When this change comes and we see Christ differently, others will notice.
Christians will be known not merely as engagers of culture, but as creators and builders of culture. We will not avoid or fear the marketplace of ideas, the museums of modern art, and the assemblies of diplomacy; we will enter them. Christians will cultivate an understanding of science, business, engineering, architecture and medicine because we know that our work tells the world more of what God is like. When any field wants a well-informed expert, Christians will be consulted, not as token evangelicals, not because we have demanded representation, and not because we are so nice, but because we are concerned with excellence.
Christian women will no longer be known as the quiet, meek, and somewhat pathetic group who doesn’t experience twenty-first century freedom. Instead, we will be something of an admired anomaly, sought after as the most informed believers in the value of femininity. We will define womanhood beyond gentle and quiet submission, curves, baby production, and high heels. We will understand and cogently explain how women are both body and soul and valuable for more than sex appeal. We will be known as “those women” who are not afraid of old age and its mark on our bodies. Our self-possession will make us a challenging group for marketers to target. We will be less concerned with proving our equality with men and more intent on building our souls for the kingdom of God.
As Christian men and women, we will be faithful when we demonstrate long suffering with discernment, joy without everlasting grins, peace when it costs us personally to keep it, patience when our favorite causes are overlooked, and self-control when others are given the credit for changing the world.
Today’s my first Father’s day as a dad. It’s a bit strange to think about even three weeks in. I have had a wonderful example of what a dad who loves, cares, provides and teaches and I hope to be the same kind of dad to little Kenzie.
Tomorrow we’re heading home. The time in the hospital has been really good for us. Meri’s getting the hang of feeding Kenzie, I’ve changed a handful of diapers and Kenzie’s sleeping for 2-3 hours at a time. Both sets of our parents have been here for visits as well as a few friends. It’s so wonderful to share these first days with people we love (and to hear people tell us how beautiful she is).
Today I put together a photoblog to try and capture one photo every day of her first year. If you’re interested in checking that out or subscribing (grandparents, aunts and uncle). Check out Kenzie’s photoblog here.
Today I became a dad! We were scheduled to come in at 9:30 and have our c-section at 11:30, but some emergency situations with other births pushed the birth of our baby back until 2.21pm. She’s 7 pounds 15 ounces and 20 inches long.
Meri’s felt pretty sick to her stomach and is now just dealing with dizziness probably associated with the medication for the c-section. In time she should be feeling great.
I’m sure that many of you have been coming by the old blog on a daily basis wondering what may be happening on the baby front.
Meri’s due date is June 1st so we’re into the weekly doctor appoints as we’re in the home stretch. Last week Meri asked the doctor if he could tell how the baby was situated and as he was a bit puzzled. He grabbed the little sonogram machine and brought it in to check out the baby’s position and what we found was that she’s laying sideways and at this point in the pregnancy she probably won’t move into position for a natural birth. So, as of right now we’re scheduled for a C-Section next Saturday, May 30th at 9am.
All this could change of course. Tomorrow morning we’re going in for a final appointment and the doctor will check the position again. If, by some miracle, the baby has moved all the plans will change. There’s always the chance that Meri could go into labor before that as well (I have brief freak out moments every day when I’m away from my cell-phone thinking it’s probably happening RIGHT NOW!), but as of now we’re anxiously awaiting Saturday!
Please pray for Meri, the baby and me (as I have no idea what I’m doing!).
I’ll be posting some pictures as soon as we have them.
I had a conversation with a person this morning who was working through some things in her life. As we started talking I asked her how things were going she said “I really love Christ, but sometimes I hate being a Christian.” As I asked her for some clarification on that satement we spent the next hour talking about some of the things about “evangelical Christianity” that can really bum a person out.
“Like what?” you ask…
Like this.
If you’re not up on pageant news (you know I am) there’s apparently a contreversy that came out of this years Miss USA contest. During the “interview” portion of the context Prez Hilton asked Miss California about her opinions on gay marriage. Miss California responded (the same way President Obama did in the Presidential debate) by saying she believed that marriage is meant to be between a man and a woman. Her response, while an honest answer to the question, sparked all sorts of outrage in liberal circles and has made her the focus of intense crticism, that in my opinion isn’t fair.
Now, in the past week or so it’s come out that she had breast implants that were paid for by the Miss California officials less than a month before the contest and that she had posed for multiple topless photos that are slowly being linked on the internet. When asked about these things it seems that her initial responses had been less than truthful.
So, what does this have to do with having a hard time being associated with popular Christianity?
Today and tomorrow Miss California is the guest on…
wait for it…
Focus on the Family’s radio show with Dr. James Dobson.
Here’s a pageant contest who has had breast implants (to help her get a competative advantage) that poses for risque photos as the main guest on the most popular radio show for evangelical Christians. These actions aren’t reflective of the “family values” that Dr. Dobson would normally be advocating, but here she has a two day spot. Why?
It’s poltical. When the spotlight was on her she stood for the traditional view of marriage (which I agree with) and so now she’s become a role model in conservative evangelical cirlces. If we can just get more young Christian girls to be like Miss California maybe we can win this war on marriage. We’ll have lost purity & modesty in the process, but you win some and lose some.
I love Christ, but sometimes it’s tough to be a Christian.
