James 1:23-27 Awakenings

The life of the hearer is characterized by ignoring God's word. But the life of a true believer is characterized by listening to and doing God's word. Kevin showed us pictures of mirrors that were used in the first century AD. They were nothing like our mirrors today - more like trying to see yourself in bottom of one of my stainless steel cooking pans. The person who really wanted to know what he or she looked like would have to really gaze, really closely study to get an accurate picture. That's what James was talking about when he compared studying God's word to looking in a mirror and then walking away. If we want a truly accurate picture of ourselves, both the sin and the incredible love God has for us, we need to gaze into His word intently, often, and with obedience as the outcome.

Up in the Air

Kevin had a fun adventure this week - church member Tom took him up for an aerial view of Brazos County and more in his airplane.

They passed right over our house and the church campus first.

Then they flew over College Station and to Lake Summerville.

And the most important part - the landing!

Then and Now

Then...

The other day as I was sorting through some old papers and photos, I found a piece of notebook paper with a list of times written in columns. After puzzling a minute, it came to me... it was the record of my contractions that Kevin kept on the night I went into labor with Naomi.

With Johnathan, we didn't even have time to write down the contractions.


and Now...

How technology has changed in a mere four years. Kevin found an app for his iPhone last might that he had great glee in trying out - a contraction timer! Simply push the button when the contraction starts, then push it again when the contraction ends. The app automatically records the length of time between contractions and their the average duration.

I got to try it out on some mild contractions for a few hours last night... But obviously I did not go into labor. Nothing new to report today!

James 1:19-21 Humbly Accepting the Word of Truth

Before we can live what we believe, we must know what we believe. Kevin outlined the basic steps of Bible study this morning:

1. Observe by looking at the contest, word definitions, and genre of literature in the book which contains the passage.

2. Interpret by taking the facts and asking, "What was God inspiring the original author to teach his original readers? What is the big idea?"

3. Apply the passage to your life.

I didn't get to hear this message in person, because I was teaching 8 energetic little 4-6 year olds in Children's Church. We talked about being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry - something people of all ages need to remember and live out! So I listened to the sermon at the website. You can, too, at kurtenchurch.org!

Summer Begins

Last day of school

Playing in the pool

Hot dogs on the grill, potato salad, and watermelon in the back yard

Summer is officially started!

James 1:13-18 Temptation

Kevin preached about the dangerous slope of entertaining temptation (an inward pull to sin), and how it starts a cycle that leads to sin and death. He addressed the interesting question of the phrases, "God cannot be tempted" and "No one should say, 'God is tempting me'" - What about Jesus's temptation in the desert. For more one that issue, visit kurtenchurch.org and click on the pastor's blog. You can hear the whole sermon on the website, as well.

At the Alpaca Farm

The kids and I had a fun visit to a nearby alpaca (or as Johnathan pronounces it, ala-paca!)farm this morning with buddies Ellie and Margaret. The animals are so sweet, with their soft fur and big eyes. The kids had fun trying to entice them to come over to sample the hay they offered. If they held still enough, the little alpacas would come over and sniff their faces - at which point the Boaz siblings would scare them off by squealing and running away!

We learned, among other things, that alpacas are mainly raised for hair and are sheared once a year, they only have teeth on the bottom of their mouth, and baby alpacas are called cria.

Here is a little girl who was just born on Saturday.

She and her attentive mama stuck close together.

A morning of furry fun with our friends!