Point of Grace Winter Wonderland Concert

Hey guys,
I'm too zonked to write my own post...but if you want to read about the Point of Grace Winter Wonderland Concert here at Otter Creek last night, go to Brandon Scott Thomas' blog...he says some nice things about me, but mainly it's a review of the concert. So I'm not trying to pat myself on the back...:)
www.brandonscottthomas.blogspot.com
Thank you Brandon! It was so good to see you & worship with you!

Jaime's new blog address

A reminder that Jaime's blog is now at http://www.journalforjaime.blogspot.com/

The video she posted will definitely brighten your day. Full refund if not. ;)

Honoring God's Name

Jaime & I are trying to prevent Faith (and Eli eventually) from saying "oh my gosh" or any casual or dishonorable variation of God's name...such as g, geez, gee wiz, gosh, gah, golly...

You may think I've gone over the zealous edge or something, and I know many Christians who drop these words casually. But I also know many other of our friends are trying to do the same thing, to keep the name of our holy and awesome God high and lifted up...

But it's not easy, just today, Faith & Eli were taking in an early morning cartoon in between our book reading time and our game time...so we flipped over to Mickey Mouse on PBS Sprout (Comcast On Demand). Before we got 3 minutes into the cartoon, Mickey said "oh my gosh" so I paused it for a moment and asked Faith is she noticed anything. She did not. I told her what Mickey said. (I wish you could have seen the look on her face. Like, "and your point is?")

A few minutes later, Pluto or Goofy, not sure which one or even if it matters, busts out with the same phrase, "oh my gosh". This time, Faith caught it, and announced proudly to me that Pluto had just said the forbidden phrase.

I affirmed her for noticing, and reemphasized the importance of God's name.

Do I ever slip up and say "oh my gosh"? Sure. But I fight it, and I sure don't want Faith & Eli to imitate me in that vocabulary.

My point: take a listen as you go about your day. God's name is being taken in vain right and left. Let's take a call to action and see if there are ways you can treat God's name with greater honor, greater respect and reverence. (and encourage others to do the same)

Call on His name, to be sure, all throughout the day. But always in a way that honors Him and shows Him that you love Him, and fear Him.

One week countdown to Point of Grace's Concert at Otter Creek

Point of Grace Concert on Thursday, Dec 18th

We still have plenty of tickets left for Point of Grace’s Winter Wonderland concert here next Thursday at 7 pm. You may earn a free ticket by serving as an usher, or a roadie (helping unload/load). I also need 2 or 3 servers for the catered dinner onsite that evening for the artists and the crew. See Murray for details or email murray@ottercreek.org .

Loaders are needed from 9:45 am to 1 pm, and then after the concert is over. Free ticket (probably 2) per loader.
Servers for the catered dinner are needed from 5 pm to 6:50 pm.
Ushers are needed from 5:45 pm to 7:15 pm.

Thanks!

Murray

The Nativity According to Faith

So we're teaching Faith how to tell the story of Jesus' birth with our Nativity set...we're not the first family to do this...but it's fun when it's our first year for it to really start happening...

So we ask Faith to tell us the story.

She begins by standing on the large stuffed chair near the Nativity set, and takes the reclining donkey in hand..."Well, the donkey's name was Libby...can you say 'LI - bby'?" It's hilarious! It takes awhile in this teacher/student format. Last night we (the class) were asked to repeat several things, one of which was donkey.

And then when the angel speaks...the angel (in Faith's version) always sounds really mad, and she says to the people, "CALM DOWN! Be still, be calm!" (We've been teaching her the story of Jesus calming the wind & the waves...) Actually, I think it's very appropriate and accurate. It's her way of saying, "Don't be afraid."

I just love it. Again, you'd really have to be here in our den to get the full effect.

I love experiencing Christmas in the eyes of a child. (at the risk of sounding extremely cliche)

Quote from Faith this morning over breakfast

My daughter says some cute things, no doubt, but this has to be one of the most precious.
I was explaining to her that I was going to work but I would be home later and get to play with her then. (and Eli, her brother)

So Faith says, "When you get done with work, I want to see you."

It means more if you read it in a little 2 year old girl voice.

Upcoming blog topics

Here are some topics I'm considering...

"How to score off the top of the charts on those standardized stress tests" (we've moved 3 times in 4.5 years of marriage, we have 2 children, and 2 mortgages. Don't even start with me on the 3 jobs.)

"How to sing hymns proudly with no apologies" (I know I'm only 40, but I am 40, and I've given myself permission to sing 'Praise to the Lord, the Almighty' regularly.)

"Why if people don't make their car payments, their cars get repo'd, but our gov't is preparing to bail out the people who made those cars" (self explanatory)

"If I don't have more time in the day, how will Facebook, MySpace and blogouniverse help me stay connected to all of my wonderful friends?" (I love these things, but the fact that they exist didn't add time to my already maxed out day)

"Why doesn't our next President just present a birth certificate" (have you heard about this? The Supreme Court is talking about it)

"Why don't i get up every day and work out at 6 am like today?" (i love the extra energy all day!)

That's all for now...