Counterfeit Gods

I am reading the book "Counterfeit Gods" by Tim Keller....it's so good as it's drawing me more and more to the heart of worship. It's a great thought provoking book that looks at our hearts as individuals and as a culture and questions what it is that is the "supreme" thing in our life (the thing we worship). Anything other than Christ is idolatry. Here's a couple great examples of how things can become idols -

"An idol is something that we look to for things that only God can give. Idolatry functions widely inside religious communities when doctrinal truth is elevated to the position of a false god. This occurs when people rely on the rightness of their doctrine for their standing with God rather than on God himself and his grace. It is a subtle but deadly mistake. The sign that you have slipped into this form of self-justification is that you become what the Proverbs calls a 'scoffer'. Scoffers always show contempt and disdain for opponents rather than graciousness. This is a sign that they do not see themselves as sinners saved by grace. Instead, their trust in the rightness of their views makes them feel superior."  

and in the work world -

"these days, the best people don't abuse alcohol, they abuse their lives....you're successful, so good things happen. You complete a project, and you feel dynamite. That feeling doesn't last forever, and you then slide back into normal. You think, 'I've got to start a new project' - which is still normal. But you love the feeling of euphoria, so you've got to have it again. The problem is, you can't stay on that high. Say you're working on a deal and it doesn't get approved. Your self esteem is on the line, because you've been gathering your self worth externally. Eventually, in this cycle, you drop to the pain level more and more often. The highs don't seem quite so high. You may win a deal that's even bigger than the one that got away, but somehow that deal doesn't take you to euphoria. Next time, you don't even even get back to normal, because you're so desperate about clinching the next deal....an 'achievement' addict is no different than any other kind of addict."

Praying for myself (and you) that their may be ONE source of life, worth, joy, success, value, etc...in your life.

Puppy

Steve and I have always wanted to get a puppy...and recently, we got one! This puppy is nothing like the puppy we envisioned for ourselves, but we love her anyways.  She is a Yorkie Poo...a mix between a Yorkie and  Poodle.  Never thought I would ever have a Poodle...not my favorite type of dog-sorry Poodle lovers.

This experience has been training me for parenthood more than I ever thought possible.  I watch this darn puppy 24-7 and didn't know how hard house training would be.  Sheesh.  It is a joy, though.  All I have to say is "Good thing she is cute..."

Introducing, Chloe...

First Bath

First Walk :)  She did a good job for not liking her leash the first day we put it on her!

New Best Friends



Look at me!

Sometimes she can be a bit stubborn...

...but she is cute

First time at the park!

Caught in action!



Field Trip to Heritage Hill

Recently, I went with a fourth grade class on a field trip to Heritage Hill.  Having just gotten my new camera, I took it along in the hopes of experimenting and getting to know it a little better.  I felt like just another kid on this field trip because I had never been there before and I had a new toy to play with.  Here are some of the pictures I took.  I am finding that my style of photo is more monochromatic with high contrast.  They are mostly of details because I can't post pictures of my students on the internet.  They are cute though, so you are missing out!

Behold your God

So, this will be my (steve) first solo blogpost ever. Not really sure if I am a blogger, I think the jury's still out on that one. I do know that I have a desire to know Christ and make Him known; and if perhaps by blogging the latter may be accomplished then I may well be a blogger....we shall see. Regardless, here's a little tidbit from my journal entry while on spring break. I share this not for my glory but for God's and for your benefit. I really can take no credit for this, for it is mostly excerpts from J.I. Packer's "Knowing God". If you have not indulged in this literary and theological composition, I highly recommended it. May this wet your appetite for more of your Savior -


May we never belittle the majesty of God.....may we never be content in our questions. Will we ever fully comprehend our maker? No. Must we sit in serenity while the treasure of right knowledge and understanding of our Creator awaits us? A more resounding NO.

I want to feel small in the presence of His majesty. Oh what a delight there is in being still and knowing that He is God. His greatness is beyond comprehension. He is almighty. He is eternal. He is infinite. He has no bounds in His knowledge, His power, and His presence;

'You hem me in behind and before....where can I go from your spirit, where can I fell from your presence?'

There are no bounds in his knowledge of me -

"You search me and know me, you know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down. You are familiar with all my ways." - Ps 139:1-3

Behold Your God.

There is none other like him, no one can do what he does -

"Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the Heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?" Isaiah 40:12

Behold Your God.

There is no one who brings the nations to naught - 

"Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales. Before him all the nations are as nothing: They are regarded as worthless and less than nothing." Isaiah 40:15,17

Behold Your God. 

There is none other who makes the world his footstool- 

'He sits enthroned above the circles of the earth, and it's people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy and spreads them out like a tent to live in." Isaiah 40:22

Behold Your God. 

There is none other who makes the richest rulers his subjects  - 

"He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing." Isaiah 40:23

Behold Your God.

There is none other who knows the stars; the very things that make humans feel small - 

"Life your eyes and look to the heavens. Who created all of these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength not one of them is missing." Isaiah 40:26

Behold Your God. 

Who then is like our God!?!?!?

"'To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him' says the Holy One." Isaiah 40:25
"My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are my ways your ways." Isaiah 55:8
"The foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom." 1 Corinthians 1:25

Our God is not like us. He is totally other. 

So what does this mean?

We must never think falsely about ourselves or about God....like God has simply forgotten us because we don't like our circumstances (see Isaiah 40:27)

We must believe and not be slow in our belief, like we need more proof - "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth." Isaiah 40:28

IF THIS IS WHO GOD IS (AND HE IS SO MUCH MORE);

Then why on earth do I ever fear man?
Then why on earth would I ever try to do things on my own?
Then why on earth would I ever not run to your throne pleading for your help?
Then why on earth would I ever demand of God?
Then why on earth would I ever doubt God?       

Today, be still and know that He is GOD.   

The House

We are officially moved into our house! Thanks to some incredible friends and family we were able to get moved in, painted, and situated pretty quickly.  It is super uncommon for people to clean their old apartment, move all their belongings, clean the new house, paint, and decorate in two days.  We owe our friends big time, they are awesome!  It's still uber surreal, but we love it! We thought we'd share some pictures with you all.

Here are some of the "before" pictures:

During the "transformation":

 (taken right after my mom sliced her finger...ouch.  She kept right on going though!)

 They decided to grill in the garage due to rain...ha.

And....AFTER!  Don't get me wrong, we are still unpacking and have 2 bedrooms and a bathroom to paint, but we are sooo close to being done.  From what I hear from many reliable sources, this last step can take awhile ;)

God has blessed us so much with this house (that this weekend became a home) and we want to use it for His glory.  We are also reminded that EVERYTHING is a loss in comparison to knowing Christ Jesus our Lord.