital to a child's well-being and to:
"Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 11:19