Christianity for Today

Last year at the Zoe worship conference Lauren Winner asked the question “Why are you a Christian today?”
Some come to faith out of fear or guilt, but I don’t think those things motivated me to be a Christian. And I am for sure they haven’t kept me a Christian. I think the benefit of the Christian community draws people to faith, but it’s not keeping me here today even though the Christian community, for the most part, has deeply blessed my life. The reason I am a Christian today is that I know Jesus does life right. Jesus embodied what people are intended to be and when I follow him I am being what I am called to be as a person. So today I remind myself that I am still following Christ because Jesus is the way.

Why are you a Christian today?

Fun in Abilene, and no fun at the Doctor's

Lindsay, Avery and I just got back from Abilene. While there I got the pleasure of talking with four of the five devoted readers of my blog, unfortunately my grandma-in-law wasn’t there to make it a perfect five for five.
Also, Avery enjoyed getting to hang out with her aunt Laura and Laura’s roommates for a night. Laura lives in the same house as some of my college friends used to live. And with Avery being over there it was like old times, since those guys usually had girls just a few years older than her over there.
For some reason that’s much more disturbing now.

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Avery had to get her foot poked today for blood work at her Doctor’s appointment. It was awful to hear her cry. I know that I cannot prevent Avery from feeling pain for the rest of her life, though I wish I could. But, I can promise to always be there for her during her pain. I can always give her a hand to hold and a shoulder to cry upon. I think God’s in the same spot. God cannot prevent every hurt we go through and maintain the freedom that enables an authentic relationship with him, but God has promised to always be by our side through all the hurts of life. Sometimes the hand to hold is from those who seek to embody Christ in the Church and sometimes the shoulder to cry upon is one that just cannot be explained.

Welcome.

This past weekend Lindsay, Avery and I were introduced to the Richland Hills Church at all three services. (Avery clearly prefers the instrumental services.) It went well, but for some reason Rick didn't give me the microphone. I had prepared to deliver the exact same message as this 5th grader gave to twenty thousand members of Dallas ISD a few weeks ago, but Rick didn't let me.





After watching this fifth grader, what do you think he will grow up to become? I think Politician.

Update

We have been in Fort Worth for almost a week now and almost settled. I should be back to blogging regularly in the next week or so once we get our internet hooked up.

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I am working on getting a special father/daughter thing that Avery and I share together daily. I am leaning towards a nightly prayer time. Any of you have special routine w/ your kids (or dogs for Cromer)

Moving on up

We are moving back to God's country of Texas this weekend.
My brother is kind enough to fly over to Florida to drive our moving truck, so I can drive my truck and Lindsay and Avery can fly. I have got a nice long road trip with my two dogs and two books on CD waiting for me. Hopefully after we get settled I will get back to blogging more regularly.

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Avery also is moving on up. In her three weeks she has already gain 23 ounces and three inches. If she keeps up this rate of growth, through proper diet, sleep, and stretching, she will be 5'2" and 34 lbs by her first birth day.