I want to remember gratitude.

(My wife wrote the following on this, the fifth year anniversary of our oldest son, Ian's death.)

I want to remember gratitude. 

On the 5 year anniversary of Ian's body dying I want to remember gratitude.

Pain comes at will. It sneaks up and gut-punches you at the most random and often inconvenient moments.

Gratitude takes some effort.

 5 years ago was overwhelming. Overwhelming pain, certainly, but also overwhelming gratitude.

We discovered how firm a foundation our God is, We discover how merciful and gracious He is. He did so much for us before, during, and after Ian's death that I am in awe of His goodness. 

People say that during difficult times we should lean into God, Some times you don't have it in you to even lean. We didn't need to. God leaned into us. He was already there, where and when we needed Him.

There are two meanings to the biblical name for God, "I am". One is  "the self-existing one" (not created or dependent on anyone), the other is "the present one". We discovered the presence of God. He is present always. He is good, kind, gracious, and merciful. 

He loves us so deeply it is overwhelming....and gratitude squeezes out.

I want to remember gratitude.

Glory to God in the highest...

    Now there were shepherds in the same region, living out in the fields and guarding their flock at night. Suddenly an angel of Adonai stood before them, and the glory of Adonai shone all around them; and they were absolutely terrified.

 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I proclaim Good News to you, which will be great joy to all the people.  A Savior is born to you today in the city of David, who is Messiah the Lord.  And the sign to you is this: You will find an infant wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”

And suddenly a multitude of heavenly armies appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth shalom to men of good will.”

And when the angels departed from them into the heavens, the shepherds were saying to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which Adonai has made known to us!”  So they hurried off and found Miriam and Joseph, and the Baby lying in the manger.  When they had seen this, they made known the word that had been spoken to them concerning this Child.  And all those who heard were amazed at the things the shepherds told them.  But Miriam treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, just as they had been told.

Luke 2:8-20 TLV

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Why do mummies like Christmas so much? 

They’re into all the wrapping.

What did Adam say the day before Christmas? 

“It’s Christmas, Eve!”

What is Santa’s favorite pizza? 

One that’s deep-pan, crisp and even!

Thanksgiving 2020

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

And be sure to check https://thespuriousnib.blogspot.com 

...as the earth brings forth its sprouts...

For as the earth brings forth its sprouts,
and as a garden causes things sown to spring up,
so Adonai Elohim will cause justice and praise
    to spring up before all the nations.

Isaiah 61:11 Tree of Life Version

The Virus. Or, Call Your Mother!

When the news started breaking about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in China my mind raced back to the moment we received a call to go to the hospital (we didn't know our oldest son hadn't been feeling well). I would not wish that weekend on anyone. 
Ian was as strong as an ox. He worked in a dangerous setting. He and I talked about the kind of accidents that could happen often with humor. So there was an underlying realization that he could be seriously hurt or killed on the job. The last thing we would have guessed was a tiny little virus felling a giant of a guy. There is not a day that goes by we are not thinking of him. 
Yet, there is another reality, our faith in Jesus. "[We have been hard] pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair...Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." We know we will see Ian again. 
We received comfort and therefore we can comfort others. We have received hope because our faith, our loyalty is fixed in who Jesus is and what he has accomplished.
So:

• If you are not feeling well, please, call your mother!
• Appreciate the time you spend with family and friends
• Fix your eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

1963 VW Play Room

The children are so bored on road trips. 

What can we do about that??

Make a play room in the back of your VW!

Good Luck!

You might like this, https://thespuriousnib.blogspot.com for a smile.