My (Shay) parents drove out from Kentucky for a visit this week and they came bearing gifts. We didn’t have a tree, but we had Christmas music playing and enjoyed watching the kids tear into gifts from grandma and grandpa. Here’s a few photos:
-
An Unchangeable Friend
Jonathan Edwards with a timeless message on “Jesus Christ the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever” (dated April 1738)
You may greatly comfort yourself that you have an unchangeable friend in Christ Jesus. From the unchangeableness of your Savior, you may be assured of your continuance in a state of grace. As to yourself, you are so changeable, that, if left to yourself, you would soon fall utterly away. But Christ is the same, and therefore, when he has begun a good work in you he will finish it. As he has been the author, he will be the finisher of your faith.
When once you have entered on the happiness of heaven, it never shall be taken from you, because Christ, your Savior and friend, who bestows it on you, and in whom you have it, is unchangeable. He will be the same forever and ever, and therefore so will be your happiness in heaven.
(via Of First Importance)
-
Never The Same
Bethany and I have talked before how could probably never do missions in a culture like Papua New Guinea. Even last night as we were spending time with some missionaries heading to Ireland, we both shared how living in the jungle just doesn’t seem like a great fit for us. The reality is, that’s probably why God has called us to Eastern Europe and not the jungle.
With that said, people in Papua New Guinea need the gospel too. Growing up in a Christian school I was exposed to missionaries like The Buser Family who took the gospel to an unknown people group. And this week, the Desiring God blog reminded the world of another tribe and the faithfulness of another family. The 15-minute short-film (below) tells the story of the Richardson family and is a clear presentation of the change that happens when Christ saves people. The family visits the tribe after 50 years to see how things have progressed because of these changed hearts. I definitely suggest you taking a few minutes and watching it.
Never the Same from Pioneers-USA on Vimeo.
-
Seeing Friends
We spent this past weekend up in the northern California area with some great friends of ours, the Murrays. They moved away about a year ago and we’ve wanted to catch up with them ever since. Though it was a quick weekend, we made it up there late on Friday and enjoyed some time in San Francisco and just hanging out at their house.
Here is a photo of our son Titus with their son Jacob. It’s just amazing to me that no matter how much technology advances with social media or video chatting or whatever, you can never replace spending time face-to-face with your friends.
A few more photos from our trip.
-
How Are You Being Spent?
Heard this quote while listening to a sermon on missions. Love it.
I have but one candle of life to burn, and I would rather burn it out in a land filled with darkness than in a land flooded with light.
— John Keith Falconer