Probably SHOULD be cleaning, but Will just uploaded some fun pictures from our beloved IPhone, so I thought I would share them.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Christmas
I'm going to admit, I'm becoming a bigger and bigger grinch with each passing year. BUT, we still provide the presents. And, this year's hits were the DS for Hope and the princess kitchen for Faith. Bah Humbug, I mean, Merry Christmas.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Lessons Learned
The Lord did provide a peaceful journey home. Will and I spoke of good thoughts in difficult times:
1. The children we do have- the blue eyes and freckles, the long legs and dimples- they were once in that fragile point of life and God graciously chose to continue to knit these children in the womb and then give them to us. What a beautiful gift. One that I do not want to take for granted.
2. Once again, the love of God's people is overwhelming- offers of lovingkindness, prayer visits and phone calls, letters, meals- some even cleaned this messy house and found my little diamond earrings in the process, emails, encouragements, listening ears, and advice. We are humbled by the acts of service and pray the Lord would lead us to follow the examples that go before us.
3. Health- oh thank Him for health- I have been sick for the last month and allowed myself to sit in bed and squander time with murder mysteries and the like. . . not to say the Lord doesn't provide some time "brain candy" (I don't know- does He? Any Scriptures on this anyone?) but I put on my gray-colored glasses and neglected the Word and prayer because I felt miserable. Oh that the opposite would be true. So, pray for people who are wearied by a thorn in the flesh- especially a physical thorn- migraines, sinus problems, cancer and the like- pray for these people that God would be near to them- that they might perservere in His Word and delight in Him AND if you have complete health (as I see in the horizon for me)- thank God for it- nurtue it (I need to eat better, etc.. . . ) and USE it- take that energy and use it for good works.
4. Hot tea with peppermint (especially when provided by my husband) is very healing indeed.
5. Healing- I have heard so much about miscarriages- but I have never heard about the physical healing process, etc. It takes about a week to feel normal and this I just found out today- all of this is important to me because of lessons #1 and #3- I'm so ready to use the health that God has given me to serve my family and to do a much better job than I was doing before by God's grace and for His glory.
Finally, words from dear Spurgeon on the topic:
"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." I Samuel 7:12
"The word 'hitherto' seems like a hand pointing in the direction of the past. Through poverty, through wealth, through sickness, through health. . . 'hitherto hath the Lord helped us.' But the word also points forward. [There] is still a distance to be traversed. More trials, more joys. . . disease and death. Is it over now? No! [Thrones] harps, songs, psalms, white raiment, the face of Jesus, the society of saints, the glory of God, the fullness of eternity, the infinity of bliss."
And, a big THANK YOU to all of you who served us for the sake of Christ!
1. The children we do have- the blue eyes and freckles, the long legs and dimples- they were once in that fragile point of life and God graciously chose to continue to knit these children in the womb and then give them to us. What a beautiful gift. One that I do not want to take for granted.
2. Once again, the love of God's people is overwhelming- offers of lovingkindness, prayer visits and phone calls, letters, meals- some even cleaned this messy house and found my little diamond earrings in the process, emails, encouragements, listening ears, and advice. We are humbled by the acts of service and pray the Lord would lead us to follow the examples that go before us.
3. Health- oh thank Him for health- I have been sick for the last month and allowed myself to sit in bed and squander time with murder mysteries and the like. . . not to say the Lord doesn't provide some time "brain candy" (I don't know- does He? Any Scriptures on this anyone?) but I put on my gray-colored glasses and neglected the Word and prayer because I felt miserable. Oh that the opposite would be true. So, pray for people who are wearied by a thorn in the flesh- especially a physical thorn- migraines, sinus problems, cancer and the like- pray for these people that God would be near to them- that they might perservere in His Word and delight in Him AND if you have complete health (as I see in the horizon for me)- thank God for it- nurtue it (I need to eat better, etc.. . . ) and USE it- take that energy and use it for good works.
4. Hot tea with peppermint (especially when provided by my husband) is very healing indeed.
5. Healing- I have heard so much about miscarriages- but I have never heard about the physical healing process, etc. It takes about a week to feel normal and this I just found out today- all of this is important to me because of lessons #1 and #3- I'm so ready to use the health that God has given me to serve my family and to do a much better job than I was doing before by God's grace and for His glory.
Finally, words from dear Spurgeon on the topic:
"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." I Samuel 7:12
"The word 'hitherto' seems like a hand pointing in the direction of the past. Through poverty, through wealth, through sickness, through health. . . 'hitherto hath the Lord helped us.' But the word also points forward. [There] is still a distance to be traversed. More trials, more joys. . . disease and death. Is it over now? No! [Thrones] harps, songs, psalms, white raiment, the face of Jesus, the society of saints, the glory of God, the fullness of eternity, the infinity of bliss."
And, a big THANK YOU to all of you who served us for the sake of Christ!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
For those of you who already knew
that we were expecting a baby in the end of July/early August, I had a miscarriage this morning at my mom's house. We have an almost 6 hour drive home now and I'm praying for a peaceful journey.
Monday, December 22, 2008
SO FUNNY
. . . to me, anyway.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZdoSG0IdNE
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OebZJzB7W_c&feature=related
just click on the links and laugh (hopefully)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZdoSG0IdNE
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OebZJzB7W_c&feature=related
just click on the links and laugh (hopefully)
Friday, December 19, 2008
Faith Strikes Again
Common sight at the Baumbergers. Faith likes to tie up her dolls to "keep them safe from Swiper."
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Journey
OK- so here we go. . . on to yet another fellowship of believers. . . here's the story
Almost 5 years ago when I married Will, we had different beliefs- somewhat. I guess people call it Armenian (sorta) vs. Calvinien (I know it's Calvinism, but whatever). I believed in all five points and it was obvious that Will and the church he attended did not. However, the Lord opened his heart to search the Scriptures and our journey began. There are many precious parts to this story that I want to point out for my sake and the first one is that I did not say a word (in my mind I did a few times) concerning our "church" decisions. By God's grace, for us, he allowed Will to be that decision maker with no (or maybe I should say not much) persuasion from me.
Anway, one thing led to another and Will felt it was time for us to leave his home church, the only church he had known for over 30 years- but when the Lord calls, Will listens. (precious part of the story #2)
So, we visited a FIVE POINTS OF CALVIN church that I had found on the Internet. We went. I loved it and to my dismay Will did not, not one bit. We tried another "Doctrines of Grace" church but left with the same reactions. The Lord had not brought Will to this point on the journey. However, the Lord did bring us to a church very similar to his home church with a preacher who highlighted God in every text. His sermons were not about man's duties but about God's greatness. Here is where the Lord led us, and here is where our journey began.
Will began to read and the Lord began to turn his world upside down. Everything he had ever "known" began to crumble as the truths of Scripture began anew. I wish he would write this part of the story. But I saw in him a new love for God, a new realization of his position in Christ. . . no longer was it he who chose Christ but Christ chose him and Christ who works in Will to do His good pleasure. . . so all five point of Calvinism became dear to Will- but let me say IT IS NOT THE POINTS- it is the FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST presented by THE FATHER TO DEPRAVED SOULS that is so life-changing- but the truths are found so beautifully wrapped into this doctrine which is why it is so precious to us
OK- so this pacticular God-centered pastor (who also happened to embrace the Doctrines of Grace) was quickly called away from the church we were in. We were left with Will's new-found truths and he was now ready to go to the church I loved.
We began going to that church. The Lord blessed us with great teaching and lifelong Christian family. But then, it was time to move from there. He took us to the other church we visited and we stayed there for awhile- blessed by the admonishment to be in the Word with our families, great fellowship and loving counsel.
But then, believe it or not, Will's studies continued. A deeper theology- one that I don't fully understand (Covenant Theology as opposed to Dispensational Theology) but when I see the Word of God and His Spirit transform my husband, I know it is the truth of the Word that is bringing him closer to Christ.
Anyway, there is a new church-start beginning here in Newburgh. Our family began to be in contact with the families involved in this work and Will's studies were "jiving" with the teaching of these leaders. So needless to say, the Lord has taken us to Cornerstone Fellowship, the new work begun through the prayers and faithfulness of God's people from Heritage Baptist Church in Owensboro, KY.
In the end, another precious part of this story is that on this journey we have only been treated with grace and kindness and goodness by God's people. It is a testimony to the greatness of our God. I am thankful for all of the friends we have met on our journey and look forward to our future together for the glory of God.
Almost 5 years ago when I married Will, we had different beliefs- somewhat. I guess people call it Armenian (sorta) vs. Calvinien (I know it's Calvinism, but whatever). I believed in all five points and it was obvious that Will and the church he attended did not. However, the Lord opened his heart to search the Scriptures and our journey began. There are many precious parts to this story that I want to point out for my sake and the first one is that I did not say a word (in my mind I did a few times) concerning our "church" decisions. By God's grace, for us, he allowed Will to be that decision maker with no (or maybe I should say not much) persuasion from me.
Anway, one thing led to another and Will felt it was time for us to leave his home church, the only church he had known for over 30 years- but when the Lord calls, Will listens. (precious part of the story #2)
So, we visited a FIVE POINTS OF CALVIN church that I had found on the Internet. We went. I loved it and to my dismay Will did not, not one bit. We tried another "Doctrines of Grace" church but left with the same reactions. The Lord had not brought Will to this point on the journey. However, the Lord did bring us to a church very similar to his home church with a preacher who highlighted God in every text. His sermons were not about man's duties but about God's greatness. Here is where the Lord led us, and here is where our journey began.
Will began to read and the Lord began to turn his world upside down. Everything he had ever "known" began to crumble as the truths of Scripture began anew. I wish he would write this part of the story. But I saw in him a new love for God, a new realization of his position in Christ. . . no longer was it he who chose Christ but Christ chose him and Christ who works in Will to do His good pleasure. . . so all five point of Calvinism became dear to Will- but let me say IT IS NOT THE POINTS- it is the FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST presented by THE FATHER TO DEPRAVED SOULS that is so life-changing- but the truths are found so beautifully wrapped into this doctrine which is why it is so precious to us
OK- so this pacticular God-centered pastor (who also happened to embrace the Doctrines of Grace) was quickly called away from the church we were in. We were left with Will's new-found truths and he was now ready to go to the church I loved.
We began going to that church. The Lord blessed us with great teaching and lifelong Christian family. But then, it was time to move from there. He took us to the other church we visited and we stayed there for awhile- blessed by the admonishment to be in the Word with our families, great fellowship and loving counsel.
But then, believe it or not, Will's studies continued. A deeper theology- one that I don't fully understand (Covenant Theology as opposed to Dispensational Theology) but when I see the Word of God and His Spirit transform my husband, I know it is the truth of the Word that is bringing him closer to Christ.
Anyway, there is a new church-start beginning here in Newburgh. Our family began to be in contact with the families involved in this work and Will's studies were "jiving" with the teaching of these leaders. So needless to say, the Lord has taken us to Cornerstone Fellowship, the new work begun through the prayers and faithfulness of God's people from Heritage Baptist Church in Owensboro, KY.
In the end, another precious part of this story is that on this journey we have only been treated with grace and kindness and goodness by God's people. It is a testimony to the greatness of our God. I am thankful for all of the friends we have met on our journey and look forward to our future together for the glory of God.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Thoughts
OK- so my thoughts are coming from a friend who got the thoughts from someone else's blog who got the thoughts from John Bunyan. . . but they are good thoughts to think about nonetheless:
"Bunyan meditated on the marks of a person who is coming to Christ for salvation:
1. Is sin exceedingly bitter to you?
2. Do you run from your sin as you would a deadly serpent? (We won't get into that, Amber :)
3. Do you recognize and flee from the insufficiency of your own righteousness?
4. Do you cry to the Lord Jesus to save? (We've talked about this, haven't we, Amy?)
5. Do you see more worth and merit in one drop of Christ's blood to save you, than in all the sins of the world to condemn you?
6. Are you tender of sinning against Jesus?
7. Is Jesus more precious to you than the glory of the world?
8. Is faith precious to you?
9. Do you savor Christ and His Word, and do you leave all the world for his sake?
10. Are you willing (with God's help) to run in haarm's way for His name?
11. Are His saints precious to you?"
Lately, the Lord has been bringing to my mind this thought. . . "Am I your delight? That ONE delight?" That's it. . . that's when it's for real. . . when He is the apple of my eye, my treasure, my rest, my delight, truly my all and all.
"Bunyan meditated on the marks of a person who is coming to Christ for salvation:
1. Is sin exceedingly bitter to you?
2. Do you run from your sin as you would a deadly serpent? (We won't get into that, Amber :)
3. Do you recognize and flee from the insufficiency of your own righteousness?
4. Do you cry to the Lord Jesus to save? (We've talked about this, haven't we, Amy?)
5. Do you see more worth and merit in one drop of Christ's blood to save you, than in all the sins of the world to condemn you?
6. Are you tender of sinning against Jesus?
7. Is Jesus more precious to you than the glory of the world?
8. Is faith precious to you?
9. Do you savor Christ and His Word, and do you leave all the world for his sake?
10. Are you willing (with God's help) to run in haarm's way for His name?
11. Are His saints precious to you?"
Lately, the Lord has been bringing to my mind this thought. . . "Am I your delight? That ONE delight?" That's it. . . that's when it's for real. . . when He is the apple of my eye, my treasure, my rest, my delight, truly my all and all.
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