My Sad Tomato Plants

As may remember (or maybe not), I ventured into the potted gardening world (that's gardening in pots rather than gardening while potted ... er... never mind) by growing three tomato plants. Unfortunately, some visitors came calling and they REALLY liked my little plants. They are called "tomato hornworms" and they look just as nasty as they sound.

The one pictured is really quite attractive compared to the ones that jumped my unsuspecting and helpless plants. I say helpless because I refused to used inseticide of any kind. That then made it necessary for me to remain ever vigilant (which I obviously did not do).

My lack of attentiveness cost me dearly. My tomato plants were stripped bare in a matter of minutes it seemed. These efficient plant killing machines left my plants devastated. Ah well -- lessons learned are hard, but rewarding -- I'll pay more attention next year.

Have you ever noticed that?

One of my joys is studying and teaching the Bible. I was preparing for teaching the Inductive Study Method this fall at Forerunner School of Ministry and decided to take the class through 1 Thessalonians. As I read through the book (one principle of the inductive study method is that you read through the book you are studying at least three times before you really start to go deep)...so as I was reading through, I noticed something interesting. Paul starts with an introduction and in those few verses, he lays out a blueprint of everything he is going to discuss in the remainder of the letter. Let me show you what I mean.

In 1:5 he talked about how the Gospel came to the Thessalonians. He even ends that verse with “…as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.” Then in 2:1-12, He expands that and talks about how he lived before the Thessalonians and even uses parental imagery, referring to himself “as a nursing mother” (2:7), and “as a father” (2:11).

In 1:6 he talked about the conversion experience of the Thessalonians. Then beginning in 2:13 he talked about how they “received the word of God” (2:13). He then goes off onto a couple of bunny trails, but those bunny trails are really preparation for what he wants to say concerning their conversion – that it’s still good! He rejoices when Timothy reports “good news of your faith and love” (3:6). So not only were they converted, but they are still converted!

In 1:7-8 Paul was impressed that they had become “examples” because they had “turned from idols to serve the living God.” He's talking about translating the conversion experience into a lifestyle of serving God. Again, in 3:11-4:12, Paul expands that topic from the introduction to talk about their conduct. He even begins this section with a prayer that they “will increase and abound in love toward one another and to all…” (3:12) He expands that by encouraging them to live in personal “holiness” (4:7), which will expand into a lifestyle that will cause them, among other things, “to walk properly toward those who are outside.” (4:12)

Finally, in 1:12 Paul refers to the fact that they “wait for His Son from heaven…” And of course, in 4:13-11 He deals with two dimensions of the second coming that are causing them concern. They wonder about those that die before Jesus returns, and they wonder if perhaps they have maybe missed the second coming since there seems to be a delay. To both of those concerns, Paul tells the Thessalonians to “comfort one another” (4:18 and 5:11).

The concluding verses are a mix of encouragements and challenges that appear to be very spontaneous and very general such as, “abstain from every form of evil” (5:22).
In the blessing, Paul covers all the same ground one more time. He deals with himself (“pray for us” 5:25), he deals with their calling (5:24); their purity and conduct (sanctify you, etc. 5:23); and he deals with the second coming (5:23).

Have you ever noticed that? Please don't tell me, "Well, duh! Sure Tom, I saw that two days after I was saved. Where have you been?"

Too good not to pass on

I don't have any comment, but this picture that someone sent to me was just too good not to pass along. This little guy has a "can do" spirit and is willing to go for it all not matter what. Let's strap on our helmets and "press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus!" (Philippians 3:14) Perhaps I did have something to say after all!

Gospel Irony

One of my favorite stories in Luke's Gospel is about the sick and dying daughter of Jairus (a synagogue leader), and the woman with the issue of blood. Here it is from Luke 8:
40 So it was, when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting for Him. 41 And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus' feet and begged Him to come to his house, 42 for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him. 43 Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, 44 came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. 45 And Jesus said, "Who touched Me?" When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, "Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'" 46 But Jesus said, "Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me." 47 Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. 48 And He said to her, "Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace." 49 While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, "Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher." 50 But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well." 51 When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. 52 Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, "Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping." 53 And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, "Little girl, arise." 55 Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat.

Is that a great story or what? Here we have a man who is probably skeptical about this Jesus fellow, but he's desperate. His daughter is sick and dying and he has heard that Jesus can heal. Relieved and excited that Jesus has agreed to go with him to take care of his daughter, Jairus must have been taken aback when Jesus suddenly stopped in the middle of the crowd. Enter a woman with an issue of blood. Jairus didn't recognize her at first, but then, he recoiled at the sight of her. She was the woman he had removed from the synagogue years ago...God was obviously judging her for some horrible sin or else she would have been healed of her bleeding. And since by her bleeding she was unclean, she had to be removed from the fellowship of the faithful. What was she doing in the crowd? This was obviously a terrible breech of the law. Jairus made a mental note. "I must deal with this as soon as my daughter is better. Okay, Jesus, let's get moving," he thought.

But Jesus wasn't moving. He was stopping to talk to this sinful woman. He was spending way too much time with her. Jairus was growing more nervous by the moment. And then he heard Jesus speak words that should have been reserved for his daughter, "Your faith has made you well."

"That's good, Jesus, now let's get moving. We are wasting valuable time on this sinful woman." At that moment, a friend of Jairus, and one that obviously didn't approve much of Jairus going to Jesus in the first place, arrived from Jairus' house and announced with disdain in his voice, "Don't bother the teacher any longer, your daughter is dead." Isn't that an amazing irony? The woman Jairus had kicked out of the synagogue years earlier was now the person responsible for delaying Jesus long enough that Jairus' daughter didn't receive the healing touch of Jesus. Instead this sinful woman had gotten the touch, and Jairus' daughter was dead.

All the color must have drained from Jairus' face. He probably felt as if someone had kicked him in the gut. Jesus saw the terror in his eyes and immediately said, "Don't be afraid. Only believe. She will be made well." And one of the neat things about this is that Jesus has just given Jairus a lesson in faith. If the faith of a woman Jairus believed to be sinful ccould make her well, then shouldn't the faith of a synagogue ruler be just as effective? And in the end, it all turned out exactly like that. The woman was healed. Jairus' daughter was raised from the dead. And my guess is that Jairus forgot all about his mental note to chastise the woman.

I love Gospel irony!

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

Wow -- here it is Thursday evening...and my last post was Monday!! Where did the time go? Well, Tuesday is always a busy (and long) day at the International House of Prayer, and Wednesday is my day to get ready for teaching on Wednesday evening. Then this week, I had an added teaching opportunity when Jen Roberts asked me to sub for her "Song of Solomon" class this morning. She didn't really want me to teach on the "Song" - instead she wanted me to teach on the "Cross." I much prefer that because I've had a little more experience teaching that than teaching the "Song." Still, it was a busy week, and I was having great fun -- I was getting to teach from the Bible. Now to some that might not float your boat...turn your crank...walk your dog...fly your plane...warm your coffee...hmmmm let's see, can I think of any more? Sure, why not? Raise your flag...start your car...ok enough already!

Also, another great thing happened this week. It was something I only imagined and I NEVER really expected it would happen. I had been praying for it for 4 years and I had almost given up hope. I had such an amazing experience in the prayer room, I just have to share it. Jon Thurlow did part of his set using... are you sitting down?...Jon Thurlow did a part of his worship set using...are you ready for this?...Jon Thurlow did part of his worship set using COUNTRY MUSIC!!!!! You go, Jon!!!!!!!!!!!

Did you see this?

I was scanning the KC Star this morning and ran across an article titled "City Has Taxing Problem." It seems that Stafford, TX (a suburb of Houston) has 51 religious institutions (the Houston Chronicle reports 55, but who's counting) in a relatively small area. Here's what the Star said, "In one short stretch, there is the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu temple, made of 3,836 tons of hand-carved Italian marble and Turkish limestone; the simple yet welcoming Family Worship Center ("A Good Place to Call Home," declares the sign); St. Johns Knanaya Syrian Orthodox Church; and the future home of the Henry David Thoreau Unitarian Universalist Congregation ("Room for Different Beliefs ... Yours," says its sign). Next door is the unadorned Islamic Society mosque; across the street is the West Side Baptist Church with its "Prayer; Wireless Access to God; No Roaming Charge" sign; and on the corner, next to an auto-parts store, stands the Jesus House Texas with its big pink cross and "Reigning in Victory" sign. And that is just one street."

At issue is the amount of land that is being used by non profit organizations - meaning, there is no land left for "paying customers." The taxable property available to the city of Stafford is shrinking and the city is thinking of putting a moratorium on more churches. Of course, there are more opinions than there are people on this issue, but what concerns me here is the Jesus House Texas with a big pink cross. Now folks, that's just plain wrong! Next thing you know the Houston Texans will be wearing pink helmets, the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs will wear pink court shoes, and the Texas Department of Public Safety will trade in their black and white super-charged Cameros for used Mary Kay pink Cadillacs.

A pink cross at Jesus House Texas -- the very idea!

A Calming Peace

I've been on a journey with 1 Peter for about a year now. I'm growing quite fond of the old boy. He wrote to a group of people in the midst of growing persecution - suffering for Jesus (something very few Western Christians have any grasp of - to me, suffering means I have to drive a car with 118,000 miles on it instead of a new Mercedes). Anyway, I'm not looking for trouble, it will come soon enough, but the more we talk about the coming chaos of tribulation, the more agitated and even fearful people become. I've even heard that some folks are going to the IHOP healing rooms for consolation and comfort as their fears grow. But that's not what I was talking about - back to 1 Peter. In my growing relationship with Peter's first letter, I have been meditating on 5:10.

"May the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you."

Appartenly, those who study the end times were not the only ones in need of a word of encouragement. The folks of Peter's day needed a calming peace, too. I love those four verbs at the end.

• May God perfect you - complete - finish the work He started in you.
• May God establish you - fix you in place - give you a firm foundation that will not be shaken when he begins to shake everything that can be shaken.
• May God strengthen you - give you the ability to lift the heaviest of burdens.
• May God settle you - calm you down when your heart is racing with fear and anxiety is about to drive you wild.

I get the picture of a child that has just been frightened by a mean dog, scooped up in his daddy's arms, as his daddy strokes his hair and quietly says, "Shhhhhhh -- it will be ok. I've got you now. Nothing can get to you now. Shhhhhhhh." And then He begins to sing softly.

We need a dose of that these days. My prayer, for all those that are experiencing a growing sense of anxiety is that the God of grace will settle you.

Waiting to Take Off

We here at the International House of Prayer live in a world where apostolic leadership is mentioned quite a bit. Last night in my class at Forerunner School of Ministry, we were discussing what it means to be an apostle - what it means to have apostolic calling and apostolic authority. Some of the students were expressing frustration that they knew they were called to be forerunners - to lead the way for a new generation to reach the world for Christ - but they were not being used. They were just sitting still hearing the same messages over and over and over, but never going anywhere. Then 1 Thessalonians came into the discussion. Paul stated that he had apostolic authority and could have made "demands" on the people of Thessalonica "as an apostle of Christ." (2:6) Instead, however, he chose a different route. He stresses a contrast. He uses 2 pictures that reveal his heart. He says that he treated them "as a nursing mother" and in that light he used words like cherish and affection and longing. (2:7) Then he leaves that image and moves to another. He says that he treated the people "as a father does his own children." (2:11) Here he uses words like exhort, comfort, and charge (challenge). And so we were able to see that God has us sitting on the runway -- holding us back -- keeping us from taking off -- until He has formed in us the heart of a nursing mother and a comforting father. Until we can view the people to whom we are called to minister with that kind of parental care, God will keep us waiting to take off. May we cooperate with Him so that we can step into the calling He has for us all -- to prepare the world for the return of the Bridegroom!

If Two Agree

I've always been curious about the way we use scripture. Matthew 18:19 comes to mind. Jesus is teaching about being reconciled to a brother. In 18:15 he lays out the complaint: "...if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone." Then Jesus prescribes a formula if the brother doesn't receive you. "... take with you one or two more..." If that doesn't work, then "tell it to the church." If that STILL doesn't work, treat him "like a heathen and a tax collector." For all of my life, I've believed that to be not a good thing. To be treated like a heathen and tax collector doesn't sound like it could be good at all. That is, unless you happen to believe that context matters. Jesus has just completed telling us why he came: "The Son of Man came to save that which was lost." Then he follows that little piece of information with the story of leaving the 99 sheep to go after the one that is lost. Now in that context, it seems that being treated as a "heathen and tax collector" would be the equivalent of being the one lost sheep -- the one that Jesus said was important! So, now what do we have? We have a relationship that is in danger of being lost, we have a man that is being treated as lost, and then Jesus says to take a couple of folks with you to rescue this lost lamb. And then comes the oft misused text, "...if two of you agree on earth concerning anything they ask it will be done for them by my Father in heaven." And not only that, "where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there in the midst of them." That verse doesn't have anything to do with a prayer meeting! Have you ever quoted it -- you know, when only two people show up and you're trying to convince yourself and your one other faithful prayer warrior that your prayers matter and that Jesus is there? Have you ever considered the implications of that way of thinking? If two of you don't show up, if it's just you by yourself, then Jesus isn't there! Now we all know that isn't true! Oh sure, it's always more fun to pray when more people show up, and there really is something significant about corporate prayer. But to invoke this verse as the proof that Jesus is there just is -- well -- not right. There, I said it. When you see this verse in it's context, you realize that Jesus is telling these brothers, "When you go to your wayward brother, go with the goal of winning him -- not rejecting or shunning him. And if you will go in that spirit, that heart attitude; if you will go and ask your brother to "come home," I guarantee that My Father in heaven will see to it that you get what you ask for! And remember this, when you go, remember that you are representing Me so don't do or say anything that will mis-represent me. And further, you are taking My power when you go -- you do not have to do this thing alone!"

One other little tip that this is about restoring a lost relationship and not about a prayer meeting: Peter immediately after this, asks about forgiveness. If this had been about rejecting a heathen and tax collector, Peter would not have asked about forgiveness. If this had been about prayer, Peter would have said, "Lord teach us to pray," instead of "how often do we forgive?"

Oh well -- enough of that for now. I just love God's Word, and I really want us to be very careful to use it the way He intended.

Blessings!

What's Next???

I was looking at the week in photos on my yahoo home page when I ran across a picture of a young Korean man wearing a silver parka, drinking a "frozen" beverage, while sitting in a "sub-zero ice bar." Curious, I googled "sub zero ice bars" and found more entries than I ever imagined. Of course, I never imagined anyone (on purpose) sitting in an establishment that keeps the temperature below zero. I found that this is the latest craze around the world. There's one in Stockholm, London, Seoul -- even St. Louis! The picture at the right is from the London bar. There is no meaning to this blog entry, I just found it very confusing. What's next in the search for "cool"???

33 Years and Counting

Tomorrow, August 11, Debbie and I celebrate 33 years of marriage. THIRTY THREE YEARS!!! Thinking back on those years, I am amazed. We've lived in 10 different houses. We've lived in 7 different cities. We lived in 3 different states. We've had four pregnancies and we have three children. Debbie miscarried in Tulsa, Oklahoma as we traveled to our first church following graduation from seminary. One day we will meet that child. Our three children are truly the joys of our life -- and then there are the "children-in-law" and the grandkids. God is so good!! I remember the first sermon I ever preached, before going off to seminary, was on a strong and lasting marriage! I was an expert! I had been married all of 8 months when I preached that message. I remember a synical man coming to me after that sermon saying, "Talk to me after 10 years and tell me if you feel the same." Well, I'm sure that man has gone on to his eternal residence by now, but if he were still around I would tell him, "Yes, I still feel the same, and then some." I didn't have a clue how much better it would be than I was able to describe after only 8 months. I could go on and on, but I will leave it at this: Thank you Debbie for 33 years of wonder and joy and peace and excitement and laughter and tears and faithfulness. And at times (probably more than she will ever admit) thank you for hanging in there by pure grit. You are precious to me and I don't tell you that nearly often enough. I love you!

Here are "Tommy's Angels" -- guess which one is the mom!!

Sounds of Silence

I returned home after 9:30 pm last evening -- I had been at the orientation for new students at Forerunner School of Ministry. The first thing I saw as I came through the door was the little red car used by Salem to ride in and to push from behind as he practiced his walking. The next thing I noticed was how quiet it was in the house. There were no child sounds -- only silence. It had been a glorious week for a granddad. Jonathan and his crew were here. We all traveled to a half-way point between Madison, Wisconsin and Kansas City to visit with Alicia, Ashley and Aria -- it was indeed a wonderful week! But then yesterday morning, I took Jonathan, et. al., to the airport for their trip back to South Carolina. Then last night, coming home to a house strewn with memories and shrouded in silence was just plain sad.

OK -- enough of that. The next thing you know I'll be writing a country / western song! It's time to move ahead and get ready for the upcoming school year. Marisa is getting back into the teaching routine (she started back Monday -- no students yet, but lots of teacher meetings), we are doing orientation for new students at Forerunner School here at IHOP, and classes start next week. I'm looking forward to the challenges of a new semester.

Did I mention how quiet it is around here? Just kidding -- I'm not going down that whiney (spell check didn't like that word) path again -- at least not for a while.

Longing to Hear His Voice

In preparation for teaching at Forerunner School of Ministry this fall, I've been reading a small book by Raniero Cantalamessa who, since 1980, has been the "Preacher to the Papal Household." I'm not sure of all that title includes, but it seems to mean that he is the primary proclaimer of God's Word (other than the Pope, himself) to everyone who works at the Vatican. The title of the book is "The Mystery of God's Word." In the opening chapter he writes this prayer: "Lord, do not allow us to run through the pages of your Bible without, somewhere, encountering you as you still move about in the paradise of your scriptures; ... may we dare to venture out on the open sea of your wisdom; send your divine breath, the Holy Spirit, so that we may indeed commit ourselves to the deep and come to you across the waters. Give us a simple heart, able to marvel and leap at the sound of your voice, as children leap to the voice of their father ... Let us hear your voice!"

As I have stated recently, Jonathan and his family have been visiting with us. They are working at the Zadok House of Prayer in Ft. Mill, South Carolina, where Jonathan is responsible for many things, one of which is training new worship leaders. His responsibilities take him away from his family quite a bit, and these few days here with us have given him a chance to spend more time with his boys. After a few days of enjoying his company almost uninterrupted, Jonathan decided to leave them behind and spend some time at the International House of Prayer. As he was closed the door, Salem, the 11 month old, realized that his daddy was leaving and crawled after him, crying big crocodile tears. In just a few days of constantly being in his dad's presence, he had grown used to it, and longed for it. He missed his dad's presence -- he missed his dad's voice!

I think that is at least partially what Father Cantalamessa is trying to express in his prayer. Time spent in the Bible is time spent with our Father. Time spent with our Father is precious because we get to hear His voice. Spending time with the Father by studying His Word will make us long for more, and make us miss it even more severely when it is absent. Draw me to Your Word, Lord, draw me to Your Word.

Now for the Pictures

Here are a few pictures of our "mini-reunion." Some are a little dark. None of the entire group (sorry about that). The last picture is Debbie's favorite!

Heidi and Salem with Alicia and Aria.

Jonathan and Heidi with Aria.

Marisa forgot to move here feet out of the way before taking a picture of Jonathan with niece Aria. Either that, or Jonathan and Aria make a nice background for a picture of Marisa's needed pedicure.

Poppa Tom with a "mo-hop" -- try that Randy!

Reunion

I just returned from a mini-family reunion. Alicia, Ashley and Aria live in Madison, Wisconsin. Jonathan, Heidi, Kai and Salem are in town from Ft. Mill, South Carolina. Amana Colonies, Iowa is as close to a mid-way point with accommodations between KC and Madison as you can find; so we loaded our group in a van borrowed from Allen Hood and headed north. The Madison branch of the family headed south and we met at the Holiday Inn Amana Colonies near Iowa City. The unique feature about this Holiday Inn is the "Wasserbahn" water park that is a part of the Holiday Inn. I've never been there, but I suspect it's similar to the Great Wolf Lodge water park here in KC. Anyway, we had a great time -- especially Kai who made enough trips down the water slide that he definitely got his money's worth.

It was also fun because Jonathan's group had never met Aria (Alicia and Ashley's daughter). Marisa was loving every minute of it, too. She treats all the kids as if they were her own. She is definitely the aunt every person wishes they had when they were growing up. Speaking as the granddad of the group (now there's a phrase I never imagined I would use -- funny how you can imagine your dad being a grandfather, but you can never picture yourself as one of those) the whole experience was way too much fun and way too short lived. However, one thing I knew to be true, but it was re-affirmed in my heart -- I am so proud of my family! They are all in love with Jesus and helping others to understand and experience that love. I am definitely blessed beyond anything I could ever have dreamed. Psalm 16:6 comes to mind, "The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance."

Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Follow up on Obedient Children

I didn't communicate as well as I had hoped. Esther asked if doing things like your parents -- things you swore you'd never do and then discovering you are exactly like mom or dad (my words not hers -- check out her comment on last blog entry) -- if that is obedience. Sort of. You took it in more of a negative turn than I meant it to take. I was thinking more along the lines of the following examples: I tell my kids over and over to take out the trash, then one day, they just do it because they recognize that dad really was on to something when he wanted the house to not smell like garbage. OR I tell my kids over and over to brush their teeth, then one day I discover that they are doing that because they don't want green teeth instead of because dad told them to do it. OR I tell my kids over and over to be in by 11:00 pm, then one night they just show up at 10:45 without being told because they recognize that it would please dad. Anyway -- that is obedience. Not just following the rules because someone tells you, but following the rules because you want to be just like the rule maker.

Obedient Children

1 Peter was written to a group of people that were experiencing pretty severe persecution. Peter tells them that "the end of all things is at hand" but before he says those significant words, he gives them several comparisons according to which they need to shape their lives. The first one Peter uses is "as obedient children." (Others are "as newborn babes," "as living stones," "as sojourners and pilgrims," "as bondservants," and finally after the end of all things comment, "as good stewards.") Anyway, one of the great problems with "obedience" is that we humans think that it simply means "keeping all (or most) (or some) of the rules." But when you read what Peter says next, you realize that obedience isn't keeping the rules at all. Here, let me show you what I mean by letting you read 1 Peter 1:14-17.

... as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear..."

Now as you look at that, there are comments about conduct and fear, but the real feel of the verse centers around the relationship between the Father and His children. You get the idea that an obedient child is not one that just keeps the rules; instead, there is the very definite sense that an obedient child is one that wants to be just like his father. When Paul tells the Ephesians (5:1) to "be imitators of God and live a life of love" he is expressing what Peter is talking about. An obedient child is one that imitates his father. In this case, the imitation of the Father is holiness.

Perhaps I can explain it better by an illustration from the life of a parent (which I am). I told my children often how they were to behave -- I told them what to do -- I told them the rules. And they kept those rules as long as I was watching and constantly repeating them. But that wasn't obedience -- at least not Biblical obedience. However, the day came when my kids did what I wanted them to do without being told -- in fact, they did things that were important to me because they had adopted my values as their own. They were "imitating" me. Now, I'm not saying that by their imitation of me they were being holy, but I am saying that by their imitation of me they were being obedient.

Now, put that into the context of 1 Peter and you discover what he is talking about. When he says, "be holy in all your conduct," he isn't saying "Keep the rules because God says so." Instead, he is saying, "Keep the rules because you want to be just like your heavenly Father." When you do that, when we do what is in God's heart because it is in your heart, when you act like God because you want to be just like Him, then you are being an obedient child. And being an obedient child is the first step in preparing for "the end of all things."

Music To My Ears!

Ah the melodious sound of Salem crying -- it is music to my ears -- no really (er...ah...I mean "honestly"or "seriously" in deference to Randy B.) it is so good to hear him crying because it means they (Jonathan, Heidi, Kai, and Salem) are HERE! They arrived Monday evening and it felt good to hug them and hear their voices. This morning, we filled the wading pool with water, and watched Salem and Jonathan get all "pruny" as they sat in the cool water. Yes we have more pictures! Kai was running and jumping in, causing mini-tsunamis to roll over Salem. There was laughter aplenty. The bummer? I'm already dreading their departure. It will come much too soon, but then it will again give me another reunion to anticipate.