Silence of the Lamb of God

Silence. The lack of sound or noise. Ahhh, not a peep. Silence is golden.

Seeing as we have a 2-year-old, we wouldn't know much about that word. But the Lord has been pressing a concept on my heart this week regarding silence in our spiritual lives and the times when seemingly God is not traceable in our midst. In a noisy crowd, it is often difficult to make out anything intelligibly strung together. So many distractions and voices compete for our attention. But silence and quiet voices are different. They cause us to tune our ear closely in order to hear any sound whatsoever. Why are we so surprised when we go through times where God's voice is difficult to discern? Isn't it those times when He is drawing us closest to Him? He is giving us the opportunity to tune out the distractions that surround us and calibrate the cochlea of our hearts to His frequency alone. How? By making himself so faint that He almost seems silent, so that we have to block out all other noises to hear the timeless wisdom only He can give. If God threw himself out there as another loud voice in the crowd, how could we distinguish? He is found in that still, small voice known as the Holy Spirit. The Bible puts it this way, in the form of a promise: "Be still and KNOW (emphasis mine) that I am God." Psalm 46:10
Also, this silence may cause us to cry out saying "God, where are you? I can't hear you!" And thus begins the dialogue God likes to call "prayer". One would like to think that God wouldn't have to resort to this to get one to call upon Him, but trust me, I'm sure I've been there!! Remember the game we played as kids "Marco, Polo"? God does not mind playing Polo. He is pleased with whatever it takes for us to find Him, even calling out to Him until we hear Him call back.

This week was our state's Children's Week and Dylan enjoyed a festival-like atmosphere at preschool each day he went. This picture is from Wacky Day where the kids were supposed to dress wacky. In case the pic isn't clear, he had an inside-out t-shirt, rolled up sweat pants, one red and one orange sock, and swim shoes!

This week we also began a new series known as Adventures in Potty Training. So far we have wet in 6 pairs of pants and underwear. Mom has washed the couch cushions twice and mopped up the floor three times. But there have been many more moments showing positive promise...we have had countless M&M's for successful attempts. When I saw what is in the picture below, I was a little unsure of how this would go. But so far, so good for a kid who'd rather pee in his pants than use the potty, and a Mom and Dad who are being as consistent as they can but both work full-time! Tune in next time for more fun in the Adventures in Potty Training!

A poem

Help me to remember, God

Help me to remember, God, when he’s tall and twenty-three

that arms now strong and muscular at one time cuddled me.

Help me to remember, God, when he says it’s me who’s wrong

his breath once tickled on my neck as I sang him a song.

Help me to remember, God, when we don’t see eye to eye

before he used to fall asleep he’d kiss me then he’d sigh.

Help me to remember, God, when I see a man in him

a little boy once filled his shoes, ‘twas I who buckled them.

Help me to remember, God, though when he’s on his own

how small he may have started out, but Oh how much he’s grown!

~J. Raburn

It feels like spring...finally

We spent some time outside this weekend, enjoying the nice temps and the lack of ran! Hurray! Hope you enjoy.

On my mind...

Today's question is the old proverbial one of "Do I keep hearing certain things b/c they're on my mind, or are they on my mind b/c I keep hearing them?" But anyways, God placed some things on my heart I'd like to share with you. These came out of my Beth Moore study a few days ago regarding Psalm 123.

She raised the question that we are so often afraid to ask: "Who is God that we should obey Him as servants?" The answer is that God invites us to get to know Him for who he really is. To "taste and see that He is good". He has nothing to cover up - the more we learn of HIm, the better he tastes -- and the more we want to serve Him. Beth put it this way: He does not call us to worship and serve ignorantly and stumble before him blindly.

Also enlightening was the fact that God was just as intentional about what He didn't tell us in Scripture as what He did; He's as wise in what He's hidden as in what He's disclosed. The hidden is what often brings us to chase closely after Him.

God is not just a rescue god or an entertainment god. We are called to see Him as he really is...through the eyes of the Word and through Jesus Christ. I loved this quote from Eugene Peterson:

"We would soon become contemptuous of a god whom
we could figure out like a puzzle or learn to use like a tool.
No, if God is worth our attention at all,
he must be a God we can look up to --
a God we must look up to...
The moment we look up to God
(and not over at him, or down on him)
we are in the posture of servitude"

Somehow I found comfort in all this; I guess to think that God is intentional in the things He leaves hidden brings me hope...that he will reveal what I need to know clearly and in due time, either through the Scriptures or through the communication borne out of a relationship based on faith. I hope this touches your heart.

Family fun on Easter

We had a wonderful but cold Easter afternoon at Nana's house. Dylan enjoyed finding "Easter Legs" but after about 3 of them said "Wanna go swing?" Ah, the attention span of a 2 year old.

Easter's cross

Phil 3:7-8 “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ…”

Probably my favorite hymn is “The Wonderful Cross”. The words contained within it, while brief, are powerfully packed with sentiment.

When I survey the wondrous cross

On which the prince of Glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss

And pour contempt on all my pride.

When I think about what my greatest life gifts are, aside from my salvation, I would have to say my sweet son, my loving husband, and my gracious family definitely rank up there. But even the “richest gain” that is mine through having these the Bible says is as a “loss” when compared to the greatness of knowing Christ Jesus through His sacrifice. Similarly, the things I am most proud of in life are worthy only of being seen as contemptuous, unworthy, dislikable when held up next to the beauty of the cross. As you celebrate this Easter, take time to stand in awe of the cross and what Calvary means for us. Oh the wonderful cross! The Psalmist said it this way: “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.” Psalm 139:6


I spent part of today getting my spring planting done. Each year I look forward to adorning my front yard with annuals to celebrate the arrival of warm weather. It brings me joy to see the bountiful colors that God has provided us come to life after a long cold winter. It is like a perpetual promise which yet again holds true. I have to think that Heaven is somewhat of an "eternal Spring season", with plants in continual bloom and mild temperatures -- and Jesus, who is our perpetual promise, forever reigning in truth and light. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

A Big Surprise

It is been just plain difficult for me to blog lately (last posting on 3/8 I think) because I've been so busy! Probably just busy being busy -- but busy nonetheless. We experienced an action-packed weekend and are enjoying a few relaxing days together with extended family. My parents came down Friday to spend some time with us and we have been enjoying the mild weather. Don't be alarmed by the striking resemblance between Lance Armstrong and the boy in the photo below. It is just Dylan. Although, if he starts his biking career at age 2, maybe he will have a shot at being Lance-like! Saturday we attended a parenting seminar at our church put on by none other than my dad. It was a great event and I personally learned alot, including a systematic way to approach discipline. If you ever hear of an opportunity attend or read anything by the National Center for Biblical Parenting, I highly encourage it -- you won't be disappointed and you'll learn how to reach the heart of your child.
Saturday evening we put on a surprise birthday party for Tim. Is lying to your spouse really wrong? If so, I am quite guilty. I did my best to keep the lies small, or at best to keep him in the dark about some things. But as Saturday night grew closer, it just became harder and harder to keep it a surprise! We went to our former church for what he thought was a birthday party for one of the teens from our old youth group...and SURPRISE the joke was on him. Now, I'm not at liberty to say which birthday this was for him, but pictures can speak a thousand words. I can hear you now, honey -- I love you too. Sunday was not a day of rest for Tim...he spent it filling a pulpit both morning and night. He wouldn't have it any other way, of course. He really enjoys preaching whenever he can. It was nice for my family to get to hear him preach. He did an excellent job and God used him to bring certain elements in the Old Testament to life for me. This morning I awoke to find that...I couldn't awake! Or at least I couldn't open my left eye because it was crusted over. Ah, Pink Eye...the gift that keeps on giving (and gives to almost everyone it meets). Tim came down with it so long ago that we didn't think he was contagious anymore. But there we go, not thinking again. So, I got to work from home which was a blessing in disguise. I was able to spend more time with Mom & Dad, albeit in 2-5 minute intervals when I wasn't taking call! Oh well, it is better than being away for 12 hours.
Dylan is off to spend a few days with Grammy and Poppy. Tim and I will have to work, but look forward to spending some time together...just the 2 of us. I hope to get caught up on 'things' around the house, do some spring cleaning, and hopefully get the first of this year's pedicures!