What I'm Reading

As the title says. I thought I'd share some of the things I have, am, and will be reading. I always like good books, and like hearing what other people are reading. I often have a sizable 'to read' list, most of which I never get to. Nevertheless....

I've made myself a mental note to read (or re-read) at least one book on marriage every year. The divorce rate is sky high these days, inside and outside the church, and it seems to me that if our marriages are to last, we probably need to put some real work in. So this year, I decided to check out Mark & Grace Driscoll's new book on marriage.

 

The intention of the book, I think, was to provide a biblical perspective on marriage that would combat some of the current trends, and encourage believers to build their marriages around the model described in the Bible. As with most books, especially books written by "high profile" people, there has been widespread acclaim, and widespread controversy.

What I liked about real marriage was the emphasis that the Driscoll's put on intentionality. By that I mean that they want people to be 'active' in their marriages - setting goals, praying for each other, encouraging each other, and learning to journey together through thick and thin. There is also a valuable emphasis on actively dealing with past (and current) issues so that your relationship has the 'legs' to endure a few decades. A worthwhile read, and one that I'll come back to, at the very least, to look at their sample questions that get goal setting and intentional conversations started.

I'm currently reading David Platt's new book, Follow Me. No, Platt doesn't want people to emulate him, but Christ. This is a call to really consider the Gospel message and it's implications. I found this a helpful read - it challenged much of the Christian language and practices that I've grown up with, encouraging me to think beyond the (often) simplistic, reductionist language that was used in the past. Like Platt's earlier book, Radical, this book urges Christians to get off their chairs and start really living. I'm close to the end; Platt uses some imagery to talk about weaving threads of Christianity into daily conversations and interactions in an intentional way. Too often, I think, we try to live nice, moral, compassionate lives that often doesn't look much different...



This book has encouraged me to weave that fabric - weave the Gospel into as many conversations as possible so that, eventually, people's eyes might be opened to the work of Christ. An easy-to-read, but also challenging - if we are to actually start living the way Platt suggests we should. His encouragement and exhortations are compelling, and I pray that I will be impacted by this message for many years to come.

 

Finally, I intend to read Mangis' Signature Sins. This is required reading for my spring course at Tyndale, but I'm including it here because I'm particularly interested in this book. I haven't started yet, so I can't really comment on it, but I'll include some comments from the description...

"The topic of sin has been safe for a while. But here, guided by psychologist Michael Mangis, we get specific by learning to know ourselves and our signature sins--the individual and specific patterns of sin in our life that affect our thoughts, actions and relationships.

In these pages, the author empathetically and honestly reflects on the ways we manage our behavior to hide our sin and ignore the true poverty of our hearts. But until we deal with the root of our sin, we will be ruled and fooled by it, and miss the freedom Christ died to bring. Exploring common forms of sin and then discovering how our own temperament, culture, family and gender affect the way those sins manifest themselves in our lives will lead us to a place of real honesty with ourselves, God and others. But the book doesn't stop there; it also shows ways to combat our sin so that we can change our not just our behavior.

Sin is serious and specific, and it doesn't go away on its own. But here is serious--and safe--help for facing sin and finding freedom in Christ."

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Hope some of you might find those resources helpful... feel free to let me know what you're reading in the comments!

Cruciform Love, and Cruciform Parenting

What does that even mean? I had an educated guess, but Paul David Tripp (@PaulTripp) explains his view in a 4 minute video that has the power to transform how we parent our kids.

Not just for parents, though, I think his message can be extrapolated to a host of other situations and relationships. The cross truly must transform how we interact.

Tripp is a quirky guy, but don't let his awesome 'stache and funky glasses distract you from his powerful message. I'd love to hear comments from people, if you have them, as I think about these ideas throughout the day.

Find the video here:

http://youtu.be/Glx4DS7oxF0

Well this was quite a weekend....

I was delighted to send Kristin to a Women's Conference this weekend in Toronto - Women of Grace - for some spiritually-focused girl time. A well deserved break! The kids and I had a great time on Friday night with some friends - playing outside in the spring weather and then dinner at McDonald's, and of course, playland.

The kids were exhausted by the end of the day! Saturday we were invited to a friend's place for brunch, and the kids always have a ball there - and the food was delicious! Always a blessing to be with such good friends - uplifting conversation, good food and lots of fun for the kids, too!

With all the running and playing, it was no surprise (to me) that the kids were a little lethargic when we got home. They've missed their afternoon naps, and so I expected them to be a little worn out. We decided to do some spring cleaning outside, and when they tired of that, we moved indoors for a little project. Since winter is ending and 'coat season' is almost done, I thought Kristin would enjoy having her new(ish) coat rack hung up ;) What can I say, I've been a little busy lately....

I think we did a good job! It was then time to start dinner, and while I was cooking, I decided we had lots of food, and thought it'd be nice to share - so we invited more friends over for supper. The invitation was about 3 minutes too soon - I turned around to see Teddy sitting in the dining room - and then getting sick all over himself! Oh boy...

I decided it was best to rescind our invitation, which was graciously received. I got Teddy cleaned up, bathed up and the floors mopped up - and got him set up (tactfully) on the couch.

Poor guy. Unfortunately, just as I got him comfortable and, I thought, settled... Emma started complaining that she was sick. At first I thought she was just seeing the attention I was bestowing on Teddy and wanted some for herself. I was wrong.

With two sick kids and quite a mess to clean up, the house was a little hectic. I had hoped to have the house in good shape for Mommy's return, but my plans were stymied! Teddy and Emma's little tummies didn't really get settled until after midnight! Teddy had passed out earlier, but poor Emma's little tummy just couldn't be settled.

Josh, feeling neglected, settled into a nice little sleep.

Until 1am, when Kristin and I were just getting into bed... then his little tummy decided it was time to act up. What an end to the weekend!

Three sick kids have a way of testing one's patience! Life doesn't always go the way I'd like it to - and I've been learning a lot about that lately. Illness has a way of increasing the stress and pressure - the mess and general gross-ness of stomach troubles can greatly exacerbate the challenge of keeping up with three kids (although it does kind of slow them down a little...)

I generally don't do 'throw up' very well - I suppose most people don't! This weekend I was very aware of God's grace to me as I tended to these poor kids. Of course, they can't help being sick, so the burden is on me to manage my own stress and frustration. As I think about what I can learn from a weekend like this, I realize that relying on God to give me the fruit of the Spirit is vitally important for me, especially at unexpected time. A year ago, I would have been much more frantic, short-fused and a little loud with the kids. I wouldn't have handled the stress and mess very well at all. But God has been good to me - He's been teaching me and cultivating new patterns and traits in my heart.

I realize that cultivating these characteristics is so important in daily living, because you can't make a carrot grow the day you need a carrot for supper (ok, that was an odd analogy off the top of my head, but you get the point). Seeds have to be watered so that when you need that vegetable (or, fruit...) it's there, ready to be used.

I'm far from perfect, but we survived, and I think I was able to give the kids a lot of tenderness that they needed. So hard watching little one's be so sick. It's those moments where I realize how badly I want to take their sickness from them - I'll be sick so they can be well. And that's exactly what Jesus did for me, for us. And so I'm so grateful for these challenging times with the kids because they remind of just that - that my Heavenly Father took my pain, my sickness, all my faults and failures and he took the consequences so that I'll be free of them in the future. Without these practical, sanctifying times, I might lose sight of that.  Grace. Grateful.

And so we seem to be on the mend... we'll turn the corner today (I hope!) and be back in action in no time! The smiles are already starting to come back...

Finishing Well

My sporadic and itinerant blogging attests to how much work I usually have on my plate - at home, work and school. This leaves little time for 'extras' like blogging! The current semester ends in one week - yes, one week! The near-constant workload has left me exhausted and in need of a vacation (and thankfully we have one coming up - how about that!).

At the moment, I'm sitting in my office, listening to my co-workers in the hallway chatting, and enjoying a minute of near-solitude... the phone isn't ringing, the tide of emails has gone out (for the moment) and there is... quiet. As I enjoy this brief moment, I'm reflecting on this busy semester. "History II" was nearly the death of me - not that history is terrible - it's valuable and worth thinking about - but it doesn't fit neatly into my brain, and that makes it feel more like a burden than a blessing (hopefully in hindsight this might change!) 

I have one small assignment and one test still to come, and although the end is in sight, I'm aware of my exhaustion giving way to apathy. Strange, isn't it? It seems to me that some people, by their God-given temperament or by an act of sheer will, can happily push to the end, courageously and diligently fulfilling their obligations and tasks to relish in the gratification of finishing well.

I tend to feel the grind. I don't think I finish well - I finish, but I often drag my sorry butt across the line.

It's got me thinking about life.

Second Timothy 4 says, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." The author of Hebrews exhorts us to "run with endurance the race that is set before us," and Paul tells the Philippians to "press on toward the goal." Fighting, enduring, pressing on... to finish the race - and yet, I often feel like I'm slowly rolling under that tape at the end of the race.

Not exactly finishing well.

So it seems that each task in life is but a small hurdle along the way, ever teaching us to finish well - first in the small things, then in the bigger things. Each small victory another step toward finishing life well. So I'm learning to pace myself. Life isn't a sprint - a mad dash for the finish - but a long-distance marathon (God-willing!) and that takes training. Training doesn't happen accidentally, but takes intention, focus, discipline.

So that's what I'm learning. Finishing well. I might need a Gatorade break today, but tomorrow I will press on, not sprinting, but intentionally jogging along, keeping pace with my Creator. With His help, I'll finish the semester well; and with His help, I'll continue to develop the discipline, focus and intentionality that will enable me, at the moment God calls me home, to say that I ran the race.

Isn't Technology Wonderful?

Until it isn't...

Most days I really enjoy technology, most days... but today is not one of them.

So welcome to the 'new' blog - due to some connectivity hassles, I've moved the blog to a new domain. Google doesn't allow me to change certain preferences (a major headache!) and after an hour of searching help forums, I have concluded that it was best to just make the switch. So I apologize for having you change bookmarks and relocate here, but... sometimes that's just the way internet life goes!

On a positive note, I did manage to export all the old posts over to the new site, so that felt good - and it looks like everything transferred without issue!

Back soon with more posts... thanks for making the switch! ;)

Kids... and Food Trucks.

My fondness for food trucks is well known, and documented. I promised Kristin that I wouldn't turn our family blog into a food review forum, so in this post, I will mix two of my passions, family and food trucks ;)

Bear with me.

There's a new truck in the Hamilton area - Curbside Crepes.  The text on the menu is probably too small to read, but they offer some delicious bites with creative names.

Take, for example, the Victor Newman (I'm not a soap guy, but this is arguably the most recognized soap opera character... maybe?)

A perfect blend of ham and cheese (if you don't get the pun here, I can't help you...), with tomatoes, spinach, pesto, dijon cream and parsley. Yum! I decided to forego the V.N. and try the "Crepe Ole" -

 Shredded chicken, feta, tomatoes, black bean salsa with avocado, cilantro and lime zest. It was a light, delicious crepe that was filling, but not overloading. The pastry was thin, which was great, but also peels away easily, requiring a fork (which was not provided). No matter, I'm no stranger to finger food. Keep an eye out for this bright blue truck - they also have sweet crepes, like the Planet of the Ape - bananas, coconut, nutella, and whipped cream. Sounds good!

Okay, if you're still with me....

I was home one evening, down on the floor with the kids, driving cars, building castles and having tea parties (yes, this big tattooed bear still has tea parties with his little girl), when Josh starts up his garbage truck. Normally, the truck is filled with smaller cars, or little people, or ... whatever he can cram in there.

"Dad, look!" vroom vroom vroom, here he comes...

"Dad, look!" he opens the back of the truck, "Food truck, Dad!"

Looks like my obsession fondness for food trucks is being passed along!

The First Stitch

Arriving home with my hands full, I fumbled with my keys, trying to get the door open. The kids evidently heard the deadbolt clacking and ran to the door to see who was there. "Daddy's home!" Emma called; "Dad, Dad, Dad!" Josh exclaimed. Teddy was glued to The Polar Express in the basement. I can't compete with trains, apparently.

Up the stairs I went and into the kitchen, Emma leading the way, whirling and twirling around. I set my work bag down and she looked up at me, her mouth open, a gummy candy inside. I'm not sure if it was the candy, or Daddy returning home - whatever it was, she was fired up! Twirling around the kitchen... I turned to open the freezer to put some parcels away, and out into the hallway she went.

Thud.

"Owwwww......" Emma stumbled back into the kitchen, and then ran back out into the hallway. I looked down. Drops of blood dotted the tile floor. Uh oh.

I whisked Emma back into the kitchen and up on the table to inspect. Blood dotted her white shirt. "Blub," she said, pointing to her pink pants. It took a minute to find the source, hidden under her hair, a nice little slice. As I parted her hair to have a look, "Ow, no touch it Daddy..."

Mommy and I examined the injury. Looks like it needs a stitch. With a quick consult with our personal nurse (thanks Sue!), Emma and I were off to the clinic. A rare trip in Daddy's car offset the injury, and Emma was excited to ride in the infamous Grimace.
"Are we going to the doctor?" I ask while driving,
"Yep."
"Is he going to fix your head?"
"Yup!"
"Do you think he can fix Daddy's head too?"
"Nope."

Thanks Emma. ;)

Emma was patient as we waited for the doctor; sitting on Daddy's lap, snuggling her blanket, she watched the other kids go in and out.

Finally, our turn. Emma stared around the room. "pooter..." she said, seeing the clinic's computer screen. "Papa's pooter." "Yeah," I said, "that looks like Papa's computer doesn't it?" "Paper" she said, feeling the crunchy paper beneath her. "Bathroom..." "No, just a sink" I said. "Sink." "Telephone" "No, Emma, that's to look in your ears""Oh."

The door opens and in comes the doctor. She stares.

"Hi sweetie, how are you?" he says, getting closer to the "blub." She stares.

"What's your name?" I prompt her. "Emma," she says quietly.

The doctor has a look and Emma stays still, skeptical of this new doctor. He turns to gather his equipment. She stares, carefully watching him. He puts on his gloves. She watches, and then turns her eyes up at me.

"mittens...." she says. I can't help but laugh.

Needing only one stitch, the doctor and I decide to reduce the amount of needles by 50%, foregoing the freezing. She held still, bothered more by the hair in her eyes than the stitch. As the stitch went in, a little cry - breaks my heart - but stayed still.

Like a champ.

The doctor left the room after some parting instructions. I thanked him and Emma looked at me, "No doctor." Nope, no more doctor, honey.

We walked back down the short hallway to collect her prize - Emma forgot all about the stitch - helped by a Dora sticker and a lollipop. "I'm all fixed Daddy!" Yes, you are...

Rewarded with chicken nuggets and a chocolate timbit, for bravery, Emma was back at home. Within seconds she was showing off her stitch to her brothers and twirling around. "Did we learn nothing today, Emma?!"

Kids....